The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday, December 21st, 2023

[kazu]

 

Today is December Solstice, Blue Christmas, and Humbug Day
 

Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life. - Wayne Dyer

Meal Suggestion for today - Creamy Tortellini Soup With Sausage
Drink of the Day - Sunday Funday Bloody Mary
Wine of the Day - Sobon Estate Zinfandel Hillside
Destination of the Day - Vaiare, French Polynesia

Today in History:
1898 Scientists Pierre and Marie Curie discover radium
1968 Apollo 8: 1st manned Moon voyage launched with Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders
1891 1st game of basketball, based on rules created by James Naismith, played by 18 students in Springfield, Massachusetts

Ship Locations
 

Eurodam

At Sea Destination Grand Turk Island, Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos eta 12-22
 

Koningsdam

San Diego, California 07:00 - 15:00 
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

At Sea Destination Half Moon Cay, Bahamas eta 12-22
 

Nieuw Statendam

At Sea Destination Kralendijk Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles eta 12-22
 

Noordam

At Sea Destination Bay of Islands, Russell, New Zealand eta 12-23
 

Oosterdam

Puerto Madryn, Argentina 09:00 - 18:00 
 

Rotterdam

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 08:00 - 14:00 
 

Zaandam

At Sea Destination St John Island USVI, Cruz Bay, US Virgin Islands eta 12-22
 

Zuiderdam

At Sea Destination Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida eta 12-22

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Volendam

San Diego, California 7:00-17:00 
 

Westerdam

At Sea Destination Singapore eta 12-23

 

 

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[Nickelpenny]

Good morning to all!  Been at the airport for an hour. All checked in and waiting to go through security. On my way to FLL!!

[summer slope]

Sunday Funday Bloody Mary cocktail:

 

Ingredients
1 part Pinnacle® Original Vodka
2 parts Tomato Juice
1 dash Hot Sauce
1 dash Horseradish
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
Garnish: Celery

Instructions
Combine all ingredients into an ice-filled shaker and shake until well chilled. Strain into a chilled pint glass over fresh ice. Garnish with celery and any other fun toppings on hand.

 

[seagarsmoker]

Good morning dailyites and thank you for the Daily Report. 

We are cruising towards Bonaire, smooth Seas and beautiful temperature. 😍 

Last night we ate in the lido, we both had roasted chicken and it was excellent.  Suzi had mac n cheese,  I had the roasted wedge potatoes which were yummy.

I caught some of the comedian and she was good.

Then won again in the casino.  😀 

Nothing planned for today as it's a sea day.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day and I'll check in later. 

 

Morning sunrise pic from earlier 

 

[seagarsmoker]

2 minutes ago, Nickelpenny said:

Good morning to all!  Been at the airport for an hour. All checked in and waiting to go through security. On my way to FLL!!

Safe journey!

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thanks for the Report.

Hooray for the Winter Solstice.  That means the daylight hours will be increasing soon.  Sometimes I feel like a humbug, but remember how that story ends, Scrooge changes.

I like the quote.

I'll pass on the meal, drink and wine.  I guess I'll find something else to eat and drink.

I've never been to today's port.

Prayers for our world.

Bertie and I will be heading out for a walk when the sun appears.

Have a good day everyone.  Stay safe.

[Denise T]

Happy Thursday! Thanks for the Daily and Fleet reports. 

Cold but sunny today. Finishing up the work week today by working from home. Seeing two clients and finishing up some grading before my Christmas break. My plan is to rest for 11 days. 

Thinking of all on the care list. 

Celebrating with all who are celebrating. 

Have a safe and healthy day. 

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  It's only 27F out there but we will see partly cloudy skies and a high of 57 later on.  Weather looks decent for the next week although they predict rain here on Christmas.

