Sabatinis on Enchanted Princess

Last night we had dinner at Sabatinis.  A great table by the window with great friends Jim and Janice.

We were sat at 7 and the restaurant was pretty full with many tables just finishing up and many just getting sat.

Our junior waiter was a little frazzled.  When we asked for an English menu as Janice got an Italian menu he had no idea what we meant.  It was corrected.  He then took drink orders and that was confussing for him too.  But he soon was on the ball and he turned out great.  He may be new, I am not sure.

Our waiter Erwin was outstanding and certainly made the evening special.

Fried rice balls came to the table automatically.

I started with the salad.

My appetizer was the fried mixed plate.  Scallops, calamari, shrimp, and polenta.

The pasta course was lobster stuffed tortellini.  Outstanding but very rich.

Main was chicken scallopini with a lemon rosemary sauce over mashed potatoes.

Dessert was the chef's special a sampler plate.

Beautifully presented.

And we all ended with Sicilian Kiss on the rocks.  Cheers.

So much food.  I never fished a plate, except for the salad.  

This Is a specialty restaurant on Princess.  Cover charge is $35.  I do find the location of Enchanted to be very noisy.  But having the windows to look out at the views, before sunset, make it extra special.

Sydney for the Day Sabatinis at Night

We miss the sail in.  We check the bridge cam and sure enough we are docked and the sun is shining, but there is a risk of showers.

Nothing planned until noon, but I want to go ashore and explore our old town.  

check these booths for tours first thing

tourist information booth

The pier is a great spot to explore.  Lots of shopping, and all made by those selling it.  If you are interested in an independent tour there are two booths right at the gangway that can sell you tours, but get off early to secure a spot.

There are not a lot of taxis here but the ones that are here are keen to do tours.  I did hear some people state later that they took a taxi and the driver did try to say the meter was the price per person.  Note this is NOT the case, it is per ride.

But the terminal has free WiFi, tourist information, an atm, washrooms, lots of great shops and a wonderful restaurant called flavour.  

Walking to town is easy, but a bit uphill, and around 10 min walk.  Now Sydney's town center doesn't have a whole lot to do for tourist.  There is a museum, and a few shops, and restaurants and quite a few pubs.  Really the main sites to see here are further afield.

Head out to Louisburg, Baddeck, Cabot Trail, Glace Bay Miner's Museum - but do a tour here.

Today four of Bernie's 7 siblings are coming in to meet us for lunch, along with a niece and nephew and great niece.   We had a wonderful visit with all of them.  Many who we have not seen since we moved a year and a half ago.  

Also Dominique showed up after she finished her shift and crew drills.  It was lovely for her to meet the family and they all hugged her and said she is now their family too.  How sweet.

We left with Dominique and went and grabbed a drink with her before returning to the ship.

Bernie has a nap and I get a cocktail and head up to the top deck to enjoy the sailaway.  It is very picturesque!  

Tonight is dinner in Sabatinis but not until 830.  So we have a nap and head down for dinner.  Note when trying to make reservations no time slots were available.  Just show up and talk to them as they seem to have open slots that don't show up on app.  

Dinner was amazing.  We love the new menu and really missed it on the Majestic.  Service was outstanding.  Some of the best we have ever had.

Of course after a big meal we can't go to sleep, plus we had a nap.  So off we go to Skywalkers where we dance the night away.  And there were quite a few people there.  

Sail Away and Sabatinis

First I must apologize I don't have my keyboard for typing as it is in the cabin.  So I am using the on screen keyboard which can be a pain.  So ignore errors.

Second I am writing this Saturday morning at 5:57 am.  Woke up early and crawled out of bed and scurried down to International Cafe for my coffee and catch up with the blog.  And who do i run into but Juan, a waiter we have known since his first contract.  He was just as surprised to see me as I was him.  Big hugs and he is excited to share that it is his last sailing before going home.

Okay back to yesterday.

Muster was called at 4:15 on day 2.  Feels odd as normally it is day one, but we overnighted here in Quebec.  I don't think we have ever had this happen before.

Of course I was pretty sure our Muster was Princess theater but when Bernie met up with me he said no, we are in the Casino.  He checked the map on the back of the door and he was sure it was the casino.   

We sat there and then he started having doubts and I commented that normally it is the Princess Theatre.  So we proceeded to Princess Theatre, and yup that is our station.  

How often has that happened to you?  Of course when we had cruise cards it showed our muster station, now you really need to check your cabin door prior.

Once the drill was done we head to the cabin to done our coats as it is cold once we are out on the open waters.

But once up on the sky and lido deck we are disappointed that there is no sailaway party, just canned music.  Mind you there were maybe only a couple hundred people out there so it probably did not warrant a party.  

