The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday August 22nd, 2024

[St Pete Cruiser]

Greetings everyone. 

This year's Voyage of the Vikings is almost over with our last port of Halifax today and disembark Saturday morning. It has been a good to excellent one for me. So many of the Holland America Line traditions have returned. Yes, even lobster tail last night and the  candy man at the door, without the bell boy uniform. 

Kimberly, CD, has made it almost like a World Cruise along with Henk and Captain Frank and Captain Friso. 

Dinner with an officer and so many activities we had to choose what to do.

 

[ger_77]

@kochleffelmy mother did make fruit dumplings once using plums - everyone but me enjoyed them.  My reaction - which I believe actually came from surprise -  was rather unexpected and resulted in a mess on the floor.  'nuff said.

[Overhead Fred]

@grapau27 and @Paw13 

 

[ottahand7]

13 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Good morning Dailyites 

 

Happy Anniversary to my dear friends Graham and Pauline! I love your wedding pictures, such a handsome man and beautiful bride!

 

Prayers have been lifted for everyone on Vanessa's well constructed cares list. 

 

Look at all the cruisers!! Bon Voyage to my dear friends Sharon, Debbie and Sue!

 

I love, love French onion soup. The absolute best is downtown Georgetown at Wildfire. Thank you @superoma for the recipes, and Happy Birthday to your DH.

 

My sweet sister called me! She's very groggy and is in a little bit of pain. She tolerates pain well, as do I. She said she feels like the inside of a burrito..

 

I took our luggage to UPS yesterday and got a notification from Luggage Forward they are on their way to Seattle. Kinda funny.. I had everything checked off my packing list except panties... yep, I will carry them in my carry on bag. Glad I caught that!!

 

Tonight is Game Girls night. I am making guacamole and 2 salsas, and store bought taquitos. 

 

Wishing you a blessed day!

Roy forgot his socks, I think you would have a harder time finding panties in the shops in Alaska.  I am glad you caught that!   

[grapau27]

19 minutes ago, puppycanducruise said:

@grapau27 Lovely photos, thanks for sharing.  You were (and still are) a beautiful couple.

Thank you Melanie I appreciate your nice words.

Pauline was 16 when we met and 19 when we married.

I was 24 when we married.

Pauline was 45 minutes late to church because her flowers were wrong and florist had to change them.

Needless to say there was some wisecracks in church.

Our ceremony finally started at 12.45pm.

[grapau27]

19 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Good morning Dailyites 

 

Happy Anniversary to my dear friends Graham and Pauline! I love your wedding pictures, such a handsome man and beautiful bride!

 

Prayers have been lifted for everyone on Vanessa's well constructed cares list. 

 

Look at all the cruisers!! Bon Voyage to my dear friends Sharon, Debbie and Sue!

 

I love, love French onion soup. The absolute best is downtown Georgetown at Wildfire. Thank you @superoma for the recipes, and Happy Birthday to your DH.

 

My sweet sister called me! She's very groggy and is in a little bit of pain. She tolerates pain well, as do I. She said she feels like the inside of a burrito..

 

I took our luggage to UPS yesterday and got a notification from Luggage Forward they are on their way to Seattle. Kinda funny.. I had everything checked off my packing list except panties... yep, I will carry them in my carry on bag. Glad I caught that!!

 

Tonight is Game Girls night. I am making guacamole and 2 salsas, and store bought taquitos. 

 

Wishing you a blessed day!

Thank you Joy for your nice compliments.

Best wishes to your dear sister as she recovers from her operation.

[ottahand7]

@grapau27 thanks for sharing the lovely photos of Pauline, her father and you!  

[RedneckBob]

1 hour ago, superoma said:

Sorry I am late with the meal posting today. We went out for birthday breakfast and just got back. Thanks everyone for DH’s birthday wishes.

 

French onion soup

 

Not quite soup weather yet although we had a couple of chilly starts this week. One of these versions will hit the spot when fall comes for real.

 

Best Classic French Onion Soup - Once Upon a Chef

This seems to be the classic French onion soup recipe.
 

 

 

 

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/french_onion_soup/?print

This one suggests vermouth instead of wine and focuses on the stock used.

 

 

 

 

French Onion Soup Recipe: How to Make It

 

 

This one uses port wine or dry sherry.

