The Fleet Report and Daily for Monday March 4th, 2024

[kazu]

 

Today is Brain Injury Awareness Day, Casimir Pulaski Day, and Courageous Follower Day
 

A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment. -- Jane Austen

Meal Suggestion for today - Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Drink of the Day - The Saturn
Wine of the Day - Cocchi-Americano 
Destination of the Day - Alicante, Spain

Today in History:
1801 Thomas Jefferson is the first US President to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C.
1902 American Automobile Association (AAA) founded in Chicago
1936 1st flight of the airship Hindenburg at Friedrichshafen, Germany

Ship Locations
 

Eurodam

At Sea Destination Half Moon Cay, Bahamas eta 03-05
 

Koningsdam

At Sea Destination Raiatea Island, Uturoa, French Polynesia eta 03-05
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

Grand Turk Island, Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos 07:00 - 15:00 
 

Nieuw Statendam

At Sea Destination Ocho Rios, Jamaica 9:00am 5:00pm 
 

Oosterdam

Buenos Aires, Argentina 08:00 
 

Rotterdam

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica 07:30 - 16:30 
 

Zaandam

Santarem, Brazil Amazon 08:00 - 16:00 

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Noordam

At Sea Destination Hobart, Tasmania Australia eta 03-06
 

Volendam

At Sea Destination Fiordland National Park, New Zealand eta 03-06
 

Westerdam

Shanghai, China 08:00 - 
 

Zuiderdam

Hakata-Fukuoka City, Japan Fukuoka 07:00 - 16:00

[rafinmd]

Today's maps:

 

 

 

 

Roy

[grapau27]

Good morning.

Thank you for today's daily reports.

It is currently 41°F and sunny.

3 interesting days and quote.

We have been to Alicante on a cruise.

I hope everyone is well.

 

[grapau27]

1 Alicante beach.

2 Mushroom street a well known street in Alicante.

[St Pete Cruiser]

Good morning everyone. 

Allicante was a favorite port call of ours. From the cruise port, there was a short free shuttle and then easy access to the promenade and small mountain overlook. There is an elevator in the mountain to take you up to the top for a small fee or you can walk up.

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[JazzyV]

Today’s Care List:

Cat Shepard’s DSis post emergency stomach surgery, off vent, out of bed

Ottahand7 having arm skin cancer removal today

Quilty964’s DH doing well after a hip replacement 4 days ago

RMLincoln’s DSIL transferred to Rehab, with treatments

Fires in the Texas panhandle and OK; snow in CA

 

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:

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

Tana with chronic pulmonary issues

Marshhawk’s DH Chuck post angioplasty, another procedure upcoming

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Cruising sister’s great niece Murphy discharged to home!

Lazey1 feeling better and getting stronger daily

Rafinmd’s PSA showing improvement

JazzyV with improved leg pain and numbness after spinal injection

RMLincoln’s DH Richard doing well after his eye procedure, tapering drops

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:

 

LAFFNVEGAS (Winstar Wind Surf to Mar 9) 7d Classic Caribbean, Nickelpenny (Zaandam to Mar 16 2024) 28d Amazon Explorer, Mtn2Sea (Zaandam to Mar 16 2024) 28d Amazon Explorer,0106 (Nieuw Statendam to Mar 17) 14d W/E Caribbean, w/BFF, USN59-79 (Seabourn Sojourn to Mar 24) 33d Sydney to Taipei + 17d in Taipei, 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)

[aliaschief]

Good evening. Headed to bed more tomorrow 

[seagarsmoker]

Good morning Dailyites and thank you for the Daily Report.

It is 54 here this morning with an expected high of 75 this afternoon.

I hope everyone here has a wonderful day!

[kazu]

Love, Love Alicante 🙂 

 

Such a beautiful place and SO many different areas worthy of exploration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their market is fabulous!

 

 

 

 

And LOTS of Flores (and yes,  I brought some back to the ship 😉)

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

More of Alicante:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nickelpenny]

Good morning from Alter Do Chaõ Brazil. Close to Santarem but a little ways away. 😁

 

Brain injury awareness is very important and I didn’t know anything about Pulaski. Thanks for the explanation!  Not sure what courageous followers are. Not sure I agree with the quote. Pass on the meal and never been to the port. Very interesting days in history. 
 

We were in Parintins yesterday. Quaint little town. I didn’t have anything planned so tendered around on local tenders and walked to “market “ , picked up some magnets, and found a local hole in a wall and had some local beer. $1 each!!  There was a soccer team have a wonderful time toasting and they were cooking some type of meat. No one spoke English so I spoke my funky Spanish (just key words) and found out it was ox (boi).  They gave us samples and it was tasty. More people from the ship found the place and we all enjoyed the atmosphere.

