Live from the Bliss March 12-26, 2023: Letters Home to Dad

[YVRteacher]

[YVRteacher]

Week 2 Day 5

Mazatlan

 

We have been spoiled with sunshine!  I had been hoping to find someone to walk into Mazatlan with and my trivia partner also wanted to find someone with whom to go ashore since her travel companions felt Mazatlan was too dangerous.  We met at 10:00am in the atrium and the process of getting off the Bliss and taking the little trolley to the port building was swift and easy.  We dodged the taxi drivers and walked the blue line, stopping to chat with each ex-Pat volunteer.  One was from British Columbia.  We went into the cathedral then continued on to the market where we both enjoyed a delicious horchata while browsing

I had to turn around when we got to the pig heads.  On the walk back we went into the local galleries and she bought a delightful leather mask for her mom and I found 3 handmade Mexican baskets in a little art boutique.  I search for flat handwoven baskets for wall art everywhere I travel and was so happy to find these three today.  A little tip to convert pesos to US dollars=divide by 17 (based on today’s currency exchange.)

 

Here are some photos from Mazatlan today.

Back on board I mopped the sweat off and enjoyed my favourite lunch item: an egg salad sandwich.  So good!

 

After lunch I spent a little time catching up online, watched the people arriving back at the ship 30 minutes late

enjoyed sailaway, watched Speed Trivia then enjoyed my afternoon Mai Tai.  Make that plural.  Mai Tais.  

 

The man at the table behind me is telling his table mates about all the times he has been late for work.

 

Yesterday I heard a woman order a Diet Coke and she told the bartender there were lots of people online who were complaining about NCL switching from Pepsi to Coke.  My inside voice said, “oh honey, we are on to new topics now.  There is the once a day cleaning, the increased service charges and the cost of cruising…”

I did not say this out loud.  

 

Tonight is Dinner With the Officers (for Six fans: the remix!!!)

[YVRteacher]

On 3/21/2023 at 6:39 PM, mlgb said:

Did I read that the chilled fruit soups aren't served anymore? I used to get some up there and pour it into a glass as a smoothie.

 

Look what they have today!

[mlgb]

Looks like free smoothie to me!!

[Oakman58]

The switch to Coke was welcomed by my wife.  Her favorite drink is Rum and Coke and she detested Rum and Pepsi.

[Sea saw 56]

Where does one find an egg salad sandwich?  

[YVRteacher]

At the Garden Cafe today!  They have only had them once that I’ve noticed.  They are open-faced, have a layer of crunchy lettuce, delicious egg salad mix and are garnished with a pickle and a tomato.  So good!

[www3traveler]

Can't wait to hear how the Officers Dinner goes.

[CruzinMel]

5 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Just popping in quickly to say that this week is going great and my faith in NCL is restored.  We are in sunny Mazatlan today.

Thank God.  This was starting to sound like the Cruise From The Bad Place.

[sansroof]

@YVRteacherYour writing style is so delightful! I am enjoying your dispatches very much. Thank you for sharing with all of us. 

[YVRteacher]

Dinner with the Officers

 

So we met in the atrium at 5:10.  There were 13 passengers and 4 staff members.  We were given table numbers and were escorted to Taste.  Here is the letter I received earlier in the week. 

Note the mention of how to dress.  One woman last week wore a slouchy tank top and you could see all her parts.  She also wore her fanny pack.  Not everyone’s definition of Smart Casual is the same but I don’t think dangly bits should be involved.

 

Before I describe dinner with the “officers” let me go back to the Behind the Scenes tour on day two.  Right after I told the Cruise Next guy I didn’t need to stand next to the coughing woman (I didn’t call her coughing woman-I just said “I’m good here”) a man said to me “Where is your husband?”  

What, like I’m not allowed out of the kitchen without a man’s approval?  Or what is a strong-willed woman doing on this boat?  Or maybe he just really wanted me to have a husband since he has a husband?  I don’t know.  I did not need further details and I sure didn’t stand next to him on the tour.  

