Mariner of the Seas 1/4/2009 Around the Horn -- Part 2

Thank you Roger, for sending the link to the new (for now) thread. It is a terrible loss of your historic and delightful Hornblowers thread for an epic cruise.

And right in the middle of Las Vegas planning. 6PM at Harrah's buffet sounds good. Probably not pre-dinner stuff if we are doing early seating. We won't arrive until about 4 at the hotel.

The Casino book also looks good Woody, I will order a copy. We like coupons!

~Patti & Bill

glad to see "the part 2" of our incredible journey. Just checking in here from time to time really refreshes the memories!

.
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"

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-----

BTW, we haven't stayed at Aria.

Our favorite place to stay in Vegas has been at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas -- by far!!!!! NO CONTEST!!!!!
However, their rates for the main week of the reunion start at approximately $200 a night for a Terrace Studio.
(All of the Cosmopolitan's rooms have a terrace [balcony] -- EXCEPT for their "City Rooms". The City Rooms have two beds; they don't have balconies.)
Many of the Cosmopolitan's balconies have SPECTACULAR panoramic views.

Roger

.

. . . Many of the Cosmopolitan's balconies have SPECTACULAR panoramic views.

Roger, you're right about the spectacular views from the Comsopolitan.

I recently read a trip report that included this photo taken from a terrace/balcony. http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...47574337nu0mrj

Woody

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From the "Hornblowers of the Americas Mariner ATH 2009" group on Facebook:


From Letty (10 hours ago):

A friend of ours recommended a restaurant at the Imperial Palace. Hash House A GoGo. She said the food is great, prices are right and the give you enough on one plate for two people.

From Don (8 hours ago):

I second the motion. Marguerite and I have tried it and everything your friend said is correct. It would also be a nice place for a group like ours to gather on August 1. Nothing fancy but a really good place to eat.

Jill (6 hours ago):

Letty, thanks for the tip. We will be staying at the Imperial Palace also. Will see what rest of group thinks but might be good for August 1 especially for us since we are "so close."

Carol (5 hours ago):‎

"Close" works for me! ;-)

Letty (5 hours ago):

Once we get an idea as to what meal and how many people, I'll make the reservation. I was thinking brunch. The restaurant has a menu online at Hash House A GoGo. Let me know. Letty

Jill (4 hours ago):

Letty, looked at menu and looks good. Maybe brunch would be better cause thinking discussion was buffets for dinner considering the size of the group. Only problem with brunch is that I over eat and then too full for dinner. Maybe an ear...ly brunch. Not sure all of the group are on FB so wondering if you should post also on the cruise critic new hornblower site. Not sure what group has planned for August 1 but thinking I may do a quick run to the outlet mall. I like Chicos and Columbia and always find another store or two to check out. We only in Vegas for two days unfortunately and actually August 1 be our only full day.

Roger (22 minutes ago):

Hi All! Sorry but we had an extremely different experience at Hash House A Go Go at the Imperial Palace in February. I just posted separately here on this. If at all possible, we'd like to go anywhere else but HHAGGIP. Ivan and I basically are pleading that we don't go as a group to the HHAGGIP!

An alternative that should be able to accommodate us would be the Wicked Buffet at the Cosmopolitan. I know I'd already mentioned a little about this place on the original roll call thread, but I also posted separately here on this with a little more information -- such as hours and prices. I know W.B. is a buffet, but it's really different and I certainly don't feel bad directing anyone there, even if one might feel guilty about not being able to eat alot of food. Ivan and I go the W.B. for QUALITY and memorable food rather than quantity. We're confident that almost everyone we take there will agree.

We understand the proximity of eating places especially to the Imperial Palace is a consideration. That said, if we can't find a suitable alternative on the same block, Ivan and I can fit 3 additional passengers in the RAV4, and we'd be happy to take you anywhere else you'd like to go! Yes -- even if we might only be going 1 1/2 blocks away! :-)

Cheers!
Roger (& Ivan!)

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From the "Hornblowers of the Americas Mariner ATH 2009" group on Facebook:


From Roger (1 hour ago):

--- Hash House A Go Go at the Imperial Palace is a NO NO! ---

Hi Letty and Don and Everyone!

