Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunday, October 25
We are now back in the USA. About 1 hour ago we docked in Ft Lauderdale and are awaiting customs to clear the ship before anyone can get off. Tim had a wonderful birthday on the 22nd and the sea days were great with smooth seas the whole time across the Atlantic. The was another wonderful vacation and I will upload some more photos after we get home. Our Explorer is in Flordia and we will be driving all day. Thank goodness no airline weight restrictions because of all the stuff we are hauling home. We will most likely stay the night with Stacy in Atlanta tonight then be home noonish tomorrow. Miss you all and will see you soon.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Oct 20: Day 18: Sea Day
Once again we wake to smooth seas and blue skies. Tim’s mom Janice told us the other day it was 40 degrees at home and suppose to get down to 30 Sunday night. We are really enjoying the beautiful weather onboard. The Atlantic Ocean has been very kind to us since we left the Mediterranean Sea. During his noon broadcast, Captain Tony Yeomans tells us it is 73 degrees.
Our highlight of the day is being invited to the Chef’s Table. This is a very special dining event only a few people get the opportunity to participate in each cruise at a cost of $75 per person. Twelve people get to experience this together. Dining together tonight are Tim & Joy, Char & Sam, Carolyn & Richard, Steve & Mary Ann, Mary Kay, Ramah, and Sydney & Kent, friends of Michael and Midge who were unable to participate because of seafood allergies.
We had a very special treat in store for us tonight. It so happens that THE head man with Princess, Alfredo Marzi, Master Chef, had boarded our ship in Barcelona and is sailing with us until Ft Lauderdale and he is our host tonight along with the ship’s Executive Chef Michele Cozzoli. After meeting in the International Café and putting on our Chefs jackets, Alfredo escorts us to the galley for a tour of the kitchen during “rush hour.” After we walk through the galley we have hors d’oeuvres and French champagne waiting in the back. Alfredo gives us a lot of information and really mingles well with us. We find out the ship left Venice with $2 million worth of food onboard! We then return our jackets and enter the dining room to be seated at our special table. Unlike the two other Chef’s tables Tim and I have attended, Chef Alfredo not only presented each course, but was there serving and chatting with us during each presentation. While waiting on dessert, he even sat with us and signed the cookbooks we receive for attending. He then presented the ladies with a rose and kiss, telling us Happy Valentines Day! He is so charming. He tells us after he returns to LA he will only be there briefly before he flies back to Rome to accept the “Chef of the Year” award. The ships photographer arrives before dessert is served and takes individual photo with Chef Alfredo and a group photo, also included in the cost.
Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio is our first wine
We have a lazy morning and Tim goes to a couple of golf activities then we hit the casino once again. I had a little luck on the slots today, and Tim had a good run on “Let It Ride.” Time slips away and we miss a wine and munchies this afternoon with the cruisecritic group.
Our highlight of the day is being invited to the Chef’s Table. This is a very special dining event only a few people get the opportunity to participate in each cruise at a cost of $75 per person. Twelve people get to experience this together. Dining together tonight are Tim & Joy, Char & Sam, Carolyn & Richard, Steve & Mary Ann, Mary Kay, Ramah, and Sydney & Kent, friends of Michael and Midge who were unable to participate because of seafood allergies.
We had a very special treat in store for us tonight. It so happens that THE head man with Princess, Alfredo Marzi, Master Chef, had boarded our ship in Barcelona and is sailing with us until Ft Lauderdale and he is our host tonight along with the ship’s Executive Chef Michele Cozzoli. After meeting in the International Café and putting on our Chefs jackets, Alfredo escorts us to the galley for a tour of the kitchen during “rush hour.” After we walk through the galley we have hors d’oeuvres and French champagne waiting in the back. Alfredo gives us a lot of information and really mingles well with us. We find out the ship left Venice with $2 million worth of food onboard! We then return our jackets and enter the dining room to be seated at our special table. Unlike the two other Chef’s tables Tim and I have attended, Chef Alfredo not only presented each course, but was there serving and chatting with us during each presentation. While waiting on dessert, he even sat with us and signed the cookbooks we receive for attending. He then presented the ladies with a rose and kiss, telling us Happy Valentines Day! He is so charming. He tells us after he returns to LA he will only be there briefly before he flies back to Rome to accept the “Chef of the Year” award. The ships photographer arrives before dessert is served and takes individual photo with Chef Alfredo and a group photo, also included in the cost.
