Crossing Nov 2008

[frequent traveler]

We're toasting you with Bloody Marys:)

 

Glad you were able to go back to bed. You have to rest up for another busy day!

 

Hope the seas are calmer and the sun is out. I just love watching the Caribbean islands sliding by. You definitely need to be listening to the cowboy's "Be As You Are."

 

Questions ... always questions...

 

Do you think you will get to have another alfresco dinner?

 

Do you think you will have another concert under the stars?

 

What is the "Drink of the Day' poolside;)

 

just looked at the map - not only am I directionally challenged but also geographically challenged. :oTechnically while I alwsays think of T&C as being in the Caribbean, I guess its not. We are staying North of Cuba as we head up the Bahama channel

 

my bet would be no for another alfresco dinner just because the last night before Miami and the Coast Guard and other other inspections might be too busy . . . but I would sure love one.

 

no clue on concert under the stars but James is singing tonight in the piano bar.

 

on this crossing there haven't been poolside drinks of the day - or if there have been, I've missed them.

 

seas are getting calmer and its gorgeous outside. after the 5:00 walk, I'm off to an "minty massage" outdoors .. . so much to do. . . .just not enough time remaining.

 

FT

[DisneyJen]

You guys do bloody marys on Saturday too? Happy Saturday. Hope you stay warm, its cold here too.

J & L

 

Yep ... Bloodies on Saturday and Mimosas on Sundays during football season :p DJ's DH says it has to do with good luck routines:D

 

just looked at the map - not only am I directionally challenged but also geographically challenged. :oTechnically while I alwsays think of T&C as being in the Caribbean, I guess its not. We are staying North of Cuba as we head up the Bahama channel

 

my bet would be no for another alfresco dinner just because the last night before Miami and the Coast Guard and other other inspections might be too busy . . . but I would sure love one.

 

no clue on concert under the stars but James is singing tonight in the piano bar.

 

on this crossing there haven't been poolside drinks of the day - or if there have been, I've missed them.

 

seas are getting calmer and its gorgeous outside. after the 5:00 walk, I'm off to an "minty massage" outdoors .. . so much to do. . . .just not enough time remaining.

 

FT

 

How wonderful that you will get to hear James sing tonight ... we are off to the opening concert of the GSO Pops this evening for "Bond, James Bond." So every time James sings a Bond movie song you need to have a drink (I think I have created a new game:p)

 

I guess the crew is anticipating clearing US waters for the season ... talk about so much to do in a short period of time!!

 

Minty massage sounds wonderful. Closest thing I will get to that today is using my Twisted Peppermint Hand Soap from Bath and Body Works.

 

Sounds like a perfect ending to an adventure filled voyage!

 

Please ... PLEASE ... ask CTBJR to pick up the slack and post since your internet access expires any minute.

[ctbjr1309]

Please ... PLEASE ... ask CTBJR to pick up the slack and post since your internet access expires any minute.

 

She has asked and I'll be reporting in from time to time.

[DisneyJen]

She has asked and I'll be reporting in from time to time.

 

Thanks CTBJR!!

 

Interesting to see the photos of the medical evacuation on the blog today. Hope the patient is faring well!

 

Hopefully photos from yesterday as well as more photos from today will be posted soon.

 

Lots of miles for you all to cover in the next two nights. Hope that the rise is smooth:D

[NASCAB]

How wonderful that you will get to hear James sing tonight ... we are off to the opening concert of the GSO Pops this evening for "Bond, James Bond." So every time James sings a Bond movie song you need to have a drink (I think I have created a new game:p)

 

I hope you enjoyed James singing, I haven't heard him sing in over a year and truely miss that beautiful voice. :)

[ctbjr1309]

Somehow I had a feeling that the comment about James singing would bring NASCAB out of lurker mode. James was excellent, as always, last night. There was a big crowd in the Piano Bar to enjoy it. Biggest crowd there of the trip, I believe.

 

Picking up where FT left off yesterday, we had an interesting photo lecture yesterday afternoon. A couple of fellow passengers showed photos and spoke about a recent trip to the North Pole. It was fascinating to watch and listen to but I think that I'll stick to SD for the time being.

 

Dinner last night was the Chef's degustation menu and was, as always, delicious. I won't possibly be able to recite all the courses but suffice it to say that the lobster, crab, veal, sea bass, cheese, cream of lobster soup, rhubarb souffle, etc. made for a spectacular meal.

 

After James' performance, there was a migration to the TOY Bar where the party continued well past the time that I turned in at midnight.

 

Today looks to be a nice day. A little rocking and rolling in the ocean but blue skies predominate. I'm up to Deck 6 to watch James lead the walkers on a 100 lap tour of Deck 6. They (Mr. and Mrs. TOYBAR included) will do this little 6+ mile jaunt in about 94 minutes. I'll supervise.

 

More later.

[DisneyJen]

Somehow I had a feeling that the comment about James singing would bring NASCAB out of lurker mode. James was excellent, as always, last night. There was a big crowd in the Piano Bar to enjoy it. Biggest crowd there of the trip, I believe.

