Cruising-along

Yes we did, as I said in post #47. We boarded and were in our cabin by 12:30.

Roy we walked right off the ship, crossed the street to the gardens and then on into town. It was all very close and IMO looked just fine. I know what thread you’re talking about, I even posted our experiences on that thread. I think this person had a bad boarding experience and since then is finding fault with HAL for everything. This cruise is full and also has lots of large family groups just like many other Pacific Coastals. With Club Orange we haven’t had the problems we would have without it. We haven’t tried to see any shows on the main stage either (no interest) but we haven’t had any problems getting a seat at BB King as long as we go early and sit up on deck 3. I think between having CO and “knowing the ropes” we have no complaints. Not even any billing problems this time. 😄

We will never use them again. Worst experience ever. We had a sizeable claim and they tried their hardest to make us give up. Different information every day. We persevered, finally got our $$ and never will use them again.

Good afternoon from the Koningsdam! We continue to have a wonderful time on this short but sweet cruise. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about dining in Club Orange but on this cruise I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t have it. The ship is full. The lines for the dining room, Lido and Dive In are long. At least the specialty restaurants have been easy to get into. Yesterday in Ketchikan we did the Saxman Native Village Dance, Totems and Logger show. Great afternoon and best weather we’ve had in Ketchikan. Today is Prince Rupert, BC. A new port for us. Another good weather day! We walked to the Sunken Gardens and around town. It’s early in the season here so many things aren’t blooming yet, but it will be gorgeous in a few weeks. A few photos from yesterday and today. Sorry I can’t make the sign right side up. 🙃

Also on this full sold out cruise. It took over an hour just to drive through Vancouver but Sunday the 7th will be even worse because of a marathon that day. After we were able to finally park our car, boarding was quick for us because we’re 5-Star and in a Neptune. A lady looked at our boarding passes and immediately directed us to the priority line (btw our boarding time was noon, “priority” but it looked like thousands were there earlier. We were in our cabin by 12:30. Besides the lines for boarding, the line for breakfast and dinner for the MDR is ridiculously long. We have Orange Club — never a wait and we’re so thankful we have it this time. For us this cruise has been great, absolutely no problems. But as for Vancouver, it was the 3rd time we’ve sailed out there and every time was a nightmare. We eat breakfast in OC and dinners either in OC or a specialty restaurant. Lunch every day has been salad bar, shortest line in the buffet but what we prefer anyway. There are large family groups on this cruise, even a large wedding party or two. Adds to the problems.

Thank you Sandi! I want to add that last night I slept better than I have in weeks. I need a bed that gently rocks!

Good afternoon from the lovely Koningsdam! We’re having a lazy sea day, just a port talk this morning and wine tasting this afternoon. Tonight is our only Dressy night for this cruise. Everything is going very well! Dinner in the Tamarind last night was excellent. Tomorrow we’ll be in Ketchikan. Leaving you with a view that I’ll never find boring. We’ve had a lot of fog this morning but the sun is out now and I’m enjoying the balcony (with my jacket)!

Greetings from the Koningsdam! Canada Place was a zoo today, but we’re finally happily settled into our cabin. The ship looks great and the crew are wonderful. We’ve met our cabin stewards Yoga and Irfan and Concierge Griselda, had our traditional big salad and rolls in the Lido for lunch, and signed in for muster. Next up is a reception for 3, 4 and 5-Star mariners and dinner in Tamarind. Life is good!

Good morning everyone! We had an excellent dinner last night with good friends and then retired early at our Bellingham hotel. On our way now to Vancouver, the border will be coming up soon. Hopefully the next time you hear from me will be from the lovely Koningsdam!

Good morning all! I'm running late, another night of lying awake. This time it was 1 1/2 hours, not 3 hrs. like last time, but still made it a later than usual start to my day. And after looking at the weather forecast, I'm still changing what clothes I'm bringing....sigh. You'd think a little 5-day cruise would be easier, but since we're both just bringing a carry-on, it's a little harder. Even though it's just a 5-day, we'll have a dressy night and an Orange Party too. Vanessa @JazzyVI'm SO sorry about your fall! Rest up and heal. So glad it was "only" bruises, but that can be very painful. I'll try to check in, hopefully send some photos. All will depend on the internet. Have a great day everyone!

