Sea Day #2

Friday was our second sea day.  This time the weather was much better.  Still windy but at least the sun is shinning.

We had breakfast on the aft deck.  I had an egg white omelet with mushrooms and tomatoes.  Bob had a plate of sausages and mustard.  When we came back to the suite, Mila was cleaning it so we went to the Square for coffee and read some.  While doing some cross stitch, Barbara from Long Boat Cay came over to talk.

We decided to try and swim so we changed and headed out to the pool.  There were two others in the pool.  The water was not bad.  Lots of motion and the pool is deep that I cannot touch the bottom.   Makes you work harder.  But we did out exercises for 45 minutes and then the hot tub.  Lots of people were sunning themselves.

I cleaned up and hurried to needlepoint.  I had promised Rose I would give her a needlepoint kit I had brought from home but when I got there, no Rose.  I stayed and talked with the ladies for a bit and then returned to the suite.

Lunch on the aft deck and then our nap.

We were invited by the chef for a tour of the galley.  This was very interesting.  There were about 12 of us that were on the tour.  We had been in the galley before as they used to have a galley lunch and the galley was like a buffet line.  They do not do that sort of thing if they have caviar in the surf.

Dressed for dinner and then up to the Club for cocktails.  Bob ordered his caviar.  Then down to dinner where we had a nice table for two.  Tonight was lobster night.  I started with a beet salad and then the lobster.  My lobster was slightly mushy.  Then I enjoyed a cheese plate while Bob had a soufflé.  Back to the cabin to read and then lights out.

Tomorrow is our first port of call - San Juan.

Sea Day #1

Today is Thanksgiving.  So Happy Thanksgiving to all who decide to read this blog.

We are at sea today.  The winds are high and the sea are sort of strong.   One of the disadvantages of a suite at the front of the ship, you cannot go out on the deck or you will be blown away.  There is some motion of the ship but not enough to bother me.

We were up for breakfast in the aft deck.  We did sit outside.  The winds were not as bad back here.  Bob had eggs benedict and lamb chops while I had fruit and cheerios.

For those who did not know, when we booked this cruise we did a guarantee balcony.  And then we were offered an upgrade to a penthouse and we took that.  And again, we were offered an upgrade to the Owners Suite.  We figured this is a once in a lifetime chance so we took it.  So when we opened the door, this is what we found.  A large room across the entire width of the ship which included a dining table for four and a couch and chair plus a desk.

The there is also a bar area and a kitchen with a coffee maker and a refrigerator.  Plus our Scotch which we ordered.  Like we need more to drink.  The hallway is to the door to enter the suite.  There is a powder room on the left as you enter.

 The bedroom is separate from the living area.  A nice king size bed but not much space between the bed and the wall.  Our luggage was in the suite when we arrived which was nice.

The sofa is the most uncomfortable we have ever had.  So I sit at the table and Bob sits at the desk.

This is the desk where Bob sits at his computer.

The entrance hallway again.

The balcony goes from the middle of the ship around to the side.  A disadvantage when the winds are blowing.  But there is a table out there that we can use when we are in port.

 This is the area on the side but again, while sailing it is very windy as there is no wind barrier.

So today while at sea, we had terrible weather.  Rain and wind all day.  I did go to the needlepoint gathering but it was not like on Regent or Oceania.  But met some very nice ladies.   And some not so nice ones too.

Tonight was the block party where we met some of our neighbors.  Very similar to what Regent does.  Met three bothers and their wives who are from Michigan and Gainsville.  At least one is from Gainsville.  Plus some other folks.  A nice way to get to know each other.

Dinner was in the Restaurant.  We had a nice table for two by the window.  A family of four who we sat next to last night were seated next to us again tonight.  A young couple from Ft. Lauderdale and her mother and grandfather.  They all are from Turkey originally.  Mother and Grandfather still live in Turkey.  They are just visiting the couple.  He is in IT and gets to work from home two days a week.

Back to the suite to work on blog and the bed.

Thanksgiving Cruise

I was not going to blog this trip but, this is a way for me to remember so here goes.

Monday we got a call from our TA telling us that the ship was going to be delayed coming to Ft. Lauderdale.  It appears the Captain got ill and had to be off loaded by tender to Dominican Republic.  His wife was with him.  He was to start his holiday when the ship arrived in Ft. Lauderdale.  When something like a Captain taking sick, they have a Staff Captain on board who is qualified to take over.

