Sharon in AZ

I should have said in my earlier post that I was only counting the current HAL ships. We started cruising in 1987 but had a long break after that due to having young children and started back up in 1999. Since 1999 I’ve not been on the Ryndam, Amsterdam, Prinsendam, and Zuiderdam. So in August I’ll accomplish having been on all the ships in the current fleet.

Not a stupid goal at all! It’s actually one I’ve been trying to achieve myself. Finally in August I’ll be on the Zuiderdam, my last HAL ship. Congratulations on booking the PC transit cruise. One of my favorites!

This is today’s lunch menu from the Zuiderdam. Note the macaroni and cheese, no mention that it’s Beechers.

I noticed that on the current Zuiderdam MDR lunch menu that the macaroni and cheese is no longer listed as Beechers. I’m not sure if it’s itinerary related or if they no longer have the Beechers cheese fleet wide. I’ll find out in August while on the Zuiderdam and report back. I enjoyed it many times at lunch.

Wow!! That’s crazy. I would actually leave it alone but just check for those slugs, it might come back.

Carolyn, yes overnight marinating is best. I have to admit that several times I’ve done two nights. I think it makes them more tender and flavorful. Glad you enjoyed them. I saw a slug near my basil plant and now need to go check it out. I didn’t know they can be so damaging.

Good morning and Happy Friday from a muggy Tucson. We were very aware of lightning safety last night while in the pool. We could hear thunder so got out but got back in when it dissipated. Later, we had a huge downpour which stopped just as quickly as it started. I only use cap locks when using an acronym or a title. I’ll pass on all the rest. I prefer real gnocchi but don’t have it often. Jacqui @kazu, I hope everything goes well with Ivan’s appointment today and his dental surgery. I didn’t used to get Blue’s teeth cleaned very often until he lost a lot of teeth. Now I schedule it every 4 months. Ann @Vict0riann, I hope you had a good nights sleep and are feeling good and not too sore. Continue healing! Rich @richwmn, I saw your post about your upcoming cruises. How exciting! I wish I could join you for trivia! Have a great day everyone!

We were on the same cruise as @dfish and really enjoyed the cruise. Yes, it’s a lot of sea days but there is so much to do. I went to several cooking shows and Hawaiian lectures. You can fill your days or not. Weather is up to Mother Nature. We were sailing during the “Pineapple Express” and had some wind and rough seas on our way to Hawaii. Lots of people and staff were seasick. No problem on the way back. Club Orange was wonderful but unless you are in a Neptune Suite it might be sold out by now.

I hope you enjoy them! I really like the bone in thicker cut pork chops, the ones that look like a T-bone steak. We buy them from TJ’s but I’m not sure you have one in your area. Hi Joy! So glad Allen is doing better with the eczema. I have breakouts too. Add some ham or bacon to the biscuits and gravy!! BTW, that is one of Craig’s favorite meals.

Paul, my DH donated platelets for years and felt the same way every time. He hates needles and they hate him too. I hope it passes quickly and that you feel better. Ann, such great news! Have a good nights sleep.

You will probably have to wait until you are onboard. First thing go directly to the reservation kiosk and see about changing.

I am able to open my recipe box today and wanted to share the grilled pork chop recipe. I marinate them overnight and sometimes add different spices depending upon my mood. Grilled Pork Chops

Good morning and Happy Thursday. Last night we went in the pool, it was a wonderful 89, Craig thinks it has warmed up because of the higher humidity. We decided to get married 50 years ago and our 50th anniversary is this December. I was 19. I would also make the third recipe. I like tomato cream sauce. I would also add mushrooms as the recipe developer suggests. I will pass on the drink. Zenato wines are really good. Craig and I always ordered a bottle of Zenato Pinot Grigio when we went out to a local little restaurant. They closed down the location near us years ago and have a larger restaurant in the foothills. Ann @Vict0riann, prayers for your surgery today. Jacqui @kazu, I’m sorry you are down, I’m sure the pain plays a big part in that. Hugs. Terry @smitty34877, I hope you can wet Tana’s appetite with the eggplant Parmesan. It’s one of my favorites. Have you ever made moussaka? You could even make it vegetarian. I saw a version on America’s Test Kitchen yesterday. Yum! Gerry @ger_77, congratulations on your 10 retirement anniversary! I retired at 65 four years ago this month and am so happy that I did. @luvteaching, thinking of you today. Have a wonderful lunch with your family. @Mr. Boston, things are moving along with your move! Tell DH to get well soon! @RMLincoln, yikes on the damage at your DGD’s house. Hopefully insurance will cover the totaled vehicle. Joy @Seasick Sailor, how is Allen doing with his Dupixent? And had he gained that pound? Have a great day everyone!

Wow, I just realized that you probably meant something else. Do you mean substitute a different dining venue for the Pinnacle Grill? If so, no probably not. I would go to Customer Service and ask. I actually put something similar on my after cruise survey that I would like the option of using the dining credit for lunch instead of dinner. I know, it’s not comparable in price but I would enjoy it more.

I’ve never had a poor meal in the PG, however some have been better than others. I’ve been able to choose 3 starters for my entire meal which is great for me because I have a small appetite. In your case they would probably only substitute something for something that is already on the menu. Like a different sauce. However, it’s really easy if you want steak— you just order the type of steak that you want. It’s the multiple component dishes that you might want to make substitutions.

