This interim day at sea on a New Zealand itinerary was a very welcome thing. The alarm stayed off and we slept until we woke naturally. G slipped out of the cabin while I still snoozed, and went down to the International Cafe for a McMuffin for breakfast, and then spent some time walking around the ship’s outside decks. I had finished reading a book I couldn’t put down last night (The Dressmaker’s Gift) and so didn’t finally fall asleep until nearly 1am. It was nice to be able to do that knowing I could have a lie-in.
The Most Traveled Guest luncheon was scheduled for 12:15pm today in the Allegro Dining Room. I was quite excited (as 4th Most Traveled this cruise) that we were seated at Captain Dino Sagani’s table at the Chefs Table Lumiere. This is a large round table with a spectacular sculpture in the center and a lighting fixture/sculpture above that seats 12 people. The captain’s wife, and the top five Most Traveled couples were seated there, and, once we were, Maitre D’ Georgio lowered the curtain of light that encircles the table. Pretty fantastic! Of course, he then raised it so that the Captain’s table was not closed off to all the other couples at the luncheon.
I had never before met Captain Dino but I love his welcome back on board and noon sea day announcements. He is a very smiley captain, and you can sense him smiling while he’s making the announcements.
The light over the table
The curtain of light coming down from the ceiling
Captain Dino Sagani
My grilled veggie starter
Lobster entree
Rib eye steak entree
Fruit plate for dessert
Menu dessert
It was a brilliant lunch, and it (or maybe it was the copious amount of wine) ruined us for the rest of the day. We walked across the upper decks on the way back to our cabin. It was sunny and mild and there were many of our fellow guests enjoying the weather but there was still plenty of seating available.
We weren’t there, but this was the lunch menu in the Concerto Dining Room today:
Day 8 lunch menu, page 1
Day 8 lunch menu, page 2
Unfortunately, pianist Jon Darsk’s matinee performance today was scheduled at 1pm, and there was no way we could get to it and the Most Traveled Guest luncheon. That was a disappointment, but I believe he will be doing another show later in the cruise.
Not that we were especially hungry, but we went to dinner at 5:15pm. Our waiters this cruise are Cyril from the Philippines and Qing from China, and they are completely attuned to our “eat two courses plus sorbet and leave to get to get the Princess Theater early” routine. We are in and out of the dining room in under 75 minutes, which, at this point in the season, is just right.
Day 8 dinner menu, page 1
Day 8 dinner menu, page 2
Day 8 dessert menu
Tonight’s production show, Fiera!, requires getting to the Princess Theater early. It is quite an extravaganza, and the costumes are really works of art. We didn’t even swing by the World Fresh Marketplace on the way back to our cabin tonight; MTG luncheon day leaves no room for a snack.
Day 8 Princess Patter, page 1
Dr. Zaeem is the featured officer today
Paige, this one’s for you ;-)
Day 8 Princess Patter, page 2
Day 8 Princess Patter, page 3
Day 8 Princess Patter, page 4
