Wining and dining on the oh so gorgeous Grandeur!

[kjbacon]

@papaflamingo and @Whinenowine like you, we were amazed at the food pairings and sipping quality of tequila. We had no idea before that shorex. It was our first chef led shorex experience and we’ve learned that it will not be our last. It’s a great way to learn the local culture and each is unique in approach.

 

And, indeed, we enjoyed another chef led shorex in Costa Maya yesterday and had a great day. We learned all about corn and Mayan customs in a remote jungle area by a cenote.

 

 

For the first time ever on a Regent cruise, Pacific Rim is not our favorite restaurant!! The venue is beautiful and possibly an improvement over Splendor but we found the food to be good instead of great. The cherry blossom tree sculpture at the entrance is spectacular and my favorite of the 3 PR entrances. My husband is still partial to the prayer wheel on Explorer.

 

The amuse bouche is the same as before but this time, the edamame was just a bit overcooked. Again, not bad but not the usual great.

Our first courses were tuna tartar, chicken and foie gras gyoza, and duck spring roll. Presentation was very well done.

 

 

 

Main courses were the Korean Lamb Chops and I tried the new Adobo Duck dish. We had sides of fried rice and stir fried Asian greens. The greens were more like mixed veggies. Best bite of the night was the side of Brussels sprouts with the lamb.

 

 

 

Today is Harvest Caye, Belize where we are sailing this morning and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef this afternoon!

Edited January 31 by kjbacon

[Whinenowine]

8 hours ago, kjbacon said:

Our first courses were tuna tartar

 

 

Today is Harvest Caye, Belize where we are sailing this morning and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef this afternoon!

@kjbacon, I'm curious what the yellow emulsion is around the tartar?

 

Also, thanks for all the detail. We're on the Grandeur later this year on this same itinerary, so I'm diligently taking mental notes.  We're also booked on the barrier reef snorkel excursion (though I'm not sure how 'great' it is!).  😇

 

[boblerm]

11 hours ago, kjbacon said:

 

 

 

For the first time ever on a Regent cruise, Pacific Rim is not our favorite restaurant!! The venue is beautiful and possibly an improvement over Splendor but we found the food to be good instead of great.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm guessing from your comments that this duck dish was not so much to your liking?

I must confess that if I see this on the menu I  would be inclined to order it, so I am interested in your impression.

 

We board in 3 days, 17 hours and 30 minutes, but who's counting?☺️

Edited January 31 by boblerm

[lprp]

Sorry to go off topic. I know you’re on Grandeur so might be able to help. Someone on “the other site” has asked this question:

 

”Is anyone on Grandeur at the moment able to assist with measuring the width of the corridor in front of suite 855?
My mother has just transitioned to a travel scooter and is wondering if the turning circle allows her to easily turn into her suite.
Thanks in advance.”

 

He’s not on CC. I’ll relay the message if anyone can help TIA

LP

[kjbacon]

If you’ve not been to Harvest Caye, Belize, put it on your bucket list! We were amazed at how much we liked the port and how much there was to do. We learned that Harvest Caye is a private island owned by NCL. There’s a small butterfly farm, all kinds of water sports, beautiful beaches, and a fabulous pool. We took a two person fun cat catamaran through the mangroves.

 

 

 

Its also a perfect place to take a nice long walk and (hopefully) burn off some over indulgences!!

 

Between having too much fun on the private island and being up way too early from the time change, we were just too tired to take the barrier reef snorkel tour. We heard that it was a fabulous tour but we really wanted to spend a couple of lazy hours at the pool. Since we are already booked in 2025 on a cruise that returns to Harvest Caye, we went with it.

 

Getting back to our dinner in Pacific Rim, it was not bad but it was also not great as it always has been in our experience. The food was on the under seasoned side and usually, their dishes explode with flavor. We will definitely try it again and it’s true that it may have been just an off night for some reason. @Whinenowine the sauce around the tartar was a carrot ginger sauce. The real flaw in that dish was that the tuna was way too finely minced. @boblerm like you, that duck dish spoke right to my flavor profiles and I was really excited to try it. It was good but only good, but I expected some bold flavors. The aromatic duck predecessor was much more flavorful. I forgot to mention that we had a very nice Pinotage with our meal. We will be in the next leg too so it would be nice to meet you in person!

 

Last night, we had a very classic and delicious meal in Prime 7. We made our own surf and turf by splitting a bone in ribeye steak and we each had a lobster tail. We drank a Paso Robles Syrah that was very nice. Again, the included wines have been very good. For sides, we split the creamed spinach and the onion rings. We preferred the onion rings to the spinach.

