The Fleet Report and Daily for Saturday February 24th, 2024

[kazu]

 

Today is National Tortilla Chip Day, National Trading Card Day, and Twin Peaks Day
 

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.--Dalai Lama XIV

Meal Suggestion for today - Beef & Barley Soup
Drink of the Day - Sloe Gin & Elderflower
Wine of the Day - 2021 Riesling, Ürziger Würzgarten Spatlese, Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben, Mose
Destination of the Day - Zihuatanejo (Ixtapa), Guerrero, Mexico 

Today in History:
1582 Pope Gregory XIII announces the New Style calendar, commonly known as the Gregorian calendar

Ship Locations
 

Eurodam

Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida 07:00 - 15:00 
 

Koningsdam

Kahului, Maui Island Hawaii 07:00 - 17:00 
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida 7:00-15:00 
 

Nieuw Statendam

At Sea Destination Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida eta 02-25
 

Oosterdam

At Sea Destination Punta Arenas, Chile Antarctica eta 02-26
 

Rotterdam

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 08:00 - 15:00 
 

Zaandam

Iles du Salut, French Guiana 08:00 - 15:00 

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Noordam

Napier, New Zealand 07:00 - 13:00 
 

Volendam

At Sea Destination Melbourne, Victoria Australia eta 02-26
 

Westerdam

At Sea Destination Manila, Luzon Island Philippines eta 02-26
 

Zuiderdam

Naha, Okinawa Island Japan - 23:00

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[ski ww]

I'll pass on the meal & drink, have not been to the destination of the day, didn't know about the calendar. Nice to see were all the ships are.

[lvhh]

Good early morning to all.  Thanks to all.

[Nickelpenny]

Good morning from off the coast of Devils Island!  Pilot is on board and hopefully we can start tendering in a half hour or so. Three good days, love the quote. The soup sounds delicious but will pass on the drinks. Never been to the port. Most people use the Georgian calendar!

 

We had some half way decent German food last night though some on board stated some wasn’t up to par of real German food. I like it. The pork hock was delicious. Some passengers played with the steel band and they did a great job!

 

Today’s jaunt around Ile Royale should be interesting. 
 

Thoughts for all and cheers!!  Have a great day everyone!

[rafinmd]

Today's maps:

 

 

 

 

Roy

[JazzyV]

Today’s Care List:

Cruising sister’s great niece Murphy post-surgery, on CPAP

SusieKIslandGirl’s loss of her grade school friend

RMLincoln’s DSIL hospitalized, to go to Rehab, with treatments

 

Citizens of Ukraine, Israel and Gaza; loss of US military members

All Dailyites going through worries and stress, whether mentioned or not

 

From the Rotation:

Tana with pulmonary issues

Ger_77’s DH Maurice with heart issues

StLouisCruisers’ DGD suffering anxiety/fear after a trauma

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Bon Voyage Cruise Suzy!

Welcome back Ottahand7 (Nancy & John)!

Welcome back Mister 67 (George)!

Welcom back Cat Shepard (Ann)!

Cruising sister’s great niece Murphy out of ICU!

RMLincoln’s DH Richard doing well after his eye procedure 

Lcubed covering the Daily wine  

Kazu stepping up to keep the FR/Daily going while Rich is cruising

 

The Daily Gardening Club posting wonderful flower pictures

All the contributors to the Fleet Report/Daily

 

Upcoming Cruises or At Sea:

 

1 day for Lady Hudson (Anthem of the Seas Feb 25 to Mar 3) 7d Bahamas & Perfect Day

7 days for LAFFNVEGAS (Wind Surf Mar 2 to Mar 9) 7d Classic Caribbean

 

Mr. Boston (Rotterdam to Feb 25) 9d Southern Caribbean Seafarer, Cruise Suzy (Nieuw Amsterdam to Mar 2) 7d Western Caribbean, Nickelpenny (Zaandam to Mar 16 2024) 28d Amazon Explorer, Mtn2Sea (Zaandam to Mar 16 2024) 28d Amazon Explorer, USN59-79(Seabourn Sojourn to Mar 24) 33d Sydney to Taipei + 17d in Taipei, Cruising-along (Volendam to April 6) 94d Grand AUS & NZ voyage, Durangoscots (Volendam to April 6, 94d Grand AUS & NZ voyage), cruising sister (Volendam to April 6, 94d Grand AUS & NZ voyage), Cruisercl(Volendam to April 6, 94d Grand AUS & NZ voyage), Richwmn (Volendam to May 4, Jan 3 94d Grand Australia & NZ Voyage + Apr 6 15d PC Cruise + Apr 21 The Atlantic Coast), Cat in my lap (Zuiderdam to May 11, 128d Grand World Voyage), Gail & Marty sailing away (Zuiderdam to May 11, 128d Grand World Voyage) and Aliaschief (Azamara Onward WC to June 9, 156d World Voyage)

[aliaschief]

Our last night time change of an hour back makes it possible to post here on our Saturday 9:51 PM.

