Live from Splendor, Copenhagen to Southampton

[Gilly]

Hopefully @seasickphil , you didn't have too bad a night as we rocked and creaked our way towards Cork though we had a rude awakening when one of our french windows came open and a blast of air roared in!  (Probably my fault for not securing the door properly when I'd gone out earlier 🤫 )

 

Anyway, this morning, we heard that we won't make it into port today because of the storm, so we'll continue on towards Falmouth tomorrow.  It's always sad to miss a port of course, but these things happen, as we know.  Here's hoping the storm passes through and that we return to smooth sailing before too long.

[seasickphil]

39 minutes ago, Gilly said:

Hopefully @seasickphil , you didn't have too bad a night as we rocked and creaked our way towards Cork though we had a rude awakening when one of our french windows came open and a blast of air roared in!  (Probably my fault for not securing the door properly when I'd gone out earlier 🤫 )

 

Anyway, this morning, we heard that we won't make it into port today because of the storm, so we'll continue on towards Falmouth tomorrow.  It's always sad to miss a port of course, but these things happen, as we know.  Here's hoping the storm passes through and that we return to smooth sailing before too long.

Thank You Gilly.

I was awake from 2am what with all the creaking going on but didn’t feel unwell at all (am I now developing some sea legs after 25 years of cruising or is that just wishful thinking) no medication needed at the moment but will see how things go throughout the day. Nothing planned at all for today, probably the sea conditions will determine what we eventually get up to throughout the day.

Just been on the balcony, it’s a trifle blowy out there so everyone take care.

[Mudhen]

As an aside, I just read that the QM2 had a very rough time yesterday. High winds broke her bow line and they lost at least one? maybe two? partial gangways. Fortunately no one was on either. All seems to be well now and there were no injuries of any kind. phew! Must've been pretty bad to cause a big girl like "Mary" to have problems or maybe her size WAS the problem!

Carry on!

[Mudhen]

A quickie question!

Who is the head sommelier at the moment?

[Gilly]

@Mudhen I'm not 100% on this one but the man wearing a jacket (rather than the waistcoat of the others) in CR and dashing around chasing his tail all night with bottles in his hand is I Kadek.

[Mudhen]

Thank you! It could very well be I Kadek.

I was wondering about Georgiana…

[Gilly]

2 hours ago, Mudhen said:

Thank you! It could very well be I Kadek.

I was wondering about Georgiana…

@Mudhen  I haven't seen her....but that doesn't mean she's not here!

 

There are a great number of new staff - more accurately, new to us.  We recognised hardly anyone when we boarded.  It appears my (new) role in life is to train Regent staff to make a "proper" Gin and Tonic - i.e. one where the gin isn't drowned in a whole glass of stale, anonymous tonic water.  So far, I have about an 80% success rate, though I'm aiming for 100% reliability by the time we leave 😉      Well, we all assume a mission in our lives, don't we?!

[Mudhen]

Thanks Gilly...

I have a feeling that she's probably not onboard and may very well be going to the Grandeur. Is she's on the Splendor, she'd be very visable and spinning around CR!

[Mudhen]

12 minutes ago, Gilly said:

@Mudhen  I haven't seen her....but that doesn't mean she's not here!

 

There are a great number of new staff - more accurately, new to us.  We recognised hardly anyone when we boarded.  It appears my (new) role in life is to train Regent staff to make a "proper" Gin and Tonic - i.e. one where the gin isn't drowned in a whole glass of stale, anonymous tonic water.  So far, I have about an 80% success rate, though I'm aiming for 100% reliability by the time we leave 😉      Well, we all assume a mission in our lives, don't we?!

OH NO! You mean no Fever Tree?

I love a good g&t, preferably with Hendrick's, my fav.......ut oh.....!

[Gilly]

59 minutes ago, Mudhen said:

OH NO! You mean no Fever Tree?

@Mudhen no panic....it's there but it takes perseverance to find it and engineer it to a place beside your favourite gin!   I too like Hendricks but there's also Mermaid Gin on board which is rather good as well 😉 

[Gilly]

Coming to the end of this cruise in the morning, but we will stay here for the next one.  Perhaps I'd better wrap this one up soon and start a new one, just to keep things straight.  I must say, we've had all kinds of confusing messages including a set of disembarkation luggage tags and maps of Heathrow, plus a form to complete with options for tours in Southampton "for those sailing on to Barcelona"  (errrrmmm, we're flying home from Reykjavik aren't we?)  I understand there are 23 px in transit, but sadly none of our ace Trivia team...so we'll be looking for new friends for that.

[Redking]

11 hours ago, Gilly said:

@Mudhen  I haven't seen her....but that doesn't mean she's not here!

 

There are a great number of new staff - more accurately, new to us.  We recognised hardly anyone when we boarded.  It appears my (new) role in life is to train Regent staff to make a "proper" Gin and Tonic - i.e. one where the gin isn't drowned in a whole glass of stale, anonymous tonic water.  So far, I have about an 80% success rate, though I'm aiming for 100% reliability by the time we leave 😉      Well, we all assume a mission in our lives, don't we?!

Why is the quest for a decent G&T so challenging? I think you've summed it up perfectly. Surprised that even Regent fall short. Pictures of their glassware are impressive. Keep up the good work 👏 

[irishwitchy]

14 hours ago, Mudhen said:

Thank you! It could very well be I Kadek.

