Bon Voyage Dave (DMWNC1959)!!!

[gracie65]

I'm not trying to influence anyone's decision about the Super Tuscan Wine Tasting but having experienced it thought I'd share our experience.

 

We were disappointed in it & thought it was overpriced. Three of the five wines were in the upper $20s to mid $30s price range. To me the $25 Maître d' wine tasting was just as good for wines & the hors d'oeuvres were good if not quite as good as at the Super Tuscan. We won't do it again because at $40 we expected higher quality wines & more than the 'small' appetizers.

 

Others may feel differently but for the same $40 the Winemakers Dinner was far superior for us. :D

 

That's what I heard too while on the ship too. They really did push the Tuscan more so I noticed. We did the WineMaker's and thought it was wonderful.

[IECalCruiser]

I was honored to be among 17 fellow passengers selected for a midmorning tour of the bridge. We spent about an hour being escorted by the Captain and then the 3rd Officer (Luigi). It was incredibly fascinating and informative. Wasn't aware that there was another complete Secondary Bridge on Deck 17 aft. The views were amazing as was the privilege of being among the small group allowed to

Dave, Glad you were part of the small group to participate in the bridge tour. Below is a link to a Huffington Post article about the Royal and her design in response to the Safe Return to Port requirements. Quite impressive.

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-gypsynesters/safety-at-sea-what-the-ne_b_3772986.html

[reiddg]

First and most importantly, Thanks Dave for the fantastic narrative and photos. Just as good as your "Everything" board. Much appreciated!

 

Hhmm...Daily reservations for the Sanctuary? sounds shaky. I thought from other posts you could make your reservations if you went to the Sanctuary immediately upon boarding. Is that not true or is that still the preferred way and daily reservations for open seats are just an option? Or as was previously mentioned, is this just an experiment? We're on the Royal for the 01/26 sailing.

 

Any advice would be appreciated!

[Mom33]

OMG Dave,

[S'villeGals]

I was honored to be among 17 fellow passengers selected for a midmorning tour of the bridge. We spent about an hour being escorted by the Captain and then the 3rd Officer (Luigi). It was incredibly fascinating and informative. Wasn't aware that there was another complete Secondary Bridge on Deck 17 aft. The views were amazing as was the privilege of being among the small group allowed

 

 

Congratulations Dave - how wonderful that you were able to tour the bridge - not quite like the command center of a sub I would imagine. :)

 

Your pictures were fantastic - I'm most impressed that you were allowed to take photos - no cameras were allowed on the Celebrity bridge tour.

[jangor]

Congratulations Dave! Good that Princess recognized you as a "special" person! See you in 48 hours (or less)!

[jangor]

Seriously loving all of your photos!

Edited December 6, 2013 by jangor

[#1winelover]

Congratulations Dave - how wonderful that you were able to tour the bridge - not quite like the command center of a sub I would imagine. :)

 

Your pictures were fantastic - I'm most impressed that you were allowed to take photos - no cameras were allowed on the Celebrity bridge tour.

Agree that Dave takes some of the BEST pictures I've ever seen! He has a real talent for that. As for pictures of the bridge.....it's not like this is a top-secret, nuclear powered warship with all the latest in defense systems! :eek: And I'm sure any competitive-advantage items were discreetly kept out of camera view. But I do agree 100% with you that I am so happy that Dave was among the few that were selected for this honor! WTG DAVE!!!! :D

[TorontoTL]

That is sooo wonderful that you got to do a bridge tour Dave! How did you get selected?

 

The dishes at the Ocean Terrace look amazing, what a great idea to have it for lunch.

[pjrockman]

You da man, Dave.

 

To me, you clearly have the two best threads that I have ever followed on CC. All positive, productive, informative and flat out awesome.

 

Sincerely, a fellow West Virginian, Pjrockman

 

Thanks, also to sunsetbeachgal for starting the thread....

Edited December 6, 2013 by pjrockman

[Bluwaterz]

So happy that you were chosen to go on the bridge tour!! Sounds wonderful!!

