Thursday December 14th, 2023 -- The Fleet Report and Daily

[Niagarawine]

Thanks so much to all of you for your kind words and thoughts. We have had a long haul with his illnesses, dementia and pneumonia, then Covid. I feel he is at peace now and we will remember hm very fondly. He was as true Scotsman!

[kazu]

8 minutes ago, cruising sister said:

I have a question about Vista Suites. It says mini bar and refrigerators. Are the mini bar drink free? I have had a very good move up offer but want to have all the facts. 

 

No, they are not free.  it’s a no host bar (meaning you pay).  If you are a 3* Mariner you get 25% off and if 4* or higher, 50% off.  there’s no break on the mini bar prices otherwise - even in a Neptune Suite.

[cruising sister]

27 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

No, they are not free.  it’s a no host bar (meaning you pay).  If you are a 3* Mariner you get 25% off and if 4* or higher, 50% off.  there’s no break on the mini bar prices otherwise - even in a Neptune Suite.

That is what I thought. I still think I am taking the upgrade. It is a fantastic deal for what I am getting and I am treating myself. Of course I felt I needed to run it by someone so I called my DS who said do it!!!

[Cruising-along]

8 minutes ago, cruising sister said:

That is what I thought. I still think I am taking the upgrade. It is a fantastic deal for what I am getting and I am treating myself. Of course I felt I needed to run it by someone so I called my DS who said do it!!!

Do it Lorraine! 

[Cruisercl]

Good evening everyone,

 

I dropped my LF luggage at the local UPS store without incident. I was notified it was on its way shortly after. Easy peasy. I was out for the day and did not want the luggage sitting on my front step for possibly 6 hours. Paranoid or being cautious not sure......

The funny part for me was that I was sure each piece of luggage was at least 50lbs but no, each was only 39lbs each. I could have packed more!!!! 😁

Glad everyone else getting their luggage picked up went well so far.

I met with friends for a Christmas cheer and lunch today, great fun as I had not seen them for a bit. They are all good, we are blessed indeed.

 

Hope everyone had a good day and has a good sleep tonight. 😴

 

Caron

 

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by Cruisercl

[erewhon]

 

Busy on the "Daily" today.  

@Sharon in AZ  Congratulations on your Anniversary, may you celebrate many more.

@Niagarawine Sincere  Condolences on the death of your FIL.

@StLouisCruisers Sincere  Condolences on the death of your cousin.

@cruising sister  Enjoy the upgrade. 

@JazzyV  hope that the neurosurgeon will be able to help you, you have had this pain for too long, 

@marshhawk  you have mentioned the Jacquie Lawson  advent calendar, which we also buy,(have done so for some years) and send some to friends, are you finding the animals each day.?

 

We had our Covid booster vaccinations this morning........4th booster after the initial two at the beginning of the pandemic.  Covid numbers are  rising again. 

 

This morning, made another Kit Kat slice, am now off to melt chocolate for it's icing, then to store it in refrigerator for a few day!!

[durangoscots]

7 minutes ago, Cruisercl said:

Good evening everyone,

 

I dropped my LF luggage at the local UPS store without incident. I was notified it was on its way shortly after. Easy peasy. I was out for the day and did not want the luggage sitting on my front step for possibly 6 hours. Paranoid or being cautious not sure......

The funny part for me was that I was sure each piece of luggage was at least 50lbs but no, each was only 39lbs each. I could have packed more!!!! 😁

Glad everyone else getting their luggage picked up went well so far.

I met with friends for a Christmas cheer and lunch today, great fun as I had not seen them for a bit. They are all good, we are blessed indeed.

 

Hope everyone had a good day and has a good sleep tonight. 😴

 

Caron

 

 

Mine has not been picked up yet. I may enlist my handyman tomorrow. Luggage forward is ignoring me.

 

Susan

[Cruzin Terri]

@Niagarawine my condolences on the passing of your DFIL.

Terri

[cruising sister]

12 minutes ago, Cruisercl said:

Good evening everyone,

 

I dropped my LF luggage at the local UPS store without incident. I was notified it was on its way shortly after. Easy peasy. I was out for the day and did not want the luggage sitting on my front step for possibly 6 hours. Paranoid or being cautious not sure......

