AroundWithMAPTravels

Waiter said they “couldn’t “…. If you are asking me if I had it. Answer was No, waiter told me ONLY adoption was beef, without sauce. It as good, but the fact that a plain piece of fish wasn’t an option was not good (if I was looking for a piece of breaded fish when non-breaded was the advertised fare, it would be understandable, but not the reverse, simpler option). even more “intriguing “ / concerning/ whatever… is that the chocolate lava cake on zuiderdam was listed as GF whilst the same cake on Zaandam on the same night was not. I have been looking for photo of the Zaandam menu so I can post them side by side…. Same fare, just VERY different designations ( not important to anyone who does not have an issue with ingredients, but for anyone who does…. Which one is “correct” ?)

Yeah! Exactly my thought…. Didn’t happen, unfortunately. I thought by identifying myself via the online allergy /restriction site it would mean something… apparently it meant nothing. Not a best “first impression “ , given what I have been accustomed to on other cruises…. And still, the difference in same menu on two different ships concerns me… which is actually “correct”?

Same menu on same day on two ships in same region…

Again, my initial observation/question is WHY the same same menu on same on two different ships are designated differently?

Didn’t seem to me that it was an option to “ stop by”. … first time on a HAL ship and the waiters were very insistent that I did it at dinner ( honestly, every other ship I sailed on left the menu in mail slot daily so I didn’t have to play hide and seek ….)

They said it was breaded, so not an option….BUT same menu on Zuiderdam that night said it was GF… I don’t understand

I hear you… one dress it is! Unfortunately the gents’ suits/ tuxes take up much more luggage room than a dress, hence the less “formal” men…. although, last week on Zaandam there was a gent wearing full kilt regalia on both dressy nights. nice to see, but I have no idea how one would fit that into airline luggage restrictions 😄

Is it possible that they didn’t have a “qualified/certified “ poker dealer on board at the time? In between crew changes? There was poker of some sort on Zaandam last week.

I think this change may be mostly due to airline luggage restrictions. The downsizing of allowances there makes it more difficult to fit all of the “used once and done “ items.

I had not been to MDR for several days, so did not get a chance to preorder (since it seems to be only an option IF you dine in MDR the prior night). my question is regarding the actual menu offering…the designations of same items on same menu on same same day on two different ships were NOT the same.

I still hold that the recipe should be same between ships for same menu offering. If it is normally prepared GF on one ship, should be same for all during same time period. ( in this case, fish should have been breaded on both or NOT breaded on both).

Does anyone have a photo of the Gold Gala menu? I just read a thread from zuiderdam last week , where menu offerings were identical, with the exception of the GF designations. Being a GF diner, I was extremely unhappy that NONE of the Zaandam offerings that night (and many other nights) were listed as GF. On Gold Gala night I was told that only item I could have was the beef, without sauce (really wanted the salmon, told I couldn’t have it, but zuiderdam menu from same night displayed it as GF). I would love to send both to HAL to get an explanation of the “variation “ …. But I did not take a photo of menu. thanks!

This is somewhat “amazing” to me…. I was on Zaandam last week, with (almost) identical menu for Gold Gala. Reason I say “almost” is that NONE of entree items had the GF designation…. I am a GF diner and was told that ONLY item I could get was the beef, without sauce. I really wanted the salmon, but was told that it was NOT GF! I would think that the preparation would be done to HAL recipes, rather than variations from ship to ship… or is that a bad assumption? that was my first HAL trip, and due to the lack of GF items (many other nights also had NOTHING listed as GF) opted for salads in Lido instead. somewhat of a disappointment to me. Also somewhat concerned about the apparent inconsistency between ships in “consistent “ fleet wide offerings. anyone have any experience with this?

You haven’t met the twins (baby) yet? They were on an all-day excursion with us to Gros Morne in cornerbrook. Awesome little duo. Barely heard a peep other than giggles the entire day. All of the other little people have been equally as awesome and well behaved.

Antipasto was yummy. I had tomato risotto as Main. (I had limited choice due to GF options). DH had grilled calamari appetizer and main of pasta genovese. Very unusual shaped pasta in pesto. He had marzipan torte for desert. All in all said it was his favorite meal yet (better than steak in pinnacle).

Canaletto tonight for us. Any suggestions on items to choose/avoid?

I am in total agreement. Being a Gluten free diner it’s been a real challenge to find acceptable options without too much repetition. The only “fine” dining we have had so far was as Pinnacle grill. Rest, including MDR, has been fair. It may be the ships I have sailed in past that raised my “expectations “, so I have had to temper those expectations. I normally do not eat sweets but can normally be tempted into indulging…. The only time that has happened so far was in pinnacle grill ( also GF options are not plentiful so that may be a factor). cabin staff are wonderful still hoping at some point to say same about restaurant staff Another glorious sunny day, however!

There did not appear to be a bed of noodles either…. Served on rice in Lido. I did not have it , but one of our table mates did. All of us looked at the brick of meat quizzically…. None of us would have conjured that for stroganoff. It actually was a conversation topic for at least 10 minutes. The person who had it said it was “okay, but it’s not like any stroganoff “ he ever had. (The lack of noodles really did jolt him)

Did forget to mention that I Loved being able to walk on covered, deep promenade whilst it was raining earlier today! A huge plus for this ship!

100% agreed. (Also first timer) Right size ship. Steady. Comfortable. My only complaint so far had been the lighting. The passageway you mentioned. is highest on that list. Cabin (OV on deck 3) is extremely comfortable except even with all lights on and curtains open, sometimes too dark. I am still trying to come to terms with use of plasticware (salad bowls, water glasses, wine glasses) in Lido buffet… (I know we are trying to avoid comparisons but this one is a big difference for me… still not sure how to process this).

We found the Gelato Fiasco store in downtown there . We thought same- some of the best gelato ever!

If you are salad-friendly… I have had Cobb or chopchop salad at Lido lunch last two days. Both customizable (size and ingredients) and fairly tasty . (I am easily satisfied with a lunch salad but YMMV). the description of “hotel banquet” seems to sum up the lunch offerings concisely. By the length of line at coffee shop and the number of snacks being purchased there this afternoon (line was constant from 1:00-3:30 when I left the area) there were many people wanting for “more”.

We went on the Coastal Photography excursion here in St. John. Small group. Nice bit of photo lessons (both camera and iPhone). Went to several places (including a beach) that the other tours do not go to. Very much enjoyed it

That explains all… we are in OV on Zaandam,…. thanks!

A. It “off topic” here… also new to HAL. Many people have mentioned “fridge” in above posts…. I didn’t think there were any fridges in cabins? Or does that depend on type of cabin booked?