Wining and dining on the oh so gorgeous Grandeur!

[kjbacon]

38 minutes ago, boblerm said:

First glimpse!

See ya in a few😁😁😁

Yayayayay!!!!

[GMIAC]

Flying home from MIA after our December cruise.  😢

 

[Whinenowine]

On 2/3/2024 at 10:45 AM, GMIAC said:

 

You can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning!  

Wiser words were never uttered....and if they were, I must have missed it because I had been drinking all day!  😇🥂

[kjbacon]

17 hours ago, GMIAC said:

Flying home from MIA after our December cruise.  😢

 

It’s always sad to leave! It looks like you had a dreary Miami day too. Yesterday was cold (yes, cold), windy, and rainy.

 

It was the first time that the ship felt crowded and our weather report is not much better for today. This is so not what anyone expected but at least there won’t be too many chair hogs!! Lessons learned, always bring warm clothes, even if going to Mexico and the Caribbean.

 

It was so nice to be reunited with our friends and we had a great day of catching up, laughing, munching, and maybe just a little drinking!!

Dinner in Pacific Rim is back to its usual great stride. One of us forgot our reading glasses and voila, how cool is this?!

 

Every time you think Regent can’t do better, Regent does better. We had assorted sushi and sashimi for our apps and both were excellent.

 

 

For mains, I had the miso glazed black cod and Jack had a repeat of the lamb chops, both were fantastic. We had our favorite Pinotage served by Grace, our favorite on board sommelier. She strikes us as having the potential to follow in Georgiana’s shoes.

 

 

Today is the first of our two sea days en route to the ABC islands. It’s cold and windy with a good bit of bouncing around. We are just north of Cuba and it’s only 59 degrees 🥶

[boblerm]

Great first day on board!

 

Check - in was a breeze, we were on the pool deck for our first cocktail about 10 minutes after arrival to the port

 

 

The ship is absolutely stunning! 

 

We had our first dinner at Prime 7,very good. 

 

I had the portobello piquillo goat cheese tart for the first time loved it.

 

 

Porterhouse steak was flavorful and tender

Whole lobster was good, but not quite as sweet as we remember from past visits, and not as much meat 

 

 

Sides 

 

Petit fours would have been enough... 

 

but we are in Prime 7, so.......

 

 

Service was outstanding, and the meal was perfectly paced. 

 

There was a welcome aboard show in the Galaxy a taste of the talent on board, and it looks like the entertainment team is top notch! We are very much looking forward to the shows. Beautiful powerful voices and fabulous dancers.

The Regent Signature Orchestra on the ship (7 pieces) is superb. 

 

The seas felt smooth as silk through the night, and FWIW, we did not hear a peep from either of our neighbors. 

 

I was looking forward to trying the new Regent app, but so far it is a no-go, not working at all. 

[GMIAC]

43 minutes ago, boblerm said:

 

I was looking forward to trying the new Regent app, but so far it is a no-go, not working at all. 

 

Are you sure your device has the latest update, and the App is updated too? 

 

I love your pictures! 

[boblerm]

1 hour ago, GMIAC said:

 

Are you sure your device has the latest update, and the App is updated too? 

 

I love your pictures! 

Turns out that I had to turn off my VPN and it works just fine. 

 

You can download Passages, view menus, read about excursions, and there is a tour of the art on the ship. 

[kjbacon]

2 hours ago, boblerm said:

Great first day on board!

 

Check - in was a breeze, we were on the pool deck for our first cocktail about 10 minutes after arrival to the port

 

 

The ship is absolutely stunning! 

 

We had our first dinner at Prime 7,very good. 

 

I had the portobello piquillo goat cheese tart for the first time loved it.

I am glad that your first day was so good! And I’m happy that you tried the portobello tart and posted a glowing review. Great picture! I’ve considered it but have never tried it. Next time, it’s sure for me. I’m also going to try the duck confit in Pacific Rim again because they are back in tip top shape.

[-Lew-]

36 minutes ago, boblerm said:

Turns out that I had to turn off my VPN and it works just fine. 

 

You can download Passages, view menus, read about excursions, and there is a tour of the art on the ship. 

 

I learned that the hard way.  With my VPN turned on, I'm essentially off the ship and cannot connect to Regent app services.  Beyond the Regent app, I'm finding some apps and sites work better with VPN on or off...with no rhyme or reason.

[boblerm]

27 minutes ago, -Lew- said:

 

I learned that the hard way.  With my VPN turned on, I'm essentially off the ship and cannot connect to Regent app services.  Beyond the Regent app, I'm finding some apps and sites work better with VPN on or off...with no rhyme or reason.

I found the same. 

[kjbacon]

We have been rocking and rolling for most of the night! Sleeping was not easy. I have mentioned before that our cabin is noisy but it needs saying again, our cabin is way too noisy!

 

Our sea day yesterday turned out to be a very nice day. We enjoyed some sun and sailing past Cuba.

