Shrimp Cocktails every night?

[lakelurenut]

We have been on 16 cruises and we are wondering if you can order a shrimp cocktail every night in the diningroom even it is not on the menu? We have on most all the cruise we have taken. Also my husband orders a beef steak of some type every night. Just wandering if we could do this on the Zuiderdam? Leaving Dec. 12th, 2004.

Thanks !!

[peaches from georgia]

You have to be careful on HAL and know what you're getting when you say 'shrimp cocktail'. On the HAL cruises we have been on there is only a 'real' shrimp cocktail on one formal night- the large jumbo shrimp. One night, Dutch night I believe, the shrimp cocktail is the tiny bay shrimp from a can that have no taste. So I'm not sure what you would get if you ordered a shrimp cocktail off menu in the dining room, but I would sure ask first.

I believe from what other posters have said, the room service shrimp cocktail is also the tiny bay shrimp.

[Bill HaHa]

I did on our past Hal cruises. No problem.

[Esme]

Yes, the shrimp cocktail from room service is the tiny bay shrimp. I ordered it one night and was surprised to see the small ones - thought I was getting the big ones.

I do not think you can order a shrimp cocktail (large ones) in the dining room every night and if you could they would probably charge you for it. There is usally a beef entree listed on the menu every night.

[Roadwork]

Some of those shrimp are smaller than the finger nail on my little finger. We also ordered them once through room service. They tasted like a fishy mush. I believe this is one item Hal could cut, and not recieve any complaints.

[superstein61]

NO - you can not do this.

My daughter attempted so on the Zuiderdam this summer - and the waiter told her no. He did come thru with the small bay shrimp one day when there was absolutely no other appetizer / soup my daughter liked - but that was it.

She was looking forward to it every day too

[Candy]

In the past we have been able to order the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktails for the entire table with one night's notice and at no charge. The Dining Room Supervisor was only too happy to accommodate us and we asways showed our appreciation on the last night. Sadly, in November '03 they told us it was no longer possible and has not been since. We really miss the good ol' days, but understand that there are unavoidable cutbacks, and we have learned to accept the changes and still enjoy our cruises to the fullest.

Three creme brulees? Sure! I actually ended up with four! So all is not lost. I can get jumbo shrimp at the Piggly Wiggly, but nobody in my little town serves creme brulee :rolleyes:

I did on our past Hal cruises. No problem.

[Ziggy7]

Last Aug. for or 2 weeks on the Zuiderdam, they had it every night in the Lido buffet resturant but you had to go there to get it, and it was only the little bay shrimp :) We would see pax eating the shrimp before they went to the dinning room for dinner :)

[peaches from georgia]

Last Aug. for or 2 weeks on the Zuiderdam, they had it every night in the Lido buffet resturant but you had to go there to get it, and it was only the little bay shrimp...
I don't think the 'little bay shrimp' is what anyone is talking about when they ask about the availability of shrimp cocktail. :(

[deerby27]

Princess has shrimp cocktail on their "always available" menu. They also have steak on this menu.

[peaches from georgia]

What kind of shrimp, what cut of steak? I'd have to know that before I can be impressed. Could be bay shrimp and round steak. Or could be fresh 10 ct. shrimp and filet mignon. Vast difference. ;)

[sail7seas]

Every cruiseline offers something that others do not. I do not expect all of them to offer exactly the same thing. Choices...it's all about the choices we can make.

IF it is most important to you that you have a shrimp cocktail every night, that is fine. I can do that at home in my kitchen. I go to Costco or BJ's or wherever and buy a bag of shrimp; mix up some cocktail sauce, place it on some lettuce leaves and Voila....Shrimp Cocktail. Almost nothing easier in the world to serve IMO If it is important to you have it every night of your cruise, you may wish to consider cruising Princess for their shrimp cocktails.

IF you wish to have hot hors d'ouerves in the Lounges before dinner every night, you may wish to consider cruising HAL.

Etc, etc, etc.....

[newcruiserdave]

Sail7seas you make a good point. I want to try out all the lines.
We were on Princess last month and the always available shrimp cocktail was 4 medium sized shrimp (it was ok but not great) and the always available steak I tried once and after sending back 2 times due to toughness (inability to cut with steak knife -- needed chain saw) I ordered something else -- which was great!
Enjoyed the princess cruise (though certainly not as much as QM2 of course) and looking forward to Zuiderdam in May.

