It’s another beautiful sailing day as we make our way across the North Atlantic. We travel a great circle route because it is shorter than going straight across (remember high school physics?) and we should reach the northernmost point of the arc on Thursday, before slipping back down toward Lisbon.
Monday Evening: Dinner and Entertainment
It’s nice that the dinner menus are different than last year’s cruise, although there is always enough variety and choice that it wouldn’t matter if they were the same. Tonight I start with slices of fresh tomato and mozzarella cheese with balsamic vinegar and fresh basil. The tomatoes are good, although not spectacular this early in the season, but the cheese and vinegar are excellent (notice I write in the present tense, just like Henry Fielding’s Shamela). This is followed by what they call “Scottish Delight”—a friseé salad with smoked salmon, capers, and orange segments. Since I’m drinking a hearty red wine—3 Blind Moose Cabernet, California, 2008—I go with the prime rib and baked potato. The beef is prepared perfectly and served with a deep thick sauce. Light strawberry sorbet and decaf provide a light ending.
I learn at dinner that Anthony, the wine steward (who is about 38 years old and has a wife and two children, 18 and 20, in Manila), plans to sail with Holland America for another two or three years and then return home and open a small restaurant in Manila. But the big unanswered question at dinner is why the lady of a certain age two tables away is wearing an emerald green sequined knit cap.
I take in the late show in the Mainstage Theatre, but it’s only a second-rate comedian, so I don’t stay very long.
Tuesday at Sea
The sky is a bit overcast this morning but the winds have abated and it is quite pleasant to be on deck even though the air temperature is only in the high 60s. This morning’s highlight is the culinary demonstration by Pinnacle Grill Chef Paul, who is quite a hoot, and party planner Danielle (who has replaced Melissa from earlier cruises). The presentation is Dungeness Crab Cakes and Chocolate Volcano Cake (more formally known as Chocolate Velvet). In the afternoon the sky clears and the sea is calm as the temperature warms to the low 70s. I attend another wine tasting in the afternoon and then move the clock forward another hour. I especially enjoy the 2007 La Roche Premier Crú Chablis.
Tuesday Evening: Dinner and Entertainment
• Trio of salmon preparations with caviar and shrimp in sweet mustard sauce
• Strawberry bisque
• Sauerbraten with cinnamon apple red cabbage, speatzle, sweet raisins, and crispy fried onions—the most tender Sauerbraten I have ever enjoyed
• Pear flan with chunks of fresh pear inside and Burgundy cherries on the side
I almost finish the bottle of Cabernet from last night, but tell Anthony to share what’s left with the fishes.
Tonight’s entertainment is Teatro—a male quartet (two baritones, two tenors)—all very good-looking, in slick black suits, singing Broadway songs. They keep the songs low key and don’t pander to the audience so it’s a pleasant way to end the evening.
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