 

We enjoyed some very nice cocktails in the Meridian Lounge before dinner. Note that huge round ice cube in the drink on the left.

 

Dinner in Chartreuse was delicious with excellent service. I tried the artichoke and black truffle tart, beautifully decorated with edible gold leaf, crispy and creamy goodness.

 

We had several repeats and the lemon caper sole and the rack of lamb are worth your repeat. While maybe not exciting, I asked for plain, steamed haricots verts and was very impressed because they were perfect.

 

 

 

Today is another sea day and the wine connoisseur lunch. 

[kjbacon]

Have I mentioned how much we are enjoying the raw juice bar? It’s a healthy and delicious way to counteract some of our misbehaving (or at least we hope so)!

 

 

[boblerm]

Very nice relaxing sea day yesterday.

 

Here are some activities available on deck 12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We attended an interesting lecture by historian Jeana Rogers on an introduction to the Caribbean.

 

There was a wine tasting at 10:30AM, because one can never start too early, apparently. 

 

In the afternoon there was a Big Screen Popcorn Movie : Barbie. 

Here is my review 

 

 

 

 

The popcorn, however, was great. 

 

Dining at Compass Rose on this ship is like being in a Gaudi wonderland

 

 

Dinner was great. We both had the cream of asparagus soup, I don't think that I have ever been disappointed with soups in CR. 

 

 

I had the beef carpacio from the Always Available side, I think this is the first time I have had this, but it surely won't be the last 😋

 

 

 

The Duck a l'orange was very good

 

 

 

But the star of the evening was the sake glazed salmon 

 

 

 

 

 

The evening show was Diva Extravaganza by a guest entertainer Patty Dess. 

I hated.... for it to end! She did songs by Aretha, Diana, Ella, Etta, Whitney, Tina.  Her dynamic vocals and charisma brought the house down. The good news is that she is doing another show later in the cruise, can't wait!

 

1 hour ago, kjbacon said:

. I have mentioned before that our cabin is noisy but it needs saying again, our cabin is way too noisy!

 

I guess it's just the luck of the draw, our cabin is quiet as can be. 

[Mahogany]

5 minutes ago, boblerm said:

Very nice relaxing sea day yesterday.

 

Here are some activities available on deck 12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We attended an interesting lecture by historian Jeana Rogers on an introduction to the Caribbean.

 

There was a wine tasting at 10:30AM, because one can never start too early, apparently. 

 

In the afternoon there was a Big Screen Popcorn Movie : Barbie. 

Here is my review 

 

 

 

 

The popcorn, however, was great. 

 

Dining at Compass Rose on this ship is like being in a Gaudi wonderland

 

 

Dinner was great. We both had the cream of asparagus soup, I don't think that I have ever been disappointed with soups in CR. 

 

 

I had the beef carpacio from the Always Available side, I think this is the first time I have had this, but it surely won't be the last 😋

 

 

 

The Duck a l'orange was very good

 

 

 

But the star of the evening was the sake glazed salmon 

 

 

 

 

 

The evening show was Diva Extravaganza by a guest entertainer Patty Dess. 

I hated.... for it to end! She did songs by Aretha, Diana, Ella, Etta, Whitney, Tina.  Her dynamic vocals and charisma brought the house down. The good news is that she is doing another show later in the cruise, can't wait!

 

 

I guess it's just the luck of the draw, our cabin is quiet as can be. 

You didn't even like the last scene in Barbie? 😂

[kjbacon]

@boblerm your pictures are fantastic! Makes me want that duck l’orange in the worst way.

 

You are probably right about luck of the draw with noise. We are aft so maybe that has a bearing?

 

So you didn’t like Barbie!! Jack will feel vindicated.

[boblerm]

2 hours ago, Mahogany said:

You didn't even like the last scene in Barbie? 😂

I did, because the movie was over. 

 

In fairness, Mrs boblerm wanted me to post her review 

[GMIAC]

@boblerm

 

Funny, Barbie was shown in the theatre during our 12/14 sailing. They must get a kick-back.

 

It's the only Best Picture Oscar nominee that I haven't seen. I've liked/loved all the others except Maestro; they're all most deserving of the nod. 

[kjbacon]

Calmer seas and good weather gave us a very nice sea day yesterday. We had a very delicious day! The Connoisseur Wine lunch was absolutely fabulous. Here’s the menu with pairings.

 

 

 

The dishes were as good as the wines. My fave was the ravioli and Jack’s was the veal.

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, each dish was beautifully plated. Service was top notch.

 

Dinner in Compass Rose was excellent but service was as little slow. The staff was trying but I think they may have been short. From the always available list, we had the Iberico ham with artichokes and piquillos for an app. From the daily specials side, we had the seared scallops with pumpkin puree and pomegranate sauce. Both were so good and beautifully plated.

