LIVE! Venezia Maiden Voyage 5/29 - Let’s Cruise!

[Cherries Jubilee]

Love the Lisbon photos!

[TravelBluebird]

Back from our day in Lisbon! We have the Chef’s Table tonight!  

 

First photo is also from this morning, of the Ponte 25 de Abril.

 

Then we took a Carnival walking tour. Very knowledgable guide. We left the guide to have lunch at our own at a small eatery that serves traditional Portugese cod (grilled, boiled potatoes etc). Then we visited the birthplace of St. Anthony, the St. Anthony museum and St. Anthony church. Seriously appropriate as he is the patron saint of  Lisbon, plus the patron sait of travelers, the elderly, and sailors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Couple more then I have to get ready for Chef’s Table! Lots of the Walking Tour is on video (so I didn’t have to stop for a still photo); I’ll try to pull some stills out of that.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Also, overall just wanted to say this is the BEST internet I’ve ever had on a ship. Starlink is amazing!  

[Lorain1]

Just wanted to thank you for posting, we are booked on the ship in an ocean suite for late August and have enjoyed seeing the videos, especially the carnivale terrazza area where breakfast is served, one question- are there appetizers and cocktails served later in the afternoon? I had read somewhere that they were to have it.

Also, on Deck 5, are there a lot of other shops or just the luxury handbag shop? Am looking for a souvenir as well as an upscale jewelry shop?

Keep the post coming and thank you!

[TravelBluebird]

6 hours ago, Lorain1 said:

Just wanted to thank you for posting, we are booked on the ship in an ocean suite for late August and have enjoyed seeing the videos, especially the carnivale terrazza area where breakfast is served, one question- are there appetizers and cocktails served later in the afternoon? I had read somewhere that they were to have it.

Also, on Deck 5, are there a lot of other shops or just the luxury handbag shop? Am looking for a souvenir as well as an upscale jewelry shop?

Keep the post coming and thank you!

You are welcome!

 

The Carnival themed souvenir shop with branded Venezia merchandise is on deck 4 (its on my deck 4 walking tour).  There is also a shop on deck 4 with hats and totes and such, and a big makeup store.  I believe there is a jewelry shop; I’ll locate it tomorrow and let you know.

[TravelBluebird]

We loved the Chef’s Table on Venezia! It’s held right in the Galley, which is a bit noisy but really fun, and I loved watching our meals being prepared.  It was my first Chef’s Table entirely in a Galley.  Service was impeccable and the food outstanding, and we had a good group, too.  Here is the menu; it’s late, so I’ll do photos of some of the dishes tomorrow.

 

Casino not at all as fantastic as dinnerl

 

We change the clock back for a second night in a row; to Ponte Delgado time this evening. SO now we will be just 4 hours ahead of EST instead of 6!

 

[Hogladyrider]

@TravelBluebird @Tx chick

Edited June 3, 2023 by Hogladyrider

[latebloomer56]

2 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

We loved the Chef’s Table on Venezia! It’s held right in the Galley, which is a bit noisy but really fun, and I loved watching our meals being prepared.  It was my first Chef’s Table entirely in a Galley.  Service was impeccable and the food outstanding, and we had a good group, too.  Here is the menu; it’s late, so I’ll do photos of some of the dishes tomorrow.

 

Casino not at all as fantastic as dinnerl

 

We change the clock back for a second night in a row; to Ponte Delgado time this evening. SO now we will be just 4 hours ahead of EST instead of 6!

 

Sounds like a real nice experience, thanks.

[Hogladyrider]

Menu on Pride Chefs Table appears to be the same!

[icft]

I'm really enjoying tagging along with you guys. Thanks!

[TravelBluebird]

6 hours ago, Hogladyrider said:

Menu on Pride Chefs Table appears to be the same!

 

Both sourced in Europe so makes some good sense! I checked and the menus were NOT the same on the Mardi Gras as recently as March. I wonder what other ships have this menu?

[TravelBluebird]

We slept in (divine). Well I did; Russ had lots of espresso and cantaloupe in the Terrazza continental breakfast area, then went up into what is like a reading nook area on deck 11 overlooking the Lido.  I’d give you a photo right now but he is going through my phone looking for photos he wants on HIS phone, so he’s got a death grip on it. 

 

We are waiting for the SeaDay Brunch. Said 20 to 30 minute wait at 9:20; still saying the same at almost 10am.  This looks to be our first long wait for a meal using the app.

 

[pe4all]

Love traveling along with you, and the other CC members posting their adventures on this cruise.  Have never done Chef's Table but this menu looks really good - may have to try it on one of my cruises.

[TravelBluebird]

22 minutes ago, pe4all said:

Love traveling along with you, and the other CC members posting their adventures on this cruise.  Have never done Chef's Table but this menu looks really good - may have to try it on one of my cruises.

