LIVE from Eclipse - Penthouse Suite - Jan 22nd - 14 nights

[WonderMan3]

Sorry for running behind on updates but the wifi has been problematic the past 2 days.

 

After our stroll into town yesterday we relaxed in the cabin for a couple hours and then watched sailaway from our balcony before heading to Tuscan Grille for dinner. Now I know this place has gotten a ton of negative reviews lately. We did notice some changes since we visited last year:

-The service is not outstanding as it once was. It certainly was not bad but really just an ordinary experience. In the past some of the servers really went above and beyond and now they just do the required basics.

-Caesar salad is no longer made fresh at the table. Still tastes good and is light years better than the MDR. Not something I really missed because I've seen that done in many restaurants. But it makes the dining experience less unique.

-The antipasto platter is no longer automatic. It is on the menu but you need to order it.

 

As for the food, thankfully that has not declined. Everything we ordered was fantastic. The only negative I heard was for the Canneloni Fagioli; my husband didn't like it but he's also a very picky eater. I am sharing photos of a variety of food: Cannellini Fagioli, Pizzetta Caprese, Meatballs, Crab Cake, Beef Carpaccio, Minestrone, Caesar Salad, Shortrib Pappardelle Ragu, Strozzapreti Carbonara, Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad, Calamari, Rib Eye Steak, Filet Mignon, Spaghetti, Zabaglione Strawberry Shortcake, Pistachio Marble Creme Brûlée, Spumoni Donuts, Tiramisu

 

What was interesting was that the chef came by to our table twice to ask how things were. He especially seemed interested in any service issues we had. I'm betting this happened because of all the negative feedback Tuscan has been getting lately.

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

 

 

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[WestCoastFlyer]

Enjoying your report and the photos.

 

I agree with your comments about Tuscan Grill. We dined there and my ribeye was tough and bland. The filet was decent but not fabulous.

[southernshug]

This is definitely beyond my budget constraints but I appreciate you letting me live vicariously through your trip!!!! Everything looks amazing!!!! Hope you are having a wonderful time!!! :D

[aeegee]

Such a shame about the Tuscan Grill. It use to be our favorite restaurant on board. The antipasti has changed quite a bit. There use to be a big red slicing machine in the restaurant that would shave very thin wonderful slices of prosciutto and the plate also had grilled vegetables. It was all wonderful.

 

They had a pasta dish that was fish plus pasta, but not mussels, etc. It was wonderful and the filet was to die for. Not sure why they have to change things when it was excellent. Now I'm not sure we'll dine there in a few weeks.

 

Thank you again WonderMan3 for taking the time to make us all so anxious.:D

[sparkopotamus]

I love your review!! What a nice family you have! Thank you for taking the time to share with us!!

We are on the Eclipse in May for the President's Cruise and you're making me even more excited for it. I hope our SS1 will not be a disappointment after seeing your gorgeous PS photos! [emoji6]

 

 

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[debshomespun]

Thanks for posting SOOO many photos! They are AMAZING! Love seeing the blue waters of the Caribbean. Keep them coming!

[LadyVol1]

WonderMan3 - I hope you think about printing all of your posts (photos included) and putting them together for a coffee table book for your home. I journal most of our cruises and it's always fun to pick them up several years later. Just a thought!! Thanks again for all of this.

 

 

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[tnfcruise]

Hello, WonderMan3,

 

This is another Tina, wondering if your Tina enjoyed the Salt Flats tour.

 

We're on the Eclipse March 19, and Bonaire is the one island we've not been. I'm a birder and a boozer, so thought we'd hike around the flats looking for flamingoes, then stop at the Cadushy Distillery.

 

Thanks for doing this LIVE from Eclipse. Very enjoyable. Good photos.

 

 

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Edited January 27, 2017 by tnfcruise

[WonderMan3]

Hello, WonderMan3,

 

This is another Tina, wondering if your Tina enjoyed the Salt Flats tour.

 

We're on the Eclipse March 19, and Bonaire is the one island we've not been. I'm a birder and a boozer, so thought we'd hike around the flats looking for flamingoes, then stop at the Cadushy Distillery.

 

Thanks for doing this LIVE from Eclipse. Very enjoyable. Good photos.

 

 

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They did enjoy the tour. They did see flamingos and learned a lot about the history of Bonaire and its salt farming industry. They said the guide was very good.

