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

[Lorain1]

I think following along has gotten addictive - and enjoying it very much! I also was wondering what the sea day brunch at the Terrazza area was going to be and if it was very crowded. Not sure if we should try having brunch there on our sea day.

Does la Strada Grill have a menu or is it posted on a board, I definitely think that would be good to try when we cruise in late August.

Thank you and keep the posts coming!

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

14 hours ago, NitsirK21 said:

 

I'm enjoying following you along. We're going to be in a cabana in December. I was wondering about the seaday brunch for the terrazza area. Have you had that? And are the hot tubs busy in the terrazza area? 

 

Thank you for following!  We are having the special steakhouse brunch on the 9th.

 

The hot tubs always seem to have people in them but not crowded like a lido hot tub where you could use all the kids heads in the hot tub to walk straight across 

[TravelBluebird]

Hi everyone!  Sorry to be not as active yesterday but the ship internet and I were having a battle over whether my latest video would load.  I FINALLY won

 

Here is the latest in my Walking Tour series, on Lido Deck 10:

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

8 minutes ago, Lorain1 said:

I think following along has gotten addictive - and enjoying it very much! I also was wondering what the sea day brunch at the Terrazza area was going to be and if it was very crowded. Not sure if we should try having brunch there on our sea day.

Does la Strada Grill have a menu or is it posted on a board, I definitely think that would be good to try when we cruise in late August.

Thank you and keep the posts coming!

I have the menu on that sea day brunch in Steak House and will post—we do it in 3 days

 

The La Strada Grill menu is on a board and I will also post that—very very tasty! We are going to go back.

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

We had a 1 hour wait for Sea Day Brunch table—app had said 30-40 minutes.  We put in at beginning of Military Appreciation and saw the whole thing.  Awaiting our food 

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

When we left Sea Day Brunch at 12:30 there was still a huddle of people waiting for a table. Most were waiting about 1 hour although the app said 30 minutes or so.

 

Sea Day Brunch was good. Not hot, but warm enough. I had the Huevos Rancheros (side of hash browns)  and DH had a made-to-order omelette with mushrooms, cheddar cheese and ham, plus a side of Corned Beef Hash and bacon.  We put our app reservation in at 10:30 and finished Brunch at 12:30, but its a sea day and we have nowhere to go!

 

We also got our favorite ($$) vegan juices to start the meal. Not as good as on the Mardi Gras—my #2 didn’t have enough Tumeric  (Pineapple, Ginger, Lime, Dates Tumeric) or Ginger or Lime…really tasted like a glass of pineapple juice (blech) and DH’s was better, the #1, Carrot, Orange, Lime and Cayenne, but again was quite bland.  We will save that order for Mardi Gras and similar ships in the future.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Backtracking to yesterday!  

 

Started the morning with our usual Macchiattos; I needed a small bite so today we went up to the Lido Buffet for some fruit and hash browns; we were there around 9am; no line, much bigger line at 10am. The hash browns were HOT. Yay! And the cantaloupe sweet.

I then disappeared into my room, finally, to create my latest video. For those of you who are interested in that process, briefly:  I’m doing walking tours while on the ship because those are the easiest to edit. I’ll do a short intro of myself in the room, and then for this one because of noise and music I don’t have a copyright to, I did a voice-over of the tour instead of using my narration while I taped.  So I have to chase poor Russ out of the room since he has to be quiet. 

 

He likes the reading spots above the Lido Pool on 11  (I’ll grab some photos of that for you, and it will be in my next video tour as well) so he hid up there.

 

While waiting for Godot — I mean, while waiting for my video to load—I went into my hammock and read a book. Heaven. Until it got too hot and I took my book into the stateroom.

 

We mentioned our lunch at La Strada Grill in an earlier post (with food photos above) We went right after it opened at noon, and there was quite a line but it went quickly.

 

It is a self-service buffet.  We tried the following: Italian Meatball Hoagie (excellent!) Pork Porchetta sandwich (even better than the Meatball Hoagie; lots of flavors, see menu board below); Slow Cooked Chicken (chicken has ben uniformly delicious so far on this cruise), the Italian Sausage, Mac and Cheese (good, not great), Baked Beans (OK) and  the Buttered corn (super fresh and YUM I need more).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Our view yesterday! Similar, and beautiful, today!

