bcarney

They had those on my recent Serenade cruise, along with chicken and turkey sausages at breakfast. Now, to me, a chicken 'sausage' is an abomination and perhaps a crime against humanity, but it's there for those that want to partake in such lunacy. ?

Yeah, but good luck finding any bar service in the MDR. You'll have a better chance of finding a leprechaun riding a unicorn through the MDR than finding bar service.

If anyone has the opportunity to sail with @RatedPG, please do so. He's a great person, with a perpetual smile on his face. I had the opportunity to shake his hand, and frankly that may have been the highlight of my cruise. He's a great human being, and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to have met him. Blessings to you, RatedPG. I hope we cross paths again someday.

You eat much healthier than I. :)

I’m here with my rum group, and since the Don Q rum distillery is closed for the weekend to give the workers some time off, they graciously flew in someone from their European operations to give us a seminar and some tastings. It’s great that a big company would do that for a small tour group. Being the holiday, Ponce was dead, but we managed to see the sights and have a good time nonetheless. Tomorrow we dock in St. Kitts and take a ferry to Nevis for another tour of a spiced rum place run by a friend of many of us. I’m loving the ship and crew. Literally my only complaint is that the Diamond Lounge is way too small for the number of people on this particular cruise. Other than that, this is a great cruise and great crew. Hope your vacation is going as good as mine!

And you as well!

Thank you, and I'm from Michigan - we already have snow, about an inch on the ground today.

Killing the hours until I sail on Serenade on Monday... Was wondering if those that have sailed on her in the past have any secret "must do or see" things on the ship that aren't really popularized? Thanks for any intel you can give me. Bill

We usually just eat in the MDR for Thanksgiving. On our upcoming Serenade cruise, Giovanni's Table was booked up for Thanksgiving over a month ago.

I liked them better when I didn't have to pay an additional $50 to haul an extra piece of luggage down with me... I'm kind of in the middle of the argument - I wouldn't mind if Formal Nights went away, but I also don't want to see things devolve into people wearing shorts and flip-flops to the MDR. Khakis and a polo or collared shirt are OK with me.

JLMoran, thanks for this post! I just booked Chef's Table for my next cruise, and I can't wait!!! ?

Thanks, all. I'm booking specialty dining so I can skip formal nights in the MDR, and I also booked Chef's Table and wanted to make sure it wasn't on a formal night.

Can someone tell me what nights are formal nights on an 11 night cruise? Thanks.

It's in the planner under "Entertainment & Activities", and it's called "On A Roll Sushi Making Class". I don't know if it's on all ships or not. I just stumbled across it one day and thought it would be interesting.

Ok, thank you.

@RatedPG, my wife and 11 year old son will be taking the sushi class on Serenade as well, with my daughter and I watching. It's the one scheduled towards the beginning of the cruise. If you're taking that class pop by and say hello! Bill

Are there any Diamond member discounts for dining that can be had when booking onboard? I'd like to book Giovanni's on our upcoming cruise, but I'll hold off and do it onboard if there are any discounts. Thanks!

As a side note, that depends on the ship. My recent cruises the Windjammer is closed around 9:30-10pm.

I second that motion. I used to dislike Italian food, then I ate there, and everything changed. But still, Giovannis > Chops ?

Has anyone managed to talk their way into getting a drinks package while onboard, with Diamond discount, without having to purchase one for their spouse? We're sailing on an 11 day, and the price for the 2 of us is about 1/3 of the total cost of the entire cruise itself. There's no way my wife would come anywhere near to breaking even, and she doesn't drink soda. I know some staff may have more flexibility than others, so I'm curious whom I should talk to and suggestions as to what I should say. Thanks!

When you get to the airport don't forget to go through the agricultural inspection process before going to the airport checkin section. When you enter the main airport, immediately to the right and left of the doors is some x-ray machines. Run your luggage through those, get the "inspected" sticker, then go to check in with the airline. So many people don't know to do that, and they go stand in line just to find out they have to go back and get the luggage inspected.

I just wanted to say that is a very kind offer to make to near strangers! Blessings to you.

This isn't off-menu, but on our last cruise (Adventure Nov '17) our waiter left a little bit to be desired so we hit the Windjammer two nights. One night they had an Indian food section that was solid, and the butter chicken was the best I've ever had. Another evening was "Caribbean Night" that was to die for. The jerk chicken was moist, spicy... great stuff!

OMG. I'm sooo doing this on my next cruise. Brilliant!

I recall a Periscope where Michael Poole got there early - 9ish as they were setting up - and had free reign of the place. So if you heart is set on a palapa, be the first in line. ?