The Fleet Report and Daily for Sunday January 15th, 2023

[4966and556]

Thank you for the Daily Report!  

[marshhawk]

and for a laugh

 

 

 

 

 

[travelingbums]

Thank you everyone for sharing.

 

Hope and prayers for many.

[kazu]

Thanks for Sunday Daily, Roy.

 

I will salute international humanitarian day and I do like today’s quote.

 

Looks like more miserable weather is headed our way with freezing rain and warnings to stay off the roads.  I don’t think it ends until tomorrow.  Hopefully the roads will be OK by Tuesday for my appointment.

 

11 hours ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Jacqui, the one time that I was treated onboard by the medical center I was given a paper receipt and paperwork for filing insurance. It never showed up on the Navigator app or final statement. This was on the Koningsdam October 2021. 

 

They did give me a receipt for all the medical services and believe me I was charged.  Otherwise I wouldn’t have a charge on my credit card from Holland America.   I had a credit balance when I was disembarked.

 

12 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

 

OK, got some HAL questions for you cruisers.  We don't drink alcohol.  But we do want good water.  Can we bring bottled water on board?

 

No – you could no longer bring Bottled water on board.  There are water packages you can buy or you could consider the quench package.

 

12 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

 

  I tried to see if we could pre order it for the ship to be delivered to our cabin, and while there is wine, I don't see how we can order bottled water. 

 

There is definitely a water package you can pre-order online on the health site.  I’m pretty sure it was under beverages and if not other beverages under packages.

 

12 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

 

I like coffee, I live off coffee, but just a cup of black coffee.  Is the coffee package worth it?  Does it include everything at the coffee shop including any pastries that might be there?  Or is there coffee on the Lido 24/7?

 

The pastries at the coffee shop are free of charge.  You just have to buy a beverage to enjoy it.  There is coffee available at the Lido 24/7 as long as you can tolerate it.

 

12 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

Besides the vast amount of Trivia Pursuit offered on the ship, what else is there to do, that's a must do?

 

It really depends on what your interests are.  For example I enjoy playing bingo as do quite a few others but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

 

There are usually talks and usually I meet the captain and he gives a small video tour of the ship.

 

If you look at my live thread that I did I posted the daily activities every day.   There are definitely more activities when the ship is that see them when it is in port.

 

12 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

14 day cruise of Alaska  I think I saw adult coloring, which I enjoy, but what else can I look forward to? 

 

The colour in classes were $25 on my cruise.

 

12 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

 

 

Oh, and BFF is now brave enough to try Tamarind

 

Tamarand is quite good – if your BFF is concerned about space you can request the food to be less spicy but I did not find anything to be really spicy at all.

 

Prayers for everyone on the care list and cheers to all celebrating.

 

 

Have a great Sunday everyone and enjoy the last of the weekend.

[marshhawk]

@kazu  I just checked out the beverage packages.  I think I will skip ordering the water.  I cant see where I can just order water, it appears to be a group of drinks called Quench at 17.95 a day.  When all I want is a good bottled water to take my nightly medications.  Way too extreme for me.  I will just order one bottle at a bar each night and DH and I can take our meds.

 

I will go back and look at your cruise blog, and thank you for the information!

 

[dobiemom]

Thanks for the locations of the Holland America Line fleet, and all the daily information.  Prayers for everyone who needs them.  Cheers for all the celebrations.

 

Friends and I are playing bingo at the “local” (more than an hour away) casino today. We haven’t played in a few months, and I haven’t seen one friend since Covid started. We were worried about the rain but it’s on pause today. We also check road conditions and it’s clear.  

 

Thank you all for caring and sharing.  

[summer slope]

Good Morning.

 

Beam Applebees cocktail:

 

Ingredients
1 part Jim Beam® Honey
1 1/2 cups sparkling apple juice
Lime Wedges

Instructions
Squeeze lime wedge into glass and on rim and discard. Measure and pour Jim Beam Honey into glass, fill completely with ice and top with sparkling apple juice. Garnish and serve.