So we headed to Boca like we planned on Tuesday and when we reached the hotel, we asked for a late check out time as now boarding was no until 6pm.  We got to stay at the hotel until 1pm.  Oh well.  We went up to our room and rested until it was time for the Managers Cocktail hour.  We had dinner at the hotel and then back up to our room.  I watched some of Dancing with the Stars but went to bed instead.

Wednesday we had breakfast in the hotel and then back to the room where I watched the internet Dancing with the Stars.  You can not fast forward through the ads but they are not as long as regular TV.  We checked out of the hotel and headed to the Boca Town Center.  What a place.  We bought Bob and new iPad cover and then had a nice salad for lunch at the Grand Lux Cafe.  We continued walking the mall, this town center is all indoors, and stopped at Neiman Marcus (I know it is spelled wrong) and walked through it.  We stopped at a handbag and I asked Bob how much he thought it was.  He said $500.00 and it was really $2095.00.  I passed on buying it.

We headed to the port and dropped off the luggage at around 3:30 pm.  After parking the car, we were able to enter the terminal and wait for embarkation.  After about 45 minutes, we were on the ship.  We are in the owners suite.  Quite a beautiful suite but the bad part, it is in the front of the ship so you do get movement.  We had a muster drill and then back to the suite to dress for dinner.

Cocktails in the Club where no blue cheese stuffed olives until tomorrow.  They promise they will have them in all the Lounges.  Just two but a nice way to be treated.

Dinner was quite good.  I had the tomato soup and lamb chops which were wonderful, small but tasty.  No dessert.  Back to the suite and bed.  A long day but a good day.

Charleston, Day Two

This morning our tour is "Fort Sumter and the Civil War".  We took a bus to the place where you catch the boat that takes you to Fort Sumter.  There we just walked around and stopped in the museum where they have a nice display of articles from the Civil War.  Down here in South Carolina, they call it the War of Northern Aggression.   We returned to the shore and rebounded the bus and rode around Charleston while the guide pointed out things left from the Civil War.

We then headed out of town to visit the Citadel.  This was very interesting.  The freshmen students have to walk double time and not on the sidewalks.  They now have women students here so they do not get their heads shaved but their hair is cut short.  But they double time also.  The freshmen also do not have their names on their jackets.  Maybe they think they will not last.  Who knows.

We returned to the ship for a quick lunch but we were joined by Susan from South Florida.  So we talked for about 45 minutes.  Closed the Veranda.  Then back for our nap.

By this time the weather had changed and was now raining.  So I did not go back into town.  Save that for another time.  We are not that far from Charleston so maybe when the weather warms, will drive up again.

Got dressed for dinner and had cocktails in the Stars Lounge.  Matt joined us for a bit.  Then to dinner.  Tonight we were eating with Florian.  He is the Food and Beverage Manager.  It was a table for 7.  One couple from Arizona and one other from Brooklyn and Orlando.  Bob and I both had the lobster and enjoyed it.

Returned to the cabin and lights out.

Charleston, South Carolina

Up for breakfast and had to sit in Prime 7 as everyone was up at the same time.  Then back to the cabin.  We arrived in Charleston at around 9am.  Bob took some pictures of us sailing into the harbor.  Charleston sits at the junction of the Ashley River and the Cooper River.

Our tour was "Historic Charleston Carriage Tour".  The tour lasted about one hour.  It was a nice over view of the city.  Our guide was Dale and she did a nice job of explaining the different style of homes here in Charleston.

Back to the ship for lunch.  We decided to eat outside by the pool.  We were joined by Graham and Diane from Australia.  We sat and talk with them for about one hour.  So I got some sunburn on the backs of my arms.

Back for the nap but I had a pedicure scheduled for 3 pm.  The girl doing the pedicure is from Jamaica. She has been on ships for 9 years.  Her ex-husband works on the Oasis of the Seas.  Nice to be able to talk with the person doing the pedicure.  At home, not so much.

We are eating with Mary Kay tonight.  Her daughter flew home today.  We met for cocktails in Galileo and then headed to Compass Rose for dinner.  We had a nice dinner and then after dinner B52's at the Stars Lounge.  Then to cabin and watch a little football and lights out.

Day at Sea

Sunday is a sea day.  We did not turn our clocks back, will do that tonight.  But our phones changed automatically.  So we thought it was 7:30am and when we put on our watches which said it was 8:30am.  So we were tardy.  Breakfast on Sunday is Caviar and Champagne.  Bob and I each had an eggs florentine.  Really good.

We had another Muster drill.  New rule is that on all cruises over 14 days, a second emergency drill must be held.  So we went but did not have to go to the life boats and it is windy today.

