Goldygolfer

My DH has Alzheimers - and therefore also dementia.

Believe me, every day is different - and mentally exhausting for those living with this poor person.

Many people think that they understand because they know of someone who has this terrible disease. Some even have been quite close and have visited someone every day, but, until you live with someone 24/7 you will never really understand.

Unfortunately, our cruising and travelling days are over.

I suspect "Meamat" might live in Queensland, where grocery stores are not licenced to sell wine - or any other alcohol. Anywhere in NSW (obviously including Sydney) most grocery stores also sell alcohol - and have a good selection of wines, beers, etc.

Here is a sample of the bistro menu. Read the American description. It stuff that you probably had in one shape or form in the past. Be bold. Explain to the waiters that french food is new to you but you want to try things. This is the chance to expand your palette.

 

 

ENTRÉE, SOUPE ET SALADE—APPETIZERS, SOUPS AND SALADS

LES QUATRE CORNETS

 

Four Savory Filled Cones—Salad Provencal; Duck Con t; Pear, Blue Cheese and Walnut Medley;

 

Smoked Chicken Salad

 

ASPERGES GRILLÉES

Grilled Asparagus, Shiitake Mushrooms, Orange Hollandaise

 

GRATINÉ A L'OIGNON

Onion Soup Gratiné, Gruyere Cheese, Brandy

 

ESCARGOT BOURGUIGNONNE

 

*SALADE GOURMANDE

 

Salad of Frisée, Endive, Smoked Duck and Walnuts, Champagne Vinaigrette

 

SOUPE AUX QUATRE CHAMPIGNONS

Cream of Four Mushroom Soup

 

MOULES POULETTE AU PERNOD

Steamed Mussels, Pernod, Parsley, Cream

 

COQUILLES ST. JACQUES PROVENCAL

Seared Scallops, Eggplant, Tomato, Pine Nuts, Olive Oil

 

Escargots, Garlic Herb Butter

 

 

*FILET D ́ÈSPADON

Grilled Sword sh Loin, Braised Lentils, Ginger Garlic Butter

 

*FILET DE SAUMON D ́ATLANTIC

Fillet of Atlantic Salmon, Swiss Chard, Morel Mushroom, Cream Sauce

 

BOUILLABAISSE, SOUPE DE

POISSONS MEDITERRANÉE

Mediterranean Fish Soup “Bouillabaisse Style” Scallops, Snapper, Shrimp, Tomato, Saffron and Pernod Broth, Rouille Dip

 

*FILET DE BOEUF GRILLÉ

Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Portobello Mushrooms,

Roquefort Cheese Potato Gratin, Green Peppercorn Sauce

 

*FILET DE PORC AU ROMARIN

Rosemary Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Glazed Apples, Calvados Cream

LES VIANDES, POISSONS ET VOLAILLES—MEATS, SEAFOOD AND POULTRY

 

*CARRE D ́AGNEAU ROTIS

Roast Rack of Lamb, Artichokes, Blistered Tomatoes, Zucchini, Green Olive Sauce

 

COQ AU VIN

Burgundy Chicken, Mushrooms, Pearl Onions, Bacon

 

DUO DE CANARD

Breast of Duck and Duck Con t, Parisienne Potatoes, French Beans, Madeira Sauce

 

NAPOLEON DE LEGUMES

Napoleon of Vegetables and Portobello Mushrooms in Puff Pastry, Goat Cheese, Red Pepper, Sweet Potato Butter Sauce

 

BISTRO SPECIAUX—BISTRO SPECIALS

FRUITS DE MER

Lobster, Shrimp, Scallops and Fennel in Puff Pastry, Vermouth and Chive Cream

 

HOMARD ROTIS AUX BEURRE

Butter Roasted Lobster Tail, Artichokes, Chateau Potatoes

 

*COTE DE BOEUF POUR DEUX

32 oz Premium Black Angus Rib Eye Steak for Two, Sautéed Wild Mushrooms, Fresh Seasonal Vegetable, Bordelaise Sauce, Béarnaise Sauce, Carved Tableside

$10 PER PERSON IN ADDITION TO COVER CHARGE

 

 

CARAMEL, VANILLA AND LEMON PROFITEROLES

PATISSERIE—DESSERTS

 

 

