The Fleet Report and Daily for Tuesday April 25th, 2023

[GeorgeCharlie]

We visited Manta last Nov as part of the 31-Day SA repositioning cruise on the Oosterdam. Our Manta tour covered many of the same sights others have already mentioned.

 

The cruise also included a stop in Falkland Islands and we were fortunate to be able to take a helicopter tour out to see three types of penguins at Volunteer Point, plus a second tour out to a Rockhopper penguin colony.🤠

 

King Penguins.

 

King penguin chick still in it's winter coat.

 

Rockhopper "The penguin with an Attitude".

 

[kazu]

2 hours ago, NextOne said:

I'm pleased to say I got some good news yesterday:

"Edi, fortunately at this point time we do not need any procedures."

 

I also thought this note was interesting! Apparently, communication isn't great between the departments!

 

"I am disappointed that you are not contacted by the surgical team at the **** Hospital I will forward a message to Dr. B*** who is an excellent structural heart specialist at ***** Hospital. I am sure he will contact you within the next few days."

 

I'm just happy that this doesn't threaten my July cruise & I was right to be concerned that no one had contacted me!

@marshhawk Annie - I'm sorry to hear the news about Irving. You are a good pet parent!

@kazu Jacqui - good luck tomorrow with the elbow surgery.The new dog toys are adorable!

Prayers raised all that need them, and cheers for those celebrating! I, too, was sadden by the news about Harry Belafonte. He was such a remarkable man.

 

Oh that is SUCH great news. 🙂 👏 👏 👏. 

Big you can go and enjoy your cruise with no worries 👍 

 

 

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

 

Nancy, we looked into Viator tours for one trip.  IIRC, they do not run the tours, but are basically a booking agent for different tour operators.  That was why we did not go with them, since it was difficult to figure out who would be providing the tour.

 

Lenda

 

Lenda, absolutely correct.  Viator is a middle man.  If you can find a good guide you will pay less and have control of your tour.  Also, they don’t tend to meet you at your ship, generally speaking - you have to go find the “meeting” place.  I used them once, decades ago before I knew better.

 

I far prefer check reviews, be able to ask questions & to book directly with the guides, customize my tours, etc. 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

3 hours ago, NextOne said:

I'm pleased to say I got some good news yesterday:

"Edi, fortunately at this point time we do not need any procedures."

 

I also thought this note was interesting! Apparently, communication isn't great between the departments!

 

"I am disappointed that you are not contacted by the surgical team at the **** Hospital I will forward a message to Dr. B*** who is an excellent structural heart specialist at ***** Hospital. I am sure he will contact you within the next few days."

 

I'm just happy that this doesn't threaten my July cruise & I was right to be concerned that no one had contacted me!

@marshhawk Annie - I'm sorry to hear the news about Irving. You are a good pet parent!

@kazu Jacqui - good luck tomorrow with the elbow surgery.The new dog toys are adorable!

Prayers raised all that need them, and cheers for those celebrating! I, too, was sadden by the news about Harry Belafonte. He was such a remarkable man.

 

Edi, that is good news.  We've also found the communication between medical practices sometime are lacking.

 

49 minutes ago, kazu said:

Lenda, absolutely correct.  Viator is a middle man.  If you can find a good guide you will pay less and have control of your tour.  Also, they don’t tend to meet you at your ship, generally speaking - you have to go find the “meeting” place.  I used them once, decades ago before I knew better.

 

I far prefer check reviews, be able to ask questions & to book directly with the guides, customize my tours, etc. 

 

Jacqui, thanks for confirming that my memory was correct.  We opted not to go with them when the information said we needed to meet at a hotel or another site that we were not familiar with.  If we knew the area, we probably wouldn't have needed the tour, since we usually do our own thing.

 

Lenda

[cunnorl]

6 hours ago, 0106 said:

I have read a great deal about the Magdalena Island crossing from Punta Arenas.  Did you book a ship's tour?  If not, what private tour company are you planning to use? 

 

@ottahand7Unfortunately, we will not be in Peru to see the penguins of Balestas. 

We have "penguin tours" booked for Puerto Madryn and the Falklands.  Would visit Magdalena Island while in Punta Arenas have not decided on a tour.  Do you have any advice?

 

 We booked the Magdalena excursion thru the ship. I had originally booked the fast ferry but heard that often it gets cancelled. So I cancelled and booked the ferry instead.

 

 

[bennybear]

Very late today,  and scattered.  
The book Thief is one of my most favourite books,  our book club loved it,  it sounds very strange but it is an excellent read!  Highly recommend! 
ANZAC day is very important,  we saw quite the memorial to some of the soldiers on Crete, who had to be rescued by submarines! 

