The Fleet Report and Daily for Friday December 16th, 2022

[richwmn]

 

Today is Day of Reconciliation, National Chocolate Covered Anything Day, and Stupid Toy Day
 

It is sometimes an appropriate response to reality to go insane.--Philip K. Dick, VALIS

Meal Suggestion for today - Baguette Pizzas
Drink of the Day - White Chocolate Raspberry Martini
Wine of the Day - Ferrari 2012 Perle Nero Extra Brut Riserva Pinot Nero (Trento)
Destination of the Day - Funchal (Madeira), Portugal
 

Eurodam

Cartagena Colombia 07:00 - 13:00
 

Koningsdam

At Sea Destination San Diego, California eta 12/17
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

At Sea Destination Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida eta 12/18
 

Nieuw Statendam

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 09:00 - 15:00
 

Oosterdam

At Sea Destination Montevideo, Uruguay eta 12/18
 

Rotterdam

Oranjestad Aruba, Netherlands Antilles 07:00 - 17:00
 

Volendam

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 8:00am 3:00pm
 

Zaandam

At Sea Destination San Juan, Puerto Rico eta 12/17
 

Zuiderdam

At Sea Destination Grand Turk Island, Cockburn Town, Turks and Caic eta 12/17

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Noordam

Sydney, NSW Australia 08:00 - 16:00
 

Westerdam

Wellington, New Zealand 8:00 AM To 4:00 PM
 

 

[RedneckBob]

Thanks for the Fleet update and general info.

 

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day.  That could be dangerous. Let’s see, put chocolate on a corn dog, on a pickle or on grits. Oh my, that sounds good to me 😳

[RedneckBob]

Sunrise in Bahama’s as we approach Half Moon Cay this AM

 

[marshhawk]

Good Friday Morning Dailyites....and boy is it early.  DH has dr's appt with a breakfast stop on the way..then we get to come home, and then turn around and go to another doc at lunch time.....

@RedneckBob Enjoy your day at HMC!  Great picture of sunrise!

 

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Happy Friday!  Thanks for the Daily and Fleet Report.

Snow in the forecast with a chance of freezing drizzle.  Yesterday's storm wasn't too bad for us, worse for those south and east of us.

Great days.  You had me at chocolate.🙂

The meal sounds good, looking forward to seeing recipes.

I'm sure the drink and wine will be great too.

We haven't been to Portugal yet, someday we'll get there.

Prayers for everyone.  Cheers for all the celebrations and those lucky enough to be cruising.

Have a wonderful day.

Stay safe.

[grapau27]

During our B2B Canary Islands cruise we called at Madeira on the 21st and 27th November.

Thank you for today's daily reports Rich.

Nice days.

Good food.

Wishing everyone good health and happy sailing.

Graham.

[summer slope]

Good Friday morning.  Heading out to Half Moon Cay this morning.  Feet in the water.  Then I have to get tested for covid before I leave the ship since DH had it.

 

White Chocolate Raspberry Martini cocktail:

 

Ingredients
1 part DeKuyper® Creme de Cocoa White Liqueur
1 part Pinnacle® Raspberry Vodka
Chocolate Sauce
Raspberries

Instructions
Drizzle chocolate sauce in the martini glass. Add ingredients to an ice-filled shaker. Shake and strain into the martini glass. Garnish with a raspberry.

 

Edited December 16, 2022 by summer slope

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Morning Everyone, thanks for the daily fleet report.  It’s a very rainy day here and am glad I don’t need to go anywhere.  Chocolate on anything day sounds tasty.  I hope everyone has a good day today.

[RedneckBob]

22 minutes ago, RedneckBob said:

Sunrise in Bahama’s as we approach Half Moon Cay this AM

 

Sunrise update at 6:46 AM

 

[4966and556]

Thank you for the Daily Report! 

[rafinmd]

Thank you, Rich for your final In-person TGIF of 2022 (although you're continuing as the originator).  I'll pass on the stupid toys, will take a number of chocolate covered things but not necessarily anything, and will gladly celebrate Reconciliation,  The VALIS quote has a ring of truth but also a hint of danger.  I've been Funchal occasionally, I think most recently in 2016 on Seabourn Odyssey.  The meal sounds interesting.  I have a flatbread pizza in the freezer which I think is pretty close.  My alternative is Chilled Raspberry Soup, Oven Roasted Pork Loin with Brandied Raisins, and Peach Crisp as served on MS Prinsendam December 16.

