rafinmd

I'm going to try to get my car in early for service today so here's a preview of my TGIF lists. Today’s care list: Cruisin Terri hurting Sandi’s neighbors David (RIP) and Linda in critical condition HAL Sailer Sister in Law recovering from cancer surgery Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77 with loss of taste The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Atrex6 Father severely declining Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Celebrations and Shoutouts: Happy Anniversary Crabby Pattil indaler’s son settled in new house Volendam caring for refugees Tana’s spunk Quartzite cruiser making progress on medical appointments Norseh20 finding DM great assisted living facility 3 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) 2 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) 2 days for Kochleffel (Voyager OTS 8/28 to 9/3) 1 day for luvteaching (Crown Princess to 9/3, Eurodam to 9/10) Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

@StLouisCruisers such sad news about Linda and David. Prayers for that family. Roy

Kobe was actually my embarkation port in the middle of a strange trip. I started with a Queen Elizabeth Transatlantic, then a long flight to Angkor Wat for a few days and another long flight to Japan for a trans=Pacific cruise, Although we started with an overnight in Kobe, the first day I was pretty wiped out from the travel and did just a bit of sightseeing the second day. An overview of Kobe: The Kobe tower: Kobe experienced a serious earthquake in 1995. There was a plaque in the monument with a tribute to the victims of the quake. My photo of the plaque did not come out but here's the inscription: This Earthquake took some things. Lives, Jobs, Communities, Cityscape, Our Memories. These things appear safe, permanent. Even moments before, we cannot know,. This earthquake left many things behind. Kindness, Compassion, Human Bonds, Friendship This flame links the lives which were taken away, With our thoughts, the survivors. Roy

Point to ponder. What does it mean to be off topic when the topic is off topic posts. Doesn't that make it on topic, and doesn't being on topic make it off topic. Roy

Today's sunrise comes near the end of my 2018 Grand Alaska Panama trip. On a cloudy August 25 Crystal Symphony made what I believe was Crystal's Inaugural call to Bimini: Roy

Today's sunrise comes near the end of my 2018 Grand Alaska Panama trip. On a cloudy August 25 Crystal Symphony made what I believe was Crystal's Inaugural call to Bimini: Roy

Correction to my post. On November 19 It's Nieuw Statendam November 10, not Nieuw Amsterdam. As of now there are 7 ships November 19 and 6 November 20 so you should be ok. I think changing the port for your cruise would violate the PVSA. Roy

Thank you for the Thursday report, Rich. I like the days today and especially salute the National Park Founders. I am a loner and it's really because I've always been comfortable on my own. I was in Kobe once, on Crystal Symphony in 2013. It's one of my few Japanese ports that was not on my 2017 Amsterdam Grand Asia segment. I like the menu suggestion. My alternative is Sunset Salad and Chicken Breast with Italian Couscous which may have been my choices on MS Statendam August 19, 2014. The alternative menu selection will be going on a late summer vacation for about a month. Today’s care list: Oosterdam passengers diverted to Miami with little notice HAL Sailer Sister in Law recovering from cancer surgery Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77 and DH with covid fatigue The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1), msmayor (5/20) and JAM37 (7/7) Heartgrove’s Sam severely declining Celebrations and Shoutouts: Temporary guests for Kazu lindaler’s son settled in new house Volendam caring for refugees Tana’s spunk Quartzite cruiser making progress on medical appointments Norseh20 finding DM great assisted living facility 4 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) 3 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) 3 days for Kochleffel (Voyager OTS 8/28 to 9/3) Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

Celebrity Apex Celebrity Infinity Odyssey OTS Enchanted Princess Sky Princess Nieuw Amsterdam Volendam Plus, the Bahamas ferry has been moved from a dock next to the draw bridge to one of the regular cruise terminals. https://www.cruisetimetables.com/fromfortlauderdaleflorida-19nov2022.html Can't figure out why HAL didn't realize this sooner. I was lucky that Eurodam's return was delayed to November 20 several months ago to give us time to adjust. Roy

Ah, now I can place Andrew. My family was incredibly lucky. My brother spent most of his working life as an executive for Eastern Airlines. His wife was a Mathematics Professor at the University of Miami. In 1990, almost exactly the same time Eastern went belly up, Pam was offered a position as President of Grinell College in Iowa. They sold their house and moved in time for the 1990-91 school year. When Andrew came their former house was just about a total loss. Roy

I think it will. I think the reason Oosterdam was moved rather than you is that Oosterdam's next cruise is a one-way from South Florida to San Diego while Volendam's is a round trip to the Amazon. If they were to leave Miami and return to Ft. Lauderdale that would be even more of a logistical nightmare. Roy

Fortunately, it was no big deal for me. I have a church that I sometimes visit before.after a cruise in Miami that is currently rebuilding. I return on a Saturday and had planned to spend Saturday night in the area, visit the church Sunday, and then board the Auto Train home Monday. It will be a bit of a rush getting to service Sunday but then I'll be fine. What should upset the Oosterdam folks is that I suspect HAL should have known about this some time ago, Roy

