JLMoran Posted October 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2019 Saw Joyce’s set, was 100% acoustic and 100% ballads. Really enjoyed it, and had a chance to talk with her after the show. She’s been playing guitar for about 13 years, the last 3 on Anthem. She didn’t simply audition and get the job; she had to be personally approved by Brian May himself! And after that, she was taught and mentored by him for how to play the songs. She said he’s an absolute genius, really humble, a great guy all around to work with and learn from. And he’s really particular about who gets to be the guitarist in each production. She’s only been doing acoustic guitar for the last few years; apparently Royal is expanding the number and variety of “intermissionists” (she said that’s the official term for the people who play those short 45-minute sets between the big performances). They want acoustic guitar players now, along with the piano players, horn groups, etc. I did a short periscope for a few of the songs during her set, you can see it here: https://www.pscp.tv/w/cHuV-zFXZ0VnYUdYbFdtS3Z8MW1uR2V6a1FQcVJKWLARq5Bi5-aQ4Z-8QV5rDFYhz9fsx6ojTTC5k_IYzKmr?t=3s Off to dinner now! KathyC, Ken23, Lovetocruise2002 and 8 others 9 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Dinner last night was a lot of fun. We have 5 table-mates, although our solo companion left the table before the food was even ordered, saying he’s be right back but never showing again. The others at our table were great and we had some good conversations going the whole time. Royal did a good job of matching us all up. As for the food itself, it was the standard Night 1 offerings: I had the creamy wild mushroom soup, escargots, salmon, and hazelnut chocolate cake. Cathy had the Caesar salad, spaghetti bolognese, and apple pie a la mode. Yup, she fine with raisins in an apple pie. I brought the Conundrum Red Blend to the MDR, and I have to say... it really doesn’t do it for me. Hard for me to say what exactly I don’t like about it, but it just didn’t work for me. I’ll finish the bottle (don’t want to waste the money, and it wasn’t that bad), but I won’t be buying it again. As usual for the first night, service was a bit slow. But we still finished just in time for two of our companions to rush over to the 10 PM showing of The Gift, while cathy and I made our way over to Two70. twangster, Skigoofy, The Cruise Junkie and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 The schedule said that the RED night club experience didn’t start until 10:45, but at least in terms of the visual theme it was already in full swing. We tried one of the fruit juice concoctions they serve there, and it was quite tasty. Also covered by our Refreshment Package since it’s nonalcoholic. I like that each of the bars serves specialty “zeroproof” beverages along with the specialty cocktails. The DJ was making some genuinely weird segues and cross-mixes, that just didn’t fit in terms of theme or styles. But the people who were there (not many ahead of the official start time) were fine to be out there enjoying themselves. At 10:45 they official started up the RED experience, but it was still not particularly crowded. Cathy and I left around 11, went down to the casino to get our free lucky pull. Bupkis for both of us. Since we had to set the clocks ahead an hour, we called it a night after that. Tomorrow we’re on Atlantic time and have our first full sea day. The Cruise Junkie, twangster, Lovetocruise2002 and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Good morning, everyone! Woke up at 7:30, tried to catch the sunrise that was due around 8 but I was too slow. Consoles myself with a nice breakfast in a nicely uncrowded Windjammer. Off to get some coffee now, after being told the lactose-free milk in the WJ coffee bar appeared to have curdled overnight. Lovetocruise2002, JohnK6404, kimberussell and 7 others 8 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Walking out of the Windjammer, I passed a station selling Bloody Marys. That reminded me that I wanted to try something @Matt did in one of his blogs: It’s already warm enough outside that I can on my balcony in shorts and t-shirt, with a good breeze from the ship’s motion, and I’m perfectly comfortable. Espresso’s already done. Cheers! Skigoofy, monctonguy, J_Keeble and 12 others 13 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WannaCruise Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Great first day. Wonderful you ended up with great table mates (minus one) as that can make or break your evening dinners. Royal seems to always have the same/similar menu items but it's funny how on some ships, they designate a "Class Items" section (e.g. the salmon is on that section and so you can order it every night) and some they just lump everything together (and guess there are no daily items). What is a RED show? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firebuck Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Enjoy your cruise, Joe! Have a Kummelweck for me! JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 53 minutes ago, WannaCruise said: What is a RED show? RED is a dance club experience event they do. On this cruise it’s only on night 1, so I wanted to at least see it and hear what kind of music they mixed. Was expecting more electronic dance music or techno than they played. WannaCruise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 What? No dinner food pics? I am disappointed. lol 1 hour ago, JLMoran said: I brought the Conundrum Red Blend to the MDR, and I have to say... it really doesn’t do it for me. Hard for me to say what exactly I don’t like about it, but it just didn’t work for me. I’ll finish the bottle (don’t want to waste the money, and it wasn’t that bad), but I won’t be buying it again. Yikes! Can we still be friends? I like the Conundrum Red Blend because of how smooth it is. I am not a big fan of wine, especially red, but I make an exception for Conundrum Red because of the smoothness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 8 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Yikes! Can we still be friends? Not a Conundrum fan. There are only a few blends that work for me which is why I struggle with French wines. I guess that's it, canceled my Allure 2021 March booking. JLMoran, Big Tule, heffy2 and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Chalk up another cruise first for Cathy and me: Our Sea Pass cards were pre-loaded with a free jackpot card with any purchase, so we figured why not? We each got the $39 pack with 6 boards per round. Game starts in 10 minutes. Wish us luck! And now I’m officially an old dude. Not really, there are actually quite a few people here who look like they’re in their late 20s to early 40s. But I grew up with the stereotypical image that the only people who play Bingo are senior citizens gathered at the local Elks Club. As with most things, takes trying it out to find out the reality of a thing. heffy2, Skigoofy, The Cruise Junkie and 4 others 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 We lost. Fuzzywuzzy, The Cruise Junkie, Dan Curtis and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 I AM old but can validate this stereotype as I am sitting in the bingo hall at our American Legion right now waiting for bingo to start. <sigh> Vwjo, SpeedNoodles, PRebecca and 5 others 3 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Well this was... sorry, only words I can find are disturbing, scary, and gross. Decided to go to the SeaPlex Dog House and try out the hot dog options. Checked out the menu, saw they had some German options... Decided to give both the German and Smoke House options a shot. They were out of sauerkraut, but that’s fine. The longer one in this pic is the smoke house dog... Decided to start with that one. Pretty good, nice smoky flavor and tastes like a good sausage mix. And then my teeth bit down on something hard. I’m thinking it’s an usually large bit of bone, I’ve gotten that sometimes and no big deal. Just part of the sausage making process. Nope. It was a piece of metal! Not a tiny one, either, this was a quarter inch long and wide, basically the size of a large pine nut. I can only assume it broke off of the machine where the sausages were made. I showed it to the guy at the dog house and another crew member. They apologized profusely, I suggested really strongly that they talk with their supplier and maybe find a new one. Unsaid was that they might want to remove the remaining smoke house sausages from the serving bin. I lost my appetite after that. No way I was finishing that smoke house one, who knows what else I might find in it and I’m wondering what was in it that I couldn’t see or taste. And I didn’t want to take my chances with the German sausage, either. Glad I had a couple slices at Sorrento’s before this. They really have improved the pizza; still not New Jersey good, but way better than what I had on Freedom. Currently sitting in front of the North Star bar while I type this up. It’s nice out, helping to offset my mood after that unpleasant food experience. Guy Gadwa, twangster, JohnK6404 and 6 others 1 2 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Ugh. That is unsettling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 I decided I should formally report the sausage matter to Guest Services. Not because I’m looking for something — I’m not injured, not even a cracked tooth — but because I felt like that might be a larger safety issue to be looked into. Maybe nothing beyond an utterly random accident at the plant, but why take chances? The senior officer working the line for quick triage items was visibly appalled when I showed her the picture of the piece of metal. She immediately thanked me for not just telling the guy at the Dog House, because she wanted to have a formal report of that on record that could go to upper management. Said also they would definitely be taking that up with the supplier. Duty is done, back to cruise enjoyment. twangster, CarlaB, Ray and 9 others 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 This was just