Don, I'm so glad that you and Marguerite, as well as Letty's friend, had wonderful food there!!!

But <sigh> Ivan and I regret that we cannot lie nor sugarcoat our opinion, that we had such a terrible experience at Hash House A Go Go at the Imperial Palace, that our recommendation this past year to ALL friends going to Vegas has been to "PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM HASH HOUSE A GO GO AT IMPERIAL PALACE AT ALL COSTS!!!!!" (We were there in February.)

And, unfortunately, we still feel strongly about this.... ==> Of course, this a FRIENDLY non-endorsement of HHAGGIP to everyone!!!! :-D

Again, we're so very very very sorry about this:
We ABSOLUTELY CANNOT RECOMMEND the food there to anyone -- at any time, for any reason!

WE had INCREDIBLY HORRIBLE food there in February....
NONE of the approximately one dozen different items we tasted was good.
Some things tasted only of crispy batter-coated mystery meat, some items were too salty, others were bereft of any flavor, others had strange, unappealing flavor profiles. I recall the word DISGUSTING leaving my lips a few times.
And we were there a few hours, from the beginning when the food was um, "fresh" -- to the time the function was closing up.

I guess I have to repeat what I've told other friends: the food we had there was GARBAGE.
[I'm sorry to even say, but: Some of things I tried I actually HAD to spit out :-O -- and truly, that is NOT my style at all, to do THAT!!! :-| ]

HASH HOUSE?? Sorry, more like HELL HOUSE!!!!
:-O :-O :-O :-O :-O

Sincerely, overall the food at Hash House A Go Go at the Imperial Palace was the WORST Ivan and I have had in any Las Vegas restaurant. Ever. :-(

-----

So here we were in February at HHAGGIP for a very special event, including Hash House's appetizers and special (not house-made) cocktails. Sponsored by a restaurant association -- for many accomplished caterers and chefs, no less!

All the food items we tried were also on the restaurant's menu. We also could see many items leaving the kitchen for the main dining room, as we were seated right outside of the kitchen (our preference for when Ivan's working -- and this was for work). Both wait staff and cooks enjoyed showing us some of the main dishes and other items we didn't try -- in a friendly, earnest attempt to entice us to revisit the restaurant for a big meal there.

We weren't at the party to get drunk (unlike a few lesser conference goers who got smashed) -- so perhaps some other people in the room did not have the same reaction that we had to the food we encountered. Still, many attendees at the event, from all parts of the country, left relatively shortly after tasting some of the food, well before the function's midpoint. And most of the attendees paid $70 apiece, like we did, to go to this sold-out event. We're sure many of the early departures went somewhere else to get a decent meal. Ivan and I thought about leaving earlier, but we, as many others (no doubt, because we spoke to other tables around us), felt optimistically that the food might get better. It didn't. I thought perhaps this was some sort of Candid Camera joke; it wasn't.)

Some other reviewers we respect, particularly on chowhound.com, do not like HHAGG at all.

==> On the other hand: Many reviews on yelp.com especially like HHAGGIP for BRUNCH.
==> And Don and Marguerite, we respect your opinions SO MUCH -- that we now feel it MUST BE possible for others to have wonderful food at HHAGG, as you did! :-)

-----

HASH HOUSE A GO GO AT THE IMPERIAL PALACE:
http://www.imperialpalace.com/&#8203...;o-detail.html

NOTE: FYI for those who might not know, the above restaurant is different from the Hash House Restaurant (which reviewers on chowhound.com generally recommend).

HASH HOUSE RESTAURANT, aka MARY'S HASH HOUSE:
http://hashouse.com/home.htm
http://hashouse.com/about_us.h​tm

-----

IN CONCLUSION:

LOL -- I know... Come on Roger, now tell us what you REALLY feel! :-D

==> Seriously though, Ivan and I are in Vegas to be with ALL OF YOU. Therefore, if there's a major meal at HHAGGIP there with everyone else, we would go to be with you; that's the most important thing! We would be ecstatic anywhere we ate with you all, just being with you!

