CHICAGOPAUL - LIVE!!!!!! CRUISE BLOG - The EDGE February 24th!

[chicagopaul]

As I sit here at the Martini Bar I figured I’d give you the menus tonight.
















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[chicagopaul]

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[chicagopaul]

I'm assuming the below picture on the cover of the Today is the "Martini Bar and Lounge."  Are there bar servers that wait all those tables or do you need to go to the bar to be served?
 

Great question. There are bar servers for the tables. No need to go to the bar, however, during very busy times we’ve seen people get a bit frustrated waiting for the bar servers and simply walk up to the martini bar to order. Today it seems like there are more bar servers out and about and people aren’t waiting much at all.

I’ll have some of my own photos I’ll post of the bar area too.


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[Lastdance]

Any specialty coffee drinks at Thr Retreat?

 

Anybody know...

[chicagopaul]

Norma! I just realize I forgot to post the Al Bacio photos.







Still the two sweaters on the edge (pun intended) overlooking the martini bar.


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[jelayne]

The Rumchatta Tini and Snowflake Martini were my favorites for after dinner!  Wish I had one right now😋

Edited March 1, 2019 by jelayne

[chicagopaul]

Any specialty coffee drinks at Thr Retreat?
 
Anybody know...

Ah I will check in the morning. There is a very nice coffee machine but we will see what it does.


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[chicagopaul]

Good Evening Everyone! I’m calling it an early night so I can feel a bit more refreshed tomorrow than I did this morning (and so I can call you early Damien). Tonight we had a wonderful dinner at the Rooftop Garden which I will fill you in on tomorrow, but I can tell you I had some of the best chicken wings I’ve ever had. Silent Disco is happening tonight in Eden and as much as it pains me to miss it tonight I feel that I need a little rest.

My plan in the morning is to wander the ship and get some more photos for all of you. We also plan to book a cruise on board tomorrow so I’ll post a photo of the current on board promotions.

Tonight is the first time I’m feeling a little motion on this ship. Personally I like it, so I’m welcoming the movement, but it is very slight, nothing to worry about.


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[Mrswood83]

Good evening Paul! Loving your review and especially your pictures and instagram posts!! Question- I know y’all sometimes enjoy a cigar on the ship.  If possible, could you post pictures of what they have available to buy? Or do you normally buy them at a port? 

 

Thank you!!

[verylind]

Thanx for the bar list! Can you as before get just a beer if you want in the MB or Eden? 

[RodPat]

Paul, 

Can you find out if they have any XO cognac in the Retreat lounge..  My husband only drinks XO cognac and they usually have it in Michaels club for him.  Just wondering if they are not offering this anymore.  He will have to learn to drink something else if they don't have that.

 

Pat

[first mate]

On 2/27/2019 at 12:29 PM, chicagopaul said:

As we are half way through the cruise I figure I should give a mini cruise update.

Cabin 10107 Sky Suite - Storage is excellent. I live the bed facing the window. The mattress is firm. Very firm. Personally I love that but I realize it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

The temperature only goes down to 66. It doesn’t really feel like 66, feels like it should be a bit colder but it’s not uncomfortable by any means. I just prefer ice cold when I sleep. Even in cold Chicago our A/C turns on at night to keep it around 63 so I’m an anomaly with regard to that.

Cleanliness of Cabin. Ship is brand new so obviously the room is clean. The shower provides some cleaning challenges. There is a soap dish of sorts that is fixed to the tub. It fills up with water with no where to drain. Cabin attendant always has it dry after cleaning but is just a design flaw. Also the shower current material is starting to discolor already at the base. I suspect they’ll be changing these out a lot.

I love the separate door for the toilet in the bathroom. The long vanity is beautiful.

I hate how the mirror fogs up so quickly. Really wish they had fog free mirrors or better ventilation. There is also no place to hang your towel within easy reach of the shower. Though the bathroom isn’t all that big so it’s not like you’re running across a room for a towel, it is noticeable.

I love the vanity area. While I’m not putting on make up haha, it makes for a great space to place my watch, clothes, etc as I’m getting ready.

The storage on both sides of the sink is wonderful. Products are easily displayed so you know where everything is and the shelf heights are perfect for bathroom products.


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We did a B2B on the Edge.  1st week in Aqua and the bathroom mirrors were heated so no fogging, very nice.  2nd week in a S3 suite and the mirrors fogged up as you said.  Suites should have fog-free mirrors.  We had the leaking tub/shower problem in the suite.  We learned to make a dam with towels along the edge of the tub so the water wouldn't roll over the edge and flood the bathroom.  The cabin attendant told us he left extra beach towels in the bathroom so we could place them on the floor due to the water. Passengers shouldn't have to do that!  The shower curtain was useless and they hadn't added the strip yet to prevent the water from leaking over.  Other than that, I really liked the size of the bathroom.  But preferred the shower in Aqua with the shower panel and sprays.  

 

Edited March 1, 2019 by first mate
adding more

[Chrissi3010]

Paul, when you described all the bar options you metionend "...there is no idiot bar...". What is an idiot bar? 🍸

[Bo1953]

1 hour ago, Chrissi3010 said:

Paul, when you described all the bar options you metionend "...there is no idiot bar...". What is an idiot bar? 🍸

I believe 'auto correct' took over and he either meant indoor or inside.

 

I Am sure he will be back to clarify for sure...

