MJSailors

To all the veterans who may be posting or reading Dani’s thread, I thank you for your service. My father, two uncles and FIL served in the Army during WWII and my BIL served in the Marines with a tour in Vietnam. I am remembering them all today. Princess has been our cruise line of choice since we took our first Princess cruise to Alaska in 2004. We are two cruises short of the top loyalty level, but Covid halted that progress and we haven’t been on a Princess ship since 2017. In Alaska, it is my understanding, that Princess is one of the few cruise lines that has access to Glacier Bay. When we went,the day of Glacier Bay sailing/viewing was truly amazing. We always enjoyed sailing the Princess ships We experienced the inaugural years of the Sapphire,Crown and Regal. The ships are tastefully decorated, there is a calm atmosphere onboard and we always felt the service and staff were exceptional. I was a bit surprised to see the post about the new Sun Princess with the added features that have never been a part of a Princess ship. I understand trying to attract younger passengers as the “older” passengers are moving on from cruising days-at least some of them. It is a sign of the times and change is inevitable. For those of you who are considering a Princess cruise, I would suggest reading some Princess reviews posted by Amarillo Pescado. She can be found on blogspot. She and her husband would spend months in the Winters sailing on Princess ships. Both her writing and photos are excellent. Wishing all here a pleasant day! MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

@Arzeena Thanks for the fruit cake tip! Those petite bites may be just the right size for us too.I haven’t had those cakes in years! MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

This kind of security check ,most likely, is a Carnival policy. We have taken cruises on Princess,Celebrity, Cunard and NCL. We were never checked for drugs etc and never saw a security dog either at the port and never on any ships. We have sailed from NYC, Ft Lauderdale,Bayonne, Seattle , Port Canaveral and Southampton, England. To the OP, if you are fed up with being called over before boarding a ship, perhaps you could choose another cruise line and see if you are selected for a security check. MJ

Good morning ,all. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is on its’ way to NYC. It was found in BinghamtonNY (Upstate ) and is eighty feet tall. The tree arrives tomorrow and soon it will be strewn with lights. Maybe Greg or Jimbo would like to lend a hand in decorating the tree? MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

@dani negreanu and @aussielozzie18 I read your posts about the Texas fruitcake and I recalled a good memory. For many years, my uncle would give my Mom a fruitcake from that bakery in Texas. The cake was rich and loaded with pecans-yum - and candied fruit-not so yum - as I recall. I don’t think the pictures on the tin have changed over the years. Thank you both for reminding me of something pleasant from my younger years. MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

@Coralc Social services can set up home care services before discharge. Medicare will cover a certain amount of visits, as most health insurance plans. If a person wishes, they can arrange care on their own by contacting health care agencies. When my mother reached late eighties and required some care, we were fortunate to employ two local women who were health care aides to help her and us care for her. It was a private pay arrangement between us and them. Mom passed at. ninety-three and those two women were our angels. MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

Greg-Could you arrange for some home health care aide to help you when Linda needs to keep an appointment or run errands ? I have discussed such a situation with my DH if and when he has anticipated knee surgery. I am thinking I may need some help with his care for a few weeks post op. Just a thought. Wishing you and Linda a good evening. MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

When I was growing up, my mother took me to see the Radio City Christmas shows during my grammar school vacations. After the shows, we would have lunch at Schraffts’s restaurant not far from Radio City. We also saw the tree at Rockefeller Centre and stopped into St Patrick’s Cathedral before taking the subway home. It didn’t seem too crowded to me then, but that was ver 60 (!)years ago and as. a City kid, maybe lots of people around was just the norm. MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

For those posting here about visiting NYC at Christmastime. Absolutely correct that the City is beautifully decorated with so many events in so many venues. Also correct that it can be crowded during the weeks leading up to Christmas. However, I have a tip for a good time to visit. For many years, pre Covid, my DH and I would go into the City for a three day stay, but we would go after Christmas, usually Jan 1st or 2nd. The decorations were still in place, but the crowds had diminished. Although, if you plan to see the Radio City Christmas show, the last performance is usually on Jan1st in the evening. MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

