scopewest Posted December 3, 2018 #26 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Enjoying your review, thanks for taking the time to do this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micmac Posted December 3, 2018 #27 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Have a great voyage! We board on the 23rd so are curious in hearing feedback on the Rolling Stone Rock Room and the new wine packages (and if the y are honoring the 4/5 star discount). Thanks for taking your time to share! M 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 4, 2018 Author #28 Share Posted December 4, 2018 The new wine packages and the status of the 4-5 star discount will be on our list. We thought the “new” three level package was an improvvement and were a little perplexed why HAL felt the need to change after such a brief stint. Regardless we will pass along any updates and insights on the new packages from the Wine Stewarts or Cellar Master.. So far we have heard all good reports from the “shake down” cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 4, 2018 Author #29 Share Posted December 4, 2018 Monday 12/3 —two days until boarding! We started at little late as we had some work to knockout but we managed a full night’s rest. Our hotel has a nice and diverse breakfast selection and being in Rome we ordered a cappuccino but skipped the cornetto. The rain had stopped so we decided to explore our neighborhood. We headed north in search of the restaurant Cacio e Pepe. We heard of this place through Anthony Bourdain and normally we are hesitant to try any recommended places as some have been impacted by the notoriety and not necessarily in a good way. We were pleasantly surprised to find that this place still was great. The guests were about 90% locals having a leisurely lunch and 10% Bourdain fans. We sat next to a couple from Long Island (I think they sat the non-locals together.) They were great to chat with and we visited throughout the lunch. Mrs. Jones had the Cacio e Pepe and Mr. Jones had the carbonara (with pancetta of course). The Cacio e Pepe was good but the carbonara was amazing, best we have had. With such fresh/quality ingredients you can keep it simple. We had a nice walk back to the hotel to drop off some “Layers” as it was getting warmer. We then headed off to Piazza Navona in search of a Christmas Market we’d read about in prior years. Alas this year (at least this early) no market. We did enjoy the walk there (many Christmas lights along narrow streets.) We stopped along a small side street for an espresso —only 1 euro — a pleasant surprise so close to the main tourist areas On the way back to the hotel we decided to stop by the Pantheon. This place never ceases to give us goose bumps. A marvel of engineering and architecture. Was worth the side-trip. Before we entered our Hotel we noticed a small wine shop across the street, Kiarotti Wine (no website but on Facebook). Was a very pleasant stop. We were given a handwritten list of wines by the glass and served complimentary cheese and Prosciutto as we sipped. We asked our server a question about the wines we chose and he quickly called over the owner to assist. What followed was one off those “you can’t plan it” moments when traveling. We received a sublime 30 minute conversation about the grapes, regions and various terroir of Italy. He was very passionate about wine and it was a pleasure talking to him. We finished our day walking west of the Palace of Justice to a small basement Trattoria called “Porto”. It mostly served seafood prepared simply and perfectly. We had a great waiter; after finding we were from Kansas City (home of the Chiefs and Mahones), we learned he played “American Football” in the Italian Football League (IFL). He quickly pulled out his phone and showed as a few pictures from the games. Had elements of John Grisham’s book “Playing for Pizza”. Was much fun. We ended our day with a leisurely walk back to our Hotel. The weather cooperated with temperatures about 60 degrees F and no wind, which made for a great stroll. We took advantage of our terrace, enjoying a glass of wine while imagining what it would be like to live in this neigborhood of Rome. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ski ww Posted December 4, 2018 #30 Share Posted December 4, 2018 Enjoy reading your posts, looking forward to following along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portofrome Posted December 4, 2018 #31 Share Posted December 4, 2018 (edited) She is arriving to Civitavecchia just now! Edited December 4, 2018 by portofrome 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare puppycanducruise Posted December 4, 2018 #32 Share Posted December 4, 2018 There she is! It's getting exciting. Not too much longer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeniEncinitas Posted December 4, 2018 #33 Share Posted December 4, 2018 Glad you enjoyed the day with some rain and then being able to remove layers! Cacio e Pepe is where we always go for lunch when we are there! The Christmas Market will be up and running in another week. Last year when on business we were there the second week and it was wonderful. Amazing photos of The Nieuw S!!! exciting to see again brings back memories for me with The Nieuw Amsterdam inaugural