Sharon in AZ

Good afternoon friends! I had a dental appointment this morning. I have a Zoom meeting tonight— our group started a book while I was on my cruise but I haven’t read it yet. Tonight is Chapter 3, so I need to read 3 chapters by 5:00. Not sure I can do that but I’ll try. Well, I do have Pennie’s @Nickelpenny email and sent her a “missing you” email early yesterday morning. Unfortunately I have not heard back from her. I have no other form of communication with her other than calling the local school district, and they wouldn’t release that information to me anyway. I will let you all know if I do hear from her, for sure. Have a great day!

That is good! Quai 22 is the “pretty” dock and easier to get to. I would take your hotel’s offer up about taking luggage to the port for you. The views are very good from that area too. Oh! I almost forgot. Make sure to watch at sail away for Montmorency Falls. It’s gorgeous and it’s also bigger, depth wise, than Niagara Falls. I know it looks like white rock from this picture but it really is a waterfall. Locals dress up in period costumes and demonstrate ways of life back in the day. There might be more, such as dancing, but I didn’t see that part.

We were on the Koningsdam 3 years ago in October and the weather in port was very nice. However, we did experience some rougher seas between Catalina Island and San Francisco. Even the outside promenade was closed because of the wind and seas. It did not impact our enjoyment of the cruise and I didn’t feel seasick (I susceptible to seasickness).

Susan, I totally understand this although it happened when my DM moved out of her townhome and into the retirement community. I probably have 5 huge boxes of photographs and one box of letters cluttering up our loft area. They need to be gone through but I hate to get rid of her things before she passes. Our DS suggested legacy box, which is a great idea but would still be a lot of work. I also have some of her furniture, two pieces are antiques (at least that’s what I was told) and some of them fit in but the Grandfather clock doesn’t. But again, I just can’t get rid of it while she’s alive. So for now it’s in the best spot we could figure out. I hope you are able to go through everything before your handyman starts working. I’ll be thinking of you.

Hi Denise! I just found your thread thanks to the tip from @Cruiserclon the Daily. I love your enthusiasm! Question— do you know which dock in Quebec City your ship will be? I’m not sure if you are aware that there are two docks. Your hotel is right in between both docks. If you are at Quai 30 you probably will want a shuttle or taxi. The buildings there prevent a direct route to the ship. If the ship uses the warf near the old town area it is an easier walk. Here is the website: https://www.portquebec.ca/en/ I know you said you aren’t a foodie but we all love to eat, right? There is a lovely place in Old Town QC https://aupetitcoinbreton.ca/en/ that you might like. I had crepes but they have other things too. Debbie @dfish & her sister loved the French Onion soup. And the salads looked wonderful. Saguenay is a cute little town and walkable. I’ve been twice and just walked around both times. The “show” at the dock is early, soon after docking, so go early to see it all. We missed it last time because we waited onboard too long. Two years ago we sailed in October and it was cold, especially in Saguenay. In QC there were some very cool days and a few warm days. I am excited for you and can’t wait for your live from reporting and pictures!

Bon Voyage! Enjoy!! ⛴⛴⛴

Bon Voyage!! ⛴⛴⛴ Enjoy your special cruise!

Good morning and Happy Monday. Craig is off to an eye appointment, he has to go every 4 months for his MD. It runs in his family and his niece has a severe form of it. I’ve decided to stop giving Blue the incontinence meds. He started having side effects that I didn’t like, most noticeable was restlessness. His leaking is much easier dealt with than the side effects. I like chicken pot pie a lot and make during the cooler months. It’s easy with Costco rotisserie chicken breast. I buy that, separate it into portions and freeze it making it easy to defrost and add it to the veggies and sauce. Like Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser, I like a double crust too. I actually made today’s meal for a work potluck years ago and it went over well. The squash helps make it creamy. Linda @lindaler, thank you for checking in with us and I’m so sorry that you had to cancel your cruise. Being with your family is most important. Roy @rafinmd, I hope that your palliative care is coordinated soon so you can return home. I’m sure that it will be very beneficial for you. Have a great day everyone!