Back to Dinner with the “officers.”  There are two “officers” (staff members) and three guests at our table.  Me, Mr. Where’s Your Husband and his husband.  

Six reference: awkward!

 

We were seated at a long table for 8.  4 people in a row on one side and one person on the other side.  No name tags for passengers.  I sat next to the “officer” and we spent the evening chatting.  I’m going to respect his privacy and not name him or his country or his position but I will say he was an absolute joy to listen to and chat with.  His career with NCL, his history as a seaman, his family stories and what his kids are doing as young adults was a pleasure to hear.  He likes Vancouver because he enjoys Tim Hortons coffee and doughnuts and he is looking forward to the Bliss moving to her Alaska season.  I couldn’t hear the other staff member and I don’t know her name.  

 

We were seated at 5:15 and by 6:50pm NO ONE HAD THEIR DINNER.  However, I was prepared this time and had had a snack in the Observation Lounge at 3:30pm since I know the dining rooms have service issues.  I left at 8:00pm and people were still eating.  We had one waiter for 13 people.

 

For an appetizer I ordered the bruschetta.  It was fine.  It’s always fine.  It’s bread with tomatoes and a dollop of cheese.  If you’re lucky you get basil.  I was not lucky.

 

For the main course I had pre-ordered vegetarian Indian food.  I truly love NCL’s Indian food.  I was looking forward to the rich, fragrant spices, deep flavours of gently sautéed onions, tender lentils and aromatic cardamon with layers of curry and cumin.

 

I anticipated the beautifully presented food that would come in the silver side dishes they use in Cagney’s and Ocean Blue.  Little bowls full of the legumes and sauces.  I visualized the chef’s creative use of chick peas, different types of dahl, perhaps my favourite: mattar paneer.  Every day this week the GM’s secretary has found me to tell me the food had been specially ordered and they would definitely have food for me.  I thought there might be some warm, buttery naan with which to delicately fold around the saucy lentils.  I even envisioned some freshly sliced tomatoes and some mango chutney to accompany the meal.  Perhaps even a sprig of parsley where the green draws the eye to the carefully and lovingly presented food.

 

This is my plate:

The staff member seated next to me said “I’m so sorry.”

[graphicguy]

13 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Week 2 Day 5

Mazatlan

 

We have been spoiled with sunshine!  I had been hoping to find someone to walk into Mazatlan with and my trivia partner also wanted to find someone with whom to go ashore since her travel companions felt Mazatlan was too dangerous.  We met at 10:00am in the atrium and the process of getting off the Bliss and taking the little trolley to the port building was swift and easy.  We dodged the taxi drivers and walked the blue line, stopping to chat with each ex-Pat volunteer.  One was from British Columbia.  We went into the cathedral then continued on to the market where we both enjoyed a delicious horchata while browsing

I had to turn around when we got to the pig heads.  On the walk back we went into the local galleries and she bought a delightful leather mask for her mom and I found 3 handmade Mexican baskets in a little art boutique.  I search for flat handwoven baskets for wall art everywhere I travel and was so happy to find these three today.  A little tip to convert pesos to US dollars=divide by 17 (based on today’s currency exchange.)

 

Here are some photos from Mazatlan today.

Back on board I mopped the sweat off and enjoyed my favourite lunch item: an egg salad sandwich.  So good!

 

After lunch I spent a little time catching up online, watched the people arriving back at the ship 30 minutes late

enjoyed sailaway, watched Speed Trivia then enjoyed my afternoon Mai Tai.  Make that plural.  Mai Tais.  

 

The man at the table behind me is telling his table mates about all the times he has been late for work.

 

Yesterday I heard a woman order a Diet Coke and she told the bartender there were lots of people online who were complaining about NCL switching from Pepsi to Coke.  My inside voice said, “oh honey, we are on to new topics now.  There is the once a day cleaning, the increased service charges and the cost of cruising…”

I did not say this out loud.  

 

Tonight is Dinner With the Officers (for Six fans: the remix!!!)

Mahvalus!!!!!!!!!  I dig this review.

