The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday June 8th, 2023

[richwmn]

 

Today is Best Friends Day, Name Your Poison Day, and World Ocean Day
 

Sometimes, when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place - unknown

Meal Suggestion for today - Bow Ties with Gorgonzola Sauce
Drink of the Day - The Berry Thought Of You
Wine of the Day - HdV Chardonnay Napa Valley Hyde Vineyard 2019
Destination of the Day - Raiatea Island, Uturoa, French Polynesia

Today in History:
1969 MLB legend Mickey Mantle gives his farewell retirement speech during "Mickey Mantle Day" at Yankee Stadium, 60,096

Ship Locations
 

Eurodam

Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island, Alaska 07:00 - 13:00
 

Koningsdam

Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island, Alaska 11:00 - 19:00
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

Skagway, Alaska 07:00 - 21:00
 

Nieuw Statendam

Copenhagen, Denmark 0700-1700
 

Noordam

Juneau, Alaska 08:00 - 18:00
 

Oosterdam

Kotor, Montenegro 0800-2300
 

Rotterdam

At Sea Destination Tallinn, Estonia eta 6-09
 

Volendam

At Sea Destination Tracy Arm Fjord/Juneau, Alaska eta 6-09
 

Westerdam

Sitka, Baranof Island, Alaska 08:00 - 16:00
 

Zaandam

Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada 08:00 - 16:00
 

Zuiderdam

Inverness, Scotland 0800-1700
 

 

 

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[JazzyV]

Today’s Care list:

Cruzn single recovering from surgery and 2nd surgery today

Pope Francis recovering from abdominal surgery

Ktbraun’s loss of a Red Hat friend

RMLincoln’s financial account hacked

1Angelcat’s loss of Ninja and Fluff only a week apart

Cruzin Terri not feeling well

Marshhawk and DH Chuck with Covid after cruise; Fawn missing

 

Great loss of life in India due to train crash

Wildfires with smoke traveling many miles and air quality alerts

Shooting victims again

Citizens of Ukraine, dam explosion with flooding

 

From the rotation:

NextOne needing valve replacement surgery

57redbird’s cousin with glioblastoma

Scrapnana getting chemotherapy

Former President Jimmy Carter in home hospice care; Rosalynn with dementia

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Bon Voyage ocean sounds!

All the contributors to the Fleet Report/Daily

Luvteaching’s DH showing continued improvement

Dobiemom with restrictions lifted

StLouisCruiser’s Ren’s team headed to the Dallas tournament in 2 weeks

Many Dailyites cruising or with upcoming cruises

 

2 days for Nickelpenny (Zaandam June 10 to 17), celebrating retirement

 

Suslor (Eurodam to June 10), ocean sounds (Symphony of the Seas to June 15) and aliaschief (Azamara Journey to June 28)

[aliaschief]

Good morning. We have a foggy and rainy morning as we sail up the river to Seville. We just passed through the river lock and our now passing under the suspension bridge with a few meters to spare. We have two overnights here. This afternoon we are going to visit the cathedral. Recently discovered that Christopher Columbus is buried there. Nice advantage with these 30,000 ton ships is there ability to go where larger ships can’t.

We had a wonderful dining experience in the Italian themed Aqualina restaurant last night and tonight we’ll dine in Prime C the steak themed venue. Specialty dining is free for suite guest. Chefs Table is not free.

We are backing into our berth so time to get ready. Thanks for the report.

 

 

Edited June 8, 2023 by aliaschief

[seagarsmoker]

Good morning Dailyites and thank you for the Daily Report! I hope everyone has a great day!

[rafinmd]

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Dixie, and Ann.  I'll salute Best Friends and World Oceans but pass on naming my poison.  Interesting and funny anonymous quote.  Babe Ruth was a legend.  It looks like I've been to Raiatea just once, 2020 on Crystal Serenity.  Mickey Mantel was a true legend.  I have no idea what Gorgonzola sauce is.  My alternative is Chilled Pear, Cucumber, and Melon Gazpacho, Carmelized Orange and Grapefruit Cocktail, and Pan Roasted Barbary Duck Breast as served on MS Prinsendam June 8, 2015.

 

Not near as bad as Baltimore but still very hazy.  I need to make one doctor visit and stop for groceries but otherwise hunker down insidel

 

Roy

[Mr. Boston]

Good morning everyone.  Thanks for the daily report.  Busy weekend ahead, we’re flying to Northern Michigan to attend my niece’s high school graduation party,  looking forward to being in the homeland for a bit.  It’s too early to start to think about naming my poison so I’ll just say coffee.  We all love our best friends and they love us.  We enjoy sailing on the world’s oceans so we should always care for them to keep them safe for their inhabitants.  I like the quote and it’s so true.  The meal sounds like a nice side dish and I’d try the drink.  I haven’t been to today’s port.  Prayers for everyone on our prayer list.  Cheers to everyone celebrating happy events today!

