The Fleet Report and Daily for Wednesday July 6th, 2022

[Horizon chaser 1957]

Good morning(ish) all ! Well, CC just dumped my entire post, so I’ll be brief. Good days, good meal, never been to today’s port, but living vicariously through the pictures.

DH’s MRI went well, and we’ll have the results in about 10 days.

@Ichiban Nekko best of luck on all that moving. It’s exhausting just reading about it!

@StLouisCruisers I’m so sorry to hear about Buddy’s deteriorating condition. I hope at least going home will bring him comfort.

@marshhawk You go, girl! That’s wonderful about booking the longer trip. Do it while you can. DH and I really went over the pros and cons of the 220 day odyssey we embark on this fall. We both feel that between climate and politics the world is devolving, and for us it’s now or never. Waiting a couple more years is not likely to play out well for us. Go and enjoy! If it pushes you just a little bit outside your comfort zone, so much the better.

Happy Wednesday, everyone! The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, life is  (ALMOST) as good as being on a BHB!

[grapau27]

14 minutes ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

Good morning(ish) all ! Well, CC just dumped my entire post, so I’ll be brief. Good days, good meal, never been to today’s port, but living vicariously through the pictures.

DH’s MRI went well, and we’ll have the results in about 10 days.

@Ichiban Nekko best of luck on all that moving. It’s exhausting just reading about it!

@StLouisCruisers I’m so sorry to hear about Buddy’s deteriorating condition. I hope at least going home will bring him comfort.

@marshhawk You go, girl! That’s wonderful about booking the longer trip. Do it while you can. DH and I really went over the pros and cons of the 220 day odyssey we embark on this fall. We both feel that between climate and politics the world is devolving, and for us it’s now or never. Waiting a couple more years is not likely to play out well for us. Go and enjoy! If it pushes you just a little bit outside your comfort zone, so much the better.

Happy Wednesday, everyone! The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, life is  (ALMOST) as good as being on a BHB!

Good luck 🤞 and prayers 🙏 for good news on your husband's MRI.

Graham.

[marshhawk]

Thank you all for the well wishes, it made me feel like I had actually chosen wisely.  And yes, I do want advice on all ports.  However, as spry as I feel, (ha) the DH is visually impaired, (loss of vision in one eye from his fall several years ago, and his depth perception is terrible.)  So he requests, no bumpy, rocky walking trips.

 

Here is a list of the ports, and then I am back off to work, with a meeting tonight, so if I get back on it will be late.  But I will.

 

Starting in Rome, I need a hotel for a couple of nights, DH wants to see the Coliseum, and I want to visit the Vatican.  And then how in the heck do we get to the port? to get on the ship??

 

Mykonos

Kusdadasi -  found an Accessible trip to Ephesus

Santorini

Athens - Panoramic Athens and Plaka

Katakolon

Sicily -Taormina and Greek Theatre

Naples-Sorrento and Amalfi Coast

(change cabins) start part two

Cartagena Spain - Murcia and Fuensanta Monestary

Funchal Madiera

Ponta Delgado

Grand Turk  (one of my favorite beaches-moderate snorkeling and fish viewing) but it's not HMC.

And then Tampa.  And we fly back to Atlanta.

 

I was hoping for a stop in Villefranche to check the church window I had destroyed, but it's probably better that we don't.

 

Off to work!  Now I really have to work!

 

 

[dfish]

1 hour ago, JazzyV said:

 I took 25mg of Benadryl last night and 50mg this AM an hour before my shot. So we'll see how the local reaction goes. Of course I may be sleepy today from the Benadryl. 

 

I am hoping all goes well!   Give in and take a nap.

 

1 hour ago, JazzyV said:

 

@dfish A normal parathyroid hormone in the setting of high calcium is abnormal; it should be suppressed. Is the Endocrinologist doing this evaluation? Thanks for your Geiranger pics.

 

 

Well, it is almost depressed but not quite.  The level is low, but not in the abnormal range.  I am in the abnormal range in general.  Yes, the endocrinologist is doing the evaluation and now I have the 24 hour urine test.  Joy, joy, joy.   

 

1 hour ago, 1ANGELCAT said:

Afternoon all, I just wanted to give an update on my hand situation. I believe I mentioned the PT sent a request to the neurology dr in Hershey about Botox , it took 3 weeks to get a reply . I had a phone call this morning and r the first available appointment is February, 😱 I called the PT and he said that is unbelievable. 
   On the good news front, my nurse practitioner sent a referral for a hand specialist and I now have an appointment for July 18. the dr is in the same building as her.🤞 I am hopeful he can get an answer.