Good morning all! This is our last full day at home before our short cruise out of Vancouver. Tomorrow we'll go to Bellingham, have dinner with BFF and her DH and spend the night there. With the Tulip Festival traffic this last weekend, we want to be well north of it so we don't miss our cruise on Monday! Plus it's an early sailing, 3:00. It's a 3-hour drive in good traffic, but with the tulip festival it would take much longer. Interesting collection of days. I immediately thought of my dear Dad for Astronomy Day. Then I thought of Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser's DH and how much my Dad would love to look through his telescope. Dad had one back in the early 60's (and you know how much they've improved since then!) We spent many nights looking through it. The drink sounds ok, but will pass on the meal and red wine. We've been to Istanbul twice, it's one of my favorite ports. But like the last couple times, I won't post photos because it was pre-digital and they would be too much like Sandi @StLouisCruisersand Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser's photos already posted. Yesterday DH took care of two wasp and yellow jacket nests on the house. So glad to have that taken care of. I'm allergic to all bee stings (not good for a gardener!) and especially wasp stings. Today is also Junior Ranger Day. Here are photos of the DGSs getting their patches in Yellowstone. A few years ago, getting his first patch. Both of them last year getting their Bison patches. I hope everyone has a great day!

And I like to do a mixture. Not all Lido and not all MDR. If we have a late excursion or if nothing on the MDR menu sounds appealing we go to the Lido. If I feel like being pampered and the menu is appealing we go to the MDR. As mentioned already, you’ll find more choices in the Lido.

Good morning all! Sandi @StLouisCruisersYou and I can move in slow motion together today. Another bad night, I was awake from 12:30 until after 3:30 am. Then up earlier than I would have liked. And coffee isn't helping. I'll pass on the drink, meal and wine today, have not been to this port. Thanks for all photos posted! It will warm up to the high 70's F tomorrow and mid 70's today. Glad to see we'll get some showers for the flowers when we're gone next week! Cheers for all celebrating and prayers for all on the care list.

According to what I've read, they can tolerate a small amount of frost, warmer is better of course. They do best with temperatures between 55 and 80 -- my neighbor has put hers out and it's dipping down to the mid 40's at night here right now. Hers is doing fine.

Good morning from a beautiful, sunny (!!) PNW! I hope to do a lot of gardening and yardwork today. My Johnny Jump Up seedlings need to be planted and the lawn needs to be mowed. The Sweet Peas that I transplanted a few weeks ago are doing very well thank goodness. With the sun my tulips are starting to open up, and the daffodils are still blooming. All the perennials are coming up -- ahh spring! I have one, rarely use it but I'll keep it. I only got it because my sister raved about hers. It's great in nice open areas, and in rooms with a lot of obstacles I guess I could use the manual function instead of letting it go free. I posted a few months ago that I heard a loud bumpbumpbump noise from downstairs and found it was the robo vacuum bumping up against the treadmill. I had accidentally turned on the function for it to come on by itself at a certain time. It was in the wee hours of the morning and was so loud it woke me up. I'm not good at reading all the directions. 🤣

Debbie @dfishI thought I'd said Happy Birthday to you here, but now I see I didn't -- silly me said it on FB and missed it here. I hope your day has been wonderful!!

I'm sorry to hear that Sharon! At least you liked the dinner...it looks delicious! Red wine gives me a headache, so I can't drink it. Who knows, if I did it might keep me awake too. Truthfully I don't sleep well ever unless I'm sick (that's how I knew I was getting over Covid, I wasn't sleeping well again) or on a rocking BHB.

