Cruising-along

We enjoyed it recently on the Volendam. Very tasty but messy as others have said. No Mariner discount. The chowder was *not* anything like Ivar’s (native Washingtonian here). Extremely thin and only a couple clams and tiny bits of potato. No bacon to be seen. Other than that we enjoyed it but most likely wouldn’t go again.

Currently on the Volendam for 94 days and booked on the November 42-day round trip Ft. Lauderdale cruise. Basically the same minus NYC. Having a great time on the Volendam!

As for home insurance, the person you mentioned lives in the UK. Our home insurance doesn’t have that rule. As for Facebook, only if a person is foolish enough to post “publicly” and not “friends only”. You can even limit further. It’s very easy but so many people don’t know that. I have never worried. We’re very careful about who knows we’re away, have caring and watchful neighbors and a fantastic home security system.

Good morning (the 28th) from the lovely Volendam! We are having 2 lazy sea days before arriving in Australia. This has been a great cruise! At home (the 27th) today is our daughter’s 45th birthday — how did my youngest get that old? 🤣😉 It seems like yesterday when I was 45 myself. Prayers for all on the Care list and cheers for all celebrating. Some photos from our day in Noumea New Caledonia yesterday.

Au contraire Rich! I was fine with his rendition of Sweet Caroline. He did a much better job than the piano bar entertainer (not hard to do, but it really was good). He can carry a tune unlike someone else. We enjoyed his whole show. 🙂

Good morning (the 26th) from the Volendam! Yesterday we were on Mystery Island and today, in Easo, New Caledonia. Having a wonderful time! Thank you all for the birthday wishes. ❤️❤️. I had a very nice day and dinner in the Canaletto with DH, @richwmn, @durangoscots, @Cruisercl and @CruisingSister It would have been in the Pinnacle Grill but they canceled a 3-month reservation to accommodate the President’s Club. 😕. It’s the only thing that has gone wrong on this fabulous cruise and I have voiced my opinion. Offers of a free dinner (or all the apologies) don’t make up for how that was handled. Thank goodness for our great Dailyites, it was a great evening!

I was told you can ask for one. They probably don’t want to print off more than they need.

On the Volendam now and there have been a few cooking demos. Bear in mind that this is a Grand Voyage, I don’t know if that is the reason. No charge, and no samples.

Good morning from the lovely Volendam! As Lorraine @cruising sistersaid, we had a bit of excitement last night but all is well. Here are a couple photos for the Garden Club, the grounds of the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum in Apia, Samoa.

Last night the Lido had a seafood boil for $35/pp. It was the first time offered on this cruise (to be determined if we have it again). We enjoyed ourselves and the food was plentiful and good. Some improvements could be made such as the chowder was watery and not a bit of bacon. 3 clams and a few tiny pieces of potato. Not like Ivar’s as advertised. We thought the rest was very good although quite messy because everything was sitting in a broth (tasty but messy using fingers). We did get bibs though. 😉

We had tickets for #10 and tendering stopped at #9. I was disappointed after waiting several hours, but do understand. It would have been nice to be able to say I went there even if only for a few minutes. It looks beautiful.

Good morning from the lovely Volendam! It’s another lazy sea day as we head to Kiritimati tomorrow. Sadly we won’t be going to Fanning Island. Again the immigration authorities say they can’t get there for us. The ship must have quite a collection of donations because the last cruise couldn’t make it there either. 😕 Last night was our first formal night (we’ve also had 1 dressy night). It was fun seeing all the sparkles, everyone was all decked out in their finest.

We took a taxi to the airport and had a car reserved with Budget. There was some question that they would pick us up, but the person who does that was sick. The drive from Hilo to the park took about 45 minutes, easy drive. The Visitor Center there is a wealth of information. We decided to drive the East Rim drive, best for our time limits and what to see. Loved it all, fascinating to follow the lava right down to the ocean. We left Hilo around 9:15 and were back to Hilo at 2:30. We also got lunch during that time.

