The Fleet Report and Daily for Tuesday, December 26th, 2023

[kazu]

 

Today is Kwanzaa (lasts through January 1), National Boxing Day, and National Homeowners Day
 

Sometimes you wake up. Sometimes the fall kills you. And sometimes, when you fall, you fly.--Neil Gaiman, Fables & Reflections

Meal Suggestion for today - Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Drink of the Day - Fuzzy Melon Ball
Wine of the Day - 2019 Yalumba Barossa Grenache
Destination of the Day - Cartagena, Colombia

Today in History:
1492 1st Spanish settlement La Navidad in the New World is founded by Christopher Columbus (modern Môle-Saint-Nicolas in Haiti)

Ship Locations
 

Eurodam

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 08:00 - 14:00 
 

Koningsdam

At Sea Destination Honolulu, Oahu Island Hawaii eta 12-27
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

Grand Turk Island, Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos 08:00 - 17:00 
 

Nieuw Statendam

At Sea Destination Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida eta 12-27
 

Oosterdam

At Sea Destination Ushuaia, Argentina eta 12-31
 

Rotterdam

Grand Cayman Island, George Town Harbour 08:00 - 17:00 
 

Volendam

La Paz, Baja California Mexico 08:00 - 17:00 
 

Zaandam

Scarborough, Tobago 08:00 - 17:00 
 

Zuiderdam

Willemstad Curacao, Netherlands Antilles 08:00 - 23:00 

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Noordam

Wellington, New Zealand 08:00 - 17:00 
 

Westerdam

At Sea Destination Sihanoukville, Cambodia eta 12-

 

[JazzyV]

Today’s Care List:

Cruising sister’s great niece Murphy post-surgery, on CPAP, gtube

Marshhawk’s DH Chuck not feeling well

Cruzin Terri not feeling well

JazzyV with right leg pain, tingling and numbness

 

Citizens of Ukraine, Israel and Gaza

All Dailyites going through worries and stress, whether mentioned or not

 

From the Rotation:

Tana with pulmonary issues

RMLincoln’s DH with glaucoma issues, medication allergy

HAL Sailer’s DH with medical issues

57redbird recovering from spinal fusion surgery

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Kazu stepping up to keep the FR/Daily going while Rich is cruising

Cruising sister’s g-niece Murphy extubated, on CPAP 

All who shared photos of family and their holiday tables

RMLincoln signing closing documents on MD condo

Ger_77 visiting family in Calgary

Smitty34877 visiting family in NH

StLouisCruisers visiting family in OH

 

The Daily Gardening Club posting wonderful flower pictures

All the contributors to the Fleet Report/Daily

 

Upcoming Cruises or At Sea:

 

Seagarsmoker (Nieuw Statendam to Dec 27, Southern Caribbean), Petunia1950 (Nieuw Statendam to Dec 27, Southern Caribbean), Nickelpenny (Zuiderdam to Jan 3, Panama Canal Sunfarer Holiday), St Pete Cruiser (Zaandam to Jan 4, Southern Caribbean Holiday), Ichiban Nekko (Rotterdam to Jan 5, B2B, Western/Tropical Caribbean), Av8rix (Koningsdam to Jan 6, Circle Hawaii Holiday), Haljo1935 (Koningsdam to Jan 6, Circle Hawaii Holiday), GTVCRUISER(Koningsdam to Jan 6, Circle Hawaii Holiday), Seasick Sailor (Rotterdam to Jan 14, 51d B2B2B Eastern/Western Caribbean (14n) + Tropical/Southern Caribbean Seafarer (16n)) and Richwmn(Volendam to May 4, 12d Mexico & Sea of Cortez Holiday + Jan 6 94d Grand Australia & NZ Voyage + Apr 6 15d PC Cruise + Apr 21 The Atlantic Cruise)

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thanks for the Report.

Happy Boxing Day.  Have a blessed Kwanzaa.  I'm fortunate to be a homeowner.

Another mild day in store for us, high of 10°C (50°F) today.  Love it.

I like the quote.

I haven't made chicken and dumplings in months, looking forward to seeing a recipe, I usually just wing it.  The drink and wine sound yummy.

Prayers for everyone on the care list.  Cheers for all the celebrations.

Have a wonderful day.

