Cruising-along

Sounds good to me! See you all onboard!

I spoke with Rich @richwmn yesterday and he said he would bring it up today. I'm guessing he's just very busy getting ready to leave and forgot. But YES, we're interested! Whether it's dinner or drinks, anything -- count us in. Ideas? Rich?

Debbie it's wonderful that so many Dailyites will be on the cruise! Please take lots of photos, wish we were joining you! Vanessa @JazzyV My heart breaks for you. I know I wouldn't be handling the pain as well as you are. We all feel helpless, just know we all are sending prayers and gentle hugs.

Good morning all! My Dear Dad was an avid crossword solver up until his death at the age of 101 and I know it's one reason his mind remained so sharp. Blue collar workers are the backbone of our country, and I do love brownies -- the darker chocolate the better. Funny quote, I miss Robin Williams too. Will pass on the meal, drink and wine. We were in Rhodes for 2 days a couple years ago. The first day we toured the whole island so will just post those photos and not the ones of Rhodes itself. Our luggage tags are supposed to arrive today. The bags are packed, we just have one small box we'll be adding to the pile. As already mentioned, we finally got the list of Theme Nights yesterday -- HAL dropped the ball IMO, not letting us know until this late in the game. We also aren't going to worry about it -- too late anyway. We do have some things I got ahead just from looking at prior theme lists so we'll bring those (small things like special bow ties for DH, hair pieces for me etc.) It's fun to look at Inside Cabin's blog -- my goodness, he even had a full penguin costume! No wonder they brought so much luggage and boxes! 😂 @Ichiban Happy Birthday to your DH Dave! Debbie @dfish I'm thrilled that you and Sue got that great upsell -- 2 bathrooms -- wow!! Sharon @Sharon in AZ So glad that your 2nd cataract surgery went well. Gerry @ger_77 Happy 4th Birthday to your DGS Parker! Lorraine @cruising sister So glad that Murphy is doing better again. Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser Yay on booking a cruise! Wish it was on ours, but maybe some day! Karen @luvteaching I'm glad the rivers have crested below flood stage and you're having a "dry day". It definitely isn't dry here in Snohomish County, the rain continues and coming down hard. Here are some of my photos from our tour around Rhodes Island. Rhodes from our balcony Gorgeous views on our tour of the island That's Turkey across the water We went to Lindos and the Acropolis

Good morning all! Even as a child I never liked cotton candy, Illinois is our DDIL's home state and where our DS had his first job post college, met her and fell in love. We're so thankful to have her in the family! Wishing everyone joy especially during this joyful season. We'll go to Pearl Harbor next month and have a tour. I'm passing on the meal, drink and red wine, we've been to Norway but never to this port. The cruise prep continues and getting things crossed off my list(s). Four bags are packed and ready for Luggage Forward next week (we thought we might have 6 bags sent, so this is a pleasant surprise). Packing the one bag that has to be checked and our 2 carry-ons and that's it! I hope everyone has a good day!

That's good progress! And the more Da Vinci sees Mona Lisa cuddling up to you, the more likely he will too. I'm very glad to hear this 🙂

Good morning all! I've never had Gazpacho, but think I would like a small amount of it for a taste. I salute miners and mitten trees, agree with the quote, and our Grand Australia/NZ will go to Waitangi not Russel. But we have a tour booked that will cruise to Russel. Yesterday we finished packing a 3rd bag for Luggage Forward to pick up. That takes care of the bulk of what we're bringing but we probably still will fill a couple more. The pick-up is next week, we should be ready by then. Happy Birthday @Cat in my lap!

I was going to suggest that you blame it on the pain meds 😉 😄 OH, she's just beautiful! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

Good morning all! 100% rain all day today, and it will be another 8 days before we have no chance of rain. Yes it does rain a lot here in the Evergreen State 😉 Interesting days -- we live in a very casual area and everyone wears blue jeans (I also have black jeans). When I'm home and if it's cold, I may even throw on some sweat pants. I'll pass on the meal and drink, but I've liked every Albarino I've ever had. Have not been to this port. Bruce @aliaschief I was confused this morning too, LOL. How on earth did you find a year-old thread? I hope you feel better soon. @GTVCRUISER Bon Voyage! Charlene @cunnorl Congratulations on the birth of your Grand-Niece! Lorraine @cruising sister I know how you feel. I'm not worried about forgetting to pack something, but more worried I'll forget to do something before we leave (like mail, garbage, bills, etc. etc. etc.) Thank you for the update on baby Murphy. She's a fighter!

