“Live From” Z and TB’s Tapas and Sangria Tour

[Boats07]

Thank you for your words, so fun to follow along.  We are sorry when all our cruises were cancelled we rescheduled our first for October 2022, but at least we are less then a year away......

Enjoy your cruise will be following along.

[BNguy]

Z....are you enjoying your cruise too much that we haven't heard?  Curious minds want to know how check in, boarding and initial reactions were to the Explorer!  Seriously I do hope you are having a good time.

[SusieQft]

2 minutes ago, BNguy said:

Seriously I do hope you are having a good time.

Me too, and of course having a good time is more important than keeping all of us up to date in a timely fashion!

[Zqueeze1]

 

We are finally on board!  After a somewhat frustrating boarding process, we had a great afternoon and lovely evening. 

 

We left the hotel at 1115 for a 1200 boarding time, which is appointed when you do the preboarding online processing.   We arrived early, at 1130. 

After dropping off our luggage, we were led in to a security line where we sent our carry one through an X-ray machine and had our temperature taken. We next went to another line where they confirmed our documents before heading over to take a rapid Covid test. Afterwards, we were escorted to seats and told to wait for our number to appear on  a screen which confirms our negative test. 

This is where the confusion began because we were given a seven digit number and only five were being shown. To make it worse, folks and employees kept blocking the screens. I was sweating bullets, because TB’s number appeared fifteen minutes before mine. 

When we were cleared for boarding, a ship’s rep would go up to a couple, check them in and escort them to another rep who would again confirm your docs and put an orange band on your wrist.  This process was going on for one couple at a time and was frustratingly slow. It got worse when the reps started taking any couple that suited their fancy or got their attention.  Behind us was the second batch of folks escorted to the waiting area and some of them were being allowed on board before us. 

As we were finally being processed at our seats, the waiting group had had enough and all rushed as a mob to get their Orange bands.  Once through, we were able to walk onboard where we were checked again, then sent to the theater for final on processing and card issue. The last event was to report to your muster station to confirm you know where it is. 

The process from arrival to chow took an hour and fifty minutes.  But good things happen to those who wait and don’t rush shop’s reps:  Prime rib!

The ship is following some serious Covid protocols. There are. Lot of hand sanitizing stations throughout the ship. Also, we were asked to wash our hands upon entering the chow hall (La Veranda) although most folks did not comply.  Also, all food stations are cordoned off and a server will get your food. 

 

Rant time:  one can sit just about anywhere you want except at the bars where the stools were removed or blocked off.   I could sit in my favorite bar stool at the pool bar. Instead, my fellow alchies congregated in front of the bar. 

After a couple of rums, I went to unpack while The Boss did her sleeping beauty impression. Again, her luggage shows up two hours before mine. How does that happen?  

We met J and K at 1800 for drinks and some music

and had a real nice dinner together. I had pork medallions and lobster while The Boss had a filet instead of the medallions. Dinner was great. 

Afterwards, we went to the Halloween party for some great music and some costume watching. 

Today: sea day and the first meeting of the Bloody Mary and Margarita Society.  

Z and TB

Edited November 1, 2021 by Zqueeze1

[Zqueeze1]

I posted the above before reading the comments.  Sorry that I didn’t post any sooner regarding the boarding process, but we were too busy unpacking and meeting new folks.  I will probably post once a day or so depending on what is the day’s agenda. Since The Boss is sleeping in, I’ll try to do a walk about and post some pics of the ship.

BTW, the internet must have been upgraded or maybe because we don’t have a full passenger load to suck up bandwidth.  I was able to load up all the above pics in less than a minute, whereas it would usually take three to four minutes a pic.

GOARMY: where are you?  Stop by the pool bar around 1100 and say hello. 
Z and TB

[boblerm]

[Mudhen]

aw....the pool bar looks so forlorn! You guys need to get up there and liven things up. Have a few for us!

Linda and John

[liptastic]

Thanks for taking  us along on your cruise online ,  as always it’s so good to read your live reports. Have a fantastic time.  Jean 

[BNguy]

Z and TB,

Many thanks for the update on boarding and how things look on board.  It's appreciated.  Enjoy the rest of your cruise especially the days when you don't have to worry about when you get up and what country you are in. 

[Vandyv]

Hi Z.  We get to Fort Lauderdale on November 11th, so you’ll still be at sea when we fly home.  Sorry we’ll miss you two again.  Love your thread so far, though the picture of the pool bar was surprising.  On the other hand, there’d be more room for me to fall when I tried to keep up with you!  As for your boarding, ours was on the other end of the spectrum.  We walked over from the hotel, dropped off our bags, showed our paperwork at two stops, and were on board in 15 minutes, max.  But then we had to test two days prior, so that was already taken care of.  Please say hi to Pam for us, take care, Vandy

[Zqueeze1]

Here are a couple of pics from around the ship:

Pool area

Outdoor grill

Elevators. We like the dark wood motif. 

Culinary arts kitchen which we will be participating in later this week. 