 

The Tasman is calming and after clearing customs in Holbart, Australia we have an excursion planned.

It has been a very rough passage at sea depending on one hand holding ship to move around but awkward when no place to cling too.

Went to  a special Captain Cook’s Dinner tonight and the menu was themed upon places he visited. Extra cost but so worth it. 
Instead of usual coffee it’s time for bed and will soon be Sunday. Some food porn. Bruce

 

Edited February 24 by aliaschief

[ottahand7]

Good morning from Port Everglades. First stop is the Villages.

[LocoLoco1]

IXTAPA: I note Zaandam will dock there (and certain other line’s vessels), but not at Acapulco.  My son is now in Acapulco area and reports it’s 2023 hurricane damage remains severe and extensive. Heavy police presence in Ixtapa tells me that region has ‘issues’. I used to enjoy Acapulco both as a cruise stop and for extended stays. Hmm. 

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  It's 42F this morning and will be 63, sunny and windy.  I hope the remainder of the 500 million acorns on our pin oak fall off today.  We are constantly out there sweeping them up off the street and sidewalk and raking up what we can off the grass.  This was a boom year for acorns apparently. 🌳

 

Thank you Jacqui @kazu and Roy @rafinmd for posting Rich's @richwmn Daily and Fleet Report as well as the great maps.  Much appreciated!  An excellent quote today.  I love tortilla chips and could be having some at lunch later.  Never cared much about trading cards, and didn't watch the TV show Twin Peaks.  The meal suggestions sounds good.  No thanks to the cocktail, and I hope Laura @Lcubed has a secret decoder ring today!  An important day in history since we seem to still be using the Gregorian calendar.  Thanks to Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope, and Laura @Lcubed for the food and beverage reports!

 

Prayers said first thing for my dear family and friends, the people of Israel and Ukraine, hostages still held, and our troops at risk in the region.  Special prayers for our Daily family who are on the Care list because of pain, medical procedures, loss of loved ones, stress and worry.  Praying for improvement for you all.  Hope our friend Annie @marshhawk gets back online soon. She emailed me that she had a good chuckle about people being without phone service for 4-5 hours when their phone and internet has been out for 8 days.  I had emailed that info to her in case the cable box was repaired and they still had no service and that was her reply to me.  Congrats to all on the Celebrations list!  Happy cruising, birthday or anniversary!  Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for the updated list and I hope things are going better for you ASAP!

 

The port today is Zihuatanejo (Ixtapa), Guerrero, Mexico.  This is another new port.  We had a stop there in 2005 on the old Regal Princess.  No links to share, but I'll get on collecting pictures right away.  

 

Bon Voyage @Cruise Suzy!  Welcome home Nancy @ottahand7 and John, George @MISTER 67 and Ann @cat shepard!  We've missed you all!  Hope all of you on the Daily have a great Saturday.  Stay safe and keep well!

 

Jake @Crazy For Cats there was some bad language in the meme so we should look out for that type of thing in the future.  Didn't take long!

[ottahand7]

@Cruise Suzy  bon voyage!  🍾🛳️

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thanks for the Report.  Love the maps.

Cold, clear morning here with a big bright full moon.  It's -13°C but should get to -4° this afternoon.

I like tortilla chips, I've never traded cards and I didn't watch Twin Peaks.

Good quote.

The meal sounds perfect for a cold winter's day.  I hope the drink and wine are terrific too.

I've never been to today's port.

Prayers for everyone on the Care List.  Cheers for all the celebrations.

Have a wonderful day.  Stay safe.

 

 

[puppycanducruise]

I tried to take a picture of the moon, but it was -13°C (8.5°F) so maybe not the sharpest picture.  (I stood on the deck but didn't put my coat on brrr)

 

 

Edited February 24 by puppycanducruise

[puppycanducruise]

@Cruise Suzy  Bon Voyage!

