LIVE FROM EXPLORER - FEB. 17 - MARCH 9

[Down Under]

No-one (with any sense) could call your blog boring!  I am fascinated by how much knowledge you have - I forget things an hour after witnessing them!  As to where I am on a particular cruising day, forget it!  As long as I am happy and enjoying myself (which I usually am when cruising with Regent) who cares what others think.  

[Silver Sweethearts]

1 hour ago, Travelcat2 said:

Dinner tonight is Pacific Rim again (we really have grown to enjoy that dining venue).  As others have said it takes time to know what to order there.  

 

We shall be on the Explorer soon for our second cruise on her.  We skipped Pacific Rim last time because the menu did not excite us since the cuisine is not new to us given where we live.  We would like to give it a chance this time though, and would sincerely appreciate knowing what you might recommend.  Thanks!

[Travelcat2]

Lee, at home, I go into another room and have no clue what I went in there for 

I do try to remember things about Regent because it is a hobby (Iike your tennis is).  This cruise is difficult to write about because the television channels that are currently onboard take a lot of our time but do not really help others (unless they want to participate in this type of cruise).

 

Silver Sweethearts - it is difficult to make recommendations in Pacific Rim since we all have diffferent tastes. I do recommend the Miso Glazed Black Cod (similar to Miso Glazed Sea Bass in CR). Dennis loves the tiger prawns. The miso soup is quite good as are the soft shell crabs (if you like that sort of thing).  I do not care for the fried rice in Pacific Rim but enjoy Jasmine rice which is quite plain.  I plan on ordering chicken curry.  Tried it before but it needed more spice.  This restaurant, in my opinion, presents challenges. 

 

I do like the sake (had three “portions” for a lack of a better word.).  It gives me a “buzz” without making me drunk or giving me a headache.  We will dine there for. Dennis’ big birthday.

 

Okay - since I have nothing else to post, I’ll post photos of our lunch (menu posted above).

 

 

[Travelcat2]

And a few more.

 

The only disappointment is that we did an included excursion in Chile where we could have multiple Pisco Sours.  On this excursion (as mentioned $150/person) the extra drink that several of us had was $10.  One would think that two would have been included.

 

Tomorrow we will do “The Cerviche Experience” (cost $99/person) and it will be interesting to compare.

[Master Echo]

The Internet this afternoon has been dreadful and precluded the downloading of any messages!

 

In haste this morning, I omitted to thank Travelcat2 for her kind comments about my post on our call at Iquique.  I would also like to second her words regarding the friendliness of the majority of our fellow passengers.  The same can be said for the crew, some of whom are already referring to Sir & Madame by name.

 

Submitting the mid cruise comment form at 5pm today, it was impressive to be approached by the F & B during dinner to thank us for our constructive feedback and address a couple of issues.

 

Turning to today’s call at Callao, this is the port for Lima, Peru’s capital. It was interesting to see this place, because we passed by here 21 years ago during a cruise, but between two land tours that meant that we neither sailed in or out of Callao, but arrived from the Galapagos Islands and departed for Machu Picchu by air.

 

Our guide on today’s trip provided some background information to the country and maybe worthy of inclusion here.  Peru is the 5th largest country in South America by area, and has a population of around 31 million.  Ten million of these live in Lima, with a further million in Callao itself.

 

This part of the coastal strip receives virtually no rainfall, and until the 1980’s, domestic properties were not built with watertight roofs!

 

Life expectancy for women is surprisingly high for hereabouts,  late 70’s and for men, mid 70’s.  The average age of the population is 26.  Interestingly our guide told us his father is 96!  The impression given is that property prices are high relative to income, but the road congestion between Callao and Lima points to a high car ownership.

 

Anyone who has been to Cairo will be familiar with the close proximity of The Sphinx and Pyramids to the outskirts of the city at Giza.  The pre Columbian ruins visited today have now been absorbed within modern Lima, and indeed at one site, only one third of its original extent has survived redevelopment.

 

Both sites pre dated the Incan conquest by up to a thousand years and were therefore noteworthy.

