“Suite!” Just Retired to be a pirate at sea with Sea Dog and Polly The Pirate Semi Live Explorer Nov. 7th

[Sea Dog]

More Chef's Table Continued....

 

 

 

Beautiful isn't it?

 

 

More wine please.

 

 

And finally

 

 

 

 

And to conclude the greatest dessert ever. Wonderland's “The World.” Watch the video of this amazing presentation.

 

 

Topped off with a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini.

 

 

Picture taken at angle for dramatic effect not the wine talking.

 

 

If you never have tried the Chef’s table I highly recommend it. It may not be for everybody but I found it to be a fantastic gastronomy experience. 

 

[Sea Dog]

The evening continued by hearing some very good big band jazz. The musicians that make up this band are from all of the world. Truly a great melting pot of people making great music. I recorded a clip but I am afraid youtube will flag it as copyright  violation so I will post a picture instead. Trust me this band was swinging.

 

Then back to the Schooner bar for some Templeton Rye.

 

 

And that's a wrap for this night. Off to bed. We will be in St. Lucia by morning.

 

 

[Sea Dog]

The Windjammer Marketplace

I'll be honest I usually don't eat at the Windjammer as I don't like the massive crowds and everyone clamoring around trying to get some food.

 

 

Most of time we always eat in the main dinning room. I never cared for the free for all, It’s like the Kentucky Derby when someone who is starving gets out of the gate.

 

 

I will say I like Royal changing from you grab to they serve.

 

 

Just remember washy washy.

 

 

People are more patient now. They have to be. Even the coke freestyle machines have an attendant who will put your ice in and then your selection.

 

 

I was impressed by the food especially the Indian food selections. The breakfast Indian food was amazing. I have found a new favorite breakfast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some pictures I took very early in the morning right when they opened up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loved the Avocado toast. Especially when they had crab on top.

 

 

 

 

 

Also love the Brioche French Toast. The chef's on Below Deck always made it and their guests loved it. Never had french toast made from Brioche bread. WOW.

 

 

Great ham.

 

 

I am now a fan. We ate in the MDR for breakfast only once. The rest of the cruise was spent here. With the the reduced crowd it made it very enjoyable. Not sure what it will be like at full capacity but having guests being served does make it more orderly.

 

Now time to get ready for our excursion.

 

 

Edited November 16, 2021 by Sea Dog

[Sheal]

Greg or anyone who has experienced the Chefs table,

 

Can you find out the menu ahead of time?  I'm not much of a seafood person and the lobster and scallop would be lost on me.  I would probably try the Brazino since I will eat some fish.  That octopus from the other day gave me creeps.  I blame that on the 30,000 leagues under the sea. LOL

[Ozark_Kid]

I have not eaten there yet but I have noticed that when you look up a ship on RC they show available restaurants.  If you click on the restaurant look at the bottom right and it will have a menu.  They can change but it will give you an idea.  Here’s a sample

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-dining/chefs-table

[Ozark_Kid]

I really have enjoyed the time lapse vids. 
St Maarten is great.  Like you I like the beach and old street sections.  In the past I have enjoyed touring both sides of the island.  I personally pass on the tours at this time.

‘I have never tried the Chef’s Table but man that food looks good.

The Indian food is good.  Sharon loves curry.

Your doing a great job.

[Sea Dog]

36 minutes ago, singinalot said:

what a wonderful gift!

 

 

and I do not understand why this continues to happen on CC...it's been going on for what feels like a year now.

 

I agree Crystal very frustrating. I wish they would write something in the software to allow the original author to be able to edit all the time not just in a small window of time. Also the board is not really made for long picture and video based posting. If I am copying and pasting a draft then uploading pictures it will sometimes just freezes and I've lost everything. Saving does help but I've even gotten burned with that.

