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CGTNORMANDIE

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    Favorite grilled cheese

    in Cruise Foodies

    Posted

    3 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

    American is not even cheese -- it's cheese product; that's why they're sold as "Kraft Singles".  They contain more vegetable oil than dairy and legally cannot be called cheese.  I don't allow that stuff in my house.  

     

    Having said that, the best grilled cheese sandwich includes: 

    - A hearty, seedy bread with a good mouthfeel 

    - Two types of cheese, preferably one of them Gouda 

    - A bit of Italian seasoning sprinkled over the bread 

    - A golden brown outside and still-warm, gooey, melt-y interior 

     

    Also delicious:  Grilled pimento cheese with thinly sliced tomato 

     

    One more thought:  If we're going with Swiss (an excellent choice), I'd rather have Baby Swiss.  

     

     

     

    Baby Swiss is the best!

    April TA from NYC to Barcelona : weather? packing?

    in Transatlantic, Transpacific, Repositioning & Trans-Ocean Cruises

    Posted · Edited by CGTNORMANDIE

    On 3/6/2023 at 10:29 PM, farodeluzgirl said:

    Sailing on NCL on April 22 from NYC to Barcelona.This will be our first TA. I had being researching the weather but I still unsure on what to expect. Any ideas?


    You will be on NCL Epic headed to Bermuda, the Azores and 4 stops in Spain.  You should have a very enjoyable crossing.  Temps in the 70’s as you approach Bermuda and maybe even warmer as you hit the Azores and Spain…ideal Springtime cruise!  

    • Like 1

    Potato chips

    in Cruise Foodies

    Posted

    7 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

    Well. I see we have a terminology misunderstanding!

    I am referring to the little bags of potato chips such as Lays/Utz/Pringles, that are now being rationed.

    French fries (British chips) are still made and served on the ships.

    No misunderstanding…I realize you were talking prepackaged chips (not Fr fries) while I’m advocating freshly made chips ( not Fr fries).

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

    Potato chips

    in Cruise Foodies

    Posted · Edited by CGTNORMANDIE

    45 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

    Interesting thought.  How do you suppose they would then be served/dispensed?

    RC used to put out little boxes of cereal.  Several varieties are now available via clear plastic dispensers, instead.   It's believed this came about after people were seen filling duffel bags with the little cereal boxes, to take home (aargh...)

    The same way they do it at Burger King and McDonalds…salt, scoop and bag them…In open bags served hot.  The technology and kitchen equipment are there and ready to go. I seriously doubt they use frozen French fries!  If they make their own FF then they can easily make chips.

    Potato chips

    in Cruise Foodies

    Posted

    5 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

    Do you consider potato chips an important part of a meal?  

    I've been amused by the amount of recent discussion around the cutbacks on the bags of potato chips on RC.  Apparently too many people were taking so many that they would run out early in the day.  Now they are either with room service only, or by request with a limit of two bags per person. Many comments indicate that a sandwich without a bag of chips is not to be tolerated.

    Do you need them on a cruise?

     

    Chips are always a welcomed addition to a sandwich.  I don’t understand why they don’t make their own.  Making potato chips would be an easy solution to the RCI chip shortage…unlimited chips for everyone!

    New to MSC, best bang for my buck.

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    1 hour ago, WindinmySails said:

    Thank you so much for your detailed answer.  It takes a lot to ruffle my feathers.  The ship looks beautiful, and I do prefer cleaner eating.  I don't need a waiter to fawn all over me, either.  I realize the cultural differences, and look forward to this opportunity.  I actually would enjoy a more subdued environment.  I'm in my early 60's and, although I like a good party, I don't want one for 25 days straight. I think the itinerary is amazing, so many places I've yet to experience!  Any time on the water is a good time for me!

    Great to hear it!  You will find a lot of pleasing little details on MSC…not to mention some of the best coffee at sea.

    • Thanks 1

    New to MSC, best bang for my buck.

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted · Edited by CGTNORMANDIE

    On 3/1/2023 at 9:49 AM, WindinmySails said:

    Greetings!  I am considering a 25 day Transatlantic cruise in October.  I love cruising in a balcony cabin and do like libations when I am cruising.  Typically I cruise Norwegian, so drinks and limited WIFI are included.  I LOVE the itinerary on this sailing on the SeaShore.  My 85 year old mother will be joining my husband and I.  She did this cruise last year solo, and said she loved it.  She doesn't drink, and had a cabin to herself, last year.  I really can't see her staying in the same cabin with us for 25 days, although I'd want her to be close by.

