🐾🐾 Sea Dog is Live! Tiki, Tacos and Tequila: Navigator, October 18-25

[Sea Dog]

25 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

There appears to be a piece of chocolate missing in the box .. 

Wife guilty as charged!

[DaKahuna]

2 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Wife guilty as charged!

 

Please make sure she knows she is forgiven the transgression this time but not to let it happen again.

 

 

p.s. I often have difficulty with my DW waiting until I have taken a picture of her meals before she digs right in.  

 

[Coralc]

3 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

The Ultimate Taste of Mexico

 

Nothing like  drinking  a margarita by 10:30am in the morning .Todays excursion and experience was one of the best Royal Caribbean excursions I have ever been on. I heard there wasn’t a lot to do in Ensenada and not a lot of beaches. We decided to do more of a cultural excursion so when I saw “Taste of Mexico & Margarita Madness” I thought hmmmm….this could be exciting. Think part cooking class and tasting

That looks like fun Greg! I didn't know they had such an excursion in Ensenada. What a nice day you had! 😊

[NHProud]

51 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Wife guilty as charged!

And since she is an attorney is she representing herself ? Probably pro bono ⚖️ . 

Edited Sunday at 03:56 AM by NHProud

[cruzsnooze]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

 Still trying to figure who sent it??

It's probably the  perk from your diamond/diamond+ tier. I chose that box of chocolates for my Navigator cruise in Nov. Maybe they sent it as the default since you didn't pick your perk from the list. Were they as good as they looked? How was the diamond lounge tonight?

[Sea Dog]

2 hours ago, NHProud said:

And since she is an attorney is she representing herself ? Probably pro bono ⚖️ . 

 

That’s why I try to never argue with my wife. She’s a lawyer and that’s her profession, arguing.😁

 

 

1 hour ago, cruzsnooze said:

It's probably the  perk from your diamond/diamond+ tier. I chose that box of chocolates for my Navigator cruise in Nov. Maybe they sent it as the default since you didn't pick your perk from the list. Were they as good as they looked? How was the diamond lounge tonight?

It’s nice but @taznremmy says it’s small with only two small windows. It’s not scenic like some of the other Diamond Lounges up higher. Food was great, staff great but was kinda small.

[Sea Dog]

Navigator of the Seas Ensenada Sail Away

 

Goid news the Go Pro did not fail. I do wish the battery would have lasted a little longer.

 

Enjoy.

 

Night 1 at the Bamboo Room. Full details and review later in the week as I go through the whole menu.

[helen haywood]

We once did a great similar cooking class in Cozumel.  The chef started off by asking “What’s the first thing we do before we start to cook?”  We thought the answer was “Wash your hands” but, no, it was “Make a drink!”

[Sea Dog]

Tiki from the Bamboo Room

 

As you know from my title and few posts one of the reasons for booking this ship is to experience the Bamboo Room as I am a full fledged tiki connoisseur.

 

 

 

 

Everyday I plan on getting through all the tiki drinks on the menu and tell you my thoughts. I will write up a full comprehensive review at the end but let’s get started.

 

 

 

Upon entering the Bamboo Room I was greeted with a couple tiki totems that are actually the same ones I have in backyard tiki patio. I like Royal’s style. More about that in the end.

 

 

We sat down as it wasn’t crowded and the bartender came over to meet us. His name was Thulio who is the lead bartender of the Bamoo Room from Brazil.
 

 

I told him that I was looking forward to meeting Raj the excellent bartender everyone raves about but he was on vacation. Thulio told me that Raj is now left to take another job and he would be replacing Raj.

 

I told Thulio my love of tiki and how I liked to construct cocktails. He too was a tiki fan and comes from a family who owns a vineyard in Brazil and he has a degree in chemistry and has studied to be a mixologist. He and I hit it off and when I showed him my copy of the RCCL bartending guide he asked if he could get a copy as it was out of print. He said he had thousands of recipes which I replied me too and we are going to arrange some off work time to talk.

 

But hey enough of me rambling let’s get to know the cocktails.

 

First up the “Zombie”.

 

Recipe thanks and pic courtesy PG Cruiser

 

The first Zombie was invented by Don the Beachcomber in 1934 when a hung over businessman came into Don’s bar and said he had a business meeting to get to and needed a pick me up. Don created the drink on the spot and the man said it returned him from the living dead hence the name the Zombie.

