Crew Menus

[zaos]

I just came across this link, where they talked about crew menus having Filipino cuisine.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/food/the-bizarre-world-of-cruise-ship-kitchens-102969118169.html

 

Did anyone ever have a peek at these, or better yet, have a picture to share?

 

Must be at least decent/good with all the crew onboard, probably better than most stateside. Wonder how feasible it would be to order off that? :)

[Colo Cruiser]

No menus that I have seen but they will make Indian/Philipino/Thai etc.

There is a staff mess for the officers/entertainers, and a crew mess.

 

Set up buffet style most of the time. Several choices for different ethnic backgrounds.

 

We have had Indian waiters bring us some curried foods.

Edited December 21, 2014 by Colo Cruiser

[AZbeachboy]

Thanks for the ideas and the article. It may be worth an extra tip for some PI food on my next trip.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

I'm not sure how good it is since many of the crew head for the local restaurants if they have any time off in ports.

[LMaxwell]

There is a Filipino restaurant IN the Port of Miami. It is always busy with crew when ships are in. Here is the Facebook page. Open to anyone.

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Seamans-Cafe-Port-of-Miami/424584847556638

[boone2]

It's not that great believe me. Most officers will order room service or try to eat in the buffet or dining room. The poor crew don't get that choice. Most got to get fast food when they get off the ship especially KFC and Burger King.

 

 

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[Loonbeam]

A lot depends on the EC and how much effort and staff they are willing to dedicate to crew meals.

 

Also, crew bringing food to pax is a no-no. Crew food may taste good but is often not prepared to the visual standards the EC would expect of MDR food.

[RickEk]

I just came across this link, where they talked about crew menus having Filipino cuisine.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/food/the-bizarre-world-of-cruise-ship-kitchens-102969118169.html

 

Did anyone ever have a peek at these, or better yet, have a picture to share?

 

Must be at least decent/good with all the crew onboard, probably better than most stateside. Wonder how feasible it would be to order off that? :)

 

Talk to the head waiter and he can have something custom-prepared for you for the next day.

 

We were talking to our bartender in Crooners and she said that they prepare food for most of the ethnicities onboard. Lots of rice dishes for the Filipinos, curry for the Indians, etc. She said that they are fed very well.

[Colo Cruiser]

It's not that great believe me. Most officers will order room service or try to eat in the buffet or dining room. The poor crew don't get that choice. Most got to get fast food when they get off the ship especially KFC and Burger King.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

No room service for the majority.

But these guys yes.....

 

Captain

Staff Capt

General Mgr

CD

 

 

The crew will hit their own ethnic restaurants whenever they can.

Edited December 21, 2014 by Colo Cruiser

[pablo222]

I'm not sure how good it is since many of the crew head for the local restaurants if they have any time off in ports.

 

No matter what it is, or how good it is, it is boring to eat

the same thing for six months.

 

I have heard many stories about what is actually available, and

it often doesn't match the party line. Particularly, if you have

duties, and when you can eat, all that is left is rice.

 

In Ft. Lauderdale, you can often see crew carrying back cases of

Ramen Noodles. I guess if they are carrying it, they prefer it to

what is offered in crew mess.

 

KFC is beloved by many crew.

 

I was at the beach with a few crew and a couple passengers in Aruba.

We all came back in a van, and the crew requested we stop at KFC.

They were buying for themselves, and bring more back to the ship

for their friends.

 

If we had brought back extra, we could have sold it.

Edited December 21, 2014 by pablo222

[CCFC]

Talk to the head waiter and he can have something custom-prepared for you for the next day.

 

We were talking to our bartender in Crooners and she said that they prepare food for most of the ethnicities onboard. Lots of rice dishes for the Filipinos, curry for the Indians, etc. She said that they are fed very well.

 

We were on the Grand last month and being Brits we all were missing a curry, our waiter got the head waiter over and he asked what we wanted. The next evening we had 8 beautiful tikka masalas some medium some hot, poppadum's, fried rice, nan bread and pickles. We even asked for and got some Stilton for afters which wasn't on the cheese board. They all got an extra tip!

