Arvia K308 - All aboard

[Britboys]

35 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

I've checked my phone from January and this is the current menu:

 

 

 

 

 

I'll probably plump for the salmon duo (again), and the Dover sole.  I'll toss a coin for dessert; I'd have any of them 😋

I could eat the majority of that menu - not that there's an Epicurean on either of the ships I sail on... 😄

[Selbourne]

56 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Unfortunately you don't know which menu you get when you pre book in Epicurean prior to the cruise. Would be a lot easier if they told you which menu was available on which date.

I agree. We like to go to Epicurean for both Menu A and Menu B. In the past we have unknowingly pre-booked for two days when it’s the same menu and we couldn’t swap days when on board as the restaurant was fully booked. 

[jrphotog]

On 4/16/2023 at 11:58 PM, tring said:

 

That is nifty, does that mean you can access the onboard app, which you can use to book excursions using OBC?  That is number one on our list for once we are on the ship, but we will not have priority embarkation for our next cruise so would be good to book them in the terminal.

We’re on Arvia in August. Slightly concerned that the kids club places will quickly book up, so might try that little trick before we board 🙂

[TigerB]

14 hours ago, majortom10 said:

You could have large plates or trip of dishes in Glass House on Iona in March.

 

We're on Iona in June, so will look out for that; thanks.👍

[TigerB]

13 hours ago, Selbourne said:

I agree. We like to go to Epicurean for both Menu A and Menu B. In the past we have unknowingly pre-booked for two days when it’s the same menu and we couldn’t swap days when on board as the restaurant was fully booked. 

We also like to plan on one booking each week.

[TigerB]

7 hours ago, jrphotog said:

We’re on Arvia in August. Slightly concerned that the kids club places will quickly book up, so might try that little trick before we board 🙂

I'm not sure how many kids are on board; not that many, but more than we're on at the beginning of January. Most of them are primary school age or toddlers and babies 

[Technoman2]

1 hour ago, TigerB said:

I'm not sure how many kids are on board; not that many, but more than we're on at the beginning of January. Most of them are primary school age or toddlers and babies 

Tiger, its probably cheaper taking them on the cruise rather than booking a Tui holiday at the moment as the prices are ridiculous. We were on Azura out of Malta last July and it was very busy with kids. I wont book school holiday dates again.

[TigerB]

59 minutes ago, Technoman2 said:

Tiger, its probably cheaper taking them on the cruise rather than booking a Tui holiday at the moment as the prices are ridiculous. We were on Azura out of Malta last July and it was very busy with kids. I wont book school holiday dates again.

 

Yes, Indeed! When our kids were little they didn't have fines, but if they were young now, we wouldn't definitely take the hit.

[TigerB]

Greetings from a beautifully sunny Barcelona. We've not long got back to the ship and are sat in the sun, enjoying an alcoholic beverage 🍻

 

Of all the ports he have been to on this trip for which shuttles were required, it has been easiest here for wheelchair users. The dedicated minibuses can accommodate either four chairs and sixteen seated passengers, or six chairs and twelve seated passengers. We were straight on one this morning, and waited no more than five minutes on our return.

In Marseille yesterday the dedicated minibuses accommodated two chairs and four seated passengers. They also had regular buses, which could accommodate one chair each. 

In Valencia it was a nightmare getting back; we waited thirty-five minutes in the blistering sun, and in that time three coaches arrived and left with a full compliment of passengers, but the wheelchair lift at the back on each of them was not used. Perhaps the drivers weren't trained to use them, but not good. The one we eventually boarded was a full size bus that could accommodate six or seven chairs.

 

We're looking forward to Cadiz, where we don't have to endure the shuttle shenanigans.

 

On board, we've eaten just once in the MDR of an evening, when we turned up just before 6pm and we're seated immediately, albeit in the 'naughty corner'. 