[StLouisCruisers]

We were in Zihuatanejo, Mexico in October 2005 on the old Regal Princess on a Mexican Riviera cruise.

 

Zihuatanejo (pronounced Zee-wah-ta-nay-oh) is described as being known for its beautiful beaches, tall coconut palm trees, and fun Mexican culture. While it was once a sleepy fishing village on the coast of Guerrero Mexico, Zihuatanejo has been discovered as one of the top beach towns in Mexico.  It is quite near the resort town of Ixtapa.  We spent time before the cruise in L.A. at an Uncle and Aunt’s 50^th anniversary party.  We also visited with a former Virginia neighbor and her two children.  Then we drove to San Diego and had dinner with a dear friend from my high school days.  The next day we boarded the the old Regal Princess for a Mexican Riviera cruise. 

 

On Oct. 1, 2005 we stopped in Zihuatanejo. Back in those days I took few pictures and I don’t know why.  I had a digital camera not a film camera so no excuse.

 

Here is a view of the area as seen from the ship.

 

Taking a short tender ride, we arrived at the dock and took this photo of DH with the old Regal off in the distance.  When I say old, I mean earlier version.  It was smaller (70,000 gross tonnage and 1400 passengers, sleeker looking from the exterior, and had lovely décor.

 

Next DH took my photo with the lovely beach area nearby.

 

Here’s a street scene I captured

 

One local vendor made woven hats which I liked so I bought one.  I still pack that hat on all my cruises and I can just fold it in half or even quarters to take up little space in the luggage.  Love it!

In fact, you've already seen that hat in most of my port of call photos.  

 

Later in the day as the ship left I took a few photos from the balcony.  Away we went to Puerto Vallarta. 

 

 

 

I decided to do a little research on the old Regal Princess and see if it was still in service.  Surprisingly, I found she is now sailing for Ambassador Cruise Line from the U.K. as the Ambience. The Ambience is currently on their 120 day Grand World voyage which began on Jan. 6, 2024 from London, England and ends there on May 5.  On Feb. 24 the Ambience was in Sydney (it is currently 11 p.m. there 2/24) and will be in Melbourne on the 26^th.

[summer slope]

Sloe Gin & Elderberry cocktail:

 

Lemon and St. Germain are the perfect pairing for this sweet tart sloe gin cocktail. Each sip is the perfect balance between sweet, tangy, herbal, and floral flavors, finishing with just the right amount of sweetness.

2 oz. sloe Gin
1 oz. lemon juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
1 oz. elderflower liqueur

 Combine the slow gin, St. Germain, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a skater full of ice and stir continuously for 30 seconds.
Strain the drink into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon wedge (optional).

[grapau27]

Good afternoon from a sunny 45°F North East England.

Thank you for today's HAL fleet locations and today's daily topics.

Today's quote is very true and the food sounds nice.

Prayers 🙏 uplifted for anyone suffering illness.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable day.

 

[grapau27]

@Cruise Suzy.

I hope you have an awesome cruise.

[grapau27]

25 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

We were in Zihuatanejo, Mexico in October 2005 on the old Regal Princess on a Mexican Riviera cruise.

 

Zihuatanejo (pronounced Zee-wah-ta-nay-oh) is described as being known for its beautiful beaches, tall coconut palm trees, and fun Mexican culture. While it was once a sleepy fishing village on the coast of Guerrero Mexico, Zihuatanejo has been discovered as one of the top beach towns in Mexico.  It is quite near the resort town of Ixtapa.  We spent time before the cruise in L.A. at an Uncle and Aunt’s 50^th anniversary party.  We also visited with a former Virginia neighbor and her two children.  Then we drove to San Diego and had dinner with a dear friend from my high school days.  The next day we boarded the the old Regal Princess for a Mexican Riviera cruise. 

 

On Oct. 1, 2005 we stopped in Zihuatanejo. Back in those days I took few pictures and I don’t know why.  I had a digital camera not a film camera so no excuse.

 

Here is a view of the area as seen from the ship.

 

Taking a short tender ride, we arrived at the dock and took this photo of DH with the old Regal off in the distance.  When I say old, I mean earlier version.  It was smaller (70,000 gross tonnage and 1400 passengers, sleeker looking from the exterior, and had lovely décor.

 

Next DH took my photo with the lovely beach area nearby.

 

Here’s a street scene I captured

 

One local vendor made woven hats which I liked so I bought one.  I still pack that hat on all my cruises and I can just fold it in half or even quarters to take up little space in the luggage.  Love it!

