The Fleet Report and Daily for Monday December 12th, 2022

[Vict0riann]

Or, Graham, you could just claim it as your duelling scar!  

[grapau27]

12 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

Or, Graham, you could just claim it as your duelling scar!  

Thank you Ann.

I posted a picture on our Lastie thread.

Graham.

[Vict0riann]

Definitely a duelling scar!

[kochleffel]

I've made my flight and hotel bookings for Spain before the Spanish Farewell in 2023! I'll have four days in Madrid, then the day before embarkation in Barcelona. I wouldn't ordinarily book flights this early, but it's an award booking and the inventory could run out. I'll need a separate booking to return home from Fort Lauderdale. The flight to Madrid is on American, but the flight from FLL will probably be on Delta since I don't get a free checked bag on AA domestic flights.

 

I sort of hope to find other passengers for the Spanish Farewell who are also visiting Madrid and might want to share a private tour there, but it's unlikely. The roll call for the Spanish Farewell by itself is moribund, and probably most will go straight to Barcelona. In any case it's been stated in this forum that HAL passengers know what they're doing and don't want to be hawked for other people's tours. The roll call for the B2B that concludes with the Spanish Farewell is very active but those passengers will already be on the Oosterdam and will have Barcelona as a port call.

[aliaschief]

2 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Thank you Lenda.

These are the 2 creams I have been using on my scar off last year's BSC removal.

Graham.

If you would Google “scar treatment creams” there are actually specific treatment creams designed to remove scars.

[Seasick Sailor]

Dressy Night MDR. Artichoke and carrot soup. Lobster and filet, then strawberry Romanoff. 

 

Beautiful day, fair seas. Great book I am reading throughout the Lido pool and our balcony. The library has a much smaller collection than a year ago, so glad I downloaded a bunch of books. The ship is crazy full. 

 

Have met several super nice couples and a couple joined us tonight in the Crow's Nest. They invited us to Pinnacle tomorrow but we are at Canelletto. Will meet another night.

 

Our waiter was telling us some people were disappointed last night as there was not time to bring up all the provisions from Fort Lauderdale and there was a lot missing. 

 

We have an item that was not delivered to our cabin. The Guest Services manager has ordered it and hoping to get it in Bonaire.

 

We are so happy with our cabin.

 

 

 

 

[DeeniEncinitas]

3 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Dressy Night MDR. Artichoke and carrot soup. Lobster and filet, then strawberry Romanoff. 

 

Beautiful day, fair seas. Great book I am reading throughout the Lido pool and our balcony. The library has a much smaller collection than a year ago, so glad I downloaded a bunch of books. The ship is crazy full. 

 

Have met several super nice couples and a couple joined us tonight in the Crow's Nest. They invited us to Pinnacle tomorrow but we are at Canelletto. Will meet another night.

 

Our waiter was telling us some people were disappointed last night as there was not time to bring up all the provisions from Fort Lauderdale and there was a lot missing. 

 

We have an item that was not delivered to our cabin. The Guest Services manager has ordered it and hoping to get it in Bonaire.

 

We are so happy with our cabin.

 

 

 

 

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Joy❤️ Just beautiful!!!

your both glowing I love it! Your stateroom is perfect fit for both of you❤️ Very impressed. Have a wonderful time!

🌺Denise☺️

 

[Seasick Sailor]

8 minutes ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Joy❤️ Just beautiful!!!

your both glowing I love it! Your stateroom is perfect fit for both of you❤️ Very impressed. Have a wonderful time!

🌺Denise☺️

 

 

Hi Sis! I read where you and David are back to your "other beach home". Has Shawn seen her painting yet? I think it's one of your best. 

Love to you,

Joy

[kazu]

12 hours ago, kochleffel said:

 

I should be able to do it through December 26, but maybe not on the 27th, 28th, or 29th, when I plan to be in Washington with only an iPad, weather permitting. The hotel in Rosslyn where I used to stay has been torn down so I'll be trying a different one.

 

No worries - I can fake those days - if one is a sea day and IF I get away one may be later but not biggie.  Otherwise, I am an early riser and get things up and rolling.

 

We’ll figure it out.  😉 

 

11 hours ago, AncientWanderer said:

 I'm in the Covid penalty box -- with the entire list of typical symptoms.  My holiday prep in in peril.  