 

[kazu]

11 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

@kazu  I just checked out the beverage packages.  I think I will skip ordering the water.  I cant see where I can just order water, it appears to be a group of drinks called Quench at 17.95 a day.  When all I want is a good bottled water to take my nightly medications.  Way too extreme for me.  I will just order one bottle at a bar each night and DH and I can take our meds.

 

I will go back and look at your cruise blog, and thank you for the information!

 

 

 

the water package is near the bottom of the beverage list.  You don’t need to buy the quench package.  

 

My memory can be short but the pricing seems cheaper than what it was on board.  This is a good water which is quite pricey on board in case it is of help and  the only one which can be re-sealed.

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from a sunny and breezy central Texas where it is currently 49F.  We are under a wind advisory from 10 am until 6 pm with winds between 20 and 30 mph and gusts above 30 mph.  Our high today is predicted to reach 76F.  With the predicted winds, I doubt if I'll be getting the leaves out of the port.  I'll wait and see what the wind does to them and how many more leaves are blown into the port.

 

I like bagels but don't have them often, and I wear a hat sometimes.  The best day to celebrate is Humanitarian Day.  They do great work around the world.

 

Today's quote is an interesting one which I like, but I'm not sure if I agree with it totally.

 

We'll pass on the meal since a good steak doesn't need anything else.  We'll pass on the drink, but the wine sounds nice but a bit pricey.

 

We have not been to Tokushima, and I hope someone has some pictures of the port to share.

 

@Crazy For Cats  Jake, I hope the new insulation helps keep the heating bills down.  We are beginning to suspect they did not insulate this house as well as they should have, and they maybe even did not insulate parts of it.

@aliaschief  Bruce, thanks for all your information on Azamara.

@ottahand7  Nancy, thank you for the wonderful pictures from your tour.

@Cruzin Terri  Terri, welcome home.  Since you're finally home, I bet the rest of the work will go quickly and not seem so bad.

@marshhawk  Annie, I'm not sure how many sea days you will have on your Alaska cruise, but there is so much to see and do in the various ports, you might want a relaxing sea day without much activity.  FIY, we find the tap water in the bathroom to be good enough for pill taking.

@kazu  Jacqui,  I hope the miserable weather is gone by Tuesday, and that the roads are good on Tuesday.

 

Lenda

 

[rafinmd]

I know bottled water is prohibited but I thought it could be brought on in cans or cardboard packages.

 

That should be ok for daily medicines, although I find the tap water on board just fine.

 

Roy

[smitty34877]

Good morning. It remains cold and windy here but the sun is out. I love bagels and salute humanitarians but have not been to the port.The recipe looks so very good today and I am hungry  already!

Last night was a difficult  one and we called the hospice nurse early this morning. It looks  like our Tana has yet another pneumonia  to deal with.At least I am  feeling pretty  good  these days so I was able to sit with her through the scary episodes.I don't  think either one of us slept at all.I am always so glad to see any of the hospice nurses as they are just so good at their jobs.It takes a special  person to do this work and we are lucky to have them.

@Cruzin Terri, so glad you are finally home!

@aliaschief, Bruce, Thanks for all the pictures  and commentary. Your cruise looks great.

Take care everyone 

[Himself]

Checking in Roy. Thanks for the fleet information.

[Lcubed]

1 hour ago, marshhawk said:

Good Sunday Morning Dailyites!  It's currently 30 degrees and sunny.  I think it's sunny the drapes are still drawn to keep the room just a bit warmer.  But I do see blue.  And it's not the sea.

 

I would love to have a bagel this morning, but it's Yogurt instead.  or Skyr.  from Iceland.  Yesterday we had such a late lunch, and the shots were catching up with both of us, that we had no urge for  dinner.  We watched a couple episodes of season 7 of Vera on Britbox,  and had ice-cream.  Was it better than steak and mushrooms?  Yes.  

 

OK, got some HAL questions for you cruisers.  We don't drink alcohol.  But we do want good water.  Can we bring bottled water on board?  I tried to see if we could pre order it for the ship to be delivered to our cabin, and while there is wine, I don't see how we can order bottled water.  I like coffee, I live off coffee, but just a cup of black coffee.  Is the coffee package worth it?  Does it include everything at the coffee shop including any pastries that might be there?  Or is there coffee on the Lido 24/7?

