Cruising-along

I did a Google search and I got the feeling too that that requirement is for people planning on staying for awhile. We're waiting to do ours because we plan on getting new cell phones before we leave. Unless we did it without the cell phone app --- someone on the roll call said he did that. I really, really hate doing things like that on my phone...

Thank you Nancy, I have a feeling we won't need that many bags, but we'll see. I'm not usually an over-packer, but we'll be having a lot of sea days too. I know we'll be keeping a lot of things like gifts, souvenirs and extra toiletries inside bags under the bed and we'll be using every single storage space we can find. 🤣

Good morning all! It's another drizzly morning here in the PNW. Yesterday we had some major downpours in the area. I've turned the heat on for the first time, seems early. We usually get past September before I have to do that. 😞 I'm more of a wine drinker, but do love Guinness occasionally. It's the only beer I'll drink. We have wonderful neighbors on both sides and across the street. We and the neighbors to the right and left have been here 30 years now, the others nearly as long, a couple of us are original owners of the homes. I love Swedish meatballs, will print off one of the recipes -- thanks Debbie @dfish! Also love any NZ Sauvignon Blanc, so I know I'd like this one. Will pass on the drink. The Beatles are my favorite group, and I was lucky enough to see them in person when I was 14 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. I'm amazed that Vanessa @JazzyV knew it was our anniversary yesterday -- Vanessa you must have meticulous notes!! Thank you again. We had a nice dinner out and DH surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of roses. Today we plan to do some clothes shopping for DH for the Grand Australia. And yesterday we put in our order for Luggage Forward, they will pick up our bags on Dec. 14. We have unlimited luggage forwarding...uh, to be sure we have enough, we're having them pick up 6 large suitcases....who knows where we'll put all this stuff, but I'd rather have too much than not enough. If we don't need that many, we just let them know. We'll also have 2 carry-on bags. We've never been gone 94 days before. A lot of it will be games, crafts etc. to do on sea days, some things for the children on Fanning Island. I'm thinking of Lenda and Steve @Quartzsite Cruiser today as he has the shunt placed. I was too late to post on yesterday's thread but I'm thinking of you! Roy @rafinmd Safe travels and Bon Voyage! So happy you're doing this. @Denise T I'm sorry you were sick yesterday, I hope you're feeling much better. We were in Bergen in 2019 on our 50th anniversary cruise. That day we walked from the ship to the funicular, back down the hill and to the ship. It was a nice day! My favorite scene on our walk Past a park full of pigeons Unusual (for us) McDonalds Loved this sign ("This way That way") The line for the funicular Going up... And at the top Lovely mini waterfalls I found a friend 😉 Very nice and easy path And coming back down, a view of the Nieuw Statendam

Thank you all so much! We've decided to just go "down the road" for dinner tonight, and stay off the freeways. The rain is coming down hard, and the traffic is awful even in good weather.. Caron @Cruisercl We will definitely plan something, and yes, we'll have a lot of sea days in the beginning of the cruise -- perfect for get togethers. Looking forward to it! Our wedding was very small, this photo was taken at the reception at my parents' house. All of DH's family was in GA and mine in WA state (the wedding was in CA). In those days flying across country wasn't as easy as it is now. Thank you for the lovely compliments. 🙂

WOW! What a nice surprise this morning! Thank you all and I hope I didn't miss anyone. I see @Cruzin Terri posted when I was typing, thank you! Much appreciated 🙂 Yes, this is year 54 for us -- hard to believe when I feel like I'm still 18 😉 Caron @Cruisercl I have lists of lists too, and they seem to be getting longer! I think we should think of having a "Daily get together and/or meal" near the beginning of the cruise, that would be fun. I see that some of us are on the same tours, but it would be nice to get to know each other sooner. Good collection of days, I like the quote. Will pass on the meal and drink but love Chenin Blanc. Have never been to Senegal. Safe travels @Nickelpenny. Jack @Heartgrove Welcome home! 54 years ago today -- we were so young!!

