TiogaCruiser

No problem here. I’m sure I could be fairly easily identified by HAL if they wanted to, but I don’t think that would matter. One thing we haven’t identified is whether it’s the higher Mariners that are being invited to some of these. There may have been capacity limits earlier in Covid. And I do realize that @510picker said it was their copper medallion on NS that they received an invitation. (So was mine, on Zuidie, we got off the beginning of April.)

Were you paying separately? Did you tell the agent it was to cover only 1 person ( half of the total fare?) I’m trying to visualize this.

On Zuiderdam at the end of March, DH answered a knock on our door from our steward, and was handed a box with my medallion with the words “This is for Miss Tiogacruiser”. While it was nice to receive, it was far from special. The only one to wear it will be our Christmas tree.

That’s really nice of you. I had considered that a couple of times, and decided against it, as I wanted to be totally free to cancel if my parent had a “something” come up, or if I had a “bad feeling”, and not feel bad about disappointing my friend.

I’m not clear on that, as I have only sailed solo or with my DH. When we sailed together, it was a single policy, covering both of us. But we also made a single payment from a single account to cover the 2of us. I’m not sure how HAL sets up the accounting when 2 friends sail. Perhaps someone who has done so can weigh in here. Does HAL accept and process separate payments for both involved? ***************+++ Incidentally, the cost for platinum is ~10% of the cost of the cruise. Air and pre-cruise extensions ( such as Iguazu through HAL) are covered, but they are not included in figuring the cost of the plan. (I have first hand experience unfortunately, on this last paragraph.)

Not Rich, but HAL’s CPP doesn’t cover the cost of the single supplement: From HAL’s website: ”CPP Platinum does not protect double-triple-quad occupancy rates should one or more members of your party cancel prior to departure.” https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/pre-post-travel-cruise/cancellation-protection-plan.html OP might want to look into insurance purchased outside of HAL. If caregiving for an emergency is covered, your roommate may be covered at 100%. Your policy might also cover you for the single supplement. Unless your plan is to also cancel if they have to cancel. Personally, if I were to travel with someone other than my DH, I would have the “what if” conversation with them as it pertains to whether the plan is for both to cancel if 1 cancels, or “for the show to go on”. That might drive what type of insurance to get.

Good Morning All, Its Wednesday already. Joining in prayer for those being affected/threatened by the storms. @dfish What a lovely house! It feels so “outdoors”, sort of a feeling of Frank Lloyd Wright. @smitty34877 Praying your family isn’t affected again by Covid. I’m waiting to hear from my Dad about the rest his birthday. Last update was before he went to dinner. Maybe this is a good time to share a heartwarming story: Dad lives independently in an RCFE. Residents have their own “condos”, and get one meal per calendar day in the “MDR” included in the fee. A few birthdays ago, the staff sat him at his table that was set up in advance with balloons, sang Happy Birthday, and presented him with a huge ice cream Sundae. He thanked them, and said to his waiter he needed someone to share it with him, and would he help him? A few minutes later, the young man returned, sat down with Dad, and they shared the sundae and some wonderful conversation. Dad still gets a glow when he talks about it. Stay safe everyone, and have a great day!

Only speaking regarding my experience on Veendam (smaller ship than the R class), I cannot picture where you would fit a refrigerator.

Yikes on 45 minutes. Where are you sitting in the plane for the first leg? If not in a prime seat, how long will you have to wait to deplane? My 90 minute connection in Lima got totally eaten up by our plane being unloaded on the tarmac with a shuttle to take us to the terminal. I was in regular cabin, mid cabin. We were let off in the order of our seats, regardless of connections.

When I first started on CC there was a poster who had our home town at the time listed as hers. Her CC handle indicated her occupation and she confirmed her local (small, specialty) work site in her profile. A few months later, I pulled in to the parking lot at a meeting at City Hall, and the license plate on the car next to me was her CC handle. I recognized her and her DH in the large crowd from pictures she had posted previously. That was with no researching on my part- only day to day CC participation, and our proximity to each other in real life. She still occasionally posts- way more details than I think is safe- but that’s her prerogative, and it’s on her.

We also got the stickers. But no paper tickets.

Is this the Storm Finder guy? Yes! Peanut butter or peanut oil works. It turns gum into a sort of thick liquid that unsticks from what it is attached to. Years ago when I worked as a hostess in a restaurant, I had down time and would clean my station, and one day went into the kitchen and asked the cook for a bit of peanut oil- which they gave me. I used it to help scrape gum off the floor tiles. The dried on black globs of gum came off with the oil. The owner “caught” me, and asked what I was doing. He was really happy, and some time after that I noticed my hourly pay went up. He never said anything, and I didn’t notice for awhile. ( I just didn’t do the math to confirm my paycheck.)

