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Happy Monday!  It is important to combat Desertification and Drought. Proactive measures such as landscape restoration, sustainable water management, regenerative agriculture and disaster preparedness can help mitigate the negative impacts of drought and ensure a better future. I believe it was @bennybear who was dealing with water restrictions and realized how much water he “wasted” prior to the restrictions.  We all must try to conserve water on a daily basis.  Small changes such as never pouring water down the drain when there may be another use for it, repairing dripping faucets, operating dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are full make a difference.  You could plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees or participate in public water conservation meetings to support projects that lead to an increased use of reclaimed wastewater.

Emily Dickinson is one of my favorite poets.  Here is the entire poem.

That it will never come again

Is what makes life so sweet.

Believing what we don't believe

Does not exhilarate.

That if it be, it be at best

An ablative estate --

This instigates an appetite

Precisely opposite.

I believe the poem means you should live one’s life to the fullest and not spend one’s lifetime thinking about the next. 
 

Positive thought to those who need them.  Cheers to those who are celebrating.

@FlorinI hope that you have a happy anniversary and enjoy Alaska.  I never deal with the people at the counter at Guest Services. Use the Navigator App to state the facts, your cabin was moved, the new one is noisy and your DH tends towards sea sickness, your luggage was placed in the wrong cabin.  Request a call.  When they call you, ask to speak to a supervisor.  If unavailable, ask to schedule an appointment with the hotel manager.  Make reasonable requests…new room,  OBC.  Good luck.  I hope you have a better night.

Thank you to all who make the Daily a special place.  

I thought this thread was about Club Orange.🙃

21 hours ago, Ellencruise said:

I’m hoping that if HAL cancels tenders that the reputable tour agencies will understand our need for a No Show and not charge us.

Different companies have different policies. Some do not refund if the ship doesn’t make the port.  Read the fine print.  I only book independent tours that state a refund will be given if the ship doesn’t make the port.

I prefer private tours but often book HAL tours in tender ports.

Happy Saturday!  I support Global Wind day, a day for discovering wind energy, its power and the possibilities it holds to reshape our energy systems, decarbonise our economies and boost jobs and growth. Unfortunately, it is a controversial topic in Ocean City, MD.  Many are concerned about turbines ruining the view but I had no problem with them in Europe.

Everyone deserves equal pay for equal work. Unfortunately, LGBTQIA+ and women still do not.  It is Pride Week in Baltimore.

The Club Orange dining room on the Nieuw Statendam in March had a delicious shaved asparagus & seared tuna on the menu every night.  It was delicious, I had it twice.

Today, we will be celebrating my parent’s 65th anniversary.  I feel so lucky to still have both of them and that they are happy and healthy.  I’m making crab cakes.

Positive thoughts for those who need them.  Cheers for those celebrating.

Here is a recipe for a viral Tunacado sandwich  that is delicious but not open face. The tuna is whipped so it becomes almost like a mousse.

Btw, I often use mayo instead of butter when making a grilled cheese so I like that suggestion in Debbie’s recipes. Mayo is less likely to burn when toasting in the pan.

Safe journey to all who are traveling.

Happy Flag Day!  This photo was taken by Greg Pease in 2014.  6600 school children formed a living flag at Ft McHenry.

I often make tuna with avocado instead of mayo, much healthier, try it!

Positive thoughts to those who need them.  Cheers to those celebrating.

@Nickelpenny Koningsdam 1/4-11?   I’ll be onboard and continue on to Hawaii.  I believe @ottahand7is doing the same.  Come join the Roll Call.

Thank you all who make the Daily a special place.  @StLouisCruisers As always, your pictures a wonderful.  I visited Bruges last October.  Jacqui @kazuorganized a taxi for us and she gave me the best advice, “buy twice as much chocolate as you think you’ll need.”

We started with a canal tour.  Some of the homes along the canal were exquisite.

Belfry of Bruges (I recommend the movie In Bruges, a comedy/crime movie with Colin Farrell and Brenden Gleason where the belfry plays a role.)Afterwards we admired the medieval architecture. Church of Our Lady 

We finished our day with some tasty local mussels and beer.A wonderful city!

I read every day and send positive thoughts to everyone suffering.  I am relaxing in Ocean City , MD.

4 hours ago, Nickelpenny said:

I will pass on the frittata (how does it differ from a quiche?)

A quiche has a (pie) crust; a frittata does not.

4 hours ago, Nickelpenny said:

The focus group yesterday was VERY interesting; this is the second one I have done about politics/policies

How do you get involved in these focus groups and I believe you have also posted about medical studies.  It sounds very interesting.

I forgot to mention that we are lucky enough to have Benji’s Drive In about 30 minutes from our house.  Makes for a fun summer evening. There are no longer “speakers” you hang on your car window.  You tune your radio into the audio.  

I honor all who protected our freedom on DDay.  From LeHavre, we took a moving and educational tour with Overlord Tours.  Our guide pointed out the Star of David on several of the crosses. Unimaginable bravery.