 

I sure hope you can find someone who can help you.   Three weeks to reply to a request in unacceptable.  I can understand not getting in for an appointment for a few weeks, but it is just common courtesy to respond to a request.  

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

Thank you all for the well wishes, it made me feel like I had actually chosen wisely.  And yes, I do want advice on all ports.  However, as spry as I feel, (ha) the DH is visually impaired, (loss of vision in one eye from his fall several years ago, and his depth perception is terrible.)  So he requests, no bumpy, rocky walking trips.

 

Here is a list of the ports, and then I am back off to work, with a meeting tonight, so if I get back on it will be late.  But I will.

 

Starting in Rome, I need a hotel for a couple of nights, DH wants to see the Coliseum, and I want to visit the Vatican.  And then how in the heck do we get to the port? to get on the ship??

 

Mykonos

Kusdadasi -  found an Accessible trip to Ephesus

Santorini

Athens - Panoramic Athens and Plaka

Katakolon

Sicily -Taormina and Greek Theatre

Naples-Sorrento and Amalfi Coast

(change cabins) start part two

Cartagena Spain - Murcia and Fuensanta Monestary

Funchal Madiera

Ponta Delgado

Grand Turk  (one of my favorite beaches-moderate snorkeling and fish viewing) but it's not HMC.

And then Tampa.  And we fly back to Atlanta.

 

I was hoping for a stop in Villefranche to check the church window I had destroyed, but it's probably better that we don't.

 

Off to work!  Now I really have to work!

 

 

Great ports especially the first week.

We have been to them all several times and would go back again tomorrow if I could.

Graham.

[richwmn]

8 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

Starting in Rome, I need a hotel for a couple of nights, DH wants to see the Coliseum, and I want to visit the Vatican.  And then how in the heck do we get to the port? to get on the ship??

I'll start with this. I highly recommend Rome Cabs (https://www.romecabs.com) for transport from Rome to the port. I have used them and I was very pleased with the service. They also have tours available, but I haven't used that part of the company.

[StLouisCruisers]

40 minutes ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

 

@StLouisCruisers I’m so sorry to hear about Buddy’s deteriorating condition. I hope at least going home will bring him comfort.

 

Thanks so much.  I'm sure he will be glad to be back home.  

 

 

22 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

Thank you all for the well wishes, it made me feel like I had actually chosen wisely.  And yes, I do want advice on all ports.  However, as spry as I feel, (ha) the DH is visually impaired, (loss of vision in one eye from his fall several years ago, and his depth perception is terrible.)  So he requests, no bumpy, rocky walking trips.

 

Here is a list of the ports, and then I am back off to work, with a meeting tonight, so if I get back on it will be late.  But I will.

 

Starting in Rome, I need a hotel for a couple of nights, DH wants to see the Coliseum, and I want to visit the Vatican.  And then how in the heck do we get to the port? to get on the ship??

 

Mykonos

Kusdadasi -  found an Accessible trip to Ephesus

Santorini

Athens - Panoramic Athens and Plaka

Katakolon

Sicily -Taormina and Greek Theatre

Naples-Sorrento and Amalfi Coast

(change cabins) start part two

Cartagena Spain - Murcia and Fuensanta Monestary

Funchal Madiera

Ponta Delgado

Grand Turk  (one of my favorite beaches-moderate snorkeling and fish viewing) but it's not HMC.

And then Tampa.  And we fly back to Atlanta.

 

I was hoping for a stop in Villefranche to check the church window I had destroyed, but it's probably better that we don't.

 

Off to work!  Now I really have to work!

 

 

Love the ports, and you've already chosen some great excursions there.  Happy planning!

[kochleffel]

23 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

Starting in Rome, I need a hotel for a couple of nights, DH wants to see the Coliseum, and I want to visit the Vatican.  And then how in the heck do we get to the port? to get on the ship??

 

In Rome, I've stayed twice at the Hotel Gregoriana and recommend it, if you are looking for convenience, comfort, and friendly service. It's about a block down the hill from the (more expensive) hotel near the top of the Spanish Steps that people frequently recommend.

 

From central Rome, by public transport, you'd take a train from Termini Station to Civitavecchia, then a local bus from the station there to the gate of the port, then a free shuttle that makes a circuit of the port. There are several different types of trains from Termini and I think it would be worth paying for one of the faster ones, because the regular train carries a large amount of local traffic and is crowded beyond belief for about half the outward journey. Or book a taxi, especially if you can't handle luggage on a train and bus.

29 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

Kusdadasi -  found an Accessible trip to Ephesus

 This sounds like quite a challenge, because Ephesus is inherently not accessible! I'd say the same about Santorini, although there are ways that it can be visited without a long walk uphill and then a cable car.

