The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday April 18th, 2024

[StLouisCruisers]

Today is International Day for Monuments and Sites, Nabisco Animal Cracker Day, and National Lineman Appreciation Day
 

It all started when my dog began getting free roll over minutes. - Jay London

Meal Suggestion for today - Spinach-&-Artichoke-Dip Grilled Cheese
Drink of the Day - Long Beach Iced Tea
Wine of the Day - D'Arenberg Grenache Custodian 2011
Destination of the Day - Sydney, Australia

Today in History:
1506 The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II

Ship Locations
 

Eurodam

At Sea Destination Puntarenas, Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica eta 04-19
 

Koningsdam

Honolulu, Oahu Island Hawaii 07:00 -
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

At Sea Destination Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico Riviera eta 04-19
 

Nieuw Statendam

Guernsey Island, St Peter Port, Channel Islands UK 08:00 - 17:00
 

Oosterdam

Alicante, Spain 07:00 - 16:00
 

Rotterdam

At Sea Destination Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island Azores Portugal eta 04-20
 

Volendam

At Sea Destination Half Moon Cay, Bahamas Carnival private island eta 04-20
 

Zaandam

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 0700-1500
 

Zuiderdam

Cape Town, South Africa Overnight

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Noordam

At Sea Destination Honolulu, Oahu Island Hawaii eta 04-20
 

Westerdam

At Sea Destination Kanazawa, Japan Ishikawa eta 04-20

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  Weather today is 60 with mostly cloudy skies.  High today will be 86 hot degrees with sunny skies.

 

Thanks Roy @rafinmd for the fleet location maps.  They really help to picture how far apart the ships are spread out.  Great days to recognize today, even the animal crackers one, and a funny quote.  The grilled cheese sandwich sounds like it would have some zip.  What is a Long Beach Iced Tea?  I guess I'll pass on the wine.  What a great day in history!  The St. Peter's Basilica is so gorgeous. Thanks Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for the reports each day on food and beverages.

 

Prayers today for Jacqui @kazu who has a very important doctor appointment today.  Hoping and praying that she gets the approval to travel and especially that the pain is being relieved with the new medication.  Also for Tana for a good night and an equally good day, fewer pains for Annie @marshhawk after her fall, plus more sleep and less aches and pains for her today.  Vanessa @JazzyV good luck to your BFF at his second MOHS surgery.  Also for DB, twin Linda, great nephew Alex's baby boys, and friends Scott, Susan and Sandy.  And big prayers for Israel and Ukraine, the hostages still held and our men and women in uniform in the region.

 

Congrats to the celebrants of birthdays and anniversaries and the lucky cruisers out there.  And thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for the lists you provide each day!

 

The port today is Sydney, Australia, the fourth time here for it, but it’s such a popular port.  Previous sightings were on Sept. 27, 2021, Dec. 20, 2022 and Dec. 16, 2023.  Here are the links for your convenience in locating your photos.

 

 

 

 

I hope all have a great day and that Jacqui @kazu gets the good news we are all hoping for.  Stay safe and keep well!

 

[StLouisCruisers]

We were lucky enough to see Sydney quite a few times on our trips down under.  In 2013 twice and four times in 2017 on our B2B2B2B cruises.  It's one of my favorite places on the planet to visit. Here's an overview of our stops there.

 

 

Nov. 11, 2017.  Turnaround day so we were exploring.  That is not our ship (which was the Sun Princess).  We were docked at Darling Harbor and took a ferry over.  I believe the ship in the photo was a Carnival ship.

 

 

Here is a photo of us leaving Darling Harbor to sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, same day.

 

Then the Sydney Opera House.

 

A ship at Circular Quay, downtown and the Opera House.

 

People climbing the Sydney Harbour bridge.

 

 

The ferry docks

 

 

This photo was taken Dec. 3, 2013 while there on Diamond Princess.  Taken from a pylon on the Harbour Bridge.

 

The pedestrian walk on the Harbour Bridge.

 

Looks like if you take this tour you might get wet!

 

We ran into our friend Marion from Brisbane (CC friend) while walking towards the Opera House.  Several of my CC friends met us the day before when we got off the ship, to have a drink at a nearby cafe.

