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

[FromSea2ShiningSea]

The wedding wasn’t until 4:00 PM so we went exploring for more food before we had to get ready.  This place was always busy with line of people waiting and it had good reviews so we wanted to give it a try.  The reviews were right on.  The food very good.

 

 

We didn’t want to eat too much before the wedding so we split these between the four of us.

Chicken Enchiladas 

 

Steak Quesadillas 

 

Chile Relleno with rice and black beans

 

Then, it was time to get back to the hotel to get ready for the big event.

[h20skibum]

5 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

I’ll get my fix of cars next weekend at The Amelia Concours. Can’t believe it’s been a year already. 

This might be the perfect car for you to pick up at the auction on March 2nd.  One of the prop cars from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  Expected to go between $350,000 and $450,000. 
 

[Ocean Boy]

7 hours ago, Luckynana said:

 

That had to have been such an awesome and sentimental visit for you, OB!!

It was. And it was my grandmother who showed it all to me. When I was 12 yrs old my grandmother told my parents that it was time to learn my heritage and she was taking me to Italy. We spent a month there that summer. It gave me a lot of time to bond with the family on that side of the Atlantic. I will always be grateful that she was wise enough to do that for me.

[A&L_Ont]

11 hours ago, DaniDanielle said:

He is home but a long road ahead.  Several issues need to be addressed so tomorrow we will be making specialist appointments. Thank you all again.

Sounds like there will be some busy days ahead but this is good news. 

[BonTexasNY]

8 hours ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

On Friday, we had the wedding rehearsal on location at the Brisa Mar Palapa.  It is situated on a hilltop overlooking the sea that offers an absolutely amazing view.

 

 

 

 

This palapa is where the reception will be at.

 

After the rehearsal, we had all afternoon free before the Rehearsal Dinner at 5:30PM.  So we went and had lunch at the Choco Banana..  It was Sayulita Day so it was very busy in town with lots going on.

 

Chicken Enchiladas 

 

Steak Burrito 

 

Chicken Nachos

 

Granola covered Choco Banana and Coconut covered Choco Banana

 

 

 

Gorgeous pictures.  Hope you post some of the wedding.  Again, congratulations!

[grapau27]

Good afternoon.

It is currently 45°F and partly sunny here.

My current avatar is a picture I took of

Oasis next to Enchantment at Coco Cay 4 weeks ago.

I hope everyone is well.

 

[Lionesss]

@DaniDanielle

Praying for health and better days ahead.

 

As you share your love and concern as well as taking Charlie for all his appointments, please remember to take care of yourself.  Now, more than ever he needs you to get him back on the road of recovery.

If you need an outlet, make a cup of tea, and come back here to us, and we will provide a friendly place to re-charge you.

 

Be safe

All my love in thoughts and prayers

[Jimbo]

8 hours ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

The wedding wasn’t until 4:00 PM so we went exploring for more food before we had to get ready.  This place was always busy with line of people waiting and it had good reviews so we wanted to give it a try.  The reviews were right on.  The food very good.

 

 

We didn’t want to eat too much before the wedding so we split these between the four of us.

Chicken Enchiladas 

 

Steak Quesadillas 

 

Chile Relleno with rice and black beans

 

Then, it was time to get back to the hotel to get ready for the big event.

Pretty daring, Mexican food before a wedding................Reminds me of the movie "Bridesmaids"  😲

[Lionesss]

So yesterday I went bumming around with my Friend, who I wish was the sister I never had.  We are so close, and we have so much in common.

 

She has a short died red haircut.

I have shoulder length colored hair, this month brown with highlights.

 

She wears contacts

I wear glasses

 

She is 5 feet tall

I am 5 feet, 4 inches

 

Se is 10 pounds overweight

I am not going there.

 

She is from Belarus and speaks one of the Russian dialects as well as English

I was home grown USA, Polish/Slovak heritage and used to speak Slovak and Spanish, but a lost art.

 

She drives a Porsche

I have 2 Chevy's

 

She is still working as a Nurse Anesthetist

I am retired as a nurse anesthetist 

 

Her favorite appetizer is prepared cow tongue (always ask what is cooking before I eat at her home)

I enjoy Chicken

 

She will have NO PETS!!!!

