StLouisCruisers

Good morning friends! It is 75F in Clearwater, Florida and will be 87 later today. It will be sunny but afternoon clouds could lead to a shower or thunderstorm. Thanks to all who contribute here and I send prayers to all in need of them and congratulations to everyone celebrating a special event. 🙏🎂🎉🎓🥂 Today's port is Exmouth, Australia which is our fourth time seeing it here as Port of the Day. Below are the links to previous showings. I have not been to Exmouth before but would love to, of course. Have a wonderful day!

Today is Cartoonists Day, Chanel No. 5 Day, Childhood Stroke Awareness Day, and Cinco de Mayo What is important in life is life, and not the result of life. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Meal Suggestion for today - Eleanor Chalstrom (name is of a food writer and likely a mistake) Drink of the Day - Loco Unicorn Wine of the Day - Banfi-Rosso-di-Montalcino Destination of the Day - Exmouth, Australia Today in History: 1891 Music Hall (now Carnegie Hall) opens in New York City, with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as guest conductor of teh New York Music Society Orchestra Ship Locations Eurodam At Sea Destination Juneau, Alaska eta 05-06 Koningsdam At Sea Destination Juneau, Alaska eta 05-06 Nieuw Amsterdam Vancouver, BC Canada 7:00-16:00 Nieuw Statendam Rotterdam, Netherlands South Holland 7:00-16:00 Noordam Vancouver, BC Canada 7:00-16:00 Oosterdam Santorini, Greece 10:00 - 21:00 Rotterdam At Sea Destination Eidfjord, Norway Hardangerfjord eta 05-06 Volendam Quebec City, Canada 07:00 - 16:00 Westerdam At Sea Destination Kodiak Island, Alaska eta 05-06 Zaandam Glacier Bay, Alaska 0700-1600 Zuiderdam At Sea Destination San Juan, Puerto Rico eta 5/8

Thank you so much! We can't wait!

Well, we moved from the place we were staying because our host was defensive about our complaint. He seemed to think live roaches in the bedroom on the bed and on the wall was okay because "Have you ever been to Florida before" was his first comment. He claimed to have had the house sprayed "last week" but wouldn't bugs be dead or lying on their backs dying if they were seen by us this week? That's how it usually works. He claimed no one had ever complained of roaches before. Hmmm. I guess they just moved in yesterday. He said he'd refund us the next two nights if we wanted to move on. So we talked it over and found a hotel suite with two separate rooms for sleeping and packed up in 20 minutes. Notified him and he initiated a refund for 2 nights. It will cost us more but no roaches in the hotel. We just didn't like his attitude towards us. Tonight we have dinner with the whole crowd again at a nice Italian restaurant. Graduation tomorrow but I think DD said you have to wait outside the venue an hour or so prior to them allowing us in so we don't end up in nosebleed alley in the top row.

Kentucky Derby Today is International Firefighters Day, International Respect for Chickens Day, and National Business Broker's Day Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life. - Oscar Wilde Meal Suggestion for today - Crispy Cod with Charred Snow Peas & Creamy Herb Sauce Drink of the Day - Strawberry Splash Wine of the Day - Zuccardi 2019 Tito Malbec-Cabernet Franc (Paraje Altamira) Destination of the Day - Klaipeda, Lithuania Today in History: 1979 Margaret Thatcher becomes the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Ship Locations Eurodam Seattle, Washington 7:00-15:00 Koningsdam Vancouver, BC Canada 7:00-16:00 Nieuw Amsterdam At Sea Destination Vancouver, BC Canada eta 05-05 Nieuw Statendam At Sea Destination Rotterdam, Netherlands South Holland eta 05-05 Noordam At Sea Destination Vancouver, BC Canada eta 05-05 Oosterdam Katakolon, Olympia, Greece 12:00 - 18:00 Rotterdam Rotterdam, Netherlands South Holland 7:00-15:00 Volendam Montreal, Quebec Canada 7:00-15:00 Westerdam At Sea Destination Kodiak Island, Alaska eta 05-06 Zaandam Skagway, Alaska 06:30 - 21:00 Zuiderdam At Sea Destination San Juan, Puerto Rico eta 5/8

