wdw1972

No Grand Dutch Cafe. You can get specialty coffee up in the Crows Nest at Explorations Cafe or in the morning at Pinnacle Bar. Check your daily program for the hours (once onboard). Sue/WDW1972

Late (for me) arrival here - that's what being at work sometimes does! We started out like Sandi with temps in the upper 40's but now we're upper 70's and beautiful out there. The roofers banged away into the evening but have been quiet today. As someone with a black thumb I won't be planting any flowers - I enjoy them but don't know how to care for them properly. I was a girl scout ages ago. Equal pay sounds good in theory, but I don't agree that the same job should pay the same regardless of who holds the position. Should someone fresh out of college be paid the same as the person who's been on the job 25 years performing well? Should one person who only knows the tasks related to that job be paid the same as someone who knows those tasks plus others that are related & benefit the overall organization? If you can find 2 equal people (hard to do), then absolutely their pay should be equal. No smoking day would the top day for me - wish smoking didn't exist in the world. No thanks to the food & drink, never been to Japan and the quote has merit. Happy birthday to Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser and the family members of several of us in the group! Joy @Seasick Sailor the new cruise sounds wonderful. I can't take that much time off but I'll look it up and daydream about it 😉 Debbie @dfish sorry you had such a rough nice. Hope Sue's migraine passes and you sleep better tonight. We've been asking our agency state office for guidance/direction related to Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders for years. Finally yesterday they issued a draft "policy" for us to review/edit. It basically says nothing other than the agency's policy is to honor them and locally we are to write operating procedures, train staff, etc. Ok, but we were just wanting answers to our questions so we've not accomplished anything. The questions are still unaddressed and now we have a couple more 😉 Hopefully I'll catch the Eurodam sailaway. DH & I will walk after work - that's about it from here. Sue/WDW1972

Happy Tuesday everyone! The sun is shining and the roofers are busy scraping off the old stuff overhead. They actually showed up yesterday once the rain stopped - guess when you only get paid when you work, you're more likely to show up to work! We should hit upper 70's today. I hadn't ever heard of a promposal or 311 but the 311 sounds useful. Promposal, not so much - but if people are having fun then no harm done. Plumbing is critical, and so is a healthy immune system. The drink might be good but I'm more likely to stick with a traditional mimosa. Definite no to the wine, love souvlaki so would try the meal, and never been to Cartagena. DH used to go there from Barranquilla when the baseball team he was coaching played over there against the Cartagena team. I doubt he ever saw anything but the ballpark, though. Happy Birthday to Debbie's @dfish sister Sue. Katherine @Lady Hudson glad getting out of the house was easier & you're healing from the fracture. I saw that far pier in Aruba last month and was glad we didn't get put there - I do have an overnight there in November so it sounds like that might be our fate based on Roy's comment. Oh well, being at a crummy pier in Aruba still beats being at work! Enjoy the day everyone! Sue/WDW1972

By taking an upsell you do NOT get the double points for a Vista. That's clearly outlined in the FAQs. You'd have to book the vista suite directly (regular price) to get the double points. Sue/WDW1972

For quite a while now it's been 50% off. The days of buy one, get the 2nd for a dollar are long ago. There's no requirement to buy more than 1 drink at a time now. Also, happy hour hasn't been in the Crows Nest for several years - perhaps Volendam & Zaandam are the exception to that, but on the other ships it tends to be Ocean Bar & Billboard (sometimes both, sometimes one or the other but usually both). With a drink package or HIA, happy hour is every hour, in every bar, assuming you're not over your 15 drink limit for that day. Sue/WDW1972

I don't think you can book them in the cabana area - they don't have a way to charge you. You can go to the Retreat and the guys working can tell you if any are not sold for the entire cruise, then with that information you go to Guest Services. By stopping in the Retreat first you'd be able to see the location of whatever might be available (if anything). Keep in mind Guest Services might not actually book it for you right then & there - they may wait until after sailing to see if anyone onboard wanted to book it for the entire cruise vs just a day or 2. Sue/WDW1972

Good rainy morning! Like Sandi we're also experiencing intermittent bouts of rain, some expected to be heavy, but hopefully finished by afternoon. I brought my car out of the garage, hoping the rain will wash off some of the pollen. Harriett Tubman deserves celebration/honor! I don't nap and don't have any desire to hug dogs (allergies). The meal sounds interesting - that might be something I'd try. The cocktail is pretty but no thank you. The wine does sound good! Haven't been to the port but it looks lovely. Yesterday I did get the tax stuff entered, but won't file until closer to 4/15. Some schedules arrive after 3/31 and I never know how many will be coming. Luckily in the past they've all been for small dollar amounts, so if any arrive after I've filed I don't worry about it - I figure if the IRS thinks I underpaid they'll send me a letter. Hopefully the work week will go well, and pass quickly. Sue/WDW1972

