The Fleet Report and Daily for Monday April 24th, 2023

[StLouisCruisers]

Today is Pig in a Blanket Day, Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, and Scream Day
 

I don't have a bank account because I don't know my mother's maiden name. - Paula Poundstone

Meal Suggestion for today - Vegetarian Eggplant Lasagna
Drink of the Day - Cucumber Cooler
Wine of the Day - Borne of Fire Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington State
Destination of the Day - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Today in History:
1962 Massachusetts Institute of Technology sends TV signal by satellite for 1st time: California to Massachusetts

Ship Locations
 

Eurodam

San Diego, California 08:00 - 16:00
 

Koningsdam

Hilo, Hawaii Island 18:00 Depart
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 07:00 - 13:00
 

Nieuw Statendam

Livorno, Florence-Pisa, Italy 07:00 - 23:00
 

Noordam

Honolulu, Oahu Island, Hawaii 23:00 Depart
 

Oosterdam

Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy 07:00 - 16:00
 

Rotterdam

Amsterdam, Holland 07:00 - 17:00
 

Volendam

Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica 07:00 - 16:00
 

Zaandam

Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada 09:00 - 18:00
 

Zuiderdam

Haugesund, Norway 08:00 - 17:00

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Westerdam

Remain in Yokohama, Japan due to weather

 

 

 

 

Sandi for Rich

[lvhh]

Good early Morning everyone!  Thanks for all the info. Have a great day.

[grapau27]

Good morning from a wet 41°F North East England at 10.16am.

Thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers for posting today's reports introduction.

Pigs in Blankets is a popular food at Christmas in the UK.

Pauline has a loud scream especially if she sees a spider.

Funny quote today.

I prefer meat lasagna but have eaten vegetable lasagna before.

Good wishes to all of my friends on the Daily and fleet reports thread for good health and enjoyable cruising.

Graham.

[StLouisCruisers]

 

Good morning friends!  There are some raindrops in the area just north of us but I don't see any on my sidewalk. ☔ Temp is 51F with a high of 67 later and a mix of clouds and sun expected.  Thank you Rich @richwmn for compiling the Fleet Report and Daily for us.  I did change Westerdam since there was a change in plans for them due to weather.  The "live from" threads provide us with up to date information.  Aren't we lucky we have them?

 

Today, let's celebrate pigs in a blanket.  Not in the mood?  I will have to see how I feel later. 🤷‍♀️ We also want to honor Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.  This goes all the way back to WW1.  And why not let it all out with Scream Day?  Sometimes you must feel like doing that.  Our quote today from Paula Poundstone is a funny one.  Today Debbie @dfish will show us a Vegetarian Eggplant Lasagna.  The drink of the day is a Cucumber Cooler.  Sounds refreshing but no thank you.  And the wine is a fine Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State.🍷  Thanks to Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for enlightening us on those two.  

 

Thanks in advance to Eva @superoma who is standing in on the Care and Celebration lists.  Prayers for all in need and we certainly have quite a few here who are ailing or in distress.  Prayers continue for the acts going on in Ukraine.🙏  Cheers to all on the Celebration list.  🎉🥂  We're thrilled to have some good news once in a while.  Congrats to the Jaguars for a 3 and 0 spring season!⚽  May all of you on cruises enjoy your day wherever you are.  🚢

 

Our port today is Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala.  We had that port once before on October 30, 2022 and I will copy and paste the link here from that date.  Then you shall see my photos once again.  Hope all here who have any pics to share will do so.

 

 

On Good Friday, 2016 the Westerdam arrived in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala.  Tours to Antigua for the Good Friday celebrations were completely sold out so we were forced to hang out at the port.  I had some friends on board from Australia who went there though and they came back to report on it to me.  They also gave me some beautiful photos to ooh and aah over.  This is what it looked like from the ship. 

 

 

 

We made the best of our time there and walked around the nicely landscaped thatched roof "terminal" area.

 

 

I guess these statues look like Mayan warriors.

 

We wandered through a park-like area near the terminal.  

 

 

We saw a tree with thick thorns on it, the national tree!