 

Tomorrow is Salaverry, our second port in Peru.  Final chance for those who crave their last Peruvian Pisco Sour!!

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

 

[cruiseluv]

Thank you TC and Master Echo for reporting on the cruise. Jackie, please, your blog/ reporting is not boring! I for one I'm enjoying the commentary as it helps with the anticipation of my Explorer cruise starting in a little over 4 weeks!

I'm one of those people that doesnt care for Chartreusse (but I also didnt care much for Signatures, specially the silver dome tacky thing). Ive found the waiters there a bit affected, like they're trying too hard to be "refined". Much more prefer Prime 7 and Pacific Rim. I'll try lunch at Prime 7 this time . Is the menu at lunch very limited?

 

Continue enjoying the cruise and reporting!

[ronrick1943]

5 hours ago, Silver Sweethearts said:

 

We shall be on the Explorer soon for our second cruise on her.  We skipped Pacific Rim last time because the menu did not excite us since the cuisine is not new to us given where we live.  We would like to give it a chance this time though, and would sincerely appreciate knowing what you might recommend.  Thanks!

 

Just a suggestion.  When we dine in Pacific Rim on the Explorer we order family style, we order a few appetizers, main course's and share.  That way you get to taste many more dishes and for us more enjoyable dinner.  

[kjbacon]

This post is not boring! The pictures are great and (obviously) I particularly enjoy the detailed info on the food. The Canyon Ranch Celery Root Bisque sounds especially good.

[Travelcat2]

Good Morning!  Before I forget, I want to comment on the computers in the "Business Center".  Sometimes being on a desktop is just easier than posting on my iPad or laptop.  Only two of the four computers in the computer room can access Cruise Critic  without it looking very distorted (not sure about the computers in the library).  The two computers closest to the window have Firefox which works best for Cruise Critic.  Note:  Still too few computers on Explorer.  People walk by looking for a computer and and walk away mumbling about how a ship this size should have more computers. 

 

ronrick, thanks for the suggestion about sharing dishes in Pacific Rim - it is a good one.  If we didn't want to dine alone, that is what we would do.   

 

Apparently the show last night was fabulous.  I suspect that it was a local flutist as she is from Chile.  I went to bed early (being a Stepford Wife can be tiring)🙄  Dennis has had a cold for a few days and I've tried to avoid it but it was inevitable that I would catch it because we always share drinks, food, etc. and his being a bit sick didn't change that.  Think it is just a cough (along with a good portion of the ship's passengers).  Nothing is affecting our enjoyment of the cruise or doing these foodie excursions.  As mentioned, we will do the "Ceviche Experience" for lunch today.

 

Will post Canyon Ranch menu this afternoon. Maria, I'll post the lunch menu from Prime 7 at the same time (hopefully).  My favorite lunch item is actually in Chartreuse (the chicken with mushroom sauce).  While it is a bit of a heavy meal, the chicken alone was fine for me.  As Master Echo indicated, the internet has been horrible at times making posting photos difficult if not impossible.

 

Master Echo - today may not be your last Pisco Sour.  The last time we were in Peru, Regent made Pisco Sours onboard after we departed the country.  Hoping that we have a couple at lunch with our ceviche.

 

It is so nice to have a fellow poster - especially one that is doing different things that we are.  It gives readers a better perspective of the cruise.

 

More when we get back.

 

 

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Wishing Dennis a very happy, healthy Birthday! 

Please give him a kiss and hug from us!

Love

Sheila and Herb

[Hambagahle]

13 hours ago, ronrick1943 said:

 

Just a suggestion.  When we dine in Pacific Rim on the Explorer we order family style, we order a few appetizers, main course's and share.  That way you get to taste many more dishes and for us more enjoyable dinner.  

We did something very similar at Red Ginger on the Riviera (that restaurant is very very close to Pacific Rim, lots of the same dishes).  What we did several times is to only order starters.  We tell the waitress/er when we arrive that is what we plan to do.  It works wonderfully.  Sort of like Asian tapas.   

 

Jackie - I hope that your cold/cough is light and soon goes...   please don't get really ill!! We need your posts.

