In Martini Heaven on Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge Martini Bar

 National Martini Day 2020 

We were first introduced to Chocolate Martinis on Celebrity Millennium in 2001.  Shortly after we sailed from Dover, England, we got a phone call and learned that my mother had passed away.  We would have to disembark the ship at the first port of call. 

This was a Baltic cruise with one of our stops in St. Petersburg, Russia.  We'd organized a group tour with some fellow passengers.   Since we had the tour tickets, we had to meet them before disembarking.   They invited us to the martini bar and our love of Chocolate Martinis had begun.

click images to enlarge

Since that time, we've been on a quest for the perfect martinis at sea. Celebrity Cruises bartenders really know how to make some good martinis.  In addition, the venues are really special which adds to the enjoyment.

The martini bar has become our pre-dinner meeting place.  We've had many happy memories onboard Celebrity ships including our latest on the Edge.

New Favorite Is Born

Celebrity Edge had an extensive martini menu but they didn't have my favorite milky Chocolate Martini.   We did try the Snowflake Martini which is made with Grey Goose Vanilla, White Chocolate, Heavy Cream, Liqueur, and Creme Cocoa.  It was a close second to my traditional choice. If you ask, they will make the traditional martinis that aren't on the menu as well.

Since we had the premium drink package, martinis were included. Each night we experimented with several different martinis   My new favorite is the Coconut Cream-Tini.   It's made with Bacardi, Coco Lopez and Vanilla.   Other favorites included  Bananas Foster and Toffee Apple.  The image to the right has just a sampling of the many choices on their martini menu. 

The bar comes alive with entertainment as well, making it a fun place to hang out before or after dinner.  We suggest getting there early since it is a very popular meeting place, especially before early seating dinner.

We will continue our quest to find the best martinis at sea.  So far, we have been very pleased with all the Celebrity Cruise martini bars.   Make sure to check out the rest of our Martini Bar pictures.

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Celebrity Edge Infographic

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Cruise Like a Norwegian - Escape Starting November

What's New From Norwegian Cruise Line
 

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for their innovation and the new Norwegian Escape, which debuts this November will be no exception.

Norwegian Escape will homeport in Miami and sail to the Caribbean year-round.  We've just attended a local unveiling of some of the new features onboard this fabulous new ship.   Watch this video to learn more about what awaits you when you step onboard to Cruise Like a Norwegian.





Some Highlights on Norwegian Escape 
  

Bayamo Pincho 
Tapas Bar (Jose Garces)

The District Brew House (Bar Lab / Wynwood Brewing)

 678 Ocean Place

The Cellars 
(Michael Mondavi wine bar)

Tobacco Road

Food Republic
(Pubbelly Boys)
(click on images to enlarge)

 Margaritaville & 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar 

(Jimmy Buffett)

Teenage Mutant Ninja
 Turtles Mini-Golf

Snow Room

Aqua Park

Sports Complex 
- Ropes Course


This Breakaway Plus class ship will have many innovations as you can see from these images (courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line). We hope you enjoyed these artist renderings of some of the attractions that will be found on the new Norwegian Escape.  Our 2015 National Conference is being held on this new ship.  We will be among the first people to sail out of Miami.

>>> Learn More about Norwegian Escape

It's 5 o'Clock Somewhere at Sea

Jimmy Buffet held a surprise performance for the membership of Norwegian Cruise Line at the annual company-wide employee meeting in Miami.  At the meeting, Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s CEO, announced the new partnership with Buffett.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/cruises/article4283931.html#storylink=cpy

“I always wanted a navy,” Buffett said. “If you see me out on my little 26-foot sailboat, please do not run over me.”

Margaritaville will be a complimentary restaurant on the Norwegian Escape, which will debut in Europe next October and begin week-long Caribbean cruises out of Miami starting Nov. 14.  We'll be on that sailing for our National Conference.

 The 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar will be an outdoor bar on the ship’s Waterfront zone and will feature live music nightly.

