The Fleet Report and Daily for Sunday February 11th, 2024

kazu · February 11

Today is Autism Sunday, Be Electrific Day, and Donâ€™t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day

We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving.--J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Meal Suggestion for today - Baked Buffalo Chicken JalapeÃ±o Poppers
Drink of the Day - Irish Paradise
Wine of the Day - Graham Norton Sauvignon Blanc
Destination of the Day - Giardini-Naxos, Taormina, Sicily Italy

Today in History:
1929 Vatican City, the world's smallest country, is made an enclave of Rome
1975 Margaret Thatcher defeats Edward Heath for leadership of the British Conservative Party
1990 Nelson Mandela released after 27 years imprisonment in South Africa

Ship Locations

Eurodam

St Thomas Island USVI, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands 08:00 - 16:00

Koningsdam

At Sea Destination Ensenada, Baja California Mexico eta 02-16

Nieuw Amsterdam

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 09:00 - 17:00

Nieuw Statendam

Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida 07:00 - 15:00

Oosterdam

Drake Passage and Cape Horn

Rotterdam

Panama Canal, Colon, Panama 06:00 - 07:00 ,17:00 - 21:00

Zaandam

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

Zuiderdam

At Sea Destination Guam Island USA, Apra Harbor, Marianas eta 02-18

Eastern Hemisphere

Noordam

At Sea Destination Fiordland National Park, New Zealand eta 02-13

Volendam

Broome WA, Kimberley, Western Australia 08:00 - 17:00

grapau27 · February 11

Going up the mountain! Hope you have a lovely day today. God bless, David 🙏

https://youtu.be/x9XvQHQZpRU?si=wtd8K9Z8yDJxrbMmhttps://youtu.be/x9XvQHQZpRU?si=wtd8K9Z8yDJxrbMm

rafinmd · February 11

Today's maps:

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Roy

JazzyV · February 11

Today’s Care List:

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

1Angelcat’s friend Lynda passing 2/8

StLouisCruisers’ DGD suffering anxiety/fear after a trauma

Smitty34877’s Tana being treated for infection

Haljo1935 with a sinus infection

JazzyV with right leg pain, tingling and numbness; trouble walking

King Charles battling cancer

Death of 5 Marines in a helicopter crash

Outside Philly 2 police officers shot, house set ablaze, 6 people deceased

Citizens of Ukraine, Israel and Gaza; loss of US military members

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

From the Rotation:

Tana with pulmonary issues

Lazey1 with mitral stenosis, pulmonary edema; may need surgery

RMLincoln’s DH with glaucoma issues, medication allergy

StLouisCruiser’s DB with pulmonary fibrosis

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Bon Voyage Quilty964 (Karen)!

Vict0riann’s DH Pat post nasal blood vessel cauterization; hopefully no more nosebleeds

Ger_77’s DH Maurice doing well on his TAVI assessment

57redbird making progress post spine surgery, pain better with Gabapentin

Superoma/Kochleffel covering the Daily meal and drink recipes

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

The Daily Gardening Club posting wonderful flower pictures

All the contributors to the Fleet Report/Daily

Upcoming Cruises or At Sea:

4 days for Mister 67 (Celebrity Equinox Feb 15 to Feb 24) 9d Aruba, Curacao & Cayman Cruise

5 days for Mr. Boston (Rotterdam Feb 16 to Feb 25) 9d Southern Caribbean Seafarer

6 days for Nickelpenny (Zaandam Feb 17 to Mar 16 2024) 28d Amazon Explorer

7 days for Cat Shepard (Norwegian Escape Feb 17 to Feb 24) 7d Caribbean: Great Stirrup Cay & Dominican Republic

