Trip Report 2 Broke Guys - on a boat! 😃

Been debating when to post this. Some of you are already aware of our upcoming trip. (First cruise ever!) What came in the mail today inspired me to get started on this pre-TR:

My very first passport.

Note there is only one. Currently we are joking that I’m going alone because Brian’s got rejected. I’m sure his will arrive Monday.

When: September 5 to 9, 2022. Translation:

Who are going: Tony & Brian

Who is left out: Kylie, our nearly 14 year old German Shepherd Chow-Chow rescue.

Although she’s having a bath on the back patio right now, the pic of her is from a recent drive to the Florida Keys. We pretty much bring her on all trips now, including WDW. As she has aged, she doesn’t take being left alone as well, even with a trusted sitter. Even for one night.

So although we are very concerned about her, we’re trying to arrange multiple people visiting the house more often than just the sitter would, and offering the sitter extra money for more quality time. (Guilt money, for sure.)

And that will likely be the biggest out of pocket expense for this trip (except maybe the passports) because, true to form, we are doing this 4 night Bahamas cruise out of Miami (including all drinks, fancy meals, liquor tastings and souvenirs) entirely on Chase Disney Visa Rewards Points.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Picking up where we left off on day one:

After a little downtime in the room (which is awesome, slightly narrower than a hotel room, but still feels spacious) we walked one flight up to the Cove bar (with some seats in the pool.) That’s when we met Ahbi, and we knew this was our bar. One drink and we were off to Palo for dinner.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Monday night: Palo.

Options: set menu ($45) with or without wine pairings ($70) or order from the menu.

We did the set menu (there were still choices to be made) and of course, the wine pairings.

That was an amuse bouche - a single gnocchi in a heavenly gravy. We knew we were in for a good time.

So good, in fact, that I stopped taking pictures until dessert!

Oh, well, we had one of each of these and shared:

And then these were our mains:

The salmon itself was not particularly impressive, but was still good, and the rest of the plate was fab. I think it just needed a little more sauce.

Of course, there was a wonderful bread service.

Our server was Pipa from Portugal. We loved her, and requested to see her again (we had a brunch and a second dinner scheduled in this trip.)

For dessert, we went off-script to get the no sugar added apple dessert for Brian. Since we were already straying, I ordered the Tiramisu. There was a reasonable upcharge for each. Well worth it. This whole thing was a great time.

The spoon was edible!

And, in real time, we are going to visit Pipa again in about 30 minutes!

 

[erstwo]

That looks delicious and so fancy!
Amuse Bouche??? Edible spoon?? Wow. Really top drawer.
Hope you have another great dinner!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

On Monday after dinner, we returned to our room to find this:

I very much enjoyed the Verandah. At different times of day, the sights vary more than you might think.

Brian was less into it. He was a little more nervous about getting seasick.

So far, neither of us have. We’ve taken some ginger here and there just in case. The big movement seems to happen at night. Daytime is more slow cruising and even drifting. They obviously know what they’re doing, and we’ve hit no crazy weather patterns that might require altering course.

The 10th floor is awesome, and we are very grateful for that upgrade. It’s so convenient to the 11th, where we spend most of our time, and the 12th, where the two nice restaurants are.

There are 2600 passengers on board, out of a possible 4200ish. Staff tells us they had about 3600 last week, so we got lucky in that regard.

This whole experience is awesome.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Day 2: Tuesday (first full day.) (At sea all day.)

We had Remy booked for brunch, and nothing for dinner.

Yep, I really did wake up and go to the gym. (It was a little crowded for my taste, didn’t stay too long, but hit some key machines. Stopped next door afterwards for a banana + protein smoothie.)

Then I went down to guest services to prepay our bills with the rewards points. Easy peasy.

Remy brunch was pretty early, around 11 I think.

First a little pool time. We found our secluded spot on deck 12 after feeling a little crowded on deck 11 by our bar. There may have been a drink or a few.

And…brunch:

(Fancy butters)

^my favorite with lobster

 

[Tony the Tigger]

(And in real time, we’ll be back at Remy for our final meal of the trip in about 2 hours. There’s a lot more to fill you in on in-between!)

 

[Figgy1]

(And in real time, we’ll be back at Remy for our final meal of the trip in about 2 hours. There’s a lot more to fill you in on in-between!)

Sorry it will be your last meal. I hope it's EXCELLENT!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Btw the one below the lobster, with all the bubbles, was my least favorite. It was a pasta stuffed with a ham mousse. With cheese thingies all around. All I could think of was like Winn Dixie ham salad type stuff. That’s a no for me. There is no “elevating” it.

The meal as a whole was outstanding. Looking forward to the wine pairings tonight. But there will be 5 so I’ll be out like a light after that. Currently nursing a double+ Don Julio Añejo at the Cove bar.

Will try to get a pic of the chef tonight!

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

I did a Remy dinner and it really was one of the best meals I've had anywhere.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

P.S. today is our actual anniversary.

 

[Bullseye1967]

P.S. today is our actual anniversary.

View attachment 665410View attachment 665411

 

[Figgy1]

 

[Figgy1]

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Happy Anniversary!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Happy Anniversary!

These were very nice to read, especially after the weirdness that just happened.

I had a small remaining balance to pay, and thought it would be crowded at guest services in the morning. I woke up a little while ago and decided to take care of that now.

During the week, I found a Mickey pride pin I had purchased in New Orleans still in my luggage. I used a magnetic clip to add it to our door display.

Just now when I left the room, I noticed it wasn’t there. As I walked down the hall, I found it crumpled up on the floor.

I hadn’t gotten very far, and had forgotten my phone, so I put it into the room and grabbed my phone; then continued my mission.

I had 7 flights down and back up again to think about it.

After returning, I flattened it back out, and hung it back on the door.

 

[Swissmiss]

Love the picture of you and Brian in your “fancy“ clothes. I am sorry to read some idiot crumpled your pride pin, and good for you for putting it back up. I sincerely hope this one bad memory eventually recedes and what you are left are the memories of what a great time you had.

 

[MinnieM123]

P.S. today is our actual anniversary.

Happy belated anniversary (by 1 day), you two!!!

 

[93boomer]

 

[Zipadeelady]

It's hard to find an appropriate gif for your gay magician friend.

Happy Anniversary Tony!!

Spoiler

 

[fractal]