We still have breakfast in Zenith each morning apart from one, served by the same two guys we had in January. On one morning only we decided to have breakfast in the Meridian; more than anything just to see if, without tablecloths, it was like 🥄🥄🥄 😉  It felt rushed, and they were trying to put everything on the table at once, including a pot of Marmite (straight from the fridge) with a spoon in it; "Upstairs she gets it in a ramekin, lad". 🤣  We were glad to get back to Jed and Ador, who let us go at our own pace and anticipate our needs.

 

So far, we've not bothered with the shows apart from Pulse in the Club House. Almost all the Headliners shows are the same as January, and a comic from that cruise has just boarded today. I may go and see his adult show to see if he has new material.

 

[Selbourne]

38 minutes ago, TigerB said:

Greetings from a beautifully sunny Barcelona. We've not long got back to the ship and are sat in the sun, enjoying an alcoholic beverage 🍻

 

Of all the ports he have been to on this trip for which shuttles were required, it has been easiest here for wheelchair users. The dedicated minibuses can accommodate either four chairs and sixteen seated passengers, or six chairs and twelve seated passengers. We were straight on one this morning, and waited no more than five minutes on our return.

In Marseille yesterday the dedicated minibuses accommodated two chairs and four seated passengers. They also had regular buses, which could accommodate one chair each. 

In Valencia it was a nightmare getting back; we waited thirty-five minutes in the blistering sun, and in that time three coaches arrived and left with a full compliment of passengers, but the wheelchair lift at the back on each of them was not used. Perhaps the drivers weren't trained to use them, but not good. The one we eventually boarded was a full size bus that could accommodate six or seven chairs.

 

We're looking forward to Cadiz, where we don't have to endure the shuttle shenanigans.

 

On board, we've eaten just once in the MDR of an evening, when we turned up just before 6pm and we're seated immediately, albeit in the 'naughty corner'. 

We still have breakfast in Zenith each morning apart from one, served by the same two guys we had in January. On one morning only we decided to have breakfast in the Meridian; more than anything just to see if, without tablecloths, it was like 🥄🥄🥄 😉  It felt rushed, and they were trying to put everything on the table at once, including a pot of Marmite (straight from the fridge) with a spoon in it; "Upstairs she gets it in a ramekin, lad". 🤣  We were glad to get back to Jed and Ador, who let us go at our own pace and anticipate our needs.

 

So far, we've not bothered with the shows apart from Pulse in the Club House. Almost all the Headliners shows are the same as January, and a comic from that cruise has just boarded today. I may go and see his adult show to see if he has new material.

 

We have also found that shuttles are variable for wheelchair users. Sometimes it’s a breeze, especially if normal buses with fold down ramps are used, other times it’s a nightmare having to wait for an adapted minibus which can only take a few people at a time and takes an eternity to load and unload. Like you, our favourite ports are those that require no shuttles!

[TigerB]

We ate in Keel & Cow last night, for the first time. It was nice enough and the service was good, but not sure if we will try it again until the menu receives an overhaul with the veggie and pescatarian options.

 

Our lass had this, and didn't need anything else. To be fair, it's the first time in years I've seen her finish a whole burger, bread and all; but she had been drinking alcohol.

 

 

Right, where do I start?

I didn't bother with a starter as I thought this may be a filling dish.🤔 Schoolboy error!

When a menu says 'chunky chips' it's fair to think that they would be the freshly cut and cooked fat little buggers like you get in Epicurean; especially when your waiter tells you everything is cooked to order. I wouldn't expect them to be the same frozen ones you get in the Quays and the MDR.

Why do so-called gastro pubs and some 4⭐ hotels insist on serving smashed/crushed garden peas as a substitute for mushy peas. Do they think it makes the dish any more desirable; or is it so that can charge more. So, restauranteurs, stop doing it; it's not big and it's not clever!  I'm from Yorkshire, give me mushy peas every time.

Rant over! 😉

 

This was lush!😋

 

 

 

 

[Britboys]

8 minutes ago, TigerB said:

We ate in Keel & Cow last night, for the first time. It was nice enough and the service was good, but not sure if we will try it again until the menu receives an overhaul with the veggie and pescatarian options.