Dani’s thread just keeps going! There’s news about a new beautiful grandchild, a beautiful newlywed couple a beautiful new knee and 8 beautiful Christmas trees. As for us, we shared a beautiful dinner with friends last night. It was restaurant week on LI. Participating restaurants offer a special menu of three courses for a set price. No food photos from me. But, our dinners were delicious, we had our good friends’ company and the place was packed! Very glad that we had a great table in a good corner to watch all the comings and goings. Since it is a favorite restaurant of ours, we were pleased that they had so many customers. Wishing all here a beautiful weekend! MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

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Very interesting. Hoping you will report about using the bike/technology as people who are facing a TKR will have info about it to discuss with their doctor. Hoping all goes well tomorrow for you. MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

@jagsfan Mimi-I read your post about your cruise and health report.I am very glad that you were able to visit Bermuda as my DH and I enjoy it so Great idea to arrange a guided tour so you could see so much of that lovely country. As for getting those health reports. We also get them on our patient portals andI always hesitate to look at them without our family doctor’s input. They can be informative or concerning, for sure! Very glad that your Dr had a reassuring report for you and that you are planning another cruise! @lenquixote66 Lenny-I read your posts from last night and I am so sorry that you went through such a difficult episode. We worry so much for your loved ones and feel for them when they are ill or facing a difficult situation. It is only because we love them so much. Hoping that your daughter gets a reassuring report from the Cardiologist. Also hoping that you and Toby have a restful night tonight. @mo&fran I was very glad to read that you are cruising for quite awhile and that you and your DW are enjoying your vacation. My continued good wishes for your ongoing recovery You have made very good progress with a most positive attitude. @Ozark_Kid You shared good news about the custom wheelchair that is coming your way. The ramp is excellent. We installed a ramp in our garage to help my Mom who lived with us and had some mobility issues. It made it easy for her and us to get her out of the car and roll her wheelchair right up to the door that led into the house. The interior ramp was especially helpful during inclement weather. Wishing you and your family good days. @Sea DogGreg-Wishing you a successful outcome of the knee surgery. That is interesting that your Dr ordered a bike to use for exercise at home after the surgery. Hoping it aids in a quick recovery for you. @dani negreanu As others have written, I think of you, your family and friends often. Hoping that you all stay safe. Wishing that agreements between countries could be negotiated without so much loss. I hope it helps, in a small way, to know that many people are thinking of you and praying for a return to normal days where you are with your friends celebrating with a lovely meal. For all of you dealing with the “white stuff”. you have my sympathy as it is too soon to see those photos of lovely snowfalls. It has turned very cold here on Eastern LI with temps going into the 30s tonight. I am relaxing on the sofa with a fuzzy throw waiting for Jeopardy. Very cozy at the moment. Wishing all the posters here good days where you are feeling safe and loved. MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

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@Jimbo Wow! Just wow! That is a ton of decorating! Enjoy! MJ🙋🏻‍♀️ PS When do you put the trees away?

@grapau27 Graham -Wishing you a very happy B day! Hoping you enjoy celebrating today. 🥳 🎂 🎉 🥂 MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

@NHProud We now live at the end of Long Island making it a two hour drive to the Open at Flushing Meadows. The ticket prices have become astronomical , so for those reasons we no longer see the matches in person. Lately, we have also found that there are few players we like to watch. Djokovic and Nadal have been interesting players for us and the young woman, Coco, has a good game. We saw the match between Connors and McEnroe that went on for hours one night. I think that it may have been 1983. We had to leave because of work the following day-it was quite the marathon. One Summer, we went to the Tennis Hall ofFame to seeJimmy Connors’ induction. Both my DH and I enjoyed playing tennis. Now,we watch the various Opens on TV. MJ🙋🏻‍♀️ .

@NHProud Yes, I went to a number of USOpen tennis matches at the FH stadium. Then, my DH and I attended a number of matches at the tennis facilities at Flushing Meadow-a much larger tennis complex. I saw Martina Navratilova play at the FH stadium when she first came to the US. I recall she played a match with Yvonne Goolagong when I saw her play. The stadium also was the site of concerts. Lots of good music-Simon and Garfunkel, the Beatles and Motown singers to name a few. But, during my teen years, my friends and I never thought of going to any of the concerts. Not sure why and feel like I missed out on some good times there. Last Summer, my grandson (16) went to a Weezer concert at the stadium. Music tradition continues there. The stadium is 100 years old this year. Bonnie-I am familiar with the Yellowstone Blvd area as one of my HS friends lived on Dartmouth Street down from Yellowstone. I lived in the other side of town, between Metropolitan Ave and Forest Park. My parents’ house was recently sold by the person who bought the house from my Mom in 1984 for close to one million dollars. My parents would never believe it! It was a great place to grow up! MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

