The Fleet Report and Daily for Monday October 31st, 2022

[richwmn]

 

Halloween

Today is Carve a Pumpkin Day, Increase Your Psychic Powers Day, and Girl Scout Founder's Day
 

Where there is love there is life.--Mahatma Gandhi

Meal Suggestion for today - Chicken Provolone
Drink of the Day - Orange Coco Naut Cosmos
Wine of the Day - I. Brand & Family 2018 Bayly Ranch Cabernet France
Destination of the Day - Banjul, The Gambia
 

Eurodam

At Sea Destination Oranjestad Aruba, Netherlands Antilles eta 11/01
 

Koningsdam

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Mexico 10:00 - 17:00
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 08:00 - 16:00
 

Nieuw Statendam

At Sea Destination Grand Turk Island, Cockburn Town, Turks and Caic eta 11/01
 

Noordam

At Sea Destination Vavau Islands Tonga, Neiafu eta 11/01
 

Oosterdam

Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, France Riviera 07:00 - 23:00
 

Rotterdam

Half Moon Cay 08:00 - 15:00
 

Volendam

Mykonos Island, Greece 12:00 - 22:00
 

Zaandam

Aqaba, Jordan

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Westerdam

Conflict Islands PNG, Papua New Guinea 08:00 - 17:00
 

Zuiderdam

At Sea Destination Bora Bora Island, Society Islands, French Polyne eta 11/02
 

 

 

[MISTER 67]

Good morning from beautiful Southwest Florida.

Happy Holloween but it's been decades since I carved a pumpkin.

Ghandi with another great quote.

Chicken Provolone sounds good but will pass on the drink.

The golf course is calling me.

Thanks for The Daily, stay well and have a great day.

Edited October 31, 2022 by MISTER 67

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[4966and556]

Thank you for the Daily Fleet Report!

 

Love the quote.  Meal sounds good.  I will pass on the drink and the wine today. Never been to the port.  

 

 

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Happy Hallowe'en!  🎃  Thanks for the Fleet and Daily Report.

 

A pretty good day in the forecast for the little trick or treaters, I hope we have enough candy.

Love the quote.

The meal sounds good, hope the drink and wine are tasty too.

 

Prayers for everyone.

Stay safe.

[rafinmd]

Thank you for the Halloween report, Rich.  I'll salute the Girl Scout Founders but haven't carved a pumpkin this century.  I love the Ghandi quote but don't think I have any Psychic Powers.  I was due to visit Banjul on MS Amsterdam in 2014 but it was cancelled due to the Ebola outbreak.  The meal sounds nice.  My alternative is Strawberry Bisque, Oven Roasted Chicken, and Apricot Strudel my final dinner on MS Amsterdam October 21, 2017:

 

Today’s care list:

RIP Vict0riann Cousin Vicki 10/30/22
ger_77 flight problems
NextOne recovering from respiratory infection
Cruisin single’s step son with double cancer
Marshhawk’s friend Sheri in ICU after multiple falls
Ottahand7 DB with post-surgery complications
smitty24877 DH catheterization 11/1
From the rotation:
Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney
HAL Sailer Sister in Law with aggressive cancer therapy
Marshhawk’s friend Jesse with throat cancer and poor attitude
Luvteaching DH recovering from fall and facing dimentia

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Successful meet and greet for 4966and556 with cat pickup set for 11/1)
AncientWanderer DH
6 days for CraztForCats and segarsmoker (Nieuw Amsterdam 11/6 tp 11/13)
6 days for Lady Hudson (Anthem OTS 11/6 to 11/20)
5 days for GTVCRUISER (Koningsdam 11/5 to 11/12)
5 days for Kazu, 0106, jimgev, Heartgrove and maybe ger_77 (Oosterdam 11/5 to 11/19)
Oceansaway17 (Equinox  to 11/3) , Cruising-Along (Nieuw Statendam  to 11/5) and Norseh2o (Sirena to 11/18) at sea
Cunnorl (Noordam to 1/2/23),  and  Horizon Chaser1957 (Zaandam 10/1 to 12/20; Zuiderdam 12/22 to 5/12) at sea

Roy

 

[grapau27]

Good morning from North East England where it is sunny and 11°C on Halloween day.