 

Our lass had this, and didn't need anything else. To be fair, it's the first time in years I've seen her finish a whole burger, bread and all; but she had been drinking alcohol.

 

 

Right, where do I start?

I didn't bother with a starter as I thought this may be a filling dish.🤔 Schoolboy error!

When a menu says 'chunky chips' it's fair to think that they would be the freshly cut and cooked fat little buggers like you get in Epicurean; especially when your waiter tells you everything is cooked to order. I wouldn't expect them to be the same frozen ones you get in the Quays and the MDR.

Why do so-called gastro pubs and some 4⭐ hotels insist on serving smashed/crushed garden peas as a substitute for mushy peas. Do they think it makes the dish any more desirable; or is it so that can charge more. So, restauranteurs, stop doing it; it's not big and it's not clever!  I'm from Yorkshire, give me mushy peas every time.

Rant over! 😉

 

 

This was lush!😋

 

 

 

 

Each to their own but I certainly wouldn't want to pay extra for any of that...

[Selbourne]

20 minutes ago, TigerB said:

We ate in Keel & Cow last night, for the first time. It was nice enough and the service was good, but not sure if we will try it again until the menu receives an overhaul with the veggie and pescatarian options.

 

Our lass had this, and didn't need anything else. To be fair, it's the first time in years I've seen her finish a whole burger, bread and all; but she had been drinking alcohol.

 

 

Right, where do I start?

I didn't bother with a starter as I thought this may be a filling dish.🤔 Schoolboy error!

When a menu says 'chunky chips' it's fair to think that they would be the freshly cut and cooked fat little buggers like you get in Epicurean; especially when your waiter tells you everything is cooked to order. I wouldn't expect them to be the same frozen ones you get in the Quays and the MDR.

Why do so-called gastro pubs and some 4⭐ hotels insist on serving smashed/crushed garden peas as a substitute for mushy peas. Do they think it makes the dish any more desirable; or is it so that can charge more. So, restauranteurs, stop doing it; it's not big and it's not clever!  I'm from Yorkshire, give me mushy peas every time.

Rant over! 😉

 

 

This was lush!😋

 

 

 

 

I’m going to have to attempt that burger one lunchtime when we are on Iona and that dessert looks fabulous 😋 

[lincslady]

Looks tasty apart from the rather mean looking scampi and chips - it is nice to be given a choice of smashed or mushy peas; I hate mushy peas and lots of others do too.  But it should  be a choice.

[majortom10]

We went to Keel & Cow on Iona in March and had the T+ Bone steak and it was excellent.

[happy v]

38 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

I’m going to have to attempt that burger one lunchtime when we are on Iona and that dessert looks fabulous 😋 

I had one. It's the first burger I have had. Apart from butchers ones we put on the barbeque

It was delicious. We went at lunch time too as I thought it was day time food. When we read the menu I found out they have a salt cabinet for the steaks. I have never had salt cabinet beef so we had to go again.

[TigerB]

4 hours ago, Britboys said:

Each to their own but I certainly wouldn't want to pay extra for any of that...

 

Well, having eaten there once and paying £20.25 for a total of three dishes (with my main being a fairly meagre portion), and paying just shy of £23 each for a more substantial and better presented meal in Epicurean, I know which gets my vote👍

[TigerB]

Tonight's restaurant of choice was Beach House. A very nice and relaxed meal it was too. There was a 10% tax imposed though, courtesy of the Spanish. Muchas gracias chicos!🙄

 

 

 

 

And plated up...

 

 

 

 

[Selbourne]

1 minute ago, TigerB said:

Tonight's restaurant of choice was Beach House. A very nice and relaxed meal it was too. There was a 10% tax imposed though, courtesy of the Spanish. Muchas gracias chicos!🙄

 

 

 

 

And plated up...