 

Picking up where FT left off yesterday, we had an interesting photo lecture yesterday afternoon. A couple of fellow passengers showed photos and spoke about a recent trip to the North Pole. It was fascinating to watch and listen to but I think that I'll stick to SD for the time being.

 

Dinner last night was the Chef's degustation menu and was, as always, delicious. I won't possibly be able to recite all the courses but suffice it to say that the lobster, crab, veal, sea bass, cheese, cream of lobster soup, rhubarb souffle, etc. made for a spectacular meal.

 

After James' performance, there was a migration to the TOY Bar where the party continued well past the time that I turned in at midnight.

 

Today looks to be a nice day. A little rocking and rolling in the ocean but blue skies predominate. I'm up to Deck 6 to watch James lead the walkers on a 100 lap tour of Deck 6. They (Mr. and Mrs. TOYBAR included) will do this little 6+ mile jaunt in about 94 minutes. I'll supervise.

 

More later.

 

Thanks for checking in CTBJR!

 

Can't imagine 100 laps ... in 94 minutes nonetheless!! Guess some folks will be jumping in the pool after that workout. How many miles does that total for the group?

 

I'm sure you are cruising at top speed as you have a lot ground/sea to cover! Here's hoping that the blue skies and smoother sea prevail.

 

Degustation menu sounds fabulous ... as always.

 

What beer are you and TOYBAR drinking now the the Red Stripe and Caribe have been depleted:D

[alita]

Finally a sighting... I thought you'd been locked up in the brig!

 

Sounds as if the crossing has been a great success, FT in particular seems to be flying high and having a great adventure. I think the part I miss the most is lounging in the office and supervising the walkers on their daily trek. Won't be any of that on the 1/23 voyage, will there?

 

Curious that NASCAB hasn't appeared... or could it be that s/he is onboard incognito?

 

Please give abrazos to TOYBAR and MrsTOYBAR, Barbara, FT, James and of course el Capitán... and let me know if there are plans in the making for next autumn's crossing.

 

Fare forward Voyagers... and safe flights home!

 

alita

[NASCAB]

Hi Alita,

 

Sorry, I'm not onboard. CTBJR can tell you. He just IM'D me from the ship. He is having such a good time. I wish I was on the crossing, they are all having so much fun. I hope the new CD is doing well after her

surgery and rejoins the ship soon. ;) James will miss all his friends onboard and his guests. :)

[Jim Avery]

FT: Time to get up and go to work.

[zqvol]

FT: Time to get up and go to work.

 

Jim

 

She is all too aware, she called first thing this morning, even before they cleared customs, and wanted to stay on board. She is winging her way home now.

[DisneyJen]

Hope all our SD Crossers are adjusting to re-entry!!

 

Thanks for taking us along on your adventure!

[Jim Avery]

The pictures were great. Really helped the SeaDream withdrawl symptoms.

[xander]

The pictures on both blogs have been great - thanks to those who took and posted them. What surprised me was how good the weather was and how calm the seas - I had a clearly mistaken view that the crossing would be a rough affair and people would be tossed about on such a little ship. Gus and I sailed on our first transatlantic earlier this year on the QM2 - and we really enjoyed it. Gus had a view that we would be driven stir crazy by 5 seadays in a row, but we had such a relaxing time that we have seriously considered a back to back transatlantic. There were some 300 passengers onboard who were doing exactly that. Having now seen the SeaDream TA experience, I am tempted - 9 days of bliss. The only problem to overcome is that whilst I can fill a whole day doing precisely nothing, Gus cannot. Maybe the charity lapwalk will be enough........:cool:

 

Meanwhile we are only 10 days away from boarding SeaDream in Antigua, plenty of time for them to replenish the bar :D

[frequent traveler]

Hope all our SD Crossers are adjusting to re-entry!!

 

Thanks for taking us along on your adventure!

 

Last day pool side pass around was an amazing chicken quesadilla. Another busy afternoon . . . split between the Bali beds and pool side. Never did make it to the casino or the library.

 

We were honored by having James at our table for the final dinner last night. Selections were foie gras, spring rolls, and caviar on potato blini for the appetizers. The French onion soup was very light. While I had Duck a l'Orange others raved about the Tournedos of Beef Tenderloin. Dessert was an amazing Iced Cointreau Souffle with Raspberry Coulis. Christophe and his team and Chad as our wine expert provided the usual excellent service.

 

Started out the day noticing the pilot boat pulling up around 5:45 a.m. Had a wonderful "last breakfast" with Mr. & Mrs. Toybar and Barbara from Memphis. Goran was our waiter -- we had him for every breakfast this crossing. I will definitely miss that morning cappuchino delivered just at the end of breakfast After the crew cleared immigration we cleared immigration and customs in one stop in the main salon on board. After saying one last goodbye to Gabor and the Captain it was reluctantly down the gangplank, picked up luggage and straight to the lovely [not] Miami airport.