[lakelurenut]

Thanks for all the replies !!!
We were just wandering about the always available menu!!! Also go to Sam's Club and buy jumbo shrimp! Very good!! Most of the time, there was a Ribeye steak on the menus.

No big deal, just wondering !!!!

[sail7seas]

Hope all your cruises are what you wish them to be. :)

[Candy]

I think we're talking about the jumbo size, served in a chilled crystal bowl with diablo sauce and a genuine shrimp fork. That's what I'm talkin' about!

Last Aug. for or 2 weeks on the Zuiderdam, they had it every night in the Lido buffet resturant but you had to go there to get it, and it was only the little bay shrimp :) We would see pax eating the shrimp before they went to the dinning room for dinner :)

[gizmo]

lakelurent,

You asked an excellent question. It is always good to know ahead of time what each cruise line may or may not offer since they are not all the same. Enjoy your cruise. :)

As far as making it at home, yes, many people can get good shrimp and have it anytime they want, but this doesn't have anything to do with the question. Anything served in the dining room can be made and served at home.

[lakelurenut]

lakelurent,

You asked an excellent question. It is always good to know ahead of time what each cruise line may or may not offer since they are not all the same. Enjoy your cruise. :)

As far as making it at home, yes, many people can get good shrimp and have it anytime they want, but this doesn't have anything to do with the question. Anything served in the dining room can be made and served at home.
Thanks, gizmo !! You are right about made and served at home. I consider myself a great cook, but everyone likes to be pampered on a cruise.

We will have a great time on the cruise, wish some of ya'll were going with us on the Zuiderdam on Dec. 4th.

[sail7seas]

:) Post deleted by poster. Changed my mind.

[JohnR49er]

Hot hors d'ouerves, nothing easier than taking them out of my freezer and popping them in the oven.
Will be sailing on Saturday and will start with an even playing field. Haven't been on HAL in 4 years so I will be checking out how they might or might not have changed.
I too will miss the shrimp cocktail every night, even if it is always available at home.

[sail7seas]

Hope you have a great time, John.

[JohnR49er]

I know I'll have a good time , Sail. It will be interesting to hear what a few HAL rookies in our group think of HAL. I will stay with my opinion that there really isn't much difference in the mainstream cruiselines. Shrimp, no shrimp, 24 hour lido, or not, etc. aren't really a big enough deal to write off a certain cruiseline IMHO.
One of my pet peeves is suggesting another cruiseline to anyone just because they have a gripe. Its not just here, its all the cruise boards. I think most people would think of another line themselves without being prompted. I know I would.;)

[crusinggranny]

Sail7seas you make a good point. I want to try out all the lines.
We were on Princess last month and the always available shrimp cocktail was 4 medium sized shrimp (it was ok but not great) and the always available steak I tried once and after sending back 2 times due to toughness (inability to cut with steak knife -- needed chain saw) I ordered something else -- which was great!
Enjoyed the princess cruise (though certainly not as much as QM2 of course) and looking forward to Zuiderdam in May.
We sailed Princess Islander in March 04 and my husband ordered shrimp every night and received 6 jumbo shrimp and the waiter asked if he wanted another.

Anyone doing the Amazon River r/t from Ft. Lauderdale Nov. 2005?

[crusinggranny]

Every cruiseline offers something that others do not. I do not expect all of them to offer exactly the same thing. Choices...it's all about the choices we can make.

IF it is most important to you that you have a shrimp cocktail every night, that is fine. I can do that at home in my kitchen. I go to Costco or BJ's or wherever and buy a bag of shrimp; mix up some cocktail sauce, place it on some lettuce leaves and Voila....Shrimp Cocktail. Almost nothing easier in the world to serve IMO If it is important to you have it every night of your cruise, you may wish to consider cruising Princess for their shrimp cocktails.

IF you wish to have hot hors d'ouerves in the Lounges before dinner every night, you may wish to consider cruising HAL.

Etc, etc, etc.....
I agree, for me it is hard to compare cruise lines as each has its specialities. A lot depends, I guess, on your likes and dislikes. But for me, what is not to like?