Live on the Emerald for Jan 15 to Feb 4

[vickie_bernie]

Okay we made it here... we are currently sailing to Aruba.

 

We arrived at the port at 12:20 and were on board at 12:45, not bad.

 

We had an informal meet and greet at sail away where I would say 25 showed up. I am just on my way to the formal meet and greet.

 

I will try and check in daily and will try and answer questions but no promises, I only pretend to know it all.

 

vickie

[pudgy]

Great to hear you guys made it safe and sound. Can't wait to hear your take on the cruise. See you in about a week.

[t&kwelburn]

Look forward to reading your posts. Have a wonderful trip!

[ndavis7515]

Okay we made it here... we are currently sailing to Aruba.

 

We arrived at the port at 12:20 and were on board at 12:45, not bad.

 

We had an informal meet and greet at sail away where I would say 25 showed up. I am just on my way to the formal meet and greet.

 

I will try and check in daily and will try and answer questions but no promises, I only pretend to know it all.

 

vickie

I am glad to see you made it. Don't forget to prepare the staff for the "crazies" that will be arriving on the 25th.:D

Have fun.

[Colo Cruiser]

Looking forward to the live from posts. :)

[criuisingurl079]

Have a great time! we are on her in 2 months can't wait!!!!!!!!!:D

[jdm]

Have a great cruise. We will be on the Emerald Jan 25. Could you please let me know if Brett Cave is the piano guy in Crooners? We hope so.

 

Thanks

[alliecruiser]

Hope you have a wonderful time. Will see you on the 25th Can't wait. Look foreward to reading all of your updates.

[Seal]

Thanks for the LIVE thread--will be waiting to hear from you--enjoy Aruba !! Not bad for a land vacation, also.

 

Safe Travels

 

Nancy:D

[GSDsky]

When you see Bob & Donna from your roll call say hi.

 

Thanks again

[vickie_bernie]

I am glad to see you made it. Don't forget to prepare the staff for the "crazies" that will be arriving on the 25th.:D

Have fun.

 

Was just thinking of you we just plaid Family Feud and one of the teams was called Montley Cruisers and I thought, what are they here allready.

[vickie_bernie]

Don't know who the piano player is, don't have my patters with me, but will try and check it out.

 

Donna and Bill sorry I don't remember meeting them

 

We had our formal meet and greet and we had over 60 people there. We had arranged to have some cruise staff there and many attended. The Captain, the Cruise Director, the Hotel Manager, the 2nd assistant to the Captain, the Executive Chef and someone else, can't remember.

 

We had the M&M at Skywalkers and we had some games and gift exchange and lots of laughs were had.

 

It is a little windy on deck but that didn't stop me or many others from getting some sun. It is cool when you come out of the pool and the wind hits you but other than that, no complaints. It is still nicer than Vancouver.

 

Tonight is formal night, and the photographers are setting up as I type.

 

Today's buffet in the Caribe for lunch was Mexican, very good.

 

Been in the casino but haven't donated yet, a little too smokey for me. Tonight there is no smooking in there so I will try my hand at Lady Luck.

 

The ship is beautiful, and large, getting my bearings, but I think by our second cruise we should have it down pack.

 

Husband is off to order flowers, something he does every trip.

 

Not many kids on board, I've only seen a handful.

 

Unlike Shogun we received all our bags.

 

Well I am off to check out the International Cafe and mabye a small snack.

[GSDsky]

You bet your ass it beats Van....

Toronto is even worse but in a month I will be where you are right now.

[cruzinchris]

DH and I are on the 2/4 sailing and will look forward to your reports on both legs of your journey.

 

Bon Voyage!

Chris

[KMooney929]

Vickie and Bernie, Glad you made it from the West Coast to Fort Lauderdale safe and sound. I keep hoping that the storm gods have got all the big storms out of their system and we will have good flying weather to meet you on the 25th. Have a great cruise and am looking forward to your postings. Don't forget to pass on all those tips (packing, etc.) that you encounter in the next 10 days.

[LarryF]

Hey Vickie...so glad you made it and are having a good time.

 

I look forward to keeping up your escapades on board until we join you next Friday!

