jam19872016

14 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Harsh. Pasteurisation of milk has saved many lives, prevention of adulteration of flour has vastly improved the quality. Neither of these would have happened, at least over here, without legislation. I could give many more examples. 

This is where the bureaucratic automation comes in. Pasteurization is of course a good thing, and the regulations were passed with the spirit of protecting the public. But no exemptions are made for common sense items like clotted cream which does not seem to be killing people despite its wide consumption in the UK. Then there is what the regulations have done to the imported wine.

8 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

You can’t leave it so long. I shall get terrible withdrawal symptoms. Can’t you find a bargain in May?

Bargains in May are rare these days but I will be keeping an eye out. I'm going to go through withdrawals as well 😆 

19 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

As you know, I adore the duck confit cottage pie. Interestingly, my husband, who has considerably less appetite than he did until a few years ago, can always finish fish, even though he struggles with many other things. We have given up,ordering the flamed duckling for two in QG because neither of us comes near to finishing it, much as we love it. As the lady said, ‘Old age ain’t for cissies’.

I can't eat like I used to, even if you can't tell from the amount of food I consume 😆 

18 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Isn’t tomato and mozzarella caprese?

Yes and that's what I was expecting just with teardrop tomatoes and some other veggies thrown in. What I ended up with did not match my expectation in my mind at all.

52 minutes ago, miched said:

I have had Sue as a cd on a few cruises.   She always seemed to stop and talk with everyone she sees but then says I can’t talk as I am very busy and have to go.  Then why stop while we are sitting having  a coffee?   One time I made a comment about the lack of and bad entertainment.    She said that she didn’t have any control over that and has to work with what the main office sends.   
 

On another cruise when she stopped to “talk” I commented about one act and also how good all of the entertainment was.  Her response, thank you, I personally hand pick the entertainers for my cruises.  
 

I do believe that they do have some input but they are limited to what is available so both of her responses would be true.  

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅
 

 

She does seem to chat a lot but it's always been a hit and run approach as you described. 

It hasn't been the acts booked but rather the actives planned or rather the lack of activities. 

The musicians have not been my style, nor the shows, but I'm not the target demographic so i understand that. But the parties they have put on have been odd choices and not much going on past 9 most nights. 

That karaoke thing ended up being very fun last night.

14 minutes ago, Mike981 said:

You are man after my own heart. My whole family loves to take in storms, especially when we were camping.

 

Thank you again for all of your work doing this live review. I have shared many of your stories with my wife and she has enjoyed them as well.

 

No matter how long the cruise, the last day is a bummer. I wish only safe travels for you and your mother.

It was a nice sight to take in. And just as quick as it rolled in, things outside look beautiful. No fog, no dark clouds. Sunshine and calm Seas. Incredible. 

3 hours ago, bluewater1298 said:

Oh no! 😲 It can be over yet! This makes me sad too. 🥲 I have so enjoyed this sailing and all the drooling.🤤 You really are great at doing live reviews. When is your next cruise?

For the first time since probably 2015, I don't have anything booked 😪 😲. Even during the 16 month hiatus, I still had cruises on the books just didn't know which one would sail. 

I'm intending to book 1/24/25 on Adventure of the Seas but I'm having trouble applying the cruise next certificate I bought so I am going to place a call on that when i return. If I can find a quiet time at the next cruise desk I am going to see if they can assist.

I will probably sail before then, my birthday is in October and my friend wants to do Utopia of the Seas for her birthday im September but nothing on the books at the moment. 

6 hours ago, Alcairns said:

It a strange decision by the FDA in that the process of making clotted cream is the same as pasteurising milk or cream. I.e. heating the Milk for a period is time. Therefore surely the clotted cream is pasteurised notwithstanding the fact it was made from unpasteurised milk? 

3 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Bizarre. The only instances of health problems from wine that I can think of, other of course than those related to alcohol consumption, are those relating to unauthorised additives, such as the antifreeze scandal.

I think most things done by the FDA, or any large agency for that matter, are done out of bureaucratic automation instead of common sense.

