CGTNORMANDIE
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Posts posted by CGTNORMANDIE
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21 hours ago, Kolleen said:
Of course on my wildest cruise, the ship sank.
The ship sank??? Care to explain???
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Various renditions of fruit chutney. It drives me nuts when they set out several excellent curries in the ships’ buffet but never seem to supply the condiments…no chutney and no riata. I can’t eat curry without my condiments.
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10 hours ago, zdcatc12 said:
I'm not sure if anyone watches "Mysteries of the Abandoned", but on the episode a few weeks ago, the "Big U' was one of the stories on the episode. They had the granddaughter of the designer on there with the history of the ship and some indoor shots. Sad, but beautiful at the same time.
That would be the indefatigable Susan Gibbs granddaughter of William Gibbs the designer of the Big U. The ship should have been saved years ago but ran up against one unsuccessful buyer after another. The ship is an American icon and historic monument. The question is…how many years can the foundation go on without an end use for the once great ship? The Big U will probably never sail again but she could become part of a convention/exhibition center on dry land. That would make a great maritime museum.
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On 1/31/2023 at 7:02 AM, tonyfall1 said:
Sorry duplicate post.
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On 1/31/2023 at 7:02 AM, tonyfall1 said:
Well I thought my decisions were over.. but not yet.. not yet.. ugh. So I scored an aft cabin Bella experience. Now I just got an upgrade offer to upgrade YC. It looks like I have a good chance at YC interior for 345 PP or YC terrace for 460 PP. Ugh more decisions. It's more than I originally intended to spend on my cruise. decisions decisions. Also, we're more laid back relaxing type people would YC be too stuff for us?
We would need to know the total cost you are already spending before the upgrade. With a $100 difference between an inside and an outside balcony I would definitely rule out the YC inside offer and take the YC outside balcony cabin. Cannot advise until we know the total cost.
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It was very common for the transatlantic liners to have musical interludes during dinner. Some ships even had orchestra balconies overlooking the dining room and printed programs listing the musical numbers to be played at each dinner. The Italians had a strolling minstrel with two violins to back him up while he sang romantic ballads. The Germans had violins at tea time and the Germans and the Brits had a giant organ in one of the lounges in the late afternoon and at night. The Germans also had a ship’s brass band made up of the crew and officers that would play ump-pa-pa music on deck in the mornings. The French had a music room dedicated to playing recorded classics during the daytime. Bands and orchestras traveling on the Queens would routinely play special concerts in the main lounges. I, myself, performed with a drum and bugle corps in the Queen’s Lounge onboard the old Queen Elizabeth when I was 16 years old!
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WOW!! Thanks so much for sharing that story with us. Talk about adding some adventure to your life…this would certainly qualify for a documentary.
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On 2/1/2023 at 8:23 AM, shipgeeks said:
For me, fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Prune would be near the top of my not-favorite foods. Many years ago I was a camp counselor. Our rule at meals was that everyone would eat at least a bit of everything served. For a long day trip we were given paper bags with "hiker's lunch" items. At our lunch stop I discovered that the bags contained prunes as well as cheese and crackers. My efforts at hiding my non-consumption of prunes was, of course, noticed by the kids, and I had to eat my prunes in front of them. I haven't eaten prunes since.
I love dried fruit…prunes included. When I had my heart attack the doctors were wondering how my potassium had gone off the chart. I had just finished eating a bunch of dried apricots…lol.
Now back on topic…I love a virgin Pina Colada, root beer, fresh orange juice, ice tea with lemonade, pineapple juice, apricot juice, peach juice mango juice and fruit punch. Lately I have been drinking real Coca Cola which I haven’t had in more than 50 years…go figure.
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5 hours ago, chengkp75 said:
And, yesterday, it was announced that the Astoria (ex Stockholm) is going to the scrap yard.
https://www.cruisehive.com/the-worlds-oldest-cruise-ship-will-be-scrapped/93414
Yes…I saw where the ex Stockholm is going to be scrapped…after 75 years service. This is really remarkable!
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3 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:
Last Sunday was my 56th.wedding anniversary.My children bought us dinner at a great Long Island Deli.They wanted it to be a nostalgia night .When we were dating and went to a Brooklyn Deli it was $1 for a pastrami on rye.
DW and I went to our favorite diner on Friday. A Reuben used to be $9.00 now is $15.00. Our diner was known to be a bargain so we experienced sticker shock. The $30.00 Katz pastrami is starting to sound pretty good considering that 1 Katz sandwich can feed 2 people.
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5 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:
How about a prune juice smoothie ? The last time I drank a chocolate ice cream soda was probably about 1962.
Of all the juices to make a smoothie the prune sounds a bit harsh. Mind you I do like prune juice but always thought it should stand by itself. I’ll stick with my chocolate ice cream soda…1 once of half and half and 1 once chocolate syrup and 1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee stir until mixed and top off with your favorite seltzer. I prefer chilled black cherry with a small scoop of ice cream…quite refreshing.
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7 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:
For me there is nothing better on a hot day than a Prune Juice Shake preferably with vanilla ice cream.