I am glad to hear some good news Edi, happy birthday to Geri’s DH @ger_77 hope he doesn’t get side effects from the shingrix for his birthday, but I know you’ll celebrate well.

 

@kazu love the dog toys,  and hope tomorrow goes as well as possible!  
@marshhawkso hard to make these decisions, but when they no longer want to eat it is a sign. Big hugs! 

 

8 hours ago, cruzn single said:

Good morning, all!  Returned from my TA on Rotterdam on Saturday (day late due to airline problems).  My internet was horrible on ship - part of Navigator worked on iPhone and part worked on iPad, so gave up trying to read or post.  Just enjoyed the ship, new people to meet and the whole experience.  On 1st part of cruise (5-day Bahamas cruise), I FINALLY made 4-star.  It took a very long time for me - been cruising with HAL since 1985.

 

Will try to comment on past posts and today's when I return home.   I am leaving shortly for the doctor for MOHS surgery on my nose.  Bit worried about this one.  

 

Wanted to report good medical news that happened during my trip.  The second major surgery for my DStepson for kidney removal was a success and the extremely large tumor was non-cancerous.  Still have to deal with oncology because of adrenal gland malignancy.  Also learned he also has melanoma (bad sort) that must also be dealt with.  So definitely a mixed bag of things going on for him.

 

Hope to get back later.  Wish me luck with the dermatologist.

Have a good day, everyone.

Mary Kay

Hope the Mohs goes well and the  melanoma surgery for your DSS

 

My apologies if I missed anything,  life has been insane, yesterday my DD’S FIL was airlifted into a trauma centre after an industrial accident.  Praying he does well with multiple injuries, he just lost his wife a few months ago.  My biopsy results were not good, so I have been preparing for surgery tomorrow.  I am hopeful it was caught early,  appreciate prayers.  

Edited April 25, 2023 by bennybear

[quilty964]

Happy Tuesday!  We have some sun here today.  The temp is still a bit chilly, but the sun feels great!  Our Zoo had a baby Gentoo penguin December of last year.  We haven't seen her yet, but she is starting to be out and about with the adults.  Her name is Pepper.   We also had a baby Red Panda.  We did see her, and she is a cutie.  I'm not sure about the meal or the drink of the day, and prefer beers over wine.  

@kazuhoping your surgery and recovery goes well.  The dog toys are great!  

@marshhawkThinking about you and Irving....hugs to all of you.  Enjoy your last days with him.  

 

Pepper the penguin!

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

2 minutes ago, ktbraun said:

Happy Tuesday!  We have some sun here today.  The temp is still a bit chilly, but the sun feels great!  Our Zoo had a baby Gentoo penguin December of last year.  We haven't seen her yet, but she is starting to be out and about with the adults.  Her name is Pepper.   We also had a baby Red Panda.  We did see her, and she is a cutie.  I'm not sure about the meal or the drink of the day, and prefer beers over wine.  

@kazuhoping your surgery and recovery goes well.  The dog toys are great!  

@marshhawkThinking about you and Irving....hugs to all of you.  Enjoy your last days with him.  

 

Pepper the penguin!

 

Brenda, I'm sorry your biopsy results were not good.  Sending positive thoughts for a good outcome with the surgery.  Hope the surgery takes care of everything, and younhave a quick recovery.

 

The penguin is cute.

 

Lenda

 

[kochleffel]

I've only booked through Viator once or twice. The last was when I was stranded in Iceland over a weekend, with no time to check out all the possibilities. The tour was run by Gray Line and picked me up at my hotel. I've also had the experience of being told by independent tour operators to meet a certain large hotel, usually close enough to my small hotel that it wasn't a problem, but it would have been a lot less convenient if I had been coming from the port.

 

Dinner tonight is purple carrots and baked flounder. They look nice on the plate and the carrots have lots of anthocyanins, but it is not a combination that I would choose to make if I had anything else. It's very hard, however, to cook with ingredients that you don't have.

 

Garden Club--I was amused to see that five of the six main types of anthocyanins in food are named for flowering plants in which they're typically found: Cyanidin, Delphinidin, Malvidin, Pelargonidin, Peonidin, and Petunidin.

 

While the carrots were cooking, I measured the raised bed that I want to rebuild. It turns out to be larger than I thought: 3 feet wide and 16 feet long. I'll need to build it in at least two sections.

[kazu]

1 hour ago, bennybear said:

life has been insane, yesterday my DD’S FIL was airlifted into a trauma centre after an industrial accident.  Praying he does well with multiple injuries, he just lost his wife a few months ago.

 

Oh my, Brenda - I am so sorry to hear this.  These things can be harder after a loss.  I feel for him and you   I join you in your prayers for him 🙏🏻. Please keep me posted.