[kazu]

Thanks for our Thursday Daily, Rich.

 

What a great collection of days!!!!  Best friends are what keep us all going at times and who among us wouldn’t want to celebrate World Ocean Day?  Hopefully we can make them cleaner. I don’t have to name my poison - I think you all know what is is 😉

 

Interesting quote - it can be true sometimes but it hasn’t been for me for the past year +.  And, oh look - a white wine today 👍 

 

 

We were in Raiatea Island in French Polynesia.  On the bright side, we made that port - but no one was going anywhere - it was teaming rain - my tours were cancelled and other than a quick walk in the downpour, most of the day was on the ship 😔

 

My plans changed yesterday.  The rain didn’t come until much later & the foot didn’t complain too much so…. I had to make hay while it wasn’t raining and worked outside.  Compost bin is 1/2 full of weeds and still lots to go.

 

 

Today’s plans will be based on weather - no rain = weeding, transplanting and trying to finish off outside (looks like the deadly cold is nearly gone). Rain = paperwork.

 

It’s supposed to rain tomorrow so the paperwork can wait.  Besides, I deserved a break from that overwhelming task (or so I decided).

 

 

@aliaschief how nice you were able to go up the river to Seville 👍. We were supposed to on the Prinsendam a few years ago but unfortunately, there was too much silt in it & it needing dredging so we ended up docking in Cadiz.

 

Prayers for everyone on the Care list & for those that need them and cheers 🥂 to those celebrating.

 

 

Have a great Thursday everyone !!!!!

[summer slope]

The Berry Thought of You cocktail:

 

Ingredients
1 1/2 parts Pinnacle® Original Vodka
1/2 part DeKuyper® Crème de Cassis Liqueur
1/2 part Simple Syrup
1/2 part Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
Soda Water to top
Garnish: Blackberries, Lemon Wheel,
Thyme Sprig

Instructions
Combine all ingredients except soda water in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a collins glass over fresh ice. Top with soda water and give a gentle stir to combine. Garnish with fresh blackberries, a lemon wheel or thyme.

 

[ottahand7]

Good morning.   We dodged the frost. It was 38 when I woke but 66 inside.  I lit up the backup propane lamps because they throw a lot of heat to take the edge off.   I had moved my tender plants I could next to the cabin but I never covered my Tithonia.   Just when I was thinking about it yesterday afternoon Iooked out the window and there was first what I thought was a large dog in the driveway.  That thought lasted all of one second.  No shaggy looking dogs here, it was a Wolf.   About 30' from my potting bench.   As usual for a Wolf it was on the move, probably looking for fawns.  No sign of deer in the yard at all this year.   

@OceanSounds  Bon voyage! 🛳️🍾

Thanks for the Daily and Fleet Reports.   Today's quote is a good one.    Today's Ocean Day is appropriate for all of us cruise lovers.  I look forward to photos of today's port.  We will be there in 2025. 

Thanks Vanessa for the Cares and Celebrations reports! Prayers for all needing them and the people of Ukraine.  

We are off to town today.   Since our boat isn't in and John has all his cabin work caught up, he is getting "cabin fever".  A pretty drive through the country to Watersmeet, probably to Wisconsin lake country and back to a grocery store.   Have a lovely day! Nancy 

[dobiemom]

Thank you all for caring and sharing.  Prayers for everyone who needs them, especially @cruzn single’s surgery today. 🙏🙏 Cheers for all the celebrations. 🎉👏 

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

The painters are done and now we just have to install the new light fixture on the deck and paint the trim around the roof and the front door.  Next week.   We tried installing the light fixture, but it wouldn't turn on.  Back to the drawing board.  The instructions were less than helpful, but I know I have white to white, black to black and ground to ground.  We'll figure it out.  We'll do the trim and door painting next week.

 

Sue is going up north today, so I am on my own.  I'm doing laundry and getting ready for a weekend at the lake house.  Of course, the weekend we go up the temps are going to be on the cool side.  No matter, we can always shop.  

 

Today's meal sounds like great comfort food.  It would be a good side dish, but it does have sausage in it for protein and could be the main dish.   https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/bow-ties-with-gorgonzola-sauce/

 

 

That does look good, but a tad too high in carbs for me.  