Thanks, Brenda. You're probably right about that! I don't understand someone who asks a direct question to a person but doesn't respond to the answer she gets. I don't think she liked the answer (?) I think I'll get the RSV first, then the flu shot, then the Covid shot. When I get the flu shot too early in the fall I end up sick in early spring so I do better getting that one later in October. I'd like to get the Covid vaccine closer to our January cruise (but not too close, probably a month before we leave). Thanks Joy. Since I always have a reaction even to one vaccine at a time, I don't think I'll do that but I know it would be safe, just not pleasant for me. 😉 Jacqui I'm so sorry about the death of your BFF's husband. My condolences.

It does make you wonder! Recently on a roll call someone asked me a direct question, I answered it, and....crickets. I wondered if she'd missed my answer even though I quoted her. Weeks later she said she had seen my answer (I don't remember now what brought it up, I didn't ask). I had to wonder why she hadn't responded at the time then (?) Home again after a very nice lunch with BFF. We always have a lot to talk about, and lots of laughs. The drive wasn't as bad as I feared, just some wind but not much rain. Since the subject of vaccinations has come up, I'm wondering if we should get the RSV vaccine too? Are many of you getting it? That would be a flu shot, RSV, and the new Covid vaccine...

Thank you so much. DH has switched our booking to Busget.

Good morning all! I learned French in school -- living in CA, Spanish was the language most chose, but I always knew I wanted to go to France some day. I've always been able to "get by" all over France and in some small villages where English isn't well known. DH took a little German in the military because he was supposed to be sent to Germany. Nope, he was sent to Viet Nam instead... Since Washington is the "Apple State", we appreciate Johnny Appleseed here. I have a loving and close family, they're all dear to me. Interesting quote. One of my (small) pet peeves is when I offer some advice or answer someone's question on CC (not this thread) or FB and my post is completely ignored, much less get a thank-you. Like I said, small pet peeve, but a little annoying. Love, love a good Viognier, no thanks to the drink, and the meal looks yummy. We love lamb chops, but don't usually have them at home -- so very special on a BHB. Today I'll be driving north to Mount Vernon to have lunch with my BFF. The forecast is for more rain and even wind, so we most likely won't be taking our usual walk after lunch. Safe travels Sandi @StLouisCruisers! Hoping for good news from your DH's tests Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser Roy @rafinmd I'm excited for you about your cruise! Terry @smitty34877 Sending more hugs and prayers.

Ditto. Thanks Bruce @aliaschief

Good morning all! It's a drizzly day here, I'm hoping to get outside later in the afternoon if the rain stops. Otherwise it's a day of laundry catch-up. I see that a small (luckily) tree fell on my next-door neighbor's fence. Thankfully the tree was skinny and small so didn't damage the fence. And we didn't even have wind...the Cottonwoods are such a menace here. Both DD and DS worked in the food service industry while in high school and college. DH's 2 sisters and a niece are all deaf. The only comic books I ever liked were Little Lulu and Archie! I like the quote, will pass on the meal, red wine and drink. We will be in Dunedin on the Grand Australia and have a tour of the city and Larnach Castle planned. Thank you all for the photos! @ocean sounds Bon Voyage! @Duck Creek Welcome to the Daily! Vanessa @JazzyV I'm sorry you had a bad night with the pain, I hope today will be better.

Good morning all! Another full day trying to catch up. Groceries, laundry, etc. etc. The fall rains have begun, summer is gone. Our daughter had a pet rabbit when she was in high school. He was a beautiful Holland Lop-Eared chocolate bunny. She named him "Dutch". Cherries Jubilee was on the menu the last night of our cruise, but I chose something else. No hunters in our family, but DH did a lot of fishing in the past. I love any mojito, but will pass on the red wine. The meal looks good, but we had the hamburger casserole last night (good!). Isle of Pines was on the itinerary for the Grand Australia, but was replaced with another port. Only 14 weeks now, and a lot to do. Gerry @ger_77 I had the same idea a few years ago about the king size comforter on a queen size bed. Except I'm the covers hog in our family! 🤣 Have a great day everyone!

I think SO would mean "significant other" (?)