Good morning all! I'm glad I posted 7 hours ago (just to get on the first page) when I couldn't sleep, because now this may not post until page 4. 🤣 Yes, it was "one of those nights" and strangely DH was having a hard time sleeping too. Not sure why. It took a l o n g time to get back to sleep, but then slept until after 8. I don't know any Australians to hug unfortunately, and can take or leave pretzels which is good because I shouldn't have the salt anyway. Whenever the Richter Scale is mentioned in our local news it isn't good news because it always means we've had an earthquake. We don't get many, but can get some real shakers. I'll pass on the tofu (but love PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps made with meat). Also will pass on the drink but would like the wine. I took the quote at first to be insulting to all women, but then I Googled Hedy Lamarr and the photos of her looked just like her quote so I hope she was including herself in that description! Yesterday afternoon was very nice because I sat outside in the sunshine and chatted with neighbors for 4 hours. We definitely got all caught up on the news! Today will be laundry and finishing the packing for Monday's cruise. Thinking of Jacqui @kazuand Brenda @bennybear today as they have their surgeries. I hope they both have successful surgeries and positive outcomes. Laura @dobiemomthat's great that you were finally able to sleep longer than a couple hours last night! Hugs to Nancy @ottahand7on the anniversary of her DH's passing. Karen @luvteachingThat's great news about your DH's progress!

Good early morning Sandi. It’s 2:45 am here and yes, I’m awake. 🥴 just popping in here so for once I can get on the 1st page lol! See you in a few hours IF I can get back to sleep. 😉

Annie I've never heard of anyone getting a boarding time before 11:00...so the 10:00 seems strange. Anyway, I have noticed that people who book their hotel and transfer through HAL do seem to get the earlier times. Besides that, 4 & 5-stars, Neptune Suites, Pinnacle Suites (and I guess Orange Club) get priority boarding times. Our boarding time for our cruise next week is 12:00, and marked priority. 😉 Everyone gets the tiles. You should each get 1 left on your bed during the cruise. Yes, I've seen that you can get wake up calls. We've never had to do it, DH sets the alarm on his watch.

Praying for you Brenda.

Good morning all! We're finally heading into a dry stretch. April has broken records for the amount of rain we've gotten (and it's always a lot anyway). My neighborhood gals and I have chosen today for an outdoor pow-wow, lots to catch up on. We'll light up the firepit if it's cool enough, not sure yet. So good to see that the Koningsdam (our next ship) has left Hawaii and headed this way for our cruise on the 1st! We are packed and ready! Interesting collection of days, the drink actually sounds tasty to me, will pass on the meal (and stick to my own stir-fry) and red wine. Tina @0106 Thank you for giving the context to the quote. Like Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser I still find it a bit odd though... We have been to Manta once, on our S. America cruise on the Statendam in 2015. Photos to follow. Happy 82nd birthday to Gerry's @ger_77 DH! Jacqui @kazu Thinking of you as you have your surgery tomorrow. Prayers for a swift and full recovery. Lorraine @cruising sister Ouch on the fractured and infected toe! It's good you have a week before your cruise. Mary Kay @cruzn singleBest wishes for a successful MOHS surgery tomorrow. Great news that your stepson's large tumor was non cancerous, but I'm sorry to hear about the adrenal gland malignancy and melanoma. Prayers that all will be resolved successfully. Here are a few photos from our tour out of Manta in 2015. We also went to see a family-run Panama hat business. As said before, Panama hats originated in Ecuador, not Panama. DH did buy one. Terry @smitty34877 I'm glad to hear that Tana's oxygen problem has been solved. She's been through so much. Annie @marshhawk Thinking of you as you made the hard but necessary decision about Irving. Sorry to hear about the cut in your hours too. Hugs!

Have a great time, Bon Voyage!

Thanks Jacqui. That is a good idea. I can't do anything yet until after mid-May, we'll be going to Yellowstone for a week after getting home from the cruise. I will keep this in mind!

Very pretty! I'll have to enjoy others' hanging baskets. I made the sad decision this year to not put any up. The reason is that the last few years the birds build nests in them and then I can't water the flowers. I'm not going to go to any more expense and work just to have to let them die. Last year I did put pokey things in the nest and they stayed out of it, but it's just a lot of trouble. They also nest in a small tree I have, but that's ok -- I'm just baffled though why they would nest so close to the ground where cats can easily get to them (??)