Second page - review Zenith April 23, 2005

[spalady]

Still on Sat – April 23 – During this cruise we went to only one show. It was the “xylophone man”. He was very impressive. We are really not lovers of live shows (thankfully for the performers, we are a small lot!!!). We would rather curl up in bed with a book or watch a movie on the portable DVD. We are not drinkers or smokers so we don’t go to the clubs or lounges. Frankly we are sightseers and eaters. I live by South Beach diet rules to maintain my weight between cruises. (We are trying to cruise every 4 months) I do not diet on a cruise. We spend a lot of time on the aft deck for the views and to meet people with similar interests and away from the pools, crowds and kids.

 

I should probably tell you we are in our 60’s, have raised our family, live 6 hours away from grandchildren, so we are used to quiet. I love to fly, snorkel, run a boat, drive anything with 4 wheels, read, sit in the sun or shade. I HATE any form of exercise! I tell you are this so you will not be looking for reviews in areas that are not of interest to us.

 

We have been in the casinos on Century and Zenith. Century is larger so you can loose more quickly. I am Irish – I have the typical Irish luck – NONE. I couldn’t win at slots if they were rigged! DH has better luck but he gets so nervous I’m afraid he will hyperventilate or have a coronary.

 

On the Zenith in August we were in 1084, on this trip in April we were in 1086. I travel with a Sharper Image unit that has time, alarm, date, temp, cd player and noise selections. I use the Yosemite Falls noise. I hear very little of any other noises. Saturday night was very rough and to many it was very noisy. We were awaken a few times: first, I had forgotten to move the hangers in the closet to the middle, so they were clanging against the wall. Second, an umbrella table fell over on the Windsurf deck above and third, DH ran into my bed on the way back from the bathroom – he said a wave hit him – HA. All 3 times I was able to fall back to sleep.

 

We were up at our usual time of 7am. They said we were going through 10-12 foot waves. It felt like much more. DH and I did not get sick. I understand about ½ the boat did. The lady in 1090 ended up in the ships hospital on IV and 2 shots. (Sunday morning I saw a wheelchair in our hall but never thought that was why it was there). There were “little white bags” all over the ship for all the poor people.

 

We walked down our hall to the dining room for breakfast and it was: hold the railing on the left – take 3 steps – bang into wall on right – take 3 steps – grab railing on left. We met our next door new friends in the dining room – they were not ill either. Very few people were eating breakfast – it was still very rough and rainy.

 

While we were eating breakfast I kept hearing a bird – peep, peep. Finally I said “Is there a bird in here?” Dumb question on a ship? Maybe, but I have seen sparrows in Stop and Shop!! Finally someone noticed it getting closer – It was one of the waiters! He showed my friend how to get the bird to peep. Just push the “button” under the table. Sure enough, every time she pushed the “button” the bird peeped!! The waiter even made a “sculpture” of the bird and set it in a glass for us to take photos. (These are the things I enjoy and why we tip the waiters more than suggested.)

 

The rain, wind and very rough water continued all day and there were very few people in the dining room Sunday night. We spent the whole day doing what we love most about cruising: shopping, reading, watching movies, talking with new friends and, of course, eating. It was a totally great day.

 

The menu on Zenith is pretty much the same as it was in August – that is a compliment. I love all the cold soups – pear and honey is my favorite, but the melon is a very close second. The velvet corn chowder is wonderful! I love the potatoes and veggies at every meal. However, as much as I like the dinner menu, the dining room lunch menu is my favorite. I love that you can order a small lunch or a huge 4 course lunch. Wait a minute, maybe the dining room breakfast menu is my favorite: fabulous French toast, figs with granola, wonderful fresh pastries passed around by a cute waiter all during breakfast – Boy, I hope this is what Heaven is like!

[Gimpster]

"While we were eating breakfast I kept hearing a bird – peep, peep."

 

Yeah, that's 'what's-his-name'! Slavic guy, round face, crew cut. He's a riot. Super nice guy. He had gathered a bunch of table linens up into a bundle, and as he was walking aft to get rid of them he was making the most convincing crying baby noises. He fooled everyone!

[spalady]

RTT

You list Ultimate Eastern Caribbean on Zenith - are you going Christmas 06?

(I can't count the number of days from now til then!?!) If so we are on that one too.

I tried to post birdboys photo but I am so computer iliterate I couldn't do it!

[Gimpster]

"You list Ultimate Eastern Caribbean on Zenith - are you going Christmas 06?"

 

2/19/07 (!)

 

I've neither the courage nor the strength to do a Christmas sailing! :eek:

[Terry in NJ]

Was everything on sale in "Trimmie's"?

;)

[spalady]

Most of the stock was "on sale" but not by much. Also the inventory did not seem to be the brands that I remember they had (I used to sell to them). They did have a lot of Ralph Lauren, but again the prices were not really low.