cruiselvr04

I’d love to experience the Drake Passage. We’re all a bit jealous. A bit of ginger ale might help or ginger mints. I hope to someday do it! Do you actually step foot on Antarctica or just sale by it?

We’ve been able to book Izumi on the first night on the smaller ships. On Radiance both in San Diego and Seward we were one of 2 tables even there. On another smaller ship we were told no then the maitre d called and said to come on up as again the restaurant was almost empty. So asking doesn’t hurt. I know on the bigger ships people haven’t been able to get their speciality dining package every night. ( Which by the way, would make me VERY unhappy. Do not sell what is not available. ) On the smaller ships they are rarely full, another reason to sail the smaller ships!

Thanks for all your comments. It sounds like in Australia we can get by without any cash unless we go to one of the markets. We are using public transportation in NZ so we’ll have to get some for that. I remember getting foreign cash is hard to do here but maybe I’ll call the bank and see if I can order some so we don’t have to mess with it on the trip. Otherwise we can check out the exchange when we get there although I know the rates are always worse at an exchange.

Americans agree that tipping is out of control in the US. We don’t eat out much but when we get table service we tip. We aren’t going to tip for counter service or for someone to put cookies in a box or fix us a coffee. We do tip cabs for good service and the porters at the cruise terminal. I know most places take credit cards in Australia and New Zealand. That’s what we plan to do, no debit cards when we come this month. Are there places or situations we need cash? Someone mentioned the bus in NZ. Maybe an open market? We don’t want to get much but are not sure how much we need. Will we be able to easily find a bank and get what we need? We will be in the circular quay area in Sydney and our first port of call in NZ is Dunedin.

We have a shovel just to push off an inch or so of snow but sold our snow blower when we moved to Texas.

We are supposed to get up to 60 today and tomorrow so I’m heading out to do errands. By Sunday the big freeze comes and it looks like we won’t be above freezing for several days in a row. This is a big deal down here. Homes aren’t built with this in mind and pipes freezing is a real concern. We’ll keep faucets dripping and hope our power stays on. We lost 2 palm trees last time but didn’t have any burst pipes although we were without water for about 24 hours. We didn’t lose power but of course many others did with dire consequences.

Stay safe! We like rocking and rolling to a point. When I start to feel like I’m going to roll off the bed it starts to bother me a little.

We are headed your way at the end of month. Your post makes us even more excited! Keep her in good shape for us.

I love to see the crew have fun. If they enjoy their jobs they are happier and that makes the guests happier. Glad they got a fun day before they start in with guests.

We were in Alaska in July. A few wore shorts here and there but DH and I wore long pants and long sleeve shirts. We took hoodies and raincoats and needed them while at the glaciers and whale watching. We took gloves and hats too. I was only hot once and that was In Victoria in bright sun and walking a long distance. Layers are best. Be prepared for anything.

I watched a recent crew video. Although they can drink in their off time it can’t interfere with their ability to perform in an emergency situation. So I assume getting really intoxicated would be a no no. If they were falling down drunk, slurring words it could be a reason for firing.

I don’t think it’s going to happen with all the cut backs. More offerings then just pizza would be great. Not a whole buffet of food but more than pizza. They have room in Sorentos or Park Cafe to just add a few things.

Express scripts has been the worst. They are very difficult to work with.

Take it easy!

I spent the last 2 days taking down Christmas. I have a box of Christmas discards too. We have a hallmark ornament for every year we’ve been married, 44 plus more. Unfortunately I dropped 1999 yesterday. Boohoo. The top broke off. I ordered off Amazon a clear plastic ball to put it in so I can save what’s left. DH got the outside Christmas put away and is draining, cleaning and refilling the hot tub today. Almost 60 here but will freeze by tomorrow night so it’s a good time to do it. The kids and grands used it a lot over Christmas so it was time. All the snow sounds pretty but I’ll take the warmth here while it lasts.

We tried a boardwalk in 2023. DH says not again. We used our boardwalk balcony maybe twice briefly. It was noisy and zero privacy. When we want to introvert, we want the quieter ocean view.

We use tiny plastic pill bags. It’s a pain before we take a long trip to fill them all ( 2 for each of us per day) but then we can take them in a pocket to a meal easier. Coming up on a 60 day trip here and will be trying to figure out if this will still work. TBD. For a 9 month cruise you’d have to just take all the various bottles and refill like you’re doing.

Thanks for all the advice. We will do the ferry to Rottnest. The trip out to the desert seems a little too ambitious even though we are there overnight. We will see Fremantle including the prison the next day depending upon what time the back to backers are allowed off the ship. DH would love to see the stars from the ship. Unfortunately there are always too many lights even at sea from the ship to see much. One cruise we had a cruise director who was interested in astronomy. He did talks twice on the front of the ship and the captain turned off the lights for us. It was wonderful.

We are coming over at the end of the month. Your thread gives me the itch already. I’ll bring some sprays and wipes but everything bites me! I had one cruise in the Caribbean pretty much ruined when some sand fleas bit me so bad I needed steroids. The itching was so intense I didn’t sleep at night. Ugh!

Those windows looked just as bad in January and March of 2023. I agree it’s a great lounge if you could just see out!

We haven’t gone out of PC for years so things have changed some. It’s always FLL or Miami. We might need to get back there for Wonder.

I missed where you’re sailing from and what hotel? Super close! In San Diego we walked to the port from the hotel and loved being able to do that. We’re doing that in Sydney coming up and again in Amsterdam.

Aruba - been there at least half a dozen times and didn’t know about the trolley. Will have to watch for it. Odyssey is one of our favorite ships. DH prefers it over it any other. Last time we had a jr suite and the bathrooms and storage were the best! 270 is a wonderful venue as is the sea plex with Playmakers. It’s nice we all have choices. We wouldn’t hesitate to book the Quantum class again.

On Allure in the music hall one night we were listening to the high seas Orchestra. It was wonderful but so loud. I turned my decibel reader on in my phone and it was in the 80’s which is dangerous! We decided to leave. I guess I need to get some of those loop ear plugs.

This is our plan for the day with lunch at the Duke of Marlborough.