nancynana9950

I have MS. For years I was on a biologic drug with a high copay. Before I went on Medicare the pharmaceutical company that made the drug covered my copay so I paid nothing. Once you get on Medicare pharmaceutical companies are prohibited from covering the copay. The National MS Society helped me apply for a grant from a philanthropic organization to cover my copay. Maybe the National Diabetes Association can help you find a grant. I really hope you can find some way to obtain this much needed support in your efforts to stay well. 

1 hour ago, puppycanducruise said:

We like BritBox, lots of British mysteries  (The Bay, Shetland)   And other shows like Qi, Monte Don gardening shows, and classic britcoms like Vicar of Dibley.  We also like Roku - we've started watching Brokenwood Mysteries, it's from New Zealand. 

I watch BritBox quite frequently so it’s worth the fee for me. I used to subscribe to Acorn as well but have to draw the line somewhere as cable and internet fees are getting ridiculous. I also find that being a contributing member of PBS lets me watch many shows on the Passport app. For as little as $5 a month. I’ve already watched a new episode of Call the Midwife. 

Hello all! I read every day but only post occasionally. My DH and I have been to Montreal a number of times. The first was our honeymoon in 1972. Another trip for our 25th anniversary. We got the train in Saratoga Springs to Montreal and later continued on to Quebec City. We tried to return for our 50th in 2022 but Amtrak had not restarted following Covid. We had booked a Canada/New England on Holland but ended up canceling because the weather forecast was bleak. My material grandfather was baptized in Notre Dame. He was born across the river in the town of Laprairie. He lived to 105 years. Most of my DM’s cousins from Laprairie only spoke French. 
I hope all who are experiencing illness are soon recovered and all who are traveling have fair skies. 

I’m having trouble getting the blog. The link just shows the last post in November on the previous sailing. 

19 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Wow, that can't be a young Captain, if he was a Deck Officer on Prinsendam, which sank in 1980. I am really surprised that any Captain would make that type of public statement.

 

Yes, the ship's whistle is a maritime tradition, but it is also required for a number of functions, in addition to making the prescribed sound signals in restricted visibility. In restricted visibility, when a vessel is underway (not at anchor or secured to a berth), it makes 1 of 2 signals. When making way through the water, it sounds a prolonged blast (4 - 6 secs duration) at intervals not exceeding 2 minutes. A vessel NOT making way through the water sounds 2 prolonged blasts at intervals not exceeding 2 minutes.

 

Ship's on deep sea passage may never sound the 2 blasts, as they are normally underway, unless broken down. However, when docking/undocking and operating in narrow coastal channels, this is something that does happen, when 1 Captain has to stop to permit another vessel to clear a bend, narrow channel, etc. Without a whistle and making the correct sound signals other vessels wouldn't know the vessel is stopped.

 

Radar, accepting the vast improvements in technology, is still only an electronic aid to navigation and all Masters and Deck Officer should operate accordingly. Radar works best on a clear day and flat calm seas. On those types of days, we could pick up floating logs and even stationary birds. We must also be cognisant of the potential limitations of radars, especially with the suppression technology that was being introduced prior to my retirement. To reduce clutter, the suppression technology has to see a consistent return for a number of sweeps, before it actually painted it on the screen. In wet/windy conditions, I have seen many times where we can visually see small craft that are not shown on the radar screen. At times, no amount of fine tuning of the radar would display the target. Although very rare these days, I have also experienced multiple total radar failures on a ship. Having also used and purchased all major commercial radar systems, their ability in inclement weather varies considerably.

 

This brings to me to recall a discussion I had with our son, just prior to joining his first ship. As a Cadet, he had completed his first 6-month college phase and was heading to his first ship. Talking about sextants, etc he was adamant we didn't need them, as every ship has a back up to the back ups.... He couldn't consider it possible to have the entire Bridge go black. Fortunately, he now has that experience and is more considerate of non-electronic means of navigating.

 

Another key factor for using a whistle in restricted visibility, especially in coastal waters, is that most smaller pleasure boats have NO radar. They set to sea, navigating by smart phone GPS. I have experienced numerous near misses with small pleasure craft operating mid channel in a straight line, having them almost run into my vessel. My ship's whistle saved the day on many occasions, preventing small craft from running into us while we stopped dead in the water.

 

The International Collision Regulations also prescribe manoeuvring and warning signals, some of which include:

 - Approaching a bend, the Master SHALL  sound 1 prolonged blast, which shall be responded by a similar signal by any vessel hearing the signal. At a blind corner, radar is useless, as it is line of sight, it doesn't see around bends.