 

So very sorry to hear this 😢. I hope you can recover quickly and still enjoy the holiday season 🙏 

\

10 hours ago, luvteaching said:

DH is making progress. A few days ago the nurse changed his dressing on his foot and I finally got to see the deep tissue injuries (DTI) and now understand totally why he goes "ouch" if anyone touches or moves his heel. The one on the inside is starting to heal but the one on the back has a long ways to go. I also talked to the nurse practitioner and got quite a bit of information on what was going on. When he comes home (soon we hope) he'll have a visiting nurse to change the dressing and be followed by a wound care doctor. 

 

OUCH indeed 😔 But I am happy to hear he is making progress.  I am hoping and praying he will be home for Christmas with you 🙏 

 

2 hours ago, kochleffel said:

I've made my flight and hotel bookings for Spain before the Spanish Farewell in 2023! I'll have four days in Madrid, then the day before embarkation in Barcelona. I wouldn't ordinarily book flights this early, but it's an award booking and the inventory could run out.

 

You are smart to have snatched your booking when you did - well done 👍 

 

2 hours ago, kochleffel said:

I sort of hope to find other passengers for the Spanish Farewell who are also visiting Madrid and might want to share a private tour there, but it's unlikely.

 

 

Don’t give up on that.  There were some that did this on our 2022 cruise.  

 

2 hours ago, kochleffel said:

The roll call for the Spanish Farewell by itself is moribund, and probably most will go straight to Barcelona.

It’s early - watch the people jump on as you get closer 😉 

 

2 hours ago, kochleffel said:

 

In any case it's been stated in this forum that HAL passengers know what they're doing and don't want to be hawked for other people's tours.

 

WTH?  Hey I like a nice mixed roll call with a bit of getting to know people and discussing activities and private tours - but who the heck has the right to say what can or cannot be posted on a roll call?

 

If it’s one person (I’m guessing a dominating one) - I would ignore them, wait a bit of time and then just post what you are planning in Madrid.

And FWIW - I think you are really going to enjoy Madrid - it’s well worth the trip inland.  DH and I really enjoyed it.

 

 

Thank you everyone for you good wishes for the trip.  I bordered on cancelling today as I will be out a hotel stay but friends told me to start packing - so I sort of have.  And now it is looking worse - well, my driver is still willing to come so I’ll see what unfolds.

I am so slow with the damn foot.  Yes, I can walk but today (probably the barometric pressure) it is very slow and very painful. Slow and steady doesn’t always win the race 😉 😂 

[DeeniEncinitas]

1 minute ago, Seasick Sailor said:

 

Hi Sis! I read where you and David are back to your "other beach home". Has Shawn seen her painting yet? I think it's one of your best. 

Love to you,

Joy

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

no not yet love! Christmas present 🎁!

Woke up to thunder and lightning early am like around 4:30- 6! Heavy duty rain here! Have not had rain for so long it was something! Now David is outside having his cigar and watching football and it is crystal clear and the moon over the water is glowing! 
Enjoy, Relax, and hug Allen !!! 
Happy cruising Sis!

🌺Denise☺️

[DeeniEncinitas]

8 minutes ago, kazu said:

Thank you everyone for you good wishes for the trip.  I bordered on cancelling today as I will be out a hotel stay but friends told me to start packing - so I sort of have.  And now it is looking worse - well, my driver is still willing to come so I’ll see what unfolds

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Oh Jacqui please don’t give up. I so understand 

you deserve this wonderful cruise time and I pray the weather changes just enough to get you here to San Diego!! GOD will part the sky’s so your plane lands without a weather problem!! WestGate is waiting for your arrival!

San Diego Welcomes you!

🌺Denise☺️

[kazu]

39 minutes ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Oh Jacqui please don’t give up. I so understand 

you deserve this wonderful cruise time and I pray the weather changes just enough to get you here to San Diego!! GOD will part the sky’s so your plane lands without a weather problem!! WestGate is waiting for your arrival!

San Diego Welcomes you!

🌺Denise☺️

 

Thanks - OMG on your memory for the hotel.  I’ve never stayed but my friends swear by it and it looks nice and the price was fantastic on Black Friday.  

 

We’ll see what the weather holds tomorrow I guess.