In fact, you've already seen that hat in most of my port of call photos.  

 

Later in the day as the ship left I took a few photos from the balcony.  Away we went to Puerto Vallarta. 

 

 

 

I decided to do a little research on the old Regal Princess and see if it was still in service.  Surprisingly, I found she is now sailing for Ambassador Cruise Line from the U.K. as the Ambience. The Ambience is currently on their 120 day Grand World voyage which began on Jan. 6, 2024 from London, England and ends there on May 5.  On Feb. 24 the Ambience was in Sydney (it is currently 11 p.m. there 2/24) and will be in Melbourne on the 26^th.

Nice photos Sandi.

You two are both photogenic too.

Edited February 24 by grapau27

[Lcubed]

Good morning! It is 59f/15c and sunny a copy of yesterday when the temp. reached 79f/26c.

 

I don't think CC likes umlauts so I took them out. Although the 2021 vintage of this wine rates better than any previous year, I don't think it will be easy to find. Since the Finger Lakes had a Riesling Festival at one time, now a Wine Festival, I'm sure Paul @kochleffel can recommend a Finger Lakes Riesling for us. Have a great  weekend everyone.

 

2021 Riesling Uziger Wurzgarten Spatlese, Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erban, Mose

The taste profile of this wine is peach, apple, pear, honey, minerals, slate and citrus. Pairs well with pork, poultry, shellfish, spicy food and cured meat. On-line prices start at $31.

 

Critic tasting note: (2014 vintage) "Crisp lime, peach and pineapple flavors mark this refreshingly brisk late-harvest wine. Its delicate sweetness is offset by pristine layers of crushed slate and river rocks. The finish is exhilarating and fresh. Drink now through 2020." -90/100, Wine Enthusiast

 

 

Weingut Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben is a small but well-regarded Mosel wine estate known for its fine Riesling wines and located in the dramatic Urzig region just north of Bernkastel. The Christoffel family’s involvement in winemaking in the village dates back to the 17th Century. However, since 2001 the management of the vineyards and winemaking has been leased to Robert Eymael of Monchhof.

 

[Denise T]

Happy Saturday. Thanks for the Daily and Fleet reports. 

Cold but sunny today. The snow is almost gone. Just some bits here and there. 

Working on planning my vegetable garden. Want to get to a garden center as they will be opening in March. My plan is to get the garden going early. Lots of clean up from the winter to do though. 

Should be relaxing today after grocery shopping. 

Bon voyage @Cruise Suzy

Thinking of all on the care list. 

Celebrating with all who are celebrating. 

Have a safe and healthy day. 

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

It is a cold start to the day here in mid-MIchigan at 15F with a projected high of 33F.  After today temperatures warm up and we're supposed to be close to 70F on Tuesday.  I'll take it!  Sue is heading north to visit with her new grandson and help around the house for her daughter in law.  She plans to be there for a couple of weeks.  We'll see.  I'm going to the gym and the grocery store.  

 

Today we have a real meal with beef and barley soup.  This first one is an easy recipe and calls for cooked beef, so I am sure you could use leftovers.  https://www.spendwithpennies.com/beef-barley-soup/

 

 

I like the richness of the broth in this one and can just imagine how flavorful it is.   https://themodernproper.com/beef-barley-soup

 

 

I like the addition of the mushrooms in this one.  https://damndelicious.net/2019/01/06/beef-and-barley-stew/

 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

[Cruzin Terri]

Good morning all,

Sorry I haven’t been around. It has been an unusual week. A busy one in some ways, and in other ways, just lots of stuff happening. I am just hoping that things start to calm down.

My bruises are just about gone and I don’t need makeup to cover them anymore.

 

We have a number of things to do this weekend and then I have some appointments in Jacksonville at the Mayo Clinic on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.

I dressing the surgical wounds on my legs where the cancerous lesions were removed. I do not like the way the left leg looks and will see a nurse while I am there.

I will have blood work for the PMR and see my PCP also.  

So we are leaving on Monday morning and returning on Tuesday afternoon.

 

I still don’t have a cleaning lady and need to get some things done today.  I am not happy about this situation.  It just makes me exhausted and I have to find someone soon.

 

Hope everyone has a great Saturday and a nice weekend.

God Bless,

Terri

[Kakiwynn]

Half Moon Cay was cancelled for the Rotterdam today. Winds are too strong to tender.