Texas Tillie

No, last report I saw here was maybe November. 

Patty

Is this new? Just while they are in France or other European countries too?

Patty

13 hours ago, BWIVince said:

I’ve only had that technique done with shrimp once, but I’ve seen it done on Top Chef and other food shows before, and this reaction seems almost universal since it’s supposed to be pretty rare.  (…which isn’t my thing either, I’m with you.)

 

I think in North American culture especially, we’re not just used to fully cooked shrimp almost exclusively, we’re almost used to overcooked shrimp as the norm.  One bite of a “rare” shrimp, and alarm bells go off and more people than not with our background find it off putting.  I can remember on Top Chef once, Gail’s comment on a similar technique (though not with risotto) was something along the lines of the shrimp coming out “straight up squeaky.”  🫤.  
 

Hopefully that dish goes next, if it hasn’t already.  🤞 
 

Vince

Thanks for your input, Vince. A risotto needs to remain, just not one with translucent, gray crustations on top!!

Patty

P.S. I grew up on the Gulf coast knowing the difference between shrimp cooked just right and ones that taste like rubber bands! That's the problem with the ones on the buffet at Marketplace that have been both over cooked and frozen!!

1 hour ago, BWIVince said:

 
 

This feels like one of those cases, and from the menus I’ve seen it definitely feels like a modernist take on Italian cuisine.  The cooking of raw shrimp with the residual heat of another plated element is definitely a modernist technique, for example.

 

 

 

Vince

And I would have no problem if another plated element had enought residual heat to actually cook the raw shrimp, but the time I ordered it, it didn't!! 😮

Patty

5 minutes ago, May B said:

 

 

We like our seafood very gently cooked. Were the shrimp in the risotto actually translucent? Those would perhaps be too raw for me, too. But overcooked would be just as bad.

They were still translucent and gray, not a hint of pink. I was told the raw shrimp are placed on top of the risotto after it is cooked and the heat from the risotto "cooks" the shrimp. Wrong!!🙄

Patty

Reminds me of my experience at Osteria in January where a risotto dish was served with shrimp that was 80% still raw. I was told that was the way it was supposed to be. I made a pile of raw shrimp on the side of the plate and ate the risotto. I eat some raw seafood at Umi Uma, but not shrimp!!😏

Patty 

8 hours ago, WNcruiser said:

I am hoping someone will respond to your question but would you mind expanding a little on your last two Silversea cruises? 
 

I have 30+ nights booked on a back to back next year and it’s my first time trying Silversea. Usually sail Regent, Oceania (I feel the same about them as you do Silversea), Seabourn and Viking. 
 

After so many mixed reviews I am seriously considering not trying them. Thank you 

I'll have to disagree with Stickman (😮) as to the food on Silversea. I was on the Muse about 18 months ago and on the new Nova 2 weeks ago. The food I experienced was in no way on par with Crystal, especially the new Crystal that has upped their food game from the old Crystal. In general service is not at Crystal's level, although that varies by crew member, and that seems to be if they are new (and there are many of those) and those just aren't well trained. Entertainment and enrichment isn't close to what you get on Crystal. The Nova is lovely, however.

Patty

18 hours ago, tinaincc said:

Free laundry and possibly 5-10% discounts are a game changer for us. We were loyal to RC and Celebrity when our kids were young and now we sail on Viking, Crystal and Sea Dream. Our first SSea voyage is in two weeks and we had convinced ourselves this would be a one and done but with these improvements we may book another trip while onboard.

 

We are carry on only travelers, especially when launderettes are available-now that I don’t have to do laundry I am giddy!

Just don't expect Crystal quality food on Silversea.

2 hours ago, BBGrace273 said:

2 quick questions, everyone. I am looking to get a lanyard for my father for our cruise. Silversea DOES use keycards for the room locks, yes? Secondly, we are looking to ship our bags in advance using one of the companies like Luggage Forward. Do they usually deliver to the ship, or to us at the pier... or does it depend on which company you use, or which embarkation pier you are at?  And with that, I heard that Silversea DOESN'T give luggage tags in advance (anymore?) so how do we mark our bags? Just on our own? Is it still prudent to buy one of those larger clear plastic cruise luggage tags to mark our ship name and room number in case it is raining when we embark?  Thanks!

Just off the Silver Nova and unlike mass market lines, I didn't see one lanyard on Silversea. Not saying you can't wear one, just saying it's not common.

