Jim_Iain - Live from Oceania Regatta - September 14 Vancouver to Los Angeles

[Jim_Iain]

8 hours ago, ronrick1943 said:

The bet way ever to see what you need before you go............

I have to agree.   I think in researching we watched every video on YouTube.   It is my go to even when I need to figure out how to do something on my iPhone.

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, SATaxman said:

The Botanist is one of my favorite Gins. Was thrilled it was on the ship, disappointed that it was not on the 6 bottle suite list. You are correct. Martinis Bar has a great selection of liquor.

 

 

Actually the picture was from the Horizon Bar.   We have yet to make it down to the Martini Bar.  

[Jim_Iain]

22 hours ago, cruzzzinma said:

The Rack of Lamb looks perfect!

 

Thanks for a wonderful trip review. 

 

It was incredible.    I wonder how it is in Polo ---- the quality of meat in Polo is top notch and I'm not a big red meat eater.

[Jim_Iain]

On 9/18/2024 at 4:15 PM, FetaCheese said:

Afternoon Tea.  String Quartet in blue today.

 

Nice meeting you today.  Thanks for taking the time to reach our.  

[Jim_Iain]

23 hours ago, bbqoug said:

That excursion looks awesome!

We had a great time on the Fin Island Lodge and Wildlife tour. Ours had only about 20 people.

We had over a dozen whale sightings, some very close. They also provided a great lunch at the lodge.

 

Incredible.... that sounds like such a fun tour.

[Jim_Iain]

On 9/18/2024 at 2:40 PM, JDPCruisers said:

Thanks, Jim. Good to know. We do like our pre-dinner cocktails and bites as we're getting ready for the evening. We're not room service people, other than a late-night pizza occasionally, as we like to be out and about but may have to have breakfast one morning to try it on Oceania. 

We are the same.  I'm sure our butler would do the best to please but he just dropsoff nuts and potato chips without request and we do nibble on them.

[Jim_Iain]

On 9/18/2024 at 3:00 PM, ORV said:

Now Jim, we know that the bulk of the people waiting is in the other direction of that picture. 🤠

 

On a related topic. I've never had a poached egg on carbonara, but I love the carbonara in Toscana, and I love poached eggs, especially on Eggs Benedict, so I'm pretty sure I'd like it on carbonara. 

 

LOL.... actually I photo shopped them out.   Talked to someone and they said they have been on lots of cruises where they used tender tickets.   Today we went after they discontinued tickets.

[Jim_Iain]

On 9/18/2024 at 3:02 PM, cluso said:

Jim, how was your 4x4 tour in Sitka?

We had a great adventure with just a total of 10 people.  Loved the bears we saw in the wild, especially the cub chasing birds.  🤗

 

 

 

 

Iain said he thought he saw your husband today getting on the tender as we were getting off.

 

E-Mail me (in my signature)   I have something you might enjoy.    I feel like I already know you after about a year on our Roll Call

 

The excursions was really fun.   Just four of us and we had a great afternoon.

Edited 11 hours ago by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

On 9/18/2024 at 3:49 PM, calicakes said:

and ironically, AA is holding their international convention in Vancouver next January.  I'm sure a lot of people will not be able to attend. 

I understand if you plan and apply for a visa with those know convictions included it could be possible.

[Jim_Iain]

Hope I haven't missed any questions.   Really enjoying all of the participationa and learning so much from others.

 

Will try to get caught back up.    As a spoiler Klawock was kinda a blow out... more later

[Jim_Iain]

For dinner I had the Foie Gras as a Starter and the Maine Lobster.  Iain had Clam. Chowder and the veal

 

 

 

 

Foie Gras  really tasty

 

 

 

Lobster was incredible and perfectly cooked.  The waiter removed from the shell and presented on plate.  
 

 

Veal was beautiful but Iain was expecting scalloppini thin.   Could only eat about 1/3

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

What meal is not complete without a desert.

 

 

Iain had the Key Lime Pie which is one of his favorite and Polo did not disappoint.

 

 

Just call me Ima-hog  and I chose the sampler so I know what to order next time.

 

 

I would rate them as Key Lime Pie, Cremme  Brûlée, Brownie, cheesecake and thumbs down on apple pie

 

I only had a bite of each except creamme Burlee. 

 

 

Edited 10 hours ago by Jim_Iain

[PhD-iva]

17 hours ago, PhD-iva said:

There’s no upcharge if you have a beverage package. The pairing menu suggests a wine to complement each course. 

Jim_Iain, ORV isn’t sure my information is correct.

 

Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept, is to investigate if “ALL” the paired wines are available by the glass. 
I wouldn’t want to lead anyone astray, so thx in advance!

Edited 10 hours ago by PhD-iva
Edit

[Jim_Iain]

We arrive at 7 AM in Klawock, Alaska - Population 7,051.   We arrived to beautiful sunny skies but had rain showers on an off all afternoon.

 

 

 

 

We went on the tender after they stopped handing out tickets and the tender was about empty. They took off right after we boarded.   It was on a 5 minute tender to the island.

