Cruise Diva's CRUISE DIARY
~ Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires ~
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Touring the galley with Executive Chef Martial Poilbout
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Sea Day ~ Wednesday,
November 27, 2002
The perfect way to start a day at sea on Silver Shadow... breakfast from room service and a couple hours of total indulgence in the Mandara Spa. I arrived for my treatment a bit early as instructed and had plenty of time to warm up my muscles in the spa's steam room.
Before leaving home I was advised, "You have to try the Hot Lava Rock Treatment." I'm so glad I did. It's an incredible sensation to be covered in cocoa butter and massaged with smooth steamed lava rocks. I felt like I was floating--enveloped by a wonderful feeling of well being. It was just the reaction my therapist expected from the freshly scrubbed hot stones, which are placed in the moonlight each night to renew their healing properties. That may sound like a charming myth, but I'm a believer.
For the rest of the day I sampled some of the activities that appealed to me, attending the needlepoint class where kits were handed out for us to complete over tea. I didn't get much work done on mine before it was time for the 30-minute "Liners of the Past" lecture presented by our cruise director, whose collection of liner memorabilia includes thousands of brochures.
Before dinner I was treated to a private galley tour where Executive Chef Martial Poilbout, Maitre D' Gilbert Lanza and Head Sommelier Pascal Morel explained provisioning, answered questions, and served an exquisite food and wine pairing. Would I have room for dinner? Yes, but I chose to dine en suite while I watched a movie.
It was too early to call it a night and I joined the rocking fun on the dance floor for "Disco Time" in the Panorama Lounge. In addition to the usual dance tunes, our DJ filled requests for favorite songs--Silver Shadow's CD collection is vast. The party went on for quite some time after I turned in for the night.
Sea Day ~ Thursday, November 28, 2002
Thanksgiving Day and I didn't have to get up at dawn to begin roasting the holiday bird. I slept in.
Anticipating the Silver Shadow's Galley Brunch, I skipped breakfast to save my appetite for the salad bar, chilled seafood bar, and numerous entrées that the chefs spent hours preparing. No dessert? Well, I indulged in cheese blintzes and vowed to use the stairs and work off the calories.
Instead of filling the dishwasher, I spent the afternoon socializing and playing a competitive round of Yatze with my new friends. Even at sea and far from home, Thanksgiving was a time for sharing and a full range of activities were offered for Silver Shadow guests.
What are cruise ship passengers served on Thanksgiving? Why, turkey and all the trimmings, of course! That was my choice, although our menu included a wide array of dishes. My motto... "Don't cook your own (holiday) goose." A Thanksgiving cruise on Silver Shadow offers the ultimate in 'reservations' for traditional and sophisticated palates alike.
After dinner we enjoyed "Ombra!" presented by the Jean Ann Ryan Production Team--a superb show made all the more memorable with singing, dancing, acrobatics, and one of the most accomplished adagio pairs at sea.
Next -> Uruguay: Punta del Este & Montevideo
South America's cowboy country and some of the finest beaches south of the equator.
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