Land & Sea - LIVE (nearly) from Amsterdam and ms Rotterdam 15 day Atlantic Sojourn - October 7th, 2023

[kazu]

9 minutes ago, 0106 said:

Oyster crackers go in soup or chowder.  Although they taste a bit like saltines, I wouldn’t eat them with cheese.

 

Thanks Tina. They were at the cheese station - not the soup one.  Weird.

[kazu]

10 minutes ago, 0106 said:

Oyster crackers go in soup or chowder.  Although they taste a bit like saltines, I wouldn’t eat them with cheese.

 

Thanks Tina. They were at the cheese station - not the soup one.  Weird.

[1of4]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

Up in the Lido, I saw CRACKERS.  WTH?  They got rid of the decent ones because they were packaged.

 

 

These sure look packaged to me.

 

 

They are tiny, tiny crackers.  I haven’t tried them yet.

These are the tiny crackers we floated in our soup as a child. But they stopped selling them in Canada decades ago…or at least in Quebec and Ontario. I bought a box in Buffalo, NY years ago when my two were little. As someone said, they are not crackers for eating with cheese as they are pillow shaped and hollow in the middle. 
 

I see you have replied twice. Sorry I hadn’t seen the prior post regarding oyster crackers. 

Edited October 16, 2023 by 1of4
Removing photos

[ottahand7]

Jacqui, thanks for the photos and comments on the PG dinner.   I saw that you had caviar and it is a favorite of mine.    Do you recall seeing the origin of the caviar.    I complained to HA in February for serving Russian caviar in the Pinnacle and all the while they were staging On Deck for a Cause for the Ukrainians.    We ate it but it sure took a lot of joy out of it.   

[ger_77]

I've been enjoying sailing along with you from the "frozen tundra".  Congrats on your Bingo win - good luck for more before you finally dock.  It's interesting to see that my favourite Cosmopolitan and Lemon Drop Martini are now just over the limit for the Signature Beverage Package.  They're clever, or at least they think they are.

 

Re: your Pinnacle experience - did you comment on it using the Navigator app?  I certainly would have done so.  What a disappointment the lobster must have been for you.  And the lack of service for an upscale experience is appalling.

 

[Iamthesea]

"How many books can you read at one time?"

If they are being read upside down, it is going to take triple the time.  😁

 

"they stopped selling them in Canada decades ago…or at least in Quebec and Ontario."

Oyster Cracker are on every grocery shelf, and also at Dollar Tree, here in the U.S.  At least in the south.  Good in soups, and also as a doctored savory snack.  I like dill on mine.  Some people like them made like party mix.

[0106]

Here is a recipe for a delicious ranch oyster cracker snack ( it contains dill).

[ellbelle]

44 minutes ago, 0106 said:

Here is a recipe for a delicious ranch oyster cracker snack ( it contains dill).

This recipe is also good using Premium Minis! I make them every year for my neighbor who takes them to her winter home. They’re a big hit there and she rations them to something like 3 crackers per person during their Happy Hour so they last all winter. 🤣

Edited October 16, 2023 by ellbelle

[SusieKIslandGirl]

1 hour ago, ellbelle said:

This recipe is also good using Premium Minis! I make them every year for my neighbor who takes them to her winter home. They’re a big hit there and she rations them to something like 3 crackers per person during their Happy Hour so they last all winter. 🤣

Also very similar to the seasoned pretzels I make but with Orville Redenbacher popcorn oil and no baking. They just mellow for several days in a sealed bag-if we can wait that long.

[Iamthesea]

2 hours ago, 0106 said:

Here is a recipe for a delicious ranch oyster cracker snack ( it contains dill).

That's one of the recipes that I use, also.  A couple of Christmases' ago, I used a mixture containing Siracha Sauce and they were spicy, plus pretty!

18 minutes ago, SusieKIslandGirl said:

Also very similar to the seasoned pretzels I make but with Orville Redenbacher popcorn oil and no baking. They just mellow for several days in a sealed bag-if we can wait that long.

I've made those, Susie. 😉

[Haljo1935]

Who knew humble little oyster crackers could ignite such conversation! I love 'em straight out of the bag by the handful, the way some people eat 🍿 🍿. I like to smusch them til they pop, lol.

They're the only crackers I use in chicken noodle soup and chili. As much as I like them, DH cannot stand them.🙄

Wonder if there's a National Oyster Cracker Day?

[Rubyfisch]

@kazu - when I read your posts about the Banks from the start of the thread, I thought "man, if I'm ever in Amsterdam, I want to stay there" and went on without much of a thought. Then, somewhat unexpectedly, I found out I had to take a last minute business trip to the Netherlands. No one on my team seemed happy with what the travel agent suggested, so I suggested the Banks. So, low and behold, I'm headed to Amsterdam next week and we are staying at the Banks. And I'm staying over the weekend to get some sightseeing in. I certainly didn't expect this thread to be immediately relevant to my life (and certainly not my work life), but here we are.

 

I'm really enjoying your posts - I hope the rest of your journey is just terrific.