Thank you for today's daily fleet reports Rich.

When I was a child we used to scrape out turnips to make our lanterns but now everyone uses pumpkins.

Pauline is definitely psychic but I am not.

Good quote today.

Nice food and drink.

I hope everyone is well.

Prayers for everyone on the care list and congratulations to everyone currently cruising.

Take care.

Graham.

[seagarsmoker]

Thank for the Daily Report and I hope everyone has a great day! 

[grapau27]

1 minute ago, rafinmd said:

Thank you for the Halloween report, Rich.  I'll salute the Girl Scout Founders but haven't carved a pumpkin this century.  I love the Ghandi quote but don't think I have any Psychic Powers.  I was due to visit Banjul on MS Amsterdam in 2014 but it was cancelled due to the Ebola outbreak.  The meal sounds nice.  My alternative is Strawberry Bisque, Oven Roasted Chicken, and Apricot Strudel my final dinner on MS Amsterdam October 21, 2017:

 

Today’s care list:

RIP Vict0riann Cousin Vicki 10/30/22
ger_77 flight problems
NextOne recovering from respiratory infection
Cruisin single’s step son with double cancer
Marshhawk’s friend Sheri in ICU after multiple falls
Ottahand7 DB with post-surgery complications
smitty24877 DH catheterization 11/1
From the rotation:
Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney
HAL Sailer Sister in Law with aggressive cancer therapy
Marshhawk’s friend Jesse with throat cancer and poor attitude
Luvteaching DH recovering from fall and facing dimentia

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Successful meet and greet for 4966and556 with cat pickup set for 11/1)
AncientWanderer DH
6 days for CraztForCats and segarsmoker (Nieuw Amsterdam 11/6 tp 11/13)
6 days for Lady Hudson (Anthem OTS 11/6 to 11/20)
5 days for GTVCRUISER (Koningsdam 11/5 to 11/12)
5 days for Kazu, 0106, jimgev, Heartgrove and maybe ger_77 (Oosterdam 11/5 to 11/19)
Oceansaway17 (Equinox  to 11/3) , Cruising-Along (Nieuw Statendam  to 11/5) and Norseh2o (Sirena to 11/18) at sea
Cunnorl (Noordam to 1/2/23),  and  Horizon Chaser1957 (Zaandam 10/1 to 12/20; Zuiderdam 12/22 to 5/12) at sea

Roy

 

Thank you for publishing today's list's Roy.

Graham.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info .

[dfish]

Sorry, but WiFi isn’t working this am, so no meal of the day.  Hopefully tomorrow.

[rafinmd]

3 minutes ago, dfish said:

Sorry, but WiFi isn’t working this am, so no meal of the day.  Hopefully tomorrow.

Do you close on the new house today or tomorrow?

 

Roy

[aliaschief]

-Good afternoon. We are at Lyon Aeroporto awaiting our flight to Amsterdam. The only 1:40 layover is a little concerning after our experience earlier this year at Schipol. It is what is. If all goes well we’ll arrive in Atlanta at 9:30. Get some sleep at at a hotel before finishing our flight Wednesday morning.

Thanks for the report and post. Good chance this post may not go as internet in Air France Lounge is off and on.

Have a great week.

[cat shepard]

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Happy Halloween!

 

Just starting to get light here.  @ger_77 Gerry, praying everything works out for you quickly today.  No one should have to deal with that stress. 
 

Thank you for keeping track of our Cares & Celebrations, Roy! So much going on. A fairly normal day of chores and gym for me. Then this evening we are getting together at our beachfront winery to “costume watch”. We often see dogs in costume as well as their owners. 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Stay well everyone!

 

*********

I. Brand & Family 2018 Bayly Ranch Cabernet Franc

This Central Coast Cab Franc is a bit elusive, but I found several online distributors with prices starting at $32.00. Some consumers believed this resembled a Pinot Noir more than a Cab Franc, because of its very dry, medium body. You be the judge. 

