It’s 8 am and I hereby make a promise to you all………….I am never eating anything ever again…………..nothing………….not even air. The reason for this extraordinary statement is that last night I had the most amazing meal and ate the equivalent weight of a baby Yak…………………..nope, I will never eat anything ever again.
John blogging in the Piazza again!
Good morning from the Emerald Princess where as I look out from my balcony I see the sun is shining as we head for St.Thomas. The sea looks a little angry this morning as white horses are prancing around atop the waves and every now and then the mighty ship will have a little bounce and a wiggle as it ploughs through the ocean.
Yesterday I wrote about one of the Emerald Princess’s Icons ………… The Sanctuary ………….last night I discovered another ………………. Sabatini’s.
Before last night the word Sabatini took me back to a crush I had on the female tennis player Gabriella Sabatini…………..why did I just write the word “female”…………….of course it was female…………….I didn’t need to write that word did I…….it’s not like I was going to write “I had a crush on Bjorn Borg” although he did have nice legs.
Anyway, I was in love with Gabriella Sabatini and I used to pray that during Wimbledon she would fall over or stop down to pick up a tennis ball. Anyway, I am in love with a Sabatini again only this time it’s a restaurant and the reason I will never eat anything ever again.
After a relaxing few hours at the Sanctuary Heidi and I dressed for our reservation at 7:30 pm. Heidi had been in the sun and her face glowed………..she deserves so much relaxation after taking care of me and Monsieur Bell.
Sabatini’s is located on deck 16 aft and the moment you walk through the door the magic of the place is instant and you automatically become Italian. Now I don’t mean you wear clothes where the colours don’t match or you put your thumb and two fingers together and move them up and down rapidly when speaking but what I do mean is that you instantly feel like you are in Italy and about to eat something Mama would have been proud to cook.
As is now standard here on the ship we were met with a smile by the hostess and then the restaurant manager Romeo…………..in fact he was so nice I was worried for a minute that he might want me to be to be his Juliet. Seriously though Romeo was superb and it’s the little things that make such a difference and in this case it was the personal greeting “good evening Mr and Mrs. Heald” and then a handshake………….that’s the Princess way and I love it.
Romeo led us to our table. If you can, ask for a table overlooking the fountain and the pool which at night is beautifully lit. They do have tables outside as well for Al Fresco dining……………I can only imagine how that experience is in the Med where the ship heads to in April.
Romeo seated us and then we met our waiter Ramil who explained the menu as I will to you and you will discover the reason I will never eat anything ever again.
Romeo explained that the only thing we had to choose from the menu was the main course………………everything else was served automatically………….how many different items………………have a guess…………….go on………………..nope…………..your way off…………the answer is 15…….yep 15…………………are you ready……………place thumb on top of your first and second finger……………move up and down and say “Mama Mia.”
Yep……………..15 incredible Italian masterpieces and that’s before the main course and desert complimented by five-star service. We sat and waited for battle to commence and just in case we were hungry Ramil brought us a huge selection of breads, forcatcio (spelt wrong) and bread sticks.
I am not a romantic man as my wife will tell you. Romance for me is remembering to put the toilet seat up but here in Sabatini’s with the soft lighting and the stirring voice of Pavarotti playing on the PA system I found my self clasping a hand and telling her I loved her so very much………….I was George Hamilton…………..I looked in her eyes and Sabatini’s magic took hold of me…………….I leaned over to kiss her and received a slap round the face…………….I guess the lady at the table next to me did not appreciate my romantic gesture and neither did Heidi.
So, here we go………………here then is photo evidence as to why I will never ever eat anything again.
COLD APPETIZERS:
PROSCIUTTO AND MELON
SMOKED BLESOLA
MARINATED SHRIMP
FRESH ARTICHOKES AND SPINACH
MATURE PARMESAN CHEESE
SORRENTO MUSHROOMS SAUTÉED IN WHITE WINE
SUN DRIED TUSCAN TOMATOES
MARINATED RED PEEPERS
These were all so tasty and fresh and without a doubt my two favorites were the smoked Blesola and the red peppers………..the last time I had red peppers like this was in a restaurant in Capri…………………..the appetizers were outstanding.