Norwegian’s port at Harvest Caye, Belize, will have a Margaritaville when it opens next fall, and a 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar will open next year on Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/cruises/article4283931.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/cruises/article4283931.html#storylink=cpy

 

Margaritaville will be a complimentary restaurant on the Norwegian Escape, which will debut in Europe next October and begin week-long Caribbean cruises out of Miami starting Nov. 14. The 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar will be an outdoor bar on the ship’s Waterfront zone and will feature live music nightly.
Norwegian’s port at Harvest Caye, Belize, will have a Margaritaville when it opens next fall, and a 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar will open next year on Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/cruises/article4283931.html#storylink=cpy

 

Super Sunday on Carnival Conquest

Embarkation Day

Superbowl Sunday

Get Ready for the "Big Game"

We embarked the Carnival Conquest on February 2nd shortly after noon.  The cabins weren't ready as expected and we headed up to Lido Deck (deck 9) for some lunch.  The first thing we saw was the big screen in the pool area.   It was displaying the Superbowl logo because later this evening this would be the site of the biggest viewing onboard the ship of the "Big Game".

Lido Deck is the perfect spot to watch the game since you are close to food and of course, beverages.

RedFrog Rum Bar   

Join the party at this poolside bar featuring a great selection of “frog approved” Caribbean rum-based concoctions available by the glass or pitcher and plenty of Carnival’s signature private-label draft beer, ThirstyFrog Red.  View RedFrog Rum Bar Menu
 

"Big Game" at Sea (click for more images)

BlueIguana Tequila Bar

The menu offers up Mexican favorites, including several brands of tequila and a slew of Mexican brews. There’s a line up of frozen concoctions, cocktails and margaritas served by the glass or pitcher and even a special Mexican beer cocktail.   View BlueIguana Tequila Bar Menu  As we mentioned in earlier posts, we had made a dinner reservation at "The Point" Steakhouse for 6:00 PM, so we only watched the start of the game and then headed off to dinner.   When we returned, the game was in the third period, so we watched the final minutes from the Lido deck chairs.   Unfortunately, it wasn't much of a game, but it still was a lot of fun watching with so many people on the open deck of Carnival Conquest.
 

Click for Mini-Series Articles / Images

Following the game, there was lot's to do onboard the ship.  In our next posts, we'll continue our tour of the ship and the activities onboard and then we'll be headed to our first port of call, Nassau, Bahamas.

Be sure to come back to visit us for more of our experiences and tips to make your next Carnival cruise enjoyable.

Alluring Wine and Tapas in Vintages

Vintages

Casual setting for wine and tapas

Located on Allure of the Seas Royal Promenade Deck 5, Vintages offers an authentic selection of tapas to accompany an extensive selection of wines.   The highlight of Vintages is the interactive wine menu on iPad mobile devices.

Vintages Photo Album (Click to view FB album)

There is a charge for this restaurant which is a great place to hang out and have a snack along with some wine. Watch the following video to get a closer look at the interactive menus.

Extensive wine selection

Video: Savvy Sommelier: Digital Menus at Vintages

Onboard Allure of the Seas, iPad menus at Vintages wine bar make choosing the right glass of wine easy! Learn how this new innovation enhances the Allure culinary experience and delivers the WoW.

Norwegian Epic O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill

Norwegian Epic - Port of Miami

CruiseOne & Cruises Inc. 2010 National Conference was held during the October 16th 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Epic.   Epic sails from Miami, Florida.

Smiling already - just after boarding

Join me on a virtual tour of Norwegian Epic starting from our first meal following embarkation.   Since the cabins weren't available for occupancy, we dropped off our carry-on luggage at Headliners and set off to have something to eat and explore the ship.  



It is very common for the cabin stewards to still be preparing the ship for occupancy if you board the ship around lunch time.   Cabins are usually available around 2 PM, but that shouldn't stop you from starting to enjoy the ship.


Norwegian Cruise line boasts Freestyle Dining which provides you with several choices for lunch.  Instead of having a buffet in the Garden Cafe, we opted for something different.

O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill

Dine on American classics as well as your favorite comfort foods, served 24 hours a day.

Embarkation of the Epic was on Deck 6 near the Epic Casino.   There are no cabins located on this public deck.  Instead you'll find several entertainment venues and dining spots on Deck 6.

O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill is located mid-ship.   It was the first dining spot that we discovered after we dropped off our luggage.   Checking out the menu, we decided to eat there.   The hostess directed us to a counter across from the main dining area.   She said that a server would be with us shortly.

The chicken pot pie sounded good to my husband, so that was what he ordered.    He said that it was very good.   It must have been freshly made because it was steaming hot.

My choice was fish 'n chips which is served with tartar sauce.   I prefer malt vinegar with fish 'n chips, so I was happy that they had some available.    It might not be as good as I've had in London, but it was an enjoyable lunch.

