cruising kirby Posted June 13, 2018 #301 Share Posted June 13, 2018 I am really enjoying your photos and commentary! Thanks for taking the time to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isklaar Posted June 13, 2018 #302 Share Posted June 13, 2018 There was no “American” style sausage served on this ship! We all (Americans) thought those sausages were English or German style. There was nothing that remotely resembled our Jimmy Dean or Bob Evans style breakfast sausage. Could they have been Australian Style? Why on earth would you think that. "Limp, grey sausage" is English style? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKP946 Posted June 13, 2018 #303 Share Posted June 13, 2018 Why on earth would you think that. "Limp, grey sausage" is English style? Or Australian style :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #304 Share Posted June 14, 2018 The chef was Andreas Lang. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHSkier Posted June 14, 2018 #305 Share Posted June 14, 2018 I'm sorry I am a lurker but you have written about so many things that did not meet up to YOUR standards, so I have to question why you would book more cruises on Seabourn given all your complaints from servers at breakfast to not liking the food. in the MDR and elsewhere Why not go on another line, I know you are critical of other lines you have sailed with but it seems like you had a lot of complaints on this cruise so why not keep trying another until you find what makes you happy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #306 Share Posted June 14, 2018 I'm sorry I am a lurker but you have written about so many things that did not meet up to YOUR standards, so I have to question why you would book more cruises on Seabourn given all your complaints from servers at breakfast to not liking the food. in the MDR and elsewhere Why not go on another line, I know you are critical of other lines you have sailed with but it seems like you had a lot of complaints on this cruise so why not keep trying another until you find what makes you happy? No cruise has been perfect. Some have been closer than others. In my experience with Seabourn cruises this was the worst. In the past it has been the best (for me). I'd like to think this cruise was an aberration rather than a portent of things to come (though from talk on the ship even pre-muster drill it is). As for trying other luxury lines - SeaDream was interesting but I'm not going to roll the dice on the owner/friends (or families with sub adult children) being on board (also you have what two destinations - either Caribbean or Med?). Hapag Lloyd would be the remaining luxury line then? The one write up I saw of that was interesting. River cruising? Maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galeforce9 Posted June 14, 2018 #307 Share Posted June 14, 2018 The chef was Andreas Lang. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Thanks! Noted. Please continue. I’m enjoying the in depth review and photos so sorry for diverting and please continue. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isklaar Posted June 14, 2018 #308 Share Posted June 14, 2018 I'm sorry I am a lurker but you have written about so many things that did not meet up to YOUR standards, ? Who else's standards matter? Of course this is about the thread starter's standards. It's his own trip report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #309 Share Posted June 14, 2018 Our next stop was Hakodate. This would turn out to be my most expensive stop (RIP sunglasses:() Today we were going to a morning market and then to a star fort (similar to Fort McHenry in Maryland). We were also going to a the Goryakaku tower which has excellent views of the fort and surrounding city. Our bus dropped us off in a parking lot where a Land Cruiser from the "can actually go off road and be worked on outside a dealership) era had taken up residence. You don't see line density like this around here Across the street from our drop off point was the market Maybe a little too early in the morning to run into this guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #310 Share Posted June 14, 2018 The squid was a mascot for a game you could pay to play where you were given a rod to catch a squid. Once you caught it staff would prepare it for you and you ended up with some very fresh squid sushi. One lucky player, one not so lucky squid. The market had food vendors Fresh and not so fresh seafood And happy corn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #311 Share Posted June 14, 2018 A few of the ports had signs like these We were however a day late. Oops. There were multiple buildings comprising the market It started to get busy before we left I guess this is the place for those with an aversion to sushi. "It's cooked" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #312 Share Posted June 14, 2018 After the park we were off to Goryakaku park and tower. The tower was easy to spot. As was Godzilla Spot the tower We started off in the fort and would finish in the tower. I think this may be the only time I'll ever see such a warning sign Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #313 Share Posted June 14, 2018 Over the moat and through the woods to grandmothers house we go Whereas the ice moat sign was aimed at locals and tourists this one seems to be very tourist specific. I wonder if the routing was left up from when the cherry blossoms were in bloom Aside from the grounds themselves (supposed to be packed during the Cherry Blossom festival) the main attraction within the fort was the Magistrates building Aside from tourists it was fairly empty inside Can you hear me now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #314 Share Posted June 14, 2018 Empty Empty Tourists There was also a room with some information and a computer where you could find other star forts around the world. I brought up the aforementioned Fort McHenry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #315 