The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday June 13th, 2024

[richwmn]

 

Today is International Axe Throwing Day, National Doe B Day, and National Kitchen Klutzes of America Day
 

Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet.--Plato

Meal Suggestion for today - Roasted Radishes
Drink of the Day - Bamboo
Wine of the Day - Kumeu River Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 (750ML)
Destination of the Day - Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium

Today in History:
1373 Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of Perpetual Alliance (world's oldest still in existence) signed in London between King Edward III of England and King Ferdinand I of Portugal

Ship Locations
 

Eurodam

Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska 06:30 - 13:00
 

Koningsdam

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

Nieuw Amsterdam

Juneau, Alaska 08:00 - 17:00
 

Nieuw Statendam

Invergordon, Scotland 08:00 - 17:00
 

Noordam

Skagway, Alaska 07:00 - 21:00
 

Oosterdam

Marseille, France Riviera 09:00 - 18:00
 

Rotterdam

Honningsvag, Mageroya Island Norway 11:00 - 18:00
 

Volendam

At Sea Destination Quebec City, Canada eta 06-14
 

Westerdam

Hubbard Glacier, Alaska 10:00 - 14:00
 

Zaandam

At Sea Destination Juneau, Alaska eta 06-14
 

Zuiderdam

Djupivogur, Iceland 08:00 - 16:00

 

Sorry, internet problems so no maps today. @rafinmd

Edited June 13 by richwmn

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  Today Zuiderdam is visiting Djupivogur, Iceland.  We were just here last summer and walked quite a ways to see the Eggs of Merry Bay, 34 to-scale oversized granite eggs representing those laid by local birds.  The weather is 48F with overcast misty skies and a 40% chance of showers.  Ship’s passengers will be tendering over and our visit ends at 4 pm.  We may not even go over as I feel a little blah today.  We did walk 5 miles yesterday in Runavik, Faroe Islands. 

 

Thank you Rich @richwmn for the Fleet Report and Daily and I'm sure the fleet location maps will show up eventually.  I certainly understand internet and computer problems!  Anyway, we need a day for axe throwing?  Hmm.  International Doe B Day is in honor of a rapper killed by gun violence so looks like someone initiated a day for him, too.  Now kitchen klutzes I can understand!  We’ve all had our little mishaps in the kitchen.  Plato’s quote is profound as usual.  Roasted radishes might not be enough for a full meal for me.  No thanks to the Bamboo drink or Chardonnay.  The Treaty of Perpetual Alliance between England and Portugal was so long ago.  Amazing it’s still recognized these days.  Thanks to Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope, and Ann @cat shepard for your reports today.

 

Prayers for the people in Israel and Ukraine, the hostages still held, our troops in the region, my DB, Alex’s twins, and my friends here on the Daily.  Safe travels to Terri @Cruzin Terri and Jim though staying put for a few days might be less stressful for you.  Hoping Tana, her sister and Terry @smitty34877 are feeling better today and recovered from the bug they caught.  Cheers to all experiencing birthdays and anniversaries, and on their long awaited cruises!  Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for the Care and Celebration lists.  You are certainly keeping busy these days!

 

The port this morning is Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium.  I was just in Zeebrugge 20 days ago!  It’s a popular port for making your way to Brugge and Brussels.  This was the port of the day on Feb. 26, 2022 and Feb. 6, 2023.  Here are the links in case you need them.

 

 

 

Hope all are enjoying their Thursday.  Stay safe and keep well!

