Live Voyager of the Seas Baltic Cruise (by way of a short stay in London & Copenhagen) May 22-29th

[CatLadyFemme]

Spoke with Timothy after a nap in the inside cabin; apparently this was the first trip on Voyager this season where they have had to use the fog horn, and over half his guests have moved to sleep in other cabins while it has been going. I feel better that it wasn’t just us!

 

Got up and dressed for formal night, though we were headed back to Giovanni’s. I made the mistake of telling our MDR waiter that while MrCatLady’s food has been great, mine was just so so, and then they made it a whole thing and got their assistant maitre D and such, and wanted to make it up to us. Tonight, MrCatLady did the tuna, pasta with clams, and pork belly; all were excellent! I did a GF version of the minestrone (good), ordered the arugula salad (it never came out, but obviously I wasn’t going to say anything, as it was no biggie), the pasta Gorgonzola GF style (again, no spinach, but this time with some semi cooked shallots? Not as good as earlier this week), and the risotto (which was SO much better, tasted correct, and used the right rice). They also brought me a nice GF version of the eggplant parm with a gremolada. So it was again only good for me, not excellent, but our server John was so nice and told us lots of awesome stories about all his different times on the different ships. 
 

Now, snuggling under blankets in a little clam shell.

Edited May 27, 2022 by CatLadyFemme

[CatLadyFemme]

Slept in our room last night; no fog horn and it was so lovely!

 

This morning, spent a little time in our favorite clamshell before MrCatLady headed to WJ and I went to the MDR for lunch.

 

 

Since we were in Giovanni’s last night, I didn’t get a chance to preorder lunch. They were not prepared//were super anxious. I had the lentil soup, and asked for the gnocchi Gorgonzola but with GF pasta (both on the menu). Panic ensues; I didn’t order in advance, the sauce isn’t GF. No worries, I just ask for whatever is easiest for the chef; I am nomming my GF bread and butter (I am going to miss European butter so much. Guess I need to chang emu buying habits!), and lentil soup. He comes back; only thing he can make is pasta marinara. Which is fine, but often what I get stuck with, so I’m not super into it, and I say I will be fine with the soup and bread (I don’t usually eat much until the evening). More panic; apparently, I am starving and they MUST feed me, and nothing will convince them that my soup and bread are enough, so I ask for their tomato salad without croutons if possible. It is! Celebration!!

 

During all this, am chatting with a lovely couple from the UK on one side (Hi Natalie if you find this thread!) and Sweden on the other. Such lovely people aboard. And I have found more chill, for friendly, and less judgy than our US cruises. 
 

Oh no; new crisis. It’s dessert time. 
 

Even when I had pre-ordered for the MDR yesterday, I just got eggplant/ratatouille. No starter, no dessert. But today? They are determined! I asked if they had root beer, and if so, could I have a glass of that and scoop of ice cream? I am told yes…but then am brought a gluten free beer…as in alcoholic beer. I tell them to please not worry about it; just a scoop of vanilla ice cream is perfect. The officer is worried; might I want berries with my ice cream? I acquiesce. However, then my server brings me out a dulce de leche crème brûlée the chef made for me…and then suddenly, berried with two scoops of ice cream arrive, right before a dish with two scoops of ice cream. Never let it be said Royal underfeeds you!

 

Following my lunch adventures, more time in the clamshell reading and snuggling. I then realized the pool is actually quite warm, despite the colder outdoor temps and wind, so spend an hour or so with the pool completely to myself. Got a virgin Caribbean mule to celebrate.

 

 

More clamshell time, and starting to put tips together. After dressing for dinner, made a stop at Giovanni’s to leave some extra for the folks there since last night’s meal was comped, a quick mocktail in R Bar, and our last night in the MDR.

 

MrCatLady did coconut shrimp, the salmon, and profiteroles, all which he said were quite delicious; glad to end on a high note!

 

 

I had a strawberry bisque (by request), the beet and orange salad (this is the best version of it I have had yet; so good!), paneer tikka masala (SO tasty but also quite spicy!), and a flourless chocolate cake (this one had no ganache, and was warm and melts inside; best dessert of the trip!).
 

I got a quick photo with Jayverson. He just found out his next contract is on Quantum in September, so we will just miss him, but his wife starts there on August 1st, so we (me and MxCatLady) might get to meet her on our Aug 15th Alaska cruise.

 

 

Post dinner, we did a quick pack to get our bags in the hall. We are doing the Copenhagen tour and airport drop off excursion tomorrow. We are actually not flying out till Monday afternoon, but the plan is to take the tour to see the things we didn’t pre cruise, and then get dropped at the airport after the rush, take our COVID tests there, and then head across the street to the Clarion Hotel to spend the night.

