'Twas the Cruise Over Easter - 9 Day Southern Caribbean - March 29 - April 7, 2024

[POA1]

15 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

I just have to say that slab of beef is quite a benchmark. Did others get a similar portion? I wish I had some witty remark but words escape me.

We rushed back after our sunset cruise excursion, so we were at the tail end of dinner service. Also, Michelle specified medium rare. That could have contributed to the portion size. It was a thicker than normal cut.

 

It's entirely possible that the Bubble of Awesome was working its magic.

[Ready2go11]

On our Rotterdam TA last fall, they did an art scavenger hunt. Gave us 20 clues and we had to race around the ship and take pictures of the artwork referenced by the clue. It was timed. 
 

We only got 19 in the time limit, and another couple finished with all 20 more than 5 minutes before time was called. Now I know how they win- i bet they had the cheat sheet guide.
 

they received an actual prize for winning and although i have gotten over the loss (mostly because we beat that couple at another game later) I was jealous at the time. 

 

Edited April 3 by Ready2go11

[Haljo1935]

27 minutes ago, POA1 said:

Yes. I got it from the front desk.

 

Here's a snap of a page so you can see the format.

 

 

Ooh - the excitement is building! 🤭

Appreciate the sneek peek.👀

[Blackduck59]

Thank you for sharing the Plaque for Joska, clearly what a service dog should be. I don't want to muddle up the "Dome of Awesome" with a debate about service dogs, but the name showed up on other threads about "Service Dogs" I am happy to have a face to put with the name. Real service dogs are so impressive to watch when they are working.

Edited April 3 by Blackduck59

[Vict0riann]

Joska is fabulous,  she loves attention, (when she is not working) and now, even though she has retired from being a guide dog, she will be allowed to sail along with the new guide dog that she is helping to train.  

Edited April 3 by Vict0riann

[Ellencruise]

7 hours ago, POA1 said:

Greetings, bread pudding officiandos! Cinnamon roll bread pudding with warm vanilla rum sauce tonight. We're at Morimoto by Sea, so we will miss it.

 

Team Fruit Crisp - still nothin'. 😠

OMG. Cinnamon roll bread pudding, must be delish

[POA1]

3 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

Thank you for sharing the Plaque for Joska, clearly what a service dog should be. I don't want to muddle up the "Dome of Awesome" with a debate about service dogs, but the name showed up on other threads about "Service Dogs" I am happy to have a face to put with the name. Real service dogs are so impressive to watch when they are working.

 

3 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

Joska is fabulous,  she loves attention, (when she is not working) and now, even though she has retired from being a guide dog, she will be allowed to sail along with the new guide dog that she is helping to train.  

Guide Dogs for the Blind has been one our favorite causes for a long time. We had two black Labradors, so we have a soft spot for the breed.

 

We were fortunate to have been on two service dog training cruises. It was a privilege to be able to help, even if it was a small way. We also had the misfortune to be on a cruise with two "service Yorkshire terriers" whose jobs appeared to be preventing silence.

[POA1]

I'm not going to bury the lede. We'd do Morimoto again in a heartbeat.

 

We approached the meal like you would any restaurant review. We ordered a lot of food, with the goal being to taste enough of the menu to form an educated opinion. The next time we do the Morimoto menu, we'll need to edit down our choices. (Or get other people to join us. Another person or 3 would be ideal.)

[POA1]

We pre-gamed at the Tamarind bar. I had Maker's Mark on the rocks. Michelle had a very Espresso martini.

 

The Tamarind bar has a full barrista set up. Conseauently, they make excellent coffee drinks.

[POA1]

Our wine lineup consisted of the 3 Morimoto wines. There's a sparkling Rosé, a Chardonnay, and a Cabernet Sauvignon. The sparkling blush was createdw
by Treveri Cellars, of Yakima, Washington. The two still wines are from Grgich Hills of Napa.

 

Both the white and Rosé are covered by the Elite Beverage Package. The Cabernet Sauvignon is $26/glass.

 

Ready for dinner

 

Edited April 4 by POA1

[POA1]

Our Morimoto dinner photos are spread across both phones. I'll have to get everything sorted and post them later today.

[oakridger]

I'm looking forward to your Morimoto review. Reading the menu and looking at the price, I just am not excited to try it.  I've read mixed reviews here on CC about the lobster dish offered in the MDR and it doesn't sound like it's to my taste.

 

  Sooooooo............let's see what @POA1 and @Huskerchick thought!!  No pressure!!! Ha Ha

 

~Nancy

Edited April 4 by oakridger

[POA1]

1 hour ago, oakridger said:

I've read mixed reviews here on CC about the lobster dish offered in the MDR and it doesn't sound like it's to my taste.

