Live: Explorer, Vancouver/Alaska/Japan

[kjbacon]

The addition of pictures has made your already enjoyable thread even better! 
 

Good luck with the rough seas you’re heading into. When the seas get rough enough that the captain warns you ahead, we have found that multiple brandy Alexanders can be most helpful.

[pingpong1]

4 hours ago, kjbacon said:

The addition of pictures has made your already enjoyable thread even better! 
 

Good luck with the rough seas you’re heading into. When the seas get rough enough that the captain warns you ahead, we have found that multiple brandy Alexanders can be most helpful.

During rough seas, I always want to grab hold of something that is firmly bolted to the deck.  I've found the slot machines to be well-secured enough to cling to in those circumstances.  And there's always the chance that the "rocking and rolling" might shake loose a few extra dollars, too!  🤪 

[fudge]

Just now, kjbacon said:

The addition of pictures has made your already enjoyable thread even better! 
 

Good luck with the rough seas you’re heading into. When the seas get rough enough that the captain warns you ahead, we have found that multiple brandy Alexanders can be most helpful.

Sorry about the lack of pictures, this is how it goes. Mrs Fudge takes the pictures, she sends them to my mail, I download them then put them on here. The big problem I have is that Yahoo have decided that every time I sign in they ask me to verify my account by sending me a text message with a verification code, this is the problem,I never get the text so I am locked out!!!! I have rang Yahoo twice they refuse point blank to help! If any of you clever folks knows how to get around this I would be most grateful.

[Jim Avery]

Probably get better advice from a Yahoo user but I will give it a go.  I send all pictures to photos on my laptop.  Then, connected to the ships wifi, I open a reply on Cruise Critic and click on browse files.  At that point my laptop's list opens and I can click on photos and determine from there which pictures to highlight and download to CC.  Works pretty good that way.  That sign in stuff is usually because the ship's id is always changing as the satellite reaches out to different land stations.  Not a real geekly explanation but then I'm a bit basic...😎

[fudge]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the advise, I am not technically minded, no Idea how to send the photos direct to my lap top? Once there I use the method you describe it worked fine but the blasted email I have I am locked out of!!

[fudge]

From yesterday

The afternoon entertainment was baggo, Mr Fudge has lost his touch, looser twice, on the other hand Mrs Fudge was a winner, well done to her.

 

A while ago I mentioned that someone had seen a watch in the jewellery shop for a half a million dollars, I went to look at it. Its actually cheaper at 460,000 dollars, eye watering amount of money. I think if you can afford that you shouldn’t be on this ship, you should be on your own ship as captain!

 

I finally manged to get to see the on-board cruise consultant. She is a lovely lady and very helpful, she couldn’t tempt me to book a cruise however, I did leave a future cruise deposit. Mrs Fudge will be pleased, when I do book a cruise, she has 200 dollars on board spend.

 

Last evening, we ate in the Chartreuse restaurant, we arrived at 20.10 to be turned away, in fairness our booking was 20.30, we went for a drink. When we got back the maître dee was all over us, they actually let people in before us who called in without a booking which I thought was not right.

I left it there not wishing to cause a scene. Mr Fudge had the blue cheese souffle which was divine, Mrs Fudge had the lobster bisque. We both had the Dover sole, the best plate of food I have eaten for a long time, so good in fact that we asked to see the chef, he came to our table and we shook his hand, he looked rather embarrassed but we had to do it.

 

On the way to the restaurant Mrs Fudge said, “I am not having a dessert tonight” I could see her nose growing as we entered the elevator. After the meal the waiter brought the dessert menu, Mrs Fudge said “no thank you, oh go on I will have a look” I reminded her of the old saying, once past the lips twice on the hips, she promptly declined a dessert.

 

After our meal we went to the theater, it was a classical piano concert, Oleksandr Melnychuk, he played tunes from composers all over the world, he was very good, his fingers raced through the ivory keys.

