Live4cruises

FWIW the Circle Japan cruise is wonderful. Good luck with a difficult decision.

Oh Bruno, @atexsix, my sincere sympathy on the loss of your father. I did enjoy reading about the travels you had together. It reminded me very much of my experiences with my mother in the latter part of her life. Not only were you a wonderful son, you were also a good friend to your father, which probably meant more than anything to him. Wishing you peace in this time of change.

1983 on Princess, 1985 first HAL.

Check out the deck plans on HAL’s website. There’s an icon that indicates if a cabin has shower only.

We give our CO (and any other tips) directly to the person with their name on an envelope. The smiles and comments that we receive make us believe they get to keep them. D If you’ve removed set tips from your account, the staff is aware of that and must share any individual tips. I can’t imagine that the restaurant staffs would be different from bar or stewards. I’ve specifically asked if bar staff keeps additional tips, which was confirmed.

We've always also gotten a shower cap and little loofa - that I use as a soap dish. We bring our own preferred soaps. I appreciate, expect, and use the shower cap. I would be less than thrilled if those disappeared. Our most recent cruise was October 2023. Westerdam, Neptune.

I was most emphatically roasted a few months ago with a question about using $2 bills as tips. Where were you guys when I needed you?! There was considerable discussion that the recipient would have trouble using a denomination unfamiliar to many. And one kind person called me cheap and told me to use a $5!

Great! That seems fairly quick. Good news, and another hug.

@Quartzsite Cruiser thinking about you trying to pass the time waiting for the report that DH is out of surgery and it all went great! warm hugs from me.

@Cruising-along I'm another raising a toast to your anniversary and that gorgeous photo. I love weddings! I love small weddings - ours was at our house, 17 people. Perfect and so much fun. @Crazy For Catswe too received that extraordinarily generous offer, and passed. They need to up the ante on that one! Hugs for all who need them (that is all of us), but there are some who qualify for buckets full. Happy packing for those running all over their house like I am! Best ~~

@lindalerand @Quartzsite Cruiser, I finally got clever and started a list in the back of my planner (electronic would probably be even more clever!) Where Stuff Is. All I have to do is remember to write it down! 🤣 I also keep a travel-specific list of How Long Does It Last, so I can plan relative to the usual sizes of stuff we use. I found it handy for the upcoming long trip for things like hair products and other cosmetics.

@Bimmer09 I echo @0106. We don’t use a HAL PCC, just me on the phone with the 800 #’s. We periodically take a look at what’s available, and have been pretty lucky with aft wraps, which we oddly fell in love with several years ago on X! Good luck, they are the best.

Good Sunday, everybody! The memes are exceptional today. A big thanks to all who go to the trouble to find and post them! I am very excited to be on the "about to cruise list"! During the last few months of DH's two hospitalizations, we have been most cautious about getting excited. 3 solid Doctor "Yes!"es last week really lightened up his attitude and we are full on this week. Today was the piece de resistance (insert diacritical marks) though. I went to PetSmart to buy 120 cans of Fancy Feast, and what was the music playing? Andy Grammer's Honey I'm Good. That's the music of my favorite song from Humanity - you know, the one where they're throwing paint. No question about that being a perfect omen. My omens, whether good, bad, warning, or celebrating are always delivered with music. I'm ecstatic!

@CruiserBruce and @Ferry_WatcherThanks for taking us along with your wry good humor and marvelous reports. Happy planning for the next one!

@HAL Sailer There are no frauds on the Daily! We only have friends who are Once, Future, and Hoping to Be on BHB's. My best to you and your husband as you celebrate his birthday and courageously and optimistically look to the future. @rafinmdYEA!! @ everybody else thanks for posting and sharing!

@0106What a find! I am Miss Jack Silver, DH is Matey Bones Silver. I rather like them both! @USN59-79 As my career was Human Resources, I have to apologize that you got sidetracked from your life on the far more interesting high seas. Note to self: Don't raise hand. Regarding Covid boosters, since we hadn't had any booster since the early availability of Bivalent, we just got another of those. And hope we can call it good for our upcoming cruise. Our doctor did give us a round of Paxlovid to take along as insurance. @mamaofami So happy for your wonderful news!

Good morning everyone, We like to say that time exists so everything doesn’t happen at once. Time fails at its job quite often as @marshhawk and I’m sure many others know. I made a vision appointment several months ago for a completely open day on a completely open week. Now, I have to be at the eye doctor at 9:50, then home by 11:00 to help DH with a video visit with the cardiologist, then an in-office pacemaker check at 1:30. This is way too many things at once for a retired person who, like @kazu, is ill-prepared for her rapidly approaching and much-anticipated cruise! @rafinmd I join the chorus here in hoping that you DO go on your cruise. Park your responsibilities at your cabin door and let the motion of the ocean help you heal. @smitty34877 my deepest sympathies on the loss of Lou. I am sending you thoughts of comfort and strength. To quote Wolf Blitzer “may his memory be a blessing”. Off to the shower to conquer my busy day!

@ger_77, sleep fast tonight for your early hospital call. I’ll be looking forward to hearing when you’re home after a successful procedure. My DH is proud owner of such a device since June1. We’ve had a busy summer —- best to you and your DH!

I was in Houston conducting employee meetings regarding a new benefit plan. I called DH at home to see if he had the morning news on. “No, why?” At that point I was stumped, I hadn’t thought about what I was going to say. Finally “we seem to be under some kind of attack”. He turned on the TV just in time to see the 2nd plane hit. The company’s insurance broker and I got a ride with a provider;s rep up to Dallas, DH drove down from Tulsa to pick us up, and the broker’s wife drove down from St Louis to collect him in Tulsa. We made very good time on that trip; arriving home around 10. The few people on the highway that night were making very good time —- Never forget. Never forget the stunning courage and sacrifice of first responders and their families, and the passengers on Flight 93. Never forget the innocent lives lost.

Thanks for taking us along! This has been great fun, and a terrific preview for our trip in three weeks.

@smitty34877 you are part of a large and caring extended family here on the Daily. Know that we are all holding you and Lou in our hearts, and that at any given time at least one of us is actively sending you strength and love.

We are just back from DH's follow up appointment with our Primary Care doctor. She was very pleased with his recovery as he reported his pain level and other intangibles, and said that his lungs sounded good as ever with air moving around as it is supposed to. Best news? You know what it's going to be, don't you? Go on your cruise, have a good time, just don't do any pirouettes! A huge and heartfelt thanks to every one of you for your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement!

We use bulldog-style clips with a magnet, and haven't had any issues. We love to hang maps! We've not sailed on Zuiderdam, but they worked on Eurodam, Koningsdam, Noordam, and Nieuw Statendam. The magnets are round, 1" +.

@Crazy For Cats and @HAL4NOW thank you for sharing pictures of your beautiful day! In news of the good, I slept through my "assigned watch" of 3:30 this morning. Glad that's over! In news of the weird, I was typing up some notes before a meeting with my consulting client. Word kept insisting that correctly spelled words, weren't! When I clicked for its suggestions, they were in DUTCH! Since I don't know how to change my default language, I certainly hadn't done so. Quite frankly, Dutch isn't even one of the languages that I can speak a traveler's smattering of. The only reason I can come up with is that the Universe is gently telling me not to worry that our Holland American cruise will happen as planned! May the Universe be as unexpectedly kind to all of you!

Potage, either filet or sole. Wonder which the waiter will suggest!