Laurie and Carol's Panama Adventure **Updated 6/11** COMPLETE About This Page:

[lauriep]

Hi, Folks!

This will be brief because I'm having hard time with my laptop keyboard...

We're at the Radisson getting ready to board tomorrow. Both exhausted, but very excited to be finally starting this incredible trip. Carol flew in from Boca and I came in from Boston early evening. Tiffany Towncar from the airport--very nice driver, excellent service. I'd used them in the past and stopped for a few years because of bad reviews. Their quote was the lowest I could find, though, and we had no problems.

TERRIBLE meal here at the Radisson. We both got the grilled vegetable salad, which consisted of a heap of iceberg and cold, un-grilled zucchini and mushrooms sprinkled with tasteless parmesan. Served with stale brown-and-serve rolls. Ick. I ended up having peanuts from the vending machine for dinner. Oh, well. The trip really starts tomorrow!

I worked the overnight shift Thursday, so have been awake since 5pm Thursday! Goodnight. I'll try to send a bit of news every few days once the cruise starts.

[RobDVC]

Have a great night's rest!
Check in soon!

[iamgrumpy]

Have a great time!

[chezp]

Have a great time - I can't wait to read more about it.

[Colexis Mom]

Can't wait to hear all about your trip

[sueh818]

Thanks for taking the time during your vacation to give live updates for those of us living vicariously through you!

[NanaTink]

Have a wonderful time! I will be watching you sail out tomorrow!!!!!

[Tink and co.]

Hope you're well rested, on your way, and having better food today!

[lauriep]

Yesterday, boarding day, was exhausting. Crowded terminal, long lines for everything. We met up with Terri and Lesley, who had boarding #17. We had #5, so, eager to secure Palo reservations for a brunch and a tea, Carol and I headed straight for the Palo desk upon boarding. What a mess. Since so many had been unable to get reservations on line the infamous night the window opened for Castaway Club members, the line went from Rockin’ Bar D all the way to the Atrium. Carol stood in the line and managed to get brunch for the 4 of us, but we’re wait-listed for tea.

We had a nice lunch at Parrot Cay (after a wait in another long line) with Terri and Lesley, then went to the room and unpacked a bit before the safety drill.

Carol and I had Palo dinner reservations. Neither of us has ever been there before, so we were both wondering if it would live up to the hype. Of course it did! Everything was scrumptious and beautiful. Sabucco from Hungary was our waiter and the service was perfect. The décor reminds me of California Grill, but with a European style and more subdued, elegant colors. As soon as I tasted one of the olives on the antipasto plate I knew we were in for a wonderful meal. We both had the polenta and mushroom appetizer—this may be the best thing I’ve ever tasted. We practically licked our plates clean. I make polenta all the time, but it never tastes like this! And how do they get that amazing, creamy texture? Carol’s main course, monkfish, was also wonderful. I had the vegetable and bean casserole, which was very good, but not exciting, so I only ate a bit, saving room for dessert. Carol had the panna cotta, I had the assorted gelato. YUM! I have photos, but they’re not downloaded yet.

I’ve been worrying that Carol might not enjoy the cruise, since it’s a very different sort of vacation for her, but at Palo, as we sailed along on the first night, she said, “I can already tell this isn’t my last cruise.”

Today we’re at Castaway Cay. It’s such a beautiful place, but the weather is way too hot and humid for my enjoyment. After cold, rainy Boston I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I just wilted as it approached noon, and returned to the ship for a nice peaceful afternoon. Tonight we meet our table-mates for the first time and tomorrow is the first of many sea days.

[DyanKJ130]

Sounds like you're off to a great start!! Can't wait to hear more

[NanaTink]

Sounds like you are off to a good start! I just ate dinner, but my mouth started watering over your description of your meal at Palos! Whew, I hate to think what would have happened if you did have the pics downloaded!
Can't wait to hear more! Thanks for sharing your trip so far!

[TroianRae]

Sounds great!!
Thanks for "live updates" - I just LOVE those!!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you're having a great time

[chezp]

Sounds like it's started well - thank goodness you guys were at least able to secure brunch at Palo. with tea there.

[lauriep]

Yesterday was a lovely day, even though I didn’t last long on Castaway Cay. The view of the island from the ship is beautiful and I enjoyed lounging around and reading—who wouldn’t! I skipped lunch, having had a very filling Mango smoothie at the adult beach earlier. Carol spent the morning on the island—power walk and exploration followed by lunch at Cookies. All the CMs were saying that they’d never seen the Adult beach so crowded. There are so few children on this cruise that the family beach was deserted. Empty lounge chairs galore.

We met our dining companions and servers at Animator’s Palate last night. Very nice family of 3 from Texas. It will be lovely getting more acquainted with them over the next 2 weeks. Our servers, Andrea from Brazil and Daniel from Hungary, are very charming and hard-working! The meal was very good also…Carol had a fish appetizer—sorry, I can’t remember what it was called, but she loved it. I had the gazpacho and we both had the vegetable korma for our entrees. This was really good. Very flavorful but not too spicy. Our table-mates had veal chop, salmon, pizza and fries for Lizzie. Everyone seemed very happy with their meals. I skipped dessert in favor of ice cream on deck 9 later on. The others had chocolate cake, sundae, strawberry shortcake, fruit and cookies.

Another very early night. I was asleep by 9. I’ve been waking up at 4 every morning.

Today is the first Sea Day for either of us, and a quick glance at the Navigator shows way too many choices!

I’ve managed to download some photos here:

lauriep's photos- powered by SmugMug