Then we returned to the cabin and I finished my book.  I took it back to the library and then we went up for lunch.  Today they were having a TexMex lunch on the deck.  We passed and just had a small lunch as we are having dinner tonight at Prime 7.

After our nap, we went up and swam for 45 minutes and 10 minutes in the hot tub.  Bob had checked the water temp and said it was warm.  Not so but it was okay.  Some movement of the water as it is windy and the seas are rolly.

We cleaned up for dinner and headed up to the Galileo Lounge for a cocktail.  While we were sitting, Matt (one of the dancers) came and sat with us.  It was nice to speak with him and learn a little about life on the ship as a worker and not a passenger.  Matt is married to the male gymnast but he has a single cabin on deck 4.  His husband shares a cabin with the female gymnast on deck 5.  Matt is considered one of the crew and the gymnasts are considered guest artists.

We then headed to dinner in Prime 7.  We were not able to get reservations earlier for this place.  We were seated at a table for two by the wall.  Not the best location but I guess those with the 6:30 time slot get the best seats.  We ordered and I had the onion soup and Bob had oysters Rockefeller.  When they came to take the dishes away, Bob asked for another order.  The waiter said that he had put our main course order in but he could have them on the side.  With that came the main course.  Service was much to fast for this place.  They did not need to seat anyone else at this table later so what with the rush service.  And my steak was lukewarm.  I need to realize that no one can make a steak like Ruth Chris.  Oh well.  We both had fruit for dessert and finished our wine and left.

Came back to the cabin and watched some of the football games.  Then lights out and bed.  We gained the hour tonight.


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New York Day Two - "New York by Land and Sea"

We were in New York overnight.  Last night when we returned to the ship, we sort of changed and got ready for dinner.  We skipped cocktails as we were late getting back to the ship.  What?  Can't remember what we had but after dinner we stopped for after dinner drinks.  There we met up with Mary Kay and Kate.  Mary Kay is the mother and was on our South American cruise.

Returned to the cabin and read and then lights out.

Up in the morning and to breakfast.  Then got ready for our tour.  Today we were doing the New York by Land and Sea.  What we did not realize, this was just about the same as yesterday.  Oh well, at least today the traffic was not as bad.

We got on a tour boat at the South Street Seaport.  What we never knew is that as a result of the storm Sandy, the Seaport was completely flooded and will not reopen.  They will tear it down and build condos.  All the stores are closed and they lost all of their inventory.  The boat ride was around the East River and the Hudson River.  Got fairly up close to the Statue of Liberty.  The boat was not only those from the ship but all kinds of people.  A lot of them were Chinese and very pushy.  They lined the upper rails and no one could see over them.

Back on the bus, we drove by the world trade buildings.  Up to Macy's and then back to the ship.  We had lunch and then our nap.

They had emptied the pool and were just now refilling it.  So no exercises for us.

Kate called us and so we cleaned up and met them in the Galileo Lounge where they were watching our sail away.  They were having dinner with Ray so we ate at a table for two.  I had a very nice chicken dish but could only eat one of the pieces.  Bob had the fish dish.  We then went to the Seven Seas Lounge and Mary Kay and Kate joined us.  Kate left and went to the show and Mary Kay, Bob and I went up to deck 7 to sit in the back and watch the show.  Mary Kay left and Bob and I stayed to the end.  The shows are good but after 80+ cruises, they are the same old, same old to us.  The kids are very energetic and do a nice job.  I just guess Bob and I are getting too old.  Heaven forbid.

New York Tour "Highlights of Manhattan"

Friday we arrived in Manhattan.  Our tour was Highlights of Manhattan.  We gathered in the lounge to await our tour.  We headed for the buses and headed out.  Our guide was Jim and he was very good.  Told us about lots of the buildings here in Manhattan and also those who lived in them.  You know, gossip.  Loved it.

Our first stop on the tour was to Battery Park.  This entire area was flooded during Super Storm Sandy. 

The news people kept telling us about the shore area but in New York, South Street Seaport was completely flooded and will no longer be opened.  They are now planning to tear it down and build condos in its place.  Why did they not tell us about this?

Here in Battery Park there is a great area for you to walk around.  The Statue of Liberty is behind me.  Can you see it in the distance?

Just more pictures of this nice area of the city.

