Semi-Live: Venezia Labor Day Cruise 8/31-9/7

[TravelE]

We excited and retrieved our bags. Time was getting tight and I wanted to visit Ellis Island. We did stop by the Viaitor’s Center to see the original torch. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

[TravelE]

I feel like we did Ellis Island in Amazing Race fashion. 
 

Baggage Room. They wanted the passengers to leave their bags during processing. I would have been like “I’m keeping this with me!”

 

Processing Hall
 

 

They started with metal waiting pens and then changed it to benches. 
 

 

 

 

[TravelE]

The immigration process

 

The first doctor exam

 

 

Bunks if you did not pass the process or needed additional info. 
 

 

The 1916 explosion damaged the main immigration building and a new ceiling had to be built. It also damaged the Statue’s arm and the torch. That is the reason visitors can not go to the torch platform. Maintenance climbs the arm 2x a year to change the lightbulbs (according to the NPS ranger)

 

 

The declining need for Ellis Island. 

 

A few views as we leave Ellis Island back to the ferry landing. 

 

 

$5 fruit by the ferry landing. 

[TravelE]

Onboard now. Lunch was a sad salad but I later found where they hid all the good toppings by the desert station. 🤷‍♀️ 

 

I had to get a slice of Funfetti Cheescake. Look they are tiny cakes now not big layer cakes. When did this happen?!

 

It was still yummy!

 

A newly married couple. Plus her bouquet toss in the atrium. I don’t think she knew those people! I am ineligible for bouquet catching. 

 

https://youtu.be/sWFd7cplyq4

 

 

 

[ninjacat123]

2 hours ago, TravelE said:

We excited and retrieved our bags. Time was getting tight and I wanted to visit Ellis Island. We did stop by the Viaitor’s Center to see the original torch. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Great pic of you two!! Love The Amazing Race comment 😁

Edited August 31 by ninjacat123

[Essiesmom]

22 hours ago, TravelE said:

We walked to the Morgan Library. Fridays after 5:00 are free and they have live music and cocktails. You can get the passes on the website a week in advance. DH scored these for us since I was subbing that day. 
 

The line wrapped around the building but they moved us in quickly. 


 

JP Morgan collected rare and first edition books from across the globe to create his library. He expanded to other works of art including musical compositions. I had read the book, The Secret Librarian, which goes into detail about his quest. 
 

The library is opulent and gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

The Secret Librarian looks like something i would like, but google is t coming up with anything…can you give more i fo about it?  Author?

[SenatorsFan]

4 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

The Secret Librarian looks like something i would like, but google is t coming up with anything…can you give more i fo about it?  Author?

There is a novel called "The Personal Librarian" by Marie Benedict about the Morgan Library. Maybe this is it?

[Essiesmom]

9 minutes ago, SenatorsFan said:

There is a novel called "The Personal Librarian" by Marie Benedict about the Morgan Library. Maybe this is it?

I’m beginning to think it is.  EM

[TravelE]

21 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

I’m beginning to think it is.  EM

Yes. That’s it. I “almost” got the title right. It’s a good book. The ending sort of tapers off but the rest is great. 

[TravelE]

Sail away. Have you had enough skyline views? I can’t seem to get enough. 

 

 

My sail away drink was The Pirate. Rum with fruit juices.  

 

More NYC

[TravelE]

Barges on the river. I assume they are part of the tunnel extension from the Hudson Yards post. 
 

 

 

Last skyline

 

 

 

 

The Oculus

 

 

The Lady herself

 

 

 

 

[TravelE]

Took a nap after sail away and checked I for dinner at 7:00 pm

 

 

We waited about 25 minutes which is fine as we finished getting ready and opened some wine. 
 

 

Tonight's dinner menu

 

 

 

We ordered appetizers and main courses but skipped dessert. None of the desserts sounded that interesting. Plus I had the cheesecake earlier. 

[TravelE]

Our selections 

 

Duck rolls which are served cold

 

 

Mixed Green Salad

Tomato Soup

Schewan Shrimp 

Grilled Chicken

 

Vegetable Wellington

Daily Vegetable-green beans

 

DH did not like the cold duck rolls but I think that is more a reflection of his expectation versus their taste. 
 

My salad and soup were perfect and I liked the vegetable Wellington. I asked the server about side dishes since they are no longer listed on the menu. I’m glad I did as the green beans were a nice addition. 
 

DH liked both the chicken and shrimp especially the noodles. 
 

Great service and I would love to sit in that section again. We’ll see . . .

[TravelE]

After dinner, we headed to the theater to get seats for the Welcome Aboard Show. 
 

Bingo was finishing up. 
 

The Wedding Couple from earlier won $150 and a soda package for the week. I think they could have had an alcohol package as the Bingo host first asked if they drank alcohol. They said they don’t and that’s why they ended up with soda. 

