StLouisCruisers

In 2019 on our family cruise stop in Marseille some of us went to Aix-en-Provence and back to Marseille to tour Notre Dame de la Garde. The remainder went on a boat trip to Calanques National Park where they could swim and go snorkeling. Then they went to Vieux-Port in Marseille for a little lunch at a restaurant of their choice. Aix-en-Provence was a lot bigger than I normally like. There were some nice places there to tour though. Morgan just before her 17th birthday The Catholic Cathedral in Aix-en-Provence didn’t look as nice on the outside as the inside did. Heading back to Marseille for our tour of the cathedral. This is the way up so beware if you can't do steps! Almost there. The cathedral is at the top of the tallest hill so there are stellar views of Marseille. And excellent statues outside Views inside Notre-Dame de la Garde Our next stop would be at Vieux-Port or Old Port seen below from the cathedral. Once at the port we strolled the streets and marina in the hot, hot sun for a while, then stopped at a covered patio and had cold drinks at a cafe. There's Notre-Dame up on the hill. The family members who went on the boat tour of the Calanques National Park were able to dip into the water to cool off! Then they ended up back at the Vieux-Port for lunch. We did not run into each other there. DGS Ren at 12 years old. That's quite a pizza for one kid but you know how boys eat! Especially when they burn so many calories playing soccer constantly. I wouldn't have minded being on their tour at all. Looks like fun!

Today's port is Marseille on the French Riviera, a very popular spot on the Mediterranean cruises. In fact Marseille was on my first Med cruise a long time ago. We've been to Marseille in 2008 (Emerald Princess), 2012 (Crown Princess), and 2019 (Emerald again). The last time there was on our family cruise celebrating our 50th anniversary. What a fabulous experience that was! In looking back on our visits to Marseille I see that we've spent a lot of time outside the city of Marseille visiting the countryside of Provence and the little villages. On our last visit we did see some of Marseille itself. In 2008 we took of tour of Provence that included Lourmarin. I remember the typical pale blue shutters on the stone houses. The following photos are all from 2008. The castle in Lourmarin and the beautiful countryside surrounding it A street in Lourmarin, and a look at the flavor of the little town Next was a drive through Bonnieux Waiting for someone to get out of our way. I recall the narrow road along a cliff. Lovely views from there. On our way to our next village we passed this bridge called Pont Julien which has stood for nearly two thousand years. Two people were walking on it in this picture. Next was Gordes which also on a hillside. It was really beautiful in person. I hope these photos do it justice. This area is known for their stone walls and olive trees, too. Both are seen here. We briefly stopped in Cassis where we saw the Chateau de Cassis on top of that hill and some of the marina area. From there we headed to L'Isle-sur-Sorgue which is known for its waterways and antique shops. A cute shop, right? I have to stop and let you rest your eyes a moment. Then I'll be back with photos from the family visit to Marseille.

Good morning friends! This morning in Pinellas Park, FL it is 74F and will be 90 later with sunny skies. Yesterday the atmosphere added some dark clouds in late afternoon and we actually got rained on at the airport with thunder/lightning slowing baggage retrieval. Seems like that is a common occurrence here in Florida though. Thank you Roy @rafinmd for the maps today and Rich @richwmn for the content. These past two days, sadly, I have had to change the predicted destination for Oosterdam because when the material for the fleet was researched last year by Rich the ship was going to Haifa and Ashdod, Israel. A reminder of what has gone on in that region since last October. Today is Lumpy Rug Day, National Specially-abled Pets Day, and National Two Different Colored Shoes Day. I'll try to avoid the first and last, and hope all the specially-abled pets enjoy a fine day regardless of their limitations. An interesting quote by Rowling but I don't know that I completely agree. Yum, that dessert sounds great! I don't drink rum or red wine🍷 so more for you. It was a very good day for Margaret Mitchell. Thanks today to our F&B ladies Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard. Prayers for DB, and great nephew Alex's baby boys👶👶, the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages held and our military in the region. And for all here on the Daily Care list, especially Tana and Terry @smitty34877 and Chuck @catmando and Annie @marshhawk. So relieved Maurice has a date coming up for his valve replacement and he can then go off the Care list. Prayers for you all!🙏 Congratulations to the birthday and anniversary people, and to the graduates.🎓🎉🎂 It's that time of year! And to all the cruisers - may you enjoy smooth seas and following seas.🚢 Thanks again to Vanessa @JazzyV for your hard work for us. Hope you have a great Friday! The destination today is Marseille, Provence, France. We first had that port on May 31, 2021 and last on April 10, 2023. Yep, we've been there several times but the 2021 photos have disappeared from both posts. More work for me! Here are the links for you. Well, sleep did not come easily last night in a new place. Unfortunately the light from the lit-up front yard here comes through the curtains and the room is glowing in the dark! I wore an eye mask I brought and that was uncomfortable. I sleep in a dark room at home. And my back is hurting this morning and this straight back chair is killing me! Not a good start to the day. Hopefully I do better tonight! Today we have breakfast with Morgan and hope to see the new apartment. If she goes to the beach with some of her other visiting family (Dad, sister, etc.) the three of us will not be going since we're not beach people. We will find something else to do this day. Hope everyone else has a better start to their morning and a fine Friday!