Lady Hudson (Vision of the Seas to Feb 16) 8d Southeast Coast & Bahamas, summer slope(Koningsdam to Feb 17) 18d Circle Hawaii, Sharon in AZ (Koningsdam to Feb 17) 18d Circle Hawaii, Quartzsite Cruiser (Koningsdam to Feb 17) 18d Circle Hawaii, Dfish & Sue (Koningsdam to Feb 17) 18d Circle Hawaii, Cruzin Terri (Oceania Vista to Feb 18) 11d Windward Islands Explorer + 7d Tropical Retreats, Quilty964 (Nieuw Statendam to Feb 18) 7d E. Caribbean, 0106 (Oosterdam to Feb 20) - celebrating her birthday on board, 22d SA & Antarctica, Ottahand7 (Eurodam to Feb 24 B2B2B Caribbean), Cruising-along (Volendam to April 6) 94d Grand AUS & NZ voyage, Durangoscots (Volendam to April 6, 94d Grand AUS & NZ voyage), cruising sister (Volendam to April 6, 94d Grand AUS & NZ voyage), Cruisercl(Volendam to April 6, 94d Grand AUS & NZ voyage), Richwmn (Volendam to May 4, Jan 3 94d Grand Australia & NZ Voyage + Apr 6 15d PC Cruise + Apr 21 The Atlantic Coast), Cat in my lap (Zuiderdam to May 11, 128d Grand World Voyage), Gail & Marty sailing away (Zuiderdam to May 11, 128d Grand World Voyage) and Aliaschief (Azamara Onward WC to June 9, 156d World Voyage)

portofrome · February 11

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

grapau27 · February 11

Good morning.

It is 43°F and raining here.

Thank you for today's days and fleet locations.

Autism recognition is very important.

Excellent quote.

Any Sauvignon blanc is nice.

Prayers for everyone on the care list.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy day.

Crazy For Cats · February 11

Good Morning, thanks for today’s daily fleet report. The kids let me sleep in and I got up just in time to watch the NS sail in with my first cup of coffee. Today should be another nice day with temperatures in the low 50’s. Tuesday sounds like we should expect a foot of snow.
Yesterday’s trip to the travel show was a disappointment. The HAL booth was manned by the event planner and pushed booking through them. All the booths were in a meeting room and was too crowded to get questions answered. Not like past events.

DH had a nice visit with the grandkids yesterday. He just messaged me that he is about halfway home leaving the hotel at 3:30 am. Too much pizza and wings after 7 didn’t let him sleep.

I hope everyone has a good day today.

puppycanducruise · February 11

Good morning. Thanks for the Report.

Thanks for the maps.

Back to winter temperatures here, cloudy with a high of 1°C. Guess I'll stay in and watch the Super Bowl.

A couple of friends have children with Autism, we need to learn so much to help. We certainly can honour Edison and thank him for all he has contributed. I know I shouldn't cry over spilt milk, but sometimes I do anyway.

Interesting quote.

The meal sounds like a good party food for Super Bowl Sunday. I hope the drink and wine will be tasty. Is the winery owned or affiliated with the comedian/talk show host Graham Norton?

I haven't been to today's port, but I'd like to visit someday.

Prayers for everyone on the Care List. Cheers for all the celebrations.

Have a wonderful day. Stay safe.

puppycanducruise · February 11

@quilty964 Bon Voyage! ✨

richwmn · February 11

Westerdam

Hakata-Fukuoka City, Japan Fukuoka 08:00 - 23:00

ottahand7 · February 11

Good morning from St. Thomas. We are in Havensight so convenient for walking. Norwegian Discovery is directly ahead of us.

@quilty964 bon voyage! 🍾🛳️

Thanks for the daily reports and maps Jacqui and Roy!

Thanks for the cares and celebrations lists for us each day Vanessa. Prayers for everyone needing them and the people of Ukraine.

