Some info about the Alaska menu

[Loves to dance]

Hi all, I don't know about you, but I am obsessing about what I will be eating this June on board the Veendam. ;) Will it be a special Alaska menu, or will it be the same as they are serving now? Can I find any sample Alaska menus from cruises past? Etc, etc...

Well, for those others who also are looking forward to what I hope will be great meals on Alaska cruises this summer, here is a bit of info that I uncovered...


Onboard Celebrations
In honor of Alaska's 50th anniversary of statehood, the line is bringing back its popular "Salmon 50 Ways" on its ships in Alaska. Over the course of a seven-day cruise, wild Alaskan salmon will be prepared 50 different ways, each a unique recipe. Diners will find salmon available for lunch and dinner each day. One night during each cruise, a special Alaska Celebration Menu will be served in the main dining room. Created especially for the occasion by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, the menu showcases the foods and culinary traditions enjoyed throughout Alaska's history. Entrees include items such as Sitka razor neck clams with noodles, braised caribou steak with wild mushrooms and Alaskan king crab cobb salad.

[raadsel]

If it has been like the past few years, it will be a mix of the "normal" cruise food and some regional items. Typically HAL has had a salmon dish on the menu each night and possibly one other Alaska/Northwest menu item, and then having Baked Alaska as an option each night on the dessert menu. There is also typically a "Salmon Bake" in the Lido pool area during one lunch which, naturally, features fresh salmon with some other Alaska style dishes.

[tjcletsgo]

My question is this.......I like FRESH fish, how fresh could it be if you're on the 5th day our your cruise:eek:...........has anyone noticed? I love seafood, but am afraid to order if a few days out at sea...........:o

Any thoughts?

Janie

[middle-aged mom]

My question is this.......I like FRESH fish, how fresh could it be if you're on the 5th day our your cruise:eek:...........has anyone noticed? I love seafood, but am afraid to order if a few days out at sea...........:o

Any thoughts?

Janie


I have read here on CC before, that HAL replenishes seafood supplies while in port in Alaska. Also, a lot of the "fresh" seafood is actually "fresh frozen", which is fine by me. Perhaps someone with more knowledge can verify. I do know that I have eaten seafood throughout my HAL Alaska cruises, from day one to day last, and enjoyed my meals without any ill effects (other than weight gain, alas).

[raadsel]

My question is this.......I like FRESH fish, how fresh could it be if you're on the 5th day our your cruise:eek:...........has anyone noticed? I love seafood, but am afraid to order if a few days out at sea...........:o

Any thoughts?

Janie

I honestly don't know how fresh most of the fish is that is served in the dining room. I suspect that much of the salmon is frozen but am not sure, the taste was quite good regardless. And, with most ports in the area having supplies of fresh fish, it is possible that they frequently get new supplies. I do know that when we docked in Ketchikan, I saw fresh salmon being loaded and that the Salmon bake that afternoon was fresh salmon.

[pipedreams62]

The ship tows a net the entire voyage



http://pro.corbis.com/images/IH058231.jpg?size=67&uid=%7BB85F140B-7030-4B11-BDBE-448055B70375%7D

[okiecruiser71]

I have read here on CC before, that HAL replenishes seafood supplies while in port in Alaska. Also, a lot of the "fresh" seafood is actually "fresh frozen", which is fine by me. Perhaps someone with more knowledge can verify. I do know that I have eaten seafood throughout my HAL Alaska cruises, from day one to day last, and enjoyed my meals without any ill effects (other than weight gain, alas).

Fresh frozen? Don't let Gordon Ramsay ever hear you say that :)

[Ilandguy]

Fish that is flash frozen when caught & frozen @ sea is truly fresh. Fish that has spent time in transit unfrozen even when chilled will not taste as good or fresh!

[JerseyJaguar]

I do know that when we docked in Ketchikan, I saw fresh salmon being loaded and that the Salmon bake that afternoon was fresh salmon.
The Salmon Bake we had on the afternoon of Ketchikan was wonderful!! Thank goodness for the teenagers on line with me to get back on the ship, they started talking about the BBQ by the aft pool, or I would have forgotten and gone and taken a nap.

I was never a big salmon fan till that day, but after that I ate as much as I could get my hands on and they did a really nice job on the ship with it.