LIVE FROM the flagship Rotterdam on the 21-day Eastern Caribbean and 150th Anniversary Transatlantic

[albingirl]

Such a nice happy thread! Thank you.

[Vict0riann]

Here are the toes!  She told me I have swollen ankles, which I would never have known, I don’t look closely down there that often, but maybe those flights did it. 
 

 

Now I’m ready for the Pinnacle tonight.  
 

Strangely enough, as we were leaving Port Everglades we saw quite a lot of brown seaweed floating past, (sargassum?), and there is more in the water here at Key West.  It must make a mess of the beaches.  I’m not sure if you can make it out in my picture.

 

[Vict0riann]

Maybe this picture is a little clearer.  Blobs keep floating by.  
 

[ger_77]

13 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

Maybe this picture is a little clearer.  Blobs keep floating by.  
 

I always thought it was an algae bloom!  BTW, love your toes!

[StLouisCruisers]

Watching the Rotterdam turning around at Key West as it leaves.  Looking hard for you guys on your balcony but don't see anything yet.  Maybe at dinner?

[oakridger]

That was a beautiful view from your cabin today.  Beautiful weather!  

 

Hoping you and your cheery pink toes have a nice dinner this evening!

 

~Nancy

 

[Vict0riann]

We had a delicious dinner, thank you!  I had crab cakes and the lobster (Friday in Lent, must make a sacrifice, you know…). Tony had stuffed mushrooms and the small filet mignon, Pat had the Forest mushroom soup and the halibut, and Martha had Caesar salad and the lamb chops.  A selection of desserts - didn’t get pictures of those.  

Mine

 

 

 

such a beautiful shell on my lobster

 

 

Pat’s soup, his fish wasn’t that beautiful 

 

Tony’s

 

  
 

 

and Martha’s lamb chops

 

 

 

Edited April 1, 2023 by Vict0riann

[Sharon in AZ]

On 3/30/2023 at 9:13 AM, Vict0riann said:

Then our big outing of the day here in Nassau.  We were married here 60 years ago last November, in the tiny Sacred Heart Church on Shirley Street.  It was old and dilapidated even in those days, and we didn’t know if it was still standing.  We found a taxi driver who knew what we were talking about, and he drove us around for a few hours.  
 

Sacred Heart Church 60 years ago.

 

 

And today

 

New roof, but not too much had changed.  The sad part was going through the cemetery we saw a lot of familiar names, friends and people we worked with.  
 

The our driver managed to find the house I lived in with my parents for 5 years before Pat and I were married!  
 

60 years ago

 

 

and now

 

 

Then we tried to find where Pat had lived but it was gone, and the driver dropped us in town and we went into the Royal Bank of Canada where Pat ( and I for a while) had worked.  So all in all good memories!

 

 

Wow Ann!  That’s so wonderful you two got to see your old stomping grounds!

[AncientWanderer]

On 3/30/2023 at 9:13 AM, Vict0riann said:

Then our big outing of the day here in Nassau.  We were married here 60 years ago last November, in the tiny Sacred Heart Church on Shirley Street.  It was old and dilapidated even in those days, and we didn’t know if it was still standing.  We found a taxi driver who knew what we were talking about, and he drove us around for a few hours.  
 

Sacred Heart Church 60 years ago.

 

 

And today

 

New roof, but not too much had changed.  The sad part was going through the cemetery we saw a lot of familiar names, friends and people we worked with.  
 

The our driver managed to find the house I lived in with my parents for 5 years before Pat and I were married!  
 

60 years ago

 

 

and now

 

 

Then we tried to find where Pat had lived but it was gone, and the driver dropped us in town and we went into the Royal Bank of Canada where Pat ( and I for a while) had worked.  So all in all good memories!

 

 

I showed DH these photos while at dinner tonight.  It really is amazing that the home is practically unchanged after many years and with so much potential for hurricane damage. It must have been quite an experience to see that. 
Lovely.  ❤️

[Vict0riann]

Our one and only sea day on this cruise… but we will be busy.  There may be a few people, I think, at a casual M&G in the Crow’s Nest, at 10:30, then the Mariners ‘ reception at 11, I’ll send Pat to that, I’ll be late.  We have a reservation for lunch in the Pinnacle at 12 and then a wine tasting at 2.  I imagine Mass will be at 5, and then dinner in CO .  I do want to check out the nighttime venues, but that may have to wait until the next segment , we’re taking it easy on this one, and it’s very crowded on board.  

[Florida_gal_50]

You will be busy.  I wanted to ask how the lobster was in the pinnacle.  Was it worth the upcharge? I suppose I could use it on my freebie night then just pay the $15 so it wouldn’t seem as much.  Thanks.

[Vict0riann]

30 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

You will be busy.  I wanted to ask how the lobster was in the pinnacle.  Was it worth the upcharge? I suppose I could use it on my freebie night then just pay the $15 so it wouldn’t seem as much.  Thanks.

It was a very nice lobster.  A lot of meat.  I should not have had the Key Lime pie after!

 

PS. When I commented on the beautiful patterning on the shell, our waiter said it was a Caribbean lobster…

Edited April 1, 2023 by Vict0riann

[Florida_gal_50]

3 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

It was a very nice lobster.  A lot of meat.  I should not have had the Key Lime pie after!

