The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday February 16th, 2023

[cat shepard]

 

Today is Do a Grouch a Favor Day, National Cut The Cord Day, and National Innovation Day
 

Life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating. - O. Henry

Meal Suggestion for today - Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Drink of the Day - Bloody Beam
Wine of the Day - Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy 2015 
Destination of the Day - Barcelona, Spain
 

Eurodam

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 10:00 - 17:00
 

Koningsdam

At Sea Destination Ensenada, Baja California Mexico eta 2-17
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

Willemstad Curacao, Netherlands Antilles 17:00 Depart
 

Nieuw Statendam

At Sea Destination Half Moon Cay, Bahamas eta 2-17
 

Oosterdam

At Sea Destination Ushuaia, Argentina eta 2-17
 

Rotterdam

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 08:00 - 15:00
 

Volendam

At Sea Destination Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil eta 2-17
 

Zaandam

At Sea Destination San Diego, California eta 2-18

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Noordam

Fiordland National Park, New Zealand 07:00 - 08:00
 

Westerdam

At Sea Destination Probolinggo, Java Indonesia eta 2-18
 

Zuiderdam

Kangaroo Island, Penneshaw, South Australia 08:00 - 18:00

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann for Paul, Sandi, Roy & Rich - the creator of this info!

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[ottahand7]

Good morning everyone.  We are off the coast of Brazil heading into Santos tomorrow.   Have a wonderful day! Nancy 

[cat shepard]

Thank you Rich for keeping us going, while you are cruising the World! Vanessa, thank you for keeping track of all our happenings for our lists. 
 

Just an exquisite morning here. Zumba, Bindi walks and yard work round out my day. And I need to explore my Fitbit more. 
 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone!

 

***********

Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy 2015 

This wine’s superb ratings come with a hefty price to match. I would love a taste, though even a taste might be outside my budget! A decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $395.00. 

Winemaker Notes

#1 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2018

Intense, concentrated and deep ruby-colored, this wine offers elegant, complex aromas of red fruit. In the mouth it is rich and dense, yet harmonious, with sweet, balanced tannins. The wine has a long finish with a depth and structure that ensure its extraordinary longevity.

Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc

D98 Decanter

The first Cabernet grapes were picked on September 10th under perfect conditions, with yields a little lower than average. As is usual at Tenuta San Guido, the fruit for Sassicaia was gently crushed and fermented in stainless steel using natural yeasts. After the malolactic fermentation, the wine spent two years in French oak prior to bottling. This is certainly an exceptional Sassicaia, with a sumptuous nose of ripe, creamy black and red fruit with cedar and spice notes. The colour is by no means dark (as is often the case with Sassicaia), and the impression on the palate is one of controlled power underpinned by gorgeous sweetness and flowing elegance. This is a very confident wine with real authority and presence, beginning with a magnificent attack of rich cassis and ripe griotte cherry followed by cigar box and leather notes, and a long finish of savoury bay leaf and minerals. It's deceptively structured, the tannins wonderfully ripe, creamy and finely textured, while the juicy acidity also suggests that this wine has a very long life ahead of it. This 2015 exhibits everything that you’d want from Sassicaia - and more - because of its winning combination of winemaking savoir-faire, world-class terroir, old vine fruit, and an outstanding vintage. It is unarguably stunning.

JS98 James Suckling

Love the aromas to this young red with blackcurrants, sage, cinnamon and five-spice character. Changes all the time. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with a ripe and rich tannin backbone that gives form and beauty to the ripe and beautiful fruit. Tight and very long. Approachable now but will reward more in five to six years. A classic Sassicaia.

RP97 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Having followed this wine's evolution in barrel for the past few years, it is an honor to evaluate the final product. This Sassicaia has blossomed since my previous encounters with it as a young, awkward adolescent. The long-awaited 2015 Bolgheri Sassicaia represents a tremendous effort that comes together with seamless precision and focus. This is a confident and proud red wine from Tuscany. Starting with the primary material at hand, you sense the quality of fruit thanks to the wine's beautifully dark appearance and the rich texture it offers to the palate. The acidity is integrated, but more freshness still would have been welcomed in my view (and would also contribute to its longevity). The bouquet is amplified both in terms of volume and length. Its playlist includes dark berry fruit, spice, leather, licorice and roasted coffee bean. Yet, the mouthfeel is extremely graceful and silky. The wine's undisputed pedigree is showcased on the palate. It should also be noted that this edition of Sassicaia feels more ready and open to me. It will age and evolve beautifully, but the 2015 Sassicaia can also be enjoyed in the medium-term. This wine is all about the here and now.

WE97 Wine Enthusiast

This iconic wine’s blackberry, cedar and vanilla aromas fill the glass. The elegant, structured palate delivers juicy black currant, black cherry, exotic spice, crushed herb and menthol flavors alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. It boasts a fantastic combination of delicious, ripe fruits, balanced by remarkable freshness and agility for the hot vintage. Drink 2022–2035. 

Cellar Selection

WS97 Wine Spectator

Rich and concentrated, this red features black currant, blackberry, violet, mineral and spice flavors. Dense yet lively, structured yet impeccably balanced, with vibrant acidity driving the long, fruit-filled aftertaste. The oak is beautifully integrated. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2042.

W&S97 Wine & Spirits

The warm and dry 2015 growing season produced some bold and beautiful wines from Bolgheri, and Sassicaia leads the pack. Fine-boned and silky, it radiates elegance and balance. Flavors of black cherry and raspberry are saturating yet seemingly weightless, warmed by lingering notes of licorice and subtle spice. The fruit has a very slight tartness that adds lift and suggests the grapes were picked at the perfect moment. The flavors continue to gain momentum and energy over several days, indicating the long life that lies ahead of this wine.

[grapau27]

Good afternoon.

We both have raspy coughs so took another test and we were both negative.

Thank you Ann @cat shepard for supplying the opportunity to post on today's daily reports.

Interesting days

We have been to Barcelona many times and it is a lovely city.

Best wishes for those on our care lists.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Graham.

 

[summer slope]

Bloody Beam cocktail:

 

Ingredients:
1.5 Parts Jim Beam Original
2 Basil Leaves
0.75 Part Cinnamon Simple Syrup
4 Dashes Worcestershire Sauce
Lemon Wedge
Rim Glass Tajin Spice
Directions:
In a mixing glass muddle the sauces, spices and basil leaves. Add all remaining ingredients and roll back and forth with ice in a mixing tin. Pour over ice in glass rimmed with Tajin spice. Optional: Substitute V8 Light Mix for Bloody Mary Mix.

 

[seagarsmoker]

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

[JazzyV]

Today’s care list:

Roy slowly improving; more tests ordered

Tupper10 with back pain despite epidural

Cruising sister’s niece with seizure disorder, looking for new employment

36,000+ deaths after Turkish & Syrian earthquakes

Citizens of Ukraine

From the rotation:

Cruising sister recovering from hand surgery

Jacqui recovering from elbow surgery

Scrapnana undergoing chemotherapy
Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1) and JAM37 (7/7)

 

Celebrations and Shout outs:

Cat Shepherd’s great job in starting the Fleet Report/Daily every day

Seasick Sailor visiting family in San Diego

Kochleffel feeling better

Tupper10’s son released from the hospital

 

2 days for Seasick Sailor (Koningsdam 2/18 to 3/25)

2 days for 57redbird (Koningsdam 2/18 to 3/25)
StLouisCruisers (Sky Princess to 2/18), Cruzin Terri (Oceania Sirena to 2/19), Norseh2o (Oceania Marina to 4/6), Lindaler and Ottahand7 (Volendam to 3/18), and Cat in My Lap, Gail&Marty, Richwmn and HorizonChaser1957 (Zuiderdam to 5/12) at sea

[RedneckBob]

Thanks for the Fleet update and general info.

National cut the cord day. What’s this all about. No way am I going to cut any of my electrical cords. This day must be sponsored by Home Depot or Lowe’s!

[ger_77]

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  I don't know any real grouches, although I've run into some on cruises.  I think cut the cord day means to go wireless - so I'll use my earbuds instead of the wired headset.  LOL  Where would we be without the wonderful innovations made in technology?

