callmedeb

Thanks to everyone who replied!

We have several seniors (don't tell them I called them that), so public transportation isn't going to work. I have saved that information for myself, for the return to the airport when it will just be me and my friend.

Uber/Taxi's it is.

THANK YOU ALL!

Hi All!

Hoping you all can point me in the right direction. I am travelling in a group of 9 and need transport from SFO to the Fisherman's Warf area.

We'd like to travel together, and with luggage (I know I will have one big and one carryon suitcase (hard) and assume the others will be the same) I don't think UBER is going to be an option for us.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I have googled, and have looked at SuperShuttle and others, but would like to hear from people who have used these services before.

Thanking you all in advance!

Cheers, Deb

I love to play trivia. On one B2B I (my team and I) managed to win a few, lost a lot, and got a "boobie" prize for lowest score (3 1/3). It's just fun.

Now people think we cheat at music trivia, but two of my cruising friends are music trivia fiends and rarely get a question wrong. I do well with general knowledge, pop culture, lit, and movies.

It's just fun.

I have seen the binder people. I like to sit near them and loudly announce that the binder cheaters are at it again SMH.

😃

Charles,

I am so very sorry. I know that finding comfort is hard right now, but your years of adventure and love will see you through this and into the future.

I am going to leave you with a poem that has helped me. I hope it helps you too.

Blessed Be.