 

 

1 hour ago, bennybear said:

 

 My biopsy results were not good, so I have been preparing for surgery tomorrow.  I am hopeful it was caught early,  appreciate prayers.  

 

And even sadder news 😢. I don’t like the sound of this at all 💔 What a tumultuous time you are having - worrying about your DD’s FIL and your DD and family, I am sure and this too?  I pray they have caught  it in time 🙏🏻  and will be praying for you tonight.   I wonder if we are at surgery at the same time?  Perhaps I can somehow send you a good vibe for the right result 🙏🏻 

 

Best wishes for tomorrow. 🙏🏻 

 

 

58 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

While the carrots were cooking, I measured the raised bed that I want to rebuild. It turns out to be larger than I thought: 3 feet wide and 16 feet long. I'll need to build it in at least two sections.

 

Oh my, you are doing that yourself aren’t you?  Good luck.

 

my raised beds are bigger for sure, but I make no bones about admitting I didn’t build them myself.  LOL.  In fact pretty much every garden pic you see (including the big one in the back) is made.  But neither DH nor I had the ability nor fortitude to do it.  Good for you 🙂 

[smitty34877]

1 hour ago, bennybear said:

Very late today,  and scattered.  
The book Thief is one of my most favourite books,  our book club loved it,  it sounds very strange but it is an excellent read!  Highly recommend! 
ANZAC day is very important,  we saw quite the memorial to some of the soldiers on Crete, who had to be rescued by submarines! 

I am glad to hear some good news Edi, happy birthday to Geri’s DH @ger_77 hope he doesn’t get side effects from the shingrix for his birthday, but I know you’ll celebrate well.

 

@kazu love the dog toys,  and hope tomorrow goes as well as possible!  
@marshhawkso hard to make these decisions, but when they no longer want to eat it is a sign. Big hugs! 

 

Hope the Mohs goes well and the  melanoma surgery for your DSS

 

My apologies if I missed anything,  life has been insane, yesterday my DD’S FIL was airlifted into a trauma centre after an industrial accident.  Praying he does well with multiple injuries, he just lost his wife a few months ago.  My biopsy results were not good, so I have been preparing for surgery tomorrow.  I am hopeful it was caught early,  appreciate prayers.  

Sending prayers for your surgery tomorrow  and for your DD's FIL.

[AncientWanderer]

1 hour ago, bennybear said:

 

My apologies if I missed anything,  life has been insane, yesterday my DD’S FIL was airlifted into a trauma centre after an industrial accident.  Praying he does well with multiple injuries, he just lost his wife a few months ago.  My biopsy results were not good, so I have been preparing for surgery tomorrow.  I am hopeful it was caught early,  appreciate prayers.  

 

 

The prayer circle is strong for you, Brenda.  Stay positive and remember they have lots of new tools in the drawer now.   Many will be thinking of you tomorrow.

Maxine

[Cruising-along]

1 hour ago, bennybear said:

My biopsy results were not good, so I have been preparing for surgery tomorrow.  I am hopeful it was caught early,  appreciate prayers.

Praying for you Brenda. 

[aliaschief]

@bennybear I do hope all goes well for you tomorrow.🙏

Well we have been rolling a bit today and that trend should continue. The sun finally broke through but with it being 53 F and windy it’t pretty much been a stay inside day.

Tonight is dressy night so we will see some new faces. Covid cases are lowering with 39 guest and one crew member. I like that Captain Mark is up front about it and many folks are donning mask.

We had a nice lunch in the Pinnacle which resulted in an afternoon recovery nap. Our room seems to finally be warming up some so H- Vac may be turning around.

Thanks for the postings and to all a Goodnight from the MS Eurodam. B.

 

[dfish]

2 hours ago, bennybear said:

 

My apologies if I missed anything,  life has been insane, yesterday my DD’S FIL was airlifted into a trauma centre after an industrial accident.  Praying he does well with multiple injuries, he just lost his wife a few months ago.  My biopsy results were not good, so I have been preparing for surgery tomorrow.  I am hopeful it was caught early,  appreciate prayers.  

 

Prayers for you, Brenda, and for your DD's FIL.  Lean on us.  We're here for you!

[cruzn single]

Well, it is now past 7 pm.  Just got home from MOHS surgery.  Had to have two scrapes.  Doc wanted to do reconstructive surgery tonight and I just couldn’t do it after an entire day in the office.  Alternative is plastic surgery under general anesthesia.  I opted for that.  I am feeling beaten to a pulp.  Holes on my nose are large and fairly deep.

 

  My dear sweet DIL brought me McD’s.

 

Prayers for @kazuand @bennybearfor surgeries tomorrow.