WE94 Wine Enthusiast

This is a sprightly, textural, mineral-driven bottling that’s immediately fascinating yet will be a joy to watch evolve. Light in the glass, it begins with aromas of cranberry, nori wrap, herb-dusted strawberry and a hint of dried blood. The palate shows a rusty edge, offering dried strawberry, crumpled oregano and a hint of green peppercorn. Drink through 2034. 

WW92 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

The I. Brand & Family wines always command my attention. Not a cookie-cutter production, these handmade wines are authentic and true. The 2018 I. Brand & Family Bayly Ranch Paicines Cabernet Franc will send you to the Loire Valley and back home to wherever you drink wine. This lovely wine tells this grape's story well. This wine springs out of the glass with aromas and flavors of earth, black fruit, anise, and descriptions that I can't define. Pour a glass with a grilled ribeye and enjoy the magic carpet ride.

Edited October 31, 2022 by cat shepard

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  It's raining right now and 62F.  After the rain stops it will probably head up to 72 with some clouds and perhaps an afternoon shower.  We are hoping for some more sunny days this week.  Thank you Rich @richwmnfor our Daily and Fleet Report.  Happy Halloween!   I love a carved pumpkin but we haven't done that in many years.  Interesting about the turnip carving Graham @grapau27.  I wish I was more psychic but can't really say I am.  Cheers to the Girl Scout founders!  I only made it through Brownies.  A very nice Gandhi quote, and chicken provolone sounds good.  We understand about the Wi-Fi Debbie!  Good luck today at the closing of your new house, and I hope you have a nice weather day for moving in later this week.  The port today, Banjul, The Gambia, is a first timer on the Daily.  I will have to collect photos instead of copying and pasting so will get on that right after I post here.

 

Thanks to Roy @rafinmdfor our Care and Celebration lists.  The first one is long, but we are praying for all of you.  Hoping for better days for everyone especially Tana, Terry and her DH, and Steve and Lenda.   Also prayers for the Ukraine, and people affected by the hurricanes and wildfires.  Prayers heading across the street for neighbor Linda that she is improving every day.  She is lucky to have survived and I'm sure she knows that.  I know being home without her late husband is hard.❤️🙏  As for the Celebration list, a toast to those folks!🥂  Enjoy your cruises and stay well.

 

Have a great day everyone!

[Lady Hudson]

Happy Halloween to all!  Will be a busy night since our neighborhood usually sees 250+ trick or treaters.  Forecast for some rain but I hope not.  I don’t need any candy being left after tonight.  🎃

 

Thanks to Rich and Roy for all they do to keep this thread going.  And to all our other wonderful posters.

 

Our two week trip on Anthem starting next week is in jeopardy.  DH is in need of oral surgery and can’t be put off any longer.  Consultations today with several doctors to see how to proceed.  DH wants me to go solo but I will not.  Not that I object to solo cruising — have done it many times.  But now is not the time for DH to be alone.  So time will tell how this all works out.

 

Can’t wait for all the political ads to be over on tv.  DH and I have already submitted our mail in ballots since we assumed we would be cruising.  Everyone — remember to vote.  🇺🇸 Katherine 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

🎃 🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!  🎃 🎃

 

Good morning from a dark central Texas.  The sun won't be up for another hour or so.  Last night, I couldn't seem to stay awake, and went to sleep early (very early for me).  That meant, I also work up early.  I have an errand to run early and then I'll go vote.  After it warms up a bit, I plan to tackle the over grown bushes.  Tomorrow is trash day, so I want the trimmings ready for the trash tomorrow.

 

It has been about 20 years since I carved a pumpkin.  I don't know if I have any psychic powers, but as a former Brownie and Girl Scout, I'll salute Girl Scout Founder's Day.

 

Another Gandhi quote that is very true, and that I like.

 

The meal sounds good, and @dfish  Debbie, don't worry about the recipe today.  I'll pass on the drink, but the wine might be good.

