Live from Explorer's final round-trip out of New Jersey

Carol

You're just No Gouda!😂

 

Denise

 

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I try, Denise.

I try. ;)

Following along, loving it so far.

Maureen,

I am waiting for your review of your MSC cruise.

Nat

Carol,

Loving your review. You have the same sense of humor as me. (Maybe a Philly thing.);) I also love coffee ice cream.

Love your photos from St. Maarten. Looking forward to the next 17 days.

Ruth

The salad bar is in the Main Dining Room on sea days. It is like a Salad Alley restaurant. Servers compose your salad as you say or point to the bowls that you want. Then they add dressing and mix and cut it up for you, serving it to you in a dish.

This is the most factual tutti review I have ever seen. It's stunning in its simplicity. I love the bolded part the best.

Carol, did you make it to portofinos and how was the food? Was reading some complaints from passengers from prior cruise Bermuda/Canada and they said food was not good and wait time was 1 1/2 hours. Thanks for all of your feedback. Getting excited for Saturday!

We spotted the bishop in town again. He was still in religious garb, and I was hot just looking at him!

 

(hhhmmmm...........did that sound wrong? ;))

 

I KNEW you'd make me giggle.

Thanks for the internet heads up. I need to trip check my books are downloaded before we pull out of port.

The head waiter's response was not very nice nor is it an acceptable response. If the seating is full you shouldn't be squishing other people in.

Any idea if they are changing any of the port times for the 14 night trip?

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Nice to see you sailing again and sharing your adventures.

Carol, so glad to be reading your review and sorry to see Ex leave NJ. We had a lovely sailing on her in 2013 and she's so easy for us to sail, since we live nearby in Morris County.

You said you have a couple at your table from Brunswick, NJ. Which "Brunswick"? North, South, East or New? Not that it matters much but I like to find these sorts of things out. Also, I agree that the first night salmon on the main menu is much better than the every night alternative salmon.

I'm happy you found SF chocolate chip cookies. When we sailed Oasis last in April, they were no where to be found. They even went looking for me and could only find the lemon ones.

Will check back periodically to keep up with your review. Hope you continue to enjoy your sailing.

My friend Ruth is a vegan. She has told people on Cruise Critic how well she has been treated in getting good dinners in the MDR. This cruise, not so much. They are making her jump through hoops every night, instead of just making her vegan meals. She is quite frustrated and tired of the ordeal. One night they brought her gluten-free pasta, as though all food requests are the same. One of the chefs was brought out to talk to her, but it doesn't seem to have helped.

I'm happy now :). I'll let you tell why (don't forget the sorbet ;)) :D

This is the most factual tutti review I have ever seen. It's stunning in its simplicity. I love the bolded part the best.

Thank you. ;)

Given the assumptions that SOME people make on CC, I didn't want anyone to think that they were then handed the metal mixing bowl!

:eek: :D

Yes.

 

I highly recommend Dave's Best Limo. They pick you up right at your own home. I was not the first person on, and then there were three more stops to pick up people in the Northeast. All of these were door-to-door.

Sounds good. Do you know if they go to Baltimore?

Sounds good. Do you know if they go to Baltimore?

I do not know. Just call them. http://www.davesbestlimoservice.com/

Here we go. Sheesh, internet has been worse than usual tonight.

Tuesday, October 28. San Juan, Puerto Rico. One of those "great" Royal Caribbean schedules: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. All Aboard at 1:30. :rolleyes:

My food tour of Old San Juan was scheduled for 10 a.m. I just did this tour last month, but decided to do it again, and I am glad that I did. Last time, I sprinted and just made it to the starting place. This time, I was early.

Last time, our guide was Paola. She was an adorable elementary school teacher who was on the verge of leaving Puerto Rico to join her boyfriend in Peru, so I knew that I would have a new person today.

Here is Victor in his green shirt.

Most of our group of 11 came from the Explorer. Two girls were very late and held us up. Fortunately, we managed to finish in enough time to get back to the ship before she sailed.

Our first stop, as before, was Aromas Café, where we had mallorcas with mango frappé.

http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Mallorcas-Puerto-Rican-Ham-and-Egg-Sandwich

We got a little lecture on the history of San Juan next.

Then on to Cuatro Sombras, a coffee shop where they serve coffee made from their own beans, a 100% Puerto Rican product. Unique, according to Victor.

Notice how much prettier the beans on the left are. ;)

I am not a coffee drinker, but I enjoyed this "macchiato-style" coffee. Most drank it as-is; I had to add some sugar.

Their roaster in action:

Their menu:

Victor in action:

Famous bar, Vaca Brava. The vaca is on the left. ;)

Next we walked over to a little park. It sits right on the old wall of the city, overlooking the port.

These cool chairs are there:

The next stop was Café el Punto. We had to stand here and eat. There was seating for about four. Two of the seats were grabbed by the two youngest members of the group - the same two who had kept us waiting by being late. :rolleyes:

The first thing that we sampled here were alcapurrías. These were ground meat surrounded by a layer of plantain fritter.

Then we had a really big spoonful of some heavenly ceviche. Unfortunately, I could not balance my food, my cup of water AND the camera, so I have no picture of that.

But here is the menu from the place:

I am enjoying your review Carol. I have two quick questions. Have you been able to get the coffee ice cream on all RC ships? The fruit bowl you had a picture of, do you request it to be made of specific fruit or do you get what you get?

Thanks,

Andrew

PS - it was nice to see a picture of you. After reading your posts over the years it is great to be able to associate a face to your screen name. Enjoy the rest of your cruise.:)

Loving the pictures of San Juan... Thanks!

Carol,

Is the food tour an RCL tour, or a private tour?

Thanks,

Ruth

Loving your fantastic review and pictures! Have a fantastic cruise and thanks so much for doing this. Can't wait to read the rest. :)

Carol,

 

 

Is the food tour an RCL tour, or a private tour?

 

Thanks,

 

Ruth

Ditto...I would like to know too

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I am enjoying your review Carol. I have two quick questions. Have you been able to get the coffee ice cream on all RC ships? The fruit bowl you had a picture of, do you request it to be made of specific fruit or do you get what you get?

 

Thanks,

Andrew

 

PS - it was nice to see a picture of you. After reading your posts over the years it is great to be able to associate a face to your screen name. Enjoy the rest of your cruise.:)

Thanks, Andrew. :)

Yes, I have been able to get coffee ice cream on all of my cruises. Now, having said that......I don't ALWAYS ask. There have been cruises on which I have not eaten any desserts. :D

You must request "berries for dessert, please" to get those. Not on the menu.