TiogaCruiser

Exactly. And the context was also there reportedly had been a Mariner lunch towards the beginning of the cruise that a 2 star was invited to. Honestly, not a big deal, just tacky when looking at the larger picture.

Just a thought, Jack, but if you’re a member of Costco or Auto Club, they do have discount services. Around here it includes Subaru. (Maybe it does in your area too?) When I ordered my Crosstrek I tried both and received email responses within a few hours. Costco’s service were from neighboring counties and 2 of 3 were the same price ( so much below invoice) and the other was higher. The auto club service I had to drive in to what was “”our” long time dealer.”*: their price matched the other 2 through Costco, and they ordered for me, because my trim level and color wasn’t in stock. We’re having continued rains- not hard, but steady, and the sounds of car tires says the road is very wet. We just got a flash flood warning along with instructions not to drive for the next several hours unless you are fleeing mud or water. I’m betting they mean the freeway and river down the hill. It’s not so much what’s coming down as it is what has come down doesn’t have place to go until more water drains. The soil is very clay and so saturated. Have a great day everyone! *oh my, that line doesn’t sound too good, does it? 😳

IIRC it’s been NSA that I’ve seen and chosen. People seem to refer to them as “sugar free”. By the nature of some they can still be pretty carb-y. There have been some days there are more than one selection. When I asked pre-cruise if the macro analysis sheets were available for the menus I received a response that they were not, but to ask for the Lido chef ( name given) and he would answer questions and go over menu with me. Once aboard he found me. They also found me in open seating in the MDR and made sure I got menus to pre-order for the next night. (One evening they missed and I found the menu on my cabin door with a note on how to return them.)

You know, I think you might be right. OP has been a member since 2015 and this is only her fifth post. She might think CC is just a site for “reviews” and not understand the purpose of the forum.

I went to a local Asian grocery store (Ranch 99) and looked for country of origin and bought based on that, as well as some suggestions from colleagues at work. I don’t have a record of what I actually bought.

It’s been missing for at least some of us for our past 2 cruises ( both post Covid.) I know on our last cruise there was a Mariner’s lunch close to the beginning of the cruise because someone who I think was 2 stars said they attended. We only have 1 more star and didn’t get any invitation ( and interestingly it was the cruise that our steward delivered my copper medallion to my hubby. Honestly Mariner’s isn’t that big a deal for me, but this time it just seemed tacky because of the “milestone “).

I know it’s not exactly what you’re asking for but I took several pounds of both Filipino and Indonesian candy on board when I sailed locally. I also brought goody bags and made up packets during the cruise and randomly delivered them to staff members. ( I’d take about a 8-10 bags at a time.) They were quite well received. (I still remember one very young man who was diligently shining the stair rail who was so surprised and happy to get one. He yelled up the stairway “God bless you ma’am”.)

Have you tried Edgar Calaio? We booked with him in 2013 and 2018. We didn’t make port in 2013 so couldn’t take the tour, but he was ready for our group. We had a nice tour, and IIRC we arrived somewhere around noon. https://calaioviajesyturismo.tur.ar/product-category/argentina/

Adding one more day to today’s celebrations: and here’s our boy:

These were some of the things I was mulling over also. This flight would likely be a trans-pac and places to land could be very limited. Also, a red flag that went up for me was an apparent need for supplemental O2 in some circumstances but not during flight (in a cabin not pressurized to sea level)? As olsalt said earlier- not asking this of OP due to privacy, - but it is certainly part of the equation that can determine “fairness”, which is being questioned. A question for anyone who wants to answer from experience- perhaps @LAFFNVEGAS who is a TA: When one purchases flight tickets, is there a process they have to go through when certain special needs exist like when one books a cruise? Does one have to pre-declare oxygen or other needs at the time of booking, or are those matters dealt with at the gate? If so, that would be the best time to confirm flight is within policy of the airline who is providing transportation and get the Flight Medical team’s approval. A personal physician can’t speak for the airline.

He works at the cruise terminal and posts helpful replies to threads here. A colleague of his also does.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, if you are expecting HAL to provide a wheelchair for your use during the cruise, you may be disappointed. There are vendors who you can rent from but you need to set that up in advance. Last time we boarded in SD there was a lady who needed wheelchair assistance and she had to wait for a chair for boarding became available. Have you considered a rollator, that she could sit on in case there is a wait?

I can’t tell you off the top of my head but I’m sure it depends on the device’s speed.

Just a thought- you might consider getting a USB to backup to locally. They are now available with USB and Lightning interfaces. You download the associated app then pop the stick into your iOS device and easily copy onto it. I have used mine for that and also to quickly transfer files from my phone to my iPad and computer. Here’s the link if anyone is interested: https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-iXpand-iPhone-Type-C-Devices/dp/B08JCX96NC?pd_rd_w=yAYV6&content-id=amzn1.sym.b854a5c2-4475-41f8-a6d4-df92b2868104&pf_rd_p=b854a5c2-4475-41f8-a6d4-df92b2868104&pf_rd_r=P0YBF8GQXRGCWGTFCRHZ&pd_rd_wg=GgUnu&pd_rd_r=c64c3957-2e7d-4fc7-a283-e3137b940144&pd_rd_i=B08JCX96NC&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_m_rpt_ba_s_3_sc When I went to SA I carried a pocket camera to allow me to keep my phone hidden and my DSLR packed away. I got a Canon Powershot- mine had the ability to set aperture, shutter speed, iso and the optics were decent. My only complaint was there was a bit of a delay in taking the shot and the color was a bit different than what I get from my D5500. (I recently gave it to a friend who is a professional photographer and teaches photography. She was shocked and delighted it had those controls.) (I also made a travel vest that allows me to zip up and cover my DSLR easily. I cut the front pieces with extra space to cover the “bulge”. )

They’re kind of a “Doc in the Box”. Many are not meant for ongoing care, but some are. They tend to be used by uninsured, those with high deductibles and those who choose to not have a PCP. They were originally meant to handle non-emergent problems that couldn’t or shouldn’t wait. Like illness, UTIs, minor stitches, etc. Many have branched out to provide government programs and other assorted services (travel vaccines) Kaiser calls their former Urgent Care clinics “same day clinics”.