[kazu]

6 hours ago, Rubyfisch said:

@kazu - when I read your posts about the Banks from the start of the thread, I thought "man, if I'm ever in Amsterdam, I want to stay there" and went on without much of a thought. Then, somewhat unexpectedly, I found out I had to take a last minute business trip to the Netherlands. No one on my team seemed happy with what the travel agent suggested, so I suggested the Banks. So, low and behold, I'm headed to Amsterdam next week and we are staying at the Banks. And I'm staying over the weekend to get some sightseeing in. I certainly didn't expect this thread to be immediately relevant to my life (and certainly not my work life), but here we are.

 

I'm really enjoying your posts - I hope the rest of your journey is just terrific.

 

I hope you enjoy it.  I’ve recommended it since the first time Jose and I stayed there and so far, everyone has been pleased 🤞 

[kazu]

13 hours ago, ger_77 said:

I've been enjoying sailing along with you from the "frozen tundra".  Congrats on your Bingo win - good luck for more before you finally dock.  It's interesting to see that my favourite Cosmopolitan and Lemon Drop Martini are now just over the limit for the Signature Beverage Package.  They're clever, or at least they think they are.

 

Re: your Pinnacle experience - did you comment on it using the Navigator app?  I certainly would have done so.  What a disappointment the lobster must have been for you.  And the lack of service for an upscale experience is appalling.

 

 

I am doing a LUK on Navigator.  I’m still in “catchup” mode.  After the cabin crawl and Mariner’s reception today I will have more time 😉 

[obriendan]

I’ve so enjoyed lurking on this thread, Jacqui. All the good pictures, food porn etc., and comments.  Congratulations on the fine turnout for your M&G. I’ve organized quite a few myself and I know how much work it can be but only a few times were there over 100 in attendance.  Looking at my records I note that I organized the M&G for Oct 2009 Oosterdam Venice to FLL cruise when you and Jose sailed with us.

 

I won’t be on CC for the next day or so. We are on our way from IAH to FRA to ATH to board the Oosterdam in Athens for the Oct 20th Athens to FLL cruise, the same cruise you are taking in 2024 on the same date.

 

Smooth sailing!
 

Dan

[Caribbean Chris]

I’m so sorry the Pinnacle Grill was disappointing. We also had a less than stellar experience on Zaandam in September. We arrived on time but ended up waiting outside for a half hour past our reservation time, which has never happened before. Service was perfunctory, and food was literally forgettable. 
 

Perhaps they aren’t coping well with all the Have it All people, including us, who would not go there if it were not included in the HIA package. 

[kazu]

16 hours ago, ottahand7 said:

Jacqui, thanks for the photos and comments on the PG dinner.   I saw that you had caviar and it is a favorite of mine.    Do you recall seeing the origin of the caviar.    I complained to HA in February for serving Russian caviar in the Pinnacle and all the while they were staging On Deck for a Cause for the Ukrainians.    We ate it but it sure took a lot of joy out of it.   

 

I’m sorry.  I really didn’t notice.

I expanded my photo and can’t see where it’s from.

[kazu]

29 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

I’m so sorry the Pinnacle Grill was disappointing. We also had a less than stellar experience on Zaandam in September. We arrived on time but ended up waiting outside for a half hour past our reservation time, which has never happened before. Service was perfunctory, and food was literally forgettable. 
 

Perhaps they aren’t coping well with all the Have it All people, including us, who would not go there if it were not included in the HIA package. 

 

I don’t think the HIA should be affecting things since the Tamarind, Canaletto and Sel de Mer have all been excellent.   Tamarind is on the HIA for this cruise.

[kazu]

Here is today’s program:

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

The Mariner’s lunch for 4 and 5* is today.

 

 

 

It’s going to make for a busy day with the cabin crawl this afternoon LOL but I will survive 😂 

 

the menu looks quite decent:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[pmjnh]

Thank you, Jacqui for taking us along and sharing your adventure. I cant wait for the same adventure in 2024 that you are on now. Safe travels and enjoy the rest of your journey!

 

We are heading to Athens tomorrow for the Oosterdam Med/TA . Our first TA!

Joan

[kazu]

Since I already posted our lunch menu, here is the dinner menu in the MDR:

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

4 minutes ago, pmjnh said:

Thank you, Jacqui for taking us along and sharing your adventure. I cant wait for the same adventure in 2024 that you are on now. Safe travels and enjoy the rest of your journey!

 

We are heading to Athens tomorrow for the Oosterdam Med/TA . Our first TA!

Joan

have a great cruise, Joan 🙂 

[kazu]

1 hour ago, obriendan said:

I’ve so enjoyed lurking on this thread, Jacqui. All the good pictures, food porn etc., and comments.  Congratulations on the fine turnout for your M&G. I’ve organized quite a few myself and I know how much work it can be but only a few times were there over 100 in attendance.  Looking at my records I note that I organized the M&G for Oct 2009 Oosterdam Venice to FLL cruise when you and Jose sailed with us.

 

I won’t be on CC for the next day or so. We are on our way from IAH to FRA to ATH to board the Oosterdam in Athens for the Oct 20th Athens to FLL cruise, the same cruise you are taking in 2024 on the same date.

 

Smooth sailing!
 

Dan

 

Have a great cruise Dan 🙂 

 

Hard to believe that that Meet and Greet was so many years ago.  😳 

[ottahand7]

@kazu  Jacqui thanks for sharing the photo of the caviar lid.   At least id doesn't have a Russe in big letters.   I will check on origin next time before I order.   Enjoy your cruise.