 

 

 

Inside the terminal.

 

My friend Jenny from Australia gave me a few photos of Antigua and a volcano seen on the way there.

 

The Easter week celebration in Guatemala is called Semana Santa, where they honor the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ.  They use flowers to make these beautiful designs on the street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm so sorry I missed all this!  If you can ever get to Antigua during Easter week, make sure you don't miss it!

 

I hope all here have a fantastic Monday and stay safe.

[grapau27]

9 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

Good morning friends!  There are some raindrops in the area just north of us but I don't see any on my sidewalk. ☔ Temp is 51F with a high of 67 later and a mix of clouds and sun expected.  Thank you Rich @richwmn for compiling the Fleet Report and Daily for us.  I did change Westerdam since there was a change in plans for them due to weather.  The "live from" threads provide us with up to date information.  Aren't we lucky we have them?

 

Today, let's celebrate pigs in a blanket.  Not in the mood?  I will have to see how I feel later. 🤷‍♀️ We also want to honor Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.  This goes all the way back to WW1.  And why not let it all out with Scream Day?  Sometimes you must feel like doing that.  Our quote today from Paula Poundstone is a funny one.  Today Debbie @dfish will show us a Vegetarian Eggplant Lasagna.  The drink of the day is a Cucumber Cooler.  Sounds refreshing but no thank you.  And the wine is a fine Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State.🍷  Thanks to Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for enlightening us on those two.  

 

Thanks in advance to Eva @superoma who is standing in on the Care and Celebration lists.  Prayers for all in need and we certainly have quite a few here who are ailing or in distress.  Prayers continue for the acts going on in Ukraine.🙏  Cheers to all on the Celebration list.  🎉🥂  We're thrilled to have some good news once in a while.  Congrats to the Jaguars for a 3 and 0 spring season!⚽  May all of you on cruises enjoy your day wherever you are.  🚢

 

Our port today is Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala.  We had that port once before on October 30, 2022 and I will copy and paste the link here from that date.  Then you shall see my photos once again.  Hope all here who have any pics to share will do so.

 

 

On Good Friday, 2016 the Westerdam arrived in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala.  Tours to Antigua for the Good Friday celebrations were completely sold out so we were forced to hang out at the port.  I had some friends on board from Australia who went there though and they came back to report on it to me.  They also gave me some beautiful photos to ooh and aah over.  This is what it looked like from the ship. 

 

 

 

We made the best of our time there and walked around the nicely landscaped thatched roof "terminal" area.

 

 

I guess these statues look like Mayan warriors.

 

We wandered through a park-like area near the terminal.  

 

 

We saw a tree with thick thorns on it, the national tree!

 

 

 

Inside the terminal.

 

My friend Jenny from Australia gave me a few photos of Antigua and a volcano seen on the way there.

 

The Easter week celebration in Guatemala is called Semana Santa, where they honor the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ.  They use flowers to make these beautiful designs on the street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm so sorry I missed all this!  If you can ever get to Antigua during Easter week, make sure you don't miss it!

 

I hope all here have a fantastic Monday and stay safe.

Thank you for your photos Sandi and the amazing photos your Australian friend shared with you from her tour.

Breaking news in the UK 

Len Goodman has died aged 78.

He is best known as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing.

Condolences to his family and friends.

Graham.

Edited April 24, 2023 by grapau27

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Morning Everyone, thanks for the daily fleet report.  Pigs in a blanket are a good but haven’t had them in a long time.  Today’s meal suggestion could be ok but I go prefer some meat in my lasagna.  We did finish the Picard series yesterday, we both enjoyed it very much.  I hope everyone has a good day today.

[RedneckBob]

Thanks for the Fleet Update and General I do SCL.

 

Scream Day, are you kidding me again. Who comes up with these things. 
And Pigs in the Blanket Day. Do you know how hard it is to rap a blanket around a pig!

Edited April 24, 2023 by RedneckBob

[Ichiban Nekko]

Good Morning Daily-ites!

 

We have been in France for a few weeks. Consequently, I am way, way behind in my CC reading. And on this thread, there are so many days, quotes, recipes (food & drink), fabulous photos of ports - some of which we may never see in person -- to catch up on.

 

We took a tour that started in Paris, then proceeded to Normandy (including Juno Beach), Brittany, the Loire Valley, returning to Paris. It has been some years since we've done a group tour. We spent at least two nights at each stop and added extra time in Paris at the end. We had a fabulous Tour Director and Driver, who ensured we had full days with so much to see and learn. The food and wine were, ahem, very nice too 😉  Our phones tell us that we put in 10K+ steps each day, which helped offset all those great croissants, etc.

 

After we untangle all the mail, finances, etc., associated with this adventure, we will focus on our upcoming Zuiderdam cruise from Quebec. One aspect we are looking forward to is not having to have our bags out and be at the bus by a certain time - except of course on the dreaded Disembarkation Day, LOL.

 

Best wishes to all,

- Cat

[dobiemom]

Good very early morning! I’m still getting the sleep thing figured out, but it looks like sleeping 2-3 hours at a stretch a few times a day is the best I can do. 
 

Thanks for the Daily and Fleet reports. Prayers for the Care List and Cheers for the Celebration List. Thank you all for caring and sharing. Stay safe and healthy everyone. 🙂

Edited April 24, 2023 by dobiemom

[Seasick Sailor]

Good morning Dailyites. Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend. 

 

Thank you Sandi for the great job of posting the Daily and taking time to post and repost the pictures on the port of the day. 

 

Yesterday was cold and blustery. Today will be cloudy and 66. I was able to accomplish my chores yesterday except file away papers and shred the rest. 

 

Made our hotel reservations early for Hyatt Centric and plane reservations for Nov. since we are flying on Thanksgiving Day.  

 

Gosh there have been very few times I recall screaming. 

Pigs in a blanket.. have not had them in years. 

 

 

 

 

 

We have a little bird nesting in our rose bush outside our bedroom window. She stuck it out through the storm the other night. I think she chose a safe place to nest and I enjoy watching her from our window.

 

Take care. Lifting up prayers for all in need of them. My heart goes out to the people who are caught between the fighting and wars. 

[seagarsmoker]

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

[summer slope]

DD, DSIL, and DGS are here for a week.  Headed to Legoland today..  He has been enjoying the pool, into it yesterday morning at 7:30.

 

Cucumber Cooler cocktail:

 

Ingredients
2 parts EFFEN® Cucumber Vodka
3/4 part Midori® Melon Liqueur
3/4 part Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 part Simple Syrup
3 Slices of Cucumber

Instructions
Muddle cucumbers, lime juice and simple syrup in a mixing tin. Add ice, Midori® Melon Liqueur & vodka. Shake and strain into rocks glass. Garnish with cucumber slices.

 

[kazu]

Thanks for our Monday Daily, Sandi.

 

We should always remember all horrific genocides.  May they never happen again. 🙏🏻 I’ll wait until Wednesday to celebrate scream day - hopefully I don’t but I’m afraid one might slip out. 😳 everyone else can have my pigs in a blanket.

 

 

LOL on that quote from Paula.  Not sure on the meal today.  I’ll wait for Debbie @dfish.

 

Off for my booster in a couple of hours.  I think it’s the 4th?  It’s raining out so that might nix any outside work today and depending on my arm, it might be just as well LOL.

 

My little birds are back that shouldn’t be here.  They are looking for the hanging baskets to hide in.  I told them it’s too early to put them out.  This happens every year but it seems they are much earlier this year.

 

 

@Ichiban Nekko your trip sounds fabulous.  

 

@dobiemom ugh on only 2 - 3 hours of sleep at a time.  That’s not enough 😔 I hope you can find a way to get more continuous sleep 🤞

 

Prayers for everyone on the Care list & for those that need them and a toast 🥂 to those on the Celebratory / Shout Out list.

 

 

Have a great Monday, everyone.

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thank you for the Daily and Fleet Report.

 

Another rainy, cool day here.

 

An interesting collection of days.  We must never forget genocides.  Some days I feel like screaming, I didn't realize it was therapeutic.  Not a big fan of pigs in a blanket, someone else can have mine.

Amusing quote.

I like vegetarian lasagna, looking forward to seeing the recipe.

The drink sounds tasty, hope the wine isn't too pricey.

Thanks for the pictures of today's port.

Prayers for everyone.  Sorry to hear about Len Goodman's passing.  RIP

Cheers for all the celebrations.

 

Have a wonderful Monday.

[ocean sounds]

38 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

We have a little bird nesting in our rose bush outside our bedroom window. She stuck it out through the storm the other night. I think she chose a safe place to nest and I enjoy watching her from our window.

This made me smile to read.  You have a great vantage spot. 

[ocean sounds]

46 minutes ago, Ichiban Nekko said:

We took a tour that started in Paris, then proceeded to Normandy (including Juno Beach), Brittany, the Loire Valley, returning to Paris. It has been some years since we've done a group tour. We spent at least two nights at each stop and added extra time in Paris at the end. We had a fabulous Tour Director and Driver, who ensured we had full days with so much to see and learn. The food and wine were, ahem, very nice too 😉  Our phones tell us that we put in 10K+ steps each day, which helped offset all those great croissants, etc

Sounds like a wonderful time!  

[Denise T]

Good morning and thank you for the Daily and Fleet report. 

 

Work from home day for me, mostly grading assignments. 

 

I like pigs in a blanket. Unless they are talking about actual pigs wrapped up in actual blankets. 

 

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day matters to me. I am of Armenian descent. My grandparents from my father's side escaped to the United States during that time. It wasn't until 1991 that the United States acknowledged that a genocide had taken place. It was more important to protect the relationship with Turkey. Many attempts were made previously recognize that the genocide occurred, however, the Turkish government refused to support it and those who backed Turkey would not pass any bills to recognize the event as a genocide. The slaughter of the Armenian people began well before 1915. It began as early as 1894. This part of history is not often taught but should be remembered. 

 

Anyway, I think I might try the drink and perhaps the meal as they both seem rather tasty. 

 

Everyone, have a safe and healthy day!

[ocean sounds]

Good Monday morning, and thanks for the Daily and information !

 

@StLouisCruisers Sandi, great news on Ren’s team !

 

Just checked in for cruise with DD and DGS from Civitavecchia.  Only 45 days now!  Seemed like it was so far away when we booked it !  
 

Cheers for those celebrating good news, Prayers for all in need. 
 

Have a wonderful start to your week!

[ocean sounds]

6 minutes ago, Denise T said:

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day matters to me. I am of Armenian descent. My grandparents from my father's side escaped to the United States during that time

@Denise T, thank you for posting.  So glad your ancestors escaped. 

[superoma]

April 24 care and celebration list

 

Roy recovering from pneumonia and getting stronger

Jodiesme1 mother and Her DH with Covid in Guatemala 

Too many shooting victims

Marshhawk’s dh with continuing nose issues 

Mamaofami’s dh with pneumonia 

Oxygen supply issues for Tana

Hoping for placement closer to home for Luvteaching’s DH

Citizens of Ukraine

From the rotation:

 

StLouisCruiser’s DB with pulmonary fibrosis

Tanya’s pulmonary issues

Summer Slope’s friend with a brain injury

Bennybear’s test results

Scrapnana getting chemotherapy

 

Celebrations

 

Rafinmd’s good report from the Oncologist, Podiatrist and Pulmonologist

Vict0riann’s week in Ireland

CruzinTerri celebrating that contractor is done and paid

Dobiemom’s good report from after surgery checkup 

New refrigerator for cat shepherd 

Good room assignment for HAL4NOW

Cheers for ladyHudson’s excellent diet results

Great soccer game for St. Louis cruiser’s DGS Ren

Wishing good luck and God speed to Father David on his pilgrimage 

Fleet week in Fort Lauderdale

 

Many Dailyites cruising or with upcoming cruises

 

 6 days Lobsternight anniversary cruise and vow renewal (Nieuw Amsterdam 4/30 to 5/7)

8 days for HAL4NOW (Koningsdam 5/1 to 5/6)

