e Fleet Report and Daily for Friday May 10th, 2024

[kazu]

Today is Dia De La Madre, Hostess Cupcake Day, and National Hampster Day
 

I could sooner reconcile all Europe than two women. - Louis XIV

Meal Suggestion for today - Ground Turkey with Potatoes and Spring Peas
Drink of the Day - Apple Cider Margarita
Wine of the Day - Butter Chardonnay 
Destination of the Day - Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada

Today in History:
1960 US atomic submarine USS Triton completes 1st submerged circumnavigation of the globe

Ship Locations
 

Eurodam

Victoria BC, Vancouver Island Canada 20:00 - 23:59 
 

Koningsdam

At Sea Destination Vancouver, BC Canada eta 05-11
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

Homer AK, Alaska 08:00 - 17:00 
 

Nieuw Statendam

Warnemunde-Rostock, Germany 07:00 - 22:00 
 

Noordam

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

Oosterdam

Ashdod, Jerusalem-Bethlehem, Israel 08:00 - 23:00 
 

Rotterdam

At Sea Destination Rotterdam, Netherlands South Holland eta 05-11
 

Volendam

Bar Harbor, Maine 07:00 - 17:00 
 

Westerdam

At Sea Destination Victoria BC, Vancouver Island Canada eta 05-11
 

Zaandam

Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm, Alaska  0900-0930
 

Zuiderdam

At Sea Destination Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida eta 05-11

[MISTER 67]

Greetings from beautiful Port Charlotte. 
76 right now heading up to a sunny 88 this afternoon.

At one time I loved Hostess Cupcakes but it’s probably been over 30 years since I had them, Twinkies were great too, in fact I liked them better than the cupcakes. Hamsters are cute.

Funny quote but some might not find it that funny.
I love Turkey and could probably eat it everyday but I’m not sure I’d like it ground up.

We’re sailing on the Enchanted Princess tomorrow but have nothing booked until December on the Equinox, looking at early August before peak hurricane season, probably going to book MSC Seaside out of Port Canaveral or maybe Enchantment of the Seas out of Tampa.

Have a great day and stay well.

Edited May 10 by MISTER 67

[rafinmd]

TGIF maps:

 

 

 

 

Roy

[grapau27]

Good morning from a sunny 64°F North East England.

Dia de la madre ( Mothers day) is celebrated on Sunday in the US.

Laughable quote.

I hope everyone is safe and feeling well and y'all have a good day.

 

 

Edited May 10 by grapau27

[rafinmd]

A lot has happened since @richwmn went to sea.  I think Oosterdam is actually headed to Siracusa, Sicily

[richwmn]

8 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

A lot has happened since @richwmn went to sea.  I think Oosterdam is actually headed to Siracusa, Sicily

Actually, she already arrived --

The vessel arrived at the port of Siracusa, Italy on May 10, 04:30 UTC.

[marshhawk]

Good Friday Morning Dailyites!  I thought I'd pop in to say "Hey" before we left for the Oral Surgeon, and I plan on sleeping the rest of the day.  I think we got 3 hours sleep, not from nervousness, just DH couldnt settle down to sleep. Which with the lights coming on, and going off made it like a lightning storm.  Speaking of which, we had several huge bangs and crackle yesterday, without rain involved.  Just "out of the blue"  no pre rumblings.  The storms were heading south so I do hope that @StLouisCruisers is having a safe drive south. 

 

I was doing really well trying to make a sale last night, and the very nice man said, well, I really only want one production.  So after 34 minutes of giving price quotes and seating availability, I said if he really only wanted the one, I would erase this info, but he would have to call or go on line to just get one opera, as I only can sell a 3 pack.  We parted ways, and DH said he was sorry I really had my heart in on that sale.  10 minutes later my boss called me to commiserate with me, as the call had been monitored, BUT he said the man actually called the number on the phone back,  which had been made active yesterday and asked for me, so I called him back and I made a larger sale than I had quoted.  And once again, the computer screen did not add correctly. So I worked more than 8 hours yesterday, and the bosses have to make some adjustment for me to get paid the extra 30 minutes.  Poor bosses though, they had to make adjustments to get the total right.  The computer keeps charging more than the sale.  Talk about hidden fees, we cant see them.

