Rogueperson

Oh look! The Virgin app has a texting function. I got a text from Sailor Services. My wife IS eligible and she gets DBE. Woot!!!

Hmmm. Slight hiccup. Apparently because I didn’t know that i had to do it for wife too, She did not get the Deep Blue Extras. Just Blue Extras. Not a big deal but annoyed because it’s not intuitive. They told me the premium wifi charge will drop off and when it didn’t, had I taken it on faith, i may have been on the hook for it. Thats my one issue is that things aren’t intuitive and can make things a little leas smooth. The ship design doesn’t flow intuitively and I end up in a dead end more often than not. I’m told that Virgin is good at doing things like they said but its hard for me to take things on faith and they seem to operate seemingly well on that faith. Just a personal issue here and my observations. At least i get to keep this status while my wife has to cruise a couple more times to get the Deep Blue Extras status. Thats a win i guess.

Well, I found the most impressive bathroom on any cruise ship so far.

Alejandro hosted the 70s show. It was on fire!!!

There’s brunch place across the street we were looking for but it was slammed. Good thing too as we were running behind and found this place.

So, in my head, I have these cruise superlatives. There’s no such thing as “best cruise line” because it depends on what you want. One of my categories is “Best cruise Burger”. Technically Royal caribbean wins on this but I say technical because the best burger I’ve had is at Chops at Lunch. The reason its technical because A: You pay for it as a speciality which is not a disqualifier. However, Chops lunch is priced so if you do pay for lunch at Chops, you don’t order a burger as its a waste of money to eat a burger when you can get the far superior Filet for the same price. The only reason i tried it was because I had the *unlimited* dining plan. (Royal cruisers will know why i put that in quotes). I have not tried Playmakers which i heard maybe a contender. So across a fair competition, As of now, Princess’ Salty dog pub is the winner. This is the french toast burger. It is huge and interesting. Its not cooked to order but cooked medium rare. Its pretty good but does not reach best burger.

Good Morning from Google Earth says about 385 miles from Bermuda. @laurieal. My guess for you at last tag two hours ago says we’re neck and neck. GO TEAM SCARLET LADY. The events on board here seem a little more scattered than i’m used to. Other cruise lines including royal schedule a “n early show and a late show. I don’t see this pattern here so i feel like missing stuff because of dinner. Nonetheless, I caught this act. Michael John. Stage Magician. This was a decent show. This was held at the Manor. I did not see this place until now. The entrance is SOOOOOOOOL COOOOOOOL!!!!! I have found the Matrix!!!! Dinner tonight was at Pink Agave. Menu Corn. This was like street corn. Guacamole. This is probably the best cruise ship guacamole I’ve ever had. They added pomegranate seeds, but i don’t think it added anything to it. Aguachile. Its like a ceviche. I was a little meh about the flavor profile but still decent. enchilada de pollo aka chicken enchiladas. Not bad. Its an enchilada and the chicken wasn’t dry. This seared shrimp dish slammed. Not sure what they did to it. Roasted duck. My experience with duck on a cruise is either it is horribly dry or delicious. I’m glad to report this is on the awesome side. Grilled Stripped Bass. Wife got this and she didn’t like it. I tasted it and there was something off about it. An after taste that was unpleasant Dessert Menu Chocolate Tamale. I don’t think this needs to be a dish. I’m positive this is how its supposed to taste, but it didn’t feel right. Good attempt. Chocolate Tacos. Much better dessert here. Tasty. After Dinner is the 70s Party. @laurieal. Yeah, sorry, I love the 70s Party on Royal, but Virgin just killed it. This is a REAL 70s party, not a show like on Royal. I was really scared because i got the the preshow at 10:30 and the line was across the deck and around the corner and I was like, are we going to fit everyone in? And they did!!! It wasn’t as tight as I expected but there were that many seats. Fun Day 2

So Brunch was in the Wake today. Menu This was the clam chowder. They put the soup in. Poached Shrimp Soft Shell crab benedict. I chanced it because crab is usually iffy on a ship. Fortunately as most of Virgin’s food. It was quite good and impressive. Brioche French Toast. I’m being a pig at this point. Wife got steak and eggs. Egg came later. I missed my crepe cake.

So a downside. I gave Virgin a shot in the dark and hoped they would come through. Brewed Coffee is horrible. I should have expected it. It’s the same across all my cruise brands. I usually bring my own coffee and aeropress. BUT… Virgin or at least Scarlet Lady does is actually sell beans on board. And its the same price as land!!!! I’m talking to the Barrista about a jury rig filter for a pour over as he has the grinder and he just looked at me and said “ya know, I can just make a pour over for you”

It was aaaaaamazing!!!! My primary experience is Royal Caribbean. The closest thing it has is the 70s party but thats more of an interactive show than a party. This was a party and the crew here knew how to stir it up. I haven’t been to something like this since my NYE cruise on Grandeur in 2014/2015. That stands as my best cruise and this one is already being a contender to knock it off..and its only the first day. I’m told that the energy will persist throughout the entire cruise. Its a different demographics on here. People are just a bit more open and welcoming. We shall see what the trip brings. More to come.

Oh, yesterday’s guide.

Good Morning from… Here. I guess I will say that for the next 8 days Alright. First 18 hours aboard the Scarlet Lady and here my first impressions. There are a of a difference. More pronounced than other cruise lines like Princess and Celebrity where the differences were minor. One small thing i don’t like is the lack of maps. They tell you whats on each floor, but then thats it. The food so far. IS AMAZING!!!! Last night I went to Razzle Dazzle. Appetizer I had tuna taretare and pork belly. I could just eat several of those by itself. Wife got King Trumpet Carpacio. This too was interesting As a meal. Fried Chicken. I’m picky about my fried chicken, but i can probably say this is the best cruise ship fried chicken. It was solid. Wife got something that wasn’t on the menu. Some fish thing. Dessert Menu I asked for the Rum Apple Cake but instead got the Brown sugar baked pears i think. and smores. I missed the untitled dance thingie because of dinner but i expected to. However, the PJ party was last night and it was totally on fire. These guys popped out. Who let the dogs out!!! And this just pushed it over the edge. I have not been to a cruise party like this that has been this energetic is over 10 years!!! My cruise experience is that the longer the cruise, the more sedate and older the general population is. If this is the energy level for this cruise, the. i’m going to need a vacation to recup from this vacation.

So your captain decided to veer north and we kept going east. So, GO TEAM SCARLET LADY!!! My handwriting generally stinks and trying to write with my finger is difficult so sorry for the chicken scratch.

Thats right, she wanted fur babies. Dobby Punk

Oh, one more note. There is no more shuttle from the Car rental center at Miami International to the Port any more. The webpage is wrong. I wish i knew that. Point is moot now. We made it.