Sunday, October 6

Hurry up and scurry! Yesterday evening’s pre-dinner tips from the Concierge lounge frequent fliers, is to have a leisurely breakfast at 7:45 in the Chops Grill (it is open from 6:30 – 8 am) and get escorted by Celia to the gangway, supposedly. This is one of our ‘perks’ with the ‘grand suites’ we purchased.

We all arrived about 7:30 am, met Celia and had our breakfast. We are in group 25, with airport transfers included. Our flight though, is at 6pm!

After breakfast, we met Celia in the Schooner lounge, just across from the restaurant and sat … and waited. She disappeared and we followed the cattle car calling for group 25. It was pretty much on time and we were off the ship with our luggage by 9:15 and loading on the Delta bus shuttle to the airport.

Checking in at the gate, we came to find out that check-in (with baggage) can be no earlier than 6 hours before flying ON DELTA. We can check in around 11:30 am or so, per the gate agent, even though we are first class. Oh well, we are here with no issues so far.

Jamie and Patie went on ahead, because their flight is earlier and their bags were dropped off. However, they were blocked at the Delta Sky Lounge because they were TOO EARLY to enter. Not too sure about Delta for future flights!

Saturday, October 5

We decided to forgo the trip to Kennebunkport with Jamie and Patie and just do our thing in Portland. We couldn’t do another 3-4 hour bus ride!

After breakfast at the Windjammer, we headed down to clear customs. Because of the number of cruise ships in Portlan having to clear immigration, the cruise line could not give us an exact time when we could dis-embark. ALL cruisers are REQUIRED to clear immigration.

We talked to guest services and they relocated us to Group B, rather than some later group that was slated to go on bus tours. We goofed around and by the time groups I and J were called, we showed up, told the staff that we were group B, but late, and they waved us right down the gangway. We were in Portland by 10:30 or so, purchaed a hop-on hop-off city bus pass and were on our way to explore the “Old Port” area of the city.

Lots of shopping, good eats at the Highroller Lobster Co., a (3) 2-ounce sampler lobster roll with average local beers and fries. A definite re-do! More shopping and gelato and we were done by 3:30 pm for relaxing and cocktails.

We met up with Jamie and Patie for dinner at the Windjammer. Sandy and I couldn’t deal with the same menu in the main dining room at 7:15 pm. The Windjammer was asian night and the fair was pretty good.

Packed luggage by 10pm outside the stateroom and that was it for the night!

Friday, October 4

Day at Sea, nice and leisurely. We went to the Chops Grill for breakfast, my usual and Sandy had the Eggs Benedict, which she said, were pretty good.

Her massage at 9:30 gave me some time to stroll the ship. Lots of fun activities for kids (mini-golf and climbing wall), pickle-ball court (pretty active), art auctions, movies (Twister – packed audience) and trivia contests! The fantail was a cool place, a little windy. It is just beyond the Windjammer out on the very stern of the ship.

We had an early lunch, there was huge carving station. I had the turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. It was actually pretty good.

At 2 pm, we had a Macallan Colour Collection 12, 15 and 18 year whisky seminar. This stuff is really hard to find and it was worth the $47 per person fee. It is an acquired taste for sure!

Dinner was at Giovanny’s again, we both had the same, the carbonara and I had the pasta bolognese.

The food is ok, nothing to write home about.

Thursday, October 3

Arrived in Sydney right on time. We have agreed to meet at 9 am and have breakfast in town somewhere. Our tour begins at 1:50 pm and my 10:30 am Marconi tour was CANCELLED.

We all agreed to meet outside of the staterooms for a 9 am departure. We docked right on time in Sydney and we picked up a cab to head into town for breakfast. The local Lions Club had a raffle in the port/gangway/shops area and recommended Louann’s on Charlotte and Wentworth streets for our breakfast. 5 minutes later, we arrived, were seated and enjoyed a nice real breakfast meal with fluffy pancakes!

