Hot Hors d'Oeuvres on HAL?

[Gablin]

It has been some years since I cruised on a HAL ship, but I have nice memories. One of them is of being served rather nice hors d'oeuvres in one or more bars before dinner. On my first cruise with HAL, in 1995, the server brought around the cart of tasty items while taking drink orders. There were crudites and dip, as well as little fried things. On the next cruise, the server indicated the location of the hors d'oeuvres and we were invited to serve ourselves. They were still quite good.

On my third cruise with HAL, in 1999, hot hors d'oeuvres were "advertised" but we could only get them by asking for them after buying a beverage. :rolleyes: A tiny plate was brought for the two of us, with a total of three tiny items. One night, I asked for more and we did get them. One evening, I tried getting hors d'oeuvres before ordering a drink, while I waited for my friend to arrive. I was informed that the snacks were only for passengers who were buying drinks.

 

Does HAL serve any food in the bars before dinner now? What is offered? Do you have to ask for them?

[brucory]

Pre dinner canapes are served nightly in the Ocean Bar and the Crow's nest. They are a mix of hot and cold... Some good and some average. If there is something you really like, ask for extra...

 

:D:D:D

[Krazy Kruizers]

The crudites haven't been offered in about 2 or 3 years now.

Even though we order drinks, on some ships we have had trouble getting appetizers. There was always an excuse -- they are not ready yet, don't have time to get them, etc.

And it is still just about 4 pieces on a small plate.

[sail7seas]

We always are offered hot hors d'ouerves in Ocean Bar and most evenings a steward passes a tray of cold nibbles.

 

If bartender or steward forgets to offer them to you, ask.

 

 

We hda them on Eurodam, Westerdam and Maasdam this year so they are still available..... wasn't just a 'one ship thing'.

 

[kakalina]

We have had no trouble with getting the hot hors d'ouerves in either the Ocean Bar or the CN. We no longer go into the Ocean bar but they offered them in the CN on the Oct Hawaii cruise.

We did not have to order drinks. I have been just sitting and reading with a glass of water and they offer the tidbits.

[sail7seas]

I also meant to comment how lovely the cart was from which, in years past, they served the hot hors d'ouerves. Such an elegant service but sadly gone now for years. :(

 

[dobiemom]

Hot hors d'ouerves were in the Ocean Bar on the Oosterdam last month. The bartender gave them to us without us having to ask. We did buy drinks--after all, it was Happy Hour! ;) :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Noordam -- February -- always had hot appetizers -- no cold appetizers.

Westerdam -- April/May -- had to ask -- rarely got them -- would bring them out about 5:35 when we were ready to go to dinner. Again -- no cold appetizers.

Zuiderdam -- sometimes they were ready at 5 - 5:15 -- sometimes not. No cold appetizers.

[ldog]

Rotterdam didn't have them on the TA in November. I missed them.

[m steve]

The waiters and bartenders brought out small plates for us. At that time we could smoke in Ocean bar and they got very good tips for this service as well as having strong drinks for us as soon as we walked into the bar.

[Firststatecruiser]

Peanuts and hors d'ouerves were served last week at the Ocean Bar on the Eurodam only to those who order drinks. The hors d'ouerves are mostly fried and served luke warm.

[m steve]

If you're not drinking in the bar, why should they serve you anything and not get a tip? Plus you may be taking the space from someone who would like a drink.

[Krazy Kruizers]

m steve

We have witnessed all too often people come into the lounges -- sit down -- start to read a book -- not order a drink -- but have the nerve to ask for the appetizers.

One time we even watched 4 people playing cards -- no drinks - ask for the appetizers.

[sail7seas]

Time and again, we have seen people come into Ocean Bar, tell the steward they only wanted a glass or water (not Perrier or Pelligrino - tap water) and would he please bring hot hors d'houerves. They are always treated courteously and a nice plate of hors d'ouerves are served.

 

They are guests on the ship and if they wish to have hors d'ouerves that is what they have.

[GmaPajama]

I rarely drink, and DH never does - but we love the atmosphere in the Ocean Bar. I can only drink so many sodas before I'm ready to explode, so often order just a glass of water. During the pre-dinner hour, we've always been offered hors d'oeuvres. It never occured to us that we had to be drinkers to partake - certainly nothing any crew member did ever indicated that. One of the things I love about HAL is the fact that everyone is equally treated to the most fantastic service.

[sail7seas]

I rarely drink, and DH never does - but we love the atmosphere in the Ocean Bar. I can only drink so many sodas before I'm ready to explode, so often order just a glass of water. During the pre-dinner hour, we've always been offered hors d'oeuvres. It never occured to us that we had to be drinkers to partake - certainly nothing any crew member did ever indicated that. One of the things I love about HAL is the fact that everyone is equally treated to the most fantastic service.

 

OF COURSE, YOU DON'T NEED TO ORDER anything other than what you want. I am shouting for a reason. :)

 

You are a guest on the ship and do not have to explain to anyone why you do not wish to have anything to drink. You most assuredly have every business going to any bar at any time and enjoying all services offered in that location. OF COURSE, you should have hors d'ouerves if you wish. There is no rule you need to order a beverage.

[GmaPajama]

I should have quoted this in my response, Sail:

If you're not drinking in the bar, why should they serve you anything and not get a tip? Plus you may be taking the space from someone who would like a drink.

It's information like this that scares off people who don't know better.

[sail7seas]

Yes, Donna. I noticed that post. :shrug:

[m steve]

Tipping the waiter or do they think it's owed to them?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Tipping the waiter or do they think it's owed to them?

 

I truely doubt that these non-drinkers tip for their appetizers.

[wander]

Interesting thoughts.

 

One of the things I really like about cruising is that I can go into one of the bars by myself or with others, and just sit and listen to the music or people watch, without any of us ordering anything, not even a glass of water. I do not know of any bars or nightclubs were I could successfully do that on land in the US without either being invited to leave or receive unfriendly looks or comments from the waitstaff.

 

I feel very comfortable doing such onboard cruise ships, but never would I expect to have them bring me nuts or Hors d'Oeuvres under the circumstances. If offered I would probably accept them, but I would not expect them. Just my thoughts.