Solstice B2B - April 15-29 - Mex Riviera & Pac Coastal

[aring75]

Dessert!

 

 

 

 

Mark tried the strawberry angel food cake. He didn’t care for it. He called it “too wet.” Blech. 
 

 

 

I had the chocolate cake and added a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This is what I order when nothing else sounds good to me. 
 

[aring75]

 

Watched the sun set from our table in the MDR. Nice. 
 

[aring75]

Stopped in the martini lounge again after dinner. Mark started with the 25th anniversary martini once more and I decided to try the candied appletini. This was so sweet. 😩 Won’t get that one again. 
 

 

 

Second round was a peartini and a tropitini. Both pretty good, but the pear was slightly better. (The tropitini made me think of a watered down Piña Colada.)

 

[aring75]

Celebrity Today - Day 2 - Catalina Island

 

 

 

 

[aring75]

Spa special for Day 2
 

 

 

Photo package specials. It seems like this used to cost more. Am I remembering wrong? $50 for digital copies of all your photos sounds reasonable for someone who enjoys taking lots of photos with the ship’s photographers. 
 

 

 

And I think many people probably know this, but you can order free drinks in the casino as long as you are playing. It’s a somewhat limited menu, but thought I’d post a reminder. 
 

[balisong187]

15 hours ago, aring75 said:

Im not sure and I will try to remember to ask. But we talked to several people who were forced to park in the extended parking areas because the main parking was full. I’ll see if I can find out. 

We parked sorta far out, but before sailaway we could see our car in the parking lot and there were a ton of empty spots that weren't there when we were parking. Either way, loving how uncrowded it feels on this ship! Os that typical for this class of X ship? Had dinner in the main dining room, it was pretty good.

[balisong187]

Sorry, previous post was the food at Sushi on 5 for lunch yesterday. 

[aring75]

8 minutes ago, balisong187 said:

 

 

Mmmm…think I might try the ramen next time. Looks yummy. Is that the pork ramen?

[aring75]

The ship is anchored at Catalina Island today.

(My phone keeps trying to autocorrect Catalina Island to Catastrophe Island. Is there anything I need to know??)

 

It was a little hazy as the low lying clouds were burning off this morning. Sorry that it showed up in some of the pictures. 
 

 

This was a great stop. Remember that it is a tender port though. You’ll have to be able to navigate around 10 stairs to get to the tender boat. And then be able to step in and out from the dock. 
 

 

 

[aring75]

Came ashore around 10:30 am. Skipped breakfast so we could do an early lunch. Already quite a few people at that time (tender operations started around 8:30-8:45, I think).

 

 

 

 

Luau Larry’s is right on the main walkway along the water. It opens at 11:00 am and has a fun and very lively atmosphere. 
 

[aring75]

Started off with a citrus margarita for me and some kind of banana-berry rum drink for Mark. 
 

 

 

Had to get the chips, salsa, and guac. I can eat this stuff until I. Hate. Myself. 
 

 

 

Waterfront restaurant. Ocean-view. Boozy drinks and chips and guac. Heaven looks something like this. 
 

Pretty sure. 

[aring75]

Mark got the club sandwich. It looked really good.

 

 

 

I had the popcorn shrimp appetizer. A little small but just enough. 

 

 

Remember what  I said about those chips? Yeah, I think Mark had three. 
 

Maybe four. 
 

 

 

 

Had a great waterfront / people watching view.

[balisong187]

14 minutes ago, aring75 said:

Mmmm…think I might try the ramen next time. Looks yummy. Is that the pork ramen?

Yes it is, and among the better Ramen dishes I've had! When we go back we're gonna try that hot pot dish that looks really good too

[aring75]

The restaurant also has a bar area where you can just stop in for a drink. 
 

 

 

See all the people at the bar. You are required to wear a hat at the bar. If you are lacking, they will provide. 😆

 

They play fun 80s, 90s, 00s music the whole time. You know, the songs where you know all the words and can’t really help but sing along. 

[DaKahuna]

3 minutes ago, aring75 said:

Mark got the club sandwich. It looked really good.

.

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I had the popcorn shrimp appetizer. A little small but just enough. 

Both look delicious! 

[aring75]

Took a walk around town after lunch.
 

 

 

You can hear the Catalina bell tower chime on every quarter hour from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. 

 

 

 

 

Didn’t tour the casino this time. But this would be a fun place to return for another visit. 
 

[DaKahuna]

2 minutes ago, aring75 said:

 

They play fun 80s, 90s, 00s music the whole time. You know, the songs where you know all the words and can’t really help but sing along. 

wait a minute — I thought that was 60’s and 70’s music? 

[balisong187]

We walked by that restaurant a bit ago. It looked pretty much full but that food looks fantastic! 👍

[aring75]

Just now, DaKahuna said:

wait a minute — I thought that was 60’s and 70’s music? 

Lol. Mark says you’re right and I don’t know what I’m talking about. 😂

[balisong187]

2 minutes ago, aring75 said:

Took a walk around town after lunch.
 

 

 

You can hear the Catalina bell tower chime on every quarter hour from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. 

 

 

 

 

Didn’t tour the casino this time. But this would be a fun place to return for another visit. 
 

We walked to the casino, and it was a very pleasant scenic walk. However the casino, actually a movie theater I guess, was closed!

[aring75]

5 minutes ago, balisong187 said:

We walked to the casino, and it was a very pleasant scenic walk. However the casino, actually a movie theater I guess, was closed!

Well it’s good we didn’t go all the way over to find out it was closed. But I’m pretty sure after the lunch we had we could’ve used the extra walk!

[aring75]

We are eating at Tuscan Grille again tonight. Didn’t they used to have lamb chops at Tuscan? Am I crazy?

 

[aring75]

And yes. 
 

Yes I am sitting here on my balcony looking at dinner menus while I’m still stuffed full from lunch. 

[DaKahuna]

6 minutes ago, aring75 said:

And yes. 
 

Yes I am sitting here on my balcony looking at dinner menus while I’m still stuffed full from lunch. 

That just proved you are on a cruise. 
 

[miched]

16 minutes ago, aring75 said:

And yes. 
 

Yes I am sitting here on my balcony looking at dinner menus while I’m still stuffed full from lunch. 

That is the hardest part of cruising, preparing for the next meal.   It is so stressful having to get dressed and making it to breakfast before they close    It seems as if you finish one meal  and it is time for another.   Doesn’t give much time to do any drinking.   
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