 

And last night in the Lido they cooked a very large fish - Arapaima. Delicious!!  
 

 

 

 

I didn’t post yesterday but read the fantastic news about little Miss Murphy!!  Thoughts for all and cheers for those celebrating!  Have a great day everyone!

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  Happy Monday.  It is a warm 57 degrees with cloudy skies.  High will be 70 today.  Thanks to Jacqui @kazu and Roy @rafinmd for the Fleet Report and Daily as well as the fleet location maps!  We all appreciate it.

 

Interesting days today especially Brain Injury Awareness Day.  That's quite a quote from Jane Austen!  I know little about the wine, probably wouldn't drink the cocktail and would taste the sweet potato fries.  A good day for Thomas Jefferson.  Inaugurations before 1801 were held in N.Y. and Philadelphia.  Good for AAA and the first Hindenburg flight.  Thanks to Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope, and Ann @cat shepard for your reports today.

 

Prayers for all on the Care list, my DB, DGD, Scott and Susan, the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages held, and the troops in the region in danger every moment of the day.  Cheers for all cruising and celebrating special events today!  Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for your list keeping skills!  You do a great job everyday!

 

The destination is Alicante, Spain, a beautiful city.  It was our port of the day before on July 23, 2021 and March 22, 2023.  Here are the links for your convenience in retrieving your photos.  I see some great ones already.

 

 

 

 

Hoping everyone has a successful day!  Stay safe and well!

[StLouisCruisers]

We love the port of Alicante, Spain and have seen it 3 times.  We first visited it in 2012 on the Crown Princess.  A favorite spot to visit is the Castillo de Santa Barbara on the top of the hill.  You can't miss it.  The first time we walked up the hill.  Our second visit was on the Westerdam in 2017 and we tried going up in the elevator they have but it was having technical problems so we passed.  The third visit was on the Prinsendam in 2019, and we did take the elevator that day.  Here's a photo of us at the top in 2012.

 

A 2017 photo, when we couldn't get up there, but you can see the fortress at the top of the hill behind me.  Also Alicante is known for those beautiful mosaic type walkways.

 

 

In 2019, a view of the beach as we headed to the fortress elevator.

 

Entrance to the elevator.

 

Also in 2019 a view of the Prinsendam with a fortress cannon.

 

View of the city from the top of the hillside.

 

 

 

 

We love visiting Alicante and are always happy to have it on the itinerary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope to be back there in the future.  Always hopeful!!

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Happy Monday! 

Thanks for the Report.  Thanks for the maps. Thanks for the Lists.  Thanks for the recipes.

Spring-like weather around here, partly sunny and a high of 17°C (63°F) this afternoon.🙂

Interesting days.  We need to be aware of how easy brain injury can happen.  Thanks for the info about Pulaski, Graham.  Courageous Followers are important - we need courageous leaders too.

Not sure about the quote - sounds like it may be true about teenagers, not women.

Love sweet potatoes and my air fryer.  Yum.  I hope the drink and wine are winners too.

I haven't been to today's port, but after seeing pictures, I want to.  Thanks.

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

Have a wonderful day.  Stay safe.

[dobiemom]

Good morning. Just another work week. Take care y’all! 🙂
 

BTW are any Dailyites sailing on NCL Encore soon or someday? Please email me. Address is in my signature. TIA! 

Edited March 4 by dobiemom

[Denise T]

Good Monday morning. Thanks for the Daily and Fleet reports. 

I love sweet potato fries and when you make them in the air fryer, it is a much better option. 

Warm but cloudy today. I will take it. Yesterday had the windows open. 

Lots of class work today and then clients in the evening. 

Thinking of all on the care list. 

Celebrating with all who are celebrating. 

Have a safe and healthy day. 

[rafinmd]

Thank you Rich, Jacqui, Vanessa, Debbie, Dixie, and Ann.  Thank you Graham for the explanation of Casmir Pulaski Day.  I like Corageous Followers Day, standing up both to the leaders and for them.  I think the ultimate love is loving something despite it's faults but working for it to be the best it can be.  Brain injury awareness is certainly important.

 

I have a feeling the Jane Austen quote was not intended to be taken seriously.

 

I have not been to Alicante.   I remember it as the home of one of the early maintainers of the Future Cruise list.

 

Two great dates in American history and then a day that started out great but had a horribly tragic ending.

 

I prefer regular fries to sweet potato fries, but the air fryer sounds like a great way to prepare them.  My alternative is Chilled Blackberry Soup, Penne Primvera, and Mango and Berry Crisp as served on MS Prinsendam March 4, 2019:

 

A mild day today before rains come much of the week.  My main agenda item today is a followup this afternoon with my oncologist.