We may walk ashore but it is Sunday, I guess with two ships in town the stores probably will be open Other than that an appointment with future cruises after dinner, probably her last one of the day. Our minds are usually always made up so we should be quick, though we really want to get her best guesses for GA or GSA in January 2026. Have a lovely day! Nancy

StLouisCruisers · February 11

Good morning friends! Weather here is 60F and we shall have rain off and on all day with a high of 68. 🌧️ Thank you to Jacqui @kazu and Roy @rafinmd for the Fleet Report and Daily as well as the fleet location maps. It's always nice to see where all the BHB's are on any given day.🚢

I agree with Graham @grapau27 that autism recognition is so important. It's hard to imagine life without electricity! And I agree we shouldn't cry over spilled milk or make a mountain out of molehill, another old saying. To me they mean essentially the same thing.. An excellent quote. I'll have to pass on anything spicy to eat. I'm not sure what the drink contains but I like most any sauvignon blanc. All the days in history are good days. Thank you Eva @superoma, Paul @kochleffel and Ann @cat shepard for the reports today!

I haven't said my prayers yet because it was my sleep in-no exercise day but I will do that shortly. First will be DGD and DB, our friends in poor health, and the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages still left and held against their will, and our troops in the region in harm's way. And very importantly, prayers for all here on our Care list and all others, in pain, awaiting or recovering from medical procedures, suffering from disease, loss of loved ones, worry and stress. 🙏 We hope for better days for you all. Cheers for everyone celebrating happy events and going cruising!🥂🚢 I hope the best team wins the Super Bowl tonight, and everyone has a good time watching it, especially the commercials. 😄 Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for the work you put into the lists for us all! We appreciate you, and worry about you! Prayers always for you. Same for dear Tana who is a very brave individual and a blessing to her family and friends.

The port this morning is Gardini-Naxos, Taormina, Italy (Sicily). Goodness, we've had Taormina three times already, on Sept. 14, 2021, May 15, 2022, and Sept. 17, 2023. Both Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser and I have been so I'll post our photos after the links. Please feel free to retrieve your photos to give us a look again!

Have a great Super Bowl Sunday! Stay safe and keep well! And Bon Voyage Karen @quilty964!!

Haljo1935 · February 11

Recognition of autism is definitely worthy of having a day. Electricity and Mr Edison sure impacted the world! I struggle w/the quote - life should be preserved when possible, but there are some horrific actions which cause me to believe they don't all have equal value. It's sad & unfortunate that some are not worth saving.

Pass one the meal (jalapeños), might try the drink, yes to the wine, not been to the port, but have been to Sicily (gorgeous).

3 great days in history.

More work today - I have quite a bit still to do before midnight deadline. Laundry is also on the list.

Currently 52° headed to 54° so not much difference. Weather shows to currently be foggy, but it's dumping right now, so it's clearly not to be trusted, lol.

Bon Voyage @quilty964

Prayers and positive thoughts for all.

StLouisCruisers · February 11

I checked my Cruising Profile and it said we had been to Taormina on the Prinsendam Holy Land cruise we took in Oct. 2014. But when I looked at my Shutterfly book of that cruise it turns out we were unable to go there and they substituted Messina instead. Knowing I'd seen Taormina on a tour once I was able to determine we'd been there in October 2016 on Emerald Princess. The port was Messina and the tour was to Mt. Etna and Taormina.

October 5, 2016 on our tour of Taormina. It's a charming town and very scenic but can be a problem to negotiate when crowds are large. It would be nice here off season, whenever that is!

The Duomo and the funky fountain in front of it.

A small walkway. I love those lanterns hanging from the building.

A shopper's delight...

A dining/drinking delight...

The view from an overlook

A closer look at that ship in case you'd like to identify it...might be a Windstar

The Church of St. Joseph (or the Chiesa San Giuseppe)

In front of the church

Lots of people!

Enough for today.

Haljo1935 · February 11

@ottahand7 your pictures are beautiful!!

StLouisCruisers · February 11

And here are Lenda's @Quartzsite Cruiser's photos.

