Haljo1935

Let's see what else I can get uploaded before my battery dies...or my skin crawls.. Hey - got up to make a pit stop and looky at what I found!! We've "hidden" 5 of these; thanks Lisa & MaryAnn from TN for returning the favor 😀 Here's a few we hid - we liked the monkey in the mailbox so much, we hid there twice. Good job whoever has that cabin. Nope - Puffins aren't ducks we found or hid 😊, I just think they're cute and I know you do, too!! Official notice we get to stay next week and not being kicked off - I really do quite enjoy a B2B.

Phew - great empty napkin incident of 2023 has come to an end. They gave me the VIFP discount and transferred it to a "walking around" glass. In my neighborhood, we call it a "go cup." Job well done, Jelena!! Oh, Lord, this may be the most painful Karaoke 🎤 😳 😅 😫 I've ever been to, lol. Poor Gordon Lightfoot...

Karaoke at the Carnevale Bar & Lounge. Some are really good. And some, OMW (Oh My Word) - I hope this loads. If you can make it to just after the 2m mark... that's all I can say. Other than this, if I didn't know the words, I would not have had a clue what song she was "singing." I say Carnival does not owe Reba anything (aka royalties) except an apology. If that's you singing, I'm sure it's lovely in the shower.🙄🫣😞 Karaoke.m4a

Oh no - my napkin is empty!! Being remedied - [insert server name here] us bringing me a Chocolate 🍊 Martini, so all will be right again shortly 😋 😀

Sydney right at the port is a great food truck. I didn't get a good pic (you can sort of see it by the picnic table), but they have great tots, corn dogs, etc - "State Fair" food @good prices. It was right by our ship. Flavor on the Water 🍺 🍻 Garden is bar/restaurant w/i door-outdoor dining, so even if it's raining you can stop in. There are several shops w/typical t-shirts and also local artisan crafts. I got a sea glass bracelet & sea glass magnet, Sis got a very cute sea glass bottle necklace; I'll see if she'll let me snap a pic. Also grabbed a couple bottles of vinegar to make dressing; I'll pop a pic of those later. Should be great on a pear or apple salad. I must be hungry.

We can hope 🙄

Ok, let's get y'all some more pictures and details while I work on finishing the Blood Orange Bellini and move toward a Chocolate 🍊 Martini. Hey - I detect a pattern!! 🫣 Apologies in advance if I duplicate anything- I have not moved pux into a "posted" file likecI would if I was on computer (this is from phone). If there's a menu I missed that you're curious about, just ask and I'll post it if I have it. Let's start w/some misc things. Chocolate bars made in Nova Scotia we purchased on the brief stop there. $1.99 @musuem store, $4.99 @the other stores; 4 flavors, I got 2. Also some local toffee, but I ate them all w/o taking pic of pkg, so you'll just have to trust they were good and maybe someone else can let us know what they were, lol. Bar menu I did not order from. Although the wine page kinda looks like I did 🤭 Late lunch yesterday Guys Burgers. I had The Ringer no bun, ring on the side - YUMMY!! Fries not so much - too much seasoning.😞 Why are the windows closed, here we are and isn't this the best, most interesting helpful screen ever? Is all of IT on break? Lol 🙄

Please keep us posted - those of us already on for B2B are not hearing anything. Safe travels, whatever it may be.

Not a soul out on the Terrazzo deck. They're ready for us, though. Where is everyone? Hey - you up there - yeah you, Decks 6-9, anyone up there? Where, oh where art everyone?

Chocolate martini - good, mocha martini (being made at far end) - not good, blood orange bellini - very very warm. All from Alejandro and served w/a 😃 🙂 Think I will try a chocolate orange martini, yummy (I hope).

Looks like they're starting to recover some...

It's Bellini time!! 🥂Crud - which flavor first? On another line I cruise, the rug in the elevator has the day of the week - I am kinda lost w/out it - my internal calendar is all thrown off.🫣

Looks like they're starting to recover some...

Looks like they're starting to recover some...

I travel w/a very lightweight airplane ✈ blanket which definitely is not enough. I would save the space and ask Stewart for an extra one. It IS lovely out there!!