 

bon voyage

[barbette165]

Paul,

      Could you provide information about music genre and volume. Many of the early reviewers commented that the music around the ship was too young and too loud - and that requests to modify were met with "Miami says 'No'". Do you think the music now more closely matches the actual clientele?

[MrFunInTheSun]

Thanks for bringing us along. Looks to be another super cruise! 

[chicagopaul]

Paul, when you described all the bar options you metionend "...there is no idiot bar...". What is an idiot bar? [emoji483]

[emoji23][emoji23] Yes autocorrect took over. As Bo mentioned I just meant “inside” bar. Though if they could have a bar where they could stick all the idiots that would be a great concept!


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[chicagopaul]

Good Morning Everyone. Well it is the sad part of the cruise. Only two more days to go and we are back home.

Let’s start with the Daily and we can discuss lunch and dinner from yesterday.









And someone on here asked about the price of yesterday’s spa treatment. It’s $169. Here it is




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[pa-annie]

17 hours ago, chicagopaul said:

Ok let’s chat bars shall we. There is much discussion about there not being enough bars on the ship so let me detail out all the options for you.

1) Martini Bar and Lounge - I added the lounge aspect since most of the area is filled with tables. This bar is taking the place of Passport in the sense that it is opening up early on sea days (11am).

2) Eden - Eden bar is opened early. We popped in there for the cafe around Noon yesterday and found two bartenders and only a couple people at the bar. On a hot day I think it’s an odd place to grab a drink inside but on a cooler day or a rainy day it’s a great look for day drinking. The space though is definitely meant for nighttime use.

3) The Prism Bar aka the Pool Bar - it’s a nice wide open space. Even today on a port day 3 bartenders were working, even up to 4 at times. The wide layout is conducive to making lots of drinks at once. Definitely an improved design from S Class (even though the S Class pool bar holds a special place in my heart).

4) Sunset Bar - I’ll check this out more tomorrow. The bar is a good size. The barstools are very tall and tough to get on. I’m sure these will be modified in the future. There is lots of space to sit however on both sides of the bar in regular chairs and tables similar to
The S Class.

5) Magic Carpet - Yes the magic carpet is another bar too. Just check hours as they can change. Bar and tables are very pretty. I like the layout and design.

6) Casino Bar - I love the new casino bar. It’s a very beautiful setup. I love that it has video poker in the bar. I’ll snap a few photos of this bar too.

7) The Club - When this is open it’s a beautiful bar. I don’t feel like I’m in a club on ship, more like a nightclub on land. There are comfortable chairs at the bar and it has a beautiful display of bottles behind the bar. Great setup, but it’s dark because well it’s a club.

😎 Cafe Al Bacio - Yes this is technically a bar too. I’ll post some pictures since Norma so kindly requested. It’s a much more open feeling than on the S Class.

9) The Retreat - You can get cocktails in the lounge or up at the bar outside on deck 16. There is no idiot bar. The outside bar is the perfect outdoor bar set up. Nicely tucked away in the shade.


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Is there a bar in the OC?

 

- BZ

[chicagopaul]

Yesterday for lunch we just to the Mast Grill to check it out. I like the seating options and the fact that it’s fully shaded. It also should prove much less windy in this location. I tried the burger and hot dog. The burger seemed better than Mast Grill burgers on past ships. Hot was good as usual. Yes that is bacon on the burger.








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[chicagopaul]

Last night we started at the Martini Bar as usual. We were able to get seats at the head of the bar meaning we were right in front of the show for the martini flights at 8pm. Some have said that they stopped doing the flight shows but it appears they brought them back. Last night I filmed a great video of the martini bar that I will have uploaded to YouTube and posted here.

Last night the music that started at 7:45pm in the grand foyer was The Reckless Charms. It featured a female vocalist and piano player, a drum player, a guitar player and a violinist. They were fantastic and the pianist vocalist had a very unique voice. They were singing everything from John Mayer to the Beatles and they did so in their own unique way.











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[chicagopaul]

After Martini Bar we had 8:30 reservations for the Rooftop Garden Grill. I’m ashamed to admit that I did not even know there was a specialty restaurant there until Edward told me. We booked it a couple days ago and hoped for good weather. The weather was perfect and not windy at all. We lucked out!

We also got a great table with a great view of the X and the TV screen.



Here is the menu












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[chicagopaul]

We really enjoyed the good. We started with the pork sliders and the spicy wings. The sliders were good, but the breading took over a bit much. It could have used a dipping sauce. The wings however were probably the best wings I’ve ever had. They had a great spice but the chicken itself also had a great Smokey flavor. Cooked perfectly, very easy to eat. Not tough or dry at all.





For entrees we decided to both get the brisket and a half a slab of wet aged ribs to share. The brisket was good quality. I was surprised there wasn’t a bit more flavor but the sauce it was served with more than made up for it. The ribs were massive and you could easily eat the ribs with a fork. Very tender, great smoke flavor in the meat plus a great sauce. The sides were all great. Good beans, excellent creamed corn and Mac n Cheese.





Then for dessert we of course had to have the cookie and ice cream. Just as good as lawn club, maybe a bit better.



It was a fun atmosphere last night. At 10 they started playing Bohemian Rhapsody movie and there was a very nice turnout. We stayed at our table and watched for a little while.


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[chicagopaul]

Photos from the movie.





Here is the pool at night




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[h20cruzer]

Food at the rooftop garden looks great. Only disappointment this is only a 7 day cruise.

Love all the pictures. thanks Paul.

Norma