Suslor

3 hours ago, rafinmd said:

Bon Voyage!

 

Roy

Thanks neighbor. Hope you are doing well. Susan 

Thanks so much @JazzyV, @ottahand7, @Haljo1935, @LambKnuckles, @marshhawk for the good wishes. We’ve rescheduled this cruise 3x so happy to finally be on it. Susan 

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Good morning friends!  We arrived bright and early in Ijmuiden, Netherlands and it looked like it could be sprinkling with totally overcast skies.  Very dreary!  But since then skies have been changeable with sunshine most of the time.  It’s very windy and the temps have hovered in the mid 50’s.  We’re hanging out here on the Zuiderdam while the passenger load changes over.  Things could get interesting very soon for DH and me.  We’ll see how long it takes before we’re discovered onboard by The Relatives.

 

 

Last night's Pinnacle dinner was fine for me, but DH made the mistake of ordering the supplemental 12 oz. lobster, steamed.  It appeared to weigh less than advertised and was rubbery and overcooked.  Lucky for him I can't finish the 8 oz. filet mignon so he got half of mine.  He won't make the lobster mistake again!

 

 

Thanks Rich @richwmn for today’s Fleet Report and Daily along with the fleet location maps.  National Best Friend’s Day sounds like a fine idea.  On the other side of the coin we have brain tumor awareness which is a very sobering subject.  The same with N. Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness. ?? on the quote.  No thanks to the meal, drink and wine for me.  Thank you Debbie @dfish,  Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for the Food and Beverage Department reports. 

 

 

It was a huge day in baseball history with Mickey Mantle’s retirement in 1969.  But the story behind the USS Liberty was shocking from what I read.  Here is a link to History.com on it:

 

 

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/israel-attacks-uss-liberty

 

 

 

Prayers today for all on the Care list.  Seems like new ailments and problems crop up every day but we want them to disappear.  Prayers also for DB and Alex’s twins, the people of Israel and Ukraine, the remaining hostages, and the troops in the region trying to keep us all safe.  Meanwhile, we do have some special events happening in our lives, and some cruising going on so congrats to all involved.  Bon Voyage to @Suslor and @swin26.  Welcome home @Mr. Boston and @Mtn2Sea!  And thanks to Vanessa @JazzyV for her fine work on the Care and Celebration lists!

 

 

 

The port of the day is Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati.  This was the port twice before on May 12, 2021 and November 16, 2022.  We haven’t been to Christmas Island before so have no photos today.  Thanks in advance for any photos presented for Kiritimati, Kiribati.  Here are the links.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hoping you all enjoy your Saturday!  Stay safe and keep well.

 

 

 

Thanks @StLouisCruisers  we are on board and happy to be back on a”dam” ship. Susan 

11 hours ago, grapau27 said:

@Suslor

@swin26.

Best wishes for a fantastic cruise on Rotterdam tomorrow.

Thanks so much. We just had four great days in Amsterdam and head to Rotterdam this morning. Susan

Thanks so much everyone. Looking forward to this cruise. Enjoy June 😘. Susan

17 minutes ago, singleflyer said:

Sailing 6 weeks from today on Oosterdam.  Just got an email offering upgrade from Signature Suite to Neptune Suite for $749 per person on a 14 day sailing.  

 

Called and was told there are not upgrades available... Not sure why they would send us the email saying there was!  I was able to get on a waitlist.  It looks like our sailing is listed as sold out online, so maybe they just send that upgrade offer out to everyone even if there isn't space available.  

 

Had already purchased Club Orange ($210 per person) and laundry ($147 for the room), so assuming I could remove those, that would mean it would only be $466 per person for the upgrade.