 

The final game was split by two winners who received $100 each. The host kept calling numbers just for them and the 1st one to have a number on their card won the bonus prize of $49 with of free Bingo cards at every remaining Bingo session. 

 

 

[TravelE]

MarQ hosted the best Eelcome Aboard show I have ever seen. He had a whole skit with different songs about the cruise experience. His Fun Squad members all had parts. It was quite hilarious. If his goal was to put a big smile on our faces and get us excited about the week, he certainly succeeded. 
 

 

 

Next he emphasized the importance of being open to new experiences and meeting new people. So he had us turn to our neighbor and chat them up. I talked with a group of 26 year olds who were counting down the hours until Cheers started in the morning. It was very cute. I did encourage them to have fun but not too much fun and be sure to eat breakfast before they went crazy. 
 

The Playlist cast performed several songs and dance numbers. They are very talented and I hope to see all their shows. 
 

 

 

However, it’s hard to catch everything when you need to arrive early to some events to get seats. For example, the Welcome Aboard show continued to the atrium for dancing and a Lip Sync show. I caught some of it but had to go back to the theater for Late Night Comedy missing the last two lip sync performers. 
 

 

 

 Chris Clarke was very funny especially his bit about the wild 🦃 turkeys. Tommy Savitt (Hey Timmy) was good too but I was getting sleepy. 
 

We headed back to the room and I remembered why I love these Deck 3 Oceanview rooms, very convenient to the theater and atrium. 
 

I asked DH about late night pizza 🍕, and he was the voice of reason and said we should skip it. Probably for the best!

 

 

I have Lip Sync videos but they are slow to load. I’ll keep trying and will add them in later. 

[TravelE]

Good Morning Sunshine!

 

Latte in the room and window washing this morning. 
 

 

 

 

Very convenient to get a morning latte at the atrium bar. Came back to window washing. There is a sprinkler head over the window that was spraying. Now it is. very clean!

 

I will give my laundry to our steward, Yoga and look for some breakfast. 
 

 

[TravelE]

Fun Times from 1st Day

 

funtimes.pdf

 

 

Edited September 1 by TravelE

[ninjacat123]

9 hours ago, TravelE said:

Barges on the river. I assume they are part of the tunnel extension from the Hudson Yards post. 
 

 

 

Last skyline

 

 

 

 

The Oculus

 

 

The Lady herself

 

 

 

 

Beautiful sail away!! Love NYC!! Hope we can do a sail away like this someday😻

[ninjacat123]

8 hours ago, TravelE said:

Our selections 

 

Duck rolls which are served cold

 

 

Mixed Green Salad

Tomato Soup

Schewan Shrimp 

Grilled Chicken

 

Vegetable Wellington

Daily Vegetable-green beans

 

DH did not like the cold duck rolls but I think that is more a reflection of his expectation versus their taste. 
 

My salad and soup were perfect and I liked the vegetable Wellington. I asked the server about side dishes since they are no longer listed on the menu. I’m glad I did as the green beans were a nice addition. 
 

DH liked both the chicken and shrimp especially the noodles. 
 

Great service and I would love to sit in that section again. We’ll see . . .

I felt the same about the cold duck rolls. Should be served with warm duck in my opinion 👩🏻‍🍳

[jimbo5544]

9 hours ago, TravelE said:

Barges on the river. I assume they are part of the tunnel extension from the Hudson Yards post. 
 

 

 

Last skyline

 

 

 

 

The Oculus

 

 

The Lady herself

 

 

 

 

Nice, love the NY skyline, best sailaway ever.  Freedom Tower and all it stands for. 

[TravelE]

1 hour ago, ninjacat123 said:

I felt the same about the cold duck rolls. Should be served with warm duck in my opinion 👩🏻‍🍳

His face was so funny we he tried a bite!

[TravelE]

I stopped by the aft dining room to request a yogurt parfait to go as we did not want a whole sit down meal. They were so sweet and brought one out right away. 
 

Took it to the Lido deck and also got some 🥚. 
 

 

The aft Lido area had plenty of seating at 9 am. 
 

 

 

[TravelE]

A few kids enjoying the pool. I’ll see if I can get a count in the number of kids this sailing. 

 

 

See my conundrum on “doing all the things!”

 

This is the VIPF ship pin and tote bag. Tote bag is surprisingly roomy as it’s fairly tall. 

 

[TravelE]

The Morning Show

 

I spy some famous people:

 

 

I was able to speak with @Jamman54 and Patti after the show. As I expected, they are the loveliest people. So kind and personable!

 

I also met Lee Mason who is taking over from MarQ. He has a ton of info to download this week as the Venezia has some different events compared to other Carnival ships. I have no doubt that he will be fabulous. 

Found a lovely spot to read and listen to the waves. 
 

 

[Jamman54]

It was a pleasure to meet you this morning.  Looking forward to talking to you again and meeting your DH! 😎