 

 

And of course, we had to have the famous sundae! Crazy good!

 

3 hours ago, lprp said:

Sorry to go off topic. I know you’re on Grandeur so might be able to help. Someone on “the other site” has asked this question:

 

”Is anyone on Grandeur at the moment able to assist with measuring the width of the corridor in front of suite 855?
My mother has just transitioned to a travel scooter and is wondering if the turning circle allows her to easily turn into her suite.
Thanks in advance.”

 

He’s not on CC. I’ll relay the message if anyone can help TIA

LP

We would estimate the corridor to be between 3-4 feet. I had ankle issues recently and used a travel scooter. It looks like it would be extremely difficult to turn around.

 

Today is our first visit to Santo Tomas, Guatemala and we plan to explore the rainforest!!

[cruisevirgin24]

We also loved Harvest Caye and look forward to returning in the future. We enjoyed the waverunner tour in the morning and the zip line in the afternoon. 

It was quite hard to find a sunbed on the beach, the chair hogs must have had a dilemma choosing which ones to reserve!

 

[kjbacon]

Yesterday was our first visit to Santo Tomas de Castillo and it was a port of contrasts. The actual port area was industrial and off putting with noise, fumes, and sirens. We traveled through possibly the very worst poverty that we have ever seen but certainly the most widespread poverty with seemingly no relief. This is not a port where we would feel safe heading out on our own.

 

We arrived at Las Escobas Springs and the natural beauty was stunning. We enjoyed our tour and our guides but all in all, it’s not a port on our list to repeat. 

 

 

Now, some really good news. We had dinner in Pacific Rim and it was much improved. I’d now say that the food is very good and the service is fabulous. We did tell the staff that we enjoy bold and spicy flavors so was that why or are they just hitting their stride?

 

For apps we had beef tataki rolls, pork and shrimp shu mai, and an Alaskan king crab summer roll. They also brought us several sides of hot sauces.

 

 

 

Main courses were beef bulgogi strip steak and bbq pork ribs. Sides were stir fried greens (and actually greens this time) and a side dish size of pad Thai (not sure that the tomatoes worked in it but still good).

 

 

 

Dessert was coconut tres leches. Why didn’t I ever try that creamy deliciousness before?

 

Today is Roatan, Honduras and we are visiting Gumbalimba Park.

[GMIAC]

I'm enjoying your food photos, and your port updates. We were booked on this cruise originally, but then Regent announced a great promo for the shorter Dec 14 sailing, as this was our first cruise since 1999 and we didn't know if we were going to be "cruise people" so we switched. We miss the ship! We had really awful weather almost the whole week, but still had the trip of a lifetime (so far) enjoying the ship. 

 

We really enjoyed the Chaccoben Ruins tour (the weather cooperated that day, thankfully) in Costa Maya. 

 

FYI: We're total cruise people now. At least Regent cruises!

[vistaman]

1 hour ago, GMIAC said:

I'm enjoying your food photos, and your port updates. We were booked on this cruise originally, but then Regent announced a great promo for the shorter Dec 14 sailing, as this was our first cruise since 1999 and we didn't know if we were going to be "cruise people" so we switched. We miss the ship! We had really awful weather almost the whole week, but still had the trip of a lifetime (so far) enjoying the ship. 

 

We really enjoyed the Chaccoben Ruins tour (the weather cooperated that day, thankfully) in Costa Maya. 

 

FYI: We're total cruise people now. At least Regent cruises!

you were great and friendly company especially for the trivia 😄

i am going to the Splendor now on 26 th Feb 

[cruisevirgin24]

We also enjoyed the Las Escobas Springs yesterday and swam in the waterfall pool. It was surprisingly warm. When we entered the port our guide (who was fantastic) told us we had a tourist police escort the entire trip. We are also not keen to return.

Roatan today has been fun. We opted for the horseriding on the beach. I was a little worried before we went that the horses may not be treated well but this proved unfounded. Most of horses were rescued from mistreatment elsewhere and, although not quite a "fat" as UK grassfed horses, they were well covered and happy. The ride took us into the forest, along a few streams and finally onto to beach and into the water. 

[cruisevirgin24]

[Whinenowine]

11 minutes ago, cruisevirgin24 said:

We also enjoyed the Las Escobas Springs yesterday and swam in the waterfall pool. It was surprisingly warm. When we entered the port our guide (who was fantastic) told us we had a tourist police escort the entire trip. We are also not keen to return.