 

DD inquired if I had any counted cross stitch Christmas stocking kits on hand, which I do, because as she was hanging the Christmas stockings I made for her family it occurred to her she will have a new son-in-law next Christmas.  She thinks she will have to begin working on a stocking for him.  I bet she's hoping I'll volunteer to make it so I guess I should finish up the one I put down a few years ago.  I was frustrated with the very difficult backstitch outlining on it.  Usually they take about 9 months to make one but this one is breaking all records.  I think I'll be spending less time on CC if I'm cross stitching for several hours a day!

 

Thank you Jacqui @kazu for taking over for Rich during his cruises!  Well, today is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere so let's celebrate the beginning of the longer days coming up starting tomorrow.  Blue Christmas is for those experiencing grief during the holidays so let us honor that.  And humbug day for those who have no Christmas joy.  A great quote this morning.  I would try the tortellini soup but avoid the Sunday Funday Bloody Mary and the Zinfandel.  Interesting days in history including the Curies, Apollo 8 and the game of basketball.  Thanks to Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope, and Ann @cat shepard for their reports today on food and beverages.

 

Prayers for the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages held and who will hopefully be released safe and sound, and the military in danger including those at U.S. bases and on ships in the area.  Prayers also for my DB and friends, and for the CC Daily friends who are in pain, suffering before and after surgeries, and uncertainty with their medical care.  For those missing their lost loved ones this holiday season I wish you comfort and peace.  Cheers to everyone cruising and enjoying happy celebrations!  My DGD is cruising this week and is enjoying snorkeling and diving in places like Roatan.  I'll see her Christmas Day!  Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for the lists today, and I hope you are managing to endure your pain and getting a bit of sleep.

 

The port today is slightly different.  We haven't had Vaiare, French Polynesia before but it looks like it's referring to Moorea which is not that big of an island.  Does anyone really know exactly where the dock is that the tender drops you off at?  Anyway, if you have further information on Vaiare let us know.  Meanwhile I'll post the links to the three times we've had Moorea as our destination.  We've been to Moorea twice so I'll post my photos next.  Have a good day everyone, and try to stay safe and well!   (no idea why the pictures show up on the links instead of the fleet map - I don't open any photos on the links so it's a mystery to me!)

 

 

 

 

[cat shepard]

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! It is already 54 here! Looks to be a stellar day in the neighborhood- even if the wind is still around. 

 

Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with our happenings. Thrilled to read that you will be able to see the doctor most likely to help you - praying that he can fit you in sooner. I wish the neurosurgeon you saw Tuesday could advocate for an emergency procedure.

 

Zumba, Bindi walks, putting out the luminaries in our cul de sac, packing Bindi’s bag for Paradise, and normal chores will keep me busy. 
 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those dealing with debilitating pain & conditions, and grieving the loss of a loved one. 
Thinking of you Terry & Tana.

 

Cheers to all who are celebrating. 

 

May we each find a reason to smile today!

 

********

Sobon Estate Zinfandel Hillside 2020

Another wine priced to try. I used the 2020 vintage info, since that is ready to enjoy. Consumers give it a very good - excellent rating. I would love to try it. Easy to find with online prices starting at $10.00.

Distributor notes

This rich, sustainably produced wine hails from Amador County, California, where Zinfandel truly shines. Nicely concentrated, with flavors of blackberry, chocolate covered cherry, and a kiss of oak. Not for the faint of palate, this is plush and powerful.

[RedneckBob]

Thanks for the Fleet Update and General Info from all contributors. And thanks Kazu for the larger print!

 

Let’s get to it. Chapter IV of my 14 day cruise on Reflection.

 

Chapter IV:  Rock the Boat

 

The Captain of the Reflection was Captain Kirk, no, not Captain Kirk of the Starship Enterprise but Captain of the CruiseShip Reflection, Star Date, I mean Cruise Date 12.15.23, 22:15 hour. On that date the boat was rocking and so was Captain Kirk as he shouted at 22:15 hour, “Beam up the music, Scotty.” That started over an hour long rock & roll show in the Showroom with Captain Kirk playing the guitar and singing 9-10 songs from Hotel California, Hey Jude, and Sweet Home Alabama. The place was packed with standing room only and it was the best show I saw on the ship.