Today is Lumpy Rug Day, National Special-abled Pets Day, and National Two Different Colored Shoes Day Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love.--J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Meal Suggestion for today - Super Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Drink of the Day - Rum Runner Wine of the Day - Vietti 2019 Lazzarito Nebbiolo (Barolo) Destination of the Day - Marseille (Provence), France Today in History: 1937 Margaret Mitchell wins Pulitzer Prize for "Gone With The Wind" Ship Locations Eurodam Vancouver, BC Canada 07:00 - 16:00 Koningsdam At Sea Destination Vancouver, BC Canada eta 05-04 Nieuw Amsterdam Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska 11:00 - 19:00 Nieuw Statendam At Sea Destination Rotterdam, Netherlands South Holland eta 05-05 Noordam Prince Rupert BC, Kaien Island Canada 08:00 - 17:00 Oosterdam Siracusa, Sicily 07:00 - 17:00 Rotterdam At Sea Destination Rotterdam, Netherlands South Holland eta 05-04 Volendam Quebec City, Canada depart 18:00 Zaandam Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Juneau, Alaska 0900-0930 and 12:30 - 22:00 Zuiderdam Mindelo, Cape Verde 07:00 - 15:00 Eastern Hemisphere Westerdam At Sea Destination Kodiak Island, Alaska eta 05-06

I will have to mention that to DS. He may know of it. I'm going to bed now, 10 pm and hope I can sleep past 3:30 am. I may even post an hour later tomorrow if I can get some rest tonight. 😉

Gerry @ger_77 that is such great news! I'm so happy for you both! Debbie @dfish I'm glad things went well for you too, and that you could walk a good long distance today. By the way, which restaurant in Ann Arbor did you try? You said it was worth it.

Umm, I sleep about 5 hours a night. Sometimes I give in and take a nap.😴

Hi all! We made it safely to the Airbnb at 3 pm, check in time. Then went to Winn-Dixie for beverages and snacks for our stay here 4 nights. DD's plane is heading this way and I've been checking Google maps for how bad the traffic is back across the 275 bridge to the TPA airport. We will probably leave an hour ahead of her scheduled arrival and wait in the cell phone lot. Just wanted to check in with everyone. Thanks for the safe travel wishes!

Annie, that's a lot for anybody to cope with. I send you both lots of prayers for answers and help with all the cancer issues. Hope you get to that specialist soon that the dermatologist referred him to. January is ridiculous! Hugs! Thank you Graham!