 

This next recipe doesn't have the sausage in it.  The sauce recipe is slightly different from the first.  You could add in the sausage if you like.  https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/main-course-pasta/farfalle-bow-ties-with-gorgonzola-sauce.html

 

 

This recipe calls for rocket (arugula) and speck.  Speck is a type of cured, lightly smoked ham. It's typically made in South Tyrol, a province in northeast Italy known for its snow-capped Dolomite mountains and strong German-Austrian influence. Although a close cousin to prosciutto crudo, speck is worthy of its own distinction when it comes to cured hams.  My Austrian great grandmother called bacon speck.  https://emmylouloves.com/recipes/gorgonzola-and-speck-bowties/

 

 

I hope one of these works for you!  

 

@Mr. Boston safe travels to Northern Michigan.  We'll be right behind you tomorrow.  

@cruzn single We'll be thinking of you and sending healing thoughts.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

 

Edited June 8, 2023 by dfish

[RedneckBob]

Thanks for the Fleet Update and General Info for all the contributors!

 

Let’s see, I guess Name Your Poison Day would be the drink of the day, The Berry Thought of You!

[smitty34877]

Good morning. I will gladly salute best friends and oceans. We have not been to the port . I would love the recipe but everyone else in the family would not. 
Yesterday we received unwelcome  news from DH’s surgeon. The pathology report was not good and treatment will be further surgery and chemotherapy. I am grateful to live where I do as  there are specialists of all types. We spent the day gathering information and informing the rest of the family.

The air quality here yesterday afternoon was well over 400 but today looks somewhat better at 246. DD had masks for us but no one went out except for brief dog rescues. Around two o’ clock yesterday the sky was a deep orange. If I weren’t so preoccupied with the previous news I think I would have been alarmed. NYC and Yonkers schools are closed today. The teenager got up early to walk the dogs for me as he didn’t want me to go outside. He is such a wonderful  kid!

Stay safe out there everyone.

 

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  It's 65F here with a high of 84 and sunny skies later on.  No rain yesterday afternoon or evening down in my neck of the woods.   Thanks to Rich @richwmn for the Daily and Fleet Report.

 

It's a good day to salute your best friends.  One of my old friends contacted me yesterday asking for prayers for her DB.  He has bile duct cancer and needs his bile numbers to go down right now so they can start a new chemo.  I told her I'd be praying for him, and I know she and her DH include my brother in their prayers each day.  That's what best friends are for!  Name your Poison day sounds a little dangerous and I hope it innocently means to choose your drink of choice.  World Ocean Day is a biggie and as a cruiser I appreciate clean seas.  It's very sad to see the pollution in some of the ports.   I liked the quote today with the unknown author.  Will want to see what Debbie @dfish says about it.  The drink sounds interesting.  And the Napa Chardonnay sounds okay but I don't like oakey!  A nice day for a baseball day in history.  Mickey Mantle was certainly a legend!  Thanks to Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for their drink and wine reports.

 

Prayers for our Care list today.  Hoping @cruzn single gets through her surgery in good shape.  Quick healing for you Mary Kay!  DB said he went outside for a bit in Missouri and had a terrible coughing fit.  They have some of that smoke from Canada there.  The numbers weren't awful there yesterday yet he couldn't stay outside for long with his IPF.  Hope he's doing better today!  Let's also pray those wildfires are put out soon because many people have to suffer with the smoke.  Cheers to all on the Celebration list.  Happy cruising for all our Dailyites!🚢🥂 Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for keeping the lists for us!  Excellent job!

 

Uturoa, French Polynesia is located in the Society Islands on the largest island Raiatea.  Previously Raiatea, French Polynesia was our port of the day on Feb. 19, 2022 and May 29, 2022.  Since Uturoa is the capital and only significant town on the island I think we can say today is the fourth time for that destination.  On Monday, January 23rd we had Uturoa as port of the day.  We went there once on Maasdam in April 2017.  Here are the links to retrieve photos everyone. 

 

Uturoa first.

 

And here are Raiatea, Society Islands, FP links.

 

 

 

My photos from Uturoa: 

 

 

On April 12, 2017 the Maasdam stopped in Uturoa, Raiatea, French Polynesia.  This is what it looked like from the top deck of the ship that morning.

 

This cheery group played and sang for us as we departed the ship.

 

We went to that little cafe right next to the ship for something to drink and to try their wifi but unfortunately it was not working very well. 

 

 

It looked like you get do some type of excursion by taking a boat ride from here.

 

Across the street was this tent with a crowd gathered so we went to see what was going on.  

 

More music and dancing!

 

 

Everyone was having a good time

 

After listening for a while we went into the adjoining building where the marketplace was.