Unfortunately the iced coffee on board is not a cold brew or regular brewed coffee that’s been chilled. When I order it, it’s brewed coffee poured over ice. I’m rather picky about it being strong enough because I like to add cream. I do have to say that the Explorations Cafe does a good iced coffee, however not all the baristas make them the same so if you find someone making it the way you like make sure they are making it for you each time. And don’t bother asking for it in the dining room, they don’t have the extra ice needed nor the vessel. The only time I was able to order one at breakfast was in Club Orange but they have to go to a bar for a plastic glass. I think it was from the Lido bar.

Jacqui @kazu, I’ve been looking at pricing for the January 11th Hawaii cruise and there are still some solo cabins available if you are interested. I would love to go on this cruise but need to save up for the November TA— unless some crazy good price decrease happens.

Well well, I guess I need to read the fine print! Thank you for letting me know that this is a surge protector because I had no idea, I just thought it was an extension cord with usb ports.

Good morning and Happy Saturday. It’s cooler and cloudy this morning, must be a front coming in. Good days today, and chai can be used for more than just a tea or drink. It’s a mix of spices similar to pumpkin spice with the addition of cardamom. I use it for making homemade granola. I’ve also seen recipes for using it in cookies. Smash burgers are good but I’ll leave the smashing and grilling up to Five Guys. There is a Five Guys close to us and it’s been a while since we have been there so maybe that’s in store for this week. The quote is so true. I’m always trying to be kind and go out of my way to do that. It really bugs me when someone, especially a store worker ringing up a sale, ignores you. This happened recently at the grocery store, the cashier was talking to a coworker the entire time she checked me out. I purposefully interrupted her while collecting my bags to thank her and to tell her to have a nice day— it took two tries but she finally responded. They need to teach kindness when they train, just like they do on HAL. Jacqui @kazu, thank you for checking in with us. I’m sorry you are having so much pain and difficulty with your eyesight. I’m hoping those issues get resolved soon. Also it must be hard to decide if you should cancel your cruise. Elizabeth @Haljo1935 & DH— Happy Anniversary!! Enjoy your celebration today. Have a great day everyone!

Good afternoon! I just realized I hadn’t posted yet. I’ve been reading the Daily in spurts lately because of the huge floater in my left eye. We love fried rice and whenever I make rice I make double so I have extra for making it. I used to eat a lot of string cheese when I was working. It’s an easy snack and not messy at a computer. Today’s meal is always a great choice. I like grilled zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, onions….. I could go on and on. @0106, Tina, I’ve heard of grilled romaine but have never made it. I’ve seen some recipes for grilled Caesar Salad too. Today we are having fish tacos since I still have leftover sauce and cabbage. Lots of fish in the freezer so there it is. Whenever I have a Martini I like it shaken, just like Sandi’s DH @StLouisCruisers. The tiny shards of ice are crucial to the enjoyment. Craig scheduled his next nerve block for October and I’m hoping that they go forward with the ablation. He’s always in pain. Debbie @dfish, I hope the MRI helps the doctor diagnose what is going on and your pain is helped. Sandi @StLouisCruisers, thinking about you while you wait for your next appointment. Joy @Seasick Sailor, I’m really enjoying your pictures of Japan and your food—especially all the lobster pictures! I hope @Crazy For Catsand @Nickelpennyare okay. Happy Birthday to @HAL Sailer’s DH!! Denise @Denise T, enjoy the wedding tomorrow and your time with your family! Jack @Heartgrove, your cruises next year sound wonderful and a great idea. Vanessa @JazzyV, I hope your leg pain is less every day— you have a cruise soon! Have a great day everyone!

I have this type of plug in outlet and have taken it on at least 3 cruises in the past year, most recently on the the Zuiderdam for two weeks. I always keep it out and unplugged it when not in use.

Good morning and Happy Thursday from Jean Hook Pants on this pirate day. I’d hate to live with that name! I would like the salmon pasta salad but would leave the salmon either whole or in big chunks, and yes to adding feta. Yesterday Blue had a pawdicure and dental scaling so he was out of sorts the rest of the day. We decided to go ahead and start him on a medication for his incontinence and see how it goes. Happy Anniversary to Carol @mamaofami& Sam! Have a great day everyone!

