USN59-79

To answer @KroozNutquestion, we prefer early dining in the MDR. Before Covid, we typically booked a cruise less than 90 days before sailing as we usually got better prices at that time. However, our next cruise is a continuation of a cruise we booked in 2020, was cancelled mid-cruise, rebooked on the Noordam, cancelled by HAL and rebooked again on the Westerdam, the ship we originally booked in 2020. I just noticed about a month ago that we were waitlisted for dining which wasn't a big thing as I know how to deal with it once onboard. Ray

We will do 42 days on the Westerdam from Yokohama to Seattle totally independent. The idea is to do your homework before you get there so you know what is in and near the port. Most ports will have information in the form of maps and guides for tourists. Learn or have some one show you how to use public transportation. We sometimes share a taxi with our tablemates. Use the internet before you leave home to learn what to see and how to get there. Ray

Suggest you look at repositioning cruises from Japan to or from Vancouver or Seattle on either Holland America or Princess. Then add a week or two around Japan to make it a B2B. We are doing it on the Westerdam this Spring and it will be our sixth repositioning cruise from or to Asia. Ray

The picture is of my collar device when I was a Navy Warrant Officer. The helium atom means that my specialty was electronics. I was the electronics repair officer on a repair ship during the Vietnam War, the ground electronics officer at a Naval Air Station in the Philippines and assistant OIC of a satellite tracking facility in Hawaii. A surface skimmer, never on subs.

I understand that if you book a Pinnacle dining in advance of the cruise and as a 5* I am entitled to two of them free. So today I booked dining there for my DW and I on our 60th wedding anniversary next month. Got a reply that they wouldn't accept my credit card; try another one. That is the credit card that has paid for the cruise and air fare to Japan. I am not going to stress about it as I have heard about their abysmal internet system. Will try again in a day or two. Ray

Yes, for the evening meal and "probably" for lunch. As we are usually waitlisted for our preferred dining time, we go there as soon as we are on board to meet the manager and request our preferred time and table size. Ray

I was shocked to hear of his passing. He was our wonderful cruise director on at least 300 days of cruising, not only on the Amsterdam, but also 65 days on the Prinsendam in 2013. That is where we were introduced to his fiance. Also on World Cruises in 2014 and 2017. When I think of the perfect CD, I think of Gene. In fact, I can't remember the name of any cruise directors since he left HAL.

I kind of disagree with the idea that a longer Carnival cruise would attract the more rowdy passengers. In 2009 we took a 49 day cruise on the Splendor from Miami to San Francisco around South America. It was a very good cruise. The only off-putting thing was when the waiters would dance on the tables in the MDR after dinner and the loud music in the MDR. I would be wary of very short cruises on CCL. As an example, we once took a repositioning cruise on Diamond Princess from Beijing to Vancouver and it was great. Got to know and enjoy talking to many of our fellow passengers. When we arrived in Vancouver we were offered a great deal on a 7-day Alaska cruise if we stayed on the ship. We took them up on it and there was a night an day difference on the ambiance on the ship. The 7-day passengers wanted to experience everything the ship offered in a week, so there were lines everywhere, people were in a hurry, and you knew if you met someone and had a conversation you would never see them again on the ship. Since then we never take 7 day cruises on any line. Ray

A fairly nice day in the Pacific NW. Think I will start doing my taxes today. The name of today's destination is kind of unclear which may be why some say they haven't been there. Ishigakijima Island is redundant, as jima means island in Japanese, so it should say Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan. Ishigaki is located about 250 miles from Okinawa and 160 miles from Taiwan and is one of the Yaeyama Islands. The Westerdam will stop there on 31 March. Saw the orthopedic doctor yesterday and he said I am healed and can quit using the velcro leg brace. Not sure I would want to try today's wine. Doesn't sound like good marketing to name a wine "Poison Creek". Ray

Tell us about using the ATMs in the 7-11s there. Can you use your Visa card? Can you get a screen with instructions in English? Is there an ATM charge? We have been to Japan many times, but never used an ATM. I usually just go to a local bank and change U.S.$ for yen as I know that I will receive a fair exchange rate. We have also used a currency exchange machine located as you leave the cruise terminal in Yokohama.

We will need to provide a self-administered rapid antigen covid test a day before boarding the Westerdam next month. Thought I had some but notice they have expired. Went online and found that a company, Milo Health has a contract to provide free tests to medicare recipients. Filled in the form and now have eight tests being mailed to us. Yesterday was medical day for me. I went to physical therapy in the morning, saw my oncologist in early afternoon and then to the eye doctor for a monthly injection in my left eye. There was good news from the oncologist. I showed up 15 minutes early for a blood draw and they had the results in 15 minutes. The good news is that my white blood count is the same number now as it was 6 months ago, so my leukemia is basically unchanged. Thus, there is no reason to start treating it. The eye is also no worse than last month, so that is also good news. Tomorrow I see the ortho doctor to see if my leg is fully healed. Ray

Just came back from my twice a week physical therapy on my leg fracture. It is coming along very well. Here is Sara's story on name changing. She was born in Taipei during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan. Her Chinese name was Tsun Tzu, but most girls also had a Japanese name. Her's was Salako. I knew her as that but she decided to change it to Sala so people wouldn't assume she was Japanese. She was Sala when we married and came to the U.S. When she told some people her name, they assumed that she meant Sara using the stereotype that Chinese can't pronounce Rs very well. Finally we decided the Hell with it; we will just change it to Sara. It was easy. First got her driver's license in that name and then everything else, including her passport. Ray