( LOL, I think Ivan and I still want to BEG BEG BEG you all NOT to eat at HHAGGIP as the main group while Ivan and I are in Vegas! :-D )

Cheers, Love, Happiness, Togetherness, Hugs, and Great Eating! :-)
Roger & Ivan

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From the "Hornblowers of the Americas Mariner ATH 2009" group on Facebook:


From Roger (1 hour ago):

--- The Wicked Buffet at the Cosmopolitan ---

Happy alternative:

HOORAY FOR THE "WICKED BUFFET"!!!

If you have the opportunity, PLEASE try the Wicked Buffet at the Cosmopolitan. Especially if you want to try a different style of buffet than most of us are used to.

As a coincidence, yesterday Ivan and I talked more about our three meals at the Wicked Buffet (that we had in February) -- and we've upgraded our opinion of this restaurant: to Best Buffet in Las Vegas.

(Previously, we thought the buffet at Wynn was the best regular buffet [as opposed to some nice sit-down restaurants that have occasional buffets].)

The Wicked Buffet restaurant is worth a trip EVEN for those who do not like buffets.
The selection of food includes many small bites or small plates -- rather than the mountains of food associated with other places.
I certainly would enjoy eating here even for a lighter, tapas-type meal.

(Speaking of Tapas/Small Plates, have you priced the nearby tapas-type popular restaurants like Jose Andres' JALEO at the Cosmopolitan -- http://www.jaleo.com/index.php​/menus/ , or Julian Serrano's namesake JULIAN SERRANO at Aria -- http://www.arialasvegas.com/di​ning/julian-serrano.aspx ?
Sure, some of the food at either place is great, but honestly, there are some items that aren't as good as what you'd taste at the Wicked Buffet. BTW, the chef Julian Serrano is my favorite, of whose meals I've eaten when the chef was actually in the kitchen.)

At the W.B., quality is beyond what most people may have experienced in other regular buffets in Vegas.
(Truffled potatoes, anyone?) (Sometimes four or five types of lamb dishes, anyone?) There's more to be seen and tasted -- not to mention the selection of top-notch desserts/sweets.

Some of our fellow jaded conference attendees (ourselves included) were completely impressed.
And that's why many of us returned there -- to try different meals. All meals we had there (3 in 6 days -- Weekend Brunch w champagne, Weeknight Dinner, Weekday Lunch) were wonderful.

---

GETTING THERE:

WALKING:
I know that the distance from the Imperial Palace to the Cosmopolitan can be difficult during the summer heat. If you walk and want to avoid the sun, you can enter the northern end of Bellagio to be indoors, and go around the building to the southern end of the hotel (by the hotel's lobby), and exit to the covered walkway leading back to Las Vegas Blvd at the southeast end of the property. The front entrance of Cosmopolitan is right across the driveway! Once indoors, walk to the Cosmopolitan's hotel lobby area at the West End, where you take the nearest UP elevators to the 2nd floor. Exit the elevator lobby and turn left; the entrance is immediately ahead then left.

DRIVING:
Take heart -- the parking garage is underground and cool, and in our opinion is easy to navigate; we like it. Once you descend to the parking levels, the first elevators you see go to the Hotel lobby area. If the elevator goes to the 2nd floor, great. Otherwise, exit to the Hotel Lobby area and take the UP elevators in the adjacent elevator lobby to the 2nd floor. Exit the 2nd floor elevator lobby and turn left; the entrance is immediately ahead then left.

---

PRICES AND HOURS:
Prices have been raised since the last time we were there in February -- when it was a tremendous bargain. However, I certainly still consider today's prices there to be a great value for the quality you receive -- especially compared to other good restaurants. (And remember, we consider the Wicked Buffet to be the BEST in Vegas at this time!)

www.cosmopolitanlasvega​s.com/taste/restaurant-collect​ion/wicked-spoon.aspx
Open 7 days

Daily Brunch. Mon-Fri 8:00am to 2:00pm -- $22 (includes a glass of champagne, mimosa, or a bloody mary).

Daily Dinner. Sun-Thur 5:00pm to 9:00pm -- $35.