The reason I will never eat anything ever again ever continued after a 10-minute break.
Let’s take a break from food and talk about one of the activities I saw last night and something that I as Cruise Director could never ever do……….James does though and he is brilliant at it ………………….. dancing.
James comes from a dance background and last night he taught the first of his Ballroom Blitz dance classes. The lesson was the Meringue (spelt wrongly probably) and about 30 couples were on the dance floor………….it was great to see. Also last night there were game shows, live music, movies under the stars on the open deck big screen and of course the Motown Show with the Princess singers and dancers.
Heidi and I saw the second performance and along with the other 798 people we enjoyed singing along to every Motown number. The dancers were excellent and the singers were dynamic and I must say the orchestra was absolutely super………………especially the trumpet player who was wailing the high notes.
I am a great supporter of live music and it’s nice to see that unlike the “no live music of the seas” that, like Carnival, Princess also is a supporter of live music and it’s evident all over the ship. There are piano players, a classical quartet, a crooner who sings in a lounge called “Crooners ” and other live bands all over the ship. I know I have said this before on my thingy but in the days of Eye Pods it’s great to hear music that’s played live and played by professionals.
Let’s get back to the reason I will never ever eat anything again as Ramil brings over the hot appetizers.
HOT APPETIZERS
CRAB CAKES
DEEP FRIED ZUCCHINI FLOWERS
RICOTTA CHEESE FLAN
CALAMARI
FRIED MOZZARELLA AND CHERRY TOMATO SALSA
We then had a much-needed 15-minute break. During this time the Maitre d’ Generoso stopped by and presented us with a bottle of wine compliments of the senior management back in the Princess offices ……………….Heidi enjoyed the Pinot Grigio and we were both very grateful.
Break was over and Ramil arrived with more food and the continuing reason while I will never eat anything ever again ever………….this time the soup and the salad.
SOUPS AND SALADS
There was a choice of soups and salads and Heidi and I both had the following.
MIXED GREEN SALAD WITH AGED PARMAZANE CHEESE
TOMATO AND SHRIMP SOUP WITH FRESH BASIL.
then……………..came the Pasta ……………………….. help …………………. and two more reasons why I will never eat anything again ever.
I am not a big pasta fan………….probably because when I eat it most of it dribbles down my chins and ends up down my shirt which in turn ends up with me in the doghouse…………………..however this pasta was incredible.
PASTA
RAVIOLI WITH RICOTTA AND ZUCCHINI
FLAT PASTA WITH MUSHROOMS, CHERRY TOMATOES AND SPINACH
It should be noted that you get served both…………yep both ………….. but as full as you may be by now you must have the pasta. ……..it’s incomparable.
At this point you may experience the need to open a button on your trousers……….I didn’t need to as mine just popped of and flew across the room like an F16 plane nearly taking a waiter’s eye out ……………. and then came the main courses and the final reason why I will never eat anything ever again ever.
MAIN COURSES
Heidi had the scallops and I had lobster………………both were out of this world and as full as we both were we cleared our plates.
I was done, I waved my white napkin in surrender and as superb as Ramil our waiter was when he came over with the dessert menu I was tempted to insert a bread stick in him……………………however, much to my surprise Heidi found room for a desert and had a raspberry Frangipane.
John’s dessert in a Niente Sauce
We arrived at 7:30 pm and by 9:30 pm we both had finished one of the best meals we have ever had but the best bit was still to come ……………… the check…………………..it was $40 …………….. yep………………………$20 each…………………that is unbelievable.
I have a great friend who last night ate at Harry’s Bar in Venice. The food would have been good…………..but right now he is considering selling his body for medical experiments to pay the bill. Here on the Emerald Princess I just paid $40 for an Italian feast I will never ever forget and the reason I will never eat anything again…..ever.
