September 22, 2007 -- WESTERN

[CustardTart]

Karen don't forget to pack the sun screen for Barbados

Thanks for the reminder, Mike! What with being totally preoccupied by the cruise, my planning for our Barbados trip has gone out of the window! I've spent the day trying to piece together last summer's outfits and making last minute nail/hair appointments - what was I (not) thinking!!! Oh well, it'll all be fine I'm sure - Barbados is all about kicking back and relaxing...

Eva, I fancy to try the Martini flight I've seen mentioned. I'm not a big fan of martinis as a rule but these sound something special. OMG my list of must-try alcoholic beverages is getting longer and longer - hope I'm not giving you guys the wrong impression...

 

[Marshmelo]

Karen - you are so lucky to be going to Barbados!! Have lots of fun!

I was going through my travel info today and came across an old AAA TourBook for the Caribbean. It reminded me that I should get a new one. For any of you who are AAA members, thought I would give you a little reminder that those books are available........something else for us to have strewn all over our desks

 

[American Scrapper]

Oh the Grass Skirt sound good too!! Our first cruise I liked to Bahama Mama's, last year we (oops I mean Sandi! LOL!!) tried everything! The BBC was good, but my drink of that cruise was the Miami Vice, so maybe this year will be the Grass Skirt!

 

[scrapperjill]

I really enjoyed those mint mojito's also Very refreshing for a mid day on the sun deck drink.

 

[papa]

I do love the commercials for the mojito's. Not much of a drinker, think that on the last two cruises we probably had a total of six to eight drinks. Now back in my younger days, it was walking on hands and knees coming out of the clubs

Cold here this morning in Nashville, 10 degrees F going up to about 34 with snow predicted tonight. That is -12 degrees C for our metric using friends. Mike

 

[eva]

The Grass Skirt does seem tempting. I'm not much of a gin drinker, but I believe that I might give that one a try. I doubt that we will do the martini or margarita tastings, mainly because DH won't drink either. I'm sure that we will go to the beer tasting, probably both times. I hear that they change the selections in the second tasting. I think that I read you can order a tasting of pretty much anything at both Diversions and Sessions. So I may order a martini flight there as well, as long as the traditional martini is a vodka martini. Ok, now I am starting to sound like a lush.

 

[CustardTart]

The Grass Skirt does seem tempting. I'm not much of a gin drinker, but I believe that I might give that one a try. I doubt that we will do the martini or margarita tastings, mainly because DH won't drink either. I'm sure that we will go to the beer tasting, probably both times. I hear that they change the selections in the second tasting. I think that I read you can order a tasting of pretty much anything at both Diversions and Sessions. So I may order a martini flight there as well, as long as the traditional martini is a vodka martini. Ok, now I am starting to sound like a lush.

At last! Someone else to join the club!

We will probably do the wine tasting. I did it with my DD and it was great fun - I've even managed to open bottles of champagne with a knife just like the sommelier demonstrated!

I am pleased (and rather excited) to tell you that I've just booked a 4 day Double Dip for DD and myself in May 2008! She's celebrating signing her first ever permanent contract and has wanted to do the DD ever since she first heard about it! The opportunity was there so I just let it happen...

 

[eva]

Karen, we did the wine tasting and beer tasting on our last cruise and really enjoyed them too. We might do the wine tasting again. It just depends on how everything lays out time wise. I have looked at the most recent navigators for the Western and there are a lot more activities to do on the ship than the last time we cruised. And I love sitting by the adult pool, while reading a good book and sipping a drink. Decisions, Decisions!

 

[Marshmelo]

All this talk about alcohol....... DH can't wait for the wine tasting. He said he might try the beer tasting, but he doesn't really care for much beer other than Coors Light. I want to do the Margarita tasting (or is that Martini, or is it both?). I thought I read that there is a Margarita and a Martini tasting, but maybe someone got Margarita and Martini "confused" At any rate, I would like to do both! DH wants me to do wine tasting with him, but I just can't get into wine. I hate the taste....except for good ol' Boone's Farm I'm a cheap date

 

[scrapperjill]

Margarita tasting sounds good I've been wanting a good margarita for a couple weeks now. At our last cruise gathering the host made some GOOD margaritas...and ever since then I've been wanting MORE The Martini tasting doesn't sound to good...I'm not a huge Martini fan. There cute...and look yummy but the ones I've had were very bitter and down right yucky. Maybe I had a bad one or something....and really don't know what I'm missing. Hmmm...Maybe doing the martini tasting would be a good experience after all... Try and taste some that are made right.

All this talk about diffrent drinks and what we can't wait to have/try...has got me thinking....I better start increasing my bar budget

 

[CustardTart]

...I'm not a huge Martini fan. There cute...and look yummy but the ones I've had were very bitter and down right yucky. Maybe I had a bad one or something....and really don't know what I'm missing. Hmmm...Maybe doing the martini tasting would be a good experience after all... Try and taste some that are made right...

That's what I think, Sandi - DD loves 'em and we have similar tastes in most things so I figure give the tasting a go...

OK guys, I'm off to bed - need an early night as have to be up at 5am. Have a good week and I'll be back soon.
My very best wishes,
Karenxxx

 

[eva]

They have both martini and margarita tastings. Be sure to check out the times the first day and get them booked at guest services. They usually fill up pretty fast. The martini and margarita tastings are $15 each. And the beer and wine tastings are $12 each. The tastings are on the at sea days usually in the middle of the afternoon.

 

[papa]

We haven't been on board the Magic since October of 2004. Last September was our first time on the Wonder. Be nice to see the changes that have been done to the Magic since our last time on board.

We had the new mattresses and sheets on the Wonder and they were nice. I understand both ships have the Dumbotron now.

Looking forward to seeing the sunset in Key West. Also to maybe having a cheeseburger in paradise or a margarita there. Mike

 

[scrapperjill]

So just how much tasting do you get at these things? I mean is it really just a 'taste' of a few....or do you get a good sized drink each time?

 

[papa]

I don't know Sandi about the amount, but we could always get a gurney from the sick bay to wheel them back to their rooms. For a fee of course Mike

 

[Bareacuda]

What you said Mike!

Now will that be one of the games... Gurney Races on deck 4 ???

 

[papa]

I need a gurney with a motor in order to win the race.

Karen (aka Custard Tart) is enjoying the beaches in Barbados about now.

We received about an inch of snow here in Nashville late last night. Mike

 

[Bareacuda]

Speaking of motors... yesterday while rigging our 45' canoes 2 older gentelmen stopped and asked when the motor went on the boat. Dh told him "it's the orginal 6 stroke kind" and pointed to the 6 of us working!

Now to be with Karen ! Awwwwww !

 

[eva]

We've only done the beer and wine tastings. At the wine tasting they had 5 or 6 wines and the glasses were a little less than half full. Definitely enough for an afternoon. At the beer tastings I want to say that they were nearly full glasses of beer. But the glasses were more of a large juice glass size. If you have ever ordered a flight of beer at the Rose and Crowne, they are about the same size.

Boy, I wish I were in Barbados with Karen. The high today in Illinois is only 15 degrees with -9 wind chill. That's the high! Yikes!

 

[scrapperjill]

Wow...we're nice and toasty up here in Washington...were up to a whopping 30F.

Lucky girl (Custard Tart)

I've never been to Rose and Crowne I've only been to the world once and that was only for 2 days...so we never made it anywhere near there. That is...if that's where it is ...I'm just guessing ...because I think I've heard of it. Anyhow...I was just wondering how much you actually get during the tastings....to see if it was worth the $$. I'm sure DH would like the beer tasting...but I don't think either of us would care for the Wine tasting (We've got a TON of winerys here in the valley and we'll go and tour them every now and then but really don't care for most of it.) Anywho...I'm thinking I'd really like to try the Margritias