You may find out soon. I took a peek at the dinner menu, and I'd peg the chance of MDR Morimoto Lobster at about 80%.

[POA1]

I completely forgot to post yesterday's bumper images - the map and post card fur Bonaire.

 

 

So, please do me a favor and pretend you saw these a couple dozen posts ago.

 

The graphics department works hard on these, and, being artists, they can be very temperamental if I don't value their work.

 

If you happen to run into anyone from the graphics department at your local coffee shop or beat poetry reading, please tell them that their work is brilliant, especially the Bonaire bits.

 

Thank you.

 

 

[POA1]

For our appetizers, we ordered the Pork Gyoza Dumplings, the Morimoto Fresh Tuna Pizza, the Tempura Calamari Salad, and the Sushi Plate. Please note that this is entirely too much food for two people, but sometimes you gotta sacrifice in order to expand the horizons of human knowledge. (And, sadly, your waistline.)

 

The pork dumplings were fantastic. They come out sizzling. These stay on the list for next time, and there's a possibility that we each get an order.

 

 

The tuna pizza is quite good. It's served on a crisp tortilla crust. This dish has a bit of a kick from the jalapeño pepper slices.

 

 

The sushi plate - as seen from both sides of the table. Visually stunning and wonderfully delicious. If you like sushi, this is your dish.

 

And finally, the calamari salad. This was a little big for our goal of sampling appetizers. It was good, but Michelle thought it was a little over-dressed. This would get edited out next time, not because there's anything wrong with it, but because of its size.

 

 

Edited April 4 by POA1

[Huskerchick]

Morimoto was an over all fantastic experience. As Brian said entirely too much food for two people, we need some friends, but it was all very good and something we would definitely do again. 

[POA1]

The entrées:

 

Shrimp Three Way “Morimoto Style” - tempura, panko, rock style, tartar sauce, tonkatsu

 

Michelle was torn between this and the Lobster Pad Thai. (She's going full-tilt lobster today, so she opted for the shrimp. She was glad she did.) She said that it was the most tender shrimp she's ever had. It was so good, she forced me to try it.

 

In the background, you can see the Wasabi Mashed Potatoes and Fried Rice sides that we - unnecessarily - ordered. Both were yummy, but kind of over the top.

 

Edited April 4 by POA1

[POA1]

Meanwhile, on my side of the table...

 

 

 

 

 

I had the Ishiyaki Buri Bop. The dish is composed of fresh Pacific yellowtail on rice, cooked tableside in hot stone bowl.

 

An excellent entrée, but it's important to know how to handle it. The fish and chicken are cooked by the heat from the stone bowl. The bowl stays hot for a long time. The chef will put the proteins on top of the rice after the initial cook. As long as you keep the fish and chicken on top of the rice and away from the sides and bottom of the bowl, you will be fine. If you accidentally push the proteins against the bowl surface, it will continue to cook - possibly over-cooking the chicken fish.

 

 

 

[POA1]

Before we continue on to dessert, I want to stay on the good side of the graphics department.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[POA1]

Michelle had the Melting Chocolate Sphere.

 

 

 

 

You can't really see it in the melted "after" picture, but there is a marshmallow center inside the inner chocolate ganache. Michelle's verdict: More chocolate in place of the marshmallow would have been better. In fairness, "more chocolate" is the default answer on most every dessert.

 

[POA1]

I had the Tofu Cheesecake. It had a brûléed top, providing a nice, crunchy contrast to the cheesecake.

 

 

 

The little blue ball on the right is a blueberry granita. Also note the collectible chocolate coin. I'm accumulating quite the assortment!

 

 

 

[Huskerchick]

13 minutes ago, POA1 said:

I had the Tofu Cheesecake. It had a brûléed top, providing a nice, crunchy contrast to the cheesecake.

 

 

 

The little blue ball on the right is a blueberry granita. Also note the collectible chocolate coin. I'm accumulating quite the assortment!

 

 

 

I know you will all be shocked given my love of all things chocolate but that cheesecake was delicious and I would seriously consider ordering it on a future visit

[POA1]

The Orange Party is tonight. In case you aren't familiar, let me illustrate the difference between a regular night and the Orange Party night.

 

A regular night, dressy or casual.

 

Orange Party night.

 

Hope that helps.

[Huskerchick]

It's orange party day and although Poohby Joe doesn't get to attend he is sporting his orange Rotterdam shirt. 

 

[Vict0riann]

We have the Morimoto dinner booked on NS, and, providing we get to Fort Lauderdale (there are storms in Alberta, we may get stuck in Calgary like we did last year) I know exactly what I'm going to order.  Thanks for the food porn!