CHICAGOPAUL LIVE!!!!! 15 Night Bering Sea & Japan TRANSPACIFIC CRUISE - LIVE BLOG

[awhfy]

9 hours ago, chicagopaul said:

We are bringing a bottle of wine to dinner in Blu tonight. I guess we will find out what the corkage fee is. We are opening a 2012 SLV which we are excited about. 

 

 

Excellent choice!  Tough to find here in Colorado. Enjoy

[musik07]

14 hours ago, chicagopaul said:

 

We have the higher one, the excelerate. Pictures upload pretty well. From what I’ve read on here is that if you have the lower one you’d still be able to upload photos but I can’t personally attest to it. If I find anyone who has it I’ll ask them.   

Thanks we had the higher one this summer as a perk. They are just trying to figure out if it is worth it to get the lower one on a cruise with no perks. 

[vulcan1971]

Paul - in a previous couple of posts there was some discussion / questions about ordering items off the MDR menu while in Blu.  When I was on the Summit from 27 June 2019 - 07 July 2019, we were in Aqua Class and were able to order both the classic items and the items of the day. It was quite often we did this as there usually was an Indian dish that caught our fancy and we would order it as a 3rd entrée to split.

[TommyD3]

1 hour ago, vulcan1971 said:

Paul - in a previous couple of posts there was some discussion / questions about ordering items off the MDR menu while in Blu.  When I was on the Summit from 27 June 2019 - 07 July 2019, we were in Aqua Class and were able to order both the classic items and the items of the day. It was quite often we did this as there usually was an Indian dish that caught our fancy and we would order it as a 3rd entrée to split.

Yes - My kids are currently onboard Millennium and have ordered several of the items of the day off the MDR menu while dining in Blu. Definitely a plus of the M class Blu with the shared kitchen. We have always been told NO in Blu on Equinox !!!

[h20cruzer]

18 hours ago, chicagopaul said:

 

We have the higher one, the excelerate. Pictures upload pretty well. From what I’ve read on here is that if you have the lower one you’d still be able to upload photos but I can’t personally attest to it. If I find anyone who has it I’ll ask them.   

I had the surf package on my TP in April, no issued uploading pics. However I as a rule don't stream. I would rather sit at the Martini Bar.

[chicagopaul]

I know we are behind you on timing so good afternoon and good evening to all of you. Good morning to us! Here is the Daily for today. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[chicagopaul]

Last night was evening chic. We decided to have one of the bottles of wine we brought with dinner. We dropped the wine off around 7pm in Blu so the somm would decant the wine for us. When we arrived at dinner he had a very nice decanter filled with our wine. 

 

We started Ted the night at the Martini Bar around 7. The bar had a handful of people there but not overly crowded. The large windows over looking the ocean didn’t have any spectacular sunsets last night, instead it was lots of fog.

 

As the night continued at the martini bar it became more crowded. The atrium started to fill up as they set up a large cake to celebrate goodbye to Alaska. The captain spoke briefly. 

 

In terms of dress we saw everything last night from tuxedos and gowns to nice dresses, jackets, and even some t shirts. Overall we saw a good handful of tuxedos, more than I thought we’d see. 

 

 

For dinner we started with the lump crab martini which was very tasty. I then had the escargot and Edward had the butternut squash soup. 

 

For our entree we both had the ribeye, medium rare and has the tuna to share in the center. 

 

The ribeye was cooked perfectly. The fat on the ribeye melted better than I thought it was going to. It was covered in a light sauce. The quality of the meet was good but not great. I wasn’t expecting it to be the type or ribeye I’d order at home. But given what I was expecting it met / exceeded my expectations. Some added pepper on top of the steak helped to acclimate it to my palate as I love a peppercorn crusted steak. Overall the steak was still very well seasoned. 

 

The tuna was cooked well. Not sushi grade tuna but good quality for what it was. The pomodoro sauce that was served with the tuna was fantastic. That was exceptionally tasty. 

 

For dessert we had the cheese plate since we had a little extra wine to finish and then we split The tiramisu. Cheese plate was only ok but it did the trick. Nothing like my cheese plate I enjoy in Murano! The tiramisu, while having good flavors, was a bit dry. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[chicagopaul]

Oh just realized I forgot to post the menu from last night. Here you go! Also yes just as others have confirmed no problem ordering from the MDR menu in Blu on this ship. 

 

 

 

 

[chicagopaul]

After dinner we went to the Sky Lounge for a drink and to enjoy the ABBA party. It was very well attended and one of the activity hosts was on stage having a blast and getting people involved. The dance floor was full. I wasn’t drunk enough to go on the dance floor. 

 

After the ABBA party the DJ came on and it was disco night. We stayed for a couple songs then headed to the casino with our friend Nina to play blackjack. We played for about an hour. $10 table. I ended the night up $45 so it was a good night. As long as I break even I’m happy. We then sat at the casino bar with Amitava, who other crew members call Pappa because he’s been with celebrity for so long. We chatted with two couples from Virginia, chatted with “Pappa” had some Remy Martin as our night cap and headed to bed around 1am. We gained an extra hour last night which was fantastic and we gain another one tonight. I could get used to this! 