[CI66774]

I need to try that dish in the large glass. Looks like shrimp, guacamole, crab, etc. YUM!!!

[regnig]

 

Well at least somebody tried to decorate the bridge but if in competition with other decorations around the ship I don't think it would win. ;):D;)

[HRPro]

Dave, another fantastic thread--thanks for taking your time and minutes to bring us along. You are bringing back great memories from our October TA on the Royal. I definitely want a return trip as we missed the Seafood Terrace and the food looks delicious!

[Pam in CA]

To me, you clearly have the two best threads that I have ever followed on CC. All positive, productive, informative and flat out awesome.

I agree. One reason why they are so positive is due to Dave. Another is that they are informative. With clear and documented information, people can make educated decisions whether the Royal is the ship for them or not.

[Mom33]

I agree. One reason why they are so positive is due to Dave. Another is that they are informative. With clear and documented information, people can make educated decisions whether the Royal is the ship for them or not.

 

This is so true! His pictures are so good, they make me feel like I am on board the ship with him. A multitude of questions can be answered just by the pictures alone, no words needed. :D

[dmwnc1959]

The pictures of the two 'cat' paintings that I posted earlier were by Craig Tracy and titled 'Speed' and 'Salvation'. There are also two additional Wyland's titled 'Your Sea Turtle Paradise' and 'Your Dolphin Paradise' located at the Deck 17 forward elevator lobby.

 

We haven't hit any really rough seas, and other than the one slightly bouncy night, the ship has handled (IMHO) quite smoothly. Sometimes it's hard to tell we are even moving when your not topside.

 

I actually heard someone complain today that there wasn't enough entertainment at night on the ship. From what I've read in the Patter there's lots of options, so I'm not sure what they were expecting.

 

After lunch and that last update I grabbed a snack and Cafe Mocha at The Pastry Shop. Yum!

 

Watched the 'Frank Sinatra' Fountain Show and I still think it's sort of cool. Not the Bellagio, of course, but still neat to watch.

 

The Crab Shack tonight was a lot of fun as there were five of us from the Roll Call that ate there. The popcorn shrimp (it wasn't) and clam chowder were a lot better than what I imagined, and between all of us we sampled every aspect of the menu. Also it was asked for a sample of the mud bug pot and weren't charged for it. Very nice. And although the picture of the peel-and-eat-shrimp pot doesn't look like a lot, it was.

 

The SeaWalk still sort of freaks me out. At night though it's pretty cool looking.

 

 

 

 

[dmwnc1959]

 

 

[dmwnc1959]

Steam Pot for Two

 

 

Mud bugs that were requested

 

 

Peel and eat shrimp

 

 

Desert and my cappuccino

 

[dmwnc1959]

 

[dmwnc1959]

Final Sea Day Patters

 

 

 

 

[TracieABD]

Hi Dave!

Thank you for the additional photos. You are an amazing photographer.

 

Is there any chance that you are going to the Enclave/ Thermal Spa? What are the selling day passes and week passes for?

 

Thanks again for all of the updates. I can't believe it is almost a week!:)

 

Tomorrow, my friend Nancy boards! I hope she has a wonderful time as you seem to be having.

 

Tracie-Lynn

[Northender]

Dave, I am so happy you are having a great time.:):)

[dmwnc1959]

I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has followed along this week. I truly appreciate all of the kind words. And for the special gifts I've received from those ashore, there are no words that can express how grateful I am for you amazing thoughtfulness.

 

As for The Beatlemaniacs....

 

O.....M....G!

 

They performed another show tonight, this time in the atrium. Is was an hour long show stopper that simply has to be the best entertainment I've ever seen on a ship. If you are coming aboard, this show is not to be missed. I can't wait to see them again next week.

 

Good night from Royal Princess.

 

 

 

 

[Retiring cajun]

I hope the Beatlemaniacs are still there for new years eve cruise!

 

 

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