I have been reading all the posts of things to do and places to eat/drink in NYC. I thought I would add my two cents as NYC is my City as I grew up in Forest Hills in Queens which was a quick subway ride on the F train into the City. My mother started taking me into the City for shopping, Radio City Christmas show and museums beginning at age three. My first haircut was at the salon at Best &Co . Later, I worked for Lord and Taylor in the customer service department after college when teaching jobs were scarce. But, I digress! I agree with places that other posters have mentioned. I would add Rock Centre Cafe on the ice rink at Rockefeller Center Good food and the view of people skating on the ice is interesting. One time, mt DH and I witnessed a marriage proposal on the ice -she said yes! An Irish place that we like is O’Lunneys . I think it is on East 48 or 49 Street near the theater district. There is a bus that serves a celebratory tea. It is painted pink, decorated as a tea room inside and provides a driving tour of Midtown Manhattan. I am b it sure of the name, but a cousin did it a few weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Grand Central Station is wonderful. It has been renovated a bit with the new area being built to accommodate the LI Railroad. The Oyster at is famous . It has vaulted ceilings and white tile walls. There is also a Juniors in the station where you can get deli and their famous cheesecake. The food market in GC is very interesting and a good place to pick up wine or snacks to take back to your hotel. They have a holiday craft market there at Christmastime. There is also a holiday market at Bryant Park-at least there used to be on pre Covid. There is so much to see and do in the City, obviously it can not be all accomplished in one visit. I recommend getting a good guide book to help narrow down what a visitor might want to do/see. I would stay in Midtown if a person wants to fit in a lot of sightseeing, bar hopping and dining. Staying in Newark may be okay, but travel time into the City may limit your time there. Do not stay near JFK or LaGuardia. Again, too much commuting time to get into the City and the neighborhoods are not very scenic. I would recommend two hotels - The Warwick on Sixth Ave around 54th Street. It is an iconic, charming hotel within walking distance to theaters, Central Park and Fifth Ave. The Fitzpatrick is a lovely hotel in 44th Street near Grand Central run by a mostly Irish staff. There is a very good pub on the street level of the hotel. Now, I have to add this. My beautiful City has had some difficult times lately. There is crime, homelessness, drug use visible on the streets The City always had these troubles, but lately it seems to be pervasive and heightened to a certain degree. For those visiting-I think it is @bobmacliberty and @Tree_skier who have mentioned future trips to NYC, I offer this advice. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Plan where you are going before you venture out for sightseeing, theater or dining. Walk with confidence! If you need directions ask a police officer -if you can find them - or check with your hotel concierge before going out or go into a substantial store and ask a salesclerk if you need directions away from the hotel. I hope you enjoy the City. It is my favorite, but I may be just partial to it. It saddens me a bit to hear about what is happening to NYC. I remember the good days when it was a different place. I can only hope it will be returned to those days. If I had to choose a Broadway play, I would like to see Spamalot-just my sense of humor . Also Bonnie-The saying is “You can take the girl out of NY, but you can’t take NY out of the girl!😊 MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

@Sea Dog Greg-Very glad for you that you could do that excursion yesterday, shared with CC friends. That Caribbean beach is gorgeous! Re:the Painkillers That was our Summer drink of choice before my DH gave up drinking alcohol for health reasons. We always served it at gatherings at our house and friends and family totally enjoyed them. We were introduced to Pusser’s Painkillers by a friend who chartered a boat for a family vacation, sailing the British Virgin Islands for a week. He brought us a bottle of Pusser’s rum and the recipe. We also used Coco Lopez cream of coconut, Dole pineapple juice and Tropicana OJ. Wishing you and Linda continued enjoyable vacation days! MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