Wouldn't necessarily be strictly a matter of HAL ships as the terminals are somewhat shared. Also not sure what the current situation is at Ft. Lauderdale but I do know that they moved the ferry to Bahamas from a spot near the drawbridge to a regular terminal so that's something of a reduction of capacity. We started out with bookings for a total of 9 ships in Ft. Lauderdale November 19 Celebrity Apex Celebrity Infinity Odyssey OTS Enchanted Princess Sky Princess Nieuw Statendam Volendam Oosterdam Eurodam Some time ago my Eurodam cruise got extended a day so I come back November 20 instead of November 19. With the Oosterdam now moved to Miami that's now a total of 7 cruise ships plus the ferry. Not sure if that's capacity or not. Roy

I'm hoping that won't be much of an issue since it's a transatlantic. I'm guessing Fort Lauderdale decided they couldn't handle that many ships that day. Looks like Oosterdam drew the short straw since the next cruise is a one way trans canal cruise. I assume that sailing will be getting a notice as well. Roy

Today's sunrise is from a 2013 New England/Canada on MS Veendam. It was taken August 24 before our arrival and disembarkation in Boston: Roy

Today's sunrise is from a 2013 New England/Canada on MS Veendam. It was taken August 24 before our arrival and disembarkation in Boston: Roy

Thank you for the Hump Day report Rich. Vesuvius was one of the great tragedies of history. I think I'll pass on the strange music. Iconic American Restaurants have shown resilience the last few years. I was in Fujairah just once on Silver Whisper, a totally forgettable cruise. I like the Harrison quote. I could take the meal without the onions. My alternative is a custom Lido omelet, my final meal on MS Statendam August 24, 2014. Today’s care list: HAL Sailer Sister in Law recovering from cancer surgery ger_77 losing cruising friend Melanie Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77 and DH with covid fatigue The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1), msmayor (5/20) and JAM37 (7/7) Heartgrove’s Sam severely declining Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Atrex6 Father severely declining Celebrations and Shoutouts: Temporary guests for Kazu Kochleffel clean colonoscopy Volendam caring for refugees ger_77 starting to feel like herself New owner for Maasdam Norseh20 helping DM find assisted living 5 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) 4 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) 4 days for Kochleffel (Voyager OTS 8/28 to 9/3) Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

Ann, are you starting to feel better. Is a bland diet helping? I hope you can hold out and still enjoy your cruise. Roy

My sunrise today is from my one and only cruise on the Empress of the Seas. August 23, 2019 was a sea day from Cozumel to Miami. Roy

My sunrise today is from my one and only cruise on the Empress of the Seas. August 23, 2019 was a sea day from Cozumel to Miami. Roy

You were lucky to get to Tonga in 2020, one of the few cruise ships allowed in. I was on the Crystal Serenity a few days before you and then we and I think 2 other cruise ships were not allowed in. One of the other ships actually had some replacement crew waiting in Tonga and they were not even allow a tender to come in and pick them up. Roy

Thank you for all the thoughts on the sodium. I think I will likely resist all attempts to treat it, something I may have partially brought on to myself. I have watched my diet many years to control my diabetes but really concentrated on carbs, fiber, fat and total calories. I never really looked at sodium but was encouraged to do so as part of my cardiac rehab so I have been trying especially hard to minimize it for about the last 8 months. The "reference range" is 135-146 and I think this time it was about 129, actually up a bit from 126 in December. I think the Doctor was concerned that he did not want a precipitous drop and I don't think that's the case, and it may actually be in my best interests for heart health to stay on the low side. Roy

Yesterday was my 6-month followup with my primary Doctor. I got a bit of a surprise that he is a bit concerned that my blood sodium level is lower than normal. I would have thought that would be a good thing but he is a bit concerned and ordered an extra lab test that I'll take care of today. Roy

The (former) Maasdam has been tied up right side to side with the Veendam for about 18 months without moving. Yesterday, Veendam pulled away from that position long enough to allow Maasdam to move to another dock less than a mile away with Veendam pulling back into Maasdam's former position. No official change in registration yet but AIS is showing a new name of Renaissance for the Maasdam. Roy

Thank you for the Tuesday Report, Rich, and Happy Birthday Ann. A very nice group of days and I like the Longfellow quote. I've been to Nuku'alofa twice, 2011 on Crystal Serenity and 2018 on Crystal Symphony. The meal sounds nice. My alternative is Lebanese Lamb Shank and Baked Alaska as served on MS Veendam August 23, 2013. Today’s care list: HAL Sailer Sister in Law with metasticizing mole ger_77 losing cruising friend Melanie Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77 and DH with covid fatigue The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Atrex6 Father severely declining Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Celebrations and Shoutouts: Happy Birthday Vict0riannSafety and a new loving home for Shadow Volendam caring for refugees ger_77 starting to feel like herself New owner for Maasdam Norseh20 helping DM find assisted living 6 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) 5 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy