The Fleet Report and Daily for Friday October 20th, 2023

[ottahand7]

@sailingdutchy  Bon Voyage!  

 

[Haljo1935]

Not a fan of brandied fruit, but I'll give it its day, chefs and waiters deserve recognition. 

Hard pass on the meal and drink, would try the wine, not been to the port.

The LA purchase was important for the US and I hope to visit the Sydney Opera House one day - it sure is recognizable. 

53° headed to sunny 91° and 93° tomorrow. Of course rain is in the forecast mid week as we leave.

Speaking of ports - I'm fuming!! Found out last night on my roll call (yay CC) that Olympia has been canceled for our upcoming cruise, but we've not been notified and excursions for it are still being sold in the booking. Searches only find 2 other ships in port that day and they're both small Viking ships. When we sign up for a cruise, we all know that port changes can happen, so it's not the change that ticks me off (disappointing, yes), it's the lack of communication and the disregard for passenger experience by continuing to sell excursions for a port they know will not happen. Passengers currently on board report Shore Exc confirmed the change but Guest Services was unaware.

Olympia was a key port for DH; there is no way to get there with the new port, so he is really bummed. 

If I don't start packing (we leave in 6 days), the train transfer will be easier as we'll have no luggage to mess with. Of course, we may tire of wearing the same clothes everyday, but we can wash them Nov 3 since we'll now be at sea instead of Olympia!

Prayers and positive thoughts for all. 

[ottahand7]

Good morning everyone and happy Friday!    Thanks for the daily reports Rich.   I used to make fruitcake for my DF with brandied fruit.   Great International Chefs on BHBs.   Happy waiters day in the UK.  A wonderful quote.   Never have been to today's port.  Thanks for the photos @Quartzsite Cruiser.   I will take my Red Snapper Veracruz style with the corn nuts.   The Paloma looks like a wonderful drink.   The wine looks really good too, I wonder where I could find it.    

Prayers for everyone on our care list especially those healing from surgery or suffering from pain.   Prayers for those in war zones, Israel and Ukraine.    @RMLincoln I hope that you can rally the troops to get your final packing done.  It seems like you have a good plan. 

Another rainy day today.  We will figure something to do.  I need to plant my tulips yet but it appears the only nice day coming up is Sunday and by the time it warms up it will be football.   A very tough game for the Ravens playing the Lions.   I opted not to hold my tickets for that game as October weather is too iffy for an outside stadium.    Have a lovely Friday! Nancy 

Edited October 20, 2023 by ottahand7

[StLouisCruisers]

Thanks everyone for the information on DE being Germany.  I have never heard of that, and I have German ancestry!  lol  Our past cruise including Warnemunde had  to cancel that port due to weather, so I haven't been to Warnemunde yet either.  

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

I remember when brandied fruit was all the rage.  We had jars of it on our kitchen counters and every week we added a cup of fruit and a cup of sugar.  It was disgustingly sweet and grew out of bounds.  I remember picking up the container and all and dumping it.  

 

It is a rainy day here in mid-Michigan.  We will be driving up to the Traverse City area for my niece's wedding tomorrow.  We're staying at a golf course resort as the rates were phenomenal compared to hotels in Traverse City.  The downside is that Sue and I are sharing a condo with our brothers and sister-in-law.  Not sure how that is going to work out.  Tonight we are going to a pre-wedding soiree in Elk Rapids.  On Sunday is a brunch at our sister's house.  

 

Today's meal is one I will gladly skip.  It comes from Bon Appetit and the paywall is up and running.  I got the message that the kitchen was closed.  I tried Epicurious and that kitchen is closed as well.  Sometimes you can find the Bon Appetit recipes elsewhere and sometimes  you cannot. Pinterest usually lists the ingredients, but not the directions.  I think I found the recipe, or something very similar, on this website:  Red Snapper Ceviche Recipe – Stiltsville Fish Bar

 

 

Here is a similar recipe for ceviche fans.  https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/a39298380/ceviche-with-corn-peppers-and-avocado-recipe/

 

 

@sailingdutchy

 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

[richwmn]

14 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Thanks everyone for the information on DE being Germany.  I have never heard of that, and I have German ancestry!  lol  Our past cruise including Warnemunde had  to cancel that port due to weather, so I haven't been to Warnemunde yet either.  

The actual name of the country is Deutschland therefore DE. The English version is Germany.

 

[kochleffel]

3 minutes ago, richwmn said:

The actual name of the country is Deutschland therefore DE. The English version is Germany.

 

And Denmark's real  name is Danmark, no e.

[RedneckBob]

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

Good morning from central Texas where it is 57F, feels like 57F with 57% humidity and a dew point of 42F.  Whew, finally another number.  I thought we were stuck on 57.  🤣  Our predicted high is 91F late this afternoon.  I'm not sure what is on the agenda for today.

 

Brandied fruit is not a favorite, so will let someone else have mine.  It's appropriate that international chefs and UK waiters are celebrated on the same day.  They can make or break a meal.

 

The Oliver Goldsmith quote is true, just like the saying, "Actions speak louder than words".

 

We'll pass on the meal.  I like red snapper but not as ceviche.  We'll also pass on the drink.  The wine sounds like one I'd like to try.

 

The Louisiana Purchase was important to the growth of the US.  Sydney was honored by Queen Elizabeth II opening their Opera House in 1973.

 

I believe today's port is Rostock, Germany.  DE is the country code for Germany.  It is not really a port, but a city near Warnemunde which was listed as Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany, as the port on August 6, 2022.  Below is a link to Rich's @richwmn thread that day.  We have been to Warnemunde three times, and I'll look for my pictures in a minute.

 

 

 

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, wishing Ren, the team and his parents safe travels to the game tomorrow.

@Crazy For Cats  Jake, I'm not sure how I'd react if dinner was presented like it is in the picture.

@RMLincoln  Maureen, I'm glad you have a date for your move.  It will all come together, and you'll be ready in time.

@Cruzin Terri  Terri, I'm glad you had time to check in this morning.  Flying out of Savannah sounds like a good idea.  I'm sure it will all work out fine.

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

 

Ms Crystal, I really like your last cartoon with the ghost and the toast. Early this AM I went with the guys to a restaurant near us for breakfast called “Toast”. I suggested they put on the menu the following entree, Dozen scrambled eggs, pound of bacon, 12 slices of bread and a cup of coffee. If you can eat all of this your Toast. So I suggested the entree be called “Your Toast”.

[rafinmd]

Today's sunrise is another from my 2019 QM2 transatlantic leading to  subsequent cruises on Crystal Bach and both Crystal Ocean ships:

 

 

Roy

[Nickelpenny]

Good Morning to all and thanks for the daily and fleet reports.  Have never liked brandied fruit so won't celebrate it but cheers to chefs and waiters!  Good quote to follow, pass on the gastronomy offerings and have never been to the port (but love Germany!!)  Someday I will go see the Sydney Opera House and thank goodness for the Louisiana Purchase.

 

Middle schoolers are so funny.  The teacher was there when I got to the music room yesterday; the advanced choir was going to a festival and that is why he needed a sub.  He warned me about the 4th period class as he stated they were a little "rambunctious".  He had 3 students go over 3 songs and, while they tried, one of them decided he would be an enforcer, started to write down names of students who he thought was misbehaving and then tried to tell me what to do.  Well, I politely told him "No" and assisted them to keep on track.  It was so funny.  The kids would listen to me (I let them know the "rules" at the beginning of class) but the 3 students would lose them quickly.  There was a treat for today on the line if they misbehaved.  I think they did well after many prompts and I had no real trouble with them as they would quickly settle down when I stepped in.  I would return.  😁

 

Received an unexpected deposit; verified it but I don't know why.  Oh, well, I will take it.  Subbing a half day today at a middle school choir (different school).  I can do anything for a half day.

 

Thoughts for the trials and tribulations of those going through challenges (and thoughts for the entire world).  Cheers for those celebrating.

 

Have a great day everyone!!

[aliaschief]

Good morning. Another late start. @sailingdutchyBon Voyage! 
@RedneckBob you are on a roll this morning. Thank you for sharing.

We got Sue her new walking shoes and I got new sole inserts for my walking shoes. Like walking on air. We then tried a new restaurant for lunch and concluded we would not go back. 
Enjoyed our Thursday evening small group Bible study came home read some and retired for the evening.

Feel sorry for our Canadian world cruisers as because of the dispute between Canada and India they can’t get visas for our India visits and they will miss out in the free included day flight and excursion to the Taj Mahal. If the world continues it’s present ways maybe none of us will be going anywhere.🙏

Time to get out there and get those steps in. It’s a beautiful sunny morning with temps already in the low seventies.

Enjoy your upcoming weekend. For us retired folks I guess every day is a weekend.😎 Thanks for the reports and post. Bruce

 

[smitty34877]

Good morning. We have rain for the next two days with temperatures in the sixties.

I love the quote today and will pass on cerviche. Waiters in the UK should be celebrated. Brandied fruit is not my thing.

DD DH and I went to Rostock on Eurodam Baltic cruise. We went to the castle in Lenda’s pictures. I remember DH enjoying German beer and an ompah  band on the ship when we returned.  
Enjoy the day everyone!
 

[RedneckBob]

13 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

Good morning. Another late start. @sailingdutchyBon Voyage! 
@RedneckBob you are on a roll this morning. Thank you for sharing.

We got Sue her new walking shoes and I got new sole inserts for my walking shoes. Like walking on air. We then tried a new restaurant for lunch and concluded we would not go back. 
Enjoyed our Thursday evening small group Bible study came home read some and retired for the evening.

Feel sorry for our Canadian world cruisers as because of the dispute between Canada and India they can’t get visas for our India visits and they will miss out in the free included day flight and excursion to the Taj Mahal. If the world continues it’s present ways maybe none of us will be going anywhere.🙏

Time to get out there and get those steps in. It’s a beautiful sunny morning with temps already in the low seventies.

Enjoy your upcoming weekend. For us retired folks I guess every day is a weekend.😎 Thanks for the reports and post. Bruce

 

As far as all those bolts, how did you get a photo of my garage floor!

 

And Chief, I am not on a roll, I had toast at “Toast”! 😀

[travelnap]

3 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Thank you for today's daily reports Rich.

It is raining 9°C and extremely windy here.

I'm not keen on brandied fruit.

Good chefs and waiters can make or break a meal.

Never been to today's port.

I hope everyone is safe and well.

 

 

Grapau27, This is an intervention.  We are all worried about you.  Please use your cupholder as that coffee is going to end up in your lap someday, and we don't want that to happen to you.  LOL

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[Heartgrove]

Photos of Rostock, DE along with Bad Doberan and Warnemunde on our 2017 Baltic Sea cruise. We purchased a Mecklenberg-Vorpommern Day Train Pass for traveling the area that day. The train station is a very short walk from the pier. My original plan was to go east by train to Ribnitz-Damgarten but we missed our connection by two minutes. Plan B had us travel west to Bad Doberan (Bad = Bath in German) to see the steam tourist train that uses city streets. After that we headed back to Rostock for lunch and a walk around the city center. Then to Warnemunde which is a very nice beach town before reboarding and back to Copenhagen.

 

Sorry about the duplicated photos at the end.

 

HAL Zuiderdam at Warnemunde, DE

 

 

The adjacent train station to the cruise dock.

 

Our missed train to Ribnitz-Damgarten.

 

An engine of the Molli Railway in Bad Doberan. Although old technology, it was actually built in 2008!

 

 

 

A street-side strawberry stand.

 

 

 

An abandoned local government building in Bad Doberan that was a subject for Sue's artwork.

 

Back to Rostock

 

 

Sue's traveling partner taking a break.

 

 

 

And back to Warnemunde.

 

 

 

 

 

Sue on our SS balcony

 

And leaving Warnemunde

 

On to Copenhagen

 

 

Edited October 20, 2023 by Heartgrove

[Heartgrove]

2 hours ago, Cruzin Terri said:

 

I am almost packed.  My problem is not being really sure what the weather will be like in Venice, Florence and Rome prior to the cruise.  I am packing some long sleeve shirts, sweaters, slacks and a jacket.  Hoping that layering will work.  

 

 

@Cruzin Terri Terri, we were in Venice and Florence this time last year. It was comfortable warm but in Venice we had a little rain in the evening one night. Expect crowds around All Saints Day, November 1st as it is a national holiday.

 

- Jack

[Sharon in AZ]

Good morning and Happy Friday. Thank you for the Fleet and Daily Rich. 
 

It’s been warm lately and today’s high will be 99F, maybe it’ll get to 100F. Next week will cool down. 
 

I had my retina appointment Tuesday and all is okay for me to proceed with cataract surgery. Sure is good news. Craig has a 6 month cardio appointment today. His sister had back surgery Wednesday and is doing well. We leave in two weeks for San Diego. I’m meeting girlfriends for our annual Sisterhood reunion. We are staying at a Airbnb on Coronado. 
 

I will pass on the meal suggestion today. Not sure what we are having yet. 
 

Terri @Cruzin Terri, Venice might be colder than the other cities because of the dampness, especially at night and early morning. Sometimes not much sun gets in the narrow streets. We were there in October once and I wore sweaters with a jacket. We had been in Verona right before that and it wasn’t as cool there. 
 

Sandi @StLouisCruisers, my first thought was that DE meant Delaware!  🤣🤣. You can tell I’ve never been to Germany. 
 

Prayers for all. Have a great day everyone!

[Vict0riann]

Good morning, Dailyites!  Thanks for all the news.  We have only been to Warnemunde, and I, too, wondered if there was a port of Rostock in Delaware.  One of my cousins who was born in New Delhi got into trouble at the US border once because his passport said New Delhi, IN, and the Customs officer said there was no New Delhi in Indiana!

 

I am feeling much better today, and have an appointment to get my hair cut this morning.  I seem to have lost a day, because I keep thinking it's Thursday.  Pat is on the phone with the doctor this morning for a BP check.  It has gone back pretty much to normal, but he keeps losing weight.  He thinks that is good, so he can eat whatever he wants on the cruise.  Unfortunately, whatever weight he loses, I seem to find!  

 

Bon voyage to @sailingdutchy and the others on Oosterdam!  We should have been there to join them, but will join the ship in Barcelona.  Actually I prefer Barcelona to Athens, so I am content.  Just hope our flights go smoothly, and Pat manages alright.  This will be a test drive for a month-long cruise in the Spring.  I know I am going to miss all the extra amenities that are on the Pinnacle ships, Dutch Cafe, Sel de Mer, even Tamarind!

[durangoscots]

Morning. Sunny and warm here today. High will be in the 70's but cooler and wetter weather is on its way.... supposedly. I don't feel much like anything to eat and drink today (that may change). For some reason my stomach is a bit dicey.

 

Little new here. I am just plugging along. My Mother used to say that there were days when she got up thinking "today I have to face the day.... and on the flip side, the day has to face me". This is one of those days for me. Dogs and I will do bits and pieces with no real direction.

 

Take care all.... I am thinking of all of you. Just can't get my thoughts organized.

 

Susan

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, travelnap said:

Grapau27, This is an intervention.  We are all worried about you.  Please use your cupholder as that coffee is going to end up in your lap someday, and we don't want that to happen to you.  LOL

Thank you for your concern and interest in my post😇

The dashboard is flat and safe and i only put the cup and food there to photograph.

My car has cupholders in the front and back.

The food is a cheesy bacon flatbread.

PS don't forget to like my post 😃

Kindest regards.

Graham.

Edited October 20, 2023 by grapau27

[kochleffel]

15 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

the Customs officer said there was no New Delhi in Indiana!

 

Indiana has, however, both a Hindustan and a Hindostan, often called ’Dustan and ’Dostan.

 

I don't think that there is a Rostock in Delaware.

Edited October 20, 2023 by kochleffel

[grapau27]

4 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

We were in Warnemunde in 2016 on Prinsendam, and at the beginning and end of a Marco Polo cruise in 2005.  After the cruise, we took the train to Berlin as part of the cruise package and spent two nights there.  Since Berlin is not the port of the day, I'll save my pictures of Berlin for when it's the port of the day again.

