AncientWanderer

I love that photo. It just says, "Happy, fun day"! What a relief about Bindi -- your sweet companion.❤️

Greetings all. Taking a break from window-washing to check in. Almost as much fun as @Quartzsite Cruiser's dryer vent operation. I cracked up when I read that, having gone through the same gyration with ours. Yes, we diligent housekeepers know how to spend a rewarding day! Wishing a very Happy Birthday to @HeartgroveJack. 🎂 🎊 🎈 I can't think about Tiara Day without being reminded of @cat shepard's darling retirement party photo. Some of you might remember that wonderful photo! A repost wouldn't be the worst thing. 😉 Also, I sure hope Bindi is okay. German chocolate cake was a favorite in our household growing up. Probably time to bake one. They're all about the frosting, right? I hope @kazu gets some answers from doctors today. What a frustration that must be. Everyone, enjoy the day! For us in U.S., Memorial Day kind of kicks off summer. Time for the patent leather shoes, white clothes, and seersucker. I wonder if there is a certain holiday in Canada that spells summer. I never thought about that before! Happy Friday!

Dang I have a lot to catch up on here. I’m trying to get our yard “summer ready.” It was a real mess after being away for a month. When they say “spring” in California, they mean it. We have almost a never-ending growing season. Lots to do. But kinda ready now for Memorial Day BBQ. But… thinking of all of you. Especially sweet Tana’s birthday. Things are getting kinda unwieldy here on the Daily. Hard to keep up. Gentle reminder…to post multiple times is human; to multi-quote is divine. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Have a good evening, everyone!

A little off topic, but just a cautionary tale…no reservation is cast in stone. We were bumped from a pre-purchased specialty restaurant because they scheduled a Cellar Master’s dinner for our night. The annoying part was we would have just shifted to the Cellar Master’s dinner, but it was sold out. 🙄 So if you have a special occasion you are celebrating, can’t hurt to confirm and reconfirm. Just so you can book a happy alternative, if need be. The flexible cruiser is the happy cruiser. 😊

We’ve done five transatlantics — our sixth will be next spring. We really like heading east and arriving in Europe refreshed and ready to go. No jet lag. Knock on wood, but we’ve always enjoyed fine weather. Captain always seems to find smooth seas. The crossing goes by quickly — too quickly! Great way to travel.

Oh that's awesome! We'll be late to the party, but after we do that part, we'll have circumnavigated the globe. Some years ago we rented a car in Lisbon and drove south and around back to Lisbon. We fell in love with Portugal. This time we'll head north. I'm thrilled you'll be onboard! 😊

Are you doing that, too?! Just that segment or others as well?

Good morning everyone. We were just in Sokcho, South Korea, but that's not close enough to Incheon to post photos. We had a great day, though, and enjoyed our brief exposure to South Korea very much. We had our pre-construction meeting with the project manager for our master bath remodel. It went great, but DH suggested moving the existing large mirror into the garage to practice his golf swing. Gonna need to put on my heaviest patience cloak! lol This morning, we put a hold on a world cruise segment for 2026 -- Singapore to Lisbon. Just what we've been wanting -- to spend time in Singapore and rent a car in Lisbon. I hope it goes! @aliaschief, you are truly having an epic journey. So happy that all this amazingness came your way! Happy Anniversary! Our Dailyites with troubles are in our prayers, as always. I sure hope @kazugets that foot sorted out ASAP. Most of the people here who love to travel are active people -- making it especially hard to be incapacitated. Wishing everyone some goodness in this day. Thank you, Daily Team! ❤️ Maxine

Thanks for your thoughtful post. If I'm reading correctly, there's one thing I'd point out. This cruise ended in Seattle, not Vancouver.

I'm sorry things didn't go as expected, Pennie, and hope they are keeping you as comfortable as possible. Prayers are with you that the adjustments tomorrow go well and that you heal swiftly. Please keep us updated. Dang...crummy news from your front, too, Annie. Thinking of you and your long, stressful day, and will be praying that you hear better news soon. @JazzyV, it's touching to read about how you and BFF look out for each other. I'm so sorry you're both struggling right now. Maxine

Good morning everyone. It’s early here. We have a morning appointment with our project manager for upcoming master bath remodel, so thoughts about that project are waking me up. I don’t think I’ll be doing a chicken dance today! Getting caught up here, those on the Care List are in our prayers. I see there are a few serious procedures taking place. Prayers all go well. Wishing everyone a best possible day. Many thanks go to the Daily team and all contributors.

Happy Anniversary @summer slope!!! 💐

Lenda, I am sorry to hear that some people were very disappointed by this kerfuffle. We have done both routes over the years, but this cruise we focused so much on Japan, and then having the port stops in Kodiak and Sitka, our brains just thought of the Alaskan passage. We saw plenty of sea otters and birds around Kodiak. We booked a Canaletto dinner for sailaway time out of Sitka and a couple of whales went by during our dinner. So all was not lost. Weather was bad and seas were high from Japan to Alaska. The captain communicated really well throughout about timing changes, etc., to deal with that and we sure never missed a meal. DH and I were impressed that when the mistake was made later, the captain didn't try to blame anyone or throw any team members under the bus. But again, sorry to hear that some folks were so bummed out to miss that Canadian passage.

We didn't complain and we got a letter.

