CGTNORMANDIE

Mulligatawny soup done right!  I think it was RCI who did it best?

10 hours ago, getting older slowly said:

Buffet best... any one which has what you want.. ( noting this can change on a cruise )

 

Use of said Buffet..... lunch port days.... and sometimes after dinner desserts...   

but not to sit in...    we take our food back to our cabin...

( if nice day for eating on balcony with some wine )..

 

Favorite food...... Chicken Caesar Wraps,, fries , salad  ( we bring our own creme balsamic vinegar ) ....  and it depended on what is on offer.

 

Prefer to eat in MDR...

 

Don

 

I am also guilty of taking food back to the cabin.  Usually it is a big sticky bun from the breakfast buffet since it’s not offered on the room service menu.  

On 4/21/2021 at 9:22 AM, kimstoess said:

My husband are booking two rooms. One is MSC yacht club family suite and one regular balcony. If my oldest daughter and mother are in the regular balcony can they join us on the yacht club pool deck?

Hi Kim,

Let’s get a clearer picture here.  What ship have you booked?  Please don’t take some of the comments personally.  They benefit everyone who reads them.  It sounds like you will need to book an inside YC cabin.  If you are on a Fantasia Class ship and in 12001 or 12003 then you can have your family visit you in those suites but not in the YC proper.    If you are in a Seaside Class ship then you will need to book an inside YC cabin for your daughter and mother.  

11 hours ago, emory2001 said:

I’m a Royal/Carnival/Princess cruiser who has been considering a MSC cruise for a while, and probably finally cruising MSC this year. I come in here and I notice on all the threads you’re all SO NICE AND POLITE to each other! Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy all my cruising forums, on CC, Facebook, TripAdvisor, etc. but there is certainly an element of drama sometimes, and occasionally on ship. But you all answer people’s questions so patiently and I haven’t seen any nasty snark (friendly sarcasm is fine and good), or politics virtue signaling which can be common among Americans and I can’t stand it in cruise forums. This is a really pleasant place to be. Are the ships like this too?

Thank you Emery.  Most of us try to welcome new MSC pax and patiently answer all the questions...even though we have heard them before...LOL.  This board is enjoyable because there are many countries heard from and 99% of it is polite and informative.  

14 minutes ago, dexddd said:

Thanks for update.  We'd only have interest in Ocean Cay since we are 0 for 2 there but always manage Nassau.

Am I to understand that Nassau wants to charge you $40 to step onto their terre firma??  Are you sure that it’s not the other way around???😂

7 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

In our life time, I think that is an excellent question.  

 

 

There cannot be a guarantee of no Covid just as there has not been of the Norovirus, etc.  I am willing to endure a "Brave New World" of cruising.  With reasonable and responsible requirements.  But, I am not willing to wear a mask; I don't wish to encounter crew or staff wearing a mask.  If that is part of the "Brave New World" of cruising, then, my cruising days are finished.  

 

 

I totally agree that wearing a mask while on a cruise makes no sense...unless you have a medical condition...such as auto immune issues.  That is why we will probably see some people wearing masks...so be it.  The irony: I am susceptible to lung infections ever since I had a serious case of pneumonia 10 years ago.  This was the first year that I did not catch a cold and suffer the 5 months it takes to clear my lungs.  I believe the masks helped me in this respect...LOL.   

3 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

No interest in exceptions.  100% of crew and guests must be vaccinated before I will invest anymore money in a cruise vacation.  

 

If there are "exceptions" allowed, that is going to lead to a continuation of the need to wear a mask during a cruise.  

 

I AM NOT WEARING A MASK DURING A CRUISE! 

Does 100% vaccinated guarantee no Covid?  I think there will still be a risk of transmission.  We are going to be living in a “Brave New World” once cruising resumes.  You will probably be seeing some pax wearing masks and others without a mask...who knows for sure?  We will have to accept a measure of risk...regardless.  Flying down to Florida will probably be more dangerous than spending a week or more on a ship.  Will there ever be a time that we will call Post Covid?  

On 4/25/2021 at 11:53 AM, CntPAcruiser said:

I can't speak to the line having the best buffet since we have only cruised on Royal Caribbean. The newest ships we have been on are Oasis-class, and those have the most extensive, most interesting buffets of the ships we've been on. It's possible that the newer ships are even better, but my guess is that they are fairly similar. 

