Quantum & Anthem Photo Review - Food Focus - All Specialty and Dynamic Dining

[megacruiser]

The open decks started to quieten down as we approached San Juan...

 

 

 

 

 

 

View of the airport from where we docked...

[megacruiser]

Including me, there were three regular passengers attending, plus the Staff Captain and his father. Really I think it should have been rescheduled to another day. The guest interaction normally adds greatly to the overall experience. The Chef’s Table event has been downgraded since I was on the Oasis. They were now calling it Prime Table and no chef was present at any point. The host and sommelier was in fact the waiter who had served me in 150 Central Park on Oasis a year earlier. He spoke about the food and the wine.

 

The food was fine, if uninspiring. The highlight was the Beef Tenderloin which was exceptionally good. It was also a treat to have the Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon that was perfectly paired with it. The rest of the food and wine was just okay. When compared to the Chef’s Table on the Oasis, and even more so to the Getaway a week or so earlier, the overall experience was just not at all special or memorable.

 

 

Menu...

 

 

Amuse Bouche...

[megacruiser]

Hearts of Palm...

 

 

Sweet Pea Soup...

 

 

Butter Poached Lobster...

 

 

Braised Short Rib Ravioli...

 

 

Prime Beef Tenderloin...

 

 

Chocolate Sabotage with Dessert Martini...

[Just Jo]

What stunning photos! Thank you for a great review.

[megacruiser]

What stunning photos! Thank you for a great review.

 

Very kind of you. Many thanks.

[megacruiser]

 

 

 

 

 

[megacruiser]

Saturdays are a quieter day in St Thomas, cruise-ship wise. We docked in the same position as Getaway just over a week earlier, at the furthest most point of the main dock. I remained aboard...

 

 

The screen by the main pool was on constantly...

 

 

 

 

The North Star is the name of the Pod that rises high above the ship...

 

 

It can also swing out port and starboard beyond the ship’s superstructure...

 

 

[megacruiser]

The North Star Bar has an upmarket VIP sort of vibe and it is promoted as a Champagne Bar. It did not seem to be used very much...

 

 

 

 

They keep Moet & Chandon in a pretty cabinet...

 

 

And at the bar with beer on tap...

[megacruiser]

Operating whist in port meant the queues were nowhere near as long as normal. Half an hour is about my limit for queueing and it had been much longer than that earlier in the cruise...

 

 

 

 

 

The downside was that the Pod could not swing out to the side as it is not permitted whilst in port...

 

 

 

Still a good view from up high, but not exactly the thrill of a lifetime...

[megacruiser]

 

 

 

Dinner that evening was to be at Silk. I love Chinese, Thai, Indian and most South Eastern Asian cuisine, so I was eagerly anticipating a culinary delight...

 

 

[megacruiser]

Spicy crackers were served as a matter of course...

 

 

I love Green Papaya Salad, especially the type sold as street food in Thailand. This example was totally bland and did not tingle the taste buds one iota...

 

 

The Shrimp Shumai dim sum were okay but again a little bland...

 

 

The skin of the Crispy Vietnamese Bass was not crisp. In fact the fish was not moist but rather dry and rubbery, and didn’t taste freshly prepared...

 

 

The Cardamom Pot au Crème was quite a delicately flavoured custard. The crispness of the Palmiers complemented it well. Probably the best dish of the rather disappointing meal...

[megacruiser]

Off then to the Royal Theatre for the Headliner Showtime...

 

 

Ken Rush, the cruise Director made the intoduction...

 

 

Nice to see a live orchestra on stage...

 

 

Tonight’s headliner was Tony Tillman. An energetic and talented all round entertainer...

 

 

[megacruiser]

I wandered out onto the open decks to take in some night air

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few folk were watching a movie on the screen by the main pool...

 

 

 

It was a clear night. Looking skywards, stars are clearly visible. Smoke from the funnel swirls around and at times one imagines ghostly shapes forming within its trail...

[megacruiser]

As I passed the Seaplex around midnight I was surprised that the bumper cars were in use and the pace was buzzing. I entered from a side door and took a few snaps...

 

 

 

 

 

Very soon I was approached by a member of staff who advised me that the venue was closed to passengers and there was a staff “reward” session under way. I left post haste and noticed there were signs to that effect at the main entrance, just not where I had entered...

[avlski]

I have following along! Thank you for all your time, effort, and hard work in putting this review together! Love it! Thank you again! avlski