 

@dfish  Debbie, good luck with the closing today, and the move this week.

@aliaschief  Safe flights with a non-missed flight today and tomorrow.

@ger_77  Gerry, I hope the flight situation is resolved early and satisfactorily.  This should never have happened.

@Lady Hudson  Best wishes for your DH and his oral surgery.

 

We were in The Gambia on Tahitian Princess in 2009.  The Gambia is a long thin country in the middle of Senegal.  The country widens near the coast so it has a decent coastline.  It is a very poor country as are many of the countries in that part of Africa.   We opted to take a ship tour because the private tour we looked at used converted military transports.  It turns out the ship tour did also.  Our tour took us out of Banjul to a small village.  The pictures show just how poor the villagers were, and they may be upsetting to some.

 

Our arrival at the port of Banjul.

 

An interesting monument we passed on the way out of town.

 

Banjul

 

The village we visited.  They had a donation box in the middle of the village and several villagers had their handcrafts on mats for us to purchase.  I think the tourists' dollars was they main source of income.

 

 

A woman sorting some type of grain, and a "kitchen" in one of the huts.

 

 

 

After we left the village, they took us to a beach resort for a bathroom and refreshment break.  There were so many of us, the staff had to open a couple of the hotel cabins so everyone could use the facilities.  The cabins were spartan, but clean.  I didn't get a picture of the inside of the cabin.

 

 

 

We passed this place after we left the resort.

 

On the way back to Banjul, they drove down the beach.  Our driver and another starting cutting doughnuts in the sand.  It was a little scary, but fun too.  We were lucky the trucks did not turn over.

 

 

Looking down at the dock after our safe return to Tahitian Princess.  

 

Our day in Banjul was interesting, but sobering to see all the poverty.  We also saw much of the same in Senegal, Ghana, but especially in Togo and Benin.  It was an interesting cruise, and I'm glad we went, but I'm not sure if we would get off the ship if we were to return.

 

Lenda

 

Edited October 31, 2022 by Quartzsite Cruiser

[rafinmd]

Wishing a satisfactory solution for DH Dental issues and a great cruise.  BTW, we have early voting so I voted in person Thursday.

 

Roy

[StLouisCruisers]

On March 25 and 26, 2018 the Prinsendam Grand Med and Africa cruise stopped in Banjul, The Gambia.  We had missed our port at Praia, Ilha de Santiago in the Cape Verde Islands due to bad weather for tendering, so we went ahead to The Gambia a day early.  This was the scene as we tied up a day earlier than scheduled.

 

We discovered the skies here were sandy colored due to dust in the air from the African deserts.  In addition we were very close to where the ferries docked and were able to watch them load and unload passengers.  They looked seriously overloaded to us, and I would be afraid to take that ferry anywhere.  The name on the ferry is Kunta Kinteh.

 

 

The street vendors saw an opportunity to make some money with our extra time in port, so they set up quickly.

 

 

 

From our perch on the Prinsendam's promenade we saw the money changer took time out for his prayers.  And that ferry kept coming and going.  Look at the lines of people!

 

 

We waited until the following morning to head into town to the market using the ship's shuttle. The streets looked a bit scary and we were glad we had a ride to see what they had at the market.

 

 

 

 

It appeared to be cleaner here which was welcomed by the crowds looking for bargains.  We had a lot of quilters on the cruise and they were interested in unique fabrics.

 

 

 

 

We had run into former cruise table mates George and Sandy on the second day of the cruise and they were with us here at the craft market.  Funny how we didn't even know they had booked this special voyage.  I'm so glad we were able to re-connect and do things together during this 54 day cruise.  Here are George and Sandy.

 

They took our photo too, there at the craft market.

 

After a brief walk around downtown we got back on the shuttle and headed home to the Prinsendam.

 

View from the bus.

 

As you can see this is a dirt road.

 

Business taking place in the city.

 

Goodbye Banjul!  Next day we would be in Dakar, Senegal.  It was interesting to say the least.