 

Today’s care list:

 

RIP FF Zachary Paris and Marvin Grube LODD, 12/7/22  Schuylkill County Pa. Internment 12/17
HALsailer DSIL with cancer and very weak
summer slope and DH in covid quarantine
USN59-79 with leg fracture
Marshhawk DH family illnesses
StLouisCruisers DD recovering from foot surgery
From the rotation:
Crabbbi Patti dealing with Dad’s dimentia
Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney
Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1) and JAM37 (7/7)
HAL Sailer Sister in Law with aggressive cancer therapy

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Good ortho report for USNS59-79

summer slope and DH released from quarantine
6 days for richwmn {Zuiderdam 12/22 to 5/12/23)
1 day lindaler (Volendam 12/17 to 3/18/23)
1 day for Kazu (Koningsdam 12/17 to 1/7/23)(and safely in San Diego)
RedbeckBob (Nieuw Statendam to 12/17),  StLouisCruiser & Summer Slope (Volendam  to 12/17). SusieKIslandGirl (Island Princess to 12/22) and Cruisin Terri (Insignia  to 12/28) at sea
Cunnorl (Noordam to 1/2/23),  Damcruiser (Nieuw Statendam  to 1/14/23), Seasick Sailor (Rotterdam  to 1/25/23) and  Horizon Chaser1957 (Zaandam to 12/20; Zuiderdam 12/22 to 5/12/23) at sea

Roy

Edited December 16, 2022 by rafinmd

[grapau27]

9 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Thank you, Rich for your final In-person TGIF of 2022 (although you're continuing as the originator).  I'll pass on the stupid toys, will take a number of chocolate covered things but not necessarily anything, and will gladly celebrate Reconciliation,  The VALIS quote has a ring of truth but also a hint of danger.  I've been Funchal occasionally, I think most recently in 2016 on Seabourn Odyssey.  The meal sounds interesting.  I have a flatbread pizza in the freezer which I think is pretty close.  My alternative is Chilled Raspberry Soup, Oven Roasted Pork Loin with Brandied Raisins, and Peach Crisp as served on MS Prinsendam December 16.

 

Today’s care list:

 

RIP FF Zachary Paris and Marvin Grube LODD, 12/7/22  Schuylkill County Pa. Internment 12/17
HALsailer DSIL with cancer and very weak
summer slope and DH in covid quarantine
USN59-79 with leg fracture
Marshhawk DH family illnesses
StLouisCruisers DD recovering from foot surgery
From the rotation:
Crabbbi Patti dealing with Dad’s dimentia
Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney
Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1) and JAM37 (7/7)
HAL Sailer Sister in Law with aggressive cancer therapy

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Good ortho report for USNS59-79

summer slope and DH released from quarantine
6 days for richwmn {Zuiderdam 12/22 to 5/12/23)
1 day lindaler (Volendam 12/17 to 3/18/23)
1 day for Kazu (Koningsdam 12/17 to 1/7/23)(and safely in San Diego)
RedbeckBob (Nieuw Statendam to 12/17),  StLouisCruiser & Summer Slope (Volendam  to 12/17). SusieKIslandGirl (Island Princess to 12/22) and Cruisin Terri (Insignia  to 12/28) at sea
Cunnorl (Noordam to 1/2/23),  Damcruiser (Nieuw Statendam  to 1/14/23), Seasick Sailor (Rotterdam  to 1/25/23) and  Horizon Chaser1957 (Zaandam to 12/20; Zuiderdam 12/22 to 5/12/23) at sea

Roy

Thank you for today's lists Roy.

Nice to see so many people cruising.

Graham.

[seagarsmoker]

Thanks for the Daily Report and I hope everyone has a great weekend!

[Seasick Sailor]

Good morning Daily-ites.

Day 6 Rotterdam.

Prayers lifted to those on Roy's list. 

 

We are in Aruba this morning. We did not plan anything for today so it will be at our leisure.

 

Last night we met a couple next to us in the MDR. Meeting for pre dinner cocktails.

