Sea Dog

Happiest of Birthdays wished to Micheline! I hope she is feeling better and can enjoy her birthday to the fullest. Cheers to you today!

I also wonder about one of my favorite restaurants on Captiva, The Bubble Room? It would be a shame if that was destroyed.

I will use it on the Bella Cruise with @John&LaLa on Oasis in March.

Royal Caribbean Lava Flow Glass: Poco Grande/Souvenir Hurricane Technique: Island Oasis/Blend *Note* Royal doesn't use the Island Oasis brand any more and I forget the new brand but you get can order Island Oasis through Amazon. Garnish: Orange flag Ingredients: 2 oz. Cruzan Estate Light rum *Note* I like to use Kraken Dark Spiced Rum 1/2 oz. Island Oasis strawberry 4 oz. Island Oasis piña colada Mixology: Add rum & piña colada mix in blender cup. Blend & fill glass 1/3 of the way. Add strawberry then fill glass with the remainder of the piña colada ServeSafe equivalent is approximately 1.5 drinks Enjoy Cheers!!!!! I agree. The only thing they lack in is the digital zoom. It still is not as good as a good optical lens. I was hoping to get my new phone before our October 16th Liberty cruise but I'll receive right when I get back.

Yes and actually the iPhone in "Portrait" mode is good for that too. I ordered the new iPhone 14 Max Pro with it's new 48mp camera in "Raw" mode. I may never bring the Nikon on a cruise again.

Thank you that means a lot being a life long musician myself. The only problem I have is usually a Symphony is four movements. In this case I will have 9 movements for all the specialty restaurants we went to. Hopefully Beethoven will approve. For the food pics I'm using a Nikon D3300 with a Nikon 18-55mm and a Nikon Short 50mm f/1.8D. I also shot pics and videos with my iPhone 11 ProMax. I do some photo editing in Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom

That's the problem if you even want to call it a problem is that there are so many choicse on Symphony. I know some who go to dinner at two different places and have snacks at one restaurant before dinner at another. I was so stuffed just at dinner I couldn't eat another bite. I don't know how some people can do it. Must be a tapeworm or something. 😉

Disappointing about YouTube TV. I thought the same things as you. Now I know. Better Call Saul is so good. You are going to love it. Really gets going in season 2 and 3.

Yes I thought exactly that. A tourist thing for sure. It did look cool

I'm glad those buckets of beers were the smaller size. 😉

Thanks Jennifer. I will be happy to have a few and talk bourbon with David. It will be here before you know it. We had reservations at 6pm so yes it was too bright. It would be better after sunset for a better effect.

Oh how exciting. I can't wait to hear your thoughts. Have a Pain Killer for me at the Soggy Dollar Bar. You are in for a treat.

Onion rings were great and we did share too. The Campfire Brownie was to die for.

Back on board time to hit the Mast Bar for a Lava Flow with a Kraken floater. Nice selection. And look what I spy. The first bottle of Bulleit Rye I've seen on board.

Roatan and Maya Key: Lions, Tigers and Parrots Oh My! We have arrived at Roatan. After a quick breakfast at Johnny Rockets (sorry no pictures) we got ready for our excursion. A day at Maya Key. That's the small island off Roatan that you are looking at in the above picture. Part beach, part zoo and part resort and part museum, Maya Key is great at all four. Just a 3 minute boat ride from the ship is a wonderful private island. Plenty of beach area and the water was clear today. They apparently have some good snorkeling at the end of this dock but we didn’t snorkel. Panorama from dock looking back Water was nice and clear. Around the whole island is various animals. Maya Key advertises itself as an animal sanctuary. Looked like this monkey was getting a pedicure. You can leisurely wander and see the animals or they have a guided tour. Here Kitty..Kitty... They also had Sea Lions and Dolphins. Apparently there is a Dolphin show I think for an extra fee but we did not attend. Ship wreck off the island. The landscape and lush trees makes you feel like you are at an upscale resort. Our lovely ship again in view. On top of a hill is a constructed replica Mayan ruin. Inside is a museum of artifacts and the history of Mayan culture. For a resort feel, It even has a nice pool with lots of chairs and tables . Our excursion included a buffet lunch of salad, rice and beans, fried banana chips, fried fish and bbq chicken. Water and tea are free and of course there are cocktails for a price. I decided to stick to water and try and detoxify my body after 4 days of professional power drinking. We even had a guest for lunch Another added attraction is that Maya Key is in the direct flight path of Roatan’s airport. I felt like I was in Maho Beach in St. Maarten as the planes fly extremely low and right over us. The first plane scared the bejezzus out of me as I thought I was going to be on an episode of “Lost.” This was the view from the dock. The planes literally fly over the pool area. Because of the trees you don't see them till the last second. Here's a time lapse of the boat ride back to the ship. We had a great time at Maya Key. I’m sure we will return because there was so much to see.

Happy Anniversary to Lucy! Stay safe Ellen I am thinking of you.

Tharshini in CP 150 on Symphony of the Seas. Absolutely delightful.

That place looks amazing. I'm writing down in my notes when we go there some day. Looks like you are having a blast and I am so glad Micheline is feeling better.

Oh how I love this pic. She is so happy. Isn't it great to be loved by our animals? I'm so sorry. I'm thinking of you. Welcome back John. I've missed your humor. Looks like you have come back with vengeance.

Back to the Schooner Bar After the show Linda crashed so I headed up to my favorite place the Schooner Bar to chat with my Bartender friend Donald. I had him make my own specialty cocktail The "Sea Dog Vieux Carre." Sea Dog’s Vieux Carre With Whistle Pig 1 oz. Whistle Pic Rye 1 oz. Hennessy 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth 1 oz. B&B Benedictine 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters 2 Dashes of Peychauds Bitters (which they did not have) Orange Peel for Garnish Whistle Pig 10 year Old Small Batch Rye is really good. At over $70 a bottle I was so happy to see this onboard and in my drink package. Win...Win. A couple of those and I was done for the night. Big day tomorrow in Roatan.