 

A closer view of the Opera House roof.

 

 

I hope to see Sydney again in 2026.  Now off to work out on the treadmill so I can sit and stitch most of the day.

 

[grapau27]

15 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

We were lucky enough to see Sydney quite a few times on our trips down under.  In 2013 twice and four times in 2017 on our B2B2B2B cruises.  It's one of my favorite places on the planet to visit. Here's an overview of our stops there.

 

 

Nov. 11, 2017.  Turnaround day so we were exploring.  That is not our ship (which was the Sun Princess).  We were docked at Darling Harbor and took a ferry over.  I believe the ship in the photo was a Carnival ship.

 

 

Here is a photo of us leaving Darling Harbor to sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, same day.

 

Then the Sydney Opera House.

 

A ship at Circular Quay, downtown and the Opera House.

 

People climbing the Sydney Harbour bridge.

 

 

The ferry docks

 

 

This photo was taken Dec. 3, 2013 while there on Diamond Princess.  Taken from a pylon on the Harbour Bridge.

 

The pedestrian walk on the Harbour Bridge.

 

Looks like if you take this tour you might get wet!

 

We ran into our friend Marion from Brisbane (CC friend) while walking towards the Opera House.  Several of my CC friends met us the day before when we got off the ship, to have a drink at a nearby cafe.

 

A closer view of the Opera House roof.

 

 

I hope to see Sydney again in 2026.  Now off to work out on the treadmill so I can sit and stitch most of the day.

 

 

Fantastic photos Sandi.

[rafinmd]

Today's maps:

 

 

 

Roy

[JazzyV]

Today’s Care List:

RMLincoln’s DSIL in hospice care

Kazu with foot pain that hasn’t improved

Cruising-along’s BFF’s DIL Amber with untreated HTN, stroke, brain swelling

Passing of puppycanducruise’s friend Amy at 46 on 4/12

Passing of Mr. Boston’s friend Lauren 4/15

JazzyV with R leg pain, numbness

 

Citizens of Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, hostages still held

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

 

From the Rotation:

Tana with chronic pulmonary issues, on maximal oxygen

StLouisCruisers’ nephew Alex’s in-utero identical twins

Haljo1935 with a frozen shoulder

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Happy Birthday to Sailingdutchy’s DW Martha!

Marshhawk getting some work hours

Cruzin Terri having a beneficial meeting with the Dementia Practitioner

Kochleffel’s excellent feedback on his presentation

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

 

The Daily Gardening Club posting wonderful flower pictures

All the contributors to the Fleet Report/Daily

 

Upcoming Cruises or At Sea:

 

3 days for Kazu (Volendam Apr 21 to May 4) 13d The Atlantic Coast

3 days for VMax1700 (Nieuw Statendam Apr 21 to May 5) 14d Canary Island Allure

4 days for Summer slope (Disney Wish Apr 22 to Apr 26) 4d Bahamian cruised with DGS & his parents

 

Vict0riann (Nieuw Statendam to Apr 21) 14d Bermuda, Brittany & The English Channel Expedition, LAFFNVEGAS (Norwegian Joy to Apr 21) 7d Bermuda from NY, Lobsternight (Koningsdam to April 27) 22d Solar Eclipse & Circle Hawaii, ORTravelGal (Rotterdam to May 4) 21d Atlantic Isles, Norway, Scotland, Richwmn (Volendam to May 4, Apr 6 15d PC Cruise + Apr 21 The Atlantic Coast), AncientWanderer (Westerdam to Apr 27) 14d Japan Discovery + (Westerdam Apr 27 to May 12) N. Pacific Crossing, Sailingdutchy (Nieuw Statendam to May 5) 28d Bermuda, Brittany & Canary Island Allure, Overhead Fred (Nieuw Statendam to May 5) 28d Bermuda, Brittany & Canary Island Allure, Cat in my lap (Zuiderdam to May 11, 128d Grand World Voyage), Gail & Marty sailing away (Zuiderdam to May 11, 128d Grand World Voyage) and Aliaschief (Azamara Onward WC to June 9, 156d World Voyage)

[grapau27]

Thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers for taking over the posting of the Daily it is most appreciated.