Thank you Jacqui! We really did have a good time! Everything was done today that we needed to get done, rental car returned, DH's car picked up at DD's, and this afternoon our wonderful son came over and took down the chirping smoke alarm and put up the new one with a 10-year battery. Ahh, quiet again!! We didn't even have to get out the extension ladder, he brought his ladder (not quite as tall, but he's 6'2" and could reach it without having to stretch too much. So a good day!

Good morning all! It feels good to be able to get onto CC easily again. I don't know, but it almost seemed like Celebrity blocks CC when you're onboard -- 😉 I could get onto any other site but not this one. Even the service in port wasn't great, and of course I didn't have much time anyway. Will try to catch up in the next few days. We got home last night and had a great cruise. It actually exceeded our expectations, we weren't sure what to expect after not sailing Celebrity for 6 years. One huge improvement, they now have all Indonesian, Filipino, and Kenyan crew instead of eastern European. It almost felt like being on HAL! The best of all was our dining stewards, they treated us like royalty and we loved them all -- especially our wine steward "Robert" from Kenya. He was such a sweetheart. So we will continue to use Celebrity as our "back-up" cruise line for shorter cruises like Alaska and Pacific Coastal. Their horrible laundry package and lack of good longer cruises prohibit taking longer cruises (for us). But for short cruises we have no complaints. The food was very good and the entertainment was excellent. We had a bit of a wait getting across the border back to the US, then met my sister and her DH for a late lunch before continuing the drive home. It was a long day, and the usual disembarkation problems in Vancouver. I slept 11 hours last night!! We have a full day ahead, return the rental car in Everett, pick up DH's car from our daughter, and then this afternoon our son is coming over to help put up a new smoke alarm. It started "chirping" the night before we left (of course!) and is still chirping. And of course it's the one up high on the cathedral ceiling and we need to get the extension ladder out. We'll replace it with a new one with a 10-year battery like all the others in the house. Sometime in the next couple days will be a Commissary run to get groceries. Debbie @dfish the hamburger casserole looks perfect for dinner tonight, I'm pretty sure I have everything I need. I hope everyone has a good day! Our fantastic dining crew with DH and me.

Greetings from Juneau. I’ve had problems getting onto CC, especially when on the ship wifi. It’s been a nice week and we’re enjoying the Solstice. Since sailing Celebrity 6 years ago we are very happy to see that they now have mostly Indonesian and Filipino crew! I feel like it’s a big improvement. I know I’ve missed a lot, and am saddened to see just now that @smitty34877’s Lou has passed. Terry my deepest condolences. This morning we sailed up Endicott Arm and to Dawes Glacier.

@CrabbyPatti I want to add my deepest condolences on the death of your dear Dad. We are just now departing Seattle, all settled into our cabin on the Solstice. Doesn’t take long to unpack for a 7-day cruise! 😂 Looking forward to dinner in the Tuscan Grill and a musical performance tonight, sea day tomorrow. We couldn’t have had better weather to sail from Seattle. Thank you for the bon voyages!

Good morning all! We're up early, will leave in about 90 minutes for DD's house where we'll be leaving our car for the week. Thank you @JazzyV, @smitty34877, @kazu, @ottahand7, @dfish, @puppycanducruise and @Seasick Sailor for the Bon Voyages, we're excited to be sailing again! I'll try to check in whenever possible but will be thinking of @kazu and hoping she stays safe, and also of @ger_77's DH as he gets his pacemaker today.

Lenda I have a strong feeling that you and I would have some interesting and fun talks. 🙂 And really, those who keep the conversation going when it lags are appreciated! I guess I was thinking more of some family members and others who aren't nearly as interesting but think they are, and go on and on. 😉 Thank you and yes, we'll have a good time no matter what the weather will be! It will be interesting to see if this is our last Celebrity cruise. We haven't sailed with them for 6 years (!) and from reading the boards, there have been some changes that I won't like. Charges for all room service other than continental breakfast is one change. I'll probably come back appreciating HAL even more. I'm sorry about your bruises and scrapes, I hope they were minor. Kudos for doing that, I doubt I could.

