slidergirl

Ah ha! I saw it last night! The Jose Andres series starts Sept 20-something. I think the 24th, but the 26th pops in my brain. It still doesn't show up on website. Weird.

OK, OK. I give up. Sounds like the attitude of the people I encountered on the Eurodam when I boarded at San Diego for a quick Coastal. There were some who where already on from the Canal cruise and looked down on us Coastal folks like we were intruding on their space...

If you have Plat, it is if available. Centurion is upgraded when booked. I forgot that there is also the breakfast credit. When I worked, there was a letter that we had to present to the guest which told each benefit you received AND we had to verbally go over it with the guest. When we got "shopped" by AMEX, if we didn't do it, we got a failing grade. My boss forgot once. That put us on probation. Also, with Plat/Cent, you have that once-a-year $200 hotel room credit that you get back on your card, so sometimes the amount you pay through FHR, with that and the extras make it better to book there than elsewhere.

I'm not clear on your response. I know the NL is inside, as is Club Orange. You have to pay to have that access via money or a better suite. I did say no sunning area - that is pretty much what is missing from HAL from what is on Celebrity, NCL, MSC. Someone is still paying for special access area.

I'll disagree to a point. No special sunning area like the others. But, there is Club Orange and the Neptune Lounge. A baby start to having facilities not available to all...

As someone who worked/ran the Front Desk at a Starwood (now Marriott) hotel, there is a specific AMEX program you had to book through to get the AMEX benefits, Plats and Centurions book through the Fine Hotels & Resorts program on AMEX. Depending on which card, you get upgrade either if available at check in or upon booking, an early check in and late checkout, and a "gift" specific to that hotel - $200 spa credit, $200 food credit, etc. You had to book with the AMEX card and present it when you checked in. Now, if you have those cards, you also get automatic Marriott Gold status if you sign up for it on the AMEX page. When book, give them your Bonvoy # and then everyone will see it and you will get an upgrade if it is available when you check in. Also, if you have that Plat/Cent card, you can sign up for Hilton Gold, too.

Melody - I get balloons frequently when they are flying. My one sweet dog, Slider, would hear that "woosh" sound and start barking at it! They land in the little green space behind my fence. Cynthia -aren't those bar good??!! Now, if you like blueberry, there is a blueberry cream bar, too. I have to head down to my TJ's sometime soon - my cupboards are pretty bare. Now that my appetite is coming back, I have to get back to better eating . Man, it was cold overnight! My thermostat at 10am this morning was 58!!! I knew it was cold when I put my fleece throw on top of my comforter and 2 quilts... It's a nice, sunny day. Maybe I'll sit outside for a little. NOTE: I swear I saw the Jose Andres series with his family in Spain advertised as coming to CNN this month. I can't find anything online, though, other than it was available on Discovery+. CNN is now part of D+, so maybe they're going to show it. I'd rather see it free than have to pay for another streaming service. Photo of balloon landing next to my house one day...

OOPS. I totally forgot. All I remembered was that Lois R mentioned she was going to stay there before her cancelled cruise.

On Eurodam, I had the last balcony room next to an aft wraparound (5182). I can't speak for that suite, but the view is great, no noise. If I had the coin to go with a corner wraparound, that one on the 5th would be my choice. It was easy to walk to the first elevator bank.

I bought the Airline Poncho from Pact for my trip last year. Wore it all winter at work, too. I also bought their Airline Pants. It looks like they changed them this year. Last year they were more wide leg and long - now they are shorter and have a bottom slit. Too bad they don't have either now. But the Tulip hem pants look nice. I have a few of their sleeveless Ts, too. Melody - it's now rainy all day and a high of only 58 today. It snowed up in the higher elevations overnight - 10,000 ft. I had to close my windows when I woke up today. Sweatshirt is the OOTD.

I know that food feeling. I have to get what my brain says "I'd eat that" and just do it. I got some things from Whole Foods last week. Yesterday afternoon I made a panini with an heirloom tomato and bufala mozz on ciabatta. . Maybe I'll make a TJ's run this week. I might sit outside for a little, in between rain clouds. It's the 40 degree temp changes time of year! Daytime the windows are open, have to close them and add another blanket at night. I did hit up a few sale items. On Backcountry.com, they had one of the "bun warmer" skirts that I wear in the winter with my leggings on a nice sale. It'll get a lot of use. Then, on wearpact.com, I got a pair of light colored leggings for this winter. Pact has nice basic clothes made in organic cotton.

the St. Regis New York may disagree on the Bloody Mary. We were taught in our St. Regis indoctrination classes that the Bloody Mary was invented in the King Cole Bar in the SRNY by Fernand Petiot. He was French. The named was changed to "Red Snapper" because some were offended by the name. Whether or not it's true, it's what we were taught. Little known fact: Each St. Regis around the world has it's own riff on the SRNY's Bloody Mary. My SR had the "7452 Mary", named for our altitude in the mountains. If I'm traveling somewhere that has a St. Regis I always make a point to go into the bar and order their special Mary.

