joeyancho

Pelligrino on ice with lime. I quit drinking alcohol 40 years ago. I'm not against alcohol, its just not for me.  

 

We have done that cruise. Only thing that was required in port was cash. Lol. Have a great cruise.  

 

 

 

 

I do not know what night it is but on Mexican night, do not walk but run to specialty dining. Cruise ships, regardless 

of line, are absolutely clueless as to how to make Mexican food. Which is quite funny considering how much time they spend in Mexico. It is not difficult to prepare delicious Mexican food. I don't know where they get their recipes from or who teaches them but every, and i mean every dish they serve is so far off the mark,  it is actually comical.  Save yourself the grief and go to Chops or to anywhere besides the MDR.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 hours ago, brillohead said:

DNA update:

 

I contacted my suspected half-brother on Wednesday afternoon. He was floored. I found out that one of his uncles was in this area at the time of my conception, so there's a possibility we're cousins instead of half-siblings. (His other uncle isn't a possibility for my birthfather, because I got a DNA match of "cousin" with that uncle's daughter -- if it was him, we'd have matched as half-siblings instead.) I ordered him a DNA kit, it should arrive on Monday, so hopefully within 3-4 weeks we'll know for sure.  

 

I actually kinda hope he's my cousin instead of brother, because his uncle is still alive and would happily accept me as his daughter, whereas my suspected brother's father passed away in 2016. The way my suspected brother put it, however long it takes to drive from Alabama to my house is how long it would take for me to get a knock on my front door if we find out it's his uncle who is my father.  

 

Either way, I have an aunt who lives about ten miles away from me, and a bunch of cousins and second cousins. My paternal grandfather was one of at least 8 kids, and he had at least 10 kids with three wives. My paternal grandmother was one of 12 kids, and she had at least 5 kids with two husbands. So I have roughly eleventy bazillion cousins, second cousins, third cousins, etc. 

 

With such huge families on both my grandfather's and my grandmother's sides, it makes a lot more sense why out of the 70K matches off my DNA, 48K are from my paternal DNA and only 19K are from my maternal DNA!

 

And no matter which of the brothers is my father, it appears that I'm going to be welcomed into the family by pretty much everyone. I've already been told that I'm coming to the family reunion in June! LOL My suspected brother has told me that he wants to get to know me, whether I'm his sister or his cousin. ❤️

 

 

 

All in all, this is about the best outcome I could have hoped for. So many adoptees (or even just people who find out from DNA that they have a different blood family.... lots of people are discovering through DNA tests that their father wasn't really their father) get the cold shoulder when they try to make contact with their relatives. Even in my own case, my aunts (my birthmother's sisters) have been more welcoming and accepting of me than the woman who carried me.  

 

So it will be about a month until we know for sure which is my father, but everyone says that they can tell by my pictures that I'm definitely one of the family. After five decades of not belonging and not being wanted (my adoptive family put the "fun" in "dysfunctional"), it sure to "belong" somewhere.  

 

 

 

 

<<< We now return you to your previously scheduled programming, already in progress. Further updates as events warrant. >>> 

 

 

Well you certainly have a large Christmas card list

7 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

The peons will be streaming aboard soon enough. 

 

 

When you use the term peon,  to whom do you refer?   Do you know the meaning of the term?

Love Indian cuisine. Would definitely be in favor of a true tandoori (oven) restaurant on board,  that also made fresh Naan. A variety of samosas would be great. Mango Lassi,  yummy.  Indian food is not just curry. Americans need to get out of their comfort zone just a little.  Steak and lobster is great, but so is a lot of other things. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is what I want to know. I leave the auto tips on. But I also tip extra in the form of cash . My choice. In the days before auto tip the steward would leave a certain amount of envelopes in the room. I think 4.  Fill them up.  Pass them out. Easy.   Now the steward leaves just one envelope.  Who is that supposed to be for?  Himself?   Does he not care for his fellow sailors?  Does he just like to see me have go to the pursers desk to get more?  What is his intention?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since the title of this thread is how are things going where you are, I will relate a recent experience. As everyone knows California had a significant weather event this week.  We own a cabin in Big Bear California which is at an altitude of 7,000 ft. We went up to our cabin on Tuesday. The snow started Tuesday night and did not let up until Saturday. It was awesome. We got over two feet of snow. The wood burning stove cranked out the Heat and my lovely wife cranked out some lovely dinners.  We got a break in the weather on Sunday and we took advantage of it and made a break for home.  We had to hire some local fellows to dig our car out. 

 

I had the new menus in January.  No better no worse.  The only thing that bothered me was that the garden salad was not available every night. 

2 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Though every few yrs it changes. 20+ ago WindJammer had China not plastic plates,"Bong" at 3pm to announce Tea Time served there. No swimwear allowed, after laying by the Pool I'd have go Cabin to change just to eat WJ Lunch. But back then on every Sea Day Barbecue lunch was served on Pool Deck. They even had a table for every 2 Loungers. Then Dinner in WJ was even more Formal, table cloths, Candles, Waiters to serve and you could order off Main Dining Menu

Yes, I remember all that.  Tea was great.  Scones, jam, cream.   Delish

It's not like it used to be. 

You're fine.  They were over the top. 

I bring my SAK with me for personal grooming etc. I think it is the smallest one they make. I pack it in my checked luggage.  Never a problem. 51 cruises. 

Have you downloaded the app?   You can make reservations with app on-board.   If you are diamond the concierge can help you too.  Also you can go wait in line at the water show and they will let you in even if you don't have reservations.  Don't know about the ice show.  You can try.  Good luck 

If you were choosing by ship alone, the Allure would be the winner. I have done both itineraries and they both are a lot of fun. I would give a slight Edge to the Eastern itinerary.

$20 cash for 2.  

No. Regardless of what others say, you won't have any problems.   1000's people do it everyday.  The TSA is looking for weapons and implements of destruction,  not your Boniva.  You might want to photograph your prescriptions on your phone in case your trip is unexpectedly prolonged or if you lose you pill case. 

Painkiller.

If your cruise goes to Mexico,  just buy it at the dockside pharmacy.   You can buy anything you want, anything.  

I'm not a fan of private islands.   A little too Disney for me.   I'd rather visit an island or Port where I can see some history or architecture and eat local food or buy local art and handicrafts.  I do understand why people like the private islands and I do have a good time when I go there.  It is just that I prefer port stops more.  

On 2/6/2023 at 5:07 PM, neverbeenhere said:

The four drinks for achieving Diamond status are very nice. But, I really enjoyed the one-time special Diamond cape and scepter that you get to possess and wear on the Diamond cruise. 

You get that at diamond + now. Also tiaras for the wife.

8 hours ago, schlimazel_traveler said:

I was very pleasantly surprised on my last cruise. I don't even bother with the plastic-cup-of-something items anymore, but they actually had a pound cake recipe that they switched up daily (pistachio pound cake, apple pound cake, etc) that was GOOD! And a dense, almost marzipan-like, pie recipe they did a few variations on (apricot almond, peach almond) that I liked a lot. Plus, cafe latitudes had a fantastic brownie! I've never had a decent brownie, or maybe any brownie, on a cruise ship.

I agree.  Went well with my coffee

On 2/1/2023 at 5:59 PM, taglovestocruise said:

I have seen everything on you list worn on Formal night except the flip flops. They now let absolute pigs into main dining and specialty. 

Unfortunately you are correct.   Times have changed,  and not for the better.

Lobster Thermador was awesome, as was the fried cheesecake dessert.   Portion sizes are "sensible". 

Sorry