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4 hours ago, Nickelpenny said:

I will pass on the frittata (how does it differ from a quiche?)

A quiche has a (pie) crust; a frittata does not.

4 hours ago, Nickelpenny said:

The focus group yesterday was VERY interesting; this is the second one I have done about politics/policies

How do you get involved in these focus groups and I believe you have also posted about medical studies.  It sounds very interesting.

I forgot to mention that we are lucky enough to have Benji’s Drive In about 30 minutes from our house.  Makes for a fun summer evening. There are no longer “speakers” you hang on your car window.  You tune your radio into the audio.  

I honor all who protected our freedom on DDay.  From LeHavre, we took a moving and educational tour with Overlord Tours.  Our guide pointed out the Star of David on several of the crosses. Unimaginable bravery.

A bit of information about the Creative Educators International Network, they are a non-profit, based in Washington, D.C. who implement Value-Creating Education in different ways and in diverse settings around the world. Their vision is to protect and advance the dignity of life for a peaceful, sustainable world through Value Creating Education. Their mission is to expand the network of diverse educators and individuals committed to creating sustainable communities through courageous dialogue and effective actions.

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Copenhagen, Denmark for the Zuiderdam. Unfortunately we are docked far from town so there is a fee of $19.95pp for a shuttle ride to a drop off spot a short distance from the Little Mermaid statue. 

We will be there in August with another couple docking in Oceankaj.  I have explored public transportation (~5US pp one way) options and the cost of a taxi (~40US one way) to Nyhavn where we would like to begin our day with a canal cruise.  Do you recommend the shuttle?  Is there only one pick up spot? Thank you for any insight you can provide on Copenhagen.  I hope you are feeling better and enjoying the cruise despite the rainy weather.

Unusual weather for MD last night.  Several tornado warnings for our area caused us to retreat to the basement.  Minor wind damage close to my home, but the main problem near me was the 5+ inches of rain causing flash flooding. I am thinking of everyone who is experiencing weather issues especially those who live in areas with the extreme heat warnings.

9 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

If there were a dozen deviled eggs in front of me, I would eat them all!  (unless they were made with Miracle whip...most disgusting thing in the world) (well almost).

The great Miracle Whip debate!  My friend made the best deviled eggs so I ask her for her recipe.  She said the key was Miracle Whip.  So now I keep a jar in the frig for when I make deviled eggs with pickle relish.  
 

I usually make “spicy” deviled eggs.  The spice is Old Bay on top instead of paprika.  They are also the first empty platter at a picnic or potluck.  People often ask me if I put crab meat in them.

Today, a special shout out to the Food & Beverage department for their hard work every day!

Positive thoughts to those who are struggling. Cheers to those celebrating.

Happy Tuesday!  Thanks to all who post port pictures.  I learn so much from your photos and comments.

4 hours ago, Nickelpenny said:

what is the difference between a bloody Mary and a bloody Maria?  The recipe looks very similar to how I concoct my bloody marys!

 

 

 

 

A Bloody Mary is made with vodka; a Bloody Maria is made with tequila.

1 hour ago, Sharon in AZ said:

I got the itinerary change for next year’s cruise and will have to do some research.  Right now I’m more focused on my August cruise. 

Itinerary changes seem to very common.  I had port changes on my last 3 HAL cruises and there have already been changes on my 3 upcoming HAL cruises.  Some are very upset by this (see two recent bait and switch threads) but I just go with the flow and am happy to be cruising.  I enjoy researching the cruise ports which is why I find the Daily so helpful.  I book my HAL HIA excursions as soon as they are available but have found that some private tour companies won’t book more than a year in advance. 
 

Positive thoughts to those who are suffering.  Cheers to those celebrating.

Trip Advisor is a site to use when searching for hotels.

Thanks for your review @CNSJ especially the info about not having to tender in Flam.  I’m hopeful that we don’t need to tender in August.  Also good info about the train.  We plan on taking the tram to the train to the airport.  Much cheaper than the HAL transfer.

Bon Voyage!

I hope someone does a live thread and that this same cruise is offered in 2026.

6 hours ago, BadgerRedux said:

  If anyone has any sense of the date by when we can be sure no changes are possible, I'd appreciate hearing it.

Many may not see your question. Your reply to my info is somewhat hidden because you posted within the quoted material. You may have more luck posting this question on the News Flash: HAL to favor triples and quads thread.

Can you we book your cruise for the lowest cabin in your desired category and then buy CO to move up to the cabin you selected without losing any benefits from your booking?  IMO, the only benefit of CO on a non-Pinnacle class ship is the cabin upgrade.  On Pinnacle ships the CO dining room is very nice.

You may find this thread interesting.  

