How The Western Caribbean Was Won! Completed 8/10/2016 - Page 19 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Ooooo, I've had that panna cotta at Palo and it was sooooo good!!!
It's certainly a winner!
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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!
After spending some time in my room changing and looking over tomorrow’s Navigator, I went upstairs to deck 9 and Cove Café for my beverage seminar. This would be a Cognac tasting, which I was looking forward to. I checked in and took a seat on one of the comfy couches. Our tasting glasses were already set up with the Cognac samples already poured as well.
A few of the participants were already here and rest would arrive within a couple of minutes. There are nine of us and this what makes this a bizarre beverage seminar as 7 out of 9 are from Connecticut! What are the chances of that happening on a Caribbean cruise? One couple actually lives about three or four miles from me. Truly, strange!
Our host for this was Bagus from Indonesia, who is also a bartender at Keys. He basically gave us an overview of Cognac, history and what we’d be expecting from these as we sampled them.
My Cognac glasses waiting to be sampled
Shortly we got to start the sampling and only one at a time and Bagus would go around the group asking us if we liked it and what were the characteristics about each one that we liked or didn’t like. Than he’d tell us what Cognac it was. He told us not to drink it all at once, so at the end we could re sample them and tell Bagus what our favorite and least favorite was.
Our host Bagus
One of my Cognacs
The four Cognacs we sampled were Courvoisier, Remy Martin VSOP, Remy Martin XO and one from Greece, which I don’t remember the name of. I did a Google search and it might be Metaxa. It was my least favorite of the four. I found it somewhat gross! My personal favorite was the Remy Martin XO. Remy Martin is also the producer of the famed Louis XIII Cognac, which retails for a mere $1,700+ per bottle! This would have been quite an expensive seminar, if we were able to sample that one!
Overall, I enjoyed this as it was a fun seminar with a good group and host. I would definitely do another beverage seminar on a future cruise.
After the seminar was over, I went downstairs to deck 3 and the After Hours area and wind down the evening at Keys. I could stay up late as my port excursion in Grand Cayman tomorrow wasn’t until late morning.
I spent a little time here and had a Grand Marnier, to keep the Cognac momentum going. Nick Messina was once again playing piano and was entertaining as always in a low key and relaxed environment as Keys is. Shortly after, Bagus arrived from my seminar and greeted me again!
While I was at Keys I met two friends from Pennsylvania, who were on a cruise with their families and did a group cruise together with the entire clan. I also met a couple from New York, who have been on over fifteen Disney cruises to various locations. They said they won’t travel any other way as they love the pace and everything is just so relaxing about a cruise.
I headed upstairs to the beverage station on deck nine at around 12:15 am or so and get some cold water.
I think this area is outside the entrance to Senses Spa on deck 9?
Like the carpet design
Then it back to my room on deck 7 and turn in for the evening and get everything ready for tomorrow as we’d be arriving in Grand Cayman and I have a port excursion there at 11 am. This would be a disembarking via tender, so I’d have to allow myself some extra time.
NEXT: Excuse Me....It’s What Time?
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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!
What a fun event t get to experience! I love tastings and such to get to compare various wines/liquors head to head
It was a lot of fun and glad we had a great group that got on so well and a great host with Bagus! I've done only a few of these and my favorite was my wine tasting class back in Paris in 2013, just prior to my Eastern France tour. I had just flown in and not had lunch so complimenting this with a cheese offering was the thing to do and became my lunch! Great experience and a good group of about 20 of us from various regions around the planet!
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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!
Sounds like a fun evening and how bizarre to have so many from Connecticut in one tasting!
It was a great time and having so many from my home state was quite odd indeed!
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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 got up today at about 8:45 as my port excursion in Grand Cayman and the town of Georgetown wasn’t until 11 am. When I went outside on my verandah, we were already docked as it was an early arrival. I was hoping to experience another arrival, but decided to sleep in a bit. After showering, I got a few photos of Grand Cayman, where we were docked.
Nice, but not overly impressive in Grand Cayman as it's a tourist destination
Next, it was time for some breakfast and today I skipped Cabanas for a counter service meal on deck 9 and Daisy De Lites. I had a yogurt of some sort, mango smoothie, banana, coffee and two pineapple danishes. It’s basic continental fair and satisfying and there was plenty of seating available on deck 9 and chose to walk down to the Quiet Cove area to enjoy my breakfast.
I returned to my room for about thirty minutes to gather my things and get ready for my port excursion to Grand Cayman. Today would be different as you don’t just walk down the gangway to the shore as there was a tender to take you there, being off shore a bit.
At 10:15 am I went to the Buena Vista Theater to meet for the tender and wait for my group to be called and take the tender ashore to Grand Cayman.
Buena Vista Theater
The wait was short for our tender and our group was led after about a five minute wait . We boarded the tender and once it was pretty much filled we were on our way to Grand Cayman. It probably only took a couple of minutes to reach the dock near the shoreline.
One of Carnival Cruise Line ships in Grand Cayman port, while I take the tender to shore
Disney Magic while on tender. One of tenders beside The Magic.
Great view of The Magic!
More of The Magic and one of the tenders
One of The Magic’s anchors.