We love Neptune Suites. Besides access to the lounge on the Oosterdam you have breakfast on the Pinnacle Grill. We don’t book anything else unless it’s the Pinnacle Suite with our grandson. Just be careful, once you try it you might not want to book anything else. Susan 

16 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Good morning friends!  Today we are docked at Praia da Vitoria, Azores where it is 62F and partly cloudy skies. No rain expected (hopefully).   There is a free shuttle to the center of town which I assume means here locally in Praia da Vitoria.  Last time I was here was on a grand voyage and the free shuttle took us to Santa Cruz.  We will head out mid morning after the rush.

 

Thank you Rich for the Fleet Report and Daily for Saturday, May 18.  

Some nice days to recognize but a silly quote by Joan Rivers.  I'll pass on the meal, drink and wine today.    But thanks to Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for their reports on them.

 

Prayers for DB, Alex's twin boys, the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages still remaining and for those 3  whose bodies were recently found and our military in the region.  Many prayers for our friends here on the Care list! Wishing for good news on all fronts there.  Speaking of Alex, my niece Lisa reminded us that she and her DH brought Alex to visit Williamsburg when we lived there, and stayed at our home. She said Alex rolled over for the first time at that house.  He was about 5 months old.  My, how time flies. Vanessa, @JazzyV thank you so much for the lists you keep so fastidiously.  Hoping your BFF is behaving and ready for that surgery next week.  He is lucky to have you now to help him, as you were lucky to have him assist you after your surgery.

 

The port today is Rarotonga (Avatiu), Cook Islands.  This was the port on Mar. 26, 2021, April 17, 2022 and May 27, 2023. My photos have disappeared from my posts after first posting over 3 years ago so I'll have to find time to redo my posts.  The links follow:

 

 

 

 

 

Last night was an excellent dinner in the Pinnacle Grill.  Yulia is who we ask for and she was very attentive.  Tonight is dinner in Canaletto.

 

Hoping everyone enjoys this day.  Please stay safe and keep well.  Sorry about all the spacing on my posts today!  All wonky!

Hi, wondering what ship you’re on. We love Yulia❣️

4 hours ago, shuconn said:

I am sailing on Volendam in July to Canada. Looking forward to hearing your opinion of trip. Most interested in is the service. Have heard staff are outstanding. Also what shows they have and yes all about the food. Enjoy!!!

We’re just off the Volendam on a Panama Canal cruise. Service and food were great but the fact that the casino allows smoking means you smell it all over deck 5. Awful. Susan. 

I know, I know, I’m so late with thanking everyone for their birthday wishes. We left the Zaandam on my birthday after a two week Panama Canal cruise with friends and spent the whole day traveling back to the east coast. It didn’t feel like my birthday until I had a chance to see all the well wishes from my CC family. Thanks @StLouisCruisers , @erewhon, @Sharon in AZ, @Overhead Fred, @cunnorl, @Haljo1935, @JazzyV @kazu @ottahand7 @Yourworldwithbill @marshhawk @ger_77 @Nickelpenny @Quartzsite Cruiser @rafinmd @cat shepard @Denise T @puppycanducruise @dfish @grapau27 .I hope I didn’t forget anybody. Thanks so much ❤️💕. Susan 

3 hours ago, kazu said:

Ok, you can gamble and hope there is an upsell to the Neptunes or decide if you want to pay the price.

 

The Neptune Suites on the R class ship are the largest in the fleet with wonderful balconies.  Bigger than any of the other classes of ship.  You can easily put 8+ people on the balcony to wave at sail away if you want.  Neptune Lounge is nicer IMO as well since there is no key entry - you just walk in.  The concierges KNOW who their guests are.

 

Service is more personalized as well IMO.  

 

the only 2 negatives I can think of are that the Pinnacle Grill (where you are entitled to have your breakfast) is an inside venue with no sea views and the bathroom still has the tub/shower combo.

Otherwise they have been completely upgraded and are very nice.

 

If you are not a 4* Mariner, the extra perks are nice - free drycleaning, laundry & pressing, priority embarkation, priority tendering, etc.