Weekend Dinner. Fri-Sat 5:00pm to 10:00pm -- $35.

Weekend Brunch. Sat-Sun 8:00am to 3:00pm -- $29; $36 for bottomless champagne, mimosas, or bloody marys.

http://www.examiner.com/las-vegas-in-national/cosmopolitan-wicked-spoon-buffet-changes-schedule-and-increases-prices
"The Wicked Spoon buffet at the Cosmopolitan has discontinued breakfast and lunch schedules and now offers Brunch and Dinner only. Brunch is offered Monday through Friday 8 am to 2 pm for $22 ( includes a glass of champagne, mimosa, or a bloody mary) ; brunch cost on Saturdays and Sundays is $29 and is offered from 7 am to 2:45 pm. Brunch includes bottomless champagne, mimosas, or bloody marys on Saturday and Sunday for $36.
Dinner buffets are now served Monday - Friday from 5 pm to 9 pm and until 10 pm on Saturdays and Sundays for $35."


-Roger (& Ivan!)-

Roger, you're right about the spectacular views from the Comsopolitan.

I recently read a trip report that included this photo taken from a terrace/balcony. http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...47574337nu0mrj

Woody

Yes indeed! That's what I'm talking about! :-)

BTW, here's a stitched-together panoramic I took from the balcony of the room we had.

View from the Palms on the far left to Planet Hollywood on the far right. To the center is Bellagio with the fountain show going. I'm really crazy about this view, and it also faces my favorite corner of the Strip -- the Four Corners at Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvd.

The room was # 3803 on the West End Building, almost at the northeast corner (next to corner wraparound suite to the right, One Bedroom, soaking tub overlooking the same view, 10 foot long sofa in the living room, and with other amenities like a dishwasher in the kitchen!

I was completely spoiled; I was on the balcony at least 5 times per day. And I could see the Bellagio fountain show while I was in bed, with my head ON MY PILLOW!

NOTE: Click the following image to see a larger thumbnail. Once you get the larger thumbnail, you can click "Download" (right of the larger thumbnail on Skydrive) to save and see the larger photo, which is 7343x2004 and 9.8MB.

Hmmm.... You know that saying about how once you've had sailed on a balcony it's hard to go back to a non-balcony cabin?

Well, I now can confidently say it's a similar feeling once you've had a balcony overlooking the Center Strip.

Roger



.

Roger,

Thank for posting the FB posts about Hash House a Go Go at Imperial Palace, and the Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan.

As for Hash House a Go Go, with hundreds of restaurants in Las Vegas, I think that if any of the Hornblowers feels as strongly against a restaurant as you and Ivan do, we could certainly find somewhere else to go for the big reunion meals.

I note that you and Ivan are in L.V. for three nights, from 7/30 to 8/1. Some Hornblowers are staying at the Imperial Palace beyond those dates. So if they still want to try Hash House a Go Go, perhaps they could try it later in the week.

By my count, we should have 17 Hornblowers at dinner on Monday 8/1.

P.S. We enjoyed the panoramic photo taken from the Cosmopolitan.

Woody

Ah food discussions - my favorite.

Letty had proposed Hash House for brunch on August 1. I'm thinking the days will be like days on the ship. People tend to go on their different tours (I will be at outlet mall) or stay on the ship and then get together at night to "hash" over the day.

Perhaps Hash House could be an option for those staying "on the ship" and those that want to brunch at Hash House could just meet there at a specific time. Like Woody used to do with the informal lunch get togethers at the dining room. Just meet outside the dining room and then go in as a group.

Dinner that night could be at Wicked. Woody had earlier mentioned buffets might be good for a large group and I would agree. They are usually less formal and you can walk around and chat with each other at the buffet line and around the table.

But just my two cents. Just tell me where dinner is and when I and will be there.

Jill

It really doesn't matter to Letty and I, we agree with Woody that if someone strongly opposes a restaurant, the variety available is so great, lets do something else. The Wicked Buffet at the Cosmopolitan does look good, and the view. The Hash House at Imperial was merely a place recommended to us by friends who live in Vegas. We've never eaten there. Len

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Thanks Woody, Jill, & Len!

