CHICAGOPAUL LIVE!!!!! 15 Night Bering Sea & Japan TRANSPACIFIC CRUISE - LIVE BLOG

[dhream]

On 9/8/2019 at 1:39 AM, chicagopaul said:

After dinner we walked by the martini bar and it was dead again! Not a soul in sight! We walked up to sky lounge and it wasn’t too crowded so we made our way to the Casino bar and had a drink. I opted for Courvoisier VSOP and Edward has a McCallan. We sipped that and ran into some people who were stopping by for a quick drink before hitting the tables or slots. 

 

 

The bartender is named Amitava (I believe I’m spelling that correct or close to). He was quiet but very nice and once we started discussing whiskey with him we found out he really knows his stuff!  

 

There was a drunk gentleman at the bar who meant well but he’s the exact type of person you’d expect to see drunk at a casino bar but more so at a casino where the table minimums are $1 haha. 

 

I found out at the casino bar they will smoke whiskey for you with the same smoker that is at World Class on the S Class ships. Amitava was very excited to talk about which whiskeys and specific bourbons he thinks smoke the best. We will be trying a few with him during the cruise. 

 

After our drink we grabbed a bottle of water and planned to head back to the room but ran into some friends and ended up watching karaoke in the Sky Lounge and then listening to the DJ. We stopped drinking and just stuck with water. Chatted with people for a while then headed to bed around 12:45 I think. But since we gained an hour it was really 11:45 and made all the difference in the world. Plus my body is still on Chicago time so waking up this morning was a breeze. 

Paul, your attention to detail in these reports is exquisite!

The images of the newsletter, menus, and above all, your beverage descriptions -and inside information (Whoa! Smoked whiskey?) is exactly the minutiae so many reviews sorely lack!

So thank you for your posts thus far, it must be difficult to set aside time do all the actual work of such detailed blogging, while having so many fun diversions and that endless list of long, cool drinks that beckon!

Edited September 9, 2019 by dhream
grammar

[awhfy]

Our future SIL would be all over that Spicy Bloody Mary. That fish taco looked fabulous!  Glad you’re enjoying

[MamaFej]

@chicagopaul, I loved the report from Sitka! Alaska is my favorite state (I've been to them all, at least twice each) but I've never made it to Sitka. I'm so excited that our Trans-Pacific also includes the town. We recently booked a late spring cruise with our adult kids: RT to Alaska from Los Angeles, which will also include Sitka. Our oldest son is super excited because one of his college friends lives there. He's eager to visit her, and we are eager to meet her. Time with our kids, a bunch of sea days, AND Alaska without having to pay for flights?!? Awesome!

 

Thanks for sharing! I look forward to more.

[sdnich]

 I just read through the first five pages and look forward to reading more of your review !!  We are booked on a B2B cruise and the second half November 2 -9 th I knew you were supposed to be on . I looked forward to  meeting you and having a martini with you but will have to catch you on another cruise. This is the third cruise I followed you on I like your style of writing and your great pictures . I do have a question if you happen to know the answer our flights got changed leaving Ft Lauderdale back to San Diego and now we’re spending three hours at Chicago O’Hare and you mentioned at the beginning the lack of priority pass lounges? We’re hoping to be able to relax in one that we have through Chase Sapphire reserve can you tell me if there is  and we are flying on American ?

[chicagopaul]

1 hour ago, sdnich said:

 I just read through the first five pages and look forward to reading more of your review !!  We are booked on a B2B cruise and the second half November 2 -9 th I knew you were supposed to be on . I looked forward to  meeting you and having a martini with you but will have to catch you on another cruise. This is the third cruise I followed you on I like your style of writing and your great pictures . I do have a question if you happen to know the answer our flights got changed leaving Ft Lauderdale back to San Diego and now we’re spending three hours at Chicago O’Hare and you mentioned at the beginning the lack of priority pass lounges? We’re hoping to be able to relax in one that we have through Chase Sapphire reserve can you tell me if there is  and we are flying on American ?