 

There aren’t many of them on the Zaandam & Volendam and they can sell out.  On our upcoming cruise, there were no upsell offers.  They were sold out and now the ship is sold out (that’s a familiar refrain these days).

 

Is the price worth it?  Depends on the persons who will be in it.  My DD DH enjoyed the extra space very much and would take a break and spend a bit of time in the cabin, balcony and often read in the Neptune Lounge (I believe they still have their little library).  Looking back, I am glad we did them when we could and he had a chance to enjoy them while he was here ♥️ 

Like @kazu we enjoy the Neptune Suites. We’re currently on the Zaandam for a 14 day Panama Canal cruise. We book a NS from the onset because we want a room very near the lounge. In fact we’re sitting in the lounge typing this message.
Sorry they still have the shower/tub combo and only one sink. Tons of drawers but only three closets. We’re spoiled on the Zuiderdam with six closets which we need on a longer cruise. 
No BB King or Rolling Stones venue and for some reason you can’t walk deck 4 to get to the DR. You have to go aft on Deck 5 and then go down. 
Love that you don’t need a key to enter the lounge but agree the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast lacks the windows. It’s more like an upgraded Club Orange. Be warned that the Zaandam permits smoking in the casino which is directly adjacent to the shops and bars so the smoke smell permeates the area. And if you have any lung issues you can’t really gamble. 
 

Having the lounge is a great perk - never having to stand in the Guest Services line can be worth the price sometimes. 

Susan

Thanks everyone for the wonderful Bon voyage ❣️. It’s great to be back on a BHB. Two and a half months was too long away. Happy 4th anniversary to the Daily and to everyone 😘. Susan 

Thanks to @DeeniEncinitas, @JazzyV, @Haljo1935 @StLouisCruisers, @kazu, @bennybear, @smitty34877, @ger_77, @puppycanducruise, @grapau27, @cunnorl and @Quartzsite Cruiser for the birthday wishes for my dear DH. And Happy Birthday to @superoma’s twins. Hope we didn’t forget anyone.
It’s always hard to celebrate on a cruise as we’re up against all the Valentines celebrations in the PG. Susan 

6 hours ago, MISTER 67 said:

Benny, that’s impressive getting Wordle in one. 
Do you use the same opening word all the time?

I use 3 and rotate them or if I have a gut feeling I go out of rotation, the 3 are NOISE, ALIEN and ATONE.

@MISTER 67 I use the same three every game. ABOUT, MISER, LYNCH/LUNCH. They work really well. 🤪. Susan

Thanks @StLouisCruisersfor the Alesund pictures. We’ll stop there twice on our June 2024 cruise. Definitely won’t be taking the stairs❣️ Susan

7 hours ago, SusieKIslandGirl said:

A rather late "Happy New Year" to everyone and thanks to everyone who shares news and information all year long.

@SuslorDoes your new cruise include the January 4, 2025 28-day segment from Singapore? If so, we will see you onboard! First time for us in that area of the world (other than DH's time in Thailand during the Vietnam war).

Yes it does! Headed to Philippines, PNG, Indonesia and Australia. We’ll board 12/22 in Singapore. Let’s touch base closer to the time. Susan 

Thank you all for the bon voyage messages. Now I feel really bad that I didn’t let Jacqui @kazu know that we had to cancel almost at the last minute. We took our 14 yr old DGS on his second cruise in December, 7 days in the Caribbean, and on day two I was diagnosed with Covid 🤪. After almost four years of avoiding it, getting all the shots, masking and hand washing it finally caught up with me. I spent the entire cruise in bed but my DGS had a blast and thankfully neither he nor my DH caught it. 
we have canceled the B2B on February third as well and rebooked the 41 day Far east Collector and Coral Triangle cruise in December to replace it. Now besides working on getting my strength back I’m unpacking our suitcases and clearing the guest room bed of everything we had laid out to repack for the Asia cruise with a one week turnaround. Maybe I’ll just leave it and pick what I need from there for our March Panama Canal cruise!  
Anyway, a long way of saying I appreciate your support. Susan 

56 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

Good morning from a very cloudy Quartzsite.  So far, the predicted rain has not arrived. but looking at the radar forecast, it should get here in an hour or two.  Currently it is 59F and should reach 62F before dropping back into the 50s.  We are still under a flood watch until 6am tomorrow.  The only things on the agenda are one load of laundry and baking four pies.

