By: Marcia Abramson
I followed American Airlines I instructions to arrive at the airport two hours before departure for the international flight to Costa Rica. Towne taxi picked us up at 4:15 am for a traffic free ride to JFK down Rockaway Turnpike. The airport was bustling with people heading for our first stop, Miami. We checked in, cleared security without having to remove our shoes in less than a half hour. From Miami we caught our next flight to San Jose, Costa Rica was where we embarked for the Panama Canal and the Caribbean ports of Panama, Cartagena, Curacao and Aruba.
When we got to our staterooms our baggage followed shortly afterward. Brigetta our stewardess stopped in with offers of assistance. We were impressed with the quality and efficiency of the service from a caring staff. Our lack of sleep made us want to take advantage of the 24-hour Room Service and have dinner in our room. We were able to dine from the same menu served in the Grand Dining Room with a starter course of Beef Carpaccio (thinly sliced beef tenderloin garnished with Parmesan shavings and balsamic vinegar), white bean soup "Tuscany Style" and a main course of Grilled New York Sirloin Steak with Crispy Onion Rings. My daughter chose the Pink Roast Noisettes of New Zealand Lamb. What a feast for two sleepy hungry people!
The food was superb with service to match guided by Harald Bernberger, the Hotel Director and Patrick Lescoute, the Maitre D'Hotel and Mario Valera, the Executive Chef. It is no wonder that I feel that the tailor shrunk all my clothes after the seven days of wonderful eating aboard the Radisson Diamond. Of course there are Specialty Menus or Well-Being dishes that are the lean alternatives prepared to minimize fat and calories and maximize taste. But I preferred the homemade Foie Gras Terrine with Truffles, the Cream of Forest Mushroom Soup and the Broiled Lobster Tails. The dessert menus are equally creative and delicious. Complimentary wines are served with all meals as well as soft drinks, mineral waters and specialty coffees.
We also found a well stocked refrigerator in our cabin with soft drinks, beer, mineral waters including Perrier. Brigetta made sure to advise us that we also had a choice of two complimentary bottles of wine to enjoy in our stateroom.
During our cruise Jill made sure to use the treadmill, the lifecycles and the liferower in the Spa, and Fitness Center while I caught up with my leisure reading from the well stacked ship's library of more than 400 books and 350 videos.. I read James Patterson's Violets are Blue" and Sue Grafton's "K is for Killer" while taking in the ocean breezes. The attentiveness of the crew on the pool deck was very pleasant and unobtrusive. WE were offered complementary colas, mineral water and other assorted beverages without letup as well as cool towels to assure our comfort throughout the time we spent on the pool deck.
Our seven days could be categorized by "R for Relaxation". Back in our staterooms before turning in for the night we watched some videos on the TV-VCR which included the movies, "The Brothers McMullen", "Traffic" and the classic "Citizen Kane".
The superlative staff of all nations made us feel at home with old friends. From the Norwegian Captain Dag H. Saevik who guided the double hulled ship to perfection, the Austrian Hotel Director Harald Bernberger who made certain that his hotel staff's performance was flawless and unobtrusive.. It was also pleasant to know that all tipping was included in the cruise fare and that it was not necessary to think about who and when to tip.
Jill and I took advantage of all the luxuries provided on the sail. We particularly enjoyed having breakfast served in our room and eating on our private balcony. The Grill under the direction of host Luca Moschini and Chef Mario Carniglia was our preference for a casual lunch. A special treat for dinner required a reservation at the Grill which became a typical Northern Italian trattoria where home made pastas and Northern Italian delicacies are served along with music, mirth and sing-a-longs for a delightful evening.
Dining in the Grand Dining Room at one seating from 730 to 9:30 pm also added to the more casual atmosphere in this 350 passenger ship. I could go on and on with how much we enjoyed just about every aspect of this cruise, but my next columns will deal with going through the Panama Canal and the treasures of Costa Rica, Cartagena, Curacao and Aruba.
Copyright by Marcia Abramson
E-mail: mascribe@aol.com
