The Fleet Report and Daily for Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good afternoon.  As usual, the day did not go quite as planned.  The laundry was finished by 11:30, then when DH mentioned there were a lot of things for the neighborhood garage sale next week in his observatory, which we call the dome.  We been collecting things for several years, and there is quite a collection.  We went through it, and decided to take some of the things to the thrift store instead.  I'm not sure I'll be trying to to the garage sale next week or will wait until the first one next fall.  A lot depends on the weather and how I feel.

 

4 hours ago, cunnorl said:

 Good Morning from a cool and sunny day at the beach

     I  dont usually like buffets, only on a ship. Dont have a cat, and have not been to todays port.  Thanks for the great pictures!

     Lots going on here today already. I just got back from my stress test and was surprised to see the Daily already on page 3!  My test went fine and I was able to complete the whole thing without difficulty.

  @aliaschief Safe travels tomorrow. Enjoy every minute of that wonderful journey.

     @RMLincoln   A very Happy Anniversary to you both. May you have many more.

      @smitty34877  Glad to hear that Tina`s Aide is back. 

      @mamaofami   A very Happy Birthday to Sam      

 

Stay safe and enjoy today

    Charlene

 

Charlene, I'm happy your stress test went well.

 

4 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

Happy Mew Year to all of us!  And Happy Anniversary to @RMLincoln, and Happy Birthday to Sam.  

 

We visited Casablanca on the Maasdam on the Atlantic Adventurer - what a great cruise, 42 days out of and back to FLL  I would love to do it again.  We took a ship's tour to Marrakesh, and had a fancy lunch included at a big hotel.  In those days I didn't know about food porn, so no pictures...  We had a great roll call on that cruise too, everyone took turns organizing tours, so no one had to do it all.  I organized a couple, Gibraltar and Taormina, I think.  We had three vans full!

 

Just a couple as we drove through Casablanca, and very interesting scenery on the way to Marrakesh.  In Marrakesh we visited a number of palaces and the main square.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good luck to have storks nesting on your roof!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann, thank you for your pictures from Marrakesh.  We did the ships transfer and saw a lot of the town, but didn't go in any of the palaces.

 

4 hours ago, dfish said:

I've had a productive morning so far.  I did a load of laundry and got the ornaments off the tree in the dining room.  It is already to go downstairs and Sue will do that when she gets back.  Or maybe tomorrow.  Who knows?  We are leaving the tree in living room up for the neighborhood party in 3 weeks.  It is all in blue and white and can be a Winter themed tree, not just Christmas.  We're taking a page out of @StLouisCruisers Sandi's DD's book. 

 

@smitty34877 Terry, I forgot to mention this morning that you are more than welcome to nag me about what I should and shouldn't be doing.  The discharge nurse from post - op called this morning to check up on me and is pleased with what I told him.  I do normally bounce back quickly.  I do appreciate your advice.

 

I can't remember the last time I was at a buffet outside of on a BHB.  We usually do the dining room for breakfast, dining room for dinner or specialty dining.  Lunch is generally late and we grab a salad or a Dive In burger.  I find the buffet is an invitation to over eat.  

 

@Quartzsite Cruiser Lenda, we'd be happy if River stayed permanently with her grandma, but we have no control over that.  Her grandma would like that, too.  We'll see what happens when her mother comes home.  Right now there is a no contact order between the mother and her deadbeat husband, but she is calling and writing to him because she wants to get back with him when she gets out.  She did sign over custody of the two little kids to his mother so they are at least being fed and bathed.  

 

Debbie, I'm glad you felt like doing the laundry and  taking the ornament off the tree.  I wonder if everyone involved could document all that is transpiring between River and her mother, and maybe find a way to get her placed with her grandmother.  At least, she has loving and stable relationships with a lot of the extended family.

 

4 hours ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

Greetings everyone from our next to last day aboard the Zaandam at sea, now just north of the Windward Passage. 

It was a sunny and warm morning until we passed by the eastern tip of Cuba and then we hit rain and much cooler conditions. I was looking forward to the deck chairs on the Promenade deck, but it became too wet and cool, so we are up at the Lido with the roof closed. 

