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You just pay the difference. If you have a $100 credit and the tour is less, you can apply the difference to the second tour.

That is the exactly what my husband’s “veal cutlet” looked like in CO on the Rotterdam. He said it was better than the steak he had in the Pinnacle. @QuattroRomeo Thank you for your review and the photos.

Today’s quote come from Letters to a Young Poet, a collection of 10 letters written by the poet Rilke to Kappus, a 19-year-old officer cadet at a military academy; Rilke had studied at the same academy. Kappus corresponded with the poet seeking his advice as to the quality of his poetry, and in deciding between a literary career or a career as an officer in the army. Kappus compiled and published the letters after Rilke's death. Having this context and by reading the passage that comes before the quote , I believe it makes more sense. It is always what I have already said: always the wish that you may find patience enough in yourself to endure, and simplicity enough to believe; that you may acquire more and more confidence in that which is difficult, and in your solitude among others. And for the rest, let life happen to you. Believe me: life is right, in any case. Positive thoughts to those who need them. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

Thank you to all who post on the F & D. Looking forward to many pictures of Stavanger, Norway; we will be there next August. Yesterday, I wrote a post about the shooting in Baltimore but I deleted it. When I saw that today was disobedience day, I thought of making “good trouble”. Sometimes civil disobedience is necessary to bring about the changes we need for our society. I will use the words of John Lewis, Positive thought to all who need them. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

@Andi Land Were you offered an upgrade (for free) or an upsell ( for which you had to pay)? Other than your comments about CO, how did you like the ship?

Busy relaxing today. Smoke was code red in Md but it seems to be clearing. Just wanted to pop in and thank everyone for the Ushuaia pictures. Looking forward to being at the end of the world on February.

When I was on the Rotterdam in February there was a fix your own taco bar immediately outside the Dive In next to the Lido pool. I don’t like “self serve” buffets but we did eat from it once when we came back starving from an excursion and the Lido was closed.

Good Wednesday Morning and thank you for the F & D. I have recently become aware of the importance of insurance while cruising because of the experiences of some of my friends. I am embarrassed to admit that I have never purchased it. What an overwhelming task trying to figure out what to purchase. Luckily, our medical expenses out of the country our covered. I am mostly concerned with evacuation and trip expenses interruption. I have reviewed the info on CC and contacted several brokers. Since I am lucky enough to have 4 cruises planned in a 12 month period, I am looking for a yearly policy. If anyone has any advice, I would welcome it. I like the Wright quote and see it exemplified in his architecture. His beautiful winter home Taliesan in Scottsdale, AZ had a canvas roof! I highly recommend a visit and also to Falling Waters in PA. I have been to Cozumel several times always staying away from the hustle and bustle of the town. We usually look for a snorkeling trip or a catamaran sail. If anyone has any recommendations for a private tour we will be there in March. Positive thoughts to those who need them. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

I think paying to have laundry done by the bag ($20 or $30 depending on the ship’s location) is a great deal and cheaper than checking a suitcase. Here is picture of what I can fit in one bag.

At the end of the cruise, I give additional tips to those who have given me excellent service. I tip my cabin stewards because I request twice a day service to get ice and fresh towels in the evening. I have fixed seating in the MDR and tip my servers for remembering I like extra vegetables and tea after dinner. I frequent the same bar and drink the same two drinks, one type in the afternoon and a different one in the evening. I get to know a few of the servers, when I catch their eye, they bring me my drink. I will occasionally tip them throughout the cruise for their excellent service. I provide these extra tips to the crew who go out of their way to make sure I have a wonderful cruise.

@terrydtx Did you end up buying an annual policy? If so, what did you purchase?

Good Morning! Thank you for the F & D, especially the pictures of the port. I took my niece on the NCL Pride of America in 2011 for her high school graduation. Kauai was our favorite island. We took a helicopter tour which I highly recommend as the best way to see the beautiful canyons, waterfalls, coast and flora. Kauai truly lives up to its name The Garden Island. We also enjoyed the cruise along the Napoli coast as we left the island. Unfortunately, I have no digital photos to share but did enjoy looking through the photo book my niece created for me as a thank you gift this morning. I look forward to returning with my DH in 2025. Positive thoughts for all with medical issues and those who are caring for them. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

If you have an insurance question , you may need want to post it in this forum to get advice from a professional.

@cabland First, thank you for your report. It was informative and an unbiased review. (And it at all boring!) Thank you for your comments about CO. We were on the Rotterdam in February and loved the CO experience. We ask to be seated in the same section with the same waiter for every meal. We ate breakfast there every day and I liked the variety and the ability to “customize” all the dishes and that the food was piping hot. We had dinner there every night that we weren’t in a speciality restaurant. Although there was only one additional entree, the CO entrees were some of the best food we had on the cruise (Peruvian chicken, yum). The service we received was better than the Pinnacle and my husband agrees with your wife, his steak was better there too.