Blue Crab Margarita with Avocados and Mangos
Tartar of Sterling Biloer Beef Filet
Fontina Cheese and White Truffle Quiche
Buckwheat Blinis with Caviar and Crème Fraiche
This is all enjoyed in the galley before going to our special table in the dining room
Pumpkin and Taleggio Cheese Risotto
Pan Roasted Shrimp Butterfly
Strawberry and Cracked Pepper Sorbet with Grey Goose
Trio of Beef, Veal and Pork Tenderloin on Medieval Spiked Flank Roaster
Jus, Salsa Verde, Béarnaise Sauce and Café de Paris Butter
Charred Cherry Tomatoes, Today’s Market Vegetables and Creamy Mauseline Potatoes
Our main course is paired with a red wine which I didn’t catch the name of
Jus, Salsa Verde, Béarnaise Sauce and Café de Paris Butter
Charred Cherry Tomatoes, Today’s Market Vegetables and Creamy Mauseline Potatoes
Our main course is paired with a red wine which I didn’t catch the name of
Potted Stilton with Port Wine Reduction, Candied Walnuts and Rosemary Biscotti
Chocolate Fallen Cake, Whiskey Soaked Raspberry with Soft Center
Homemade Mignardises
Coffee or Tea with Master Chef Alfredo
A very nice evening was had by all and once again special memories made with friends new and old!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Oct 19: Day 17: Sea Day
Today is our first of 6 sea days as we cross the Atlantic Ocean to relax after all the ports. We do laundry this morning, visit the casino, and go to the horse race.
Tonight Charlene has arranged a special reunion dinner at Sabatini’s restaurant, one of the two specialty restaurants onboard which has a premium charge. Sabatini’s is a classic Italian Restaurant where the food keeps coming for 3-4 hours! We met in Adagios bar for pre-dinner drinks. I had a talk with Charlene before the cruise about telling Sam we were all going to pay for our meals in Venice separately because, as anyone who has dined with them can attest, it is a struggle trying to pay for anything—same with Gladys! Well…. They got us! She said I didn’t tell her not to pay for meals on the ship, so they treated us all to this magical night!
A few months ago she asked all of us to email her a few of our favorite photos from our 2007 Emerald JETS (logo name) cruise and she used these photos to create an album for each of us. She found a jet shaped luggage tag to attach to the gift bag. She had also requested the ship’s photographer to come to the restaurant and take a group photo for us. She is so sweet and thoughtful! We have a wonderful meal and wait staff. I lost count on the number of courses after we reached 10! Tim and I selected lobster as our main course and it was delicious.
Char had requested our dessert be served on the terrace out back. Much to our delight, our waiter put table cloths and candles on the tables before we were escorted outside. What a special night we had with old friends and Harry & Judi (Sam & Char’s friends with whom we shared the Venice apartment). They fit right in and it seems like we have known them for years. We started dinner at 7:30 and it was 11:00 when we finished dessert!
Brian A: You would love this!!!
Tonight Charlene has arranged a special reunion dinner at Sabatini’s restaurant, one of the two specialty restaurants onboard which has a premium charge. Sabatini’s is a classic Italian Restaurant where the food keeps coming for 3-4 hours! We met in Adagios bar for pre-dinner drinks. I had a talk with Charlene before the cruise about telling Sam we were all going to pay for our meals in Venice separately because, as anyone who has dined with them can attest, it is a struggle trying to pay for anything—same with Gladys! Well…. They got us! She said I didn’t tell her not to pay for meals on the ship, so they treated us all to this magical night!
Charlene had brought a gift bag for all of us. She had asked me to make photo place cards of our 07 group and they turned out to be a very nice memento. She had found a wine cork holder to place our name cards in.
A few months ago she asked all of us to email her a few of our favorite photos from our 2007 Emerald JETS (logo name) cruise and she used these photos to create an album for each of us. She found a jet shaped luggage tag to attach to the gift bag. She had also requested the ship’s photographer to come to the restaurant and take a group photo for us. She is so sweet and thoughtful! We have a wonderful meal and wait staff. I lost count on the number of courses after we reached 10! Tim and I selected lobster as our main course and it was delicious.
Group starting on left side and going around table: Tim, Ramah, Mary Kay, Bill, Donna, Charlene, Sam, Jim, Jane, Judy, Harry, and Joy
I didn't get pictures of all the food we had, but here is some of it:
Crabmeat, fried zucchini, calamari, baked cheese w/sun dried tomato
Ravioli w/black truffle and homemade pasta w/vegetables
Lobster
Scallops
Mixed seafood
Char had requested our dessert be served on the terrace out back. Much to our delight, our waiter put table cloths and candles on the tables before we were escorted outside. What a special night we had with old friends and Harry & Judi (Sam & Char’s friends with whom we shared the Venice apartment). They fit right in and it seems like we have known them for years. We started dinner at 7:30 and it was 11:00 when we finished dessert!