delivered to our stateroom: Didn't realize the Dog House was run under the Johnny Rockets venue management. Appreciate the gesture, but we’ll be saving that bottle for my brother’s upcoming engagement party; neither one of us drinks champagne. sk8erguy1978, ellcee, Vwjo and 10 others 9 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Wow, the ship really wants to make amends over this. I got a call from the Windjammer Manager about 20 minutes ago. Got another apology and thank-you for reporting the issue at Guest Services so they had the formal record. Was told not only are they going to speaking to the supplier, but also their own QC team that picks up the shipments. After this, I was asked to confirm our table in the MDR, and then offered complementary specialty dining in any venue of our choice. Initially asked if we wanted it tonight, but we already had all of our plans timed out around MDR schedule so I asked if it could be a different night. Was told no problem, and that he’d send his business card so I could call him after I had a chance to talk with Cathy and figure out which night and venue. It arrived about 10 minutes later, attached to this: Say what you want about Royal; when they are politely notified about a matter like this, with zero histrionics and no demands or even requests for compensation, they seriously go out of their way to let you know it’s being treated with all seriousness, and that you are part of that treatment. Skigoofy, Guy Gadwa, stephenkurucz and 20 others 15 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Update to the above post: We’re now scheduled for Jamie’s Italian in place of our Solarium Bistro dinner on Night 4. And when I spoke with the manager, he asked if we drank alcohol and was prepared to get a bottle of whatever I wanted, but honestly I’m fine just bringing my other bottle of wine with me like I was already planning to do. Told him as much, although I’ve no doubt that if I had asked, he’d have given a bottle of the La Vite super-Tuscan I had at Chef’s Table and not batted an eye. Lovetocruise2002, The Cruise Junkie, Vwjo and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heffy2 Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Wow, the response you've gotten from GS and the other outlet mangers is awesome! Also, having ben a former GS associate for another cruise line, the fact that you were not dramatic, and didn't cause a scene is very admirable. YOLO, Fairlynew, JLMoran and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Gadwa Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Glad you were not injured and that Royal is trying to make things right! WAAAYTOOO, JLMoran and YOLO 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Captain’s presentation of the ship’s senior staff... Busy night tonight. Heading off to dinner now, then Spectra’s Cabaret, and then late-night comedy show. Guy Gadwa, The Cruise Junkie, YOLO and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 Time and again Royal will prove themselves worthy of your loyalty. It's because of these types of reactions on their part that I temper my thoughts and comments when sometimes maybe something isn't just so. Big Tule, Guy Gadwa, ellcee and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cruise Junkie Posted October 21, 2019 Report Share Posted October 21, 2019 So Glad To See That Royal Is Treating You Well Joe. JLMoran and YOLO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YOLO Posted October 21, 2019 Report Share Posted October 21, 2019 On 10/12/2019 at 6:33 PM, heffy2 said: Can't wait to follow along! I'm boarding Anthem the day you disembark for the last Canada/NE sailing of the season. I hope you have a fantastic cruise! Ditto - even though I am a bit late... JLMoran and heffy2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2019 Challenging day in Bermuda so far today, thanks to the “busted wheel” I’m dealing with. Have some pics on the good cam, taking more in a little while when we do our sunset catamaran sailing. May not have a chance to edit the pics tonight, but worse comes to worst I’ve got the last sea day to take care of things like that. Oh, and I’m starting to enjoy The Caledonian Gambit. Been a long time since I read for fun. Skigoofy, Lovetocruise2002, The Cruise Junkie and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2019 Got some very nice sunset pics using the Sony camera. Sorry to be a tease, but trust me when I say that they came out better than anything I got on the phone. And those of you who like clouds (@DDaley, was it?)... you’ll probably be quite happy. DDaley, Ken23, The Cruise Junkie and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDaley Posted October 21, 2019 Report Share Posted October 21, 2019 30 minutes ago, JLMoran said: Got some very nice sunset pics using the Sony camera. Sorry to be a tease, but trust me when I say that they came out better than anything I got on the phone. And those of you who like clouds (@DDaley, was it?)