dani negreanu

We stayed at Marina Bay Sands. Yes, it was pricey for us, but for 2 nights pre-cruise, well worth it. The location and amenities are excellent. I've booked the cheapest room an year in advance and got a reasonable refundable rate.

@grapau27 + 1, and I "detect" lots and lots of chocolates and fruit marzipans 🙂

For the first time, I'd go with "Indy" and not the biggest ship, which may be a bit overwhelming. And 4 days is way too short.... Until you get in the "mood"... you disembark.

@grapau27 Graham, wishing you many happy returns, and hope you'll celebrate your special day in style, as always. DH has designed a "bespoke" card for you --

And I'd like to add that cruisers from any cruise line are too 🌷

I prefer to pay a week ahead. Human mistakes happen, and, luckily, my TA called and alerted me that my card was rejected... Someone typed 3 instead of 8.... So, yes, since until lately the interest paid by banks was practically nonexistent, I didn't mind paying ahead 😉

@h20skibum Oh Mark, it is so sad. Sadder even when the dear ones passing are our age. It brings the "finality" closer 😢 I hope that, as @Sea Dog Greg so thoughtful said, their memories will always bring you comfort.

Same here. I've checked the restaurants surrounding the hotel, and I was very happy to find the ramen place. We went there twice 😁 And one evening to Five Guys on Pl. de Catalunya.... for a fries fix 😉

We checked in at 9am, just after debarking from our cruise. Asked if they have a room available at this early hour, and waited only 20 mins for a room to be ready. They were very accommodating at the reception. We preferred to go to La Boqueria for some pastries and then an early lunch, but during our 3 nights there we enjoyed a very copious and varied breakfast.

Wishing you a very enjoyable cruise, and, BTW, the b'fast at Jazz is amazing. I wouldn't hunt for any other one.... Also a very good ramen place just around the corner 🙂

Today was my turn to host our small HS friends group. I laid the table on the balcony, since it was a gorgeous day. The moment we sat down to eat, the weather turned, and drops of rain started. When the rain got "serious", we each grabbed a dish or two, and went inside... So this pic is from our dining space. The rain was gone rather quickly, replaced by a very hot weather, so we opted to remain inside for cake and coffee. We had also a very partial sun eclipse, and DH prepared filters for every one of us --

@akcruz, April +1 🌷

Count me in, and.... thank you 😘

No, plenty of availability of D4 on deck 14, on all sailings, just no on those aft cabins you're interested in.......

Just being a [very] curious person, I've tried to find a D4 [for 2 adults] on deck 14 for Jim here... Plenty of them, but on the sides. Not aft. Then I've continued my simulation and looked at C5 and managed to "snag" one for 3... but only on deck 12 - #12756. April 13rd, 2024. My conclusion -- D4 are offered only for 2, and for many many months, right now, no afts.

We rented a house in Cortona, and toured the surrounding cities every day -- Perugia, Arezzo, Montepulciano, Siena, Castiglione del Lago and... Firenze. It was of the best land tours we've done. Italy is so beautiful.

It reminds me... we're traveling with our BFF, and the guy is an "vanilla-only" gelato type... Since it's quite a classic flavor [not to say a banal one 😉], not many gelato "boutiques" were carrying it... DH was driving, and I've got to tell you ... not very happy that we have to check every gelato in our way for the vanilla flavor....