I mentioned that the Sanctuary was an Icon and a reason all on its own to sail here……………well………….I discovered another last night…………it’s called Sabatini’s………………eating there is a must…………….it truly is fantastic.
Romeo and Juliet
Heidi and Ramil
It’s now 9 am…………….my wife is awake and getting dressed and when she finally declares herself ready to be seen in public we will head up to breakfast…………………..I fancy bacon, eggs, sausage and lots of toast……….I’m starving.
Cheers
Your friends
John and Heidi
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
John, of all these photos of food the best thing on the menu is in the very last picture and it’s not Ramil. Save me some.
BIG ED
John,
Yum! I am now declaring that in my house we will have one night a week when we eat food that’s as good as your meal sounded. I’m sure Peter will thank you, also, for the inspiration.
Hope you had a good time in St. Thomas. I’m jealous! I have fond memories of the area…We snorkeled in Trunk Bay, St. John when we were there, and it was one of the highlights of the cruise for us, and a great excursion.
A big hello to Heidi, too. Have a good night,
Shannan
Wow… that looked like a perfectly brilliant meal… and that coming from an Italian guy.
Wonderful, just wonderful.
John, you’re tempting me to jump ship, for just one cruise, to sail on that phenomenal ship.
Are you worn out yet by all the effort? Do you need someone to help you out? I’d offer to meet you in St. Thomas and take your burden for a bit…
GregB
One of the surprises I found on a Princess cruise was the availability of both real (American) bacon and something the British refer to as bacon one morning. Both were delicious. Oink.
November 18, 2001 was our 40th wedding anniversary. On that day we embarked on our first cruise on Carnival Triumph. WOW! What fun we had! The cruise director was fantastic. John Heald, you made that trip one we will never forget. The only problem is you spoiled us for other cruises (3 more all on Carnival). Oh they have been fun as well but none of the cruise directors have come close to matching you.
I was very pleased to find your blog and have become a fairly regular reader.
I hope to one day take another cruise with you.
John,
Now I’m holding my $20 and I’m ready for a gastronomical experience of bliss!!!
It looked WONDERFUL… sounded OUTSTANDING… and if only I could taste it… I know I would have been in HEAVEN!!! Just the appetizer platter looked DELICIOUS!!! And then there was more…
You are making the Emerald one HOT, DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE!! WOW!!!
Best Regards to you and everyone!!!
Lambie
sigh… you are killing me here john… i guess i’ll have to book a princess cruise.
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
John,
Without all your time consumed with CD duties, youv’e turned into a blogging machine. And an excellent one at that!
We have to keep coming back to the blog more often to see if there’s a new blog up yet.
You’re right.. Sabatini’s is SO MUCH FOOD! When we ate there Mrs. Kuki left wearing my pants, and I borrowed a table cloth. Well worth the surcharge cost.
I’m wondering if you know yet what ports in Europe you’re going to be doing advance tour exploring on, after this cruise.
Just found out I’m going on another cruise line’s ship (no …of the seas involved) on the Istanbul, Greek Islands, Egypt run.. leaving Apr. 11. Thought by fluke we might be in a port city at the same time we could meet for a diet coke.
After the cruise we go to a shipyard in France… in case you’re going to be vacationing there
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
A Carnival Lesson to be Learned: The specialty restaurants on Princess and the “Hags of the Seas” are generously priced at $20 pp. Steak Houses included. Carnival’s Supper Clubs are indeed overpriced at $30 pp. That doesn’t mean they are not excellent, just overpriced compared to the competition.
So you will never ever eat again. Fat chance. Glad you are having fun. One of the things we like about Princess is the free ice cream around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. It is real ice cream too not that plastic stuff out of a machine. And there are all kinds of toppings so it is a sunday. Yumm.
)
Are you going to the midnight buffet??????