 

In 2016 on our last Baltic cruise on Prinsendam, we were in Warnemunde on August 1.  Since we had been to Berlin, we decided to rent a car and visit some of the towns to the west.  The weather that day was a mixed bag of sun, heavy clouds and rain.  Most of the rain was while we were on the autobahn.

 

That day we visited Lubeck, Schwerin, Wismir, Bad Doberan, and Rostock.  To be perfectly honest, Rostock was our least favorite of the places we visited.  We enjoyed Warnemunde better.  I only have a couple of pictures taken in Rostock.

 

Our first stop was Lubeck, the furthest west we drove.  It is an old walled city known for its gothic style red brick buildings.  In Medieval times it was the capital of the Hanseatic League.  Only the city gate remains of the wall, and it has a decided list as one side is sinking.

 

The back side of the city gate

 

The first building you see after passing the city gate.

 

It might have been the building above, but somewhere nearby, we were at a high point and these are pictures of Lubeck and the Trave River.

 

This picture was probably taken in Wismir.

 

Schwerin Castle   We could not find a parking place, so we did not tour the castle.

 

The area cross from the bridge to the castle.  

 

I believe these were taken in Bad Doberan, and we just made it back to the car before it stated raining again.

 

On the way back to the ship, we drove around Rostock, but did not find anything interesting to stop to see.  We also drove around Warnemunde, and  this is the church.

 

Lenda

Nice photos Lenda.

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, Heartgrove said:

Photos of Rostock, DE along with Bad Doberan and Warnemunde on our 2017 Baltic Sea cruise. We purchased a Mecklenberg-Vorpommern Day Train Pass for traveling the area that day. The train station is a very short walk from the pier. My original plan was to go east by train to Ribnitz-Damgarten but we missed our connection by two minutes. Plan B had us travel west to Bad Doberan (Bad = Bath in German) to see the steam tourist train that uses city streets. After that we headed back to Rostock for lunch and a walk around the city center. Then to Warnemunde which is a very nice beach town before reboarding and back to Copenhagen.

 

Sorry about the duplicated photos at the end.

 

HAL Zuiderdam at Warnemunde, DE

 

 

The adjacent train station to the cruise dock.

 

Our missed train to Ribnitz-Damgarten.

 

An engine of the Molli Railway in Bad Doberan. Although old technology, it was actually built in 2008!

 

 

 

A street-side strawberry stand.

 

 

 

An abandoned local government building in Bad Doberan that was a subject for Sue's artwork.

 

Back to Rostock

 

 

Sue's traveling partner taking a break.

 

 

 

And back to Warnemunde.

 

 

 

 

 

Sue on our SS balcony

 

And leaving Warnemunde

 

On to Copenhagen

 

 

Interesting photos.

[Cruising-along]

Good morning all!

We had slight fog this morning, always a sign of fall.  No rain today, but clouds and maybe up to the low 60's F.

 

I've never had brandied fruit, but doubt that I would like it.  I salute all chefs, will pass on the meal and red wine, but would try the drink.  Love the quote and agree with Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser "Actions speak louder than words".  We've been to Warnemunde (took a tour to Berlin) and have been to Lubeck, but never to Rostock.  Sharon @Sharon in AZ my first thought was Delaware too! 

 

Last night was another not so good night, awake 1 1/2 hours from 1-2:30.  Better than the 3 hours the night before though.  This time I know what was keeping me awake.  I had ordered flowers to be delivered to my BFF in Bellingham to arrive the day after her surgery (yesterday).  It was through FTD, never have had problems with them in the past.  I got an email notification that the flowers had been delivered, but she never got them. 😡 So I called the 1-800 number last night and he said there was a note that they had tried to deliver them but no answer.....they were home all day other than a short walk in the early afternoon, and the email said it was after 4 pm when they tried.  They won't leave them on the doorstep.  So they will try again today.  As I told the person on the phone, it would have been nice if they'd said this instead of telling me they had been delivered when they weren't.  I was worrying they'd gone to the wrong house.  Now I'm really wondering about the florist shop they used in Bellingham!  

 

Today not much on the agenda other than going to Costco for a few things (ha, a few?)  and of course cruise planning.

 

Bon Voyage Tony @sailingdutchy!