 

Allen had filet and lobster. I had twin tails of lobster. Very sweet and more than enough to eat!

 

We are dining in Tamarind tonight. One of our favorites.

 

Yesterday we docked in Curacao. I watched a fisherman sitting on a bucket catch a fish just using a fishing line. His bait was raw chicken.

 

 

Decorating on the ship is still ongoing. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 

 

Yesterday afternoon I had a hair cut appt. I am very pleased with the result. 

 

When we got back to our cabin last night we had a beautiful bouquet of flowers from our Guest Services Nina and Ruth. There was an item we pre ordered for our cabin that didnt arrive til Bonaire and they worked very hard to get it to the ship.

 

Wishing everyone a blessed weekend. So happy to see our Jacqui in San Diego and our Daily Friends on the move!

 

[rafinmd]

Today's sunrise is from my 2013 Amazon cruise.  December 16 was a sea day on MS Prinsendam from the Grenadines to Curacao.

 

 

Roy

[SusieKIslandGirl]

Good Morning from hot & humid Cartagena. We’re docked next to the Eurodam, which we were on last November when we visited Funchal. Thanks to Jacqui @kazuwe had a fantastic tour with Daniel’s Taxi. We missed the port last week because of the tropical storm brewing. Off to our emerald jewelry making adventure.

[cat shepard]

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich. Quite a bit cooler this morning. Almost a 20 degree drop. But the sun is out and we should research the high 60s later. 
 

Roy, thank you for keeping our lists. The gift that keeps on giving. A fairly routine day for me, though this afternoon my neighbors and I will be putting out the luminarias around the island in the cul de sac.

 

 

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

 

*******

Ferrari 2012 Perle Nero Extra Brut Riserva Pinot Nero (Trento)

You might need to travel to Italy to enjoy this wine, though some distributors ship overseas. Excellent consumer and critic ratings. A bit over my budget even without shipping. Several online distributors with prices starting at $58.49.

Distributor Notes

BACKGROUND

Paradoxically, Italy’s most famous metodo classico sparkling wine was started with the desire to compete with the best French Champagnes. Giulio Ferrari, a Trentino native, started his venerable sparkling wine house in 1902, after studying winemaking in France. Convinced that his native region’s terroir was ideal for growing Chardonnay, he produced three of his now best-known cuvées – Ferrari Brut, Perlé and Giulio Ferrari – as blanc de blancs. This innovative approach quickly paid off. Ferrari wines consistently receive some of Italy’s top accolades, including being awarded Tre Bicchieri 22 years in a row.

TERROIR & VINTAGE NOTES

With its mountain viticulture (the Dolomites), Trentino is an area well-suited to the production of sparkling wines of great elegance and complexity. Large diurnal temperature range and high altitudes ensures high acidity and freshness in the grapes. With 300 acres of vineyards, Ferrari represents the largest estate in the Trentino region.

WINEMAKING

Ferrari Perlé Nero is made using the traditional metodo classico. After a hand-harvest in the middle of September, the wine undergoes a gentle pressing.

TASTING NOTES

Gold in color. On the nose, the wine is rich and matured. Powerful with a great complexity which goes from fruity to mineral and toasted notes. In terms of palate, the wine offers an exceptional personality, of rare complexity, where fruity and roast notes are perfectly balanced, completed by a charming sapidity. The elegant creaminess surprises in a dynamic way and lingers with a long and pleasing finish. A sparkling wine of pronounced finesse. Perfect served as an aperitif or with lighter dishes, especially seafood.

95 Wine Enthusiast 

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[puppycanducruise]

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

I am getting a slow start here this morning.  The joy of baking yesterday wore me out.  Sue will be here this weekend.  Her boss has begged her to stay on through the month of May and said she could stay at his cabin at the lake since she has to be out of her place by May 1.  He told her to think about it and she said she did for about 40 seconds and decided no.  She so wants to be done.

 

Today's meal can be anything you want it to be.  Use whatever toppings you like and leave off the ones you don't.  You can get fancy or you can go the easy route and get the frozen ones like Roy @rafinmd.  They are pretty darn good and very quick.  And, you can doctor them up with whatever you have and like.