Shortly, after just a few minutes on the tender to shore and harbor of Grand Cayman, we arrived at the North Terminal. It wasn’t a big terminal, but upon arrival it was very touristy with many meeting areas for the various excursions. It was actually quite organized and made it quite easy for those taking one of these excursions on one of the various cruise ships docked here. A good set up as all arrivals here are by tender. I arrived at around 10:35, so I didn’t check in right away as I found the check in for my Atlantis Submarine adventure and decided to get some photos first of the area.
Arrival in Grand Cayman in North Terminal!
Main drag in front of terminal and of course a Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville!
The Magic and my side of the ship, two decks above the boats is my room and forward.
Shop in Georgetown, Grand Cayman
Finally, I went to check in for my Atlantis Submarine excursion and there were a couple of Disney CMs taking care of this. When I tried to check in, one of them said it’s only 9:45 am and I said, “Excuse me....it’s what time?” I was well over an hour early for my excursion. My mistake setting my watch back an hour last night as I didn’t set the main time but one of the other times on my watch, which does not correspond to my alarm! My goof! Well, at least I wasn’t late and no damage!
So, one of the CMs, told me to return at 10:30 to 10:45 to check in. So I just spent my time, checking out a few shops for some t-shirts I may be interested in purchasing later and the area in general.
Resident of Georgetown
Some of the most popular cuisine of Grand Cayman and Caribbean overall. I love jerk seasoning and sauce as it has so much flavor!
After exploring the touristy area of Grand Cayman and checking out some of the various shops, I returned to the North Terminal and check in for my excursion. There were quite a few of us on this submarine adventure from The Magic and we just waited a bit until everyone was checked in and then one of the local guides for this excursion would take us over to the departure dock for this excursion, which was quite close by.
NEXT: My First Ever Submarine Adventure And Is This For Me?
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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!
Wow, were there three Carnival ships next to each other??? That's a lot of cruise ships from the same cruise line in one port!
Yes there were as this is probably one of the busier Caribbean ports!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Oh well, at least you were early not late and it gave you some extra time to explore!
That is true and it was funny as this one shop as I had my eye on one shirt to get after my excursion. I really liked it, but then I thought, how much would I actually wear it. It's one of those sort of heavy cotton short sleeves with a line design that are popular in the Caribbean. It had one pocket with a Grand Cayman design. I would return later to the same shop after my sub adventure.
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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!
Whew better to be early than to be late! Was this organized through Disney as you said you met the group on the ship? No one made sure you were getting off at the right time?
Whew better to be early than to be late! Was this organized through Disney as you said you met the group on the ship? No one made sure you were getting off at the right time?
That is true but with these crazy watches these days, easy to skip over the main setting which I did!
That's funny as you mention this now as no one said I was too early or anything and didn't realize this until I checked in at the North Terminal on shore. Now, I'm surprised about this as they knew the correct time,which I should of! As long as you have an excursion and get off the boat, that's what they're looking for as many go off early to explore and do other stuff beforehand!
I was early off the ship, so all was good. This was one of the three excursions I booked through the DCL site for the cruise!
Thanks Maci!
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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!
There should be an update tomorrow on my semi neglected TR! Just wish I could be like Cheryl and do this daily, but after long days of work being on my feet, I find it difficult! I don't get home until about 630 pm, so that's another thing. Well anyway it will come and I really enjoy doing this and sharing my travel experiences with everyone here!
Not as many responses as before as I didn't have almost no updates from T-Day through New Years. My other two TRs of France (2013) and WDW (2014) the same thing happened! Just need to get at least one more update during the week as I feel bad for myself and letting all of you down to a degree!
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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!
No big travel plans in the next few months as my next trip not until mid October, which will be my first ever experience for Epcot's Food & Wine Festival. I'm looking forward to this for certain! A bit of different planning with the seminars, tastings and each country kiosk and what will be there and which ones will I chose? I hope this is not too much of a project. I think I plan to spend three days in Epcot for this and days and not evenings as lunch would be better as I'll do TS meals as usual for dinner! I know it gets crazy in the early evening onward for the Festival and especially weekends. Plan to do weekdays if I can, but we'll see.
Tips and recommendations are welcome to me for those who have experienced this festival in the past! I am also a Disney Visa Card holder so I am looking forward to experiencing the comfortable and air conditioned Chase Lounge!
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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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I checked in and took a seat on one of the comfy couches. Our tasting glasses were already set up with the Cognac samples already poured as well. 
What are the chances of that happening on a Caribbean cruise?
One couple actually lives about three or four miles from me. Truly, strange! 
Than he’d tell us what Cognac it was. He told us not to drink it all at once, so at the end we could re sample them and tell Bagus what our favorite and least favorite was. 
My personal favorite was the Remy Martin XO. 
Remy Martin is also the producer of the famed Louis XIII Cognac, which retails for a mere $1,700+ per bottle! This would have been quite an expensive seminar, if we were able to sample that one! 
I was hoping to experience another arrival, but decided to sleep in a bit.
It probably only took a couple of minutes to reach the dock near the shoreline. 
It was actually quite organized and made it quite easy for those taking one of these excursions on one of the various cruise ships docked here. A good set up as all arrivals here are by tender. I arrived at around 10:35, so I didn’t check in right away as I found the check in for my Atlantis Submarine adventure and decided to get some photos first of the area.
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