We received an email from Carnival - since everyone doesn't have internet, this really should have been delivered in the mailbox - yes, still get mail multiple times/day. I missed it yesterday because I do not check email every day.

Oh it's rolling the dice, for sure. We asked each other more than once "what if we miss a really good MDR menu?" so I get it. I will say, there has not been anything actually bad in the dining room other than the cornbread crusted chicken being dry.

Breakfast was fun, food was good. Just don't use Mid elevators - gotta go forward cuz you can't get there from here. More adult-only tables than tables w/kids, lol. Tables for every size - 2 tops, 4's, are you 6 or 8? Everyone was accommodated. Tables alternated stripes and dots. Pictures taken outside, right inside and at tables. The ice sculpture was cute. Autographs available, too. Our order: fried eggs w/extra crisp bacon, ham, wheat toast, strawberry jelly; cream of wheat w/warm milk, crisp bacon, English muffin w/butter & strawberry 🍓 jelly, ☕ ☕, OJ , apple juice, yogurt parfait. Neighboring table ordered French toast. All was good and proper temp except the parfait - way too sweet. FWIW I asked for small juice - it was smaller than yesterday but still big. Things, TCITH and Sam I Am all stopped by. We were served by Thing 37. When Sam I Am leaves, it's time for everyone to go. Two settings are offered - we did the late one at 9:45am - it was not full.

Early reviews I'd seen it wasn't very full, which is what had me reconsider and possibly cancel. Our seating (7:30pm Thurs) was full. They also do lunch at $5 less than dinner. No idea if those are well attended.

We are seeing more missing every day - ridiculous. But we haven't seen a lot of kids on the ship, most of the ones we have seen are probably under 10 and always w/adult. Who's pulling them off or when are the delinquents out running amok?

We almost canceled, but decided it has been the best meal of the cruise, so clearly glad we didn't. We did cancel Il Viaggio for next week. It was good, but not the standout Teppanyaki was. And therefore not worth the premium. I may consider adding a 2nd Teppanyaki next week to replace the canceled Il Viaggio.

Several decorated doors on ship we're currently sailing.

Dr Seuss is calling...

Teppanyaki was so good and crowded; every table (there are 4 tables) was fully packed at 10 people each. We pre-paid so only grats to add. Kinda wonky check-in process - go to Bonsai Sushi to check in, go wait in Piano Bar 88 then finally get seated in Teppanyaki. Also saw Teppanyaki crew going to Piano 🎹 Bar to get water and other supplies. Beautiful sunset while we waited; no drink. Erick says it's his first night cooking Teppanyaki and he's nervous; I don't believe him. We get all 5 apps listed on menu (so not Miso or salad, but Miso and salad), choose 1 protein from left or get 2 by selecting a combo on right; dessert is 6 items in a Bento box. Erick says his 2nd job is in Housekeeping - always cleaning. His grill is certainly shiny clean - yay for clean cooking surfaces. Side cart clean & stocked w/dinner prep items. I ordered steak & teriyaki chicken, which is not on the menu, but Erick was happy to do. Edamame, veg rolls & pork belly were automatically substituted when I said no seafood; miso & salad come with. Passed the veg rolls & edamame to other diner, pork belly was really good. Hot green tea to go w/Bento box desserts. "I'll be back (is she related to Arnold?) to explain what's in the box" she said as she dropped off the desserts. Going top to bottom, left to right: Green tea ice cream, pistachio cake, grapefruit pomegranate vodka drink (so good), Creme Brule, chocolate fudge petit four (heavy on the fudge), chocolate covered strawberry 🍓. Everything was really good and portioned enough for a small army - if you left hungry, it's your own fault. 3 people took boxes of food for a midnight snack. We're very glad we booked this and will keep our reservation for next week. We had 7:30 reservation time for reference on the crowd. 20230921_195354.mp4 20230921_200030.mp4

Last night was dressy night. Saw everything from jeans to kilts. Singers got people dancing 💃 Dinner was Teppanyaki - Sooooooo good. Will post it separately as the musician video is slow to load. 20230921_141627.mp4