The funny part for me was that I was sure each piece of luggage was at least 50lbs but no, each was only 39lbs each. I could have packed more!!!! 😁

Glad everyone else getting their luggage picked up went well so far.

I met with friends for a Christmas cheer and lunch today, great fun as I had not seen them for a bit. They are all good, we are blessed indeed.

 

Hope everyone had a good day and has a good sleep tonight. 😴

 

Caron

 

 

I had stealth UPS drivers. I had the front door open to the storm door and I barely heard them walking away with the luggage. I did have a chance to wave it goodbye. 

[richwmn]

1 hour ago, erewhon said:

@richwmn  Rich,  thank you for the HAL Fleet locations, but today Noordam is in Lyttelton. Due to the wind, she was unable to enter Otago Harbour yesterday to visit Port Chalmers.

 

Will now continue to read the "Daily" news.

 

I guess I had a 'brain fart' this morning. I noticed the change and thought I corrected it. It appears that I re-typed the incorrect information rather than the corrected.

 

[Cruising-along]

12 minutes ago, erewhon said:

 

This morning, made another Kit Kat slice, am now off to melt chocolate for it's icing, then to store it in refrigerator for a few day!!

I will be making it this weekend!  I know everyone will love it.

6 minutes ago, durangoscots said:

Mine has not been picked up yet. I may enlist my handyman tomorrow. Luggage forward is ignoring me.

 

Susan

Susan I'm so, so sorry.  

It isn't only the frustration, but having to sit at home waiting....

 

[marshhawk]

@erewhonThe first thing I do in the morning is go to the jacklie lawson advent calendar.  I turn on the sound, and I start from right to left to find the animal.  I click on the ones so I can hear them and see them run around,  Today was wonderful!  I loved the paper dolls.....quite the outfits I gave them, and I love the fox!  Then i go to the coloring book, and color my daily critter, then find my gift, and then play the match game.  I go back outside, and look at all the people and what they are doing.....

 

Then I go to CC. 🙀.

 

Sweet dreams everyone, I see that another episode of Shetland has been added!

[kazu]

1 hour ago, cruising sister said:

That is what I thought. I still think I am taking the upgrade. It is a fantastic deal for what I am getting and I am treating myself. Of course I felt I needed to run it by someone so I called my DS who said do it!!!

 

 

Go for it Lorraine before they are gone!

 

On the Volendam right?  They are technically verandahs but they are roomier verandahs than the other ships.  Very comfy and nicer balconies.  That ship doesn’t have many.   You won’t be sorry, I am sure. 🙂 

[kazu]

44 minutes ago, richwmn said:

I guess I had a 'brain fart' this morning. I noticed the change and thought I corrected it. It appears that I re-typed the incorrect information rather than the corrected.

 

 

No worries, Rich 🙂.  You have a lot on your plate.

 

 

51 minutes ago, durangoscots said:

Mine has not been picked up yet. I may enlist my handyman tomorrow. Luggage forward is ignoring me.

 

Susan

 

Oh darn Susan.  I’m so sorry.  Is it possible they could still come? I’d be tempted to call if it is past the time (if there is a number you can call).  That’s frustrating. 😔 

[durangoscots]

1 minute ago, kazu said:

 

No worries, Rich 🙂.  You have a lot on your plate.

 

 

 

Oh darn Susan.  I’m so sorry.  Is it possible they could still come? I’d be tempted to call if it is past the time (if there is a number you can call).  That’s frustrating. 😔 

Did call the number specified. Was on hold for a long time after they said I was next in line and I finally gave up.... called back later and left a call back number and so far no call back and it has been 2 hours Not impressed with anyone. I will deal with everyone in the morning. Did talk to my handyman and he will take it out to drop off for me which probably now is the safest way to go. Fortunately there is plenty of time but I am really irked to say the least.

[Vict0riann]

Good evening, Dailyites,  we had a busy day today, so I am just here now, although I think I read the first page this morning.   Hope things are progressing as they should for everyone, and I will include you all in my prayers tonight as I lie awake!  

 

All the chatter about honey-baked hams had my mouth watering, so I had to go out and get a ham.  When we first lived in Virginia, you used to have to buy a whole Virginia ham, they were wonderful !  