 

It was my favorite Chef’s Table menu, and it was my third. It was $99, including a white wine, a red wine, and a port at the end of the meal.  Plus a magician comes by to do a little act, and you get a photo of the group included (8 x 10).

 

If you haven’t ever been in the Galley, it is REALLY a great experience to have the little tour and see where they produce all that food for so many guests! 

 

Everything is video for a YT video I’m going to do on the meal, but here are a few stills i pulled:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 3, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

The 20-30 minute wait for sea day brunch was actually 50 minutes.

 

Which is a little odd because we are the only people I. Our area.  Have achieved coffee—strong and hot YAY and juice.  Ordered Beignets and then Eggs Benedict and Steak and Eggs for DH

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 3, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Our Sea Day Brunch was the first one where the food was not served hot—it was warm, so acceptable, but you know me and hot food. And beignets should be piping.

 

We sat at the same table as our first night dinner, but didn’t have the same wait staff, and our waiter said he had just joined the ship in Lisbon.  We ordered the beignets and he looked perplexed—we had to show it to him on the menu.  

 

Shrimp & Grits, Beignets, Lobster Benedict and Crab and Avocado Sandwich are all available for an up charge from the Emeril’s menu.

 

Other than being only warm, the food was GOOD. Really the best Eggs Benedict I have EVER had on Carnival—perfect hollandaise sauce, very fluffy poached eggs with perfect yolks, and big, thick pieces of ham!

 

DH had the steak and eggs and he said the steak was good.

 

When we left the HUGE line that Saint Greg said he saw earlier was back—people waiting all the way to the elevator banks AND even on the next floor by the limelight lounge. We seemed to pick the perfect time for brunch today (app reservation requested at 9:20).

 

 

 

‘

 

Edited June 3, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

After brunch we (well I) decided to do some shopping. Left my tumbler for ice and drinks at home, and decided that already the late sea days have been cold enough that I wanted a sweatshirt or jacket. Plus I wanted my very first ship model, to have on shelve in my office where I tape the “talkie” part of my videos at home.

 

SO $128 later, we had 1 Carnival Venezia sweatshirt (cheapest but soft and hopefully warm one we could find—$49), one red Carnival tumbler for water and ice so I don’t have to keep buying water bottles ($16.95–they were $12.95 the day we boarded but those prices were crossed out and this is the new price) and the standard ship model at $59.95).

 

The glass inaugral-only model is really, really nice, but was $129.95 and very heavy.  Would look great in my office though…maybe I should do a return//exchange and pay the extra?  Can’t decide.

 

I lost my eyelash curler and although the makeup store is extensive, no eyelash curler. So if I look extra sleepy in videos this week you’ll know why 😂

 

Finally, the makeup store had a good selection of Sundry items, unlike the Carnival Mardi Gras in March. Photo below.

 

 

Edited June 3, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Still not getting old and still no one out here but me. May try the hammock in a bit.

 

Gosh, I love it out here so much maybe I should see if I can switch my Ocean Suite on the Jubilee next year for a Havana Cabana room?

[kwokpot]

2 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

The 20-30 minute wait for sea day brunch was actually 50 minutes.

 

Which is a little odd because we are the only people I. Our area.  Have achieved coffee—strong and hot YAY and juice.  Ordered Beignets and then Eggs Benedict and Steak and Eggs for DH

 

 

 

 

 

I miss the chia seed pudding and egg frittata! 😥

[TravelBluebird]

Just now, kwokpot said:

I miss the chia seed pudding and egg frittata! 😥

 

So do I!!!

 

In fact I’m so surly about it that I didn’t even go to the first Sea Day Brunch on Venezia. 

 

 

[Cherries Jubilee]

Oooh I’m excited to see the Emeril’s items on the brunch menu! I sailed Mardi Gras last year but I didn’t make it to the restaurant.

[TravelBluebird]

3 minutes ago, Cherries Jubilee said:

Oooh I’m excited to see the Emeril’s items on the brunch menu! I sailed Mardi Gras last year but I didn’t make it to the restaurant.

 

I was really surprised by them (as was our waiter, evidently) DH didn’t have a chance to have them on Mardi Gras. I may try the Shrimp and Grits during the crossing.

[cc31063]

23 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

Also, overall just wanted to say this is the BEST internet I’ve ever had on a ship. Starlink is amazing!  

Are you able to stream with it?

[TrqoisWtrs]

4 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

The glass inaugral-only model is really, really nice, but was $129.95 and very heavy.  Would look great in my office though…maybe I should do a return//exchange and pay the extra?  Can’t decide.

Those are nice, I remember seeing both in John Heald's video of the shop.  Is your model going to be in the background of your videos?  I personally would keep the version you have...might be easier to see, rather than the glass which could blend in?  just my opinion 😊