Live from Quest, Barcelona to Montreal, July 22 to August 29

[SLSD]

23 hours ago, SDuckers said:

Ok, now I am dying to know what you think is the best friend chicken in Texas!  Babes?  If you haven't tried the TK fried chicken, you really must!  I think even if you aren't eating in the Colonnade on TK chicken night, you can get a piece to try at the Restaurant.

You've convinced me that I should at least try a piece of TK fried chicken next time we are on a SB ship.  But, for the record, our neighborhood Bubba's predate's the Babe's locations owned by the same owner as Bubba's.  You can read the story and see the menus here:  https://bubbasdallas.com.  And, here is the website for Babe's:  https://www.babeschicken.com/the-babes-family/

 

While it has never occurred to us to have friend chicken anywhere but at home, we will try it next time on Seabourn!  Maybe Thomas Keller has a different twist on it.  

 

Edited August 2, 2022 by SLSD

[tjcox9]

2 hours ago, alidor said:

Tjcox - are you sailing from Dover?  We are also and, right now, are sitting in Philadelphia Airport waiting for our flight to London.  We live in Sun City, in BLuffton.  Where do you live in SC?

Yes, from Dover, flying out tomorrow. We live in Greenville, but occasionally get down to the Low Country. 

[johng75370]

3 hours ago, SLSD said:

we will try it next time on Seabourn!

It’s one of our favorites on Seabourn, but keep in mind only available on the 3 smaller ships (Ovation and Encore don’t have the special fryer needed for TK’s fried chicken).  

[kjbacon]

Still tested positive so we missed our last chance to visit France. Douarnenez was beautiful so we were able to enjoy sitting out on our balcony.

 

Yesterday was a real mixed bag for us with some highs and some lows.

 

The high point of the day was the sail away party, one deck above us on the pool deck. We sat out on our balcony so we could hear perfectly, even if we couldn’t see. The Seabourn Singers gave a concert that was, without a doubt, the very best performance that I have ever heard on a cruise ship! They performed a cross of music from opera to rock to Broadway and it was magnificent. If you love good entertainment, this troupe of singers is not to be missed. Fog was rolling in during the performance and it just made for a spectacular background.

The low point of the day, next to testing positive, was when we tried to order more of the St Emilion Bordeaux. We learned that they had brought on about a hundred bottles and had served it all so we are back to no more drinkable wine after 2 days. We just can’t figure this whole thing out.

 

Lunch was especially good yesterday and another thank you to the room service team for scoping out the Collonade for us. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have known that it was a special with crab legs and claws.

It was quite a delicious treat. 
 

Dinner from Earth and Ocean was only ok. The pasta appetizer with homemade chorizo had good flavor but was dry.

We tried the crisp naan bread with black beluga lentils and buffalo mozzarella, still not sure what is was, maybe an Indian pizza? It was an odd combo of flavors.

Main courses were bacon wrapped branzino and Indian butter chicken. The chicken was better than the fish, even if there wasn’t a veggie to be found, but again, not our best meal.

To chime in on the fried chicken discussion, yes you should try it. It’s delicious! I wish I had heard the fried chicken with waffles tip sooner, brilliant!

 

We will be tested soon and we really hope to get the heck out of captivity today and enjoy our shorex in St Helier, jersey island.

 

Not sure why these extra pictures keep showing up but that is the rice that came the the Indian Butter Chicken.

Edited August 3, 2022 by kjbacon

[galeforce9]

Sorry to chip in but St Helier is on the island of Jersey, in the Channel Islands. I hope you get to enjoy some shore time there, rather than distant views.  Enjoying your blog and photos. 

[Mauzac]

Fingers crossed for you that you test negative soon.  I admire your fortitude, and thank you for your photos of all the food and the views.

[kjbacon]

We have tested positive again and will miss yet another if one of our must see ports. We are very disappointed.

 

We are told that we will be freed tomorrow, regardless of test results, because it will be day 10.

[lincslady]

26 minutes ago, Mauzac said:

Fingers crossed for you that you test negative soon.  I admire your fortitude, and thank you for your photos of all the food and the views.

 

Same here, very bad luck you have missed so much.

[Cornet]

Kjbacon,  oh that is such a shame. We were really hoping that you would have a negative test result this morning.

So disappointed for you both.

