Haljo1935

not their best work, but still a nice pop of color - the vases also make nice gifts.

YAY - I hadn't heard that yet. With the internet issues, we had not been able to check. Thank you for thinking of us. Go Rangers!!⚾

Tonight the Shops was having a sale. I did not set out to actually go shopping, but was looking for 1 very specific thing - lounge pants. Seems mine did not make it into the suitcase. While I didn't find any, I did find an assortment of things on sale at 25% off, 50% off, B3G1 (buy 3 get 1 free). All HAL 150th anniversary merchandise is 25% off. The small bears are on keychain clips - suitcase can surely hold 1 girl and 1 boy.🥴 Misc jewelry and Food items are 50% - DDIL will love this olive oil truffle gift set. Every visit to her house results in her having more spices (we always take her several jars), which she thinks is the best thing ever; she loves Penzeys. Cigarettes are Buy 3 cartons, Get 1 carton free. DH says the smokes are a GREAT deal - his store sells Newport for $12/pack. That's $120/carton!! At that price, why do people still smoke and who can afford that? 🤯 So, $480 vs $192 is a no brainer if that's your thing.

Hey @BetsyS. I found some Halloween decorations. Outside MDR deck 3 - the flower arrangement has grown to include gourds. Zoom in to see some carved pumpkins.🎃 Photo Shop has a different type of carved pumpkin. 🤭 Also found this in the Photo Shop. This is the best I can do for now; hopefully we'll see more today and I can get some pax doors. Wonder if people will put treats out for people to take? A floating Trick or Treat... There are some Halloween activities: Halloween trivia at 7pm Halloween dance to the hits at 10:45pm - who wants in on the pool for how many times "Monster Mash" will be heard?🫣 Drumroll, please - saving the best for last, I give you...Halloween Party at 9:45pm!!!🥳👾 Seems there should have been mention of the party so we could have all come prepared. We've only seen 3 children so far, 1 of which was under a yo in a stroller - hopefully they attend 😉 😳

Ooh, thanks, I will check. We can all check together - here's today's. Nope - Arrival and All Aboard on the left with temp, etc on the right. Rain and 89% humidity (my asthma will not like that) with a decent wind.🌧️🌬️ The journey continues to locate sunrise/sunset times.

Geez - the Universe does not want me communicating with anyone. 🙄 I have struggled since noon to use the internet and the Navigator. I've finally figured out a workaround, but it's klunky. So, if you don't hear from me or get pictures, that's why. Captain said sunset would be 5:11pm, I think that's what I heard, and it times pretty well with what we experienced. I thought The Daily listed sunrise/sunset times, but I'm not seeing them, so maybe it's just wishful thinking. 🫣Anyway, the sunset was nice. We will not be participating in dressy night tonight, so Lido it is. Then a little more wine on the balcony before a hopefully early night. We have Dubrovnik tomorrow - let the GOT tours begin!

I have not seen any ship Halloween decorations, but I honestly haven't walked the whole ship yet. Main areas like Guest Services, for example, aren't decorated. I've seen some pax cabins w/decorations. Today's Daily listed a pumpkin carving contest at 2pm. That would have been fun, but I was busy drinking free 🍷 🥂 at the wine tasting, lol. I have seen HALs Christmas decorations and think they do a nice job with them. Curious they don't do something for Halloween - it will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow.

In our Community life here, CC = Cruise Critic. In onboard ship, CC = Credit Card. I should have been more clear. Sorry for the confusion. 🙄

Well the attachments didn't load, so I will redo post 164 when I return

When I left you, I was off to find DH for breakfast. As you probably know, what I found was Stromboli (99% positive that's correct) blowing her stack and clean laundry on my bed. Oh happy day!! 🥳This is why I love HAL - take me to beautiful locations to see stunning sites while ensuring I do it in clean clothes 🤭

As I mentioned to @oakridger we have a lovely view of a volcano 🌋 during breakfast. Ship talk, aka rumors, say it is Stromboli https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stromboli As we head between Messina Sicily and Via San Giovanni, the location seems correct. Way more likely than Istanbul where the location tracker on my phone tagged it. 🫣 So, Stromboli it is!! Istanbul? Really?🤔 Maybe Mr Samsung needs geography lessons or maybe I've entered the WPP with my true whereabouts unknown.🥴🙄

Thanks, Nancy - it's starting out pretty well - greeted with a volcano as I got off the elevator on the Lido, said volcano 🌋 was nice enough to send out smoke signals as I waited for DH to finish smoking (zoom in top right), breakfast table had a nice view of the volcano, greeted w/clean laundry when I returned from breakfast, and discovered my aft balcony provides a great view of the volcano 🌋 😊 I think maybe I should buy a lottery 🎟 🎫 🤭

