The Fleet Report and Daily for Wednesday May 29th, 2024

[rafinmd]

Happy Birthday @cat shepard.  Happy Anniversary @Horizon chaser 1957,  Happy Hump Day to all.

 

Roy

[richwmn]

A friend posted this on FB and I thought that many of y'all would enjoy it.

 

[Denise T]

Happy Wednesday. Thanks for the Daily and Fleet reports. 

I realized I missed yesterday. Been very busy. Had three hours of meetings yesterday and I continue to get my presentation together for my conference. 

Some sun and maybe some showers today. Going to the chiropractor this morning and then more grading of assignments. 

Happy birthday to @cat shepard.

 

Happy anniversary @Horizon chaser 1957

 

Thinking of all on the care list. 

Celebrating with all who are celebrating. 

Have a safe and healthy day.

[ottahand7]

@cat shepard  Happy Birthday!!  🎂🍾

 

[ottahand7]

@Horizon chaser 1957  Happy Anniversary!  🍾

 

[cat shepard]

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is lovely outside. A perfect way to start a new decade - I hit 70 today. A couple of joints think they are 70, but the rest of me doesn’t. 😎. Thank you all for my birthday wishes!

 

Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. I still haven’t figured out how you knew it was my birthday last year. Probably your psychic powers. Last night after I read what you accomplished - I was tired. Love to read that you are able to do it, and hope you aren’t overdoing things. 

 

Manicure, Bindi walks, HIIT, then an evening at my favorite restaurant and then off to “my” wine bar. I might even have a burger tonight. Ooh & a Lemon Drop!
 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. 

 

Cheers to all who are celebrating!

Happy Anniversary, Laura! @Horizon chaser 1957

 

May we each find a reason to smile today. 

 

**************

Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon

You might want to buy this California Cab just for the label. But it has lots of consumer fans. It sounds lovely, and I would lot a taste. Widely available & online prices start at $15.07.

 

 

French oak beautifully transforms intense hillside fruit into a wine with uncommon richness and smooth, luxurious texture. Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet is a wine that is fierce, brave, and delicious.

 

Wine Enthusiast: 90 Points

"French oak beautifully transforms intense hillside fruit into a wine with uncommon richness and smooth, luxurious texture. Juggernaut hillside Cabernet is a wine that is fierce, brave and delicious." The Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  Yesterday was mostly rainy until sail away.  As we departed Arhus, a patch of blue sky appeared right on schedule.  I saw some sunshine from our window at early dining.  Today they told us it would rain all day but I had three weather apps which said the rain would start at 2 pm with a cloudy morning.  I went with that!  We had a tour today thanks to HIA which we normally wouldn’t do but it was enjoyable.  Highlights of Rostock, a river cruise and a visit to a microbrewery. 

No rain and even a little sun!  It's nearly 2 pm now and it looks good out, still cloudy and quite windy. 

 

Thanks Rich @richwmn for the Fleet Report and Daily for Wednesday May 29.  Thanks for letting us know it's time to reflect on those important days.  Love Mark Twain quotes.  No thanks to the chickpeas, Brazilian Crush, or Cabernet Sauvignon.  A huge day in history!

Thanks to Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for your reports today.

 

Prayers for all here in need of them, DB and Alex’s twin boys who are doing well so far, the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages still held and our troops in the region.  Praying for good news with everyone’s health issues including Graham @grapau27 and Pauline.  Congrats to all celebrating special events and cruising!  And thanks to Vanessa @JazzyV for continuing with the list keeping!

 

Happy birthday Ann @cat shepard and may you have many more!  Happy anniversary wishes to @Horizon chaser 1957!!

 

The port today is Anchorage, Alaska  which was the port on Sept. 22, 2022 and Sept. 29, 2023.  Here are the links.

 

 

 

 

Have a super day!

[StLouisCruisers]

Anchorage, Alaska is a large city, Alaska-wise.  The city and metro area have a population of about 288,000.  Our first time there was when we flew in to board our first cruise ship (Star Princess) in Seward in 2002.  We did a southbound 7 day cruise ending in Vancouver and enjoyed it immensely.  To get to Seward we boarded the train and enjoyed all the beautiful scenery along the way.  Our DS and DDIL accompanied us on that cruise.

 

 

Glacier water with that grey tinge.

 

Then in 2010 we cruised on Diamond Princess from Bangkok to Anchorage.  We docked in Whittier and took a bus to Anchorage where our flight home left in the late evening.  The bus dropped everyone off at the Convention Center downtown.  We spent the day walking around Anchorage, then took another bus to the airport for our flight to St. Louis.  Here is a picture taken upon arrival in Whittier.  