Montevideo, Uruguay has been a frequent stop for us, since we've been there on every South America cruise we've taken. My lists show we have seen Montevideo, Uruguay four times. The first two were on Star Princess and Ruby Princess in 2012 and 2015, on circumnavigation cruises of South America. The last two times were on Antarctica cruises going from west coast to east coast so near the end of the cruises which ended in Buenos Aires. 2017 was the end of the Seabourn Quest Antarctica/S. Georgia Island cruise and 2020 was on Coral Princess on our drive by of Antarctica. In 2020 we didn't even get off the ship that day and prepared for our departure in Buenos Aires by packing our bags. Our 2012 visit to Montevideo was a real disappointment to us. The city was run down and I hate to say it, but the sidewalks were littered with dog feces. Not just a little, but a lot! We had to keep our eyes down as we walked around trying to see the sights. Friends were with us on that cruise and they can verify that memory. A few photos of note from 2012. I thought this was a beautiful ornate lamp post which looked like drinking fountain spouts at the base. An interesting display of produce more vertical than horizontal On an afternoon bus ride we saw several bronze sculptures around town. This is a stagecoach monument, La Diligencia. And La Carreta (the cart) which commemorates ox carts which were important in the area in the 19th century. So on our second stop there in 2015 we were a little leery but went out anyway. We were so relieved to see the city had been doing a clean up the prior 3 years. We had an enjoyable time seeing the sights, and repeated that experience again in January 2017. In 2017 we got a shuttle ride to the Plaza Independencia, one of the city’s most important squares. Several of the city’s most famous landmarks are here including the Palacio Salvo and the Teatro Solis. Our intention was to walk back to the ship. Here goes! This arch is the gateway to the old fortified city Pedestrian walking street Constitution Square, a place to sit and people watch, shop from the local vendors, and gaze at/listen to the fountain. Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral across from Constitution Square One of many beautiful views inside the church On our walk back to the dock we saw this statue in Plaza Zabala. But why is there no pigeon sitting on the man’s head? We made it back to the ship in fine shape and ready to enjoy the evening. Dinner was at 7 pm and before that we had some special local entertainment. We had dancing by two couples, an excellent singer, followed by a comedian and dancing for all accompanied by the musicians. That's all for Montevideo for today. I hope you enjoyed this brief visit.

Good morning friends! It's 55F here and will be a hot 86 with sunshine later today. Thanks Roy @rafinmd for preparing the fleet location maps for us and Rich @richwmn for the information to post. The days today are all good ones as is the quote, a familiar one. No thanks to the meal, drink or wine of the day. A very nice date in history for Arthur Miller. Thanks F&B Department ladies!🥂 Prayers will be said for our Care list people, especially Tana and Terry @smitty34877, Richard and Maureen @RMLincoln, Chuck @catmando and Annie @marshhawk, and Gerry's DH Maurice @ger_77. I haven't had time to read last night's entries to the Daily but hope there is no further bad news and only good reports. Prayers also for DB, the twin boys, people of Israel and Ukraine, hostages still held and our military in the region. 🙏 Three cheers to those with birthdays and anniversaries (and graduations).🎂🎉🎓 And a big thanks to Vanessa @JazzyV for the list updating. Hope all is going better each and every day for you.❤️ The port this morning is Montevideo, Uruguay. It was listed here before as the port of the day on June 15, 2021 and June 22, 2023. Here are the links for you. I've been there several times and wouldn't you know it, my photos from back in 2021 have disappeared so I have to start over. Not good timing! Hoping you all have a great day, stay safe and keep well.

Today is Life Insurance Day, Roberts Rule of Order Day, and Scurvy Awareness Day It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it.--Maurice Switzer, Mrs. Goose, Her Book Meal Suggestion for today - Sorrel Pesto Drink of the Day - Smashing Pumpkin Wine of the Day - Bodegas Godeval 2022 Godello Godello (Valdeorras) Destination of the Day - Montevideo, Uruguay Today in History: 1949 Arthur Miller wins Pulitzer Prize for "Death of a Salesman" Ship Locations Eurodam At Sea Destination Vancouver, BC Canada eta 05-03 Koningsdam Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska 11:00 - 19:00 Nieuw Amsterdam Sitka, Alaska Nieuw Statendam La Coruna, Spain Galicia 08:00 - 17:00 Noordam Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska 08:00 - 17:00 Oosterdam Valletta, Malta 08:00 - 17:00 Rotterdam Leith-Edinburgh, Newhaven-Rosyth-Queensferry, Scotland 10:00 - 20:00 Volendam Quebec City, Canada 08:00 - 03 May +1 08:00 Zaandam At Sea Destination Juneau, Alaska eta 05-03 Zuiderdam At Sea Destination Mindelo, Cape Verde eta 5/3 Eastern Hemisphere Westerdam At Sea Destination Kodiak Island, Alaska eta 05-06

