57redbird

2 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Does anyone have clothing they save just for vacation?  That seems odd.  

Kind of - we live in western Washington, not known for really warm weather & we cruise to warmer areas so yes, I do have "vacation wear".

Tour with Roberto.com -  great guide, Canadian who has lived in PV for ages....you'll enjoy it.

3 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

 

Hi, just finished talking to DD so we can make plans for picking her up tomorrow night at Tampa International airport.  We're leaving home in the morning for our drive down to Tampa.  Check in at the Airbnb is 3 pm.  She arrives at 6:30 so we get to drive through rush hour traffic back across the 275 bridge.  Then dinner after we pick her up.  We'll see Morgan Friday morning for breakfast and a tour of the new apartment.  

 

As for your question, yes once the stocking is finished the procedure is to cut excess fabric away leaving a 1/2 inch allowance on the sides, with a 1.5 inch allowance at the top.  That top area will be folded down and hand stitched down.  But first I cut out a piece of lining material and sew that to the back side.  Then I cut out the backing material which comes with the kit, a heavy felt in a matching color (navy).  You use a sewing machine to stitch the backing to the back side of the stocking, then have to carefully turn it right side out.  Then you make a loop out of matching yarn where you braid the pieces of yarn, make a knot so the loop is the size you want, and hand sew it to the upper outside of the stocking.  It should look like this, even down to the name!

Thanks for the tutorial....what a labor of love!

@StLouisCruisers  This comes from a non-cross stitcher....do you cut the stocking out & back it with something so it is an actually a stocking?   I admire your patience!

7 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

For a lot of cruisers, Alaska is their first cruise.  It was for us.  I remember back in 2001 at Thanksgiving dinner.  DDIL said “I'd love to take an Alaskan cruise”.  DH said “me too”!  DS and I looked at them and said, "uhhh, okay!!".  DDIL contacted a travel agent and set it all up for July 2002.  We were such newbies we didn't even know we should fill out all the paperwork online ahead of time so it took us a while to get checked in.  But we had a wonderful trip and that is what got us started on cruising. 

 

Way back on July 17, 2002 we were in Juneau on Star Princess, where DS and DDIL went horseback riding at the Mendenhall glacier.  They were wearing rain capes since it was a little showery at times.  They enjoyed it a lot!  Aww, they look so young.

  

Some of the scenery along the way.

 

Not to mention the glacier!

 

Meanwhile DH and I walked around town and went up the Mount Roberts Tramway.  Here's the Star Princess below us.

 

A wet downtown.

 

 

The sun came out as we prepared to leave that day, of course.  Doesn't it always happen that way?  Here I am watching the sea planes take off and land.

 

 

 

I remembered something about our first cruise to Alaska in 2002.  We were out on the decks in Glacier Bay moving about the ship to get different views, when I looked down and saw a diamond tennis bracelet laying there.  I put it in my coat pocket and finished watching the glaciers.  A half hour later I went to Guest Services and dropped off the bracelet, giving my details.  Right in the middle of it all, another clerk was taking a call from a woman who was distraught over losing her mother's tennis bracelet which was quite unique.  It was passed down to her.  They had her describe it and it matched the one I brought in.  So she came down to retrieve it, and sent DH and I a bottle of champagne as thanks.  I always hope someone will do the same if I lost a piece of jewelry or a camera, etc.  This is where I found the bracelet, either just before or just after the photo was taken.

 

Whew talk about someone looking young.  Shocking to see us 22 years ago!

 

 

In 2009 we did back to back Alaska cruises on Sapphire Princess.  That worked out very well since the first week the weather in Glacier Bay was so bad, and we had to turn around and leave to try to beat a huge storm in the Gulf of Alaska.  On the second segment of our cruise the weather in Glacier Bay was sunny, windless, and almost warm.  The photos turned out great!

 We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on these cruises.

 

 

In 2009 in Juneau we took a long walk around town, and even walked to see what the Governor's Mansion looked like.

 

 

 

After our tour about town, we boarded a local bus that took tourists out to Mendenhall Glacier since we hadn't seen it in 2002.  Here is the glacier again, and an interesting display of glacier ice.

