lobsternight

Thank you for the Daily report and everyone's contributions. Today's big plan is to sit back and enjoy the Army Navy game. My late mothers late best friend was a senior Irish lady. For some reason the only sport or game she ever watched was this game and loved it. I started watching years ago so we could have a big conservation about it. She had all the gear to boot. So Marion, you are here in spirit, and yes Go Navy

I did, wait was usually reasonable.

My son had no issue ever getting a seat there as he would frequent it. The one time I joined him we were the only 2 there. Did see crowdsthere time to time .

Didn't notice much change on the Eclipse in September. Happy with my Murano lobster, always excellent. New animation at Le Petite Chef, enjoyed the show and meal more in 2019. Did not do Tuscan last trip, many on board at the consensus that was not worth it. Probably stick with Murano next cruise

Well I think I'm becoming addicted now. Usually read later on the thread with my west coast time zone and work. Enjoying a few days off, tree going up today. Still suffering from sushi overload last night, so DW and isitting around and watching too much football and trying to avoid the spoilers. All of DWs favorite teams playing today. Loved all of today's pictures. Had a wonderful cruise memory yesterday. Was thinking back to a pre covid cruise where an elderly gentleman was seated in the MDR near us. No wife but surrounded by his huge multi generational family. He was all dressed up in a white dinner jacket with teal trim. I remember his face, so happy, and this massive family all smiles, cheerful, and just enjoying the moment. I hope to be him one day, but with my DW. I did mention it to my wife, but she still insists I cannot have the jacket, my son says otherwise.

Got a bump up to concierge once, found out at the check in desk. Was nice

Oh God we saw a snowflake in Vancouver, we are going to die! Heard some nasty commute stories today. Feeling for you and the windchill, may hit -12 tonight. Going to look into those lights, I have a high peak roof i would like to light up. Any suggestions of where to look?

Thank you for today's reports and best wishes to all Big freeze here right now, feeling it working outdoors. Just brought in the now solid hummingbird feeders so they have something warm to eat in the morning. Lights up, tree comes in this weekend. Hmmm might have to consider those permanent light. Finished all my Christmas shopping yesterday, first time ever so early. World Aids Day. What a horrible disease, very lucky I never knew anyone who caught it. Remember the early days though. A local hospital I regularly support made huge contributions to the therapies still in use today. This year they are asking for funds to support remote diagnostics to distant communities along with ongoing other research. Good night to all and here's to a Happy DECEMBER

Just to add a couple more, and since I'm North Shore based: take transit to Cleveland Dam, nice mountain and lake view, walk all downhill on trails to Capilano fish hatchery, lots of salmon thst time of year. Go down on west side of river to the Park Royal shopping center, and carry on to Ambleside Park and beach. Take transit back from there Nice day trip: take transit to Horseshoe Bay, BC Ferry to Snug Cove on Bowen Island, lunch or snack at Doc Morgans Pub, walk around regional park right there, then return.

@suefrankw nice to hear from you and hope you have a wonderful trip and cruise to Alaska. Vancouver eateries offer a lot of GF option, even more so at that end of town.i can't recommend any houses in that area. Decades ago Mt Pleasant and East Vancouver would not be a place I would recommend, however these neighborhoods are evolving into decent family areas and I would not be worried about staying there, Kitsilano is a nearby trendy area as well with beaches and walking networks, lots of quirky eating establishments there too. Downtown is doable, but transit is cheap and frequent. The areas I would avoid are the Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, and East of there. I would suggest Commercial Ave for lots of ethnic restaurants, interesting walk. Definitely consider taking transit to Stanley Park. The seawall is fantastic, good place to walk, run, bike, Rollerblade. Rentals on Denman Street North end. Other good walks is the Olympic Park area and THE Granville Island market. Another suggestion would be on the North Shore off the Seabus and taking transit to Grouse Mountain or the top of Lynn Valley, where there are lots of good rainforest trails, even the Grouse Grind up the mountain and pay for a tram ride down. If you do the mountain trails, although safe, please let someone know where you plan to go, when you plan to return, dress for changing conditions, water and food, proper footwear If you both have cell phones keep one off. Cell coverage is getting better all the time. Unlikely anything will happen but if it does, stay in place and dial 911. We have a wonderful Search and Rescue, all volunteer, no cost. Cant say anything about our HoHo bus but seems popular

Our friends joined us on an NCL cruise 10 years ago and did it in Skagway since they opted for the Bearing Sea trip in Ketchikan. They loved both tours. I'm sure either one will be fun and spectacular. I'd be tempted to do it atthe first stop, so if it gets cancelled due to weather you may have another shot at stop 2.

@StLouisCruisers Yay I learned something new thanks

Thank you for the Fleet Report Woke up to good news for a change, my goddaughter (my neice) announced her engagement. Nice fellow, couldn't be happier for her. This family needed some good news, way too many deaths and such the last few years. Cold day at work, saw a few flakes, not looking forward to snow, our city can't handle it and everything shuts down. Since I am apparently stupid, how does one highlight a person on this board? The little blue box?

Thoughts and best wishes to all, and hope all our American friends down South had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. So all my research into HAL and discovering this thread has made me feel very cruisy (if that's not a word it is now). Took the family out for Sunday Brunch because I miss a fancy breakfast. Went to a nice little restaurant in a boutique hotel, and had probably the second best bennies ever. Surf and turf bennies, with a layer of Lobster and Wagu. The only better one was on our 3rd date over 35 years ago, mountain top in July with snow all around, but think the young love thing had a lot to do with that.

