LIVE: Off to Rome for the Nieuw Statendam Premiere Voyage

[DeeniEncinitas]

20 minutes ago, travelinjones said:

We made it to the el Corte Ingles department store and in the Christmas area stumbled on the “Magic Christmas Forest” (rough translation).  We wandered though and came across a presentation by the Christmas Wolf (best we could guess). And while we could not understand it and the story was not familiar the rapt attention of the kids was universal 

 

 

 

 

we also found the Jamon section with some of the legs fetching 700 euros

 

 

On the way back in a tip of the hat to POA we stopped by a wine bodega, but as we were outside enjoying the sun an Estrella seemed more appropriate.

 

 

 

 

 

All in all a great day in Cartagena 

So enjoying your blog this AM over my coffee!! Thanks for the pictures and great detail

of everything! The Christmas setting at the mall brings back many memories of the Christmas markets in Europe when we were there.

Question? What do you think of the transformation of the Crows Nest? We enjoy going up there for views and cocktails. Have a great time.

Denise😊

[travelinjones]

35 minutes ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

So enjoying your blog this AM over my coffee!! Thanks for the pictures and great detail

of everything! The Christmas setting at the mall brings back many memories of the Christmas markets in Europe when we were there.

Question? What do you think of the transformation of the Crows Nest? We enjoy going up there for views and cocktails. Have a great time.

Denise😊

 

To be honest we are not fans of the EXC “invasion” of the crows nest.   On the other ships we have appreciated this area for reading and scenic cruising.  They did retain some of that concept but we still wish for the older layout.    If they could all be like the Prinsendam crows nest we’d be happy cruisers 🙂

 

[DeeniEncinitas]

Thank you so much!! We agree with you on the crows nest also. Appreciate you responding so quickly.

Denise😊

[travelinjones]

Just some notes.

 

We have found Orlando throughout the Ship observing and engaging guests   He seems genuinely interested in feedback.

 

The Rock Room and Billboard on Board have been popular.   They have been doing alternating 45 minutes sets.   The Rock Room band plays for 45 minutes, then the “dueling” Piano’s for 45. No break, they literally will start 1 minute after the other have stopped.  Both venues have great musicians and are very popular with a wide range of guests.

 

We asked the cellarmaster about the new Wine Packages and he stated that they will be changing just not until middle of next year earliest.   So we are safe for a while.   We have enjoyed the new packages and were happy to see they are still in place.

[travelinjones]

in the past we have been able to invite guests to dinner and have their charge be discounted per the 5* amount.  They appear to be more strict at least on The first day.   Will report back and see if this was a one off

[VMax1700]

1 hour ago, travelinjones said:

in the past we have been able to invite guests to dinner and have their charge be discounted per the 5* amount.  They appear to be more strict at least on The first day.   Will report back and see if this was a one off

 

Technically, they are correct not to allow it. But I have read that the discount has been given previously.

 

From Mariner Society FAQ

Can I extend my benefits (such as the 25% or 50% discount at select food and beverage outlets) to shipmates?

No. Benefits are intended for the personal use of the applicable guest and those sharing a stateroom with the guest on the same booking number.

Edited December 7, 2018 by VMax1700

[travelinjones]

New breakfast item. Collard greens and scrambled eggs wrap with romesco sauce

 

Mrs Jones thinks it’s not bad.  Mr Jones is still scrunching his nose

 

[travelinjones]

We have friends who live near Malaga who introduced us to Los Patios de Beatas.  We returned today for an awesome lunch.  The scallops were some of the best we’ve had and the Iberico ham was as delicious as it was artistically presented 

 

[DeeniEncinitas]

27 minutes ago, travelinjones said:

We have friends who live near Malaga who introduced us to Los Patios de Beatas.  We returned today for an awesome lunch.  The scallops were some of the best we’ve had and the Iberico ham was as delicious as it was artistically presented 

 

 

🤗 scallops and Iberico ham yummy👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

🤔 collard greens with eggs👎 I’d have to think about it LOL

Denise😊

 

[travelinjones]

56 minutes ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

 

🤗 scallops and Iberico ham yummy👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

🤔 collard greens with eggs👎 I’d have to think about it LOL

Denise😊

 

 

 

Regarding the collard greens. Wish you could convince mrs jones.   She is thinking No Carbs and I am thinking No Mas!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Scallops and ham -- yummy.  Collared greens -- no way.

 

Enjoying the reports.