 

The Captains interaction with the audience was remarkable. While singing Sweet Home Alabama he walked into audience having members sing into mike the lyrics. When he got to me he skipped right over me apparently knowing who I was and where I was from. Between songs people would shout out, “Do you have DVD”, which he replied “The Cruise Director is working on it.” Then someone shouted, “Sing Arrowsmith” for which the Captain replied, “Come on stage if you can sing Arrowsmith.” And finally someone asked him to sing Sweet Caroline which he replied, “We have not practiced that but we will and will play if you stay on the next cruise.

 

What a Show!

 

 

Edited December 21, 2023 by RedneckBob

[grapau27]

Good afternoon overlooking the North Sea on the North East coast of England.

Excellent quote.

I hope everyone is safe and well.

Good wishes for a nice day.

[RedneckBob]

2 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Good afternoon overlooking the North Sea on the North East coast of England.

Excellent quote.

I hope everyone is safe and well.

Good wishes for a nice day.

He’s Back!

[grapau27]

Just now, RedneckBob said:

He’s Back!

I posted that just for you buddy @RedneckBob

[richwmn]

Thanks to everyone for keeping this thread alive.

I am in San Diego, where it is 4:30 in the morning, and I am awake. Of course it is 8:30 on the east coast where I was yesterday so I am making progress toward acclimating to the current time zone.

Everything is well here, getting prepared for my short trip to the port where I will board Volendam. There have been a couple of small hiccups, but everything has worked out ok. Yesterday I was sitting at the assigned gate for my flight when I realized that another flight was boarding and it was time for mine. I checked the Delta app and found the gate had changed. Luckily, the new gate was close and I made it as one of the final people boarding. When the cabin door closed, an announcement was made that the flight would be a bit over 4 hours rather than the 5+ hours scheduled. A very nice change. Even though I was early, the hotel had a room ready and I was checked in.

I had a nice evening and I'm ready to face today.

[grapau27]

32 minutes ago, Nickelpenny said:

Good morning to all!  Been at the airport for an hour. All checked in and waiting to go through security. On my way to FLL!!

Happy Holidays 🥳

[Heartgrove]

Thank you Jacqui, thank you Debbie, thank you Vanessa, thank you Ann, and thank you Dixie for all your work. And thank you everyone for being here!

 

Stay Safe, and prayers for those in need.

- Jack

[StLouisCruisers]

We've been to Moorea twice, once on Golden Princess in 2014 and again on Maasdam in 2017.  In 2014 we went on a private tour with a CC group.  It involved a Polynesian BBQ, ray and shark feeding, sightseeing at a barrier reef, snorkeling, etc.  The day after this we were scheduled on a tour with Patrick in Bora Bora so they were essentially the same description tours, but Patrick's was much better!  Still, I can show you a few photos from Moorea.  More than a few!  I apologize in advance!

 

Arrival at the pier.  I wonder if this is Vaiare??

 

Welcoming committee.

 

 

 

Heading out to our tour here are scenes along the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stingray sightings and feeding

 

 

 

I was a little nervous watching this from the boat.

 

 

I did go out when they spread out a little bit and that was fun, but when the sharks came I got back in the boat to watch.

 

 

Arriving at the motu for the BarBQ.

 

 

 

Not quite the same as Patrick's pig roast in a pit!

 

 

 

 

 

The food and drink was good though, and after we ate you could take a little dip in the water to cool down.

 

 

 

In 2017 on the Maasdam, we sailed from Papeete to Moorea in the early morning because they are only about 18 nautical miles apart.  A beautiful sunshine-y day!

 

 

 

 

Here’s where the reef that runs around the island causing disturbances in the water

 

 

 

When we reached shore on our tenders we were met with dancers and musicians, local foods and lots of jewelry.  We stayed in town this day since we hadn't done that last visit.

 

 

 

 

 

We bought a pair of black Tahitian pearl earrings for me that day.