 - If any vessel, in sight of another vessel, is unsure of the intensions of another vessel it SHALL sound the "Danger Signal", which is at least 5 short & rapid blasts on the whistle

 - They have additional signals for altering to port, stbd, going astern and overtaking.

 

In a man-overboard situation, the 3 long rings on the General Alarm are also sounded on the ship's whistle. This is for a number of reasons, the whistle is more audible than the G/A on deck (depending on the conditions) and it also alerts other vessels in the vicinity of the situation and that the vessel could be crash stopping, executing a Williamson Turn, etc.

 

The continuous sounding of the ship's whistle is also a recognised distress signal.

 

Another use that few mariners have utilised and it was not taught during my time as a Cadet, either aboard ship, or at college, is using the whistle during coastal navigation in restricted visibility. With the vessel steaming towards a charted cliff, you sound the whistle and time for the rebound (echo). Using the time, you can calculate the distance off the cliff. On the BC Coast, many ships safely navigated using the whistle and magnetic compass. I have tried this method and can attest that it does work.

 

Therefore, having spent almost 30 years in command of Ro/Pax, I cannot agree with the Master you met on Seabourn Quest. I have personal experiences where the ship's whistle has saved me considerable paperwork and potential lawsuits. I also commanded vessels with the latest integrated technology, using it to the fullest extent, but still was comforted to know, when the you know what hit the fan, we had a magnetic compass, windows and a whistle.

Wow! This was so informative! Thanks for taking the time. 

1 hour ago, kochleffel said:

I rarely drink beer,  but I'm having a local Red Shed ale on the terrace of the Hawkeye (almost everything here is named for something in James Fenimore Cooper) Bar & Grill at the Otesaga Resort Hotel.

 

The hotel was built 100+ years ago for rich New Yorkers who came here both because of the lovely setting and because it's considerably cooler here. It's still starchy and expensive.

 

My DD bought a farmhouse in Hartwick a few years ago. Not far from Cooperstown. She worked in the ER at the hospital for awhile. When we went for a visit we had lunch at Mel’s and really liked it. I enjoy walking through old cemeteries and the one in town is where many early settlers were buried including a sizable section with the Cooper family and James Fenimore Cooper. 

2 hours ago, rafinmd said:

My mother.  Taken in 1993 at a celebration of her 90th birthday and my 50th.

 

Roy

Lovely photo. You have the exact same smile!

2 hours ago, Cruzin Terri said:

Hello everyone,

I know today is “Get over it” day.  However, I was having trouble getting over the mistaken medication incident in the ER from Monday.  So I decided I had to do something about it in order to GET OVER IT. 

So I got busy this morning. First i called Hilton Head Hospital to ask for the person in charge of Assigned Risk at the Free-Standing ER Facility I visited.  After being transferred to about 5 different people i finally talked to a nursing supervisor, who sounded horrified at what happened to me.  She told me she would look into it and would get back to me.  She also told me it had to be excalalated because a doctor placed the order for the incorrect medication.

That was about 11 am.  i am still waiting.

Next, I found out the name of the CEO of Hilton Head Hospital and wrote a letter to him.  Snail mail PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL so that he gets it.  I explained the whole series of events and asked him to investigate the matter and get back to me.  i told him how concerned I was with the cavalier attitude of the doctor and that no instructions were given to me nor the name of the medication until I asked.  I also told him that I would be very wary of seeking any treatment at any of the facilities operated by Hilton Head Hospital in the future (and there are many in the area) because I could not be sure the same thing would not happen again and the next time it could be more serious.

I enclosed a copy of my discharge summery, which makes no mention of the mistake.

I then put it in the mailbox.  I have done my part.

Now i can GET OVER IT.

Terri

I am very glad you did that. Medication mistakes should be taken very seriously. At best they may not have serious consequences but at worst they can be deadly. 

12 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

Rabbit rabbit. Hmm, yet another pseudo-martini. The miso cod would be OK.

 

On a cruise I want every day to be no-politics day. I had an unpleasant cruise in 2019 during which one person after another yelled at me about politics. I never introduce politics into conversation with a new acquaintance, but the moment they learned what state I live in, they started yelling. That was not on HAL.

 

 

I hope you are still going to Bermuda. Over on the NCL board there is talk among those doing b2b that it will be too windy to get into Dockyard. Maybe Nassau?  I hope you have a great time wherever you go!

3 hours ago, grapau27 said:

No.

I will let you know when I can.

Well wherever you are the food looks delicious! Enjoy!

Roy just a thought. Make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working. One time I was exposed to carbon monoxide and the effects were always worse at the end of the day from the cumulative exposure. 

1 hour ago, 4966and556 said:

Thank you for the Daily Report.  Although we had a lot of rain a few days ago and many watches and warning from the weather reporters, we haven't had a single flake of snow.  

