LIVE - B2B Mariner 5/7/22-5/23/22 - ABC! 🎶 Easy as …um, Bermuda?

[aring75]

I really like the Vidalia Onion Tart appetizer. However, instead of the usual bacon crumbles, the substituted bell peppers. 
 

It was not a worthy substitution. ☹️
 

 

 

Roasted Beef Tenderloin was good. 
 

[aring75]

Mark got the Pineapple Cake. He said it was more like a light mousse. But good. 
 

 

 

I got the Molten Chocolate. Delicious. 
 

[aring75]

Unfortunately, tonight at dinner I noticed my throat is feeling a bit scratchy. We decided to go back to the room straight after dinner and stay in for the night. If I’m still feeling iffy in the morning, I’m going to call medical. ☹️
 

I’m going to be really bummed if we miss the next cruise. 

[island lady]

Totally agree about walking around in Curacao.   🙂   We decided to try yet another waterfront restaurant again.   We walked into that waterfront fort area on the other side of the river this time (the one you pictured the arch in) and enjoyed our lunch at Perla Del Mar (there are 5 different restaurants on pilings over the ocean).  Great local food, drinks, and the ocean waves crashing under us 2 feet away.  Heaven!  

 

Agree about the peppers...I couldn't eat the Vidalia onion tart. All I could taste was peppers.   Must be something about the Chef that loves peppers.  Too many dishes are covered with them....entrees that just should not be over powered by those peppers.  Otherwise most of the food in the MDR (IMHO) has been good.  

 

Watched the poor woman being lifted into the ambulance...but fortunately she seemed alert and moving her head around.  Strange thing though...ambulance attendants were starting up on the gangway with the gurney...then were stopped.  Much discussion later between officials, then the attendants went back into the ambulance to fit themselves with full hazmat suits.  Yikes.  

 

Hope your scratchy throat was just that....just a scratchy throat.  Thinking positive thoughts that you are so negative!  😉 

[bup1224]

19 hours ago, aring75 said:

There are several outdoor cafés in town. 
 

 

 

Or, if you turn and head to the waterfront, you can dine overlooking the water. (We did this on one of our previous trips, but were there too early today. 
 

 

 

Next to the restaurants of the Waterfront Arches, there is also a public restroom. 
 

Just an FYI, this public restroom hasn't been open in several years. It's a frequent question we get as to where is a public restroom in Punda. The only one (currently) is at the ferry station. 

[ATG]

Lobster last night was quite good.  Our MTD got changed to early and we were a few minutes early.  Lobster was tender and flavorful, best I’ve had on a cruise for years.

 

Solarium is crowded today.  Only 3 empty chairs at 7:00.  Lots of towels though.  Staff did come around and move things off.  The couple on our left played podcasts rather loudly.  I asked him to turn it down and he was happy too.  On our right was a couple who had a bed and the lounger next to it.  As an old friend used to say “I’ve done seen it all.”  A woman came by and plopped down on the bed next to the wife.  She refused to move unless the husband gave up his seat!  Wow!

[aring75]

5 hours ago, island lady said:

Hope your scratchy throat was just that....just a scratchy throat.  Thinking positive thoughts that you are so negative! 

Thank you!

 

I was tested this morning and still haven’t heard back yet. Mark was tested in the B2B cruisers group and he already got his NEGATIVE test results. 
 

Still holding my breath for my results!

[aring75]

1 hour ago, bup1224 said:

Just an FYI, this public restroom hasn't been open in several years. It's a frequent question we get as to where is a public restroom in Punda. The only one (currently) is at the ferry station. 

Ah! Thank you bup1224. Sorry I didn’t think to check that they were open, thanks for noting where the available restroom is located!

[aring75]

1 hour ago, ATG said:

Lobster last night was quite good.  Our MTD got changed to early and we were a few minutes early.  Lobster was tender and flavorful, best I’ve had on a cruise for years.

 

Solarium is crowded today.  Only 3 empty chairs at 7:00.  Lots of towels though.  Staff did come around and move things off.  The couple on our left played podcasts rather loudly.  I asked him to turn it down and he was happy too.  On our right was a couple who had a bed and the lounger next to it.  As an old friend used to say “I’ve done seen it all.”  A woman came by and plopped down on the bed next to the wife.  She refused to move unless the husband gave up his seat!  Wow!

I saw a pool attendant putting little post-it notes on chairs noting the time. Also saw him removing personal items. I’m very happy to hear that they seem to be monitoring the chair hogging. (Or at least trying!)

[island lady]

29 minutes ago, aring75 said:

Thank you!

 

I was tested this morning and still haven’t heard back yet. Mark was tested in the B2B cruisers group and he already got his NEGATIVE test results. 
 

Still holding my breath for my results!

 

There were 3 pax that were called to GS, apparently they could not reach them in their cabin, or by phone message.   Heard one woman telling her companions that their other friend tested positive and were rechecking with full PCR test.  

 

For me....I don't stress over my B2B test if I don't hear anything.  No news is good news.  Believe me, if you are positive...they will find you.  😉  Naturally this is just for cruises going to Bermuda....most of the other ones have discontinued B2B testing.  Will see if this is the case when we board for B2B Harmony on the 22nd.  