Hi all, just checking in. We had a great breakfast at First Watch and spent quite a bit of time at Morgan's talking and having her show us around. Both the apartment and the facilities at the complex. Very nice place. I snapped a photo of her before we left. She was heading to the beach to meet up with other family and none of us need any more sun. Tonight we're supposed to meet everyone at a place near the beach where we can all hang out together. Her boyfriend's graduation ceremony is tomorrow and Morgan's is Sunday at 1:30. Different departments. Debbie @dfish DS said he knew of Venue in A squared and had just gone there last week for a department chair happy hour. They hold all kinds of events there. Sounds good! I'll leave you with a photo of Morgan, proud to show us her new home. She's come a long way in less than 2 months!

In 2019 on our family cruise stop in Marseille some of us went to Aix-en-Provence and back to Marseille to tour Notre Dame de la Garde. The remainder went on a boat trip to Calanques National Park where they could swim and go snorkeling. Then they went to Vieux-Port in Marseille for a little lunch at a restaurant of their choice. Aix-en-Provence was a lot bigger than I normally like. There were some nice places there to tour though. Morgan just before her 17th birthday The Catholic Cathedral in Aix-en-Provence didn’t look as nice on the outside as the inside did. Heading back to Marseille for our tour of the cathedral. This is the way up so beware if you can't do steps! Almost there. The cathedral is at the top of the tallest hill so there are stellar views of Marseille. And excellent statues outside Views inside Notre-Dame de la Garde Our next stop would be at Vieux-Port or Old Port seen below from the cathedral. Once at the port we strolled the streets and marina in the hot, hot sun for a while, then stopped at a covered patio and had cold drinks at a cafe. There's Notre-Dame up on the hill. The family members who went on the boat tour of the Calanques National Park were able to dip into the water to cool off! Then they ended up back at the Vieux-Port for lunch. We did not run into each other there. DGS Ren at 12 years old. That's quite a pizza for one kid but you know how boys eat! Especially when they burn so many calories playing soccer constantly. I wouldn't have minded being on their tour at all. Looks like fun!

Today's port is Marseille on the French Riviera, a very popular spot on the Mediterranean cruises. In fact Marseille was on my first Med cruise a long time ago. We've been to Marseille in 2008 (Emerald Princess), 2012 (Crown Princess), and 2019 (Emerald again). The last time there was on our family cruise celebrating our 50th anniversary. What a fabulous experience that was! In looking back on our visits to Marseille I see that we've spent a lot of time outside the city of Marseille visiting the countryside of Provence and the little villages. On our last visit we did see some of Marseille itself. In 2008 we took of tour of Provence that included Lourmarin. I remember the typical pale blue shutters on the stone houses. The following photos are all from 2008. The castle in Lourmarin and the beautiful countryside surrounding it A street in Lourmarin, and a look at the flavor of the little town Next was a drive through Bonnieux Waiting for someone to get out of our way. I recall the narrow road along a cliff. Lovely views from there. On our way to our next village we passed this bridge called Pont Julien which has stood for nearly two thousand years. Two people were walking on it in this picture. Next was Gordes which also on a hillside. It was really beautiful in person. I hope these photos do it justice. This area is known for their stone walls and olive trees, too. Both are seen here. We briefly stopped in Cassis where we saw the Chateau de Cassis on top of that hill and some of the marina area. From there we headed to L'Isle-sur-Sorgue which is known for its waterways and antique shops. A cute shop, right? I have to stop and let you rest your eyes a moment. Then I'll be back with photos from the family visit to Marseille.