Yesterday we rented a car and drove to the Volcano National Park. It was a great day and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Weather couldn’t have been better. The singer last night is billed as a singer/comedian and we laughed our heads off! She was much funnier than the comedian earlier in the cruise. We hope she will perform again, we really enjoyed it. Tonight is our first “formal night” (we also have dressy nights this cruise) and the Volendam Ball.

Hello from Honolulu and the Volendam! This is our second day in Honolulu, we head to Hilo tonight. Yesterday we had an 8-hour circle the island tour with other CC’rs and had a great time. Other than some shopping at Hilo Hattie’s and Walmart this morning we’re taking it easy today—resting up for the Volcano National Park tomorrow. Loving this cruise! For the Garden Club. 🙂 Sorry, I can’t get rid of the black void at the end. 😂 Cacao plant

Greetings from the lovely Volendam! We’re having an amazing time, loving every minute. Meeting our fellow Dailyites and sailing again with Rich has been a big plus too. Last night we spent some time with Rich at the Island Dream party and we’ll have dinner tonight with him in the Pinnacle Grill. Tonight is the pop-up Tamarind night. 😀. If any other Dailyites would like to join us please let us know. The more the merrier 🙂🙂 I’ll put out a message on Navigator too. Tomorrow we will reach Honolulu. We have an all-day private tour and are looking forward to that.

I am on the Volendam now. As I walked the promenade deck yesterday there was indeed a lanai cabin door left open. 😡

We had a wonderful time this afternoon with fellow Dailyites! Will definitely be doing this again. 😀 Henry (Cruising-along’s DH), Carolyn (Cruising-along), Lorraine (cruising sister), Caron (cruisercl), Rich, and Susan (durangoscots)

We were very pleased to see that a Tamarind menu will be available in the Pinnacle Grill on January 8 so we booked it today. Right now it will be offered only once but if it’s well received they may do it again.

Good morning from the Volendam! What a difference a day makes. After a wild first night out of San Diego, last night was perfect. I slept 11 hours (perfect rolling for sleep). The crew was even exclaiming over the first night. Many of us had bags under our eyes. I felt so sorry for the crew who had to get up and go to work. We had a large turnout at our M&G in spite of that, it was nice to put faces to names! And the Block Party was so much fun. There are a few other CCrs near our cabin. Today is a Mariner reception, Captain’s Welcome and our first Dressy night. We are getting things put away in our cabin but it will take awhile. I brought too much LOL! Loving the cruise!

As Rich said, we had a rough ride last night and still a bit rough this morning. I didn’t get to sleep until after 3 this morning. Other than that everything has been great! The MDR Mgr. passed out long-stem roses to each woman last night and I hear the same thing was done in other dining venues. Our favorite Cellar Master (Rod) is onboard and we’ve had a few nice talks with him. Great M&G turnout this afternoon. So nice to put faces to names!

Greetings from the Volendam! We met up with Rich soon after boarding, still haven’t run across @durangoscots, @cruising sister, or @Cruisercl and look forward to meeting them. The Captain just announced we should be sailing on time. 🙂 We’re maybe 1/3 unpacked, and waiting for our last bag to arrive. Lots of bags, this will take awhile to get settled. 😉

Greetings from San Diego! We’re settled into our room at the Wyndham and this is our view. Tomorrow morning we will see the Volendam waiting for us! We took a long walk to Rite Aid and then further, picked up some things for the cruise, and met more CC’ers out and about too. It will be an early dinner tonight because I’ve been awake since 2:30 this morning and running out of steam! 😉

We’re waiting for take-off from Everett, WA. So excited, I’ve been awake since 2:30 this morning! Should be interesting. 😂 Only 2.5 hour flight, San Diego here we come!

Debbie I love your Grandmother’s needlepoint. I have some my Grandmother did, but just on a small stool not a chair. See you soon ladies!