 

 

All of them suggests that while the soup is simple it does take time to get it right. That lovely smell of onions cooking is so perfect on a fall day. Not so much when it is 100+ outside. 

 

 

Thank goodness you are substituting for dfish. I did not want to miss dinner each day! 

[Overhead Fred]

Rotterdam and Keukenhof -

 

 

 

[Overhead Fred]

@Lady Hudson

 

[kochleffel]

20 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Pauline was 45 minutes late to church because her flowers were wrong and florist had to change them.

 

I once officiated for a wedding that started nearly an hour late because the bride, although on the premises, had decided that her hairstyle wasn't right and her sister was helping her change it. It was in the officers' club at the New London Naval Submarine Base, and although the reception bar wasn't open, the regular bar was. I was just glad that the groom and the best man, his father, stayed sober.

[Cruisercl]

Good morning everyone!

Should be a nice day here. The MN State Fair started today which is our indicator of the winding down of Summer. It is always a fun time and has all kinds of yummy foods on a stick. It is known for that....lol. It is a great get together of all of the variety of people that live in MN, sharing a good time and entertainment. All are accepted which makes it one reason it is special. Not sure if I will attend this year.

Safe travels and Bon Voyage, on your nice long cruise, to @dfish, @Sharon in AZ and @Crazy For Cats! It is a fun time traveling with other Dailyites, as you know. 😊 Nice that you are going for some pre-cruise time in Boston. 

Safe travels for everyone else traveling. Summer is a big travel time.

Prayers for comfort and healing to all of us, especially those who are struggling with health issues. We can all use some sometimes.

Thanks to all and everyone who contributes to this font of fun and knowledge. Always greatly appreciated.

Please take care all! 😎

Caron

 

[Cruising-along]

Good morning all!

I've never had bao, and hope to never need the services of a surgical oncologist.  This made me think of Rick Steves, our local travel guru, who announced yesterday that he has prostate cancer.  Apparently his doctor cleared him to do some European travel now and will have surgery later in September.

 

I like French Onion Soup.  The best I remember having was at a Dining-In when DH was in the Navy.  I know I would like the wine because it's a Marlborough SB.  The drink sounds interesting and I'd like to try it.  We've been to Rotterdam and will be there again on the '26 World.  We were there overnight in 2018 on the Voyage of the Vikings.  

 

Debbie @dfish and Sharon @Sharon in AZ Safe travels today to Boston!  

Bon Voyage @Lady Hudson!

Happy Anniversary Graham and Pauline @grapau27!

Happy Birthday to @superoma's DH!

I was very sorry to hear that @Vict0riann's DH is ill with probable pneumonia -- prayers.

@NextOne I'm happy to hear that you're doing well post surgery and that your DS is taking good care of you.

Elizabeth @Haljo1935 I hope your kitty is starting to respond to the meds.  

 

We were in Rotterdam overnight on the VOV in 2018.  The first day we went to Amsterdam and did all the touristy things (will save those photos for when we have Amsterdam) and the second day we did the Splash Tours in Rotterdam, a fun day! The next time we're there we plan to take the train to Keukenhof to see the tulip fields.  We'll be there at prime tulip blooming time!

 

Here are photos taken from the Splash Tours in Rotterdam.

 

Erasmusbrug Bridge

 

Euromast

 

Original HAL building

 

Original Rotterdam

 

 

The Shipping and Transport Building

 

I bought some tulip bulbs that bloomed the next year.  Sadly they bloomed only 2 years. 😞  

 

 

 

 

 

[kochleffel]

I wouldn't mind a peach, but I would decline a bao because the filling is usually pork. French onion soup is OK with me if the stock is homemade; otherwise it's likely to be too salty. Not familiar with the drink. For a Sauvignon Blanc, Hazlitt 1852, $21. "Enjoy this crisp, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc with notes of lemongrass and flavors of papaya, grapefruit, and gooseberry that linger on the finish."

 

A few days ago I received an urgent plea to donate blood, but today is the first day that I am eligible and I already had an appointment for this afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

[summer slope]

@grapau27Happy Anniversary you two. Happy sails to our travelers and Happy Birthday to all celebrating. 

[Lady Hudson]

Good afternoon.  Prayers for all in need.

