beacha Posted February 15, 2012 #101 Share Posted February 15, 2012 How many formal nights are there on your voyage,Dave? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigianne Posted February 16, 2012 #102 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Dave - I am really appreciating all the information you have been posting - thanks so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted February 16, 2012 #103 Share Posted February 16, 2012 How many formal nights are there on your voyage,Dave? See post #47 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monina01 Posted February 16, 2012 #104 Share Posted February 16, 2012 (edited) Hi RetiredMustang/Dave- Thank you as well for the info on the Disco - Crow's Nest is great for a dance or two so will look forward to that indeed - hope the DJ likes the 70's!! Happy and Smooth Sailing wishes.... I was thinking the same thing. No idea how big the dancefloor is but we definately are going to give it a try. :) Dave, this thread is great. I have 15 sleeps to go until we are on the Maasdam and I check this live-thread a couple of times a day. I love the information you are giving! Edited February 16, 2012 by monina01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredMustang Posted February 16, 2012 Author #105 Share Posted February 16, 2012 (edited) Wednesday, Feb. 15, At sea Today was a wonderful lazy day at sea, with lots going on and nothing much that absolutely had to be done. We enjoyed a specialty coffee at the Explorations Café, tried the quiz, wandered about, read, etc. One thing I forgot to mention earlier is that there has been a change in the way drinks are handled in the main dining room since we were last on a HAL ship in September. Now, if you want just a glass of wine, a beer or a cocktail, the dining steward takes your order and delivers your drink; the wine steward only handles full bottle orders. There is a separate menu for single drinks in addition to the regular wine menu. We took in the show, which was reprises of tree of the solo headliners from the week – Noodles Levenstein, Scotty Cavanaugh and Steve Stevens. MDR dinner menu Feb. 15 Appetizers: Fresh Fruit with Peach Schnapps; Seafood Ceviche; Duck Pate’, Paddlefish Caviar and Smoked Salmon; Escargots in Red Wine and Mushroom Ragout. Soups and Salad: Chicken and Wild Rice Soup; Tomato and Fennel Soup; Chilled Anjou Pear Soup; Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Pear. Entrees: Mushroom Ravioli; Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Salad; Sesame Coated Pompano; Surf and Turf; Osso Bucco Milanese; Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Breast; Chiles Rellenos. Dessert: Sorry, missed getting the full list again. The had the white chocolate chef’s toque filled with chocolate mousse, and orange sorbet. From the daily Explorer Dessert Extravaganza: 10:30 p.m. 11:30 p.m., Lido Pool Deck. Showroom at Sea: Encore, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. (Note: that’s what the program said. The CD announced in the afternoon that one of the singers had a sore throat, so they were swapping the Wednesday show with Thursday’s show of a reprise by the solo headliners from the cruise.) Ocean Bar: The Neptunes, 6:30-11:30 p.m.; Tango Set 6:30 p.m. Happy Hour: 4:30-5:30 p.m. MIX: Guitarist Chris (not playing – part of the evening show); Piano Man David Anthony, The Music of Tony Bennett 9:00 p.m. – close. Champagne Happy Hour 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Explorerer’s Lounge: Adagio Strings (not playing – part of the evening show) Crow’s Nest: DJ Armen, Prom Night 9:00 p.m., All Request 10:00 p.m.; Happy Hour 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. More later, Dave Edited February 16, 2012 by RetiredMustang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare boards Posted February 16, 2012 #106 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Thank you for taking us along with you, it is wonderful review and we hope to take that itinerary on the Maasdam later this year in Nov. or April of 2013. You are making it sound great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callmedeb Posted February 16, 2012 #107 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Even though I don't say so daily, Dave, I am enjoying every post of yours. I especially like reading the menu, and checking out the entertainment. So few posters even mention the entertainment that it's refreshing to get the info. Especially the menus =) I always choose what *I* would have ordered, and then open my lunch to find peanut butter and jam again :p Cheers, Deb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredMustang Posted February 16, 2012 Author #108 Share Posted February 16, 2012 (edited) Dave, I am enjoying your blog. We will be on the Maasdam for the first time April 6. I enjoy