 

 

 

As we left the building we noticed our ship master, Captain van Dreumel had arrived for a Welcome to Raiatea ceremony.  He was dressed appropriately for this island tradition.

 

Where the dancing had gone on before, now everyone was seated and paying attention to the proceedings.

 

It looked like the Captain received a plaque.

 

After the ceremony we walked a few blocks around town just taking it all in.

 

It's always fun to check out a grocery store!

 

 

 

Shopping "kiosks" near the ship

 

Lovely fabrics were for sale here.

 

Nearing mid day it was getting too darn hot so we decided to board the ship.  No wifi was found that morning, sad to say.  But even worse, we saw an ambulance near the gangway taking a sick passenger away.  This is not something you would like to experience so far away from home.

 

I do hope they weren't too ill and made it back to the ship before we sailed.  

 

Now that that's done, let me wish everyone a safe and happy Thursday, June 8.

[aliaschief]

Amazing we are still backing up the narrow river through a narrow portion of the river through a small draw bridge. Just guessing that we backed almost a mile!

We just stopped.

[Denise T]

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for the Daily and Fleet report. Air quality is still bad here in Pennsylvania and may be for a while. 

I continue to get back to life on land. How I miss having my meals already prepared and my bed made up every day. I love oceans and I mis the sound of the waves lapping against the ship. Planning for a 2025 cruise somewhere. 

Thinking of all of you today.

Have a safe and healthy day. 

[cat shepard]

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A lovely start to the morning. We had a wild T’storm yesterday afternoon & evening. We needed the rain, just not all at once!

 

Vanessa, thank you for keeping track of us so meticulously! I am waiting for my HVAC guru to arrive to give my unit its Summer tuneup. Then Zumba, Bindi walks, indoor & outdoor chores and if lucky, some pool time.

 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need the support. @smitty34877, Terry, I was so sorry to read about your DH’s pathology report. Praying that treatment is effective and recovery is fast. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone!

 

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

HdV Chardonnay Napa Valley Hyde Vineyard 2019

Happy to report that this wine has numerous online distributors! A bit out of my price range, but I would love a taste. Lots of consumer & critic fans. BTW “phenolics” is used interchangeably with tannins. Online prices start at $78.67.

Winemaker Notes

#3 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022

Refinement and purity are the hallmarks of this vintage. Aromas of yellow apple and mango skin are balanced by crisp minerality and notes of smoked almond. The palate showcases fresh, lime-like acidity and linear mouthfeel while being offset by tones of toasted Ezekiel bread and subtle hints of vanilla bean. While being expressive in its youth, we feel that the qualities of this wine are better realized with age.

JS96 James Suckling

Honeysuckle, oyster-shell and apple-pie aromas. Pears and lime sherbet, too. Flinty. Full-bodied, layered and integrated with fine phenolics. Some matchbox character comes through. Stemmy and spicy at the end from whole-cluster pressing. Wente and Calera clones. Drink or hold.

WS96 Wine Spectator

This stunning version offers a pure beam of white nectarine, mango and ripe Bartlett pear flavors that mingle with notes of pound cake, toasted, salted hazelnut and nutmeg on a supple, rich frame, which draws focus from a bright thread of acidity. Drink now.

RP96 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2019 Chardonnay comes from vines in the Hyde Vineyard that are 25-40 years old and planted to Wente (60%) and Calera (40%) selections. Aged in about 15% new French oak, the nose is perfumed and pure, with scents of quince, apricot, beeswax, river stone and citrus blossoms. The palate offers a compelling dynamic of satiny, expansive fruits and fresh, focused acidity, and it has a long, nuanced finish. It will continue to unwind in bottle over the next 2-3 years and gain savory complexity over the next decade.

Edited June 8, 2023 by cat shepard

[Nickelpenny]

Good morning from smoky:hazy Long Island!!  
 

great group of days and I love the quote. Food sounds delicious and I never been to French Polynesia. 
 

wow the smoke here was horrendous yesterday. Had a nice dinner with my friend. Resting up for my cruise. Can’t wait!!

 

have a nice day everyone!

[marshhawk]

@cruzn single

[RedneckBob]

40 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

Amazing we are still backing up the narrow river through a narrow portion of the river through a small draw bridge. Just guessing that we backed almost a mile!

We just stopped.

Maybe you should check on flights to Ft. Walton Beach today! 😳

[marshhawk]

@smitty34877I am so sorry to read that your DH's report was not good.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  I hope that you will still be able to make the trip to the Cape, being by the sea is one of the greatest healers of body and soul.  I always told Chuck's docs about vacations I planned-for two reasons-one is that the docs knew what and when to make his appointments, and two, planning them gave DH something to look forward to, and the trip would take his mind off the health issues for a while. The only time we had no choice and could not do anything was in 2021 when he had radiation every week day for a month.  

