Jamman54

It's a labor of love! Thank you so much for reading! Patti loves to read! I brought a book along to read during our twenty one days aboard the Venezia, and never opened it! At this point in our lives we don't need drama, but it is part of the process in the game of life. You learn to deal with it, and Sid will.

OMG Charley! It is an honor that your first post on Cruise Critic is on our thread, even though you have been a member for ten years! It was a pleasure to meet you and your lovely wife Janice aboard the Venezia! To our Cruise Critic Family, Charley and Janice were the couple we featured at the Diamond Brunch. Charley knew that Patti was the picture taker, so every time he spotted her taking pictures, he would run up and take a picture of her. It became a running joke! I hope Charley will share some more of those pictures with us here! Finally, since we forgot to ask you on board, do you prefer Charley, Charlie, or Charles?

Thanks Susan! We have plenty more of him which are better quality that we will share from time to time. What a great guy. One morning he saw me having coffee by Java Blue, and he came over and talked to me for five minutes while his coffee order for the bridge was being prepared. The crew absolutely love him! Thanks so much. glad to have you aboard!

You will find that you will get better repeat service if you tip a buck or two. In your case, your decision. 😎

If it was me, the Freedom. Different itinerary from what you just did. Enjoy which ever cruise you pick! 😎

The best views of all the action were from up there. 😎

Glad to have been a help. We are just getting started, and have so much more to show you! 😎

I've begun posting our review of the Venezia. Check it out!!

Here are some more Vintage Pop views….. We really enjoyed this show. Having the live band makes all the difference in the world. Afterwards, Patti went back to the cabin to read, while I made my way to the Limelight Lounge for Tommy Savitt’s (18+) show….. I enjoyed his show very much. Afterwards, I went to the Lobby Bar for a couple of double Bacardi and Pepsi’s, and then called it a night. Coming up next: Our day in Portland and a return to $3 Dewey’s!

Here are some Vintage Pop views….. To be continued…..

Someone at the table next to us was celebrating her birthday…. We enjoyed this meal very much. We will be back on the second leg of our cruise to try out the Pollo Parmigiana Pizza! We were hoping to be done in time to catch the Captain’s Toast in the Piazza San Marco, but we were a little too late. The Quora String Trio was still there performing…… We continued on into the Teatro Rosso for the Playlist Production of Vintage Pop. We were able to get our favorite seats, which is the five seat High Top directly in front of the bar. Located dead center, it’s the perfect place to view the stage and take pictures. Here are a few views pre-show….. The show started with a full band on stage….. To be continued……

It’s time for food porn. The Foccacia bread was to die for….. For our starters, Patti had the Suppli’al Telefono, and I had the Panzarotti. The both of us also had the Insalata Caesar salad, which is not shown….. For our mains, Patti had the Sea Bass, and I had the Chicken Scarpariello….. For our desserts, Patti had the Mile-High Gelato Pie, and I had the Cannoli Siciliani Di Ricotta….. They also gave us an additional complimentary dessert….. Everyone gets a complimentary Limoncello shot….. To be continued…..

The party lasted a little over an hour. There were plenty of drinks, and a great time was had by all. Afterwards, we went up to the casino with the intention of playing, but this was an Elite Cruise, meaning that the casino was packed! It was so bad that people would stake out their machines an hour or more before the casino even opened when leaving the ports! We never played in the casino for this portion of our cruise. We decided to just head back to the cabin and relax. There we found our first towel animal of the cruise….. Before you knew it, it was time for dinner. We had a 5:30 reservation at IL Viaggio….. Here are our table settings….. Here are the menus….. They offered us a free bottle of their house red or white wine, but we chose to get 50% off on this bottle of Moscato….. Here are Patti and I at IL Viaggio….. We watched the Chefs hard at work….. To be continued…..

Cruise Director Joey introduces some of the Senior Staff….. Captain Crescenzo greets the Diamond Members….. It’s time to eat! Patti started with the Caesar salad, had the baked vegetable casserole for her main, and had the pear almond crostata for dessert….. I started with the Natchitoches meat pies, had the bacon wrapped filet mignon, and finished with the chocolate decadence….. To be continued…..

The Diamond Brunch was held in the Marco Polo Restaurant which is the mid ship restaurant on Deck 3…… The Senior Officers greeted us as we entered the restaurant…… We sat with our new friends Rich, Kathy, Charley, & Janice. They have just become Diamonds. Patti took our table picture from a distance….. Here is our lunch menu…… This was our bar waitress Sylvia. She kept the drinks coming….. Cruise Director Joey stops by and poses for pictures with me, Charley, and Janice….. To be continued…..

The early bird gets the people-less pictures! 😁

I noticed it there a few times. 😎

Patti came back to the cabin to collect me and we went to “The Wave” in the Teatro Rosso….. Here’s a view of the back of the Teatro Rosso…… Today “The Wave” is hosted by Cruise Director Joey, and Fun Squad member and Bingo Host Sinclair….. They are joined onstage by Carnival Insider (Shopping Expert), Lionel….. After the show, Patti heads to the shops to get me a t-shirt, and I head to the Lobby Bar to have a couple of screwdrivers with Valentina….. To be continued…..

These guys and gals will make you a great breakfast….. Then you can spice it up any way you want….. To be continued…..

Patti stops at the Java Blue Café to gather all the info….. Of course, Zora has a smile for her as well….. Patti goes over to check out Tomodoro…… To be continued…….

Finally got a chance to catch up. Awesome review!

Here are some mostly empty Deck 11 views….. Patti heads down to the RoCoco Bar….. Empty pool and the life vest station….. To be continued…..

This is the Burano Pool Bar….. Pizzeria del Capitano and the Seafood Shack are also back here….. Patti next heads to the Deck 11 mid ship pool area…. Once again, Foosball tables, Chinese checkers, and Bocce ball….. To be continued…..

Here are some Marketplace views….. Patti heads aft to the Burano Pool & Bar area….. To be continued…..

Patti continues to walk through one of the breakfast buffet lines….. To be continued…..