My Island Breeze Picture Review. (4/7/13-4/13/13) Carnival Breeze

[SPKEMO]

They look great!

 

Glad you're liking them.

[Mizzouaholic]

Great review so far

[margob111]

I'll be on the Breeze in 13 days and can't wait. Thanks for the great review.

[Casey&Ryan]

LOVE the review, can't wait for the rest : )

[SPKEMO]

We woke up early the next day, today was Grand Turk and we were excited. We headed up to the Lido deck for some breakfast. The eggs that Carnival tries to pass off in the buffet line are a mess and really something I don’t think you can call eggs. But, there is another option. Head over to the omelet station where you can get ‘real’ fresh eggs. I ordered 2 eggs over easy. Cracked and cooked right in front of you. No more watery mess.

 

We made our way to the aft of the ship to get some pictures of the beautiful Grand Turk landscape.

 

 

White sand beaches and crystal clear water. It was perfect.

 

 

Finally they announced that we could exit the ship so, we made our way to the gangway. (aka. That bridgey thing that crosses to land)

 

We got off the Breeze quickly, as we had all cruise, and just in case people didn’t know where they were there was this:

 

 

We made our way over to the cab line and snapped a picture or two on our way.

 

 

Most of the cruise ship folk would be heading to Governor’s Beach so, we wanted to go to Pillory Beach. The cab fare was $10 pp each way and we would get a little tour of the little city.

 

As we made our way out of the port we came across this:

 

 

This is a replica of John Glenn's Friendship 7 capsule. Apparently, where the cruise ship port stands now, there was a NASA base and space tracking station where most astronauts were brought to after they splashed down in the Atlantic. This is here to commemorate those times.

 

Next up was this picturesque view of a resort in the city

 

 

I WANT TO STAY THERE NOW!!

 

 

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[SPKEMO]

The beach was gorgeous!!

 

 

 

 

I loved this place because there was only about 8 people there on the beach besides us.

 

We took down the cab drivers phone number and he told us just to call him when we wanted to go back and he would be here in 10 min. He was great!

 

There was a little stand where you could rent snorkel gear or even have them take you out on a boat for a snorkel excursion. We opted for the later. The cost was $30 pp so we jumped on it. Always a better deal to book on your own and not through the ship.

 

We got on a little speed boat, that was actually pretty nice, and made our short trip out to the ‘Wall’.

 

The Wall, for those that don’t know, is an area in the ocean that is as shallow as 18 feet and averages a starting depth of 35 feet. Then the wall drops off to over 7,000 feet. It is pretty cool.

 

We snorkeled there for around an hour or so. Here are some underwater of us.

 

 

 

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[SPKEMO]

After we were done with snorkeling we pretty much just lounged on Pillory beach, soaked up some sun, had a few drinks, and loved every minute of it!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our cab driver arrived at around 4 pm, without a call, knowing that we had to be back on the ship soon. He told us just to take our time and we could leave whenever. Finally around 4:45 we managed to pull ourselves away from the beach and go back.

 

I loved Grand Turk. I loved the simplicity of the island and how relaxing it made me feel. I will defiantly be back to the Turks and Caicos for a full vacation sometime in the near future.

 

We made our way back on the ship, rested up, and got ready for dinner. We would give the steakhouse a go tonight.

 

More to come……

[Mdchris]

Loving the review! I love the foodie take on everything! Question about pillory beach- what amenities are there? Bars?bathrooms? Thanks in advance!

[SPKEMO]

Loving the review! I love the foodie take on everything! Question about pillory beach- what amenities are there? Bars?bathrooms? Thanks in advance!

 

Pillory has an outdoor bar, bathrooms, a small restaurant. It's a great little place.

[SPKEMO]

LOVE the review, can't wait for the rest : )

 

I'm glad you're enjoying it. We are at the home stretch now.

[mbmbird]

Thank you for all the great info! We are doing an eastern next winter, and I'm taking notes :):):) I also LOVE your in depth review of the food:D

[SPKEMO]

Thank you for all the great info! We are doing an eastern next winter, and I'm taking notes :):):) I also LOVE your in depth review of the food:D

 

Food is the only thing on the planet that can transport to anywhere in the world just by sitting at a dinner table.

[twinbabies]

I have been waiting on your review of Fahrenheit 555!! I hope it's soon ;)

 

Loving the review!

[mbmbird]

Food is the only thing on the planet that can transport to anywhere in the world just by sitting at a dinner table.

 

Yes it is :D

[elaineb]

Loving the review! Another Pillory beach question - are there chairs and/or umbrellas for rent?

[mbmbird]

Loving the review! Another Pillory beach question - are there chairs and/or umbrellas for rent?

 

I was going to ask the same question. Also, the company you did the snorkeling with, do they do diving too? My boys are divers and if we could do it all from beach would be great:D

[SPKEMO]

Loving the review! Another Pillory beach question - are there chairs and/or umbrellas for rent?

