WELDON

Hi Lois,

Have a fun and safe trip. Enjoy the sights.

I have several Baggalini bags that I use for travel. Even small ones hold a lot and they seem to hold up well. They are lightweight and easy to carry.

Thanks, Lois. I'll take look at this hotel.

I am going on a cruise in August leaving from NYC.  Any hotel recommendations? I would prefer something midtown.

Lois, Hope you have a wonderful birthday Saturday. It's nice you have family coming to celebrate with you. Yes, it's true when you look back and wonder where have all the years gone.

Janet

So many of you are fans of Noosa so I thought I might try the frozen yogurt. I looked at the nutritional info and the frozen yogurt has, depending on the flavor, 33 grams or so of sugar. I also looked at the yogurt and it averages 30+ grams of sugar.  No wonder it tastes so good.

Melody, Great news about your progress. Nice pictures. Enjoy wearing all your new clothes.

According to TV Guide, the guests on Ina's show are March 5 - Misty Copeland, March 12 - Stanley Tucci, March 19 - Laura Linney and March 26 - Norah Jones.

For the Stanley Tucci fans, he will be guest on Ina Garten's program on Sunday, March 12 on Food Network. The program airs 11:30 am EST. 

Melody - Glad to hear you're doing well after surgery. That's good news.

Cynthia - Happy Birthday.

Melissa - Hope your brother has an easy recovery.

The Oasis class ships on RC have a basketball court. They also have mini golf. Celebrity is probably not the best choice for a teenage boy. I was on Celebrity a week ago and there were 3 children on board. 

I also have Morton's.  I generally buy Vionic sandals. These work best for me. I also buy LLBean Boothbay slide sandals. For me, these sandals have saved me when I have had foot or ankle problems. Around the house, I wear athletic sandals (I don't know the correct name). Men and women wear this style  and men usually wear these with socks. These sandals are so comfortable because of the sole.  I think the key think about buying footwear if you have Morton's is buying a supportive sole. Forget about thin or flimsy footwear.  

As for colors, you can't go wrong with black, nude, white or a metallic.

You can still get salmon and chicken every night.  There is a choice of 4 entrees plus an Indian dish. I don't eat red meat or pork. I noticed pork is on the menu more often with entrees such as pork cheek or pork knuckle. 

Pasta and seafood entrees were decent.

Hello Ladies,

Melody - Sorry to hear of your medical issues. Wishing you a good outcome Monday.

I came back from a 10 night Celebrity Equinox cruise on Thursday. Apparently, new dining menus and food choices, both in the MDR and buffet, began last month on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.  The taste and quality of the food were very disappointing. Several nights,  I ate in the buffet because there was nothing on the MDR menu I would eat. 

Part of the buffet was blocked off, but most of the stations were open. With the exception of the carving station, hot foods and desserts, most of the other options (salads, cold items) were repeated in a couple of areas. Every day at lunch and dinner, there is a pasta station. In fact, on the nights I ate in the buffet, there were items served that were not available in the MDR that I would eat. Desserts were terrible. They look beautiful but when you eat them, they have no taste. I have found this to be true for several years now so I stay away from them except for an occasional cookie. I usually go with ice cream. There was plenty of food. It wasn't the doom and gloom I saw on a video posted on CC.  

Again, I found the quality in some items has gone downhill. You won't starve but on Celebrity and RC but dining is just not the same. It still won't stop me from cruising.

Lois, In Massachusetts and Florida, a person 70 and over does not need to serve on a jury. 

Melody, Happy belated birthday. Hope your recovery goes well.

Hello,

Leaving on my next cruise 1/30. It's a 10 night southern caribbean on Celebrity Equinox. I've been reading on CC that Celebrity has had quite a few cutbacks. I hope it's not as bad as the reviews.

Lois, have a great time on your cruise. Warm and sunny today in Ft. Lauderdale.

My Club  has members who have belonged for 30 years. Don't let the name fool you.  

Hi Lois,

I am in the Coral Springs area. The club is mostly comprised of women in their 50s - 90s. It's not run by a city. It is a private group. Most people hear of it by word of mouth. You should try an internet search.  

Lois, Is there a Newcomers Club in Jacksonville?  I belong to one in So Fla. You don't have to be a new resident. Many of the members have belonged for many years.  Some of the activities we have are  out to lunch once a month at a different restaurant, bowling league, monthly meeting at a restaurant, chat & chew  in the morning for brunch and talking. 

There is a Christmas party, Halloween party, Derby Day, book club, different games (mah jong, canasta, samba). The Club also supports several organizations and charities that members can volunteer. You can do as little or as much as you want.  I go to some of the activities because it gets me out of the house. I've met some nice ladies through the Club. 

Thanks, Cruisemom. I enjoyed looking at Melody's pictures to remember where I was a week ago.  Melody and her husband really do look like their pictures.

It is 46 in So Fla now but feels colder with the windchill.

I was on this cruise also. I always carry my luggage off the ship. They begin disembarking approx. 6:45. I was off the ship a little after 7. I have a driver that I use to get to the port and he was waiting for me. I was home by 7:45 (live in the area for the winter).

Yes, Melody, I agree taking a picture was a good idea but we did not think of it.

For the Stanley Tucci fans, I saw on the news this morning his show has been cancelled. No reason given.

Thanks, Lois.  I do occasionally post but follow along on this thread. I find some of the discussions interesting.

My name is Janet.

Melody - Nice meeting you on the cruise. First time I met someone from CC. The weather was OK in Aruba and Labadee but there was some rain in the morning in Curacao. The skies cleared but it was overcast. Some of the sea days were windy and overcast. A lot of empty loungers by the pool. Overall, a nice cruise.