We have pretty kitty, a fish aquarium and 2 turtles (and seasonal mice in basement)

 

She celebrates Hanukkah

We celebrate Christmas

 

She has 3 children, 2 boys and a girl

I have an only child.

 

She just got back from 4 weeks traversing the Netherlands

We just got back from WalMart

 

She is going hiking in Reykjavik and then going to Israel this summer

I am going on a summer cruise on the Allure and sitting by the pools edge.

 

She unfortunately has the family history as well as the gene for Breast cancer and monitors it.

I have the family history of high BP and Diabetes

 

She is in her 40's

I am not

 

Her husband is a few years younger than she is

I am a cougar and a couple years  (😉) older  than my spouse

 

She loves chocolate

I do not

I consume mass quantities of potato chips (Lays to be exact), however none since last August, had to stop that bad habit. ( Now my occasional treat is home made plain popcorn), with a very rare chip.

 

So now you see why we are so close.

 

So yesterday as an outing we traveled to Ravenna Ohio to visit my new found store (new to me).

an antique store.

It has everything from furniture, to stop signs, to actual traffic lights, old magazines.

Some overly priced items  and a couple bargain sections.

 

I went looking for a cheap crystal dish that I could use as a butter dish, as well as walking the aisles up and down and up and down, since I did not walk the mall yesterday.  If you walk every nook and cranny there twice you walk a tad under 2. miles.  

 

I found my butter dish for $2 and it was %10 off.  So it was $1.80, What a Bargain!!!!!

Well the dish was.

But when I picked it up, the globe 1 1/2 vase next to it came tumbling down.

((((((((((((CRASH, SHATTER))))))))))))))

Damn, the price tag had $40 on it.

So I picked up the pieces and humbling took whatever I could pick up to the front of the store and notified the desk, I broke it.

The manager was very kind, and told me he would contact the seller an tell him it was broke by a customer.

So this customer walks shamelessly back and now is afraid to go near anything, as my friend continues to shop.

I am so frustrated, here my $1.80 lovely glass butter dish, just went up in price to $41.80.

 

There is  nothing I can do about it.  Just frustrated.

 

So I walked the aisles as my friend shopped Yup I was afraid to touch anything.

Kept walking and walking....................

When all was said and done, I walked 3.14 miles.

 

Now time to go check out my beautiful glass butter dish that I got for under $2.00, I was going to pay in cash because I am not going to use the debit card for that amount, and since the butter dish is now costing me $41.80 debit card it is.

So I humbly walk up to the counter and the manager is there.

and he goes.

I did not even call the owner of the broken item, accidents happen, you just owe for the glass piece, in your hand.

 

So, moral of story.

Be careful in antique stores,

And be compassionate and forgive when something happens to others, because it can and does happen to you.

 

Oh, 

My friend

She bought crystal and did not break anything in the process

I well.....................................

 

Be safe

Edited February 28, 2023 by Lionesss

[bobmacliberty]

6 hours ago, h20skibum said:

This might be the perfect car for you to pick up at the auction on March 2nd.  One of the prop cars from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  Expected to go between $350,000 and $450,000. 
 

Jeff Gordon is the show’s honoree this year and they’re also auctioning one of his actual NASCAR race cars. I think I’d rather have the Ferrari. Life moves pretty fast. 

[Momof3gurlz]

14 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

@BonTexasNY

 

Bonnie, we're flying to Marrakech when you're leaving the Oasis....

 

Managed to get DH the difficult to achieve visa... Our neighbors have roots there, visited several times, and took me through the steps. Also, we're going to get some "tips" on being in a real Arab country.

 

I was so focused on finding a convenient flight, that I didn't notice the Ramadan will start shortly after our arrival... They fast through the day, and only eat in the evenings, this -- a whole month.