---

Here's further followup from the "Hornblowers of the Americas Mariner ATH 2009" group on Facebook:


From Don (8 hours ago):

"Some things tasted only of crispy batter-coated mystery meat."
Roger, I guess you didn't like the chicken fried steak. Just joking, but that sure sounds like chicken fried. In Texas, there is a thin piece of meat inside and lots of crispy on the outside.
Thanks for the extensive review. I wonder if the fact there was a very large group participating had anything to do with it. At any rate, I'm convinced you had a terrible experience. I also believe the place had just opened back in February.
Marguerite and I ordered a takeout and took it back to our room. Don't even remember what we ordered, but it was good and one order would easily have been enough for both of us. I realize we aren't in the food business, so our idea of what is good will be much different that yours. We tried the place last July and I don't think it had been open that long.
I've said it before. For us, food is secondary to the socializing. We are interested in a place that can accomodate a group and is reasonably priced. I am happy with a sandwich or a burger. The Wicked Buffet sounds excellent, but much more food than I should eat. Notice I said should. When I go to a place like that I tend to think I have to try everything since I paid for and likely won't be a regular customer.
I'm like you. I will go where the group wants to go. We have a place for Sunday and can still come up with other options as time goes by.

From Letty (6 hours ago):

Hi: Since I have never eaten at the HHAGG, I will reserve opinion until I do. I'm sure at some point during the week Len and I will want to go there. The Wicked Buffet sounds great.

From Roger (1 hour ago):

LOL and btw:

--- :-D "Crispy batter-coated mystery meat" revealed! :-D ---
The offender was a form of the pork tenderloin dish, having backtracked to the menu: "Indiana Crispy Hand Hammered Pork Tenderloin". For the event, most of the ...dishes were stripped down, or deconstructed, to more basic elements -- without most garnishes/architecture associated with the parent dishes -- to make small bites. The resulting appetizers were served on plastic plates or napkins. In retrospect, one of the failures of the evening was that the appetizers failed to capture the intended flavor, soul, and level of execution of the original bigger dish. [ That crispy meat thing -- well, I started to chew, but... you know. :-O ] However, now that I've re-read the item's description, "Crispy Hand Hammered Pork Tenderloin... With smoked mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions, spinach, bar b' que cream served with horseradish mashed potatoes": I don't think I'd ever order this as described -- unless I was forced to, or in a state of greatly diminished mental capacity -- in any earthly venue! :-D

From Roger (1 hour ago):

Don, thanks so much for your understanding and compassion! YES, food is secondary to the socializing!

Letty, YES YES YES - TOTALLY AGREED: We're there for the socializing not for the food!

*** We're psyched up to see everyone!!! :-) ***

Roger (& Ivan!)

From Roger (50 minutes ago):

Yes, the Wicked Buffet was just a suggestion I felt the need to share -- for any time any of you want try an alternate to the other buffets or restaurants on the Strip. This wasn't specifically for this reunion or during this trip.

==>... So, some day, if any of you are on your own and say, "Hey, let's the two of us have a relatively affordable Vegas tapas-type meal for a change?", or "we're tired of the same food on the Strip, where can we go?", or even "we usually don't do buffets, but it's time to try a good one": Any of these situations would be a good time to try the W.B.

----

YES OTHER PLACES WOULD BE GREAT!

We're still open to any other places. Going to a place where we can socialize and maybe have a sandwich or burger sounds WONDERFUL to us, too!

.

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From the "Hornblowers of the Americas Mariner ATH 2009" group on Facebook:



Roger (30 minutes ago):

.
--- Eating places at the VENETIAN for Hornblowers group meal? ---

Does anyone have good suggestions at the Venetian, since it's next to Harrah's and the Imperial Palace, on the same block?


----


--- Opinions on ZEFFIRINO? ---

We had a good, memorable brunch at Zeffirino during Christmas 2009.

Has anyone else had a good experience there, upstairs at the main restaurant, overlooking the "Grand Canal" (not downstairs on the "street" level)?

It strikes me that the upstairs restaurant has a great, festive, pseudo-grand atmosphere that could complement a Hornblowers reunion brunch or lunch (not dinner -- much better dinner places out there imho).