 

There was a mention above of Indian food served on Royal without condiments, which I have never seen. Plenty of Indian food, yes, but always with the accompaniments. The aforementioned Oasis-class ships had a wide selection of foods of the world at all mealtimes, for instance, congee and miso soup at breakfast, with the various mix-ins. Part of this is attributable to the passenger mix they are trying to appeal to or accommodate, and in part it is attributable to the kitchen staff. On Royal, there is a large Indian population in the kitchen, so there is Indian food for the staff/crew and passengers, which I consider a plus. 

 

Edit: Just after writing the above, I went on the Royal board and saw a thread about crew members from India being banned for now because of COVID. They'll probably still have Indian food ....

Glad to hear that RCI is finally serving up the condiments with their Indian food.  I love Indian food but I need my favorite condiments.  Fruit chutneys, riata with yoghurt, mint and tomato or my favorite, sweet lemon yoghurt with sliced banana!  Mustard pickle is also required.  

Thanks for responding RK.  I think we are having a one on one conversation.  You can see how much traffic this thread is attracting...LOL.  It might be that the buffet has become ho-hum??  I find that hard to believe especially when I remember some of the memorable plate loads I’ve seen going by me in previous years...LOL.  I have seen some really weird combinations piled high...along with some comical scenes at the buffet.  I once took a picture of a man pushing his tray along.  His stomach was so big it hung over the tray rail...LOL.  I also like to take pictures of the crew working behind the counter at the buffet.  They are hard working and under appreciated.  

Late April is ideal for a southern crossing.  You should have temperate weather all the way...warmer in Florida and then 70’s on average.  That being said you never know if you are going to hit a freak storm but that is very rare.  

36 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Without the seafood being too exotic, if it swam in the ocean, it probably was on the buffet.  Shrimp in all of its glorious renditions, a variety of different fish and their preparations, lobster tails, clams, and maybe mussels.  Clam Chowder was the featured soup of the day.  (There was an alternative, if I recall correctly.)  I also recall a seafood salad that included octopus.  Calamari?  Not sure that I recall that since that is not my favorite seafood.  Didn't look for such.  

 

What was missing was a plentiful supply of lemon wedges.  I finally asked a Head Waiter in the Restaurant for a plate of lemon wedges.  I did receive them.  

Now we are getting down to it.  The seafood sounds divine.  I happen to like octopus done Greek style...char grilled with lemon, olive oil and seasonings.  The Greeks beat the octopus on the rocks to soften it before cooking.  Calamari?  Italian style stuffed and baked in a marinara sauce served over linguine...yummmm.  
 

I only went to the buffet once on my last cruise.  It was the MSC pizza that got me...good dough and good sauce.  
 

It drives me nut when they offer exotic food and no accompaniment...like egg rolls with no duck sauce or hot mustard.  The best one was great Indian food on Royal Caribbean  and no condiments.  Has the buffet food gotten so routine that nobody has any favorite foods??  

15 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Wow!  You sound like my 6th Grade Teacher!  🤣

 

My most recent (which are not so recent thanks to USPH) that I recall.  I'll keep "thinking", "Miss Keller".  RIP.  

 

2002, Volendam's Asia Pacific Cruise's Grand Show Buffet.

 

2008, Amsterdam's Grand World Voyage Grand Show Buffet.  

 

There was a dessert extravaganza during one HAL long cruise around the mid-ship's pool that was memorable.  Date?  Ship?  Unsure.  Could have been on the delivery of the Statendam to Singapore for its transfer to P&O Australia.  HAL pulled "all of the stops" during that cruise.  It was the HAL experience that first attracted me to HAL.  

 

When the President of HAL comes aboard for a few days during a Grand World Voyage, there always is an extra special touch added to the programming for those days.  A dessert extravaganza and/or show buffet of some type usually is part of that celebration of his presence.  

 

The most recent edition of Royal Princess had a wide a variety of seafood during one lunch in their Lido Restaurant one cruise.  Showy?  No.  

 

 

Thank you RK.  I have a lot of great buffet memories...for sure.  However, the title to this thread poses the question...what are your favorite items on the (Lido) buffet?  
 

Maybe you could expound on your recent experiences with the special seafood buffet on Princess or some of the daily offerings on HAL??  

Come to think of it...a Chicago Dog might be good if they could do it right.

