35 more days...

Just like at Monaco, we are...

Racing to the finish!

~ FIVE MORE WEEKS ~

35 MORE DAYS!!!

36 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

I got my grubby little hands on the dinner menu that will be served nightly on our cruise. Please note that the day the dinning choices are offered can change. But if you want an idea of what will be offered - read on...

Day One

Starters
Melon and Mango – Drizzled with ginger syrup
Melon and Proscuitto
Smoked Fish Tapenade – Smoked fish, onions, capers, fresh herbs, served with crostini coulis
Vidalia Onion Tart – sweet onions and gruyere cheese baked in pastry with red pepper
Tuscan Tomato Soup – Thick rustic soup swirled with basil pesto Saigon Chicken Noodle Soup – Chicken broth with lemon grass, ginger, noodles and julienne vegetables
Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho – Garnished with chopped celery and cucumber


Salad
Spinach Salad – with plum tomatoes, sliced mushrooms and toasted pine nuts
Traditional Caesar Salad

Entrees
Shrimp Ravioli – In a cream coconut lime lobster sauce with wilted spinach and crispy fried leeks
Stuffed Chicken Breast – filled with prosciutto and brie, served with red pimento relish
Slow Roasted Prime Rib – with baked potato and horseradish au jus
Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Quesadilla – Folded in a flour tortilla with Manchego cheese and tomato and cilantro salsa

Chef Signature Entrée
Royal Herb Crusted Fillet of Atlantic Cod – with light cream saffron champagne sauce, red skinned mashed potatoes and scallions

Deserts
Ivory Chocolate Fondue – full of mixed berries with a crunchy biscuit
Apple pie a la Mode – Slices of spiced golden delicious apples baked in a double crust pasry topped with vanilla ice cream
Savarin – rum soaked yeast cake filled with banana cream, finished with orange wedges, kadota figs, and chocolate chips
Low Fat Tropical Fruit salad – marinated in grand marnier
Sugar Fee Swan Chantilly – a pastry swan filled with sugar free whipped cream served with apricot puree


Day 2 - Formal Night

Starters
Orange Carpaccio – orange slices, red onions, watercress, feta cheese and cumin mint yogurt
Shrimp Cocktail royal – with cocktail sauce
Escargots Bourguignonne – baked snails in garlic herb butter
Lobster Bisque – finished with cognac and whipped cream
Oxtail Broth – beefy broth and aged sherry, served with a crispy cheese twist
Chilled Golden Pear – Garnished with dried cranberries

Salad
Caesar salad

Entrees
Truffled Wild Mushroom Linguini Alfredo – Linguini pasta folded in a creamy wild mushroom and white truffle sauce
Golden Sea Bass – Pan Seared fillet, Spanish sofrito, black olive polenta and fried capers
Roasted Duck – with black currant sauce, red cabbage and croquette potatoes
Eggplant Mozzarella Tower – with chunky plum tomato sauce and balsamic glaze

Chef Signature Entrée
Filet of Beef – creamy whipped potatoes and crimini mushrooms with green peppercorn sauce

Deserts
Grand Marnier Soufflé
Double Strawberry Cheesecake
Cherries Jubilee
Low Fat Double strawberry Cheesecake
Sugar Free Coconut Vanilla Layer Cake


Day 3

Starters
Caprese Salad – fresh mozzarella and tomatoes drizzled with olive oil
Antipasti – Cured Italian ham, seasonal melon, grilled vegetables, marinated Portobello mushrooms, baked caramelized garlic
Scallop Risotto – Sauteed sea scallops over Charred sweet corn and mascarpone risotto
Creamy Roasted Garlic Soup – with rye bread croutons
Minestrone – A rich Italian soup of vegetables, tomato, and pasta
Chilled Strawberry Bisque – garnished with fresh mint

Salad Insalata Mista – Mixed greens, zucchini, red bell peppers and black olives
Traditional Caesar Salad

Entrees
Rigatoni Pasta – with spiced chorizo sausage, red and green peppers, grilled corn, olive oil and basil
Garlic Tiger Shrimp – Garlic herb baked with seasonal vegetables
Chicken Marsala – Marsala mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables
Vegetarian Chili – With jalapeno corn bread, grated cheese and sour cream