Good morning all! Great days -- I love crab (more than lobster) and cream-filled donuts. Also love quiet! "Silence is golden". People who just can't be quiet and monopolize conversations make me nervous. 😉 My first thought about the quote was that it's sad. I'm sure I'd like the wine but will pass on the drink and meal. Tonight will be take-out, since I've cleaned out the fridge and don't want to be doing kitchen clean-up tonight. We'll leave early tomorrow morning for Seattle. The weather is playing a trick on us, but it will make for a beautiful sail-away. Instead of the high 60's we've had all week, tomorrow will be 80 here and in Seattle. Lots of sunshine. So I'll be wearing summer clothes tomorrow but packed a lot of cold-weather/rain clothes for Alaska where it will be quite cool and raining every day! 😂 Bon Voyage @Heartgrove, @Lady Hudson and @Mr. Boston! I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

This is what our doctors told us, Roy. DH and I kept testing positive even at 10 days -- frustrated, we asked how long we had to quarantine. Sounds like you're doing well, keep up what you're doing!

Good morning all! I don't consider myself superstitious at all, fortune cookies can be fun, and I do love peanuts. Speaking of peanuts, last night we had the Satay Chicken w/peanut sauce -- Debbie @dfish it was a hit! DH loved it (coming from Georgia, he does love his peanut butter) 😉 Both the wine and drink sound good to me, as does the meal (I would choose the 2nd recipe). We have been to Scotland a few times and to Loch Ness, Inverary Castle, and Greenock but not to Invergordon. Our GA roll call is jumping to keep up with more changes. We finally have been notified that we'll have an overnight in Honolulu to replace Lahaina. Also another port later in the cruise was replaced with a new port. I'm so glad they finally caught the fugitive! I really miss Ann Rule, she could have written a great book telling his story. Denise @CrabbyPatti I'm so sorry to hear about your DF. Prayers for him and all your family. @Lady Hudson I'm sorry your sweet great-grandson had breathing problems, prayers that all will be well for him going forward. @DeniseT Good news that the mass was confirmed benign. Yes, an MRI the first time is quite the experience! Tony @HAL4NOW Welcome home! Jake @Crazy For Cats Welcome home! Lorraine @cruising sister You will love the VOV. That's one cruise I would do again in a heartbeat. Carol @mamaofami I'm so sorry to hear about your DH's new brain bleed. Prayers and hugs.

Me too Susan!

Good morning all! Today will only get up to about 70 F and rain showers tonight. I thought I had my clothes all planned and packed for the cruise, but now the weather shows over 80 here and in Seattle on Friday. So I'll need warm weather clothes just for that day (we'll be walking from a restaurant to the ship). Not far, but I don't want to be too warm. I love chocolate milkshakes but don't have them often. I've never played video games, but DS is IT manager for a large international gaming company and DDIL is an artist for another company. Encouragement is needed and appreciated by all. The quote is good, and I would love the meal. Thanks Debbie @dfish! I printed off the 2nd recipe and we'll have it tonight. I will put in less soy sauce though, hope that doesn't ruin it. But even low sodium soy sauce isn't that low. Will pass on the red wine and drink. We'll be in Casablanca next year for the first time, thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers, Robert @Mtn2Sea and Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser for your great photos! We have been to the Lascaux cave paintings! On our anniversary land/cruise trip in 2019. It was very interesting. Happy birthday to Melanie @puppycanducruise's DM today!

Good morning all! We will never forget. It was my day off from work, our son called us (he was living in Champagne, IL then) and told us to turn on the TV. Like everyone, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was like a nightmare -- especially since I had just woken up... The recipes all look good for the most part, but will pass because we had pasta just last night. Will pass on the drink too, but the Pinot Grigio sounds good. We haven't been to this port, thank you for all photos posted! We're waiting to hear from HAL what will be substituted for Lahaina on the GA. Many cruises that sail after ours have been notified. Then last night someone on the roll call saw that What's In Port has us overnight in Honolulu -- that would be fine with us, although sorry to not be going to Maui. Now to wait for the official word! We have begun packing for Alaska -- and it looks like nearly every day will be rain. Hopefully it won't be too bad. I'll try to send photos if possible. 🙂 I hope everyone has a great day!