We attended the City on the Sea, which is very good. The champagne went to a couple who have just completed nearly 200 days aboard Zaandam in the last 15 months.

Last night was a new comic with a good show. Tonight, The Knights return to the World Stage.

It has been wonderful to return to a ship so much like those I grew to love, all the S class and R class. The Zaandam is, for the most part, looking very good. The hotel and guest services managers assured me that Holland America Line will resume some of what they quit doing now that the ships are sailing full and at higher fares. We did have lobster for the gold Gala dinner again. They brought out the after dinner mint/date cart and it was hosted by a dining room staff person even if without the old bell captain uniform. Stage shows with singers and dancers will return. 

Enjoy your day all. My best to the Volendam and Zuiderdam Grand cruisers about to leave.

Cheers to a great years start.

20240101_093248.heic 1.09 MB · 6 downloads

 

I'm glad the Zaandam is in great shape and they are bringing back some of the things that made HAL special.  I think it's a combination of making money now and new leadership at the top.

 

3 hours ago, seagarsmoker said:

Jacqui, thanks for the Daily Report. 

I have been at Doctors office this morning and just returned with three scripts for bronchitis.  I actually feel a lil better, however I understand I'm "no spring chicken" anymore and it takes longer to heal as I get older....

Hopefully I will feel better soon and will be back here soon. 

 

I'm glad you are feeling better and saw the doctor.  I hope the prescriptions help you feel better sooner.

 

3 hours ago, JazzyV said:

Good afternoon. Thanks for the FR/Daily.

No cats here or buffet today. I hope to have motivation and inspiration for a good 2024. Typical Dangerfield quote. The meal sounds good, but it will be leftover pork and sauerkraut today. Pass on the drink and wine. I haven't been to Casablanca. A great day in history. 

 

It's cool and cloudy here. I was up way too late watching college football last night! I got my usual 4 hours of sleep, although I got a bit more by nodding off while watching the morning news. I have PT late this afternoon, otherwise no plans. I see my Rheumatologist tomorrow. I'll need to use the rollator, and I know she'll be shocked by that.

 

@mamaofami Happy Birthday to Sam!

@RMLincoln Happy Anniversary!

@StLouisCruisers Happy Birthday to your DDIL! Great photos from Casablanca, Antarctica and your Quest stateroom.

@kazu Thanks for starting us up today. Good luck with Ivan's injection.

@Lady Hudson Sorry about yesterday and I hope DH is feeling better today. 

@0106 Thanks for the recipes.

@Nickelpenny I'm glad you're feeling better for your final full day onboard.

@rafinmd Thanks for the maps. 

@Cruzin Terri I hope you're feeling better today.

@smitty34877 I'm very glad to hear that your aide has returned. I hope you can relax a bit now. 

@marshhawk Hopefully nothing comes of being with those people yesterday who had seen family members with Covid.

@aliaschief You must be excited to start your adventure!

@dfish I see a nap in your future! I'm glad River will continue to have a stable environment.

@Quartzsite Cruiser Thanks for all the wonderful photos from Casablanca.

@cunnorl Good news about the stress test. 

@Sharon in AZ I hope Craig is feeling better soon. 

@kochleffel Good news on the arrival of the new thermostat and your distance glasses.

@VMax1700 I'd like to visit the Woolen Mills some day; I do have a couple of sweaters from them, bought online.

@Vict0riann Great photos from Casablanca and Marrakesh.

@St Pete Cruiser It sounds like it's been a great cruise.

 

Prayers for the Care List and Cheers to those Celebrating.  

 

Vanessa, I hope you can get some help at PT today and that tomorrow the Rheumatologist can help you and get things moving to find you some relief. 

 

3 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

 

When they unpacked the thermostat, it was wrong. Because I couldn't go away without a functioning thermostat, I've had them make a temporary repair by relocating the existing one to a spot that is easier to run wiring to.

 

Paul, at least they are doing a temporary fix so that you have a functioning thermostat.  I hope they get the correct one soon, and that all your glasses come in soon.