 

PS. When I commented on the beautiful patterning on the shell, our waiter said it was a Caribbean lobster…

Thanks for the information.  It looks really good.  When I’ve added the small lobster it wasn’t good so I’m reluctant.  The lobster is excellent  in sel de mer so I’ve been spoiled.  That key lime pie is delicious.

[Vict0riann]

Funny thing at breakfast today.  Pat believes water is for washing, and always turns his glass over at the table.  This morning, when we sat down, the glass had already been turned over.  Talk about service! 😄

[recruiter 28]

On 3/29/2023 at 1:21 PM, Vict0riann said:

We have one of those interesting sideways rooms, like we had on Koningsdam.  Somehow this one seems a little smaller, the bathroom definitely is smaller.  But it has a lovely long balcony.  I have my feet up on the bed relaxing from a busy day.

 

There is another long balcony aft of us, and one of those angled balconies ahead of us. 

 

 

 

What cabin number for future reference please?  Thank u

[Vict0riann]

1 hour ago, recruiter 28 said:

What cabin number for future reference please?  Thank u

We are in 5050, but there are other similar rooms. 

[Vict0riann]

So, it’s been an eventful day, with more to come.  Our casual M&G was in the Crow’s Nest at 10:30, and we had around a dozen show up, which was more than I expected, and it was a fun get together.  All are staying on for the TA, so we will see more of each other.  Others seem to be attending more entertainment than we have so far, and said the pianists are exceptional in the Billboard, and that the Cantare group has been very good in the main theatre.  We  will have to make more of an effort to attend.  
 

Then, at 11:15 was the Mariner Reception for 4 and 5 star and up and medallions were awarded.  Captain Timmers kept everyone laughing with a string of one-liners.  I told him we would miss him, and he said our new Captain “is a serious guy”.  Next up was lunch in the Pinnacle, and I think the menu is new.  It also has the fine print to say additional appetizers or mains will incur a charge.  It was a lovely lunch, and really much more photogenic - really well presented.  I think we will do it again. 
 

Then we had the wine tasting.  There was a beer tasting at the same time in the ocean bar, and a mixology tasting in the atrium, so they must have been using every glass on the ship.  I think it was over 100 at the wine tasting, and I overheard the organizer saying they had 87 at the mixology tasting.  They had fancier glasses…

 

Tony and Pat headed off to the World Stage after the tasting for Ask The Captain, aka “Captain’s Comedy Hour”.  I’m sure I’ll hear all about it.

 

I’ll do the lunch pictures in a separate post.

 

Captain Timmers had the Hotel Manager chuckling.

 

 

Checking out Tony’s platinum medallion 
 

 
 

Bit of art - deconstructed guitar?

 

 

glasses at the mixology tasting

 

[Vict0riann]

Warning - Food porn coming.  
 

But first the menus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Vict0riann]

Beef carpaccio, beautifully presented with fried capers and toasted pine nuts.

 

 

Prawn bruschetta 

 

 

Bibb salad

 

 

Lobster roll- yum!

 

 

Cioppino

 

 

Desserts - Strawberry Pavlova and Berries and Sabayon 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NCTribeFan]

I might have to have a lobster roll!

 

Mostly packed.  No idea if I can actually close the suitcase and, if I can, will it be over the weight limit.  I have lots of warm clothing since I expect it to be chilly on the crossing and then on to Scandinavia and Scotland.

 

Got my nails done,  Flight isn't until 5 tomorrow afternoon, so plenty of time to repack if needed.  Have to be sure I can get my toiletries and makeup in there.  Those are more important than having another long-sleeve top or two.

 

I am definitely not a fan of piano bars.  I hope the BB Kings and Rolling Stones bands are as good as I hope they are.

 

We didn't sign up for the M&G for the TA.  Not sure why.

[Vict0riann]

Oops!  Forgot to post the Daily Program.  Tonight is Festive Orange.  I will wear my orange beads.  
 

 

 

 

Strange, I did move my pictures around so they would be upright.  Anyway, you get the idea

[RMLincoln]

Thanks Ann. So glad you had such a lovely luncheon. 
 

I’m not seeing Lincoln Center Stage on the Daily. Looks like their contract is over. 
 

Does that mean no BBC shows on World Stage that the LCS musicians played the accompanying score for?  
 

Keep well and have fun at the Orange party!  
Maureen 

[Vict0riann]

11 minutes ago, RMLincoln said:

Thanks Ann. So glad you had such a lovely luncheon. 
 

I’m not seeing Lincoln Center Stage on the Daily. Looks like their contract is over. 
 

Does that mean no BBC shows on World Stage that the LCS musicians played the accompanying score for?  
 

Keep well and have fun at the Orange party!  
Maureen 

No sign of the Lincoln Center group, I’m sad about that.  I’m wondering if they will bring on more musicians for the TA.  
 

The menu for tonight looks interesting.  I don’t know what the CO special will be.

 

[doone]

9 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

It was a very nice lobster.  A lot of meat.  I should not have had the Key Lime pie after!

 

PS. When I commented on the beautiful patterning on the shell, our waiter said it was a Caribbean lobster…

Gees, I thought they always served cold water lobsters on HAL?   I did not get lobster on the Rotterdam when I sailed her a few weeks ago, kind of glad I didn't.  I am from New England and you can't beat a cold water lobster.

 

Thanks for the photo's, looks like a great cruise......

 

[NCTribeFan]

I'll be disappointed if there's no LCS on the TA.  I really enjoy them.

 

Although I won't be at the M&G, I know what you look like, Ann, so I'll be on the lookout to say Hello!