 

@grapau27 what do you put on pancakes and crepes and French toast?  My ex (who has British parents) always put HP sauce on his along with tomatoes.  He would put Canadian Maple syrup on vanilla ice cream. (Until we discovered Ice wine.)

My late good friend Ian was from Yorkshire and would only put Lyle’s Golden Syrup on pancakes. When we had dinner together on Shrove Tuesday we would have pancakes for dessert. They were thin and more like crepes. 

@1ANGELCAT just curious was it Groff’s in Wildwood?

It would help to know what your interests are but Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bojalian is one of his best IMHA. If you enjoy it you will have a good source to keep you going for a while. 

@kazu Jacqui, I am so very sorry for your loss. 

If the booking was made through a big box store would the upsell offer come from Holland or the agent for the store?

I think I read a ship tour on our October cruise goes to a winery and there is no corkage fee for purchases made while on the tour. 

First cruise on Holland in October. On a six night cruise,does anyone know when Gala night will be?  

We have Crew Appreciation as part of the Have It all promo are gratuities included for the complimentary specialty dinner? What if we purchase another specialty dinner, is the gratuity part of the Crew Appreciation? We usually tip extra for excellent service but would like to know the starting point. First time on Holland and first time having gratuities included as a booking bonus so not sure how it works. 

I booked with the Black Friday have it all promo. The Signature Beverage Package. Including Crew Appreciation. If we get drinks in a bar am I correct that gratuity is not included? What about drinks in the dining room or Specialty?  If a drink is more than $11 are you charged the difference or the full amount?  

I have been here since November when we booked our first Holland cruise. I was looking for some information about the line. I discovered it was a nice place where people could share whatever is going on in their lives. I haven’t cruised much so in the beginning I was shy about chiming in as I didn’t think I had much to contribute. I read daily but still only comment occasionally. I think many of us felt disconnected from our usual circles of friends and family during the past two years and this thread developed into a place where we share much more than our cruise experiences. @Oceansaway17 I hope you stay. I have found people here friendly and tolerant and I have learned so much here!  I learned how to put people in a blue bubble!

7 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

@Oceansaway17.

Most days I just say I will give the food and drink a miss if it doesn't appeal to me.

Because there is different subjects every day which Rich creates even when he is cruising we all can join in and I have learned a lot from the days and love photos especially from ports I have never been to.

I have only been on here for about 6 months and know no one personally but it is lovely that everyone genuinely cares for each other on this thread.

It is nice to get away from the regular threads which sometimes get snarky and unpleasant and usually locked.

I know you are a nice poster from your posts previously on the Royal Caribbean threads and I'm certain everyone loves you on here.

I look forward to you staying with us on here.

Kindest regards.

Graham.

Nicely put Graham. 

Good afternoon, thanks to all who contribute! I have one rosebush. Can’t recall the name. A few years ago our DS built a house for his family right across from us. He did some landscaping and planted a pretty rosebush. Then some groundhogs moved in. They are determined diggers in sandy soil. The rose was in danger so he dug it up and gave it to me. I only have herbs growing next to the garage and the critters don’t seem to like it there. He had to set humane traps all that summer and set them loose miles away. I have seen two ballets. The NYC ballet has a summer residency in Saratoga Springs and I had great seats with some friends there once. Also saw the Nutcracker at a local theater. I usually send valentines to the GC. The drink sounds good but I have never had one. The wine sounds good and I might try the meal but DH- no way!  Never been to Alaska-maybe someday. @Quartzite Cruiser the first time I got drunk it was on Hawaiian Punch and vodka. I was 15. It was not pretty. Haven’t touched that punch since. Mostly drink wine now with the occasional cocktail. I might try that Painkiller one day!  @rafinmdnice sunrise today. Take care all. 

This may have been answered before but this is a long thread and I just jumped in. Our first Holland cruise is in October. How far out from sailing date can you make specialty dinner reservations on Navigator?  Also ship tours? And if you receive these as booking bonus do you have to use a credit card? Thanks for any information. 

3 hours ago, St. Louis Sal said:

Not when certain other people all along weren’t even reprimanded. Let’s not forget that the *** did go after others as well, including gays, handicapped and the Romany people. What they did was indeed a crime against humanity. And what I’m seeing in America now (for instance the recent *** display in Florida, plus the bomb threats against HBC [historically black colleges]) tells me that we didn’t wipe this out as completely as we thought. (Okay, my activist voice will try to stay silent, but please don’t post this kind of stuff, I cannot, will not stay quiet.)

 

St Louis Sal

Thank you. I have been pondering about whether I would post about that or not.