 

My father and DH are good at math, but I'm okay with basic math but not the more advanced math.  We gave our neighbors their Christmas cookies last week.  Zimbabwe Unity Day is a good day to honor.

 

The Joe Rogan quote is good.

 

We'll pass on the meal and drink.  I'd prefer a tequila sunrise.  I would like to try the wine, too.

 

We have been to Ketchikan at least 15 times by cruise ship, and once on the Alaska Marine Highway, but we didn't go ashore that time.  I'll look for some pictures in a bit.

 

The formation of the United States Golf Association in 1894 is important those of our Dailyites who enjoy the game.  My grandmother gave me gold lessons, but I was never good at the game.  Miniature golf is more my speed.

 

@Crazy For Cats  Welcome home Jake and Juan.  Safe travels today.

@Suslor  Welcome home, and safe travels.

@kochleffel  Congratulations on the great grade.

@grapau27  Graham, I'm sorry Pauline's BFF had to take her DH to the hospital for a head scan.  I hope it's nothing serous.  I'm glad you and Pauline will be there for them.  Thank you for the explanations of Mathematics Day and Cookie Exchange Day.

@summer slope  Dixie, I'm glad your mouth is healing nicely.

@cat shepard  Safe travels to New England and enjoy time with your niece and nephew and their families.

@cruising sister  It sounds like you have a full day of fun planned.  It's too bad that your DDIL has to work (a four letter word) and can't join the fun.

@RMLincoln  Maureen, I hope the planned closing of your condo in Maryland goes smoothly.  We closed once closed on a house sale long distance, and it went according to plan.  Thanks for the picture of your grandnephew.  He is really keeping his eyes on someone.

@Heartgrove  Jack, thanks for the update on Sam and the good news about his condition.  He is a handsome fellow.

@0106  Tina, thank you for sharing Calvin Coolidge's quote.  We learned many years ago that Christmas was time with family not a day on the calendar.

@1ANGELCAT  Our condolences to your frim Lynda on the passing of her DH and her cousin.  I hope all goes well in Hershey today.

@aliaschief  Bruce, that is interesting about the woman on the roll call, and her dresses.  My parents had friends that booked two cabins for a world cruise -- one for them and one for their clothes.

@dfish  Debbie, I hope you can persuade Sue to paint a picture of one of the pictures you shared.

@Nickelpenny  Pennie, you had an interesting day yesterday.  I'm glad you and the doctor next to you could help the passenger with the medical problem.

@ger_77  Gerry, I'm glad you and your DH arrived safely in Calgary and did not have bad road conditions.  Enjoy your time with the family.

@kazu  Jacqui, our condolences to you, your DBIL and family on the death of his mother.  

 

I'm going to look for some different pictures of Ketchikan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

Thanks Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser  unfortunately day after boarding I was diagnosed with Covid and spent the whole cruise in bed. Thankfully my DH and DGS carried on. I had avoided it the entire pandemic, have all the shots, etc but it caught up with me. Hopefully a few days at home will let me recoup as we’re scheduled to leave 1/2 for seven weeks Asia cruise. Happy holidays everyone. Susan

@Crazy For Cats, it’s a little tired. We usually stay at the Hilton Ft Lauderdale Marina hotel so we can watch the boats on the Intercostal but we have our 14 yr old grandson with us and we wanted the separate sleeping rooms. Not sure why as we’re all sharing a Neptune suite on board. I’m afraid he’ll see it as a real step down as we had a Pinnacle suite for his first cruise in June. Susan 

Thanks for all the Bon Voyage wishes. Like @Crazy For Cats we met two friends on our Everglades airboat tour who are also on the Rotterdam. We’re stay at the Embassy Suites so in the same neighborhood. Shuttle is at 10:30 for 11am check in. Can’t wait. Hope everyone has a great day. Susan

2 hours ago, Ichiban Nekko said:

Good Morning Dailyites! It is a beautiful morning, with that early morning peachy glow contrasting with snow-covered roofs. Our county schools, along with several surrounding counties, are on a 2-hour delay today.

