Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[Ocean Boy]

1 minute ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Yes, he is a beauty.   I have climbed many times in my life.   Come on down to LBI.   We have Kraken😄

Do you have any interior pictures or photos from the top?

[Sunshine3601]

Just now, Ocean Boy said:

Do you have any interior pictures or photos from the top?

Yes, I'm sure we have lots of them.   I'll see if I have on the laptop we brought with us.

[jagsfan]

5 hours ago, singinalot said:

What goes best after a hot walk in the sun? drinks, food and people watching. We made our way to the Columbia and had drinks at the bar while we decided where we wanted to eat lunch. 

 

www.columbiarestaurant.com

 

Lunch & further drinks at Casa Maya was perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s a Facebook group Augie Eats with reviews of local restaurants. 
Harry’s is close to your hotel and very good. 

[Sunshine3601]

@Ocean Boy  I know I have lots more on my back up drive at home.  

 

Edited June 15, 2023 by Sunshine3601

[jagsfan]

1 hour ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

So scary. Glad she is OK!

We did break down and got an air fryer a few months ago. Best thing ever. I've only done veggies in it so far. If that's all we use it for, I'm OK with that. They turn out so good.

Naked chicken wings come out crispy on the outside, tender on the inside!

[Ocean Boy]

1 minute ago, Sunshine3601 said:

 

 

Thank you!

[Bailey & Sophie]

9 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Hello my friends. 
 

I have done a reality check and have come to the conclusion that I will never catch up and “ read all about it on this thread”.  
 

Our Allure cruise was a great getaway. 
 

I enjoyed doing the live thread, and was actually a behaved poster.  Although a few participants did not like my jesting. 
 

Anyway. I know people on this thread are normal, kind and understanding. 
 

I was a creeper on another social media site and the majority are fun people. But there are a few that would be removed from CC.  
 

I am thankful for what we share here. 
 

I have planned to post live from Alaska in August , but reconsidering. We shall see. 
 

Anyway. I was pretty lucky at the casino. And the spouse was happy I came home with winnings. 
 

I won just under $14,000 on 5 jackpots. 
 

My name was flagged and I did have to meet with customs. 
I filled out the USGOV form as well as gambled my winnings down to under $10,000. 
 

The concierge escorted me to customs as to not miss our NASA TOUR. 

 

When  we got there I was moved to front of line. 
 

Mr Customs man asked me why I was there. 
 

I told him how much I won and then told  I lost Enough to bring my total $$ under $10,000 back in the states. 
 

I showed him my winning statements as well as my account of buying $$ out of machine to lose enough to bring me to the safe limit. 
 

Mr customs goes. You are prepared. 
I go this is the second time I have been through this. 
 

He goes. Well this is a first for me. 
what did they do to you last time. 
 

I go let me pass no report because I am bringing back less than reportable amount. 
 

He goes. Well sounds good to me. 
Have a good day. 
Nothing is required. 
 

Now I did not tell him last time I had to fill out report. But not going there. 
 

Back to babysitting. 
 

Back home later today. 
 

Pray for my safe travels. 
It is a PIA to travel from I 270 to I 71. Traffic is always congested there. 
 

Be safe. 

 

You are certainly Mrs. Lucky! 

I adore your live reports.

[Sunshine3601]

 

 

Edited June 15, 2023 by Sunshine3601

[lenquixote66]

3 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

@MJSailors Happy 40th Anniversary.  💐

Sorry to hear about hubbys fall and you getting covid.   I've had broken ribs, definitely no fun.  Hope you both have a speedy recover.

Your ring sounds beautiful, so sweet of him.

Take care😍

Happy anniversary ,MJ from me too.

[Bailey & Sophie]

57 minutes ago, singinalot said:

 

 

 

I thought this was a canary in your drink!

[Sea Dog]

1 hour ago, singinalot said:

Ice Plant Bar does not take reservations so we had about a 45 minute wait at the bar before a table was ready for us. This restaurant was the highlight of the food this weekend. Hands down delicious.