    I also realize that MSC is different from the "American" lines. I am confused to the the different experiences, and the drink packages, one experience seems to have this included?  I am not necessarily wanting the cheapest option, but the most cost effective for the best experience.  I also do like a good coffee in my room in the morning; I heard MSC has some of the best. 

    I enjoy the specialty restaurants on Norwegian, but that is not a deal breaker.  No idea how the food compares.  I enjoy vegetables, seafood and stay away from processed foods, rarely eat red meat, maybe once a month.

    I've been reading through threads, and it seems that people dissatisfied with MSC are those that compare it to the American lines.  I am a pretty flexible person, and do enjoy new experiences.  My mother is Hungarian, and lives in Austria for part of the year.  

    I welcome and appreciate suggestions and tips.  Thank you in advance!

    Bottom line:  I think, from what you have described, that you’ll do just fine on an MSC 25 day TA.  A lengthy TA of 25 days tends to be more subdued than a 4 day party cruise.  Place Mom in a nearby cabin and then you and your DH can enjoy a drink package as well as all the other amenities on the beautiful MSC Seashore..    There will be fewer dining options compared to NCL but then again you will find the food in the MDR is better than the NCL MDR and geared to the preferences you have described.  Yes there are complaints.  You should have been here 10 years ago when MSC was launching new ships.  There were tons of complaints and that’s what you can expect when a cruise line expands its fleet as rapidly as MSC.  It’s called teething problems.  Add to that the Covid interruption and you have staffing problems while they get all their ships back online.  All in all I think you’ll have a great time.  

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 1

    Ship passenger capacity?

    in Transatlantic, Transpacific, Repositioning & Trans-Ocean Cruises

    Posted

    On 2/22/2023 at 3:50 PM, saltshell said:

    Planning a Spring TA US to Rotterdam.  Are ships usually booked to full passenger capacity or is there more "breathing room"? 

    My guess is your TA will be rather laid back as the TA crowd tends to be experienced voyagers.  The atmosphere should be more subdued and less frenetic than other shorter cruises…even if sailing close to capacity.  

    • Like 1

    Cruise line with best buffets

    in Cruise Foodies

    Posted

    Great cruise line buffets have gone the way of the Midnight Buffet!  Years ago there were some really grand buffets.  The absolute best was on HAPAG LLOYD.  There were some great ones on early Celebrity ships and ships serviced by Apollo Catering were really great.  Today…nothing even comes close.  Even Oceania and Azamara have gone down hill.  Supply shortages and rising food costs have killed the Grand Buffet…sadly.

    Lobster Warning

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    56 minutes ago, Chardonnay Char said:

    We are currently on vacation in Western Florida.  Last week we bought 3 nice-size (6-7 oz) tails -- 3 for $24.  I can't imagine buying in quantity would cost more than that.

    That would be $8.00 per tail.  Not easy to do when your budget calls for a max of $4.00 for dinner.  Wholesale prices for fish don’t vary far from what the public is paying for retail.  I imagine that the victualers at Celebrity are going insane trying to supply lobster tails in a inflationary and extremely fluctuating food market.  

    • Like 1

    Lobster Warning

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    2 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

    Everyone must really be bored.

    Over 100 comments, and counting, about Lobster!

    I thought this was Cruise Critic, not Crustacean Cuisine. 😁

    This lobster conundrum is nothing.  You should see the Cruise Foodies forum…right here on CC.  BTW…lobster gets headlines on all the major cruise line forums here on CC.  You would think that lobster is the central reason for booking a cruise LOL! 🤪

    • Like 1

    Lobster Warning

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    3 hours ago, Crown Vic said:

    Sox Fan Cruiser, my Brahmin other half is from The Hill. Says she’ll take the Moet and Chandon but drink it with some Schrod. Gotta be from McMenamy’s.

    Cheers!

    I knew the Moët would be the great uniter!!  

    Ship Size

    in Transatlantic, Transpacific, Repositioning & Trans-Ocean Cruises

    Posted

    On 2/15/2023 at 1:01 PM, MillbrookMom said:

    Considering taking our 1st Transatlantic for our 30th Anniversary.  JUst wondering if you would recommend a Minimum ship size?  The worst seas we have felt were all on ships under 100,000 tons.  I suspect that isn't a coincidence.  But wondering if we should look at the going on the biggest "or widest " ships for a transatlantic to increase our chances of feeling any rough waters less.  Would love to hear others experience and what their ship was.  TIA

    There is a big difference between a North Atlantic crossing and a Southern Atlantic crossing.  If you are sailing on a Millennium size ship to or from Florida you will be fine.  

    • Like 2
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