LIVE #queensonthehighseas Navigator of the Seas 3/15: A Spring Break Extravaganza

[cruisinfromtampa]

Did ye meet any of your students yet!? What age group are they?

We have run into them several times. The first...in line at check in. [emoji24][emoji24][emoji24]

They’re actually great kids, and great families. They were mine in middle school, and are in high school now.


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[cruisinfromtampa]

Are both slides open?

Not only are both slides open, but according to the CD, ALL venues are open!


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[cruisinfromtampa]

Cruise Compass Day 2










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[pearlie]

Thank you so much.  We have had a few belly laughs!   Can't wait for the rest.  Have fun!

[tcmagnum]

Have a wonderful trip... 

[tcmagnum]

4 hours ago, cruisinfromtampa said:

I’m back! Yesterday flew by, and I was best by the time I got back to the room. Picking up where I left off...Day 2: At Sea

We met for breakfast in WJ around 9:30. Tables were somewhat scarce...lots sleeping in a bit and eating late.

The Meet & Mingle was at 10:30, and fairly well attended. They raffled off bottles of wine, bags, pens, highlighters, and dinner for 2 at a specialty restaurant.

From there we ran down to the Diamond Lounge to talk to the concierge about our cabana in Labadee. Full disclosure: This is our first cruise after making diamond, so I have nothing to base this on from personal experience, just pictures I’ve seen. With that said...This thing is TINY. I didn’t count yet, but there cannot be more than 25 seats in the whole thing. We haven’t been during happy hour, and I can’t imagine it’s a pleasant experience. Pictures and seat count to follow when I get back there.

The traveling piano man also made an appearance today!



At noon, my favorite part of sea days: $2 mimosas in the casino! You can’t beat the price.

Up next: Dinner at Chops


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Quick question...Do you have to be actively gambling for the $2 mimosas?  Not an issue for me, but for my cousin.  

[cruisinfromtampa]

Quick question...Do you have to be actively gambling for the $2 mimosas?  Not an issue for me, but for my cousin.  

Nope! They have a limit of two per card at a time, but we were able to go back multiple (re: too many) times.


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[crusinot]

following!  Cruising Anthem in 3 weeks.. Getting excited to sail

[krewzin]

Duplicate 

Edited March 18, 2019 by krewzin

[krewzin]

4 hours ago, cruisinfromtampa said:

Dessert: Red Velvet Cake. The best part of my meal. Rich and moist. Creamy frosting. As someone who owns a cake company on the side, it was a good cake. Not as good as mine of course (Which is an Irish Car Bomb Red Velvet), but acceptable.
 

 

 

No kidding? In the Tampa Bay Area?

[saltycat]

4 hours ago, cruisinfromtampa said:

 

Would love to hear more about the “Irish car bomb red velvet cake”....and where to get one! ....We will be in Tampa soon ....

Edited March 18, 2019 by saltycat

[MLBFan24]

I think my favorite Cruise Director Staff member is on this ship - Silvia (she also leads the Zumba classes).

 

She's fantastic! She was on the Explorer of the Seas in 2017.

Edited March 18, 2019 by MLBFan24

[cruisinfromtampa]

 
 
No kidding? In the Tampa Bay Area?

Yep. It’s nothing major. Mostly for friends and friends of friends. But it keeps me busy when I want it to. Word of mouth has gotten me some great jobs. CBS did an article a few years ago on the best chocolate cakes in Tampa, and mine was listed as the best Chocolate Layer Cake in Tampa. 10 layers of cake and 10 layers of chocolate buttercream. I’m told it changes lives.


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[cruisinfromtampa]

Would love to hear more about the “Irish car bomb red velvet cake”....and where to get one! ....We will be in Tampa soon ....

Guinness Red Velvet, Irish Whiskey Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache Filling, and an Irish Cream Cream Cheese Frosting. I’m partial, but it’s divine.


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[cruisinfromtampa]

Day 3: Labadee

We woke up to a breathtaking view of Haiti. The mountains are beautiful!



As it was our first day outside, my hat made an appearance.



Gotta protect the face from the sun. I spend far too much money on an anti aging regimen to screw it up!



This was our first time visiting Labadee, and we absolutely loved it! Our group rented an overwater cabana for the day, and it was worth every penny.