 

Besides the vast amount of Trivia Pursuit offered on the ship, what else is there to do, that's a must do?

14 day cruise of Alaska  I think I saw adult coloring, which I enjoy, but what else can I look forward to?  Are there arts and crafts classes?  Build a bear?  We have 4 days at sea, and one day of cruising the Inside passage, which I have done before, and I plan to be outside on that day, as it's beautiful.  We are doing a Meet and Greet, and we plan to attend tea in the afternoons.  DH was very excited about that.

What on board event/activity is a must for you?

 

Oh, and BFF is now brave enough to try Tamarind.

From the HAL website under "Shipboard Life"  "Plastic water bottles are not allowed. However, an allowance of six liters, twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 ml in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less) of water are allowed per stateroom.  Any amount in excess of this allowance will be not be allowed onboard. Water in plastic bottles will not be allowed onboard in any quantity, including in ports of call. Guests will be asked to discard open beverages in plastic containers prior to boarding." I have seen cartons of water at our local supermarket. When I bought a single can of water on our Nov 2022 cruise I think it was $5. In general we just drink the  tap water on a cruise.

[puppycanducruise]

@smitty34877Glad you have nurses to help you, they are a godsend.  Prayers for you and Tana.

[Love the beach]

20 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

 .

 

That should be ok for daily medicines, although I find the tap water on board just fine.

 

Roy

Same here. I bring a re-fillable water bottle from home (as well as a Yeti container to carry around my hot tea!) and refill it daily.

 

Thanks everyone for the Daily!

[1ANGELCAT]

Good cold and sunny morning.

Today is the 14th anniversary of the Miracle on the Hudson. What a hero Captain Sully is and the crew that accompanied him .

       Blessings and prayers to all on our lists 

[Heartgrove]

Thank you Rich, double-thank you Roy, thank you Debbie, thank you Ann, and thank you Dixie for your daily contribution! And thank you all for being here!

 

Seven days and a wakeup before we board the Carnival Legend. Even though it is not a BHB we are still looking forward to it as there is not a flight involved with this cruise. We did a last minute change of hotels yesterday. The one we had originally booked for our Park'N'Cruise, as Sue was reading reviews again, seems to have a cockroach infestation going on! Actually worked out better as the new hotel is slightly closer to drive to for us - and actually cheaper. Another plus is they use their own shuttle so that is cheaper as well!

 

We planned on going up the day before including a hotel stay back in November so made arrangements with our dogsitter as well. At this point last year we had had two significant snowfalls. This year it is our driest since 2012. Figures! Thankfully the temperatures are now warmer than back in December so inside temps of the staterooms should be normal.

 

Stay Safe!

 

- Jack

[ottahand7]

@smitty34877 prayers for Tana. 🙏

 

[dfish]

@marshhawk I think Jacqui gave great directions on how to find the water to pre-order.  If you are looking under Beverages there is generally a menu of beverages on the upper left hand side.  Water is a choice.

 

Like others have mentioned, I save my money and drink the tap water.  It is fine, tastes good, and works for me.  The only water I buy is distilled water for my cpap machine.

[Seasick Sailor]

Last night in MDR the Hotel director stopped by. He heard we will be joining Konigsdam in Feb for Hawaii/Tahiti.. Yes..

 

Do you like your table? Yes we do. I'm calling my friend on Konigsdam now to save this table for you. Awesome!!

[Rowsby]

Just an update.....

 

I am dragging my feet....but will be forced to cancel my month-long London trip in April...and pretty bummed about it....

 

I've been having shoulder pain and thought it was tendonitis...had xrays and saw the shoulder specialist a few days ago....it's bone on bone and will need a full shoulder replacement with possible rotator cuff repair (MRI is scheduled).....can't sleep in my bed...too much pain....I'm having to sleep in a recliner....

 

Hoping to keep body parts and pieces together long enough for another trip to Hawaii in July with family....possibly with a cortisone shot prior to the trip....then surgery sometime after......

 

Well...this is just another dip in the road....!!!