 

When we sailed on the Caribbean Princess several years ago, you had to make reservations for Muts for the evening movies...is that how it still works??

 

Thanks,

 

Larry

[Cruisin' Grandma]

Hi Vickie, if you have a chance, could you please tell me who the Maitre'D is on the Emerald? I think it might be Generosso, but I'm not sure. Also, could you find out if Sergio, a Head Waiter is on board. I'm hoping they will be on the Ruby Princess when she comes out in November. My New Year's cruise may depend on it!!!

 

Thanks again.

[strummer]

thanks for doing a live thread - my parents are joining the Emerald next Friday so I will be following your progress.

[vickie_bernie]

Hey Vickie...so glad you made it and are having a good time.

 

I look forward to keeping up your escapades on board until we join you next Friday!

 

When we sailed on the Caribbean Princess several years ago, you had to make reservations for Muts for the evening movies...is that how it still works??

 

Thanks,

 

Larry

 

Larry, there is no reservation system for the MUTS that I have seen. Last night they showed the Astronaut Farmer, and it is being shown in the Princess Theatre tonight.

[vickie_bernie]

Day 2 sea Day -- boy life is tough

 

Last night was formal night, didn't meet with the captain and his crew because heck we met them all at our Meet and Mingle.

 

We did register for the Chef's Table as soon as boarding, hope to have a confirmation today. The Executive Chef said they may be doing more than just one Chef's Table per sailing because of the popularity.

 

Last night we tried our hand in the casino (it was non smoking very nice) and I walked away with $2.50 more so hey I was happy, not a big gambler but enjoy the entertainment.

 

Dinner was very good, Bernie had the Filet Mignon and he said it was like "butter" and the souffle was Hazelnut, as you can see we have our priorities set.

 

The Cruise Director Neil is hilarious and yesterday in his morning show he announced that if you see him and you do the Wacky Wacky TV hand jester (which they showed during their morning show) to him before he says hi to you he will give you a voucher for a free drink, well guess what I got!

 

The ship is full but doesn't feel that way.

 

 

Sorry I don't know who the Matre D is, there are three, one for each dinning room and I can't find them listed in the patters.

 

The Piano player is Peter O'Donnel who is playing in Crooners.

 

The dining room was busy first thing (anytime dining) from 6-7:30 but we arrived at 7:45 and we were told 20 min wait, given the alarm and were called about 8 min later. We didn't mind the wait (we're on vacation), but boy you should of heard some of the people (I am sure you know what I am talking about).

 

Tomorrow we are in Aruba, but first we have an entire day at sea to relax.

[mycruz]

Vicki great job on the the reporting and congratulations on the drink coupon! Isn't it great having two sea days right off? Hope you enjoy your cruise and keep us posted.

[bohunk72]

Generosso is the Maitre De onthe Emerald. We met him at the Chefs Table. Funny thing is everone at the first of two Chefs Table had read about it on CC. I called first thing upon boarding and was contacted 2 days later and accepted. What an experience.

[Colo Cruiser]

Hey Vickie when you see the MaiterD Generoso tell him hi from me, he is the head Honcho Keith

[Cruisin' Grandma]

Generosso is the Maitre De onthe Emerald. We met him at the Chefs Table. Funny thing is everone at the first of two Chefs Table had read about it on CC. I called first thing upon boarding and was contacted 2 days later and accepted. What an experience.

 

Thanks, I thought he was on board. He's a great guy. I'm hoping he's on the new Ruby Princess when she comes out in November.

[jdm]

Thanks for the continuing report and letting me know who is playing in Crooners.

 

You will love the Chef's Table. We did it on the Crown over New Year's and loved it. They told us then that they were going to try to offer it two nights since it is so popular. We were one of the first on the ship and I reserved for the six of us immediately. We were told we would be on waitlisted. We were approached two days later while having dinner in Sabatini's. The Maitre'd came up to us and said "you don't looked diseased" and said we would be at the Chef's Table on the Wednesday of that cruise. The other four at the table were on a second leg of a B2B and got the reservation that way. I had read through CC that they do somewhat screen you, but in a polite way. They just don't want a picky eater with lots of allergies etc. which would lessen the wonderful experience.