[HAL Sailer]

@StLouisCruisers What difficult news! May our prayers surround Buddy and Amy with comfort and add to the love their community is bringing to their doorstep.

[HAL Sailer]

@marshhawk On Madeira you must do the wicker toboggan street ride. DH and I did on our honeymoon and, all these years later, I'd do it again!

 

Not my video but take a peek at the fun!   -Melisa 

 

 

[rafinmd]

@StLouisCruisers prayers headed for you, Buddy, Your twin and BIL.

 

Roy

[StLouisCruisers]

44 minutes ago, HAL Sailer said:

@StLouisCruisers What difficult news! May our prayers surround Buddy and Amy with comfort and add to the love their community is bringing to their doorstep.

Thank you very much!  Amy is glad to have everyone's support.  Her younger RN sister has offered to stay overnight with Amy to help her with Buddy.  She has a calming effect during times like this.

 

 

24 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

@StLouisCruisers prayers headed for you, Buddy, Your twin and BIL.

 

Roy

Thanks Roy.  Buddy and Amy need the majority of our prayers.  I wasn't going to even mention twin and BIL's Covid but it really has come into play here with them being unable to visit, help out, run errands,etc.  Just as DH and I left home for our Island Princess cruise my DB and his wife tested positive for Covid, so in the last 6 weeks all 6 of us have had it!  Unreal!

[Seasick Sailor]

@DeeniEncinitas missing you at our Barefoot Bar..

 

[AncientWanderer]

8 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Well, this is a sad news day.  Last week when I got home from our cruise my twin told me she and her DH had gotten Covid.  She had been trying to help her daughter Amy out at her house because of Buddy in the hospital having the spinal surgery and beginning treatments for his latest cancer (lung cancer in his scapula and spine).  Twin feels so guilty (which she shouldn't) that she can't be of more help until they test negative.

 

But the news the last couple of days on Buddy has gotten worse.   He now has cancer in his liver.  Today Amy announced Buddy is coming home today or tomorrow for hospice care.  He absolutely wants to be home at the end. 😢  Friends have begun a dinner chain and will provide them a hot meal every night through July.  Her church will help out with her electric bill and ambulance bills which run $900 per trip.  Today's trip is the fourth one.  

 

It's hard to fathom a just turned 50 year old going to meet his Maker so soon.  Prayers for Buddy, Amy and their kids are appreciated.🙏

 

Awww, Sandi, this is very sad news.  I made my insomnia visit to the Daily at about 4:30 in the morning and then just checked back in and saw this.  Your family is in our prayers...that Buddy has a comfortable passing and that family and friends are given good strength during this tough time.

Maxine

[Cruising-along]

2 hours ago, marshhawk said:

Starting in Rome, I need a hotel for a couple of nights, DH wants to see the Coliseum, and I want to visit the Vatican.  And then how in the heck do we get to the port? to get on the ship??

I second Rich's recommendation of Rome Cabs -- we've used them several times.  Also highly recommend hotel Alimandi which is right across the street from the Vatican.  Of course it isn't central to other sites, but since you mentioned the Vatican...  

Great itinerary, we've been to all the ports except for Ponta Delgado.  Ask away, you'll get lots of advice here!  (I do have to say, Mykonos is a cat-lovers heaven).  They're everywhere and so friendly.  🙂  

[4966and556]

Most of my cruising has been Med and TA's combined.  I think I've been to most, if not all of those ports. Awesome itinerary!  

[DeeniEncinitas]

1 hour ago, Seasick Sailor said:

@DeeniEncinitas missing you at our Barefoot Bar..

 

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Aloha sweet sister🥂

Our old stomping grounds. Such a shame we flew home on 6/29 after 3 months. Would of been wonderful seeing my sister! Enjoy Hula Bar and Grill. 
just received your message while we are out for a late lunch. Have a beautiful stay!

Mahalo

🌺Your sis on the west coast!

Denise🙂

[57redbird]

1 hour ago, Seasick Sailor said:

@DeeniEncinitas missing you at our Barefoot Bar..

 

One of our favorites on Maui...

[AncientWanderer]

3 hours ago, marshhawk said:

Thank you all for the well wishes, it made me feel like I had actually chosen wisely.  And yes, I do want advice on all ports.  However, as spry as I feel, (ha) the DH is visually impaired, (loss of vision in one eye from his fall several years ago, and his depth perception is terrible.)  So he requests, no bumpy, rocky walking trips.

 

Here is a list of the ports, and then I am back off to work, with a meeting tonight, so if I get back on it will be late.  But I will.

