rafinmd

Thank you for the Sunday report, Rich. I'll pass on all the days although a lot of my fellow dailyites will like Mutt day. As a math major, I'm quite sure the quote does not apply to small groups. I think I've sailed to Haines 3 times, Alaska Ferry Matanuska in 1991, Statendam in 2014, and Westerdam in 2018. Not sure about the meal. My alternative is Roasted and Raw Carrot Salad, Baked Rigatoni with Italian Sausage, and Ricotta Raspberry Tart as served on MS Westerdam July 31, 2018: Today’s care list: RIP Dolly Smith Painful falls for Cruzn Single Sister, Marshhawk, and Lindaler Heartgrove brother discharged but rapidly declining despite rally Sharon’s mom with Covid smitty’s entire family with Covid Crabbi Patti’s father and now son with Covid JazzyV knee pain and StLouis Cruiser’s continuing leg issues Cruzin Terri painful joints Ren not feeling well Safe travel for Seasick Sailer Quartzite DH needing neurosurgeon appointment The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 8/14) From the rotation: Tana with persistent problems Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Amy adjusting to widowhood and children Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1), msmayor (5/20) and JAM37 (7/7) Celebrations and Shoutouts: Shadow in Kazu’s care Happy birthday luvteaching DS Crabbi Patti on camp nurse duty to 8/8 Volendam caring for refugees 0106 covering menu suggestions until 8/1 New Zealand reopen for cruising 3 days for Mtn2sea (Nieuw Statendam 8/3 to 8/27) Vict0riann (Nieuw Statendam (to 8/3), Cat in My Lap (Zaandam to 8/13), and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Vacationing 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

Maybe Utah, although it really needs to be spread around in lower doses. Roy

Fortunately you recognize that the decision is yours and not ours. In my own case (I'm 78 and have several medical conditions) I choose to cruise because I can still get covid at home and if I wait until the risk is completely over I'd be too old to cruise. My first 2 times (February and May) I saw a lot of protocols on the ship but no real evidence of covid on the ship. My last cruise (QM2 in July) my cabin was right next to the covid area so it was very apparent (I had to go up or down a deck to get to the core of the ship) but I was comfortable enough to book another cruise while on board and am still looking forward to the Eurodam in November. Your reaction to the bout of covid you got leaves me very concerned. With such a reaction I can readily understand and support a decision not to cruise but I am not really sure any other form of travel is that great an idea. I was about to suggest that a getaway should be close enough to home to get back and have the support of your own doctor if you did get covid. I was about to suggest either a city getaway like Philadelphia or a beach but then remembered you were looking at January. Oops! I still like the idea but only if you could move it either to late fall or to spring. I'm also hoping for a vaccine more attuned to the recent variants by the time we leave. The one other suggestion I would make is that you consult a travel doctor. They might be in a better position than either your personal physician or us here on cruise critic to help you understand the pros and cons. Roy

I wonder if there was higher priority damage somewhere else. Roy

Probably better though than a moose. Roy

Today's sunrise photo was taken at my neighborhood former school (now administration building). Roy

Today's sunrise photo was taken at my neighborhood former school (now administration building). Roy

I will pass on the Tofu. My alternative is Salad of Arugula and Frisee, Rack of Lamb with Canelli Beans and Garlic Pearls, and Strawberry Romanoff as served on MS Westerdam July 30, 2018. Roy

Thank you for the Saturday Fleet Report and Daily, Rich. No Father in Law and I'm not into cheesecake but will applaud Friendship. Like others I'd prefer to freeze a moment a few years ago. I have not been to Porto. Do we have any dailyites from Illinois? Would be nice for one of us to will the mega-millions. Today’s care list: RIP Dolly Smith Painful falls for Cruzn Single Sister, Marshhawk, and Lindaler Heartgrove brother discharged but rapidly declining despite rally Sharon’s mom with Covid smitty’s entire family with Covid Crabbi Patti’s father JazzyV knee pain and StLouis Cruiser’s continuing leg issues Cruzin Terri painful joints Quartzite DH needing deratologist appointment The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 8/14) From the rotation: Tana with persistent problems Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Amy adjusting to widowhood and children Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1), msmayor (5/20) and JAM37 (7/7) Celebrations and Shoutouts: Shadow in Kazu’s care Good report on Chuck and on ger_77 DH luvteaching DS attains age 46 new wheels for lindaler Volendam caring for refugees 0106 covering menu suggestions until 8/1 dfish (Rotterdam 7/17 to 7/31) and Gail&Marty (10/15), Vict0riann (Nieuw Statendam (to 8/3) and Cat in My Lap (Zaandam to 8/13) at sea Vacationing 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

I expect to be very late posting to the Saturday thread today. Walk, groceries, and a church men's group breakfast. Roy

Not much to see today. Roy

Zuiderdam almost arrived although Quantum may steal the show. Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2005 Blount Great Lakes cruise Duluth to Chicago. It was taken July 29 about an hour before our arrival at Navy Pier: Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2005 Blount Great Lakes cruise Duluth to Chicago. It was taken July 29 about an hour before our arrival at Navy Pier: Roy