[JazzyV]

Today’s Care List:

Kazu with foot infection and having foot pain

Cruzin Terri and DH Jim hopefully returning home from Barbados

Cruzin Terri with a cold and stomach bug

Marshhawk’s DH Catmando’s DB Scottie suffered a stroke

Lazey1 recovering from Covid

 

Flooding and storms across the US, with loss of life

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, weakness, stomach bug

Seasick Sailor’s DH Allen with skin issues, abnormal lab work, weight loss

Status of Cruzn single

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Catmando's DB Scottie out of ICU

Erewhon passing the 5 year milestone mark

Overhead Fred and DW at Canada Cottage

 

The Daily Gardening Club posting wonderful flower pictures

All the contributors to the Fleet Report/Daily

 

Upcoming Cruises or At Sea:

 

1 day for Lady Hudson (Symphony of the Seas June 14 to June 21) 7 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise, with twin sister Karen

2 days for Himself (Eurodam June 15 to June 22) 7 Day Alaska Explorer

 

Mtn2Sea (Cunard QM2 to June 15) 6d WB TA Crossing, swin26 (Rotterdam to June 22) 14d North Cape & The Midnight Sun, Suslor (Rotterdam to June 29) 21d Midnight Sun & Norse Legends, Cruzn single (Westerdam to July 7) 28d Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice and  StLouisCruisers (Zuiderdam to July 20) 42d Ultimate Viking Explorer & Passage

[summer slope]

Bamboo cocktail:

 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. dry sherry
1 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 dash orange bitters
Garnish:  lemon twist

Directions:

Add the dry sherry, dry vermouth, Angostura bitters and orange bitters into a mixing glass with cracked ice, and stir until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe, and garnish with a lemon twist.

 

[StLouisCruisers]

Zeebrugge, Belgium

 

We were in Bruge in 2015 and 2019.  On our second visit to Brugge we were on Prinsendam too (our last cruise on her May 2019).  We took the shuttle to Blankenberge as well, bought our tickets for the train to Brugge and then back again. 

 

On May 8, 2015 our ship Royal Princess stopped in Zeebrugge, Belgium.  We took a tour from Princess and were driven to the town of Brugge.  We had heard a lot about it but it really was stunning.  I've described it as a fairy tale medieval town with beauty around every corner.  Our tour guide walked us from the parking lot to the edge of the old city.  Right away we saw sights like this.

 

 

 

Part of our tour was this boat ride along the canals.

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, that's his favorite spot!

 

Aren't the flowerpots on the wall a cute idea?

 

 

 

 

Time to stop for DH's beer before the tour ends.  

 

 

The following photos were taken May 17, 2019 when we took the train to Brugge.  So many good things to sample there if you're hungry or thirsty.

 

waffles!

 

 

 

 

Brugge buildings on these curtains.  Love that!

 

Ready to board our train back to Zeebrugge.

 

 

 

Have a great day everyone!  

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thanks for the Report.

It's hot and muggy already this morning, chance of thunderstorms this afternoon.

I can be a Kitchen Klutz but I'm not sure about the other two days.

Love the quote.

Roasted radishes does not sound like a meal, but a delicious side dish.  The drink sounds interesting, I'm sure I'll like the wine.

Someday, I'll get to Belgium.

Prayers for so many.  I hope there are lots of reasons to celebrate.

Have a wonderful day.

 

[rafinmd]

Sorry, internet problems so no maps today. @rafinmd

 

 

 

 

 

Roy

[StLouisCruisers]

For those who would like to visit Djupivogur, here is a photo of the eggs laid out along the shoreline of a bay, with plaques describing what bird they represent.  It's quite a walk from the dock in town.

 

 

 

I have heard there is a glacier and an area of waterfalls in the region but you would need a tour to see that, since there are few taxis in this village of about 600 residents.  Here's a link to a good site with more information.

 

https://www.visiticeland.com/article/a-day-in-djupivogur

 

We turned our clocks back another hour last night for Iceland time and are 4 hours ahead of Eastern time U.S.

 

 

[StLouisCruisers]

2 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Sorry, internet problems so no maps today. @rafinmd

 

 

 

 

 

Roy

 

Thanks Roy!  I see myself sitting there on the Zuiderdam on the east coast of Iceland! 😁

[MISTER 67]

Greetings from a beautiful but very wet Port Charlotte.

81 this AM with a high of 87 but the forecast is rain and more rain, so far we haven’t had any flooding but Naples, Miami and few other places have, Miami had 20 inches in the last 2 days. 

