Brilliance 10/4-10/11 - somewhat live maybe

[mslaabs]

 

 

The sand bar exposed at low tide

 

 

 

That's it for tonight. I'll get more photos posted tomorrow.

[mslaabs]

I took almost 1000 photos so if anyone has something specific they would like to see from the ship, let me know. I probably have a picture of it.

[extremelybusymom1989]

Thank you so much for the information. I am sure I will take as many pictures[emoji5]️[emoji5]️

[The Grumpus]

Was in the bar twice after 10pm and the bar was not rotating. Idid see where the track is still in place should they wish to rotate it.

 

 

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Okay, bummer but thank you for reporting back. Looks like it was a very interesting itinerary.

[The Grumpus]

Crew member confirmed bar does still rotate, they did not know the times.

 

 

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Oh, that's good, thank you. I have to see if I can get them to get it running when I'm there in December.

[JamesEM]

Thanks for your review and photos.

[tonto524]

Thanks so much for the review ! About how long is the tender ride in Bar Harbor? The ship looks so close !

[mslaabs]

Thanks so much for the review ! About how long is the tender ride in Bar Harbor? The ship looks so close !

 

 

I would say it is about a 10min ride.

 

 

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[mslaabs]

Thanks for your review and photos.

 

 

Thanks for following along. I'm at work right now, but will add more tonight.

 

 

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[SheilaSailAway]

Oh, that's good, thank you. I have to see if I can get them to get it running when I'm there in December.

If anyone can get them to get it running, it's you!! :):D:p

[SheilaSailAway]

Thank you for your great updates and pictures to follow along on your cruise! My DH and I enjoyed it very much.:)

[The Grumpus]

If anyone can get them to get it running, it's you!! :):D:p

It's shouldn't be a problem.;) And I know you & JH will have it warmed up for me.:D

[mslaabs]

This port did not have much right at the dock, but the City Market was maybe a 15min. walk. We booked a trolley tour right after getting off the ship. It took us around town and made a stop at the reversing falls, but unfortunately we were there at slack tide and did not see the water flowing in the "wrong" direction. This was not a hop on hop off trolley, but they did give us about 20 min at the falls (which aren't actually falls) to get off to take photos. The tour ended at the City Market, but you had the option of getting dropped off at the ship. We opted to get off at the market.The market was a combination of souvenirs, food stands, and fresh vegetables/fruit. Plus free WiFi. After the market we walked back to the ship. There's a tent set up at the dock that has a few souvenir stands and hand made items in case you didn't get a chance to shop anyplace else. I did find a cute Christmas ornament there.

 

 

 

 

 

[mslaabs]

 

 

 

While we were out exploring, the tide went out and when we returned to the ship, it looked like it had sunk. The windows that appear below the street level in this photo were actually well above ground level when we docked (I had one of those rooms).

[mslaabs]

We spent our sea day in the solarium, as did many others. This was actually our warmest day and many people sat outside on the pool deck, some even braving the pool. I found that on a not so hot weather cruise, the indoor venues are popular on sea days. I saw many people camped out in Centrum, Schooner Bar, and Solarium all reading books (include me in that group). Here are a few random ship photos for now. We did Chops this night as well and I will post those photos tomorrow night along with Halifax photos.

 

This is the first time that I have gotten this towel animal

 

My parents had a balcony cabin on deck 7, this is the view from their balcony.

 

One of the conference rooms was open so I took advantage of the photo op.

 

 

These are cheesecake pops and I do not recommend them. They are on the dry side.

[mslaabs]

 

 

If you are curious about the stateroom mini bar:

 

 

The downsized library, which is adjacent to Cafe Latitudes

Edited October 14, 2015 by mslaabs

[ILOVEHI50]

Thanks so much for posting the pictures of Bar Harbor. We did miss this port yesterday. The fog was too thick to get tendered. It was very thick pretty much all day. The weather in Portland was wonderful. It's been great in Saint John today also. Hoping for the great weather in Halifax too. Still not much color; but it was decent near Portland.

 

I guess I need to find out how they will refund port fees for Bar Harbor. The friends with us have thought the food has been great so far in the main dining room. For the person that asked. Escargot the first night and again last night. Scallops in between.

[mslaabs]

Thanks so much for posting the pictures of Bar Harbor. We did miss this port yesterday. The fog was too thick to get tendered. It was very thick pretty much all day. The weather in Portland was wonderful. It's been great in Saint John today also. Hoping for the great weather in Halifax too. Still not much color; but it was decent near Portland.

 

I guess I need to find out how they will refund port fees for Bar Harbor. The friends with us have thought the food has been great so far in the main dining room. For the person that asked. Escargot the first night and again last night. Scallops in between.

 

Sorry to hear you missed Bar Harbor, but I'm glad your weather is holding out otherwise.

[mslaabs]

On Thursday night, which was the 2nd formal night, we went to Chops. Food and service were good. I ordered my steak medium well and it came out pretty close to that, but the very center was more rare than I like. Still a good steak though. In case anyone is like me and enjoys seeing pictures of the food before you order it, here are some of the appetizers.

 

Breadsticks

 

Shrimp cocktail

 

Scallops

 

Crab cake

 

[mslaabs]

That night was the Rock n Roll party

 

 

 

And anyone who stayed up really late or got up really early Friday morning saw this sunrise.

[mslaabs]

Friday we arrived in Halifax. Again, this did not look like there was much to do right at the dock. As it turned out, the terminal building had several vendors and a museum in it. At the end was a farmer's market and one or two restaurants just outside the building. This also the starting point for the Harbor Walk, which we enjoyed. Basically a boardwalk along the waterfront. Along the way there are memorials, sculptures, stores, tour services, and restaurants. Our table mates took the hop on hop off bus and really enjoyed that. They visited the city gardens and took some really nice photos of the fall flowers there. There were car services for hire outside the terminal and we were quoted $50 per person (3 of us) for 3hrs, but we opted for the Harbor walk. Peggy's Cove and the Titanic cemetery (not sure of the proper name) were not within walking distance.

 

Arriving in Halifax

 

 

 

[mslaabs]

Along the Harbor Walk

 

 

 

 

The boardwalk was flat, but here's an idea of what you face if you decide to walk around the city streets.

[mslaabs]

 

The hop on hop off buses

 

The 70s party was on this night.

 

 

The towel animal for the night

[mslaabs]

Saturday was our 2nd Sea Day and it was probably the roughest day, and not just because I had to pack. Deck 5 was closed off most of the day due to high winds, the Walk For Wishes was cancelled, and the t-shirt sale on deck 11 was moved to inside on deck 5. Either the ship was rolling a bit or everyone was taking full advantage of drink packages because there was some staggering.

 

 

Plates in the Windjammer were strapped in with plastic wrap.

 

By sunset the water had calmed down

 

One of the saddest sights on a cruise

Edited October 14, 2015 by mslaabs

[mslaabs]

Unfortunately they kicked me off the ship on Sunday, but they did it rather quickly. From the time my luggage tag was called until I jumped in the taxi it was a total of 20 minutes and that included smiling at immigration and the hunt for my luggage. Very smooth disembarking process.

 

Thanks for following along on my first live (which was a little less live than I had hoped for) report.

 

 

Edited October 14, 2015 by mslaabs