SLSD

I know. It's off topic, but a bit interesting. The rural area around our farm in deep East Texas is rife with religious organizations. If you drive through the back roads of the area, you will see them everywhere. I have always been a bit suspicious of them and thought they might just be "money making" organizations disguised as religious charities. The headquarters for Mercy Ships is on one of these back roads. I was suspicious of them as well--until a physician we know (a classmate of mine from childhood) told us that he had volunteered on one of their ships and that they do good work. We went to this same physician's wedding and the reception afterwards --which was catered by Mercy Ships! I went into the kitchen and talked to some of the catering staff and they told me that they also work on the ships. Their food, by the way, was quite good. OK. This is the end of a terribly off topic comment--brought on by a photo of a Mercy Ship ship off of the coast of Africa.

The headquarters for Mercyships is just a couple of miles from our farm, deep in a rural landlocked area Texas. I've always found that surprising. The also run a catering opeation!

I will give live reports---wifi willing.

I get it--as I am already sad that our upcoming cruise is only 14 days. I mentioned to Mr. SLSD just today that our next one needs to be at LEAST 21 days to make the whole thing worth it. He agreed with me. This is our test cruise post pandemic.

I'm going to be sad when your World Cruise is over. Do you think you could just stay onboard indefinitely and keep us informed and entertained?

Wow. What a heroic sculpture--but it does have the "communist" look to it. Not a criticism--just an observation.

It is hard to know which items cannot be wet cleaned as their tags say dry clean only. I just think I won't be risking it. Since it is a dress I wear for dinner in the evenings, I doubt that I will need to worry about it--as I will only be wearing it for a few hours on several nights. As long as I am careful, I should be fine. I think womens' clothing as opposed to mens' clothing is so different when it comes to laundering. My husband 's shirts always go to what we call the "cleaners" here in the US--as do his pants/slacks and jackets. I do my own laundry at home except for dry clean items. Some might say--just buy things that can be washed and dried. I say--it is not that easy. It will all work out--with some effort on my part.

Yes this is why I'll be doing my own laundry. So much of it I don't even put in the dryer on low heat. I always hang them--otherwise my pants end up too short (even shorter than the darn ankle style pants are supposed to be--and sometimes are on me anyway). I did order one of my long sleeved knit tops in a larger size so that maybe it COULD go through the laundry. Thanks for the tip of putting in large letters---LOW HEAT only. I also wonder if they separate lights and darks when washing.

I'm getting down to the nitty gritty when it comes to planning/packing for our Seabourn trip in early June. What is the current status of dry cleaning on the ships? Ovation in particular. While we have used the laundry service onboard, we have never sent out an item that was marked "Dry Clean Only". I seem to remember someone saying that Seabourn has gone to "wet cleaning" or something like it that is more ecologically sound. I also seem to remember that not all dry clean only clothing can be cleaned with this process. What is your experience onboard with this kind of issue? On a related topic, so many of my clothes are "hang to dry" instead of being put in a clothes dryer. That means I may have to do some of my own laundry (which I regret). Of course all of Mr. SLSD's clothing will go straight to the laundry to let the get SB team take care of them.

Thank goodness.

Oh my. You have entertained us mightily all along and I'm glad you have not spared us this.

Exactly. But, I get castigated at home for thinking this way. It is good to meet a kindred spirit.

You are like me Rothko--you think of all the downside possibilities...

Great photography and commentary. Thank you.

Thank you everyone. We will be prepared. I'll put a few more summery things in--along with light weight tops that would be comfortable in warmer weather. I certainly know what to wear in warm weather as we have that most of the year. It is in the 80s at our farm in East Texas today---with a breeze.

Thank you Galeforce. This tells me comfortable weather on deck COULD happen--so I may pack something a bit more summery than layers.

I've researched typical temperature ranges along the coast of Norway for June. I know to expect variable weather--rain--cool temps with a need for layers etc. This question is about your experience if you have cruised Norway in June. Was there anytime it was warm enough to enjoy sitting/dining on the deck of the ship without being bundled into a jacket? I'm trying to decide whether or not to pack a dress or two that are short sleeved. I don't want to pack them if I am not going to be able to wear them. Thank you. I listen to the voices of experience.

One other thing--bring a warm cap (to cover ears) and some gloves. Weather can vary and the only time we needed them was out on the deck when the captain came as close as he could to a glacier. It was COLD (and windy) out on the deck. We have friends who cruised Alaska a few weeks after our cruise and they were hot--and did not need warm clothing.

They ARE warm enough. You might layer under them though. For my layers I had a quilted zip up vest and a lightweight down sweater (Uniqlo--I love it). I was plenty warm--even in Kodiak in really rainy cold weather. The jackets are quite good. Two winters ago, we had a polar vortex in Texas. When Mr. SLSD could get out to our farm to check on things, he took his Seabourn Alaska jacket and said it worked very very well. We don't have the need for very warm coats in Texas. The fact that he could go around our farm on an open John Deere Gator with the SB Alaska jacket and be comfortable attests to the warmth of the jacket.

I've enjoyed all the videos. You and Mrs. Shark B8 have had a most excellent experience. Thank you for taking us along.

So adorable!

Galeforce, I don't know if you saw my post above. The offer is for both 2023 and 2024.

You can buy me a drink if we are ever on the same cruise. I'm glad my posting helped you. Yours must have been lost in the mail. It was a postcard after all.

We have never felt a need for a larger suite than the Veranda. We don't spend all that much time in our suite --perhaps a short afternoon siesta and then sleeping at night. The rest of the time, we are out and about--either onshore or around the ship. I do understand that everyone is different in how they enjoy the ship. I have noticed that the penthouse design does not seem to be a significant step up from the veranda.

I've enjoyed your photos and videos Shark B8. Are all other cruises going to seem too brief after this one?