Brunch/Lunch here is not buffet (except on rare occasions like Christmas).

That we'd be overlooking the sometimes cheesy Venice-in-Vegas scene "outside" -- well I think this could add to the Hornblower experience. (We'd need to request view tables in advance, at reservation time.)

MENUS (btw, I'm not crazy about their lunch prices):
http://www.zeffirinolasvegas.c​om/brunch.html
http://www.zeffirinolasvegas.c​om/alacarte_lunch.html
http://www.zeffirinolasvegas.c&#8203...tml#grandcanal

Home Page & Review Websites:
http://www.zeffirinolasvegas.c​om/#
http://www.opentable.com/zeffi​rino
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zeffirino-la...t_by=date_desc
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Res&#8203...as_Nevada.html


----


Any others?

.

Anne and I are happy to dine anywhere the group decides.

Let me see if I can come up with some other options.

One more advantage of buffets for our big group reunion dinners: its less likely they will kick us out if we linger around. A regular sit-down restaurant might not be so accommodating if they have another group booked for our table(s) after us.

Woody

SATURDAY, JULY 30:

Afternoon: Jean Philippe patisserie at the Aria. Possibly explore the new CityCenter.

• Woody & Anne
• Roger & Ivan

Evening: Dinner at 6:00 pm, downtown at Main Street Station (TBD buffet or brewery). Explore Fremont Street. Watch the Fremont Street Experience (free lightshow). Showtimes are on the hour from 8:00 pm to 1:00 am). Meet at Main Street Station at 6:00 pm.

• Don & Marguerite
• Woody & Anne
• Roger & Ivan
• Barney & Marjorie
• - - Carol (possibly for light show only)

SUNDAY, JULY 31:

Morning:

Afternoon: (Possibly explore at the Venetian and Palazzo. Possibly visit Madame Tussauds wax museum.)

Evening: Dinner at 6:00 pm, at Harrah's "Flavors buffet." Then possibly visit a lounge or casino bar (location TBD). Based on the roll call, we should have 12 people at dinner. Meet at the Flavors buffet a little before 6:00 pm so we can get in line together.

• Don & Marguerite
• Patti & Bill
• Letty & Len
• Woody & Anne
• Barney & Marjorie
• Roger & Ivan
• - - Jill & Harley (arriving later and will likely join us after dinner)

MONDAY, AUGUST 1:

Morning:

Afternoon:

Evening: Dinner (location TBD). After dinner plans TBA. Based on the roll call, we should have 17 people at dinner.

• Don & Marguerite
• Patti & Bill
• Letty & Len
• Woody & Anne
• Jill & Harley
• Carol
• Barney & Marjorie
• Roger & Ivan
• Patrick & Daryl

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2:

Morning:

Afternoon:

Evening: Dinner (location TBD). After dinner plans TBA. Based on the roll call, we should have 15 people at dinner.

• Don & Marguerite
• Patti & Bill
• Letty & Len
• Woody & Anne
• Carol
• Barney & Marjorie
• Rick & Denice
• Patrick & Daryl

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3:

Morning:

Afternoon:

Evening: Dinner (location TBD). After dinner plans TBA. Based on the roll call, we should have 13 people at dinner.

• Don & Marguerite
• Patti & Bill
• Letty & Len
• Woody & Anne
• Carol
• Rick & Denice
• Patrick & Daryl

Let me know if you have any suggestion for meals or activities.

Woody

.

Hi Woody and everyone,

Thanks for the updated calendar of events.


==> I'm guessing that HORNBLOWER GROUP PHOTOS could take place around the times we're together for "all hands on deck" group meals, unless there are other all-hands group activities?

==> Shall we schedule at least two occasions to take group photos while in Vegas?
( All Hornblowers in Vegas at the time would attempt to be in at least one of the Group Photo sessions -- preferably both if you're in Vegas at the time of both sessions. )

.