Good morning all! I love cheetahs, we need and depend on our banks, and I'll be baking cookies in a few weeks but not yet. The quote is funny but mostly sad. You're right Debbie @dfish I wouldn't like the coconut and also not a big fan of curry unless it's very, very subtle. Tonight we'll be having marinated salmon, salad and baked potatoes. I'll also pass on the drink, but would love the Chenin Blanc. We were in Oranjestad only once, in 2009. We rented a jeep and drove around the island. I remember it was very dry, and bleak. We did find a beach that we had all to ourselves and made it a beach day. @seagarsmoker Good luck with the interview today!! Sandi @StLouisCruisers Yikes on the leak but wow they got it fixed quickly! Sorry you had that to deal with. @Heartgrove Good to hear that you and Sue are feeling much better. Roy @rafinmd It's wonderful to hear that you did well on your 20-minute walk! Have a great day everyone!

Looks that way to me too! And there's 2 of them -- double trouble!

Joy, I think this cocktail must have really impressed you! 😄 Well the pants are hemmed, the dress is a bit more challenging so I'll keep working on that. I went to Michael's (always dangerous this time of year!) and found some Christmas projects for the boys to do when they visit in a couple weeks. Meanwhile, here's a photo of one of DD's cats inspecting their tree. 😉 I haven't heard of any problems yet, but I'm not holding my breath!

I just realized I haven't added this to the future cruise listing 🙂 November 9, 2024 Volendam 42 days 42 day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage Thanks Jacqui!

Good morning from the rainy PNW! A good collection of days again. I guess I think of both the Lone Ranger and WTO. Lone Ranger because I'm a Baby Boomer, and WTO because my older sister was a pianist and it was something she played. Our family are big huggers so lots of hugging going on. Funny quote, will pass on the meal (mushrooms) and drink. But yes to another Viognier! Never can have too many. We've been to Costa Rica but not this port. Today I might start wrapping Christmas gifts, and also need to hem some pants and a dress for the cruise. Also I've been looking into different Christmas ornaments the DGSs can make when they're with us for 2 days in a couple weeks. Somehow the older they get the harder it is to come up with ideas. 🤔 When they were little we made the hand print Santas, and DD displays them every Christmas. Bon Voyage @RedneckBob!! Have a fabulous cruise.

Good morning all! More rain, and mid-high 40's F today. I was awakened at 5 this morning by a deafening downpour on our roof. It really sounded like it was battering the house. Then it stopped as quickly as it started. Strange weather! Three good days, I salute the hardworking bartenders everywhere and especially on BHBs. I would like the meal, drink and wine (love Viognier). But tonight I think we'll have tacos. We've had chicken a lot this week. Both DH and I are having minimal effects after getting our 7th (!!) Covid booster yesterday. Even our arms aren't very sore. Today I'll be getting the Christmas cards in the mail, and continue to work on packing. Oh, and some laundry and housework sometime today 😉 Prayers for all who are hurting and big cheers for all who are celebrating!

Vanessa @JazzyV I'm so sorry this may have been the worst day yet (and I know that's saying a lot!) Prayers that the MRI will finally give some answers so you can finally get some relief. Brenda @bennybear Cute puppy! Sandi @StLouisCruisers A big shout out and congratulations to DGS Ren!! I know you're proud, and rightfully so! @57redbird Doctors seem to always prescribe Metformin first. But it's usually a very good drug to lower blood sugar -- strange that it made yours go higher. That said, I never recommend it anymore since I found out it was harming my kidneys. Does it ever seem that when one thing goes wrong several follow? First the excursion cancelation -- and I didn't say before, but the email from Shore Excursion Group said that I hadn't been charged. Uh no, I paid for the excursion 8 months ago. Thankfully I got a swift apology to my rebuttal email, and the refund is already showing up on our Visa online. Yeah! Then I received the wrong item in the mail. I had ordered something for the cruise and the wrong item came. Now I'm hoping the right thing arrives before our luggage is picked up in 2 weeks. My gosh, sometimes it seems that nobody can do their job anymore. 😉 😅

Makes me crazy how much ignorance there is about that disease. I'm on Glipizide now, took me off Metformin. I tolerated it fine, but my kidneys didn't.