 

[SLSD]

25 minutes ago, kjbacon said:

We have tested positive again and will miss yet another if one of our must see ports. We are very disappointed.

 

We are told that we will be freed tomorrow, regardless of test results, because it will be day 10.

I am so sorry to hear this!  You have remained amazingly positive.  What a relief that you will be freed tomorrow!  

[travelwell]

I hate that you are testing positive, it makes me so sad for you guys. I am glad you will be free tomorrow regardless. I will say if corporate was lurking on this board, this might be a great time for a surprise bottle of a really good, complimentary bottle of wine….

[Fletcher]

If you get ashore - and we all hope you do -  I'm interested to hear what you do/did in Portsmouth.  The nearby Naval Museum is clearly a major draw but on the Seabourn site I see they are quoting $199pp which is . . . words fail me.  They also offer RHS Gardens at Wisley, a long drive, and gardens this year are not at their best because of the weather.  And then the jolly old Tower of London.   OK if you fancy three hours stuck in traffic.  And back again. 

Edited August 3, 2022 by Fletcher

[saminina]

24 minutes ago, travelwell said:

I hate that you are testing positive, it makes me so sad for you guys. I am glad you will be free tomorrow regardless. I will say if corporate was lurking on this board, this might be a great time for a surprise bottle of a really good, complimentary bottle of wine….

Corporate?  If they made their displeasure known to their cabin attendant about the wine,  it should travel up the chain of command and the hotel director would decide in favor of these very patient folks.

It is amazing how the slightest comment about something travels up quickly.   Or, that has been my experience on a properly organized ship.

 

TK fried chicken breasts.   ✔️ Gotta do it.

[kjbacon]

2 hours ago, Fletcher said:

If you get ashore - and we all hope you do -  I'm interested to hear what you do/did in Portsmouth.  The nearby Naval Museum is clearly a major draw but on the Seabourn site I see they are quoting $199pp which is . . . words fail me.  They also offer RHS Gardens at Wisley, a long drive, and gardens this year are not at their best because of the weather.  And then the jolly old Tower of London.   OK if you fancy three hours stuck in traffic.  And back again. 

After running wild in circles up and down the corridors for a good hour, we plan to take the SB shuttle into town and tour around, including the Naval Museum. Just had 10 days stuck in my room so a vehement no to 3 hours stuck in traffic!

[SLSD]

25 minutes ago, kjbacon said:

After running wild in circles up and down the corridors for a good hour, we plan to take the SB shuttle into town and tour around, including the Naval Museum. Just had 10 days stuck in my room so a vehement no to 3 hours stuck in traffic!

Have a wonderful time!  Take lots of photos!  So glad you are out and about.  

[Host Dan]

22 minutes ago, kjbacon said:

After running wild in circles up and down the corridors for a good hour, we plan to take the SB shuttle into town and tour around, including the Naval Museum. Just had 10 days stuck in my room so a vehement no to 3 hours stuck in traffic!

I'm so glad that you will be back cruising properly!

I was very disappointed to hear that they already ran out of Bordeaux.  Surely they could have held back a few bottles for you!  

I look forward to more of your posts!

[galeforce9]

7 hours ago, Fletcher said:

If you get ashore - and we all hope you do -  I'm interested to hear what you do/did in Portsmouth.  The nearby Naval Museum is clearly a major draw but on the Seabourn site I see they are quoting $199pp which is . . . words fail me.  They also offer RHS Gardens at Wisley, a long drive, and gardens this year are not at their best because of the weather.  And then the jolly old Tower of London.   OK if you fancy three hours stuck in traffic.  And back again. 

Inspired 

[rkacruiser]

15 hours ago, kjbacon said:

We tried the crisp naan bread with black beluga lentils and buffalo mozzarella, still not sure what is was, maybe an Indian pizza? It was an odd combo of flavors

 

This does not even look appetizing to me.  

 

15 hours ago, kjbacon said:

bacon wrapped branzino 

 

Bacon does not enhance everything.  A fish like Branzino is one of them.

 

kjbacon, pleased to know that you have been released from captivity.  Something "else" is happening with the virus that isn't understood.  You took the full 10 days; President Biden has a case of "rebound Covid" and, locally, I am hearing of that as well.  

 

Not being able to actively participate in the sailaway party that you described must have "hurt".  