Some crazy days today.

The quote from my great uncle Plato makes sense.

I’m not sure roasted radishes is a meal.

Have a great day and stay well.

 

[Cruzin Terri]

Good Thursday morning to all

Thank you to Rich for the Daily and Fleet Report.

Thank you to Vanessa for the Cares and Celebration List and thank you for including DH and myself.  

Thank you in advance to Ann, Dixie and Debbie in the F&B department.  Today will not be a day when we will be able to take part in these delights.

 

While I appreciate all your kind thoughts about staying put, our plan is to try to get out of here today if we possibly can.  Given the situation that we are ready to go, if we change course now, it will only add to DH’s confusion. Trying to explain the airline cancellations and possibilities last night was enough.  I just hope that we don’t get to the airport and have to turn around and come back to the hotel.  

 

In Miami I have paid for American Airlines Five Star Service to help us with the connection.  This will ensure assistance and wheelchairs.  We have used this service a number of times when we have to go through customs and it makes a big difference.  They meet you at the plane when you land and help you through customs and immigration. They also escort you to the connecting plane and you are the first to board.  It is not cheap but given our circumstances, it is priceless. Miami Airport is such a zoo and it will be worse with the weather situation.

 

So I appreciate all your advice, but we feel our best bet is to get out of here.  Also, the weather does not look like it is going to improve much in Miami inthe coming week.  We have our reserved Business Class seats.  If we change our flights, who knows what we will get. 

Thanks for all your well wishes and prayers.  

I will try to keep you updated if internet and the situation allows.

Terri

Edited June 13 by Cruzin Terri

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info ..

[GTVCRUISER]

Good Morning from San Diego 

[ottahand7]

Good morning everyone!  Thanks for the Daily Rich, sorry for your computer problems and thanks for the fleet maps today Roy.   I will pass on the Rapper, the axe throwing and thankfully my klutziness in the kitchen is nothing to compare to my adventure outdoors.  A great quote by Plato.  Thanks for the beautiful photos of Zeebrugge to start our day off Sandi.   I will pass on the meal, the bitter cocktail but the chardonnay would be nice I am sure.

 

Thanks for the cares and celebrations reports Vanessa.  @Cruzin Terri prayers for safe and successful travels for you and Jim today.  Prayers for Tana, Chuck, Jacqui and everyone else who are aching, ailing or grieving today.  Prayers for a peace between Israel and Gaza, the people of Ukraine, the remaining hostages and the innocents of Gaza.

 

I got a lot accomplished outside and inside yesterday and just as I was in for a breather it looked like rain so I took in and folded my hanging laundry and took a two hour nap, needed as my steroid dose begins to drop to near nothing.  If it doesn't blow we will fish today.   Have a wonderful Thursday!    Nancy

[aliaschief]

Up early here in Central Time as I have an early appointment at a local Toyota dealer for our Lexus. Not going to drive two hours to a Lexus dealer for tire rotation and oil change. It’s going to be expensive because I believe it’s time for new tires. So will get a quote and compare.

Like I mentioned yesterday our bags forwarded from Barcelona arrived yesterday. So we have more unpacking to look forward to. We were in Zeebrugge last June and I’m always amazed the number of vehicles awaiting delivery at the port. 

Terri I do hope your connections go through and you have a safe and uncomplicated trip home.

Time for some breakfast and to get ready for a thrilling morning at an auto dealer service center.

Thanks for the reports and post. Have a Daily of a day! Bruce

[cat shepard]

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is humid this morning & there is quite a marine layer to the East. Yesterday’s weather was odd. It misted on Bindi & me during our pre-lunch walk. Then the sun came out & the storm system to the South sucked all the moisture out of the air and it was beautiful. But we still need the rain. 
 

 

I can picture all our Dailyites to the South of me doing this…

 

 

Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. Hope you didn’t have any trouble sleeping last night. 
 