 

So far so good with the weather, a quiet passage through the night. Mr Fudge was up early and went for the coffees, what no clean cups?? disaster, Mrs Fudge would not let me back in without the coffee. Not to be outdone, Mr Fudge searched high and low and thankfully found two clean glasses, he suffered third degree burns getting them to the suite but it was worth it for the look on Mrs Fudges face.  

 

For those of you who like me are not so keen on sea days, here is a typical day on board.

On the TV, Explorer today with the cruise director. Puzzle page, Sudoku and crosswords changed daily.

Fitness class early in the morning. Beginners bridge class, speaker series, guest games (we like that don’t we) playing cards and board games, bingo bonanza, intermediate bridge instruction, sign up for a sports challenge of your choice with other guests.

 

Mah Jongg, another speaker in the afternoon, wellness event, ladies pamper party. Needlepoint nook, whatever that is? Flambe tea time, sandwiches and cakes. Mensa daily quiz, trivia, friend of Bill W meet. If you can stand the excitement there is a 10,000-piece puzzle to complete all day. Phew, it’s all getting too much!!

 

As you can see plenty to keep you occupied, apart from constant eating and drinking. I will continue to find out how to get pictures on here, if it kills me!!!

 

One last thing before I post, Mrs Fudge did not complete her daily exercise yesterday naughty lady!!

She is up with the lark this morning though en route to the fitness centre.

 

 

[fudge]

Just now, pingpong1 said:

During rough seas, I always want to grab hold of something that is firmly bolted to the deck.  I've found the slot machines to be well-secured enough to cling to in those circumstances.  And there's always the chance that the "rocking and rolling" might shake loose a few extra dollars, too!  🤪 

Brandy Alexanders, my favourite tipple ever.😄

[Kwaj girl]

Using my android phone....I just clicked on "add files", chose one from the "photos" and clicked on it.  Let's see if this works.

[Jim Avery]

48 minutes ago, fudge said:

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the advise, I am not technically minded, no Idea how to send the photos direct to my lap top? Once there I use the method you describe it worked fine but the blasted email I have I am locked out of!!

Are you Apple or Android?  Here's one way on Apple.  You can AirDrop from phone to laptop .  If not then go to Cruise Critic on your phone browser and sign in to CC if needed.  Then go to your thread and open a reply.  Click on choose files at the bottom and you should get your photos as one of the choice of files..  Select the pix you want and voila, you are the Master of the Universe....  Oh wait, I guess it is King of the World when on shipboard......🍹

[Eve]

Mr. Fudge I cannot begin to tell you how much I've enjoyed your posts. I will be embarking the Explorer in Japan on 20 October 22 and your daily posts have heightened my anticipation. Your humor is wonderful and I find myself eagerly signing on the CC every day just to read your posts 

 

Now...could you ask Mrs. Fudge a question for me please? Is it necessary for ladies to dress in their finery every single evening for dinner? As in always in palazzo pants and an Alex Evenings dressy top, or is something a little less formal acceptable?? Will a cashmere cardigan and dress pants pass muster? Mrs. Fudge will know what palazzo pants are and who Alex is...not need to worry. 

 

Thanks, Mr. Fudge. I do so wish I could have sailed with you and the Mrs. 

 

Warmest regards from Chicago!

[fudge]

Just now, Eve said:

Mr. Fudge I cannot begin to tell you how much I've enjoyed your posts. I will be embarking the Explorer in Japan on 20 October 22 and your daily posts have heightened my anticipation. Your humor is wonderful and I find myself eagerly signing on the CC every day just to read your posts 

 

Now...could you ask Mrs. Fudge a question for me please? Is it necessary for ladies to dress in their finery every single evening for dinner? As in always in palazzo pants and an Alex Evenings dressy top, or is something a little less formal acceptable?? Will a cashmere cardigan and dress pants pass muster? Mrs. Fudge will know what palazzo pants are and who Alex is...not need to worry. 

