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

[sunviking90]

2 hours ago, 1ANGELCAT said:

Have a fantastic crossing. I’m so jealous.

As am I. I was a little late seeing the cruise (crossing) and by then we were committed to another cruise with family members. Wish I was there!

Edited April 8, 2023 by sunviking90

[Vict0riann]

We enjoyed the Sailaway- thanks so much everyone, for the fantastic pictures. I wonder if I could have requested a wave!  
 

I’ll add a few pictures we took, but yours are better, as the ship is in them!  We went to dinner, but kept leaping up to take pictures.  It was a beautiful evening.  And a nice dinner. 

 

 

 

 

 

Red sky at night, sailors’ delight!

 

 
Soft shrimp taco

 

 

Liver,  Martha said it was very good.

 

 

fresh cod, yummy. 
 

 

Black Forest cake

 

Sticky toffee and date pudding

 

[Florida_gal_50]

The sunset picture is beautiful.

[luvn2cruzzz]

5 hours ago, 2inSETexas said:

Beautiful sail away:

 

Thanks, Alan!

[Vict0riann]

The program for today, plus we have an invitation to a Mariner party at 7. 
 

 

[Vict0riann]

After coffee in CO, we came back to find a new notice by the ice bucket.

 

 

We are out at sea today, the motion of the ship is just a bit more discernible than approaching New York.  But not bad at all.  
 

[MO7]

I don't post too many things here, but I thought this one from our Vista suite was a little creative. Absolutely love this cruise so far.

Edited April 8, 2023 by MO7

[Vict0riann]

We attended Bill Miller’s talk on the great ocean liners this morning after breakfast, which was very interesting, and one of his pictures was of the Gripsholm, which was the ship my mother and I were repatriated on during the war.  I mentioned it to him afterwards, and he said he didn’t think he had ever met anyone who had been on that ship.  
 

Then we had coffee in the Dutch Cafe, and Joska came past with her owners.  Joska is a lovely (seeing-eye) black lab who is quite famous on HAL- she has over 700 days on board and has received her platinum medallion . Lunch followed. In the Lido.  I had a very tasty crab and shrimp salad in a bun, and only after discovered a new station, which evidently will be open every day with different specialties, just for the crossing.  Today it is the “Fish Corner”.  I must remember to check it first next time!
 

 

[grapau27]

16 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

We enjoyed the Sailaway- thanks so much everyone, for the fantastic pictures. I wonder if I could have requested a wave!  
 

I’ll add a few pictures we took, but yours are better, as the ship is in them!  We went to dinner, but kept leaping up to take pictures.  It was a beautiful evening.  And a nice dinner. 

 

 

 

 

 

Red sky at night, sailors’ delight!

 

 
Soft shrimp taco

 

 

Liver,  Martha said it was very good.

 

 

fresh cod, yummy. 
 

 

Black Forest cake

 

Sticky toffee and date pudding

 

Best wishes Ann and Pat for a nice relaxing and smooth crossing.

[Vict0riann]

Thanks, Graham!  It is a nice relaxing way to get to your part of the world!

 

[2inSETexas]

38 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

We attended Bill Miller’s talk on the great ocean liners this morning after breakfast, which was very interesting, and one of his pictures was of the Gripsholm, which was the ship my mother and I were repatriated on during the war.  I mentioned it to him afterwards, and he said he didn’t think he had ever met anyone who had been on that ship.  
 

Then we had coffee in the Dutch Cafe, and Joska came past with her owners.  Joska is a lovely (seeing-eye) black lab who is quite famous on HAL- she has over 700 days on board and has received her platinum medallion . Lunch followed. In the Lido.  I had a very tasty crab and shrimp salad in a bun, and only after discovered a new station, which evidently will be open every day with different specialties, just for the crossing.  Today it is the “Fish Corner”.  I must remember to check it first next time!
 

 

Sweet Spot corner was often my favorite place on the :Lido. 😋

[LouChamp]

Aloha.  Thank you for the Food pics!  Born and raised in Manhattan. A view of the Hudson from our windows. It is truly special.  We love HAL and I have had the pleasure to sail on voyages with Mr. Miller and have several of his books.  He is an immaculate dresser.  Enjoy!

[Vict0riann]

I haven’t been able to get on line for a bit - that may happen more often as we get further out to sea.  
 

We had a Meet & Greet at 1 today in the Crow’s Nest, there was a good turnout and it was nice to put faces to names.  I learned that our Catholic chaplain on board was able to assist in getting a Seder organized for last Wednesday, I think it was, or maybe it was Thursday, and that the Seder itself was a success with a dozen or so participants.  We attended a vigil Mass this afternoon, and will soon be heading out to an “exclusive” reception for President’s Club, 3-, 4-, and 5-star Mariners, around the Lido pool, and then on to dinner in Canaletto.  
 

