St Pete Cruiser

Here comes Zaandam close behind. I have quite a few days on her and her sisters. Great memories, too.

Three strong blasts. Ship looks full.

If that was the Apex? Hoping for a nice sailaway day. I just had to refresh, too. Our newspaper reported Tampa Bay pilots are getting a raise to over $500,000.

Five short toots. Usually means I'm coming thru.

Harmony is backing into position.

Reflection here.

Celebrity right behind. Is anyone still watching?

Three long. Not as many on top decks as usual, but the rear pool area was partying.

NIuew Amsterdam, the last Holland America line ship built with the nice wide promenade deck and deck chairs. Hope she gives us a good sailaway toot!

Nieuw Amsterdam headed our way now.

Great toots! Ft Lauderdale is the best sailaway sendoff port.

I lost some of the Rotterdam's toots as it froze up. Hoping NS is better.

Rotterdam almost looks small after Sky. Hoping for some good toots

Ok, the Love Boat is here.

Looks like Rotterdam is next!

Yes, that bell must be right next to the mic. Apex very prompt today with its grumbly toots.

Spring is sprung here in St Petersburg with afternoon temps around 80. I'd prefer to hold onto cooler days with a long hot summer coming but won't trade with many of you. Our friends from Port Huron, Michigan were here this week and were dreading their return to ice and snow. I asked them why they couldn't find the remnants of the Chinese balloon shot down over Lake Huron as I thought it would be frozen over in February. They said it wasn't completely frozen. We checked the water temp at Port Huron and it was a balmy 34F, so barely above freezing. Gerry, as usual, you win the coldest award. What, may I ask, did the dentist fix your tooth with, corn nuts?

Looks like the Rotterdam VI!

Heartly agree with posting prayers for President Jimmy Carter, a true humanitarian. My parents went to see and hear him in Plains many years ago, and I only wish I had done the same. For those who knew Gene Young, a world cruise CD many times, please see Copper's post on todays other news.

Going to neighbors for dinner soon, so will miss NA. She may be late anyway with a charter. Its a beautiful day here in St Petersburg with 76. Hope we hold onto spring temps for as long as possible.

Yes, the crumber is still around on Holland America ships, but usually only by the better and more experienced servers.

The Prinsendam did the Grand Med and the Maasdam and Veendam did the Atlantic Adventurer. Smaller ships, which could enter smaller ports and were easier to sell out than larger ships. The Zaandam and Volendam would be the better ships still in the fleet resume these itineraries.

She was the Ocean Breeze when I sailed on her (1992?).

Sad, nothing from NS today. Maybe the Captain had something more important to do, but what could that be? Does he not know who we are? LOL

OK, NS, let us hear you!