 

Chairs/loungers are free I believe. Didn't see umbrellas so not sure there.

 

Glad you like the review.

[SPKEMO]

I was going to ask the same question. Also, the company you did the snorkeling with, do they do diving too? My boys are divers and if we could do it all from beach would be great:D

 

There is diving but, you need to schedule ahead of time. A young guy, about 30, moved down there from Canada does the diving.

[SPKEMO]

We got to the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse at around 7:15 or so.

 

 

We didn’t have a reservation/couldn’t get a reservation for this night but, I knew that we could just belly up to the bar and eat there.

 

Our server handed us our menus and I ordered a cocktail.

 

 

 

I ordered an Old Fashioned. It was ok. Didn’t order it again the next night at the steakhouse.

 

Another server was walking around with the bread basket. A good variety of breads to choose from. I got the brioche loaf and then they placed down a tapenade tray with butter.

 

 

Brioche is a great bread. It’s light and fluffy and the addition of extra eggs and butter help this bread stand apart from other white breads.

 

Our server then brought out a couple of amuse-bouches.

 

The first was a cold tomato soup.

 

 

And the second one was a potato frittata.

 

 

The amuse-bouches were average. The cold tomato soup was good, nothing great. The potato frittata with a parmesan crisp was about the same, good but not great.

 

No bother, real food was on its way.

[SPKEMO]

There were so many things on the menu that I wanted and, being that we would be eating here back to back nights, I was able to get them.

 

First up was the Lobster Bisque with vintage Cognac

 

 

A fleuron puff pastry sits in a shallow bowl waiting to be filled

 

The bisque is poured over the top.

 

 

And the final product is made.

 

 

The bisque is very flavorful. They finish the bisque back in the kitchen with cognac. You can taste the oak flavors of the brandy really coming through. My one problem with the bisque is the consistency. It’s too runny for my liking. I prefer a much thicker bisque but, to each his own.

 

Next up was the Beef Carpaccio.

 

 

This was simple and awesome. I love beef carpaccio and I know that it’s an old standard dish but I don’t care. The oil, the cheese, the pepper, and the perfect hints of acid in every bite!! YUM!

 

My wife ordered the Baby Leaf Spinach and fresh Mushrooms salad.

 

 

Solid salad. (it’s a salad, I don’t know what to say.)

[SPKEMO]

Next up was our main courses.

 

My wife ordered the broiled Filet Mignon.

 

 

9 oz cut of perfectly cooked overpriced beef. Haha, I’m not the biggest fan of the tenderloin cut. But, my wife liked it and again, it was PERFECTLY cooked.

 

I ordered the grilled Lamb Chops.

Wowzer. These were good. Perfectly cooked lamb with a rosemary rub. These were phenomenal.

For our side we both got the Yukon Gold Mash with Wasabe Horseradish

The problem with the side is that they give you SO much food that it’s hard to eat the side. The couple bites I had of them they were good. Silky smooth with a perfcet hit of horseradish.

I ended my dinner with the cheese plate.

Perfect end to an excellent meal. A great mix of 5 different cheeses along with grapes, bread, and water crackers.

My wife got the Chocolate Sampler.

She loved it.

The bartender took a picture of us when dessert came.

We were stuffed!!!

[SPKEMO]

The final order for me was a 20 year Tawny to wind down the meal.

 

 

My favorite after dinner drink.

 

After that it was Ron Pass, a little casino fun, and then off to bed.

 

 

RIBBIT!!

 

Day at sea next -

[crunchy05]

Great review, so glad u got the lamb chops as your entree. That is what I plan to order when we sail in the Breeze in August. Was just on the Disney Dream and ordered them when my husband and dined in Palo, and they were delicious. So I am curious to see how Carnival's stand up.

 

Thanks again.

[mairead224]

Love your review!!

 

YouR FAB pics have caused a row in our household. My DH and I are salivating at your pics of the steakhouse and I was quick off the draw and called the lamb!! His not a bit pleased lol!! We might have to do 2 nights at the steakhouse:D:D:D!!!!

[Leo's Rule]

My drink was the Southern Cal. It was a blended drink. As far as what was in it.. Rum, triple sec, peach schnapps, strawberry mix, and the part that lost it for me.. I rinsed each glass with midori. That would have been too much work and the cost would have gone up with that little twist.

 

Bummer for me, good luck for you.

 

Shoot, I want that drink right now! And I have to keep telling myself you're a guy. A couple of times you'd say something in your review that gives me puzzled looks because I keep thinking that your wife is the one writing this. :D:o

 

I'm just on page two, but I'm so enjoying your review. I'll be on Breeze in October, but I'm doing the Exotic S. Caribbean route.

 

EDIT: THINKING ABOUT YOUR DRINK MADE ME FORGET THAT I WAS ON PAGE 4 OF YOUR REVIEW AND NOT PAGE 2.