rafinmd

I have a thought but hope @Out2See will chine in soon. Roy

Thank you for the Saturday report, Rich. The Pony Express paid a very vital role in our national heritage. Music on the Porch (please not too loud) and especially kind words are very worth celebrating. I love Audrey Hepburn's attitude but have not been to Mykonos. Penne and Vodka sound like quite an interesting combination. Must leave later this morning for a memorial service for a church member. Today’s care list: Cruisin Terri hurting Sandi’s neighbors David (RIP) and Linda in critical condition HAL Sailer Sister in Law recovering from cancer surgery Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77 with loss of taste The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Atrex6 Father severely declining Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Celebrations and Shoutouts: welcome aboard jodi68 irishjim good surgery report Tiogacruiser stepping up to cover wines for cat shepard Safe travels cat shepard to Alaska 8/27 and Nieuw Amsterdam 9/4 to 9/11 Norseh20 finding DM great assisted living facility 2 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) 1 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) 1 days for Kochleffel (Voyager OTS 8/28 to 9/3) Bon Voyage luvteaching (Crown Princess to 9/3, Eurodam to 9/10) Welcome home Mtn2sea and kplady Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

Very interesting. I did want to go through the new locks at least once. That cruise is a bit too close to my fall New England cruise on QM2 but I am thinking about some other dates. Roy

Finally back and posting. Service completed just after 9, then a stop at Wegmans, takeout at Panera, putting the groceries away and I'm finally back. Thank you Rich for the TGIF report. I haven't had a dog in over 60 years, don't use a lot of toilet paper. Women's Equality is far too long in coming. I love the quote but will pass on the meal. I've been to Petra just once on a mostly forgettable cruise on the Silver Whisper. The thing I remember most is walking down a long dull trail and coming to a point where the glory of Petra is just sudden and breathtaking. Going to be a hot hunker down inside day but I got in about a 25-minute walk on the way to the ship. Today's sunrise is from a 2015 trip with a Blount cruise from Maine to New Brunswick. After a few cruise i spent a couple days with my cousin south of Montreal and this was taken on their farm: Roy

Today's sunrise is from a 2015 trip with a Blount cruise from Maine to New Brunswick. After a few cruise i spent a couple days with my cousin south of Montreal and this was taken on their farm: Roy

Thank you for the report. I was here just a couple of minutes after they opened but not first in line. I expect 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Working with an IPAD so l’ll not be entering much text. Roy

I'm going to try to get my car in early for service today so here's a preview of my TGIF lists. Today’s care list: Cruisin Terri hurting Sandi’s neighbors David (RIP) and Linda in critical condition HAL Sailer Sister in Law recovering from cancer surgery Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77 with loss of taste The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Atrex6 Father severely declining Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Celebrations and Shoutouts: Happy Anniversary Crabby Pattil indaler’s son settled in new house Volendam caring for refugees Tana’s spunk Quartzite cruiser making progress on medical appointments Norseh20 finding DM great assisted living facility 3 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) 2 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) 2 days for Kochleffel (Voyager OTS 8/28 to 9/3) 1 day for luvteaching (Crown Princess to 9/3, Eurodam to 9/10) Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

@StLouisCruisers such sad news about Linda and David. Prayers for that family. Roy

Kobe was actually my embarkation port in the middle of a strange trip. I started with a Queen Elizabeth Transatlantic, then a long flight to Angkor Wat for a few days and another long flight to Japan for a trans=Pacific cruise, Although we started with an overnight in Kobe, the first day I was pretty wiped out from the travel and did just a bit of sightseeing the second day. An overview of Kobe: The Kobe tower: Kobe experienced a serious earthquake in 1995. There was a plaque in the monument with a tribute to the victims of the quake. My photo of the plaque did not come out but here's the inscription: This Earthquake took some things. Lives, Jobs, Communities, Cityscape, Our Memories. These things appear safe, permanent. Even moments before, we cannot know,. This earthquake left many things behind. Kindness, Compassion, Human Bonds, Friendship This flame links the lives which were taken away, With our thoughts, the survivors. Roy

Point to ponder. What does it mean to be off topic when the topic is off topic posts. Doesn't that make it on topic, and doesn't being on topic make it off topic. Roy

Today's sunrise comes near the end of my 2018 Grand Alaska Panama trip. On a cloudy August 25 Crystal Symphony made what I believe was Crystal's Inaugural call to Bimini: Roy

Today's sunrise comes near the end of my 2018 Grand Alaska Panama trip. On a cloudy August 25 Crystal Symphony made what I believe was Crystal's Inaugural call to Bimini: Roy

Correction to my post. On November 19 It's Nieuw Statendam November 10, not Nieuw Amsterdam. As of now there are 7 ships November 19 and 6 November 20 so you should be ok. I think changing the port for your cruise would violate the PVSA. Roy