Good morning on a dark & dreary day in Florida again. Humidity is so high it feels like mist, and actual rain may be here later today & overnight. So much for the Sunshine State! Not a fan of Daylight Savings Time at all - hate the late sunrise and don't need the late sunset. Meatballs are good if they're from Canaletto, otherwise I can pass. Getting over it is better than holding onto anger or frustration. It doesn't mean forgetting or even forgiving, but don't let it ruin your mood/day. Good quote. Despite growing up in New England, I've never liked lobster so no thank you to the meal. When we'd go to the Ogunquit Lobster Pound in Maine, I'd get the tunafish sandwich, but I was mainly there for their oatmeal cookies. We LOVE painkillers and make an excellent one. The ones on Eurodam last month were pretty good too, but not AS good as ours. No thank you to expensive red wine - wouldn't buy it at that price point even if I liked reds. Fort Lauderdale is mainly my embarkation port - spent some time there decades ago but clearly it wasn't memorable enough to warrant repeat visits. Sandi @StLouisCruisers congratulations to Ren! Bob @RedneckBob agree the Pinnacle lunch is crazy. For me it's way too much food at noon! If I could do a late lunch it would be more appealing, but even eating there at noon none of us ate anything for dinner. I've made that jigsaw puzzle on quite a few HAL ships, and I'm not sure the photo of the lady is the typical HAL demographic 😉 Not much happening here today - I may pick up some litter if it's not too misty out there, and should start on the taxes. I started a new jigsaw puzzle today - this one's Anchorage, Alaska since we're flying home from there in May. Enjoy the rest of the day everyone! Sue/WDW1972

Good morning! It's damp, cloudy & gloomy here in FL today. Looks like there will be some rain this weekend, then return to nice weather for the work week 😉 Three good days, although I won't be caught dead these days wearing a fannypack! I did back in the day when they first were popular, but only for when spending time at Disney. I'll skip the meal, cocktail, wine and don't even own a mason jar. Have not been to the port. Good quote. Glad to see Annie @marshhawk good a decent stateroom. On that ship I normally book 1018 so I know she's got a nice quiet stateroom assuming it's next door. My biggest fear with a guarantee would get getting stuck under Rolling Stone or BB Kings! Sandi @StLouisCruisers as always, your DD has done an excellent job on her foyer tree - it's breathtaking! She's so creative. This morning DH & I walked, then went out do errands. We got both of the Maryland grandkids "finished" in terms of their birthday gifts. The birthdays aren't until May & June but since DH is going up in early April I'd like to ship them via his suitcase! A bit later it's happy hour lunch w/Holli (DH might join us), where we'll have the tablet to watch NS sail away. Will watch for Annie & company. Gerry @ger_77 you blankets looked beautiful, and how nice of you to make them. It's a very worthwhile cause, and I'm sure much appreciated by the recipients. Hope everyone has a nice day! Sue/WDW1972

Good morning everyone - happy it's Friday! The port is high on my list of places I want to visit so thanks for the photos. I'll pass on the meal and beverages & celebrate the days. We're chilly this morning (39 degrees) but should be 75 this afternoon. I'm headed to Tallahassee later this morning - the Governor did some shuffling and our agency director is now going to be the secretary for Dept of Children & Families so they're having a 1-hour farewell thing. Five hours of driving (round trip) doesn't seem worth it for an hour, but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do regardless of whether it makes sense. We're hoping for better days ahead, as it's been frustrating getting anything done during her tenure (micro manager). Hope everyone has a good day today! Sue/WDW1972

Good morning! At work I mostly wear dresses - they're easy and also cooler than pants in the warmer months. Oreos are ok - I can take them or leave them (mostly leave them - don't love them enough to justify the calories). The Dred Scott decision was beyond awful - just shameful. No thanks to anything with chickpeas in it, lol - also no to the cocktail. The wine sounds good, although I've never heard of it before. I haven't been to the port either, but at least I have heard of Okinawa 😉 Today the roofers are back but still not over my part of the building yet. It's a bright sunny & breezy day here but I think it's only expected to reach mid-upper 60's. It would be good walking weather but tonight DH & I have happy hour at Holli's house at 5:30 so no walking today. Sandi @StLouisCruisers glad chemo was able to proceed as scheduled - hope the after effects aren't bad @RedneckBob Boy Voyage - enjoy the Rotterdam. It's a shame you have to miss Curacao - I'd rather miss Aruba if I HAD TO miss one of the ABCs. Take care everyone - safe travels to those headed to a cruise! Sue/WDW1972

They don't send any email when dining opens up for booking. You've simply got to keep checking - or see if someone mentions it on Cruise Critic. Sue/WDW1972

7:30 and 9 on my late February Eurodam cruise. Same on Zuiderdam in late November 2024. Sue/WDW1972

The first time I was there I'm certain they told us we had to walk on the walkway. Not sure about the 2nd time. I just remember coming back was a breeze - just going ashore with the masses was a headache. Maybe I walked on the ground coming back 😉 10-14k steps a day is pretty darn good! The heat & especially the humidity is tough. I live in FL and hate the hot months. Sue/WDW1972

Plus, the kitchen for one is nowhere near the kitchen for the other. Sue/WDW1972

That was my experience too, but longer ago. I walked, and they had us use this elevated sidewalk type thing to keep us out of traffic. I chose to walk, since walking's easy for me and I didn't want to take a seat from someone who truly needed it. However, the walk was frustrating because it was busy and narrow, so you only move at the speed of the slowest person ahead - who was MUCH MUCH MUCH slower than I normally walk. If only I had wings 😉 Sue/WDW1972

