Volendam Master Chefs Dinner

[robntawn]

Greetings,

We are scheduled for our Alaska cruise on 8/23/06, and are trying to determine if we will go to the Pinnacle on Dutch Night or Master Chefs Dinner night.

Has anyone been on the Volendam recently that can give some feedback on both of these dinner menus? MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE!

[doone]

The Master Chefs Dinner is not a big deal, for me anyways, I'd go to the Pinnacle that night.

I sailed on the Volendam this past March for the 3rd time, we love the Volendam, she's a spectacular ship with an even more spectacular crew, you will have a wonderful time.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Master Chef Dinner

I had heard so much about and was looking forward to it on our 15 day Amsterdam Hawaiian cruise.

We got the menus in our suites one day with the words in big at the top: "Master Chef Dinner".

When we got to the dining room, the menus had certain items marked as being part of the "Master Chef Dinner". But nothing happened. I had read sail's report on what to expect. Just once we wanted to experience it just to see it for ourselves. I knew that the Amsterdam had the Master Chef Dinner on the previous cruise so I asked why we didn't have it. Our area captain said that on the last few cruises no one seem really interested in it, so they dropped it.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I truely doubt that you will have the Master Chef Dinner on an Alaskan cruise.

Alaskan cruises are very port intensive.

[sail7seas]

I haven't heard any mention of it lately. Wonder if they are doing it on any of the ships this summer.

Maasdam's itinerary is so port intensive, I'll be surprised if they do it while in Canada/New England.

;) Let you know when we return.

[KAKcruiser]

For the master chef's dinner, the waiters danced around while serving the food. I didn't care for it.

[2bout2c]

[We did the Master Chefs Dinner on the Amsterdam. It was cute, but once is enough.

[

[RuthC]

We had the Master Chef's Dinner on the Volendam on Sunday---the day we were in Glacier Bay. It was announced in the Daily Program, and dinner sittings were combined at 5:30 or 8:15.

That night had the full production number: it started with the tall (paper) chef's hats at our places, the menu was tucked inside. We had the "ballet" (amuse), "swing" (salad), starters (four choices), choice of six entree's, and dessert.

Since I was sitting at the aft windows I wasn't able to see all the dancing and prancing. For this I am very thankful; I saw enough.
I will say that the stewards did seem to be having a good time presenting it.

Is this the kind of info you're looking for?

[robntawn]

We had the Master Chef's Dinner on the Volendam on Sunday---the day we were in Glacier Bay. It was announced in the Daily Program, and dinner sittings were combined at 5:30 or 8:15.

That night had the full production number: it started with the tall (paper) chef's hats at our places, the menu was tucked inside. We had the "ballet" (amuse), "swing" (salad), starters (four choices), choice of six entree's, and dessert.

Since I was sitting at the aft windows I wasn't able to see all the dancing and prancing. For this I am very thankful; I saw enough.
I will say that the stewards did seem to be having a good time presenting it.

Is this the kind of info you're looking for?

Ruth,

Thanks a lot for the confirmation...that's exactly what I was looking for!

I also called Ship Services and verified this with a Ms Keller, who is the Volendam POC. Not only did she get me this info, she also sent an email to the Maitre' D for a guaranteed table for 2 along the rail upstairs! (#76). Anyone needing specific info regarding the Volendam would do well to talk with this lovely and accomodating lady!

[Fblack]

Miss Dutch night. They do give away little hats, but the menu is very weak that night.

[Cruisetrekker]

They did the Master Chef's dinner on the Maasdam on the June 24th sailing from Montreal to Boston. The crew sure seemed to enjoy themselves :) But then ..so did we !:D

[sail7seas]

I also called Ship Services and verified this with a Ms Keller, who is the Volendam POC.


:confused: What is the Volendam POC?

[Cruisetrekker]

Here is a picture of us at the Master Chef's Dinner...

[robntawn]

:confused: What is the Volendam POC?

Point of Contact

[kryos]

For the master chef's dinner, the waiters danced around while serving the food. I didn't care for it.
As far as I can recall, the only thing "special" about the Master Chef's Dinner on my Amsterdam cruise in January was the paper chef's hats at each place setting in the dining room that evening, and the fact that a few of the menu items were marked as "Master Chef Dinner Specials." There was no dancing, singing or anything like that.