Good morning all! I'm happy to see that the forecast of frozen mix won't be happening. Instead it's rain, rain, rain. Too warm for frozen anything. All good days. I'll pass on the red wine and drink, and maybe on the meal but minus the dressing with the hard boiled eggs. We have not been to Brazil. We really enjoyed DGS's band recital yesterday. He plays in percussion, and their section was the best of the whole show (IMO) 😉 We got seats right near him, so had a good view and I could tell he was very pleased we were there. Especially because DD couldn't go, she's home with a bug so watched on Zoom. This morning we're getting the latest Covid booster, and then will be done. Yesterday I got an email from Shore Excursions Group telling me that the tour I booked last April in Akaroa, NZ has to be canceled due to tour provider issues! Now it's back to the drawing board for that port, and of course the good ones with HAL are full and so is the private tour with the roll call. GRR. Not happy at the late notice! We've used Shore Excursions Group several times in the past and had no problems. If anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it! I'm wondering which would be better, just stay in Akaroa (sounds like a delightful town) or to go into Christchurch and take the HOHO....any ideas? The tour that was canceled goes to Banks Peninsula -- something I really wanted to see... Lorraine @cruising sister thank you so much for posting the photos of sweet little Murphy. She's darling and truly a miracle! Also sorry to hear about the pre-Diabetes. I know how you feel, because it's in my DNA too. It runs through my family back generations. No matter how thin, fat, or active, every person has gotten it eventually. Hang in there! Eva @superoma Good to hear that the antibiotics are working for your friend Dena. Graham @grapau27 Very sorry about the water problems and I hope your garden wasn't too damaged.

Good! You've been much more patient than I would have been. I've never heard of scans taking so long!

Good morning all! Our beautiful sunny days are gone and rain has returned. Even a forecast of "frozen mix" tomorrow. I guess it's our turn, and it will be December tomorrow after all... The security system we have on our computers works well, and we always have our computer guru DS if we need help. I love chocolate mousse, but haven't had any in a long time. Congratulations to Barbados! I'll pass on the red wine and drink, but might like the meal. Not sure DH would care for it though. Thank you for all the lovely photos of Seydisfjordur! It wasn't on our VOV itinerary. Photos of Iceland really make me want to do the VOV again....we're booked through June 2025, hmm... Today will be another full day. This morning we're going to the DGSs school where the 5th grader will be in a musical program. Afterwards we'll probably get lunch out, and continue down to Seattle to pick up the last Christmas gift. Tomorrow I'm thinking of getting my Covid booster, the timing would be good between holidays and a few weeks before the cruise. Meanwhile the packing continues. When DH called World Cruise office at HAL yesterday they told him that this year's Grand Africa didn't receive the list of Theme nights until after Luggage Forward had picked up luggage. Not inspiring much confidence! So by looking at previous Grand Voyage Theme nights I'm just making an educated guess and winging it! Sharon @Sharon in AZ Thinking of you today as you have your cataract surgery. Both DH and BFF say it's a piece of cake. Roy @rafinmd Safe travels home! Eva @superoma Prayers for your friend.

It wouldn't be any trouble at all, Jane. But as @57redbird said, all that is needed is to either fill out the form under Special Needs or you can call Ship's Services and they handle it. I really don't have any inside information about how HAL specifically has reduced sodium diets. As for when you aren't cruising, and every-day life, Google has helped me a lot, plus just reading lots of labels. In general stay away from packaged and frozen meals, lunch meats, bacon (boo hoo) pizza (more boo hoo), soy sauce, pickles, canned soups, sausages things like that. You'd be surprised at how much sodium many things have.

Thank you Sandi, it was a great relief. Yes the meals are still tasty (we've done one shorter cruise with this dietary restriction). Probably not as low-salt as I make at home, but at least lower than the usual on the menu. I haven't eaten in the Canaletto yet with this restriction and I have to wonder how they would manage it since Italian food can have a lot of sodium.

I am home from my appointment with the Nephrologist and feeling relieved. She said I'm doing great! I was worried that the 2 point drop in my kidney function was serious, but she said it's normal to see fluctuations like this, and as long as it stays in the same range not to worry. Whew! She spent half the time asking me about cruising LOL -- and was thrilled to know that I've let the ship know I'm on a low salt diet. Now that's over, back to cruise planning!

Thank you Sandi, and no, I can't keep them straight either! Having never been to any of them yet it adds to the confusion. 😂 We do plan to take the local bus in Rarotonga, as has been mentioned here before by you and Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser. Like I said, there are no ship tours there. We won't be in Raiatea.