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

On March 25 and 26, 2018 the Prinsendam Grand Med and Africa cruise stopped in Banjul, The Gambia.  We had missed our port at Praia, Ilha de Santiago in the Cape Verde Islands due to bad weather for tendering, so we went ahead to The Gambia a day early.  This was the scene as we tied up a day earlier than scheduled.

 

We discovered the skies here were sandy colored due to dust in the air from the African deserts.  In addition we were very close to where the ferries docked and were able to watch them load and unload passengers.  They looked seriously overloaded to us, and I would be afraid to take that ferry anywhere.  The name on the ferry is Kunta Kinteh.

 

 

The street vendors saw an opportunity to make some money with our extra time in port, so they set up quickly.

 

 

 

From our perch on the Prinsendam's promenade we saw the money changer took time out for his prayers.  And that ferry kept coming and going.  Look at the lines of people!

 

 

We waited until the following morning to head into town to the market using the ship's shuttle. The streets looked a bit scary and we were glad we had a ride to see what they had at the market.

 

 

 

 

It appeared to be cleaner here which was welcomed by the crowds looking for bargains.  We had a lot of quilters on the cruise and they were interested in unique fabrics.

 

 

 

 

We had run into former cruise table mates George and Sandy on the second day of the cruise and they were with us here at the craft market.  Funny how we didn't even know they had booked this special voyage.  I'm so glad we were able to re-connect and do things together during this 54 day cruise.  Here are George and Sandy.

 

They took our photo too, there at the craft market.

 

After a brief walk around downtown we got back on the shuttle and headed home to the Prinsendam.

 

View from the bus.

 

As you can see this is a dirt road.

 

Business taking place in the city.

 

Goodbye Banjul!  Next day we would be in Dakar, Senegal.  It was interesting to say the least.

Nice selection of photos Sandi.

Graham.

[smitty34877]

Good morning. I read late last night about @ger_77 and  her flight problems. I am hoping there is a resolution  today and can't  imagine the stress.

@StLouisCruisers,thank you for your prayers and good thoughts for us. We appreciate  it.

 

We get a lot of trick or treaters here but DD will take care of that for both sides of the house. One of my grandmother  was known for her psychic abilities  and I will salute the Girl Scouts. I like the quote and have not been to the port.

 

[grapau27]

11 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

🎃 🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!  🎃 🎃

 

Good morning from a dark central Texas.  The sun won't be up for another hour or so.  Last night, I couldn't seem to stay awake, and went to sleep early (very early for me).  That meant, I also work up early.  I have an errand to run early and then I'll go vote.  After it warms up a bit, I plan to tackle the over grown bushes.  Tomorrow is trash day, so I want the trimmings ready for the trash tomorrow.

 

It has been about 20 years since I carved a pumpkin.  I don't know if I have any psychic powers, but as a former Brownie and Girl Scout, I'll salute Girl Scout Founder's Day.

 

Another Gandhi quote that is very true, and that I like.

 

The meal sounds good, and @dfish  Debbie, don't worry about the recipe today.  I'll pass on the drink, but the wine might be good.

 

@dfish  Debbie, good luck with the closing today, and the move this week.

@aliaschief  Safe flights with a non-missed flight today and tomorrow.

@ger_77  Gerry, I hope the flight situation is resolved early and satisfactorily.  This should never have happened.

@Lady Hudson  Best wishes for your DH and his oral surgery.

 

We were in The Gambia on Tahitian Princess in 2009.  The Gambia is a long thin country in the middle of Senegal.  The country widens near the coast so it has a decent coastline.  It is a very poor country as are many of the countries in that part of Africa.   We opted to take a ship tour because the private tour we looked at used converted military transports.  It turns out the ship tour did also.  Our tour took us out of Banjul to a small village.  The pictures show just how poor the villagers were, and they may be upsetting to some.

 

Our arrival at the port of Banjul.

 

An interesting monument we passed on the way out of town.

 

Banjul

 

The village we visited.  They had a donation box in the middle of the village and several villagers had their handcrafts on mats for us to purchase.  I think the tourists' dollars was they main source of income.