Jo
Lieve Heidi en John,
Omdat John’s Nederlands prima is doen wij het zo…;-)
Wat heerlijk om te zien dat jullie even kunnen relaxen op dit schip, ziet er goed uit! En ook fijn dat John’s oog weer beter is. Nu kunnen wij zijn andere oog ook eens zien
Nogmaals dank voor jullie gezelligheid en de champagne en John bedankt voor je gastheerschap, duidelijke taal door de microfoon en humor! Je was de beste cruise director die we hadden kunnen hebben. Wij zijn weer terug in Nederland, nadat we nog 3 dagen hebben geshopt in Miami (mede door de regen..) en Sawgrass Mils (veel gekocht ja….;-) en kijken terug op een fantastische week op de Carnival Freedom.
We missen iedereen!! Leuk dat we jullie kunnen volgen op dit weblog.
Liefs,
Christa en Mirelle
Hello John and Heidi,
I looks like you are having a wonderful time! It’s amazing how much food a person can eat on a cruise…. and what you had at Sabatini’s looked delicious!!!
Enjoy your cruise and get some more rest…. and try not to eat to much or Heidi will get overworked sewing buttons back on your trousers!
Love the blog, Mach on cruise critics old us all about this site. Thanks! We sailed Emerald in February, and everything said here is true.
Jan
Wow, what a great day. You both deserve every moment of it. It is great to see you look so relaxed. John, you and Romeo make a great looking couple. Heidi, love the dress and the new haircut.
What a menu. I’m starving!
Hi John & Heidi: WOW! What a feast! We Italians really know how to cook and eat! My mother was an excellent cook, her Lasagna and ravioli (home made) were excellent. My brothers were better Italian cooks than I ever was. After seeing and reading all that you ate, I know I am going to be kicking myself when we go on our cruise in 3 weeks, because I have one week of pure pleasure, and to heck with my glucose readings. You only live once, or at least one week twice a year for us on Carnival. I can imagine what your glucose reading was after that meal! But enjoy it while you can! Isn’t it nice being a cruiser and enjoying yourself? You and Heidi deserve it! You both work so hard! Tell her she looks absolutely beautiful, love her outfit, and her hair! You are a very lucky man! I see where Big Ed is a little jealous! HA! HA! I would love to try Princess some time, but with all the new ships Carnival is bringing out I keep wanting to see those first, so who knows if I ever will try out Princess. Enjoy the next couple of days till your cruise is over! Linda & Mike
It’s great that both of you are having a good time.
I was going to sit down for dinner. After reading this I’m stuffed. I’d have to have expandable pants if I ate at Sabatini’s
It’s good that you have a laptop along because typing all this out on your raspberry would be horrible.
I thinking of jumping lines now but staying with the family.
OMG Now I’m so hungry, Maybe if I close my eyes, my peanut butter and jelly sandwich will turn into a meal fit for a queen.
From these two blogs today it sounds as if you and Heidi are being treated like true royalty. I am so jealous
Have a fun and relaxing time
Jenny
I agree with Master Chief Kreibel – Carnival must bring their prices down to meet the competition.
John – make it happen. By May 31st of course, so I can enjoy dinner at Harry’s Supper Club.
I am so glad that you are having such a great time on your cruise – you deserve the time off.
One last thing – you have not mentioned your visitor from France recently, but from your picture with Romeo, I can tell that there has been a big improvement. Great to see that getting away to the sea has sped the healing process.
JustJon
To Flipflop queen:
I just saw your post, please click on my name to go to my blog.You can write a coment there and Ill answer back.Ok? Thanks!!
Hi John.
Yes, you have now discovered why I am a committed Princess cruiser. Only problem… I can’t take 2 Sabatini meals in one cruise. I have to go home to recover, otherwise I get charged excess on the flight.
Every Sabatini is astounding, but the new location on Emerald Princess is just out of this world. Did you see the floodlit fountains outside the windows? There’s hardly a restaurant on land that can compare… and at $20 each…
A little known fact… you can get a Sabatini dessert in the bar next door for a tiny cover charge, even if you didn’t eat in Sabatini.
As you have a balcony… you must, absolutely must, have the balcony dinner. We did so in January on Grand Princess, and it was completely out of this world.