We have been to Taormina twice on BHBs. In October 2017, the Prinsendam docked in Messina, and we took the transfer to Taormina. In August 2019, the Veendam tendered at Naxos just down the coast, and we took a local bus to Taormina. I hope I'm not duplicating too many of @StLouisCruisers Sandi's pictures.

The first two pictures were taken from the top of the parking garage where the bus dropped us off in 2017. The top one is the road from the coast up to Taormina, and the second is Mt. Etna.

The next ones were taken in 2017 as we walked around the walled part of the city.

The next pictures are from our 2019 visit, where we started from the other end of town. The first is the remnants of the city gate.

The street leading to the ancient Greek theater and a view of the ocean

A few pictures of the Greek theater which is still used for concerts and other events.

Both times, we stopped at here for gelato, and the view.

The town outside the old city gate

Lenda

kazu · February 11

Happy Sunday everyone. Thanks Rich, Roy, Vanessa, Ann, Eva & Paul for your ongoing contributions. And thanks @richwmn for adding the missed ship today. Sorry 😔

Great collection of days. We need to be aware and work to help those with Autism every day. Thanks Edison for my lights on the dark winter days. Don’t cry over spilled milk is a good philosophy to live by although not always as easy as it sounds. I agree with the quote. And YAY on the white wine. 👍 I am really looking forward to exploring Taormina in the Fall.

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it’s another day of temps a smidge above freezing 👍 The calm before the storm - warnings of a ‘Nor Easter and weather bomb coming - just in time for my “must do” appointments 😔 Spring is NOT around the corner.

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i finished the spread sheet for next year’s cruise yesterday 👍. Looks like it is a good thing with the way my morning has started doing the Daily. Maybe I better stick to safe stuff today like sorting and cleaning. I hope all the Super Bowl fans enjoy it tonight.

Me? I’ll watch the commercials & possibly the 1/2 time show.

Prayers for those on the Care list, those suffering losses, grief, pain, health problems, worries & those that need them 🙏. Cheers to those celebrating & cruising 🥂

cat shepard · February 11

Just a quick visit. Our local state park has opened up a new hiking trail and a group of us are off to explore it. Then we will go out for coffee.

Thank you Jacqui & Roy for bringing us the reports and maps!

Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings- in spite of what you are dealing with.

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Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating!

May we each find a reason to smile today!

**********

Graham Norton Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Another New Zealand star for us to enjoy! This one is made by a partnership with comedian Graham Norton. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/124042362/graham-norton-expands-wine-range-with-nz-company-invivo
Widely available. Consumers and critics like it. Online prices start at $14.99.

Distributor notes

The Graham Norton 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is an inviting menage of apricot, fig and lemon zest. The palate is full bodied and displays a pristine expression of Sauvignon Blanc. I think it’s delicious and has that New Zealand zing. It’s soft and fruity. It’s full but floral-like. It’s sunshine in a glass.

Edited February 11 by cat shepard

kazu · February 11

Bon Voyage Karen @quilty964

Have a great cruise and a WONDERFUL time !!!!

MISTER 67 · February 11

Greetings from beautiful Punta Gorda

62 this AM and reaching a high of 82

Good selection of days as is the quote

Pass on the buffalo but never the buffet

We have been to Taormina, did a great walking tour of the whole town including the Greek theatre

Packing and moving is pure torture

Heading off for my twice a week bike ride

Have a great day and stay well

MISTER 67 · February 11

23 minutes ago, kazu said:

Happy Sunday everyone. Thanks Rich, Roy, Vanessa, Ann, Eva & Paul for your ongoing contributions. And thanks @richwmn for adding the missed ship today. Sorry 😔

Great collection of days. We need to be aware and work to help those with Autism every day. Thanks Edison for my lights on the dark winter days. Don’t cry over spilled milk is a good philosophy to live by although not always as easy as it sounds. I agree with the quote. And YAY on the white wine. 👍 I am really looking forward to exploring Taormina in the Fall.

it’s another day of temps a smidge above freezing 👍 The calm before the storm - warnings of a ‘Nor Easter and weather bomb coming - just in time for my “must do” appointments 😔 Spring is NOT around the corner.

i finished the spread sheet for next year’s cruise yesterday 👍. Looks like it is a good thing with the way my morning has started doing the Daily. Maybe I better stick to safe stuff today like sorting and cleaning. I hope all the Super Bowl fans enjoy it tonight.