Roatan today has been fun. We opted for the horseriding on the beach. I was a little worried before we went that the horses may not be treated well but this proved unfounded. Most of horses were rescued from mistreatment elsewhere and, although not quite a "fat" as UK grassfed horses, they were well covered and happy

 

. The ride took us into the forest, along a few streams and finally onto to beach and into the water. 

So was it enjoyable?  I'm curious because we've got this excursion booked when we're in Roatan on the Grandeur later this year.   Looks nice enough, and happy to hear the horses seem to be well-treated.

 

[-Lew-]

On 1/29/2024 at 5:30 AM, kjbacon said:

We had a delicious spread for our in cabin football playoff party.

 

Love the spread you put together.  If I may ask, from where did you order the bacon wrapped scallops and hot dogs wrapped in pastry?

[GMIAC]

9 hours ago, vistaman said:

you were great and friendly company especially for the trivia 😄

i am going to the Splendor now on 26 th Feb 

 

We did clean up during the trivia, didn't we?  😁

 

Have a great time on the Splendor!

[kjbacon]

Yesterday was Roatan. Overall, an interesting port but we finally had our least favorite shorex. Last time we were here, we had a great day snorkeling and the horseback riding from @cruisevirgin24 looks like it was fantastic too. We went to Gumbalimba Park and for us, it was just an overly commercialized tourist trap.

 

We are nearly at our midway point and we are having a wonderful time. As discussed in another thread, the ship does have some noise issues. We are very glad that we brought a white noise machine and would definitely recommend that you do the same. There are pros and cons when comparing the Grandeur to her sister ships.

 

Our friends will be joining us on the next leg and wow, we are so excited!! This will be our third annual regent cruise together and it just doesn’t get better than this.

 

9 hours ago, -Lew- said:

 

Love the spread you put together.  If I may ask, from where did you order the bacon wrapped scallops and hot dogs wrapped in pastry?

We did a riff on the custom meals that many of us order an advance. Usually you hear about an Indian meal that you can request a couple days ahead but this time, we preordered a football snack spread that we picked.

 

Last night, Chartreuse hit it out of the park and served us the best meal that we have had yet. Apps were a repeat on the mushroom soup and the blue cheese soufflé with soubise sauce.

 

 

We were all about fish last night so our mains were the Dover Sole and the Halibut. Could not tell you which one was better since they were both essentially perfect. We each got a side of beautifully cooked asparagus.

 

 

The dessert tray is unbelievable. We also ordered the Crème Brûlée and it was delicious.

 

 

The food throughout has been very good and probably the best breakfasts and lunches we’ve ever had in La Veranda. Today is a sea day.

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

Wow!  Such lovely pictures!  Sounds like you are having a wonderful, relaxing time!  We are on Grandeur for the Panama Canal crossing next January and this thread is really getting me excited!  Thank you for sharing!

[cruisevirgin24]

3 hours ago, kjbacon said:

Yesterday was Roatan. Overall, an interesting port but we finally had our least favorite shorex. Last time we were here, we had a great day snorkeling and the horseback riding from @cruisevirgin24 looks like it was fantastic too. We went to Gumbalimba Park and for us, it was just an overly commercialized tourist trap.

 

We are nearly at our midway point and we are having a wonderful time. As discussed in another thread, the ship does have some noise issues. We are very glad that we brought a white noise machine and would definitely recommend that you do the same. There are pros and cons when comparing the Grandeur to her sister ships.

 

Our friends will be joining us on the next leg and wow, we are so excited!! This will be our third annual regent cruise together and it just doesn’t get better than this.

 

We did a riff on the custom meals that many of us order an advance. Usually you hear about an Indian meal that you can request a couple days ahead but this time, we preordered a football snack spread that we picked.

 

Last night, Chartreuse hit it out of the park and served us the best meal that we have had yet. Apps were a repeat on the mushroom soup and the blue cheese soufflé with soubise sauce.

 

 

We were all about fish last night so our mains were the Dover Sole and the Halibut. Could not tell you which one was better since they were both essentially perfect. We each got a side of beautifully cooked asparagus.

 

 

The dessert tray is unbelievable. We also ordered the Crème Brûlée and it was delicious.

 

 

The food throughout has been very good and probably the best breakfasts and lunches we’ve ever had in La Veranda. Today is a sea day.

My husband and father loved the creme brulee so much that they ordered a second each!

[cruisevirgin24]

18 hours ago, Whinenowine said:

So was it enjoyable?  I'm curious because we've got this excursion booked when we're in Roatan on the Grandeur later this year.   Looks nice enough, and happy to hear the horses seem to be well-treated.