It is 41°F here at 10.22am with rain expected by midday.

3 important days.

I will give the food and drink a miss today.

Prayers for the wellbeing of all dailyites.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

 

[summer slope]

Good morning.  Extra prayers for @kazuthis morning.

 

Long Island Iced Tea cocktail:

A Long Island iced tea is a type of alcoholic mixed drink typically made with vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin, and a splash of cola, which gives the drink the same amber hue as iced tea. A popular version mixes equal parts vodka, tequila, gin, rum, triple sec, with 1+1⁄2 parts sour mix and a splash of cola. Wikipedia
Main alcohol: Vodka, Tequila, Triple sec, Gin, Rum
Ingredients:
1 oz Gomme Syrup
1 oz Lemon juice,
1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Tequila
1/2 oz Triple sec,
1/2 oz Vodka
1/2 oz White rum
 splash of Cola

Preparation: Add all ingredients into highball glass filled with ice. Stir gently. Garnish with lemon spiral. Serve with straw.
Served: On the rocks; poured over ice
Standard garnish: Lemon spiral
Drinkware: Highball glass

 

 

[grapau27]

Happy birthday Martha DW of Tony @sailingdutchy

[MISTER 67]

Greetings from beautiful Port Charlotte.

69 right now with another great day on tap with sunny skies and a high of 86.

Good selection of days.

Im not sure what started when the dog received free rollover minutes but it sounds cute.

I’ll pass on the meal.

One of these days I’m going to try the drink of the day but is it the same as a Long Island Iced Tea which I never tried.

Had a nice day yesterday on the golf course beating my age by 1 with a 77 but we lost the team game by one stroke. 
Have a great day and stay well.

Edited April 18 by MISTER 67

[aliaschief]

This morning we finally returned to Mumbai and to bed at 2:00 AM from our side trip to Agra and Taj Mahal. Up at 6:30 AM for a 8 o’clock excursion to the Gates of Mumbai and the famous Taj Hotel. The square at the gate is very popular with the Indians as it’s where they celebrate their Independence. Mumbai was formerly named Bombay but the name changed in 1995.

One of the most populated cities in the world within the surrounding area of 22 million. India is now the most populated country with a population of 1.4 billion people! 
Mumbai is the financial capitol of India and it’s wealthiest city. It’s is known as Bollywood as it’s India major filmmaking hub.

Unfortunately this very over populated country has the third largest slum in the world with 1.2 million inhabitants in Mumbai using only 800 community toilets. Sad!
We rode one of the many local passenger ferries out to Elephanta Island and climbed the 122 steps up to the Ba Tu Caves to witness the ancient Hindu carvings in the walls of the man made caves.

    After all that we are looking forward to two consecutive sea days and air conditioning. 
Thanks for the post and @kazu Jacqui I do pray for the fool to respond to treatment and that you can enjoy a well deserved cruise Bruce

 

Edited April 18 by aliaschief

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[StLouisCruisers]

Happy Birthday to Martha, DW of Tony @sailingdutchy!

 

It is also the birthday of my goddaughter and DN Lisa, who is the grandma of Elliott Rose and the new twin boys expected to be born July 25.  Happy birthday Lisa!  Lots of April birthdays in my family.

 

Enjoy your birthdays!

 

 

Best of luck today to Vanessa's @JazzyV BFF at his second MOHS surgery!  Hopeful it will be finished in one pass, and heal quickly!

 

Thanks for your photos Bruce @aliaschief.  Enjoy some relaxation time now.

[seagarsmoker]

Good morning Dailyites and thank you for the Daily Report.

Another warm morning here at 70 degrees, with a predicted high of 90 this afternoon.

Jacqui @kazu is in my thoughts today with a positive outcome with her doctor's appointment.   

I hope everyone here has a great day!

 

Edited April 18 by seagarsmoker

[grapau27]

Sandi @StLouisCruisers.

Happy birthday to Lisa.

 

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thanks for the Report.  Thanks for the maps.  Thanks for the lists.

Cool with a chance of showers today.  I'm not sure when the rain will start, but I hope it's after my morning walk.

