From Canada…to Canada: Discovering Liberty, Eh? – LB 08/24/23 – 09/02/23

[Lovetocruise2002]

4 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

What is a beaver tail????????

 

3 hours ago, asquared17 said:

i too was wondering. 

also also hoping @Neesa was staying safe!!!

also the pictures and the tides changing — blowing my mind!!

 

2 hours ago, Jax said:

 

The Beaver Tail is a fried-dough pastry made with whole wheat flour and pulled by hand to resemble the long, flat tail of a beaver. It’s then topped with a myriad of delicious garnishes — anything from the classic cinnamon and sugar to whipped cream and Nutella. 
 

How have I lived in Canada my entire life and never tried one. I am surprised I never saw them at the Calgary Stampede. Maybe it’s and east west thing.

A beaver tail is all sorts of goodness and what @Jax already said. My favourite is just the classic, which is plain with cinnamon sugar. It’s warm, and crispy, and I am sure high in calories lol. Maybe it is a east/west coast thing. We don’t have any stands where we are in Ontario, but we have had them in Toronto and east of that. However, you are right, when we went west to Alberta and BC in 2021, I don’t recall seeing any. 

[Lovetocruise2002]

No drama in the MDR tonight. It was Taste of the Caribbean. The meal was mid again. It had potential as far as the menu goes, but again, where it fell short was the presentation (which I believe counts in these settings), the flavour, and the quality. For example, the coconut shrimp looked and tasted like they had sat out in the warmer for a while, the tiger shrimp also looked and tasted like it was prepared a while ago. Nothing was terrible, but nothing was great either. 
 

[Lovetocruise2002]

Back to the high tide, low tide thing. It was truly a sight to see today. Back in Grade 4, so I would have been 9 years old, I learned about this concept through a research project that I had to do on one province in Canada. I was assigned New Brunswick and that was one of the things my Dad and I read and researched. Back then we were using encyclopedias Anyway, to see it live in action today, both the changing of the  tides and the reversing rapids was such a treat! A few more pics that Hubby put together to show the changes. 

When we left the port around 10am look at where the “Royal Caribbean” sign on the ship is in comparison to the ground or fence. Then, look at the second pic and see where it is when we came back after 4:30pm.

Another before and after of the rapids:

 

[Lovetocruise2002]

My personal favourite today was probably the Sea Caves at St Martins. I had very low expectations for here. These nature things are not really my scene. But when I stepped out on that rocky beach and took it all in, something about it was just breathtaking and mesmerizing to me. I really wish we had a bit more time there. 

Night time sail away from Saint John

[Jax]

35 minutes ago, twangster said:

Calaway Park.  

Looks like a downtown Calgary location is being added as well.  

https://beavertails.com/products/

Well that explains it..I haven’t been to Calaway Park since I was 12. 

[Ampurp85]

I too hope @Neesa and anyone else who is dealing with these weather shenanigans are okay.

I find the taste of Caribbean menu to be all over the place. Last time I tried the pork chop and while it was spicy and flavorful and hot, everything else was not. Also, I had the tiniest, hard shrimp as my app. The peach dessert is both a triumph and a letdown.

[ScottD]

love the Canadian humor at the container village "Jokes about the Titanic are never good ice breakers".   Also, that Beaver tail looks like something right up my alley- Dough covered in sugary toppings...I'm in!! 

[emfagan]

Have you listened to the Schooner bar musician?  Clay Musick was on Liberty in May and we really enjoyed him

[Lovetocruise2002]

1 hour ago, emfagan said:

Have you listened to the Schooner bar musician?  Clay Musick was on Liberty in May and we really enjoyed him

No. The Schooner Bar is never really our thing . Unless we are sailing with others, we rarely visit. 

[Lovetocruise2002]

Day 7 - Sea Day

Hubby was up earlier than me this morning. The Flowrider was calling. Back to breakfast by myself at Chops, not that I really mind.

My view from Chops this morning.

That’s right, you cannot see a thing out the window. Thick fog, pouring rain, and the ship’s horn is going every few minutes. I expected this as the East coast provinces are all feeling the remains of Hurricane Franklin. Very thankful that today is a sea day and not a port day. There is considerable rain today in both Saint John and Halifax today. A stark difference from yesterday. Hoping that this clears up by the time we get to Halifax tomorrow. 