Is there a reason you ate in the MDR instead of The Club Orange dining room?

I’m a big fan of breakfast casseroles. Here’s my basic recipe. Butter 8 slices of bread and cut into cubes. Place in 8x 11 pan. Sprinkle 2 cups grated cheese over bread. Add anything in frig…cooked onions, peppers, spinach, mushrooms or breakfast meat. Whisk 8 eggs with 2 cups milk. Pour over bread cubes. Refrigerate overnight. Bake in 350 oven for 1 hour in the morning. I believe the fancy name is breakfast strata. I’ve also made it with frozen hash brown or tater tots. Always a hit.

Good Monday Morning! Thank you to all who post on the F & D. I am sorry that so many posters are experiencing medical difficulties. This message is for the caregivers, please take care of yourself too. As the wife of a cancer survivor, I know how difficult it is when a loved one is ill. My DH doesn’t remember the worst three months of his treatment. I remember them vividly. While he was in the hospital, I thought I needed to be with him every minute. When he came home, I was overwhelmed by what was now an expected of me. Luckily, my friends and family convinced me to allow them to help. They made a schedule, took him to radiation and stayed with him for a few hours; I was able to go back to work. I realized I needed to take care of myself in order to take care of him. Wishing the best possible outcome to all who are ill, injured or in need and sending positive thoughts to all the caregivers.

Good Morning! Related to “Today in History” today it is also International Beatles Day because of their appearance on Our World. Here is a video of their performance. If you watch closely you can see some other famous musicians including Mick Jagger, Graham Nash and Eric Clapton. My favorite line from the song is, There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be Remember, all you need is love.

Happy Saturday! We will soon be leaving for the farmers market. I look forward to local tomatoes, corn and peaches. I love visiting food trucks. I frequently enjoy them at breweries or wineries. The best one I ever ate at was on the North Shore in Hawaii. Take Your Dog to Work Day was yesterday. It is always the Friday after Fathers Day. This pup is worn out from a hard day at work. Positive thoughts to those who need them. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

I suggest you review Lido and MDR menus posted by @Crew News I do not eat meat but I do eat seafood. I was on the Rotterdam in February and enjoyed the seafood appetizers, vegetarian soups, salads and a variety of seafood entrees in the MDR. Salmon is always available; I don’t remember seeing tilipia on the menu (but I would never order it so maybe I overlooked it.). I like fixed dining, my waiter often suggested pasta entrees that could be made without meat. I like the smaller portion size so I can try a few different things but often order extra vegetables because it seemed like they were only used to “garnish” the plate. Loved the NY Deli freshly made pizza or a portabella burger from the Dive In for lunch.

My thought go out to all who have lost a loved one on this International Widows Day. This day was established by the United Nations in 2010 to highlight the struggles of widowhood and to amplify the voices of widows, who struggle with poverty, bias, and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents. Pink Day, my first thought was breast cancer awareness. Then I thought about when we had Pink Shirt Day in school. It was a day celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusion, particularly important concepts during Pride month. Finally, because I’m from Baltimore, I thought of our iconic pink flamingos, the signature Baltimore lawn ornaments. These became popular when instead of going to Ocean City to vacation, the newly working women of the mid-20th century would use their extra money to go to Florida, bringing back as many plastic birds as they could. They put them in their yards, so neighbors would know they could afford to visit the Sunshine State. (Baltimore Sun photo by Jed Kirschbaum photo of City Hall October 2009.) Finally, a quote from Ms. Hepburn You may have me confused with @Nickelpenny who is currently in Denver driving home from her cruise. I just drove from Northern Neck, VA to Baltimore, MD.

Good evening Dailyites. I’ve been in Northern Neck Virginia for a few days visiting a friend who has a vacation home on the Potomac River. We had big plans to kayak and fish. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate rainy with wind blowing more than 40mph. We ended up watching Netflix, playing cards and eating way too many snacks. But it is always good to be able to spend time with a friend! @ger_77I feel your pain with the bridge closures. There was an accident that closed the bridge that we usually use to cross the Potomac. The detour added 1.5 hours to our drive home. I will be in Montevideo in February. Thanks for the photos. Always my favorite part of the Daily. Did anyone visit the Carnival Museum? Was the winery visit and meal part of the ships tour? If not, would you share the tour company you used. Positive thoughts to all who need them. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

@detroit70 I believe this is your Roll Call

Thank you for the F & D. I look forward to the pictures from Puerto Madryn. We will be there in February and have arranged for a private tour of El Pedral Reseva 🐧🐧🐧 Positive thoughts to those who need them. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

There is open seating, you are welcome to walk up to the podium at 6. There will probably be a bit of a wait for a table of 2; they will give you a pager. I prefer fixed dining; I enjoy having the same waiter every night.