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  It's 53 and cloudy (and very dark) in Ohio.  We will have a chance of rain this afternoon and a high of about 57. ☔

 

Thank you Jacqui @kazu for posting the Fleet Report and Daily this morning for Rich @richwmn.  Good wishes to all who celebrate Kwanzaa this week.  Also for those who celebrate Boxing Day I hope you enjoy it even if you end up returning gifts this day after Christmas.  And last but not least National Homeowners Day, something most of us can appreciate even if it means we cope with the appliance gremlin or trees falling on the property!  I'm not feeling the quote today but I'm sure the Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings is tasty.  Can't stomach the name of the Fuzzy Melon Ball cocktail and probably wouldn't order the wine especially if red. 🍷 Thanks to the F&B ladies Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope, and Ann @cat shepard for helping out with the reports today.  You all play a big part in the Daily and we appreciate you!

 

Prayers for our Daily family especially Melisa @HAL Sailer and DH, Maureen @RMLincolnand DH ,Vanessa @JazzyV and Terri @Cruzin Terri.  All of you with pain or health or family issues are prayed for "daily".  Also for DB, the people of Israel and Ukraine, hostages still held, and our military in harm's way over there. 🙏 Hoping all our travelers are staying safe!  Weather is looking good for our road trip tomorrow.  Hurray for the cruisers and for those celebrating big days like birthdays and anniversaries.🎂  Enjoy them and we hope you have many more in the future! 🎉 Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for the list keeping, and I hope you enjoyed your time yesterday celebrating with BFF.  Praying for no pain and lots of sleep as the days go by. 🙏

 

I'm grateful for the video call yesterday with DS and family in Michigan.  They were all in pajamas, DDIL was cooking their Christmas meal, and the boys were relaxing.  The eldest one was fighting some illness which included a sore throat so it's good he was home and not mixing amongst us all.  They're all going to Cozumel on the 31st for their annual warm weather holiday to celebrate DDIL's birthday (Jan. 2 ) so I hope he's fit to travel then.  They need this core family time to prepare for the months ahead apart.

 

The port this morning is Cartagena, Columbia (not Spain!), a usual stop on Panama Canal cruises.  This was the port on November 28, 2021 and November 10, 2022.  We've been there on a 2016 Westerdam full transit of the Canal so will post photos later.  Here are the links:

 

 

 

 

We had a great time yesterday with the three older "kids" joining us and gave big hugs to all.  We enjoyed the less stressful dinner without the turkey and fixings melee, as well as gift opening, and games DD had planned for us.  The most popular game entailed tossing ping pong balls into red dixie cups taped to a sturdy poster board.  The cups were numbered and DD handed out prizes for the number of the cup you managed to land a ping pong ball in.  Prizes were gift cards to places like Starbucks and Target, chocolate bars, and scratch off lottery tickets.  Sadie and Milo 🐶 wanted to play so bad but had to be kept away from the ping pong balls and playing field.  A great time was had by all! 

 

Hope you all have a wonderful day!  Stay safe and well! 

[StLouisCruisers]

We visited today's port of Cartagena in 2016 on Westerdam, which was only our second HAL cruise.  We took a tour that day so got to visit quite a few spots around the town.  Here's the ship at dock as we left for our tour.

 

There is an aviary outside the gates next to the parking lot.  Interesting!

 

 

Our first stop was at the Convento de la Popa, a 400 year old monastery built on the foundations of a razed Indian temple.  It sits on a 500 foot hill.

 

 

 

Our guide

 

 

This is a rather chilling statue of a speared Padre Alonso Garcia de Paredes, a priest who was murdered along with five Spanish soldiers for trying to spread the good word.

 

The view out the window.

 

Moving on to our next stop we were given views of the poor neighborhoods many people lived in.

 

But a little paint goes a long way

 

 

We parked alongside the next stop where the vendors tried to catch our eye.

 

A view of the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, a fortification built by the Spanish to protect the city from pirate attacks.

 

The tour did not go inside which was fine.

 

Flat Stanley was along with us this trip so I can't forget about his photos.  This was for our grandson who had to report at the end of the school year about everything Flat Stanley did that year.

 

The rest of the tour of the city is coming up next.

[grapau27]

Good morning.

It is currently 37°F and sunny here at 11.35am.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas day.

Happy Boxing Day.

Today's food sounds good.

We have never been to today's port.

I hope everyone is safe and well.

[St Pete Cruiser]

Good morning everyone from the Good Ship Zaandam in Scarborough, Tobago 🇹🇹. We had a very warm Christmas Day in Barbados yesterday. Today should be a repeat. 

[StLouisCruisers]

Next they drove us to go shopping at Las Bovedas, known as the "Dungeons".  It contains rows of handicraft stalls.  I have to admit I'm not much of a shopping enthusiasist.

 

 

Next we walked through the walled city to see the colonial homes, churches and squares.  

 

 

 

I love seeing the unique architecture of the old cities.

 

 

 

 

So pretty!