Laurie, as an avid reader, I can relate... so, there is a list of books Joanie (thanks 🌷), aka @GeorgiaPeach51 compiled from various cruisers' recommendations, mine too (in red). Enjoy -- Here is the latest book list, updated. 😁 Joanie Book Series to Read Georges Simenon Series Gideon Oliver -Aaron Elkins series Louise Penny’s Gamache series. Dorothy L. Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey series Any books by Josephine Tey Barbara Hambly - Benjamin January series, if you like historical mysteries! JD Robb books and Robert B Parker The Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell MC Beaton books Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley Series. Donna Leon’s Brunetti series. Any books by Tana French Any books by P. D. James. Greg Isles, a writer from Natchez, MS. Snowblind” by Ragnar Jonasson. (Book 1 of 6 - DarkIceland) Cork O’Connor series by William Kent Krueger. Also non-series books. Brad Thor JK Rowling (author of Harry Potter series), writing under the name Robert Galbraith -- the Cormoran Strike series. Andrea Camilleri -- the Inspector Montalbano series. Helen Fields -- the Perfect series. Karin Slaughter -- the Will Trent series, Grant Country Line series. Daniel Silva - Gabriel Allon series James Crumley —should be read in order Winston Graham—Poldark series Janet Evanovich—Stephanie Plum series. Fox and Hare series. Anything by Tim Dorsey or Carl Hiassen Old Archie comic books and Mad Magazine. 🙂 Ian Rankin’s Rebus series Peter Robinson’s DCI Banks series Nevada Barr’s National Parks series Anything by Anne Cleeves Richard Jury series by Martha Grimes - current times Thomas Pitt series by Anne Perry - Victorian era (and if you are planning a trip to Egypt check out theAmelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters) Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City. 4 books. The Longmire books by Craig Johnson. Also suggest the fantastic series on Netflix. David McCullough 'Path Between the Seas' (Panama Canal) Caroline Graham Inspector Barnaby series. John Sandford , the Prey series and the Virgil Flowers series Any books by Harlan Coben Khalid Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Kite Runner Cupcake Brown, A Piece of Cake Andy Weir, “not science fiction but science plausibility” Danelle Harmon Series Caleb Carr - The Alienist. Anthony Horowitz, Magpie Murders/Susan Ryeland Series. Also Horowitz & Hawthorne series Rex Stout, Nero Wolfe books, later written by Robert Goldsborough Ruth Ware Stuart Woods, Stone Barrington series. #61 just published. Tess Gerritson Lisa Scottoline. Michael Connelly Bosch books Lee Child Reacher series James Lee Burke Robicheaux Patricia Cornell Scarpetta books, Andy Brazil series Jonathan Kellerman Delaware books Greg Iles Jeffrey Deaver Lincoln Rhymes series Nelson DeMille John Grisham Scott Turow Pat Conroy...more family drama than mystery The Outlander series Brad Meltzer Jonathan Maberry’s Joe Ledger series The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six (same author) I just finished American Dirt and loved it so much I bought two more of her books. Iris Johansen (EveDuncan series, and others). Colin Dexter Inspector Morse series David Baldacci—Amos Decker, Atlee Pine and John Puller series JA Jance Karen Rose Carol Goodman, The Stranger Behind You, plus multiple other books. Contemporary suspenseful fiction. Chris Carter - Robert Hunter Series - I just started #5 One by One Jefferson Bass - Body Farm Series - Based on the Body Farm at UT Knoxville. Joe R. Lansdale - Hap and Leonard - probably one of the most politically incorrect novel you will ever read - two Red Necks as they take justice into their own hands. Keeps me in stitches. Sara Parestky - The V.I. Warhawski Series - I just started "indemnity Only(1982) and is #1 of 21 Sue Grafton—the Kinsey Millhone series Ian Cross—-the Ackerman thrillers Ginny Rorby—Like Dust I Rise

[ "places" that Helen & Marty were planning to see @FromSea2ShiningSea ] I assume it's only a question of how many days off work you can take? No worries, those places are here and they'll wait for you when the time is right 🙂 And I'm curious which cruise line visits the Holy Land in January? 😕 Same here, Helen & Marty, pls. keep them coming @FromSea2ShiningSea

Helen, I had the date of October 23rd penciled in my calendar for some months... And I was thinking a lot today about what could have been. So sorry we couldn't wave even from afar, but, hopefully, another opportunity, not only to wave, will arise soon. At least "we" could learn from your friends "inside" experience with the goings in the port of Ashdod, and see if it would be easier to meet in the future. Take care and stay healthy, both of you 😘

+ 1 🌷

@Luckynana, Maryann, + 1 💐

I'm so glad that I had the foresight to give preference to all the long haul flights when our son was a flight attendant. We took the opportunity of very reduced prices to fly Business Class to Sydney, LA, NY, HK and Singapore, and also to a land tour of Beijing/The Great Wall.... I've always quipped that the only way for me to reach Sydney will be either sedated or Business Class.... not knowing then that the "kid" will fulfill my wish.... @FromSea2ShiningSea Helen and @Luckynana Maryann, We're also on the fence, after 2 Vax and 2 Boosters, with me getting Covid, albeit mild symptoms but with a very long lingering fatigue... We're now invited to get the 3rd Booster [aka 5th shot], which is supposed to guard against "Omicron & Sons"😉. In speaking with friends, vaxed and boosted like us, nobody took the 3rd.... Yet. Lessening the symptoms vs. an unknown booster.

That's the pic I've sent to the kids and friends, with the caption: "the tiny Romanian from Bucharest has made it to the other half of the world 😁".... We were just out of the CQ underground station, straight from the airport, on our way to the hotel, jet lagged and in awe.

Thanks !!! Just went online to thank you for the sculpture's pics also on behalf of DH, who enjoyed them very much. We strolled by the OPT everyday, since we're staying at the [then] Holiday Inn Old Sydney, and took the ferry to Bondi Beach one day.