[Vict0riann]

We went to the Beatas, too.  Our second time!  We had a gorgeous beef tartare and black cod with a coconut milk sauce.  Unfortunately it was our third tapas place, so we couldn’t do it all justice.  Great day!

[travelinjones]

3 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

We went to the BBeataseatas, too.  Our second time!  We had a gorgeous beef tartare and black cod with a coconut milk sauce.  Unfortunately it was our third tapas place, so we couldn’t do it all justice.  Great day!

 

 

That was us yesterday in Cartagena too many stops but all Delicious!!!

 

Beatas was special glad you also enjoyed it.  

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for sharing all the info. 

[ski ww]

I agree, those collard greens a big thumbs down. To each their own.

[KrissyCruises]

Just caught up on your ‘live’ thread. Thanks for posting! 

 

With Club Orange open, is Pinnacle still available for suite breakfast?

[travelinjones]

16 hours ago, KrissyCruises said:

Just caught up on your ‘live’ thread. Thanks for posting! 

 

With Club Orange open, is Pinnacle still available for suite breakfast?

No, it appears that suite guests eat breakfast in th Club Orange area.

[just_cruising_along]

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.  Would you be willing to take photos of the Pinnacle Wine Menu?  Even if it has not changed, it would be good to see a refresher on the variety and pricing on the bottles of wine offered.  

 

Continue to have a marvelous cruise.

[travelinjones]

As we have reached the half way point of the cruise thought we would post some impresssions of the ship.

 

We will try to post pictures as before but the Internet speed has been alternating betweeen slow and glacial.   Mrs Jones has put some of the pictures on Instagram and will post links where apppropriate

 

Pinnacle Grill - The new menu is the most delightful (and unexpected) improvement in our experience.  There are so many new menu items (along with long-time favorites.) We are enjoying trying them all so much that we changed our traditional last night at the Tamarind to the Pinnacle so we could make it though the new menu 😉   

 

During our two dinners so far we have tried several off the new dishes.  For appetizers the Sesame Crusted Tuna Tataki is exceptional.  Sushi grade tuna, well prepared.   For those who remember the Mushroom cream Amuse-bouche, that was so popular they have made that one of the soup options (it is rich but excellent.) 

 

We also tried the new appetizers from Chef David Burke.   The Pastrami Salmon was great quality.   It was a little heavy on the pepper for our taste but that is subjective and some may find it perfect.   The other is the Clothesline Candied Bacon.  At first we thought it possibly out of sync with the Pinnacle but we gave it a try and were pleasantly surprised, the presentation was interesting and fun. The bacon is delicious but not overwhelming sweet like some candied bacon.

 

For the new entrees we really enjoyed the seared scallops. Mr Jones tried the Filet with Lobster Dumplings, which was a great combo.    From the old menu the King Crab Legs were awesome!  Sweet and perfectly prepared.  Even the chicken breast entree has been upgraded —with new corn fed chicken, and a terrific sauce that kept the chicken moist and flavorful.

 

For dessert we tried the new Tres Leche cake and it was like we were in San Juan!  Expertly done!

 

Finally, the service has been outstanding, which is particularly impressive on a new ship, and with a new menu that contains an entire extra two pages of items, We estimate about 75% of the Pinnacle staff are from the Koningsdam Pinnacle and has been nice getting reacquainted.   Denise has been promoted to the Pinnacle Manager and she has been doing a fantastic job.

 

 

Edited December 12, 2018 by travelinjones

[travelinjones]

Clothesline Candied Bacon

 

 

Pastrami Salmon

 

[trixiee]

Thank you for taking the time to post your experiences! 

[KrissyCruises]

On 12/10/2018 at 12:27 PM, travelinjones said:

No, it appears that suite guests eat breakfast in th Club Orange area.

 

Thanks for checking. Great Pinnacle dinner report. Can’t wait to check it out! 

[travelinjones]

21 hours ago, just_cruising_along said:

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.  Would you be willing to take photos of the Pinnacle Wine Menu?  Even if it has not changed, it would be good to see a refresher on the variety and pricing on the bottles of wine offered.  

 

Continue to have a marvelous cruise.

 

Below is from the Dinner menu only has by the glass.  They don’t have a published list of Pinnacle wines by the bottle printed yet and what we can gleen the list will be reduced 

 

[just_cruising_along]

7 hours ago, travelinjones said:

I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.  So thank you very much for posting the wine menu that they have available.  Do they have the MDR wine list yet, or is that not available either?

 

[travelinjones]

20 hours ago, just_cruising_along said:

 

 

Here are the MDR wines by the bottle  

 

Part 1 “Light Conversation “