Was just looking at the Floral selection a few minutes ago. So we are going to take our 1st HAL cruise next year. We sail on our 30th Anniversary so I thought I would get my DW an arrangement, never done that on a cruise. I have never seen a florist shop on the lines we have cruised. Is this typical on HAL ships?

MARSHHAWK will wave at you as we disembark May 7th.

Definitely blessed to be in a position where our family can support small business. These are also the people who give so much back to the community as well. The small grocery store who hires special needs, the business association that funds festivals and kids activities year round. The merchants that help with fundraisers and charities. Not to mention the great personal service. I am in construction, and usually brown bag it. One of my current projects is causing a lot of hardship on the small businesses. A lot of us have taken to do what we can, buy meals and services, try to help out where we can.

On our very first cruise to Alaska was traveling with a family group of 7. I got off the ship in Juneau and got a mini van taxi at an hourly rate, it was fantastic. Driver took us to lots of must see places, even had gold panning stuff. I am in the process of planning yet another Alaska, and since it is 3 of us, decided to repeat the experience. Just came across Unplugged Adventures, a self guided Jeep rental, complete with narrated and customizable navigation system starting at just over 300 for the vehicle. Believe we will go with that, revisit some places and explore some new ones. I believe they service most lines. Check it out. If you want something unique, blackbird hovercraft tours in Ketchikan. Cool experience if you never been on one

I am sure a few people are booking their 2023 Alaska cruises now and thinking about what to do when in Vancouver. As a local, I highly suggest spending some time here. There are so many options and things to do, but though maybe I would throw some alternative ideas thwt people could add too. Yes, there are lots of package options, and they are great, but perhaps a few things that are different. Here are a few ideas to start: I am a big fan of air tours, there are a few companies running float planes next to the cruise terminal. One, Harbour Air, has a great choice of senic harbour tours, also day trip packages to Victoria, so its downtown to downtown. They also offer a mail run trip to the Gulf Islands, with an optional stay at Ganges Harbour at no extra charge, Great on a Saturday when the farmers market is on. Another fun one is the flight and dinner at Doc Morgans on Bowen Island. My son recently took a champagne helicopter tour over the city with Sky Helicopters, I belive they can also accommodate a pickup near the cruise terminal. Take the Seabus, from the waterfront to North Vancouver, lovely 15 minute harbour tour. Once across go explore the shipyards district and lower Lonsdale. Summer Friday and Saturday market, vendors and food trucks, lots of dining options, from comfort foods to higher end seafood, many sushi places, and a block away from the craft brewery area. Feeling like some activity? Rent a Lime Electric Bike, they are everywhere. This is the start of the Spirt Trail that runs all along the waterfront on an easy paced paved multiuse network. Also connects with the Green Necklace that loops around different neighbourhoods. Take a day trip to Whistler, or even better overnight. The Sea to Sky highway is spectacular, as is the resort where one can just walk around and relax, or take on many of the recreational activities. Stop at the Britannia Mines museum and take an underground tour. Easily done by rental car, tour bus, or float plane. Traffic can be bad returning into the city so always allow extra time. OK everyone, add some ideas

Really a rolll of the dice. Our first trip was mid July, not a drop of rain, 3 years later, same ship same dates poured the whole time. My opinion living in Vancouver, mid July to mid August usually sees a good long high pressure ridge build, and good weather. Fine in the South, but as you approach Alaska its a whole different system. Could be hot, cold be cold. Bring layers so you can dress accordingly. Even in the rain, Alaska is a magical destination

What a wonderful thread this is, just discovered it a few days ago. Should be on a Ultimate Caribbean cruise right now, but had to cancel due to a temporary health issue, so here I am. I have just booked our first cruise with HAL, very excited to try it out. We started cruising years ago with NCL, but have been almost exclusively with Celebrity the last 10 years. This April 30th will be our 30th Anniversary, so I am going to surprise my DW. Will let her know after her birthday in January. I was looking for a sailing departing the 30th, and am actually excited for a lot of other itineraries HAL offers, so its a 1 week Alaska test cruise. So quickly, its Rob and Sue from Vancouver BC. I was retired, got talked into coming back, and love it. DW has a small business, will probably shut it down in a few years, until then I will make more fun money. Once again, wonderful posts, and quick question: Does HAL have lobster nights? Its a thing for me.

We used to sail NCL, but sent my son(12) with his grandmother years ago with Celebrity. When they returned he told me I just had to try a celebrity cruise. The whole family just took another Celebrity cruise in August and that son is 21 now. He had the best cruise ever, met tons of people, hung out with 18 to 70 yr olds. Its what you make of it. Also that was a solstice class ship, new to him, he loved it

We did a Vancouver to Hawaii a few years back, traveled down the coast to about SF then headed across. The prevailing seas were broad side and we rolled quite a bit. Why not spend some extra time in Seattle, wonderful city.

Love Cabbage Beach. I'd negotiate a cab fare that includes a stop under the bridge to the island, stop at the fish market and get some conch salad to eat. There are dink vendors there, and all I can say it kicked me like a mule.