Share Posted June 14, 2018 Due to the construction techniques used when this was first built the roof tiles all were slightly different shades (lack of consistency). When this was rebuilt they had to apply slightly different shades of color to recreate the effect. You can see the mountains in the distance The park also provides a little escape from the city Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #316 Share Posted June 14, 2018 It was not a small moat Upon returning to the tower from the park I found out that they take their no cannon zones very seriously. Someone parked their cannons in a no cannon zone and as a result they were being towed. Guide (repeating the same thing 4x): We'll take the elevator the the top of the tower. Then we walk down one flight of stairs to the second observation floor. Then you take the elevator down to the second floor. From the second floor you take the stairs down to the first floor (those with mobility issues could take the elevator all the way up and down). Most of us: OK One of us: What can you explain that again? Guide: repeats instruction for the 5th time Most of us::rolleyes: One of us: I don't understand, we have to walk all the way down from the top? Guide: repeats the same instruction for the 6th time One of us: Well you could have said that to start with, you weren't very clear (The guide was crystal clear each time. All six of them.) A few of us at that point did point out that the guide was very clear and not at fault in the situation. Whether the passenger was still confused or not I don't know but there thankfully was no seventh recitation of the instructions. The view from the top was nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #317 Share Posted June 14, 2018 That looks like a triangle, not a star There's the star You could even see the ship from there You can even see the parking lot The bars did get in the way but probably worked well as anti-Darwin devices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #318 Share Posted June 14, 2018 The ground floor had some vendors and seating areas as well as the requisite gift shop. A meandering mascot And uhh... Quit clowning around Dare I play vending machine roulette? Why not. It was a nice carbonated slightly sweet "cider". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #319 Share Posted June 14, 2018 Back on the ship it was time to enjoy some of the last bits of warmish outdoor weather before we began the crossing. You can even see the tower from the ship. Apparently it was a high traffic port The days damage report: An Aperol Spritz courtesy of Nelson brought an end to the outdoor portion of the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #320 Share Posted June 14, 2018 Oops. I should've posted this while still showing the fort/tower pictures. [YOUTUBE]ofg8uXz-3Q4[/YOUTUBE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #321 Share Posted June 14, 2018 The tug came out to play but was sent home due to high winds. We would leave port hours later. Dinner was in the grill (trying to get reservations here became a bit of a challenge). At this point Michael Sandoval (one of Thomas Kellers chefs) was in charge of the food coming out of the grill and TK nights in the Colonnade. The difference between his versions and the Seabourn versions was sadly for some things night and day. The crudite A sidecar The Caesar salad. This is what a Caesar should be. I don't know why they can't make it a similar way on the rest of the ship. Of note for those afraid of raw eggs: They use pasteurized eggs. Apparently its harder to separate the yolk from the white on a pasteurized egg. A little shrimp cocktail. It was good and the only quibble is the lack of plate if you want to cut the things or rest them on a plate after taking a bite. A little pisco sour to cleanse the palate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #322 Share Posted June 14, 2018 Their special bread (eat it when its warm) with the Vermont butter. They had a roast chicken on the menu that looked tempting, but there are limits and I think a whole chicken in addition to the crudite, pretzel & cheese sticks, the shrimp, the Caesar, the forthcoming potatoes, the drinks and an anticipated dessert might have been a bit much. When I mentioned this Sylvana mentioned that it would be no problem to do a half chicken. The plated chicken and jus Apparently the last time I had the cake it had been served in the incorrect orientation (or it really doesn't matter) I'm not sure what this was about The gallery from Hakodate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted June 14, 2018 Author #323 Share Posted June 14, 2018 Note to self: when using a Sony camera for food photography - don't sit at the first duo table in the Grill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxburgh Posted June 14, 2018 #324 Share Posted June 14, 2018 Note to self: when using a Sony camera for food photography - don't sit at the first duo table in the Grill. I think your food photography .... and especially your cocktails photography is excellent. I particularly like the chicken on the serving platter! Out of interest, did you set the scenes up in any way or did you just take the photos as and when they arrived? If I may offer a constructive criticism for some of the other - landscape and outdoor - photos, think about keeping the horizon straight where possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isklaar Posted June 14, 2018 #325 Share Posted June 14, 2018 I absolutely adore the chicken in TK Grill. I can never quite believe that I'm raving about a meat as mundane as chicken but it's always been so good. I like it with Mac Cheese. And the TK carrots. I haven't tried the shrimp. Must be sure to next time. Whenever next time will be. That may have been a good time to be daring and try vending machine roulette. I don't see any sweat in that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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