Jim_Iain - Le Bellot 9/11/2023 - Live Post - First timers on Ponant

[Jim_Iain]

Since we don’t board until 4pm we walked down to the pier and Le Bellot is there.  Beautiful ship. 
 

I talked to security at the one lane road out to the pier and he advised that at 4 they open and allow Cabs and Uber to drive out to the pier where you drop off feet from the ship. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, peanut head said:

Thank you for taking us along...both, on this forum and the ship😃.  As many, I will be excited to hear your views on line other than Celebrity.  Best!

Thank.  Feel free to drop in and ask questions and comments. 

[JazzyV]

Great looking ship. Bon Voyage!

[Redking]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

LOL --- No... but I use to have about 5 different colors.    After my eye surgery I just have one pair now.   The reason for so many was that as I got closer to surgery I had to get 5 new prescriptions in less than a year. 

 

Yesterday someone in the elevator said I should have put on my Purple shirt... We looked down and both Iain and I were in Purple.    Definitely not planned but we often ask "What Color are you wearing today"  so we don't look like the Bobsy' Twins.

Sorry, couldn't resist - again!

Can't believe how many Wiggles there are now. Sure they have spots for you and Iain 😅

 

[jpalbny]

Le Bellot is such a beautiful ship! Hopefully embarkation was smooth and you're sailing off to your first destination now. Looking forward to the updates when time and WiFi allow.

[Jim_Iain]

16 hours ago, Redking said:

Sorry, couldn't resist - again!

Can't believe how many Wiggles there are now. Sure they have spots for you and Iain 😅

 

 

 

 

Love it..     I can tell I want to sail with you sometimes. 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, jpalbny said:

Le Bellot is such a beautiful ship! Hopefully embarkation was smooth and you're sailing off to your first destination now. Looking forward to the updates when time and WiFi allow.

 

Thanks much

 

Embarkation was easy, efficient and was surprised by how friendly the staff are.   We departed  a little early and as you know the long briefings and safety drill were conducted -   It was 7:30 before the were done with all that and the briefing on the Excursions for today.

[Jim_Iain]

Embarkation was a breeze and very efficient -

 

Pier side they did security scans of you suitcases but was a bit surprised at the  relaxed security of boarding.    We were told just to carry our hand luggage that wasn't scanned and then on board just told to walk thought the metal detector with our bags and even though ringing didn't pat us down.   Oh well no pirates aboard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 12, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Sail away was quiet and then to our briefing and muster drill. 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

I will be posting Menus and Dinner here on Ponant board. 
 

 

 

Iain had the Pate

 

I chose the octopus- incredible and cooked to perfection.  

 

For mains Iain had the pasta and I had the soft shell crab.  We both thought our entree’s were so so. 
 

One thing I wasn’t prepared for is they also wanted our desert orders at the same time as you order your main meal. 
 

I think I caused some confusion by asking the waiter if I could change the desert when he delivered our entrees.   He came back and sat our deserts next to our dinner.  
 

The Maitre’d stopped by and asked if we had wanted our desert with our dinner.  We all laughed and I said I think I confused the waiter.  He apologized and said he would talk with the waiter.  
 

 

 

Edited September 12, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Last night we lost lost an hour and will be the only time zone change.  
 

We arrive in Mackinac at 1:00 today.  

[Pantheral]

Jim,

 

I hope the two of you have a wonderful day on Mackinac Island!! I know that the Grand Hotel is a special place for you and I hope you experience it in all its beauty. Oh, and by the way, the rest of the island is wonderful as well 😁

[Jim_Iain]

18 minutes ago, Pantheral said:

Jim,

 

I hope the two of you have a wonderful day on Mackinac Island!! I know that the Grand Hotel is a special place for you and I hope you experience it in all its beauty. Oh, and by the way, the rest of the island is wonderful as well 😁

We hope to explore all of it.  But only have 5 hours. 

[Jim_Iain]

Internet has been discussed here,  some saying it is terrible and others say it is ok.  
 

Silicon Valley time.  
 

Speeds a bit slow and definitely Le Bellot does not have StarLink yet. 
 

 

I tried Zoom on my iPhone and was able to connect but of course wasn’t having a meeting. 
 

I tried to stream YouTube TV on my phone but could load but too choppy to watch.  
 

I also tried to use the extra HDMI ports but they have them locked.    I could however unplug the ships HDMI and connect my pc 

 

I warn you, I’m a techie and always playing with technology.    
 

I have a Plex server on pc and can watch stored movies, tv shows etc.  

 

[clochette]

So happy to follow you on both boards now, the menu looked wonderful, disappointing that the entrées were not great.

[Jim_Iain]

Lunch - Tuesday 9/12

 

 

 

Hot food ordered from menu.   Salad, cold cuts, cheese and desert are self serve at buffet. 
 

 

 

Beef Pomntier 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 12, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Arrived Mackinac at 1:00

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

It was a bit cold this morning so had lunch at the main dining room.  Iain had a chicken salad and I had PARMENTIER - Braised beef with potatoes and cheese

 

 

The have a self serve area for salads, antipastos, cheese and deserts 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 12, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Barwick Cruiser]

Your beef lunch dish looks like perfect comfort food on a chilly day 😋. How did it taste? 

[haynesra]

Jim thanks for posting menus. Question do they have a daily schedule for onboard you could post?

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

13 hours ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

Your beef lunch dish looks like perfect comfort food on a chilly day 😋. How did it taste? 

It was delicious.  Kinda like our go to Scotch Comfort food - Mince and Tatties.  
 

I find Ponant serves the perfect portion size for us.  

[Jim_Iain]

11 hours ago, haynesra said:

Jim thanks for posting menus. Question do they have a daily schedule for onboard you could post?

 

 

Yes.   I will shoot pictures later. 

[Jim_Iain]

Mackinac Island is a gem. Took a tour of the Grand an Champagne Tea

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Last night was the first Gala Night.  We we in our normal Tux Shirt, Bow Tie and dinner jacket.  
 

I taxing the internet a bit.   The clip is 45 megs.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 13, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Beautiful sunset as we sat down to dinner