Chef Signature Entrée
Lamb Shank with Rosemary – Slowly braised with garlic mashed potatoes and oven roasted vegetables

Deserts
Warm Chocolate Cake
Raspberry Panna Cotta
Tiramisu
Low Fat Angel Food Cake
Sugar Free Chocolate Mint Cake

Day 4

Starters
Mozzarella Salad – over arugula with a tomato basil salsa
Melon with Proscuitto
Chilled Shrimp Cocktail
Scallop and Mussels Gratin – seared with Pernod
Bouillabaisse
Tuscan White Bean Soup
Vichyssoise
Mesulun and Fennel Salad

Entrees
Ravioli Mare Monte – filled with cheese in a crabmeat mushroom sauce
Baked Perch – with sautéed spinach, balsamic and parmesan roasted potatoes and lemon sauce
Royal Sirloin – on a baked eggplant, zucchini and vegetable medley with Sicilian onions and pepper olive salsa
Vegetable paella – saffron rice with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and asparagus tips, garnished with black olives and chopped scallions

Chef Signature Entrée
Coq au Vin – with mushrooms, bacon, caramelized baby inions, grilled polenta and crispy pancetta

Deserts
Crème Catalan
Spanish Orange Almond Cake
Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Tart
Low Fat French Apple Flan
Sugar Free Chocolate Panna Cotta

Day 5

Starters
Fired Roasted Red Pepper Hummus – with roasted marinated zucchini and toasted pita
Shrimp Cocktail
Melon Proscuitto
Spinach Sweet Potato Dip – served warm with crisp tortilla chips
Roasted Pumpkin and Apple Soup – with crème fraiche and fried sage
Onion Soup – Caramalized onions in beed broth with Gruyere toast
Chilled Forest Berries and Buttermilk soup – a combination of fresh berries blended with buttermilk`

Salad
Greek Salad for the Table

Entrees
Grey Goose Vodka and Smoked Salmson Cream Pasta
- Creamy sauce tossed with orechhiette pasta, finished with mushrooms and crushed tomatoes
Roasted Turkey – with apple bread dressing, pan gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce
Grilled NY Strip Steak – Bearnaise sauce, fried potato wedges and zucchini
Indian Vegetable Curry – braised spiced garden vegetables with steamed rice and a refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce

Chef Signature Entrée
Mahi Mahi Tempura – Lightly battered and fried with homemade sweet and sour sauce, stir fried vegetables

Deserts
Brownie Madness
Key Lime Pie
Banana and Crunchy Nut Parfait
Sugar Free Key Lime Pie
Low Fat Strawberry Shortcake


Day 6 – Formal Night

Starters
Sun Ripened Pineapple - Sliced Pineapple, Sun dried apricot ricotta and black pepper
Citrus Cured Salmon - Thinly Slices with a dill cucumber salad
Creamed Wild Mushrooms in Puff pastry – crimini and oyster mushrooms in flaky pastry
Cream of Asparagus – Garnished with crunchy almonds
Double Duck Consomme – with julienne vegetables and aged port
Roasted Peach Soup – Finished with fresh strawberries


Entrees
New England Bay Scallops and Ziti – topped with Portobello mushrooms and fire roasted red pepper pesto
Fisherman’s Plate – A broiled lobster tail and garlicky shrimp with broccoli florets
Slow Roasted Aged Prime Rib – cut thick served with baked potato
Asian Fried Tofu – with sautéed bok choy, shiitake mushrooms and red curry sauce

Chef Signature Entrée
Thai BBQ Chicken Breast


Deserts
Desert Sampler – a trio of exquisite tastes
Low fat Berry Mousse
Sugar Free Red Berry Tart


Day 7

Starters
Exotic Fruits
Crab and Shrimp Salad
Melon Proscuitto
Beef and Veal Tortallacci
Jalapeño Potato Soup
Chicken consommé
Chilled Cranberry and Mango soup
Seasonal Greens
Caesar Salad

Entrees
Penne Tarantina – tossed in chunky tomato-garlic sauce, with mussels, shrimp and scallop
Parmesan Crusted Turkey Tenderloin with sage mustard Sauce
Slow Roasted Beef Shoulder Fillet – with marscapone roasted potatoes and Shiraz reduction
Asparagus and Brie Tart – grilled plum tomato, arugula, red pepper essence and chive oil