 

We love Barcelona and have been there several times - this last time we were lucky enough to find a new favourite hotel for our next visit.  I'd love to try today's wine, but that won't be happening unless we win the lottery!

 

Well the temperatures dropped overnight and we're sitting at -26C (-15F), but that's all part of winter.  Yesterday we had a skiff of snow, which meant the roads were slick with ice from the previous day's melt, resulting in lots of fender benders throughout the city.  Thankfully we avoided being caught in any of them.

 

DH and his son are heading out to the countryside today - his son wants to check on his acreage (there have been so many break-ins), and look at the chip in the trail cameras he's posted for security.  They'll be sure to bring along heavy duty winter gear with tall boots, toques, big parkas and thick mitts as well.  While they're gone I'll stay home and enjoy the fireplace where I'll continue to knit blankets for kiddles going into foster care.  I finished my 4th last night and still have a couple of afghans to unravel for the yarn, so that will keep me busy for a good part of the day.

 

I'm sure I'd like today's menu suggestion, but I have some veggies that need to be used up, so we'll be enjoying veggie omelets with a fried ham steak at the kitchen table tonight.  And wine.

 

Prayers for everyone who needs them - and there are so many!  We'll cheer to all who have celebrations in their lives.

 

Smooth Sailing!  🙂🙂🙂

Gerry

 

 

[rafinmd]

Thank you Rich, Ann, and Vanessa for today's daily.  I had my CT scan yesterday and the blood draw today.  I decided last night to watch my last couple of hours of tv from bed.  Don't think I really slept but at least got catatonic and remember virtually nothing from the shows, and while I'm not sure I really slept well after 3 I think I got a little closer to it.

 

Been to Barcelona several times but I don't think ever on a BHB.

 

Roy

[kazu]

Thanks for our Thursday Daily, Ann and the excellent lists, Vanessa.

 

An interesting collection of days.  My friend is celebrating do a grouch a favour day as she is picking me up for a couple of errands and we will do lunch 👍  Best to get it done before the freezing rain and ice comes tomorrow 😔  So exciting to get out of the house 😉 

 

 

I hope today’s quote is not true for most of the Daily-ites. 🤞. Today’s meal sounds yummy.  thanks as always to our F & B department - Debbie and Ann 👍 

 

 

Love Barcelona and I’m confident many on here do as well and there will be lots of pics.  If I have any that are different, I will post.

 

Beautiful day here - sun is shining and it’s above freezing!  I’ll enjoy it while it lasts the few hours we have it.

 

 

Well, I better get cracking and prep for my big excitement.  A list would be a good idea so I don’t forget something I need. 😉 

 

 

Prayers for those on the Care list, the people of Ukraine & New Zealand, victims of the earthquake and those that need them.  And a big 🥂 to those on the Celebration list.

 

Have a great Thursday everyone !!!!!

[Himself]

Thank you for the Daily and Fleet report.

[ocean sounds]

Good morning, and thanks @cat shepard, for today’s Daily and Fleet report.

 

I thought this shirt fitting for today 

 

[ocean sounds]

@kazu, I continue to be amazed how you can type and contribute so much with your elbow injury.  Thanks, and Prayers for healing and less pain 🙏🏻

[Himself]

11 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Thank you Rich, Ann, and Vanessa for today's daily.  I had my CT scan yesterday and the blood draw today.  I decided last night to watch my last couple of hours of tv from bed.  Don't think I really slept but at least got catatonic and remember virtually nothing from the shows, and while I'm not sure I really slept well after 3 I think I got a little closer to it.

 

Been to Barcelona several times but I don't think ever on a BHB.

 

Roy

I hope the Blood draw shows you in good shape.

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Morning Everyone, thanks for the daily fleet report.  Another beautiful warm day, at least for February, in New England.  Yesterday I made my final payment for the July cruise.  Still a huge challenge to make the payment on the correct cruise, it kept going to the May cruise which is paid in full.

I hope everyone has a good day today.

[0106]

Thanks for getting us started @cat shepard and to all who post.  

 

I believe there may be an error the Bloody Beam recipe @summer slope  I think the cinnamon simple syrup should be omitted and V8 (or tomato juice) added instead.  I use 1 part alcohol to 4 part mixer in my Bloody Mary’s.  I always add some type of hot sauce too.