I hope that's not the reason, since any Legendary Voyage for me is years away 😉 Thanks for replying. I'll be on another non-Legendary cruise in a couple months, and hopefully they'll have the Dutch snacks. Sue/WDW1972

Happy Wednesday - halfway through the work week for a few of us. The meal sounds good today. I like white wines but not the really sweet dessert wines. The cocktail is way too complicated! I'd never heard of the port and have not been to that part of the world. We started at 69 degrees this morning, then the heavy rain came around 10am. It was over shortly after that and it was 65 degrees - guess it was a cold front. I hear wind but it's supposed to warm up, and the sun is shining. Sandi @StLouisCruisers once again I'm clueless but don't believe for a minute you would offend anyone. I agree that sometimes written words can be misconstrued more easily than in-person verbal communication. I also believe it's a choice to be offended or not, and I choose to not be offended - if I see something I don't agree with I let it roll off my back and move on. Life's too short to spend it offended, upset, mad, or any other negative emotion. Joy @Seasick Sailor at your Orange Party did they bring around the Dutch snacks? On my cruise last week we had our party in the Lido and never had the snacks. A steward was asked and said they'd be out at 9:30. By 10pm still nothing, and we left. I'm curious whether it's due to the health precautions we were under or have they done away with that. We also had no Chocolate Surprise, but it was never on the itinerary (prior to boarding), before the health precautions came into play. Terri @Cruzin Terri safe drive to Jacksonville! I think I'd have told DH to go nap on the couch, lol! Sue/WDW1972

Some ports have some type of tram service but not all. I don't believe it was ever "HAL" who arranged for them. I've never personally used them, and have seen them rarely. Amber Cove has them. At one time I think Barbados had something if docked far away. Beyond that, I don't recall seeing any anywhere. Sue/WDW1972

It's the same. However, if you're a mariner who gets a discount, buying in advance you pay full price and then receive the discount as refundable credit once onboard. If you buy onboard you're charged the net (after the discount) price. Same end result, just different ways of getting to that point. Therefore, there's no advantage to doing it in advance. If you're trying to prepay everything, just buy ship credit in advance to cover it. Sue/WDW1972

I wouldn't want to have lifeboats obstructing my view downward either, plus the verandahs on deck 5 (at least on many ships, if not all) are shallower than the other decks. For that reason I never book deck 5. You can avoid the lifeboats by simply not booking midship - go forward or aft of the lifeboats. Sue/WDW1972

Nieuw Statendam is currently doing the short 7-day Caribbean voyages. Those don't qualify - the classical music is on the longer voyages. Not sure what the cutoff is, but I didn't have any on recent 10 and 11 night cruises either. Sue/WDW1972

Good morning everyone! Hugs and good grammar are important - Mardi Gras not so much. It just seems to be an excuse to drink to excess and behave badly (for some), and the crowds turn me off. No wonder so many from that area escape to Disney that week to avoid the mayhem! Never heard of Japanese chicken but if it's white meat I'd give it a try. No thanks to the drink & wine and would love to visit the port some day. Here we're expecting a warmer/humid day, starting in the 50's and going up to 79 or so. They started replacing the roof on our building at work yesterday - it's a big one, single story, so I imagine this will go on for a couple weeks. Bang, bang, stomp, scrape, bang, stomp, thud, etc - you get the picture. It needs to be done, but what a pain during the process. Enjoy the day - find someone to hug! Virtual hugs to all of you. Sue/WDW1972

Happy Monday everyone - things are hectic here, which is normal for coming back after a cruise. It won't stop me from cruising again though! Three good days - sure wish birth defects could be prevented in the first place, but glad some can be repaired. Good quote. I might try the cocktail but definitely not the meal or wine, and have not been to the port. Annie @marshhawk I hope Chumley will be ok & fought off that fox Elizabeth @Haljo1935 positive thoughts your DH's procedure goes well, with a good outcome I'd better get back to work - make it a great day everyone! Sue/WDW1972

Good afternoon Dailyites! I'm adjusting to life at home rather than on Eurodam. Tomorrow it's back to work. Interesting/good days today - Cheers to the Texans among us. I've never considered banana and pumpkin together but with the addition of chocolate chips it looked delicious! I'll pass on the cocktail and will enjoy a glass of the wine if it's gifted. Otherwise, it's not within the realm of what I'd pay. Enjoyed the port photos! I also missed whatever happened, and that's fine with me. I generally let any drama roll off as I don't have time or patience for getting riled up over stuff. That, plus everyone has the right to their opinions regardless of whether I agree or not. I hope nobody leaves this group, but realized it's not my decision to make for anyone. Annie glad the Social Security thing is settled and you can cruise without that weighing on your mind. Nice to see Roy is home and some of you are still cruising. Hope Terry's nephew's son has success overcoming his issue. Sometimes it seems life isn't easy for those we care about. Wish that wasn't the case and only good things happened to good people. Sue/WDW1972