[Sea Dog]

23 minutes ago, Sheal said:

Greg or anyone who has experienced the Chefs table,

 

Can you find out the menu ahead of time?  I'm not much of a seafood person and the lobster and scallop would be lost on me.  I would probably try the Brazino since I will eat some fish.  That octopus from the other day gave me creeps.  I blame that on the 30,000 leagues under the sea. LOL

 

The Chef's Table will accommodate you as they did Linda. No seafood. For example instead of the scallops they did a beef carpaccio.

[Sea Dog]

ST. LUCIA

 

    Boy do I love this beautiful island. The approach was beautiful. Once docked we were treated to a show. The crew had to practice lifeboat drills. They lowered the boats onto the water and putted around. Here is a video of the approach and drill. Enjoy.

 

 

 

 

After that it was time for a wonderful excursion to the majestic Pitons.

[Sea Dog]

Coastal Cruise to the Pitons

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were picked up at the dock by a two level excursion boat  to take a leisurely and scenic cruise from the island's north side and sailed past fishing villages dotted along the coast line and mountain ridges.

 

 

Here is some time lapse.

 

 

Along the way we cruised into a inlet where I keep my other yacht.

 

 

And then the majestic Pitons

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed a local cold brew. Made locally by the Heineken Brewery.

 

 

Here is where I anchor my other ship.

 

More in a minute.

[Luckynana]

3 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

More Chef's Table Continued....

If you never have tried the Chef’s table I highly recommend it. It may not be for everybody but I found it to be a fantastic gastronomy experience. 

 

What a wonderful, thoughtful, and generous gift from your dear friends!  

Thank you for sharing your experience of the Chefs Table!🥰

[grapau27]

3 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

More Chef's Table Continued....

 

 

 

Beautiful isn't it?

 

 

More wine please.

 

 

And finally

 

 

 

 

And to conclude the greatest dessert ever. Wonderland's “The World.” Watch the video of this amazing presentation.

 

 

Topped off with a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini.

 

 

Picture taken at angle for dramatic effect not the wine talking.

 

 

If you never have tried the Chef’s table I highly recommend it. It may not be for everybody but I found it to be a fantastic gastronomy experience. 

 

Amazing menu Greg.

Graham.

[Sheal]

Thanks Greg.  Beef carpaccio would work.

[Luckynana]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

ST. LUCIA

 

    Boy do I love this beautiful island. The approach was beautiful. Once docked we were treated to a show. The crew had to practice lifeboat drills. They lowered the boats onto the water and putted around. Here is a video of the approach and drill. Enjoy.

 

 

 

 

After that it was time for a wonderful excursion to the majestic Pitons.

Greg, I love how you make the pictures of the Islands look like watercolor paintings!

[Sea Dog]

20 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

Greg, I love how you make the pictures of the Islands look like watercolor paintings!

Thanks I like to use photoshop to create that effect.

[Hoppy2cruise]

Love your review and the great pictures!  I had to chuckle when I read your comment regarding the Manhattan (“Pet peeve: Never serve a manhattan in a high ball glass over ice. It should be served in a chilled martini glass with no ice. Chops does it right.”) because my husband gets so frustrated that they always seem to serve them incorrectly.  

 

His favorite story though is a friend’s comment when she asked him to make one for her.  She took one sip and choked, “too strong!  Can you add a little more mixer?” 

 

Lori 

[Sea Dog]

6 minutes ago, Hoppy2cruise said:

Love your review and the great pictures!  I had to chuckle when I read your comment regarding the Manhattan (“Pet peeve: Never serve a manhattan in a high ball glass over ice. It should be served in a chilled martini glass with no ice. Chops does it right.”) because my husband gets so frustrated that they always seem to serve them incorrectly.  

 

His favorite story though is a friend’s comment when she asked him to make one for her.  She took one sip and choked, “too strong!  Can you add a little more mixer?” 

 

Lori 

 

Thanks Lori I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's incorrect. Manhattan's are an acquired taste. Some think it's too sweet. It also makes a difference in using a high quality rye whiskey.

Cheers!

[Sea Dog]

More from the Coastal Cruise to the Pitons

 

 

We stopped off for a swim at a little cove that had a killer resort by the water. There were bungalows up on the hill. Very swanky now if only I could remember their name.