Chef Signature Entrée
Cornmeal Dusted Talapia with Japanese ratatouille and garlic wasabi aioli

Deserts
Choco-Chino Trilogy
BBB
Magic Mango Parfit
Low Fat Exotic Pineapple and Coconut Cake
Steamed Sugar Free Vanilla and Berry Custard



Alternative Selections always available
Ziti with Marinara Sauce
Broiled Fillet of Norwegian Salmon
Grilled Chicken Breast with seasonal herbs
Grilled Black Angus Top Sirloin with herb butter
Ice Cream, Sugar Free Ice Cream and sherbet selections
Cheese selection

And what will you be having?

37 more days...

Tax Day!
Boo!  Hiss!  Back to the blog...

Last week we tendered into the quaint French port of Villefranche and visited Nice.
This week we explore...

Ready for it Nana?

Monaco!

Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, only Vatican City is smaller. Monaco is also the world's second smallest monarchy (and principality to be more exact).  Monaco is the name of the country and its capital (and only) city.  Monaco is a city-state.  It is famous as a tax haven (there is no income tax), and wealthy foreigners make up the majority of the population.  Monaco - is divided into four areas: Monaco-Ville, the old fortified city on the Rock which includes the Prince's Palace, Cathedral and Oceanographic Museum; the Condamine, or port quarter; Monte-Carlo, the business and recreation district; and Fontvieille, a man-made waterfront area for recreation and light industry.  Monaco is best known for it's race, The Monaco Grand Prix, it's gambling at The Casino (Le Casino de Monte Carlo) and it's monarchy.

Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix (Grand Prix de Monaco) is a Formula One race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world, alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (informally known as the Triple Crown of Motorsport).  The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One. In spite of the relatively low average speeds, it is a dangerous place to race.  This year's race is May 20th - 23rd.  While we won't see the race, we can see the course.

Monte Carlo Casino

The Monte Carlo Casino is one of the most notable tourist attractions of Monaco. The casino complex is a gambling facility which also includes the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo, an opera and ballet house, and the headquarters of the Ballets de Monte Carlo. It is situated in the Monte Carlo quarter, although the citizens of Monaco (Monegasques) are forbidden to enter the gaming rooms.  It hosts the annual European Poker Tour Grand Final.  The route of the Monaco Grand Prix (the Circuit de Monaco) runs past the casino. The Casino (Le Casino de Monte Carlo)  opens at 2pm to those 18 and older. Suitable attire is required.  Jacket and tie if you visit the back rooms, not the general gambling area.  There is a 10 euro entrance fee and ID check -- you 'lose' money before you gamble and no sneaking in those Monegasques.  If you are heading to the casino or points on the eastern side of Monte Carlo, you may want to take the ferry that crosses the harbor, as it will save you a good amount of walking time.

The Monarchy

The Prince of Monaco lives in the Prince's Palace, which dates back to the 12th century. The palace has been occupied by the Grimaldi family since the 1200s who have ruled Monaco without interruption until today.  The palace is guarded all of the time and there is a "Changing of the Guards Ceremony" every day in The Palace Square (at the front of the Palace) at 11:55am, seven days a week.  There are also several tours of the palace given every day.  The Monaco Cathedral is where Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly were married and also where Grace Kelly is buried. There are also a good number of the Grimaldi family buried here, as well.

 Getting Around

The size of Monaco allows speedy and easy commutes between the various districts of the Principality. Walking in the Principality is facilitated by public lifts and escalators which operate 24 hours a day, every day, to help overcome difficult steep levels. Public transportation includes a bus shuttle service that includes 5 different routes. A single ticket is 1 euro, a card for 10 trips is 6 euros, and a daily ticket costs 3 euros. Get your ticket at the driver when boarding the bus.Departures are every 10 minutes from 7 am to 9 pm. You can buy tickets from the bus drivers and also multiple journey tickets valid for that day saving time and money.  Monaco has a bus network of 5 lines that cover the entire principality. The lines are the following:

1 : Monaco Ville - Harbour - Casino - Saint Roman
2 : Monaco Ville - Harbour - Casino - Pont Ste Devote - Jardin Exotique
4 : Condamine - Pont Ste Devote - Place des Moulins
5 : Condamine - Fontvieille - Harbour - Hôpital - Condamine
6 : Fontvieille - Harbour - Casino - Larvotto (beaches)
Buses go on a circular route around La Condamine, with buses going north along the harbour, and going south on Rue Grimaldi. The best interchange points are at Place d'Armes and Stade Nautique, where most bus lines meet. If you're arriving or leaving by train, exits of the station are at the Pont Ste Devote, Place Ste Devote and Condamine bus stops.
  