I sense that today is going to be a good reading day.

[ScottD]

wow...we are down the East coast in Philly and it's a rainy foggy day here, too.  If it was going to happen, a sea day is the best time, I guess! 

[Lovetocruise2002]

1 hour ago, ScottD said:

wow...we are down the East coast in Philly and it's a rainy foggy day here, too.  If it was going to happen, a sea day is the best time, I guess! 

Definitely! No complaints here! I love to chill in the room on sea days anyway. This just makes it more cozy. 

[Lovetocruise2002]

Another view from Splashaway Bay

Not sure how Hubby is doing out there with the FlowRider but I sure as heck am not going to check on him

 

[OCSC Mike]

52 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I sense that today is going to be a good EATING day.

Fixed your typo.

[Lovetocruise2002]

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

Fixed your typo.

Well this does have me mildly interested lol

[OCSC Mike]

4 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Well this does have me mildly interested lol

It's not Mason Jar, I'm sure, but I'd try chicken n waffles anywhere.

[Lovetocruise2002]

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

It's not Mason Jar, I'm sure, but I'd try chicken n waffles anywhere.

Lol! I was just thinking it’s not going to be like Mason Jar 

[OCSC Mike]

Just now, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Lol! I was just thinking it’s not going to be like Mason Jar 

Only one (eventually two) solution to that. #teamWONDER

[WAAAYTOOO]

Technical question (this, coming from a VERY southern girl !) - do you eat the chicken WITH the waffles or separately ?  [Mason Jar] I couldn't bring myself to eat the chicken and the waffle at the same time.  I put the chicken on a separate plate and ate it separately.  I'm not sure what the correct protocol is...I just know that a bite containing chicken, waffle and syrup in the same bite was less than appealing to me....

[OCSC Mike]

3 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Technical question (this, coming from a VERY southern girl !) - do you eat the chicken WITH the waffles or separately ?

As a northerner, I'm really not sure, lol. To further complicate matters at Mason Jar, you get both maple syrup and hot honey. I've eaten it both ways and one bite works for me (although I really enjoy hot honey on my chicken).

Final answer... eat it however you want; it's delicious.

There's a food counter in the Magic Kingdom at Disney that had one of my favorite lunches. It was essentially a full sized round waffle folded in half like a taco shell with a fried chicken breast/patty inside. During breakfast hours you could get it filled with an omelet instead.

[Xaa]

18 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

During breakfast hours you could get it filled with an omelet instead.

What time do I have to be there to get the chicken breast and the omelet inside?

[Lovetocruise2002]

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Technical question (this, coming from a VERY southern girl !) - do you eat the chicken WITH the waffles or separately ?  [Mason Jar] I couldn't bring myself to eat the chicken and the waffle at the same time.  I put the chicken on a separate plate and ate it separately.  I'm not sure what the correct protocol is...I just know that a bite containing chicken, waffle and syrup in the same bite was less than appealing to me....

I am #teamseparate as well. I have no clue what the correct way is lol

[OCSC Mike]

Just now, Xaa said:

What time do I have to be there to get the chicken breast and the omelet inside?

I actually haven't been inside a park since pre-covid. The waffle sandwich could be gone entirely for all I know. We do occasionally go to Disney Springs for a restaurant somewhat similar to Mason Jar though.

[Lovetocruise2002]

MDR - lunch 

[Lovetocruise2002]

Not much to report today. Kids slept till almost noon today and then we headed to the MDR for lunch or breakfast (for the kids). 

The noon report from the captain was fog and rain all day. The horn is still going. 

After lunch Hubby and I went to use our C&A casino free play and we walked away with a whole $0.30 this time

Now back in the cabin, having tea, and reading. Hubby is napping and kids are off to chase another rope for their collection. 

[Ampurp85]

Chicken and waffles. There are things I must eat separately but this is not one of them. Though I do not eat them from the MDR, twice my chicken was raw, so I no longer order it.

It also cracks me up when people who do water stuff, won't do it in the rain. But I am glad you came back rich from the casino. 