 

Seas yesterday had little white caps; good stabilizers on the ship, back of ship did a little “bump” occasionally but that didn’t bother me.  We have nice slightly rolling seas today; should make for a great nap.

 

Bed report: On the hard side; great for DH not great for me. Pillows are firm and big, and we were able to get extra. If you like soft and squishy pillows i don’t know if they are available, I can find out.

 

 

[kwokpot]

10 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

Backtracking to yesterday!  

 

Started the morning with our usual Macchiattos; I needed a small bite so today we went up to the Lido Buffet for some fruit and hash browns; we were there around 9am; no line, much bigger line at 10am. The hash browns were HOT. Yay! And the cantaloupe sweet.

I then disappeared into my room, finally, to create my latest video. For those of you who are interested in that process, briefly:  I’m doing walking tours while on the ship because those are the easiest to edit. I’ll do a short intro of myself in the room, and then for this one because of noise and music I don’t have a copyright to, I did a voice-over of the tour instead of using my narration while I taped.  So I have to chase poor Russ out of the room since he has to be quiet. 

 

He likes the reading spots above the Lido Pool on 11  (I’ll grab some photos of that for you, and it will be in my next video tour as well) so he hid up there.

 

While waiting for Godot — I mean, while waiting for my video to load—I went into my hammock and read a book. Heaven. Until it got too hot and I took my book into the stateroom.

 

We mentioned our lunch at La Strada Grill in an earlier post (with food photos above) We went right after it opened at noon, and there was quite a line but it went quickly.

 

It is a self-service buffet.  We tried the following: Italian Meatball Hoagie (excellent!) Pork Porchetta sandwich (even better than the Meatball Hoagie; lots of flavors, see menu board below); Slow Cooked Chicken (chicken has ben uniformly delicious so far on this cruise), the Italian Sausage, Mac and Cheese (good, not great), Baked Beans (OK) and  the Buttered corn (super fresh and YUM I need more).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

La Strada Grill is a substitute for Guy's Pig and Anchor Barbeque then?

[TravelBluebird]

1 minute ago, kwokpot said:

La Strada Grill is a substitute for Guy's Pig and Anchor Barbeque then?

 

Yes, most definitely! Similar set up. I actually like it better that Guy’s Pig and Anchor, but if you are strictly into barbecue, you would not feel the same. Also not open for dinner, only for lunch. 

[TravelBluebird]

There  are rude, selfish, inconsiderate people playing music out loud on the cabana net to mine, they re even snapping fingers and singing along.  

 

I came out to my cabana to hear the ocean and relax. 

 

So to those people who are like “there is no privacy for cabanas you are not wrong, although someone I suppose could do the same on a balcony next to my balcony room.

[steveknj]

20 hours ago, pcrum said:

They used to give those tumblers to you for free when you purchased a soda package.  I had a bunch from when my kids were little that I just donated. 

I think RCCL still does this.  Or at least they did when I last cruised them pre-pandemic.  They also have the Coke machines where you can mix and match your drinks and you have to use their authorized cup to use them.

[TravelBluebird]

Now relaxing out in the Terrazza Carnivale area in the back of the ship. Drinking some Faux-jitos.

 

Dinner in the MDR tonight then we are going to go to the Venezia Rock Band Live in Concert (they are REALLY good; this is the band that has been playing in the Gondola Lounge most evenings. Then some comedy, maybe a bar or two. Perhaps a venture back into the Casino.

 

Sea Days are so stressful.  😂

[TravelBluebird]

I failed to tell you about our Mexican-themed dinner last night.

Excellent menu. We had the Queso Fundido and Inflatidas de Camarones, then for mains the Pollo Mole and the Chile Relleno.  Both main dishes were outstanding; the appetizers were good but my Inflatidas (shrimp) were not hot enough. ALso had a shrimp cocktail for good measure. Just 4 shrimp on the small side but very tasty.  

The Coco Tres Leches for desert was also great.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[fair-winds39]

Enjoying your review very much. We’ll be on Venezia in October.
 

We chose traditional dining for October. Do you know if the menus for the MDR will change when Venezia gets to NY? Are the menus currently designed around the places you have visited along the way?  
 

Thanks and enjoy the rest of your trip,
 

[Hogladyrider]

4 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

There  are rude, selfish, inconsiderate people playing music out loud on the cabana net to mine, they re even snapping fingers and singing along.  

