Live from the Volendam - please join the Merry Widows on their cruise 😊

[kazu]

 

Good afternoon from lovely, warm Florida.

 

For the first time since I lost DD DH, I’m not travelling solo.   I have invited a friend to join me - also a widow.

 

We are  boarding the Volendam tomorrow for a nice relaxing 13 cruise to Montreal, Canada.

 

It’s been very challenging  to get here with a lot of last minute hiccups but here we are and we are going.  The story is too long and I won’t bore you - let’s just say that I didn’t know until Thursday morning if I could go or not, flight delay got us in at midnight starving since we only got water and either a package of sugary/salty snacks on our flight.  We were starving so by the time we checked in, got some food and wound down it was close to 2 AM FLL time.  But we’re here and happy that we are 🙂 

 

there will be food porn, (of course) a where /what is for dinner and other tidbits hopefully not repeating Rich’s thread for his 134 day cruise.  Question is - will two very good friends of many years still be friends after sharing a hotel room and cabin for 15 days?  😂. It’s her birthday on this cruise as well as her DD DH’s so I am hoping to make it as joyful as I can for her.  🤞 

 

Looking forward to boarding tomorrow and hope those of you interested will join us.

 

This is our itinerary before it got changed from one port to Portland.

 

 

 It’s all good - nice spots  & someone else is doing the cooking 😉 We plan to enjoy and hope we don’t create too much havoc on board 😂  We will do our best to behave 😂 

 

 

[StLouisCruisers]

I'll happily follow along and hope you both have the best time together!  🥂🚢

[Sea42]

I hope you both have a wonderful time!

[shuconn]

I am sailing on Volendam in July to Canada. Looking forward to hearing your opinion of trip. Most interested in is the service. Have heard staff are outstanding. Also what shows they have and yes all about the food. Enjoy!!!

[cunnorl]

I will be following. Have a wonderful relaxing time! 

[Mary229]

Bon Voyage

[Cruise4food]

57 minutes ago, kazu said:

We plan to enjoy and hope we don’t create too much havoc on board 😂  We will do our best to behave 😂 

Try not to break the ship. I am booked for the Boston - Greenland - Iceland round trip in July.

[57redbird]

❣️ the title of your LIVE .... have the best time & so very glad you're almost on board!

[rafinmd]

Bon Voyage.  While a strike is understandable, it's hard to believe you couldn't have been warned so you could have gotten some snacks during your extended time in Pearson.

 

Roy

[BetsyS.]

Jacqui - I'm sorry you had a rocky start, but glad you were able to find food at midnight.  I wish you and your friend all the best and happy birthday to your friend! 🎂  Bon voyage! 😊🥂

[Haljo1935]

So thrilled  💖 you are going - you deserve this!! I'm happily following along 😊 looks like a great itinerary. 

Bon Voyage!

[VMax1700]

Have a great cruise Jacqui. 

 

[SUESEABE]

 

Have a great cruise! 

[seagarsmoker]

Jacqui, so happy you are able to cruise and look forward to your posts. We will be here for sailaway tomorrow.  

Bon Voyage and have a wonderful cruise!

[quilty964]

Can't wait to hear of your fun travels!  Bon voyage!

[Marion B]

Will happily follow along.

 Sorry about the rocky start.  Hope the cruise will be the wonderful experience that you so deserve.

  Fair winds and following seas for you and your friend.

   I'm not normally a betting person, but my money says your friendship will not only be intact, but stronger than ever.

Regards,

Marion

[luvteaching]

Have a wonderful cruise @kazu and friend! I have friends going with me on 3 cruises and we'll see how that all works out. Have a wonderful time!!

 

Karen

[Happily@Sea]

Enjoy your cruise, Jacqui and friend. May the weather cooperate and that you both are richer for the experience of cruising together.

 

Best wishes.

[Gsel]

You certainly deserve this one! Have a wonderful cruise😀

[DeeniEncinitas]

🌺🌺🌺🌺

Aloha Jacqui ❤️

So happy for you and so glad all went well for you to go!! You and your dear friend will have a wonderful time, and will follow along on your adventures.

Glad you’ll be on with Rich and happy your having dinner with Brian and Michelle tonight!

Smooth Sailings!

🌺Mahalo

Denise😞

[grannyshell]

Jacqui, I seem to recall a similar rocky start to your TA last fall...hope this isn't going to be a tradition 🤣 Hope you have a wonderful time. You mentioned a port change - will the Volendam still be stopping in Newport? I was hoping to drive down to see her.

Bon Voyage!

[canals]

I am sure you and your friend will have the best time on your well deserved cruise!  I just finished a cruise with my high school friend who had not been on a cruise ship in over 40 years and it was wonderful.   When I asked her what she liked best about the Rotterdam, she said absolutely everything!  We are booking another cruise.☺️

[1ANGELCAT]

Bon Voyage to two lovely ladies. Enjoy dinner with Poohby Joe and his parents.

 

[Cruising-along]

I look forward to following along and hope you have a wonderful cruise!  That’s a great itinerary, have done that one several times. 🙂

Say hello to the Volendam for me, it was 2 weeks ago today we disembarked after sailing her 94 days on the Grand Australia/NZ. Looking forward to your observations   

[mskitty1]

I, too, will be traveling solo for my first time tomorrow on the Volendam.  My DH passed away on January 3, 2024.  We have had over 1000 actually sailing days on HAL.  I feel very comfortable with the wonderful crew looking out for me at times.  I will be very anxious to meet up with other women in the same situation of loss of a dear husband to share some of the time with on the cruise.  See you on Sunday on the Volendam!