VANILLA CRÈME BRULÉE

Berry Basket, Sablè Cookie

CHOCOLATE

Flourless Chocolate Cake, Hazelnut Crunch, Gianduja Cream

CLASSIC WARM APPLE TATIN

Caramelized Walnut Cream

CHOCOLATE FONDUE FOR TWO

Golden Pineapple, Bananas, Strawberries

ASSORTED ICE CREAM FLAVORS

A SAMPLING OF CAMEMBERT, GOAT CHEESE, ROQUEFORT AND MUNSTER CHEESE

CARAMEL, VANILLA AND LEMON PROFITEROLES

Ooh !! My mouth is watering. I love all of these things. In fact I have, at some time, actually cooked most of them. But then, I have "lived" in France - once for 2 months and last year for 3 months. French cooking is the basis for most "fine dining". Do give it a try.

I love my PacSafe 2000 bag. It is wire-reinforced throughout (including the strap) as well as many other safety features. It can be worn cross-body.

It has been to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, up to Alaska, several trips to Europe (including Suez) and Asia. It hold heaps, so be careful that your DH is not like mine and gives you all his "stuff" to carry !!!

It was such a good deal that it sold out within 24 hours of the promotional email which we received from our TA. Some friends dithered for a few extra hours and missed out.

We stayed at a hotel almost directly opposite Le Meridien and thought it looked very nice. It is also just up the street from the wonderful Boquera (??spelling) Markets.

We loved staying right on Las Ramblas. In fact, I spent many hours, quite late into the night, sitting at our open window enjoying the atmosphere and watching the fun.

We are definitely of the "older variety" of tourists, but we don't go to vibrant cities like Barcelona for peace and quiet - we have that at home !!!

We did a 37-day cruise in 2014 which was actually 4 btobs. We started in Miami and finished in Seattle.

It was sold to us (by a TA in Aust) as a single cruise - actually a package, which included airfares and accommodation each end - and we stayed in the same cabin. Other passengers joined for one or 2 segments, including some American friends from a previous cruise, but about 400 Australians did the whole shebang. It was wonderful.

I totally agree with "Cruisemom".

We have quite strong winds, dangerous seas and very high tides here in South-East Qld today. All Gold Coast beaches are closed for the entire weekend.

It is a backlash from the ex-cyclone which devastated Fiji.

This could be the reason why Pacific Dawn did not go up the river to Portside.

We have had the experience of the crew pulling up the gangway right behind us. But we were not actually running late. However, anyone watching from their balcony and not aware of the scheduled departure time, might have easily (mistakenly) thought that we were "pier runners".

It was in Athens and we were on a smaller ship doing a repositioning cruise. There were only 300 passengers, instead of the maximum capacity of about 650. We had been on a private taxi tour with another couple to Corinth and arrived back at the ship almost an hour before the scheduled departure time.

Apparently all the other passengers were already on board and we assume that the ship had port clearance to depart early. It was a very strange experience to have the gangway pulled up right behind us. However, we were not in any trouble, because we were not actually running late.

About 4 years ago we received an email from our TA with an unbelievable deal for a repositioning cruise from Istanbul to Singapore with Azamara - included air and accom both ends. We packed and left in 9 days, which was rather frantic because we had to get visas for India in that time. It was worth it

Getting old sucks, but being retired does have some benefits !!!

DH and I spent 8 weeks in Marseilles at the end of 2013 - obviously not on a cruise. We did a home exchange. There is so much to do in and around Marseilles that we could easily have spent much longer. The options are endless.

The above posts have some excellent suggestions. We did all of the above (some more than once) and recommend every one - Aix en Provence, Avignon, Arles, Cassis, the Calanques, boat to the Freoul Islands, just wandering around the Vieux Port.

However, I thought I would throw a totally different idea into the "mix".

There is an organisation called the "Greeters" in many cities throughout the world and Marseilles has a very active group and excellent website. They offer a guided walk with one of their volunteers. We opted for the walk through the old part of the city. Our guide was Christian, who was a wonderful guide and very passionate about "his" city. No large group - just the two of us and Christian. The walk was over about 3 hours (you do need to be rather fit) and we saw and learnt so much about this very interesting city.

The only "cost" is a recommended donation (about 20 Euros pp) towards their running cost (website, etc), but perhaps a small gift from your home town for the "guide" would also be nice.

If anyone is interested, just search "Marseilles Greeters" and you will find further information.

PS - The "Greeters" are also available in some other cities throughout the world. We recently did another walk with a volunteer "Greeter" in Rennes, France. It was also wonderful. Check them out.

