AncientWanderer

It's not just titles off of current bestseller lists. This I can assure you, as I almost never read current bestseller fiction. I discovered a great collection of short stories by Daphne du Maurier. DH found some good nautical history stuff. If I could detect a common thread in the selections, it would be that many of the books connect to places the ships go. Du Maurier country would be an example. That's why I call the library well-curated. It does look more like a bookstore than a library, but some people like bookstores as well as libraries.

Honor system. They say to please take one at a time. We visited often and found that books were reshelved quickly, so someone is monitoring the area. There are a few seats, but the space is definitely not designed as a place to hang out.

Well, now, that's interesting. The arrangement here appears to be different than what Haljo posted and different than what was on Nieuw Amsterdam. NA has more nonfiction for sure. I'm laughing about the giant "Young Adult" section. Great demand for that on HAL. Well, hopefully the libraries will be enhanced and well-maintained. That they carved out a space tor them is very good news.

I observed a fair amount of nonfiction, interesting travel books, but acknowledge that the library was picked over toward the end of the cruise. Could be a problem on a collectors' cruise.

Well, to add to my thoughts, I had very low expectations -- thinking it would be all current popular fiction -- and didn't really anticipate that the library would be our main source of reading material. We mainly rely on our loaded up e-readers. But both DH and I enjoyed browsing and found some fun things to supplement our e-readers. The new libraries are nothing like the old ones, but for our changing times, I was pleased. Always should add YMMV.

We've enjoyed the new library on Nieuw Amsterdam, which is like the one on the Eurodam. They have a well-curated collection of books -- something for everyone. I think library lovers (I am one) will be happy with the libraries that are coming back onboard.

They’re both great — most of the time. As with any restaurant, sometimes things go awry. (I’ve been talking up the branzino in Canaletto to anyone who will listen, but recently had an awful presentation of that dish.) So I agree with @cruisemom42, look at the menus and go with the one that suits your tastes. In my opinion, chances are very good that you’ll have a wonderful meal.

A few years ago, someone who had done both an expedition ship and a "drive-by" in Antarctica mentioned that each had pros and cons. Mention was made that on the expedition ships, they need to stay around the same place for a long time to allow each passenger the opportunity to do the landing part. Apparently that's time-consuming. The drive-by ships have more freedom to move about to see different areas. The person posting enjoyed both types of Antarctic experience. That post always stuck in my mind, as rarely do we see posts mention that the drive-by can be better in some way.

Dang….I didn’t make it last night either. We’re traveling and after a long day, I conked out. Looking at photos, seems like all went beautifully. Catherine looked amazing as always. Being on QM2 must have been fabulous at that time. Wishing all a good Saturday. DH is telling me to get going!

Lovely! Will be watching in the wee hours of the night on US West Coast. So far I’m loving what I’m seeing — Elizabethan feel to the invitations and flowers in Westminster Abbey. Enjoy the festive day!

Thanks for the wonderful trip report. Such beautiful photos! Glad you had a good cruise!

If you are in Neptune suite, you're also automatically in Club Orange. You can go to the special Club Orange line to check in for dining any time and they will quickly give you the table arrangement you want.

Back in the day before hummus dip was sold everywhere, I used to make my own. You’re so right — the tahini is hard as concrete. I guess I must have chiseled it out and plopped it in the food processor. Weird product for sure.

Many people miss their fixed dining because they have reservations in the alternative dining restaurants -- Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, Tamarind, Rudi's, depending on ship.

How very sad that you're all going through this, Terry. Post when you want and don't when you're not up to it. No matter, you're in our thoughts and prayers. Maxine

@St Pete Cruiser, we were posting at the same time. What an experience and thank God for the good Noordam medical team. Wishing you good health!

Thank you! Very much appreciated! I need to rethink our booking. Some of the ports you mention are not on our itinerary. We're probably making a mistake devoting time to the transPacific, rather than longer sailing around Japan. Thanks again. I may indeed have more questions as we make plans. BTW, it's really something how useful the Daily has become on CC for port info. Doing searches, the best stuff is usually here.

You will be happy campers. 😊

I like those dishes, too. I also like the way they do the branzino. Possibly my favorite HAL fish preparation. But all OP asked about was appetizer surcharge. I must be hungry. lol

Oh....I really love the stuff, OlsSalt, even though it is indeed paté rather than true foie gras. They use it for an appetizer as well, with some type of berry compote, and I alway look forward to it. To me...smooth, creamy and with a kind of special delicate flavor that melts in the mouth. I keep trying various patés from specialty markets to find something with that same je ne sais quois. With no luck so far. So there you have it. To each his own in the food department. 🤷‍♀️

Sandi, I can’t help thinking about this movie. It was really funny.

Good morning. It’s nice to see a quote from Robert Benchley. He was one of the group of funny people who hung out at the Algonquin Hotel in NYC. DD and I had a cocktail there to see what the place is like. I would love to find a good hairstyle, don’t much care for jazz or tofu, but definitely appreciate honesty. Somehow Norway keeps being postponed for us. Some day. @StLouisCruisers, congratulations to Ren on another win and thanks for the great photos of Eidfjord. And thanks also to @Mtn2Sea and @richwmn for the snowy version. Interesting! Oh no, @JazzyV about the tumble! I hope it doesn’t hold you back too much! @Cruzin Terri, you deserved that TV day. Hopefully the organizing will go quickly. @kazu, how lousy that you got sick on top of the surgery, but glad you’re prepping for the arrival of Ivan. He looks like a sweetie. Can’t wait to hear about his arrival. I hope everyone has a good Sunday — that those ailing are improving and that those out doing things are having a wonderful time. So many on cruises now! Hooray for that!

Good morning. Dance Day is not for me, as I unfortunately have no rhythm. But love astronomy and Independent book stores. Today DD and I are going to see a Harry Potter movie at the fancy new theater that serves real food. I’ve got my Ravenclaw colors on. Then later we’re having something quite like paella at DD’s house. She has a lot of citrus in bloom in her backyard and it smells wonderful, so it’s the first al fresco dining of the summer, to enjoy that brief bloom period. The photos of Istanbul are truly beautiful today. Sure would love to go there. Wonder if that will ever happen? Meanwhile, there’s this… Many thanks to our Daily team and all contributors. I hope those who are unwell are feeling better. Wishing all a joyful Saturday!

It's awesome that you're feeling well enough to join in here, Brenda. That's great news! Best wishes to your DD's FIL, too! I've spent a lot of time picking up tips about Japan -- lots of notes about things you've mentioned in the past here on the Daily. But I'm still kind of confused about just picking an itinerary. What we have booked right now is the April 13, 2024 sailing that goes 30 days and ends back in Seattle. But I'm wondering if we should see more of Japan and bite the bullet and fly both ways? Some of the longer itineraries just repeat the same ports. But maybe that's not such a bad thing, as you get two days to explore? Anyhow, whenever you're in the mood -- no hurry!!! -- tell us more about your itinerary and the ports that you loved best. Again, no rush to respond! Rest, rest, rest and heal, heal, heal. 😍 Maxine

Lenda, the weed in the rock made me think of Jack and the Beanstalk with the magic beans. Glad you took a picture!