rafinmd

Thanks Leanne, Lou & Dave, and fellow addicts. Roy

I don't want to hijack Keith's other thread bud wanted to expound on this. Most people here know I loved old Crystal and have many voyages behind me on Harmony, Symphony, Serenity, and Bach. I am thrilled to have been able to cruise so much Now that age and health are starting to catch up with me and I'm pretty sure I'm down to 2 more trips. My planned final cruise will be Panama Canal (new locks) on MS Rotterdam in November. My next booked cruise is September 29 to October 13 on Queen Mary 2, New York-Quebec-New York. That will be my first and only time in the Grills, essentially a free cruise from cruise credit from the cancellation of the 2020 World Cruise. QM2 will arrive in Quebec October 5, turnaround day is October 6 and she leaves October 7. Just a few days ago I discovered that Crystal Serenity arrives in Quebec October 4, turnaround is October 5, and departure is October 6. When I saw that I immediately wanted to take a walk over and at least get a first hand look at Serenity. This is where I start to question my sanity. I took a hunch tody and did a little checking; then called my TA. Crystal got back to her quite quickly and while all the single rooms are gone but they quoted her a double room (limited view) midship for very little more than I expected for a single cabin. When I walk over to check out Serenity it may now be with packed bags. Still a few hurdles to clear. While I don't expect to get any money back from Cunard I want to be sure leaving early will not be a major problem and I have a couple of Doctor visits tomorrow and Wednesday that I just want to clear but it looks like a match made in heaven. Both ships even return to New York on October 13 so my train back home is still good. Life is interesting. Roy

Now a zoom. Roy

Should be mostly sideways from here on. Roy

Koningsdam getting close. Still have kitchen work but will try to at least mostly watch. Roy

Got VERY distracted and missed Eurodam. Looks like a decent day in Juneau. Roy

Today's sunrise is from a 2010 Blount Cruise from Rhode Island to Quebec. On July 24 Grande Caribe visited Bras D'or Lake in Nova Scotia: Roy

She's posting regularly on other threads. There was some controversy involving her (and a number of posts removed) Saturday and I hope we haven't lost her permanently. I think she is also due to meet with @dfish when they visit Saint John. Roy

That's open to debate. Almost certainly the least crowded but smallest: Riviera: 785 feet long, 66,084 GRT, 1250 passengers Serenity: 820 feet long, 68,870 GRT, 740 passengers. I think if you do sail Symphony she will be the smallest, but in either case I predict you will be blown away. Roy

Thank you. Actually, the cancelled trip and the flurry of appointments are kind of a set. The trip was supposed to be something like this (and I did understand what you meant): Today: Train to Seattle July 30: Cruise tour D2C starting with Nieuw Amsterdam and continuing to Denali and Anchorage Aug 13: Back to Vancouver and Seattle on Noordam Aug 21-25: Train back home With this long a trip I had arranged most of my regular medical visits to avoid the coming month. Many of them relate to long standing issues and I feel very blessed to be as healthy as I am after a COPD diagnosis 61 years ago and prostate cancer 26 years ago. I feel very fortunate. I do have some other concerns. Last week we had a death of a distinguished career firefighter almost 10 years younger than me and the son (certainly no more than early teens) of our past Cubmaster and a member of my church's leadership is dealing with an abusive couple in the bottom floor of her home. So sad to hear about Sam but buoyed by the latest news on Baby Murphy. Roy

Happy Monday. Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Diixie, Ann, and Tina. My cousin count is dwindling and most live in Canada. I think Amelia Earhart Day and Pioneer Day fit together quite nicely. I have not been to Tasmania. Frankly, while reading is nice I'll still vote for life. Those who sail Volendam or Zaandam out of Montreal will soon pass the bridge named for Cartier. Today I should be leaving home on the way to Vancouver for an Alaskan holiday but decided a couple of months ago I would not be ready. Instead I have a second week of medical appointments with a lung CT scan last Saturday, echocardiogram today, Pulmonologist tomorrow, and Cardiologist Wednesday. Fortunately. that may be the last until September. Thunderstorms early this morning. I thought they would end by 6:30 but they don't seem to want to quit. The meal sounds nice. My alternative is Caesar Salad, Pasta Parcel with Zucchini Ribbons, and Topfen Palatcchinken, my first Mariner Brunch on MS Prinsendam August 4, Roy

I've found the "Ignore" button does a lot for my blood pressure. And Bon Voyage Keith and Anne Marie,

Bon Voyage. Roy

Even going back further my first cruise on Serenity was right after her first drydock in 2008 when boarding was delayed by at least many hours and there was a lot of work still unfinished. My first Serenity muster was in a casino that was still pretty much gutted and no place to sit. It became a great cruise after the first few hectic days. Roy

I have a sunset today from a 2008 Rovos journey from Dar es Saleem to Cape Town. On July 23 we had an overnight stop at Tau Game Reserve in South Africa right on the border with Zambia. Roy

I have a sunset today from a 2008 Rovos journey from Dar es Saleem to Cape Town. On July 23 we had an overnight stop at Tau Game Reserve in South Africa right on the border with Zambia. Roy

Happy Sunday. Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Dixie (and Happy Birthday) , Ann and Tina. I loved Cowboy movies as a kid. I think the best drowning prevention is learning to swim. While I've never been into the hunger games I love the quote. I've never been to Okinawa. I wonder if there are any observations of this day in history in Ontario and Quebec. Not convinced about the meal. My alternative is Fresh Frut Cup, Beef Wellington, and Boeren Jongens Sundae as served on MS Rotterdam VI July 16, 2011, preferably using Vanilla Ice Cream, AV duty at church this morning. It will be relatively comfortable outside today. Roy

A roller coaster day today on the Fleet Report and Daily. Great news from Debbie, Sue, and Ann/Pat and now renewed prayers for a very ominous post about Baby Murphy. May this setback be resolved quickly. Roy

I have a sunset today, not a sunrise. It's from my 2007 upper Amazon cruise, taken shortly after boarding La Amatista in Iquitos 16 years ago today. Roy

I have a sunset today, not a sunrise. It's from my 2007 upper Amazon cruise, taken shortly after boarding La Amatista in Iquitos 16 years ago today. Roy

I thought something sounded familiar. National Raspberry Cake Day was celebrated just 3 days ago. Roy

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Tiina, Dixie, and Ann. Both the "Z" BHB's together today in Boston; Bon Voyage @Crazy For Cats, @dfish, and @NextOne. It sounds like everyone made it to Boston with all their luggage, thank God. I think today will be a lot of leisure but I don't think I could get into a hammock any more and I'll try to avoid spoonerisms. While I don't know a lot about the Congress I did get to visit Vienna once on a river cruise many years ago. I like the quote. The meal looks interesting. My alternative is Pasta Primavera and Raspberry Lemon Cake as served on VIA's Canadian July 13, 2018 on the way to my Grand Alaska trip. Roy

Looks like a wrap for today. Thanks Leanne, Lou & Dave, and Carole. Roy

Appears to be swiveling to back into the dock. Roy

Doesn't appear to be panning right now. Roy