kazu

He was helping the other waiters and ignoring us - the reverse. It’s fixed - story to follow

Typo? LOL 😂

She is. She’s reminded me a few times. 😉 It was her birthday on the 22nd. Here are her birthday flowers I got for her. We are going to PG tonight - birthday dinner since it’s halfway between her birthday and her DD DH.

The food has been good other than the crime brûlée and escargots. I just found that shocking as it’ one thing that HAL does well. Last night was delicious - more later - in catch up mode. CC wasn’t working for me.

No worries - I’ll get it sorted. I was very surprised though.

Marcus is entertaining us at the Sea View Pool We said it was a beautiful day. he wrapped his coat around him and when we asked if he thought it was chilly - he replied - not chilly - it’s FREEZING. We told him to come stand in the sun and warm up. He’s taking great care of us 🙂

We had breakfast in the PG yesterday morning and it was delish. Nothing like starting a sea day with fresh squeezed oj (which was the real thing) and a mimosa & good coffee 😉 Both of our breakfasts were yummy and well prepared. . Life is good in the PG. We are not doing breakfast here this morning as we have lunch booked for 12:15 PM. 👍 Missed the wine tasting yesterday as we had the Meet and Greet which conflicted so our concierge got us in today’s wine tasting. it’s going to be a busy day - bingo at 11, lunch at 12;15, wine tasting at 2 and maybe I can catch the afternoon’s bingo? I missed them all yesterday due to timing of the mariner’s reception and Meet and Greet. Life is rough LOL

They are fine today, Betsy thanks.

Dinner last night was a Gala menu - We were both excited to see both shrimp cocktail and escargots on the menu. We ended up ordering the exact same thing - shrimp cocktail, escargots, rack of lamb (small portion requested) substituting the veggies with asparagus and Parmesan potatoes and crème brûlée to share (with two spoons) and a cheese tray if there was one. (Our waiter never confirmed if it was available or not). The shrimp was good. I am glad I didn’t order two escargots as is my usual habit. The picture is deliberate - I tried 2 and they were the worst, most tasteless escargots either of us have ever had. Our plates were removed with only a couple eaten and the waiter didn’t even ask if anything was wrong. The lamb was very good. Then our crime brûlée arrived. Debbie had never had it so she took the first bite and asked what the fuss was about. I took a taste and UGH. it hadn’t been prepared properly. It was horrible. One bite and we were done. The cheese tray wasn’t picture worthy. Now we have to decide what to do. our waiter is very poor, very. No offer of more wine, no water replenishment. He had few tables due to the motion of the ocean and we still waited endlessly when there was no need. not impressed. he might be new but I’m not here to train. so we might be playing where to eat dinner or switching tables. other waiters in our area are far superior.

Yesterday was our Mariner’s Reception which is always fun with good company and Captain Van Eerten speaking. Wine offered was decent, too 😉 Busy day with our Meet and Greet planned for 2 PM (late timing due to the need for a couple of Mariner’s Receptions due to the numbers on board. Turn out was pretty good considering the Motion of the Ocean in the Crows Nest. To say a lot of passengers were uncomfortable is an understatement. At dinner the MDR was about 1/4 full for main dining. I suspect a lot of room service was ordered. Debbie and I were fine for the most part although we did have to watch our plates at one point in case they went off our table LOL.

Thanks. I have a couple of cashmere sweaters so I will be able to layer and will check out the shops to see if there is a special on a jacket. Have to get an email off to the hotel today. No biggie. I have tons of jackets at home. I can fake it relatively easily other than rain.

I heard everyone raving about the prime rib in the Lido. Not on the MDR menu but we decided to go there anyways. I think our waiter is VERY new. The seafood cocktail was very good. We both had fish. Forgot about pics - until we started, sorry. Debbie had the pie for dessert and I the cheese plate. Look! 2 whole crackers. I had others and bun saved but unfortunately the waiter didn’t listen and remove my plate.

Sail away took up most of our afternoon on embarkation day and by the time we missed to our cabin the luggage was there. We said we would leave it until tomorrow — LOL - we lied - we put it all away. Except someone forgot she hung up her jacket and cashmere sweater in the hotel room closet. 😬 That’s what happens when you are dog tired when you check in. Neither of us remembered it was there. Oh well. Reception in the Neptune Lounge and met a lovely couple or two who we enjoyed chatting with., The wine served was actually decent. Off to dinner and WTH? We were supposed to be at a table for 6 and it’s a two top, We ran into the the one couple on the way out and they were at a 4 top for and said they were supposed to be at a 6 top too & would love us to join them. We’ll see. Didn’t see them last night to discusss.

Passing by on sail way yesterday and we did wave as we approached Brian’s condo

St. Paddy’s day?.. 😉

They even had Mexican dancers. Debbie was sure the bride and groom had practiced for hours as they were so good and synchronized, it was very nice until midnight as the volume increased 😉 IMG_2681.mov

At Rierside after our dinner with Brian and Michelle, we passed by a beautiful bride getting photos. Would’t you know it. there was a wedding. Of purse we did’t see the ereoy it we had fu watching the reception IMG_2678.mov IMG_2679.mov IMG_2680.mov

Yes ES has gone downhill from reviews and reports. Riverside Las Olas is really nice. Got a corner balcony room with lovely. Views of the boats and canal. Breakfast is not included but it is very reasonable and well done. Spanish omelette from yesterday with avocado, etc. sans jalapeños for me Bagel & lox for Deb and delicious coffee

Thanks Bino conflicts today with Mariner’s reception, Mert and Greet/wine tasting so I guess bingo will be tomorrow. ‘Sigh’.

There’s also a drug storeand wine store in the same mall about 4blocks away. Hotel told us about it and it didn’t show up on my research either.

we had a lovely view from our balcony at Riverside.

Thanks Brian for your never ending research. I’ll keep that in mind for next year. That spinach and artichoke dip was so good though 🙂 Nope - no bubble wrap. I came home fine last time. Don’t hold a one off against me 😉. I have my walking sticks to help my foot. Work pretty good.

Thanks so much Gerry. Sorry, behind - couldn’t post on CC yesterday. Multi quote and quote and reply wouldn’t work. Hopefully today it is ok and I can catch up 🤞 Nice sail away - delayed only by loading so very many supplies so I guess the ship should be well stocked.

I’ll do my best to get it added for you. It’s not the 3 week notice I ask for week notice I ask for and I am now cruising

You are most welcome Brian 🙂. It was a pleasure chatting with you and Michele. Good company, good food, good drinks - what else could anyone ask for? For everyone else - we ate at Golden Lyon at Riverside Hotel Las Olas. We though the food was good - especially the spinach dip - delish! Regretfully I forgot about food porn and I told Debbie it was her job to say Food Porn if she didn’t see me get out my phone like Jose used to 😘