... you’ll probably be quite happy. It wasss me! I have literally hundreds of sunsets in my phone because I can never resist snapping them. JLMoran, Ray, rjac and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 Good morning, all! Off to Horseshoe Bay this morning, in spite of some really heavy overcast that’s hanging around. Hoping to get some more pics this morning before we head back to the ship around lunch time. After that I’ll be staying on the ship while Cathy goes to the Clocktower Mall for some shopping. And I’ll be doing photo triage and some initial editing, as I successfully pulled all of yesterday’s photos (well over 100) into the iPad! twangster, Guy Gadwa, melmar02 and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 And this is why you go on Day 2 in Bermuda. It’s 10:22 AM and the beach is practically empty! Woo hoo! Waves are gentle, maybe 3 feet tall when the break. I can’t go in, unfortunately, but Cathy is going to take full advantage! The Cruise Junkie, DDaley, Vwjo and 12 others 11 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 20 minutes later and the beach to my right became a solid line of umbrellas, but still only a few people to my left. Ship excursion was due around a half hour later, and now it’s umbrellas all the way on my right, still only a smattering on my left, and almost no one sitting on towels in front of us. Very glad that we asked for almost all the way to the “cutoff line” and all the way forward that umbrellas could go. No chance of losing our great sight line. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 Lazy beach day, better than any day in an office or at home. Especially when your honey (#best_of_wives_best_of_women) goes to the bar and gets you a Dark and Stormy to enjoy. JohnK6404, PRebecca, MaryS and 8 others 9 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 Just hit noontime. Current view to my right (towards the beach entrance / exit)... ...and to my left. Seriously, folks. Get here as early as you can, on day 2 (or 3 if you’re lucky enough to get 2 overnights), and ask to walk as far down the beach and as close to the water as they’ll take you. And tip the guy 5 bucks for his trouble. Lovetocruise2002, monctonguy, The Cruise Junkie and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk8erguy1978 Posted October 22, 2019 Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 On 10/20/2019 at 8:35 AM, WannaCruise said: Great first day. Wonderful you ended up with great table mates (minus one) as that can make or break your evening dinners. That is so true. Royal once matched us up with two other Russian couples (who were friends/family) who spoke English fine, but spoke Russian to each other. They did apologize but it was easier for them to communicate in Russian. They also would translate some of the jokes for us which was nice. While we weren't offended by any means, it was just uncomfortable, and we ended up seeking other dining venues on most of the 9 nights. We never went back to traditional dinning again, we are 100% team mytime. Sad because we met friends at traditional dining and we are very close still to this day. JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk8erguy1978 Posted October 22, 2019 Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 Looks like you're having a great time @JLMoran, I am just catching up on all of this now! Really glad to see Royal's reaction when you weren't even complaining, just making them aware. They usually do a solid job of making it right, and that's what matters to me as a customer. Looking forward to the rest of your messages, maybe I'll even watch you sail away on the port cam! JLMoran and kimberussell 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDaley Posted October 22, 2019 Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 2 hours ago, JLMoran said: Especially when your honey (#best_of_wives_best_of_women) goes to the bar and gets you a Dark and Stormy to enjoy. Also love me a Hamilton reference. Raise a glass to freeeee-dom! JLMoran and kimberussell 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 Back on the ship and have sailed out of Bermuda. Blog is going to get a little out of order now, as I continue giving little mini-updates in live manner while working on the photos taken with the good camera. Off to see the sunset, then dinner at Jamie’s Italian. twangster, The Cruise Junkie, Lovetocruise2002 and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted October 22, 2019 Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 Hey Joe, thanks for the beach photos. Showed those to the wife, will keep that in mind for (hopefully) our Second Anthem Bermuda trip. JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2019 A little epilogue to our Horseshoe Bay visit. The ocean took it back from us moments after I snapped the picture. Fuzzywuzzy, JohnK6404, Big Tule and 7 others 5 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 23, 2019 Report Share Posted October 23, 2019 You should have put a big heart around your names ! JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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