 

Our first one is a tomato pizza.   https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/tomato-baguette-pizza/

 

 

In this next one Ree Drummond demonstrates that you can individualize baguette pizzas for different people.  Put the jalapeños on for those who like them and leave them off for those who don't!   https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/french-bread-pizzas-2247960

 

 

Here are a few more ideas for your baguette pizzas.  https://www.savingdessert.com/french-bread-pizza-4-ways/

 

 

What is your favorite pizza topping.  My sister always wanted a barbecue chicken pizza and so Dad would split it with her since the rest of us were more traditional in our tastes.  The day he died we were discussing the pizza order and I asked him if he wanted to go in with Sue for the barbecue chicken pizza and he responded, "I hate chicken."  Gosh, Dad, thanks for letting us know.  

 

Wishing everyone a wonderful day!

[Heartgrove]

Thank you Rich, thank you Roy, thank you Debbie, thank you Cat Shepard, and thank you Dixie for your daily contribution! And thank you all for being here!

 

Madeira was the last port we called on before our Transatlantic aboard the Oosterdam last month. Our first time there, we did the HAL excursion called "The Best of West Madeira" which had us out all day. Madeira is literally a rock as any of the beaches have sand that needed to be imported according to our guide. One of the highlights was the restaurant that we stopped for lunch on the Northside of the island. What a beautiful setting! It was a panoramic tour from the bus so most of my photos are snatch and grab for just our memories. It is a destination that we hope to visit again. I'll have to check Sue's memory card as she probably captured some from a different perspective.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay Safe!

 

- Jack

 

Edited December 16, 2022 by Heartgrove

[ger_77]

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  It's nice to see another day of reconciliation; we celebrated ours in September.  Hello:  chocolate!?!  Haven't had a stupid toy since last year when we opened our Christmas crackers.  I'm going to add the drink of the day to my list to try on our next BHB.

 

We've been to Funchal a number of times on TA's, but certainly the last time was most enjoyable.  Like @SusieKIslandGirl, we were on a David's Taxi tour with @kazuand had the most amazing tour of the island.  One of my favourite funny memories of the tour was a brief washroom stop that I could only describe as "exhilarating".  LOL

 

@Crazy For Catslove the meme - can I steal it for another site?

 

A couple of things on the agenda today, first I need a gel nail fill - mine are getting way too long; I know this because I'm using the backspace button much too often.  Then this afternoon we've been invited over to friends for coffee and cookies - she's a great cook, so I can't wait for the visit.  Saw this meme and it reminded me of the 3 trips to Michaels I made last week . . .

Today's menu suggestion is a good one, especially since it's Friday!  We'll likely stop at a small pizza shop on the way home from our afternoon visit and pick up a couple of slices to enjoy at the kitchen table tonight.  And wine.

 

Prayers for everyone who is needing them, cheers to all with celebrations going on.  Be well, stay safe.

 

Smooth Sailing!  🙂🙂🙂

Gerry   

[NextOne]

Happy Friday, all! The tree goes up this weekend!

 

Edited December 16, 2022 by NextOne

[kochleffel]

The meal suggestion would be OK with me, and French-bread pizza is available in the supermarket, although not kosher, so I would make it myself from kosher ingredients (my practice allows cheese from North America, the UK and the EU). The alternative main course would not be OK for me.

 

Funchal is on my itinerary for the Spanish Farewell next year.

 

We've had only another half-inch of "that stuff" since last night. It's still coming down, but the temperature is above freezing and will get a bit higher. One of my adult students who is studying for conversion to Judaism was supposed to go to the beit din (rabbinic court) and mikveh (ritual bath) this morning, but the latter is 30 miles away and she has rescheduled it for Monday.

 

 

 

[lindaler]

Thank you everyone for the kind words yesterday. I was stir crazy but got through it. Today I fly to FL and tomorrow I board. For me the worst part is the flights. Once I'm on board I don't have to leave for 91 days. Or at least pack and leave. Last night I got a freeze alert so will have to saddle my son with the duty of buying the cute cups that go over water faucets outside. Just a quick note as I still have a few things to finish getting ready for my ride to the airport. Son should be here soon. Once I have gotten through TSA I will sit and read all of today's comments. Prayers for all. I will try to stay in touch.