 

Luckily, I have my Romanian (European) passport, so I needed visa just for the "peasant" 😉

I definitely spent the majority of my research time looking at flights and all the options.  The most important thing for me was a non-stop flight to Italy.  We have a connecting flight on the return (Chicago) but I’m okay with that. Our best choices were to fly out of Philly which works for us since we can leave our car at our daughters & have them drive us to/from the airport (and a bonus visit with them). I also went with premium seats so the airfare cost is almost as much as the cruise. Oh, and @Ocean Boy, our flights to Venice and from Barcelona to Chicago are on a 787.  
Dani, I hope your travel goes much smoother this time around!

 

4 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

It was. And it was my grandmother who showed it all to me. When I was 12 yrs old my grandmother told my parents that it was time to learn my heritage and she was taking me to Italy. We spent a month there that summer. It gave me a lot of time to bond with the family on that side of the Atlantic. I will always be grateful that she was wise enough to do that for me.

What a great experience that must have been.  Memories not only of seeing Italy for the first time, but the time spent with your grandmother. 

Edited February 28, 2023 by Momof3gurlz

[Husky1987]

The Boss killed last night in Seattle…top 5 concert of my lifetime for sure.

 

[Ozark_Kid]

Yesterday Sharon and I attended a funeral of a friend's mom.  Everyone was in good spirits. Hearing her story was great and it was nice to see pictures of her past.  She lived 104 years, 6 months and 3 days.  Amazing.  She was such a great person they all know they have an opportunity to see her again. 

[MJSailors]

Marietta- Wishing your Charlie a full recovery and good medical care as you both consult with specialists.

Glad for him that he is home in comfortable surroundings. That alone should make him,and you,feel better.

Take care

MJ🙋🏻

[DaniDanielle]

The hospital doctors seem to think there is a kidney problem.  He is seeing a kidney specialist and just saw him two weeks ago.  We tried to explain to them that his numbers were normal for him. Anyway, we will see the specialist again.  It is very frustrating dealing with doctors who are not familiar with  heart transplants.  As I am sure Debbie and Eric know, their labs are never normal!

once again we appreciate all your good wishes. Thank you

[DaniDanielle]

I just got an email saying I increased my rank to the 5,000 club!  Do I get a free cruise🤪

[dani negreanu]

12 hours ago, Luckynana said:

It must be such a relief getting your DH's visa for your trip to Marrakech.   How great that your neighbors have been giving you some great tips for when you are there.

 

It is... I've found it funny that the very first question on the visa application was.... "Do u have a valid visa to US/UK/Australia"?  I figure they say: "if US gave you a visa, then you're good for us too"😉The US tourist visa, BTW, is also not an easy one to get... because of Covid, whoever needs one now, has to wait until September for an appointment at the US embassy... Tough times for travelers.

 

 

12 hours ago, Luckynana said:

 

With all of the info that you've been sharing with Deb, as well as always being so helpful when anyone on our Dani's thread has cruise or other travelling questions, I wonder if you've ever given any thoughts on becoming a Travel Agent??🤔

 

A definite NO. I'm doing it WHEN I like to, to WHOEVER I like to, I really enjoy helping people. [No offense to Ken, pls. @Ourusualbeach]

 

 

3 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

Sounds like there will be some busy days ahead but this is good news. 

 

+ 1  @DaniDanielle, Marietta 😘

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Momof3gurlz said:

I definitely spent the majority of my research time looking at flights and all the options.  

I also went with premium seats so the airfare cost is almost as much as the cruise. Our flights to Venice and from Barcelona to Chicago are on a 787.  

 

When DS1 was still a FA, and we got very cheap tickets in BC, I was eagerly awaiting the "new kid in town - the 787". I was hoping that the BC experience in the new class will be much better than on 777.

 

I was very disappointed. I found the seats and the surroundings not comfortable. Going to sleep was like performing a MRI test [like sliding into a tunnel...].

 

When I "complained" to DS1, he told me that the best seats on 787, and also value for money, are the "premium" ones. So glad that you made the right choice, Deb.

 

Speaking of Venice -- There are different kind of tickets for the various "water buses" [vaporetto]. The single tickets are outrageously expensive .. One way [not return] is 9.30 Euro... A "return" -- 19 Euro...