Big Labor Day sale on Title Nine. Anita - this is the place that has the Horny Toad/Toad & Co dresses and stuff. If you are looking for a swim suit, they have a bunch of theirs on sale.

Listening to the "mini-van rock" again. I've had a day to think about it - it's the music that my local radio station played back in the early 00s. I had that station on all day in my home office when I was working remotely for cisco Systems. It was really good background music. Hey, big Labor Day sale on Title Nine. If you are looking for swim separates, dresses, etc, some really good prices. I picked up 2 more of a shirt that I have in different colors $39 each. Anita - this is the website that also has Horny Toad/Toad & Co stuff. My paddle/swim shorts are on sale... It's supposed to be rainy off & on today,

I took 2 bottles for myself in my carry on to the Eurodam end of April for Alaska. I knew about the corkage fee and ready to pay. No one said a word. No corkage paid. I think it's maybe a roll of the dice who is doing the checking at the time.

Hair styist today. We babbled and gossiped and 90 minutes later we were done. Today's highlights were kind of copper, just enough to sparkle in the sun. We did find a new playlist on I <Heart> radio - Min Van Rock. Stuff from those new indies in the end of the 90s/start of 00s. The ones you know the song and like it but you have no clue of the artist/band. Listening to it as I type here at home. OOTD: To be the rebel that I am, I wore my Faherty railroad stripe overalls, a Madewell white cap sleeve Henley Tshirt and my pink high tops. If I wasn't getting my hair done & colored I would have added my tan Gigi Pip hat. I'd wear this outfit anywhere!!

It depends on what you want out of the cruise, honestly. I live in the mountains and have regular wildlife visitors so seeing moose and bears wasn't on my radar. I've seen lots of whales on other trips so that wasn't for me, either. I was in it for the scenery and the relaxation of not having to go, go, go. It was cool weather but I was fine since I am used to layering for the temperature. I did the 4/29 sailing this past year on the Eurodam.

My late April cruise - I boarded wearing jeans, a white & red striped Tshirt, my jeans jacket. Can't remember if I had on my trail runners or my hiking boots. No one gasped in horror 😉 Some lump all Tshirts into one category of "ok for the grocery store." Women have nice classy tailored-to-a-womans-body Tshirts all over the place, even at work. At least I kept my Smokey Bear Tshirt to wear on the flight home 😂

Melody - I am so sorry to hear about DH's brother. It a good thing that you did go to the wedding/reunion, Things do that sometimes. OK. My friend who is going the Portugese Camino posted today about the "hotel" she stayed at last night. It ended up being a "notel motel". She posted the room rates and I about died when I did the translate: one room with a tantric chair (look that one up!), one room with a swing, one with a waterbed. She had the basic room - a bed. She said the whole thing was a little freaky but it was just for one night. At least she paid for an entire night - there was a shortened rate 😉 Melissa - welcome home! You had an epic vacation. Good luck finding another job. I went through that before. Take your time and something will "call" to you! I think we've got smoke in the air from somewhere - it's pretty hazy even though the sun is out.

There are still brides who want that classic fairytale wedding. But, it's comparing apples to oranges to try to tie it to a cruise.

Cynthia - I thought Bar Harbor was off the list for cruse ships. My mistake, Your first part of the cruise seemed so long to me and the last part seemed to blow by. I hope you had a good time in the North.

Using a backpack is not really any different. I use locking carabiners to keep the zippers from unexpected unzipping. Some of my daypacks look like purses. I've traveled around Mexico, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Egypt, Jordan and other countries. Have yet to have a problem.

Hey, maybe recommend your weight loss plan to the rich women - leave the Ozempic for those who actually need it to live 😉 I don't know how much weight I've lost lately, but I know it's an inch from my waist. At this point, thank goodness for stretch waistbands and belts!! As far as teeth go, do you get to have a temporary "flipper" to fill in or do you have to go "bare"?

You do you. Rock the hair (I wish my post-COVID hair could take some bright pink!!). Wear the Vintage clothes. I have a friend who does that and I love it. I think what happens is that some women have set idea as to what is "cruise attire" and they can't understand why some don't follow along. Me? I'm an old hippie lady and casual mountain town resident and that's how I dress. I have zero need to be admired for my choice of clothes. The dress "recommendations" from the cruise lines give wide latitude to the clothes that fall with the recommendations. Some women may clutch their pearls and faint at the sight of a women dressing different from their opinion of what is appropriate - just ignore them or give them a snarky smile. They are the ones living in "Blandland". 😉

The one good trend going on now is to wear the hip bag like a sling or crossbody. It's good for everyone.