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

Here is the daily from Curacao yesterday

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

Here is the port info for Curacao

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

Catching up from yesterday in Curacao, we docked at 7am and we're greeted with a rainbow over the ship. We left the ship at 8 and grabbed a taxi in the port station near the ship. It was only 4 of us today venturing out as Tina, Barbara and Carol decided to spend the day relaxing on the ship. The rest of us headed for Cas Abao beach. This is our favorite beach on Curacao and one of our favorites in all of the Caribbean. It's a 30 minute cab ride from the port costing $60 each way. You arrange with the driver for a pick-up time from the beach when he drops you off and you pay on the return as that gives him incentive to come back. Cabs are not just waiting at the beach and you won't be able to call one. The beach is good-sized with a number of palapas for shade but no umbrellas due to the strong trade winds. The beach opens at 8 and we always get there at 8:30 to ensure we get a palapa. If you don't get there by 9:30 or 10 then all the palapas will likely be gone as the beach gets fairly busy.

 

There is a $6 entrance fee to the beach per car which you give the taxi driver as you enter. Beach chairs are $3 per person and it includes a coin to access a 30 second rinse off shower. There are restrooms, snack bar/bar, massages available and a dive shop. For 4 of us lunch cost about $50 for each of us to have a burger or hot dog, fries and an alcoholic drink. Staff at the bar is usually not friendly so don't be surprised.

 

The beach has nice soft sand but when you enter the water there is coral pieces and some rocks so water shoes are recommended. You can do snorkeling but won't see a tremendous amount. We arrived at 8:30 and had the driver pick us up at 1:30. He made a small detour on the way back to bring us to a pond to see flamingos but they were too far away for us to get a close up look.

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

 

 

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[chamima]

Here is the port info for Curacao

 

 

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This is wonderful port information we've never gotten before.

Is it from the Michael's Club concierge or was it given to all passengers?

Thanks

 

 

Sorry to re-post the whole long picture but I wanted you to know which sheet I was referring to.

[WonderMan3]

After returning from Cas Abao we showered and changed and did the short walk over to the Renaissance Hotel /Fort Rif area with shops and eateries. I got some Dutch cheese at the local cheese shop and then we headed into play at the hotel's casino where I got lucky and hit a jackpot (tax free too!).

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

This is wonderful port information we've never gotten before.

 

Is it from the Michael's Club concierge or was it given to all passengers?

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry to re-post the whole long picture but I wanted you to know which sheet I was referring to.

 

 

Not sure. It was in our cabin so I don't know if non-Suite guests got it too.

 

 

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[chamima]

Not sure. It was in our cabin so I don't know if non-Suite guests got it too.

 

 

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Thanks!

If we don't get it I'll know to ask for it.

We've never gotten such a comprehensive list of what's available (other than ship's tours) .

[WonderMan3]

Last night it was back to Luminae for dinner. We are really enjoying our meals here. Laurence the maitre'd, Floyd our server, and Maggie the sommelier are wonderful. We have always been able to be seated right away whether we come at 6, 6:30, 7, etc. and no matter if it's just 3 of us or with added guests. They will make an entree into an appetizer so we can sample more. And when Maggie saw that we were ordering a favorite cocktail each night that they only had at the Martini Bar she arranged to have all the ingredients added to their own Luminae bar so they could make it for us right there and reduce wait times for drinks. We feel so taken care of! Here are some photos of last night's meal including: Smoked Potato Soup, Roasted Chicken, Sea Scallops, Eggplant Parm, Pastrami Short Rib Ravioli, Melon and Goat Cheese palate cleanser, Dark Chocolate Soufflé, Pineapple Custard and Macaron. All fantastic!

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

We are in Aruba today. The first of our two days here. Mike and I have been to Aruba many times including two week long vacations so we slept in today and are relaxing in the cabin while Carol, Barbara and Tina are off on an island tour. It's given me a chance catch up on social media stuff and to find a good wifi spot as it's been spotty the past couple of days. Here is today's daily.

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

Here is the port guide

 

 

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[hcat]

Here you go. They left a copy in our room tonight.

 

 

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Sounds like a nice lineup.Do you know if these entertainers perform at locations for non suite guest? Thanks for a nice review..with photos!