Thank you for the Thursday report, Rich. I like the days today and especially salute the National Park Founders. I am a loner and it's really because I've always been comfortable on my own. I was in Kobe once, on Crystal Symphony in 2013. It's one of my few Japanese ports that was not on my 2017 Amsterdam Grand Asia segment. I like the menu suggestion. My alternative is Sunset Salad and Chicken Breast with Italian Couscous which may have been my choices on MS Statendam August 19, 2014. The alternative menu selection will be going on a late summer vacation for about a month. Today’s care list: Oosterdam passengers diverted to Miami with little notice HAL Sailer Sister in Law recovering from cancer surgery Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77 and DH with covid fatigue The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1), msmayor (5/20) and JAM37 (7/7) Heartgrove’s Sam severely declining Celebrations and Shoutouts: Temporary guests for Kazu lindaler’s son settled in new house Volendam caring for refugees Tana’s spunk Quartzite cruiser making progress on medical appointments Norseh20 finding DM great assisted living facility 4 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) 3 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) 3 days for Kochleffel (Voyager OTS 8/28 to 9/3) Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

Celebrity Apex Celebrity Infinity Odyssey OTS Enchanted Princess Sky Princess Nieuw Amsterdam Volendam Plus, the Bahamas ferry has been moved from a dock next to the draw bridge to one of the regular cruise terminals. https://www.cruisetimetables.com/fromfortlauderdaleflorida-19nov2022.html Can't figure out why HAL didn't realize this sooner. I was lucky that Eurodam's return was delayed to November 20 several months ago to give us time to adjust. Roy

Ah, now I can place Andrew. My family was incredibly lucky. My brother spent most of his working life as an executive for Eastern Airlines. His wife was a Mathematics Professor at the University of Miami. In 1990, almost exactly the same time Eastern went belly up, Pam was offered a position as President of Grinell College in Iowa. They sold their house and moved in time for the 1990-91 school year. When Andrew came their former house was just about a total loss. Roy

I think it will. I think the reason Oosterdam was moved rather than you is that Oosterdam's next cruise is a one-way from South Florida to San Diego while Volendam's is a round trip to the Amazon. If they were to leave Miami and return to Ft. Lauderdale that would be even more of a logistical nightmare. Roy

Fortunately, it was no big deal for me. I have a church that I sometimes visit before.after a cruise in Miami that is currently rebuilding. I return on a Saturday and had planned to spend Saturday night in the area, visit the church Sunday, and then board the Auto Train home Monday. It will be a bit of a rush getting to service Sunday but then I'll be fine. What should upset the Oosterdam folks is that I suspect HAL should have known about this some time ago, Roy

Wouldn't necessarily be strictly a matter of HAL ships as the terminals are somewhat shared. Also not sure what the current situation is at Ft. Lauderdale but I do know that they moved the ferry to Bahamas from a spot near the drawbridge to a regular terminal so that's something of a reduction of capacity. We started out with bookings for a total of 9 ships in Ft. Lauderdale November 19 Celebrity Apex Celebrity Infinity Odyssey OTS Enchanted Princess Sky Princess Nieuw Statendam Volendam Oosterdam Eurodam Some time ago my Eurodam cruise got extended a day so I come back November 20 instead of November 19. With the Oosterdam now moved to Miami that's now a total of 7 cruise ships plus the ferry. Not sure if that's capacity or not. Roy

I'm hoping that won't be much of an issue since it's a transatlantic. I'm guessing Fort Lauderdale decided they couldn't handle that many ships that day. Looks like Oosterdam drew the short straw since the next cruise is a one way trans canal cruise. I assume that sailing will be getting a notice as well. Roy

Today's sunrise is from a 2013 New England/Canada on MS Veendam. It was taken August 24 before our arrival and disembarkation in Boston: Roy

Today's sunrise is from a 2013 New England/Canada on MS Veendam. It was taken August 24 before our arrival and disembarkation in Boston: Roy

Thank you for the Hump Day report Rich. Vesuvius was one of the great tragedies of history. I think I'll pass on the strange music. Iconic American Restaurants have shown resilience the last few years. I was in Fujairah just once on Silver Whisper, a totally forgettable cruise. I like the Harrison quote. I could take the meal without the onions. My alternative is a custom Lido omelet, my final meal on MS Statendam August 24, 2014. Today’s care list: HAL Sailer Sister in Law recovering from cancer surgery ger_77 losing cruising friend Melanie Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77 and DH with covid fatigue The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1), msmayor (5/20) and JAM37 (7/7) Heartgrove’s Sam severely declining Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Atrex6 Father severely declining Celebrations and Shoutouts: Temporary guests for Kazu Kochleffel clean colonoscopy Volendam caring for refugees ger_77 starting to feel like herself New owner for Maasdam Norseh20 helping DM find assisted living 5 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) 4 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) 4 days for Kochleffel (Voyager OTS 8/28 to 9/3) Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

Ann, are you starting to feel better. Is a bland diet helping? I hope you can hold out and still enjoy your cruise. Roy

My sunrise today is from my one and only cruise on the Empress of the Seas. August 23, 2019 was a sea day from Cozumel to Miami. Roy