Hi, just finished talking to DD so we can make plans for picking her up tomorrow night at Tampa International airport. We're leaving home in the morning for our drive down to Tampa. Check in at the Airbnb is 3 pm. She arrives at 6:30 so we get to drive through rush hour traffic back across the 275 bridge. Then dinner after we pick her up. We'll see Morgan Friday morning for breakfast and a tour of the new apartment. As for your question, yes once the stocking is finished the procedure is to cut excess fabric away leaving a 1/2 inch allowance on the sides, with a 1.5 inch allowance at the top. That top area will be folded down and hand stitched down. But first I cut out a piece of lining material and sew that to the back side. Then I cut out the backing material which comes with the kit, a heavy felt in a matching color (navy). You use a sewing machine to stitch the backing to the back side of the stocking, then have to carefully turn it right side out. Then you make a loop out of matching yarn where you braid the pieces of yarn, make a knot so the loop is the size you want, and hand sew it to the upper outside of the stocking. It should look like this, even down to the name!

I read today is also International Doodle Dog Day, for all the variations of doodles. The golf course owner and his wife moved up the street from us, and I see them walking their doodle a lot. It's huge and the wife is quite petite so sometimes it looks like she's giving it all she's got to hold onto that leash. Their dog looks very well groomed and handsome. Anyone here have a doodle of some kind?

Bruno, sending you hugs and prayers for peace and comfort as you go through this loss. Take it one day at a time. Getting away for a while sounds like a very good idea. Keep us updated. 🤗

Today is progress day for my counted cross stitch stocking I'm making for DGD Ashley's fiance Chris. I started it around Jan. 1 or 2nd. This was one month ago. And this was taken last night. Four full months of work and it's coming along fast. This was taken with lamp light and not daylight so the color appears different.

For a lot of cruisers, Alaska is their first cruise. It was for us. I remember back in 2001 at Thanksgiving dinner. DDIL said “I'd love to take an Alaskan cruise”. DH said “me too”! DS and I looked at them and said, "uhhh, okay!!". DDIL contacted a travel agent and set it all up for July 2002. We were such newbies we didn't even know we should fill out all the paperwork online ahead of time so it took us a while to get checked in. But we had a wonderful trip and that is what got us started on cruising. Way back on July 17, 2002 we were in Juneau on Star Princess, where DS and DDIL went horseback riding at the Mendenhall glacier. They were wearing rain capes since it was a little showery at times. They enjoyed it a lot! Aww, they look so young. Some of the scenery along the way. Not to mention the glacier! Meanwhile DH and I walked around town and went up the Mount Roberts Tramway. Here's the Star Princess below us. A wet downtown. The sun came out as we prepared to leave that day, of course. Doesn't it always happen that way? Here I am watching the sea planes take off and land. I remembered something about our first cruise to Alaska in 2002. We were out on the decks in Glacier Bay moving about the ship to get different views, when I looked down and saw a diamond tennis bracelet laying there. I put it in my coat pocket and finished watching the glaciers. A half hour later I went to Guest Services and dropped off the bracelet, giving my details. Right in the middle of it all, another clerk was taking a call from a woman who was distraught over losing her mother's tennis bracelet which was quite unique. It was passed down to her. They had her describe it and it matched the one I brought in. So she came down to retrieve it, and sent DH and I a bottle of champagne as thanks. I always hope someone will do the same if I lost a piece of jewelry or a camera, etc. This is where I found the bracelet, either just before or just after the photo was taken. Whew talk about someone looking young. Shocking to see us 22 years ago! In 2009 we did back to back Alaska cruises on Sapphire Princess. That worked out very well since the first week the weather in Glacier Bay was so bad, and we had to turn around and leave to try to beat a huge storm in the Gulf of Alaska. On the second segment of our cruise the weather in Glacier Bay was sunny, windless, and almost warm. The photos turned out great! We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on these cruises. In 2009 in Juneau we took a long walk around town, and even walked to see what the Governor's Mansion looked like. After our tour about town, we boarded a local bus that took tourists out to Mendenhall Glacier since we hadn't seen it in 2002. Here is the glacier again, and an interesting display of glacier ice. The next week we docked in Juneau on Sept. 16 but the weather was rainy and miserable, so the only photos taken that day were of another ship coming into port, and our Captain’s Circle party followed by formal night dinner that evening. Looks like the alternating weather forecasts for the two week cruise was still holding true. For our 50th anniversary (actual date) we did the 14 day Amsterdam Alaska cruise in August-September 2019. It was a great day weather-wise when we visited Juneau. The seaplanes are always fun to watch. We got off to walk around thanks to that great weather. Besides you have to work hard to burn calories while cruising! Tram shots Another HAL ship arriving We had a great day!