Has anyone had the Love Boat sing-along on their cruise ... or was mine the only one to get this? It was hokey ... but a ton of fun. After dessert had been served, the dining room staff congregated at the top of the steps. They had a sound system up there, and played a CD of the Love Boat theme. They then led everyone on a rousing sing-along. It was a lot of fun and people really got into it ... including me. Since it was done after dessert had been served, and didn't really take that long, I doubt it interferred at all with the dining room staff's other responsibilities, and everyone seemed to really enjoy it.

Anyone else experience this ... or was this just something special done on our 30-day Hawaii/South Pacific cruise?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Bucky3]

They had the Chef's Dinner on the Volendam on our May Alaska cruise. The best part was the crew having so much fun! They really enjoyed themselves. I thought it was fun seeing them perform and having such fun doing it. Good Luck keeping those chef's hats on though!! Dutch night was nice too, but I could skip that - although those hats were easy to keep on - if your so inclined. I hate hats myself!

[sail7seas]

Point of Contact

Thanks.

She 'specializes' in all things Volendam? So, does every ship have a 'point of contact' at Ships Services?

[robntawn]

Thanks.

She 'specializes' in all things Volendam? So, does every ship have a 'point of contact' at Ships Services?

Sail,

That was my understanding based on our conversation. She told me she was responsible for the Volendam specifically, and had the schedule of events, menus, personnel assigned, etc for the Volendam. If that's truly the case, maybe there is a POC for each ship?

I must admit, I am certainly no expert on HAL, but the person I talked with seemed friendly, informative, and quite helpful. Time will tell, I guess!!

[Bicster]

I was very disappointed with the dinner selections on the Master Chef's night. We wish we had gone to the Pinnacle restaurant instead. It was more about the presentation than the food. The dining room puts on a show. It was the only night I did not care for any of the dinner selections. And I'm not a picky eater at all. Things probably(hopefully) have changed since New Year's 2005 cruise.

[sail7seas]

We had the Master Chef dinner both of our weeks on Maasdam.
We had seen it previously on Volendam.

The singer was so excruciatingly loud that it was painful. I truly mean the noise level was such that I was stunned they didn't tone it down. If they don't lower the noise level, I hope they discontinue holding it.

We had an incredibly wonder evening that night for many other reasons, but the dancing/singing was not the reason.

The stewards seemed to enjoy doing it and got into the fun but I think I'm changing my vote about it.

I originally said I thought it was fun but maybe seeing it once is enough????

I would not go out of my way to see it again.

[Krazy Kruizers]

That is something that they had the Master Chef dinner on a 7 day cruise - especially one that was so port intensive!!

[greatsally59]

I'm new to HAL and don't know what Dutch night is. We are sailing on the Veendam (W Carib) in November) and planning on going to the Pinnacle one evening -- but I sure don't think I want to miss anything fun in the diding room.

Thanks for the input.

[sail7seas]

That is something that they had the Master Chef dinner on a 7 day cruise - especially one that was so port intensive!!

They had it both weeks of our b-to-b's, KK.
They make the dining room only two seatings on Master Chef Dinner night. Our 8:00 dinner was moved to 8:15. That was fine; no problem with going a few minutes later.

[kryos]

They had it both weeks of our b-to-b's, KK.
They make the dining room only two seatings on Master Chef Dinner night. Our 8:00 dinner was moved to 8:15. That was fine; no problem with going a few minutes later.
No Love Boat singalong? God, I hope they do that on my Amsterdam cruise this October. I really enjoyed that.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[mafig]

Do they do this on a formal night, informal or casual night? Or just whenever?

[Robin7]

We had the Master Chef's Dinner on Tuesday, August 1, after our Sitka stop on the Zaandam. We would definitely choose to go to the Pinnacle on that night if we had to do it again! (We moved our reservation when we found out the dinner was that night.) Our table was right on the aft wake, and we couldn't hear or understand the singing. We thought the stewards looked more embarrassed than happy. It was just silly, in my opinion. I have the menu if anyone would like any information about the food. It was a casual night.