 

I had a hamster (due to cat allergy).  HIs name was Hubert Horatio Hamster.  They are cute, but you really cant snuggle up at night with one, and they lack a lot of personality.  Huberts's biggest adventure was escaping from his cage, when we were on vacation,  and he took all of his bedding and food and moved into my mothers' shower.  I dont think a Hostess cupcake is on my menu today, but I ate my fair share when I was in high school.  I prefer to never eat ground turkey, and I have never been to Nova Scotia, but would love the visit.

 

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Friday. I hope I can eat something once this is over this morning, and I really NEED coffee, but again, no food or drink until post surgery.

 

[summer slope]

Apple Cider Margarita cocktail:

 

Ingredients:

3 oz. Bianco Tequila
1.5 oz. Triple Sec
1.5 oz. lime juice
8 oz. Apple Cider

Directions:

To flavor the rim, use a mixture of either salt and ground cinnamon or sugar and sugar and cinnamon depending on your preference.
Finally, options for toppings or garnishes include apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

Makes 2.

[seagarsmoker]

Good morning Dailyites and thank you for the Daily Report.

I hope everyone here has a wonderful weekend!  

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[JazzyV]

Today’s Care List:

StLouisCruisers driving to FLL

RMLincoln’s DH Richard’s post eye surgery issues

Cruising-along’s BFF’s DIL Amber with a stroke, showing improvement

JazzyV’s BFF with a fall and sustaining a tib-fib fracture

Kazu with a foot infection and pain

 

Victims of flooding and storms across the country

Citizens of Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, hostages still held

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

 

From the Rotation:

Tana with chronic pulmonary issues

Cruzin Terri’s DH Jim with memory and anxiety issues

Nickelpenny with leg numbness and pain; surgery next week

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Happy Birthday to Denise T’s Dsis Karen!

Congratulations to bennybear’s DS on his Masters degree

RMLincoln’s DH with eye improvement on latest evaluation

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

 

The Daily Gardening Club posting wonderful flower pictures

All the contributors to the Fleet Report/Daily

 

Upcoming Cruises or At Sea:

 

1 day for MISTER 67 (Enchanted Princess May 11 to May 18) 7 Night Eastern Caribbean with St. Thomas

1 day for StLouisCruisers (Zuiderdam May 11 to June 8 ) 28d Passage to Normandy & Baltic Jewels + Zuiderdam (June 8 to July 20) 42d Ultimate Viking Explorer & Passage

1 day for Niagarawine (Koningsdam May 11 to May 18) 7d Alaska Inside Passage

 

Cat in my lap (Zuiderdam to May 11, 128d Grand World Voyage), Gail & Marty sailing away (Zuiderdam to May 11, 128d Grand World Voyage), AncientWanderer (Westerdam Apr 27 to May 12) N. Pacific Crossing, for Heartgrove (MSC Seashore to May 12) 7d Caribbean & Bahamas, YourWorldWithBill (Nieuw Statendam to May 18) 13d Jewels of the Baltic, and Aliaschief (Azamara Onward WC to June 9, 156d World Voyage)

 

 

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thanks for the Report.

Thanks for the maps.

Cool today, hope I can get some yard work done.

I sent my mom a card for Mother's Day.  I talked to her last night on the phone, she said that she got the card but I hadn't signed it.  Don't know where my head was, but at least she got it.  My brother had a hamster when we were little.  I'm not a fan of Hostess Cupcakes.

Amusing and cynical quote.

The meal sounds good.  I'll pass on the drink and I'm sure the wine is fine.

Prayers for so many. 

Have a great day.

[LambKnuckles]

Good Morning Dailyites!!  I woke to a cool morning.  After the daytime temps and HUMIDITY, this feels GREAT!!!  Even the still humid air feels refreshing with the cooler temps!!  We're at 67F/19C and will get up to 77F/25C...  Ahhhh  a nice SPRING day!!!  (But, Texans know this is only a brief respite!  VERY BRIEF!!!)

 

The Day of Mothers seems to almost be timely with the US's celebration!  

Hostess Cupcake Day -- well.......  I don't think I'll partake to celebrate, but...  I know them well from childhood.  As an adult, I too love Twinkies more!!  (And I don't but them very often, since in Texas we eat Little Debbie and that means Nutty Buddy!!)

But yes, River had a hamster growing up.  His name was Twoey!  We bought Rainbow and three days later we had 13 hamsters...  THANK HEAVENS the pet store bought the babies back, a few weeks later, and we made a little profit!

 

The meal sounds tasty and the drink and recipe sound good!  I've never had Butter Chardonnay...  but I think I'd like to try some!!!

 

Have a delightful day in your part of this world!!!