We strolled back on Charlotte street, shopping for the first time in Canada for the folks back home. Sandy was happy to finally have that key time. We made it back to the ship in time for lunch at the Windjammer and came back down for our 2 pm Sydney city bus tour. It is a beautiful countryside and made it back on time right before the gangway way departure. We were on board about 4:15 and the plank was going up around 5pm.

We tried the Sky Bar and the Schooner Bar (for the Beatles trivia contest) before our 7:30 ‘American’ seating at the Main Dining room. I had the braised pork, and Sandy had the upcharge Lobster tail. Tomorrow, it is a lobster feast in the Main Dining room as well.

Wednesday, October 2

Halifax arrival in the early morning and docked by the time we woke up. Our tour is for 11:30 for 3 hours and the ship leaves at 3:30 pm this afternoon.

We missed breakfast at the Chops House by 2 minutes, it closed at 8:30 am. We went up to the Concierge Lounge for a continental breakfast and then to the Windjammer for breakfast! We are not in synch with the restaurant food hours. It was lucky we made the Concierge Lounge, we met Celia, who was on duty this morning.

The morning was nice and leisurely. Our tour left around noon and we arrived at Peggy’s Cove around 1 pm. It is a beautiful lighthouse and location in Halifax. The tour guide was again, full of facts. The guides can really make or break your tour travel times. She was excellent.

Back on board and we made a mad dash to the Solarium for a quick snack. The Windjammer closed at 3:30, it was dicey, but we didn’t make it back in time for that. Trying to find Celia again, we made it around 5:30 for happy hour in the Concierge Lounge. It wasn’t much in the afternoon, drinks at the bar and some marginal finger food.

Dinner was at 7:30, Italian themed. It was ok, maybe we are adapting!

Tomorrow in Sydney, an even smaller town than St. John!

Tuesday, October 1.
Breakfast in the Windjammer for buffet, again not my favorite. Today is a day-at-sea, so we are stuck on board. The buffet lines were rapidly increasing as we finished up!

Sandy tried the casino! She was lucky and made $300. We’ll see how long her luck holds out.

We went to the Women of Wine presentation at 2 pm, very informative and La Crema chardonnay was represented. 3 reds, 3 whites and a Chandon champagne as well.

Dinner was at the Giovanny’s Table, it was probably the best of the restaurants that we’ve tried. The only two remaining are the Chef’s Table and Izumu, the sushi bar.

Vice-presidential debate, watched the first 10 minutes or so … and we snuck off to the main show to see the night entertainment, it was ok.

Monday, September 30.
Longshoreman strike to begin tonight at midnight. We’ll see the impacts when we return on Sunday!

Sandy off to an 8am massage appointment. Breakfast was room service, it’s better to eat at a table in a restaurant somewhere. The Lavazzo Nescafe machine is pretty cool though.

Pink hop-on hop-off bus was a little disorganized and late. Some patrons had issues with disembarkation in Canada delaying the entire day’s activities for everyone. As we returned to the port, some 2:30 tour people were still waiting for their tour around 3:30.

The port of St. John is quaint but a little tired. The Bay of Fundy was interesting, but we were there at slack tide, so you really couldn’t see any huge tidal changes. We made it back to port and had a local ‘beavertail’ pastry, sort of like a buñelo with a variety of toppings.

Dinner at the Main Dining Room, deck 4, was not the greatest. My prime NY strip steak wasn’t and Sandy’s Tiger shrimp plate were midget sized. We did get a nice serenade for our dual anniversaries. Not a place I really want to return to though.

Sunday, September 29 – RCI Jewel of the Sea

Quick breakfast, trip to CVS and packed and ready for our 11am taxi departure to the port. Left around 10:45, arrived around 11 and joined the masses to board the ship.

In group 3, filled out the Canadian declaration form and a quick board on to the ship.

Large groups congregating about, we tried the pool bar, wandered over to the aft buffet for a varied lunch. Lots of helpful folks ready to answer questions.