Deb

~~~~~

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

by Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep 
I am not there. I do not sleep. 
I am a thousand winds that blow. 
I am the diamond glints on snow. 
I am the sunlight on ripened grain. 
I am the gentle autumn rain. 
When you awaken in the morning's hush 
I am the swift uplifting rush 
Of quiet birds in circled flight. 
I am the soft stars that shine at night. 
Do not stand at my grave and cry; 
I am not there. I did not die. 

You can find them on Facebook

Static Band Guyana

Just got off the Royal and only missed two Bingo games on my 14 day (split up into two 7-days, so there were two large (over 2K) Jackpots on the last sea day). Leading upto the "must go" the jackpot needed to be had in 50 numbers or less, which is possible, but not probable 😉

I use the pad, plus they give you a single game square for each of the 4 games. You do not need a dabber, we marked with pens and the casino people selling had pencils available if you needed one.

First week I won a consolation jackpot on my single card, Second week I won another consultation jackpot, but on the pad. Best part was our Bingo caller Catalina from Argentina (Cash Cat). I have two sets of plastic cat ears that I won with my "jackpots", I almost like them more than the money.😻

I enjoy playing, even when I don't win and I actually came out a bit ahead for once, lol. To each their own. YMMV

Cheers,

Deb

I never go to PC without renting a shell. It takes a lot to maintain my level of pasty whiteness! We have found that proping the back up lets the air flow, and we're in and out of the water all day anywhay.

Also, for PC, water shoes are a must.

I like the fact that my beverage package works on the island, we tend to go over to the quieter/rockier side by the food trucks.

Enjoy!

Deb

Fresh Scones and cream in the Horizon at 330pm

I am so sorry for your loss. I love that you want to keep the birthday tradition alive! Blessed be in all your adventures.

I'm single, I sometimes travel with friends and family, but my absolute favourite vacations are ones I have taken by myself.

Now, everyone is different, please take what works for you and scrap the rest. I am an extroverted introvert, which means I can be quite social, but I need serious "me time" to recharge my batteries. I've never had a problem making friends on a ship, you won't either.

For me I do the following:

1) Join the role call and make connections;

2) Do anytime dining, that way you're free to join people in the dining room, or not, without obligation to a standing time;

3) Join in activities that bring your joy (for me it's trivia, karaoke, bingo, the bar);

4) Take time to just breathe and relax, however that looks like to you (I like to read by a pool or in the IC, and drink my way through a bar menu (<-- not at one go!))

5) Enjoy the freedom of being beholden to no one but yourself.

My Winter cruise tends to cover the anniversary of my Mothers death, I always find a way to honour her. Your trip will bring back memories for you, don't fight them, incorporate them into the new ones. Above all else, enjoy.

Cheers,

Deb

I've sailed on the Regal and will be sailing on the Royal in January. I do enjoy the Atrium area with all the activity and the buffet (especially at 330pm when they put out the "tea" scones). The only thing I miss on this class of ship is the aft pool. There's still a bar and lounge area, but nowhere to go for a cooling dip with that aft view. The Crown is my favourite.

Still, always happy to be on a ship.

Cheers,

Deb

My winter on land will seem so much less dreary.

Thanks J&G!

Safe Travels!

My Last B2B in FLL we stayed on the ship. We had to gather (and be scanned) in the showroom and were required to wait in there until we were zero'd out, then were scanned back in as we left the showroom.

I always get it when I do the Caribbean, as the ship is the destination for me. I easily break even and probably end up a little bit ahead. I like not having to worry about a bar bill at the end. Everyone enjoys their vacation differently. This is how I enjoy mine.

Last year I tried every margarita at Outriggers. That's my plan for January too ;) Speciality Tea, good wine at vines and at dinner, drinks and a show, the occasional shot of good tequila...

To each their own. It's worth it for me.

*happy dance*

Looking forward to J&G's continued adventures!!!

Deb

Bon Voyage to Koningsdam - 14 days Jewels of the Baltic:

callmedeb - enjoy celebrating your dad's 80th birthday on board

Thanks!!! Can’t wait to depart... Now to get through the next week of work and last minute errands!

Cheers,

Deb

I really don't think you can count on the HAL rep to take your luggage and, frankly, if I wasn't on vehicle, I wouldn't want them ot handle our luggage. I like to see it loaded and unloaded whether I do a HAL or private transfer.

 

You can drop off the luggage pretty early IMO. When we disembarked there last time, I saw stevedore's taking luggage from passengers and a HAL bus was already there. That was around 9:30 - 9:45 IIRC.

That was my thinking too. Option the Second it is.

=)

Deb

Alright.

My Dad an I are flying in the same day as our cruise leaves Amsterdam (I know, don't get me started, it wasn't worth the argument). We are planning on taking the train into Amsterdam, when we arrive in the early morning hours.

I have two trains of thought...

A) I am assuming (again, I know) that HAL will have a representative at that airport for people who have purchased transfers to the ship. Do you think the HAL rep could be persuaded to take our luggage to the ship, but not us?

or

2) The ship is walking distance from Centraal station, how early can we drop off our luggage?

Things I should point out.

i) We travel carry on only (yes it can be done, laundry will also be done);

b) Dad is 80, in good health, walks without assistance; and

3) I really want to get rid of the luggage as fast as possible (baggage is another story).

The one solid plan is to take a bit of a stroll before boarding, to stretch our legs, also - to get a beer.

Any thoughts on my mind wanderings?

Appreciated!

Deb

You can purchase a wine package at any time during your cruise. You can get different packages with different quantities of bottles.

Thanks Glen!

Question about purchasing a wine package...

I will be purchasing a wine package for my Father and I on our upcoming cruise. If we drink all of it by, say, mid-way through the cruise, can we purchase an additional package? Or can we only purchase in the first days on the ship.

Thanks!

Deb

Thanks for posting this. My Dad and I are doing the Baltic on her in September and are really looking forward to it. I can't wait to tell him about the herring (he's Dutch, from Maastricht originally).

I am going to order a wine package for us, but wonder if you have to buy only at the beginning of the cruise, or can you add an additional package later on? "In case" we finish the first package early ;)

Cheers,

Deb

A good one to start with is his One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. It is fiction but based on his experience in the gulag. Gulag Archipelago is amazing and non fiction but it’s a bit more dense. He wrote a lot of other things but those are the easiest to find and probably the most approachable

Perfect - I really appreciate the recommendations!

How about finishing with a book set on a cruise ship.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware.

Rosalyn

Read this on my last Cruise - enjoyed it very much!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and link!

Deb

Good list, but have you noticed that Purge happens in Estonia instead of Finland? It is a good book by a Finnish-Estonian writer though.

 

I would add a bit older book: "The Summer Book" (Tove Jansson). At least it helps you to get into the theme, since you will be anyway cruising through the Finnish archipelago and seeing those small cabins scattered here and there. It also helps to understand the Finnish mentality a bit better. Many locals have a tradition to start their summer vacation by reading this book.

 

To your original question: "The Vikings" (Else Roesdahl) is worth checking out. It is not a story though, but it has great insights to the history of this area. If you are more interested in the mythology and enjoy reading well written stories, then I'd recommend "Norse Mythology" (Neil Gaiman).

I did notice, but figured I'd supplement, lol. I appreciate the book recomendations and had added them to my growing list (link in signature). Except Norse Mythology - I've read it several times, and LOVE it. Especially because I find something new every time I read it =)

Thanks again! Really looking forward to these reads!

Cheers,

Deb

Thanks all!

I've taken your advice (thx foremco) and started a Goodreads bookshelf for this cruise (link in signature). I added the recommended Massie biographies (thx ABQuilter & OlsSalt) and will be adding reviews when I'm done reading (MissG).

rsldonk - Am still researching which book, but will definitely add, thx!

Cheers,

Deb

Hello!

Because I am a huge nerd (in the best kind of way), I always try to read one fiction selection from each country I visit. I thought I'd share the one for my upcoming baltic cruise. I am looking for a good general book on the history of the area if anyone has any recommendations! To be clear, I read most of these before I go. Saving one or two to come with.

Deb's 2018 Baltic Cruise Reading List

Netherlands - Midnight Blue (van der Vlugt)

Denmark - Smilla's Sense of Snow (Hoeg)

Germany - Winter (Deighton)

Finland - Purge (Oksanen)

Russia - Midnight in St. Petersburg (Bennett)

Estonia - The Man Who Spoke Snakish (Kivirahk)

Sweden - Faceless Killers (Mankell)

General - Rick Steves Scandinavian & Northern Cruise Ports

Non-Fiction - The Amber Room (Clarke)

Enjoy!

Deb

X-Posted to HAL Board