How The Western Caribbean Was Won! Completed 8/10/2016 - Page 10 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Grandeur of the Seas is a Royal Caribbean ship (Carnival has a red 'whale's tale for exhaust stacks) LOL. Great start..
OOPS....my fault! Thanks for the clarification Don! Glad you're enjoying the beginnings of my TR!
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Originally Posted by lauriep
Aaaah, you're cruising! I had the same problem with the sliding door. I think they make it tricky so that kids don't go out there unattended, but it ends up stumping the adults! I really dislike the deck parties because of the volume. After my first cruise I skipped them all!
That's funny with the sliding doors as I don't feel so bad after all! After my 101 with Edwin on it's operation, I was good to go for the rest of the cruise! It was a bit loud for the deck party and not my type of music as just pop hits at an extreme volume. I'm generally, a rock fan and it was just the usual fare for the rock tunes, with most I don't like. But there were a couple that I got into.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
All caught up - glad to see your first cruise is starting out so well! Looking forward to your dining reviews.
Glad you got caught up as it always takes me the weekends to catch up to the various TRs. Especially Cheryl's and Cam's! Good to hear that you are enjoying my TR as I love sharing this with everyone. Unfortunately, it is difficult to update during the week. I wish I didn't have to work for a living to make things that much easier!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
I don't think there's anything like the excitement of the sail away. I usually check in on the deck parties from Deck 10, but they don't really excite me. I do get a thrill, though, with the countdown and then the Mickey horn sounding. I love to hear it play. I, too, was going to mention that you were seeing a Royal Caribbean ship, not Carnival. RC has the blue anchor as its emblem. I don't drink but DH does and it seems that whenever he orders alcohol at a meal, it takes a little longer to appear than the other drinks. I think it has to come from a bar or some other special area, and then be brought to the server. Hope your dinner doesn't disappoint and you have good dining partners.
I don't think there's anything like the excitement of the sail away. I usually check in on the deck parties from Deck 10, but they don't really excite me. I do get a thrill, though, with the countdown and then the Mickey horn sounding. I love to hear it play. I, too, was going to mention that you were seeing a Royal Caribbean ship, not Carnival. RC has the blue anchor as its emblem. I don't drink but DH does and it seems that whenever he orders alcohol at a meal, it takes a little longer to appear than the other drinks. I think it has to come from a bar or some other special area, and then be brought to the server. Hope your dinner doesn't disappoint and you have good dining partners.
The sail away was fun as I had so much excitement for my first cruise! The party was pretty predictable and what I expected! That was my mistake with the RC ship as there is a photo in last weeks' update with a Carnival CL ship docked in Port Canaveral! I think with the drinks it depends, where you're dining!
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Originally Posted by Cam22
You are finally sailing away on your first cruise.
Yes, indeed! And the the feeling to be experiencing this for the first time was amazing with watching this from my verandah! I think I made the right choice going with this room for my first cruise!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara
How fun to be sailing away on your very first cruise!!
Just am amazing experience and feeling I had with this for the first time! Just, can't believe it took this long with 11 previous trips to "The World" to finally do this! Thanks PPs for this (cruise TRs, posts and references) and especially Cheryl and her 2014 Med. Cruise TR for the influence!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Looks like you're off to a good start. I'm hoping the verandah doors on the Fantasy are difficult to open. Don't want the kiddo's being able to go out there unsupervised.
Yes, indeed and the feeling of beginning my first cruise was quite intense and joyful!
Quote:
Originally Posted by stardust190
Looks like you're off to a good start. I'm hoping the verandah doors on the Fantasy are difficult to open. Don't want the kiddo's being able to go out there unsupervised.
It was a great beginning to my first cruise and enjoying every bit of it! Their is a latch on the doors and seems to be a bit difficult for young ones to operate as is a bit sluggish purposely, but I got used to it quickly! The doors are a bit heavy too, so you should be fine and just keep an eye on the kiddies, when you're in the room with them!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Love the room photos! So excited to read these last few updates!
Glad you enjoyed the photos and are enjoying my TR as it moves along somewhat!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Yay, you're on board and it sounds like it's going well so far!
Glad the cruise has begun and all is well so far! Next update will my first dinner and meeting my tablemates and serving team!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
I hung out in my room for a while longer as I wanted to watch the end of the Masters Golf Tournament. After 21 year old Jordan Spieth clinched his first ever major tournament, I went back up to deck 9 for a few more photos. It was about 7 pm now.
Next, it was down to deck 4 and take in some of the early evening views at sea from here.
Nice view just after sunset. Too bad for the cloud cover as this prevented me from watching a nice sunset. There would be other chances.
A number of passengers enjoying a relaxing evening on deck 4 on the starboard side. The same place where we had the emergency drill a few hours ago.
I still had some time before dinner at Lumiere’s so I went downstairs one deck to check out O’Gill’s Pub for the first time. To me it seemed like your typical Irish/sports bar. I wasn’t that impressed with it that much and was quite noisy in here, even though it didn’t seem that crowded. It probably had something to do with the Disney trivia contest they were having at the time.
I sat up at the bar for a bit and had a Heineken in a souvenir glass. It was $14.99 for the glass, but you could get refills in this 24 oz glass for the same price as the 12 oz standard option at the various lounges, cafes and bars on board. It’s a pretty good deal. You don’t have to carry the glass around with you as when you’re done with it, you hand it to the bartender and they’ll give you a coin to exchange it for a nice, clean and frosty glass the next time. While I was here, I had a few hot snacks they had available off to the side, which were some pigs in the blanket with Guinness Stout seeded mustard. I had a few of these and needed something to hold me over until dinner. They were quite tasty! I met a couple of DCL CMs, who are off duty until later tonight. They are electricians and perform work on the various entertainment systems on board, including the big video screens on deck 9.