 

 

[tupper10]

1 hour ago, marshhawk said:

@kazu  I just checked out the beverage packages.  I think I will skip ordering the water.  I cant see where I can just order water, it appears to be a group of drinks called Quench at 17.95 a day.  When all I want is a good bottled water to take my nightly medications.  Way too extreme for me.  I will just order one bottle at a bar each night and DH and I can take our meds.

 

I will go back and look at your cruise blog, and thank you for the information!

 

I am a water drinker as well. Bring a refillable water bottle and refill it at the Lido or any bar - they all give you free cold water.  No need to buy bottled water, the water on the ship is fine to drink.

 

Edited January 15, 2023 by tupper10
correction

[marshhawk]

OMG, thanks guys, I finally found the water!  I think I will back track, and get some Buble in Vancouver and take that on board with me.  At home I use a Britta, and while I have only cruised with Carnival and their water is awful, I have always been able to pre order water with them.  I do understand about no plastic!

 

@kazuI looked over your cruise blog, (loved the menus by the way) I did notice that there was a charge for painting, but not for coloring.  I will bring my own colored pencils.  I am not going to paint on a cruise.

 

@Quartzsite Cruiser  I am an eating problem.  If I just sit still, I have a tendency to end up on the Lido with a plate of food.  Also when you put 3 people in a cabin for 14 days, we do need to take breaks from each other.  BFF likes bridge, I like art, DH likes the casino.  Unless he is having an off day, and then he goes every where with me.  The three of us are on all the same excursions, except one.  BFF wants more time in the forest in Kodiak than we want, but we will probably run into each other on our excursion.  My theory on Alaska, is to see as much country as I can when I am in a port.  So, not so many critters excursions, but lots of lets go see inland glaciers type of excursions.

 

BFF can nap anywhere.  If he sits still too long, he falls asleep.  I wish I could do that.  Actually if Im not on line here, I'm dreaming of a nap, but always doing something....

 

@smitty34877I do hope that Tana is feeling better.  It's always better when the sun is up, but I know those long nights are taking a toll on both of you.  Please take care.  

 

@grapau27Thank you so much for posting Father David.  He seems a little frazzled today, I hope that he is doing well, please send him a hug from me.

 

Thanks for all your help.  I wish I could get BFF on this site, so that he can ask you questions, but he is church secretary for two different churches, and it is end of year tax time at both of them, so he is a bit overworked at the moment.  But he told me last night to thank all of you for being so kind and generous with your knowledge.

[Sharon in AZ]

1 hour ago, marshhawk said:

@kazu  I just checked out the beverage packages.  I think I will skip ordering the water.  I cant see where I can just order water, it appears to be a group of drinks called Quench at 17.95 a day.  When all I want is a good bottled water to take my nightly medications.  Way too extreme for me.  I will just order one bottle at a bar each night and DH and I can take our meds.

 

I will go back and look at your cruise blog, and thank you for the information!

 

Annie, you can preorder water. Log into your account on the HAL website (not the Navigator app), pull up your booking and choose manage my booking. Then go to the beverages:

Select water, three will show. One is distilled, one is bottled and one is canned. I prefer this one:

 

You can also order it once onboard by calling room service. 6 bottles were plenty for the two of us taking our meds morning and night for 14 days. 

[marshhawk]

@Sharon in AZ  Thank you.  Since this is all on BFF, I have no idea what our booking number is.  He has not finished paying off the cruise, and he is totally unaware of all the requirements he will need to get the three of us on board.  I ask, and he sends me partial info, or way too much info.  Until he pays off the cruise, I am keeping my fingers crossed.  But at this time, not investing one more dime.  All the excursions are booked,  (we paid for)  Our plane reservations are paid for, and the hotel is wanting at least the first night paid for in a couple of weeks, and yet he keeps procrastinating.  He finally got his flights settled,.  But instead of flying from Boston, he is flying from Providence to Newark to Vancouver , getting in 4 hours before we do, and then flying back, well, he's booked as far as Toronto.  Once that cruise is paid for, I will then step up to take care of the rest.  All previous trips that the 3 of us have done, were planned, and paid for by me.  He said he didn't know how hard it was to do these things.

 

@RowsbyI am so sorry to read about your new medical adventure.  Thought this might give you a laugh.