Hello From Josh,
You may know me as the Inaugural Cruise Director of Pacific Jewel, Pacific Dawn and from my time on Pacific Sun and Star. As I mentioned last month, it has been my great pleasure to welcome our new Cruise Director, Paul, on board and he is already making people laugh and smile on board. It has also been a privilege to assume the role of Hotel Director as Simon makes his way to the Hunter Valley for a well-deserved holiday. It is difficult to start this blog as there has been so many delectable events on board with our Food & Wine Cruise over the weekend and an enourmous amount of excitement surrounding our current Inaugural voyage to New Zealand but I will start with what is closest to most of your hearts…food.
Most of you have already heard about Salt, by Luke Mangan, the first Celebrity Chef Dining Experience in Australian cruising, many of you have even enjoyed this on board but Luke surprised us all, again, with an amazing, six course, Degustation Dinner on Sunday Night. Paired with fine wine, Luke personally prepared and presented Wagyu bresaola, Kingfish carpaccio, his renowned Crab omelet, fresh Barramundi and dijon and herb crust Sirloin. As if that wasn’t enough, Luke finished the experience with his tantalizing liquorice parfait and, yes, it was, really that amazing. Luke was so gracious as to offer Sesame Seed Ahi Tuna to everyone whom attended his hilariously entertaining Culinary Demonstration, earlier in the afternoon; I’ll admit, I had two, myself.
Courtesy of Captain Paoletti, we enjoyed sunny skies and calm seas, under which everyone was invited up to the open deck for a Seafood Extravaganza where Prawns, Crab, Scallops and Oysters, just to name a few, were sizzling on the grills as we soaked up the sun and enjoyed live music in the company of friends and family. It was nice to be outside but easy to convince everyone to join us inside after for the Wine tastings and Master Classes from leading wine makers from Margan Family Wines and Glandore Estate Wines. Many people also enhanced their understanding of Coffee with our on board Baristas and Industry expert Tony Durante of Nestle during his Appreciation classes. In case you are thinking: “What about a nice Beer,” you need not worry as Kevin Hardman of Bluetongue, presented multiple tasting and informational sessions as well.
Of course, in addition to all of the amazing culinary events, we also presented an exciting line up of Entertainment which started with our amazing Sailaway Party from Darling Harbour, featuring Pacific Cirque’s “SYZYGY.” The most amazing moments were captured while the ship’s mast cleared the Harbour bridge by only meters and our aerialists looked as though they could touch the passing traffic whom couldn’t resist honking and waving, to which, we certainly responded with the ships whistle. And to top it all off, we enjoyed a fireworks display while passing the Sydney Opera House; the experience was exhilarating.
Everyone enjoyed our new Production Shows, Fine Musicians, Late Night Adult Sit Down Comedians, first run movie features and, certainly, our traditional schedule of events, activities and entertainment but we couldn’t just leave the show at that, it wouldn’t be our style. As one of Australia’s leading Jazz performers, Neilson Gough took to the candle-lit stage in the three-level Atrium Saturday night in a fusion of romantic, energetic and playful sounds that only a master of song and music can; thank you Neilson and to the fabulous Jewel band as well.
I am sure that those of you whom joined us over the weekend, enjoyed as much as you wished and I hope that you are equally as excited about our upcoming voyages highlighting the best in Leisure, Comedy and, of course, Food & Wine on board the growing fleet of Australian Superliners. As we prepare to enter the Fjordlands this morning, I cannot wait to see what Paul has to say about our Inaugural visit to New Zealand in a few days. See you soon.