Gym, Bindi walks, a much needed haircut, chores & pool time will keep me busy. Maybe it will rain today. 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Terry, Tana, family & support team hope you feel better today. Debbie, happy to read your ablation is scheduled. Terri & Jim, safe travels home. I am so sad that this trip did not turn out the way you had hoped. Ann, happy to read that your surgery is scheduled fairly soon. 
 

Cheers to all who are celebrating! @erewhon congratulations on reaching the 5 year mark! A huge milestone. 
 

May we each find a reason to smile today. 
 

 

***********

Kumeu River Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 (750ML)

It has been awhile since we have seen a New Zealand wine on the Daily! And this one is a star. Lots of consumer and critic fans. Fairly easy to find. And though priced outside of my budget, it is reasonable for the ratings it has received. Online prices start at $55.99.

Winemaker Notes

This release marks the 30th vintage for Mate’s Vineyard and continues the amazing run of vintages we have had with this vineyard. The conditions during the 2022 harvest were superb and the fruit from Mate’s Vineyard was ripe and pristine. The resulting wine shows the density, concentration and length that we expect and even though it is somewhat shy on the nose, with bottle age the full palette of complex aromas and bouquet of this wonderful wine will shine through.

• 98James Suckling

  Gorgeous precise aromas of apples, white peaches, some minerals, flint and stone. Subtle mangoes, too. Full-bodied but so intense and driven with a salty undertone and a driving finish. Some white pepper at the end with citrus skin. Focused and intense. Great finish. 

• 96Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The nose on this 2022 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay leads with candied bananas, pineapple husk, white peach and a hint of lychee, and the edges of the aromatics are feathered with preserved citrus, brine, curry leaf and apple skins. In the mouth, the wine is powered by supercharged fruit; it is crystalline in its way, an attribute that I have long-since associated with the Chardonnays from Kumeu River. The flavor is sapid and palate-staining, with just enough salt and savory spices in the fruit to make it super complex as well as powerful. It is precisely folded like origami, each crease in service of the overall shape.* A wine that offers much and assumes nothing.
• 94Wine Enthusiast

  This is a powerful, some - what reductive vintage of Maté’s. Aromas of nuts, gunsmoke and toast frame concentrated stone and tropical fruit. There’s lot of oomph here, but a delicacy of fruit, too. In a polished style, and still very much a baby, this is structured for the long road ahead and should age gracefully for decades to come.

[cat shepard]

58 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Sorry, internet problems so no maps today. @rafinmd

 

 

 

 

 

Roy

Thank you Roy! Does this make you the co-pilot, or the navigator?

[0106]

Thank you all who make the Daily a special place.  @StLouisCruisers As always, your pictures a wonderful.  I visited Bruges last October.  Jacqui @kazuorganized a taxi for us and she gave me the best advice, “buy twice as much chocolate as you think you’ll need.”

We started with a canal tour.  Some of the homes along the canal were exquisite.

 

Belfry of Bruges (I recommend the movie In Bruges, a comedy/crime movie with Colin Farrell and Brenden Gleason where the belfry plays a role.)Afterwards we admired the medieval architecture. Church of Our Lady 

We finished our day with some tasty local mussels and beer.A wonderful city!

[Mr. Boston]

Good morning everyone.  Thanks for today’s report.  Another beautiful and warmer day in store for us.  It’s been a busy week scheduling utilities and services shutoffs and startups.  Today will be exploring house insurance options and my annual physical.  

Out of the three days I think that I’ll celebrate axe-throwing.  My old company did that at one of our summer outings and it was a blast, kitchen klutzes may wish to abstain!

 

No to today’s meal and drink suggestions, I prefer my radishes crisp and cold or more preferably, fresh out of the ground and washed.

 

A nice quote by Plato although DH, who studied philosophy, just rolled his eyes when I read it out loud.

 

 I haven’t been to today’s port but I am enjoying all of the photos that folks graciously share.

 

Prayers for everyone on our prayer list.  Happy ________ to those of you who are celebrating today! 🥂

 

[LambKnuckles]

Thank you!!  

