POA1

I was wondering if mandarin orange segments and whole milk Greek yogurt was being offered. It doesn't really matter to me. Thanks!

Thank you for taking us along with you, Rich! I'm finally caught up.

No advantages in this case.

If you are from the Northeast (US) and came of age in the 1970s or 1980s, "BHB" meant Big Haired (Insert derogatory term for Ladies that rhymes with Witches, Britches, Snitches or Itches.)

That's the name of the cocktail. It doesn't actually contain penicillin*. They use a rim dipped in sparkly sugar and a combination of Azithromycin, Doxycycline, and Erythromycin which is both tasty and helps treat Chlamydia which you get from drinking Clamato**. * - True ** - Made up for comedic effect.*** *** - I've reached the conclusion that most of my humor**** would now be called out as misinformation. **** - Humour in Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth nations*.

Copper - You know how the instructor tells you to "hold your questions until the end?" In this case, it's wholly unintentional. I'm embarrassed to say that I just now saw your live-from. I guess I have my weekend reading cut out for me.

Kathi - Sending prayers for your speedy and full recovery. I can definitely say that you and your sail away threads are missed.

We have been on cruises where we have had a formal or gala night on a port day. It was never on a late night, 11 pm port call day. If you are on a repeating itinerary, look for the people who post in the weeks leading up to your sailing as the routine is usually fixed. Whomever posted about asking the photographers gives sage advice. The photographers have to do extra duty on those special days so they are probably aware in advance.

There's a fair amount of shade down by the Pirate Ship. It as has a bar and restrooms.

Your cabana stewards will probably stay the same throughout the voyage unless they're training or someone has a day off. We have a tip-as-we-go approach with a final larger tip at the end. As always, tipping is a personal choice, but we've always found our cabana stewards to be outstanding. It's a plum position in the beverage department so you are bound to get some great service.

You'll never see a "formal / gala / dressy / c'mon, man! please wear long pants for crying out loud" night on the first day or last day. Luggage delays and packing are the reason.

Have an awesome voyage! We'll try to pop out for sail away.

Wowzers! I'm seriously late the the party. I just spotted Kazu's live from when I was looking at the itinerary for the Nieuw Amsterdam today. Thanks for taking us with you, Jacqui! I guess I have my reading assignment for Christmas weekend.

We thought the same thing as the Sky Princess sailed by. In related news, one of the announcer boats from the Fort Lauderdale Christmas Boat Parade was in the channel announcing the cruise ships. "Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a big hand to entrant #39 in this year's boat parade, the Harmony of the Seas!"

It's been windy since Friday. We, in all honesty, did not know that there was a "sub-tropical" storm brewing until lunch time on Monday. If you are sailing out of Jacksonville, I'd worry. Port Canaveral is iffy. Port Everglades or Port Miami should be fine. (If we get washed out to sea, I was wrong.)