I was wondering about Georgiana…

We love Georgiana, I swear she followed us on our cruise last year.  She always  appeared as we entered a dinning room.   Hope to meet her again.  

[Gilly]

4 hours ago, Redking said:

Why is the quest for a decent G&T so challenging?

I don't know if it's simply that the way of serving such mixed drinks in different parts of the world vary?  I say this only because I just read an article by an American visiting London for the first time, who was surprised to be served her spirit and the accompanying mixer separately.  Now I think that's perfectly normal - isn't it?  (Maybe not?!)   So, a straight "G&T" order on board is served in a long glass, with about a third ice and topped up almost to the rim with whatever tonic happens to be there at the time by the server, usually a large "Coke size" can which is already open and might be slightly flat.  (That's not always the case...I noticed smaller, San Pellegrino Tonic cans yesterday)   Of course, the flavour and character of a particular gin is totally drowned in a serving like this and I have spent our time on board devising the best way of describing exactly how I'd like my G&T served wthout sounding too picky!  (But maybe I'm just that way!! 😉)

I try to find one of a handful of waiters to ask, who understand what I mean when I ask for " XXXX gin, served over ice please, with a slice of cucumber (or whatever) and a bottle of Fevertree tonic on the side would be perfect!`     Maybe that's not how many would like their G&T served?  I don't know.

 

Tell me what makes the perfect drink for you, please?!

[BuckGood]

20 hours ago, Gilly said:

@Mudhen  I haven't seen her....but that doesn't mean she's not here!

 

There are a great number of new staff - more accurately, new to us.  We recognised hardly anyone when we boarded.  It appears my (new) role in life is to train Regent staff to make a "proper" Gin and Tonic - i.e. one where the gin isn't drowned in a whole glass of stale, anonymous tonic water.  So far, I have about an 80% success rate, though I'm aiming for 100% reliability by the time we leave 😉      Well, we all assume a mission in our lives, don't we?!

I hope you have trained them as we board today and can see the ship from our hotel room! 

[Gilly]

See you soon @BuckGood

[Mudhen]

I'm not a "professional" g&t drinker as I like other things as well (like a glass of good champers!) but I've had g&ts served in a couple of different ways. On Cunard (think very British) a g&t is usually served with the gin over ice and a bottle of tonic on the side. In our local establishments, granted in the wilds of NY, it comes already poured, mixed, etc. It doesn't really matter so much to me, but after requesting a certain type of gin, the next important part is the tonic.....really like Fever Tree. I also like either cukes (Hendricks) or a couple of wedges of lime......but that's just me....hahaha!

[briar14]

Always Fever-Tree!

[lprp]

Some of my favourite G&T’s:

1) Hendricks, Grapefruit slices and FT Mediterranean Tonic 

2) Rhubarb and Ginger Gin (Whitley Neil do a good one) with FT Ginger Ale

3) Hendricks, Cucumber and FT Tonic

4) Hendricks, Raspberries and FT Elderflower Tonic

 

Preferably they should be served with a large chunk of ice, so that it chills rather than melts and dilutes 😋

[Mudhen]

mmmm! Raspberries and FT Elderflower with Hendricks sounds wonderful! Did I say mmmmm?!!!

[Gilly]

4 hours ago, lprp said:

Preferably they should be served with a large chunk of ice, so that it chills rather than melts and dilutes 😋

Oh my...I think that you can tutor that advanced class @lprp I am still working on the basics!!

[lprp]

6 minutes ago, Gilly said:

Oh my...I think that you can tutor that advanced class @lprp I am still working on the basics!!

I’ll start working on it when we board Splendor on 31/8 🍸.

@Gilly Shame you won’t still be onboard.

Edited August 7, 2023 by lprp

[Redking]

15 hours ago, Gilly said:

 

Tell me what makes the perfect drink for you, please?!

This from Diffords Guide which a CC member kindly recommended:  https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/835/gin-and-tonic

 

The proportion of gin to tonic is what I would follow. From memory the Fever Tree slogan goes something like ... when 3/4 of your drink ..

We have some fabulous cocktail bars on this side of the world, some specialising in gin. I would once have been served my gin with the tonic on the side in a Collins or even and Old Fashioned glass. These days we have our G&T in a gin glass which I believe they use on Regent:

 

 

In a bar, I like how they match the garnish with the botanicals in the gin. I used to do it at home, but find it too much of a faff! 

 

Harris Gin (from the Scottish Island) is my current favourite with FT elderflower.

 

It's 9.23am here, too early for gin 🤔

 

Loving your review, thank you.

[Gilly]

17 minutes ago, Redking said:

These days we have our G&T in a gin glass which I believe they use on Regent:

Yes, these glasses are used in the Meridian Lounge, which is styled as a "cocktail bar" but in the other bars a G&T will be more likely served in a plain long drink glass.  

This evening I enjoyed two "perfect" Mermaid Gin and Fevertree Tonics as we left Southampton, enjoying the lovely landscape of the Isle of Wight (home of the Mermaid Gin) pass by as we set said for Kirkwall, the day after tomorrow.  Hopefully @lprp I will have got them ok on the basics ready for you to take over on the advanced course 😉  Now @Redking brings the topic of glasses into the grand scheme of things however, we could be talking about a long term training commitment here!

[Gray Lady]

Do you know if they make a French 75 cocktail on Regent? Best of two worlds….gin and champagne!