 

It was very enjoyable. The excursion is at a small hotel, Hotel Luna. The ride was about an hour and then we had nearly 2 hours at the hotel beach. There were several foals that followed us along the route and kept us entertained with their juvenile capers. The hotel has a very modern and clean beach bar where we tried a few of the local cocktails. (I would like to say we were on the afternoon excursion but in reality it was the 9.30am!). The riding staff and hotel staff were very friendly and helpful. 

[GMIAC]

30 minutes ago, cruisevirgin24 said:

I would like to say we were on the afternoon excursion but in reality it was the 9.30am!)

 

You can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning!  

[kjbacon]

Yesterday was a lovely sea day that started with a stunning sunrise.

 

We enjoyed a leisurely and delicious breakfast in compass rose followed by relaxing poolside. Are people “saving” chairs? Yes, yes they are and no, no I don’t know why it’s not being monitored like it is on the Splendor.

 

Krew Kapers was as wonderful of a show as ever and not to be missed. Forgive that I don’t remember her name, but there is a young lady on the housekeeping team that sings like a professional, wow! And it’s a special time for us to show the crew the appreciation that they deserve. This crew has been outstanding. To be fair, some of the new “kids” still need more training but they are trying!

 

21 hours ago, Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin said:

Wow!  Such lovely pictures!  Sounds like you are having a wonderful, relaxing time!  We are on Grandeur for the Panama Canal crossing next January and this thread is really getting me excited!  Thank you for sharing!

Thank you and you are in for a treat. May I recommend that you bring a white noise machine? There are definitely some noise challenges.

 

19 hours ago, cruisevirgin24 said:

My husband and father loved the creme brulee so much that they ordered a second each!

 

Right?!?!? This might be the best food we’ve had in a Regent ship and that’s saying something. They are going to have to roll me off this thing in another couple weeks!!

 

Guess who’s back? We had a delicious meal in Pacific Rim and the service in there may be the best on the ship. Their plating is beautiful too. We were lucky to catch the sunset by way of a reflection in the mirror at the start of our meal. And that is a very nice pinotage that they stock.

We shared many plates including duck and watermelon salad (perhaps the best dish, so fresh and vibrant), lobster tempura, jumbo shrimp, fried rice, mie goreng, and massaman veggie curry (the only weak dish). They gave us several extra spicy dipping sauces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Desserts were very good. We had the Don Papa and the Coconut Tapioca Pudding.

 

 

Today is our last full day of this leg. We are at Key West but with a very stormy forecast. Should be interesting!

[Anchorbuoy]

1 hour ago, kjbacon said:

Krew Kapers was as wonderful of a show as ever and not to be missed. Forgive that I don’t remember her name, but there is a young lady on the housekeeping team that sings like a professional, wow!

 

That would be Marelie.  She is a gem on and off the stage !

[kjbacon]

7 hours ago, Anchorbuoy said:

 

That would be Marelie.  She is a gem on and off the stage !

Thank you, yes she was amazing!!

 

The stormy forecast turned our day in Key West into a sea day. Of course we were disappointed, but with a tornado watch posted in Key West, it was the right decision. 
 

We are very early risers so we are excited for an early show tonight before dinner. Tomorrow starts our journey south for leg two.

[the_dylaness]

On 1/29/2024 at 5:30 AM, kjbacon said:

 

 

Here’s a comment that you don’t see very often on these boards … the Destination Services team is very friendly and helpful (whaaaat????) it’s true and they are doing a very good job. 

 

We disembarked Grandeur on 1/24 and I feel the same! I was dreading it but they were wonderful.

 

I didn't like the tours much, but the staff, at least, were fantastic.

[kjbacon]

After a stormy morning, yesterday afternoon cleared up enough that you could enjoy a lounger by the pool. Do you know that mid morning daily there is bone broth available and it’s delicious!

There is a tapestry backdrop that you can see from the elevator and I’m sure each person has their own spin on it.

 

There was the rare matinee show yesterday called Broadway Unplugged and it was fantastic! Please, add more matinee shows!!

We had dinner in Prime 7 last night and it was a mix. Apps of crab cake and clam chowder were weak, especially the clam chowder.

 

 

Main courses were delicious with a repeat on the lamb chops and the whole Maine lobster. Side of onion rings were perfect.

 

 

We had a very nice Valpolicella wine that I would recommend that you request. Another plug for the included wines!

 

Today is change over day in the port of Miami with not so great weather. Looking so forward to having our friends join us.

Edited February 5 by kjbacon

[boblerm]

First glimpse!

See ya in a few😁😁😁