 But they were coated in salt and very highly flavoured, so they needed to be soaked for a long time (I think I did it in the bathtub) and eventually, ( skinned?), baked and then baked again with a topping of brown sugar and mustard.  Then the spiral-sliced honey-baked hams appeared.  The first outlet was halfway to Richmond (we lived in Falls Church), but it was worth every gallon of gas.  You had to call the outlet at a certain time, and they gave you a time and weight you could buy.  But what deliciousness. And the outlet was only open around Christmastime.  Good memories.  Here you can find spiral-sliced, but not honey-baked.

 

I just got a regular ham, it was pretty good.  Tomorrow we will take it apart, save some for Christmas and freeze portions for future meals.  And I'll freeze the bone for the time being, too..

[durangoscots]

Finally got through to Luggage Forward. Gal there says there many missed pickups today and they have been slammed all day. Anyway... they will let UPS know (and so will I) but I am going to call Leo in the morning and get him to take the luggage out to UPS drop off for me. I just feel it is a safer that way. If I get it out there by early afternoon it will go out tomorrow.... hopefully. I was very polite to woman at Luggage Forward as obviously it is not her fault. UPS here has a bad reputation.

 

By the way.... she looked at the designated  time of pickup -6am to 5pm - and said "good heavens, that's all day". I told her I knew that.

 

Lorraine... I had the same offer on the upsell but am not taking it.

 

Susan

 

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by durangoscots

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good evening.  I finally finished reading the rest of the Daily.  I did my happy dance earlier when I finished the last of the cookies.  Tomorrow I'll box them up and get the ones that need mailing to the post office.  Others I'll deliver to the neighbors in a day or two.  Now maybe, I'll have time to finish all the unloading form the motorhome and sorting what goes back to Texas, what stays here and what  is donated to either Carol's Closet or the thrift store plus cleaning the motorhome and getting it ready for older DD and DSIL next Friday.  I also need to find time to do laundry, clean house and do grocery shopping for Christmas.  I think between Christmas and the time we leave for the cruise, I may just chill and vegetate if there is time.  I can't  believe how busy the last six weeks have been.  However, I'm very thankful that we were able to make it to Quartzsite this year.

 

7 hours ago, Crazy For Cats said:

Good Afternoon,  after our bumpy landing we couldn't depart the plane until customs came and escorted a passenger off the plane.  The airport moved hotel shuttle pickup again and we followed the signs. The hotel shuttle drove past us about 30 minutes since we called.  I called the hotel and they said we were in the wrong spot, so we went to where they said to go.  After three more passes the driver said she could only pick us up in the original spot we went to.  We complained at check in. 

After check in we went to LA Bamba for a nice lunch with some adult beverages.  Went back to the room and we both napped for at least an hour.

Thank you everyone for the safe journey thoughts. 

 

Jake, I'm glad you arrived safely at your hotel in spite of the  shuttle mix up.

 

7 hours ago, dfish said:

 

That works for me and I don't have a dog.

 

 

So good to hear from you.  We get worried when we don't.  Sorry to hear about the stroke, but I am glad it was mild with no new deficiencies.  Also good that your DD is doing as well as he is!  I hope you can snag that Neptune suite for a cruise to Alaska.

 

@Niagarawine I am sorry to hear of the passing of your DFIL.  I hope there are many happy memories to guide and help you through this time.  Please accept my condolences to you and your family.

 

Coffee with classmates this morning was a ton of fun.  I hated to leave to get to my hair appointment, but my hair does look a ton better.  Not much else to report.  I wanted to bake cookies, but Sue reminded me that I really didn't want them around tormenting me to eat them.  

 

Debbie, at least part of our cookies will be mailed or go to neighbors.  After working on them for four days, it will take me a while to really want to eat one.

 

6 hours ago, CrabbyPatti said:

Good Afternoon Everyone,

       I haven't check in for a while............though I do read the daily almost every day to keep up!

 

      It has been 3 months since Dad passed and it still hits me some days that he is gone when I want to share something with him.  The other day I was driving across town and started to turn on the road to Dad's place I guess after 4 years of 1-3 times daily visits I was on auto pilot.

       My oldest daughters birthday is today.  I remember my Mom telling me that the "idea" of his baby having a baby really bothered Dad for several days! (he got over it and spoiled her and the rest of the grands as they arrived).