Good morning friends! This morning in Pinellas Park, FL it is 74F and will be 90 later with sunny skies. Yesterday the atmosphere added some dark clouds in late afternoon and we actually got rained on at the airport with thunder/lightning slowing baggage retrieval. Seems like that is a common occurrence here in Florida though. Thank you Roy @rafinmd for the maps today and Rich @richwmn for the content. These past two days, sadly, I have had to change the predicted destination for Oosterdam because when the material for the fleet was researched last year by Rich the ship was going to Haifa and Ashdod, Israel. A reminder of what has gone on in that region since last October. Today is Lumpy Rug Day, National Specially-abled Pets Day, and National Two Different Colored Shoes Day. I'll try to avoid the first and last, and hope all the specially-abled pets enjoy a fine day regardless of their limitations. An interesting quote by Rowling but I don't know that I completely agree. Yum, that dessert sounds great! I don't drink rum or red wine🍷 so more for you. It was a very good day for Margaret Mitchell. Thanks today to our F&B ladies Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard. Prayers for DB, and great nephew Alex's baby boys👶👶, the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages held and our military in the region. And for all here on the Daily Care list, especially Tana and Terry @smitty34877 and Chuck @catmando and Annie @marshhawk. So relieved Maurice has a date coming up for his valve replacement and he can then go off the Care list. Prayers for you all!🙏 Congratulations to the birthday and anniversary people, and to the graduates.🎓🎉🎂 It's that time of year! And to all the cruisers - may you enjoy smooth seas and following seas.🚢 Thanks again to Vanessa @JazzyV for your hard work for us. Hope you have a great Friday! The destination today is Marseille, Provence, France. We first had that port on May 31, 2021 and last on April 10, 2023. Yep, we've been there several times but the 2021 photos have disappeared from both posts. More work for me! Here are the links for you. Well, sleep did not come easily last night in a new place. Unfortunately the light from the lit-up front yard here comes through the curtains and the room is glowing in the dark! I wore an eye mask I brought and that was uncomfortable. I sleep in a dark room at home. And my back is hurting this morning and this straight back chair is killing me! Not a good start to the day. Hopefully I do better tonight! Today we have breakfast with Morgan and hope to see the new apartment. If she goes to the beach with some of her other visiting family (Dad, sister, etc.) the three of us will not be going since we're not beach people. We will find something else to do this day. Hope everyone else has a better start to their morning and a fine Friday!

Today is Lumpy Rug Day, National Special-abled Pets Day, and National Two Different Colored Shoes Day Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love.--J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Meal Suggestion for today - Super Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Drink of the Day - Rum Runner Wine of the Day - Vietti 2019 Lazzarito Nebbiolo (Barolo) Destination of the Day - Marseille (Provence), France Today in History: 1937 Margaret Mitchell wins Pulitzer Prize for "Gone With The Wind" Ship Locations Eurodam Vancouver, BC Canada 07:00 - 16:00 Koningsdam At Sea Destination Vancouver, BC Canada eta 05-04 Nieuw Amsterdam Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska 11:00 - 19:00 Nieuw Statendam At Sea Destination Rotterdam, Netherlands South Holland eta 05-05 Noordam Prince Rupert BC, Kaien Island Canada 08:00 - 17:00 Oosterdam Siracusa, Sicily 07:00 - 17:00 Rotterdam At Sea Destination Rotterdam, Netherlands South Holland eta 05-04 Volendam Quebec City, Canada depart 18:00 Zaandam Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm/Juneau, Alaska 0900-0930 and 12:30 - 22:00 Zuiderdam Mindelo, Cape Verde 07:00 - 15:00 Eastern Hemisphere Westerdam At Sea Destination Kodiak Island, Alaska eta 05-06

I will have to mention that to DS. He may know of it. I'm going to bed now, 10 pm and hope I can sleep past 3:30 am. I may even post an hour later tomorrow if I can get some rest tonight. 😉

Gerry @ger_77 that is such great news! I'm so happy for you both! Debbie @dfish I'm glad things went well for you too, and that you could walk a good long distance today. By the way, which restaurant in Ann Arbor did you try? You said it was worth it.

Umm, I sleep about 5 hours a night. Sometimes I give in and take a nap.😴

Hi all! We made it safely to the Airbnb at 3 pm, check in time. Then went to Winn-Dixie for beverages and snacks for our stay here 4 nights. DD's plane is heading this way and I've been checking Google maps for how bad the traffic is back across the 275 bridge to the TPA airport. We will probably leave an hour ahead of her scheduled arrival and wait in the cell phone lot. Just wanted to check in with everyone. Thanks for the safe travel wishes!

Annie, that's a lot for anybody to cope with. I send you both lots of prayers for answers and help with all the cancer issues. Hope you get to that specialist soon that the dermatologist referred him to. January is ridiculous! Hugs! Thank you Graham!