Thank you for the TGIF report Rich. Tigers are magnificent. I enjoy chicken wings but might go for lasagna tonight. Hong Kong has been a disembarkation port for me, Zaandam in 2012 and Amsterdam in 2017. I love the quote from the Alchemist. No idea what Lohikeitto is. My alternative is Mixed Seasonal Greens, Oven Roasted Chicken, and Butter Pecan Ice Cream, my first ever dinner on MS Westerdam July 29, 2018. Today’s care list: Painful falls for Cruzn Single Sister, Marshhawk, and Lindaler Heartgrove brother discharged but rapidly declining despite rally Sharon’s mom with Covid Tana neighbor and 2 sons with Covid Crabbi Patti’s father The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 8/14) From the rotation: Strength and healing for Kazu Tana with persistent problems Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Amy adjusting to widowhood and children Celebrations and Shoutouts: Shadow in Kazu’s care Occasional contributers including LocoLoco Seasick Sailer in Hawaii Cruzin Single sister managing her own dressings Volendam caring for refugees 0106 covering menu suggestions until 8/1 dfish (Rotterdam 7/17 to 7/31) and Gail&Marty (10/15), Vict0riann (Nieuw Statendam (7/16 to 8/9) and Cat in My Lap (Zaandam to 8/13) at sea Vacationing 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

@erewhon how is New Zealand doing with Covid these days. I understand Australia is having a surge and wondering if it's crossing the sea to you. Roy

Interesting selection of itineraries. I would have expected some round trips since there aren't a lot of international point to point possibilities involving cities with great air service, The only one I saw that would be relatively easy would be Toronto to Milwaukee. I think Duluth and Thunder Bay are both relatively difficult and expensive cities to get to. When I priced it it was over $1500 for a solo. I've sailed the entire system with Blount Small Ship Adventures, from the Maritimes to Montreal, Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls, and on to/from both Duluth and Chicago. It's a great experience. Roy

There can't be many cruise ships left that are that size. The maximum beam for a ship to fit through the seaway locks is 78 feet. The Seabourn Quest, one of today's smallest ships is 84 feet so even the Quest is too big. Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2011 Prinsendam Arctic cruise. On July 28 we visited Lerwick, Shetland Islands. Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2011 Prinsendam Arctic cruise. On July 28 we visited Lerwick, Shetland Islands. Roy

Great photos of Shadow. Does she accept a leash yet. @kazu be careful when that happens, as you don't need a fall. Roy

Thank you for the Thursday report, Rich. I prefer dark chocolate, and haven't been to a waterpark in years but Buffalo Soldiers have a great place in our history. Been to Portland just once, 2015, on the Elegant Explorer. I like the Steven King quote. I think I'll pass on the meal. My alternative is Chilled Blueberry Soup and Roasted Duck with Sour Cherry Chutney as served on the Elegant Explorer July 28, 2011. Today’s care list: Painful falls for Cruzn Single DS, Marshhawk, and Lindaler Heartgrove brother discharged but rapidly declining despite rally Sharon’s mom with Covid Tana neighbor and her son with Covid Crabbi Patti’s father The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 8/14) From the rotation: Tana with persistent problems Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Amy adjusting to widowhood and children Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1), msmayor (5/20) and JAM37 (7/7) Celebrations and Shoutouts: Shadow in Kazu’s care Welcome aboard El Orans Occasional contributers including YXU AC*SE Seasick Sailer in Hawaii Aliaschief in Scotland until 7/31 Happy Birthday Superoma DM Volendam caring for refugees 0106 covering menu suggestions until 8/1 dfish (Rotterdam 7/17 to 7/31) and Gail&Marty (10/15), Vict0riann (Nieuw Statendam (7/16 to 8/9) and Cat in My Lap (Zaandam to 8/13) at sea Vacationing 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

Not sure what the status is but Copper has an email link in his signature if you need to email him for permission. Roy

There is a mix. Some are always on while others switch off when the card is not in the slot. You may need to try trial and error to decide which is which: https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/1014-koningsdam/ Roy

I'm going to add a few photos of St. Petersburg. In addition to the Prinsendam in 2015 I was there on a land trip in 2003. It was my first attempt at circling the globe without flying. The plan was: Train to Montreal Freighter "Canmar Courage" to Belgium Train/ferry connections Antwerp/London/Newcastle/Gothenburg/Stockholm/Helsinki Trains (primarily Trans-Siberian) Helsinki/St. Petersburg/Moscow/Beijing Crystal Harmony Beijing to Vancouver Train Vancouver-Toronto-Baltimore It was a trip fraught with problems and scares. A couple weeks before the trip started I fell on a patch of ice resulting in a serious limp and walking with a cane. It was still tender but walking with a slight limp when I left home. Midway across the Atlantic word came that the US had invaded Iraq. My concerns about my limp were replaced by political concerns. In Belgium I saw signs of anti-American sentiments. The final straw came when I was preparing to leave my Moscow hotel and got an email from my TA that due to SARS Crystal had cancelled the Asian season and I was about to catch a train to Beijing with no way out. Lots of messages back and forth with the TA to get a flight while we were on vastly different time zones. I finally got one and had to fly back to Vancouver and a series of trains home. The train segment from Helsinki to Beijing was handled through a Russian Travel company, Mircorp. They booked all my trains and hotels and provided a guide in each city. I would meet them by the locomotive at each transfer point and the guide and driver would give me tours, transfers to the hotel and on to the next train. They also took care of most of the process of getting my Russia VISA. The Mircorp part of the trip was the only part that really came off without a hitch. The first photo was taken by my guide shortly after they picked me up at the train station. Here's my hotel in St. Petersburg And the room: One evening I did brave the subway system. Not reading Russian I took a photo of the name of my stop to compare it with what I saw on the station maps in the station to find my way back to the hotel. Roy