This is the list of current public lifts / elevators availbale for use :
1- between the Place des Moulins and the beaches
2- between the Princess Grace Hospital Center and the Exotic Garden
3- between the harbor and the Avenue de la Costa
4- between the Place St. D'vote and the area of Mon'ghetti
5- between the Terraces of the Casino, the Congress Centre Auditorium and the Boulevard Louis II
6- between the Avenue des Citronniers and the Avenue Grande-Bretagne
7- between the highway and the Larvotto Boulevard.

Next week -- Toulon, our last port :(

38 more days...

Part 2

(because you can never be too prepared!)

~ Toss a few empty plastic bags into your suitcase. You may need them later to pack dirty or damp clothes.

~ Folding or inflatable travel hangers are useful if you need to dry out hand laundry or a bathing suit in your cabin.

~ Tuck fabric softener sheets between garments as you pack to keep clothing fresh during travels.

~ Bring your own travel alarm clock; most staterooms do not have them.

~ Keep track of your boarding pass, on board charge/key card, as well as a picture ID to take ashore by slipping them into a bi-fold business card style carrying case. Cases with a "suede" finish are less likely to fall out of your pocket.

~ Pack toiletries, clothing, and other items in clear zipper top bags for faster security examination of your carry-on at the airport and pier. This method makes it easier to repack if your bag is emptied and searched.

~ Pack a pad of Post-It notes to leave messages for your cabin steward, family, and shipboard friends.

~ Pre-address stick-on labels for postcards to the folks back home & you won’t have to carry along a bulky address book.

~ Make two copies of your passport, driver's license, and credit cards before leaving home. Leave one set of copies in a safe place on your ship. If the ship's purser holds your passport (which is often the case, to expedite clearing the ship in foreign ports), carry the passport copy ashore with you. Leave the other copies with a friend or family member at home.

~ Binoculars are as useful indoors as they are outside. Typically you might think they are only for bringing far off wildlife and sights within view, but take them into museums, cathedrals, and other buildings to examine the details of artwork, sculptures, and architectural elements.

~ Even if you don’t think you’ll need them, bring along extra camera batteries and change them before you think the old ones are “dead.”

~ Leave any paperback novels you've finished for the crew library. You'll have more room in your suitcase and crewmembers will have fresh reading material.

~ Don't forget to pack and USE your sunscreen. Why take the chance of a nasty sunburn ruining a great cruise vacation? Protect your skin from injury and aging. Excessive sun exposure contributes to wrinkles.

~ Check the balance of your on board account before the end of your cruise. Straighten out any discrepancies immediately and avoid a long line at the Purser's Desk that last morning after your final bill arrives.

~ Don't you look gorgeous in your formal attire? Have a family portrait taken to preserve the memory. There's no obligation to purchase any photos you don't care for.

~ Set aside gratuity money and keep it in your room safe. Many cruisers compute the "recommended" amounts in advance and get cash in the proper denominations before leaving home. If your ship automatically charges gratuities to your onboard account, you may adjust the amounts according to the level of service you receive.

~ Most ships’ cabins have only one or two electrical outlets located near the desk/vanity table (not counting the shaver-only outlet in the bathroom). A short extension cord allows you to use more than one electrical appliance at once and gives you a bit more flexibility to move around.

~Take along an insulated mug with a lid. Fill it at the beverage station in the buffet area—your drinks will stay hot or cold and you won’t have to worry about spills. Most bartenders will fill it with ice and water or a soft drink. With a straw, your ice won’t melt instantly while lounging at the pool. Better still, mugs are great souvenirs—buy one that sports your ship’s name from the gift shop.