cruise. Denise😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 4, 2018 Author #34 Share Posted December 4, 2018 12/4 sail tomorrow! Just a quick update will post more in the morning The weather today was beyond expectations. Sunny and about 65. Perfect for long walks, sitting outside and people watching Just by accident we found a tiny trattoria (maybe seats 12 people) Dino Express. We managed to get the last table and were placed next to friendly grandmother and grand daughter. The menu was hand written on a notepad. When my limited Italian was exhausted the owner (Dino off course) said “un minuto” and disappeared. He came back with the chef/cook who spoke some english and gave us some recommendation. Was a special meal where we felt like a traveler not a tourist. When we asked for the bill be wrote out what we had on the table as receipt. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeniEncinitas Posted December 5, 2018 #35 Share Posted December 5, 2018 That’s Rome for you!!!!! We have experienced that also. Those are the memories you have. so excited for you tomorrow! SMOOTH SAILINGS AND A WONDERFUL BON VOYAGE DENISE😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #36 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Tuesday — Last Day in Rome Our last day was filled with more walking (Mrs. Jones’ Fitbit showed nearly 8miles, which we are feeling today.) While we enjoy the history and museums it seemed wrong to stay inside on such a sunny December day. We have fond memories of the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain from our Honeymoon so we retraced some of those sights. We spent our last night out at a Prati neighborhood favorite Il Sorpasso. While there was a big crowd to get in, we could have a table if we agreed to finish by 9:30. We enjoyed a selection of meats, a simple but amazing salad, followed by entrees from the specials list and a great Pino Nero from Alto Adige. We were surrounded by large tables of happy Romans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #37 Share Posted December 5, 2018 It’s Almost Time To Meet the Nieuw Statendam As we start packing to get on the ship, it struck us that the highlight of our brief stay in Rome wasn’t the sights but the locals we met and shared some moments with. It looks like we have a large numbers of CC’ers taking the inaugural voyage and are looking forward to the meet and greet tomorrow. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #38 Share Posted December 5, 2018 On board! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #39 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Quck updates wine packages appear to be the same. No change and discount still applies. a lot of new wines and the per glass menu has changed a bit new tamarind menu on first glance the wasabi filet, chicken curry and lobster (now with shrimp) were still there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #40 Share Posted December 5, 2018 New sushi bar looks nice. Alacart with shashimi and Negri runnng about $3 per pair. So with a 4/5 star discount not too bad sorry for any typos. Knocking this out on my phone 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #41 Share Posted December 5, 2018 (edited) Having lunch in the MDR. Lots of press. Still some HAL corporate onboard saw Orlando circulating and talking with guests which I thought was a nice touch There was a question about Christmas decorations. At least in the atrium they are decorating. Edited December 5, 2018 by travelinjones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #42 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Also Rudi Sodamin is still onboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OVgirl Posted December 5, 2018 #43 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Thanks for posting these tidbits as you go. Really appreciate it.Have a great trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #44 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Few pages from club orange dinner menu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #45 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Pinnacle Menu has been reworked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #46 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Tamarind layout has changed from the KDam. Nice large Sushi Bar. The Tamarind bar has moved around the corner and where it was was on the KDam they have made outdoor bar seating. Very nice. On the other side they have the al fresco dining Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #47 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Trying to use up our Italy data package before we sail 😉 here is is the laundry prices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #48 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Some additions to the Retreat hot tub looks nice!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #49 Share Posted December 5, 2018 New Sushi bar menu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjones Posted December 5, 2018 Author #50 Share Posted December 5, 2018 (edited) the new wines by the glass from the Oceans Bar Edited December 5, 2018 by travelinjones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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