Live from the Bliss March 12-26, 2023: Letters Home to Dad

[YVRteacher]

2 hours ago, mlgb said:

Pre-pandemic nearly all of my MDR wait staff experiences on Bliss were bad. After I complained to the head of that department about an especially awful service at lunch,  they must have put an asterisk by my name. From then on I was seated at a table with an experienced waiter. It seemed that the better waiters were assigned to the specialty restaurants. We didn't have a great experience in the steak restaurant the first time we went and had to gulp down the desserts so as not to miss the show that night.  The second time we told them we had a show and the pacing  was better but we still had some cold side dishes. Cold truffle fries! Yum! I had a solo 5 day cruise early in 2022 that was nearly empty and I still wouldn't eat in the MDR! Indian buffet please.

I hear you and I agree.

[YVRteacher]

Found a duck today.

[YVRteacher]

I also found this up on deck 19.  Do you think it’s important??

[mlgb]

Are they still serving snacks up in the Observation Lounge? I used to also go up there to avoid crowds in the buffet at off hours. It's such a nice space for those with inside cabins. 

 

It was tricky to figure out when there might be food up there tho.  

[YVRteacher]

Week 2 Day 3

Cabo San Lucas

 

Today was great.  Priority tender people met in Manhattan room, waited for the all clear and were guided to deck 4 at 11:00am.  My original plan was to go whale watching with Cabo Trek but when we arrived at their office we realized tours left at 11 and 2:30 and we felt the 2:30 trip would get us back to the pier too late.  We walked to the mall and my cruise critic friend went to the casino and I looked around a bit then went back the hotel area to book a clear boat tour. The tour left at 12:30 and there were 11 passengers plus the captain and a guide.  I loved the whole experience.  The company is Enva Tours and it was $35.  The next time I return to Cabo I will book the whale watching through Cabo Trek.  The people from our ship who did it last week spoke highly of the experience.  

We were gifted with bright sun and a light breeze today so it was a perfect weather day. I really enjoyed walking around ashore.  No one tried to sell me a lizard or ask me home to cook for them and there was no line up for the return tenders.

Back on board I had a veggie burger and French fries.  Yum.  I may have done the little kid thing and got some soft serve vanilla to dip the fries in.  Also yum.

 

The sundeck called my name and I fell asleep up there.  

I woke up when the lounge chair stacker guy came to do his job then went to the solo cruiser meet up.  I said this yesterday and am saying it again: Samantha does a wonderful job hosting.  She is organizing mini golf for us.

 

Six is tonight.  Twice.  This girl is in Broadway musical heaven!  Two of the understudies have family on board this week and they are performing so their family can see them.  I love that the leads are gracious in this way.

 

I’m currently drinking a Bahama Mama and watching whales breach off port side.  All is well.  Carmela has been checking in with me whoever she sees me and she asked if there was anything I needed.  I said internet would be great so she came through and now I have unlimited internet. I do very much appreciate the follow through and the wifi.  I also want to say that the bartenders on the Bliss are excellent. 

 

[YVRteacher]

2 minutes ago, mlgb said:

Are they still serving snacks up in the Observation Lounge? I used to also go up there to avoid crowds in the buffet at off hours. It's such a nice space for those with inside cabins. 

 

It was tricky to figure out when there might be food up there tho.  

Yes.  Great bar!  Food times for the Observation Lounge are posted in the Freestyle Dailies. 

[luckybecky]

21 minutes ago, mlgb said:

Are they still serving snacks up in the Observation Lounge? I used to also go up there to avoid crowds in the buffet at off hours. It's such a nice space for those with inside cabins. 

 

It was tricky to figure out when there might be food up there tho.  

 

They did breakfast and lunch on our recent cruise. Breakfast 5:30 - 11:00 most days. Lunch noon to 5pm. Hours were shortened sometimes on port days. Nothing after 5pm. It was very good, plenty to make a meal if you didn't want to do the buffet. Usually some kind of quiche, a few kinds of sandwiches, fruit, a few desserts. We never did breakfast so not sure what they offered at that time but I would guess it was similar.

Edited March 22, 2023 by luckybecky

[www3traveler]

7 hours ago, www3traveler said:

Love this--made  me laugh!! 

Three questions: (1) Who is the Chief Engineer?

                            (2) Who is the Captain?

                            (3) How is Dad doing?

 

I hope the rest of your week goes well.

Thank You  I met the Captain on the Getway's first Transatlantic Crossing in January 2014.  He was Staff Captain.

[mlgb]

Did I read that the chilled fruit soups aren't served anymore? I used to get some up there and pour it into a glass as a smoothie.

 

[YVRteacher]

There hasn’t been any chilled soup on this cruise but I read on another thread a few months ago that someone had chilled soup on their cruise.  The mango yoghurt they serve in the Observation Lounge is so runny it’s like a mango lassi. Would you like that?  It tastes good!! 

[YVRteacher]

Week 2 Day 4

Puerto Vallarta

We docked at the pier closest to Wal Mart today.  I think we arrived about 10:15 and were cleared by customs at 11:00.  When I went up for breakfast at 10:00am people were sitting in the stairwells ready to get off the ship.  I guess they thought that since yesterday’s tender took a long time (for people without NCL excursions or priority) they would be at the front of the line today. 

 

Everything I had for breakfast today was cold.  It was supposed to be hot.