 

Now into the water this dog shall go.

 

 

Afterwards it was back to the ship. We did a nice little drive by around Explorer. Isn't she beautiful?

 

 

After getting back on board we had time for a Kraken Lava Flow at the Pool Bar. So good!

 

 

 

Next up Dinner in the MDR. It's formal night.

[Ocean Boy]

Explorer looks great!

[Sea Dog]

THE SECOND FORMAL NIGHT

 

What I like about the formal nights in the main dining room is that they feature some of their signature dishes. Tonight is lobster night.

 

 

Of course I started out with a Manhattan.

 

 

 

 

Appetizers included my Escargot, Shrimp Cocktail, and a Vidalia Onion Tart.

 

 

And then the main course a lobster tail.

 

 

And yes Jonathan and I had two.

 

 

Double Espresso to give me a jolt for my dessert.

 

 

Molten Chocolate Cake. I love this dessert .

 

[Sea Dog]

 

Headliner Showtime: Duo Quintessence

 

 

A high-flying duo is a adagio/aerial couple. She’s from the US and he is from the Ukraine. As husband and wife they create beautiful art with the help of straps, silks, hoops and dance. It was wonderful.

 

 

 

 

I like the Palace Theater. All week the shows were never crowded. We even missed a couple of shows and never got to see the ice show. Always seemed like we were doing other things. That's what I like about cruising. There is always something you can do.

 

The other nice thing about the Palace Theater is coming out and right up the stairs is my favorite place the Schooner Bar. Time to say hi to my new friend Norver.

 

He is one great bartender and even a nicer guy. He always remembers what I like and things about me. When I told him I was doing a live review for Cruise Critic every other time I saw him he would ask, "Hows the review coming along?"

 

 

Now for a Baton Rouge 2.0 then off to bed. It's after midnight and I know I will be up early for Barbados.

 

 

Edited November 16, 2021 by Sea Dog

[h20skibum]

14 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Molten Chocolate Cake. I love this dessert .

Just saw a box of these on sale at Sam’s club.  Was really tempted to pick it up to try it out, and see how it measures up.  I may still pick it up. 

[George C]

6 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Once again my apologies. I am getting very annoyed with Cruise Critic. This is my third attempt to post my Chef's Table experience. First one crashed. Second after copying and pasting crashed after a failed upload. Disregard the place holder comments. Now let's continue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to comment on the Branzino (Mediterranean  Sea Bass). Linda does not eat seafood so they altered the menu for her. She however agreed to try the branzino and loved it. It does not taste like fish. It was crispy on the outside and had so much flavor. It was by far my favorite dish.

 

 

 

And never to forget the wine. Some would argue that the selection is not that great. I am not a wine expert. I had no problem with any of the wines and I thought they tasted very good. Especially after the 6th glass...hiccup...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I normally do not like fish but always like branzino on rccl , didn’t know it was sea bass which is one of the only other fish I order, not sure if I approve of the wine selection.

[Sea Dog]

40 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Just saw a box of these on sale at Sam’s club.  Was really tempted to pick it up to try it out, and see how it measures up.  I may still pick it up. 

 

Let me know if you you do and what you think. I love that dessert especially the warmth of it combined with the cold vanilla ice cream.

 

26 minutes ago, George C said:

I normally do not like fish but always like branzino on rccl , didn’t know it was sea bass which is one of the only other fish I order, not sure if I approve of the wine selection.

 

Yes I know nothing about wine. I'm curious what other expert wine drinkers think. I know they had Caymus in Chops but I don't think they would serve a real expensive bottle at the Chef's table. What I need is a six course bourbon tasting dinner.

[Chauncey Picklepants]

We took your lead and went to Smith Bay today. It was $20 for the four of us and $2 for the Jeep we rented. Stunning. Havensight Mall is dying for cruise passengers.  Very sad for the local business owners. We saw the Explorer in port yesterday,  

Edited November 17, 2021 by Chauncey Picklepants