helpmesailaway

6 minutes ago, notamermaid said:

Good to read you enjoyed it, helpmesailaway. Makes one hungry to watch the video.

 

But for those who are not so much into baking or eating cakes, here are three videos of an area that is in my opinion a bit underdeveloped as a pre- or post-cruise on Rhine itineraries, Lake Constance and its islands:

https://www.dw.com/en/lake-constance/a-39093885

 

https://www.dw.com/en/world-heritage-site-reichenau-island/av-38892972

 

https://www.dw.com/en/konstanz-a-gem-on-lake-constance/av-19293272

 

notamermaid

 

 

 

yes!!!  notamermaid - the video made me very hungry!  - and I'm craving a BIG piece to the Black Forest Gateau - right now!!

8 hours ago, notamermaid said:

Let us not mention figures today, but rather stress that everyone counts. It is up to each of us, each individual person has the power to do something against the coronavirus.We are not helpless. Our chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the nation yesterday. I think the message came across well. She normally only addresses the nation in the form of a New Year's message. So yesterday was a big deal.

 

The underlying idea is also: stick by the rules, or this will get worse and the government will introduce stricter measures.

 

I saw the police today, checking distances of tables from each other in cafés.

 

According to our health minister the situation is not going to return to normal any time soon. "It is more likely to take several months than several weeks", he said. The people in Berlin like to be brutally honest with us. To help us through this time of waiting, anxiety and boredom we can explore our gardens, houses and flats and when we return to the kitchen perhaps do some cooking or baking. As we are in the Rhine thread and should at least loosely stick to the subject, I give you this recipe courtesy of Deutsche Welle. Why not try out baking black forest gateau, the black forest being a popular region explored on most Rhine river itineraries: https://m.dw.com/en/how-to-make-black-forest-gateau/av-52809599 

 

notamermaid

 

That looks delicious!!   Thank you for posting Notamermaid.   I've learned a new way to put cherries in Black Forest Gateau.  I usually just dot the cherries in the cream but I like the nice thick filling - 

In these challenging times some cheerfulness and joy is appreciated.

28 minutes ago, mef_57 said:

I wish,  but I work in the Microbiology/Virology lab, so I have to work and am run off my feet making testing kits.  I take public transit at this point, and things are fairly slow as it is school March break, but between bus/train/ hospital, well....I expect eventually I'll get it.  I got H1N1 at the end of the pandemic (on a cruise) and the following pneumonia.  Not worried about that again, but wishing I could be sewing instead.

My Middle Eastern cruise was cancelled, so my conservative clothing designed and sewn for this trip are going to need to be altered to something not quite so covered up.  They will be used in our hot humid summers, and when I retire and spend 3 months in south east asia, but I really miss that cruise.  It is once a year, and they have priced the next ones too high for a solo traveler so I can't see it in the foreseeable future.  I'll used the FCC for a Baltic cruise instead.  Definitely a different wardrobe requirement.

I also quilt.  Our local quilt store has offered to deliver your orders to your stoop 😁

Thank you mef_57 for the work you are doing to help in these challenging times.  All those working to provide help and care are heros.

Please be safe and stay healthy so you can enjoy many more cruises.

28 minutes ago, LadyShiva said:

Chengpk75, I wanted to tell you how much I have appreciated your calm, factual posts over the years.  I have opened threads purely due to seeing your user avatar is replying, because I KNOW I will learn something from your replies.

 

You are a very good teacher, and I truly appreciate your time and consideration you spend on these Boards.

Agree!

5 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

The air is not recirculated. Pleas read the post by the Chief Engineer (chengkp75) who explains how the ventilation system works on the ship.

I hadn't seen chengkp75 response before I wrote my post.  I trust and value Chengkp's knowledge - he is always the voice of reason.  Knowing this information came directly from him, it's info you can trust.  When Chengkp talks - I listen!

1 minute ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

@chengkp75 did state on another thread:

"Public space AC is similar to the cabin system, with a fresh air supply and an exhaust, but the majority of the AC is recirculated, but again this is broken down by zones and spaces (no AC ducting ever crosses a fire zone boundary, each zone has it's own systems), so if infected persons are in the public spaces, their "air" will be recirculated in those public spaces. However, the air handlers for these public spaces, along with the air handlers for the cabin fresh air supplies, all have sanitizing pads in the bottom to kill bacteria and viruses in the air duct systems."

Thank you so much for explaining some of this.

 I hope those "sanitizing" pads are  working at all times!!!!!  

2 hours ago, bluesea321 said:

 

I agree with you. For whatever it is worth (not much I know) I am a Mechanical Engineer with a Ph.D. in Fluid and Heat Transfer however I would not pretend to know the actual ventilation system on this particular ship as I obviously have not seen it. Ship technology is rapidly evolving, what was usual or typical in the past may no longer be the norm.

 

I found this article from RCCL describing their new Smart Ship technology. They are now recirculating air and Princess may be doing the same, no way to know from this end.

 

"So we’re trying to minimize energy cost in any way we can without jeopardizing the comfort of our passengers. One way is recirculating the air inside the ship instead of venting it outside, as had been the practice." 

https://www.rclcorporate.com/a-chill-in-the-air/

I REALLY don't like the sounds of "recirculating air" but then again I don't know anything a about it.  Is the recirculated air cleansed in some way before reciruculation?  If not, it sounds like a way for viruses to meet up with everyone on the ship😷

There is also a bit of crying - but it's never listed in the disembarkation instructions.

6 hours ago, Mrs. Winks said:

Thank you my DH @WinksCruises for another informative and fun review. For me it is a joy to relive our shenanigans through your stories! It always saddens me when your reviews are over but, at the same time, I am happy to get my husband back. It takes a ton of time and effort to provide these reviews and I, for one, am truly grateful. I love going back and reading your reviews from our previous sailings. And for my fellow cruisers out there check out the links in Winkscruises signature to read all about them!