 

 

[ceilidh1]

8 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Dinner with the Officers

 

So we met in the atrium at 5:10.  There were 13 passengers and 4 staff members.  We were given table numbers and were escorted to Taste.  Here is the letter I received earlier in the week. 

Note the mention of how to dress.  One woman last week wore a slouchy tank top and you could see all her parts.  She also wore her fanny pack.  Not everyone’s definition of Smart Casual is the same but I don’t think dangly bits should be involved.

 

Before I describe dinner with the “officers” let me go back to the Behind the Scenes tour on day two.  Right after I told the Cruise Next guy I didn’t need to stand next to the coughing woman (I didn’t call her coughing woman-I just said “I’m good here”) a man said to me “Where is your husband?”  

What, like I’m not allowed out of the kitchen without a man’s approval?  Or what is a strong-willed woman doing on this boat?  Or maybe he just really wanted me to have a husband since he has a husband?  I don’t know.  I did not need further details and I sure didn’t stand next to him on the tour.  

Back to Dinner with the “officers.”  There are two “officers” (staff members) and three guests at our table.  Me, Mr. Where’s Your Husband and his husband.  

Six reference: awkward!

 

We were seated at a long table for 8.  4 people in a row on one side and one person on the other side.  No name tags for passengers.  I sat next to the “officer” and we spent the evening chatting.  I’m going to respect his privacy and not name him or his country or his position but I will say he was an absolute joy to listen to and chat with.  His career with NCL, his history as a seaman, his family stories and what his kids are doing as young adults was a pleasure to hear.  He likes Vancouver because he enjoys Tim Hortons coffee and doughnuts and he is looking forward to the Bliss moving to her Alaska season.  I couldn’t hear the other staff member and I don’t know her name.  

 

We were seated at 5:15 and by 6:50pm NO ONE HAD THEIR DINNER.  However, I was prepared this time and had had a snack in the Observation Lounge at 3:30pm since I know the dining rooms have service issues.  I left at 8:00pm and people were still eating.  We had one waiter for 13 people.

 

For an appetizer I ordered the bruschetta.  It was fine.  It’s always fine.  It’s bread with tomatoes and a dollop of cheese.  If you’re lucky you get basil.  I was not lucky.

 

For the main course I had pre-ordered vegetarian Indian food.  I truly love NCL’s Indian food.  I was looking forward to the rich, fragrant spices, deep flavours of gently sautéed onions, tender lentils and aromatic cardamon with layers of curry and cumin.

 

I anticipated the beautifully presented food that would come in the silver side dishes they use in Cagney’s and Ocean Blue.  Little bowls full of the legumes and sauces.  I visualized the chef’s creative use of chick peas, different types of dahl, perhaps my favourite: mattar paneer.  Every day this week the GM’s secretary has found me to tell me the food had been specially ordered and they would definitely have food for me.  I thought there might be some warm, buttery naan with which to delicately fold around the saucy lentils.  I even envisioned some freshly sliced tomatoes and some mango chutney to accompany the meal.  Perhaps even a sprig of parsley where the green draws the eye to the carefully and lovingly presented food.

 

This is my plate:

The staff member seated next to me said “I’m so sorry.”

Wow! Looks like they literally just ran to the buffet!

[dcipjr]

2 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

Wow! Looks like they literally just ran to the buffet!

 

That’s probably what they did.

 

We haven’t had much luck with requesting substitutions or any customizations in the MDR. “Could you hold the ____?”, “Could we have ____ instead of ____?”, “Could the eggs be done _____?”, etc.

 

The waiter always makes a note of it, but the food invariably seems to come out exactly as the menu-makers intended it to. Our rule of thumb has become that if we wouldn’t be happy with a menu item as-written, we’d do well to just get something else. Not a complaint—the wait staff is usually really busy—just an observation.

 

I’m actually kind of impressed that they went to get something from another restaurant, even if the end result was rather pitiful.

The Haven is a different story, of course. 