 

 

 

I could do this type of tour all day.  This is one reason we try to do our own walking tours when the ship docks close to the Old Towns.  Not true in this case.

 

Interior of a small church.

 

I love this woman's outfit

 

 

 

After this cruise the show Amazing Race included a stop in Cartagena and the task for the teams included finding some of these colorful bags with clues in them.  How exciting to realize I'd recently been there too.

 

 

There's so many pictures!  I think I must stop now before you have overload!  I hope you enjoyed my pics of Cartagena!

 

 

[grapau27]

14 minutes ago, JazzyV said:

 

Today’s Care List:

Cruising sister’s great niece Murphy post-surgery, on CPAP, gtube

Marshhawk’s DH Chuck not feeling well

Cruzin Terri not feeling well

JazzyV with right leg pain, tingling and numbness

 

Citizens of Ukraine, Israel and Gaza

All Dailyites going through worries and stress, whether mentioned or not

 

From the Rotation:

Tana with pulmonary issues

RMLincoln’s DH with glaucoma issues, medication allergy

HAL Sailer’s DH with medical issues

57redbird recovering from spinal fusion surgery

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Kazu stepping up to keep the FR/Daily going while Rich is cruising

Cruising sister’s g-niece Murphy extubated, on CPAP 

All who shared photos of family and their holiday tables

RMLincoln signing closing documents on MD condo

Ger_77 visiting family in Calgary

Smitty34877 visiting family in NH

StLouisCruisers visiting family in OH

 

The Daily Gardening Club posting wonderful flower pictures

All the contributors to the Fleet Report/Daily

 

Upcoming Cruises or At Sea:

 

Seagarsmoker (Nieuw Statendam to Dec 27, Southern Caribbean), Petunia1950 (Nieuw Statendam to Dec 27, Southern Caribbean), Nickelpenny (Zuiderdam to Jan 3, Panama Canal Sunfarer Holiday), St Pete Cruiser (Zaandam to Jan 4, Southern Caribbean Holiday), Ichiban Nekko (Rotterdam to Jan 5, B2B, Western/Tropical Caribbean), Av8rix (Koningsdam to Jan 6, Circle Hawaii Holiday), Haljo1935 (Koningsdam to Jan 6, Circle Hawaii Holiday), GTVCRUISER(Koningsdam to Jan 6, Circle Hawaii Holiday), Seasick Sailor (Rotterdam to Jan 14, 51d B2B2B Eastern/Western Caribbean (14n) + Tropical/Southern Caribbean Seafarer (16n)) and Richwmn(Volendam to May 4, 12d Mexico & Sea of Cortez Holiday + Jan 6 94d Grand Australia & NZ Voyage + Apr 6 15d PC Cruise + Apr 21 The Atlantic Cruise)

Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for your excellent work in keeping the Daily lists updated.

I hope you had a nice Christmas day and pray it was pain free for you.

Graham x

[summer slope]

Fuzzy Melon Ball cocktail:

 

1/2 oz of Midori melon liqueur
1/2 oz of peach schnapps
5 oz of Orange Juice

Pour the Midori melon liqueur and peach schnapps into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Fill with orange juice, stir and serve.

[rafinmd]

Thank you Rich, Jacqui, Vanessa, Ann, Dixie, and Debbie.  I'll celebrate National Homeowner's day.  We don't hear about Boxing Day in the US but I've heard about a couple of possibilities.  I've gotten the impression from MASH that in the UK it involves a day of the bosses changing places with the help, and in Canada they give gifts to the people who serve them.

 

I don't think we have any dailyites who celebrate Kwanzaa but if we do wishing you a wonderful celebration.

 

Today's quote leaves me cold.  I'm not sure I think most of the years since 1492 have been tough for Haiti.

 

I've been to Cartagena many times, mostly with Crystal but also on Rotterdam just last month.

 

I'll pass on the meal.  My alternative is Country Style Buttermilk Chicken, my embarkation MDR lunch on MS Ryndam December 28, 2014.

 

My prostate cancer has flared up a bit.  Later this morning I go to Radiation Oncology to set up a short round of radiation to take care of the hot spots.  The doctor thought I might need this every couple of years.

 

Roy

[grapau27]

8 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Next they drove us to go shopping at Las Bovedas, known as the "Dungeons".  It contains rows of handicraft stalls.  I have to admit I'm not much of a shopping enthusiasist.

 

 

Next we walked through the walled city to see the colonial homes, churches and squares.  

 

 

 

I love seeing the unique architecture of the old cities.

 

 

 

 

So pretty!

 

 

 

I could do this type of tour all day.  This is one reason we try to do our own walking tours when the ship docks close to the Old Towns.  Not true in this case.