Not sure when HAL changed their policy. I am sure those who have cruised a lot of days on the old Amsterdam remember when the Hotel Mgr. Henk Mensik and his wife Christel the Guest Relations Mgr. had their tandem bicycle on board and were often seen enjoying a ride around the ports. Personal experience has shown me that they can be dangerous. In the 1970s I was on a Navy repair ship that stayed in Sasebo, Japan a few months. We took a trip to Keelung and about 100 crew members, including myself, bought a bicycle there to use in Sasebo. We kept them on the pier when there. I hit a curb in downtown Sasebo, flew off and dislocated my shoulder. Since I couldn't ride it then, I loaned it to another sailor. Within a week he broke his arm hitting something while coming down a hill too fast.

It is still morning here in the Pacific NW and looks like a dry day. I had my physical therapy yesterday on my leg and while it was more painful when I left than when I arrived, it feels pretty good today. I think the bending and stretching that the therapist does really helps it to heal. Speaking of that, I don't agree with @marshhawk Ann says about immediately taking an ambulance and leaving your SO home if you have an incident like mine and need to go to a hospital. I waited three days and there was no problem with the doctor ordering x-rays. If I had taken an ambulance, there is not only the cost, but how would I get home from the hospital if my DW wasn't there? And if one of us needs to see a doctor, the other one accompanies to understand how to help with the home treatment. Anyway, we have been together for 60 years and that is what works for us.

Here is what happened on Nosy Be in 2013. A child's body was found on the beach a week of so after its death. The uncle was accused and jailed. He was let out of jail and a rumor started that foreigners were killing children for body parts. A French couple on vacation were accused of that, taken from their hotel by a mob, stoned and put in tires and thrown on a bonfire. Two local police were part of the crowd and one filmed it on his cell phone. A week later the uncle showed up and the crowd hanged him and then threw him on a bonfire. Finally after two years a few of the mob were charged with a crime. However, the two policemen were not charged. It is does not look like a safe place for tourism.

We are enjoying our typical cool, wet Winter weather here. We once stopped at Nosy Be, but I have no pictures. A few words about Nosy Be. Nosy Be Island is redundant, as Nosy means island in their language. There wasn't much to recommend the port. The main street went up a hill with mostly bars and places to eat. I bought a bottle of local rum there for about $1. There is jungle outside of town supposedly with sloths in the trees. The beach seemed to be mud instead of sand. After reading on wikipedia how the locals treated some French tourists in 2013, I wouldn't recommend staying there. Ray

We are staying at Hotel JAL City Kannai Yokohama. We have stayed there before on previous Yokohama visits. It is moderate priced, includes breakfast and is close to Chinatown and a subway stop. Ray

What @ldtr just posted certainly doesn't add up to $600. per passenger; not even close. Ray

I booked a flight using FlightEase and Flexible a few months ago from Seattle to Tokyo for our March Westerdam cruise. We paid for the cruise and flight before final payment as I noticed that prices were increasing for that flight and wanted to lock it in. I assumed that with the flexible option that I could cancel this flight if I wanted to. Last month we thought we might fly a different airline that stopped in Taipei and spend a week there before flying on to Tokyo. I found that if I cancelled after final payment that I would lose all or most of what I had paid; thus, the fare is only flexible before final payment for the cruise. Ray

Of course it would be bad news if one of us tested positive, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. We are on the Westerdam for 42 days starting in Yokohama and ending in Seattle. It is three 14 day cruises B2B2B from Yokohama. So if we happen to catch it on the flight over, or in the airport, we would just quarantine in Yokohama, enjoy a few extra days in the area and rejoin the ship on the second cruise from Yokohama. Probably a smart thing to do would be to find a cheaper hotel for 14 days if we have to miss the first cruise. Ray

Thanks, Copper. Just checked my pocket knife and the blade is 2 and a quarter inches. Ray

I wonder if any of the cruise planners at HAL have checked the March weather in Antarctica? We have been there over Christmas and New Year and have had wonderful weather, (Amsterdam 2003) but by March it becomes poor with daytime temperatures as low as -50 degrees F. Of course, starting in late January would cause the ship to be there at that time. Just wondering if Henk mentioned the reason they are starting the cruise so late. Appreciate the info as to why Christel is not aboard. She was always so helpful as Guest Relations Manager. Ray

We will be staying in Yokohama a few days before boarding our ship for a 42 day cruise that will end in Seattle. I will take some antigen self-tests with us. My concern is that if either of us tests positive would we be able to stay in our hotel for a week or ten days until we tested negative? Not sure if any Japanese health laws would come into effect in that case. Or, would a hotel allow a guest to stay if they knew he had covid?

I would like to clarify today's location listed a Hualien, Taiwan, China because a few people mentioned that they had never been to or want to visit China. It should be listed as Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China. Taiwan is not a part of and never has been part of Communist China. You need a passport to visit China; none is needed for Taiwan. Ray

Good day from Western Washington. I almost always learn something on the Daily. Most of my socks are either white or black and I have never given a thought to the possibility that someone might look down at me for wearing one color or another. I have never paid attention to anyone else's socks either. However, I think those who wear shoes without socks are being careless. Ray