Gerry

Edited February 23, 2019 by Hambagahle

[Silver Sweethearts]

14 hours ago, ronrick1943 said:

 

Just a suggestion.  When we dine in Pacific Rim on the Explorer we order family style, we order a few appetizers, main course's and share.  That way you get to taste many more dishes and for us more enjoyable dinner.  

 

Sounds good.  We'll do that!

[Silver Sweethearts]

5 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

Good Morning!  Before I forget, I want to comment on the computers in the "Business Center".  Sometimes being on a desktop is just easier than posting on my iPad or laptop.  Only two of the four computers in the computer room can access Cruise Critic  without it looking very distorted (not sure about the computers in the library).  The two computers closest to the window have Firefox which works best for Cruise Critic.  Note:  Still too few computers on Explorer.  People walk by looking for a computer and and walk away mumbling about how a ship this size should have more computers. 

 

Be happy, people.  Silversea's Silver Spirit doesn't have any computer room at all.

[Travelcat2]

2 hours ago, Silver Sweethearts said:

 

Be happy, people.  Silversea's Silver Spirit doesn't have any computer room at all.

 

Very interesting!  It did have one when the ship was new.

 

Time for the Canyon Ranch opinions for tonight:

 

 

[beaujolais]

13 hours ago, Silver Sweethearts said:

 

Be happy, people.  Silversea's Silver Spirit doesn't have any computer room at all.

 

They do, it's on deck 7 by the lifts on the starboard side of the ship

 

Edited February 24, 2019 by beaujolais

[beaujolais]

38 minutes ago, beaujolais said:

 

They do, it's on deck 7 by the lifts on the starboard side of the ship

 

Sorry Silver Sweethearts I've just looked at a new deck plan and I see it's now changed to the Casino

So as you say " No computer room "

[Mudhen]

2 hours ago, beaujolais said:

Sorry Silver Sweethearts I've just looked at a new deck plan and I see it's now changed to the Casino

So as you say " No computer room "

We're just off from the Sept TA. Only one desk top available for passengers...It's in the reception area, next to a window.

I had people line up to ask me questions, thinking I'm some sort of staff person. Didn't realize I looked so official!

Back to topic....

All of the coverage from Master Echo and TC has been wonderful. Photos, fabulous. Keep up the good work!

We're all enjoying it!

[Travelcat2]

How about some photos of the fabulous Sunday Brunch in Compass Rose (only on Sundays - only on Explorer).

 

First one is baked garli with prosciutto in the background.

 

Second is poor photo of some desserts.  The illuminated ice sculpture messes up the lighting.

 

No clue why I took a photo of the eggatation.

 

 

 

Edited February 24, 2019 by Travelcat2

[Travelcat2]

 

 

 

[Travelcat2]

The photo of the crab legs will likely be poor because of another illuminated ice carving.

 

 

[Travelcat2]

Edited February 24, 2019 by Travelcat2

[Travelcat2]

The last two photos are not self-explanatory.  There is a large deconstructed Caesar Salad bar that is lovely.  Below that is the area where crepes are made.  

 

As I was posting and sipping on some mint tea, a glass of champagne appeared on our table.  Even though it is Germain, I have to drink it - if only to get rid of their supply of Germain since Monopole will be the pour next month.

 

Service has been over the top and Dennis and I will never tire of this special brunch on Explorer (and will likely be on Splendor as well)

[Hambagahle]

Wonderful Jackie - what a brunch!   And hopefully as you say on the Splendour as well.   Seems it has to be Sunday and has to be a sea day.  We will have one - March 29 between the Caymans and Miami...   Can't wait!

Gerry

 

PS  How was Dennis? birthday?  Hope his cold has gone.

[bebop bonnie]

Yahoo....I just checked our itinerary for our June 25th cruise on the Explorer, and Sunday is a sea day!!  Am excited for so many reasons to finally experience the Explorer....and thank you Jackie for the heads up about Sunday brunch. (as if I won't have other fabulous dining options!)

[cruiseluv]

I've checked too and in our TA starting 3/25 we'll have TWO Sundays as sea days, yipee!!