 

 

 

The next week we docked in Juneau on Sept. 16 but the weather was rainy and miserable, so the only photos taken that day were of another ship coming into port, and our Captain’s Circle party followed by formal night dinner that evening.  Looks like the alternating weather forecasts for the two week cruise was still holding true.

 

 

 

For our 50^th anniversary (actual date) we did the 14 day Amsterdam Alaska cruise in August-September 2019.  It was a great day weather-wise when we visited Juneau.  The seaplanes are always fun to watch.

 

 

We got off to walk around thanks to that great weather.  Besides you have to work hard to burn calories while cruising!

 

 

 

Tram shots

 

 

Another HAL ship arriving

 

 

We had a great day!

 

 

Our 1st cruise was also to Alaska with my DH's best friend from kindergarten & his wife.  Rainy, windy, lived in polar fleece & raingear all week & my back went out....said no more cruising for me....fast forward a few years & a Mexican riviera cruise changed my mind but we don't cruise as much & for as long as some of you.

4 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

I read today is also International Doodle Dog Day, for all the variations of doodles.  The golf course owner and his wife moved up the street from us, and I see them walking their doodle a lot.  It's huge and the wife is quite petite so sometimes it looks like she's giving it all she's got to hold onto that leash.  Their dog looks very well groomed and handsome.  Anyone here have a doodle of some kind?

Sort of - we have an Eskipoo - American Eskimo & poodle.  Nice size -14 years old & about 25 lbs.

6 hours ago, kazu said:

A lazy morning. We were too late for the Pinnacle Grill breakfast so had to hit the Lido.  We both decided on a splurge and a real “healthy” breakfast.

 

 

The sticky buns on the ship are really good.

I'll take mine with nuts, please.

3 hours ago, Iamthesea said:

UPDATE:

 

I called HAL again today.  I could see that there were still no Signature Suites, but some Vista Suites were miraculously available again!  None have been showing up until last night.

 

Very painful conversation with the HAL rep today. She was very nice and helpful, but talked so fast, that at times, I could not understand her.  Also, she did not have a clue what I was talking about until I asked her to read notes on our booking.  Really makes me wonder how the "Priority Waiting List" works. 

BTW - I was told again that I should not call them, and that they would call me. 🤨

 

We have now Upselled to a Vista Suite, which is under Canaletto. The cost was $399 per person (better than the $549 it was previously for an Upsell.  And certainly a lot less than it would have been to upgrade, outright,  to a Vista Suite.  We saved $1000 pp.)   So for our 14 night cruise, that's $28.50 pp, per day, to have a good location, midship, a bit more space, and most importantly to us, more storage!  

 

We are still on a waiting list for the Signature Suite. Since I had a hard time understanding this rep, I think she said the rest of the money that they have on hold would be refunded to our CC. Again, I was also told that I don’t need to call back. But I will call back on Monday to let them know we will be in the air. And tell them not to automatically put us in the bow if a SS was to become available. 

 

Off to go check my reservation online.  I will be certain to take a screen shot this time!  I am also emailing my TA to get a new invoice.  

YAY!!!!

We cruise for itinerary over ship but I really liked the K & we're on her again in December.  The only HAL ship I really don't like is the Eurodam.

We have relatives that are not very adventurous eaters (from Minnesota so maybe that's it) but it's very uncomfortable dining with them since they're SOOOO picky & stuck in their ways & we're on different pages for excursions --- we've learned our lesson traveling with them - we don't.

We were booked on an 11:30 flight but SWA changed it to 1 pm....good thing since we weren't off the ship until around 11:30.

6 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

 

 

IMG_4746.mov 9.76 MB · 0 downloads
Coming to you live this morning from brekkie at the Plantation- this one’s for you MissG!  ps- Don’t get the bananas foster pancakes unless you have a baseball team and plan to slice and serve it like bday cake. 
 

 

 

 

We had dinner there in March....won't be back....ate early & too many unmannered kids & oblivious parents....