      Today my FIL is moving to assisted living.  He was hospitalized with Covid a month after my Dad passed and we almost lost FIL.  He has spent the last 6 weeks in a rehab.  He is doing better and has gotten stronger, but I doubt he will be able to return to his home especially with his memory slipping.

       We have talked about a cruise in the spring, but have put it on hold.  We may just take some shorter road trips for now.

       The Grands have a Christmas program at their school this evening that should be fun to watch.  My daughter is Dean of Students at the school so she will get to celebrate her birthday at the program!

       Take care everyone, hugs and prayers to all who need them.

Denise

      

 

Denise,  I hope your DFIL does well in assisted living.  Happy Birthday to your DD.  Enjoy the Christmas program.  It's been 30 years since my DD died, and I still miss him and want to share things with him.  

 

5 hours ago, richwmn said:

I told myself I wasn't going to do it because the combined price for the three cruises is a considerable amount over the same time as one cruise, but due to some good fortune I had enough and just purchased internet for the entire time I will be gone.

I guess I will be posting daily again, or at least most days.

 

 

Rich, I'm glad you were able to purchase the internet package.  I look forward to your reports from our cruises.

 

2 hours ago, cruising sister said:

That is what I thought. I still think I am taking the upgrade. It is a fantastic deal for what I am getting and I am treating myself. Of course I felt I needed to run it by someone so I called my DS who said do it!!!

 

Lorraine, go for it.  Twenty-one years ago, we enjoyed our balcony on Volendam.

 

2 hours ago, durangoscots said:

Mine has not been picked up yet. I may enlist my handyman tomorrow. Luggage forward is ignoring me.

 

Susan

 

Susan, I'm glad you have a Plan B.

 

Lenda

Edited December 15, 2023 by Quartzsite Cruiser

[grapau27]

8 hours ago, atexsix said:

Thanks, I sure hope we can squeeze in a cruise or two.  Hope you and your family have great holidays too.

Best wishes to you and your dad.

[kazu]

8 hours ago, durangoscots said:

Did call the number specified. Was on hold for a long time after they said I was next in line and I finally gave up.... called back later and left a call back number and so far no call back and it has been 2 hours Not impressed with anyone. I will deal with everyone in the morning. Did talk to my handyman and he will take it out to drop off for me which probably now is the safest way to go. Fortunately there is plenty of time but I am really irked to say the least.

 

I don’t blame you for being ticked.  I think sticking to your plan B is the best thing to do.  What a shame though.

[0106]

15 hours ago, Crazy For Cats said:

We complained at check in. 

Would you be comfortable sharing the name of your hotel?  Other than the shuttle snafu,  were you satisfied?

 

Bon Voyage.  I hope you get out ahead of the rain.

[Crazy For Cats]

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

Would you be comfortable sharing the name of your hotel?  Other than the shuttle snafu,  were you satisfied?

 

Bon Voyage.  I hope you get out ahead of the rain.

We are staying at the Four Point by Sheraton.  We have stayed at this hotel for a number of years.  At first it was a choice hotel, then private and now it’s a Marriot property.  We like it more for location than anything else. We are mostly satisfied with the hotel but after yesterday I’ll be looking at other hotels.  We are familiar enough with the area to go elsewhere.  Price will ultimately decide it for us.

[0106]

@Crazy For Cats Thank you. I can’t believe how expensive Ft Lauderdale hotels are in March.  I booked the Riverside, about $375 with tax and then someone mention the Hyatt Place through Value Trips which I have booked for $325 with tax.  Still looking.  Clean and close to the port are my priorities.  Shuttle not necessary, they frustrate me ( for the reasons you experienced).  
 

Thank you again.  I hope you have a wonderful cruise.

[Crazy For Cats]

17 minutes ago, 0106 said:

@Crazy For Cats Thank you. I can’t believe how expensive Ft Lauderdale hotels are in March.  I booked the Riverside, about $375 with tax and then someone mention the Hyatt Place through Value Trips which I have booked for $325 with tax.  Still looking.  Clean and close to the port are my priorities.  Shuttle not necessary, they frustrate me ( for the reasons you experienced).  
 

Thank you again.  I hope you have a wonderful cruise.

I found the same issue for March for our Eurodam cruise.  About two weeks ago I noticed a price drop on last nights stay. I cancelled and rebooked saving about $90.  We have the same hotel booked but will take another look after the new year.  I’m thinking March time frame is spring break.