PG Cruiser

We all have our share of trials in life... but this too shall pass.

DAY 6 Dinner at American Icon (MDR) Shrimp Cocktail Escargot Caprese Salad Lobster Tails #1-5 Lobster Tails #6-9 (Keto Issue: Gluconeogenesis... just google it)

I have proven to myself (and hopefully to others) that Keto is doable on a cruise as far as food options are concerned. Of course, staying with just Keto-friendly foods is an entirely different story. I was at my ideal weight when I embarked on this cruise. That's the reason why I could have "cheats" here and there. I may have gained some weight but I'm confident I could lose the "cruise lbs" after going back to the strict Keto diet I've been on since July 2020. I hope you are at that point of your Keto journey too.

DAY 6 Afternoon Snack Ice Cream Swirl from the (formerly self-serve) machine (Keto issues: everything about it!) This is the only frozen yogurt I'm having on this cruise.

I had more than a year to bring “King Belly” into subjection. Although my next post may say otherwise

For my booking on the Freedom next month, the balcony room I got was cheaper than an interior room

DAY 6 Brunch at Sorrento’s Assorted Cold Cuts, Cheeses, and Olives

I understand where you are coming from. The genie was on the younger side. Maybe time will hone his skills at this stressful, even toxic, thankless job.

I was at the Amber Theater on Allure for the comedy show. I was on the row behind the reserved seats for Star guests where an elderly couple without reservations sat. A genie approached them to inform them that the seats were reserved for guests who were on their way. I could sense a "situation" brewing as the genie's face was turning from Alladin's Genie to Genie Jafar (sorry if you're not a Disney fan ha ha). To do my duty as a peacemaker, I volunteered the two seats next to me for the elderly couple. Here is where "Genie Jafar" failed as a guest services crew member. He did not thank me - he did not even establish eye contact with me. In all this I felt like the only guests that mattered to him were the Star guests in his care. Hey, Genie Jafar, I'm a guest too!

I'm on the Allure right now. I got the 3-Night Dining Package and my experience with all three dinners (Chops, Samba, and Izumi) was satisfactory, nothing extraordinary, but satisfactory. What has been a constant source of annoyance for me is the waiters at each of these venues not only asking me to take the survey but to give them a score of 10 at said survey. I came very close to getting in touch with "the powers that be" to complain about such practice. I could have tolerated the nudge to take the survey but them asking for a score of 10 just left a bad taste in my mouth. (Too bad I don't eat desserts on Keto to help with that ha ha)

DAY 5 Dinner at Izumi Sushi Edamame (small portions allowed on Keto) Tofu Ginger Salad (maybe some added sugar in the dressing) Tempura Shrimp and Vegetables (Keto issue: Breading, breading, and more breading) Assorted Sashimi Tonkotsu Ramen without Noodles (You should have seen my waiter's face when I asked him to skip the noodles)

I just realized that as of Monday, I have reached Diamond Level! I had 73 points when I got onboard the Allure last Sunday. If my reckoning of the Double Points promo is correct, together with the double points I’d gotten as a solo cruiser, I am now (unofficially) Diamond. Yay!

DAY 5 Lunch atop the St Thomas SkyRide Conch Fritters and Pina Colada (Keto issues: Breading in the fritters and sugar in the Pina Colada) To borrow a Star Wars quote, "These are not the Conch Fritters I was looking for"

… and the Keto dieter’s delight as well

DAY 4 Dinner at Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse (Rodizio)

DAY 4 Lunch at Windjammer Salmon and Hot Pot without Noodles I left my phone in the room that's why I have no pictures for this lunch. I'd say it's perfect for those on the Keto/low carb diets.

Speaking of ghosts, my cruise in October is on the Freedom. My mind has entertained the thought of the poor little girl who fell from the pool deck window.

The photographers are always asking me to take off my (vaccinated) wrist band when I pose for shots. I say, “No, I want to be able to look at my pictures from this sailing and remember they were taken in the early post-COVID era. (Is it too soon to say post-COVID?)

Ghost ship, you say? I agree! This is me at 7PM dining alone in a corner of the MDR (American Icon) on the Allure on September 6th. 7PM used to be very busy before COVID.

DAY 4 Breakfast at Solarium Bistro Scrambled Egg with Assorted Cold Cuts, Cheeses, and Grilled Tomatoes (Issues: Nitrates and nitrites in the cold cuts, but I don't think they serve uncured meats on the ship) I was heading to the Windjammer but I wandered off into the Solarium. I'll never figure out where Forward and Aft are on a ship no matter how many times I've gone cruising. Good thing I remembered @Matt's post about trying foods at the Solarium Bistro. Thanks for the tip, Matt!

The flab beginning to emerge from my belly seems to disprove this principle ha ha

DAY 3 Sorrento's For a reason only I will understand, I had TWO slices of pizza at Sorrento's today (Sept 7)

DAY 3 Dinner at Chops Grille (3-Night Dining Package) Ceasar Salad Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Chipotle Aïoli (Keto issue: breading and binder) Sautéed Mushrooms MAIN COURSE: Beef Steak Ribeye

No fair! There are five of you… there is strength numbers ha ha! I’m a solo cruiser

I don’t feel as bad now wearing the robe from the pool deck to my room because I just saw a guy in just (really short) swim trunks crossing the Royal Promenade