 

Starting in Rome, I need a hotel for a couple of nights, DH wants to see the Coliseum, and I want to visit the Vatican.  And then how in the heck do we get to the port? to get on the ship??

 

Mykonos

Kusdadasi -  found an Accessible trip to Ephesus

Santorini

Athens - Panoramic Athens and Plaka

Katakolon

Sicily -Taormina and Greek Theatre

Naples-Sorrento and Amalfi Coast

(change cabins) start part two

Cartagena Spain - Murcia and Fuensanta Monestary

Funchal Madiera

Ponta Delgado

Grand Turk  (one of my favorite beaches-moderate snorkeling and fish viewing) but it's not HMC.

And then Tampa.  And we fly back to Atlanta.

 

I was hoping for a stop in Villefranche to check the church window I had destroyed, but it's probably better that we don't.

 

Off to work!  Now I really have to work!

 

 

 

That's a great itinerary -- a good mix of busy and relaxing.  I think we've been to all but Funchal Maderia.   You'll get lots of answers here to questions.  I'd pipe in now to say be sure to include St. Mary's house with any tour you take in Ephesus.  It's a pretty spot and just feels special.  I still have a little vial of water from the well there. As our guide said, "Take a vial of water, no matter what your beliefs.  You won't regret it."  😊

[StLouisCruisers]

1 hour ago, AncientWanderer said:

 

Awww, Sandi, this is very sad news.  I made my insomnia visit to the Daily at about 4:30 in the morning and then just checked back in and saw this.  Your family is in our prayers...that Buddy has a comfortable passing and that family and friends are given good strength during this tough time.

Maxine

 

Thank you Maxine for your kind words and prayers.  This is a caring, supportive thread to air our woes and I know most of us would say it's our safe place.

[srdancer]

We have also used Rome Cabs. We used them from airport to hotel in Rome and hotel to port. They were excellent.

@stlouiscruisers  so sorry to hear about Buddy. I agree he is better off at home. Prayers for him and all the family.

 

Prayers for all who need them and joy to those with something to celebrate.

 

[Horizon chaser 1957]

2 hours ago, HAL Sailer said:

@marshhawk On Madeira you must do the wicker toboggan street ride. DH and I did on our honeymoon and, all these years later, I'd do it again!

 

Not my video but take a peek at the fun!   -Melisa 

 

 

We have this booked when we stop in Madeira in October. I can’t wait - it looks like a blast!

[Tbay]

@StLouisCruisersPrayers for Buddy and his family.

 

@marshhawkThe wicker toboggans are lots of fun.  The Terrace Homes at Ephesus are also very interesting  to see, but there are many stairs.

I have taken the train from the port to Rome, twice.  Going that direction, you have to walk down stairs, under the tracks, and back up the stairs, to get to the platform.  Hauling your luggage. Not sure if you have to do that coming from Rome. And, my husband had his backpack stolen getting off the train. So I would definitely recommend taking a car service.  It is worth the money.  When we did the Vatican we booked a tour.  They picked us up at the hotel, and we got to skip the line in to the Vatican. Past the very long line.  Sounds like a wonderful cruise. Enjoy.

[marshhawk]

Thank you for all the information family!  I think to do the toboggan you need a helmet.  And how do they get them back up the hill??  Oh my!  I've got to show that you tube to DH.

 

I finally heard from the woman who suggested the trip, and this is what she said-

 

Not serious about Greece. At least that way. That's way too many days on a ship and my guess is its way tooooooo much money!
 

And so it's best we do this on our own.  Why did she say she wanted to do it?  Why did I find the easiest least expensive way to do it?  Oh well, there is nothing worse than cruising with someone who said on the next line.-We really don't like cruising too much. 

 

So now, one more thing to figure out, give DH a couple of days in England before Rome.?  Or plan another trip.

[AncientWanderer]

17 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

Thank you for all the information family!  I think to do the toboggan you need a helmet.  And how do they get them back up the hill??  Oh my!  I've got to show that you tube to DH.

 

I finally heard from the woman who suggested the trip, and this is what she said-

 

Not serious about Greece. At least that way. That's way too many days on a ship and my guess is its way tooooooo much money!
 

And so it's best we do this on our own.  Why did she say she wanted to do it?  Why did I find the easiest least expensive way to do it?  Oh well, there is nothing worse than cruising with someone who said on the next line.-We really don't like cruising too much. 

 

So now, one more thing to figure out, give DH a couple of days in England before Rome.?  Or plan another trip.

Not sure how you feel about Ireland, but twice we’ve used Aerlingus when traveling to Rome and enjoyed time in Ireland by doing that, with good prices for the flights.  Comfortable flights, too.

So many options…enjoy your planning!