It was close to 8 pm now and decided it was time to make my way to Lumiere’s for my first dinner on my cruise. I only finished a little more than half of the beer and gave my glass to the bartender, whom handed me one of the coins for exchange the next time.
When I got to Lumiere’s on deck 3 (midship) there was some entertainment outside the entrance, which I enjoyed for a few minutes before going inside.
A little blurry unfortunately. They were quite good.
There was quite a line to go inside as you had to have your dinner ticket scanned. This would be the only time I would have this done. My table is number 38 and is located way in the back on the left side of the restaurant in the corner. This would be good location in here as it wasn’t quite as noisy. I met a few of my table mates, when I arrived. They were three woman who are cruising together and work for Disney in accounting. There is a fourth party in their group, but she couldn’t make it tonight. I forget most of their names but one is Ellen. Shortly, another party joined us at our table who is Bob from North Carolina.
Ceiling shot in Lumiere’s.
Shortly, we met our serving team who were introduced by the head server Luis from Portugal. We didn’t see Luis that much as he would just pop in once in a while and see how things were going. He mostly would see that things were operating with all of the servers that work for him. Our server is Marcus from Trinidad/Tobago and from the start he was very friendly, engaging and funny. Our assistant server is Amp from the Phillipines. Although, not quite as friendly as Marcus she was pretty friendly and polite.
Marcus went over the menus with us and offered his suggestions for some of the featured selections on the menu he enjoys. Amp asked us for our drink orders and offered her advice on which wines were best to pair with your selections. We gave Marcus our selections and shortly our drinks arrived along with some French rolls to start with. I talked with my table mates for a bit before our first courses arrived and they were all quite friendly. Although, Bob was a bit loud at times, but no big deal! I started with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc for my appetizers....that is plural! The three woman split a bottle of wine and Bob had a coke. Bob would only have a main course and he did it this way each night of the cruise.
Escargots in Drawn Garlic and Parsley Butter with Mushrooms.
This was a great way to start my first meal on my cruise and better yet in a French restaurant. It was exceptional!
Creamy Potato Leek Soup
Another winner and one of the best of these I’ve had. After finishing my soup, I ordered another glass of wine to pair with my main course. This was a glass of Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. Both of the wines Amp suggested were quite enjoyable and paired well with my meal. I’ve had the Los Vascos on a number of occasions, so I was familiar with this one.
My main course-Slowly Braised Lamb Shank With Red Wine Sauce Reduction served with Potato Au Gratin and Mixed Veggies.
This was very good and I especially enjoyed the sauce, which was so flavorful. I think I enjoyed my appetizers a bit more, but still impressed with my main course.
Next, it was dessert time and Lumiere’s certainly didn’t disappoint!
Creme Brulee topped with Strawberries and Blackberries. Sorry, for taking a bite or two before the photo!
This was very good and a great way to end my first dinner on the Magic. I also had an espresso to accompany this wonderful dessert! After, enjoying all of this Amp came around to gather our KTTW cards for those of us whom ordered extras (wine and espressos) and have these charged to our room bill. It was fairly reasonable and less than I thought, but being on a seven night cruise....it adds up!
Our service team of Amp and Marcus
Lumiere’s winding down for the evening
So did dinner measure up to my expectations? It most certainly did! Overall, the meal was fantastic and quite pleased with all of the cuisine as well as my serving team! It seems, Marcus and Amp are a good pair and glad I will have them for the seven nights! It was about 9:40, when I was ready to leave but not ready to call it a night as I just finished dinner. Time for other ship activities....
NEXT: Can This Be Any More Relaxing?
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Glad you enjoyed your dinner. The servers can really make or break the dining experience. It sounds like you got a good team. Hopefully your table mates will be enjoyable to be around for the entire cruise.
Glad you enjoyed your dinner. The servers can really make or break the dining experience. It sounds like you got a good team. Hopefully your table mates will be enjoyable to be around for the entire cruise.
My biggest worry for dinner was my table mates and not my serving team as I would have more interaction overall with them than my servers, but not much more! No complaints with the former on day 1!
Marcus and Amp were great and especially Marcus as he seemed like such a pro and on the first night, was one of the best servers I've ever had at any restaurant! He was such an engaging individual and a natural for his position! I was very impressed with him on the first night and hope this would continue throughout the cruise like this as things can change! He will certainly be promoted in the future as I thought he was that good!
Even, better with this first dinner was how incredible the cuisine was!! This is from a foodie, who has dined at all of WDW's best! .......well up through Spring 2014 as now we now have some great new additions in DTD and BW
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
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Thanks for the clarification Don! 
Glad you're enjoying the beginnings of my TR! 
After my 101 with Edwin on it's operation, I was good to go for the rest of the cruise! 
It was a bit loud for the deck party and not my type of music as just pop hits at an extreme volume. I'm generally, a rock fan and it was just the usual fare for the rock tunes, with most I don't like. 
Good to hear that you are enjoying my TR as I love sharing this with everyone. 
I wish I didn't have to work for a living to make things that much easier! 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
I think I made the right choice going with this room for my first cruise! 
Just, can't believe it took this long with 11 previous trips to "The World" to finally do this! 
PassPorter Guide Author
There would be other chances.
I met a couple of DCL CMs, who are off duty until later tonight. They are electricians and perform work on the various entertainment systems on board, including the big video screens on deck 9. 
I only finished a little more than half of the beer and gave my glass to the bartender, whom handed me one of the coins for exchange the next time.
We gave Marcus our selections and shortly our drinks arrived along with some French rolls to start with. I talked with my table mates for a bit before our first courses arrived and they were all quite friendly. Although, Bob was a bit loud at times, but no big deal! I started with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc for my appetizers....that is plural! 
It most certainly did! 
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