lcand1923

Good Morning, Everyone! We had terrific storms in MD yesterday afternoon and evening. They continued through the night. (I was awakened by thunder and lightning about 3am.) A lot of folks are without power. This morning is sunny and clear in the part of MD where I live. Have a lovely day!

IMy favorite thing about HAL is THE CREW!!! I haven’t cruised since the pandemic, but can’t believe this would have changed.

If you have a home security system in your house, check with that provider to see if they have an Emergency Alert option. I’ve had friends with the Jitterbug System and the Lifeline System and with the system associated with their home security system. Regarding response times when needed, the home security system was fastest, then the Jitterbug system, slowest was Lifeline.

Every now and then The Daily has a post that makes me think The Universe is watching. Today it is “International Beer Day”. Early this afternoon I am going to a Multi-Generational Family Gathering. Everyone brings something to share. Roughly two thirds of this group LOVE beer. They scour the stores in their area and try to outdo each other finding beers from all over the world, especially those produced in micro-breweries. I’m sure a lot of International Beer Tasting will be taking place. Have a Great Weekend, Everyone!

Another good read is Anne Vipond’s “Panama Canal by Cruise Ship”. It is an easier read than the “Path Between the Seas”, but gives you an increased appreciation of the Canal. “The Path …” however is well worth the effort.

My first trip to Alaska was the first week of September. I had a rain jacket, scarf/hat/gloves and a hoodie. I also had short-sleeve/long-sleeve shirts that I could layer. There was one day when I had on a short-sleeve shirt, long-sleeve shirt, hoodie, rain jacket and scarf/hat/gloves. It was the day we were sailing through Glacier Bay in the rain. Most days, the hat/scarf/gloves stayed in the room. I would start the day with either the hoodie or rain jacket and a single shirt. One day, I was sorry I did not have shortts because it was so warm.

Please stay cool and hydrated, Everyone!

I’ve tried twice now to get my AARP number added to My Account. I’ve been asked to add a picture of my AARP card. It has been rejected twice. I’ll have to do some digging to find out why HAL does not like my AARP card. It has been accepted through the years at numerous hotels, car rental places, etc.

My Mom was an only child, so she treated her cousins like brothers and sisters. My Dad had seven siblings. So, I have a LOT of cousins. I cannot keep first cousins, second cousins, third cousins and once/twice removed, straight so everyone is just a Cousin. I am so very fortunate that periodically they will have a Family get-together of some sort whether it be birthday party, anniversary party, anniversary party or “let’s see each other” sort of event. On my calendar at the moment are four cousin get-together!

Thanks for giving the full recipe. Sorry, as far as this Marylander is concerned, that is no longer a good crab cake. (Guess I’m a Crab Cake snob. I very seldom order a crab cake outside of MD and don’t even order one in certain areas of the state. I did, however, get a decent crab cake in Alaska after speaking with the chef regarding the recipe.)

If you want to start an argument among a certain segment of Marylanders, ask if they prefer Old Bay or J&O seasoning in their crab cakes. Old Bay’s market has expanded greatly, but J&O is somewhat a “still within the Beltway” area. There is a taste difference, but both are good. Regarding the crab cake recipe provided by Chef Kreiger, as my Mom would say, “Every good crab cake must have parsley!” (Other than that omission, I would say the recipe should provide a decent crab cake.)

I read daily, but very seldom post. Looks like I just MIGHT make Page One soooooooo. — Thank You, Everyone, for starting my day out on a pleasant note each day!

I am addicted to the Raisin Buns served in the Lido at breakfast time!

Please wish Fr. David a Happy 50th Birthday from The Daily, GRAPAU27. His weekly message means so much. (The food and decorations and CAKE look wonderful.) I’ve been reading the Daily but, as all of you know, I’m not much of a poster. I’ve had several friends come down with COVID recently, so want to remind everyone to Stay Safe!

Based upon your suggestions, I sent an email to my PCC whose Out Of Office response said that she was on vacation. I then called the Main Number for PCC’s. I explained my question and this person reached out to Accounting. She was placed on HOLD, which meant I was on HOLD, and after about an hour she got my answer. HAL will use the Gift Cards first, then refund the rest to my Credit Card. No idea how long this will take because they are quite backed up, or so the person in Accounting said. Thank you, HALJO11935 and GAILANDMARTYSAILINGAWAY for your help!

I recently needed to transfer a booking to a new, less costly, cruise. The old cruise was paid via Gift Card and Credit Card. I’ve received the Invoice for the new cruise which reflects the overpayment, but there is no explanation as to how HAL handles the new booking. I couldn’t see any telephone number and/or email address that I could use to ask HAL these questions. Will HAL use the Gift Cards before using the Credit Card overpayment? When will HAL issue the refund to the Credit Card? What has been your experience? Thanks!

On my first HAL cruise (1999), there were regular Arts & Crafts activities on non-port days. We did a lot of different things - origami, making boxes our of paper, needlepoint and cross stitch. I fell in love with HAL because of those sessions. We had similar activities on the next three cruises, then everything stopped. Other cruise lines would have a needlepoint or cross stitch session on non-port days, but nothing on HAL. I thought this was a thing of the past, but am delighted to read that at least one HAL ship has someone doing Arts & Crafts activities.

If you like good food, fine wine and beautiful scenery, you will enjoy a Duoro cruise. (I also find going through locks fascinating, so that was an added bonus for me.) Yes, it is not a cruise where you will be on an excursion at 8:00am every day, but what is wrong with sitting on deck and looking at beautiful scenery and then having a wonderful meal?

Happy Birthday, Roy! And many more, Each one better, Than the one before!!!

I can’t believe it! I’m early enough to be on Page ONE!!! So, I have to post something. SOMETHING!!! Have a Great Day, Everyone! OOPS, as I hit SAVE, it went over to Page 2. Oh, well, I tried.

Safe and enjoyable travels!

Welcome back to the USA, Rich! Thank you so very, very much for taking all of us along on your travels. Safe travels home!

We don’t have Hoagies in my neighborhood. We do have Submarines or Subs. One local shop used to have sandwiches called “On the Heel”. The “On the Heel” shop would cut a loaf of Italian Bread in half and make two overstuffed sandwiches for sale. I often wonder if a Hoagie is just a different name for the sandwich that I know as a Submarine or if there is some special ingredient that makes it a Hoagie. I’m sure the Dailyites can answer that question for me. Have a Great Day, Everyone!

I’ve done Land-Sea Alaska trips on Princess and HAL and several Cruise Only Alaska trips on HAL only. I have found the food and docking locations to be better on HAL. Princess has many more onboard activities. Princess is noisier and busier that HAL. I chose the Princess trip because of the itinerary which HAL was not offering at that time. Look at itinerary, then consider all of the comments that have been posted here when making your final decision. (I think it has been made, but just in case you haven’t contacted your TA yet ….)

Congratulations, Rich, on 500 Sailing Days! Thank you, again, for taking the time to post each day. I really appreciate it.