A bit of information about the Creative Educators International Network, they are a non-profit, based in Washington, D.C. who implement Value-Creating Education in different ways and in diverse settings around the world. Their vision is to protect and advance the dignity of life for a peaceful, sustainable world through Value Creating Education. Their mission is to expand the network of diverse educators and individuals committed to creating sustainable communities through courageous dialogue and effective actions.

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Copenhagen, Denmark for the Zuiderdam. Unfortunately we are docked far from town so there is a fee of $19.95pp for a shuttle ride to a drop off spot a short distance from the Little Mermaid statue. 

We will be there in August with another couple docking in Oceankaj.  I have explored public transportation (~5US pp one way) options and the cost of a taxi (~40US one way) to Nyhavn where we would like to begin our day with a canal cruise.  Do you recommend the shuttle?  Is there only one pick up spot? Thank you for any insight you can provide on Copenhagen.  I hope you are feeling better and enjoying the cruise despite the rainy weather.

Unusual weather for MD last night.  Several tornado warnings for our area caused us to retreat to the basement.  Minor wind damage close to my home, but the main problem near me was the 5+ inches of rain causing flash flooding. I am thinking of everyone who is experiencing weather issues especially those who live in areas with the extreme heat warnings.

9 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

If there were a dozen deviled eggs in front of me, I would eat them all!  (unless they were made with Miracle whip...most disgusting thing in the world) (well almost).

The great Miracle Whip debate!  My friend made the best deviled eggs so I ask her for her recipe.  She said the key was Miracle Whip.  So now I keep a jar in the frig for when I make deviled eggs with pickle relish.  
 

I usually make “spicy” deviled eggs.  The spice is Old Bay on top instead of paprika.  They are also the first empty platter at a picnic or potluck.  People often ask me if I put crab meat in them.

Today, a special shout out to the Food & Beverage department for their hard work every day!

Positive thoughts to those who are struggling. Cheers to those celebrating.

Happy Tuesday!  Thanks to all who post port pictures.  I learn so much from your photos and comments.

4 hours ago, Nickelpenny said:

what is the difference between a bloody Mary and a bloody Maria?  The recipe looks very similar to how I concoct my bloody marys!

 

 

 

 

A Bloody Mary is made with vodka; a Bloody Maria is made with tequila.

1 hour ago, Sharon in AZ said:

I got the itinerary change for next year’s cruise and will have to do some research.  Right now I’m more focused on my August cruise. 

Itinerary changes seem to very common.  I had port changes on my last 3 HAL cruises and there have already been changes on my 3 upcoming HAL cruises.  Some are very upset by this (see two recent bait and switch threads) but I just go with the flow and am happy to be cruising.  I enjoy researching the cruise ports which is why I find the Daily so helpful.  I book my HAL HIA excursions as soon as they are available but have found that some private tour companies won’t book more than a year in advance. 
 

Positive thoughts to those who are suffering.  Cheers to those celebrating.

Trip Advisor is a site to use when searching for hotels.

Thanks for your review @CNSJ especially the info about not having to tender in Flam.  I’m hopeful that we don’t need to tender in August.  Also good info about the train.  We plan on taking the tram to the train to the airport.  Much cheaper than the HAL transfer.

Bon Voyage!

I hope someone does a live thread and that this same cruise is offered in 2026.

6 hours ago, BadgerRedux said:

  If anyone has any sense of the date by when we can be sure no changes are possible, I'd appreciate hearing it.

Many may not see your question. Your reply to my info is somewhat hidden because you posted within the quoted material. You may have more luck posting this question on the News Flash: HAL to favor triples and quads thread.

Can you we book your cruise for the lowest cabin in your desired category and then buy CO to move up to the cabin you selected without losing any benefits from your booking?  IMO, the only benefit of CO on a non-Pinnacle class ship is the cabin upgrade.  On Pinnacle ships the CO dining room is very nice.

You may find this thread interesting.  

Thanks to all who posted Anchorage pictures.  Seeing them made me want to do another Alaskan cruise.  Just read an interesting article 9 Can’t Miss Anchorage Activities

@kazuHere is a list of games that are on the Koningsdam provided by @Crew News for someone who asked on my January Roll Call. Can you play Mexican Train with regular dominoes?

Board games currently available:

• Chess
• Checkers
• Clue
• Shut the Box
• Trivial Pursuit
• Parcheesi
• Apples to Apples
• Scattegories
• Taboo
• The Game of Life
• Stratego
• Pictionary
• Dominoes
• Sorry
• Boggle
• Cranium
• Scrabble
• Mah Jong
• Balderdash
• Connect 4
• Jenga
• Battleship
• Settlers of Catan
• puzzles

Thanks to all who post on the Daily.  Positive thoughts to those who need them.  Cheers to those celebrating.

On this Memorial Day, I am reminded of a quote by Thomas Campbell, “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

My DH, at the American cemetery, overlooking Omaha beach, remembering his father’s service.

I highly recommend Overlord tours from the Le Havre port for an educational and moving visit to Normandy.

12 hours ago, QuattroRomeo said:

Can someone please tell me how to get the space in between photos!

On my tablet, I post the picture, hit RETURN before I post the next picture.

Thank you for this thread.  We will be sailing the Noordam for the first time in Australia.  I love the Oosterdam so I hope I feel the same way about the Noordam.