 

For now, snuggling in our clamshell for the last time, and enjoying the warmer and clearer weather for our last evening. Also digging these lovely swans left for us by Timothy 💜

[CatLadyFemme]

Also; anyone who is GF/Celiac or has food allergies and will be on Voyager this summer season; Ravindar handles dining operations and said to email him at vy_restaurantoperationscoordinator @ RCCL . Com with your booking number and name on the reservation, and he will help get you placed with people who get it, and can help with eating times, or other things (like a table in a quieter section, which I ask for as an autistic person). Just say Shanna sent you!

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, CatLadyFemme said:

vy_restaurantoperationscoordinator @ RCCL . Com

Biker, who wonders if that would work on other ships.

[Ukigirl]

I’m enjoying your review so much that I’m going to look into booking this itinerary next year, it’s been lovely following your adventures. Safe travels home, weather is beautiful here in Michigan…finally.

[CatLadyFemme]

37 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Biker, who wonders if that would work on other ships.

No, this is just his specific code.

[MADflyer]

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

Biker, who wonders if that would work on other ships.

with the unique 2 letter code for each ship it does.

 

AD = Adventure

AL = Allure

AN = Anthem

BR = Brilliance

EN = Enchantment

EX = Explorer

FR = Freedom

GR = Grandeur

HM = Harmony

ID = Independence (don't say "IN" - that's Celebrity's Infinity)

JW = Jewel

LB = Liberty

MA = Mariner

NV = Navigator

OA = Oasis

OV = Ovation

QN = Quantum

RD = Radiance

RH = Rhapsody

SC = Spectrum

SR = Serenade

SY = Symphony

VI = Vision

VY = Voyager

[Biker19]

21 minutes ago, MADflyer said:

with the unique 2 letter code for each ship it does.

That's a pretty weird/unique address (the part after the ship name) - not sure it does, that's why I was wondering. Plus, not even sure exactly who gets that email.

[MADflyer]

25 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

That's a pretty weird/unique address (the part after the ship name) - not sure it does, that's why I was wondering. Plus, not even sure exactly who gets that email.

I have emails from that position from a couple of ships dating back quite a few year.  I have had it copied in on threads where one ship is emailing to another ship that I will be on in the future.

[CruiseMelissa]

15 hours ago, CatLadyFemme said:

Also; anyone who is GF/Celiac or has food allergies and will be on Voyager this summer season; Ravindar handles dining operations and said to email him at vy_restaurantoperationscoordinator @ RCCL . Com with your booking number and name on the reservation, and he will help get you placed with people who get it, and can help with eating times, or other things (like a table in a quieter section, which I ask for as an autistic person). Just say Shanna sent you!

So helpful.  I'm so said your cruise is over, it's been so great following along. I appreciate all of the wonderful details and of your gluten-free tips have been fantastic!

 

Is Ravindar the person you mentioned in your earlier post that will be gone before we sail on August 10?

[CatLadyFemme]

42 minutes ago, CruiseMelissa said:

So helpful.  I'm so said your cruise is over, it's been so great following along. I appreciate all of the wonderful details and of your gluten-free tips have been fantastic!

 

Is Ravindar the person you mentioned in your earlier post that will be gone before we sail on August 10?

I am sad too…but also ready to be home on my Purple mattress and cuddling with my cats.

 

And yes; he *may* get a contract extension but doesn’t know, so wanted to make sure you would be set. He is so kind!

 

Please do tag me and let me know how your cruise goes!

[Broons77]

So I'm a bit late to the party here, but what a fabulous review!  We're on Voyager in October out of Boston for a 7 day Canada cruise and I believe we're staying in the same accessible cabin you were - 1814?  They have pics of it on the CC picture pages for Voyager and I can't wait!  And both DW and I are cpap users so I'll be sure to double/triple check for extension cord/water.  Thanks for the info!!!!

[HankaM]

What were your observations on the spread of COVID on board?

Edited May 29, 2022 by HankaM
Typo

[CatLadyFemme]

6 hours ago, HankaM said:

What were your observations on the spread of COVID on board?

That’s a great question. We probably have less insight that most people, as we stayed away from most communal things on board (trivia, dancing, parties, etc.), in favor of the outdoor spaces or quiet areas (other than our one night in the empty theater and one night at a half full ice show). 
 

I did notice that a door in the dining room had an added “isolation area” sign on the last two nights that neither of us can remember seeing a previous day. That being said, our cooler sea day yesterday saw PACKED lounges and the Promenade was full of folks (and this is at 40% full), so I cannot imagine there are some cases. Sorry I don’t have more to report (though we our both relieved the masking worked and our test at the airport was negative today).