Again the second day sailaway does make it loose a bit of it's luster and excitement of boarding and having sailaway right away. 

Sailaway from Quebec is beautiful.  The land on both sides studded by a burst of colourful trees.  

Ils Orleans is in our way.  So we head to the south of it.  Thankfully we get to see Montmorency falls which is just 12 km east of downtown.  There are some great tours to both of these places that are well worth a visit, especially if you are in Quebec for a few days or are interested in nature.

Before dinner we head to the shops to see some friends.  Valaria from Italy and Kylle for South Africa are now Retail manager and assistant retail manager.  So proud of them.  We make sure to connect with them soon and maybe a meal.

Tonight we are dining at Sabatinis.  The Caribbean has the new menu, one of our favorites.

Sadly I left my camera in the cabin, so no pictures.  However, I have written about dining with the new menu numerous times and you can find them here.

The food was wonderful.  And dining with our friends Barb and Craig made it extra special.  There is nothing better than good friends and we are really blessed.

Sadly the server was a bit of an issue.  We asked for a wine list and he gave us a paper that had Sabatini featured wines.  The list was minimal with only a handful of wines.  We tried to order wine but was told they did not have it in stock.  Okay.  We had to ask for the full wine list.   We choose something and try to order it but he really wants us to try this other wine.  We finally agree to his wine just to please him.  And truthfully it was very very good and a good recommendation.

He provided us with his recommendations but was surprised he did not mention the salad/soup course.  But we did order the pear citrus salad, and when we did he said he would bring it as our second course.  Okay.  My salad tasted great, but many of the leaves of lettuce were not very appealing and should not have been served.  But my friend's salad seemed okay.

The antipasta of bread with the roasted pepper dip was delivered, but we were trying to clear up the whole wine issue and had not tasted the bread.  When our server came back he commented that we should eat the bread!  Was quite insistent.  Okay....

Our server saw we were enjoying the wine and he smartly suggested the wine tasting.  But we told him thanks but no.  He then suggested the Super Tuscan wine tasting which we agreed is lovely but we had a conflict on the day it was scheduled as it is the same time as the Most Travelled Guest luncheon.  But he was insistent about the date, explaining it is a sea day.  I finally got frustrated and told him to stop talking and listen, we already had plans at that time.

Now I will say the service improved and he did get the hint we were frustrated.  His recommendations were bang on.  The food was very good too.

The supervisor for Sabatinis was lovely and friendly and she gave us even more suggestions for wine.

However if we go back we will make sure to have a different waiter.

Shout out to Deb of Deb's Day blog.   If you don't follow her blogs make sure to check it out here.  She had sent me some coupon books via the mail and we used the coupon for two for one dining on embarkation day.   Although this morning I saw that we were charged two $25 fees, but believe one of the charges will come off later when it gets reconciled.  We have had this happen many times before, and will ensure it comes off later.   But again this should be charged initially correctly as it only causes confusion for the guests and i am sure many visits to the front desk with inquiries.

After a wonderful dinner and full bellies we are content and so happy to be back on board.

Comedian Scott Wyder performed but the shows were too early and by the time dinner was finished the show had already started.  We have seen him before.  He is quite funny.

We have been sailing Princess for 22 years now, 91 cruises and over 800 days and it feels great to be 'home'.  Especially when I run into crew I was not expecting to see.

Day at Sea and Dinner at Sabatinis - Ocean Medallion Update

I really don't have a lot to say today -- ha ha -- famous last words watch this be a long blog!

After enjoying a very yummy breakfast we both head back to the cabin and well that is where we stayed.

Sometimes I feel guilty about doing nothing but I quickly get over it.  

Just sitting in bed and looking out at the ocean can occupy me for a half hour!

I do some work online (love the wifi) for our new home - buying things, research on some projects we have to do.

Bernie reads.  We watch a movie.  We order room service - heck why break the routine with having to go out for something to eat.  

Tonight is formal night and we have a reservation at Sabatinis at 7:30.

While getting ready I enjoy some champagne, and chocolate covered strawberries.  Now can I possible dream a better moment - nope.  Talk about coming back new!

The Atrium is very busy when I head out.  I find Bernie and the guys (Juan and Victor) who we met this sailing and we have mutual friends and happy to call them friends now too.

What a handsome bunch we are!

We arrive at Sabatinis and we are sat at a great table.

Here is the new menu. 

After starting with some more champagne - as you do when you are cruising. I want to try different things from our last visit.  Read about our last meal at Sabatinis here. 

You choose one item from each course.

I start with the Piemontesi which is roasted bell peppers, capers, anchovies (but I opt for no anchovies), green garlic basil vinaigrette.   So very good.

my pasta course is the Pappardelle with braised beef cheek. So tender and flavorful.

this is Bernie's entree of Breaded Veal Vallet with marjoram roasted potatoes and artichokes. He loved it, especially the potatoes.