Just wondering- would they allow you to take a large bag or suitcase ( of your laundry) off the ship on turn around day? I’m thinking about customs…. I know in the past people have reported not being allowed off with packages or large bags that they were going to ship home via post or other carrier.

Just to be clear, we were off the ship and it was the guides ( not HAL staff) who scanned our cards. They didn’t want our “tickets”.

As @Florida_gal_50 said, going north up the BCdS and California coasts. we had a lovely, bumpy ride across the Sea of Cortes one night. I don’t suspect on such a short cruise as you are doing that you will be crossing that Sea.

In Mexico this past spring, the shorex people actually scanned out room keys. IIRC, it was in the line, onshore, waiting for the vans in Loreto.

Good Morning All, Somehow we’ve made it to Sunday. It’s been a long week in our household. We’ll celebrate Dad’s 96th birthday today, a little early. @dfish Hoping your offer is accepted and there’s no more monkey business. @kazu Breathing a sigh of relief for you. @HAL4NOW Thank you for the updates. Praying for containment and safety for you all. Not a Floridian- does Cantore have a reputation for being in the worst places for a “play by play”? Have a great day everyone!

I nominate this thread for the “Best of CC threads collection”.

And I really need to study up and get myself to the UK. So many fabulous sites have been posted here by @grapau27 and many others. I think I’d like to combine a land trip with a cruise, maybe P&O. Looks like there’s lots of great itineraries that include scenic cruising.

Good Morning All, We have a cool fall morning today. One I’d love to spend on my mountain bike, but I’m still on activity restrictions per my podiatrist. @*Miss G* Sending condolences, and prayers for comfort and peace for your family. @dfish So sorry your house fell through. Hoping you find something even better quickly. @kazu Praying Fiona doesn’t cause big problems. Before being adequately caffeinated I was staring at @grapau27’s picture and wondered what was wrong with it. Took a sip of coffee. Then the question arose as to why someone would mirror image the interior of a car. Another sip of coffee. Then I remembered Graham is in the UK. (it’s just confusing to this yankee brain!🤪) Have a great day everyone!

I would be concerned about checking my bag with my medical device and water on for many reasons.

Interesting thought. On one hand, ship’s autonomy allowed staff some creativity to improve their onboard experience (i.e. Prinsendam’s “block parties”, Captain Albert treating pax to a “behind the scenes tour” years ago when a port was cancelled). That creativity also causes the experience to be different between ships, which people also complain about.

Good Morning All, And we have another cloudy morning. I’m not complaining.😉 Not sure what is on the agenda for today. @cat shepard Welcome back! Can’t wait to hear about your trip. I’m not sure if our agreement included today, but I’ll post my findings and hand the Wine Department back to you for tomorrow. Today’s Wine: **************** Forstreiter 2019 Ried Kremser Kogl Gruner Veltline I’m giving this one a pass. About Forstreiter 2019 Gruner Veltliner, Ried Kremser Kogl: The Forstreiter family, owners of Meinhard Forstreiter have been making wine since the late 1800s. With winemaking in their blood, they have brought their current property to an exceptional level of quality. The vineyard is situated in Krems-Hollenburg in the Kremstal, along the right bank of the Danube River, across from the Wachau, an ideal micro-climate for Gruner Veltliner. Grapes for this wine are sourced from a single vineyard located in Hollenburg, the southernmost district of Krems, with slopes facing the southeast. The soils are dominated by loess and supplemented by conglomerate and gravel. The warm Pannonian climate from the east meets the Continental influenced climate of the higher situated Waldviertel. This results in extreme temperature differences between day and night, which has intense positive effect on the formation of flavor. Wine Enthusiast Magazine selected this as the #20 Top 100 Wine of 2021. They scored it 93 points, saying "Yeast and salty miso are the chief notions on the nose. The palate adds pepper and wonderfully vivid, slight spritz to the slender but concentrated body while lemon brightness highlights the purity." -- ANNE KREBIEHL MW Have a great day everyone!

Thank you @ottahand7, @Horizon chaser 1957, @Seasick Sailor and @dfish for your replies and insight. It sounds like we did come together in a similar fashion almost 60 years ago. I had no idea JFK’s funeral was like that. (I remember it, but only as a confused barely 3 year old who didn’t understand why Mommy was so upset and crying while watching the news (and probably the proceedings), and wonderingly why Captain Kangaroo wasn’t on.)

Interesting thought. I doubt it, though. As a US born and bred lady, I truly do not understand how the royalty works. It appears to be more of a keeper of traditions and uniter of patriotism, and aside from much of the politics. Kind of an extra-political leadership. In the US, we are so highly politicized (especially now, but over the past 20 years) that I can’t see that type of response (large numbers of people going and standing in line for those amounts of time.). Please understand I’m not trying to bring in politics, and I honestly do not understand the role of royalty. (I’m not criticizing it in any way.) I’m interested in learning.