@cachouonacruise Of course,you and your DW will make the ultimate decision whether to take the cruise or not. I think that you posted on this board to get some input to guide that decision. Most of the posters are encouraging you to proceed with your travel plans. I have some experience with travel and Covid. I will briefly share this with you. My DH and I are completely vaxed. He is 72,I am 70 and I have asthma.We had been very careful about contracting Covid because of our ages and my respiratory issues. We recently had the latest Moderna shot. In early June, we took a Summit cruise to Bermuda out of Bayonne as we could easily drive to the port. On the fifth day of the cruise, I woke up in the late night with stomach cramps and continuously used the bathroom for three hours. I remained in the cabin the next day, as I had no appetite and felt weak. Then following day, the acute symptoms were relieved so I went around the ship, thinking it was a gastro 24 hour virus. When we got home, I still felt weak so DH advised taking a Binax Covid test. It was positive. Family Dr advised that stomach issues were a symptom of Covid. It took about a week to test negative and I continued to be easily fatigued for several weeks. My husband did not get Covid. Fast forward to recent conversations with friends/family. My cousin was on a land tour of Ireland and Scotland this past September. A number of participants on their tour contracted Covid with upper respiratory symptoms. Both she and her husband did not get sick. But, she was very aware that the situation was one where they also could have gotten Covid. She was very glad when they returned home and felt that the exposure to the virus in close quarters on the tour bus affected their enjoyment of the tour to a certain degree. Friends chartered a private yacht to sail among the Greek Isles a few weeks ago. Upon returning home, he felt ill and tested positive with severe cold symptoms. She followed a few days later and has texted me today that he has tested negative, but she remains positive and is still feeling unwell. They are glad for one thing-that they are sick at home and not somewhere in Greece as they have consulted with their family Dr and have followed his advice rather than trying to recuperate in a foreign country. Lastly, a young friend of ours-mid thirties and in good physical shape returned from Finland. She also contracted Covid and was ill shortly after arriving home. Covid continues. It affects different people in different ways. We are not “afraid” of contracting that virus, however, if we are going to be sick, we would rather it be at home where we are known to our health professionals and have trust in them. Someone suggested here that if you would like to take a cruise vacation, maybe something in the US or Bermuda or the Caribbean would be a more comfortable choice for you and your DW as those destinations are closer to home. While Australia and NZ are enticing destinations, it may not be the time for you to venture so far from home given your considerations regarding taking this cruise. I think a decision would come down to your risk tolerance and possible solutions to the what-ifs that are coming to mind for your comfort level. Your concerns are understandable. As I said , only you and DH can make the ultimate decision. MJ)🙋🏻‍♀️

Demographics-possibly. Offering the drink package -possibly. Passengers taking the 15 drink per day allowance as a challenge/goal to complete-most likely. As for the report of the woman allegedly murdering her husband-they , most likely, we’re having problems before they even boarded the ship. MJ

@Woobstr112G Bob-I have been interested in reading your live review as the Sapphire Princess was our first Princess cruise in 2004.’It was a cruise through the Inside Passage-Seattle up to Skagway. We enjoyed that cruise so much that we became Princess regulars, sailing on the ships when we could,mostly to the Caribbean. Our last Princess cruise was in 2017. Land vacations and a few Celebrity cruises were our vacation choices since then. We considered the Hawaiian cruise , but we never enjoyed such a cruise. I am wondering if Eula and Dave, the Hawaiian ambassadors are on your cruise. Are any Hawaiian cultural activities being offered? Will you be taking photos of the ship? Any photos of the ports you will visit? I hope Holli feels better by the time you get to Hawaii so that you can enjoy some of the lovely places there. MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

@PATRLR There is a poster on the Carnival board who is doing a live review about his travels to Barcelona taking a TA on a Carnival ship and then a cruise on the QE visiting several European ports. You may want to read his thread as he is not dressing formally for the Gala nights onboard, but choosing to have dinner in the buffet or pub which does not require the formal dress code. He seems to be enjoying the cruise on the QE. Although some people responding to his posts have pointed out that the entire Cunard cruise experience does include dressing for the Gala nights as the dress code applies to other venues beside the MDRs for the entire evening. My DH and I were fortunate to experience a TA to Southampton in 2001. Quite awhile ago. We dressed formally and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. At that time, passengers were requested on Gala evenings to remain in their formal clothes after dinner while enjoying the evening activities. We found that level of dress to make the entire evenings special. We had planned to sail on other Cunard cruises and crossings, but we never did. Life happens. So ,long answer short-would Cunard be for a NCL regular? Perhaps, if you feel that you would like the ambience, level of service and activities found on a Cunard ship that are very different than those found on NCL ships. You could try Cunard. If you found it not to your liking, you could always return to NCL. MJ