We got off the ship as soon as we could. In fact, we were the second group off, right as they announced we had been cleared. I made a beeline straight to the attendant desk, because I wanted one with a view. I was the first one to arrive, and selected the cabana on the end of the left side. We had a fully unobstructed view of the ship all day, and it was gorgeous.



Once you got in, the water was absolutely perfect. Crystal clear, and cool enough without being chilly. We lounged around all day, popping in and out of the water. After lunch, the rest of the group got back in, and I stayed in the cabana and took a nap. We’ll never be able to do it any other way.



We came back on board, showered, and napped for a bit before dinner. We’re in the MDR for the first time this cruise. Service was fine, but I’m not sure I like the atmosphere. Lots of movement, with people coming and going, and I get distracted easily. I always say it’s why I’m meant to teach middle school...I have the attention span of one of them, so I understand.

With it being St. Patrick’s Day, we got matching shirts and beads. I, of course, am extra and for a little too hat to go with it. I bought it when I still had hair...Sunday morning I woke up with hair to my shoulders. Sunday afternoon I chopped it all off. Nothing surprises a significant other like cutting 9 inches off! I think he’s still gobsmacked. But, nonetheless, it didn’t stay on as well as it did when I bought it. C’est la vie!



Dinner was good. Menu is below. I think we all had the Chicken Cordon Bleu. It was incredibly moist, but still crispy all the way around.



From there, we walked around the pool deck a bit for some fresh air, but couldn’t stay too long because of the wind. The others went to the Journey Tribute Band, and I came back to the room to rest a bit. I think the heat today got to me. The plan is the adult comedy later on. I’ll leave you with the pool at night. Tomorrow is our second Sea day of four. The hope is to sleep in, and then there are some great activities planned for the day.

Thanks again for sticking around!




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[LB Cruiser]

Great review!  Thank you for doing it.  We are on the 9 night cruise at the end of this month and looking forward to our time on this beautiful ship.  

 

Have you been to the new fitness center yet?  Do you have any pictures of the gym?  Enjoy the rest of you cruise!

[DancerMama25]

Thanks for taking us along with you on your Spring Break!    I have a couple of questions and apologize if the answer is somewhere and I just can’t find it.   How late is the Lime and Coconut open?  What about the pools and hot tubs?   Sailing on Navigator in June with a LARGE group that may choose to hang out together on the pool deck.   I’m excited to follow along with the rest of your report!

[kruzerci]

Thanks for the pictures!

 

Any way you could post photos of the new gym? Is there still steam and sauna in the gym?

[LBumb]

Great job

[ownedbypets]

15 hours ago, cruisinfromtampa said:

 

Guinness Red Velvet, Irish Whiskey Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache Filling, and an Irish Cream Cream Cheese Frosting. I’m partial, but it’s divine.


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I need to place an order!

[dreadpirate3]

21 hours ago, cruisinfromtampa said:

One in our group orders the Key Lime Pie. She enjoyed it. I wasn’t a fan. If I don’t get a pucker in the back of my cheeks from it, it’s not key lime pie. The merengue was also gritty.




We’ve been to Chops on 5 different ships, and I think we’re officially done with it. We just never enjoy the experience, whether it’s the service, or the atmosphere, or the food. There are definitely some tasty things to eat, but overall it’s just underwhelming time after time. We’ll stick to others moving forward.


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If you see Key Lime pie in the MDR, don't bother. It's a sad, sweet imitation of the real thing.

 

Loving your review as always.

Edited March 18, 2019 by dreadpirate3

[EeyoreRN]

Loving your review!  Thanks for taking the time to do it. I enjoyed your New Year's one as well, but don't recall any mention of your baking skills?  We will look you up if/when we're in Tampa.  Look forward to reading more!

 

Eeyore

[Paulette3028]

3 hours ago, dreadpirate3 said:

If you see Key Lime pie in the MDR, don't bother. It's a sad, sweet imitation of the real thing.

 

Loving your review as always.

My DH thought the same thing when we were on Symphony a few weeks ago....not worth the calories he said.....I don't like Key Lime pie at all.

[dixieva]

Real key lime pie does not have meringue on top!  Just a small dollop of whip cream.

[blueridgemama]

19 hours ago, cruisinfromtampa said:

 

Guinness Red Velvet, Irish Whiskey Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache Filling, and an Irish Cream Cream Cheese Frosting. I’m partial, but it’s divine.


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Definitely need the recipe! Is it published somewhere or your original recipe?