Carnival Cruise Freedom 2022

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Received a great deal on this cruise, (as I have the last 2 years), in the form of an August birthday card.  For $400. this card claimed a 5-day solo cruise to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral. While too good to be true, it was, and who could go wrong for that?

Was a bit concerned about the cruise as the day before departure heard of an overboard passenger luckily found in the Mississippi delta.  If you’ve ever traveled Carnival one is aware of the unruly passengers. 

As a bargain cruise line many crazies, first time cruisers, young folks, and pre-bridal parties, have their festivities on this line.  While the December 2021 cruise was quiet, (probably due to vaccination mandates), am keeping fingers crossed for this 2022 cruise.

This year Carnival has implemented a $500 fine for the unrulies, with an email was sent to all passengers.  However, with a $300 alcohol package affording the possibility of 15 drinks per day, (unsure if I got this totally right as info relayed from a passenger partaking in the plan), think the unrulies may continue.  Yet to be seen.  Maybe they’ll just pass out and not be unruly??

Onward to the Outing…

Trip to Port Canaveral was clear sailing, pardon the pun, with Florida roads clean, and parking lot availability.  Hats off to Parkway Parking, $10 a day, including tax.  Great job by friendly staff…

The cruise was off to a great start.

Once in the terminal registration was easy and quick. Need the passport and boarding pass available for this café like process.  Processing was completed in a half hour inclusive of TSA search.

Great change Carnival has implemented, hope other cruise lines catch on.

Once on the ship..

While cabin rooms were unavailable till 1:30, the 90 minute wait went quickly.  Great food was available on the top deck at the buffet.  This is also a good time to explore the ship locating formal dining rooms, bars, hot tubs, and other sites.  And since there is no longer a paper trail, download and familiarize yourself with the cruise AP to learn of ship activities and adventures.

Places to find on the ship…

Pool, Shops, Gambling, Dining Rooms.. explore and locate these areas as well as bars and music venue locations.

For the kids – cruises are the ideal places for families as they have many programs for children as well as teens. One couple relayed to me they had their 7 month old babysat by cruise personnel while they slipped away for a romantic evening. Nice.

And as they say – let the fun begin!

*Receive no financial renumeration for these endorsements, but perhaps I should look into this??

Holiday Visit 2022

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Decided to get together with daughter and beau between the holidays. 

In reviewing the weather predictions believe our decision was correct.

Climate change will continue to plague travel, and while Pete B. is on it, little he can do to control weather.  However, in his defense much has been done to change airlines regulations, and create computerized tools to assist with travel notifications.

Travelers need to plan ahead with scheduled events like a cruise.  Arrive a day or two early, and explore the area. While on my England cruise in June 2022, heard many folks speak of enjoying the Southampton area. They arrived 2 days early pre-cruise. This was wise as some missed flights and found themselves dockside with the ship departed.  And cruise lines don’t allow passengers to join at the next dock, thus loosing the entire cruise.

All that said let’s start next blog with the first leg of this holiday excursion — a Carnival cruise to the Bahamas.

Kamala Harris Vice President

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Our 58 year old first female Vice President is the product of a Jamaican and Indian union. Her mom was a cancer researcher until her death, and her father is still alive, a professor emeritus retired from Stanford University as an economist. Both were strong civil rights activists and met through a function where they were protesting. Kamala has one sister, who is also a lawyer, and a niece. She married Doug Emhoff in 2014, he too a lawyer, and he became the First Gentleman. He has 2 children from a former marriage and they form a cohesive blended family.

Kamala attended Howard University undergrad, and obtained her J.D. from University of California at Hastings. Prior to the Vice Presidency she was the Attorney General for the State of California where she was involved in a myriad of cases, many in the criminal justice sector. Later as junior senator from California she worked on energy policy and criminal justice reform as well as attempted immigration reform.

As of this writing 11/21/22, she is currently in the Philippines with her husband meeting on pertinent issues and visiting US military bases. This trip is being conducted in an effort to forge solidarity with the Philippines due to Chinese aggression.

Someone is always watching.

Dr. Jill Biden First Lady

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Dr. Biden and President Biden at a military Thanksgiving celebration 11/21/22

While not a cabinet member wanted to update my 6/29/2020 blog on Dr. Jill Biden. Jill Tracy Biden is an American educator from Hammonton, New Jersey. It is said they met on a blind date, however, Dr. Biden also worked on her future husband’s campaign. She is 71 years young, and the President’s second wife. His first wife and daughter died tragically in a car crash in 1972. The current Mrs. and Dr. Jill Biden married in 1977 after several proposals. President is always joking how he married up when referring to his wife.

She is a graduate of Villanova University, the University of Delaware, and West Chester University. They have one daughter together, Ashley, born in 1981. Dr. Biden also raised her husband’s 2 sons Beau and Hunter. Beau died of brain cancer. Ashley has no children and works in the social work field, and according to the internet is listed as an activist. Hunter is an artist.

The First Lady continues to teach, both virtually and in person at Northern Virginia Community College, where she has worked since 2009. She teaches writing courses. She holds 2 Masters degrees, and a Doctorate in Education.

She is a presence at all White House functions and the President has quipped that she is more popular than me.

Merrick B. Garland Attorney General

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This Attorney General is a Harvard summa cum laude graduate, and magna cum laude law school graduate. At 70, he is charged with 115,000 personnel throughout the US, and in 50 countries. Born in Chicago, and of Jewish descent, his father ran a small advertising company from their home.