Good days to celebrate.

Amusing quote.

I'll pass on the meal.  One Long Island Iced Tea on a hot summer day is more than enough for me.  I hope the wine isn't expensive.

Thanks for the pictures of today's port.

Prayers for our world and an extra one for @kazu.

Have a wonderful day.  Stay safe.

[puppycanducruise]

@sailingdutchy's DW   Happy Birthday! 🎂

 

@StLouisCruisers Happy Birthday to Lisa! 🎂

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

Pollen levels are very high here and I sure am noticing it.  I woke up congested and started coughing and couldn't stop, so I got up a tad early today.  I'll be glad when the trees are done budding out.  Then the grass and weeds can start in.  I do take benadryl at night for allergies, but I think it is wearing off by early morning.  

 

We're supposed to get intermittent rain today.  We had a really heavy rain storm yesterday afternoon.  We had thought about running over to Lowe's, but decided to watch a movie instead.  Turned out to be a good choice as we would have been caught in the rain.  Nothing is on the agenda for today other than a trip to the gym.  

 

Happy Birthday to Martha, DW of @sailingdutchy and Lisa, DN of @StLouisCruisers.  I hope their day is very special.

 

Healthy, healing thoughts being sent to @JazzyV's BFF and to @kazu Jacqui.  Also to all those who are suffering from bumps and bruises.  You've become too numerous to name.  Stop that!  

 

Today's meal sound tasty!   I probably wouldn't have it due to carbs and calorie load, but I wouldn't mind a taste.  https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7964556/spinach-artichoke-dip-grilled-cheese/

 

 

Oh, my!  Look at all that ooey, gooey goodness.  That would be hard to resist.  This next recipe has a bit of a bite to it with the addition of crushed red pepper flakes.  It also uses a different type of bread.  You can use your favorite bread as there is no organized bread police department to check up on you!  I might use a low carb tortilla!   https://www.budgetbytes.com/spinach-artichoke-grilled-cheese/

 

 

Wow!  Check out the calories on this next one.  The serving size is half a sandwich.  I bet it is delicious!   https://belovedplate.com/spinach-artichoke-dip-grilled-cheese-sandwich/

 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

[cat shepard]

Thank you Sandi, for taking over for Jacqui, who was posting the FR & D for Rich! Thank you for today’s maps, Roy! It was cloudy this morning, when Bindi and I went out, but the sun is breaking through now. And it is already 65. 

 

Vanessa, bless you for going with your BFF for his MOHS surgery, in spite of what you are dealing with. May Monday bring you long-deserved, permanent relief from your pain. 
 

Gym, Bindi walks, another cleaning of the cushions Bindi lies on outside and various chores. I should make up the beds in the spare bedrooms today. 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Those suffering from pain, debilitating conditions, the loss of a loved one, trauma, depression. The caregivers. 
 

Bruno, hugs to you. 
Jacqui, praying that your doctor gives you wonderful news & there will be a cruise in your future. 
Terry, praying for Tana, her son, you and your families. 
 

Cheers to all who are celebrating!

 

May we each find a reason to smile today. 
 

 

************

D'Arenberg Grenache Custodian 2011

This Australian Grenache sounds lovely. And there has even been some foot treading in its development! Another one for my list. And it is still fairly easy to find. Online prices start at $17.98.