 

We bought a 48 hour "free" travel for 35 Euro, a 24 hour is 25 Euro. The clock starts on the first trip, so they can be bought in advance. You have to "validate" your ticket with each trip. If you plan to visit the neighboring islands, like Murano or Burano, they're a good bargain, relatively speaking.

 

The Alilaguna tickets are not included in this "deal". Very important -- you'll have to walk about 10 mins (there is a mover) from the terminal to the Alilaguna "port". It's clearly marked, like from this point on -- 6 mins walk...

 

My advice -- pack lightly. You'll have to "schlepp" your luggage to Fontana, from Fontana to the train station, board a train to Rome, etc., you get the gist.... My "secret" of traveling with carry on only is simple -- one color "gets all". Blue - blue shoes, sandals, sneakers, pants, shirts (or whatever goes with blue). I don't shy away from washing "undies" in the sink, light shirts too. Use also your Diamond laundry perks.

 

1 hour ago, Momof3gurlz said:

Dani, I hope your travel goes much smoother this time around!

 

Thanks, I hope so too, I'm still having nightmares of running through Athens airport with no avail.

 

On a happy note, the same DS1 as above has traveled yesterday to Sri Lanka, for his annual surfing trip.

 

I wish he exhibited the same temerity in finding himself a bride...

 

He brought his surfing board for DH to pack it well ....

 

[Momof3gurlz]

@dani negreanu thank you for all this great information.  I’m taking screenshots and saving so I can write everything in my notebook. 
BUT, what is this “pack lightly” you speak of?? I’m not familiar 😂. On the Bella cruise, over a drink,  @jmh2006 is going to share tips on packing for 2 weeks in Europe in only a carry on.  

[DaniDanielle]

@LionesssThanks you for your lovely words.  I appreciate them.

MJ, thank you also.

Most of all I want to thank Dani for creating this wonderful forum.  I hope someday we can meet, at least some of you.🥰

[BonTexasNY]

3 hours ago, Husky1987 said:

The Boss killed last night in Seattle…top 5 concert of my lifetime for sure.

 

The Boss is 73.  Amazing.

[A&L_Ont]

5 hours ago, Jimbo said:

Pretty daring, Mexican food before a wedding................Reminds me of the movie "Bridesmaids"  😲

 

It is the only scene I find funny in the movie and Lisa hates it. LOL

 

[Husky1987]

7 minutes ago, BonTexasNY said:

The Boss is 73.  Amazing.

Almost three hours, non-stop.  He's still got it.

[ReneeFLL]

On 2/24/2023 at 5:00 PM, jagsfan said:

Wonder! I keep telling myself it’s only a little bigger than Harmony. Taking my folding cane!

Have a wonderful cruise.

 

On 2/24/2023 at 5:32 PM, Keksie said:

Questions for people who have been on recent cruises:

 

How is the Indian food.  I love a good curry and the sample menus I saw had Indian food nightly.

 

How many towels do you get with once a day service?  I shower in the morning, but I also will shower before dinner if we have been active during the day.  I have found that the towels don't dry between uses that way.  Can you ask for extras if they don't give extras?

We always ask for extra towels since we have been requesting service once a day for many years. The Indian food is good, but sometimes not as spicy as I would like. 

[Husky1987]

6 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

The Indian food is good, but sometimes not as spicy as I would like. 

OMG, meet my wife.  She loves the Indian food on the ships, but loves it even more when it comes spicy.  There have been times I'm sweating with tears flowing and she's all "yeah, there's a little kick to it."  🤣🥵

[Sea Dog]

2 hours ago, DaniDanielle said:

The hospital doctors seem to think there is a kidney problem.  He is seeing a kidney specialist and just saw him two weeks ago.  We tried to explain to them that his numbers were normal for him. Anyway, we will see the specialist again.  It is very frustrating dealing with doctors who are not familiar with  heart transplants.  As I am sure Debbie and Eric know, their labs are never normal!

once again we appreciate all your good wishes. Thank you

Thank you for the update. Let him know he is in my thoughts and hoping for things to improve.