Meh…no thanks…give me a chocolate ice cream soda anytime.
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Ranch no…blue cheese yes!
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Burgers were 10 cents when I was a kid and they were good. Now it’s hard to find a good burger under $20.00!!
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14 hours ago, JoBarco said:
I know this is several years after last post but I sailed from Norfolk, VA to Bermuda in Spring 1974 on the Anna Maria. I was 26 years old. I have since done two Norwegian cruises and one Costa. Carnival has announced that they will be sailing year round from Norfolk to Bermuda. We are less than one hour from Norfolk and would love to try Carnival. I’m wondering if they would recognize the cruise I took on the Anna Maria 49 years ago.I know I have photos somewhere abd Syoer 8 movie footage for sure!
The Anna Maria was a Greek ship that later became a Carnival ship.
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18 hours ago, Hlitner said:
Best cruise ship pizza is a topic unto itself :). Having cruised on 16 lines we would call it a tie between Princess and MSC.
The best pizza ever was onboard the Italian Line…to die for. Stacks of individual pizzas were served at 2:00 AM. I think it was a way to get all the pax out of the nightclub and sent to bed…lol. I think the pizza in the buffet on MSC is the best but even better is the special order pizza on MSC that can be served after 3:00 PM band is delivered in a pizza box. These pizzas are better than the buffet.
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1 hour ago, shipgeeks said:
I have to take exception to some of the replies.
I lived in Australia for 12 years, and had many British friends. Afternoon Tea, for ladies of leisure, was what we think of on a ship: scones, tea, finger sandwiches, etc. Or, at the office, it was a cup of tea and a "bikkie" (dry cookie) that the tea lady wheeled around.
High Tea was just an early supper, perhaps something to grab after work, or basic foods to feed the children until the parents were home. Nothing fancy at all.
Tea was the evening meal.
I know that "high" seems like it should be the ultimate, but in that setting it is not.
You are correct…many people are confused by the difference between Afternoon Tea and High Tea. Afternoon Tea, also known as Low Tea, is with the cakes, tea sandwiches and scones etc. High Tea can be with a substantial cooked meal with meat or fish or eggs, etc. breads and dessert…served with tea…or as you describe a limited early supper. High tea got its name from the height of the dining table vs the low tea served on a coffee or tea table. High Tea, in some quarters…like luxury hotels, can also be very extensive and quite elegant.
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1 hour ago, BklynBoy8 said:
Not sure but I think we may have had it on the tray while have the Champagne Tea Time we were treated to. We had approximately a dozen items to share for 2 of us. Maybe did see it. That treat was extremely worth it.
I’m amazed since the UK is the world center for lemon curd.
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On 1/22/2023 at 12:35 PM, shipgeeks said:
An article on my news page today listed 20 or 30 food items, and practices, that non-Americans think are horrifying. (I don't have the tech know-how to link it.)
I would have to agree with some of them:
sweet potatoes with marshmallows and brown sugar
ranch dressing
peanut butter and jelly
the huge size of servings
walking around with a go-cup of coffee
Non-Americans, what would you add to the list?
Fellow Americans, are there food items/practices that you find curious when you are abroad?
I can understanding ranch dressing…yuckkk…but the rest of your list sounds good to me!
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5 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:
Like you choices but to regular for me. Going away you wait to try away from home beers.
I was fantasizing. I haven’t had a beer in 5 years while I’ve been stuck on dialysis…a limited liquid intake…ughhh. But those are the beers I’ll go after just as soon as I get a new kidney! LOL! I already have my next cruise planned for the occasion and you can be sure I’ll have a drink package…hopefully in the coming year.
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27 minutes ago, BklynBoy8 said:
Not at any day of sailing last September. Not sure if another location like Carinthia
Scandalous…maybe the egg shortage has hit the Queens?
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22 minutes ago, BklynBoy8 said:
Nothing is Up To BROOKLYN Standards especially Bensonhurst/Bath Beach.
Most Italian Pizza Makers are trained by Those from off the boat a longtime ago.
Ex. is L&B Gardens.. A worker was killed once for the Sauce Recipe being stolen. Didn't take the money but wanted the recipe.
Now that’s what I call dedication!
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15 minutes ago, BklynBoy8 said:
Didn't see it unless not in the Queens Room...... Choices but not alot.. More in the Buffet at Tea Time.
What?? No lemon curd onboard Cunard in the Queens Room?? Heresy!!
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3 minutes ago, BklynBoy8 said:
Cunard w the QM2 has about three or four made and out for taking at Lunch time
Yes…but are they up to Brooklyn standards??
Tipping when gratuities are included
in Celebrity Cruises
Posted
The good news is that…there are no appropriate amounts! Tipping, over and above the included tips, is simply a matter of your personal discretion and what you are comfortable with. I usually tip the room service people each morning and I tip via envelope at the end of the voyage to everyone else.
As an ocean liner historian I always get a chuckle when I see someone from the European side of the ocean taking umbrage at the very thought of tipping. When, in actuality, it was the European shipping companies that started the “custom of tipping” that began with such companies as Cunard and White Star as well as CGT, Holland America and The Italian Line.