Rabbit, rabbit, white rabbit! Good morning friends on this first day of May. It is 59F here and will be a sunny day with a high of 84. Thanks Roy @rafinmd for helping with the fleet location maps and thanks to Rich @richwmn for compiling the information for the post today. It's a good day to celebrate Law Day, Couples Appreciation Day and Loyalty Day. All seem very worthwhile to me. I like the quote, might try the meal suggestion, say no to the rum and coke, and am not sure what type of wine Le Gay is. A huge day in the United Kingdom! Thanks Tina @0106, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for the reports today. Prayers for DB, great nephew Alex's twin boys, the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages still held and the troops at sea and on bases in the region. Also for our Care list group, especially Maureen and Richard @RMLincoln, and Chuck @catmando and Annie @marshhawk. Praying for improvement and better news today for you all.🙏 A big hug today to Jacqui @kazu. 🤗 Know we are thinking of each and every one of you. Cheers to all celebrating special events today and for those cruising. 🥂🚢 I hope this day brings you happiness. Thanks to Vanessa @JazzyV for the great list keeping each day. We are happy you are doing so well after all you've been through. Last night DD showed me a photo she took of a nest she found under her deck. Her dogs had been sniffing around under there so she investigated. It turned out to be an owl! We've talked a bit about owls here lately and thought you'd like to see it. The port today is Juneau, Alaska. It's early in the Alaska cruise season but it's a very important cruise destination. This was the port of the day on March 14, 2021 and Nov. 1, 2023. Take a look at the fleet locations on the March 14, 2021 post and you will see how far we've come back from those dismal days. Here are the links for you. Hope this is a good day for everyone here! Stay safe and keep well!

Today is Law Day, Couples Appreciation Day, and Loyalty Day As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.--John Green, The Fault in Our Stars Meal Suggestion for today - Pesto Chicken Bake Drink of the Day - Cuba Libre(Rum and Coke) Wine of the Day - Le Gay 2020 (750ML) Destination of the Day - Juneau, Alaska Today in History: 1707 Acts of Union comes into force, uniting England and Scotland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain Ship Locations Eurodam At Sea Destination Vancouver, BC Canada eta 05-03 Koningsdam Glacier Bay, Alaska 07:00 - 16:00 Nieuw Amsterdam Skagway, Alaska 06:30 - 21:00 Nieuw Statendam At Sea Destination La Coruna, Spain Galicia eta 05-02 Noordam At Sea Destination Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska eta 05-02 Oosterdam At Sea Destination Valletta, Malta eta 5-2 Rotterdam Lerwick, Mainland Shetland, Scotland 08:00 - 15:00 Volendam At Sea Destination Quebec City, Canada eta 05-02 Zaandam Vancouver, Canada 07:00 -1600 Zuiderdam Banjul, Gambia 07:00 - 17:00 Eastern Hemisphere Westerdam At Sea Destination Kodiak Island, Alaska eta 05-06

Vanessa @JazzyV it's phenomenal you were able to get 9 hours of sleep total last night. Unbelievable! You must feel like a new person. Nice you were able to get out today. @1ANGELCAT what a shame Wally's owner won't be able to get him back now. I hope he's not too tame for the wild - he might not know how to protect himself from predators. Seriously. Keep us updated if you hear more.

Happy 31st anniversary @lobsternight!

DD made a last minute decision to decorate her foyer tree for her darling daughter Morgan's college graduation. That child did not have a high school graduation due to Covid restrictions in 2020 so she deserves some recognition! I absolutely love it!