[YVRteacher]

They DID NOT  go get the food from the buffet.  I would have been way happier if they did because that food is delicious and there is variety.  The chef for the main dining room made it.  What you don’t see are the two massive bowls of rice they provided.  I hate wasting food and they brought enough rice for 20 people.

 

Haven is no better with vegetarian food.  There is one item on the Haven menu for dinner and it is not good.  It is raviolo with a raw egg yolk inside.

[Funky Fusion FoodsJ]

13 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

They DID NOT  go get the food from the buffet.  I would have been way happier if they did because that food is delicious and there is variety.  The chef for the main dining room made it.  What you don’t see are the two massive bowls of rice they provided.  I hate wasting food and they brought enough rice for 20 people.

 

Haven is no better with vegetarian food.  There is one item on the Haven menu for dinner and it is not good.  It is raviolo with a raw egg yolk inside.

I love a good Raviolo al' Uovo  !!!!!

[Jordan61]

1 minute ago, Funky Fusion FoodsJ said:

I love a good Raviolo al' Uovo  !!!!!

 

My first NCL cruise is in May, and this is definitely on the list of things I'm going to order. It looks yummy.

[Funky Fusion FoodsJ]

Just now, Jordan61 said:

 

My first NCL cruise is in May, and this is definitely on the list of things I'm going to order. It looks yummy.

Yes it does!

[Rusty Shacklefjord]

17 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Where is your husband?”  

A. “The terms of his parole prohibit travel to international waters.”

I also like Q. “Why don’t you have a husband?” A. “Just lucky, I guess.”

[YVRteacher]

@Rusty Shacklefjord I’m totally going to use that line if it ever happens again!

[YVRteacher]

@mlgb

Today’s chilled soup is mango!

[mlgb]

An even better free smoothie!

 

My answer: "First I was lucky, then I got smart."

[CruiseBunny425]

On 3/19/2023 at 12:53 PM, YVRteacher said:

Advice for staying in a studio

-use the public bathroom for any and all bodily emissions

 

I am staying in a studio April 22nd. I will make sure to pack a bottle of Poo-Pourri now. 🤣

[YVRteacher]

Week 2 Day 6

Sea Day

 

Woke up this morning to a Code Alpha being called over the PA system.  Deck 15 staircase 20.  I hope the person is ok!

 

Since being on board there have been 4 different types of hash browns: last week we had the little oval ones like tater tots, the flatter round patties, the triangular wedges that have herbs (served in the dining rooms) and this week we have had the invisible hash browns.

 

Something I appreciate is they are keeping the Garden Cafe open a little longer in the morning for breakfast.  It is scheduled to close at 10:30 but there are hundreds of people just arriving at this time and they have extended the service.  No seats were available this morning.

 

Today is sunny but cold, much like a day in Alaska.  The ocean is choppy

people are swaying and barf bags are still strapped to the railings in each stairwell.  

Sunbathers out on the pool deck are using towels as blankets. Deck 7 and 8 outside decks are closed.  People are clutching their drinks with great care.

 

I went to the How to Run a Floating Hotel session this morning and it was excellent.  Lots of people are giving shout outs to their cabin attendants and to the waiters in the Manhattan dining room.  I spoke to Jo Jo (Jocylito Orofino) after the session to say how impressed I am with the general housekeeping staff.  The ship is so clean and I’ve seen the cleaning that takes place in the lounges and public areas throughout the day and at night. A couple nights ago I saw a member of the housekeeping team take out his phone and use the flashlight to see the fingerprints on the Observation Lounge windows so he could wipe them off.  I also saw the housekeeping staff sanitizing the railings after each tender disembarked passengers back onto the ship when we were in Cabo.  The post-Covid cleaning expectation is that public areas are cleaned every three hours.  I asked Jo Jo about the wellness of the cabin attendants given the increased work load and if they could ever go ashore.  He said they are all in buddies and they alternate days where one can have shore leave while the other is working.  

 

I am meeting my cruise critic friend for lunch in Food Republic.  Very excited for vegetarian pad Thai.