 

So I think you are in the clear...no worries.  🙂   Rare for us not to do a B2B, but this cruise was fill in last minute booking.  

[aring75]

1 hour ago, island lady said:

 

There were 3 pax that were called to GS, apparently they could not reach them in their cabin, or by phone message.   Heard one woman telling her companions that their other friend tested positive and were rechecking with full PCR test.  

 

For me....I don't stress over my B2B test if I don't hear anything.  No news is good news.  Believe me, if you are positive...they will find you.  😉  Naturally this is just for cruises going to Bermuda....most of the other ones have discontinued B2B testing.  Will see if this is the case when we board for B2B Harmony on the 22nd.  

 

So I think you are in the clear...no worries.  🙂   Rare for us not to do a B2B, but this cruise was fill in last minute booking.  

 

Yes, I’m sure you are probably right. I was hoping to get the tests uploaded to the Bermuda Authorization form today. Hopefully, I’ll hear soon.

 

 

[aring75]

Day 7 Cruise Compass
 

 

 

 

[aring75]

Dinner in the main dining room again. Tonight was the second Dress Your Best night. 
 

[aring75]

Shrimp and Salmon Fritters

 

These were a little like hush puppies, but, I don’t know, wetter(?) on the inside. That sounds gross, but they weren’t bad. 
 

 

Garden salad

 

 

 

Beef Bourguignon 

 

I thought the perfectly round scoop of rice was a little high school cafeteria, but it all tasted pretty good. 

 

[aring75]

Sticky Toffee Pudding 

 

This was shown on the menu in the app, but was not on the paper menu. 
 

[aring75]

Day 8 - Final Sea Day
 

I finally received my COVID test results email at 6:10 am on our last sea day. Took almost 24 hours. They were negative. Yay. Scratchy throat is probably due to allergies (as usual). It’s feeling better though, so that’s good too. 

 

Got everything uploaded for the Bermuda Travel Authorization. Now just have to hope the approval email comes before tomorrow. 

[aring75]

Also. Stopped by The Bamboo Room yesterday. (Sorry about the glare on the menu.)
 

 

 

Fun little place. I feel like it could be more though. You know, like an over the top fun themed tiki bar. Right now it just seems like any other bar on the ship, just with different decor and drinks. I’d love it with a livelier atmosphere, I think. 
 

 

 

Drinks were excellent though. A Saturn (left) and the mojito. Both were covered by our Diamond vouchers. All drinks on the left side of the menu will cost $1 more (plus gratuity) if you have the drink package or use Diamond vouchers. 
 

[aring75]

Couldn’t remember if I posted this before, but this is TOD information. 
 

[aring75]

Day 8 Cruise Compass - Last Sea Day

 

 

 

 

[Bead Pirate]

Hope to see you on Sunday...

 

Uploaded test results at 8 AM yesterday and still do not have travel authorization. On hold with the dial up number for a couple of hours. I am down to 89 in the cue...

 

I suspect there are a lot of folks wondering where the authorization is...

 

Appreciate the pics and menus, etc.

[aring75]

1 hour ago, Bead Pirate said:

Hope to see you on Sunday...

 

Uploaded test results at 8 AM yesterday and still do not have travel authorization. On hold with the dial up number for a couple of hours. I am down to 89 in the cue...

 

I suspect there are a lot of folks wondering where the authorization is...

 

Appreciate the pics and menus, etc.

Hopefully, Bermuda will do away with this requirement soon. It has been an issue for many of us. I think a lot of cruisers will just say “It’s not worth it.” And avoid this itinerary until they don’t have to deal with the extra hassle. 
 

And, yes! I hope we see you tomorrow!!

[aring75]

We did the “Taste of Royal” lunch today. On Mariner, it is held in Chops and you have the choice to add the wine pairing or not. I chose the wine. 😁

 

We booked through the Cruise Planner ahead of time and paid $26.99 per person. It was offered onboard for $34.99.

 

 

The menu offers items from restaurants across Royal’s fleet. The wine pairings are indicated with each course. 

 

[aring75]

It’s not listed on the menu, but you might recognize the glazed truffle pull-apart bread from 150 Central Park. (I have no idea if that’s what it’s actually called, but that’s how I remember it.)

 

They bring one of these to every table

 

 

 

As they are bringing everyone a glass of St. Peter’s Sprizter to start. 
 

 

 

One of the chefs comes out before the meal to let you know what to expect, how the items are prepared, etc.

 

[aring75]

Our first course was the Citrus Seas Tuna Tartare. 
 

 

This was a very light, delicate-tasting dish which required an equally delicate wine. It was paired with the Indaba Chenin Blanc. 
 

 

 

I enjoyed this pairing, although I would have liked the tuna tartare if it had been a little spicier. The description led me to believe it would have more flavor than it actually did. 

[aring75]

Next up was the Mascarpone Cheese Risotto with crab. 
 

 

 

This was paired with a Mer Soleil “Unoaked” Chardonnay. 
 

 

 

I’m not often a fan of Chardonnay, but I enjoyed this pairing. The wine had a bright, but slightly floral acidity which cut through the creaminess of the risotto in a nice way.