Shortly after we finished our lunch an announcement was made that the cabins were not available for occupancy.   We were one of the first to claim our bags and head off to our cabin.
Our virtual tour of the Epic continues in our next post.

Celebrity Solstice - Quasar

The designers of Celebrity Solstice used color, lighting, and unique decor very effectively to create a modern resort atmosphere .

Quasar perhaps tops the list of unique venues onboard the Solstice. It is a vibrant nightclub designed for those ready to kick back and get down. Upon entering the lounge you might think that you have taken a wrong turn and ended up on some Hollywood space age set. The globe shaped control center, the lighting, and the half-globe chairs hanging from the ceiling all contribute to this feeling coming over you.

Away from the central area is the VIP area where you can escape to a more private setting without leaving the ambience. The lighting and the seating are unlike anything you've seen on other ships in the Celebrity fleet.

Quasar is definitely the place to be for dancing the night away, but it also serves as a fun location during the day. During our cruise, I played a few games of Wii one afternoon. The activities staff was onhand to coordinate the games and provide instruction if necessary.

For groups, Quasar is just one of the locations that can be used for your private party. We were originally scheduled to have a party in Cellar Masters, but we relocated to Quasar for a fun-filled evening of socializing.

Celebrity Solstice - Belly up to the Bar

I hope you are enjoying the highlights of the Celebrity Solstice. As is customary when you embark on a Celebrity vessel, you'll be greeted by the staff that is there to serve you a glass of champagne and escort you to your cabin. If you haven’t figured it out by now, this should tell you that you are about to embark on a very special experience onboard the ship.

Arriving early like we did, the attendant checked our carry-on bags, showed us where our cabin was, and directed us to the Oceanview Café and Bar for some lunch. I’ve already written about the café so check the blog archive if you’ve not already read that post. This is your second opportunity to get the beverage of your choice onboard the Solstice. The friendly bar waiters are there to offer the drink of the day or whatever beverage you might chose. Of course, this is also your first opportunity to spend money onboard Solstice since beverages (other than coffee, tea, ice tea, fruit punch, lemonade, and tap water) are not included.

Following lunch, it is time to explore the rest of the ship. For this article, I’ll focus on the various bars starting from the top deck of the Solstice working my way down.

Sunset Bar is located at Celebrity’s Solstice’s highest point aft on the Lawn Club Deck. There are breathtaking views of the length of the ship and the entire surroundings. Here you’ll enjoy a relaxed country club atmosphere.

Oceanview Bar on the Lido Deck provides any number of beverages to be enjoyed in a beautiful outdoor venue. Mast Bar is also on the Lido Deck near the jogging track.

Sky Observation Lounge on the Lido Deck offers floor to ceiling windows with breathtaking views looking forward. You can relax in the comfy seating all around.

Pool Bar on the Resort Deck might be one of your first stops on your Celebrity Solstice tour since the sail away party will be occurring on this deck.

The following are all on the Entertainment Deck which is one of the hubs of nightlife activity onboard Celebrity Solstice.

Ensemble Lounge is a great place for some instrumental or vocal sounds along with your favorite nightcap with friends and family.

Galleria Tastings is unique to Celebrity Solstice. Here you’ll be able to enjoy "tastes" of food, drink, fashion and art. Be sure to check out this unique entertainment venue.

Michael's Club is a Celebrity signature staple where you can enjoy a good cigar, jazz music, and your favorite drink.

The following are all on the Promenade Deck which is another hot nightspot onboard the Solstice.

Cellar Masters which is inspired by the vineyards of Napa Valley, brings to life the experience of a global wine tour while you learn about and taste a large variety of wines from around the world. This is a great venue to discover new wines, receive recommendations and enrich your knowledge of the world of wine.

Martini Bar and Crush continues the successful ice bar concept first introduced on Celebrity Century when it was remodeled. Stop by before dinner to have your favorite martini (mine is chocolate) or if you can’t decide, have a flight of martinis where you can sample several of the popular drinks.

Quasar is a nightclub located on this deck. I'll cover this in more detail in another post.

Passport Bar is just off the Grand Foyer on Plaza Deck and is the perfect location to have a cocktail before going to the Solstice Theatre.

There are many venues onboard Celebrity Solstice to enjoy at night or during the day. Consult Celebrity TODAY paper for details about drink specials and entertainment during your cruise.