 

Roy

[summer slope]

Good Monday morning.  Found lots of info on todays cocktail:

 

Normally, when considering the wide world of Tiki drinks, you’ll think of rum, as the spirit dominates the scene with its Mai Tais and Zombies. Surprisingly, the second most common spirit seen in these faux-tropical drinks is probably gin, and the most famous of these gin-based Tiki cocktails is the Saturn. Though it uses the juniper-based spirit, it also includes many of the hallmarks of Tiki bartending: fresh juices, multiple syrups and a complicated, interesting history. It “carries the regality of a Mai Tai with the drinkability of a Tom Collins,” according to Garret Richard of New York City’s Slowly Shirley and The Happiest Hour.

California bartender  J. “Popo” Galsini introduced the Saturn to the world in 1967 when he won the International Bartender’s Association World Championship with it. Originally he titled his gin creation the X-15 after an American rocket plane, but shortly after doing so one of those planes crashed, killing its pilot. Reportedly, Galsini changed the name of the drink to the Saturn for the competition, in honor of the Saturn rocket that propelled the first Apollo rocket flight into space, months after the fateful X-15 crash.

Galsini’s storied history involved decades at multiple bars in California, mainly tropical-themed ones during the style’s mid-century heyday. However, his invention would have likely remained lost to the annals of time were it not for serendipity: historian and Tiki specialist Jeff “Beachbum” Berry happened upon a commemorative glass at a thrift shop in Southern California. He didn’t buy it, but he did copy the outline of the recipe down, and would later publish it in his 2010 recipe book “Beachbum Berry Remixed.”

As for the drink itself, it’s understandable why it’s become a mainstay on Tiki menus. Despite starting with gin, the drink is very much in the category thanks to the inclusion of sweet-tart passion fruit syrup and the rich, nutty flavors of falernum and orgeat. But even with three different syrups it’s not too sweet, thanks to the bitterness of gin instead of the inherent sweetness of rum. Also like many drinks under the paper umbrella of Tiki, the Saturn is served as an icy blended drink, making it extra refreshing and enlivening. With its edible flower garnish, it’s a striking drink to behold.
Ingredients
1 1/4 ounces gin
1/2 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 ounce passion fruit syrup*
1/4 ounce falernum
1/4 ounce orgeat
Garnish: edible flower
Garnish: orange twist

Steps
Add the gin, lemon juice, passion fruit syrup, falernum and orgeat to a blender with crushed ice, and blend until smooth.
Pour unstrained into a Tiki mug or highball glass.
Garnish with an edible flower and an orange twist.
*Passion fruit syrup: Mix 6 parts simple syrup to 1 part passion fruit puree.

 

 

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Morning, thanks for today’s report.  Starting this week work requires us to be in the office twice a week.  Tomorrow DH and I will do our civic duty and vote in the primary.  Over the weekend I did renew our AAA membership, it gives us a discount on our car insurance.  I hope everyone has a good day today.

[Haljo1935]

Brain injuries are important to recognize - many athletes are sadly impacted by them. My mom had significant memory loss resulting from a brain injury. 

Pass on the meal, maybe try the drink and wine, been to Alicante Nov 28 on my 1st TA.

Today is full of work and a trip to UPS to drop off the old TV box. CVS is the drop station - they don't accept boxes on Sundays so that's my big outing for today.

Currently 66° headed to 84°.

Beautiful picture @seagarsmoker.

@kazu looks like you had a gorgeous blue sky for your day in Alicante.

Prayers🙏 and positive thoughts for all. 

I've been to Alicante once, Nov 28 2023 on NS on my 1st TA; it was beautiful! I will post 2 sets of pictures. These are from the olive oil / wine tasting tour at Casa Sicilia, founded in 1707.

 

 

Inside the masters house which is now a museum of sorts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a park and garden at the winery.

 

 

 

 

One of the old presses and our local guide

Heading to the winery

The 7 wines produced at the winery and a peek inside

 

 

 

One of the first statues we saw as we went from port to winery

Beautiful architecture - I couldn't get the entire building, this is a snippet as seen from our bus

Sunrise over Alicante port as seen from our balcony on NS

 

The Daily for Alicante

 

I'll do another post with the pictures from the other part of the day in Alicante.  My cabinmate was not feeling well, so we didn't wander far from the bus.

Edited March 4 by Haljo1935
Typo

[kazu]

 

The Castillo de Santa Barbara in Alicante is fabulous.  here are some pics not yet shown:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside:

 

 

 

 

Topography of the intricate the Castillo  - it’s enormous

 

[cat shepard]

Just a quick visit to post the wine info. Will try to check back in later. 