 

DH Dave was so surprised when I passed on the kind birthday wishes from so many of you on Friday. Thank you all.  We had a lovely dinner at a small French restaurant in nearby Gordonsville to celebrate his day. It really was delish.

 

We are so looking forward to our upcoming Rotterdam cruise. We are actually breaking down and using a suitcase larger than a rollaboard! Some of the clothing choices have been made, paperwork/documents set aside. 

 

Before I tackle that, I have an appointment with our insurer’s preferred collision repair shop. Someone rear-ended me recently when I was stopped waiting for one of the few traffic signals in town to change. No body injuries thank goodness. However, the $100 damage estimate on the police report is quite different from what our Subaru dealer thought. In any event, the work will wait for our return in the New Year.

 

After that appointment, we will be focusing on departure preparations. Thursday will be an early start since we have a 9am flight to FLL, Then on Friday, we board the Rotterdam. Dinner at Rudi’s that night to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary.

 

Best wishes to all who contribute to this wonderful forum,

- Cat

Hi Cat, looking forward to seeing you onboard!  We’ve been packed for a week and getting our grandson tomorrow. Safe travels. Susan and Lorenzo 

You’re right @kazu .  Thanks Jacqui for picking that up. Susan

1 hour ago, kazu said:

Bon Voyage @Cruise Suzy.  Have a great time and a WONDERFUL cruise!

 

 

 

 

I’m sorry I don’t have your email/address @Suslor.  Forgive me for posting here but I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your thoughtfulness & kind donation.  Thank you so much. ♥️ 

Thanks Jacqui @kazu. As I told Cindy although I did not have the pleasure of knowing Jose I learned much about him from your posts and was honored to be able to watch his memorial service on zoom. I’m sure the fund will continue his good work. Susan

Thanks Jacqui, a good reminder I needed to update you for the list

December 16 2023 7 day Eastern Caribbean with our Grandson on the Rotterdam

January 6, 2024 Westerdam 28 day Philippines, Malaysia and Far East Collector. B2B
 

February 3, 2024 Westerdam 14 day Japan and China 

March 16, 2024 Zaandam 14 day Panama Canal

June 8,2024 Rotterdam 21 day Midnight Sun and Taste of Scotland 

Thanks. Take care. Susan

After our first cruise, in a Signature suite, we tried a Neptune because the price was right! Unfortunately that was a dozen cruises ago!  Once you go Neptune you can never go back and we haven’t. We have tried a Pinnacle Suite 🥰 when we cruised with family but fortunately it’s too big for just the two of us. Enjoy 😉. Susan 

17 hours ago, kazu said:

@Suslor can you help me please?

 

I was prepping my upcoming Bon Voyages and have you listed for Aug. 3 for the 18 day Voyage of the Vikings.  The only itinerary I can find is on Aug. 8th.

I went to check your posts to confirm (guessing I had made a mistake) and can’t even find your request.  I’m probably blind 😬 

 

Is it correct that you are on the August 8th, 2023 sailing of the Zuiderdam, please?

 

thank you, kindly 🙂 

Sorry I may have confused you. Unfortunately I had to switch the cruise to next year. I broke my foot in two places this weekend and are basically immobile until it can heal somewhat. Thanks for reaching out before I could get to you. We do have five upcoming cruises booked, the first in December, so I’ll get that information to you when things settle down 🤪. 
Hope you’re doing ok with this crazy weather. Thanks