This is one way ( if using a cell phone.) you should see the shots I got with it on our Panama cruise. This one has remote control for the camera. https://www.amazon.com/ATUMTEK-Bluetooth-Extendable-Aluminum-Smartphone/dp/B085NFFNFG?pd_rd_w=1TXGg&content-id=amzn1.sym.452c3ac5-14f8-4a5d-834c-a18a40246a9b&pf_rd_p=452c3ac5-14f8-4a5d-834c-a18a40246a9b&pf_rd_r=WVMPHJ8PADGEBPPP3WQ1&pd_rd_wg=qQRcY&pd_rd_r=58b5c916-f1ed-4d6c-8539-cc7138e813d2&pd_rd_i=B085NFFNFG&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_m_grid_dv_rp_0_16_t

It’s sounding like he needs the evaluation facilities that are readily available at a hospital: lab, radiology, respiratory, etc., and professional staff experienced in evaluating emergencies.

“He's getting progressively worse - last night just getting undressed for bed left him breathless.” Please- call the ambulance. This is nothing to monkey around with. If his cardiologist can’t fit him in NOW, then the cardiologist on call at the local ED needs to see him. No more waiting.

once upon a time that’s how air standby worked. There was virtually no or little airport security ( until occasional flights would be high jacked to Cuba) and the airport was like any other public place. Family and friends of travelers would accompany them right up to the gate, and they would greet arriving pax as they walked down the jetway. (LAX had to get legal orders to stop the Hare Krishnas from aggressively hustling people with their flowers…). So if you wanted to fly at the last minute, or if you were in an airline employee family, you showed up at the airport and checked in at the gate, and waited until a plane going your direction had been boarded and had room. And HAL doesn’t even have a proper “boiler plate” cancellation email? This program is either not well thought out and/ or not well implemented.

Interesting question. If you find out can you share it here please? A few things to take into consideration: 1) if your travel partner decides not to go, will you expect to go without them? If so, be aware that the HAL plans do not cover you for the single occupancy costs. 2) if you mainly want to cover your own cancellation, the HAL platinum plan might be your best option. It costs roughly 10% of your cruise only fare. So you would be out 10% of the cost of the cruise, plus the roughly 10% cost of the insurance. If you bought airfare or a pre- or post cruise tour, they are covered but do not count towards the cost of the insurance. The best CAR insurance I have found only returns 75% and you have to include airfare and any other expenses. The HAL insurance (platinum) only offers a small amount of medical and evacuation coverage ( for me not a problem because my employer insurance covers me overseas.) 3) If you are needing CAR ( cancel for any reason) are you within the dates when you can purchase it? ( did you make a deposit already and how long ago. Each insurance will have its requirements.) So it boils down to what your needs and risk tolerance is.

Good morning all, Adding my thoughts to @rafinmd. Only you can make your decision. Thank you for sharing so many of your adventures with us- you are an inspiration. ( I wish I had not had to cancel South America in 2017- I was looking forward to meeting you.) On a separate note, to celebrate Penguin Day, I’m finishing off folding a bunch of origami penguins that I’m mailing (tarde) to my cousin. She boards today in Valpo for a cruise to Antarctica. It’s the only way I can “flock” her in celebration. Waiting for the “rain” to start here- weatherman say he’s got a quarter inch for us. Have a great day everyone!

Here’s one that is really nice of Tierra Del fuego https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1879568969?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title I got one for Antarctica but I’m not seeing it in my Amazon account now. Not the one I have but this looks cool https://www.amazon.com/Ushuaia-Antarctica-Drake-Passage-Voyage/dp/1879568934/ref=mp_s_a_1_20?crid=1H4B3F4KTRSVA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.i5MGX5GcH_LVG1ZD1R1yutwer9lw3569rx1ClKGj_bRuNZAngKMO5Ew0Gug4Drf7ppaL3okb9UonYMTDjAZQemJEbqBWnAPRzzstJLQAadROnIP6ZIt-OawRhHX_gsWbyFE5QMwrTVIjytBSk8YpgbKCjCkOc59SeTVknA0_IvUfVhr1X3Lk8JFJYBmOeOqhUdkWBwnXOSxUMwwSBYms8w.RPujdRO48K9gyMV6IcQE7o_ZgHate5KbnOCX23z-SiM&dib_tag=se&keywords=antarctica+map&qid=1705712301&sprefix=antarctica+map%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-20

Around here, that would be about 6000-12000 pennies per trip. How long would that stop traffic for?

Here’s a link to one that Masimo offers - and it IS a true medical device. THEIR invention, their technology and not another company ripping IP off. https://www.masimo.com/products/monitors/masimo-w1-medical-watch/