Brian A: You would love this!!!
Oct 18: Day 16: Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
Yesterday was a relaxing sea day, so no blog for Oct 17th.
Today is our last port stop of this cruise and the rest of the week we will be crossing the Atlantic. We are in port from 9 am until 6 pm. This is our second time visiting this lovely paradise and I have arranged three taxis for the day. Ramah, Tim and I share one with Nuno as our driver. Mary Kay, Liz & Rick share the second one with Arturo driving, and Linda, Evana & Alan share the third one which Grace is driving. Not a lot of cruise ships stop in this remote area of the world (mostly transatlantic cruises twice a year) and of the approx 110 taxis on the island, only 30 drivers speak English so I had called Nuno whom we had used on our last visit and requested the other 2 for our cruisecritic friends that were interested.
We visit a church and arrive in time to hear them singing. What beautiful voices.
We then traveled to the east of the port to visit the city where Nuno lives and he choose a great restaurant for lunch. The food was plentiful, prices good, and great company! When the drivers picked us up after lunch I told Nuno our only complaint was he should have told us to order one dish for 2 people to split because the portions were huge.
Next stop is in town to have a look around. The town is surrounded by a river and here it flows into the ocean.
We stopped by a botanical garden for s short walk down a trail to see the boiling water coming from the volcano underneath and a waterfall where several people were taking a little swim.
On up the mountain we reach yet another gorgeous lake, Lagoa do Fogo. Our jaws have been dropping all day as we arrive at one beautiful place after another.
Back on the ship, we gather on Charlene and Sam’s balcony for our last sail away this cruise and enjoy the pineapples I picked up today along with some wine and spirits.
We have another beautiful sunset as Tim calls his mom to wish her a Happy Birthday tomorrow.
Today is our last port stop of this cruise and the rest of the week we will be crossing the Atlantic. We are in port from 9 am until 6 pm. This is our second time visiting this lovely paradise and I have arranged three taxis for the day. Ramah, Tim and I share one with Nuno as our driver. Mary Kay, Liz & Rick share the second one with Arturo driving, and Linda, Evana & Alan share the third one which Grace is driving. Not a lot of cruise ships stop in this remote area of the world (mostly transatlantic cruises twice a year) and of the approx 110 taxis on the island, only 30 drivers speak English so I had called Nuno whom we had used on our last visit and requested the other 2 for our cruisecritic friends that were interested.
Nuno, Grace and Arturo, our drivers for the day
Alan, Evana, Linda, Mary Kay, Ramah, Liz, Rick, Tim and Joy
Once we met with our drivers and decided to caravan we headed to the west end of the island and visited several picturesque lakes and overlooks. The beauty of this island is a delightful surprise to everyone. 
I can’t remember all the names of the lakes we visited but the largest on this end of the island is the twin lakes, Sete Cidades. On a sunny day, one lake is blue and one green. Legend has it the lakes were formed when a blue eyed girl on one side of the kingdom wall was in love with a green eyed boy from the kingdom on the other side of the wall and they couldn’t marry and their tears formed the lakes.
The green lake
The blue lake is larger because everyone knows girls cry more :)
Canary Lake: Nuno told us this is a very special place and if you bend over and look between your legs at the lake it will not appear upside down as expected and it is true!
We then traveled to the east of the port to visit the city where Nuno lives and he choose a great restaurant for lunch. The food was plentiful, prices good, and great company! When the drivers picked us up after lunch I told Nuno our only complaint was he should have told us to order one dish for 2 people to split because the portions were huge.
Next stop is in town to have a look around. The town is surrounded by a river and here it flows into the ocean.
We stopped by a botanical garden for s short walk down a trail to see the boiling water coming from the volcano underneath and a waterfall where several people were taking a little swim.
On up the mountain we reach yet another gorgeous lake, Lagoa do Fogo. Our jaws have been dropping all day as we arrive at one beautiful place after another.
We descend the mountain with more grand views and then have a wild ride to the Pineapple Plantation. Our driver is also a race car driver and when Arturo pulls alongside him on the interstate they decide to race! We had seen a couple of tour busses on top of the mountain, but we reach the pineapple place and are through shopping before the busses start rolling in.
Gift shop
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