Two waiters arrived, an hour before we were due to eat, with a table, cutlery, linen, a fresh flower arrangement (that we got to keep), canapes and aperatifs.
Then they brought the starters.
Then the main course… Surf & Turf. One Fillet Mignon each, covered by not one…
not two…
but three lobster tails….
EACH !!!!
While we were desperately trying to eat it all, and drink the bottle of champagne, the ship’s photographer turned up to take a complimentary photo.
The waiters finally left us at 10pm. They had given us their undivided service for 3.5 hours.
Five star… No. Six star, like that hotel in Dubai? No. Eight stars, at least.
And the cost for spending an evening like Royalty?
$50.
No, there’s not a 0 missing.
Fifty Bucks. Twenty Five Quid.
John… if you never listen to my suggestions ever again… you MUST do the Balcony Dinner.
WOW! Good evening Mr. Heald. Sabatini’s was delicious, scrumptious and all those of big words that people use. Mama Mia my friend, you sound Italain. You are such a very lucky man. The last picture of which Big Ed referred to tells you that. You must tell Heidi that she looks delicious, scrumptious, oops, sorry that was about the food. Heidi was magical in that dress. She really seems to be enjoying herself on this cruise. Good for her.
You also seem to be a different individual as a cruiser. I like that. Well my friend, please continue to enjoy the time on this wonderful cruise. Ciao.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Heidi/John: No smart aleck remarks today. Just so happy the two of you are enjoying the opportunity for staff/crew to wait on YOU this cruise. In your case, it’s usually the other way around. Let others handle complaints about PETA/church services/more. So happy the two of you are enjoying yourself. You deserve it.
Thanks for sharing your cruise. Everyday is better and better. I am feeling like a Princess moment may be heading my way………….Is there a spa?
John & Heidi, enjoying your posts this week from the Emerald Princess and love your perspective from a different POV….but…BUT I’m so pleased you both seem to actually be relaxing while providing us smiles with your Thingy….
Cheers!
Ray & Deb
Hi John and Heidi,
What a GREAT time YA’LL seem to be enoying !!!
What a meal that was served !!!!It seems to me you will have ideas of things you will like to add to your ship by time your vacation is over.
For someone who will never eat again, you are like the rest of us while cruising, enjoy it while can, and it is just great food !!!! PLEASE REPLY JOHN, What will be your tour time be on the Splendor on this side of the pond, and what will be your assignment after that ?
Thanks Tony
We’ve just had dinner, but the photos make us want to go out for a little Italian ( no not the Freedom’s cute Captain ) It looks fabulous!
We’ve enjoyed our meals at Harry’s, Sun King, David’s and Nouvous (what’s the one on the Spirit?)
Great pic of you blogging John.
Kathy and Lee
John,
Pure torture was your blog for me today!! Could you please put your 15 course meal in a blender and then send the mush to me?? Oh how I dream of being able to eat a meal like that again!!!
You are teasing us, and I have a feeling a lot of us bloggers will be going on a Princess ship in the future!
I sure hope you told Hedi that her dress was beautiful, and she looked like she should be the top model…(could have made points and gotten out of the doghouse)
Please keep the pictures coming! Maybe both you and Hedi need to carry a camera around!
Princess Susan
Hi John,
A question about wheelchair accessible cabins and I guess for any of Carnival Corp’s lines.
Sometimes people with no special requirements book these cabins. Does Carnival keep track of these people and how would someone who really needs the cabin go about getting those people bumped so they could go on the cruise?
Thanks,
bill
John,
You can brag about Princess all you want, but a cruise without you as the cruise director just wouldn’t be a cruise!!! Unless, it is the blogger’s cruise, of course! But, I am so glad that you and Heidi are having a wonderful time. How nice for you both to be on the receiving end of all the service with smiles!! Now maybe you will understand what we all mean when we say that the cruise was “way too short and over way too soon”! Thanks for all the extra blogs!! You are so good to all of your faithful thingy fans!