 

Interior of a small church.

 

I love this woman's outfit

 

 

 

After this cruise the show Amazing Race included a stop in Cartagena and the task for the teams included finding some of these colorful bags with clues in them.  How exciting to realize I'd recently been there too.

 

 

There's so many pictures!  I think I must stop now before you have overload!  I hope you enjoyed my pics of Cartagena!

 

 

Excellent photos Sandi.

I never get sick of seeing photos especially of places we have never been to.

[ocean sounds]

Good morning and thank you for the Daily!

 

I’m enjoying the pictures of Cartagena, @StLouisCruisers.  I hope to visit one day on a Panama Canal cruise. 
 

To all cruising this week, I am enjoying your photos and comments.

 

have a wonderful day, everyone!

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Thank you Rich, Jacqui, Vanessa, Ann, Dixie, and Debbie.  I'll celebrate National Homeowner's day.  We don't hear about Boxing Day in the US but I've heard about a couple of possibilities.  I've gotten the impression from MASH that in the UK it involves a day of the bosses changing places with the help, and in Canada they give gifts to the people who serve them.

 

I don't think we have any dailyites who celebrate Kwanzaa but if we do wishing you a wonderful celebration.

 

Today's quote leaves me cold.  I'm not sure I think most of the years since 1492 have been tough for Haiti.

 

I've been to Cartagena many times, mostly with Crystal but also on Rotterdam just last month.

 

I'll pass on the meal.  My alternative is Country Style Buttermilk Chicken, my embarkation MDR lunch on MS Ryndam December 28, 2014.

 

My prostate cancer has flared up a bit.  Later this morning I go to Radiation Oncology to set up a short round of radiation to take care of the hot spots.  The doctor thought I might need this every couple of years.

 

Roy

Sorry to hear about your prostate flare up Roy.

Hopefully the prompt radiation treatment can put it back into remission.

 

[StLouisCruisers]

8 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Excellent photos Sandi.

I never get sick of seeing photos especially of places we have never been to.

 

7 minutes ago, ocean sounds said:

Good morning and thank you for the Daily!

 

I’m enjoying the pictures of Cartagena, @StLouisCruisers.  I hope to visit one day on a Panama Canal cruise. 
 

To all cruising this week, I am enjoying your photos and comments.

 

have a wonderful day, everyone!

 

I'm happy some of you enjoy seeing photos of places you've not seen before or have plans to in the future.  Graham @grapau27 you and Pauline might enjoy a Panama Canal cruise if you haven't been on one because of the hot weather, and opportunities to see some of the Caribbean islands you may not have seen before.  

[StLouisCruisers]

12 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Thank you Rich, Jacqui, Vanessa, Ann, Dixie, and Debbie.  I'll celebrate National Homeowner's day.  We don't hear about Boxing Day in the US but I've heard about a couple of possibilities.  I've gotten the impression from MASH that in the UK it involves a day of the bosses changing places with the help, and in Canada they give gifts to the people who serve them.

 

I don't think we have any dailyites who celebrate Kwanzaa but if we do wishing you a wonderful celebration.

 

Today's quote leaves me cold.  I'm not sure I think most of the years since 1492 have been tough for Haiti.

 

I've been to Cartagena many times, mostly with Crystal but also on Rotterdam just last month.

 

I'll pass on the meal.  My alternative is Country Style Buttermilk Chicken, my embarkation MDR lunch on MS Ryndam December 28, 2014.

 

My prostate cancer has flared up a bit.  Later this morning I go to Radiation Oncology to set up a short round of radiation to take care of the hot spots.  The doctor thought I might need this every couple of years.

 

Roy

 

Good luck today Roy.  I'm sorry to hear of the recent flare up and hope the radiation takes care of it promptly.  

[cat shepard]

Happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate!

 

Thank you for today’s FR& D, Jacqui! Santa did a great job this year & he and the reindeer deserve a long rest. I can see them now.
 

 

 

Sitting at the airport waiting for my flight to board in about 30 minutes. Enjoying my morning coffee.. What a treat to have a 10 minute commute to the airport rental car return. Yesterday was wonderful. My nephew has turned into quite the baker: cinnamon rolls, bagels, Yule log, cookies and two types of pizza! I never had homemade pizza before & it was amazing! Good thing I worked out yesterday!

 

Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. Praying that you find relief for your pain soon. 

 

Once I land in Jacksonville, I will go pick up Bindi and head home. Laundry, Bindi walks and chilling are in my future.

 

A final salute to Christmas 2023…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry.

 

Cheers to all who are celebrating!

