Return to Band Camp: A first-time, potentially somewhat live narration - Escape April 16

[www3traveler]

When you get a chance, could you please posted a picture of the Crew Board?  A friend was supposed to join as Executive Chef.  Thank you

[Von & John]

Have a FANTABULOUS Cruise!!!

Cheers & Von Boyage

[Travelicious]

First visit to the Vibe.  Mojito with Zacapa 23.

 

[Travelicious]

When you go on your pre-cruise diet but are also in training for heavy drinking, you start out the cruise with your dress pants already tight. ☹️

[Travelicious]

My TV remote does not work properly.  Not a problem unless you are a TV junkie.  Don’t worry - I have alerted the authorities.

[Travelicious]

In other news, my Fitbit was an hour behind and I couldn’t get it to update.  Then I arrived at Bayamo at 6:20 for 6:30 reservation.  I stood at reception desk for several minutes before the hostess told me they did not open until 5:30.  At some point, it updated unbeknownst to me.  

[snorklinbarb]

13 minutes ago, Travelicious said:

In other news, my Fitbit was an hour behind and I couldn’t get it to update.  Then I arrived at Bayamo at 6:20 for 6:30 reservation.  I stood at reception desk for several minutes before the hostess told me they did not open until 5:30.  At some point, it updated unbeknownst to me.  

Made me chuckle but hope you had a great meal there.

Was on Escape twice last year in Eur. and transatlantics and simply loved the team onboard.  

 

Twice to Bayamo.  Apps are the best between the ahi tuna, scallops on pork belly, blazing shrimp. Oh my!  Love that place.

 

Sorry to hear of all the travel delays and frustrations but now you're onboard and can relax!  Thanks so much for taking us along!

 

 

[JIMESOPUS]

Our adventure thru the " Pearl " wasn't so easy, I will never say anything bad about Manhattan again. But here we are, first meal thru Cagney under 1 hr, everything prefect, had time to run upstairs and attended the Latitudes gathering.

Edited April 16, 2023 by JIMESOPUS

[zzdoug]

bon voyage.

Edited April 17, 2023 by zzdoug

[Travelicious]

1 hour ago, JIMESOPUS said:

Our adventure thru the " Pearl " wasn't so easy, I will never say anything bad about Manhattan again. But here we are, first meal thru Cagney under 1 hr, everything prefect, had time to run upstairs and attended the Latitudes gathering.

The party and everything else conflicts with dinner plans.  See you tomorrow?

[Travelicious]

6 hours ago, www3traveler said:

When you get a chance, could you please posted a picture of the Crew Board?  A friend was supposed to join as Executive Chef.  Thank you

Who is your friend?  So far all I’ve found is a monitor that rotates photos and bios of officers, one at a time.  If I know who it is I’ll try to get the pic.

[Travelicious]

Dinner at Bayamo:

 

Again, I can’t seem to remember to take a photo until I’ve had at least one bite.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Travelicious

[Travelicious]

The last drink photo is my favorite cruise night cap, the Sidecar.  I’m finishing it in the empty and very quiet studio lounge.  Then heading to bed.

 

Update on the malfunctioning remote control:  it has not been replaced.  My room steward told me earlier that he requested a different one from his boss.  I just saw him and he said he hopes to have a different one for me tomorrow.  I told him to tell Boss that I’m not happy, but made clear it is not directed toward him.  He said if Boss doesn’t give him one tomorrow, he will give me his remote.  He is working for that tip.  Guess I better not lose all of my cash in the casino, though I made a good start tonight.

[www3traveler]

2 hours ago, Travelicious said:

Who is your friend?  So far all I’ve found is a monitor that rotates photos and bios of officers, one at a time.  If I know who it is I’ll try to get the pic.

Ganesh Panjami from India-- Excecutive Chef

 

Thank You

 

[JIMESOPUS]

10 hours ago, Travelicious said:

The party and everything else conflicts with dinner plans.  See you tomorrow?

We will be there, we have the leadership meeting first, look for the shirt .. lol

[Travelicious]

Update on the saga of the remote:  when I got back to my room last night, I turned on do not disturb, undressed, got my robe on and was in the midst of brushing my teeth when a knock came upon the door.  It was someone with my new remote.  Because my mouth was full of toothpaste, I could only give a nod and a thumbs up.

 

This remote works better, as in it can turn the tv on and off, can navigate and responds when you click the select button.  It does not, however, allow the source to be changed, which is the only thing the other remote did properly.  The source button on the new remote changes the channel.  The channel up and down buttons do nothing.  😂

 

oh well.  I finally got it all figured out and got my Roku hooked up, but then was too tired to watch anything.  Had a great sleep in a very comfortable bed with nice pillows.  Such a different experience from most bedding on ships.

Edited April 17, 2023 by Travelicious

[Travelicious]

1 hour ago, JIMESOPUS said:

We will be there, we have the leadership meeting first, look for the shirt .. lol

I don’t have the shirt, but will be wearing this lanyard.

 

[Travelicious]

We had a good turnout at the Meet & Greet today, and managed to get back $13 of our $15 at the slot pull.  I’m scheduled to see Choir of Men at 7:00, so will have dinner either at Manhattan or Food Republic at 5ish.  
 

Lunch was at Taste.  I took a photo after only one bite of scallops, which were excellent and extra garlicky.  Not pictured was the chicken flautas and the molten lava cake.  All of the food so far has been delicious!

 

 

 

 

[Elsammo46]

20 minutes ago, Travelicious said:

We had a good turnout at the Meet & Greet today, and managed to get back $13 of our $15 at the slot pull.  I’m scheduled to see Choir of Men at 7:00, so will have dinner either at Manhattan or Food Republic at 5ish.  
 

Lunch was at Taste.  I took a photo after only one bite of scallops, which were excellent and extra garlicky.  Not pictured was the chicken flautas and the molten lava cake.  All of the food so far has been delicious!

 

 

 

 

Are those scallops baked in anything? Looks like some sort of breading. Looks awesome! Haven't seen that on the menu before I'm pretty sure

[www3traveler]

Did you have a good turnout of Officers?

Someone on a different thread was asking if Alvin Oliva is the Cruise Director and I would like to know about the Executive Chef Ganesh Panjami.

 

I hope you are having a wonderful time and are having good weather.

[Travelicious]

3 hours ago, Elsammo46 said:

Are those scallops baked in anything? Looks like some sort of breading. Looks awesome! Haven't seen that on the menu before I'm pretty sure

No breading.  It appears to be baked in butter and garlic.  Not sure how it got so browned on top.  Maybe a bit of cheese on top.  This is on one of the rotating lunch menus that I’ve seen on several cruises. 

Edited April 18, 2023 by Travelicious

[Travelicious]

3 hours ago, www3traveler said:

Did you have a good turnout of Officers?

Someone on a different thread was asking if Alvin Oliva is the Cruise Director and I would like to know about the Executive Chef Ganesh Panjami.

 

I hope you are having a wonderful time and are having good weather.

 I think we had 6 officers there, plus the cruise director.  The chef was not in attendance.  Still going to try to get the photo you want, just haven’t had a chance to stand and wait for his time to appear on the monitor.  I’ll try for tomorrow while people are off the ship.

[JIMESOPUS]

leadership photo

[www3traveler]

11 minutes ago, JIMESOPUS said:

leadership photo

Thank You

[Travelicious]

1 hour ago, JIMESOPUS said:

leadership photo

Thanks.  I never found this one.