 

Made it safely onboard and waiting for the restaurant to open.  Thank you for all the well wishes.  I am in “relaxation” mode!

 

Congratulations to Graham and Pauline.  Love your wedding picture.  
 

Katherine

[JazzyV]

Good afternoon. Thanks for the Fleet Report/Daily.

I'll have to substitute a nectarine for a peach, as that's all I have. I've never had a Bao dumpling. I'll salute surgical oncologists who help save lives by diagnosing and treating cancer. Agree with the quote. I like French Onion soup and look forward to the recipes, as it's a favorite of BFF and I plan to try making it at home. Yes to the drink and pass on the wine. I've only been to Rotterdam briefly, at the end of my transatlantic cruise last year, on a bus tour before going to the airport. I mainly stayed on the bus due to my earlier fall on the cruise ship. 3 good days in history.

 

Brrr, it was 47F this AM, now up to 66F. It will warm up each day. I have a sweatshirt on in the house. No big plans today, mainly laundry.

 

@Lady Hudson Bon Voyage!

@grapau27 @Paw13 Happy 43rd Anniversary! Thanks for the Rotterdam photos and photos from your wedding day.

@superoma Happy 79th Birthday to your DH! And thanks for doing the meals of the day while Debbie is away.

@TiogaCruiser Enjoy Saint John.

@StLouisCruisers Nice photos.

@kazu You have every right to do as you see fit with the FC list. So cute, the photo of your realtor. I hope you can pace yourself with all you need to get done. 

@LambKnuckles Cool photos.

@Heartgrove Prayers for DSIL with her surgery today. My BFF had the same surgery back in May and is doing well now, after the down time post-op.

@dfish & Sue, @Sharon in AZ Safe travels to Boston today!

@Cruzin Terri Sorry yesterday's Ophthalmology appointment was a bust; sounds like a scheduling mix up. Good luck with his Neurology appointment today. 

@NextOne I'm glad to hear that surgery went well and that DS is there to take care of you. 

@Sir PMP Thanks for the photos.

@doobieb Good news about both your DH and your friend Leesa. Enjoy having DGS with you.

@smitty34877 Sorry to hear you had so little sleep last night; I hope you can fit in a nap later. 

@Himself Nice to see you posting on the Daily.

@Seasick Sailor Continued prayers for Bonnie and hopefully each day she feels a bit better. Good thing you caught the undies omission!

@St Pete Cruiser It sounds like a very enjoyable cruise. 

@Overhead Fred Lovely photos. I hope to see Keukenhof one day.

@Cruising-along Excellent photos from Rotterdam.

@Vict0riann I hope Pat is feeling better, and that you and DD are doing well.

@HAL Sailer Thinking of you and your DH.

 

Prayers for the Care List and a Toast to those Celebrating.

 

A few Rotterdam photos

View from the bow cam as we arrived

 

The NY Hotel, former HAL HQ (sorry, from the bus, with reflections)

 

De Hef, a historical vertical lift railroad bridge  

 

Interesting office building

 

The Erasmusbrug (bridge)

 

The Cube House, a hostel in Rotterdam

 

A museum, mirrored on the outside, that looks like a giant salad bowl

 

Rotterdam V, now a hotel ship

Edited August 22 by JazzyV

[bennybear]

Good morning and thanks all!  A great day, I will gladly celebrate my wonderful surgical oncologist who is retiring this year.  Love rumchata!  And peaches!  We’ve been enjoying Peaches from an Ontario and Georgia,  sadly the BC crop was destroyed by such cold in January.  

@superomahappiest  birthday to your DH
@grapau27 Happy anniversary to you and Pauline. 
@Lady HudsonBon Voyage! 
@NextOne glad the surgery went well,  speedy healing! 
 

Rotterdam is a lovely city to visit.  We also visited beautiful Delft and Kinderdikj.  Make sure to have a rijstable.  

Rotterdam is a lovely city, we enjoyed staying there prior to a cruise on the Rotterdam.  Leaving was so memorable, with so many boats celebrating.  @ger_77 we did the trifecta too,  in 2013.  Wondering if you were onboard? 

Edited August 22 by bennybear

[sailingdutchy]

Thank you for the Fleet Report and all the Daily News .

 

My special thoughts today are with our very good friends Ann and Pat  @Vict0riann !

