dani negreanu

@singinalot +1, and I really like the spacious kitchen

Captain Kate and me – the “romance” that wasn’t…. [Spoiler alert – long story !!!!] I’ve been following the captain since we were booked [and cancelled] on Edge (May 2021), until Beyond [hopefully not cancelled]. I was curious if she’ll be on the new Beyond, and, in one of her “live” in Instagram, I’ve asked, among many others who asked questions (March 2022), if she’ll be on this ship for our sailing. Some minutes after I’ve asked, I’ve heard a “ping” and on the screen there it was: “Captain Kate….” She replied: “Yes, I’ll be on Beyond, and thank you for sailing with us… Where r u from?” I replied: “Israel”, and then she said: “Oh, I’ve been to Haifa [northern Israel] on board of the Summit, visited the Christian holy sites, and I’m so waiting to have the opportunity to visit again, and go to Jerusalem too”. From this point on, we exchanged “notes” about places to visit, she asked if I’m Jewish, and after a few minutes, she said: “why don’t you call me on Whatsapp, it will be easier to talk…” and gave me “her” number 1-625-….. Here I admit I was a bit surprised… To call her? On one hand, it was Saturday night, I knew she’s in France while Beyond was still in the shipyard, without her hubby, figured maybe she’s a bit lonely and bored. On the other hand, I’m quite good in writing English, but talking?? My accent is horrible, and she tends to speak very quickly. With some trepidation, I’ve called “her”, and, truth to be told, was quite relieved when “she” didn’t answer. A few mins afterwards I’ve got a Whatsapp saying “I was at the bridge, we’re not allowed to talk privately, can I call you back at MY convenience”? I said “yes”, and decided to let “her” take the initiative. About a month afterwards she took to the social media, asking for a snack she’s fond of from Trader’s Joe, which she cannot buy in Europe. I decided to help her and published the request on several of the approaching Beyond roll calls. I wrote to her about it, and she replied: “Thank you, I was very hungry when I’ve asked for these snacks”. People replied to me either “it is sold out”, or “I’ve ordered those on A---on, how will I get them to her”? When I’ve wrote her about the “sold out” or “where shall I deliver”, her replies started to be “off”. I couldn’t get a straight answer from “her” and decided to give up. Let her contact me if she wanted to continue our “relationship”. Sure enough, she started to write me “I was today in X”, sent me videos of her with other cruisers, etc. I replied politely and noncommittally, I had the feeling I’m “speaking” with a boot… So, last week I’ve got a “plea” for help from “her” – a strange request about her Whatsapp being “logged out”, and that “she” needed another SIM card… I decided to “play along” and told her that should I buy her a SIM card, it will be an Israeli number. “She” said “Yes, just send me the verification number”. I continued playing the “technically challenged” and “she” started to push me: “Please, I need your help, I need it today, when can you buy it?” Told her I’ll drive to the city and try to buy it. I had anyhow some errands, so, after dealing with them, I went into a mobile shop and asked about the “sting” the “captain” wanted to pull on me. They agreed with me, and told me to tell “her” that in Israel, for security reasons, you cannot just “buy” a SIM, you have to IC yourself, etc. I have to tell that at this point, I was absolutely sure that someone hacked into “her” number and is taking advantage of me. When I got back home, I wrote “her” that….. “security, etc.”. “She” was not pleased. Told me again: “I’ll understand that you don’t want to help me…”. By this time, hubby and me decided to block “her” number. Hubby thought to alert her on other social media/s, but turned out that lots of “her” profiles are fakes too… Yesterday, when our eldest was here, I’ve shown him the “history” of my correspondence with “her”, and turned out that someone somehow hacked the “live” conversation the real Captain had with her fans, and started to correspond with me. I was in shock – at least I’ve thought that part of the time I’ve been actually corresponding with her, since at the beginning, the hacker was quite good in impersonating the Captain….

I'll gladly take this option. We don't drink, don't need the wifi during our vacation, and our travel agent always gave us the free grats perk. As of now, we're paying a lot for amenities we don't use. I'd like to have the option of cruise only.

Thank you. I was indeed wondering if PHACO is "blade" 😕. @lenquixote66 So DH had 2 PHACO (blade) very easy ops, in which he chose lenses to get rid of his glasses.

Very nice and very practical 👍. So you'll both work one beside the other, with your backs to the TV?

