"LIVE" From The Brilliance of the Seas with Trainman-2 & Judith

[Trainman-2]

They were pumping oil from this barge as we were boarding. Note the place near the stern (grey paint) where the tow boat ties up.

 

 

And as we were leaving, a tow boat snuggled into place and was preparing to move the empty barge.

 

[Trainman-2]

Well, the Internet and WiFi seems to be working fine now. I hope they continues to do so.

 

It is time to go wander around the ship and find some morning coffee.

 

 

More later...

[Loves_Dogs]

Checking for updates as I have my morning coffee. Glad the internet is working for you.

 

This week in particular I am so glad to have your 'live' thread. I was supposed to be on Adventure of the Seas this week but my cruising / dive buddy (my son) could not get the week off work so I had to cancel earlier in the year. So a big thank you for taking me along. Some day I will get to cruise again....sigh....

Edited December 17, 2013 by Loves_Dogs

[Trainman-2]

Day 2 - Tuesday - Key West - Docked

 

Good Morning Everyone...

 

I am just back to the cabin after going up to the Windjammer Coffee Area for some morning coffee and then out to the Pool Deck to hang out and sip coffee with the Veterans and Smokers.

 

Judith is still asleep...

 

We are scheduled to arrive in Key West at 11:30 am and the "All Aboard Time" is 5:00 pm.

 

Temperature is forecast to be 76 degrees with partly cloudy skys.

 

We have tickets for the "Hop On - Hop Off" bus/train for a narrated tour.

[Trainman-2]

The folks down the hall from us have some nifty cabin door decor complete with a magnetic erasable pad and pen.

 

 

[Trainman-2]

I had the Centrum all to myself early this morning...

 

 

 

 

[Trainman-2]

Kathie told us last night at dinner that they saw a young couple towing their luggage back to their car yesterday afternoon about 2:45.

 

The last chance to check in was 2:30 and they were apparently a few minutes late.

 

I feel sorry for them but it is a TSA rule that RCI turn in its list of passengers 90 minutes before boarding time.

[Trainman-2]

Because of the cover over the life boats, we cannot look straight down to the pier.

 

We will be unable to watch for "runners" at sail away in either Key West or Cozumel.

[Trainman-2]

NOTE to "MrFunInTheSun"

 

I am able to upload 5 photos at a time to PhotoBucket in less than a minute.

 

I think the difference between you and me is that your photos were a larger file size. Sometimes the RCI systems limit file sizes for uploading/downloading.

[Trainman-2]

The RCI WiFi and Internet Systems are working fine. They are not as fast as the Hughes.Net Satellite System we use at home, but they are decent.

[eldolko]

They had a sauce (named forgotten) designed to go with the Mixed Grill. Neither Judith nor I liked it.

 

That looks like a classic french Béarnaise sauce. Basically made from butter, white wine vinegar, egg yolks and tarragon.

 

For some reason it's a very popular sauce here in Sweden and you can buy it ready off the shelf in any supermarket. It's also very popular to put on pizza. Yes, you heard me right. On pizza.

 

As I've come to understand it's not nearly as popular in the US as it is here in Sweden. I bet like 8 of 10 restaurants here have it on their menu to serve with meat and fries.

[July4]

Enjoying following along with you. We will be on the ship 1/13. If you could post the daily compass or advise what time the shows are that would be great- so we could make some advance reservations for our party.

[seaofwonder]

Oh, I need to double check our balcony assignment.....I wouldn't be happy on deck 7 with the lifeboats in the way.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[mizi]

That looks like a classic french Béarnaise sauce. Basically made from butter, white wine vinegar, egg yolks and tarragon.

 

 

.

 

 

The things I learned on these boards :)

[mpoole3]

It's hard to believe I've never explored any of the ships within the Radiance Class they look so beautiful.

 

Great start to the review and I just subscribed. :D

[tomfeller]

Merry Christmas, Jim & Judith!! Cyndee & I are glad you're both on your last "SMOKING" cruise.

I know you'll enjoy it as much as we land-bound folks will enjoy your posts.

 

Bring back some sunshine and warmth!

 

Check out this Christmas display website, everybody:

 

http://www.flixxy.com/best-christmas-lights-display.htm

[Trainman-2]

Our first breakfast in the Windjammer

 

Trainman

 

 

Judith

 

[Trainman-2]

The Trainman Food Rating Scheme! (Best to Worst)

 

Excellent

Very Good

Good

Average

Ordinary

Terrible

[niksmom630]

Looking forward to this review, Trainman, thanks for taking us along! Those photos of the bridge are stunning and some of the best I've seen on these boards!

[Trainman-2]

All of the Biscuits and Gravy I have had on RCI Ships consistently get the same rating:

 

"Ordinary"

 

I don't know what they are supposed to be, but they are definitely not "Southern Style!"

 

The gravy is "white stuff" and mixed in with it are slices of sausage. (Maybe left over from a previous breakfast?)

 

The Biscuits are flat and unimpressive.

 

 

 

NOTE TO RCI:

 

Now that rumors are that the Honey Stung Chicken is being eliminated, Corporate should consider a "partnership" with Bojangles Famous Chicken and Biscuits.

 

http://www.bojangles.com/

 

 

This is what fluffy, made from scratch, biscuits and southern sausage gravy look like.

 

Edited December 17, 2013 by Trainman-2

[Trainman-2]

Rita's Cantina is located on the port side of the ship, aft of the main Windjammer Buffet area.

 

 

 

Special lights are hung from the ceiling with what looks like large paper clips.

 

 

I liked these two paintings in Rita's.

 

 

[Trainman-2]

I have always liked the look and sound of the wake from the open air dining area aft of the Windjammer.

 

 

 

 

[Trainman-2]

No spectacular sun rise this morning, sorry...

 

 

[Trainman-2]

The ship is well maintained, clean, and freshly painted!

 

The only rust we have seen is in the little "trench" along the edge of the balconies and it almost always has water in it which makes it impossible to paint.

 

 

[Trainman-2]

That's all for now folks!

 

We have to meet up with Kathie & Jack soon for our tour of Key West on the "Hop On - Hop Off" Conch Train.

 

 

I'll be back this afternoon and Judith and I are dining in the Windjammer tonight.