 

Edited August 22 by sailingdutchy

[sailingdutchy]

 

A few new photos of Rotterdam and area from when we were with the Rotterdam VII  celebrating Holland America’s 150 Anniversary on April 18th , 2023.

 

Pictures of the Erasmus Bridge , Hotel New York , the former Holland America Line Headquarters and the SS Rotterdam V   Hotel / Museum 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About 65 years ago myself an my 2 younger brothers were present at the Christening of the SS Rotterdam on Sep 13 , 1958 by the then Queen Juliana of the Netherlands near Rotterdam ……..and last month I was finally able to get on board while we were for 2 days in Port ! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were there ! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From on top Hotel New York 

 

 

Departure Rotterdam

 

 

 

 

 These huge doors that in case of extreme high water levels could close the water way to prevent flooding of much of the grounds behind that are below sea level to flood .

 

Tony 😁😁

[grapau27]

16 minutes ago, bennybear said:

Good morning and thanks all!  A great day, I will gladly celebrate my wonderful surgical oncologist who is retiring this year.  Love rumchata!  And peaches!  We’ve been enjoying Peaches from an Ontario and Georgia,  sadly the BC crop was destroyed by such cold in January.  

@superomahappiest  birthday to your DH
@grapau27 Happy anniversary to you and Pauline. 
@Lady HudsonBon Voyage! 
@NextOne glad the surgery went well,  speedy healing! 
 

Rotterdam is a lovely city to visit.  We also visited beautiful Delft and Kinderdikj.  Make sure to have a rijstable.  

Rotterdam is a lovely city, we enjoyed staying there prior to a cruise on the Rotterdam.  Leaving was so memorable, with so many boats celebrating.  @ger_77 we did the trifecta too,  in 2013.  Wondering if you were onboard? 

Thank you and nice photos of you two and Rotterdam.

[quilty964]

Hello Dailyites!  It's another cooler day here, but the forecast is for high 80's on Saturday and Sunday.  Tonight is Concert in the Park night.  It's a Steely Dan tribute band this evening.  I'll say yes to the meal and drink.  I've never made French Onion soup, but I do like it!  The port pictures today look very nice!  Thanks for sharing!  Our neighbor is seeing his surgical oncologist today.  He was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and has started chemo.  They aren't sure yet what the next steps will be.  

Happy Anniversary to Graham and Pauline! @grapau27

Enjoy your special day! 

Bon voyage to those getting on cruise ships and thanks for the meal suggestions and recipes!  Prayers for all on the care list, and cheers for the rest.  I'm hoping all of the kitties are doing ok today.  

Have a good day.  I'm trying a sourdough pull-apart roll recipe today...wish me luck!  DH likes the bread for his lunch, I asked if he'd like bread or rolls, he picked rolls today.  Karen

[richwmn]

Nat Geo channel is currently showing a series on lost citys.

Currently showing Petra, next somewhere in Indonesia, then Maccu Pichu.

One hour each

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

3 hours ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Good morning Dailyites 

 

Happy Anniversary to my dear friends Graham and Pauline! I love your wedding pictures, such a handsome man and beautiful bride!

 

Prayers have been lifted for everyone on Vanessa's well constructed cares list. 

 

Look at all the cruisers!! Bon Voyage to my dear friends Sharon, Debbie and Sue!

 

I love, love French onion soup. The absolute best is downtown Georgetown at Wildfire. Thank you @superoma for the recipes, and Happy Birthday to your DH.

 

My sweet sister called me! She's very groggy and is in a little bit of pain. She tolerates pain well, as do I. She said she feels like the inside of a burrito..

 

I took our luggage to UPS yesterday and got a notification from Luggage Forward they are on their way to Seattle. Kinda funny.. I had everything checked off my packing list except panties... yep, I will carry them in my carry on bag. Glad I caught that!!

 

Tonight is Game Girls night. I am making guacamole and 2 salsas, and store bought taquitos. 

 

Wishing you a blessed day!

 

Joy, I'm glad your sister is doing well even if a bit groggy.  I'm glad to know I'm not the only one to forget something.  In my case, it a pajamas.  I borrowed one of DH's t-shirts and added a "slip" that is made like a pair of shorts.

 

2 hours ago, Cruisercl said:

Good morning everyone!

