Windstar Cafe - A Little Gripe!

[DesertDiva]

On my recent cruise on the Oosterdam, I used the Windstar Cafe for coffee drinks a few times. I had a couple of issues and I'd like to know what you all think.....

1. A lot of folks like "skinny lattes." (Skim milk, not 2%) Every time I wanted one, I cheerfully went up to the Lido and got a few cartons of skim milk. As most coffee bars stock skim (as well as soy) as a standard, I suggest they "rethink" their milk.

2. When I ordered my latte, there was a display case of scones and various sweet rolls. I asked for a scone and was told their was an additional charge of $1.75. I understand the upcharge for the coffee drinks, but not for a pastry or scone. (which are in the Lido Buffet and Dining Room) Call me cheap, but I said, "No, thanks" and promptly hopped on the elevator back up to the Lido Buffet to get one.

[RuthC]

I had understood that the pastries were complementary with the purchase of a drink. Is this not true anymore?

I did notice on the Noordam that the pastries looked exactly like those served on the continental breakfast line. Why would I pay for them at Explorations when I can get the same thing a few decks up at no charge?

[bepsf]

Charging for Scones?
Weird...

I dont think we were charged for nibblies in the Exploration's Cafe...

[DesertDiva]

Dang, I hate it when I make grammar errors! It's "there" of course! I'd better lay off the Merlot when typing I guess! :eek:

I thought I had heard the pastries were complimentary with a purchased coffee drink. Maybe the person was new and didn't know. C'est la vie!

I asked for a scone and was told their was an additional charge of $1.75.

[KAYEF]

There was an extra charge for pastries on the O in 2004 but on Veendam in 2005, the coffee bar hadn't yet been changed over so we enjoyed lovely "free" coffees and biscotti.
No more, now, I guess...............will find out soon!

[kryos]

I had understood that the pastries were complementary with the purchase of a drink. Is this not true anymore?

I did notice on the Noordam that the pastries looked exactly like those served on the continental breakfast line. Why would I pay for them at Explorations when I can get the same thing a few decks up at no charge?
I was under the same impression. At the Explorations Cafe, the woman there always offered me a pastry with my drink, though I turned her down. I also noticed that they were pretty much the same pastries and cookies that were available upstairs in the Lido.

I also notice that DesertDiva is calling it the Windstar Cafe. Wouldn't that be Explorations Cafe now ... or has that ship not yet received its upgrades?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

I thought I had heard the pastries were complimentary with a purchased coffee drink. Maybe the person was new and didn't know.
Then she should be better trained. Those pastries and cookies are nothing special ... they are the same stuff that's free in the Lido and should be available for free with the purchase of a drink at the Windstar or Explorations Cafe.

Shame you didn't call her on it ... she probably would have been corrected by a superior and you would have saved yourself a haul back up to the Lido.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[DesertDiva]

It's still the Windstar Cafe on the Oosterdam. However, the ship is going into dry dock in October 2006 if I remember correctly.

I also notice that DesertDiva is calling it the Windstar Cafe. Wouldn't that be Explorations Cafe now ... or has that ship not yet received its upgrades?

[DesertDiva]

It wasn't that big of a deal, I just didn't understand the rationale of paying for something that was free everywhere else. Maybe I should have crashed the Neptune Lounge for my "complimentary pastry." :p (OK, no flames folks - I'm just kidding!) Just think of the exercise I got riding the elevator back up to the Lido! :D

Shame you didn't call her on it ... she probably would have been corrected by a superior and you would have saved yourself a haul back up to the Lido.

[trubey]

I didn't try a coffee in the Java coffee bar on the Prinsendam -- is that the same thing as Windstar or Explorations? If so, the coffee comes out of one of those cheesy machines instead of being made fresh from freshly ground beans, and I wouldn't give you a plugged nickel for it, pastry or no.

lane

[peaches from georgia]

I didn't try a coffee in the Java coffee bar on the Prinsendam -- is that the same thing as Windstar or Explorations? If so, the coffee comes out of one of those cheesy machines instead of being made fresh from freshly ground beans, and I wouldn't give you a plugged nickel for it, pastry or no.

lane
And you wouldn't have to. Coffee in the Java Coffee Bar is (was) free. They were replaced with the Windstar on the Vista ships and the coffee was specialty drinks, hot and cold, a la Starbucks, at a nominal charge. Now, after the SOE renovations, specialty coffees are part of the Exploration Cafe, also with a charge.

[gizmo]

DesertDiva,

I don't blame you for going to the Lido for pasteries. I said charging for this was nickle and diming way back when they started to do it. :mad:

Ruth,

They started doing this when they started charging for the coffee. However, there was a report or two saying they didn't charge for pasteries, but there are also those that say there is a charge.

[ptoronto]

In March on the Ryndam, pastries were free at the Explorations Cafe. I saw a few people even asking for a few pastries without buying the coffee. To me, they looked just like the little scones available with afternoon tea but I never saw them in the Lido. Those scones were delicious - light as a feather!

[WNYCRUISER]

Pastries were free with the coffee on the Noordam in March in the Explorations Cafe.

[trubey]

hehehe -- I remember getting dirty looks from the bartender in the Java Cafe when I'd order icewater and sit at his bar and watch football and eat all the peanuts . . .

I'm so spoiled here by Brazilan coffee . . . and Meio de Leite (cappuchino) for 65 cents a cup.

Lane

[doone]

I went to the Explorations Cafe almost daily on the Volendam in February, always got a pastry with my coffee (like I really needed it, but it went great with my capuccino) free of charge.

Let's hope this person in the Explorer's Cafe on the Oosterdam was just mis-informed.

[DesertDiva]

On the Oosterdam it is the "Windstar Cafe."

Let's hope this person in the Explorer's Cafe on the Oosterdam was just mis-informed.

[doone]

Oops, sorry.

[DesertDiva]

Gee whiz, what for? :confused: It will probably be re-named the next time the Oosterdam goes into dry dock. (October, I think.) Hey, now THERE'S a job for me when I retire..... I'd love to be a barista and make coffee drinks all day! :rolleyes: Oops, sorry.