lcand1923

If you want to start an argument among a certain segment of Marylanders, ask if they prefer Old Bay or J&O seasoning in their crab cakes. Old Bay’s market has expanded greatly, but J&O is somewhat a “still within the Beltway” area. There is a taste difference, but both are good. Regarding the crab cake recipe provided by Chef Kreiger, as my Mom would say, “Every good crab cake must have parsley!” (Other than that omission, I would say the recipe should provide a decent crab cake.)

I read daily, but very seldom post. Looks like I just MIGHT make Page One soooooooo. — Thank You, Everyone, for starting my day out on a pleasant note each day!

I am addicted to the Raisin Buns served in the Lido at breakfast time!

Please wish Fr. David a Happy 50th Birthday from The Daily, GRAPAU27. His weekly message means so much. (The food and decorations and CAKE look wonderful.) I’ve been reading the Daily but, as all of you know, I’m not much of a poster. I’ve had several friends come down with COVID recently, so want to remind everyone to Stay Safe!

Based upon your suggestions, I sent an email to my PCC whose Out Of Office response said that she was on vacation. I then called the Main Number for PCC’s. I explained my question and this person reached out to Accounting. She was placed on HOLD, which meant I was on HOLD, and after about an hour she got my answer. HAL will use the Gift Cards first, then refund the rest to my Credit Card. No idea how long this will take because they are quite backed up, or so the person in Accounting said. Thank you, HALJO11935 and GAILANDMARTYSAILINGAWAY for your help!

I recently needed to transfer a booking to a new, less costly, cruise. The old cruise was paid via Gift Card and Credit Card. I’ve received the Invoice for the new cruise which reflects the overpayment, but there is no explanation as to how HAL handles the new booking. I couldn’t see any telephone number and/or email address that I could use to ask HAL these questions. Will HAL use the Gift Cards before using the Credit Card overpayment? When will HAL issue the refund to the Credit Card? What has been your experience? Thanks!

On my first HAL cruise (1999), there were regular Arts & Crafts activities on non-port days. We did a lot of different things - origami, making boxes our of paper, needlepoint and cross stitch. I fell in love with HAL because of those sessions. We had similar activities on the next three cruises, then everything stopped. Other cruise lines would have a needlepoint or cross stitch session on non-port days, but nothing on HAL. I thought this was a thing of the past, but am delighted to read that at least one HAL ship has someone doing Arts & Crafts activities.

If you like good food, fine wine and beautiful scenery, you will enjoy a Duoro cruise. (I also find going through locks fascinating, so that was an added bonus for me.) Yes, it is not a cruise where you will be on an excursion at 8:00am every day, but what is wrong with sitting on deck and looking at beautiful scenery and then having a wonderful meal?

Happy Birthday, Roy! And many more, Each one better, Than the one before!!!

I can’t believe it! I’m early enough to be on Page ONE!!! So, I have to post something. SOMETHING!!! Have a Great Day, Everyone! OOPS, as I hit SAVE, it went over to Page 2. Oh, well, I tried.

Safe and enjoyable travels!

Welcome back to the USA, Rich! Thank you so very, very much for taking all of us along on your travels. Safe travels home!

We don’t have Hoagies in my neighborhood. We do have Submarines or Subs. One local shop used to have sandwiches called “On the Heel”. The “On the Heel” shop would cut a loaf of Italian Bread in half and make two overstuffed sandwiches for sale. I often wonder if a Hoagie is just a different name for the sandwich that I know as a Submarine or if there is some special ingredient that makes it a Hoagie. I’m sure the Dailyites can answer that question for me. Have a Great Day, Everyone!

I’ve done Land-Sea Alaska trips on Princess and HAL and several Cruise Only Alaska trips on HAL only. I have found the food and docking locations to be better on HAL. Princess has many more onboard activities. Princess is noisier and busier that HAL. I chose the Princess trip because of the itinerary which HAL was not offering at that time. Look at itinerary, then consider all of the comments that have been posted here when making your final decision. (I think it has been made, but just in case you haven’t contacted your TA yet ….)

Congratulations, Rich, on 500 Sailing Days! Thank you, again, for taking the time to post each day. I really appreciate it.

Viking sent an email on January 23 advising passengers on the April 18 sailing that they were being moved to the Octanis cruise which sailed on April 13. We had until January 31 to accept or reject the offer.

You will figure out what works for you regarding meals. I had to travel a lot during my work life so am used to eating solo in restaurants without conversations between tables. On a cruise ship, however, things are much more relaxed. Conversations between tables AND “would you like to join us?” invitations are standard. If you don’t want to talk or join, bring a book. If you, SMILE!

The 14 Day cruise out of Seattle is wonderful! I did it in June. I’ve also been on cruises in Alaska in May and September. The BEST weather, for me, was in May. I do not remember much rain on that trip and I spent most of my time without a jacket — sunny and warm. In September, I encountered quite a bit of rain, but the ports were fairly empty, since it was the end of the season. Do not let the months of May and September deter you from traveling to Alaska.

I answered this question before, but now want to add a couple of additional thoughts based upon what others have written. You have to do what is comfortable for YOU. I’ll research the port and what there is to see and/or do there that interests me. If language/distance/time/safety are barriers, I’ll stick to the ship-sponsored shore excursion. If they aren’t AND I can find a good map, I’ll venture off on my own. As I’ve said before, the crew tends to adopt the solo cruiser. More than once, I’ve been wandering around a port and was flagged down by members of the crew who asked how I was doing. After chatting a bit, they told me to make certain I saw XXXXXX before returning to the ship. Back onboard, we had another shared experience to discuss.

It is BASEBALL OPENING DAY!!!! I know the stadiums in many parts of the US will be cold and windy, but YYYAAAYYYYY! (RedNeckBob, I’m so glad that doctors worked their magic 10 years ago. The Daily would not be the same without you!)

I’m a worry-wart, so stick to ship excursions. I figure that they will get me there and back on time. Some have been good, some just so-so. I do, however, if I know i’m in a safe area, will walk around on my own. Again, I am a worry-wart and will watch my time closely to make certain I am back onboard on time.

WOW, Rich! I do hope the Captain is successful in accomplishing that feat! What a memorable day you are having onboard the Zuiderdam. Enjoy every minute!!!

Thank you so much, Graham. I know my Dad would be enjoying The Daily every day. He “caught on” to the Internet and Cruise Critic long before I did.

If my Dad was living he would have been 100 years old today. His brother would have been 102. (Yes, they were born on the same day, 2 years apart.). Both of these men had wonderful senses of humor and were always making people laugh. How appropriate that their birthday is “Let’s Laugh Day!” Miss you Dad! Miss you Uncle Joe! I know you are laughing, and making others laugh, in heaven!

0106 — I agree with the others that the South America/Antarctic Cruise is on of the best! I did it from Chile to Argentina. If you do it, please consider adding a post-cruise at Iquazu Falls. I still get chills when I think of those falls. They are outstanding!