 

Thanks, Mr. Fudge. I do so wish I could have sailed with you and the Mrs. 

 

Warmest regards from Chicago!

Hi Eve,

Thank you for lovely comments really appreciated. Mrs Fudge has said unless its a formal night the cruise director has said elegant casual, skirt or slacks with a blouse or sweater is the dress code of the day elegant or casual. We were in Chartreuse people were in sneakers  and body warmers what does that tell you. Some of the men look like they have just arrived fro the boiler room!

[Zqueeze1]

We are having a great time reading your posts.  I share your stories with The Boss and we have a chuckle.  We look forward to your posts.  
 

We are sea-day lovers.  It allows TB to get her steps in around the ship or swim for a hour while I supervise and coach her from the third seat from the right at the pool bar.
 

Continue to a great cruise.  
 

Z and TB

[fudge]

Just now, Zqueeze1 said:

We are having a great time reading your posts.  I share your stories with The Boss and we have a chuckle.  We look forward to your posts.  
 

We are sea-day lovers.  It allows TB to get her steps in around the ship or swim for a hour while I supervise and coach her from the third seat from the right at the pool bar.
 

Continue to a great cruise.  
 

Z and TB

Today, no idea again what day it is?  Tonight, another time change, I think we are in the year 1964 but not sure?

We landed at the fitness centre, after 10 minutes the sun came up, what a sight, a perfect photo opportunity, it was glistening on the sea. There were lots of birds flying miles from any land, looking for breakfast, riding the thermals.

 

The gym is at the very back of the ship not the pointy end, so you can see the waves behind, a tanker passed us going the other way, Mrs Fudge said “I bet they are not having eggs Benedict for breakfast” she gave the tanker a cheery wave and off it went into the sunset. A quick sensitization of the machine and we were off, legs a bit shaky though.

 

We went straight to the coffee connection for a drink, it was pretty quiet. I got told off by the barista, he said I need to order via the waiter, that was me told off, the waiter was next to the barista by the way! He is Italian which probably accounts for it!

 

The captain has updated us with a weather forecast, he said tie anything down that’s likely to move, after 8pm it could be a “titanic moment” I hope not, put it this way, I am going to tie Mrs Fudge to the bed just in case, that’s my excuse anyway! Mrs Fudge looks worried!!!

Lunch at the prime 7, again lovely food, we met a waitress from the voyager a lovely young lady call Ma, very cheerful and a super smile.

 

Folks we met in the super line at the cruise terminal in Vancouver arranged a get together this evening in the Compass Rose, a table for ten, because of the weather forecast we cancelled. Oh well, these things happen on a cruise, people who do transatlantic cruises I admire, not for us I’m afraid, I have a panic attack having a shower! I asked Mrs Fudge would she care to join me in the shower? She replied “sorry, not enough room” are you kidding me, it’s like the elevator, you could get 16 people in there!

 

We decided to have a hearty lunch and give the evening meal a skip. It’s a good job we did, about 7pm the ship began to rock good style, the sliding doors between the bedroom and the lounge were opening and closing you cannot lock them! If you went through at the wrong time, it could sever your leg off.

 

The glasses in the case were falling over, a champagne glass broke, not a champagne glass, Mrs Fudges favourite glass! Anyway, matters not, she has drunk champagne from the bottle before now.

One for the ladies: Mrs Fudge was sensible enough to take a sickness table, not mister hard as nails masculine Mr Fudge, he can ride out the storm, wrong! Mrs Fudge could have ridden a jet ski along side the ship even with 15 ft waves, Mr Fudge was on the bed clinging on for dear life, his gills as Green as anything. Lesson to be learned here, ALWAYS listen to advise from the ladies!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2023 by fudge

[fudge]

Just now, fudge said:

Today, no idea again what day it is?  Tonight, another time change, I think we are in the year 1964 but not sure?