~Pack a small flashlight to find your way around in the dark or in an emergency.

~ Personal 2-way radios are a great way to keep track of cruise companions, but set the volume low so you don’t disturb your fellow passengers.

~ A small air freshener will leave your bathroom area stink free and pleasant smelling.

~ Don't forget God - Remember that it's good memories you want to make so don't forget your morals. Make new friends, have a great time and be happy. Look at the sunsets and enjoy the beauty. At night, look up at the stars and say a little prayer and be thankful.

**************

Please Share YOUR Tips and Suggestions Below in the Comment Section!

**************

Cruise along and enjoy!...^_~

Karen

39 more days...

A Royal Flush...

Fun on the Throne - Part II

You might recall a few days ago when Karen warned us of the perils of travel.  She included the advice "...never flush the toilet while sitting on it! ...you can really be injured seriously."

We followed up on this claim with an investigation (42 more days...), however, the results were inconclusive.  While there is video evidence witnessing the incredible power of cruise ship toilets, there is also video evidence of at least one survivor.  It seemed that it would be necessary to perform our own little experiment in order to set the record straight.

And so I present to you, in the spirit of Mythbusters, 'Kev and Dad's Cruise Ship Toilet Experiment'.

Apparently Karen's warning is worth heeding!

Don't flush your life away!

I hope that you'll excuse me now.  I have to go pick Kev up at the sedimentation tanks...

~ A MONTH AND A WEEK TO GO ~

39 MORE DAYS!!!
(Don't forget to rate the video on YouTube!)

40 more days...

The Finance Report:

Another lead change!

There has been another lead change in the great O:PR Euro Shootout!  Mo has moved back into first place, and by the same micro-margin that Nana had last week...  0.04 EU!  It's a real nail-biter, folks.  The $US is in a good range for the upcoming cruise.  But something tells me that the duel is not yet over. Stay tuned and find out.

CONTEST UPDATE:

Mo steals the lead back from Nana, who just last week had wrestled it from Mo, who the previous week swiped it from Nana!

The winner of our contest (Grand Prize = 1 euro!) will be the one with the closest guess on May 21st, 2010. 



_______________________________

THE WEB REPORT:

62 Countries...

Hey, that's alot.  62 countries.  The same ones as last week, but still.  I'm just saying.

Nana on the Titanic:

20,887 Views!
Another milestone!  Nana has achieved 20,887 views on YouTube, as of Friday...  Who would ever have thunk it?  More than 20 thousand views...  (Sunday night update: 21,640)

Nana's popularity by country

What must they think?  We can only wonder, unless of course they take the time to write and request a free postcard!

_______________________________________________

FREE Postcards!

What a segway...  Our offer remains open to anyone in the world who wants to receive a FREE postcard from the cast of Operation: Poisson Rouge during our European adventure.  Please click on the 'contact me' button below, and make your request.  There are 3 more postcards requests available, each to be filled free of charge!

Postcard #1: One Million Postcards

Postcard #2: Pope Benedict 

Postcard #3 - #5: Still available

40 MORE DAYS!!!

(Offer void to family, and friends...)

41 more days...

How to Get Some Sleep on a Plane

**************************************************

We will be on an 8(+/-) hour "red eye" flight from Newark Airport - departing at 7:15pm on May 22 and arriving in Barcelona, Spain at 9:15 am. on May 23rd. To make the best of this long journey, a few "creature comforts" can go a L-O-N-G way! Comfortable clothes, socks/slippers, small pillow, snacks, toothbrush/gum/mints, ear plugs, sleep mask, music, just to name a few. What items do YOU plan on packing in your carry on bag to make the trans-Atlantic flight an enjoyable one?...will you be able to sleep?...Please share your comments below. The following video has some good tips while other tips are just plain silly...I mean, who has room to pack a "body pillow"!

*Disclaimer: Dear brother, Mike...hope you are not offended by the opening image...but I couldn't resist after Mom told me about your business trip...you being exhausted, dozing off on the flight back, and the woman next to you poking you and saying, "Sir, SIR! I am not going to listen to THAT the whole flight!...made me laugh!

41 MORE DAYS!!!

Cruise along and enjoy...^_~

Karen