[Loonbeam]

And of course, just like passengers, crew tastes will vary. Some will love the onboard chow, some not so much. Unlike pax, special requests are not usually an option.

 

No matter what it is, or how good it is, it is boring to eat

the same thing for six months.

 

I have heard many stories about what is actually available, and

it often doesn't match the party line. Particularly, if you have

duties, and when you can eat, all that is left is rice.

 

In Ft. Lauderdale, you can often see crew carrying back cases of

Ramen Noodles. I guess if they are carrying it, they prefer it to

what is offered in crew mess.

 

KFC is beloved by many crew.

 

I was at the beach with a few crew and a couple passengers in Aruba.

We all came back in a van, and the crew requested we stop at KFC.

They were buying for themselves, and bring more back to the ship

for their friends.

 

If we had brought back extra, we could have sold it.

[cb at sea]

Our good friend worked on a cruiseship for the last 12 years....the crew has their own "mess" hall...the food is geared to the majority of the nationalities aboard. They do NOT eat the same food paying guests do. Sometimes, they do get the "leftovers" from that day's menu.

[boone2]

No room service for the majority.

 

But these guys yes.....

 

 

 

Captain

 

Staff Capt

 

General Mgr

 

CD

 

 

 

 

 

The crew will hit their own ethnic restaurants whenever they can.

 

 

And other officers too not just those mentioned

 

 

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[boone2]

Our good friend worked on a cruiseship for the last 12 years....the crew has their own "mess" hall...the food is geared to the majority of the nationalities aboard. They do NOT eat the same food paying guests do. Sometimes, they do get the "leftovers" from that day's menu.

 

 

Depends on the ship too. I've just gotten home from my last contract and the food in the officers bar was not good at all. Hence the room service and the dining room

 

 

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[Colo Cruiser]

And other officers too not just those mentioned

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Which ones?

[Colo Cruiser]

Depends on the ship too. I've just gotten home from my last contract and the food in the officers bar was not good at all. Hence the room service and the dining room

 

 

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What ship?

[zaos]

Talk to the head waiter and he can have something custom-prepared for you for the next day.

 

We were talking to our bartender in Crooners and she said that they prepare food for most of the ethnicities onboard. Lots of rice dishes for the Filipinos, curry for the Indians, etc. She said that they are fed very well.

 

Thank you and all that have taken the time to respond.

 

I know KFC and such fast food are regarded as premium eateries in South Asia, so it's not surprising that the crew will try to get it any chance they can. Also, as another poster mentioned, it's boring to eat the same thing every day!

 

Might just ask for curry and other foodstuffs. Maybe fried egg, South East Asian style (think kinda like deep fried, crispy outside, but still with flowing yolk).

[boone2]

Thank you and all that have taken the time to respond.

 

 

 

I know KFC and such fast food are regarded as premium eateries in South Asia, so it's not surprising that the crew will try to get it any chance they can. Also, as another poster mentioned, it's boring to eat the same thing every day!

 

 

 

Might just ask for curry and other foodstuffs. Maybe fried egg, South East Asian style (think kinda like deep fried, crispy outside, but still with flowing yolk).

 

 

Most dining rooms will prepare foods that you ask for. On the regal princess we loved their gazpacho and asked them to save some for the next night, they couldn't do that but made us a fresh batch which was even better

 

As for which ship and which line I work for for obvious reasons I prefer not to make that public I do sail princess when I'm not working taking,a busmans holiday. 😄

 

 

 

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[zaos]

Most dining rooms will prepare foods that you ask for. On the regal princess we loved their gazpacho and asked them to save some for the next night, they couldn't do that but made us a fresh batch which was even better

 

As for which ship and which line I work for for obvious reasons I prefer not to make that public I do sail princess when I'm not working taking,a busmans holiday. ��

 

 

 

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Thanks, this is going to be great then. I'll think of one or two items to ask for, hopefully not too much trouble.

 

I imagine if I ask for curry or something more bulk, the leftovers goes to some lucky crewmembers? :)

 

Probably, really OT, but the eggs would be something like this, but browner and crispier. Really high heat required - I estimate oil around 450 F / 230 C required.