We landed at the fitness centre, after 10 minutes the sun came up, what a sight, a perfect photo opportunity, it was glistening on the sea. There were lots of birds flying miles from any land, looking for breakfast, riding the thermals.

 

The gym is at the very back of the ship not the pointy end, so you can see the waves behind, a tanker passed us going the other way, Mrs Fudge said “I bet they are not having eggs Benedict for breakfast” she gave the tanker a cheery wave and off it went into the sunset. A quick sensitization of the machine and we were off, legs a bit shaky though.

 

We went straight to the coffee connection for a drink, it was pretty quiet. I got told off by the barista, he said I need to order via the waiter, that was me told off, the waiter was next to the barista by the way! He is Italian which probably accounts for it!

 

The captain has updated us with a weather forecast, he said tie anything down that’s likely to move, after 8pm it could be a “titanic moment” I hope not, put it this way, I am going to tie Mrs Fudge to the bed just in case, that’s my excuse anyway! Mrs Fudge looks worried!!!

Lunch at the prime 7, again lovely food, we met a waitress from the voyager a lovely young lady call Ma, very cheerful and a super smile.

 

Folks we met in the super line at the cruise terminal in Vancouver arranged a get together this evening in the Compass Rose, a table for ten, because of the weather forecast we cancelled. Oh well, these things happen on a cruise, people who do transatlantic cruises I admire, not for us I’m afraid, I have a panic attack having a shower! I asked Mrs Fudge would she care to join me in the shower? She replied “sorry, not enough room” are you kidding me, it’s like the elevator, you could get 16 people in there!

 

We decided to have a hearty lunch and give the evening meal a skip. It’s a good job we did, about 7pm the ship began to rock good style, the sliding doors between the bedroom and the lounge were opening and closing you cannot lock them! If you went through at the wrong time, it could sever your leg off.

 

The glasses in the case were falling over, a champagne glass broke, not a champagne glass, Mrs Fudges favourite glass! Anyway, matters not, she has drunk champagne from the bottle before now.

One for the ladies: Mrs Fudge was sensible enough to take a sickness table, not mister hard as nails masculine Mr Fudge, he can ride out the storm, wrong! Mrs Fudge could have ridden a jet ski along side the ship even with 15 ft waves, Mr Fudge was on the bed clinging on for dear life, his gills as Green as anything. Lesson to be learned here, ALWAYS listen to advise from the ladies!

 

 

 

 

 

Oops, that was yesterdays capers sorry.

[Jim Avery]

Good post.  Hope the seas calm for you soon.  You mentioned Transatlantics.  Attaching a picture taken on QE2 Transatlantic crossing on a "nice" day.....

 

 

[fudge]

07.00 the following day.

 

The ship is still rocking and rolling but not quite as bad, Mr Fudge did his usual trip to the coffee machine, he should be in the circus, it was like walking a tight rope!  Got back to the suite, half a cup of coffee is better than none I suppose?

 

Mrs Fudge sleeping like a baby but snoring like a wilder beast, I am going to ask the captain to make an announcement to apologise to those guests on deck 14!

 

Not sure what we are doing today? We have so many points playing silly games we won’t be able to fit all the merchandise in our suitcases, how many caps, t shirts, umbrella’s, golf balls can you carry? 

 

We decided not to venture out just yet, called room service they must be very busy, wait time 40 minutes already! A real mix up there, finally after one hour our butler arrived with the wrong order, toast with no butter?  Oh well, plenty of other places to eat breakfast.

 

Thanks to all who have replied to my ramblings, there really are some lovely people on CC.

 

Showering was a real challenge this morning, the waves we so high I could have popped my head over the veranda! I didn’t know I could dance the cha cha cha, I did so in the shower, marks out of 10, 9 by the jury.

 

After the now boring game of skittles our points total is rattling up, apparently there will be a bun fight for prizes before we leave the ship, as I have mentioned previously, Mrs Fudge has great sharpened elbows.

