ociana

YAY, time to follow another @sid_9169 adventure!  My own epic adventure starts in a few weeks, so this is a perfect amuse bouche.  

Thank you for the wonderful journey Sid, your time and effort in sharing with us is appreciated. 

12 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

And he doubted your ability to eat it all. 

9 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

Sorry, I don't have anyone to talk to, I'm just trying to amuse myself...

I am in a union bargaining zoom meeting wordsmithing agreements about retention schedules...please keep it up so I can vacation vicariously through you.

15 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

I'm perusing the menu, and I want to get at least one or two new to me items, but I also have some favorites here...

 

For sure, the crispy artichokes and braised meatballs...

13 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

The ribollita and beef carpaccio for sure...

 

7 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

And the buccatini alla carbonara...

 

9 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

The porcini rubbed New York strip...

 

Remove the ribollita and you have my exact order there, along with a few Negronis.  Your taste is, of course, excellent.

5 minutes ago, MeganGC1983 said:

They’ve been drunk with power since that guy walked off the pier on my Liberty sailing. Last time we were there and the HUGE turtle was swimming they yelled at us. I told them they could just yell because I was gonna watch the turtle. 

They yelled at me for sitting on the concrete raised area while waiting for someone, not even at the edge of the pier! I think they just enjoy yelling...

Just now, Sea Viewer said:

Island time! So good though. worth waiting for. And the Kalik is cold.

Lol exactly! 

@sid_9169 on your walk there I recommend a pit stop at Stuarts to grab a bottle of their knockout rum punch. It's basically a boozy smoothie and is refreshing and delicious in the heat. I love that stuff, but they were closed last time we went.

9 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

Not even nine am yet, and it's already hot out here... I'm trying to figure when Joe's Conch Shack opens so I can plan my day today. They don't seem to have a website or anything. I remember last time when I got there they weren't even open yet, and I had to wait. 

 

 

When we went a few months ago we had found a 10am open on Google but they showed up about 10:30.  So delicious!

Don't do it!  If you are physically able to walk about 2 miles on flat land then just walk into town instead.  Take the shuttle to the first stop and then turn right and head into town.  

If you do choose to rent, warning that the rental place right there at the first stop that has a small market as part of it has had numerous complaints about carts breaking down with no help and price issues. 

Sid - have you been in the room that is just off of the pool area? I think it's called the hangout or something on the map, but nobody is ever in there.  The pillow in this photo from my house may have originated from that room...

That pizza is also on my crave list...so good.  My hubby and I take a "pretty fly for a white pie" and a pepperoni, then sandwich them together.  

Another suggestion for you Sid - Head over to the Social Club where the Artist should be starting an art scavenger hunt about now. They will have a QR code to scan and it has clues to find various art on the ship. It can totally be done as a solo activity to find each of the art things listed and there are some neat ones I hadn't noticed before doing that.

@sid_9169 if you are up for a new experience for second breakfast, I recommend trying the avocado toast at Razzle Dazzle. Normally I am not a fan of avo toast, but that one caught me by surprise and now it is one of my crave foods on the ship. 

2 hours ago, neverendingcruising said:

Call me crazy, but it's a lot simpler to just press the water button the tablet in the cabin, right?

Sure, but faster to ask your spouse to go fill them right before bed 😂

23 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

I just realized that I don't have any water in my carafe in my cabin due to my leaving on the "do not disturb" sign... I guess that I'm going to have to down my medication with sink water... 

 

"If he dies, he dies"...

 

 

We have refilled our carafes at the water bottle fill stations before, works great. 

10 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

That's what Dr Will (Kirby) who won season 2 Big Brother did - removes tattoos. 

1 hour ago, sid_9169 said:

And, the kicker to the entire episode was that the guy was this big muscular dude with a beard and tattoos, and the item he was willing to go to the mat for was the acai bowl... Basically grains and fruit...

Please tell me he also pronounced it "ah-cai" instead of the correct "ah-sai-eee"

16 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

Clam chowder and shrimp for breakfast?

I have had that exact set of items for breakfast there more than once... because they are the best. 

32 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

Hopefully tomorrow everything will be reset for the better, and I've got (possibly) my new main bartender on board... 

Is his name like Fabio? I had a guy at the Dock who was super chatty and nice with that name. The other two people who knew my drink immediately and had it in my hand in minutes were also at the dock...inside part, whatever that is called.

Just now, sid_9169 said:

Better, but still not great... I may need to take some of these bartenders to school... Sid's margarita school...

Check in with the bartender at the casino. The guy on my last cruise took it as a personal challenge when I told an other patron that Sip had the best espresso martini. He comped me one just to provide that wrong.

5 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

***Edit to add: I hope that drink doesn't set the tone for the week... It wasn't really what I'd call good, even though I paid for the upgraded tequila. Things can only go up from here, hopefully...

Does your schedule have a loteria event that is like $30? If so, book it and they allow you to make all the margaritas you want during the event. I think I made 5 total...well worth the price.

5 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

Richards Rooftop...

 

 

Tsk tsk, sneaking in. I did that our first cruise and had a bruise on my arm all week from reaching over to open the gate.

23 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

I don’t believe a card is ever an options. The bracelet serves as your cabin key and your card to purchase items. It’s made sustainably from recycled items and what not. 

23 hours ago, SeaShark said:

 

Actually, it is an option (at least according to their website)

 

I do not like wearing things on my wrist, are there other options other than the wearable?

--There are plenty of ways to rock The Band based on your style. Wear it as a bracelet, on your belt or simply tuck it in your pocket, we'll give you The Band as a keepsake no matter how you want to carry it. However, if you prefer a key card, we'll have some on standby at the terminal. Please note, fun extras like Shake for Champagne, ShipEats on the pool deck and quick access to events is not available with a standard key card.

 

My question is better defined as "Can you get a key card in ADDITION to the band?" as some folks keep the key cards as souvenirs.

 

23 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

That’s interesting. It’s never been mentioned in training. I wonder if it’s still an option or if it’s like them sending the bracelets pre cruise… use to be an option but not anymore. I’ll have to inquire. 

On our December cruise we had two rooms booked, one in my name and the other in my husband's, but the second room actually held our two sons and a friend (their Christmas gift was partly paid by Virgin). We went to sailor services the first night to inquire about swapping our bands around to match where we were staying and they said they couldn't but they could give us room cards for the other room. Spent the whole week with a bracelet for one room, and paying for my drinks, and a room key tucked in my bra for my actual room.  Aside from the funny looks I would get when holding my chest up to the sensor to open my door it all worked well for us and we ended up with both a band and a card. The card has no logo or anything on it, just white and basic.

Yay, I am here for another Sid adventure! Your review of your first cruise with Virgin is what prompted me to book mine...now I am 5 cruises in with one left to go (yet I only paid for 2. Thanks for the delay Resilient Lady).

The exclusive cocktail event benefit only serves champagne and sangria for about an hour while a musician plays for the group. If the weather is nice, it is up at the perch in DIRECT SUN, so wear sunscreen or duck around the corner between drinks. 

I have a tree nut allergy and they were fantastic about it at all of the restaurants except for one... The Dock did not ask and the sauce they use for the octopus has walnuts. A benadryl and a few hours of gastro distress later I was okay, but thought I should pass the story on for you to know as well! Have a wonderful time.

Edit to add that test kitchen is my very favorite and they accommodate perfectly there. They will leave nuts off if they can or substitute for an alternate item.