 

 

We walked around the village and then peeped into the Ebenezer Church.  It was Easter Sunday.

 

 

Louder church members outside the door.

 

Just out enjoying walking around.

 

 

 

And a look at a unique treat at dinner that night for Easter Sunday.

 

 

 

[JazzyV]

Today’s Care List:

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

Kazu’s DBIL’s DM with pancreatitis

Marshhawk’s DH Chuck not feeling well

Summer slope recovering from tooth extraction

JazzyV with right leg pain, tingling and numbness

 

Citizens of Ukraine, Israel and Gaza

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

 

From the Rotation:

StLouisCruiser’s DB with pulmonary fibrosis

Tana with pulmonary issues

Cruzin Terri and ottahand7 with positive skin biopsies

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Bon Voyage Haljo1935!

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

Cruising sister’s g-niece Murphy extubated, and on CPAP 

RMLincoln’s niece had her baby!

Ger_77 traveling to Calgary

Nickelpenny safe travels

 

The Daily Gardening Club posting wonderful flower pictures

All the contributors to the Fleet Report/Daily

 

Upcoming Cruises or At Sea:

1 day for Richwmn (Volendam Dec 22 to May 4) 12d Mexico & Sea of Cortez Holiday + Jan 6 94d Grand Australia & NZ Voyage + Apr 6 15d PC Cruise + Apr 21 The Atlantic Cruise

1 day for Nickelpenny (Zuiderdam Dec 22 to Jan 3) 12d Panama Canal Sunfarer Holiday

6 days for Ottahand7 (Eurodam Dec 27 to Jan 13, Western Caribbean/Western Explorer Holiday)

 

Suslor (Rottendam to Dec 22, Eastern Caribbean), Crazy For Cats (Rotterdam to Dec 22, Eastern Caribbean), Seagarsmoker (Nieuw Statendam to Dec 27, Southern Caribbean), Petunia1950 (Nieuw Statendam to Dec 27, Southern Caribbean), St Pete Cruiser (Zaandam to Jan 4, Southern Caribbean Holiday), Ichiban Nekko (Rotterdam to Jan 5, B2B, 7d Eastern Caribbean + 14d Western/Tropical Caribbean), Av8rix (Koningsdam to Jan 6, Circle Hawaii Holiday), Haljo1935 (Koningsdam to Jan 6, Circle Hawaii Holiday) and Seasick Sailor(Rotterdam to Jan 14, 51d B2B2B2B Eastern/Western Caribbean (14n) + Tropical/Southern Caribbean Seafarer (16n))

[Nickelpenny]

7 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Happy Holidays 🥳

Same to you!!

[rafinmd]

Thank you Rich, Jacqui, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie.  @Haljo1935 is finally on her way after an overnight from hell in DFW.  Safe travels @Nickelpenny.  While today is the shortest day I think sunrise will keep getting later for a couple more weeks; sunset will get later faster.

 

With medical issues it may be a Blue Christmas for some of us but hopefully not a Humbug Day,

 

3 great days in history with the contributions of the Curies, our heroic astronauts, and 18 New England students.

 

I'll pass on the meal.  My alternative is Wattleseed Roasted Duck with Apricots and Passion Fruit Pavlova, my final dinner on my 2013 Prinsendam Amazon cruise.

 

I'm not sure if any cruise ships ever visit Viaire.  It is on the opposite side of the island from the tender dock, and is the site of the ferries to Papeete.  I took the ferry over once while on a multi-day call in Papeete and will try to post a couple of photos later.

 

Roy

 

 

[grapau27]

6 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

We've been to Moorea twice, once on Golden Princess in 2014 and again on Maasdam in 2017.  In 2014 we went on a private tour with a CC group.  It involved a Polynesian BBQ, ray and shark feeding, sightseeing at a barrier reef, snorkeling, etc.  The day after this we were scheduled on a tour with Patrick in Bora Bora so they were essentially the same description tours, but Patrick's was much better!  Still, I can show you a few photos from Moorea.  More than a few!  I apologize in advance!