[cat shepard]

@bennybear & @kazu

 

Brenda & Jacqui praying that all goes well for you both tomorrow and that you recovery is quick & painless!

[cunnorl]

@bennybear and @kazu    Sending thoughts and prayers to both of you for tomorrow.

    Hope all goes smoothly with great results for both of you!

@cruzn single   Rest and recover from today, That is not an easy procedure. 

[marshhawk]

@cruzn singleDH did the same thing, on his last MOHS.  Both the doc and I begged him to go into hospital but he didn't want to until the next day when more surgery was done, but not more MOHS.  His first surgery at the beginning was 13 hours of testing and surgery.  His (now if you are squeamish-don't read this) upper lip was taken off completely and his lower lip was cut in two and remade into an upper and lower lip).

 

[marshhawk]

@kazu  Good luck tomorrow, and I hope getting the metal out, will make you feel better!

 

Edited April 26, 2023 by marshhawk

[marshhawk]

@bennybearYou are in my prayers tonight.

[marshhawk]

Cruise Question.  My friends who are staying at a HAL recommended hotel and have a verandah/balcony cabin but booked months after we did have an arrival time of 10 a.m..  Most everyone in my roll call is getting on between 11 and 11:30.  We are not to arrive before 1, which means too late for lunch once we get on, as we have an early dinner in Tamarind-how are boarding times assigned?  My friends arrive the night before the cruise, we are in Vancouver for 4 days and did not provide flight information.  ???  Whats the secret?  Where did we go wrong?  Or was it because we finally had to call in our credit card information last week as the web site kept attaching one card to all three people?

 

Oh well, as long as they feed me the rest of the cruise, and dont treat us as steerage, we should be OK.  It just keeps reminding me of why we continue to cruise with one cruise line because of the perks.

And they are all owned by the same company.  Too bad they don't carry over from one division to another.

 

Second question-the tiles-who gets them, ? I have a lot of delft items in the house, from mom and from my own love of delft, and used to frequent a Dutch store in Helen GA.

 

Third question-can you get wake up calls?  BFF hears a flea fart at 30 paces, so my ticking alarm clock would cause him to throw it over board.  Once when he stayed at our house he took all the batteries out of the clocks one night.  I am obsessed with time, so that I don't sleep through something.  Like work, or a meal.

 

 

 

 

[durangoscots]

2 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

Praying for you Brenda. 

Adding my prayers and positive thoughts for Brenda.

 

Susan

 

[Cruising-along]

59 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

Cruise Question.  My friends who are staying at a HAL recommended hotel and have a verandah/balcony cabin but booked months after we did have an arrival time of 10 a.m..  Most everyone in my roll call is getting on between 11 and 11:30.  We are not to arrive before 1, which means too late for lunch once we get on, as we have an early dinner in Tamarind-how are boarding times assigned?  My friends arrive the night before the cruise, we are in Vancouver for 4 days and did not provide flight information.  ???  Whats the secret?  Where did we go wrong?  Or was it because we finally had to call in our credit card information last week as the web site kept attaching one card to all three people?

 

Oh well, as long as they feed me the rest of the cruise, and dont treat us as steerage, we should be OK.  It just keeps reminding me of why we continue to cruise with one cruise line because of the perks.

And they are all owned by the same company.  Too bad they don't carry over from one division to another.

 

Second question-the tiles-who gets them, ? I have a lot of delft items in the house, from mom and from my own love of delft, and used to frequent a Dutch store in Helen GA.

 

Third question-can you get wake up calls?  BFF hears a flea fart at 30 paces, so my ticking alarm clock would cause him to throw it over board.  Once when he stayed at our house he took all the batteries out of the clocks one night.  I am obsessed with time, so that I don't sleep through something.  Like work, or a meal.

 

 

 

 

Annie I've never heard of anyone getting a boarding time before 11:00...so the 10:00 seems strange.  Anyway, I have noticed that people who book their hotel and transfer through HAL do seem to get the earlier times.  Besides that, 4 & 5-stars, Neptune Suites, Pinnacle Suites (and I guess Orange Club) get priority boarding times.  Our boarding time for our cruise next week is 12:00, and marked priority. 😉  

 

Everyone gets the tiles.  You should each get 1 left on your bed during the cruise.

 

Yes, I've seen that you can get wake up calls.  We've never had to do it, DH sets the alarm on his watch.  

[ger_77]

@bennybear I’m adding my prayers for your surgery tomorrow, as well as for your DD’s FIL.  

[kazu]

8 hours ago, marshhawk said:

We are not to arrive before 1, which means too late for lunch once we get on

 

You should be fine for lunch.  The Lido will be open until around 2 - 2:30 and there is still some food there after that date.  Dive In is open all afternoon as well.