Robin

Here we are in our hats. Our table companions took theirs home to their grandkids for dressing up. I thought that was a cute idea as opposed to my shirt which makes me look like I weigh 300 pounds.:D

http://members.aol.com/robinjh/private/dinner.jpg

[raadsel]

Robin,

I'd love to see the menu. Thanks!

[Robin7]

I'd love to see the menu. Thanks!

Ah, the woes of pixilation. I can't make it large enough for anyone to be able to read it. Here are the choices, though:

Act 1--The Ballet Service

Chef's Amuse Surprise--Mushroom mousse with asparagus en bouche

Act 2--The Swing Service

Show Salad Spectacular--Assorted baby greens, pepper rings, mushrooms, scallions, and cherry tomatoes with a honey mustard dressing

Starters

Diaglogue of Alaskan Salmon Tartare with Avocado

Golden Baked Brie in Phyllo Dough

Lobster Bisque

Oxtail En Croute

Entrees

Tagliatelle with Roasted Chicken and Portobello Mushroom

Sauteed Shrimps "Provencales"

Apricot Glazed Salmon with Soya Garlic and Ginger Splash

Duck Breast a l'Orange

Whole Roasted Tenderloin of Beef

Wild Mushroom Strudel

Act 3--The Final Service

Master Chef Rudi's "Hats Off" Dessert (which was chocolate mousse in a white-chocolate chef's hat)

or

Ice Cream and Sorbet Alternatives

[debjo]

I'm a HAL newbie with my upcoming cruise October 15th on the WESTERDAM. After reading S.S.Oceanlover's synopsis of the MASTER CHEFS DINNER on these boards back on April 5th, I found the entire idea quite delightful and was hoping that we'd get to enjoy this "unusual" dinner during our cruise...provided the time table of getting to the Vista Class ships by "fall" was met.

Now, I'm beginning to "worry" with all the mixed reviews that this "themed" dinner is getting. I hope that HAL doesn't end this "production" before it gets to the WESTERDAM.

Debjo

[CoconutFish]

I don't know about this Master's Chef night.:confused:

The menu looks good.

The hats are quaint, but hard to keep on and how to I pack them to take home?

The description of the "entertainment" reminds me of the "King Neptune" ceremony for crossing the equator: cute, but I don't mind missing this the next time around.

What is wrong with Dutch night? We loved it: great menus (ie. some interesting items like Nasi Goreng); waiters in different, classy outfits; and Dutch flag banners on the tables and hanging from the ceiling. And the hats were easy to wear and looked great!

The whole production was a nice change for a casual night, especially on longer cruises, kept things fresh and was actually a refined way of having a bit of fun.

The one thing that matters: sounds like the waiters either like it or don't mind, so it can't be all bad!

[Sage]

The menu is delicious and stands on its own. IMO, the singing and dancing should be left to the entertainers, and the waiters should not be demeaned in this way.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I can't believe it!! Some Alaskan cruises have the Master Chef dinner while others don't.

There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to what is done from ship to ship.

And it seems we are always missing out on whatever happens any more.

[Krazy Kruizers]

That dessert - chocolate mousse under a white chocolate chef's hat - we did have that on our Alaskan cruises.

[booboo29]

I have always enjoyed Dutch Night and actually missed it on a few cruising where they did not have it. Master Chef Dinner is quite another thing. I would go to the Pinnacle if I saw a Master Chef Dinner on the itinerary. We saw it on the Volendam in March. The food was definitley good, but I know the stewards were not enjoying it because we asked them. I did not care for the singing and dancing between courses and would have preferred to have that time to chat with out tablemates. I also did not care for the hats. It was not large enough for DH's head and it just plain "didn't go" with my hairdo for the evening. :rolleyes:

Frank and Jennifer

[sail7seas]

:) Funny how I sometimes accuse DH of 'pretending to have a big head' :D, but the Master Chef Hat was too big on both Volendam and Maasdam. The hat seemed to fit most as many others in the dining room were wearing theirs.

[peaches from georgia]

.....I will say that the stewards did seem to be having a good time presenting it.

I can't imagine that the stewards could do anything else except smile and appear to be enjoying themselves, can you? However, since many of these dining stewards are trained to do their duties in a most professional manner I seriously doubt the majority of them appreciate singing and dancing around with salad forks and veggies.