 

Approaching the tunnel on our bus ride.  The only way to get to the big city.

 

The view along the way.

 

 

We enjoyed our walk around town, and joined some people we had met on the ship for a light lunch.  Here is the inside of the Convention Center where we claimed our luggage and got on the bus to the airport.

 

In 2019 we boarded ms Amsterdam for our 14 day Alaska cruise roundtrip Seattle.  In Anchorage we took a shuttle bus to the downtown area from our docking spot.  I'm sure this mural took a long time to paint.

 

They plant lots of flowers to enjoy in the warmer months of the year.

 

 

Another beautiful mural

 

 

While shopping we saw many interesting displays just like in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan.

 

In 2010 we had seen a moose running loose in the Anchorage outskirts.  On this day in 2019 the above moose is the only one we saw.

 

Back to the Convention Center to go to the airport.  

 

The Holland America bus was beautiful!

 

[ottahand7]

Good morning everyone!   Thanks for the Daily and Maps Rich.   UN Peacekeepers have been a massive fail of late.  No kids to save for.  Mark Twin must not have known Huck Finn turned into a classic.  I have been to today's port.  I hope to never have to take a flight from there again, I hate red eye flights.  I will pass on the meal,  I will pass on the meal but I think today's drink would be great, even better with rum than cachaca, I have enjoyed and bought today's wine in the past.  

 

Thanks for the Cares and Celebrations reports Vanessa.   i hope you had a safe trip home @Cruzin Terri.   @Haljo1935 I hope the plugs work for you and you don't rub them out as I did.  Prayers for Tana, Chick, Jacqui and everyone else who is ailing of grieving.   Prayers for all in war zones through no fault of their own, Ukraine, the hostages and the innocents in Gaza.

 

It is a beautiful morning her with a crisp 49 degrees.  I got all of my trees planted, only have a miniature Lilac bush to plant and the main problem is where to put it.  A day of string trimming for me today.  Have a lovely day.  Nancy 

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Anchorage, Alaska is a large city, Alaska-wise.  The city and metro area have a population of about 288,000.  Our first time there was when we flew in to board our first cruise ship (Star Princess) in Seward in 2002.  We did a southbound 7 day cruise ending in Vancouver and enjoyed it immensely.  To get to Seward we boarded the train and enjoyed all the beautiful scenery along the way.  Our DS and DDIL accompanied us on that cruise.

 

 

Glacier water with that grey tinge.

 

Then in 2010 we cruised on Diamond Princess from Bangkok to Anchorage.  We docked in Whittier and took a bus to Anchorage where our flight home left in the late evening.  The bus dropped everyone off at the Convention Center downtown.  We spent the day walking around Anchorage, then took another bus to the airport for our flight to St. Louis.  Here is a picture taken upon arrival in Whittier.  

 

Approaching the tunnel on our bus ride.  The only way to get to the big city.

 

The view along the way.

 

 

We enjoyed our walk around town, and joined some people we had met on the ship for a light lunch.  Here is the inside of the Convention Center where we claimed our luggage and got on the bus to the airport.

 

In 2019 we boarded ms Amsterdam for our 14 day Alaska cruise roundtrip Seattle.  In Anchorage we took a shuttle bus to the downtown area from our docking spot.  I'm sure this mural took a long time to paint.

 

They plant lots of flowers to enjoy in the warmer months of the year.

 

 

Another beautiful mural

 

 

While shopping we saw many interesting displays just like in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan.

 

In 2010 we had seen a moose running loose in the Anchorage outskirts.  On this day in 2019 the above moose is the only one we saw.

 

Back to the Convention Center to go to the airport.  

 

The Holland America bus was beautiful!

 

Amazing scenery Sandi.

[grapau27]

6 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Good morning friends!  Yesterday was mostly rainy until sail away.  As we departed Arhus, a patch of blue sky appeared right on schedule.  I saw some sunshine from our window at early dining.  Today they told us it would rain all day but I had three weather apps which said the rain would start at 2 pm with a cloudy morning.  I went with that!  We had a tour today thanks to HIA which we normally wouldn’t do but it was enjoyable.  Highlights of Rostock, a river cruise and a visit to a microbrewery. 

 

No rain and even a little sun!  It's nearly 2 pm now and it looks good out, still cloudy and quite windy. 