4 hours ago, princess76021 said:

Should the button come out?!

Hugs from you know where!!

I definitely need the button as it still is not holding a charge even after wiping down the connections.

At least it is still under warranty. 

7 hours ago, cruisetonowhere10 said:

That is not panzanella salad…lol

5 hours ago, hcat said:

Panzanella (Italian: [pantsaˈnɛlla]) or panmolle (Italian: [pamˈmɔlle]) is a Tuscan and Umbrian chopped salad of soaked stale bread, onions and tomatoes that is popular in the summer. It often includes cucumbers, sometimes basil and is dressed with olive oil and vinegar.

This had a lemon vinaigrette so it didn't follow that recipe for sure. Based on the description I was expecting something to a tomato and mozzarella salad which it was not. It did have tiny pieces of mozzarella which is not listed in that recipe either.

At least the croutons were supposed to be stale.

7 hours ago, exlondoner said:

I thought you weren’t keen on duck.

I've not been. Even on Cunard I found it okay but not great (the breast not the confit cottage  pie that I didn't care for) so just assumed I didn't care for it after trying it several times.

Three out of the four preparations I've had on here have been excellent. The teriyaki duck at sea day lunch was the only one that was just OK.

7 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Looked quite large to me. 😀 But I agree fish isn’t very filling.

It's usually the most filling dish on the menu just due to portion sizes 😆 

Seems like we are past the worst of it. Things got real nasty real quick.

There was thunder amd lightning and fog even rolled in and the captain was sounding the fog horn.

I found a sheltered spot on the back deck and enjoyed the show mother nature put on for me.

There was a bit of a waterfall effect from the deck above as the ship swayed from side to side. 

It appeared the back deck would be flooded soon as the drainage was not keeping up with the flow  but then the fog started lifting, the rain slowed, and the wifi returned. 

I have not been back inside yet, but noticed leaks in the ceiling in a few spots in the buffet. Not sure how it held up inside after sustained rain.

Wifi is back but we are in one heck of a nasty storm so if I dissappear again that is why.

We're doing some rocking amd rolling this morning. 

Scale not working in the motion.

Good morning everyone.

We have paid back the final hour and are now back on Eastern time. A harsh reminder of reality waiting just round the corner.

Last night ended up being a lot of fun. Tonight is an 80s party, but  I'm afraid I will be behaving myself and retiring early but that is a shame this was saved for the final evening. 

The only plan today is packing and of course eating. I may spend a little time in the casino.

Back in the room for the evening and turning in.

Tomorrow is our final day on this 12 day cruise and I'm already sad it is ending but happy for the opportunity to enjoy the past nearly two weeks.

Good night. 

Last stop before bed.

It's like we got a piano bar onboard 

Piano man 🎶 

Berry smash X 2

Runaway sue 🎶 

Edited to say I think she is a run around Sue not a runaway but I'm berry smashed right now and misheard the title.

I'm taking back my criticism of this, at least it has a fun drunk party bar vibe...

Sweet child of mine 🎶 

Trying a drink. This is a sweet berry smash.

Brown eyed girl 🎶 

5 minutes ago, kiwichick62 said:

Small servings for such big plates.  If those are servings for adjults I wonder what their childrens menu portions are like.  🤔

The side of mashed potatoes is the worst. It is like a potato purèe.

Feed me!

Of course my scale would still say I've had plenty to eat 🤔.

Shut up scale!

Second session.

Brave choice for karaoke. 

Don't stop believing 🎶 

Oh no

Sweet Caroline 🎶 

I can't help falling in love with you 🎶 

Bless her for being brave enough to get up there....but this is why I don't go to karaoke. 

Jolene 🎶 

10 minutes ago, Salt Lifer said:

Can the battery for the scooter by easily removed? If so, try taking it out and wiping down the connections.  

Yea it is detachable so we will give that a try. Thanks 👍 

A song from the last twenty years. 

The volunteers are pretty good too.

Rolling in the deep 🎶