Tyler919

On the off chance that this is interesting to anyone, thought I would post it. Obviously it only applies to Barbados on this trip but I am sure it is similar on others.

8 minutes ago, uktog said:

There’s not been a fresh catch since Miami so that item is work in progress 

 

 

That's astonishing. I know they're trying to be sustainable, so printing new menus is out of the question. But at least some whiteout?  

And yet right upstairs at lunch listed in the Emporium as the fresh fish of the day yesterday was Corvina. Fresh frozen I guess.

Med Yacht Club has "fresh catch of the day" on their menu. Thursday night (leaving Bonaire) it was sort of understandable that they regretted to inform us there was no fresh catch.  On a thought last night, after 2 days in Curaçao, I went by to ask if there was fresh catch and they said still not, they had not been told when they might be resupplied. 

 I remember a couple of times on board ships when we would get to destinations like this one, the ship announced that you could in limited numbers go with the chef to the local market where he would be picking things up for the nights fresh offerings. Those were enchanting adventures listening to an onboard chef let you know what he was looking for whether it be vegetables fruits or local seafood. 

If you're going to have a fresh catch of the day listed on the menu, and you're in the Caribbean, there are certainly sources at every destination except for possibly the very smallest of Islands to keep a stock of fresh local ingredients. There are restaurants all over the island that require such. Perhaps Explora has not created those relationships but I am hopeful that MSC has them.  Another missed opportunity.

On 11/30/2023 at 11:26 AM, maggie.1008 said:

Can you please find out how long Heike will be on board?

Jan 20, she just told us.  Back in April.

My wife took two snorkeling "explorations" over the last two days and I was surprised that neither had a ship representative accompany the tour.  When I asked about it, I was told that only where a volunteer was available and did not have a conflicting schedule did they accompany these trips. My memory, admittedly weaker than I'd like, of other cruises (Regent and Crystal) we always had a ship representative on each tour. I admit assuming this was pretty standard policy. It is obviously not policy here.  Do any of you have specific knowledge of other all inclusive lines?

A nice rainbow welcome to Curacao 

Not surprisingly the entertainment still pales in comparison to the rest of the experience. That said, Michael Washington, who appears to be new aboard? Was fabulous last night. Energetic and talented, he performs in Las Vegas and it felt like a Vegas show and the band stepped up to his level and it was easily the best show so far on this leg.

Upstairs in Explora lounge last night the two vocalists with piano accompaniment were much more like watching a rehearsal which was unfortunate.

Hoping we see more of Mr Washington.

Boarded early, they seem to start about 11:30, and took no mind to your boarding time. I asked a number of people, including the security folks and the expected count will be 315. Guessing it won't be a problem dining anywhere we want!

7 hours ago, uktog said:

According to a manager who should know, the expected number for our second leg is even less 327. 
This does impact on experience with excursions cancelled (in our case today no notice sent so we turn up at the designated time and got nothing 🥲) entertainment a little flat and some staff far too over eager (ok they’re bored!) 

In answer to a previous question it’s out of the cabin by 0800 and off the ship by 0900. Room service is available for breakfast 

Thank you, are any restaurants open?  We have enjoyed your reports!

Is in the plans I was told, but walk before run. 

Could someone aboard, upon receiving your disembark information, share the particulars, i.e. Time must be out of stateroom, all must be off ship time, and restaurants operating for breakfast in Bridgetown Barbados?  We will be disembarking there on  the 6th and hoping for apples to apple planning notes.  TIA

1 hour ago, uktog said:

Thanks. Honestly the dish wasn’t runny. The dish most certainly wasn’t smothered and the sauce to meat ratio was perfect. I fear as much the photographer is to blame as the chef 😀

Looked wonderful. I'll keep in mind what mother taught me on the rest.

2 hours ago, Azulann said:

Thank you so much for doing a live trip report. Your picture are great. The food looks so delicious. 

Love Key West. Want to return. I have a lovely  coin I bought from the museum with the artifacts of a sunken ship.Cannot remember the name at the moment. 

 

Mel Fisher's Museum.  The ship was likely the Atocha. Very famous Key West story

Hi all,

Anyone on board care to comment on a couple of questions?

What was the Muster Drill process? Virtual or all standing around in Life jackets or..?

Are they making cruise director announcements? Most higher end ships limit these, just curious if they feel helpful or annoying.

Does smoking seem to be contained and non intrusive?

Thanks in advance. We sail in November. 

Well, I guess they are listening to me! Zuiderdam is headed to Freeport as I get off tomorrow, and they are tearing out the sports bar, and extending the piano bar and rebranding the space "Billboard". It's the right answer. Don't do it badly. Piano bar is a well tuned concept.

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....In order to have a real Sports Bar, with multiple sports playing, they would have to spend a bit of money for additional satellite coverage, which is a big challenge for them.

Yes, previously discussed. I think the "if you can't do it right, don't do it" folks are winning. Or in this case, losing.

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Are there any Cruise lines that do a proper sports bar? None of the ones I've been on do. Perhaps just not a good fit for around the world satellite consistency.

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This is a last effort, following comments directly on the ship and on comment cards to HAL, to try to perk up the Sports Bars on the fleet.

It seems ineffectively named in that only one channel, ESPN2, is available. And on the occasions when they do purchase a satellite game feed, there is no communication to announce it. The bartenders I have asked are unaware and seem uninterested in what games may or may not be broadcast.

I can certainly understand the thinking that a cruise is no place to worry about sports, but if you are going to market a "sports bar", perhaps someone from HAL should visit one and learn the concept...or just rebrand it to concept you can support.

Yes multiple Satellite feeds are expensive...I get it. But either do it right or do something else.

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Please note the date of original posts.

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No, sounds like our offers were the same.. I think you'll find the inaugural cruise was longer than the July 15, so I think ours was more expensive. I'll be more specific if you like on email. My user name at mindspring dot com.

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We took their offer and scheduled the owners suite on the Caribbean Sailing Ship, and still got money back. We will just have to circle back to Quest later.

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Disappointed to now have been notified that this trip is in jeopardy. We have received the warnings and the offers to help make us whole. I must say lindblad is handling it as well as they can and the offers are generous. Disappointingly we are likely to take them up on the cancellation.

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Actually, it seems to be a new build. Found this link on Lindblad's sight

https://www.expeditions.com/why-us/our-fleet/national-geographic-quest/overview/

We are signed up for the inaugural cruise of the National Geographic Quest on June 26th through Alaska's Inside Passage. Haven't seen much about the ship; not sure if it's a new build or an acquisition. We look forward to it's maiden Lindblad cruise nonetheless, and sailing again with Flip Nicklin, the expert whale photographer. I hope to post more as we find out more details, and perhaps from aboard during the sailing. This will be our third and fourth Lindblad trip, respectively, for me and my wife.

So as you all were waiting with such patience for the outcome of this, CD confirmed in the morning briefing that those boarding in Lauderdale will NOT be required to go thru the muster in Boston, and will have a later all aboard time as well, allowing plenty of enjoyment ashore. OP was worried for naught.