My husband and I are so sorry to hear this sad news.

We also had a wonderful day with George, including taking us to his house and giving the two ladies in the group a rose each from his garden.

He also put us in touch with two of his friends in other Greek ports and phoned during the day to check that we were having a good time with both Fotis in Athens and Themis in Rhodes.

We also recommended George to friends who were travelling to Katakalon a year after us and he took a photo of them having lunch with him and emailed to us.

It was a pleasure to tour with him and he was a great ambassador for Greece.

Our sincere condolences to his family and close friends.

RIP George - we will always remember you very fondly.

My favourite ship - even 'tho I was off-loaded into a hospital in Mumbai !!

We enjoyed "her" from Istanbul via Athens, Alexandria, Suez & Dubai.

Lucky friends of friends joined in Sydney. Thanks for the pictures.

Hi Aelsantokie - Most of the products available here in Australia are the same as you will be used to finding in USA (I was in USA about 18 months ago) and Europe - L'Oreal, Revlon, Clinique, Estee Lauder, etc.

However, there is an Australian company called Kenkay Pharmaceuticals that makes very good basic skin care products - body wash, moisturising creams, etc. They use natural ingredients and no perfumes, so they are particularly good for people with sensitive or problem skin. I find them excellent and inexpensive. Available at most pharmacies.

The brand is simply "Kenkay".

There is a chain of stores here called Priceline, which is rather like your CVS and therefore carry a large range of brands and products, but all pharmacies also carry cosmetics, plus skin and hair products.

Your trip to Australia sounds fabulous. I wish you a very happy cruise and a wonderful visit "Downunder".

Forgot to mention - One product that I do really love that I can't get here is hair mousse from a French hairdressing chain called Jean Louis David.

It is thick so you only need to use a small amount and I find that it works really well. I brought home 4 tins.

It can be purchased from any of their salons or at most Carrefour supermarkets.

I spent three months in France last year and hardly bought any beauty products - except what I absolutely required as replacements - because I found them no better (and certainly not cheaper) than what we can buy here in Australia. I love perfume, so I checked out French perfume in many different shops and outlets and found them just as expensive as here, even 'tho we have to import them.

There is a beauty product chain of stores called Sephora which are everywhere. These shops have an enormous variety to choose from - more than any pharmacy that I saw.

I agree with Langley Cruisers about the soaps. They really are gorgeous and mostly made in Marseille (where we spent two months in 2013). They come in all shapes, sizes and perfumes. Some are sold "bare" and others are beautifully packaged. Great for gifts.

To the OP - Best wishes to your daughter for a wonderful (and safe) time.

I love going to France.

We were in the South of France for several weeks at the end of last year and spent some time in both Nice and Eze. They are completely different. Nice is more "modern" France, whereas Eze is more "medieval" France - and fascinating. Only my opinion - of course

Nice is also quite large and I don't think 2 hours would do it justice. Whereas you could certainly explore most of Eze in that time. There are quaint little shops and eateries built into the rock - like caves. But, make sure that you pay the extra few euros to go into the cactus garden. That's where you will see the magnificent views.

They were advertising 3 cartons for $86 when we were on the Pearl last month.

We are on the Pearl Western Caribbean sailing from Miami this Friday April 11.

A group of us had a tour booked with Victor Bodden at Roatan this coming Sunday. We have just received an email from the Bodden Tour Co confirming that our tour has been cancelled because the Pearl will not be calling at this port on Sunday.

We are sailing on the Pearl this coming Friday and had a tour booked with Victor Bodden for Sunday. Our tour group has just received an email from the Bodden Tour Company confirming that the ship will not be calling at Roatan on Sunday.

Have a wonderful time lbt43 - but please look after "her" for us as we will be getting on the day you get off !!! Looking forward to 37 days of pure bliss.

Not me either. My friend in my avatar has a much better swing than I have and she also carries her own caddie !!!

I would really appreciate if anyone can help with the size of the tables in the main aft dining room on the Pearl - are they mainly 6 or 8 ?

We are just wondering how many from our Roll Call to make arrangements to try to dine together on our first night. Any advice will be gratefully accepted.

Hi Kesstral - We are on this cruise, but we start in Miami so it will be the 4th "leg" of our btobs. Alaska has been on our "bucket list" for quite some time, so we are really looking forward to it.

If you do decide to book, then come on over to the roll call and say "hi".