Caviar and Champagne with Seabourn on Isla Catalina

When I first mentioned to friends and colleagues that I was going on a Caribbean cruise with Seabourn, I heard over and over about their spectacular caviar and champagne beach day. It sounded pretty incredible, but the actual event was even more spectacular.

Isla Catalina (Catalina Island) in the Dominican Republic was being rented out by Seabourn for the afternoon, but they needed some time to get it ready. That gave me some time to spend with Mom and to catch up on a bit of social media.

We had breakfast overlooking the Caribbean Sea in the Collanade. I was more than satisfied with a Feta Cheese Egg White Omelet and a small Chocolate Croissant. I knew there would be plenty of food later on.

I climbed off the tender and was greeted with Caribbean music and dancers, as well as towels and rum punch.

The beach and the turquoise water couldn’t have looked any better if I designed it myself.  An abundance of chairs lined the sand and the water was crystal clear and warm.

I was escorted to a lounge chair and relaxed in front of the beautiful beach, enjoying the warm sunshine as the waiters came by with cocktails. Some of the guests also enjoyed snorkeling and watersports.

It wasn’t long before I heard the boat sirens and headed down to the water. There, tuxedo-clad waiters stepped off the boats and into the water. Some had silver trays filled with caviar while others popped open bottles of champagne and poured it to the guests in the water!

That was just part of the excitement. After they finished with the champagne and caviar, we were told lunch was ready.

The lunch spread was like nothing I had ever seen. Lobster tails, ribs, burgers, chicken, potatoes and corn on the cob were being barbecued and placed with an array of salads, fruit and desserts. And, as was Seabourn’s way, the drinks were continually flowing and complimentary.

I reveled in the warm sun for another hour or so before heading back to the boat.

When I got back to the ship, I showered and changed and took Mom up to the Observation Deck for High Tea. In addition to the selection of freshly brewed teas, there were warm scones with clotted cream and jam, as well as finger sandwiches.

I enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the Dominican Republic as we sailed away, and then joined Mom in our Penthouse Suite to dress for dinner.

It was our night to have dinner at Restaurant 2, an intimate eatery with a tasting menu, which certainly lived up to the imagination of any Michelin star restaurant I’ve visited:

Chef’s Cocktail’ Poached Shrimp Martini Balsamic Jelly with Split Saffron Vinaigrette

Foie Gras Crème Brulee with Syrah Honey Syrup

Crisp Duck Confit Filo, Navy Bean Cassoulet

Smoked Duck Carpaccio, Foie Gras Terrine and Arugula

Lobster & Lemongrass Presse with Lobster Herb Ravioli

Shellfish Cappuccino, Seared Beef Crostini, Ginger Jello

Roasted Alaskan Pollock Fillet, Forked Potatoes, Braised Leek Ragout, Smoked Bacon Jus

Pan Seared Quail Breast, Porcini Risotto, Port Wine Reduction

White Chocolate Mousse, Plums & Almond Foam, Pistachio Cracker, Passion Fruit Sorbet

My courses were adjusted to accommodate my seafood allergy, with no shrimp in the Chef’s Cocktail, lamb shank and quail were substituted for the lobster course. Although it seems like an enormous amount of food, all of the portions were small.

At Restaurant 2, guests were given the option to pay a bit extra for a premium wine pairing, but we were happy with the selection of wines of the day. We started off with a 2012 Possessioni Bianco, which I loved. With dessert was a wonderful 2009 Chateau-Saint Armannd Sauternes, full of fruit, but not too overly sweet.

After dinner, we visited the Seabourn Sojourn’s casino for the first time during the trip. Mom headed to the show with some friends she had made while onboard and I retired for the night. It had been our last stop on the Sojourn, but we had a bit more time onboard before departing in Fort Lauderdale.