[Lovetocruise2002]

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

Though I do not eat them from the MDR, twice my chicken was raw, so I no longer order it.

Eww…that’s just messed up 

[Sweety]

The food looks good. 

[OCSC Mike]

16 minutes ago, Sweety said:

The food looks good. 

Agreed. I went to look at the Wonder MDR lunch menus after seeing those pics but they didn't have most of it.

Somehow I'll survive... and I will be getting chicken n waffles at Mason Jar already.

[Jax]

23 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Though I do not eat them from the MDR, twice my chicken was raw, so I no longer order it.

That’s such a turnoff and reminds me of our raw burger experience at Chops last year (burger cooked at Jaime’s and delivered to Chops) I guess it can happen anywhere but still……so gross.  

[Ampurp85]

@Jax, yes that is a raw burger, I like my burgers med-well because ground beef taste weird when it is barely cooked. 

But I think in general the brunch from MDR is often pretty good. I hate that the sandwiches usually come with like 5 fries but it is usually hot. I love when they have the baked, not smoked, potato soup. 

[SweetPea]

Thank you @Jax and @Ampurp85. I no longer need to eat dinner. 

[BeachGal]

19 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

The peach dessert is both a triumph and a letdown.

@Ampurp85 this comment is perfection! I have a love/hate relationship with so many of the desserts on board.  Such high hopes that are quickly dashed after one bite...sigh.

[SMOKEY0202]

Have you made the stroll over to Next Cruise yet???

You can't keep us in suspense.....

This has been a great blog and we all can't wait til the next blog

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

Back to chicken and waffles.  We have a friend who orders that whenever any restaurant we visit has it on the menu.  He eats it like a sandwich…very messy…but he says awesome!  He had my hubby try one just a few weeks ago but he just couldn’t get the gist of holding it like a sandwich…perhaps he had a little too much syrup on it?    It’s also a favorite for my son as well as one of my grandsons!  They both eat it with a fork but together.

 I agree with @OCSC Mike’s final answer!

[Lovetocruise2002]

2 hours ago, SweetPea said:

Thank you @Jax and @Ampurp85. I no longer need to eat dinner. 

Just sprinkle some truffle salt on it!

2 hours ago, BeachGal said:

@Ampurp85 this comment is perfection! I have a love/hate relationship with so many of the desserts on board.  Such high hopes that are quickly dashed after one bite...sigh.

Yeah, like that trifle that D17 ordered the other night on Taste of UK night was just messed up. It looked more like jello. I thought it was was jello at first. 
 

2 hours ago, SMOKEY0202 said:

Have you made the stroll over to Next Cruise yet???

Nope. I am booked solid and maxed out our budget all the way until March 2025.  No next cruise for a while. 

2 hours ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

He eats it like a sandwich

I could never eat it like that. 

[Lovetocruise2002]

Pretty uneventful day today, but much needed after a few busy port days. Before dinner, Hubby and I spent some time having drinks in the suite lounge. The ship has picked up a lot more motion as the day has gone on. The fog never lifted and that fog horn is still going. Over dinner in the MDR, we could see the waves and the white caps. No white bags in the hallway but for the girls and I, we can definitely feel it. Everyone has been taking Gravol (Canadian version of Dramamine) today. 

It was Royal Night in the MDR tonight. Food was decent. Probably the best meal so far, but still no wow.

[Lovetocruise2002]

Off to bed soon. We have a really early start in Halifax tomorrow. It’s our last port of call before heading home. 

[tonyfsu21]

10 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Technical question (this, coming from a VERY southern girl !) - do you eat the chicken WITH the waffles or separately ?  [Mason Jar] I couldn't bring myself to eat the chicken and the waffle at the same time.  I put the chicken on a separate plate and ate it separately.  I'm not sure what the correct protocol is...I just know that a bite containing chicken, waffle and syrup in the same bite was less than appealing to me....

I think the whole chicken & waffles thing started this place Roscoes. Based on the pictures I think they are meant to be separated. It looks good though!

[Ampurp85]

Baked Alaska is the only dessert that Royal's MDR gets a 10/10 for. 

It is crazy that the random stuffed tomato is sending me off. It looks nice? but I can also only picture that random cooked tomato that comes on breakfast plates.