piano bars. The music David Anthony lists sound just right for me. Do you know if he will still be on board in April? Thanks. I checked with the front office -- sorry, he leaves the ship the day you arrive, April 6. But, there will no doubt be another piano man joining the ship, and I suspect they play similar things. Dave Edited February 16, 2012 by RetiredMustang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted February 16, 2012 #109 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Especially the menus =) I always choose what *I* would have ordered, and then open my lunch to find peanut butter and jam again :p Funny you said that. When I'm on a cruise, I miss my lunchtime peanut butter sandwich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaofami Posted February 16, 2012 #110 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Funny you said that. When I'm on a cruise, I miss my lunchtime peanut butter sandwich. Ruth, you can always get your peanut butter fix at the Lido. If you ask, they have peanut butter in little sealed containers. They are usually out for breakfast but you have to ask for them at lunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted February 16, 2012 #111 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Ruth, you can always get your peanut butter fix at the Lido. If you ask, they have peanut butter in little sealed containers. They are usually out for breakfast but you have to ask for them at lunch. I know they have peanut butter, as I ask for it to spread on my english muffin, or bagel. The problem is I eat my lunch closer to 2:30-3:00, so there's no one staffing the main line. It becomes more problematic to find someone to send off looking for it. And I'm too lazy to exert the effort to get extra and save it. :rolleyes: A cruise is a good time to have something different for a change. I haven't starved yet! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaofami Posted February 16, 2012 #112 Share Posted February 16, 2012 I know they have peanut butter, as I ask for it to spread on my english muffin, or bagel. The problem is I eat my lunch closer to 2:30-3:00, so there's no one staffing the main line. It becomes more problematic to find someone to send off looking for it. And I'm too lazy to exert the effort to get extra and save it. :rolleyes: A cruise is a good time to have something different for a change. I haven't starved yet! :D Ruth, the best peanut butter sandwich is topped with spreadable chocolate. Yum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredMustang Posted February 16, 2012 Author #113 Share Posted February 16, 2012 For those who may be boarding Maasdam tomorrow, a quick update from the Captain's daily report. The engine parts arrived, and have been installed and tested. Barring any unforeseen wind/weather, he expects that we will be in Ft. Lauderdale on time tomorrow morning. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catl331 Posted February 16, 2012 #114 Share Posted February 16, 2012 some of us might be watching you arrive!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredMustang Posted February 17, 2012 Author #115 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Thursday, Feb. 16, At sea Today was another lazy day at sea, broken only by the sad chore of packing. It was DW’s turn to go to the disembarkation talk. Nothing much has changed, but there was a new dumb question – “do I have to go ashore to go on a shore excursion?” For dinner, we had made reservations in Canaletto because we don’t do Master Chef’s dinner. (We did pass on the Canaletto desserts and went to the other part of the Lido and snagged a flourless chocolate cake to share). We understand that they did not do the show in the lower (open seating) dining room. That squares with the fact that we did not see anything in the daily planner about open seating having to choose one of two seatings only for the dinner tonight. Then it was to the casino to try our luck on the slots and cash in what was on our cards. And, one last time to listen to the Adagio Strings in the Explorer’s Lounge. The singer had not gotten any better, so they cancelled the show in the Showroom at Sea. I’ll check in on the road to report about the expedited departure we chose; we have done so before in Ft. Lauderdale, although this will be the first time during a week-day rush hour. I still have lots of photos of the ship I will post later, when I have faster (and cheaper) connections. Thanks for coming along on our cruise. MDR dinner menu Feb. 16, Master Chef’s Dinner Appetizers: Dialog of Salmon Tartare with Avocado; Golden Baked Brie in Phyllo Dough. Soups and Salad: Oxtail en Croute; Lobster Bisque; Master Chef Rudi’s Salad. Entrees: Tagliatelle with Roasted Chicken; Sauteed Shrimp Provencal; Apricot-Glazed Salmon; Whole-Roasted Tenderloin of Beef; Grilled