Winemaker’s notes

The Name
During the vine pull scheme of the early 1980’s d’Arry
Osborn refused to touch his old Grenache vineyards.
When his son Chester started in the business as Chief
Winemaker in 1984 he set about acquiring more old vine
Grenache grapes and vineyards at a time when it was
considered un-fashionable. Today d’Arenberg is the
keeper of nearly one third of McLaren Vale’s old bush
vine Grenache and has earned the title of ‘Custodian’ of
the variety.
The Vintage
There was ample winter and spring rain which provided good sub soil moisture and resulted in healthy canopies and good vigour. Summer conditions were very mild. Grapes ripened gracefully with only a few small rain episodes, enough to keep the vines fresh and vibrant. Rainfall was only a little over average for the
first months of the year.
The Winemaking
Small batches of grapes are crushed gently and then transferred to five tonne headed down open fermenters. These batches remain separate until final blending. Foot treading is undertaken two thirds of the way through fermentation. The wine is then basket pressed and transferred to a mixture of new and used
French and old American oak barriques to complete fermentation. The barrel ferments are aged on lees, and there is no racking until final blending.
The Characteristics
The 2011 Custodian is a jewel of a wine that is perfectly balanced and harmonious. The first look suggests an enticing simplicity displaying primary fruit characters of mulberry, blueberry and plum. Deeper inspection however starts to reveal more complex layers, conjuring images of aniseed, fennel and coriander seed.
The palate is warm and juicy. The sweet and savoury fruits are laced by fine silken tannins which lead to a super persistent finish, again displaying a delightful fruitiness, accompanied by more savoury, cedary, baking spice like notes. Simply put, this wine is liquid velvet.

[Cruzin Terri]

Good morning all.

I am writing fast because I have had internet problems for the last two days.

I have no idea if they are resolved or not.  I just know that I have been unable to use the internet for last few days for any length of time.

Today is DH’s birthday and we will celebrate it at home.While our original plans were to go out to dinner, we have a big golf tournament going on here and I am sure reservations are hard to come by and service is not the best.

 

All is well and I will post when Hargray permits me to do so.

God Bless,

Terri

[Denise T]

Happy Thursday. Thank you for the Daily and Fleet reports. 

I do like a Long Beach Iced Tea as well as a Long Island Iced Tea. 

Well, it got cold today. Highs will be in the low 50s. It will be cloudy with a chance of rain. The grass needs cutting which I will do this weekend. Been busy with a lot of different things. Today I have two clients and my live class this evening. I like being busy. Just need to be better organized at times. I have to start preparing for my presentation at a conference in North Carolina in June. 

Thinking of all on the care list.

Celebrating with all who are celebrating. 

Have a safe and healthy day. 

[0106]

Happy Thursday!  As a former bartender, a quick comment on the drink of the day. A Long Beach iced tea is different from a Long Island iced tea.  Long Beach uses cranberry juice instead of coke. I recommend you only have one.

 

Thank you @summer slope for researching our drink everyday. Thanks to all who make this a special place.

[Sea Viewer]

Just now, 0106 said:

Happy Thursday!  As a former bartender, a quick comment on the drink of the day. A Long Beach iced tea is different from a Long Island iced tea.  Long Beach uses cranberry juice instead of coke. I recommend you only have one.

 

Just about to post this. Can I pretend that cranberry makes it "healthier" than using cola!!

[StLouisCruisers]

9 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

Good morning all.

I am writing fast because I have had internet problems for the last two days.

I have no idea if they are resolved or not.  I just know that I have been unable to use the internet for last few days for any length of time.

Today is DH’s birthday and we will celebrate it at home.While our original plans were to go out to dinner, we have a big golf tournament going on here and I am sure reservations are hard to come by and service is not the best.

 

All is well and I will post when Hargray permits me to do so.

God Bless,

Terri

 

Wow, how frustrating not having internet working.  I've had that problem for brief periods and hated it!  Good luck getting service back to where it should be.  Please tell Jim happy birthday from me!  A good day for a birthday, it seems.

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Denise T said:

Happy Thursday. Thank you for the Daily and Fleet reports. 

I do like a Long Beach Iced Tea as well as a Long Island Iced Tea. 

Well, it got cold today. Highs will be in the low 50s. It will be cloudy with a chance of rain. The grass needs cutting which I will do this weekend. Been busy with a lot of different things. Today I have two clients and my live class this evening. I like being busy. Just need to be better organized at times. I have to start preparing for my presentation at a conference in North Carolina in June. 

Thinking of all on the care list.

Celebrating with all who are celebrating. 

Have a safe and healthy day. 

 

I saw we had Long Island instead of Long Beach Iced Tea but since I don't drink cocktails normally went with it.  From what I saw online and corroborated by Tina @0106, the difference is the cranberry juice instead of Coke.  If you like strong cocktails, give one a try!

[Haljo1935]

@sailingdutchy Happy Birthday to DW Martha!🎂🥳