Good morning all. Welcome back, Rich! We returned yesterday from our 30-day Japan to Seattle journey. I read all the Daily last night to catch up on things and enjoyed the wonderful photos posted for Mother's Day. Out there in the wild, there is a thread about compensation for missing the inside passage. It was funny...we turned on the TV to see the course of the ship, just to see if we'd soon have sun on our balcony. The ship had turned around and was headed back where we came from. Then after awhile did a circle. My first thought was, oh no, man overboard. Later in the day, the Captain did make an announcement. It seems course had been set to the course that the vast majority of the Alaska cruises do. We didn't even know we were missing anything, having been to Kodiak, Sitka and Ketchikan. That night, with the incredible Aurora Borealis over the open ocean, it seemed meant to be. Anyhow, great travel adventure we had -- even the wild ride though the Bering Sea -- and now lots of things to get in order here at home. Have a great day, everyone!

Yes, fair compensation, imho

Northern Lights from the Westerdam en route to Victoria. Quite a night. DH has better photos on his camera, but he’s asleep now. I’m too wound up to sleep.

Onboard Westerdam now… Our itinerary included South Korea, so I did get the visa for that, but never needed it. I think your itinerary only includes Japan. No visa requirement for that with U.S. passport. The Westerdam team has done an amazing job of working with Japanese officials so that immigration requirements go smoothly. Even flying in, things went quickly. Arriving and departing on the ship should be simple as pie. I filled out the “Visit Japan” form online, but that was totally unnecessary. It was hard to fill out and there wasn’t even a quicker line at the airport. Again, high marks to Westerdam team. I hope hotel manager Dustin Coomer is onboard for you. Very well-run ship. (Your itinerary is different than ours, so I can’t help much with excursions, but suggest booking early. They do fill up. Anything scenic or outdoor park type is great. So fun people-watching. The Japanese ladies dress themselves and their dogs beautifully for a day at the park! 😍)

We’ve been on Westerdam about three weeks. Yes — definitely more variety in fish choices and preparation has been quite good. I tend to order fish a lot, and with the exception of one disappointing halibut meal, all fish selections have been very appealing. We’ve actually been overthinking it — looking up the menu fish on Google to determine what is being offered. That’s been a waste of time. It’s impossible to get things sorted out. So many different names for the same fish. So just trusting and ordering, we’ve enjoyed our fish dinners. 👍🏻

After just a few days on Westerdam, our plans disappeared entirely from the app. Tour tickets are still there, so that hasn’t been a worry. DH and I have looked on a variety of devices. I updated the app on my phone one day when I had cell service in port. Plans are still gone. We haven’t bothered to seek help onboard, since I keep my own calendar anyhow of dining reservations, etc.

Hi Kazu. Glad to see you’re enjoying your cruise! I’m kinda out of the loop, but wondered…here on the Westerdam we are seeing different lunch menus on sea days, instead of repeat of same as they’ve been doing lately. This is a welcome change, but wondered if it’s just because we’ve run out of the everyday stuff or if it’s fleet wide change. Maybe check if you have a sea day? Here’s our lunch menu for today… Thanks and wishing you fair weather and calm seas!

You and Chuck are in our prayers, Annie. Cancer is brutal and there’s just no denying it. Stay strong and carry on. God has a plan. We have just completed our circle of Japan and are headed across the Pacific. I’m really excited for you for a couple of reasons. One is that Japan is just very special. Second is that we’ve been all over the place and while we’ve seen crazy beautiful cherry blossoms, it’s been surprising how so many other trees and plants haven’t even budded out yet, this late in spring. The hills are covered in trees that still look like winter. They must have a really short growing season and crazy beautiful autumn colors. I would LOVE to see the fall colors. Seriously thinking of coming back. Be aware that we’re spoiled by ADA in the US. It’s hard accessing a lot of the tourist attractions in Japan — many steep stairs. But honestly it’s the beauty of the natural world that is most enchanting in Japan. You guys are in for a real treat. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Greetings everyone from Japan. I hope all are doing well. Glad to see that @kazuJacqui was able to make her trip, and even has enough oomph to do a “live from.” 😊 The Westerdam is delivering the goods here in Japan. We’ve had great excursions, quite good food, and wonderful service. And blessed with sunny skies. And…perfect timing for the cherry blossoms. Happy campers. Here are a few photos. Shirakawago from Kanazawa port stop Hirosaki from Aomori port stop And a pretty darn lavish Asian dinner in the Lido Wishing everyone a best possible day. Many thanks to the Daily team and all contributors. ❤️

Our condolences, Bruno, for this sad and tough time. I hope you feel better soon. Not easy…

Greetings friends. I’ll tip my hat to McDonalds, as the very first one was in our neck of the woods and nice to see big things come from small places. 🍔 🍟 @Quartzsite CruiserLenda, I hope Steve has a positive doctor visit. You’ve been through a lot. We are go, go, going in Japan. @JazzyV, we are indeed onboard until Seattle. And that less hectic schedule for the transpacific will be most welcome, HAL is doing a nice job on the Westerdam. Lots of regional touches, like fun wasabi bar mix, nicer sushi offerings, special Asian dishes on the menu. No opportunity for speakers as it’s just constant port stops. Definitely the most strenuous cruise I’ve experienced. We are booked for the Morimoto dinner and I’ll take photos and report on that. We haven’t seen much feedback on it yet. Take care all. Wishing everyone a pleasant day, although I don’t know what day it is anywhere! ❤️