 

May the rest of your cruise be "fair winds and following seas"!

 

[kjbacon]

Many thanks for the well wishes and kind thoughts!!

We both found our last day in captivity to be the longest and most difficult. I would have guessed the opposite would have happened, but it didn’t. 
 

We cannot wait to venture out today. We will get tested this morning but it will not affect our jail break. Going out to breakfast never sounded better. We passed our first English white cliffs this morning, not Dover yet, but still exciting and beautiful.

Last night’s dinner from The Restaurant was ok. Apps were a Boston Bibb salad that was tasty but slight, the menu description had more substance than the salad. The other was a pumpkin curry soup with a shrimp wonton and both components were good but did not complement each other’s flavors. It was a challenge to split that one wonton.

Jack had the steak and said it was very good. I had the vegetarian entree and it was delicious but felt more like a side dish. The description was “whole roasted vegetable ratatouille with goat cheese fondue” and was not what I expected.

The steak picture in stereo!

 

15 hours ago, Host Dan said:

I'm so glad that you will be back cruising properly!

I was very disappointed to hear that they already ran out of Bordeaux.  Surely they could have held back a few bottles for you!  

I look forward to more of your posts!

We thought the same thing about that wine!

Edited August 4, 2022 by kjbacon

[Mauzac]

Enjoy your release and your breakfast!  We are on a long cruise end Sept and if, (I hope not) we end up quarantined I shall take a lesson from you on how to cope with cabin fever!

 

I am UK and the sun is shining here, I do hope it is for you too. 🌞

[highplanesdrifters]

Hope you enjoy your well earned jailbreak!

[rkacruiser]

15 hours ago, kjbacon said:

ack had the steak and said it was very good. I had the vegetarian entree and it was delicious but felt more like a side dish. The description was “whole roasted vegetable ratatouille with goat cheese fondue” and was not what I expected.

 

The steak looks delicious and is so large.  What was the "goat cheese fondue"?  The sauces on either side of the plate?  That isn't what I would have expected either.  

[tryber]

On 8/2/2022 at 4:24 PM, johng75370 said:

It’s one of our favorites on Seabourn, but keep in mind only available on the 3 smaller ships (Ovation and Encore don’t have the special fryer needed for TK’s fried chicken).  

That's disappointing.  I will be on the Ovation for my first Seabourn cruise.  I'm a fan of Keller's fried chicken.  I was fortunate to have it a few times at Bouchon, but it's now closed here in L.A.  

[johng75370]

47 minutes ago, tryber said:

That's disappointing.  I will be on the Ovation for my first Seabourn cruise.

To me the smaller ships have their pluses, the TK fried chicken being one, but we’ve loved being on Ovation and happily will have future bookings there. The overall TK space on the newer ships is very impressive, especially the bar/piano lounge area.  And the other Keller special nights in the Colonnade are also very good (Ribs in particular) - hope you enjoy Seabourn!  

[kjbacon]

We had such a great day yesterday enjoying our freedom in charming Portsmouth, England! We found it to be a hidden gem with many friendly and helpful locals. We went to the Royal Naval Dockyards and did a self tour.

Incidentally, not only were we released on the basis of timing but we both also tested negative, just made our day better.

 

The rumor mill has it that there are about a dozen confirmed cases of Covid on board and who knows if they are disembarking.

 

Early last evening, SB through a terrific farewell party, as most people are disembarking today in Dover, only 80 of us are staying on. It was such a great time and I must say, these guys know how to throw a party! And you better believe it’s better to be at the party than eavesdropping from a deck below.

7 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

The steak looks delicious and is so large.  What was the "goat cheese fondue"?  The sauces on either side of the plate?  That isn't what I would have expected either.  

I think so? It was a delicious plate but nothing like the description. In general, we have found the menu descriptions to be almost absurd.

 

Dinner in the Collonade last night was the special Indian Market night. It was very festive with special music and it was quite a buffet spread. The food was overall good with a couple great dishes and a couple not so great. It was a wonderful night out and the sunset was perfect. The pictures are each combo plates of the apps, mains, and desserts.

Today is Dover, England and here is our first view of the white cliffs as we pull into port.

The port of Dover is beautiful! We plan to go exploring today and to tour dover castle, which you can see atop the white cliffs below.