Thank you, I appreciate your detailed reply. Enclosed quarters for at least 75 minutes, with pax who had flown a day earlier from the States. I'd like to wear a mask. I'd like the others to wear one too... To be on "solid" ground, I'll take gratefully your advice and email the hotel.

If it's not much trouble for you, cm42 -- I find the definition of "public transportation" quite vague... 3 couples in our roll call, from the same hotel, booked a transfer to Civvi through our hotel. How can I find if this transfer to Civvi "qualifies" under "public transportation" ?? Thanks,

@ATG, somehow it reminds me of Tom Jones' song... G G Grass of Home 😕 SMH

אוי בוני, איזה חוסר מזל. באסה. So sorry for you, for the pain and the disappointment. 🤞 you'll heal quickly and fully. Do u get to keep your job? 😘

Great minds, etc. 😁

Mark, thank you for your detailed reply. The reason I've asked is that we're, how should I call it, at the "money time" for our flight to Rome (10 days from today), and then cruise.... I've decided not to participate today in my HS group gathering [we haven't seen each other for months, thanks Omicron], and may be decide not to see our kids and grandkids Friday next week, so as not to catch "anything" along the way... <Sigh>

That's so good to know. How many days would you say between your "exposure" and until you started to feel lousy and then tested positive? Wishing your daughter a very Happy Birthday 💐

Happy Birthday to @Ocean Boy Wishing you a lovely birthday celebration, and, in general -- more cruises and less work 😉

@h20skibum Mark, how do u feel? @BonTexasNY Bonnie, give us a "sign" (tni siman 😘)

Same here, Maryann 😘 @Luckynana

Hopefully, I'll be on Beyond 2 weeks from today, and I'll write a review of our IV cabin 😁

The OP stated that's their 1st time on X, so no upgrade for them.

He certainly took his time ...😢 Hopefully, it will be a quick and unmemorable "episode".

@A&L_Ont Same here 🌈

@Luckynana + 1 😢, so sorry, Maryann

Exactly. The wall on this side makes all the difference. We stayed in 8594. Best location ever. No noise, and almost no traffic either, since only those "living" on the hump used this corridor. I would never book the cabins on the port side, since they're indeed very noisy.

Cruise with Confidence 😉

The celebrated b'day person wears a crown of flowers. My DIL, who is very cost conscious (for which I thoroughly admire her and appreciate) bought one with artificial flowers, which can be adapted in size. The tradition is that they get 3 b'day celebrations -- one within the family, one at the kindergarten [which is held once a month -- all born in May together], and one -- at a venue [or if you have a big house or/and don't mind the ensuing mess] with all the kids from the kindergarten. Another tradition, which I don't know if it is "used" in the US, is to raise them sitting on a chair the number of years + 1 [so the guy with the fruit t-shirt 🤪 was raised 5 times]. You're not alone... First, he was a flight attendant, saying that his "way of life" doesn't allow him to maintain a meaningful relationship. After 10 years, he was laid off when Covid struck, and then... well... with Covid around.... it is difficult to date... beside, he's busy surfing ☹️

The birthday boy [before being raised 5 times], and with his themed cake [my cheese cake was for the grown ups...]

@molly361 Same here, Ellen. Hope you'll make a full recovery. So many cruises out there waiting for you 😘 @A&L_Ont Your steaks are mouth watering... I remember you've stocked on "Omaha steaks". Are those the ones? @Sea Dog Greg, how would you "rate" your knee op in terms of improvement of your quality of life? And, we miss some pictures of your lovely pups 😘 @Sunshine3601 Debbie, I've posted a reply to Judy @NHProud Wednesday, and it was "approved" today... now buried many many pages "ago".... @Luckynana Usually, the base of cheese cakes is some crushed cookies or biscuits + melted butter. The "sable" base is much more "sophisticated", and, in hindsight, not really worth the extra work and bother... Nevertheless, the cake was simply amazing -- very fluffy, which is a first for a cheese cake. Glad that I cut on the amount of sugar suggested. Well, let me brag that I've turned into an experienced baker 😉 Sable dough is a versatile pastry staple. Shorter (crumbly) and richer than regular pie crust (thanks, eggs), sable makes a sturdy and tasty shell for tarts and also makes excellent shortbread-type cookies.