 

Although this is a softer version of the original as there are no 151 proof alcohol rums in it. It was lighter and sweeter. The Pernod which is an absinthe gives the cocktail its licorice hint. The cinnamon syrup nicely balances out the cocktail. I will give it 3 out of 5 stars.

 

 

Courtesy of PG  Cruiser

 

Second up.

“The Bamboo Swizzle” which was a bourbon based tiki cocktail using Buffalo Trace. This is Royal Caribbean recipe and not one that was invented by Don Beach or Victoria Burgerone of Trader Vic’s. It was good but I wasn’t blown away. Nice hints of lemon and cinnamon. If you like BT bourbon you will enjoy it.

I give it a 2 out of 5

 

 

Courtesy PG Cruiser
 

Next up “On the Run,” complete with its own to go bag. A nice novelty cocktail that again was a Royal creation and not a classic tiki drink. Sweet and fruity. I enjoyed it . 3 stars out of 5

 

Ok that’s it for now. Had to pace myself as the Bamboo Room has a big menu and as you read I did have a pretty action packed day with Tequila , Mezcal, Bourbon and Rum. The sacrifices I will make for you to know what to order on your visit to the bamboo room.

Edited Sunday at 01:41 PM by Sea Dog

[Sea Dog]

Cankle Report Day 3

Last night before bed my feet and ankles were a little swollen.

 

 

But now his morning they looked pretty good.

 

 

The pills are helping but more so I think sleeping in bed with my feet propped up on pillows so that they are higher than my heart is making the biggest impact.

 

The only hard part is that I don’t sleep well in that position. I will try to see if I can sleep on my side and keep them elevated enough to work.

 

Sorry for my ugly feet pics. Must do this for the sake of science.

[Tina99]

Thoroughly enjoying your ongoing review!!  Love your writing style, light-hearted delivery, humor, and right-there-with-you details.  I’ll be on my 3rd Nav cruise 11/15, and the Bamboo Room is one of my favorite spots on the ship.

[Ocean Boy]

13 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

The Ultimate Taste of Mexico

 

Nothing like  drinking  a margarita by 10:30am in the morning .Todays excursion and experience was one of the best Royal Caribbean excursions I have ever been on. I heard there wasn’t a lot to do in Ensenada and not a lot of beaches. We decided to do more of a cultural excursion so when I saw “Taste of Mexico & Margarita Madness” I thought hmmmm….this could be exciting. Think part cooking class and tasting. 
 

 

It was the spice of life I was looking for . A authentic Mexican cooking class at La Dulce Vista, where you could can learn the art of creating local favorites, followed by a tour of Tequilera Doña Engracia and tequila.

 

 

We boarded a bus and drove through the down town area and headed to a quaint area known as La Dulce Vista.

 

 

We met a chef you taught us the secrets and tips of creating Mexican favorites such as Molcajete salsa, Guacamole, a Chicken Enchilada and Tostada.

 

 

We were served unlimited Margaritas that were so smooth with a Reposado Tequila that did not have the acidity of a normal Margarita because it was made from fresh squeezed lime juice and some simple syrup.

 

 

 

The guacamole making was fun and I got volunteered to muddle some peppers. The guacamole was incredible.

 

 

A chicken enchilada was next with a fresh and hot corn tortilla 

 

 

And finally a tostada which was so good.

 

I may have to open a Mexican restaurant as the food I made today was better than most things I eat at a Mexican restaurant.

 

 

 

 

Next was a Mezcal tasting. We learned about how Mezcal is made and sampled some different flavors. 
 

 

Along with the Mezcal tasting we ate a fried grasshopper ( little thing on left) that had been roasted in bacon fat, then baked. Crunchy and a little weird but I was ok with it. I should make a bunch and hand them out at Halloween.

 

 

The Mezcals we tasted included a 

Blanco

Strawberry

Tamarindo 

Passion Fruit

 

And a wild looking Scorpion infused mezcal which I bought a small bottle of. It was actually pretty good.

 

Feeling pretty good by now we boarded up and head back into for the tequila tasting.
 

 

Our guide showed us how tequila is made and the emphasis that it must be made of 100% blue agave. We tried a total of 7 tequilas.

 

Blanco

Reposada

Anejo 

Peach tequila

Cinnamon tequila 

 

And a coffee and almond tequila which was incredible as an after dinner dessert drink so I bought a bottle.