 

 

A woman sorting some type of grain, and a "kitchen" in one of the huts.

 

 

 

After we left the village, they took us to a beach resort for a bathroom and refreshment break.  There were so many of us, the staff had to open a couple of the hotel cabins so everyone could use the facilities.  The cabins were spartan, but clean.  I didn't get a picture of the inside of the cabin.

 

 

 

We passed this place after we left the resort.

 

On the way back to Banjul, they drove down the beach.  Our driver and another starting cutting doughnuts in the sand.  It was a little scary, but fun too.  We were lucky the trucks did not turn over.

 

 

Looking down at the dock after our safe return to Tahitian Princess.  

 

Our day in Banjul was interesting, but sobering to see all the poverty.  We also saw much of the same in Senegal, Ghana, but especially in Togo and Benin.  It was an interesting cruise, and I'm glad we went, but I'm not sure if we would get off the ship if we were to return.

 

Lenda

 

Interesting photos Lenda.

Graham.

[grapau27]

37 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Good morning friends!  It's raining right now and 62F.  After the rain stops it will probably head up to 72 with some clouds and perhaps an afternoon shower.  We are hoping for some more sunny days this week.  Thank you Rich @richwmnfor our Daily and Fleet Report.  Happy Halloween!   I love a carved pumpkin but we haven't done that in many years.  Interesting about the turnip carving Graham @grapau27.  I wish I was more psychic but can't really say I am.  Cheers to the Girl Scout founders!  I only made it through Brownies.  A very nice Gandhi quote, and chicken provolone sounds good.  We understand about the Wi-Fi Debbie!  Good luck today at the closing of your new house, and I hope you have a nice weather day for moving in later this week.  The port today, Banjul, The Gambia, is a first timer on the Daily.  I will have to collect photos instead of copying and pasting so will get on that right after I post here.

 

Thanks to Roy @rafinmdfor our Care and Celebration lists.  The first one is long, but we are praying for all of you.  Hoping for better days for everyone especially Tana, Terry and her DH, and Steve and Lenda.   Also prayers for the Ukraine, and people affected by the hurricanes and wildfires.  Prayers heading across the street for neighbor Linda that she is improving every day.  She is lucky to have survived and I'm sure she knows that.  I know being home without her late husband is hard.❤️🙏  As for the Celebration list, a toast to those folks!🥂  Enjoy your cruises and stay well.

 

Have a great day everyone!

This is what our Halloween turnips were like Sandi when I was a kid.

Graham.

[marshhawk]

Happy Monday Halloween!  What does a southern ghost say?  Boo ya'll!

 

Usually we have a pumpkin carved, but not this year.  DH really enjoys it.  I like doing it, but we both have different ideas on what to carve, he goes for the scary face and I go for the more elaborate designs from the pumpkin carving book.  So to save about 30 bucks, we didn't  buy or carve anything.

Currently raining.  The last time kids celebrated Halloween-pre covid, we had several little ones,  early, and then someone drove a bus around with kids too old to be trick or treating.  We have candy, but not enough for a ton of teen agers.  And our lights go out at 9.  Our neighbors to the left of us dont speak english, and wont be home, and the puppy's mom, puts up a rope and cones, and blocks her driveway.  We live on a steep drive, so the kids really have to want to get up herel

 

The office cat has finally,  after a year,  decided that if I am not going to be at my work computer on Sunday, she will come out to the den and sit at the personal computer. I am currently sharing half a chair with Neko.

 

 

I finally bought the new vacuum, and I have vacuumed the den and the dining room, still need to do the living room (work room), but it looks so much better!!   DH said, you know that this vacuum doesn't have all the bells and whistles that the old one did.  I said that my be true, but it works.  It turns on and off, it's easy to dump, and I didn't marry it, i just wanted something to vacuum with.  I cant think of one appliance that is made these days, that will last as long as the ones our parents purchased.  Everything is cheaper, because after about a year, it becomes disposable. 

 

 

[GTVCRUISER]

👻🧛‍♀️🎃💀 Happy Halloween