5/27/06 "Il pochi il fiero i blabbermouths" We *will* sail again Part 5

[scuba.mom]

Prior to our cruise we went to the Boca Raton Spa and Resort. What a way to start a cruise. We drove down to Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday and then spent Sunday at the spa. I had a massage, a facial, a body wrap and their signature "ritual bath". It was great. We had a suite at the resort which was a real treat. We ate well here as well. Mike played golf, Jim did the spa day, and Joan meet her sister for a day of shopping (definately not what I would choose to do on my vacation). We spent two days at the Resort before heading to the port to board our ship - Radisson's Voyager.

 

[kikipug]

And you've come back to "LOVELY" weather!!!! . At least its good weather for doing laundry... of any kind.

 

[scuba.mom]

The check in process was pretty smooth, but the terminal was very industrial as oppossed to Disney's very nice terminal. We made reservations at the ships two specialty restaurants - Latitudes (Indochen) and Signatures (French - Corden Bleu). Then we went to our Suite - I am now spoiled!!!! It was probably equivalent to a Disney Cat 2 or 3. Bath and 1/2, dressing area, large closet, living room, dining area, hall, and balcony. Jim has pictures and maybe he can post them later. It came with Butler service. Our's did an good job - Mike & Joan's did a GREAT job. We had the most incredible appetizers (small dinners) each evening on their deck watching the sunset. (They had a deck on the back of the ship with a large deck. - probably like the suite Stacy had on the 10 day).

 

[justmestace]

Sounds wonderful so far, Sharon.
You'll have to let me know what a butler does, we have one on Norwegian.
I'm thinking DCL may be the only one with the nice port terminal. We've all been spoiled with that....

 

[justmestace]

Irene...I love the "Amanda" pin! Your check is in the mail......

 

[scuba diver]

Everyone has taken off for the night so it is just me and the computer so let me give you a few thoughts about Radisson.

First, the diving in GC was fine. Because of the frequent change in schedule and ports I ended up using the ship's tour. There were 10 of us and we had the boat to ourselves. Don Foster's. Good dive operation. Plenty of run and typical GC operation, all tour dives but got 40 minutes on first dive and 50 minutes on second dive. Vis was great and water was 81 degrees.

This is our first butler experience. Mike and Joan had one too. They actually had the Head Butler and he did an excellant job. The afternoon snacks we had on their deck were unbelievable. Anything we ask for we got. Lobster tails, several kinds of shrimp, soft shell crabs, chicken wings, pizzas (wanted something a little lighter), salmon, etc. These were just the snacks. I'll post some pictures.

The thing about the butler is to ask. We had dinner for the 4 of us in our room one night. Mike made it his own menu and did not order anything being made that even. He wanted surf and turf with Filet and Lobster. They made it. The two butlers served the dinner in courses over 2 hours. Again, wonderful.

We actually brought home more liquor than we took. They gave us bottles of Kalua, Bailey's, Port, Dark Rum, Light Rum, Vodka, Brandy. We did not drink much of these so we brought them home. All drinks were included at dinner so it was really nice not have to worry about the costs. We drank lots of wine and port. Don't know how much because they just kept topping it off. On Thanksgiving they make the whole ship open bar for the day to say Happy Thanksgiving. There were a lot of people happy.

Food was excellant. Again, I'll post some pictures. It was Palos for every meal. Simple things like Crab Benedict for breakfast (if you knew to ask the butler). Lobster tails, steak, tuna, group, at the pool grill for lunch. They would make your burger to order and than deliver it to your table.

The weakness was the entertainment. They did not have much. It is fine if you want to rest and relax, which we did. But if you want daytime programs and great even entertainment than this is not for you.

 

[dzneprincess]

Sorry to interupt guys, but does anyone recall how much the model of the ship is that they sell in Treasure Ketch? I am trying to get one of my past cruisers to pick on up for me this week, but I need to know how much it was so I can point her in the right direction. I need it for part of my MILs Christmas gift.

 

[dobelover]

Amanda - $25 is on my box, but I bought it a few years ago. And I LOVE the pin!



Sue

 

[dobelover]

Welcome back Scuba's.