Terri @Cruzin Terri, I’m glad you are home and feeling a bit better, hopefully that will continue. We will keep praying for the bubble wrap to surround you. Debbie @dfish, each time you write Golden Beach I think of On Golden Pond, a great movie. Annie @marshhawk, I can’t believe a superior hung up on you, totally unprofessional. Deeni @DeeniEncinitas, it’s so good to see you posting more. Enjoy your Hawaiian home. 🌺🌺🌺

Good early afternoon and Happy Wednesday. Humidity is down just a bit but still noticeable. There was an interesting episode of The Food That Built America on the History Channel about bar codes and their development. It was a game changer in the grocery world. I’ll give the other days a pass. I have a recipe that I love for pork chops but can’t seem to access my recipe box right now. I marinate them and then smoke them on the grill. I use the big thick bone-in pork chops. Yum. Pass on the wine and drink. Pennie @Nickelpenny, thank you for the Birthday wishes! Ouch on the incision opening! I had that happen with an abdominal incision, but just a few inches of it, and the doctor decided not to re-stitch it but I had to clean it and really take it easy. He told me it would heal from the inside out. I had been overdoing it, two little kids and a cat and a husband doesn’t make for an easy recovery! I hope yours heals quickly! Happy Birthday Carol @mamaofami!! Enjoy your special day!! 🎈🎈🎈 Need to feed the always hungry teenager. Have a great day everyone!!

Good early afternoon and Happy Tuesday from a still very muggy Tucson. Good collection of days. I enjoy onion soup occasionally but would want it with beef broth. I’ll pass on the drink, too fruity with the hibiscus. I have never been to the east coast of Costa Rica. Thank you ALL for the lovely birthday wishes yesterday!! I am very grateful for my Daily friends and feel blessed to have met many of you. Jacqui @kazu, thank you so much for posting your wedding pictures yesterday!! What a beautiful day it must have been! Two lovebirds in love! May your memories of Jose bring you joy and peace. Jake @Crazy For Cats, I hope Juan is enjoying his special day. I believe that this is the crepe restaurant Debbie was wanting to go to. We walked by it in October 2022 when we were in QC together prior to our cruise. http://aupetitcoinbreton.ca/ unfortunately, they weren’t open in the evening at that time so we went to https://en.cassecrepebreton.ca/ instead. Annie @marshhawk, I am so sorry about the loss of your friend. Have a great day everyone!

Jake @Crazy For Cats, please tell Juan Happy Birthday! from me and that I’m excited to meet you both in August on board the Zuiderdam!! 🎈🎈🎈

Graham, do you fly to Southampton? Seems like a long way if you drive there.

Thank you for sharing your cruise Graham! It looks like you and Pauline had a wonderful time! Your pictures are great too. I love hearing your voice on the videos. How large is this ship passenger wise?

Graham and Pauline @grapau27, welcome home!! I loved your coded posts while you were cruising! I’ll read your review later today. Thank you for sharing.

Good morning and Happy Monday! It’s still very muggy here so definitely monsoon season. Feels a little early to me but I’m not Mother Nature. Happy mutual Birthday to your DD Sandi @StLouisCruisers!! She picked a great day to be born! Jaqui @kazu, Anniversary wishes to you as you remember Jose today. I’m sure it will be an emotional day. I remember you posting wedding pictures before, maybe you could share them again? Thank you all for the lovely Birthday wishes!! So very sweet to wake up to my Daily friends wishing me a happy one. I will pass on the drink but I think I’ve had the wine before, maybe on a BHB even. I like green beans but not having them today. Thank you for the pictures of today’s port. DM has a hearing aide appointment today. I didn’t want to go out on my birthday but this appointment has been rescheduled twice so wanted to get it over with. We will go out for lunch and I’m going to suggest Red Lobster since I have a gift certificate from them due to my experience last time with the filet I ordered. According to the email I received they were going to reach out to the manager and staff to retrain them about the issue. Not knowing the difference between a strip steak and a filet! Tomorrow Craig is making one of my favorite meals for my birthday, Chicken Parmesan with Marsala Sauce. Hopefully he doesn’t ask for too much help. 😉 Have a great day!

Thank you Ann! I looked it up at Total Wine and they don’t have that vintner but do have 3 others, all in the $40-50 range. Too much for me to try it though so I’ll be interested how much your wine shop will charge. Thanks Jacqui and Lenda. It’ll dry up eventually. And all the dirt and leaves and debris can be swept up. The pool needs to be cleaned too but we might wait until our pool gets serviced this week. Craig is having a bad bout with his bad back so he isn’t up to doing that. I haven’t checked my herbs yet so hope they aren’t too beat up. BTW, I’ve never had Detroit style pizza but have seen it made on TV. Today on Food Network on the show Mary Makes it Easy, Mary Berg is making Detroit pizza. I just love her.

Good morning and Happy Sunday from a very humid, muggy, soggy Tucson. We have had rain the past three days but yesterday’s was big. The backyard flooded and is now a mess. The humidity is 66% which is really high for us. I don’t think rain is expected for a while. Thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers and Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser for the Suez Canal pictures. I don’t think I’ll ever get there but it seems like the Panama Canal is more impressive, which I have been through twice. I will pass on the meal, I’d rather have regular tomato soup if I’m having soup. And since I’m not a big fan of soup that will be a while. I believe I’ve had the wine before and Ann @cat shepard, your wine from last night sounds lovely. Can you post a review and cost when you do your research? Isn’t that the vintner that makes a light red that goes well with Turkey at Thanksgiving? Sorry , I’m not fluent in wine speak! Not much on the agenda today except taking some supplies and a case of wine to DM. I’m still adjusting to cooking 3 meals a day for a third person, DGD. She is a very picky eater so isn’t too excited about what we eat. Thank goodness she will eat Cheerios and pasta and weirdly seaweed snacks. Have a great day everyone!