 

Arrival at the pier.  I wonder if this is Vaiare??

 

Welcoming committee.

 

 

 

Heading out to our tour here are scenes along the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stingray sightings and feeding

 

 

 

I was a little nervous watching this from the boat.

 

 

I did go out when they spread out a little bit and that was fun, but when the sharks came I got back in the boat to watch.

 

 

Arriving at the motu for the BarBQ.

 

 

 

Not quite the same as Patrick's pig roast in a pit!

 

 

 

 

 

The food and drink was good though, and after we ate you could take a little dip in the water to cool down.

 

 

 

In 2017 on the Maasdam, we sailed from Papeete to Moorea in the early morning because they are only about 18 nautical miles apart.  A beautiful sunshine-y day!

 

 

 

 

Here’s where the reef that runs around the island causing disturbances in the water

 

 

 

When we reached shore on our tenders we were met with dancers and musicians, local foods and lots of jewelry.  We stayed in town this day since we hadn't done that last visit.

 

 

 

 

 

We bought a pair of black Tahitian pearl earrings for me that day.

 

 

We walked around the village and then peeped into the Ebenezer Church.  It was Easter Sunday.

 

 

Louder church members outside the door.

 

Just out enjoying walking around.

 

 

 

And a look at a unique treat at dinner that night for Easter Sunday.

 

 

 

Amazing photos Sandi.

I personally like to see lots of photos to get an idea of the port.

Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to post them.

Much appreciated.

 

[RedneckBob]

12 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

I posted that just for you buddy @RedneckBob

Thanks Graham! I was getting worried; without CC website for 14 days lead me to excessive talking on the ship. One person on the ship told the Misses, “RedneckBob really knows how to work the room”!

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Morning from the Rotterdam,  it looks like it will be a nice day. We are at HMC and will probably go to the island for a walk around and then back for lunch. All aboard is 1:30 which makes for a shorter stay than usual.  The cruise director said it was for operational reasons. Diner tonight will be in the Tamarind. 

Hope everyone has a good day today. 

[RedneckBob]

12 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

We've been to Moorea twice, once on Golden Princess in 2014 and again on Maasdam in 2017.  In 2014 we went on a private tour with a CC group.  It involved a Polynesian BBQ, ray and shark feeding, sightseeing at a barrier reef, snorkeling, etc.  The day after this we were scheduled on a tour with Patrick in Bora Bora so they were essentially the same description tours, but Patrick's was much better!  Still, I can show you a few photos from Moorea.  More than a few!  I apologize in advance!

 

Arrival at the pier.  I wonder if this is Vaiare??

 

Welcoming committee.

 

 

 

Heading out to our tour here are scenes along the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stingray sightings and feeding

 

 

 

I was a little nervous watching this from the boat.

 

 

I did go out when they spread out a little bit and that was fun, but when the sharks came I got back in the boat to watch.

 

 

Arriving at the motu for the BarBQ.

 

 

 

Not quite the same as Patrick's pig roast in a pit!

 

 

 

 

 

The food and drink was good though, and after we ate you could take a little dip in the water to cool down.

 

 

 

In 2017 on the Maasdam, we sailed from Papeete to Moorea in the early morning because they are only about 18 nautical miles apart.  A beautiful sunshine-y day!

 

 

 

 

Here’s where the reef that runs around the island causing disturbances in the water

 

 

 

When we reached shore on our tenders we were met with dancers and musicians, local foods and lots of jewelry.  We stayed in town this day since we hadn't done that last visit.

 

 

 

 

 

We bought a pair of black Tahitian pearl earrings for me that day.

 

 

We walked around the village and then peeped into the Ebenezer Church.  It was Easter Sunday.

 

 

Louder church members outside the door.

 

Just out enjoying walking around.

 

 

 

And a look at a unique treat at dinner that night for Easter Sunday.

 

 

 

Looks like Bora Bora or Moorea