 

This morning we woke up around 7am and finally rolled out of bed around 7:30/45. We showered, checked the weather on the balcony and decided today was a sweater day. It’s cool. Probably in the upper 50s with a slight breeze. It rained a bit earlier but now the sun is peaking out and it’s starting to feel a bit warmer. 

 

 

[chicagopaul]

For Blu breakfast this morning I had scrambled eggs again with sausage, bacon, toast, and a banana smoothie. I liked the smoothie a lot. The eggs were cooked well again. 

 

Edward ordered the buttermilk pancakes. He wasn’t a huge fan and said they were a bit tough to cut but he ate them all. 

 

 

 

 

[cruisingxpert]

How was the Stags Leap Cabernet?  Don't think I saw any comments about the wine.

[Covepointcruiser]

I am also interested in the wine.   It’s in the wine stores around here for a very reasonable $40.   I’d buy it if it’s good.

[crz4all]

9 minutes ago, Covepointcruiser said:

I am also interested in the wine.   It’s in the wine stores around here for a very reasonable $40.   I’d buy it if it’s good.

 

If you are getting the SLV for $40, stock up! About $190 here in Texas. 

I suspect it’s not the SLV and it’s the estate Cab Sauv which is also delicious and $40 is a great price.

[awhfy]

16 minutes ago, crz4all said:

 

If you are getting the SLV for $40, stock up! About $190 here in Texas. 

I suspect it’s not the SLV and it’s the estate Cab Sauv which is also delicious and $40 is a great price.

I was about to say the same thing!  Last time I found the SLV here it was $180, I’ve not enjoyed the estate Cab...now I’ll be looking for it!

[chicagopaul]

15 minutes ago, crz4all said:

 

If you are getting the SLV for $40, stock up! About $190 here in Texas. 

I suspect it’s not the SLV and it’s the estate Cab Sauv which is also delicious and $40 is a great price.

 

Yes this runs around $180/185 bottle in Chicago. This was a 2012 we bought from a restaurant we frequent. Picked it up for $150 I believe from some old stock they had and happy it’s the 2012 has some good age on it. 2013 is a slightly better year for the region (2012 had a lot of rain. Makes for some beautiful looking grape sauce but water heavy). 

 

Anyway it was fantastic. Very well balanced and drank really well. Continued to open up throughout dinner. 

[musik07]

21 hours ago, chicagopaul said:

I know a couple of you were asking for the wine list by the glass and one person was specifically interested so they could help make a decision on the premium package. 

 

Here is the wine list from Blu and Cellar Masters menu that is kept on the tables throughout the bar. I assume there is a more extensive list somewhere that I’ll try to find but wanted to get you this info now. 

 

 

 

 

If you like crisp, not sweet (but not super bitter) whites try there Vermentino at Cellar masters. It is very refreshing, and clean tasting. Not bitter but not sweet. I got a glass on our way to dinner most nights. I was surprised that for the price per glass it was so good! 

 

 

[silkismom]

Excuse my stupidity, but what is the price per glass allowed on the Premium package?

[h20cruzer]

2 hours ago, chicagopaul said:

For Blu breakfast this morning I had scrambled eggs again with sausage, bacon, toast, and a banana smoothie. I liked the smoothie a lot. The eggs were cooked well again. 

 

Edward ordered the buttermilk pancakes. He wasn’t a huge fan and said they were a bit tough to cut but he ate them all. 

 

 

 

 

Edward when they have the blueberry pancakes try them, better than the buttermilk ones.

[cheeseheads4ever]

Paul and Edward just jumping in on another incredible cruise review written by awesome cruisers and we love them all  It makes you feel like we are right there...because we've been there and brings back memories also. Great pictures and you sure look you are having fun..

enjoy and thanks for always sharing your experiences.

[TommyD3]

1 hour ago, chicagopaul said:

 

Yes this runs around $180/185 bottle in Chicago. This was a 2012 we bought from a restaurant we frequent. Picked it up for $150 I believe from some old stock they had and happy it’s the 2012 has some good age on it. 2013 is a slightly better year for the region (2012 had a lot of rain. Makes for some beautiful looking grape sauce but water heavy). 

 

Anyway it was fantastic. Very well balanced and drank really well. Continued to open up throughout dinner. 

Did they charge the normal $25 corkage fee for wine brought onboard by the passenger?

[chicagopaul]

1 hour ago, silkismom said:

Excuse my stupidity, but what is the price per glass allowed on the Premium package?

 

$15 is the max price for premium. Anything above that you just pay the difference. 

[chicagopaul]

45 minutes ago, TommyD3 said:

Did they charge the normal $25 corkage fee for wine brought onboard by the passenger?

 

They did. I literally just saw the charge on our TV. 

[TommyD3]

Just now, chicagopaul said:

 

They did. I literally just saw the charge on our TV. 

They charged you without having you sign a receipt?

[chicagopaul]

1 hour ago, musik07 said:

 

 

I literally did not event notice they have a Vermentino on the menu. I’m a big fan of it. I’ll definitely try the one they have on board thanks for mentioning it! 

[chicagopaul]

Just now, TommyD3 said:

They charged you without having you sign a receipt?

 

They did. We left Blu last night with the group next to us so never gave our card to the Somm.