 

The captain came on for noon announcements today.  We are cruising at 20 knots and we had a bumpy night and morning due to strong winds and swells of 15 feet and this is expected for the rest of today.  It is 16 degrees C and we have travelled 400+ nautical miles since leaving Mazatlan and have 447 nautical miles to go to before we reach Ensenada.

 

We had the best, best, best lunch in Food Republic.  These two weeks have turned me into a major Food Republic fan.  Everything was delicious and perfectly cooked and nicely presented.  We had 7 items and I took a dessert back to the cabin.  

Holy smokes were we ever full! I tried a new to me drink, the Thai Rum Tonic.  I would have liked it without the sparkling water.

We had 30 minutes in between lunch and our Sail and Sustain Mixology Experience so we went back to our cabins to put on warm clothes as it was cold and windy last week.  I had to put pants on.  Sigh. The outdoor decks are closed but they are still holding mixology outside.  The bar and the decks are covered in salt (not from misguided Margarita rims but from ocean spray!)

 

Marko Markovitch is the head mixologist and is pure delight.  He did such an awesome job today.  We had all done Sail and Sustain before so he turned the experience into more of a Q and A/chat session and we just laughed and drank and shared stories for an hour.  He is definitely getting a Vacation Hero card from me.  I would not be surprised if he is a Food and Beverage Manager soon.

 

For bar snacks on the Bliss, this is what they have:

Observation lounge and other bars= Munchy Crunchy (the mix with the rice crackers, sesame sticks and peanuts)

Sugarcane= spiced corn nuts

Maltings= dried fruit

 

My trivia partner and I did Movie Line trivia with her family and it was fun.  My contributions were minimal as I am not a movie buff. I spent some time in the Observation Lounge listening to a lady at the bar complain about Jersey Boys being cancelled for the 9:30pm show yesterday.  Apparently the show started then they announced the production was not able to go ahead as planned.  So I had my Mai Tai and a side of someone else’s venting. 

 Fortunately the solo get together was at 5:00.  Just as I arrived in the solo lounge Dan Dan came on the PA system to announce Jersey Boys is cancelled for tonight due to rough seas and unfavourable conditions.  They are switching Jersey Boys to tomorrow and the Beatles will be on in the theatre tonight.

 

I have since heard from two NCL crew members that the true story is that just as one of the cast members in Jersey Boys was about to head on stage last night a light fell from the dressing room and landed on his head, cutting him.  He did not get a concussion but he did get stitches and is still in medical.  Medical was busy today with both passengers and a member of the cruise director’s staff being extremely seasick. A crew member also sprained their ankle dancing at the Glow Party last night.

 

I’m not a fan of Jersey Boys and don’t have sad feelings about the show being postponed but I do wonder why there wasn’t an understudy.  Of course I hope the cast member recovers well and feels better soon.  What a fluke accident!

 

Dinner in the Garden Cafe was mediocre. I took a little bit of mac and cheese because it looked delicious but it tasted like disappointment.  The salad bar, however, was fine.  Crisp and fresh.  The pizza dough was raw, the hummus was good as was the couscous salad.  I’ve eaten too much Indian food this week so skipped that section tonight.  No crepes have appeared this week so the fraction of crepes to no crepes is 1/13 (so far.)

 

Keon the comedian is in the Social and it is a jam-packed, standing room only, move your butt out of my face crowd.  He told us at the beginning of the week that his sets would be different for each show but tonight’s show is all the same jokes as Sunday.  He did start off by saying the only reason there are so many people is because Jersey Boys was cancelled.  That got a chuckle. 

Having enjoyed a cappuccino in the Studio Lounge during the solo gathering, I am very awake tonight but there isn’t a lot to do.  I watched Versus and the Perfect Couple, caught the end of Keon’s show and thoroughly enjoyed Archie on the piano in the Observation Lounge.  

I’m kind of hungry but don’t know what I want.  Maybe Doritos? Or popcorn?  I have dessert from lunch back in the cabin and the idea of late night chocolate Black Forest is not unappealing. 

 

 

 

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

Have you made it to the District in the evening to check out the piano player?