 

I love having the list of needs so much!  Prayers for everyone listed, including those who haven't asked, but have a known or unknown need!!!!

 

I can't say much for the days...  I wouldn't drink beer and throw an axe -- or probably throw as axe anytime!  I'll await learning who/what Doe B is...  And prayers for all Kitchen Klutzes...  I love cooking and baking and experimenting...  

 

In fact, I'm developing a new sourdough starter right now...  I can't wait till it's just sour enough to be used!!  I don't know if I'm ever satisfied -- except when I buy Sour Dough Bread in San Francisco -- the bread I grew up eating!!

 

Who knew Plato was such a romantic!

 

Roasted Radishes... can't say this is a known commodity in my repertoire!  I await the recipes...

 

And the Bamboo sounds interesting!

 

Since my sister lives in Holland, I have visited Zeebrugge and know many first hand stories of there from WWII.  I, someday, will cruise around Europe -- but the closest I come is to leave Southampton on the QM2 to NYC.

 

Hugs to each of you!!!

[Mtn2Sea]

We’ve been to Zeebrugge three times and have enjoyed each visit.  On our first visit we took a tour to Ghent and on the second visit we toured Bruge.  Our last visit was three weeks ago.  We took a half day tour that first took us to the small village of Damme, which is within the province of West Flanders.  We walked down the Main Street to the Church of Our Lady, where construction began in 1225.  The tower, which once had a spire, was finished during the 14th century.  During the 16th century the church had financial troubles and part of the building was demolished.  We next traveled to the Castle of Loppem, which was constructed between 1859 and 1862, and is considered a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture.  Of course our last stop was at a chocolate shop, where samples were readily available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone.  

 

It is going to be a scorcher today.  The windows are still open as it is cooler outside than in, but I'll close them before I leave for yoga.  Expected high of 87F.  We are supposed to meet Sue's former SILs and their families at Dow Gardens today.  They sure picked a hot one!  I think the spray park might have been better.  

 

Today's meal is one I tried and didn't care for, but perhaps I should try it again.  I love raw radishes, so I should like the cooked ones.  At any rate, radishes are a super healthy food.  

Radishes are root vegetables that come in several different colors and are a cousin to cabbage.

This bright spring veg is a very good source of disease-fighting and immunity-boosting vitamin C

Radishes contain natural antibacterial and antifungal properties.

They contain a unique phytochemical called indoles, which promotes detoxification, helping your body rid itself of harmful substances.

Radishes are full of powerful antioxidant flavonoids that fight havoc-causing free radicals and aid in healthy liver and kidney function.  

Garlic Roasted Radishes

 

 

This next dish is very simple as it is just olive oil, salt, and pepper.  There are some suggestions on how to use the cooked radishes in other dishes.   Roasted Radishes

 

 

This next recipe is more involved and I bet the flavors are amazing.  It might be worth giving it a try!  Egyptian Roasted Radishes

 

 

That gives us something to think about!   @Cruzin Terri safe travels home.  Wishing you all a wonderful day!

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[grapau27]

Thank you for today's FR&D.

3 interesting days and quote.

We have docked in Zeebrugge many times the last time being in April when we took the shuttle to the coastal town of Blankenburg.

I hope everyone is safe and well and y'all are having a fabulous day.

[smitty34877]

Good morning. The warmer weather is heading our way but right now it is 67 with an expected high of 85. It has to be rather humid as my newly washed hair is very big with lots of frizz and curls. 
Axe throwing is not a desired activity for me and I have had my share of klutzy kitchen events. We were in the port on our last cruise on the Prinsendam in 2018. It was a beautiful place and we enjoyed our visit.

i was sorry to see the effects of the rain in Southern Florida and hope all our Dailyites are alright. 
We are much improved here but of course the same virus has attacked the two men in the family. It was to be expected but at least it was of short duration. Not much planned for today as we regroup and come up with something acceptable to most for dinner. 
Safe travels to Terri and Jim.