GROUP PHOTOS 1 -- "Early" Group -- perhaps Monday, August 1, around Dinner time?:

All Hornblowers in Vegas and available at this time, including:
Jill & Harley (only here for Group 1)
Roger & Ivan (likely only here for Group 1)
Don & Marguerite
Woody & Anne
Patti & Bill
Letty & Len
Carol
Barney & Marjorie
Patrick & Daryl

GROUP PHOTOS 2 -- "Late" Group -- perhaps Tuesday, August 2, around Dinner time?:

All Hornblowers in Vegas and available at this time, including:
Rick & Denice (only here for Group 2)
Don & Marguerite
Woody & Anne
Patti & Bill
Letty & Len
Carol
Barney & Marjorie
Patrick & Daryl

.
What does everyone think?

Thanks! Roger

.
From Don (8 hours ago):

I am happy with a sandwich or a burger..

.
Roger (30 minutes ago):.

Does anyone have good suggestions at the Venetian . . ..

A burger? At the Venetian?

Well, there's a Johnny Rockets at the Venetian's Grand Canal Shoppes food court. But the view is not nearly as nice as the one on the Mariner.

Woody

We're fine with whatever you wish to do. I like buffets, because I am a very picky eater.....we are really easy that way. We are late night people on vacation and not usually early risers. But we can't wait to meet everyone.

The casino book arrived today. My goodness, it is a large book. Lots of coupons though. I think I will saw it half to just bring the Las Vegas section. I don't think we will be visiting those other states.

~Patti & Bill

Our largest group for dinner will be on Monday 8/1. Patrick and Daryl will arrive that day. If they arrive in time for dinner, we will have 17 people.

It appears that a buffet will work best for this many people -- we can talk at the table and in the buffet line; it's easier to move about the table to visit; and we can hopefully linger as long as we like.

One buffet that has been mentioned multiple times is the Carnival World buffet at the Rio. In emails and on the old Hornblowers thread, Don & Marguerite, Letty & Len, and Anne and I have given it a thumbs up. It regularly gets high marks in the reviews. (It's not a high end buffet, but of the mid-range buffets it is an excellent value.) The Carnival World buffet offers 300 dishes from 12 cuisines prepared fresh daily. Gayot's restaurant reviews rates it the #3 Las Vegas buffet (right after #1 Bellagio, and #2 Wynn).

The Carnival World dinner buffet is $24.98 plus tax. Those with a Harrah's "Total Rewards" players club card might be able to get a comp or a discount. There's even a coupon ($5 off for up to four people) in the "American Casino Guide" I mentioned. If we decide to go there, they require reservations for groups of 14 or more.

As an afternoon or per-dinner activity, we could to to the Rio to see the free "Masquerade Show in the Sky" pageant. As for after dinner, I recall someone (Letty?) saying there is a nice bar on the top floor of the Rio with terrific views.

Note that the Rio is off the strip. One would need to drive (by car, it is three minutes off the strip) or take the free shuttle (free shuttle from Harrah's and Ballys every 30 minutes).

American Casino Guide: The guide contains $5 off per person coupons at Harrah's "Flavors" buffet, and the Rio's "Carnival World" buffet. A couple using just these two coupons would save $20 -- more that the cost of the book. Then there's the coupon for $25 free slot play at the Venetian.

Buffet of Buffets: This is for those who really want the cruise ship experience: pay up front, then eat whenever you want. It's a 24-hour pass to 7 buffets for $49.00 ($44.99 for Harrah's Total Rewards members; membership is free). Good for a 24-hour period at any of these Harrah's group buffets: Caesars, Flamingo, Harrah's, Imperial Palace, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, and the Rio. Tip: I've read that people can squeeze two dinners out of this 24-hour pass by having dinner on day 1 at, say, 7:00 pm, then dinner on day 2 at 6:00 pm. If anyone wants to do this, let me know and we can adjust the reunion schedule so we can cheer you on, like on "Man vs. Food."

Woody

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==> I'm guessing that HORNBLOWER GROUP PHOTOS could take place around the times we're together for "all hands on deck" group meals, unless there are other all-hands group activities?

==> Shall we schedule at least two occasions to take group photos while in Vegas?

Roger, I think this would work well. We would just need to schedule the meeting time in advance of the meal time. 10 or 15 minutes ought to do it.

Woody