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do and paste a grin on your face in whatever job you have.

[sail7seas]

......or, just maybe, some or even most of them do actually enjoy it.

Of course your point is well taken but it is one of those things we don't really know the answer to, do we?

My vote in the past was.......It's fun; keep it. I have changed my vote after hearing the painfully loud rendition we just heard. The girl singing was excruciating to listen to. I cannot figure out why someone didn't tell her to bring it down five notches and it might have been bearable. It was SOOOOO Loud.

I'm not sure this is accurate but I think Maasdam's whole cast left the ship yesterday and a new one was boarding. I think that at least for a short while, there will be no Master Chef Performance until the new cast has time to practice it.

[andigene]

We just returned from the Volendam 8/09/06 - 8/16/06 and had booked (prior to the cruise) to eat at the Pinnacle Grill on Saturday nite, which was a casual night and happened to be the "Dutch Dinner." I had seen the dinner menu before and did not feel we would miss anything and we did not want to go on a "formal night." They did have the Master Chef's dinner on Sunday night, but was not at all impressed. The dinner was called for 15 minutes later to accomodate the "entertainment." The "big chef's hats" were placed on your head and the photographer went around to get everyone's picture. The appetizers and desert was already selected for you. The Pinnacle Grill was excellent and I would not have minded being there for a 2nd night. The waiters seemed as if they were having a good time, however it was just a waste of time IMO.

[robntawn]

Some feedback...

We just returned from the Volendam yesterday, and wanted to share our experience. We were having a hard time deciding which night to go to the Pinnacle, and had narrowed our choices to Dutch night (Saturday) or Master Chefs night (Sunday). We asked our Dining Room steward what his recommendation was, and he told us that we SHOULD NOT miss the Master Chefs Dinner. He said that he and most of the staff looked forward to doing the dinner show, because it broke up the montony, and that they enjoyed dancing and singing. He was sincere when he said this.

On his recommendation, we went to the Pinnacle on Dutch Night and attended the Master Chefs dinner. We went with an open mind and had a great time! The choreography had a lot to be desired, and the singing was spotty, but it was actually quite fun! The salad and dessert was fixed, but we had a nice choice of starters and entrees. I don't know if I would attend it again, but it was a lot of fun for the first time, and our steward had fun as well.

[mafig]

As recent Volendam returnees, is there any possibility that a review of your cruise is forthcoming??????:)

[mafig]

sorry andigene....I see you have something posted.:o

[peaches from georgia]

We just returned from the Volendam .... They did have the Master Chef's dinner on Sunday night, but was not at all impressed. ..... The "big chef's hats" were placed on your head and the photographer went around to get everyone's picture....
If for no other reason, knowing that chef's hats are placed on your head and the photographers are then going from table to table are 2 of the reasons we will be in the PG the night of any Master Chef's dinner.

We do not like any of this in what is supposed to be an 'elegant' dining room and we particularly resent photographers interrupting our table. We think it is very tacky. On the Oosterdam we politely said 'No, thank you' on picture-taking night and they started moving our plates and glasses out of the way to 'get a good shot'. That was the last time we felt any obligation to be polite.

[elmorejj]

Got to agree with Peaches, I absolutely hate being interupted by photographers, whether it is in the DR, boarding the ship or disembarking at ports. I have tried to be nice, that doesn`t seem to work, so now I totally ignore them...........jean:cool:

[doninla]

We just returned from the Volendam. The Chef's dinner was not great...... More show than substance. I would certainly go to the Pinnacle, especially on Dutch night. I would do the Pinnacle 2 or 3 times if possible. The food and service is so much better. I think it is well worth the 20 bucks.

Don in LA

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been fortunate lately that when we tell the photographers "No" they leave us alone (maybe it is because I give them the evil eye!!).

[sail7seas]

If for no other reason, knowing that chef's hats are placed on your head and the photographers are then going from table to table are 2 of the reasons we will be in the PG the night of any Master Chef's dinner.

We do not like any of this in what is supposed to be an 'elegant' dining room and we particularly resent photographers interrupting our table. We think it is very tacky. On the Oosterdam we politely said 'No, thank you' on picture-taking night and they started moving our plates and glasses out of the way to 'get a good shot'. That was the last time we felt any obligation to be polite.


