SusieKIslandGirl

Have you tried to do a "live chat" or calling either HAL or your TA to see if they can book the spa for the entire cruise?

And it depends on if the bar nearby has that particular liquor.

I love the new electronic digital door lock DH installed a year or 2 ago (can’t remember exactly when 😛), especially since DGD could never remember her key. It’s nice that a temporary code can be used for a visitor or delivery.

Rudi's Sel de Mer (specialty restaurant) has them on its menu. Pinnacle class ships only.

When friends were there, they mentioned pick-up trucks that gave people rides around the island. Take a bunch of $1 bills with you.

Where’s the “WOW” button? Absolutely beautiful-thanks.

And loud snoring is one of the signs along with "holding your breath" while sleeping. The CPAP machine helps so much and it's amazing how much energy you have after starting with it.

It was offered on the Nieuw Statendam last month. The crew member who was leading the class saw me knitting and asked a few questions so I'm not sure how much she really knew about knitting. I think they had supplies, but not positive.

Wonderful report. Thanks for sharing every day!

I just looked at Expedia.com for Rome airport hotels. I chose a middle of July date. There were some decent looking rooms for around $120.

@StLouisCruisers@smitty34877 My DS also turns 51 in August-but that doesn't mean we're old, does it? Where did the time go?

@Haljo1935You are so right!

My DH really enjoyed Rudi’s on the Nieuw Statendam. Lots of seafood options.

Thanks for the update. Now if I can remember the answer if the situation arises!

DH caught a salmon in Sitka and had it shipped home. It was expensive and we could tell he didn’t get the entire fish. He was a commercial fisherman during college summers so knows his fish.

@IamtheseaI didn't get any decent photos of the Vista cabin but Halfacts.com has several cabins showing the layout.

I finally looked up my mother’s rhubarb pie recipe. A bit lighter in calories, I think. 3 cups rhubarb, cut into 1 inch pieces 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1 1/2 cups sugar ( more or less on your sweetness preference) 1/4 cup flour Mix flour and sugar together, then mix with eggs. Add rhubarb and mix well. Add to pie shell and cover with a lattice pastry. Bake at 425 degrees-15 minutes Lower temp and continue baking 30 minutes at 350 degrees. It was a prize winner many years ago.

Is there much of a price difference if you book 2 separate cruises? And can you keep the same cabin? Also, would it make a difference with OBC or other extra benefits? I think if there wasn’t much difference I’d book 2 separate cruises.

I remember port and left have the same amount of letters. Starboard and right are longer words. For the colors associated with the sides, the same applies. Red for port and green for starboard.

I manage to lose weight on every cruise by using the stairs, at least a few flights. Still haven't mastered Deck 3 to Deck 9 yet, though.

Another DH with a June birthday. Not sure how he got to be 76 already! 😲 We don't have a lot of choices for dining out unless we head to Seattle but we'll try the local Mexican restaurant tonight. It's hit or miss but the margaritas should be good. I hope everyone has a good week.

Dinner at Tamarind was very good but hard to find. It's only easily accessible from the aft elevators.

We were just in Amsterdam last month after a cruise. We used Uber from the port to our city center hotel. I think it was $18. Oops, I goofed. This is from Amsterdam, not Rotterdam. Sorry. Uber from Amsterdam to Schiphol was $33.

Last 2 cruises, Feb/Mar and May this year, had pins but no free drinks or anything else. In 28 days I think I missed 2 days.

Our big box TA doesn’t pass on upgrade offers. I watch prices and call them to ask for an upgrade/upsell offer. Last cruise we had a standard verandah and were able to “upsell” to a Vista at no additional cost because prices had gone down. Just keep calling.