Come sail with me on a virtual cruise to Hawaii on Ruby Princess

[AF-1]

Ellie1145;  I get my vaccine on Sunday;  however on my Oct roll call; someone posted that Canada has shut down any cruise ships until spring of 2022.  So I guess my New England/Canada cruise mid oct will cancel.  Oh well I will dream about what fun we had on previous cruises.  Have a great weekend

[ellie1145]

21 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Ellie1145;  I get my vaccine on Sunday;  however on my Oct roll call; someone posted that Canada has shut down any cruise ships until spring of 2022.  So I guess my New England/Canada cruise mid oct will cancel.  Oh well I will dream about what fun we had on previous cruises.  Have a great weekend

That’s great news AF-1. Hope all goes well.  Friends report that they’ve had a sore arm etc after but it’s worth any pain to get it done. 
 

I think that even our early November transatlantic is at risk to be honest so like you I will have to make do with memories ....cue for a song...

 

‘Memory, all alone in the moonlight

I can dream of the old days,
Life was beautiful then.

I remember the time I knew what happiness was 

Let the memory, live again.’ 🚢

[azbirdmom]

10 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

Azbirdmom, how are you doing? Did they ever tell you if you received the real vaccine or the placebo?  So frustrating the way Europe is punishing us by bringing up all sorts of reasons not to use it. We are ready and waiting for our jabs.

 

Welcome back Ellie!  We are fine.  So glad your husband is on the mend finally.

 

We don't know yet if we got the vaccine or the placebo but are hoping that we will find out soon.  I did speak to my contact at the trial recently and they were feverishly assembling data for submission to the US FDA which she said shouldn't be too much longer.  Once they receive emergency use approval from the FDA, they will unblind everyone and will allow those who received the placebo to get the real thing.

 

Our only other option is to make an appointment to get one of the vaccines approved locally and once we do that (which is hard right now with vaccine availability limited), we can contact the trial administrator and ask to be unblinded.  If we had gotten the placebo, we would keep the appointment for the Pfizer or Moderna jab.  Of course if we choose to go that route we would be out of the study so we aren't going to do this just yet.  We would really prefer to stay the course and fulfill our commitment to the trial!

[JF - retired RRT]

27 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

We don't know yet if we got the vaccine or the placebo but are hoping that we will find out soon.  I did speak to my contact at the trial recently and they were feverishly assembling data for submission to the US FDA which she said shouldn't be too much longer.  Once they receive emergency use approval from the FDA, they will unblind everyone and will allow those who received the placebo to get the real thing.

 

We would really prefer to stay the course and fulfill our commitment to the trial!

Can you (or did you already) tell us which company's vaccine trial you're in?

[azbirdmom]

3 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Can you (or did you already) tell us which company's vaccine trial you're in?

 

We are in the AstraZeneca trial.

[JF - retired RRT]

4 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

We are in the AstraZeneca trial.

Thx.

[azbirdmom]

8 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

‘Memory, all alone in the moonlight

I can dream of the old days,
Life was beautiful then.

I remember the time I knew what happiness was 

Let the memory, live again.’ 🚢

 

CATS!

[trbarton]

15 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

We tour the Mighty Mo

 

 

We leave our guide behind as she goes off to take her next tour group, and we enter the ship itself. We are amazed that we are able to wander at will.

 

Now you may remember that I mentioned that some confusion took place over our meeting time at the end of our visit. More of that later, but suffice to say we had to rush our tour as we thought we had less time than we actually had.

 

The USS Missouri had a long and distinguished career, which had only just started when the Japanese Surrender took place. She went on to fight in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. Although she was ‘mothballed’ in 1955, she was modernised and reactivated in 1984. By 1987 she was providing a safe escort to Kuwait owned oil tankers through the Gulf of Oman, during the Iran/Iraq war. She was part of the largest naval convoy since World War 11.

 

Following this, the Missouri returned to the Persian Gulf to provide fire support during Operation Desert Storm, in January and February of 1991. Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait in August 1990, and on her arrival, the USS Missouri fired her 16 inch guns for the first time since the Korean War. She also launched some of the first Tomahawk missiles. These awesome long range, jet powered subsonic cruise missiles were highly effective, and were used to great effect during this time.

 

She received 11 battle stars for her service in World War 11, the Korean War and in the Persian Gulf.

 

After 17 years of active service she was decommissioned in 1992, and then, in 1998, she found her final resting place as a museum ship at Pearl Harbour. A fitting end for a ship which played such a famous part in the final ending of World War 11.

 

We wander into what is obviously the Officer’s Mess, where the table is laid with crisp white linen, shiny cutlery and glassware. It looks a comfortable area where officers could relax and socialise.