Auditorium

Guest services

Fourth deck common area. 
Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

Today was a very nice day weather wise although a tad on the chilly side.  Us Newyoricans from south Florida don’t do well in breezy weather. The highlight of the day was the Bloody Mary and Margarita society meeting by the pool bar. It was another successful meeting with several drinks imbibed and stories told. 
Lunch was excellent. We ate at Prime 7

 

 

 

and had seafood soup

Leeks

Baby back ribs

The Boss had chicken breast (yuck)

 It was an incredible lunch followed by a little rack time. 
Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

Here’s a list of the ship’s leadership;

 

Z and TB

[Kwaj girl]

The Duo entertainers....who are they?  We board 11/15 so just wondering. Kasia & Boogie are on Splendor at the moment.

[crusin7]

Thank you for all the excellent information.  I’m drooling over food pics and menu!  I really appreciate all the time you are putting into your fabulous posts. I love it!

[gcorgain]

Hey Z,

 

Thanks for your great blog. Can you elaborate on other Covid measures? I noticed that the Halloween party featured most people in masks. Are they required or strongly encouraged? How are the measures being received by those on board?

 

Thanks!

[boblerm]

14 hours ago, Zqueeze1 said:

The last event was to report to your muster station to confirm you know where it is. 

Z, doe this satisfy the muster requirement?

 

Looks like the cruise is off to a great start, keep enjoying every moment!

[pingpong1]

Z - Thanks so much for sending along the pics of the menus.  The only thing better than reading them would be to actually be eating the food at the table!!  Yumm!

[cerise638]

Prime 7 Key Lime Pie.  Always seem to manage a slice no matter how much I've eaten beforehand.  To echo others. Yumm!!

 

Edited November 1, 2021 by cerise638
Spellcheck

[rkaratsu]

Hey Z.  First of all, thank you so much for letting us live vicariously through you and the Ms!  (We are chomping at the bit for our cruise on the Explorer in Feb 2022).

 

One quick question: Do you know what the sailing capacity is on your cruise?  

 

Thanks you and enjoy the rest of your trip!

[Zqueeze1]

Good Morning:  we are entering the port of Cadiz in southwestern Spain. We are headed to a tour of the white villages of Andalusia for some sightseeing, tapas, and culture shopping. 

Yesterday was a lazy afternoon starting with The Boss abandoning me.  As I waited for her in our cabin, she flies out of the bathroom and takes off for the observation lounge. When she doesn’t see me, she assumed that I abandoned her for the pool bar.  Meanwhile, I am comfortably snoring the afternoon away. 

After a great nap, it’s her turn to snooze so I watched a movie.  At least I tried, but the noise of the wind coming in from the balcony door was very loud.  I tried every trick I learned in cruise critic, but with no success. 

So, I did what I do best. I got dressed and opened up the Explorer lounge.  I have to admit that their rum selection has gotten a bit better. They are carrying 1886 Brugal and Zacapa 23 (for a $15 charge).  

Anywho, we headed for chow with J and K and enjoyed 

Crab and avocado salad

Mixed salad

Halibut

Lobster

John’s tomato salad

Karen’s chocolate dessert

The halibut was a bit over cooked and most of the food was a little cold. But, the lobster selections have been a step up. They are larger, rich, sweet, and succulent.  Risky came by and we let her know about the food temps. Not a big deal.  We have been sitting with Maggie at Compass Rose who is a sweetheart.  
After dinner, we decided to see the comedy act playing in the theater. Needless to say, we missed it and hit the rack for another great night’s sleep. 
Today: my quest for flamenco continues. 

[Zqueeze1]

9 hours ago, gcorgain said:

Hey Z,

 

Thanks for your great blog. Can you elaborate on other Covid measures? I noticed that the Halloween party featured most people in masks. Are they required or strongly encouraged? How are the measures being received by those on board?

 

Thanks!

The Covid measures we’ve seen or been instructed to follow are:

-Mask to be worn at all times while indoors except when eating or drinking (no problem there)

-Hand washing required upon entering La Veranda (not many are following this)

-Hand sanitizer available at all venues. 
-No self serving of any food anywhere.  Folks are asked to make a selection then it is served for you.  
-I noticed bartenders wiping down the bars on a regular basis. 
Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

3 hours ago, rkaratsu said:

Hey Z.  First of all, thank you so much for letting us live vicariously through you and the Ms!  (We are chomping at the bit for our cruise on the Explorer in Feb 2022).

 

One quick question: Do you know what the sailing capacity is on your cruise?  

 

Thanks you and enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

12 hours ago, Kwaj girl said:

The Duo entertainers....who are they?  We board 11/15 so just wondering. Kasia & Boogie are on Splendor at the moment.

Will check and get back to yous. 

Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

9 hours ago, boblerm said:

Z, doe this satisfy the muster requirement?

 

Looks like the cruise is off to a great start, keep enjoying every moment!

Yes.  We watched a video during our pre check in at home. We had to rewatch it again within 48 hours of boarding, then did a 30 second stop at our assigned muster station upon boarding.  That was it. Easy peazy. 
Z and TB

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Please say hello to Risky and Maggie for us…. From The lady with the red scooter.

Please ask ….will either of them be on the January 3rd Panama Canal cruise?