Sheryl
John,
I found a picture of one of my healthy breakfasts enjoyed on Princess with two types of bacon:
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/grandPrincessDec2006/pics/akDzLPElLem0QsRN-kHnfLPVPwVmxxsg0300.jpg
Not sure about the capers on the plate – maybe I inhaled the salmon?
I later had a few lobsters:
http://shutter03.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/06/001/0C/FC/21/85/46H25C97INGqsmvTw8RYHkVO+Zi0EeL10300.jpg
John,
I have to admit I have had the Sabatini’s experance 3 times once on the Diamond Princess, and twice on the Caribbean Princess. Hey I look at it as a tax write off research can be so fun at times. You know I think I forgot to mention I will be in Italy this September rome and venice and sicily. Land touring can be fun especially with family. Maybe we can meet at harry’s one night if we are there at the same time for a 3000 euro diet coke. I’m really happy to see you enjoying the cruise so much. Maybe the next Bloggers cruise should be on Princess ? Best to heidi who lookes stunning in that dress.
Kevin
Hi John,
We were trying to decide between two cruises for next year one on Princess and one on Carnival. (We love Carnival) but I think you made our mind up for us and we will be trying Princess…
Heidi looks great and I am glad to see Mr. Bell has decided to leave. Kim Parker
John,
Is there something living in that dish in the last picture?!?!?! Just kidding, enjoy your vacation, big mate.
_BigMike
Chief of Blogger Security
Good morning stuffed John & the ever beautiful Heidi,
Wow, what a dinner. A whole lot better than your neighborhood pizza & pasta place. The appetizers are a meal in themselves. I’ll have enough problems in the Miracle’s Supper Club, I could never manage all of Sabatini’s food. Why is their fee only $20, when Carnival’s is $30?
Tell us more of your wonderful days please.
Hugs,
Carol
Any danger of telling us about the gym?
Hoi Mirelle en Christa
en ook nog John en Heidi…
Ik bezoek op dit moment mijn zus in Texas (LambKnuckles); wat leuk om een betje Nederlands te lesen!!
Groetjes aan John en Heidi — ik hoop dat ik jullie volgende jaar in mai op het Conquest ontmoeten kan.
For those who don’t read or speak Dutch… Just a reply to the dutch women who wrote to John and Heidi and also some greetings to J&H (from an adopted dutchie of some years in NL).
Dawa
I just noticed the guy over your right shoulder in the first picture of you in the Piazza blogging. The expression on his face looks like he is wondering…”is that guy famous?”
If only he knew how close he was to greatness! Haha!
Glad to see you and Heidi are having so much fun! Cheers!
JustJohn & Cheif Kreibel-
I don’t think that the cover charge in places like the Supper Club and Sabatinis has any connection with the cost of the meal… it’s a way of balancing supply and demand.
If the optional restaurants were free, they would be fully booked by 2pm on embarkation day.
If they were the price of a shore side restaurant, they would be empty all cruise.
As they can’t seat every passenger on board, they need to set a price that is just high enough to have many passengers content to stay with the main restaurants, but low enough to attract enough to keep the venue reasonably full. Now that is one heck of a hard calculation.
It’s different again with ships like Ocean Village, where all the main restaurants are buffet service… some passengers will pay the supplement every night (I do) for a relaxing meal with waiter service… so the menu needs to change every few days, too.
OK…you’ve convinced us to try Sabatini’s the next time we are on Princess. I’d better pack something by Omar the Tent Maker!
Hugs to you ‘n Heidi
John, you’re killing me! I’m a fanatic of Italian food; however, I can not even image where I would fit all of that food. So, now I’ll need to consider taking a Princess cruise. All of this sounds so enticing. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
Hi Kevin.
I’m glad that you are a Sabatini fan, too! I’ve done Sabatini on Grand Princess and on Diamond Princess too, but the setting on Emerald Princess is just beautiful!
They’ve relocated the restaurant to just below the “Skywalker” and put a classy cocktail bar (complete with pianist) next door. The interior is just amazing, and panoramic windows look out on to a terrace with beautiful floodlit fountains.
(The old location, on Promenade deck, is now the new location for the steak house.)