21 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

OK.  As my 6th Grade Teacher said in her infinite wisdom, "let's put our thinking caps on".  I will do so.  How accurate as to the timing?  The ship?  I will do the best that I can.  But, not tonight.  

Your time is up!!  Inquiring minds want to know!!😄

52 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Sir, a definition of " best buffet" is required.  Lido Restaurant-type buffet?  Grand Show-type buffet?  A dessert or seafood oriented buffet?  Or, all of the above?  😁

Sir...when was the last time you saw a Grand Buffet??  Of course I’m talking about the Lido Buffet.  If you love a desert buffet, a seafood buffet or ethnic buffet, by all means, say so and please let us know what line what ship. 😂

Which line has the best buffet and what are your favorite foods on the buffet??? 

Way back in the 1980’s I was fortunate enough to sit with a merchant seaman who had made the Russian run to Murmansk three times!  His stories were hair raising but fascinating at the same time.  It was a miracle he was still alive.  The Murmansk run was the most dangerous for the American merchant seamen.  They never received proper recognition or reward until years later.  

1 hour ago, Lowiepete said:

Hello Folks,

 

Oh wow! Have you guys gone seriously off-topic, or what?

   

As you're going back as far as 1912, it's quite apposite that a photograph of a former 2nd Baker, taken in 1953 after 41 years service, has recently turned up. Why is it apposite?

 

Well, James Douglas Kennedy first went to sea in 1912, I assume with Cunard, so the question arises: Could he have been away on his first trip aboard the first RMS Caronia when she was called to aid RMS Titanic? What's also remarkable is that he served through both Great Wars, so with this coming to light from a period magazine photograph, he was also a very brave man! Research will continue...

 

Regards,

Steve

 

 

Great story Steve and very proper and fitting for this thread and forum.  WOW...too bad nobody did an in-depth interview with JD Kennedy after he retired.  He had a front row seat in maritime history.  Thanks for sharing.

36 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Thank you.  As I indicated, I never heard of that Sauce before.  I think I might like that better than chili.  

 

The sauce that is used for Italian Sausage Sandwiches is really my favorite type sauce for a hot dog type item.  

You probably would like Greek sauce.  Chili is another matter.  Most chili on hotdogs is sub par.  A good chili is very rare.  It is NOT made with hamburg.  

National. Express is definitely the way to go.  Just make sure you can tow your luggage behind you as it might be a long way to your air terminal.  Sometimes you can get a porter to deal with your luggage and guide you through LHR.  

A warm brioche with more butter...served with a cafe mocha...unbelievable!

Thank you BB for recounting your memorable culinary adventures.  Julia Child was and is one of the icons of American cuisine.  She lived with Paul in Cambridge and we would often see her at Star Market and her favorite butcher shop.  My wife worked for a big Boston bank in the Trust Department back in the 1970’s.  One of her accounts was Julia.  Every time Julia requested a dispersement Julia would send a follow up post card to our home.  Usually these cards came from France where she and Paul had a second home.  When my wife left the bank in the 1980’s we received the nicest note from Julia thanking my wife for all her service.  Julia certainly was special.  

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Need to further my education:  what's the famous Greek Sauce?  

Greek sauce is a sauce made with Hamburg, Greek spices beef stock and tomato paste.  It is simmered for hours and then put on the hotdog like chili.  It really is good!

On 4/12/2021 at 4:50 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

I prefer mustard and some pickle relish on my dog.  No ketchup or onions or chili sauce or shredded cheese.  A warm bun is always nice to have, but, what I prepare for myself is just the bun out of the package.  

I really want to see one of the cruise lines serve a hotdog with the famous Greek sauce.  This is another way I love a good hotdog...mustard, relish, onion and Greek sauce...yummm.  

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I know almost nothing about davits, but I do recall reading that at least a couple of the collapsible lifeboats were davit launched after the original lifeboat at that davit had been lowered.  Maybe my memory is incorrect?  

Three of the four collapsibles were launched over the side just before the Titanic sank.  Two went over the side without davits.  Only one was launched from the davits. That was the one that Bruce Ismay boarded.  One landed upside down and about a dozen men, out of 40 who tried, made it by standing on the overturned collapsible.  One collapsible was washed away with about 40 occupants who were drowned.  A collapsible was found a week? later with three? frozen bodies which was probably the boat that was washed away. They were never able to launch the fourth collapsible...all this from memory so there are probably some inaccuracies.