 

 

There are brightly lit glass fronted cabinets, where various artefacts and memorabilia are displayed.

 

From here we move onto a huge area which is the mess for other ranks. There are Formica tables and chairs, all secured to the floor, and along one wall there is a vast array of serveries where the crew would have picked up their meals.

 

The above is an IPhone. Such great resolution.

A little conundrum for you,  Tom. Which of the above two photos was taken on an iphone?

 

 

The above one also on a IPhone. 

Or these two?

 

 

There is also the ‘Big Mo Snack Shop’ where we imagine crew could purchase their favourite snacks and sodas - I guess Coca Cola would be high on the list.

 

 

 

During WW11, General Dwight D. Eisenhower requested that Coca Cola provide American GIs with this refreshingly cool drink, wherever they were. The founder of Coca Cola, Robert Webster, wanted to see that ‘every man in uniform gets a bottle of Coca Cola for five cents, wherever he is and whatever it costs the company.’

 

 

Let me know if I’m correct. 
 

As usual great history & never too wordy. Just right. 
 

Tom😀👍👏

Edited February 6, 2021 by trbarton

[AF-1]

well Ellie1145;  Canada shut its borders until next Feb; so all Alaska and New England/Canada Cruises are gone for this year.  Good thing I have already been to Alaska;  however, our Oct NE/Canada cruise may be gone by next week. Oh well,  once I get both shots I will be in better shape to do more things.

[ellie1145]

21 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

 

Welcome back Ellie!  We are fine.  So glad your husband is on the mend finally.

 

We don't know yet if we got the vaccine or the placebo but are hoping that we will find out soon.  I did speak to my contact at the trial recently and they were feverishly assembling data for submission to the US FDA which she said shouldn't be too much longer.  Once they receive emergency use approval from the FDA, they will unblind everyone and will allow those who received the placebo to get the real thing.

 

Our only other option is to make an appointment to get one of the vaccines approved locally and once we do that (which is hard right now with vaccine availability limited), we can contact the trial administrator and ask to be unblinded.  If we had gotten the placebo, we would keep the appointment for the Pfizer or Moderna jab.  Of course if we choose to go that route we would be out of the study so we aren't going to do this just yet.  We would really prefer to stay the course and fulfill our commitment to the trial!

 

Thank you, azbirdmom, glad you are both ok. 

 

Let us know what happens won’t you? We are having the Astra Zeneca vaccine. I hope you find out whether you had the real thing or the placebo.

 

It is great that you will continue the trial rather than just getting another type of vaccine. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. With all the rubbish that is coming out of France and Germany (and a few other countries) about the vaccine, it could do a lot of damage to AZ. Let’s hope people come to their senses soon. While they are dithering about thousands of people will die. I know where I will be taking my chances!

 

India is using the AZ vaccine which they produce there in the world’s largest vaccine manufacturing plant. It can produce more than 50 million doses a month. It is heartening to hear that India is going to send some of its production to other countries less fortunate. It is also wonderful that the vaccine is being made for NO profit and is eminently affordable compared to the very expensive Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. 

 

They say ‘no man is an island,’ and in this pandemic we will all need to look beyond our own country’s borders if we are ever to get back to normal. Until the virus is under control worldwide that just won’t happen. 

 

Let’s hope that the roll out of the vaccine continues apace. We need some positive news after such a difficult year. 

 

Keep safe!

[ellie1145]

20 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

 

CATS!

 

You are absolutely right. 🐈

 

 

[ellie1145]

15 hours ago, trbarton said:

Let me know if I’m correct. 
 

As usual great history & never too wordy. Just right. 
 

Tom😀👍👏

 

Spot on, Tom, and not a new one either, just a 6S.  Can’t wait for the opportunity to use my new phone. They do take such amazing photos for a phone. 

 

Thank you, for that, Tom. I love words, especially the written word. 😉

[ellie1145]

8 hours ago, AF-1 said:

well Ellie1145;  Canada shut its borders until next Feb; so all Alaska and New England/Canada Cruises are gone for this year.  Good thing I have already been to Alaska;  however, our Oct NE/Canada cruise may be gone by next week. Oh well,  once I get both shots I will be in better shape to do more things.

 

That is incredible AF-1. I just hope that as time goes on they will be able to open up sooner, but I think it’s probably as well to be prepared for the long haul. 

 

The cruise lines have an almost impossible task ahead of them. I would not like to be in their shoes! 

 

But fingers crossed, we WILL cruise again! I have to believe that or I’d go mental! 😉

 

We watch the news from the USA with great interest and have been following the roll out of the vaccine. Let’s hope that it continues to gain momentum. 