First version for luggage to stateroom 1532 on the 10th deck, was 1 pm. Well, that got moved to 3pm, not sure why. We just milled about and explored the ship until we met our luggage and our room steward, Allen. We were one of the last folks to take our luggage into our stateroom.

Dinner at the Chops House was pre-reserved for 6pm and 6:15pm, so we got both the Cervantes and Esquer reservation at 6:15. Featured course was filet mignon, either 6 or 9 ounce. I had the porterhouse, it was so-so. The included wines were perfect for the meal as well and the desserts were nice presentations.

After dinner, we wandered a bit to find the casino a smoking center. Not too sure about that but the boss is anxious to try it out.

Tomorrow, we head to St. John and the Bay of Fundy, the location of the largest tidal changes in the work, up to 50′. We’ll see!

A comfortable bed!!

Saturday, September 28

1 pm Boston Duck tour was campy but our guide made it fantastic with history facts and figures. Boston played an important part of US history and development of science and business. A nice leisurely morning to the Museum of Science allowed us to explore the Hub the Boston Garden front venue and we ended up Mike’s quickie stand for Boston creme pie, a lobster tail (pastry) and a penaut butter coconut cookie.

After the cruise, with the car, we drove out to Boston Sail Loft for lunch/dinner. We timed it perfectly and our meals were delicious. Sandy had a huge lobster roll and I had the 10 ounce scrod meal.

We drove back to the airport, returned the Cadillac and took a taxi back to the hotel. 10:30 call time tomorrow, taxi to the cruise ship dock!

Friday, September 27

Walking trip to the Old North Church and Bova’s Bakery for a creme brulee canolli and Dino’s Cafe for a nice old Italian lunch, 18″ meatball sandwich. Delicious! The Old North Church audio tour was full of cool information. A slow stroll back to the hotel and dinner at the Tavern in the Square.

Thursday, September 26

Met up for breakfast around 9 am in the lobby. All good with a plan to head to the JFK Presidential Museum. It was amazing and very uplifting. He did so much in just 3 years in office. From there, we went to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market for shopping and eats. Salty Dog Shore Inn was ok for clam chowder and fish and chips! A drizzly time day, but easily workable!

Wednesday, September 25

Arrived at the airport, ended up on deck 6 for long term parking. Delta 497 looks like its on time (10:55 am) direct to Boston, but Jamie and Patie are delayed until 1 pm or so. We will catch up with them tomorrow for breakfast!

The Delta flight was uneventful, but the first class experience, wasn’t, at least for me. Arrived on time, luggage in hand, Hertz rental with a Cadillac in the President’s Circle and a safe arrival at the North End Marriott. A quick snack across the street at the Tavern on the Inn.

Tuesday, September 24

Drove into LV, stayed at South Coast for a 10:55 am Delta 497 flight to Boston. Here we go!

TRIP TAKEAWAYS

• Food was marginal, nothing really fantastic.
• The desserts, my weak spot, were amazing in looks, tasted empty.
• Drinks were not killer either, no canned tonic, but they did have Hendricks. It turns out, you have to ASK or go to the right bar, and canned tonic WAS available.
• Not sure if the drink package was really worth it, we’ll have to tabulate our drink totals.
• The stateroom was fantastic, lots of room and our steward, Alan, was awesome.
• The room, 1532 was in a great location on the 10th deck. Far enough from the main stuff in the Centrum to not bother us. Coffee bar in the Solarium was right above is on deck 11.
• Food availabilty was fixed times. NOTHING was open 24/7. No pizza, no desserts.
• Meal times were a little late for us, maybe because we scheduled them too late in the process? As soon as you book, we should schedule excursions and meal times.
• Plan to take snacks with you on board and on the excursions.
• No free water anywhere.
• We should plan our departure flights better, we sat at Logan from 9:30 to our 6pm flight. A city tour would have been perfect, timing-wise. But it was filled when we finally asked.
• Look at excursions more carefully, the free-time on long trips did not allow for local port shopping, for example in St. John we just drove around on a bus.