Not cruise related but we've used Yellow cab twice in the past year....from hotel on 1st Hill to a hospital also on 1st HIll & from the Seattle Airport Marriott to the Airport - needed to be dropped at the Departures level at the airport due to recent spine surgery & the Marriott shuttle wouldn't do that....both times the cabs were there in a reasonable amount of time, vehicles were clean & drivers were pleasant.  I wouldn't hesitate to use them.

Couldn't get on yesterday on my laptop from maybe noon to 7 pm...on my phone now & haven't been on my laptop yet 

Belated Happy Birthday to @dfish!   I finally am able to get on CC.  Hope your day was super!

1 minute ago, Navybikermom said:

No, that’s the drug in Dramamine. Meclizine is sold over the counter, usually in 25mg chewable tablets. It’s my go-to treatment for motion sickness!

But as @ger_77 found out - it's not available in Canada.

@JazzyV  I'm sure you know but sleeping with a pillow between your knees evens out the pressure on your back.

Gerry - please give your DH a huge hug & wish him a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!🎂

17 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

The cabin next to the Pinnacle Suite is 7061. We had that one for 2 weeks in 2022.

Sorry, I misspoke ---it's was 7087 & I thought it was the Pinnacle but just a Neptune with the angled balcony.

We were on the K (a sister ship) in 7085....mid ship --- close to the elevator bank & to the Neptune Lounge....(next to the Pinnacle Suite)....we'd book it again.

32 minutes ago, kazu said:

Ok still in catch up mode from what didn’t go this morning.

 

So, last night I went down to the MDR once the dinner rush was over and there was Aris at the podium.  (Some of you might remember him as manager of Club Orange on the Pinnacle Class ships).  He is in charge of our section of the dining room.

 

I asked if he had a minute to chat and nicely told him our waiter was abysmal.  Doesn’t refill water glasses, wine, (doesn’t even have the opened wine out ready), no comments when food is undated, doesn’t ask about how the meal was nor have any knowledge of the Club Orange specials, etc.  I told him I thought he needed more training but I was not prepared to sit there and asked if her could help.

We are now at a table for 6 (which is what I had originally requested) although it appears we might be the only ones there.  that’s fine.

 

Our waiters are superb.  Just how it should be.  The wine was boyfriend fast and will be ther the next time ready.  Club Orange menu provided.  Both are congenial and wonderful.  Dinner last night was night and day compared to dinner the prior 2.  So glad I spoke up (as if you could keep me quiet 😉)

 

Dinner was delish - good service really helps 😉 

 

I had the seafood devilled eggs

 

 

Debbie the Tabbouleh 

 

 

the club Orange short ribs - delish.  So tender you only needed a fork.  No knife required.

 

 

Boston Cream pie for Deb

 

 

and Strawberry crisp for me.  when a crisp is on the menu you have to take advantage 😉 

 

 

All in all very good and we left two very happy campers - or is that Merry Widows 😉 

 

Doing a birthday dinner in the PG tonight for Deb and of course, we let our new waiters know.

 

 

Is this the Aris that pulls a laminated card with his name on it out of his jacket?  We had him on the K for the 35-day in 2023 in CO.

@JazzyV ----  an even bigger YAY!!!   glad surgery is over & you can rest, recuperate & heal & hopefully be pain free!!!

3 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

My pictures below are from our three BHB stops in Kona,  We were there in 2014 on Veendam, and in 2017 and 2018 on Westerdam.  We rented cars those days and drove north to Kapaau.  I have a few pictures of the area near the tender dock that were taken in 2017.

 

King Kamehameha statue outside the visitor center in Kapaau, and the view across the road.

 

 

A couple of pretty birds on the grounds of the visitor center.

 

For the garden club

 

The rugged coast near the north point of the Big Island

 

Lapakahi State Park

 

A lava tube close the the highway.  We did not venture from the roadside.

 

The area near the tender port

 

 

 

Lenda

Loved Splasher's!

Vanessa - glad you're home!  Please take your time trying to do what you think you should be doing.....it'll get done in time.  Rest, relax & heal.  🙏

Thanks to all of you....we've sailed from there 6 times & none of them have been much fun --- trying to get a positive spin on the port for our next cruise in December.