8 days Cruising-along (Koningsdam 5/1 to 5/6)

 

 

 Cruising

 

aliaschief & DWAliaschief (Eurodam to 4/28) 

Kplady (Grand Princess to 4/28), 

Sailingdutchy (Rotterdam to 4/29), 

Oceansaway17 (Vision of the Seas to 5/1)

Lady Hudson (Anthem of the Seas to 5/1)

St Pete Cruiser (Noordam to 5/2), 

TiogaCruiser (Volendam to 5/2), 

Overhead Fred’s Anniversary cruise (Rotterdam to 5/6), AV8rix (Volendam to 5/6), 

Dismomx5 (Volendam to 5/6), 

USN59-79 (Westerdam to 5/7), 

Cat in My Lap, Gail&Marty, Richwmn and HorizonChaser1957 (Zuiderdam to 5/12), 

Sharon in AZ (Volendam to 5/17) at sea

Jazzyv cruise (celebrity apex) and vacation to 5/28

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info.

[cat shepard]

Thank you Sandi & Rich for today’s R & D! It is another lovely morning here, though unsettled weather is expected to move in tomorrow.

 

Eva, thank you for caring for our Cares & Celebrations lists. I appreciate you stepping in!

 

Just a gym class, chores, Bindi walks for me. Though my plumber comes back this afternoon to see if he can rearrange the plumbing under the sink to give me a bit more room. I have a water purification system that has lots of lines going to different places and it is a mess. 
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

********

Borne of Fire 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington State

I used the 2018 vintage info, because this might be the easiest for us to find. But all prior vintages share the same excellent ratings and reasonable prices. A decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $16.94.

 

Winemaker Notes

Borne of Fire epitomizes the terroir of The Burn. This rugged, yet elegant wine leads with herbal expressive aromas laced with pomegranate and stony minerals. Upon tasting the wine, powdery tannins frame flavors of cherry, currant, savory spice, and red pepper. A green coffee inflected finish rounds out the overall experience.

Pair with beef sliders, Caribbean pork sandwiches, gnocchi with braised beef brisket or garlic chicken wings.

JD91 Jeb Dunnuck

Just bottled, the 100% varietal 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon has a juicy, fruit-forward, delicious style as well as notes of ripe black cherries, tobacco, and leafy herbs. With plenty of fruit, ripe tannins, and loads to love, drink it over the coming 5-7 years.

[Mr. Boston]

Good morning everyone.  First, I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers last week.  You don’t know how much they helped during one of the most difficult times that I’ve ever experienced.   I’ll comment on the things that I find comforting ie. pigs in a blanket, a cucumber cooler and a glass of the cabernet.  I haven’t been to today’s port but the photos are very nice.  Saving my remaining bandwidth for work today as our flight was late and I didn’t get home until after midnight.  Looking forward to getting back on schedule and keeping up with all of the Daily going ons.  Prayers for all of you on today’s prayer list.  Cheers to everyone celebrating happy events.

[cat shepard]

1 hour ago, summer slope said:

DD, DSIL, and DGS are here for a week.  Headed to Legoland today..  He has been enjoying the pool, into it yesterday morning at 7:30.

 

Cucumber Cooler cocktail:

 

Ingredients
2 parts EFFEN® Cucumber Vodka
3/4 part Midori® Melon Liqueur
3/4 part Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 part Simple Syrup
3 Slices of Cucumber

Instructions
Muddle cucumbers, lime juice and simple syrup in a mixing tin. Add ice, Midori® Melon Liqueur & vodka. Shake and strain into rocks glass. Garnish with cucumber slices.

 

 

Have fun at Legoland. I never expected to enjoy myself there as much as I did.  I was awed by the detail that was included in each display. 

[summer slope]

Todlay's port of the day is one of my favorites.  I love walking around that little area.  We took a ships tour up into the mountains to see the McDonalds with a view of the Volcano.  The roads were so tight going through the town.  Saw a Jade factory.  Coming back we were 45 minutes late but the ship waited.  Another private tour stuck to the bus to make sure they could get back in time.