 

arrived back home to dreary wet cold weather. Re-entry is not fun and March 6 2009 cannot arrive too soon.

 

FT

[DisneyJen]

Last day pool side pass around was an amazing chicken quesadilla. Another busy afternoon . . . split between the Bali beds and pool side. Never did make it to the casino or the library.

 

We were honored by having James at our table for the final dinner last night. Selections were foie gras, spring rolls, and caviar on potato blini for the appetizers. The French onion soup was very light. While I had Duck a l'Orange others raved about the Tournedos of Beef Tenderloin. Dessert was an amazing Iced Cointreau Souffle with Raspberry Coulis. Christophe and his team and Chad as our wine expert provided the usual excellent service.

 

Started out the day noticing the pilot boat pulling up around 5:45 a.m. Had a wonderful "last breakfast" with Mr. & Mrs. Toybar and Barbara from Memphis. Goran was our waiter -- we had him for every breakfast this crossing. I will definitely miss that morning cappuchino delivered just at the end of breakfast After the crew cleared immigration we cleared immigration and customs in one stop in the main salon on board. After saying one last goodbye to Gabor and the Captain it was reluctantly down the gangplank, picked up luggage and straight to the lovely [not] Miami airport.

 

arrived back home to dreary wet cold weather. Re-entry is not fun and March 6 2009 cannot arrive too soon.

 

FT

 

At least you didn't come home to snow ... just a cold rain. And in 101 days you will be back on SD2!!

 

Hoe wonderful that James was at your table last night. Dinner, as it has this whole trip, sounds divine.

 

Care to share some last thoughts and observations as a way to overcome the dreaded SD withdrawl:eek:

[frequent traveler]

At least you didn't come home to snow ... just a cold rain. And in 101 days you will be back on SD2!!

 

Hoe wonderful that James was at your table last night. Dinner, as it has this whole trip, sounds divine.

 

Care to share some last thoughts and observations as a way to overcome the dreaded SD withdrawl:eek:

 

 

book another SD cruise asap. :D

[ctbjr1309]

book another SD cruise asap. :D

 

 

I'll second that.

[DisneyJen]

I'll second that.

 

Glad you made it home ... hopefully it was warmer then what FT came home to:D

[yogagal47]

What has happened to our friend and Hotel Manager, Christophe?

[DisneyJen]

What has happened to our friend and Hotel Manager, Christophe?

 

He is on a well deserved vacation right now!

[yogagal47]

But when will he be back?

[frequent traveler]

But when will he be back?

 

if he's returning to SD II when Stephane is off the ship, it will be around Dec. 18 when Stephane leaves. We believe that we will have Stephane as the Hotel Manager for our March 6 cruise (Peter as the Maitre D since Gabor is going down the gangplank as we arrive). I heard through the grapevine that Christophe and Stephane worked together on Sea Goddess a few years ago (notice I didn't say many as they are both too young for that). :cool:

 

FT

[frequent traveler]

Care to share some last thoughts and observations as a way to overcome the dreaded SD withdrawl:eek:

 

Even knowing we'll be back in March didn't alleviate the pain caused by not having Gabor deliver my morning Red Bull or Goran knowing just how I like my bacon. I had to suffer through eating microwaved soup at my desk for lunch when two days ago Mario was bringing me lunch poolside and keeping the glass of sparkling water full.

 

Today, instead of looking foward to cocktails and a wonderful dinner with great company, being served by Christoph or Silvio and the never empty glass of champagne maintained by Chad or Michael . . . . the highlight of my day is going to the grocery store. :(

 

I'm pretty sure the towels will be where I left them this morning and my empty shampoo bottle didn't magically replace itself (with the assistance of Jenny). I doubt I have a split of champagne in the fridge . . . much less a cheese plate. . . the real world really really stinks

 

I'm looking foward to receiving all the pictures from CTBJR and TOYBAR . . .until then . . . checking the blog every couple of hours keeps the withdrawal pains somewhat at bay.

 

FT

[zqvol]

Even knowing we'll be back in March didn't alleviate the pain caused by not having Gabor deliver my morning Red Bull or Goran knowing just how I like my bacon. I had to suffer through eating microwaved soup at my desk for lunch when two days ago Mario was bringing me lunch poolside and keeping the glass of sparkling water full.

 

Today, instead of looking foward to cocktails and a wonderful dinner with great company, being served by Christoph or Silvio and the never empty glass of champagne maintained by Chad or Michael . . . . the highlight of my day is going to the grocery store. :(

 

I'm pretty sure the towels will be where I left them this morning and my empty shampoo bottle didn't magically replace itself (with the assistance of Jenny). I doubt I have a split of champagne in the fridge . . . much less a cheese plate. . . the real world really really stinks

 

I'm looking foward to receiving all the pictures from CTBJR and TOYBAR . . .until then . . . checking the blog every couple of hours keeps the withdrawal pains somewhat at bay.

 

FT

 

Hey! I offered to serve breakfast in bed.