[CatLadyFemme]

Last day! We woke up and headed down to Studio B to wait for our excursion; a 3 hour tour of Copenhagen plus drop off at the airport. We had I think 4 stops; the little mermaid sculpture, the palace, the hip canal area (I got so many interesting kinds of fudge to bring home), and perhaps one more before the airport. More walking than I was ready for, so I sat on a bench and just took in the lovely weather for a bit.

 

Once at the airport, we grabbed a free luggage cart. The COVID testing area was close to the intersection of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. It was so easy; you lined up and paid (they only take Visa and Mastercard), and then got swabbed. We waited about 15-20 minutes, and got our printed results, so we took a beat and uploaded them to Delta. Then I grabbed a vegan GF chia pudding with raspberry from 7-11, and we crossed the street in the rain to the Clarion hotel.

 

In the US, Clarion has made me think more Holiday Inn level, but this place was more Hyatt Regency or JW Marriott. So lovely and nice, and literally across the street. Plus their restaurant is a Marcus Samuelsson (well known Swedish chef) and the food was lovely, plus they actually understood gluten free and cross contamination.

 

All in all, a wonderful last day in Europe 💜

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

45 minutes ago, CatLadyFemme said:

All in all, a wonderful last day in Europe 💜

So glad you ended on a high note! Thank you for taking us along. Enjoy your mattress and your kitty cuddles. 🙂 

[kccrzr]

Thank you for taking the time on your vacation to do such an interesting and informative review.  It's good to hear testing at CPH was efficient.

[bigeck]

On 5/28/2022 at 8:42 PM, Biker19 said:

Biker, who wonders if that would work on other ships.

Maybe does. I know Symphony starts sy_ I got an email regarding a covid test refund at xmas

[Norwaylady]

Its been a pleasure to follow your adventure😊

 

Safe travel home❤️

[adam7392]

Thanks for the review and taking time to provide your thoughtful answers

[CruiseMelissa]

On 5/29/2022 at 7:11 AM, CatLadyFemme said:

I am sad too…but also ready to be home on my Purple mattress and cuddling with my cats.

 

And yes; he *may* get a contract extension but doesn’t know, so wanted to make sure you would be set. He is so kind!

 

Please do tag me and let me know how your cruise goes!

I will definitely keep you posted!  Other than the chia pudding, did you notice any other GF goodies at CPH?

[John&LaLa]

On 5/28/2022 at 4:19 PM, Ukigirl said:

I’m enjoying your review so much that I’m going to look into booking this itinerary next year, it’s been lovely following your adventures. Safe travels home, weather is beautiful here in Michigan…finally.

 

We do an 11 night version this August. 😁

 

Originally had the VP suite on 12. Glad we moved to a GS. Though I don't recall a lot of fog when we did this route in August 2018

[Ukigirl]

13 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

We do an 11 night version this August. 😁

 

Originally had the VP suite on 12. Glad we moved to a GS. Though I don't recall a lot of fog when we did this route in August 2018

Will look forward to your review as always 

[CatLadyFemme]

6 hours ago, CruiseMelissa said:

I will definitely keep you posted!  Other than the chia pudding, did you notice any other GF goodies at CPH?

I didn’t see anything really. It’s a lot of coffee shops and and a Wok place, at least before security. 7-11 might have more prepackaged things than I saw.

[CatLadyFemme]

We are home safe. 
 

For those who read the first posts, our trip home in Delta One was SO much better. An older plane, but I actually liked how it was organized better (it felt like more room) and the flight crew was like night and day compared to the first one. We felt so special, got offered drinks and food, no problem getting a seat belt extender, so friendly. I specifically  thanked them for making us have such a good flight back to the US. Will also be writing Delta to tell them.

 

I never ever want to fly through JFK again. Worth a longer layover to fly to London or Amsterdam first and direct to Detroit. Luckily, our wheelchair pusher was a badass, and trotted us through all of the airport. Such a long way; if you are at all disabled, please request a wheelchair or cart. MrCatLady runs multiple times a week, and he was sweating by the time we got to our new gate.

 

The highlight of our trip home was meeting CC member Stephanie (not sure her handle; tag yourself if you’re reading!) as our FA on our last leg home to Detroit. Pic posted with consent. So cool!

 

 

Got home and immediately passed out. Our cats are so happy to see us. Dealing with a migraine today, but Sir Catrick Stewart was glad to take care of me.

Already thinking about our next trip…we are booked on Quantum of the Seas out of Seattle on August 15th with MxCatLady. Hope to see some of you on my life review then! Thanks for joining me 💜