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Oh my list goes on but I only touched on the closest family members. The brothers were during the draft so there was no choice. They were just farm boys.

That's my favorite charity

Outside is probably fine even with limited seating because really how many people will stop by or stay long. Especially if its right before lunch we may drop over from hunger.

That's a cozy looking lounge. Are there many military in our online cruise family? I'm from a military family. 4 of my 5 brothers served in Vietnam and one went on to retire from the Army. My deceased husband was also retired Air Force and my oldest nephew just retired from the Army as a Colonel. My family has Army, Air Force, Navy but no Marines though I worked with many a proud Marine. This lounge is a nice tribute in thanking one and all for their service to country and countrymen.

Do you prefer an indoor lounge/bar location or an outdoor deck location for a M&G? I think Saturday rather than Sunday. People tend to watch football on Sundays. Just before or just after the lunch hour. Like 11am or 2pm. That's all I got to offer.

Makes sense with the Barbados cruise season running October thru April that they'd be late to the game with excursions. I also rely on whatsinport.com for info on what to see and do, how to get around on your own and also some cautions like recognizing a legitimate cab, how much that should cost, local currency. He covers ports around the world. It's a great tool for planning a day or choosing an excursion. Jeez I must lead a boring life as I'm typing on here at nearly 11pm on a Saturday. But I did go bowl a couple games today and let's not forget the margarita during, so there's that! I better say good night before John says good morning in a few hours.

It's not so much the price, though I do compare, but the smaller groups that can be found outside the cruise line excursions. They can pack more into your day in a van of 12 rather than the big buses of 30 to 40. I start with the cruise excursions, read the reviews then go from there to weigh my options. The zip line, hike, sky ride in St Lucia was an identical itinerary and price from the cruise verses the independent agencies so obviously I bought thru Carnival. It's a personal preference with what makes you comfortable. This itinerary fine, if it was Columbia or some of Central America, not so much. I'm sticking with the excursions the cruise lines offer. Safety in numbers and in general. Know your surroundings.

There's still time to add some excursions. The cruise I leave on this weekend just added more excursions 2 weeks ago.

Maybe Barbados is a port that doesn't allow the cruise industry to horn in on the island excursion industry. I'm excited about the excursion I have there as the independents need to work without kick backs to the cruise lines as well.

I'll bring a mask because I'd love to talk to you about your disease and see how it mirrors mine. I had world leaders in the field at Mayo Clinic Rochester involved in my treatment so I'm a bit curious about yours. All the test you had are standard when narrowing the field of diseases. I had all the same plus the vaccines in the beginning but I got a diagnosis which seems you never have. Look forward to meeting you and Miriam.

Like your sandwich tastes better if someone else makes.

You are nearing the average range for your age as everyone loses kidney function as we age. This sounds very encouraging. Have you gotten a white blood cell count since you've been on the prednisone or at least recently? That will tell you how susceptible you are to contracting an infection or illness so you know how careful you really have to be on this cruise. 3.5 WBC or lower is low.

Free bottle of wine with dinner???? That's a tip I hadn't heard before.

I'm with Rob on trying a meet & greet on one of the first sea days rather than the sail away day. Too much to explore, view and settling in on that boarding day. It could be something informal in a selected location as many times no one shows up or forgets (I'm really good at that).

We are of like minds when it comes to Holland America. I love the smaller ships, good food and laid back atmosphere. All the ships are laid out basically the same so creature of habit here knows her way around. Their crew always seems happy in their jobs as well. I saw the new routes from Boston to the south and yes they're certainly of interest.

Their marketing schemes will fill the last of the cabins with the "pack and go" last minute bargain basement offer for those local Carnival cruisers. When I lived a couple hours from Galveston I'd get those frequently for cruises out of there. They almost paid me to grab a last minute cruise. I'm glad the cruise industry has survived the Covid shutdown and is making a come back, though I did enjoy the first few of last year that were going out at 20% and costing next to nothing. It's time to open the pocket book and start elbowing through the crowds! I stop short of throwing punches though💪

I've did an island tour here on my first visit. Seeing all the donkeys wandering about was cute. Now I just stroll down the beach to Jack's Shack away from the crowds and rocks, rent a chair and umbrella, buy a drink and relax.

Goo I saw that on one of the live streaming tours of the ship. If my favorite machines are in the main casino I WILL brave the smoke. I only notice it the first few minutes then I'm over it. Order a drink, all's well.

Deal me in! I love a good casino! With all the comments saying the Venezia casino is so smoky I may just come out ahead on this cruise by staying out of it.

I’m holding an excursion thru Viator for Barbados that’s an island tour with local cuisine lunch and a visit to a wildlife sanctuary. This is one island I’ve not been to but am surely flexible if an itinerary change happens. By the way, I’m Harriet and my niece is Lynette. We’re close in age so more like sisters. She’s from Missouri and while I’m currently living in Mexico City I’m Texan thru and thru….New Braunfels/Austin area. Hope to bump in to some of you, probably you John as I walk that outside deck most mornings to wake the bones up.

I would like to comment on the decor being made from plastics. Could you imagine the weight issue if everything was real marble, wood or tile? The fuel consumption would be so high the ship would be refueling between islands, lol. No ship holds its beauty once thousands of people roam her every day of her life. I have always been happy with the food on any and all cruise lines I've sailed because it's convenient, abundant, varied and I didn't have to cook it. Waiting in line, where else do I have to be? Chat it up with the people around you. I know I'm easy to please without expectations. Also why does the temperature outside have anything to do with what one eats? I eat chili when its 104 outside. I'll be on the Venezia late Sept for 15 days and am fine with all the negative reviews as I've seen plenty of positive as well. I'm a Holland America loyalist and haven't sailed Carnival in years (though I'll make platinum on the Venezia) but why compare. Every line is different for a reason or there would only be one. We should be thankful we have options and go with what attracts you whether its the ship or the itinerary. Me, I go for the ports, scenery, adventure. The ship is just a way to get there.

why eggs? are you having a protein issue now? Cheese is the sneaky no no when trying to control your salt. It's loaded with sodium. Are you reading labels? Anything in a can is salt rich. Even milk contains salt.....go figure. But yes those do look good if the egg was just a little more solid for me.

I've never had the drink package as I don't drink that much. What I love about HAL is their happy hours. My last cruise in March (NZ) happy hour offered drinks half price. I can get behind paying $5 + tip per drink for the 2 or 3 drinks I'll get in that hour. Paying full fare for a couple more throughout the day still doesn't equal the cost of the drink package per day. I'm a cheap date, or maybe just cheap!

Wow that is a lot of prednisone. Looks like the doctors are starting the weening process with the reduction in dosage. You've got me rereading all my clinical notes from my treatments. My EFRG ran in the 20s and 30s range during most of my active disease. Hopefully your immune system is starting to think about something else rather than your kidneys and remission is in your future. Stay safe

Sounds like this ship is hosting MMA fight nights by no fault of her own. The videos of fights breaking out, delayed disembarkation so the police can collect the offenders, drug dogs living and patrolling onboard. I've been sailing Holland America for the last quite a few years. I'm used to empty halls by 11 and bars closed up before midnight. The Venezia has a full blown brawl in a nightclub at 5am! And I'm on this sailing with a niece that's never cruised before.....Oh please let everybody grow up and behave before Sept 29 rolls around.