We have been at Master Chef's dinner on Volendam cruises and on two Maasdam cruises. I never put a hat on my head and the photographers graciously accepted our No, Thank You and moved along. Once again......it's all individual. We've had annoying photographers and others who had manners.

The group on Maasdam accepted the No, Thank You's and left us alone.

[HoneyGV]

:confused: What is the Volendam POC?

"Point of Contact"?????:confused:

[HoneyGV]

As far as I can recall, the only thing "special" about the Master Chef's Dinner on my Amsterdam cruise in January was the paper chef's hats at each place setting in the dining room that evening, and the fact that a few of the menu items were marked as "Master Chef Dinner Specials." There was no dancing, singing or anything like that.

Has anyone had the Love Boat sing-along on their cruise ... or was mine the only one to get this? It was hokey ... but a ton of fun. After dessert had been served, the dining room staff congregated at the top of the steps. They had a sound system up there, and played a CD of the Love Boat theme. They then led everyone on a rousing sing-along. It was a lot of fun and people really got into it ... including me. Since it was done after dessert had been served, and didn't really take that long, I doubt it interferred at all with the dining room staff's other responsibilities, and everyone seemed to really enjoy it.

Anyone else experience this ... or was this just something special done on our 30-day Hawaii/South Pacific cruise?

Blue skies ...

--rita

I seem to remember another one too...(Dutch Night)?? Where all the ladies get white dutch hats and the gents get the boy's dutch caps.

I guess they're fun the first time around for alot of people...I found them both to be kind of corny.

It seems to me that when they have these special nights going on that the service gets a little rushed because the waiters and all have to hurry up and get on with the entertainment.

[HoneyGV]

We had the Master Chef dinner both of our weeks on Maasdam.
We had seen it previously on Volendam.

The singer was so excruciatingly loud that it was painful. I truly mean the noise level was such that I was stunned they didn't tone it down. If they don't lower the noise level, I hope they discontinue holding it.

We had an incredibly wonder evening that night for many other reasons, but the dancing/singing was not the reason.

The stewards seemed to enjoy doing it and got into the fun but I think I'm changing my vote about it.

I originally said I thought it was fun but maybe seeing it once is enough????

I would not go out of my way to see it again.





Same here Sail. I'd rather dinner be for dinner and service rather than showtime at dinner. Especially when you're having a nice dinner with people you enjoy being with and talking and having, well, just a nice dinner in the dining room.

I can understand people on their first cruise getting into it though and I think they should experience as much as they can on their first cruise..gives them something fun and different to talk about after the vacation's over.

[PrincessR8]

As the current lead singer on the MS Amsterdam, I just thought I'd let you all know my opinion of the Master Chef's Dinner. First of all, the reason why many of you who attended the dinner a few months ago and didn't have any entertainment was because that particular ship had not gotten the scheduled "put in" of the show yet. So they were still serving the special menu, but didn't have the entertainment aspect on board yet (props, costumes, music etc.) As of now, I think almost all of the HAL ships are performing the show (except the Vistas and the Prinsendam-I'm not sure if they ever will because they have a different dining room layout) Of course everyone (passengers and crew) will have different opinions about what is fun, what is appropriate, and what is tasty (as far as food is concerned)-so I don't think there will ever be a black and white answer as to whether you should attend this night in the dining room or not. I personally was a little scared when I heard I had to wear a dress that looks like lettuce and sing a very difficult song in a dining room that was NOT made with singing acoustics in mind. However, I have found that when people (again, passengers AND crew) just accepts what we're doing as fun (which is what it's supposed to be-not torture!) ;) then we all have a good time! Plus, I actually think my dress is really pretty for something that is supposed to look like lettuce! Anyway, I also have had the privelage of eating in both the dining room (all the different menus) and in the Pinnacle (which is delicious)-and again it's just my opinion, but I really enjoyed the Master Chef menu and would much rather have missed another less appetizing night in the dining room (which there definately was) to go to the Pinnacle. So do whatever you think will be best for you, and whatever you choose-have fun doing it! I hope to see you on the Amsterdam soon!