jrgray.net

Mediterranean Cruise

Marseilles

Sailing into Marseilles

J. R. woke up early and headed upstairs for breakfast and a walk as the ship pulled into Marseilles. He returned to the room and awoke the ladies, including Rebecca, who had made it a late night with her new cruise friends.

Marseilles

Rebecca woke up with a touch of seasickness, which we think was a reaction to the antibiotic her dermatologist had switched her to just before the cruise. So our plans to spend most of the morning were derailed. But after a little rest and some ginger ale, she felt well enough to leave the ship, so we caught a shuttle bus to the old port area and walked around the market. Rebecca used her high school French to purchase a pearl wristlet from one of the vendors but wasn't feeling well enough to get the croissant at a French cafe she had been planning.

Aix en Provence

We returned to the ship and went up to Cabana's for lunch before we had to meet for our excursion in Fathoms. Rebecca ran into a couple of friends who would be on our excursion and soon we were off the ship again and walking to a waiting bus for our excursion to Aix en Provence. Aix is a medieval-era town that was the former capital of Provence. Our guide provided us with VOX radios as she told us of the town's most famous resident, the painter, Paul Cezanne. She took us on a tour of the town across the Cours Mirabeau, pointing out the famous buildings and the moss fountains.

Cathedral Courtyard

We ended at the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour, a gothic-style church at the northern end of the old city.

Cathedral

Our guide escorted us into the Cathedral, which was smaller than the one in Barcelona, but featured some beautiful frescos that had been recently restored.

City of Aix

We were given some free time to explore the city after the cathedral. The ladies found a lavender shop and bought some soaps and a lavender bear. They also found a chocolate shop where they enjoyed chocolate and macarons. Finally we stopped at a gelato place on the Cours and Rebecca had a gelato and we all drank Coke Zero and then walked back to the bus for the return trip to our ship.

Night on the Magic

Back on the Magic, Rebecca went off to hook up with her friends while the adults went to grab some snacks on Deck 9 and have another drink. Disney was doing something new to us on this trip and doing the same show on subsequent nights, so we once again skipped Twice Charmed. Janie was tired and went down to the room to nap while J. R. went to the variety show in Fathoms. John Kimmons was doing a mix of ventriloquism and magic and he was pretty funny, for a Disney variety act.

Then it was time for the Captain's Welcome Reception (free drinks) in the atrium and 70's Music Trivia in the Promenade. We were not very good at this as neither of us were disco fans. We also weren't sure what we thought of Tisa, the club host. She was much better than David, the guy we had on the Magic a year ago, but nowhere close to Jo from the Wonder. Our biggest issue was how seriously she took the trivia answers. Like it was a big deal if you put "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" on your answer sheet instead of just "Escape" or "The Pina Colada Song"). It's a vacation and trivia is supposed to be fun, Tisa. We also wondered how some in the audience might take her comments about people being "homeschooled" which she said anytime she was referring to someone writing something dumb on their trivia sheet. Our tablemates were having dinner in Palo tonight, so Catalina joined our family for dinner, which gave Rebecca someone to talk to. Service was vastly improved tonight and we had plenty of time to enjoy our meal.

Menu

Specialty Cocktails

Double Crowned
Crown Royal, Chambord, Cointreau, Cranberry Juice, Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
Impérial Illusion
Absolut Mandarin, Apple Pucker, Blue Curaçao Liquor, Pineapple Juice
Princess Delight
Passion Fruit Juice, Mango Purée (Non-Alcoholic)

Appetizers

Duck Confit
Slow Cooked Duck Leg pulled and garnished with Craisins and Walnuts
Iced Lobster and Jumbo Shrimp
With Green Asparagus, Horseradish Cream, and a Dill Dressing
Gaston's Escargot Gratinée
Herb-marinated Snails with Finely Chopped Mushrooms topped with Garlic Butter
Breaded and Deep Fried Brie
With an Orange and Cranberry Chutney

Soups and Salads

French Onion Soup
With Gruyére Cheese Crouton
Potage Parmentier
Leek and Potato Soup
Farmhouse Salad
Baby Spinach, Asparagus, Cherry Tomatoes, and Fingerling Potatoes served with a Goat Cheese Crostini and an Olive Vinaigrette
Red Wine Bosc Pear Salad
Arugula, Sliced Red Onions and Crispy Lardons dressed with a Sherry Wine Dressing and served with a Red Wine Poached Bosc Pear

Bread Service

Warm French Country Bread
With an Olive Spread

Main Course

Conchiglie Pasta
With Buttered Lobster, tossed in a Tomato Shrimp Tarragon, Brandy Sauce with Lemon Basil
Oven-Baked Salmon Royale
Crowned with King Smoked Salmon and Horseradish Crust accompanied by Sautéed Swiss Chard, Truffled Cauliflower Purée and White Wine Beurre Blanc
Crispy-Roasted Duck Breast
With Cabbage, Shallots, Honey Parsnip Mash, and a Duck Red Wine Jus
Roasted Rack of Lamb Medium
With Dauphinose Potatoes, Buttered Brussel Sprouts and A Burgandy Rosemary Sauce
Chateaubriand-Roasted Filet Steak
Roasted Filet Steak, Crushed New Potatoes with Shallots, Buttered Green Beans, Red Wine Jus, and a Béarnaise Sauce on the Side

Vegetarian

Wild Mushroom-Stuffed Pasta in a Vegetable Broth
Topped with Watercress, Shaved Parmesan Cheese and a Paprika Oil Drizzle
Grilled Marinated Tofu, Roasted Zucchini, Eggplant, and Red Peppers
On Israeli Cous Cous with a Lime-Cilantro Drop

Lighter Note

Ahi Tuna Niçoise
Seared Ahi Tuna with Green Beans, Potato, Olives, Red Onions, Sliced Egg, and a Parsley-Garlic Vinaigrette
Grilled Grain-fed Sirloin Steak
Served with Garden Vegetables and your choice of Steamed White Rice or Baked Potato
Slow Roasted Breast of Chicken
Served with Garden Vegetables and your choice of Steamed White Rice or Baked Potato
Oven Baked Fillet of Salmon
Served with Garden Vegetables and your choice of Steamed White Rice or Baked Potato

Desserts

Grand Marnier Soufflé
Served with Grand Marnier Crème Anglaise
Apple Tart Tartin
Caramelized Baked Apple served with Vanilla Ice Cream
Tahitian Vanilla Crème Brûlée (Brûlée only)
With Almond Biscotti
Strawberry Shortcake Sundae
Strawberries, Vanilla Ice Cream, Whipped Cream and Shortcake
Classic Opera Gâteau
Layers of Joconde Sponge, soaked in Coffee Syrup, Chocolate Ganache and rich Buttercream

No Sugar Added Desserts

Duo Chocolate Slice
Layers of Brownie and Truffle Mousse with a Berry Crème

Cognac Tasting

After dinner, it was time for another tasting, this time cognac and brandy. Fletcher described the different brandy types to us, which we mostly remembered from our last brandy tasting. He started us off with a VS, aged for at least two years, then a VSOP, which was aged at least four years, convincing us we should never buy a VS. The XO was too expensive, we guessed, to include in a tasting. We finished off with a B&B (Benedictine and Brandy), which was very sweet and Janie liked a lot.

Daily Navigator