 

 

They have a pier, and a heated tent with one or two vendors inside the tent.    All of the excursions and the free shuttle left from the temp so no problems with the weather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took the shuttle which had two stop on a loop.   One was the market place and the other was a new crafts center..     When we reached the market a couple sitting in front of us as well as 3/4 of the bus decided to stay aboard when we saw the huge line of people trying to get on the shuttle  only about 10 were accommodated.  

 

 

 

 

The “tour” was about as fun as watching paint dry.   Out of boredom I sound inspiration in the bus ceiling. 
 

 

By the time we got to the Crafts center it was pouring so we again stayed on the shuttle for a ride back to the pier.   I think only 2 people got off and probably 50+ were standing on line waiting to get back on the shuttle.      I hope some that took tours will give some positive recommendations but for us it was just a fun trip with not much to see...or do.   We were told at the Arts and Crafts center there were only a couple vendors.

 

 

 

 

By the time we got back to the pier we had become quite good friends with Stephen and Judith from Brisbane and had a long leisurely lunch in the MDR.  That became the best part of the morning.

 

After lunch we took a nap. 💤 

 

At 4:30 we heard them pulling up anchor ⚓️ for an early departure.  I guess all were back aboard. 

 

 

 

Edited 10 hours ago by Jim_Iain

[bbqoug]

We are eating at Polo Grill tonight.

That lobster looks delicious, but I will probably get the fillet with bernaisse sauce. 

I've taken your dessert recommendation to heart. Key Lime Pie it is!

On a side note, the lobster tails cooked to order at TC last night were really good - not overcooked at all.

[EJL2023]

22 minutes ago, PhD-iva said:

Jim_Iain, ORV isn’t sure my information is correct.

 

Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept, is to investigate if “ALL” the paired wines are available by the glass. 
I wouldn’t want to lead anyone astray, so thx in advance!

Looking at the wines that were listed in the wine pairings in post 343 and the list of the wines by the glass in post 350……it would appear that 3 of the 4 listed in the wine pairings meal were also on the wines by glass list.  One would think it would be all or none.  But never done it personally so not sure. 

[Jim_Iain]

12 minutes ago, bbqoug said:

We are eating at Polo Grill tonight.

That lobster looks delicious, but I will probably get the fillet with bernaisse sauce. 

I've taken your dessert recommendation to heart. Key Lime Pie it is!

On a side note, the lobster tails cooked to order at TC last night were really good - not overcooked at all.

let us know how it was.  I can only suspect you will not be disappointed.  

[terrydtx]

59 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

For dinner I had the Foie Gras as a Starter and the Maine Lobster.  Iain had Clam. Chowder and the veal

 

 

 

 

Foie Gras  really tasty

 

 

 

Lobster was incredible and perfectly cooked.  The waiter removed from the shell and presented on plate.  
 

 

Veal was beautiful but Iain was expecting scalloppini thin.   Could only eat about 1/3

 

 

 

Not seen any lobster served like that on any Celebrity cruise since Covid. Looks fantastic. We did have a good New England lobster on our HAL Volendam cruise last month in Canada. It was an $18 supplement but it was served whole so I had to crack it to get the meat out.

[cluso]

Port Klawock and Craig. Complete with a fire pit!

[cluso]

Jim, you have mail.

[SATaxman]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Actually the picture was from the Horizon Bar.   We have yet to make it down to the Martini Bar.  

In October, on Marina, they had Botanist in Martini Bar. The only time I paid extra for a drink.

 

[FetaCheese]

Went ashore in Klawock, had comp coffee and cookie inside tent, while waiting for heavy rain to stop.   We Sat down and had nice conversation with a port official, a native Alaskan Tlinglit.  Great guy, Mack.  He wanted to go on shuttle with us, and gave commentary to guests.

 

Stopped at Klawock Artisan center and bought some locally made art, and a can of locally smoked herring.  Very friendly folks.  Also bought a set of postcards from the local library table - all photographic scenes of Klawock.

 

This place was a very enjoyable spot.

 

2nd stop, Craig, was a store mainly tourist items, so did not stay long, and got back on shuttle to ship.  Did not take any tours.

 

Day's highlight was chatting with Mack, the Native Alaskan, who told us the plans for developing Klawock over the next 20 years.  Regatta was 6th and last port call for the season.  Next year, 25.

[as3369]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

What meal is not complete without a desert.

 

 

Iain had the Key Lime Pie which is one of his favorite and Polo did not disappoint.

 

 

Just call me Ima-hog  and I chose the sampler so I know what to order next time.

 

 

I would rate them as Key Lime Pie, Cremme  Brûlée, Brownie, cheesecake and thumbs down on apple pie

 

I only had a bite of each except creamme Burlee. 

 

 

Key West is my hometown, so I'm going to be extra picky on the Key Lime Pie!

[FetaCheese]

@Jim_IainWas nice to meet you and Lain and chat this morning in TC.

[Jim_Iain]

A question from Oceania regulars.  We usually don’t attend these type events.   Is this just a big gathering of almost 1/2 the ship?

 

Since this is our first cruise was wondering if it was worth dropping by.