 

 

Thanks Rich @richwmn for the Fleet Report and Daily for Wednesday May 29.  Thanks for letting us know it's time to reflect on those important days.  Love Mark Twain quotes.  No thanks to the chickpeas, Brazilian Crush, or Cabernet Sauvignon.  A huge day in history!

 

Thanks to Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for your reports today.

 

 

 

Prayers for all here in need of them, DB and Alex’s twin boys who are doing well so far, the people of Israel and Ukraine, the hostages still held and our troops in the region.  Praying for good news with everyone’s health issues including Graham @grapau27 and Pauline.  Congrats to all celebrating special events and cruising!  And thanks to Vanessa @JazzyV for continuing with the list keeping!

 

Happy birthday Ann @cat shepard and may you have many more!  Happy anniversary wishes to @Horizon chaser 1957!!

 

 

 

The port today is Anchorage, Alaska  which was the port on Sept. 22, 2022 and Sept. 29, 2023.  Here are the links.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a super day!

 

Thank you Sandi.

Nieuw Statendam is due in Newcastle tomorrow so I hope we are well enough to go and see her.

[aliaschief]

@cat shepardHappy Birthday!🎂🍷
@Horizon chaser 1957Happy Anniversary!🍾

Edited May 29 by aliaschief

[RedneckBob]

Thanks for the Fleet Update and General Info from all contributors!

 

I like Mark Twain’s quote. But I also like the quote, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

 

[Himself]

Thanks for taking time to post the HAL fleet locations.  Thanks also to all who vontribute to this thread.

[RedneckBob]

Port of call, Anchorage, AK! I told this story before so I will tell it again. June 2022, Eurodam, 14 days. We just arrived in Anchorage and went ashore to catch the shuttle bus to downtown. When we boarded the shuttle bus there was a driver and a tour guide. They started talking and this is what they said.

”Betty (the driver) told Mary (the tour guide), “it’s going to be hot today so when I’m finished hear I’m going to Walmart to buy a pair of shorts.” For which Mary replied, “how hot is it going to be today”. For which Betty said, “78 degrees.” 😀

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

@cat shepard  Ann. may your birthday be filled with fun, laughter and joy, and be followed by many more birthdays.

 

 

Lenda

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

@Horizon chaser 1957  Laura, I hope you and your DH have a wonderful anniversary, and many more anniversaries in the years to come.

 

 

Lenda

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

I slept in a bit today.  I woke up at 6 and decided that was too early and the next thing I knew it was almost 8.  It is going to be a nice sunshiny day with cool temperatures.  After the gym we have a pedicure scheduled.  So, busy day!

 

@cat shepard

 

@Horizon chaser 1957

 

 

Today's meal is pretty versatile.  Leave out what you don't like and add in what you do.  You can use all kinds of vegetables in this recipe and if you want, add in some chicken or fish.  Roasted Chickpeas and Vegetables

 

 

The big difference with this one is the addition of maple syrup to the balsamic vinegar to roast the veggies.  Maple Balsamic Roasted Chickpeas and Vegetables

 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

 

[marshhawk]

@cat shepard Have a wonderful day!

 

[marshhawk]

@Horizon chaser 1957 Happy Anniversary!

[StLouisCruisers]

45 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Amazing scenery Sandi.

 

Very true Graham.  Thank you.🙂

 

 

42 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Thank you Sandi.

Nieuw Statendam is due in Newcastle tomorrow so I hope we are well enough to go and see her.

 

That would be great!  I do hope you both feel well enough to get out to see it.  I wish I had a stop in Newcastle coming up.  It would be amazing to meet you two.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from a cooler central Texas.  It is 68F with 100% humidity and a dew point of 68F.  As I'm typing this, I see clouds and blue skies.  Our high will be 81F with rain and thunderstorms returning around 4pm.  If all goes as planned, we'll be heading to Waco to buy a new golf cart.  I'll miss the old one since it was unique here between the body style of 31 years ago and being painted Texas Longhorn orange.  I hope our neighbor can fix it, and that the nice camper we met will buy it.  This is not a good picture since it's been cropped, but it's the best one of the golf cart.  This was taken at Christmas either in 1999 or 2000.

 

Sadly the United Nations Peacekeepers have their work cut out for them in too many places.  Composting is good, but we don't have enough of a need for it here.  National 529s are a great way to set aside money for college.  We were fortunate to be able to contribute to our DDs college accounts so they did not need to take out student loans.

 

I like the Mark Twain quote, it is probably very true with a lot of readers.

 

We'll pass on the meal and probably the drink.  The wine sounds nice and the price is right.