 

I asked them to make something with banana, shaved ice, and coconut rum. It tasted like dessert.

 

 

the best truffle fries and pimento cheese with honey 🤤

 

 

gnocci

 

Looks like a very cool bar!

[SteelCityCruiser10]

Some more Alaska pics from Ketchikan today.  Also threw in a sunset from last night for good measure.  😀

 

Crab boat excursion was excellent.

Visited Creek Street too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sgmn]

On 6/13/2023 at 10:57 PM, Sunshine3601 said:

Today we made final payment on our Serenade report cruise in September and took advantage of Amex offer to earn 20,000 points when spending $1000 or more with Royal Caribbean.  😃  @sgmn look forward to meeting you and Gary.

 

Hi Debbie, me too ✋️ 😊 

Though we've decided to use Gary's 'free' (still pay taxes) 'firm' airline staff tickets. Though they are supposedly firm they never get confirmed until a few days before (and potentially not at all) so it's a risk.

The upside is the price is right ✅️ and they are valid in business class. 

At mo the flights are wide open and we have some plans B, C and D so fingers crossed it'll all be ok. Gary has quite high priority. 

We'll probably fly out either the 9th or 10th

 

Looking at staying at either Home2 Home near port or Hyatt in downtown area. Anyone with knowledge of Tampa have any feedbacks?

Also beginning to look at ports. 

Sue 

[sgmn]

On 6/13/2023 at 2:31 PM, aussielozzie18 said:

@sgmn Sue, how are you & your little grandsons going?  

Hi aussie, doing good thank you.

It's been a hectic few months and I'm really out-of the loop here on Danis thread, but I do dip in from time to time and try and keep up. 

We've got a heat wave at mo so trying to keep cool during the day, keeping busy with grandkids and gardening.

We've also had a couple of trips. Symphony in mid May in the Med, and a family trip to Sicily  (Taromina) in late May.

Both were great. Our first RC cruise since 2019, great ports though the weather was cool and overcast with with rain on a couple of days including our one and only sea day. 

Sicily was great, spending time with youngest son and family. Will post some pics later but just have to rush out at mo

Thanks for asking 🙂 

Sue

Edited June 15, 2023 by sgmn

[vacationlover_mn]

8 hours ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

Bad weather day here. Started off with air alerts. It's very hazy due to those fires. My eyes are feeling it!

Here's a pic of the freeway near our house. That road sign is only 1/4 mile away. We live only about 20 city blocks from downtown Minneapolis and you can't even see it now. There should be tall buildings there.

As bad as it is here, I can't imagine what it's like way north.

 

I saw that pic,  and immediately knew that someone lived around us 😉. It was so horrible yesterday!!!

Edited June 15, 2023 by vacationlover_mn

[grapau27]

8 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

That would be Daisy. She seemed very down to earth when the SY series started but you are absolutely right, she is not evolving in a good way at all.

It sounds like we are watching the same BDSY in the UK that you are watching. @Ocean Boy

[sgmn]

15 hours ago, MJSailors said:

@Arzeena Well, since you asked about the Bermuda cruise, I will try to give a condensed version.

Some may have called it the Voyage of the Damned-however , DH and I chose to make lemonade from lemons.

Here it goes- 

Embarkation in Bayonne, Port Liberty was a breeze.

The Celebrity Summit has been refurbished beautifully. We were on the ship in 2019 and it definitely showed wear and in need of a new,brighter color scheme.

We were in Aqua 9052 and found the cabin comfortable with plenty of storage and a good size bathroom (for a ship).

All was going great until Tuesday. I planned to play golf at Turtle Hill Golf Course on the grounds of the Fairmont Southampton Princess on Wednesday. Due to a rainy forecast , we changed the date to Tuesday.