 

 

We also tasted some Moonshine tequila that had 80% ABV. Needless to say I had a good and happy buzz. 
 

 

With  every taste we did we were led in a toast in Spanish.  It sure I improved my language skills by slurring Spanish but I tried my best.

 

 

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this excursion. We had the best time and really appreciated what Mexico has to offer.

Scorpion infused tequila?

[Ocean Boy]

16 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Cankle Report Day 3

Last night before bed my feet and ankles were a little swollen.

 

 

But now his morning they looked pretty good.

 

 

The pills are helping but more so I think sleeping in bed with my feet propped up on pillows so that they are higher than my heart is making the biggest impact.

 

The only hard part is that I don’t sleep well in that position. I will try to see if I can sleep on my side and keep them elevated enough to work.

 

Sorry for my ugly feet pics. Must do this for the sake of science.

Didn't some mention starting the pills before starting the cruise?

[A&L_Ont]

9 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Scorpion infused tequila?

I know right, maybe more of this will help the ankles. @Sea Dog give this a try. 😄

[Sea Dog]

26 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Scorpion infused tequila?

Yes it was good.

 

21 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Didn't some mention starting the pills before starting the cruise?

Yes but my doc only prescribed for 7 days so I started on day 1.

 

16 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

I know right, maybe more of this will help the ankles. @Sea Dog give this a try. 😄

 

I’ll try anything once.

[Sea Dog]

Day 3 Sunrise

 

 

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

Yes but my doc only prescribed for 7 days so I started on day 1.

Your doctor has obviously not been on enough cruises.

[gambler]

We were on the Mariner in May. Hung out at Playmakers a lot. Tried to go to the Bamboo room one day but it was not open yet. Never made it back. Drank lots of your recommended Pina Coladas with Kraken rum and a floater. Going on Mariner again next month. Following to see what drink you are going to recommend I try. (or a few)

Helen. 

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

First up the “Zombie”.

 

 

That sounds absolutely delicious.  Unfortunately, I bet most bars cannot make it due to unique ingredients. 

 

I found that taking an hour or two nap during the day also helped with my swollen ankles.  Sitting all day does not do a lot to help it either.  I even get swollen ankles from time to time at home since I spend a lot of time sitting on the couch or down at my 'home office' in the basement. 

 

[Hoopster95]

16 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this excursion. We had the best time and really appreciated what Mexico has to offer.

 

Always looking for new things to do... I had not considered this excursion in the past. This will definitely be top of mind next time in Ensenada. Thx for posting this Sea Dog 👍

 

If I may add for those following on this thread, I did something new two weeks ago in Ensenada from Navigator that is not advertised at all... google Pai Pai Ensenada. Great for families, excellent hands on experiences & memorable photos/video. This was a fabulous day! 

[Sea Dog]

21 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

That sounds absolutely delicious.  Unfortunately, I bet most bars cannot make it due to unique ingredients. 

 

I found that taking an hour or two nap during the day also helped with my swollen ankles.  Sitting all day does not do a lot to help it either.  I even get swollen ankles from time to time at home since I spend a lot of time sitting on the couch or down at my 'home office' in the basement. 

 

The original Zombie called for “Don’s Mix” which was 2 parts white grapefruit juice to I part cinnamon infused sugar syrup. That and the addition of the 151 proof rum made for one complex, strong and flavorful cocktail.

[Sea Dog]

4 minutes ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

Always looking for new things to do... I had not considered this excursion in the past. This will definitely be top of mind next time in Ensenada. Thx for posting this Sea Dog 👍

 

If I may add for those following on this thread, I did something new two weeks ago in Ensenada from Navigator that is not advertised at all... google Pai Pai Ensenada. Great for families, excellent hands on experiences & memorable photos/video. This was a fabulous day! 

Thanks for the tip. Good to know there are good options in Ensenada.

[Sea Dog]

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!

 

[George C]

11 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!

 

Will you watch Chiefs game against 49ers should be a good game.

[Sea Dog]

1 minute ago, George C said:

Will you watch Chiefs game against 49ers should be a good game.

Yes we are going to try Playmakers but it’s a small area and it might be hard to get a seat.

I checked with GS and they will be showing the game in our stateroom on the tv. I’d rather watch it with a group as it will be more lively. Our new friends are 49ers fans so we hope to watch together. I am thinking this will be the Chiefs first loss of the season. Obviously the 49er’s have a bone to pick after last year.