Edited December 22, 2014 by zaos

[Thrak]

On Christmas Eve we always have all of the kids and grandkids, etc. over for the day. We don't serve a "traditional" Christmas dinner. We have "munchies". Everything from crackers and cheese, to hot wings (and death hot wings :)), and Filipino Lumpia. I think the kids would rebel if we didn't have the Lumpia.

 

We aren't Filipino and none of the family by marriage is Filipino. However, my mother-in-law used to have a good friend who was Filipino and that friend introduced my wife's family to Lumpia. I don't think I ever had it anywhere other than at my house - I certainly never had it at my mother-in-law's house. My wife remembered the dish and we made it quite a few years ago and have made it ever since. It's a family favorite.

 

Food is such a great way to dabble in other cultures. Some people say they dislike Mexicans or Chinese or some other people but what a sad world it would be without Mexican food or Chinese food or... Filipino food. :)

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

No matter what it is, or how good it is, it is boring to eat

the same thing for six months.

 

I have heard many stories about what is actually available, and

it often doesn't match the party line. Particularly, if you have

duties, and when you can eat, all that is left is rice.

 

In Ft. Lauderdale, you can often see crew carrying back cases of

Ramen Noodles. I guess if they are carrying it, they prefer it to

what is offered in crew mess.

 

KFC is beloved by many crew.

 

I was at the beach with a few crew and a couple passengers in Aruba.

We all came back in a van, and the crew requested we stop at KFC.

They were buying for themselves, and bring more back to the ship

for their friends.

 

If we had brought back extra, we could have sold it.

 

I often wonder just how inadequate the crew food must be that they find eating off the ship so great.

[AZbeachboy]

On Christmas Eve we always have all of the kids and grandkids, etc. over for the day. We don't serve a "traditional" Christmas dinner. We have "munchies". Everything from crackers and cheese, to hot wings (and death hot wings :)), and Filipino Lumpia. I think the kids would rebel if we didn't have the Lumpia.

 

We aren't Filipino and none of the family by marriage is Filipino. However, my mother-in-law used to have a good friend who was Filipino and that friend introduced my wife's family to Lumpia. I don't think I ever had it anywhere other than at my house - I certainly never had it at my mother-in-law's house. My wife remembered the dish and we made it quite a few years ago and have made it ever since. It's a family favorite.

 

Food is such a great way to dabble in other cultures. Some people say they dislike Mexicans or Chinese or some other people but what a sad world it would be without Mexican food or Chinese food or... Filipino food. :)

 

I was stationed in the PI and loved the food. Best Fried rice chocked full of different stuff was the best. Lumpia is the best. We have had Filipino friends almost every where we have lived. In St Louis one couple owned a reasturant and would invite us for dinner. It was one of the treats living there.

 

I have noticed a trend over time the the MDR serves more standard Italian or European food. Food from other continents tend to come from mass containers in the buffet. It would be nice if a couple of cruise nights would include dishes from other areas of the world. Maybe is is just harder to make it look good?

[zaos]

Maybe is is just harder to make it look good?

 

Quite honestly, I really don't care, as long as it's delicious.

[floridarob]

No room service for the majority.

But these guys yes.....

 

Captain

Staff Capt

General Mgr

CD

 

 

The crew will hit their own ethnic restaurants whenever they can.

 

I think you are pretty much on the money.... generally 3 stripes (& equivalent) and above can do what they want.

 

There are 3 crew dining areas on the grand class ships.

 

Officers & officer equivalent = has Waiters and the same menu as pax and a small buffet in case you are in a rush, minus Lobster on lobster night

 

Staff= Buffet (better than crew mess but can also go to pax buffet, pizzeria and hamburgers when not overly crowded) only and serve yourself staff would be photo, spa, casino, , boutiques

 

Crew mess= everyone else... like someone said , depends on time of day and chef.... lots of people get screwed here because mostly rice :-/

 

Also most crew, some need previous permission can goto specialty dining depending on service loads but pay the cover fee.

 

Every ship has standing orders from the Captain that will outline which places even officers (under 3 stripes) can go to ....

 

Some HGM's have rules as well, such as no pax elevator use

 

I'm sure I've forgotten something, lol