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Really not a lot of great hotel options there.

Wondering what you would consider a great hotel option as Galveston is a tourist area and there's a little of everything. 

34 minutes ago, ryndam said:

And the reverse is true when the ships sail in warmer climates. Corridors and stairways receive an abundance of unconditioned, hot and humid outside air until all shell openings are closed and the ship is again underway.

 

Rob

So true. I have a travel clock with temperature so I know the actual temperatre and even cranking the thermostat in the room down as low as it will go, it's rather warm in the cabin.😮

Patty

21 minutes ago, moto_italia said:

I find poor parenting most commonly leads to undesirable behavior by children. And frequently, I find those lacking adulting skills also exhibit less than stellar personal behavior. So, perhaps Crystal could just adopt a marketing campaign "Crystal Cruises are not for everyone - adulting and/or parenting skills are required!" 😉

Of course, the worst offenders never see that it applies to them! 😮😁😏

Just noticed on Reflections that the Bistro is open again from 8:30 to 10:30 PM. Has this been going on for recent segments of the World Cruise and does anyone know if they plan to continue it after the World Cruise?

Patty

On 5/21/2024 at 2:55 AM, TakingFlight said:

Was Pommery ever available on Nova? On our March cruise only Monopole Blue Top was provided. Not my favorite. 

Pommery currently available on Nova if you ask nicely!

It’s called cost cutting. Now that Royal Caribbean is in charge, it will be happening more and more. 

When push comes to shove, and you may be lucky and never have any difficulty, but if the worst happens, do you want to be dealing with someone whose loyalty is to you or someone whose loyalty is to their employer?

28 minutes ago, Woodrowst said:

Has anyone heard how many ships Crystal plans to build?  I may have missed it, but that info did not appear in any of the articles.

 

Thanks!
 

David

I read it "somewhere" - 2 ocean ships and 2 expedition ships.

Patty

1 hour ago, KenzSailing said:

 

That's their marketing image.  The reality, from everything I've researched,

is a lot of folks in their mid 40s to mid 50s, and older.  Take a look at their prices and that cuts into the (really)younger demo.

 

You know, kind like the photos of the "pax" in any lux cruise line's brochures. 

With 2770 passengers, I'd say Virgin wouldn't be an option for the Crystal demographic, for sure not THIS Crystal demographic. 🤪Patty

1 hour ago, KenzSailing said:

 

Virgin.

Isn't that a line aimed at a much younger, party crowd, very different from the usual Crystal demographic?

Patty

1 hour ago, ivyleaguegent said:

If there is a white party is it listed in the itinerary like "casual" and "black tie optional" is listed?

There's always a white party but you won't know until you board which night, except it will be on a casual night . Only a portion of the guests actually participate in wearing white,

4 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

 

Of course it is also related to the price. Maybe if I didn’t pay just $400 per night, I would see things differently..

Bingo!! What is the average per diem for a Silversea cruise these days? It's a lot more than $400/person, I'd guess. At what point should you expect "more" than what is currently being offered?

I have been on Crystal cruises with 0 to 100 "children". The 100 was a 7 day, Thanksgiving week, round trip Los Angeles, and the majority of the 100 were 10 - 17 and this was 16 years ago. And I had no issues with the children on that cruise or any others. With the reduced capacity on the ships and the increased fares, I certainly don't see that happening again. For anyone having a problem, I think the answer is any line that doesn't allow children. Other than Viking, are there any?

Patty

Have a friend who lives south of Atlanta and she says they are deafening.

17 minutes ago, Observer said:

 

Is this fact or speculation?  It seems plausible that she might have moved to Crystal (If there was no noncompete arrangement), but I was not aware that such a move had taken place.

Nothing about Ms. Muckermann on Crystal, at least, not yet. 😏

12 hours ago, Lesley Nager said:

We are taking it from Seward to Anchorage. There will s no rush for us to get to the airport because our flight isn’t until almost Midnight. I just expected a premium experience like the Goldstar regular train. Especially since we paid extra to take it vs the bus. I do get car sick so probably better experience for me. 

I've not been on that potion of the railroad in Alaska, have just been between Talkeetna and Denali, but I'd think you might get more "car sick" on the train as it rocks a lot. Also, I was assigned to a bench that faces the back of the train, which makes it worse.