Sue

 

[Dancind]

Jim, Sharon, sounds like you are spoiled for dining and service! Can't wait to see pictures! Too bad about the entertainment, were the activities decent? Any good food demonstrations or wine tastings, at least? How many days were you at sea?

I love hearing about cruises. Those who can't do, can at least read and pretend!

 

[tinksdad]

Thanks for the report Jim. Bottom time of only 40 minutes, whoa is me! The disadvantages of being on a guided tour......

The butler things sounds REALLY nice!! So, what was your butler's name???


Did you guys dive in Cozumel? How did the island look?


BTW, Welcome back!!

 

[scuba diver]

Jim, Sharon, sounds like you are spoiled for dining and service! Can't wait to see pictures! Too bad about the entertainment, were the activities decent? Any good food demonstrations or wine tastings, at least? How many days were you at sea?

I love hearing about cruises. Those who can't do, can at least read and pretend!

They had one wine tasting, but we had our own each night. They had a featured red and white wine. We would try it and if we did not like it we would ask for something better. It would usually take a sample or two before we got the wine we liked. It was fun to send them off to the other restaurants to get the wine we had the night before.

They had one cooking demo where they did main, app, and a desert. It was Cordon Bleu so pretty technical. I did enjoy learning how to make White Truffle Foam.

 

[scuba diver]

Thanks for the report Jim. Bottom time of only 40 minutes, whoa is me! The disadvantages of being on a guided tour......

The butler things sounds REALLY nice!! So, what was your butler's name???


Did you guys dive in Cozumel? How did the island look?


BTW, Welcome back!!

Our butler's name was Trelock. Mike and Joan had Ved.

I did not dive Coz. We did the Hidden Jet Boat tour which was fun. I would do that again. We did that in the morning, but they ran 40 minutes behind which means I missed the Dive with Martin boat.

Coz is beat up. They are working on getting it back together, but it will take several years. There was not a green tree on the island. We heard people did island tours which was a waste of time. I would plan on sticking to the water.

 

[tinksdad]

Our butler's name was Trelock. Mike and Joan had Ved.

I did not dive Coz. We did the Hidden Jet Boat tour which was fun. I would do that again. We did that in the morning, but they ran 40 minutes behind which means I missed the Dive with Martin boat.

Coz is beat up. They are working on getting it back together, but it will take several years. There was not a green tree on the island. We heard people did island tours which was a waste of time. I would plan on sticking to the water.

Bummer!

Sticking to the water? Not a problem for some, but for others, it might not be the best solution. For me, the underwater is my favorite place in Coz!!

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Hi folks - some of us had to purchase the Christmas tree - before we could post. Trying to read the trip reports, but it looks like Sam and I will be joining you for the december dive. At least I will be there for one dive, Sam for more.

Back to trip reports.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Our butler's name was Trelock. Mike and Joan had Ved.

I did not dive Coz. We did the Hidden Jet Boat tour which was fun. I would do that again. We did that in the morning, but they ran 40 minutes behind which means I missed the Dive with Martin boat.

Coz is beat up. They are working on getting it back together, but it will take several years. There was not a green tree on the island. We heard people did island tours which was a waste of time. I would plan on sticking to the water.

Got it - for May - Dive.....

 

[TiggerInNY]

Maria-

We will probably be going to MK & MGM that day... we've discovered that its our only day to go before the blackout dates on our seasonal AP's... I want to see the parks all decked out for Christmas!! Let us know what happens... if dinner doesn't work out, maybe we can meet up with you somewhere...

Karen,

Sorry, we were away ALL weekend and I just got caught up, kinda, on the posts.

Can we meet for dinner or something near MK or MGM? Not sure if we're going that day. We are arriving on Saturday. Let me know what you want to do...

Maria

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Up early again - another travel day for me. I hope everyone has a successful and productive Tuesday.

 

[scuba diver]

This morning was the big weigh in.

5 pounds for me!
Sharon was the big winner with only 2 pounds.
Her trips to the gym everyday paid off. Now we just need to lose the extra weight before our next trip.

 

[scuba diver]

it looks like Sam and I will be joining you for the december dive. At least I will be there for one dive, Sam for more.

Kevin brought me up to date on the December diving. Sounds like it is going to be a good time.

Back to reality and off to work.