First Evening On Board and Dinner at Share

Tonight we have dinner at Share in Riza's section. 

We dress and head up towards Explorer's Lounge to see Ronnie.  We have not seen him since the Royal two years ago where he was bartender in Vines. 

Ana from the Cruise Staff is leading a line dance class here and we first give her a big hug and promise we need to catch up some time tomorrow.  I did partake in her line dance class.  Not easy to do in high heels and a few drinks.  But it was fun.

It is great to see him and catch up and his wife stops by too.  Heck even the server comes over to say hi.  She remembers us from last summer and even comments we were the most travelled.  Wow I am surprised that she remembers us as we did not have a lot of interaction with her.  A few others spot us and come and say hi too.

That is my favorite thing on board.  Seeing crew we haven't seen and were not expecting to see and picking up right where we left off.

When we arrive at Share we are directed to a lovely table for two.  It is busy in here but most tables are winding down and within an hour there are only a handfull of tables and Riza has more time to chat.

I love this dining venue.  This is our sixth time here and again it does not disappoint. 

Lots of different courses.  The plates are not huge but with all the different courses you walk away very full. 

My favorite thing here is that the dishes are so unique with so many flavors.  The little touches like the coarse salt on the butter.  The buttermilk dressing on the salad.  The gnocchi with the beautiful color that comes thru when you stir the dish.  We loved everything but one dish and that was the mushroom ragout tartlet that was a bit too salty for our taste.

In all the meal took about three hours but we did drag it out with a lot of chatting with Riza.

We missed the Magic To Do show that was happening tonight and this saddeneds us but it was so much better to spend the time with Riza.

Back in the cabin there is a notice to remind Bernie of the Survey Group tomorrow at 3 pm.

Also there is a letter stating we are one of the most travelled and a complimentry dinner for two is available for us at either Salty Dog or Crown Grill.  We will try to make a reservation for Salty Dog one of the nights but we are down to two nights so who knows.

Birthday Dinner in the Crown Grill

What a treat.  I have never sailed during my birthday. We often are at sea for Bernie's birthday but never for mine. So to get to have a meal in the Crown Grill, served by Mark, our favorite waiter on board and with friends, and with my amazing husband. I just can't ask for anything more.  I feel blessed.


But first here is a run down of what is happening on board:

• North to Alaska Folkloric Show with Steve Hites 8:15
• Evening Game Show - Jeopardize Trivia
• Comedian Rich Shydner 7:00 and 8:15
• Ballroom Blitz - Jive Class
• Stateroom movie is Focus
• 60s Music Trivia 9:15
• Alaskan Midnight Sun Sailaway with Live Music from Will Dickerson - Come and enjoy beautiful Alaskan scenery (blankets provided) Outriggers Bar Deck 15 Aft 9:15 
• Evening Game Show: Fish Stories - about Sharks 9:15
• Cruise Cult Classic Rock n' Roll Night
• Movies Under the Stars - The Longest Ride 10;00 pm 
• The Yes/No Gameshow 10:45

We arrive and are sat at a both that we really like (also called the fishbowl by the staff).  

Earlier Bernie had dropped off the bottle of champagne that I had asked for for my birthday -- Perrier-Jouet, Blason Rose from France.   It was sitting in the bucket beside our table when we arrived. Also a bottle of wine from Stefano and Nelson was a surprise and appreciated.  Oh forgot to say that earlier they called the cabin and on speaker phone sang Happy Birthday to me.  Lovely

Ashwin is joining us for dinner and Tammi too.  We just met Tammi this voyage, she is from Halifax and so it is nice to connect with someone from home and Bernie originally is from Nova Scotia.  And of course we know Ashwin for quite a while now.

I start with the Pan Seared Pacific Scallops

Then I had that amazing Heirloom Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese and Beets - sorry forgot to take a picture.

For my entree I really wanted to try one of the new Alaskan Special Menu items and I chose the Halibut.  It was like butter!

You can see the lovely cheese plate that Mark prepared for us too.  Lovely to munch on in between courses and along with the wine.

Of course the waiters came out and sing Happy Birthday. They even had balloons for me.  

Was so touched too that Riza came down from Sabatinis where she is a waiter to wish me a Happy Birthday.  Here is a picture of Mark and Riza sandwich of all love and kindness. 

After dinner Bernie insists that we head to Crooners to say hi to Red - he hasn't seen us yet today and he wants to see me.  When we arrive he too gives me a gift!  

It is amazing how the world brings such great people into our lives.  I want them to know that they mean the world to us.  They brighten our day when we see them.  We love hearing from them when we are home, and we really love seeing them outside of their work environment whether it is in Vancouver or they home city.  

They are our Princess Family!