 

I’m sure there will be many photos of Barcelona so I’ll share some of the delicious food we ate there

before our transatlantic cruise on the Oosterdam last Fall.  We arrived early after an overnight flight and immediately walked to the Mercado de La Boqueria.

 

 

 

We went for tapas every evening.

Octopus 

Scallops

Burrata

Ceviche

Paella

Pork cheek

 

Edited February 16, 2023 by 0106

[smitty34877]

Good morning. I looked at @ger_77’s temperature this morning and then ours. It will reach 70 today and is already 60. DD had words with the teenager about the advisability of wearing shorts to school. DD won the argument and I saw him leave with jeans on.

We cut the cable TV cord a few years ago and use streaming services. I could probably finance a trip to somewhere(anywhere) with the dollars saved.We have a neighborhood grouch that I make sure I always say hello to. He remains in his grouchy state at all times. 
We have been to Barcelona twice and really enjoyed our time  there. We visited the Sagrada Familia and Parc Gruel and tried to eat as much of the wonderful ham we found in most restaurants. It is just a beautiful city with so much to see and do there.

I hope @erewhon and family are ok. The pictures from New Zealand are awful.

@kazu, very happy that you get sprung from the house today. Enjoy.

 

[aliaschief]

Good morning! We have a sign of spring in the air as the azaleas are starting to bloom. Back in 1995 when  we bought our house brand new I planted 50 azaleas around the house so we do get pretty colorful this time of year.

I did manage to get a lot of chores done yesterday and have a few more planned for today. We are in a severe storm alert for this evening so we will be keeping attuned to weather reports.

Definitely will be watching the qualifying races tonight from Daytona. Auto racing, especially NASCAR, is my favorite sport and Speed Week leading up to the Daytona 500 is always exciting. At least to me and maybe Redneck Bob! That is if he truly is a redneck?😁

Debbie and Ann thanks for your food and wine columns. Thanks Ann for the jumpstart and to all who contribute to the Daily.

We have been to Barcelona several times and are looking forward to starting our Intensive Spain and France cruises there in June.

Have a great day everyone.

Bruce

 

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

Our string of good weather is over and today is bringing a snow storm to us this afternoon.  We are supposed to get 2-5 inches of the white, fluffy stuff.  My plan is to hit the gym early this morning and then the grocery store right after that.  Then I'll be ready for whatever Mother Nature brings us.  

 

Today's meal is a great one.  I have made similar with salmon and it was really good.   If you follow keto, this would work for you.  It is a great low carb dish as well.  We'll start with this one:  https://downshiftology.com/recipes/creamy-tuscan-chicken/

 

 

This one has slightly different seasonings.   https://www.spoonforkbacon.com/tuscan-chicken/

 

 

This next recipe adds in mushrooms and green onions.  I love both, so bring it on!   https://natashaskitchen.com/tuscan-chicken/

 

 

This one adds a little tomato paste to the sauce.   https://www.aheadofthyme.com/creamy-tuscan-chicken/

 

 

This is a rich dish and a small helping goes a long way.  You can put the sauce over rice or pasta, but if you're looking to keep it low carb, make it riced cauliflower or zoodles.  A good piece of rustic bread would be great for sopping up the delicious sauce.

 

Prayers for all who need them today.  Wishing you all a wonderful day.

 

[grapau27]

[rafinmd]

I was wondering how @kazu would react to Barcelona as it seems like her last visit there ended quite badly.

 

Roy

[GTVCRUISER]

Good Morning from San Diego 🙂 

Edited February 16, 2023 by GTVCRUISER
spelling

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  Eating a late, light breakfast since we stuffed ourselves last night at Sabatini’s. We expected to dock at Costa Maya by 7 am but we went on past. The Captain announced conditions were to rough for that unprotected dock so we will miss our port today. Two sea days before we get back to Ft. Lauderdale. 
 

Tonight is Captain’s Circle cocktail party and dinner in the MDR. Formal night also. Hope all have a great day. Prayers for our list and all around the world suffering from disasters. Cheers to the rest of you🥂🥂