 

[MrSnuffleupagus]

Thank you for the fleet report. 

[cat shepard]

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui. Roy, thank you for our maps! An eerie light to the morning sky and the county just North of me is under a severe T-storm watch today. I believe that is just for the Western section, though. Lots of deer movement this morning. 
 

Vanessa, sorry to read that BFF will need surgery. Hope it is soon and does the trick. Glad he has you. But be sure to take care of yourself! Thank you for keeping up with all of us. 
 

Gym, Bindi walks, maybe some more work on my deck, and pool time. Dixie my pool water hit 91 yesterday. Time to turn off the solar panels. 😎 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. You know who you are. 
 

Cheers to all who are celebrating. 
 

May we each find a reason to smile today. 

 

**********

Butter Chardonnay 

This wine is super easy to find, Chardonnay fans! And it is priced to try. I believe the only place I didn’t see advertising it was Aldi, but perhaps I didn’t scroll through enough pages. Online prices start at $12.89.

Winemaker’s notes

Wow…Butter Chardonnay is rich, bold and luscious. Made in the tradition of quality Californian winemaking, the grapes we select are juicy, ripe and bursting with flavor. We cold ferment this easy-to-love Chardonnay to a lush creaminess and age it in our unique blend of oak. Butter brims with stone fruit and baked-lemon notes and has a lovely, long, vanilla finish. Simply put, it melts in your mouth!

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info.

[0106]

Dia De La Madre, Mexican Mother’s Day is celebrated on May 10, a date that never changes from year to year. El Salvador and Guatemala also honor El Día de Las Madres on the same day as the Mexican Mother’s Day format spreads across Latin America. 
 

I am lucky enough to still have both of my parents.  I will celebrate my Mom  on Sunday by grilling lunch for her.  Cheers to all the mothers on the Daily and to those celebrating and cruising.

[RMLincoln]

Thanks Jacqui for the FR, Roy for the maps. Seeing where the ships are today, it’s fun to recall memories of the places I’ve been to. 
 

We first went to Sydney NS by land trip with our 5th wheel RV trailer and had many days to absorb the multiple flavors there of Scottish and French influence plus the multi-faceted Alexander Graham Bell museum which is within reach of the port for ship excursions. Last September was the first time we visited Sydney from a ship, NCL Joy. I wasn’t walking too well then so we didn’t venture far but here are some pix. 
 

Port of Sydney. 

The giant violin

 

A monument commemorating the first wave of Scottish immigrants arriving is 1802, 415 people on a vessel of 245 tons. NCL Joy. 

 

My other pix are coming in upside down!  I’ll what I can do if anything and try again. 
 

Special thoughts to all the Care List, all In turmoil. I hope Annie dies ok at the oral surgeon, and Houdini is improving.
Terry, listen to your body and your heart!  ❤️ 

Maureen

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

We are supposed to have a partly sunny day in the high 60s today.  I am going to take advantage and get the rest of that patio power washed.  The part I did looks really nice.  After I am done, I will order the new patio furniture.  Tomorrow when it is cold and rainy I will get the borders on my quilt and get it to the quilter.  Next week I will stain the deck after it has had time to thoroughly dry.  I have to do some scraping first.  

 

We had a quick visit from some Ohio friends yesterday.  They are on their way through the upper peninsula and then west, hoping to hit Glacier at the mid point of their trip and then head back.  We may see them again in a couple weeks as they'll be coming back through Michigan.  

 

With today's meal I would have to swap out the peas and potatoes and by the time I was done, it wouldn't be today's meal.  In this first recipe I don't understand why they serve it over rice.  They already have enough starch in the potatoes.  Oh, well.   https://www.skinnytaste.com/ground-turkey-with-potatoes-and-peas/

 

 

This next recipe is similar with slightly different seasonings.  They did leave out the rice.  https://recipes.net/main-dish/turkey/ground-turkey-with-potatoes-and-spring-peas-recipe/

 

 

This one is way different with the seasonings.  I'd leave out the potatoes and substitute lots of veggies like broccoli and brussels sprouts.  The seasonings in this one sound good to me.  A big flavor explosion!   https://www.cookeatlaugh.com/aloo-keema-spiced-ground-turkey-with-potatoes-peas/

 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

[RMLincoln]

 

More pix from Sydney:

St Patrick’s church museum. 
 

 

Leaving port

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good early morning from central Texas where it is a lovely 63F with a 6mph breeze.  The humidity is 83% with a dew point of 58F.  It is cloudy right now, but the sun will make an appearance a bit later this morning, and our high will be 80F.  It might be a good day to trim the shrubs by the house.  With all the rain. they have really grown.  