 

I didn’t get off the Bliss today and instead spent the morning and early afternoon on deck 19 in the fancy chairs with my book and a Mango Meltdown.  Then it was massage time.  Oh my goodness!  I have had hot stone massages on NCL and on land before and nothing even comes close to the experience I had today.  It was an incredible massage and if you are coming on the Bliss on the near future treat yourself to a hot stone aromatherapy massage with Maria D.  I was so relaxed I think my breathing slowed to that of a bear in hibernation.  Maria trained as a masseuse in both the Philippines and in London.  

 

When I see people getting back on board they are drenched and disheveled and one woman is carrying a bag filled to the brim with “handmade” “hand painted” “made in Mexico” magnets.  As Anne Boleyn says in Six, “not my thing.” Picture that green skirt bobbing up and down and a sassy voice for full effect.

 

In between Six shows last night I went to the Garden Cafe for dinner. Saw a little boy (maybe around 8 years old) do something I’ve never seen before: he grabbed the handle of the soft serve machine, stuck his head underneath the nozzle, turned his head sideways, opened his mouth and went to town.  No bowl.  No cone. Just direct from the source.  If only the staff in the main dining rooms could be this efficient with their food service…

[YVRteacher]

On 3/18/2023 at 9:28 AM, ceilidh1 said:

Loving your review, but also in the "missing dad" camp. Hope he is enjoying your letters home! We will be on Bliss on April 9th doing our "traditional" short trip from LA home to Vancouver. Are Siglo onboard? Love that group!

Yes, Siglo is on board!  So much energy!!!

[ceilidh1]

4 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Yes, Siglo is on board!  So much energy!!!

Excellent. Hope they are still on when we board on April 9th!

[Rivercat]

Thank you so much for this hilarious diary! I'll be on Bliss in October for Alaska in a studio and am also vegetarian, so always anxious about what there might be to eat. Very excited for the Indian station and Los Lobos. Never occured to me that Ocean Blue would be a good veg spot.

[YVRteacher]

11 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

Excellent. Hope they are still on when we board on April 9th!

I will ask them!  I followed your live review last year (we had the same cabin attendant) and I really hope the Bliss gives you a great trip.

[YVRteacher]

7 minutes ago, Rivercat said:

Thank you so much for this hilarious diary! I'll be on Bliss in October for Alaska in a studio and am also vegetarian, so always anxious about what there might be to eat. Very excited for the Indian station and Los Lobos. Never occured to me that Ocean Blue would be a good veg spot.

It will be easier for you to get vegetarian food in October due to the ship not being as busy.  I’m currently writing a post on how to eat vegetarian on NCL.

[mlgb]

We also liked Los Lobos. For some reason it doesn't get much love. 

[YVRteacher]

4 hours ago, ceilidh1 said:

Excellent. Hope they are still on when we board on April 9th!

Hi @ceilidh1 I asked Siglo and they said they will be on the Bliss until August.

[ceilidh1]

2 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Hi @ceilidh1 I asked Siglo and they said they will be on the Bliss until August.

This makes me VERY happy! Thank you!

[YVRteacher]

Another great day!  Actually a fabulous day.

 

After my massage I spent some time in the Observation Lounge enjoying the view, the conversations and the signature Mai Tais.  Then it was off to the solo gathering followed by a terrific dinner with a friend in Los Lobos.  We had an aft window table and the scenery was gorgeous as we slowly sailed out of PV at sunset.  I ordered a margarita and was trying to describe the big glasses to the waiter and this arrived:

The waiter said he would order me an Uber to get home safely.

 

The whole meal was excellent as was our waiter.  He kept us laughing throughout the evening.

 

We like our guacamole prepared differently.  Here’s mine.  No cilantro and only one avocado 

and here is his.  All the cilantro and 5 avocados.

So much food!

Edited March 23, 2023 by YVRteacher

[YVRteacher]

Just popping in quickly to say that this week is going great and my faith in NCL is restored.  We are in sunny Mazatlan today.

[bluesea777]

10 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Just popping in quickly to say that this week is going great and my faith in NCL is restored.  We are in sunny Mazatlan today.

 

Great to hear! I was afraid you might be suffering a Burnt Out from too many cruises .... but happy to know that the issues you had have been resolved.

 

Really love reading your reviews and about your dad.

 

I don't know if you missed my post with photo - it's #137 on this thread. I'll go ahead and give you a hint - the place is mentioned in your posts #133 and #134.

 

Enjoy the rest of the cruise!

 

 

[www3traveler]

Two questions for you:  (1) What are the dates for your cruises on The Jewel?

                                      (2) Will be be up to traveling with you?

 

Just so you know Steven Jacobsen has just returned from his Winter vacation.

[YVRteacher]

Yes, I know.  Rumi will be back on the Jewel for our second week.  We are on the Jewel May 1-15.  My dad will be fine as he is familiar with the ship, many people on board, the cabin and the ports.  He is looking forward to the cruise.

[YVRteacher]

29 minutes ago, bluesea777 said:

 

Great to hear! I was afraid you might be suffering a Burnt Out from too many cruises .... but happy to know that the issues you had have been resolved.

 

Really love reading your reviews and about your dad.

 

I don't know if you missed my post with photo - it's #137 on this thread. I'll go ahead and give you a hint - the place is mentioned in your posts #133 and #134.

 

Enjoy the rest of the cruise!

 

 

Hi!  I’m not burnt out from cruising.  I love cruising. I’m on NCL again in just over a month.

Thank you for the hint!  I’ll look again later.