Lamb Chops with Oregano and Apple Chutney; Duck Breast a’ l’Orange; Wild Mushroom Strudel. Dessert: Baked Alaska, Flourless Chocolate Cake (and probably some others like Ice Cream and Sorbet, but we were in Canaletto and did not see the MDR dessert menu). From the daily Explorer Grand Finale Art Auction: 12:30 p.m. Preview, 1:00 p.m. Auction, Ocean Bar. On Deck for the Cure: a fun, 5K non-competitive walk around the ship, raises money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 1:30 p.m., Atrium, deck 6. Indonesian Tea Ceremony: Enjoy the exotic teas of Indonesia, accompanied by cakes and sandwiches at this unique tea service, served in traditional Indonesia wear and accompanied by the sounds of this island archipelago. 3:00 p.m., Upper Dining Room. Showroom at Sea: Encore, 9:30 p.m. (cancelled) Ocean Bar: The Neptunes, 6:30-11:30 p.m.; Samba and Salsa Set 6:30 p.m. Happy Hour: 4:30-5:30 p.m. MIX: Guitarist Chris 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.; Piano Man David Anthony, Piano Melodies 9:00 p.m. – close. Champagne Happy Hour 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Explorerer’s Lounge: Adagio Strings 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Crow’s Nest: DJ Armen, Rock It ‘Til We Dock It 9:00 p.m.; Happy Hour 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 – 11:30 p.m. More later, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanAllyn Posted February 17, 2012 #116 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I checked with the front office -- sorry, he leaves the ship the day you arrive, April 6. But, there will no doubt be another piano man joining the ship, and I suspect they play similar things. Dave Thanks for checking. Have a safe trip home. Rush hour traffic on I95 can be very slow. I would take the Florida Turnpike to Fort Pierce and switch over to I95 there (about a mile). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hpf Posted February 17, 2012 #117 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Thanks for taking the time to keep us all informed.Have a safe trip home and start planning your next cruise. Helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMLincoln Posted February 17, 2012 #118 Share Posted February 17, 2012 This has been a wonderful cruise for all of us! Thank you so much for your dedicated efforts, time and the expenses to keep us along. Blessings for a safe return home for both of you. We'll await our turn to board Maasdam on March 23rd, now with repaired engines (again!) with a new level of excitment and menus to drool over:)! Many, many thanks! m-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-legs Posted February 17, 2012 #119 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Monday, Feb. 13, Castries, St. Lucia We entered Castries harbor just after sunrise, following a Thomson ship into port (Mein Schiff 2; you could tell it was an old Celebrity ship because you could plainly see the painted-over “X” under the Thomson logo on the stack.) p More later, Dave Hi Dave, Thanks very much for this good blog. That was not a Thompson but a TUI cruise ship; Mein Schiff 2 , ex-Celebrity Mercury. Looking forward to your daily interesting narratives. Chees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catl331 Posted February 17, 2012 #120 Share Posted February 17, 2012 7 a.m. Maasdam still out in Atlantic; slowly coming in via webcam. c Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted February 17, 2012 #121 Share Posted February 17, 2012 7 a.m. Maasdam still out in Atlantic; slowly coming in via webcam. c Thanks Carol:) Dave, your posts are always fantastic. Safe travels and thank you for taking us all along:D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawyerrose Posted February 17, 2012 #122 Share Posted February 17, 2012 THANKS DAVE!! It was WONDERFUL to "take" the cruise along with you!!!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaGypsies Posted February 17, 2012 #123 Share Posted February 17, 2012 My husband and I have enjoyed your live blog every day in anticipation of our April cruise on the Maasdam and same itinerary. You have been so informative about the ship and the ports. Many thanks and welcome home! Kay and Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catl331 Posted February 17, 2012 #124 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Have a safe journey back to VA. Hate to tell you this but weather on Sunday seems iffy up there. Get the mittens back out!!This was too short a cruise!! C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare erewhon Posted February 17, 2012 #125 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Thank you for taking us along on your cruise. Wishing you a safe journey home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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