Upon graduation Garland had several public service positions including a 1 year stint with Justice William Brennan at the Supreme Court. He was in private practice twice during his breaks from public service as a litigator. After he joined the US Attorney Office in Washington D.C., President Clinton tapped him for further assistance. His fame and notoriety came in his handling of the Oklahoma City Bombing case. He has been considered twice for the Supreme Court.

His latest concerns revolve around the 45th president’s issues and Garland has hired a special prosecutor for these situations.

Also heavy on his agenda are:

  • Voting Rights
  • The January 6th Attack
  • Protests and Threats against school personnel.
  • Civil Rights and police misconduct.

Dr. Janet Yellen Secretary of the Treasury

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This voice of clarity has been with the American people for decades. Originally from Brooklyn, her father a doctor, and mother a homemaker, she was educated at Brown and Yale University. Upon completion of her formal studies she taught at Harvard, the London School of Economics, and has been on the faculty of University of California at Berkeley since 1980, as professor emeritus. Tapped by President Bill Clinton in 1997, her rise in various economic posts and decisions have touched all Americans.

At 76, she continues to be a light writing papers with her husband, George Akerof, who shares the same field, and is a professor at Georgetown University and University of California at Berkeley. Akerof was co-recipient of the 2001 Nobel Prize for his work in  asymmetric information in causing market perversity.

Yellen’s career has been focused on unemployment, labor markets, and international market concerns. She most recently developed a minimum corporate tax policy, however, since this needed 60 votes in the Senate did not pass. However, other countries are exploring and developing this concept.

Other controversial items she has made comment on:

  • Roe v. Wade overturn will have an adverse effect on women and the labor market.
  • She is more concerned with unemployment than inflation.
  • Favors control of retirement spending.
  • Supports a policy on carbon taxation to ensure Biden’s Net Zero agenda.

When the 45th president came into office she was “let go,” however, during this 2017-2020 time period she made $7 million in speaking fees from financial companies.

Thanks for coming back when Joe asked, Janet.

Shalanda Young Director of the Office of Management and Budget

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This 45 year old woman from Louisiana was educated at Loyola and Tulane University. Her voice is key as law makers raise concerns over funding the government. Accolades from both sides are written of her, and while her office is little known it holds immense power and authority. She is a central figure to President Joe Biden. Known as a deal maker and problem solver she is one to watch and respect.

During her March 2021 confirmation hearing she was in her first weeks of pregnancy, giving birth to her first child and daughter, Charlie in October.

“She can cut through all of the, as Joe Biden would say, ‘malarkey,’ and get to the heart of the issue,” Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican and senior member of the Appropriations panel, told CNN in an interview. “She understands that members are going to have policy concerns, that we are going to have parochial interests – and that many of us want to get to an outcome.”

*CNN internet article 10/22/22

Dennis McDonough Secretary of Veterans Affairs

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This 53 year old Minnesota born Secretary of Veterans Affairs was educated at Georgetown University, The College of St. Benedict, and St. John’s University. He has held numerous positions as Obama White House Chief of Staff from 2013-2017, and prior to that working for senators as their legislative director and in policy development. He has worked extensively on Latin American issues, and speaks fluent Spanish.

It was in 2007 when he was called to serve as Obama’s chief political advisor as his predecessor was summoned into military service. Much of his work is behind the scenes in a multitude of varied positions. He was in the room during the Bin Laden raid. In 2017 he retired but continued to serve in non-profits to change the oudated labor market to a more digital economy.

Upon returning to Washington at President Bident’s request, he accepted the Secretary position and was approved by the Senate with a 87-7 vote, with 6 senators not present.

LLoyd Austin III Secretary of Defense

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Lloyd Austin comes to this position after retiring as a 4 star general in 2016. Born in Mobile, Alabama he was educated at the US Military Academy at West Point, then received a Masters Degree at Auburn University, and an MBA at Webster University. He holds much advanced coursework in army operations. He was 41 years in uniform with his last years in Iraq leading the Army’s 3rd Division and subsequent leader of all Iraq operations. There he earned a Silver Star.

Upon retirement he has served on the boards of military contractors and health care organizations.

Monitoring the Secretary’s web site he is profoundly busy. As of this writing on 11/21/22, on 11/19 he addressed a forum in Canada, “Why Ukraine Matters,” and then he began travels to Indonesia.

As the US Department of Defense states, “Mr. Austin is the principal assistant to the President in all matters relating to the Department of Defense and serves on the National Security Council.” Believe we are in good hands, don’t you?

Xavier Becerra Health and Human Services Secretary

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This 64 year old Stanford graduate, (undergrad and JD), is the son of immigrants. As a member of congress he served for 24 years, and was the first Latino California Attorney General from 2017-2021. During that time this mover and shaker sued the orange prez’s administration over 120 times, and was instrumental in DACA and Affordable Care Act security. He secured billions from companies decreasing prescription drug costs, and implemented climate change initiatives.

Health and Human Services is tasked with protecting the health of all Americans providing essential services. Through its 11 agencies it promotes research in over 100 programs. The CDC, (Center for Disease Control), FDA, (Federal Drug Administration), and ACF, (Agency for Children and Families), fall under this cabinet post.

Recent news state Becerra is focusing on drug price negotiations for Medicare, something he has already handled as Attorney General in California. Another initiative is mental health care, and he is focusing on integrating this care into overall health care.

Sounds like the right man has been placed in this position.

Look forward to his results.