 

Lenda

[mamaofami]

Good afternoon everyone. Many thanks for all the birthday wishes for Sam. We celebrated yesterday with the kids and grandkids and had a really nice day. Hope we all have a peace filled year.

[kazu]

8 hours ago, aliaschief said:

Good morning! I slept in as that won’t be the case tomorrow. Our ride to the airport is scheduled for 4:30 AM and our long awaited adventure begins. House cleaners just arrived for a final cleaning. Lunch out because no more meals here.

 

You will be leaving far too early in the morning for any well wishes so my wishes for very smooth and safe travels to you two.  enjoy your wonderful cruise.

 

 

 

7 hours ago, dfish said:

Good morning, everyone!

 

It was a bad night last night.  I didn't get to sleep until almost 4 am.  It wasn't due to pain, rather just insomnia. 

 

Oh dam, Debbie 😔. I hope you can get a good night’s sleep tonight. 🤞. You need your sleep to recover.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

It has been wonderful to return to a ship so much like those I grew to love, all the S class and R class. The Zaandam is, for the most part, looking very good. The hotel and guest services managers assured me that Holland America Line will resume some of what they quit doing now that the ships are sailing full and at higher fares. We did have lobster for the gold Gala dinner again. They brought out the after dinner mint/date cart and it was hosted by a dining room staff person even if without the old bell captain uniform.

 

Oh that is so good to hear.  Thank you 🙂 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, seagarsmoker said:

 

I have been at Doctors office this morning and just returned with three scripts for bronchitis.  I actually feel a lil better, however I understand I'm "no spring chicken" anymore and it takes longer to heal as I get older....

Hopefully I will feel better soon and will be back here soon. 

 

Oh dear 😔. I hope you are feeling better very soon and wish you a quick recovery.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, luvteaching said:

Yesterday I stayed home and I pulled out my needlework and did about 45 minutes on it. It's the first time since DD DH died. From late March to late June I always needleworked as I sat by his bed. I guess it just took me a bit to get back into the groove. 

 

Good for you Karen 👏. It’s hard to get back into anything we did by our loved ones bed side.  I salute you ♥️ 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

It is only 5 miles from our home so we go there quite often for calories and therapy!  We love it when the cruise ships are in Cobh and the tours are visiting Blarney.  Lots of people to chat with.

 

Well, If I had known that I might have gone Blarney. 😉. But in all honesty, we truly enjoyed Cobh - I’d go back in a nano second ♥️ 

 

 

 

47 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

 

When they unpacked the thermostat, it was wrong. Because I couldn't go away without a functioning thermostat, I've had them make a temporary repair by relocating the existing one to a spot that is easier to run wiring to.

 

thank heavens you have something that will work temporarily.  I hope the right thermostat arrives for you soon 🤞 

[grapau27]

7 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

After a traditional Moroccan lunch, we headed to Rabat, the capital of Morocco.  Our first stop was the Royal Palace.

 

Near the Palace was the Mausoleum of Mohamad V

 

 

 

Another guard, but at least they had dirt for the horse to stand on.

 

Hassan Tower, an old unfinished minaret

 

A garden outside an old fortress

 

Pictures from our walk back to the bus.

 

 

 

Lenda

Excellent collection of interesting photos Lenda.

Thank you for sharing them.

[1ANGELCAT]

Zuidy is on the port Bimini webcam.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

40 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Excellent collection of interesting photos Lenda.

Thank you for sharing them.

 

Thank you, Graham.

 

Lenda

[Cruising-along]

Greetings from San Diego!

We’re settled into our room at the Wyndham and this is our view. Tomorrow morning we will see the Volendam waiting for us! 

We took a long walk to Rite Aid and then further, picked up some things for the cruise, and met more CC’ers out and about too. 
It will be an early dinner tonight because I’ve been awake since 2:30 this morning and running out of steam! 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ottahand7]

7 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

Good morning from a sunny and cold Quartzsite.  It is 38F which is slightly better than the 36F an hour ago.  Our high is supposed to be 63F, but we won't get to 60F until 1 pm.  Today is laundry day, and with the colder temperatures, I think I'll break down and use the dryer instead of hanging the clothes outside.  I'm not sure my hands could handle hanging wet clothes in 38 degree weather.

