Day 7 – Sea Day
Feeling much recovered and rested after a solid 9 hours of sleep, I headed up to the breakfast buffet for coffee and the over easy egg I’ve been craving!
The Cruise Critic meet and greet was today in the Pacific Lounge at 11AM. We had a very nice crowd and 3 ship’s officers and the Head of the Customer Service aboard the ship attended. I hadn’t expected that but it was very nice!
We had the Maitre’D, the assistant Maitre’D, the head of the Bar services. And of course, I had to do a bit of public speaking—not my favorite thing. I called everyone to attention and then asked if anyone had questions. DEAD silence. As I hadn’t been expecting anyone, I quickly started babbling a question. And actually, once I got going, it was fine and then others started asking questions. All the Crew were just lovely and we learned a few things about where/how food is obtained and I did ask each of them how they got their start.
Side note: The bar manager is from Glasgow and very yummy looking. He manages to hide his accent. Had he spoken with the accent, I think I can honestly say more than one woman and maybe even one man, would have been all over him. LOL
The Meet and Greet itself was very good and was nice to finally put a face with names I’ve been seeing for almost a year. I really enjoyed it.
The rest of today was spent lounging in various areas of the ship reading and generally being lazy. Although I did attend Afternoon Tea at 4PM. I’ve never had a scone and wanted to try one. OMG what an event that was. Held in the main dining room, at open seating tables, it was a meal. First, they brought out tiny sandwiches—6 or 7 different varieties, then a plate of cookies with 5 or 6 different kinds, and if that wasn’t enough, then a tray of various desserts (which I did not try but which looked delicious). Then finally the scones served with raspberry jam and clotted cream. Magnificent! Brilliant! (Can you tell I’ve been around mostly Brits and Australians??) I would highly recommend attending if you have the chance.
More reading, more lounging and then I headed up to the Pacific Lounge for afternoon trivia. I ran into 2 of my favorite Australians, a nice couple I met on Sail away, and we teamed up. I’ve met up with them at various times around the ship and I really enjoy their company. Both have wonderful senses of humor and ‘we get’ each other. The only issue—I cannot remember their names if my life depended on it. I should have tried to get a look at their cards on the lanyards around their neck. Ughhh. I’ve met so many people in the past few days. I’m very terrible at this. I need to write the names down and see it a few times before I remember.
Tonight is the first formal night and the Anniversary Menu is being served. Not sure what I think of it, but I’ll report back later! As a side note, I’ve not been super impressed with the food. Don’t get me wrong, it certainly isn’t terrible but it hasn’t been anything to rave over either. I feel its typical cruise fare. The service is quite another thing. It has been impeccable. Our wait staff in the dining room is wonderful. We have Joseph and Rodney. Joseph is probably one of the best waiters I have ever encountered and his personality is what pushes him to the top. He will definitely be getting an additional tip from me.
The same can be said for my cabin steward, Georgeta Vasile, from Romania. She’s just come aboard beginning with this cruise after working in the Caribbean. She is another one that rates in the top of the cabin steward list. I’ve chatted with her several times on many different topics—intelligence and personality. Another crew member to get an additional tip!
And this is the first cruise where I feel I know the Maitre’D personally. I’ve watched him in the dining room. Each evening he moves around the dining room and chats with each table. He remembered who I was at the meet and greet stating that we’ve chatted several times at dinner and asked me if I was feeling better today (my stomach was upset last night and I just had some broth, a green apple and crackers—plus complimentary ginger ale arranged by my waiter!!!). This is what a Maitre’D should be. Not just waiting with his hand out for an additional tip.
All in all the service has been wonderful. Each crew member I’ve encountered has done everything they could to make sure I have what I want and need. I do believe Princess’ reputation is well deserved and most definitely a notch about the other cruise lines I’ve been on.
Ok, back----after dinner. The 50th Anniversary Menu: I didn’t order the appetizer—some sort of duck pate with a mushroom soup. I got the shrimp cocktail instead. I did have the goat cheese, mixed greens and walnut salad and the Beef from the Anniversary Menu. Both were delicious. The beef was a filet mignon, with an onion tart and mixed steamed vegetables.
For dessert, I chose the chocolate raspberry dessert from the Anniversary menu. It was decadent. I could only eat about 1/3 of it. It was very, very rich. Definitely try it if you have the chance.
For your viewing pleasure, a bit of food porn:
It’s almost 10PM here. We are in Rangiroa at 8AM tomorrow morning. I think I will read a bit and then get to sleep. I’d like to be up on deck at 630 for our arrival and the cruise through Taputa Pass—where there may be dolphins accompanying us!
Note to self: Must stop eating so much.... Cannot wear Spanx with my swimsuit.....
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