TiogaCruiser

Regarding Apple Watch- Apple hired several technical staff engineers from the company that developed the technology to improve/ “create” their product. It’s IP infringement and involved parties admit to using their knowledge. Masimo isn’t “some little company”- they developed and continue to provide state of the art pulse ox technology. Look for the little red check on the sensor next time you go to the doctor. This is Joe, one of the owners of Masimo. He and some engineer friends developed the pulse ox and founded the company.

So what is the “jellicle dinner”?

Agreed. And I’m wondering if this is a change: on our 2022 cruise we noticed in the navigator that we had cleared the wait list and were charged for a shorex. (No notification received- we just saw the charge and acted on it.). As shorex was closed and we were then double booked for the port with another HAL tour ( iIRC for the next morning) we went to the front desk and they were able to fix it for us by canceling the “second choice” shorex and refunding the charge, without us having to go through Shorex. So at least now FD can do some Shorex stuff.

Is it some kind of seed cake- like chia and quinoa?

Rich, did you get a refund? I hope so.

I’m remembering 2 almost simultaneous slip ups like this in close succession, I think they were early last year?? @OlsSalt mentioned one. And in the approximate time, someone who was “special” was reported as dominating the cabana area with his music.

Not the same class ship as Volendam, but I had a lanai and the space between the end of the bed and the wall was 18”. It was close for me to walk through there and I’m not a large person. Another time I had an ocean view accessible (390) also on Veendam. There was tons of room, but the sofa was not in a useful place. I didn’t turn the tv on, so it wasn’t a problem.

Our CC group did the tour you are doing tomorrow in 2013. It was one of the best I’ve been on.

I think it’s a bit tacky that the parents weren’t allowed to take their own pictures. It’s not like it was a private studio.

Just curious- how are you expecting to receive your Brazil Visa? Is it a soft copy that will be emailed? Have you set up a way to forward a hard copy?

Rather familiar words around here- my Golden Retriever sings that regularly.

Is that a commentary on local driving customs?

Adding- last spring DH and I did the canal and ended in San Diego. I didn’t want to deal with the wait for a train (( decreased options), and I think we still would have needed to purchase tickets in advance and check in 24 hours in advance, and the other post-covid social sequelae), so we rented a car one way. We ubered to the airport, picked up a car, drove home leisurely and returned the car to the vendor around the corner from home. The cost ( excluding the Uber) was less than $100. Just read your previous post- that Ventura section is especially vulnerable to washouts/ slides and very slow speeds during rain.

I’ve taken Amtrak to SD for a cruise twice-both in 2015. I boarded in Orange County. I was solo and handling my own luggage. My tongue in cheek description was that had I tripped stepping off the train I would have rolled to the pier. It took me 8 minutes to walk from the station to the pier. (That was after deboarding, using the facilities and getting a soda in the station: so total time about a half hour.) Other train options include taking (Metrolinktrains.com) from LA or several towns along the way or in LACo) to Oceanside, where they interchange with the Coaster. ( I have not done that one, but it was a back up plan.) Do check the Amtrak website as there has been reduced service for maintenance and addressing erosion damage along the way. Also, if it’s raining, there can be delays due to speed limit changes. And be aware if you take a train where you don’t or can’t check your luggage that there are size restrictions AND you will be expected to tote whatever you bring aboard UP the stairs and into a rack up on the second floor* (unless you have a special ticket or handicap). You might also have to handle your luggage as the train moves should you get off at a station along the way that has a brief stop. Been there, done that. Surfliner and Starlight may have different carry on size limits.

Happy New Year everyone! My office mate was one of something like 15 kids. She said her mother used to tell her and her siblings that if they got the Baby, they were to swallow it! (and, yes- I AM human!) I got it too.

Thank you for taking us along- again.

Yikes- I’d be so uncomfortable with a butler. No thanks.

When we were in Antarctica on Veendam there were a few days (during the Antarctic portion) that laundry was not done due to water use restrictions.

Looking forward to this- and thanks for taking us along again! So what’s this WC’s special souvenir going to be? ( My DH knows you as the “magic carpet blogger”.)😁

You have had some amazing weather. Thanks for sharing. When I went in January 2013 we had heavy fog every morning and heavy clouds when it all lifted. But our wildlife sightings were off the charts: hundreds of whales, thousands of penguins. A colleague went 6 years and a month later and saw a handful of whales and penguins.

It was a Mariner private sale. I think HAL occasionally targets specific demographics that they think might help them in the long term. My guess is that DH got the offer because he had not booked a cruise ( under his name) in many years ( I normally book us, and I’ve done some solos) and he reached a particular milestone age that makes it likely he’ll have or has more free time on his hands ( and perhaps more likely to book more cruises).😉

On the Pacific side of SA you will spend the majority of your time in the Inside Passage- so BOTH sides experience really close up land. (Take a look on a good map of South America and see how huge their archipelago is. It makes Alaska’s seem like a small backyard.) On the Atlantic side you will be far enough from land that at best it will be on the horizon. Once you get to Antarctica your Plan A route will quickly become Plan L, or later. So select your cabin based on your favorite amenities.

I think they were white pumpkins or squash.

It sounds like this program is a good match for you. (It’s also something I would consider. ) Perhaps it’s not the best fit for OP and others.

Thanks for the clarification. Having never been to The Retreat I pictured the work being done on folding table set up under a tent. I didn’t realize there was a food prep area.