Me? I’ll watch the commercials & possibly the 1/2 time show.

Prayers for those on the Care list, those suffering losses, grief, pain, health problems, worries & those that need them 🙏. Cheers to those celebrating & cruising 🥂

I agree, what time is the hockey game?

kochleffel · February 11

Irish Paradise

If Ireland were in the tropics, this might be its national cocktail.

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½ oz lime juice
3 oz pineapple juice
1 oz coconut cream
1½ oz Irish whiskey

In a shaker with ice cubes pour in the Irish whiskey, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and freshly squeezed lime juice.
Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to chill the cocktail and blend the flavors.
Strain the mixture into a glass filled with fresh ice cubes and garnish the Irish Paradise cocktail with a pineapple wedge or a cherry.

Note: the photograph shows a hue that cannot be achieved with the listed ingredients. Some other fantasy cocktails with "Irish" in their names call for green food coloring.

Nickelpenny · February 11

Good Morning to all and thanks for the daily and fleet report. I had several students who were autistic when I worked at the high school; I had to change my approach and they were very special to me. I can do without electricity (did that on a trip to Glovers Atoll in Belize) but I am so glad I have it or otherwise no internet for me!! I have learned to not cry over spilled milk but it is hard. I think I will pass on the food, drink and wine and never been to the port. I agree with the quote (to a point) and Wow, important days in history.

It was a cold, rainy day yesterday and many parts around Tucson got snow. I hope when I go out today to get some pics. Presently it is 40F and today we will have sun and temps getting up to mid 50s. I do love football but since I don't have cable, I might be able to peek in on the game with my tv that is on the antenna and gets the local channels. I don't have any "skin in the game" but I will miss the commercials!!! 😒

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After the gym yesterday, I hunkered down and did some packing. I use compression packing cubes so I did the things that didn't need careful rolling - undies, swimsuits, etc. Other stuff is out waiting to be packed which I will do today and tomorrow as I leave to drive to Cali Wednesday night. I decided I didn't have enough cubes so bought 2 more from REI which I will pick up today. This is the longest cruise I have ever taken - actually the longest "vacation" ever - and I know I am probably overpacking. Heck, I even overpack on a 7 day cruise! Oh, well!! A friend at the gym also brought me 10 insect repellent wrist bands; along with me treating my clothes with permethrin and the bug spray for me, I think I am ready!! Yellow fever vaccine ✔️ Typhoid vaccine ✔️ anti-Malaria pills ✔️.

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Thoughts for all with trials and tribulations and cheers to those celebrating.

Have a great day everyone!

rafinmd · February 11

Thank you Rich, Jacqui, Vanessa, Ann, Eva, Paul, and Graham/Father David. I like the days with a special emphasis on Autism Sunday. I also like the Rowling quote.

I have not been to Taormina, and I don't think to any of Sicily.

Three interesting days in history. I was privileged on one of my visits to Cape Town to step into Mandella's actual cell.

Bon Voyage Karen @quilty964.

I'll pass on the meal. My alternative is Classic Caesar Salad, Lamb Shank, and Apple Crumble Tart as served on MS Prinsendam February 11, 2019:

Off to walk and church soon, hoping I can avoid getting caught in rain.

Roy

Haljo1935 · February 11

Nov 7, 2023 port was Messina, Sicily; we went to Savoca instead of Taormina as DH wanted to do the Godfather tour and I'd been to Mt Etna June 2017, so I let him decide. Since it's a bit of a drive, we did the ship tour; this is the description (2 pages). Apparently it was an early morning.