Tbay

Good afternoon from St. Anthony's  Newfoundland. 

I was hoping to catch up on the daily before posting but I see that isn't going to happen.

So thank you all for  the Bon Voyage wishes. They were very much appreciated. 

I have been pleasantly surprised by the weather so far. Much nicer than predicted. We are enjoying the cruise. Tonight is dinner in the Pinnacle.  Yum.

Another surprise was meeting a cousin on the ship. We haven't seen each other in years, and had no idea we were both doing this cruise.

My thoughts and prayers are with all who are grieving or have medical issues. And with all of the amazing caregivers.

Thanks to all who help make the Daily great. 

Thank you to all who keep the Daily up and running. I enjoy reading, although I don't post often.

My thoughts and prayers go to all who are suffering from medical conditions, and those who are grieving. Hoping better days are ahead for you.

@grapau27 Thank you for the good wishes.

Finally packed and  ready to go.  Looking forward to just a drive to the port. Even in the rain.

@JazzyVThanks for including me in the upcoming cruises.  We are celebrating our anniversary, but it is 50, not 59.  I  hope you soon resolve the dizziness issues. 

Have a good long weekend everyone.

Our friends couldn't in May.

Air Canada has recently changed their check in policy.

If you have paid extra for a seat and booked it you don't need to worry about checking in early.  

Friends recently had a scare when they thought the TA had booked and paid for specific seats, but she hadn't.  When they went to check in their were only 2 seats left on the plane,  not together.

Person who sat next to us on our last flight had the same issue.

Not sure exactly what the new policy is as we had booked and paid for specific seats.

You could check with Air Canada.

I would let someone use my wifi to do that. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Otherwise I would look in to purchasing one day access.  Good luck.

14 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

and DH got poutine ( so I think we got the right thing this time). 

That's the original poutine.  Just had Poutine Fest here, and anything goes as a topping for poutine.  So have what you like on top!

We always stay in inside cabins.  All we do is sleep there.  We were on the Nieuw Statendam for a month in May/June.  3 weeks in a "sideways" cabin, which we really liked.  And a week in a regular cabin.  Yes, there are motion activated lights. We still used a small tea light in the bathroom.  The A/C worked well. You can order a fan. There was lots of storage space.

We are used to the older ships, and the cabin was definitely smaller, but we had no problems.

5 hours ago, dfish said:

 

@Seasick Sailor Joy, we did beat you on the bill.  $250.  He had to pull the toilet and go out the main line through that to clear the line.  Tree roots were the problem.  We are set up for regular cleaning once a year.  We were quite lucky we got this done when we did.  The whole line was backed up.  We would have had a huge mess in the lower level.  

 

My daughter had water backing up in to her basement.  Tree roots were blocking the main sewer line, and when it was replaced, it was discovered that at some point the pipe had been cut, and the piece just placed back on top.  $15,000 later they had a new sewer line.  Thank goodness their insurance agent suggested they buy insurance for this.

A great big thank you to everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes yesterday.  You made me feel very special.  It was a quiet day, and we will be celebrating 5 family birthdays at a party in a couple of weeks. 

I don't often post on here, but I do read the Daily. 

Thank you to all who help keep the Daily going.  Your hard work is appreciated.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all who are grieving or suffering ill health.

To the caregivers.....you amaze me with your spirit and dedication. It is such hard work.

Safe travels to all those who are traveling.

@TiogaCruiser We will be boarding the Volendam as you get off.  Looking forward to three weeks aboard, celebrating our 50th anniversary. 

@marshhawk Prayers for Chuck and his doctors.  Please take care of yourself too.

@dfish When is your Hawaii cruise?  We are doing the Jan. 28th cruise.

We were in 4201 on the Nieuw Statendam,  for 3 weeks. First time in a "sideways" cabin. Really liked it. Moved to a regular cabin on deck 6. Small, but we had enough room. But I liked 4201 better.

4 hours ago, Hogladyrider said:

We are booked...Feb 15 35 Day Hawaii & Tahiti....if we cancel all I will lose is $2.  Well worth it.

We are booked too!

On 7/12/2024 at 5:45 AM, MAVIP said:

It reminds me to print new luggage tags to be sure that our suitcases can be properly identified (and the hanging clothes will join them 😉).