Should be a nice day here. The MN State Fair started today which is our indicator of the winding down of Summer. It is always a fun time and has all kinds of yummy foods on a stick. It is known for that....lol. It is a great get together of all of the variety of people that live in MN, sharing a good time and entertainment. All are accepted which makes it one reason it is special. Not sure if I will attend this year.

Safe travels and Bon Voyage, on your nice long cruise, to @dfish, @Sharon in AZ and @Crazy For Cats! It is a fun time traveling with other Dailyites, as you know. 😊 Nice that you are going for some pre-cruise time in Boston. 

Safe travels for everyone else traveling. Summer is a big travel time.

Prayers for comfort and healing to all of us, especially those who are struggling with health issues. We can all use some sometimes.

Thanks to all and everyone who contributes to this font of fun and knowledge. Always greatly appreciated.

Please take care all! 😎

Caron

 

 

Caron, believe it or not, but these Texans have been to the Minnesota State Fair, in I think 2004.  Our younger DD was getting her masters at the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota.  Her apartment was on the corner of Larpenteur and Snelling, so we could walk to the fair.  We tried all sorts of food, but she wanted us to try the fried cheese curds, which were good but salty.  I just looked on Google Maps, and her apartment building is long gone.

 

2 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

Good morning all!

I've never had bao, and hope to never need the services of a surgical oncologist.  This made me think of Rick Steves, our local travel guru, who announced yesterday that he has prostate cancer.  Apparently his doctor cleared him to do some European travel now and will have surgery later in September.

 

I like French Onion Soup.  The best I remember having was at a Dining-In when DH was in the Navy.  I know I would like the wine because it's a Marlborough SB.  The drink sounds interesting and I'd like to try it.  We've been to Rotterdam and will be there again on the '26 World.  We were there overnight in 2018 on the Voyage of the Vikings.  

 

Debbie @dfish and Sharon @Sharon in AZ Safe travels today to Boston!  

Bon Voyage @Lady Hudson!

Happy Anniversary Graham and Pauline @grapau27!

Happy Birthday to @superoma's DH!

I was very sorry to hear that @Vict0riann's DH is ill with probable pneumonia -- prayers.

@NextOne I'm happy to hear that you're doing well post surgery and that your DS is taking good care of you.

Elizabeth @Haljo1935 I hope your kitty is starting to respond to the meds.  

 

We were in Rotterdam overnight on the VOV in 2018.  The first day we went to Amsterdam and did all the touristy things (will save those photos for when we have Amsterdam) and the second day we did the Splash Tours in Rotterdam, a fun day! The next time we're there we plan to take the train to Keukenhof to see the tulip fields.  We'll be there at prime tulip blooming time!

 

Here are photos taken from the Splash Tours in Rotterdam.

 

Erasmusbrug Bridge

 

Euromast

 

Original HAL building

 

Original Rotterdam

 

 

The Shipping and Transport Building

 

I bought some tulip bulbs that bloomed the next year.  Sadly they bloomed only 2 years. 😞  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carolyn, I was sorry to read that Rick Steves has prostate cancer.  I hope it is slow growing and that he can have a good outcome.

 

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, I forgot to mention earlier that the bird in your picture is a white stork.

@doobieb  Debbie, I also forgot to say I'm glad your friend Leesa is doing well and does not need any further treatment.

@Vict0riann  Ann, I hope Pat is feeling better today, and that you and your DD are doing well.

 

A big thank you to everyone who has posted pictures of Rotterdam today.  I've enjoyed seeing them.  I am not naming names because I'd probably leave someone out.

 

Lenda

Edited August 22 by Quartzsite Cruiser

[luvteaching]

Good morning, 

 

Happy Anniversary @grapau27 Graham and Pauline!

@Vict0riann I hope Pat is making progress on conquering pneumonia and DD is doing well. 

It's a mix of sun and clouds here. I've been puttering around the house, my neighbor has come for tea, and I have to be out by 2:00 PM to head to a friend's house for a visit. My neighbor and her husband will meet me there. He repairs clocks and is going to look at my friend's grandfather clock as we ladies visit a bit. My friend has also requested cookies so I'll see what's in the freezer. 

 

Had the first corn-on-the-cob last night and it was delicious! I did it in the air fryer and it came out perfect!

 

Karen