 

*******

Cocchi-Americano

This wine sounds interesting. Would like a taste. Easy to find with online prices starting at $18.99.

Cocchi Americano is an aromatized wine created in 1891 by Giulio Cocchi and since then produced without interruption according to the original recipe.
The name “Americano” is both due to the alcohol made bitter (“amaricato”) by the addition of herbs and spices and to the American habit of drinking vermouth with ice and soda.
Produced according to Giulio Cocchi original recipe, Cocchi Americano is recognized in Asti as the aperitif par excellence – a real piece of history of our town.
On its label the original futurist rooster designed in the 30’s and representing his aperitif function (“it awakes the appetite”) as well as one of the symbols of the town of Asti.

 

CHARACTERISTICS 

 

Cocchi Americano, for its nature, represents the link between wine and liquors being a wine plus a small quantity of alcohol bittered (“amaricato”) by the infusion of precious herbs and spices: white wine, sugar, herbs and spices infusion in alcohol and in particular gentian flowers and leaves, Artemisia, Cinchona, bitter orange peel, elderflower and others.
To produce Cocchi Americano, white wine is aromatized with the extracts obtained through a cold infusion in alcohol, then refined for balancing the spices’ aromas and tastes.

 

HOW TO DRINK IT 

 

The classic version sees it served well chilled in a cocktail glass with ice cubes, completed with a splash of seltz so to free all its aromas and typical perfumes. It can be perfected with a squeezed out orange peel.
The Spritz Americano version foresees the use of a wine glass plus the addition of a dry sparkling wine. It becomes Royale in combination with a metodo classico Alta Langa DOCG.
In the Summer version the glass is filled with chopped-up ice, making a perfect refreshing drink. The naturally bitter note of Americano is not lost even when abundantly diluted.
In mixology, Cocchi Americano is exceptionally versatile for the classic cocktails as Vesper Martini, Corpse Reviver #2, White Negroni, as modifier or as a base for the aromatizing infusions. Particularly successful the combination with spirits such as gin, vodka and mezcal. It is a perfect ingredient for the new strong trend of the “low octane” cocktails with low alcoholic content.

 

 

[ger_77]

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  Sadly, so many athletes suffer from brain injuries - they're hard to come back from.  I had to look up Casimir Pulaski and courageous followers.  I don't agree with the quote.  We have lovely memories of Alicante and would enjoy going back for another visit.

 

Well the media is calling it Snowmageddon instead of a winter snowstorm.  So far there's been 48cm (18.75") of  thick, wet, heavy snow that has fallen and blown into unmanageable drifts all around the city and outlying areas.  Many (most) highways in the province were either classed as "travel not recommended" or closed entirely.  The shopping malls were closed (something that never happens), and all but essential services were on the streets.  A couple of emergency calls required that the fire trucks go down a street first so an ambulance could get through to an address.  Our snow clearing fellow called and apologized for not coming yesterday, as he couldn't get off his own street.  I'm not holding out hope for today, either, as the city's snow clearing plan is to only do the main arteries, which will likely take the next 24 hours.  Now we've got winds picking up which are going to be blowing the top snow into even harder drifts ... great.  Yesterday afternoon I went out with our heavy duty leaf blower to clear off my car and trudged through hip deep snow on the driveway.  It's a real mess out there.  Many announcements have been made on the radio already about all schools being closed, with police telling the public that unless absolutely necessary, to stay home.   You don't have to tell me twice!

 

@bennybearDon't worry, the storm missed you; we spoke with our family in Calgary and they had just a regular March weekend and no snow.

 

I had to go back to yesterday's photo of our sweet little Murphy - I'm just delighted she's able to be home with her family.  That smile tells it all, doesn't it?

 

I think I'd like to try the drink, will let others enjoy the white wine, and do enjoy sweet potato fries, especially with ranch dip.  I found a good sized package of pulled pork in the freezer that is currently thawing in the fridge.  I'll reheat it and we'll enjoy that on the buns I made yesterday, along with coleslaw for our dinner at the kitchen table tonight.  And wine.

 

Prayers for everyone who is in need, in pain, in grief.  Special prayers for the innocents involved in wars.  Cheers to all who have celebrations today.

 

Smooth Sailing!  ☺️☺️☺️

Gerry

[ottahand7]

Good morning everyone.   Thanks for the Daily and Fleet Reports and maps.   I will pass on all three comestibles again, the Saturn looks good but who to make it for me?   Thanks for the Cares and Celebrations lists.   Prayers for everyone needing them and the people in war zones, Ukraine and Gaza.   Thanks for remembering my skin surgery today @JazzyV!  We have to get a cashiers check for the new truck and will be heading to my Dermatologist's office 25 miles away.   Have a lovely Monday!  Nancy