 

I hope all the Daily cats are celebrating Happy Mew Year today.  We go to the Lido buffet for breakfast, but usually have dinner in the MDR or specialty restaurants.  I was not inspired, but motivated to do laundry today since we are beginning to run low on clean clothes.  Tomorrow, it will be about the same with house cleaning.  Since I finally got all the projects that we do when we first get here completed, I haven't been inspired or motivated.

 

I found the Rodney Dangerfield quote amusing even though women were often the victims of his humor.

 

The meal sounds good, but I'll save it for another day.  We'll pass on the drink and the wine.

 

We have been to Casablanca twice, and I'll retrieve my pictures in a few minutes.

 

Today in history is an important one for India.

 

I saw some pictures of the destruction in Japan caused by the earthquake.  In one, a building that was probably six to eight stories was lying on its side.  I hope everyone got out of the building safely and with only minor injuries.  

 

@grapau27  Graham, I noticed that you have picked up one of our southernisms -- y'all.

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, please wish your DDIL a HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY for us.

@kazu  Jacqui, I hope the vet visit for Ivan goes well, and that it's not too difficult to get him on the scales.

@Lady Hudson  Katherine, I'm sorry your DH wasn't feeling well yesterday, and hope he is better today.

@ottahand7  Enjoy your day in Ft. Lauderdale.  The last few minutes of the game were exciting, and a nail biter.  I read this morning the "real" reason UT lost.  Our two legged state jinx, Ted Cruz, was in the stands.  It seems every time he shows up at a big game to support a team from Texas, they lose.  He was there for the Astros lose last fall.

@Nickelpenny  Pennie, I hope your last day on the ship is better than yesterday.  Beautiful sunrise pictures.

@Cruzin Terri  Terri, I'm sorry you had a stomach bug yesterday, and I hope you feel better today.

@smitty34877  Terry, I'm happy your aide is well and back taking care of Tana.  You both are always in my thoughts.

@marshhawk  Annie, I can't believe people who have been exposed to Covid or other illnesses will still to to parties and expose others.  I hope you and your DH stay well.  I hope the vet will be willing to see bubbles.  It sounds like he really needs a vet visit in spite of all you have done to doctor him.

@aliaschief  Safe travels tomorrow, Bruce.

@dfish  Debbie, I wish River could be with her other grandmother beyond November.  She deserves a stable, supportive home.

@RMLincoln  I hope your DH can get the money wiring straighten out.

@cruising sister  Lorraine, enjoy your walk today.  I'm glad the three of you have someone to explore SD with.

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

Hahaha about UT's jinx.  Roy said he was when he watches the Ravens they lose.  Most times we drive to Baltimore for a game we lose.  

 

[ottahand7]

4 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

Greetings from San Diego!

We’re settled into our room at the Wyndham and this is our view. Tomorrow morning we will see the Volendam waiting for us! 

We took a long walk to Rite Aid and then further, picked up some things for the cruise, and met more CC’ers out and about too. 
It will be an early dinner tonight because I’ve been awake since 2:30 this morning and running out of steam! 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking to the Rite Aid helps in keeping airplane bags underweight too.  We went and bought full sized hairspray and mouthwash. Have a wonderful cruise!

[RMLincoln]

@mamaofami I’m happy you and Sam had a good celebration with the kids!  I hope you have many more happy days!  May it drown out the tough ones! 
 

DH and I had a lovely walk down memory lane tonight. We lit our wedding candle and took out our wedding ceremony write- up to remind us how meaningful it was. We wrote our vows and designed our vows into our rings…. DH’s ring is pretty battered after building the house but that’s all part of the journey!  We’re together!  And tomorrow will be a new day to think about what we want to be when we grow up! 😉

 

Blessings to all in need, and smooth travels to all away. Safe home for @Nickelpenny!  
Maureen