We were on the same deck in a mid-ship Vista cabin on the Nieuw Statendam port side and really enjoyed the area. All cabins above and below so very quiet. I don’t think having a Pinnacle Suite above you will be any different than having a smaller cabin above you.

Since you are in a balcony cabin what is above you is more of a walkway area with small tables and chairs against the windows. So you might hear more movement above during entrainment hours, especially trivia times, with people moving chairs, etc. I know that happened frequently during afternoon and evening trivia on my cruise last year.

Dixie, I was sorry to hear that you’ve been dealing with this pain but hopefully something that can be repaired soon. Sandi, thank you for sharing this with us. I hope the next 20 days go quickly by for you. Waiting is always stressful. Praying for you! Gosh Tina, I am so sorry that this happened to your DH. It sounds like he was in good hands. I’m sure you are both happy to be home. Thank you for sharing with us. And I also loved your penguin pictures.

Wow, those are big! I’m surprised they grow that big. I had an aunt and uncle who had an avocado orchard in Southern California and when they retired in the 80’s moved to Kona to grow avocados. They said that the growing conditions were much different in Kona. I think they started growing macadamia nuts too. Joy! Such great news! Enjoy your cruise!

Good morning and Happy Monday. It’s been humid lately and we had rain with thunder yesterday evening. Blue hates going out in the rain and also after it rains. He even avoids the rocks. It’s a struggle. Craig just left for a morning drive. He usually goes to Sonoita, he loves the area, sometimes he even goes to Patagonia. The days are good, I especially enjoy guacamole. Pass on the drink but I’d drink a little bit of sherry. The meal is great but we are having fish tacos today. I’m trying out a new recipe that uses a mayonnaise based sauce to baste the fish while it cooks and it also becomes the sauce on top of the finished tacos along with shredded cabbage and avocado. I made a black bean and corn salad to go with lunch yesterday and we will have that as a side. I hope everyone has a great day!

Bon Voyage!

Thank you! I’ll have to check them out.

I use meclizine regularly but take extra precautions on rocky cruises. My suggestion is to not look outside at the horizon, especially if in the far forward (like the Crow’s Nest) or aft (like the MDR). I know it sounds counterintuitive, but trust me, watching the bow of the ship sink down and the ocean rise up messes with your equilibrium. If it’s rolling and pitching you will find me inside away from any outside view. Singles?!? I need to know more. Are they shelf stable? I actually prefer baking in grams rather than ounces but usually when I’m baking bread. I don’t make many cakes. Yours sounds delicious! I’m glad it turned out well. Did you have to add fresh apples?

Good morning! Good days today and I like the meal suggestion. I might try recipe #3 but add the side salad from recipe #1. No on the wine and drink. The quote is funny but not true for me. Gerry @ger_77, I love the birdhouse! Such detail and such cuteness. Tell Maurice he is very creative and talented. I found the miniature birdhouse too. BTW, we met a couple from Saskatoon at the M&G on the Zuiderdam cruise who are from your area. They live outside the city if I recall. I have some errands to run today that Craig can’t do (he’s great at shopping and running errands and spends less money and time than I do). One is to buy DM’s creamer. She’s very particular about it— has to be Italian Sweet Cream. I took her to an appointment on Wednesday and she was so happy that I was home. She looks forward to our outings. Have a great day everyone!

Carolyn & Terry @smitty34877, I downloaded 4 episodes of the current season to watch on my 5 hour flight to Phoenix and watched all of them. I was mad at myself for not downloading all of them! Now I’m mad that I only have 3 episodes left! Joy, yes I do enjoy going to the wine tasting especially when I get the invitation that it’s complimentary. I will say it really depends on the personality of the sommelier (or whoever leads the tasting). I was very disappointed on the Volendam last April because I felt the person leading didn’t have control and talked about the same thing over and over again. A few weeks ago on the Zuiderdam it was very good and entertaining. Carol, thinking about you and Sam and hoping his pain is helped with hospice. Wow Elizabeth, you just can’t get a break with those darn stones. I’m glad your doctor is on top of everything and helping. Debbie @dfish, great picture of River!