During the cab ride to the course, we found out that the hotel had been closed for some time in anticipation of renovations. As we drove up the hill, the hotel looked eerie and quiet as we had so differently remembered it during past stays there.

We checked in to the pro shop and a young fellow bought around the golf cart and clubs for me to use.

My DH said that I should drive the cart and have some fun with it.

The worker gave us minimal instruction on driving the golf cart and we took off-slowly.

I stopped the cart at the area of the first tee, but realized I could not park the cart as there was no parking brake.

I held my foot on the brake to keep the cart still while my DH walked up the steep path to get further instructions.

He returned with a bleeding elbow and grass stains on his shirt, followed by the young worker. I realized that my DH had taken quite a fall on the path as it was such a steep incline going down the path that he lost momentum and fell hard on the path.

The worker showed me how to set the golf cart and said he should have explained it more clearly and inquired if DH was okay.

My DH encouraged me to play on, but after finishing the first hole, I decided enough was enough and that we were returning to the ship.

I called the pro shop to help us up the step path.

Another worker approached us in a golf cart and said we had to walk up the path. He did not offer us a ride in the golf cart. I was so rattled at this point that now I realize I should have insisted on getting rides back to the pro shop.

We made it up the hill with my DH in pain. At this point I will mention that we are 70 and 72.

The manager of the golf course credited the greens fees and called us a cab as my DH refused medical assistance there.

He was reluctant to be taken to the hospital as he was considering implications of what a visit to the hospital may incur.

The cab driver took us very close to the gangplank and we got DH settled in the cabin.

He took it easy for the remainder of the cruise, getting rest and Tylenol.

He has been improving each day and has had broken ribs before which basically heal themselves.

We enjoyed the ship during the following days as much as possible.

We participated in some trivia, Deal No Deal, roulette, dinners in Blu and taking in the beautiful views from the ship. It was our 14th visit to Bermuda, so while we missed doing some things there, we were content to stay on the ship.

Since it was to be a celebration cruise for our 40th anniversary, my DH wanted to buy me a ring.

We selected a pretty blue and white diamond white gold ring. It was a pleasant experience and a loving gesture on DH’s part.

We were so impressed by the staff and crew. Their hearts and kindness shown trough so many times.

We have been cruising since 1987 and we have never encountered such a hard working, pleasant and warm hearted staff.

Kudos to Celebrity for that!

Disembarkation was a breeze also.

Unfortunately, I was not feeling well on Monday afternoon. Yesterday, I felt worse-tired, weak, no appetite and some tummy issues. 
I took a Covid test and ,yes, it came up positive.

I have a video visit with our Primary Dr later this afternoon.

We anticipated that this could happen.

I seem to have a mild case and I will recover. As I said,my DH is recovering also.

Upon our return, he did all the laundry and put all the travel items back in their places.

He is a keeper!

After 40 years, we have learned to roll with the punches.

We will look back on this cruise with some good memories and even laugh at some of the happenings-probably after we feel much better!

Wishing that you are all feeling well,safe and loved.

MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

 

Sorry to hear about your hubby's fall MJ and also you getting covid. I hope your DH and you were both able to fully enjoy the rest of your cruise and wishing you both speedy recovery

Sounds like you have a great attitude to life's ups and downs

Sue

[sgmn]

On 6/14/2023 at 12:28 AM, Sunshine3601 said:

  Glad he is officially retired as of yesterday!!

Congrats to Eric on his retirement and welcome to the club 👏 

Enjoy your time out at the shore, it sounds beautiful there. 

Do you think when you retire you may spend more time there ?

[sgmn]

18 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Hello my friends. 
 

I have done a reality check and have come to the conclusion that I will never catch up and “ read all about it on this thread”.  
 

Our Allure cruise was a great getaway. 
 

I enjoyed doing the live thread, and was actually a behaved poster.  Although a few participants did not like my jesting. 
 

Anyway. I know people on this thread are normal, kind and understanding. 
 