Good morning friends! It's 63F this morning and we shall see a high of about 76 with cloudy skies and a chance of thunderstorms during the day. It's fine because we need to stay home and get ready for graduation weekend. 🎓 Yesterday we early voted for state and local races since election day is May 21 and we won't be available then. Thanks Roy @rafinmd for today's fleet location maps and thanks also to Rich @richwmn for putting together the content of the Fleet Report and Daily for us all. Today we can recognize Animal Advocacy Day which most of us can agree on. I'll let Graham @grapau27 tell us about Beltane and I'm sure we all know who Bugs Bunny is though I'm not sure why he needs a day of recognition! An okay quote. It looks like the meal suggestion is missing something but hopefully Tina @0106 has figured something out. Not sure about the drink and wine of the day either. I wonder what everyone thought when they advertised Mr. Potato Head on TV? Thanks to our F&B department today Tina @0106, Dixie @summer slope, and Ann @cat shepard. Prayers for all in Israel and Ukraine, the hostages still held, our military members in the region, DB, great nephew Alex's twin boys, and the U.S. Marshals shot in N.C. yesterday and especially to the families of those killed. 🙏 And for our Daily friends, Chuck @catmando and Annie @marshhawk, and Maureen's @RMLincoln's DH Richard who both had difficult doctor visits yesterday. I hope their doctors can find a way to help improve their situations. Prayers for all on our Care list who have pain, need surgical or other medical procedures, or are recovering from one, and anyone else who is in need of them. These are tough times for a lot of people. I also send my thoughts and prayers out to all suffering from tornadoes and loss due to them. 🙏 Congrats to those with special event celebrations today and all who are cruising. 🚢🎉🎂 I hope everyone is having a great time! Thanks go to Vanessa @JazzyV for continuing with the list keeping for us. We appreciate you! The port today is Kahului, Maui, Hawaii. This is the second time for it here, and it became an alternate port when Lahaina had the horrific fire. Since I consider Lahaina a different port on the island of Maui I will only post Sept. 19, 2023 when Kahului was first reported here. Here's the link to what I'm sure is a wonderful port of call. I haven't been to Kahului yet but see it's on my 2026 Princess booking on this date, April 30, 2026! "Only" two years to wait! Have a great day everybody! Stay safe and keep well!

Today is Animal Advocacy Day, Beltane, and Bugs Bunny Day Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale. - Hans Christian Andersen Meal Suggestion for today - Cauliflower Chicken Fried " Drink of the Day - Paloma Wine of the Day - Thistledown 2021 Thorny Devil Old Vine Grenache (McLaren Vale) Destination of the Day - Kahului, Maui Island, Hawaii Today in History: 1952 Mr. Potato Head is 1st toy advertised on television Ship Locations Eurodam San Francisco, California 07:00 - 23:00 Koningsdam Skagway, Alaska 07:00 - 20:00 Nieuw Amsterdam Juneau, Alaska 13:00 - 22:00 Nieuw Statendam Gibraltar, UK 07:00 - 15:00 Noordam Vancouver, BC Canada 7:00-15:00 Oosterdam Piraeus-Athens, Greece 7:00-16:00 Rotterdam Stavanger, Norway 07:00 - 16:00 Volendam Madeleine-Magdalen Islands, Cap-aux Meules, Quebec Canada 07:00 - 17:00 Zaandam Seattle, Washington 0700-1800 Zuiderdam At Sea Destination Banjul, Gambia eta 5/1 Eastern Hemisphere Westerdam At Sea Destination Kodiak Island, Alaska eta 05-06

Annie @marshhawk I'm so sorry to hear of Chuck's problems with getting pain relief and the hole in the cheek. I do hope they can come up with something to assist him tomorrow. Hugs to you both!🙏 @1ANGELCAT I had heard about the shootings in Charlotte late this afternoon. Three U.S. Marshalls killed and about 5 other officers wounded, one very seriously. Something awful must have gone wrong for a tragedy of this magnitude to happen. Prayers for them and their families.🙏 Georgia sure doesn't need a runaway alligator, emotional or otherwise, on the loose. Thankfully Brunswick is far from me. 😮