Today is a sea day, headed to our first port Dubrovnik. When I first looked at the map, I thought ports had been rearranged and we were heading for Messina. I had thought we were going around Sicily; never read that, just assumed. This is why we don't make assumptions. Then I zoomed in and realized we're going between Messina and Villa San Giovanni. I hope I get to see that, looks like it would be a pretty passage. Last time I checked the weather, there was no rain in the forecast; temps mid 60s to mid 70s. Exactly what we experienced in Rome the past 3 days. Well, HAL forecast shows sunny 72° today then rain every day until our last port of Salerno, where we will once again have clear skies. It is what is is, but if this is correct, we will have some very soggy tours as everything that's planned (Corfu 4x4, GOT walking tour, Godfather walking tour, Pompeii walking tour...everything) is outside. Time to rethink the shoes - and I did not bring my waterproof hiking boots. Agenda today is very light: breakfast, M&M at 11 in Crow's Nest and Wine Tasting 🍷(1st invite) at 1:45 which will cause me to miss the Art of 🌼 🌻 Arranging at 1:30. I really admire the florist work on HAL ships and like to see them "in action" when I can. But DH wouldn't go there if his life depended on it, but he will go taste wine, so that's what we'll do. That leaves the rest of the day to figure out the shoe situation. Off to find DH for breakfast.

Good morning! Doesn't the first morning you wake up on a ship feel special? It just feels different and full of anticipation, like waking up to look under your pillow to see what the tooth fairy 🧚‍♀️ left. I didn't catch Sunrise, but this ain't shabby 😉 I love a good wake view.

Awe, you're so sweet😊 You did a great job - your pictures were awesome. I can't wait to follow along on your next ones...

Made use of those fountains a lot. Some are like playing Where's Waldo!

Yes, please do! I knew this would be great - thanks for doing it and Welcome Home!🥳

@ninjacat123 pretty sure you put it in your LIVE, but honestly at 2:22 am I don't have it in me to go look, lol 🫣 so hoping you can tell me - how long did it take you to get through boarding in Rome?

Best, fastest, easiest check-in and boarding EVER!! OMG Vancouver sure could learn from Civitavecchia; polar opposite experiences.🙄🫣 I wish I'd gotten some port pictures to share, but our driver zipped through so quickly...then we zipped through so quickly 🤭 Process: *Boarding pass checked to determine group/which line you will be assigned to - this was a visual check only, no scanning. We're 4* so Priority line here we come (too quickly for me to get a pic). *Boarding group cards handed out (we got 13) *Passport scanned & picture taken (same location/1 step) *Wait in seated in group location *Boarding groups called *🚶‍♂️ 🚶‍♀️ onto gangway *Ship Security scans boarding pass *Collect cabin card from cabin mailbox Timeline: 10:14am - driver loads luggage in shuttle 11:17am - turn off at sign to port (it's one of the blurry signs on the left - we were flying) 11:26am - passed "kissers" in the park 11:31 am - pass by police station 11:32 am - 1st glimpse of her stack (zoom in) 11:33am - 2nd glimpse of her stack 11:35am - porter takes luggage (he checked to be sure every piece had a tag - thank you!) 11:36am - welcome to port/entered terminal 11:36am - looking up at port sign 11:38 - pit stop (no photo, lol) and get boarding group card (#13) 11:45am - waiting while DH scans his passport (already did mine) 11:46am - our group called to board 11:47am - Starboard view 11:47am - bow says we're boarding the correct ship 11:49am - approaching gangway 11:55am - DH places wine on bed 12:20 pm - DH is showing off his burger in MDR 12:54 pm - passing Lido Bar 12:56 pm - passing Lido pool 12:58 pm - in line waiting for Shore Exc Desk to open 1:14 pm - Vivian has moved my excursions from CC to OBC 1:30 pm - No upgrades available *2 points of scanning - 1 each of passport & boardingpass* **20 min exactly from 🧳 porter handoff to standing inside cabin!!**

Interesting mix of days 🤔 of course cats will tell you every day is their day. I like the quote (thank you @0106 for providing clarity). Yes on the food, pass on the drink (only because I'm not a coconut fan), would try the wine, not been to the port. What an important day in history. I'll offer a sunset picture - sail away from Civitavecchia, even though the picture is not as lovely. Mini Max loves his "sister." He was named after Big Max - our Cog (cat who thought he was a dog = cog). Both love the cog door - best invention ever for those who have cats or dogs (or cogs). Thank you to all for the Bon Voyages - we are off on a wonderful adventure. 🚢 RIP Matthew Perry. Prayers and positive thoughts for all including the Rangers ⚾

Thank you - glad you're here.

Here we are letting go of our lines - we're so close to saying "Adios, Rome." Oh, wait - wrong country, wrong language, lol.

Thank you! We are moving!!

Yes @TAW1963 we LOVE true aft cabins. I'm sure I'll have some nice pix as we sail away.

So nice to have your cabin number listed on the sign so you don't even have to think which way to go.😉 The Daily and HIA offer, which we will decline as it is $10/day more than if we bought in advance. Vivian at Shore Exc has moved our excursions from CC to OBC so that we don't have to find ways to use that non-refundable OBC - thanks, Vivian!! Sneek peek of our cabin. Our TV already mustered; we'll go before the Mariners reception. Raka has already brought both buckets (we always get 2) of ice and all our 🧳!! I already love him!!