I was a creeper on another social media site and the majority are fun people. But there are a few that would be removed from CC.  
 

I am thankful for what we share here. 
 

I have planned to post live from Alaska in August , but reconsidering. We shall see. 
 

Anyway. I was pretty lucky at the casino. And the spouse was happy I came home with winnings. 
 

I won just under $14,000 on 5 jackpots. 
 

My name was flagged and I did have to meet with customs. 
I filled out the USGOV form as well as gambled my winnings down to under $10,000. 
 

The concierge escorted me to customs as to not miss our NASA TOUR. 

 

When  we got there I was moved to front of line. 
 

Mr Customs man asked me why I was there. 
 

I told him how much I won and then told  I lost Enough to bring my total $$ under $10,000 back in the states. 
 

I showed him my winning statements as well as my account of buying $$ out of machine to lose enough to bring me to the safe limit. 
 

Mr customs goes. You are prepared. 
I go this is the second time I have been through this. 
 

He goes. Well this is a first for me. 
what did they do to you last time. 
 

I go let me pass no report because I am bringing back less than reportable amount. 
 

He goes. Well sounds good to me. 
Have a good day. 
Nothing is required. 
 

Now I did not tell him last time I had to fill out report. But not going there. 
 

Back to babysitting. 
 

Back home later today. 
 

Pray for my safe travels. 
It is a PIA to travel from I 270 to I 71. Traffic is always congested there. 
 

Be safe. 

I really enjoyed your cruise report Sue. You have a lovely friendly way of writing, and congratulations on your winnings 

Sue

[sgmn]

11 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

@dani negreanu a question/task for you, if you don’t mind?  Because everyone posts their weather experiences and flights regularly,  could you do a post with the locations of our  American friends who post here and their state?

screen name & US state.  I know there  will be lots of Florida/New York and Texas.  Just want a picture in my head, when our friends post their current weather & also where they are flying from.  Thanks.

Great idea, I'm never quite sure where people are.  A rough idea would be great 

[sgmn]

Here are a few pics from our cruise last month, Symphony in the Med

Hooked

 

Cinque Terra ports from a boat

 

Trevi Fountain 

Pre dinner drinks in Central Park

View of aqua theatre from the 'secret' balcony

A couple more of the ship, and yeap we went down the purple slide 

 

Edited June 15, 2023 by sgmn

[bobmacliberty]

12 hours ago, helen haywood said:

I hate to sound stupid…but I just saw my TV, service byDirectTV, recorded Jeopardy last night at a time when the power was out in the house!  How did that happen?  (Technologically challenged…)

 

I don't know if DirectTV works the same as YouTubeTV (which we have), but I assume it does.  Anything that we record is actually recorded on a YouTube server somewhere (i.e., "in the cloud").  It's not recorded on a box that I have in my house.  I just need an internet connection to be able to play it back.  I'm guessing that's what happened to you with Jeopardy.  

 

Nasty storm that rolled through last night.  Hopefully your power stayed on this time.

[sgmn]

And a few pics from Taromina in Sicily where we were on child care duties whilst my son and DIL went to a wedding 

 

View from our apartment

son and DIL ready for wedding 

the bride and her father. Part of the pool was glassed over for the ceremony 

some views 

[Arzeena]

13 hours ago, QueSeraSera said:

Wife's birthday in 4 days, haven't got a gift yet.  She insists, when I ask what she wants, nothing this year.  Does she mean it?

😆If you want to be reminded about it every day of your life!!!!!!!!!🤣🤣

[Arzeena]

Question for resident experts:

Some while ago there was mention of Polymeric Sand and treating patios with them. We are getting patio screened. Better to do this sealing before? What Polymeric to use? The normal one or the advance one called Next Gel? NO idea about it. How to do it? Since it is sand, does something else go over it? Patio is 9 x 14, covered on top.Is it easy to do? Never knew about it because in Princeton we had a small slab patio, very small and the rest HOA took care of.

Thank you in advance.