Good advice. Might have helped.

Mid June on the Koningsdam

We changed cabins, as did friends we were traveling with.

You can move once the new cabin is ready.

We had to pack everything that was not on hangers.  Our move went well.  Went for breakfast and back to the cabin and realized we were in the way, so left for a bit.  When we checked, everything had been moved.  We picked up our new key at the guest services desk.

Our friends had packed everything, and left on an excursion.  Their cabin steward was aware of the move.  They were told they didn't have to stay.  When they returned, the new cabin was empty. No one knew where there things were.  No one took any responsibility for what happened.  They were told they should have stayed, and their cabin steward didn't know they were changing cabins.  After 4 hours of waiting, their belongs finally appeared at the new cabin.  We suspect their belongings were moved, to the wrong cabin, and they waited for someone to report they had someone else's belongings in their room. 

HAL simply put the blame on our friends, and accepted no responsibility.  

We are almost 5* mariners, and were very disappointed with the treatment of our friends.  Same cabin steward, and he definitely knew the plans. HAL never apologized.

So just be careful with the move and make sure you and the staff know exactly what is to happen.

@kazu

Currently on the Nieuw Statendam and there is at least one Mexican Train.  The Volendam had several last year.

@JazzyVPrayers for a successful surgery and quick recovery.

@grapau27Thanks Graham.  We are looking forward to our stop there.

Cashew bark was very popular when I made and sold chocolate.

7 hours ago, grapau27 said:

I understand Nieuw Statendam is coming to our local port of Newcastle June17th and July18th.

And May 30 and I will be on her.

The people who supply food for Air Canada flights are on strike.

The news broadcasts have warned passengers to bring food, snacks and water.

6 hours ago, AncientWanderer said:

DD took little DGD Coco to the doctor.  It's not chicken pox; it's scarlet fever.  She was recently treated for strep throat and is still testing positive for it, so now it's into scarlet fever.  They put her on a different antibiotic.  

I haven't heard of anyone having scarlet fever for years.  It's upsetting.

DD had scarlet fever, after strep throat when she was 20. About 20 years ago. GP hadn't seen a case in years.

Thankfully she responded quickly to antibiotics. I hope Coco does too.

Basilica Cistern in Istanbul is interesting.  Close to other attractions.  Seen in the movie  Inferno.

12 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

My New Year's resolution is to finish a Christmas stocking for my DGD's future husband Chris.  hey will wed on Sept. 14, 2024.  I am going to start it today!  Wish me luck!

 

They picked a good day to get married.  It will be our 50th anniversary.

We spent a week in Pahia.  Waitangi is very close, and passengers are tendered in near it.  Very interesting to visit the Treaty House there.  Russell is a short ferry ride from Pahia.  Both Russell and Pahia had craft shows when the ships called there. Lovely crafts, many wooden items made of kauri wood.  We were supposed to visit again on a cruise, but due to azipod issues, we missed Pahia and Auckland.

We recently had a sick  4 year old DGS with us for over a week, when he couldn't go to school.  Terrible cold that played havoc with his asthma.  And of course, he shared the cold.  We have both been miserable for over a week, but antibiotics are finally kicking in.  DD made us a big pot of Chicken Tortilla Soup, and we ate it for several meals.  She makes it in the Instant Pot, with the chicken still frozen. Quick, easy and delicious.

Thanks everyone.

Any idea when you can book the complimentary dinners.

So far the website says it is unavailable for booking.

Cruising in May.

Thanks

6 hours ago, doone said:

I know this has been a hot topic, but I have to vent.  I have eventually been able to get into the HAL website, but the last 2 days I am unable to get in.  Yes, I have cleared my cookies, cache, even switched servers, but still getting log on errors............it seems to be getting worse, not better.  We should be able to log into the HAL website and search for whatever we want, but lately it's becoming more and more frustrating.

I've had the same issues and so has a friend I am cruising with.  Very frustrating.

I am in Canada.  Submitted the passport info thru a Service Canada location.  Expected date of arrival was 4-5 weeks.  Passport arrived in  6  days.  With no special processing fees. Amazing.