 

So now the bad news, my sweet DL...we have two more cruises book for later this year (including the beautiful Sky Princess)!! I probably should have told you in person but this way is so much easier. Rest up because you are going to need it!!

 

To find out more about our upcoming adventures follow us on insta @winkscruises and @mrswinkscruises

 

Bye for now!

Thanks for sharing - you and Mr Winks adventures bring a smile to many😊

Where's Winks?????  And Mrs. Winks??? - we're all waiting here😊

I look forward to your review - always so fun to read!

10 hours ago, notamermaid said:

There is mild frost in the valley and there is this light grey haze in the air covering the river and its banks. All but a few Christmas markets have been taken down. The river has risen giving mild flooding in the Upper Rhine valley. Maxau gauge is at 625cm, which means that river traffic has to slow down for safety reasons. But it should peak soon and return to normal status by tomorrow.

 

We are of course in the 12 nights' period of Christmas which has no special traditional implications in my part of the valley though. But like the British tradition we keep the Christmas lights and decorations up and they are taken down on Epiphany. However, privately people like me choose to keep them up until Maria Lichtmess, that is Candlemas on 2 February.

 

In these modern times Christmas lights come in all forms and sizes and I am now the owner of a string of LED lights that has a USB plug to connect it to a computer. Really nice to brighten up a work desk.

 

A more traditional Christmas decoration that Germany has brought the world - yes, not only food and drink like Stollen, Lebkuchen and Glühwein - is the nutcracker. Here is how this came about and why the figures are all around to this day (republished by Deutsche Welle from last year): https://m.dw.com/en/how-the-nutcracker-achieved-worldwide-fame/a-46529001

 

notamermaid

 

Your posts are always so informative and fun to read.  I don't have a river cruise booked at the moment ( a tear here) but I come here everyday and feel that I always learn something new and see something interesting from your posts.

Thank you and Happy New Year 2020

Let me chime here with a BIG thank you!!!!  

Your pictures and information are wonderful - can't wait to sail on  the Sky.

Just wanted to add that the Enclave "pool" is not deep but would probably be okay for stretching - not swimming though

The pool in the Enclave is bigger than the hot tubs and hopefully that "pool" has steps.  The Enclave also might be better because it is enclosed.  I sure do miss the covered pools like on the Star - useable in all weather.

I'm sorry about the outdoor pools not having steps for you.  Most people can't understand how difficult life can be with a disability.

You look beautiful and I continue to be amazed at your sewing skills.  

I can make an apron!!- not that there is anything wrong with that!!

Thanks Coral 

We enjoyed our Uniworld Rhine cruise and appreciated not having to think about the gratuities or anything else.  This was very relaxing having that all included.

I'd like to try a Tauck or Crystal river cruise and would certainly go back to Uniworld.

I'm collecting brochures now!

6 hours ago, Coral said:

I did Crystal (Mozart) last year. I am afraid they ruined me for life because it was "perfect". They did do excursions in ports that other lines did not do which I really appreciated. Food and service exceptional. Everyone has a butler, no tips and drinks included at all times. I don't drink but I appreciated being able to get a virgin drink whenever I wanted. They maybe higher up on the price range but I can tell you I did not spend a cent onboard. I had $200 OBC and had no way of using it. I spent much more on my AMA cruise previously.

Hi Coral

I'm looking for a Danube river cruise for 2020 - and I value your opinion. 

How was AMA more $$ than Crystal?  I find it so challenging to compare some of these cruises because they all have different levels of "inclusiveness"!!

Thanks 

They might have Sunday hours - I don't remember but the owner - Steve and everyone there has always been extremely helpful .

I usually get insurance through tripinsurancestore - they are so helpful when trying to determine what insurance will work for your situation.

Wishing you good health quickly.

Hi acwmom

I just saw that you are going on the Danube with AMA - when are you going because I would love to follow along if you are writing a review.

We would like to sail on a Danube cruise and AMA has some great itineraries - so difficult to chose just one!

Your review got us to Castles on the Rhine  with Uniworld and it was a fabulous time.

I was also wondering if AMA has a "sale season"  like Uniworld does in Nov - Dec.

We were on Uniworld Castles on the Rhine and were seated with a vegetarian couple and were chatting about the food.

During the cruise Uniworld wanted to know how everyone was enjoying the cruise and if there were any questions or suggestion.  The husband mentioned that the "veggie" options were a bit "meh" and from that night on the chef made a special, lovely vegetarian dinner for them.

So if ask, you (hopefully) will receive!

15 hours ago, RedHeadTexan said:

I sewed a new pattern today and just have the hemming left to do.  This is from Made for Mermaids and the pattern is called Jade.  I added too much length to the leg pattern pieces, so will adjust the pattern.  When you are 6 feet tall it’s always best to go long.  I will be making a shorts version soon.

 

 

I am so amazed and impressed - big time - with your sewing.  

Your clothes are beautiful.

On 8/1/2019 at 6:46 PM, chefchick said:

I have been fooled before by thinking the pasties and cakes look some delicious on cruise ships only to be terribly disappointed at first bite (I’m looking at you Princess almond croissants).  So, for those of you with experience on X, which morning pastries and which afternoon/evening cakes are actual worth the calories?

 

Favorites?  How about the coffee?  And does it depend on which ship? (I will be sailing the Solstice). 

This is  so funny - the Almond croissants on the Crown Princess were incredible - and I ate one everyday.  The Almond croissants on the Sapphire - well I was looking at them but not eating - ick!!!!

The Celebrity pastries look delicious.

Another idea is one of those polar fleece headbands - they're very light too and can be stuffed into a pocket.