CGTNORMANDIE

It was very common for the transatlantic liners to have musical interludes during dinner. Some ships even had orchestra balconies overlooking the dining room and printed programs listing the musical numbers to be played at each dinner. The Italians had a strolling minstrel with two violins to back him up while he sang romantic ballads. The Germans had violins at tea time and the Germans and the Brits had a giant organ in one of the lounges in the late afternoon and at night. The Germans also had a ship’s brass band made up of the crew and officers that would play ump-pa-pa music on deck in the mornings. The French had a music room dedicated to playing recorded classics during the daytime. Bands and orchestras traveling on the Queens would routinely play special concerts in the main lounges. I, myself, performed with a drum and bugle corps in the Queen’s Lounge onboard the old Queen Elizabeth when I was 16 years old!

WOW!! Thanks so much for sharing that story with us. Talk about adding some adventure to your life…this would certainly qualify for a documentary.

I love dried fruit…prunes included. When I had my heart attack the doctors were wondering how my potassium had gone off the chart. I had just finished eating a bunch of dried apricots…lol. Now back on topic…I love a virgin Pina Colada, root beer, fresh orange juice, ice tea with lemonade, pineapple juice, apricot juice, peach juice mango juice and fruit punch. Lately I have been drinking real Coca Cola which I haven’t had in more than 50 years…go figure.

Yes…I saw where the ex Stockholm is going to be scrapped…after 75 years service. This is really remarkable!

DW and I went to our favorite diner on Friday. A Reuben used to be $9.00 now is $15.00. Our diner was known to be a bargain so we experienced sticker shock. The $30.00 Katz pastrami is starting to sound pretty good considering that 1 Katz sandwich can feed 2 people.

Of all the juices to make a smoothie the prune sounds a bit harsh. Mind you I do like prune juice but always thought it should stand by itself. I’ll stick with my chocolate ice cream soda…1 once of half and half and 1 once chocolate syrup and 1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee stir until mixed and top off with your favorite seltzer. I prefer chilled black cherry with a small scoop of ice cream…quite refreshing.

Meh…no thanks…give me a chocolate ice cream soda anytime.

Ranch no…blue cheese yes!

Burgers were 10 cents when I was a kid and they were good. Now it’s hard to find a good burger under $20.00!!

The Anna Maria was a Greek ship that later became a Carnival ship.

The best pizza ever was onboard the Italian Line…to die for. Stacks of individual pizzas were served at 2:00 AM. I think it was a way to get all the pax out of the nightclub and sent to bed…lol. I think the pizza in the buffet on MSC is the best but even better is the special order pizza on MSC that can be served after 3:00 PM band is delivered in a pizza box. These pizzas are better than the buffet.

You are correct…many people are confused by the difference between Afternoon Tea and High Tea. Afternoon Tea, also known as Low Tea, is with the cakes, tea sandwiches and scones etc. High Tea can be with a substantial cooked meal with meat or fish or eggs, etc. breads and dessert…served with tea…or as you describe a limited early supper. High tea got its name from the height of the dining table vs the low tea served on a coffee or tea table. High Tea, in some quarters…like luxury hotels, can also be very extensive and quite elegant.

I’m amazed since the UK is the world center for lemon curd.

I can understanding ranch dressing…yuckkk…but the rest of your list sounds good to me!

I was fantasizing. I haven’t had a beer in 5 years while I’ve been stuck on dialysis…a limited liquid intake…ughhh. But those are the beers I’ll go after just as soon as I get a new kidney! LOL! I already have my next cruise planned for the occasion and you can be sure I’ll have a drink package…hopefully in the coming year.

Scandalous…maybe the egg shortage has hit the Queens?

Now that’s what I call dedication!

What?? No lemon curd onboard Cunard in the Queens Room?? Heresy!!

Yes…but are they up to Brooklyn standards??

All the above sounds good to me lemon meringue tarts are also good.

Stellar Artois, Sam Adams, Carlsberg, Amstdel and Heineken…on tap preferred.

Most of the major cruise lines have not learned how to make a good pizza dough or a good pizza sauce. A good dough should be made with the right ingredients and aged at least 2 days. Sorrento’s is just blahhh.

Tipping the butler and his assistant is totally dependent on the services rendered. If you have a butler that does not do much then your daily service charge will suffice. If your butler is good then $100 or more for 1 week depending on the service…same with the assistant. Tipping above the daily service charge is completely up to your discretion and the quality of the service rendered. You should never feel obligated if the service is below par and you will know if it is lacking.

I agree with Heidi. Heathrow Express to London then cab to hotel. I would not hesitate to use the National Express from London to Southampton or take the train then cab to ship. Public transport in London is very good…no need for a private transport. Hotels are many in London just go on line and take your pick. There are some that are very reasonable and you’ll find the Tube connections are easy.

Those days are long gone…sadly. As Heidi said…the fire regulations have killed the Baked Alaska parade. I, for one, love a good Baked Alaska…cake and ice cream smothered in a nougat meringue…yummm. I was witness to many a dining room parade over the years and I enjoyed every one of them.