New York

Thursday, April 4th
M/S Marina
Americas Connection
Day 17
New York, New York
Arriving:  12:00 PM
Arriving: 2:30 PM
Partly Sunny - 59 Degrees

Our arrival in New York was delayed by two-and-half hours due to the same storm system that prevented our call to Norfolk.  We had to make some adjustments, but not a big deal.

Cruising into New York is a singular experience.  We have had some spectacular arrivals:  San Francisco under the Golden Gate, Vancouver under the Lions Gate, past mountains and glaciers and sky scrapers, up rivers and down under, back in time, and into the future.  For a sense of arrival, nothing can rival New York.

It was a glorious afternoon in the hazy sunshine:  cruising under the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge, into the Upper Harbor and up the lower Hudson, past Liberty's light and Freedom's tower, docking at ther Manhattan Cruise Terminal.  You can hear the soundtrack as it played on deck:  Empire State of Mind, New York State of Mind, and, of course, New York, New York.  BIG Apple Playlist

We are overnighting on the ship before disembarking tomorrow.  Our tour to the 911 Memorial and Museum was canceled due the late afternoon arrival, but we have plenty of time t make our dinner reservation.

Gato is Bobby Flay's latest and greatest Spanish-Inspired Mediterranean restaurant that is still buzzing five years after opening.  The cool kids line up, it rates high on Zagat, and it was named one of the "Top TV Chef Restaurants in NYC."

Gato Menu

Lexington Brown Butter Bourbon, Apple Jack, Carpano Antica, Apple Bitters

Garnacha/Syrah/Cabernet, 'Berola' Borsao Campo de Borja, ES 2013

Burrata, peperonata, harissa / Lamb Tenderloin, salsa verde / Pork Belly, smoked paprika, apple mostarda

Roasted Octopus, sour orange, bacon, oregano, shishito pepper

Scrambled Eggs, almond romesco, boucheron cheese, tomato confit toast

Porterhouse Pork Chop, tomato pan juices, romesco, polenta

Crispy Potatoes, poached egg, smoked paprika, parmigiano

Roasted Cauliflower, padron peppers, agrodolce

Fromage Blanc Cheesecake Caramel Sauce, Biscotti Crust

Dark Chocolate & Toasted Almond Tart Almond Gelato

Manzanilla, ‘La Gitana’ Hidalgo Sanlucar de Barrameda, ES. NV

Gato means cat in Spanish.  We don't get the name, but we get the food.  It was great!!!

Friday, April 5th

M/S Marina

Americas Connection

Day 18 - Disembarkation

New York, New York

Chance of Showers - 43 Degrees

We abandoned ship and checked-in to the new Edition Times Square Hotel.  Accommodations were tight, but the location put us right on top of the action with views of the chaos from the hotel terrace.