 

 

 

 

Those nachos don’t look as good as the ones we had at lunchtime today in our local Marco Pierre White’s New York Italian restaurant 😉 Glad you enjoyed it as most recent reviews have suggested that Beach Houses aren’t as good as they were. I’m 50/50 about going there in August on Iona as we only have 7 nights and we want to do Epicurean twice, Limelight Club (act permitting), Sindhu and the MDR on celebration night (Chefs Table doesn’t appeal). My wife and I like the sound of the Norwegian tasting menu in Epicurean but our daughters aren’t as keen, so we might suggest they do the Beach House whilst we are doing that as eldest daughter loves a nice steak! 

[TigerB]

1 hour ago, Selbourne said:

Those nachos don’t look as good as the ones we had at lunchtime today in our local Marco Pierre White’s New York Italian restaurant 😉 Glad you enjoyed it as most recent reviews have suggested that Beach Houses aren’t as good as they were. I’m 50/50 about going there in August on Iona as we only have 7 nights and we want to do Epicurean twice, Limelight Club (act permitting), Sindhu and the MDR on celebration night (Chefs Table doesn’t appeal). My wife and I like the sound of the Norwegian tasting menu in Epicurean but our daughters aren’t as keen, so we might suggest they do the Beach House whilst we are doing that as eldest daughter loves a nice steak! 

 

I've got to say, the nachos were pretty box standard and (without blowing my own trumpet - but I am) not a patch on the ones I make, with my super cheesy nacho sauce, homemade guacamole, and sweetcorn salsa.

Twice in one cruise is about my limit, I reckon. Our lass said the steak and, even with the supplement, where would you get anything like that for that price in a restaurant back home.

 

You've just reminded me about the Norwegian tasting menu on the Fjord cruise; we're booked on one for June and only intended to eat at Epicurean once, not expecting that the menu will change. I'll look into the tasting menu.

[Selbourne]

13 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

I've got to say, the nachos were pretty box standard and (without blowing my own trumpet - but I am) not a patch on the ones I make, with my super cheesy nacho sauce, homemade guacamole, and sweetcorn salsa.

Twice in one cruise is about my limit, I reckon. Our lass said the steak and, even with the supplement, where would you get anything like that for that price in a restaurant back home.

 

You've just reminded me about the Norwegian tasting menu on the Fjord cruise; we're booked on one for June and only intended to eat at Epicurean once, not expecting that the menu will change. I'll look into the tasting menu.

I eat steak very rarely, but the ones in the Beach House (on lava stone) are usually fabulous. 

[happy v]

34 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

I eat steak very rarely, but the ones in the Beach House (on lava stone) are usually fabulous. 

I was going to ask you to try and persuade your daughter to have the salt block steak. I only found out about the night before we left so didn't have time to try it 😕!!!

Edited April 24, 2023 by happy v

[Selbourne]

17 minutes ago, happy v said:

I was going to ask you to try and persuade your daughter to have the salt block steak. I only found out about the night before we left so didn't have time to try it 😕!!!

Will do! Am I right that’s in Keel & Cow and not the Beach House? Was thinking of going there for lunch rather dinner, probably on a port day when the ship is quieter (given that it’s in the atrium). Might be too much for lunch!

[happy v]

12 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Will do! Am I right that’s in Keel & Cow and not the Beach House? Was thinking of going there for lunch rather dinner, probably on a port day when the ship is quieter (given that it’s in the atrium). Might be too much for lunch!

No. The salt cabinet is in Keel and Cow. (Steak very good here too). The salt block was new in the Beach House. They look like the lava blocks. I'd had steak a few nights so wanted something different. I would love to hear from someone who has tried it though 

 

[zap99]

11 minutes ago, happy v said:

No. The salt cabinet is in Keel and Cow. (Steak very good here too). The salt block was new in the Beach House. They look like the lava blocks. I'd had steak a few nights so wanted something different. I would love to hear from someone who has tried it though 

 

I'm not an expert but the lava rock is a very hot block of rock that you cook your steak on. You can cook it to your liking and each slice is hot. I thought the salt block was a block of salt lining the curing chamber. The salt sucks the moisture out to enhance the flavour. I may be wrong, but....🤔