 

You are correct that being near the city you do have some of the best doctors around.  I dream about moving out into the country away from the city, but the city is where the good doctors and hospitals are.

There are many folks that I meet at DH's doc's office that drive 2-3 hours in the morning to get to see them, or they come in to the city and have to stay the night before an appointment.

 

Hugs.

[aliaschief]

1 minute ago, RedneckBob said:

Maybe you should check on flights to Ft. Walton Beach today! 😳

You stumped me on this one my friend?🤔

[RedneckBob]

44 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Good morning friends!  It's 65F here with a high of 84 and sunny skies later on.  No rain yesterday afternoon or evening down in my neck of the woods.   Thanks to Rich @richwmn for the Daily and Fleet Report.

 

It's a good day to salute your best friends.  One of my old friends contacted me yesterday asking for prayers for her DB.  He has bile duct cancer and needs his bile numbers to go down right now so they can start a new chemo.  I told her I'd be praying for him, and I know she and her DH include my brother in their prayers each day.  That's what best friends are for!  Name your Poison day sounds a little dangerous and I hope it innocently means to choose your drink of choice.  World Ocean Day is a biggie and as a cruiser I appreciate clean seas.  It's very sad to see the pollution in some of the ports.   I liked the quote today with the unknown author.  Will want to see what Debbie @dfish says about it.  The drink sounds interesting.  And the Napa Chardonnay sounds okay but I don't like oakey!  A nice day for a baseball day in history.  Mickey Mantle was certainly a legend!  Thanks to Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for their drink and wine reports.

 

Prayers for our Care list today.  Hoping @cruzn single gets through her surgery in good shape.  Quick healing for you Mary Kay!  DB said he went outside for a bit in Missouri and had a terrible coughing fit.  They have some of that smoke from Canada there.  The numbers weren't awful there yesterday yet he couldn't stay outside for long with his IPF.  Hope he's doing better today!  Let's also pray those wildfires are put out soon because many people have to suffer with the smoke.  Cheers to all on the Celebration list.  Happy cruising for all our Dailyites!🚢🥂 Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for keeping the lists for us!  Excellent job!

 

Uturoa, French Polynesia is located in the Society Islands on the largest island Raiatea.  Previously Raiatea, French Polynesia was our port of the day on Feb. 19, 2022 and May 29, 2022.  Since Uturoa is the capital and only significant town on the island I think we can say today is the fourth time for that destination.  On Monday, January 23rd we had Uturoa as port of the day.  We went there once on Maasdam in April 2017.  Here are the links to retrieve photos everyone. 

 

Uturoa first.

 

And here are Raiatea, Society Islands, FP links.

 

 

 

My photos from Uturoa: 

 

 

On April 12, 2017 the Maasdam stopped in Uturoa, Raiatea, French Polynesia.  This is what it looked like from the top deck of the ship that morning.

 

This cheery group played and sang for us as we departed the ship.

 

We went to that little cafe right next to the ship for something to drink and to try their wifi but unfortunately it was not working very well. 

 

 

It looked like you get do some type of excursion by taking a boat ride from here.

 

Across the street was this tent with a crowd gathered so we went to see what was going on.  

 

More music and dancing!

 

 

Everyone was having a good time

 

After listening for a while we went into the adjoining building where the marketplace was.

 

 

 

As we left the building we noticed our ship master, Captain van Dreumel had arrived for a Welcome to Raiatea ceremony.  He was dressed appropriately for this island tradition.

 

Where the dancing had gone on before, now everyone was seated and paying attention to the proceedings.

 

It looked like the Captain received a plaque.

 

After the ceremony we walked a few blocks around town just taking it all in.

 

It's always fun to check out a grocery store!

 

 

 

Shopping "kiosks" near the ship

 

Lovely fabrics were for sale here.

 

Nearing mid day it was getting too darn hot so we decided to board the ship.  No wifi was found that morning, sad to say.  But even worse, we saw an ambulance near the gangway taking a sick passenger away.  This is not something you would like to experience so far away from home.

 

I do hope they weren't too ill and made it back to the ship before we sailed.  

 

Now that that's done, let me wish everyone a safe and happy Thursday, June 8.

Nice photos. We had a private snorkel trip here and snorkeled with these guys or maybe gals below.

 

[RedneckBob]

1 minute ago, aliaschief said:

You stumped me on this one my friend?🤔

Just in case the ship can not find its way back out of the canal/river.