I had the Polenta Soffice with mushroom, fresh mozzarella and truffle essence.  Oh my it was so damn good.  I want some now!  

dessert is the sampler which I highly recommend

As we walk past Explorers they are holding the Yes/No Game show.  Kelly and Mica is hosting. Check out the new displays.  So nice!

After dinner we are back in Vines.  A friend Peter (who we haven't seen in five years) shows up and we end up catching up with him for a long time.  So nice to see him again.

They are renovating on board the aft area on Lido deck at the photo department and then also at the aft Lido doors where there use to be a long couch.  They are changing this area for Ocean Medallion.  Terminals will we put in here and product displays.  

Dinner at the New Sabatinis and Ocean Medallion Update

taken from Princess website

Tonight we are celebrating my birthday by dinner at Sabatinis.  Our reservation is at 7:30.  We are greeted by the Supervisor Arthuro (will double check his spelling) from Mexico.  He directs us to a lovely table that looks out to the sea where we are in awe of the stunning sunset.

Here is a link to the new menu on the Caribbean Princess for Sabatinis 

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/sabatinis-trattoria/sabatinis-trattoria-main-menu.pdf

I love the new décor, very elegant, tastefully done.  Sadly I did not get any pictures of the décor as there were just too many people dining and did not want to invade their privacy but will try later when it is quieter.

Our waiter Lizeth and her assistant Karen, both from Peru blow us away with their amazing service.  In fact everyone here is very good and attentive.  This is the way a specialty meal should be!

We enjoy our champagne we brought and toast to me turning another year older!  Feel wonderful and it has been an amazing year and I feel very blessed.

Bread is served along with the balsamic and olive oil.  So darn good but we resist as we need to save room.

The starter arrives and it is small pizza bites with some prosciutto served with a roasted tomato and bell pepper puree.

For my appetizer I have the fried zucchini & yellow squash, smoked scamorza, toasted house made crostini.  So light and not greasy and the smoked cheese smells and tastes even better.

I then have the soup -- Grana Padano Fondue,  celery, foraged mushrooms, toasted hazelnuts which is quite yummy but very very rich and I can only have a few spoonful’s.

For the pasta course I have the Risotto -- vialone nano rice, beets dolce latte, gorgonzola, pistachios.  Again very yummy but I only have a few bites as again very rich and I want to save room.

The entre for me is the Scaloppine di Pollo, Salsa al Limoncello con Rosemarino seared chicken breast, sorrento lemon, asparagus, rosemary sauce, garlic, pine nuts, capers, olive oil & parsley mashed potatoes.  I loved it, but found the mashed potatoes to be so so and would of probably have preferred more flavour or a polenta served with it. 

Bernie had the Iseo-Style Lake Trout Rolls lemon, capers, extra virgin olive oil, rosemary polenta which he adored.

The crew come out and sing Happy Birthday to me – that never gets old and I feel honoured.

For dessert I had the sampler – again very good and thankfully we shared this dessert and even we did not finish it entirely.  My favorites in it were the tiramisu and the pana cotta. 

Of course we both had a Sicilian Kiss drink for our dessert too.

It was an amazing meal and Bernie is quite impressed with the menu and we both comment that we hope this menu rolls out fleet wide as we prefer it.  We are told it is going to happen.

We stroll around the Promenade deck and end up sitting at the bar in Vines drinking water and chatting with Dominique.

Back in the cabin at 11 pm and we turn on the Wake Show but end up turning it off as we can’t keep our eyes open.  Oh Love love love the tv system on board!

I turn on the sleep sounds which help you drift off to sleep and then it is the sounds of the ocean.  Just wish they sold this cd of this as I would definitely buy it.

Ocean Medallion on the Caribbean

This sailing is the start of Ocean Medallion; however it is not rolled out to the passengers yet.  We have been told it currently being tested by head office crew that are on board.

We see a lot of crew with the blue Ocean Medallion logo shirts on throughout the ship.

Each cabin has the new LCD screens and you touch the screen to open your door; although in the future the doors will unlock as you approach so all you have to do is open the door.

Here is our LCD screen.

Currently they are working with both systems and therefore we were required to take our boarding picture the old way with the handheld devices and then we had to take a picture with the new Ocean Medallion tablets.  They are going to be doing this for three sailings to ensure it is all up and running well.

When we arrived at our Muster Station we checked in with the handheld device and then they scanned our cards with the tablets too.

I am excited about Ocean Medallion but yes I am one that is rather disappointed that it has not been an easy roll out as I am sure the crew feel the same way.  I hope that it works out and stay tuned as I report on the progression of the roll out.