 

Keep safe and I hope your ‘jab’ is not too painful. 🤞

Edited February 6, 2021 by ellie1145

[Reader0108598]

Just wondering the USA my country has no problems with letting in any ole Joe but we cannot open our resturants Don't get it!

[ellie1145]

 

The Goat Locker

 

This is the lounge, galley and sleeping area onboard a naval ship which is reserved for the exclusive use of Chief Petty Officers. It is tradition that officers, other personnel, and even the Commanding Officer, must request permission to enter this area.

 

 

 

So where does this term ‘goat locker’ come from? Well, there are many theories, but it is said that many years ago when there was no refrigeration, livestock would be brought onboard to provide fresh milk and eggs. To keep this precious supply safe, the goat was kept in the Chief Petty Officers quarters, hence the term, ‘Goat Locker.’

 

Some say that it takes it’s name from the slang term ‘old goat,’ and as CPOs are usually the oldest members of the crew, this term is used to recognise that fact.

 

The emblem of the Chief Petty Officer is what is called the ‘Fouled Anchor.’ The anchor itself has a length of chain attached to it, plus the letters U.S.N. The ‘U’ stands for Unity, the ‘S’ stands for Service, and the ‘N’ stands for Navigation. The anchor is emblematic of hope and glory, and the chain is symbolic of flexibility and reminds us of the chain of life that we forge every day.

 

 

A sleeping area with bunk beds.

 

We walk though an area of tables and chairs, where meals would have been taken. There is a servers where food and drink would have been located.

 

 

 

 

Behind is the galley, which would have been a hive of activity, 24 hours a day. 

 

An area where the Chaplain has his office, plus the library. 

Edited February 6, 2021 by ellie1145

[trbarton]

53 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

 

Spot on, Tom, and not a new one either, just a 6S.  Can’t wait for the opportunity to use my new phone. They do take such amazing photos for a phone. 

 

Thank you, for that, Tom. I love words, especially the written word. 😉

WOW...I’m really impressed because of your model. Now I realize what my IPhone 12 Max can do with the resolutions. I have exhibited some 11x14 mounted photos in an art show in an Oddfellow’s Lodge that I’m a member of & was embarrassed to say that they were taken with a IPhone & not my professional Nikon camera. 
 

Thanks!

 

Here’s  one of my photos so you can see the detail. Of course it helps to have a good eye. It’s as good as my Nikon could take. 
 

 

 

Tom😀

Edited February 6, 2021 by trbarton

[trbarton]

10 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

 

The Goat Locker

 

This is the lounge, galley and sleeping area onboard a naval ship which is reserved for the exclusive use of Chief Petty Officers. It is tradition that officers, other personnel, and even the Commanding Officer, must request permission to enter this area.

 

 

 

So where does this term ‘goat locker’ come from? Well, there are many theories, but it is said that many years ago when there was no refrigeration, livestock would be brought onboard to provide fresh milk and eggs. To keep this precious supply safe, the goat was kept in the Chief Petty Officers quarters, hence the term, ‘Goat Locker.’

 

Some say that it takes it’s name from the slang term ‘old goat,’ and as CPOs are usually the oldest members of the crew, this term is used to recognise that fact.

 

The emblem of the Chief Petty Officer is what is called the ‘Fouled Anchor.’ The anchor itself has a length of chain attached to it, plus the letters U.S.N. The ‘U’ stands for Unity, the ‘S’ stands for Service, and the ‘N’ stands for Navigation. The anchor is emblematic of hope and glory, and the chain is symbolic of flexibility and reminds us of the chain of life that we forge every day.

 

 

A sleeping area with bunk beds.

 

We walk though an area of tables and chairs, where meals would have been taken. There is a servers where food and drink would have been located.

 

 

 

 

Behind is the galley, which would have been a hive of activity, 24 hours a day. 

 

An area where the Chaplain has his office, plus the library. 

Thanks for your history. I’ve always thought the USN was United States Navy. I wonder how many Navy Veterans know what those letters really stand for. Thanks again?

 

Tom😀

[ellie1145]

3 minutes ago, trbarton said:

WOW...I’m really impressed because of your model. Now I realize what my IPhone 12 Max can do with the resolutions. I have exhibited some 11x14 mounted photos in an art show in an Oddfellow’s Lodge that I’m a member of & was embarrassed to say that they were taken with a IPhone & not my professional Nikon camera. 
 

Thanks!

 

Here’s  one of my photos so you can see the detail. Of course it helps to have a good eye. It’s as good as my Nikon could take. 
 

 

 

Tom😀

 

 

Oh Tom, that is beautiful. What a perfect picture. 