 

We have been to Anchorage many times both on BHBs and by motorhome.

 

The ascent of Mt. Everest by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary in 1953 was quite an accomplishment.  It's sad that so many climbers now are leaving the mountain a mess.

 

@puppycanducruise  Beautiful flowers, Melanie.  Thanks for the picture.

@grapau27  Graham, I hope you and Pauline are feeling better today.

@LambKnuckles  Lambie, I'm glad they are finally breaking ground for the Senior Center today.

@aliaschief  Enjoy your last day/night of being pampered as a small group of passengers.

@richwmn  Rich, I loved the wine meme.  It was me last night after no having wine for a week.

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, your tour sounded interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

I found some pictures of downtown Anchorage. As we usually rent a car, we don't often spend time in Anchorage.  In 2018 on the Zaandam, we did not have a car rental reservation, so we walked around the area where the shuttle drops us off.  We then checked with the company and were able to rent a car.

 

The visitor center

 

Downtown Anchorage

 

The Alaska Mint is actually an unique store that is worth wandering through for a few minutes.

 

 

There are flowers all over Anchorage and Alaska.  This is for the garden club.

In 2015 on the Statendam and 2012 on the Amsterdam, we went to the State Fair in Palmer.  This is the "big" or main state fair, but since Alaska is so big, we have seen signs for the state fair in southeast Alaska, on the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak.  The fair in Palmer is held in August and ends Labor Day weekend.

 

The fair is not big like the state fairs in Texas, Minnesota or even Arizona, but it is more a traditional state fair from years ago.

 

They even have tractor pulls.

 

I think the sign says it all.

 

The stories about the giant vegetables are true.  The Matsu Valley has warm summer days with a lot of daylight for growing big produce.

 

Then there are the giant pumpkins.

 

The midway and the vendor areas

 

A lot of flowers

 

I'm not sure why, but I thought this group would like this picture.

 

I think even though the growing season is short, the long days of sunshine are the reason for the giant vegetables and the bigger flowers seen all around Alaska.

 

Lenda

[RMLincoln]

Lovely 60s-70s and mostly sunny today in northern New Jersey, or north Jersey as they say here… (not wanting to confuse Graham 😉). Rain coming overnight.  
 

Happy celebrating to Ann and Laura!🥂🎉🎂. The celebrations here nearly every day remind us that

Life is Good🌈. 
 

Elizabeth, I’m so sorry your eyes are bothering you so much. It’s been 3 years with my DH allergic to his medication eye drops, it can be miserable and sometimes beyond miserable. He survived on Benadryl.  I hope you can find something that helps you survive this. These eye surgeries have been to get his eye pressure low enough that he won’t need the meds he’s allergic to. They have been difficult. They are his last best hope for curtailing the progressive loss of eyesight from glaucoma. We take it one day at a time. 
 

Talked with older granddaughter last night, they are planning to come visit weekend after this!  That’s a lift!  
 

Today we have a meeting with a social worker who will visit us to discuss “future needs” options. It’ll be good knowing how such things can be dealt with but it’s not uplifting!  And it’s at the same time I usually connect with the teen girls I continue to mentor in my old fire dept which I look forward to each week… I’m hoping I’ll be able to catch them an hour later but they get very busy in their afternoons. If not today, maybe next week. They appreciate my insights and guidance, I appreciate their vitality!  
 

I have been to Anchorage only by truck, 40 years ago! I was so impressed with the flowers there. I always thought I’d be back but life has brought me other paths and places, I’m very grateful for it all!  
 

Blessings to each of you for a good day, and for all in need of healing, comfort or hope… near and far!  Very thankful for all the good reports coming in!  Happy hugs to you both @erewhon!  
 

Smooth travels for all away! Terri and Jim, Terry’s DB… home safe today!
@Mr. Boston Good flight to Montreal!  Happy cruising to all our lucky cruisers!  I’ll be interested to hear about Chiaggio from Bruce!  I have to look that up…. We’ve loved our visits to Venice but the last time it was too crowded to get around, really unpleasant. I’m thinking Bruce may have a winning plan!  
And protection for all in harms way or dealing with cleanup from the damaging and deadly storms. 
 

Enjoy this precious day! Thanks for being here! Maureen 

[1ANGELCAT]

Good cool and sunny morning. Possible storms this afternoon. 
Happy national Flip Flop day as was just announced on the news.

I have been to Anchorage several times. I remember all the flowers around the town . 
Blessings and prayers to all on our journey.