Our next stop was to St. Paul's Chapel.  This was the George Washington attended services.   St Paul's survived the Great Fire of 1776.  It became George Washington's church until the second Trinity Church was built.  It also survived the the 911 attacks.  St. Paul's became the site of a round the clock relief ministry to the more than 14,000 volunteers.  It offered them a place of refuge, where food, medical attention, space to rest, and support were provided to hundreds of rescue workers.  Today, St. Paul's Chapel and historic Trinity Church make up Trinity Wall Street, the Episcopal parish for the community.

This is the Governor's pew.

One of the outfits worn by the rescue workers.

A view of the Chapel from the front.

Washington's pew.

Freedom Tower.

This is where you get your ticket to visit the Memorial Fountain.  I misunderstood and thought we were going to the Fountains.  Will plan better for our next visit.

We returned to the ship but it took us 1 and one half hour with all the traffic.

Sailing into New York on Friday

We spent the morning at sea sailing from Boston to New York.  The day was overcast and windy.

The first thing you have to do is sail under the Verrazano Bridge.  The bridge follows the curve of the earth.  It connects Brooklyn to Staten Island.  This is the bridge the New York Marathoners will race over at the beginning of the marathon on Sunday.

Our first sight of the city.  New York is made up of five boroughs.  Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Manhattan.

And the the sight all were waiting for.  Well, maybe all the Americans were waiting for.  Not so sure about the French or the Spanish passengers.

Bob got a great up close shot of the Statue of Liberty.

The tall building in the center of this picture is the Freedom Tower.  There will not be any building on the site of tower one and two.  That is where the Memorial Fountain is with all the names of the victims.  The original World Trade Center consisted of seven buildings.  All were destroyed on 911.  They are only rebuilding five building.  The entire site is 21 acres of land.  The Freedom Tower is almost complete.  It is the tallest building in North America because of the spire on top.

Another great view of Manhattan.  The orange boat is the Staten Island Ferry.  When I was little, my Dad used to say the longest ride for a nickel.  Now it is free.

Not sure what this building is but I liked it.

While Bob was up taking pictures, one of the passengers took his picture.

We are docked at pier 88.  Just down from us is the Intrepid.  This is now a museum but we did not have time to see it this trip.  Next time.

Some of the planes on the Intrepid.  Where we are docked is where Captain Sully landed the UA Airways flight on the Hudson River.

There were two other ships in port with us.  The Carnival Splendor and the AIDAbella.  The Splendor left around 5pm and the Crystal Symphony arrived.  Then the three ships stayed here overnight.  

New York, New York

Thursday night we finally had the lobster they bought in Bar Harbor.  They were small but good.  Mine was a little mushy but the claw meat was great.  Maybe from a different lobster.

Before dinner we headed to the lounge for a cocktail.  This lounge is right before the theater.  So we stood in the doorway and watched some of the show.  Sorry to say, same old, same old.   So we sat and had our cocktail and then headed to Compass Rose for dinner.

Overnight the waters became quite rough.  Lots of rocking and rolling.  They call it Elvis seas.  Rock and roll.  Cute.  Not so bad but you needed to hold on to the rails.  This ship is not so big so I think you feel the movement more than on other ships.

In the morning it was still rocky.  We came into the harbor at around 11 am.  It was windy up on the decks and because our cabin is on the right side of the ship, it meant we had to be up on the deck to see the Statue of Liberty.  Will post pictures later.  I could use the same ones I posted back in June when we came into New York on the QM2.  But I won't.

We gathered for our tour.  We did a Manhattan Highlights.  I misunderstood what we were to see.  I thought we were going to the 911 memorial but we only went to the 911 preview site.  Oh well, a reason to return to the city another time.

We did drive by Trinity Church.  Trinity Church is right down on Wall Street area.  This is the church where Jim Cooper is Rector.  He was my rector in Ponte Vedra for several years.  After 911, Father Howard, who was the rector here at Trinity at the time, was elected to become Bishop of North Florida and that is when Jim Cooper was assigned up here.  He still has his home in Ponte Vedra.  If I had planned better, we might have been able to get to visit with him.  Another next time.

The traffic in this city is terrible.  I do not know how people stand  it on a daily basis.  It took us one and a half hours to get from St. Paul's Church back to the ship.  What a mess.

We got back to the ship and just changed some items and headed to dinner.  The service tonight was so fast.  We were in and out in one hour.  So after dinner we headed up to Galileo Lounge and no one was there so we went back down to the Seven Seas Lounge where we had an after dinner drink.  Bob ordered a Scotch that costs extra and had the bartender scrambling to figure out where the Scotch was and how to charge.

Mary Kay and her daughter, Kate, came up so we ended up talking with them for several minutes.  Then back to the cabin and I read a bit and lights out.