[kochleffel]

42 minutes ago, kazu said:

WTH?  Hey I like a nice mixed roll call with a bit of getting to know people and discussing activities and private tours - but who the heck has the right to say what can or cannot be posted on a roll call?

 

If it’s one person (I’m guessing a dominating one) - I would ignore them, wait a bit of time and then just post what you are planning in Madrid.

 

It's not completely fair of me to bring this up, but when I first considered cruising with HAL, I began reading the forum and there was a post asking why HAL roll calls were  less active than those of [some other cruise lines]. Now, one reason is that HAL doesn't have any mega ships, so there are fewer passengers per cruise than on the huge ships. But the reply -- just one obnoxious person -- sounded really snobbish and unfriendly, and it was a while before I returned to the HAL forum at all. When I did take a HAL cruise, I found the passengers much nicer than most.

 

Nothing like that is happening in the Spanish Farewell roll call, where pretty much nothing is happening at all. The combined roll call for the B2B is more active, but at the moment it's mostly about pre-cruise time in Athens. I've noticed that B2B passengers tend to post a more in roll calls; there's more excitement with a B2B and, of course more to post about. I'm also following that roll call, for discussion about the ports in Spain and Portugal and plans for the sea days, but it's true that it's very early.

 

 

[DeeniEncinitas]

21 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Thanks - OMG on your memory for the hotel.  I’ve never stayed but my friends swear by it and it looks nice and the price was fantastic on Black Friday.  

 

We’ll see what the weather holds tomorrow I guess.

🌺🌺🌺🌺

Jacqui fingers crossed for you! You will be spoiled by their customer service! 5 star! 
We have stayed there a couple of times and have always been pleased before our cruise! Good luck 👍🍀!!

I pray your on the ✈️ and it is a go!

[kazu]

40 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

 

It's not completely fair of me to bring this up, but when I first considered cruising with HAL, I began reading the forum and there was a post asking why HAL roll calls were  less active than those of [some other cruise lines]. Now, one reason is that HAL doesn't have any mega ships, so there are fewer passengers per cruise than on the huge ships. But the reply -- just one obnoxious person -- sounded really snobbish and unfriendly, and it was a while before I returned to the HAL forum at all. When I did take a HAL cruise, I found the passengers much nicer than most.

 

Nothing like that is happening in the Spanish Farewell roll call, where pretty much nothing is happening at all. The combined roll call for the B2B is more active, but at the moment it's mostly about pre-cruise time in Athens. I've noticed that B2B passengers tend to post a more in roll calls; there's more excitement with a B2B and, of course more to post about. I'm also following that roll call, for discussion about the ports in Spain and Portugal and plans for the sea days, but it's true that it's very early.

 

 

 

I think all roll calls need a spark.  If someone lights a little flame it takes off usually if there are enough people on. If there aren’t you may need to relight the spark.

I’ve been on collectors/B2B cruise and one segment cruises and all of my roll calls have been pretty much rocking and rolling.  Our little 14 day TA had over 120 registered for the M & G.  And we had a great turn out at our sail a way.
 

You just need to be the light that sets the spark off - it can be as simple as asking people if they want to get together for a sail a way on embarkation day - discussing a port - ships in port - whatever.  Or even posting pics of your pets depending on the direction.

Roll calls are not just about planning tours - if you can get the right mix and balance, they are about planning and getting to “know” the people you will be cruising with. Those are the best roll calls IMO. 

Don’t give up.  Wait a bit if you like and post and be the spark to light the flame for your roll call.  It just takes one 😉 

[grapau27]

4 hours ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Dressy Night MDR. Artichoke and carrot soup. Lobster and filet, then strawberry Romanoff. 

 

Beautiful day, fair seas. Great book I am reading throughout the Lido pool and our balcony. The library has a much smaller collection than a year ago, so glad I downloaded a bunch of books. The ship is crazy full. 

 

Have met several super nice couples and a couple joined us tonight in the Crow's Nest. They invited us to Pinnacle tomorrow but we are at Canelletto. Will meet another night.

 

Our waiter was telling us some people were disappointed last night as there was not time to bring up all the provisions from Fort Lauderdale and there was a lot missing. 

 

We have an item that was not delivered to our cabin. The Guest Services manager has ordered it and hoping to get it in Bonaire.

 

We are so happy with our cabin.

 

 

 

 

Looks lovely Joy.

Beautiful couple and cabin.

Graham.