 

 

 

[Vict0riann]

Sea Day No. 2!  They are going to fly by, I know.

 

Last night was busy.  We headed for the Lido pool area, after checking that our Canaletto reservation was for 7:30.  There had been some confusion during the day as to whether it was 6:30, 7, or 7:30.  But we did have time to attend the poolside drinks party, which was very crowded and noisy, we had a glass of bubbly, but didn’t see any nibbles.  Maybe there were some after we left.  
 

Dinner in Canaletto is slightly different from the past, but we had fun.  Thanks to another (Daily) thread on CC we were aware it was Overhead Fred’s anniversary, and it was announced at the table, so there was a nice anniversary cake at the end.  I did post a menu in the previous post, but actually, that was not the correct daily special , so I’ll post the correct one.  We found enough to eat, but there was some disappointment over the lack of any soups.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Vict0riann]

Today’s Program.  The clocks go forward an hour at noon.  Our reservation for Easter Brunch is at noon, I guess that means 1….

 

 

[VMax1700]

5 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

The clocks go forward an hour at noon.  Our reservation for Easter Brunch is at noon, I guess that means 1….

So, what time do the 1 pm reservations arrive?? 🤔

Just noticed that the MDR is open for lunch from 12 - 1.  As the clock goes forward by one hour at 12, do they just open the doors at 12, move the clock forward one hour and immediately close the doors again as it is 1 pm? 🤔🙄

[Vict0riann]

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

So, what time do the 1 pm reservations arrive?? 🤔

Just noticed that the MDR is open for lunch from 12 - 1.  As the clock goes forward by one hour at 12, do they just open the doors at 12, move the clock forward one hour and immediately close the doors again as it is 1 pm? 🤔🙄

Means you have to eat really fast!

[StLouisCruisers]

That is a terrible time to change time forward.  I've seen ships change time at 2 pm but never at the lunch hour!🤷‍♀️

[d9704011]

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

So, what time do the 1 pm reservations arrive?? 🤔

Just noticed that the MDR is open for lunch from 12 - 1.  As the clock goes forward by one hour at 12, do they just open the doors at 12, move the clock forward one hour and immediately close the doors again as it is 1 pm? 🤔🙄

Just be thankful the ship isn't crossing the Date Line from east to west.

[Vict0riann]

We decided we must arrive at the Pinnacle before noon, so as not to miss the second seating for the brunch, so we joined a short line a little before the time change, and went in just after 1!  We were greeted by an extensive display of fixings for mimosas and Bloody Marys.  We decided on mimosas, although Tony went to the “buffet” later on and Cellar Master Khay helped him decide what to have in a Bloody Mary - a meal in itself.  The mimosas were amazing, even lichees and gummy bears floating in them, and decorated with marshmallow bunnies and strawberries.
 

 

 

 

 

 

And Tony’s Bloody Mary.

 

[Vict0riann]

We decided on a splurge and ordered the fruits de mer as a starter.  It was just right for 4 people, the same as the dinner one in Sel de Mer.  Then, we decided everyone should have a different main course, so there would be four plates to photograph - thinking of you all the time.  Martha had a half order of the steak and eggs, Tony’s was the croque madame, Pat had the lobster Benedict, and I had the avocado toast.  We split on the desserts.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(the duckling was stuffed with chocolate mousse)

[Florida_gal_50]

I was hoping someone had the red velvet French toast.  I don't care for French toast but that sounds good. Hal makes the best Caesars anywhere.  I realize that is a bloody mary.

[Vict0riann]

1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I was hoping someone had the red velvet French toast.  I don't care for French toast but that sounds good. Hal makes the best Caesars anywhere.  I realize that is a bloody mary.

I never even noticed that - I wonder if it was made with red velvet cupcakes!  Our waiter, Raj, kept suggesting we order more, to taste even.  So much food!  Tonight is a dressy night,  escargot on the menu, that may be all I can eat….

[Florida_gal_50]

5 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

I never even noticed that - I wonder if it was made with red velvet cupcakes!  Our waiter, Raj, kept suggesting we order more, to taste even.  So much food!  Tonight is a dressy night,  escargot on the menu, that may be all I can eat….

I was wondering that myself.  Cake for breakfast 😋 😍 

[Vict0riann]

24 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I was wondering that myself.  Cake for breakfast 😋 😍 

There is a banana bread French toast on the breakfast menu that looks absolutely decadent, and huge.  I’ve never dared to order it.