 

I came out to my cabana to hear the ocean and relax. 

 

So to those people who are like “there is no privacy for cabanas you are not wrong, although someone I suppose could do the same on a balcony next to my balcony room.

It is very unfortunate but in today's society many folks have the mindset that they paid for this so they can do what they want when they want.  Some seem to have forgotten about their neighbors!

 

We've had it happen on our balcony before, it does get irritating and saying something often will only make it worse

[TravelBluebird]

A bit of excitement just now.

 

we were in the theater for the Rock show when an emergency recording right in the middle of the show told us all to calmly evacuate the theater.

 

which we did.

 

no word on cause—perhaps the dry ice pillar effect or something else set off the smoke alarm?

 

We have gone to dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[Cherries Jubilee]

I’m enjoying your review and your YouTube videos!
 

Do you know if there is a lunch time pasta bar anywhere on the ship like on Vista and Horizon in Cuchina?
 

I saw someone mention that the Seafood Shack serves Chinese food at lunch time.

[TravelBluebird]

9 hours ago, Cherries Jubilee said:

I’m enjoying your review and your YouTube videos!
 

Do you know if there is a lunch time pasta bar anywhere on the ship like on Vista and Horizon in Cuchina?
 

I saw someone mention that the Seafood Shack serves Chinese food at lunch time.

Thank you!  Glad you are enjoying my LIVE! and videos.

 

No lunchtime pasta bar.

 

I have not yet been by the Seafood Shack at lunch—I will check that out!

[TravelBluebird]

Ours supposition on the theater evacuation was correct—fire alarm trigger—nothing to worry about and show resumed.

 

Dinner was again quite good—we are definitely fans of the Venezia MDR.  We ate late—after 8pm with zero wait.  The tables are close together but we enjoyed our dining. Ompanions last night, always a bonus.

 

Photos and menu to follow—Hotels Operations Q and A is starting!

 

 

[luvs2beachit]

Loving your reviews and videos.  You keep things interesting!

[TravelBluebird]

7 hours ago, luvs2beachit said:

Loving your reviews and videos.  You keep things interesting!

 

Thank you!  I try!  Got a little lazy here on these lazy relaxing sea days!

[TravelBluebird]

Today was raining most of the day and a little colder. Plus a little more rock to the seas, though it wasn’t that bad.

 

For breakfast we had the Blue Ig——I mean Tomodoro—- made-to-order breakfast burrito. If you’ve never done this I highly recommend—you tell the servers exactly what you want in it—ham or sausage, scrambled eggs or mexican scrambled eggs, hash browns, cheese, which sauce. Choice of wheat or jalapeño tortilla.  Yum.

 

We decided to have Bonsai Sushi for lunch to mix things up a bit. Always good and a decent value. We got the sushi boat which is $14 per person—miso soup, salad 2 rolls (4 pieces each a person) and 3 nigiri sushi.  Plus we got some Sam Adams N/A beers and shared a yummy green tea cupcake for desert.

 

Took a cabin crawl and got to see lots of other room types. WOW to the ocean view room that was on the 1st deck SO close to the water!  I could see that the waves were much bigger than I thought they were,

 

 

[Haljo1935]

Hey @TravelBluebird first - absolutely still loving the commentary and pictures! Excitement growing for our Sept cruise (B2B Canada).

Next - will you be posting pictures of the cabin crawl?

Lastly - what does laundry service cost (read no self service laundry) and is it offered per bag and by the week?

Keep it all coming - we're having a blast!!

[TravelBluebird]

15 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Hey @TravelBluebird first - absolutely still loving the commentary and pictures! Excitement growing for our Sept cruise (B2B Canada).

Next - will you be posting pictures of the cabin crawl?

Lastly - what does laundry service cost (read no self service laundry) and is it offered per bag and by the week?

Keep it all coming - we're having a blast!!

 

Thank you! 

 

I took video of the cabin crawl, with permission from the room guests. I can try to pull some stills out of that if there is any particular room you’d like to see, or I can just post some of the more interesting rooms—like the one that had the standard bathroom AND then also had a mini one with a dressing table and a nice, deep tub! I think that was an ocean view. We also saw an Ocean Suite, a balcony, and an interior.

 

Laundry was $15 a bag “special” .  You can really stuff those bags and get quite a bit of laundry done.  

 

We did laundry and no complaints; I was quite happy with the service.