 

We had the cheese tray for dessert and were surprised just how good it was. We weren’t sure that the cheeses were in the right order but that didn’t slow us down.

 

Today, Aruba!

[boblerm]

Yesterday morning,  Jeannie and I took a culinary arts class called "Wok and Roll".

 

I approached this with a bit of trepidation, as my cooking skills are pretty much limited to making toast. But I think that I did pretty well if I do say so myself! 

 

 

 

 

We cooked tom kha gai soup, duck and pomelo spring  rolls, and shrimp pad tai. 

 

 

Jeannie's  roll

 

 

 

Bob's  roll.

 

The chef paid me a complement for my inventiveness, he said that he never saw a roll before that looks like a dog bone.!😁

 

Jeannie's work station

 

 

Bob's work station 

 

 

Everything tasted great. 

 

 

We had dinner at Compass Rose, @kjbacon mentioned that she thought that service was slow, but for us it was perfectly paced. We generally ask for  leisurely paced service with some time between courses, because if we don't, we sometimes find that service can be rushed. 

 

I had the always available escargot, always great. 

 

 

The panko encrusted shrimp, if this is on the menu I would alway get it. If I have a specialty the evening it is offered, I would special order it for another evening. 

 

 

 

 

The Cajun Spiced Snapper may have been the only fish dish that I have had in CR in recent years that was somewhat disappointing. The flavors were OK, but the fish was a little dry and overcooked. 

 

 

Jeannie had the seared scallop dish that kjbacon had, and agree, it was wonderful. 

 

Grand marnier souffle for desert.

 

 

The show last night was called "Icons", new for the Grandeur, featuring music from the Pointer Sisters, Hall and Oats, the Bee Gees, the Carpenters, Adele, and Celine Dion. The singers and dancers of this cast are all top notch.

 

I found the first half of the show to be rather uninspiring. While well performed, I just wasn't into the song choices very much.  But for me, the show hit it's stride half way through, and I loved the second half. 

 

When we returned to our room, we found mid cruise comment cards. Let's see... third night of a 12 night cruise... I question the mathematics here. 😂

[GMIAC]

5 hours ago, kjbacon said:

Calmer seas and good weather gave us a very nice sea day yesterday. We had a very delicious day! The Connoisseur Wine lunch was absolutely fabulous. Here’s the menu with pairings.

Where was this held? 

[kjbacon]

3 hours ago, GMIAC said:

Where was this held? 

In Pacific Rim, by reservation only. Sign ups are usually done through the sommelier. There is a second one on this cruise at the end.

[boblerm]

 

 

 

 

Yesterday in Aruba our tour was "Aruba Sightseeing and Ostrich Farm".

 

First stop was the Casabari rock formations.

 

 

Our tour guide told us that it was an easy climb to the top, but easy for some I guess.

 

 

 

 

Next stop was the ostrich farm. They are really fascinating birds. 

 

 

 

 

He is trying, but she does not seem impressed

 

 

Next we went to the site of natural bridge, or what used to be the natural bridge before it collapsed in 2005

 

 

 

 

But there remains a "baby bridge" which is not too shabby

 

 

Last stop, the California Lighthouse 

 

 

It was a pretty enjoyable tour. 

 

 

Excellent dinner at Compass Rose 

 

Snow Crab Summer Roll 

 

 

We had Moroccan Haira Duck Soup and Chicken Consumme Milanaise, both excellent. 

 

Always available lobster tail 

 

 

And Dover Sole

 

 

 

The production show was another brand new one called "Broadway Unplugged". It was the 4 lead singers doing Broadway tunes completely re-imagined, done in styles completely different from the originals. Imagine "Empty Chairs" from Les Miz done in the style 

of Johnny Cash, or a Phantom medley as C&W. Or King George III from Hamilton singing "You'll be Back", but instead of singing to the American revolutionaries, he is singing to his ex in the audience who jilted him.

You get the idea. 

 

I have to give the Regent creative team props for originality. And major props to the singers, over the top voices. 

[kjbacon]

We had a quiet and relaxing day yesterday in curaçao, dodging the rain drops. Looks like more rain is expected today in Bonaire. 
 

Compass Rose dinner was a bit hit or miss last night. Apps were mulligatawny soup and orecchiette pasta with broccoli and anchovies. Main courses were Thai pork rack and the always available Dover sole. The outstanding dish by far was the orecchiette pasta, oh so good!

 

 

 

 

@boblerm we saw the Broadway Unplugged show at a matinee on the first leg and we loved it. So creative and so well done!

[flossie009]

@boblerm

We have been comparing the pictures of Spring/Summer rolls in your posts #69 and #72. 

Some differences in presentation 😧 .................. but which tasted better? 😋 😉

 

Thanks to all for the reports from Grandeur

 

 

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Really enjoying reading all the comments and looking at the great photos.  Takes a lot of time to do it, and I appreciate all your efforts to entertain and inform us!

 

Joanie