 

Whilst I recognise that everyone can now take a pretty good ‘snap’ with their iPhones, the above photo shows what a professional can do with one. 

 

I would have loved to have seen your exhibition photos. I only wish I was young enough to really get to grips with photography. Sadly, nowadays we tend to store the photos on our phones or laptops or the ‘cloud’ and nobody ever gets to see them. The problem comes when we ‘shuffle off this mortal coil’ and nobody has our passwords! All that history and beauty, together with family photos just disappear. 

[ellie1145]

Just now, trbarton said:

Thanks for your history. I’ve always thought the USN was United States Navy. I wonder how many Navy Veterans know what those letters really stand for. Thanks again?

 

Tom😀

 

Thank you, Tom. I was fascinated to find out what those initials actually stand for, as the obvious meaning did seem to be United States Navy. 

 

I wonder if any Navy Veterans have any other theories about where the term ‘Goat Locker’ comes from????

[AF-1]

Tom,  you're phone took a great pic.  I have the iphone 11 and it also takes wonderful pics

[trbarton]

5 hours ago, AF-1 said:

Tom,  you're phone took a great pic.  I have the iphone 11 and it also takes wonderful pics

Thanks!  The phone as a camera is only as good as the person behind it. 
 

Tom😀

[AF-1]

yea,  I get what you're saying.  Have fun

[ellie1145]

Roscoe H Hillenkoetter

 

 

We walk past a display behind glass, of memorabilia belonging to Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter, who was wounded during the attack on Pearl Harbour, and commanded the USS Missouri in 1946, before becoming a rear admiral.

 

 

When he left the navy he was persuaded, by President Truman, to become Director of Central Intelligence, in charge of the newly established CIA.

 

He returned to the navy as commander of Cruising Division 1 of the Pacific Fleet in 1950, during the Korean War. He was a much decorated veteran who was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Medal, amongst many other medals. He also became an Officer of the Legion of Honour (France). We stop to examine the display.

Edited February 7, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Food, glorious food!

 

 

We enter a large area where the crew would have taken their meals. It must have been a hive of activity, providing thousands of meals, three times a day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We can see the galley behind, where the preparations took place.

 

Boxes and boxes of potatoes, and on the shelf, peanut butter, grape jam and a multitude of large tins. 

 

Each day the crew would drink over 240 gallons of milk and 500 gallons of coffee. A huge amount of vegetables were prepared each day - 500 lbs, and 200 lbs of bread were baked. Meat and meat products amounted to 1,000 lbs each day, together with 2,520 eggs.

 

 

The  galley is spotlessly clean, its stainless steel gleaming in the artificial light, and huge vats standing ready with their lids open. 

 

 

 

The bakery produced hundreds of loaves a day, and we see what appears to be freshly baked loaves, just as they would have come out of the oven.

 

Trays of donuts, ready and waiting to be served to the crew. 

 

 

 

Edited February 7, 2021 by ellie1145

[trbarton]

On 2/6/2021 at 1:34 PM, ellie1145 said:

 

The Goat Locker

 

This is the lounge, galley and sleeping area onboard a naval ship which is reserved for the exclusive use of Chief Petty Officers. It is tradition that officers, other personnel, and even the Commanding Officer, must request permission to enter this area.

 

 

 

So where does this term ‘goat locker’ come from? Well, there are many theories, but it is said that many years ago when there was no refrigeration, livestock would be brought onboard to provide fresh milk and eggs. To keep this precious supply safe, the goat was kept in the Chief Petty Officers quarters, hence the term, ‘Goat Locker.’

 

Some say that it takes it’s name from the slang term ‘old goat,’ and as CPOs are usually the oldest members of the crew, this term is used to recognise that fact.

 

The emblem of the Chief Petty Officer is what is called the ‘Fouled Anchor.’ The anchor itself has a length of chain attached to it, plus the letters U.S.N. The ‘U’ stands for Unity, the ‘S’ stands for Service, and the ‘N’ stands for Navigation. The anchor is emblematic of hope and glory, and the chain is symbolic of flexibility and reminds us of the chain of life that we forge every day.

 

 

A sleeping area with bunk beds.

 

We walk though an area of tables and chairs, where meals would have been taken. There is a servers where food and drink would have been located.

 

 

 

 

Behind is the galley, which would have been a hive of activity, 24 hours a day. 

 

An area where the Chaplain has his office, plus the library. 

Here’s another photo for you. Something I was not aware of as a Navy Veteran. Chief Petty Officer one star,  Senior Chief Petty Officer 2 stars & Master Chief Petty Officer 3 stars. Thanks again for your excellent information. 

 

 
 

Tom😀

Edited February 8, 2021 by trbarton