 

We dined in if you could call it that in La Veranda, it was a seafood extravaganza, it was to be held at the pool grill but the weather is still unkind to us so inside it went. There was every kind of seafood you could think of, Suchi, fried fish, baked fish, salmon, salmon wellington, paella, you didn’t want for anything, all washed down with a drink of your choice.

 

This was a surprise, Mrs Fudge suggested a walk on the treadmill, Mr Fudge had no option but to say yes. This time Mr Fudge learned his lesson, 1 sea sick tablet downed in one.

 

Tonight, is our last specialised dining meal, Pacific rim, looking forward to it.

 

Sea days: I know some of you folks like them however, we are still not convinced sorry, its like five  days we will never get back! A novel experience however, not sure I would book a cruise with so many, one or two are fine.

 

 

 

 

[fudge]

From yesterday

We ate at the Pacific Rim last evening, we both agreed we think it’s the finest dining venue on the ship. There was a minor emergency however, as we got to the front desk a lady collapsed head first to the floor, the call was put out over the tanoy for the medical team who arrived very quickly indeed. After about 10 minutes the lady was placed in a wheelchair and led away, she did however give everybody a wave, let’s hope she makes a speedy recovery. This is at least the 4^th time the medical team have been called.

 

After dinner we went to the theater, Reuel the pianist returned to the stage with a brand-new performance, from the bits I remember he was very good, I was like a nodding dog I was so tired, why do you get so tired doing nothing all day??

 

The pool has now been emptied, there are no loungers out due to the inclement weather. Unfortunately, the pool bar guy has to manage the bar, he is dressed like an Eskimo, he has bright red nose, he looks like Rudolph the red nose reindeer. To make his day we slipped him a few dollars, that brought a smile to his face. I don’t know why but my whisky turned out to be a treble?

 

Unfortunately, the internet is very poor once again, maybe its because we are at sea? I woke up early to watch my soccer team but it was unwatchable. Let’s hope it gets better once we reach land?

 

For your information, when we reach Japan whether you are leaving the ship or not everybody has to have a face-to-face interview with the Japanese authorities, we have already completed two cards.

 

All this eating and drinking is taking a toll on the body. Mr Fudge is beginning to look like a sumo wrestler, if they had a competition “who has put the most weight on” Mr Fudge would win it hands down. Mr Fudge came up with an idea, we have a complimentary sewing kit in the suite, he suggested that we sew our lips together with just a small hole for a straw so we could at least drink, Mrs Fudge was not impressed at all!

 

Thankfully the butler got it right today, we got toast AND butter. We trotted off to the coffee connection, after me being told off yesterday, we ordered through Carlos the waiter. Our coffee arrived and he showed us the order note, he put “two coffees extremely extremely hot” just how we like them.

 

We ate at the Chartreuse for lunch, Mr Ink face had the octopus again, followed by fudge ice cream, his first dessert on the ship. When we got back to the suite, we got changed for the fitness centre. Mr fudge looked down; he had grown two tentacles’, (yes, I spelt that right).

We had a window seat on the port side, after 10 minutes Mrs keen eyed Fudge spotted a pod of whales not far from the ship, what a sight that was, at least 5 or 6 all blowing away.

 

 

[fudge]

Okay, would you believe it, just recovered my mail after a week, will post some photos at last, dutch harbour.

Edited October 5, 2023 by fudge

[fudge]

The famous Octopus dish Mr Ink face has been eating!

[fudge]

It was calm honestly at least one day.

[fudge]

Finally arrived on land, our first visit to Japan, its pouring down

[fudge]

Regent flying the national flag on Japan, wrapped around the pole, (lol)

[fudge]

What a lovely carving by the chef

[fudge]

What about this for a lovely meal in the Sette mari

[fudge]

Last week, our lovely Dover sole experience, we congratulated the chef, will find his name later.