 

Sorry we won’t be on then and able to meet you! Regarding ORD priority pass the only lounges are in T5 unfortunately (Air France and Swiss). American uses T3. 

 

For bars there is a place called Bubbles which has a good, though not cheap, wine list. We like it for the piano player that is usually there. Also just outside security between 2 and 3 there is Publican which is a good restaurant from Chicago. 

[sdnich]

 Thanks for the info when I was researching it that’s what I was thinking we were not gonna be able to make it over to the other terminal . I love a good piano player so we will check it out thanks !It was unfortunate that was my best option to have to fly away to Chicago to get back to San Diego LOL ! I won’t complain because were coming off a 15 day cruise  ! Plus we upgraded to first class !😁

cheers

[chicagopaul]

Good Morning from the sunset bar. We’ve gained some hours the past couple of days so it is currently 10am here. We made it to Blu again for breakfast. Three Days in a row! 

 

Last night was dinner in Blu again. I really enjoyed yesterday’s meal. We started with the baked bri, followed by the lobster salad and then the short ribs. All was excellent. I loved the sauce with the lobster salad and the short ribs were fantastic. Very tender and the fat was melting in your mouth. It just needed a little splash of salt. 

 

For dessert we had the lava cake. The cake part itself almost had an artificial sugar taste to it but the chocolate inside was very good and the coffee ice cream that came with it was great. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[h20cruzer]

1 hour ago, chicagopaul said:

Good Morning from the sunset bar. We’ve gained some hours the past couple of days so it is currently 10am here. We made it to Blu again for breakfast. Three Days in a row! 

 

Last night was dinner in Blu again. I really enjoyed yesterday’s meal. We started with the baked bri, followed by the lobster salad and then the short ribs. All was excellent. I loved the sauce with the lobster salad and the short ribs were fantastic. Very tender and the fat was melting in your mouth. It just needed a little splash of salt. 

 

For dessert we had the lava cake. The cake part itself almost had an artificial sugar taste to it but the chocolate inside was very good and the coffee ice cream that came with it was great. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lobster salad was my all time favorite, followed by the filet.

Norma 

PS so enjoying your review.

[calicakes]

We're sailing on the Equinox this Friday.  We're also in AQ.  I will be ordering that lobster salad.  My wife is not very adventurous with food, so it will be interesting to see what she will chose.  I'm going to attempt a LIVE blog. 

[TeaBag]

Those food pictures make me drool.  That is my favorite menu in Blu.  The shortribs are to die for.  I love the lava cakes also.  One time we were having them and there was no "lava" because they were slightly overcooked.  A woman at the next table who was a chef told me about the Cuisanart steam oven which she said was great for making them.  We went home and bought one.  She is right!!

[calicakes]

19 minutes ago, TeaBag said:

Those food pictures make me drool.  That is my favorite menu in Blu.  The shortribs are to die for.  I love the lava cakes also.  One time we were having them and there was no "lava" because they were slightly overcooked.  A woman at the next table who was a chef told me about the Cuisanart steam oven which she said was great for making them.  We went home and bought one.  She is right!!

I have that cuisnart steam oven too.  Got such a great deal on it. 75 bucks at the Williams Sonoma Outlet outside of Vegas.  Its still in the box.  LOL.  I probably got it 4 years ago.  I'm currently using my Breville countertop oven.  

 

 

[DenvCruiser]

Thanks for taking the time to write your blog.  I just got off the Allure of the Seas yesterday.  Reading your blog makes me feel like I am still on board.

 

Stephen Weicker and I will be doing this cruise next September on the Eclipse, so I will be following all your posting.

 

Greg

[chicagopaul]

2 hours ago, h20cruzer said:

The lobster salad was my all time favorite, followed by the filet.

Norma 

PS so enjoying your review.

 

I really enjoyed it. So well done and very tasty! 

 

1 hour ago, TeaBag said:

Those food pictures make me drool.  That is my favorite menu in Blu.  The shortribs are to die for.  I love the lava cakes also.  One time we were having them and there was no "lava" because they were slightly overcooked.  A woman at the next table who was a chef told me about the Cuisanart steam oven which she said was great for making them.  We went home and bought one.  She is right!!