 

I hope the countries that celebrate Dia de la Madre have a nice day.  I have eaten my share of chocolate Hostess cupcakes, but I always preferred the chocolate Zingers.  No one in the family has had a hamster.

 

I'll just say it's and interesting quote by Louis XIV.

 

There will be no ground turkey here.  I used it once in a recipe about 30 years ago, it was not well received by the family.  We'll also pass on the drink and the wine.

 

The 1960 underwater circumnavigation of the globe by the USS Triton was an amazing feat.

 

We have visited Sydney five times on BHBs.  Sydney has been our port of the day twice before, on March 24, 2021 and August 11, 2022.  The links to those Dailies are below for anyone who would like to repost their pictures.

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Sandi's @StLouisCruisers information yesterday, the links were easy to find.  Unfortunately, her pictures have disappeared from CC, so I am not able to repost them. I hope she and Dennis have an easy, safe drive today, and are not affected by the wildfires Ann @cat shepard mentioned yesterday.

 

@marshhawk  Annie, I hope the appointment with the oral surgeon goes well and is not too difficult.  If they don't tell you, tomorrow if your mouth is sore, especially at the injection sites, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water will help.

@Denise T  Denise, please wish your sister Karen A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY for us.

@JazzyV  Vanessa, I hope you got some rest last night, and I hope BFF is doing as well as can be expected, and that his surgery is scheduled soon.

@puppycanducruise Melanie, don't feel bad about forgetting to sign the card.  When our younger DD was born, I sent a birth announcement to DH's colleagues in the Delaware office, and forgot to put any information in the card.

@0106  Tina, thanks for the information about Dia de la Madre.  I suspected it was connected with Spanish speaking countries.

@dfish  Debbie, I hope you can finish the pressure washing today.

@RMLincoln  Thanks for your pictures from Sydney.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

Edited May 10 by Quartzsite Cruiser

[Denise T]

Welcome to Friday. Thank you for the Daily and Fleet reports. 

@JazzyV, thank you for remembering my sister Karen's birthday. I am waiting for her to make a decision as to where she wants her birthday dinner. 

We were in Sydney NS in 2022. I would love to live there. 

Here are my pictures. 

 

Thinking of all on the care list. 

Celebrating with all who are celebrating. 

Have a safe and healthy day. 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

We have been to Sydney, NS, five times and all were on Veendam.  In 2013, we did the roundtrip from Boston twice, so we were in Sydney four times in four weeks.  These are my pictures from those visits.  Each time, we rented a car and toured the outlying areas.

 

The Alexander Graham Bell Historic Site

 

After we left the AGB site, we drove part of the Cabot Trail, but did not have time to go very far.  On the way back to turn in the rental car we stopped at this museum, which was interesting.  It is about the Jewish settlers in the area.

 

The next time, we drove in a different direction to check out the area where the coal mines had been active. We visited the Sydney Mines Heritage Museum, and also toured on inactive mine, and learned that most of the tunnels were under the ocean.  They gave us ponchos and hard hats to wear since water dripped in the mine, and many places had very low ceilings, and one was just four feet high.

 

 

 

The next two visits we also drove around the area.  One stop was the Fortress of Louisburg National Historic Site.

 

 

 

A small boat harbor.

 

Lenda

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

On September 4, 2019, Veendam stopped in Sydney on her TA after spending the summer in Europe.  That day, we did not rent a car, but walked into town.  On all our previous visits we had never really looked around Sydney.  It was a cool, pleasant day for wandering around.

 

Part of the waterfront near the dock.

 

This interesting building is the former Bank of Montreal building, and in 2019, it was a museum.

 

The main street in town

 

A couple of interesting murals

 

 

On the way back to the pier, we passed St. George Anglican Church that was open to the public.  The church was established in 1785 as the Imperial Garrison Chapel.  The picture of the exterior is courtesy of  @Crazy For Cats who took the picture on his recent New England/Canada cruise.  While many of the large cathedrals are stunning, I like the smaller, more intimate churches.  This one is no longer used on a regular basis.

 

 

 

Neighborhood near the church

 

The waterfront

 

An aluminum sailboat

 

 

Sydney from the ship

 

 

Lenda

[Himself]

Thanks for the report. Tomorrow the Zuiderdam hits Port Everglades.  There will not be another HAL ship until fall.