Thanks to all who posted Anchorage pictures.  Seeing them made me want to do another Alaskan cruise.  Just read an interesting article 9 Can’t Miss Anchorage Activities

@kazuHere is a list of games that are on the Koningsdam provided by @Crew News for someone who asked on my January Roll Call. Can you play Mexican Train with regular dominoes?

Board games currently available:

• Chess
• Checkers
• Clue
• Shut the Box
• Trivial Pursuit
• Parcheesi
• Apples to Apples
• Scattegories
• Taboo
• The Game of Life
• Stratego
• Pictionary
• Dominoes
• Sorry
• Boggle
• Cranium
• Scrabble
• Mah Jong
• Balderdash
• Connect 4
• Jenga
• Battleship
• Settlers of Catan
• puzzles

Thanks to all who post on the Daily.  Positive thoughts to those who need them.  Cheers to those celebrating.

On this Memorial Day, I am reminded of a quote by Thomas Campbell, “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

My DH, at the American cemetery, overlooking Omaha beach, remembering his father’s service.

I highly recommend Overlord tours from the Le Havre port for an educational and moving visit to Normandy.

12 hours ago, QuattroRomeo said:

Can someone please tell me how to get the space in between photos!

On my tablet, I post the picture, hit RETURN before I post the next picture.

Thank you for this thread.  We will be sailing the Noordam for the first time in Australia.  I love the Oosterdam so I hope I feel the same way about the Noordam.

We self disembark, usually at the latest time.  We wait for the final call by the Seaview Bar in order to allow the stewards to prepare our cabin for its new occupants.  On several different ships I have used my beverage package to get a drink; usually water to take with me but occasional a final glass of sparking wine or a Bloody Mary.  My credit card has never been charged.

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

I would suggest that people remember that the United States Dollar is NOT a universal currency.

Yes but US currency is the only currency accepted on HAL ships.  @Jensue9 ask about tipping on the ship for room service etc.  I was just replying to her question. Servers have told me tips in US currency are the easiest for them.  If you tip in Australian dollars, the only place they can easily spend them is if they are lucky enough to have time on shore in Australia.

HAL does provide currency exchange but at an unfavorable rate.

19 minutes ago, Rubyfisch said:

 

I feel like the muster station check in would  be better if they did it on boarding, like Royal Caribbean does. 

 

I am not familiar with RC muster station check in. How is it different/better?   Do you go to your muster station immediately after boarding?  If so, I would not like to carry my luggage to the muster station.  

I am happy with HALs process.  Go to my cabin, turn on the safety video, unpack while watching, relax with a drink, go to my muster station anytime before sailaway and have key card scanned.

Enjoy your cruise!

The hardworking crew on HAL ships are not Australian and neither am I.  I will tip the crew in US dollars for extraordinary service even though a “crew appreciation” is charged to my daily bill.  

I was on the Oosterdam in South America in February with many Australians.  Although they told me they don’t tip at home, they were tipping on the ship because the service was excellent and they realized that tips supplemented the wages of the crew.

6 hours ago, TropiCAL2008 said:

Have not found this to join the group? Name and date opened?

Here’s your Roll Call

1 hour ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

With more and more of the long fjords unavailable to ships with objectionable funnel emissions, ports like Harstad will gain more cruise ship calls.

We have some “new” ports on out Best of Norway cruise on the Rotterdam in August: Gothenberg, Sweden (we will also be in Copenhagen, Denmark 🤷‍♀️) and Mandal which is about 30 miles from Kristiansand. I hope our experience in Mandal equals your experience in Harstad.  We still haven’t decided what to do there.

49 minutes ago, Crazy For Cats said:

Apparently cursive isn’t taught anymore in the states and during my meeting with a Canadian site it’s not taught there either.

Cursive writing is making a comeback in US schools.  It is required in MD and 23 other states.  

Happy Memorial Day weekend! Today is the unofficial start of summer in Ocean City, MD.  The traffic is already heavy on the Bay Bridge and will become a nightmare as the day progresses because it coincides with the Naval Academy graduation.

Morse Code Day made me think of the Semaphore flag system used by the life guards to communicate.  This system was used by ships to communicate prior to Morse code.

I hope everyone has the best possible weekend.

No BBKings on The Oosterdam; only on the 3 pinnacle class ships.  They have The Rolling Stones Lounge and Billboard (a piano bar).

Look at the LIVE Zuiderdam thread, it is the same class ship and the author is posting the Daily program.

@kazuThanks for your hard work on this thread.  Is it possible for you to change the title from March to May?

I do not think the clam shells are worth it and I do not the location, very crowded area.  I prefer to walk down the beach, get a free lounge chair and pull it up under the trees.  Even with two ships at HMC this has never been a problem. 
 

This picture was taken first thing in the morning. I walk all the way to the trees.