 

May we each find a reason to smile today. 

 

*********

2019 Yalumba Barossa Grenache

Ah, those brooding plums! Who knew they made great wine? And yes, @StLouisCruisers, Sandi - it is a red! Lots of consumer fans enjoy this wine. A decent number of distributors with online prices starting at $16.89.

Winemaker Notes

The fragrance abounds with brooding plum red fruits, dark cherries and perfumed berries. The palate is richly textured, fleshy, round and supple with a red juiciness that merges into velvety tannins to finish. A defined wine showing the richness and concentration of the vintage. Pair with lamb and fennel ragu with penne or avocado pesto pasta with roasted tomatoes and pine nuts.

92James Suckling

This has attractive raspberries and a creamy, gently spicy edge. Smooth, creamy texture with concentrated raspberry-pastry flavors. Low yields, big flavors.

 

Edited December 26, 2023 by cat shepard

[Nickelpenny]

Good morning from a warm and muggy Willemstad Curaçao. Happy Boxing Day and Kwanzaa. I am no longer a homeowner but will celebrate the day. Interesting quote. Never liked Cracker Barrel but the recipe might be good .  I will pass on the drink and wine. I will be in Cartagena on the 28th!!

 

I had a pleasant Christmas Day with a day at sea enjoying watching Santa arrive and giving the children presents. I even took a picture with Jolly Ole St Nick!  They showed “Barbie” on the Main Stage- I was surprised that I really liked it. ( my friends enjoyed it and recommended I watch it). Dinner in the Lido stuffed me to the gills!

 

 

Today goal is to self explore Willemstad but not walk around a lot. The humidity will get to me quickly. 
 

Thoughts for all who have challenges this holiday season. Cheers to those celebrating. 
 

Have a great day everyone!

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Morning Everyone, thanks for today’s daily fleet report.  Yesterday got into the 50’s and today should be in the mid 40’s, it’s nice to save a little on the heating bill.  Today is going to be a very busy day with work as I catch up on all those emails that came in while I was on the Rotterdam.  I’d like today’s meal suggestion and look forward to @dfish recipes and pictures.  We used to go to Cracker Barrel on a regular basis but now seems to far to go for a meal.

We’ve been to today’s port twice.  The last time we went to the aviary and that was a nice excursion.  

This little guy had fun trying to get food from the little area near the ship.

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

 

I'm happy some of you enjoy seeing photos of places you've not seen before or have plans to in the future.  Graham @grapau27 you and Pauline might enjoy a Panama Canal cruise if you haven't been on one because of the hot weather, and opportunities to see some of the Caribbean islands you may not have seen before.  

Thank you Sandi.

Pauline expressed an interest in sailing through the Panama canal.

Our cruises next year are European then I will speak to the muscular skeletal team about sorting my arthritic joints then hopefully 2025 we will look at Australia and Carribbean cruises possibly on HAL.

Currently the Dover HAL cruises next year in balcony cabins are over twice the price of Pauline's favourite P&O from Southampton.

[puppycanducruise]

@rafinmd Good luck Roy.  I hope the radiation takes care of the flare up.

[Nickelpenny]

@rafinmd I hope all goes well for you with the treatment. 

[seagarsmoker]

Good morning dailyites and thank you for the Daily Report. 

Our last full day aboard the NS heading back to port everglades. 

Yesterday was a good day.  Santa visited the NS for the kids and even stopped by the aft lido for photo opportunities. We attended Deal, no Deal game show. My ticket wasn't chosen to go on stage, but we stayed and it was a fun hour.

We had a good Christmas dinner. Suzi had the turkey and I had the ham.

Broke even in the casino.  

No plans today other than the unhappy time of packing at some point. 

Weather looks good and the water is almost like glass.

I hope everyone has a great day and I will check in later. 

 

Pics are from morning sunrise as we pass Cuba.

 

[aliaschief]

Good morning. I do hope all of who celebrated Christmas had a memorable day. SIL arrived on time and Sue prepared an outstanding.

The weather will be getting colder this weeks with forecasted low’s in the 30’s.

Need to head to the pharmacy today as when packing my meds one prescription does not have enough meds to make it to June.

I believe tonight’s dinner is oyster stew. I would guess some would pass on that.

@rafinmdWell that’s not a good way to end or start a year. Do pray treatments are successful without many side effects.

Thanks to all who have made the Daily a daily part of our life’s this year. Enjoy the last days of 2023. Bruce

 

 

[seagarsmoker]

12 minutes ago, Nickelpenny said:

@rafinmd I hope all goes well for you with the treatment. 

Ray, I hope all goes well with the treatment.