Time is creeping along towards sail away and here are some idle thoughts

Well the cruise is now less than 100 days away - in fact in three months time I will be on an Amtrak train making my way across the frozen northern tier states on board the The Empire Builder to Chicago with about a three hour layover so won`t likely venture outside if the weather is cold and windy and then its onto the Capitol Limited to Washington DC where I have a 7 hour layover but it will be dark so probably will just confine myself to the area around Union Station and have dinner at one of the restaurants. Then board the Silver Meteor for the final leg to Fort Lauderdale and two nights and one full day to explore that city and pick up final supplies - the hotel is located close to the cruise port and also very close to shopping - groceries and other needed items.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess does allow one bottle of wine to be brought on board but from reading posts on the Cruise Critic site and talking to friends that have cruised Princess they don`t seem to be enforcing the policy that much although there is talk of tightening up the policy.

I will take some wine on board and will take a 6 pack of beer as they seem to allow it - if it becomes a hassle I will stick with buying wine in the ports and buying beer on the ship.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Going over my final invoice from my TA I noticed that I now have a $75.00 on board credit - upon some digging - ie an email to my TA - it is an agency credit so will be able to use if got just about anything - likely use it for either some additional Internet  minutes or 3 or 4 extra meals in the specialty restaurants.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Personally I will need to ensure that all my prescriptions are filled for the entire length - my extended benefits package only allows for a three month supply at a time and only renewable within a month of expiry - my dates don`t quite jive so will need my DR. to do some paperwork to ensure I have a proper supply - none are of the life threatening type is missed for short periods of time.

Also need to address the bright intense sunlight I am likely to encounter around the Equator - my regular glasses are transitional  -  that means they darken in the sunlight but aren`t that great in brilliant sunshine - could get a pair of prescription ones but living where I do it wouldn`t be the best value for my $$$$. I am looking at some other options recommended to me by my optometrist.

I also have a hearing aid but since retiring don`t need it that much but will need to have it serviced and updated so that I will be able to hear things better on board the ship and on the excursions.

And finally I also have an upper denture - it has now been five months since I got it and it will need to be given an adjustment before I sail - this will mean about 48 hours of eating only soft and liquid foods.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Time for lunch

Cheers and more later.