 

The shortribs were amazing. We haven’t had them in a while and they were truly perfect! 

 

2 hours ago, calicakes said:

We're sailing on the Equinox this Friday.  We're also in AQ.  I will be ordering that lobster salad.  My wife is not very adventurous with food, so it will be interesting to see what she will chose.  I'm going to attempt a LIVE blog. 

 

Definitely attempt a live blog! It does take up more time than you might think but it’s a great way for you to catalogue your own vacation and helps you stop and smell the roses. Have a wonderful cruise on the Equinox! 

[chicagopaul]

We had breakfast in Blu again today. I had the French toast with a side of sausage and bacon. Edward has the eggs Benedict. I enjoyed the French toast. It wasn’t too large and not overly sweet.

 

 

 

  

[chicagopaul]

After breakfast we headed up to Sunset Bar and sat in our usual corner seats at the end of the bar. It was a little cool outside but it was perfectly comfortable. The sun was peaking through the clouds and the sea calm. We had a couple Ketel One Grapefruit Juices and a sparkling water on the side. We chatted with a few people we’ve met and chatted with Reddy the bartender. It was a nice morning. 

 

We then went to Check out the Solarium. It was packed so we decided to hit up Cafe Al Bacio. This was crowded too but after a couple passes we snagged a small table for you by the atrium. Despite being crowded service was prompt. I got an Americano and Edward ordered some tea, the African Solstice. We played our casino games on our phones (gotta get ready for tonight! ) and watched the baggo tournament that was going on in the atrium. There was a good turnout for this and it was fun to watch. 

 

 

[chicagopaul]

 

 

 

[chicagopaul]

Here is Today’s Daily. Today is evening chic night as well. I’ll let you all know how everyone dresses. I did bring a tux and will wear it this evening. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[musik07]

Random Question-

 

What type of internet do you have? The lower one or higher one. My parents are wondering if you can upload pictures on the lower one to somewhere like facebook.

 

 

 

[newdestination]

I’m enjoying this review!  Thanks for doing it.

[chicagopaul]

1 hour ago, musik07 said:

Random Question-

 

What type of internet do you have? The lower one or higher one. My parents are wondering if you can upload pictures on the lower one to somewhere like facebook.

 

 

 

 

We have the higher one, the excelerate. Pictures upload pretty well. From what I’ve read on here is that if you have the lower one you’d still be able to upload photos but I can’t personally attest to it. If I find anyone who has it I’ll ask them.   

[jcpc]

Paul,

I'm so glad you're doing another "Live From" report.  I really enjoy your style of reporting and your pictures.  I'm following along.

One of my favorite bartenders is working on the ship......Reddy from Indonesia.  I see you've already met him at the Sunset Bar.  Please say hello to him from Janice, Rita and Debra (who always sail on Summit).  Thank you.

 

[chicagopaul]

17 minutes ago, jcpc said:

Paul,

I'm so glad you're doing another "Live From" report.  I really enjoy your style of reporting and your pictures.  I'm following along.

One of my favorite bartenders is working on the ship......Reddy from Indonesia.  I see you've already met him at the Sunset Bar.  Please say hello to him from Janice, Rita and Debra (who always sail on Summit).  Thank you.

 

 

I definitely will pass that along! We see him every morning. Very very nice guy. 

[chicagopaul]

I know a couple of you were asking for the wine list by the glass and one person was specifically interested so they could help make a decision on the premium package. 

 

Here is the wine list from Blu and Cellar Masters menu that is kept on the tables throughout the bar. I assume there is a more extensive list somewhere that I’ll try to find but wanted to get you this info now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[vulcan1971]

Paul & Edward,

 

I'm late to the party, but happy to have read all 6 pages tonight and will follow along henceforth. Your live reviews are always informative and entertaining. Thank you as always for sharing your passion and knowledge about travel and cruising.

[chicagopaul]

We are bringing a bottle of wine to dinner in Blu tonight. I guess we will find out what the corkage fee is. We are opening a 2012 SLV which we are excited about.