1977 The Ice Show Royal Caribbean always puts on amazing ice shows. How these skaters can do the things they do in such a small rink never ceases to amaze me. Now I don't really understand the story but Royal Caribbean describes the plot line as this. "Join the time-traveling hero Tempus on a new adventure in 1977. After visiting Paris on Harmony of the Seas® in 1887, his latest journey brings him to Symphony of the Seas℠ — and to London, England. Her Majesty’s Crown Jewels have been stolen on the eve of her Silver Jubilee by a mysterious jewel thief with special powers of his own. And the clock is ticking. Luckily, time is always on Tempus’ side". Did you get that? Anyway I just forgot the story line and immersed myself in the visuals. This show is not shy on the colorful visuals. The synchronized drone show was my favorite part. here is a clip of it. I don't have pictures of it but there is one sequence where the lead skater changes her costumes several time being covered. I don't how she did that. It was so fast. Almost like a magicians sleight of hand. Great show with great talented skaters.

After gazing at the sunset beauty we had some tome to kill before the 1977 Ice Show. Time for some cocktails in Boleros. Maria my excellent bartender makes a mean Patron Reposado Old Fashioned. These are really good. 2 oz Patrón Reposado .25 oz Simple syrup 1 dash Bitters Plus Orange peel for garnish METHOD: Over a double old fashioned glass, use a vegetable peeler to take off two strips of orange zest, making sure to express the oil into the glass. Add Patrón Reposado, simple syrup and bitters. Add ice—the biggest cubes you can find and stir. Adjust sweetness to taste.

A beautiful sunset tonight. This is why I love to cruise.

Movement 4: Down The Rabbit Hole at Wonderland The 4th Movement of any Symphony is usually fast and furious, showing off the virtuosic prowess of the orchestra. In this case not so much fast and furious but the virtuosity of the food and drink is in full display Wonderland is a psychedelic take on the classic story of Alice in Wonderland. It features some creative decor and distinct tasting menu with several elements. So let’s venture down the rabbit hole. Located on deck 12, the decor in this two story space evokes magic and surrealism like non other. One seated you are greeted by the lively maitre’d the mad hatter. This host would stop by from time time and really enhanced the experience with his silly antics. In our case he came by once. With the mask on I couldn't understand a word he said. Our server Gene from the Philippines gave us some specialized menus. We began our adventure by painting our menu to see what amazing creations would be created for us. To browse the options you must dip a brush in magic water and paint over a blank sheet; the invisible ink reveals the menu magic. Note: Video sped up for time The Menu: The food elements were divided by elements: sun, ice, fire, earth and sea Everything is fun and experimental. This is molecular gastronomy at its best. But first we must start with a cocktail. When I see Rye whiskey on the menu, it perks my interest. Here Is Smoke Rings. Made with Rittenhouse Rye, Sweet Vermouth, Simple Syrup, Angostura Bitters, and cold smoked then served table side. This is more or less a classic Manhattan that is smoked. I loved the taste but it was little too smokey. Some craft bartenders I know say it’s better to just smile the glass so it’s not so over powering. However by doing both the glass and cocktail under a dome it makes for a better presentation. Linda had the Cheshire Cat Cosmo, a cotton candy type cocktail that tasted as good as it looked. It was made with Grey Goose Vodka, Fresh Lime Juice, Patron Citronge, Cranberry Juice, Raspberry cotton candy. After the liquid was poured into the cotton candy it was like there the Cheshire Cat goes disappearing again. Then the appetizers: The Bird’s Nest a set of deviled eggs on a bed of crispy noodles that was smoked at the table. Linda had the Reconstructed Caprese with Liquid Olive, Ricotta Powder and Basil. Mad Hatter’s Purple Potted Shrimp which was wrapped with crispy noodles dipped in a cutesy mug of scotch bonnet. Crispy Crab Cones with cilantro and avocado mousse, kind like a decadent ice cream cone. Liquid Lobster with bone marrow and caviar. I wish it was warmer like a good hot soup. Citrus Sea Shhh... of spicy tuna and floral yuzu granite in hollowed limes topped with citrus shaved ice. A nice palette cleanser. And Finally in the Sun category, Tomato Water a pepper spherification, and bread foam. Not my favorite thing. We both had the Short Rib. Wow so tender with a variety of little sauces to dip in. One thing Royal Caribbean does well in their kitchens is short ribs. Every restaurant we tried it in was excellent. I also had The Branzino in crispy bread. It was very good but I prefer the Branzino I got at several of the Chef's Tables. That was outstanding. Dessert was my favorite. The star of the show was The World. I have had this before on several chefs tables and it's my all time favorite. The World is a chocolate globe that when hot caramel is poured over reveals a delectable peanut butter ganache, chocolate mousse and salted caramel ice cream. Check it out in action. Also the Mystical Mushroom Garden was outstanding. Made with pistachio, white chocolate mousse, red velvet and chocolate soul and soft centered meringue, mango sorbet and berries. Yummmmm.... The only thing I did not care for was the atmosphere. It was too bright with the two story windows. We needed to go later when it was darker and there was more ambience with the lighting.. The large 2 story window is nice looking out at the AQ but with the cool purple led lighting. A dark ambience would make the experience that much better. I really like this concept and I can see myself going again. I wish I could have tried more courses. I wasn't full in the end. I do wonder how long till the novelty wears off. If the ambience was just a little bit better it would help fulfill the fantasy of Alice in Wonderland.

They could get killed slamming into that pier.