Sabatini was always fantastic… but on Emerald Princess… it’s fantastico!!!
I am so pleased you are enjoying your Princess experience. As I told you many months ago, the food alone is reason enough to cruise with them. The stellar staff and gorgeous interiors are icing on the cake! You haven’t mentioned the onboard enrichment activities; you may be too busy to try them. We loved the pottery making and cooking classes. Keep on spreading the good word about Princess. All your fans should try this line.
Wow! It is nearing my lunch hour and my mouth is watering from this blog!!!! The food looks out of this world…I will definitely have to put a Princess cruise on my wish list.
Now, I have a question…on your blog when you began your voyage you stated that Heidi laid out your clothes and made you wear a jacket and tie when it was a casual night and here you were in Sabatini’s with no tie????
Keep the fantastic pictures and stories coming…I am glad that both of you are finally getting the opportunity to relax!
Linda
Hi John and Heidi
I have been following your reviews of the Emerald Princess and it makes me want to be there!!
I do so appreciate all the reviews and I am daily passing on your info to the 2 couples that are doing the transatlantic crossing on her in April. Keep up the great reviews and give my best to Heidi!!
Gloria aka Sue
Having just returned from the Emerald Princess on the 26th, reading your blog makes me want to be back on her. I beleive the young man you met at Outriggers (the aft bar) is Alfonso. Please tell him as well as CD James Lay and ACD Martin hello from all the Punas (they will know who you are talking about).
You delight us. John.
Hi John/Heidi:
Great blog and pictures today.
I realy liked hearing about the Sabattini’s menu. I’m just curious as to how you compare the quality of the product vs. the supper club on your ship.
Glad you had a nice romantic evening. You deserve it.
Thanks again and hope you make it across the pond safely.
FYI. I saw CCL earnings go across the tape. Looks like things continue to keep on hopping for the company.
Keep up the great work.
David
Now you’re making me drool. I no that my dinner tonight will not compare! Thanks! Enjoy it while you can and be well.
Jim
John & Heidi,
So glad you guys are enjoying yourselves, you guys deserve it. From your experiences with the last few cruises, its good to be on the served side for a change. John, elestic pants my friend they do wonders and get us guys out of a pinch. Keep having fun!
Luis & Maria Torres
Ok Stop….(kidding)….. over the last week with all the posts of the mouth-watering scrumptiously excellent delectable food on the Emerald….I have gained 15 pounds just looking at the photos.
I’m glad you and Heidi seem to be having a fantastic time!
The Flying Dutchman
Mark
John & Heidi
My lovely wife and soul mate karen and I have just booked our next cruise for March 09 on a Caribean cruise on the Emerald Princess. I came on line to check out one or two things on the Princess site and noticed your blog. Thinking I would browse for a minute or two I have been on it for ages as the information you provide is so brilliant and just what passengers need! Why have Princess not highlighted this more as it is much more pratical than the rather boring alternatives they offer. That said Karen and I fell in love with Princess three years ago when we met up with best friends Cy & Carol from San Diego to do a land tour/cruise in Alaska. So impressed were we that we all followed that with a three weeks cruise to Panama, all be it at different times. I definitely aim to book up the balcony dinner as soon as we board and Sabatini’s looks a must.
We have several further cruises that we definitely want to go on and ofcourse they must be on Princess! The crew etc. are out of this world and the whole trip is like being on another planet.
Look forward to catching up on your blog again some time when I get the rare opportunity to sit down and read it.
John from Scotland
John,
On our cruise in the Mediterranean we booked Sabatini’s every other day. Looking at your pictures here in cold mother RUSSIA, we want to go back.
And I don’t know if it’s only about Emerald Princess or it’s about the whole Princess Cruises, but we’re coming back!!! Sabatini’s is the reason I, Anton, am not eating for 8 months now! Save me!!!! We have tried all different main courses (meat, lobsters, sant jaques) but out of 8 times we went to Sabatini’s I made it to dessert only once)))))
And we miss a lot James and Martin. Alot!!!