rkacruiser

You and I are both experienced enough HAL cruisers to know that whomever is in charge--be it at the helm, as HD, an Executive Chef, or the PG Manager: it makes a world of difference as to our cruise experience.

You and I are both experienced enough HAL cruisers to know that whomever is in charge--be it at the helm, as HD, an Executive Chef, or the PG Manager: it makes a world of difference as to our cruise experience.

The BEST entertainment that I have experienced on HAL in recent years has been the Cantare group!

Starboard side and it is a performance not to be missed, even though it is short.

Off or on a ship, Oatmeal Raisin are a favorite of mine, too. I like Shortbread cookies as well and am a good purchaser for a variety of Girl Scout Cookies. I have a friend who is an excellent cookie maker. I don't know what she calls all of them; some are quite interesting mixtures of ingredients. Large, rich, and delicious! Her sons' dorm rooms are a popular stop for their friends when they come back to their universities after being at home for a week-end.

Boo! It must be the other ingredients in the Mix that prompts that. For me, as a Carnival Miracle guest, it was interesting to see the below deck preparations being made.

No. But, I have more on my plate than making bread. 😀

Lots of work for tea sandwiches! My Chef, me, would object to being asked to do something like this. Yet, your recipe sounds very good!

When I dined at one Indian restaurant, I cared not for most of their foods and ate much Naan. It was good! The other foods would have caused me some gastric distress, I thought, if I ate much of them.

Anyone who would pay $7 for a few slices of candied bacon on a clothesline is living in a different reality than I am. I don't mind paying for "luxury experiences" from time to time. But, this concept does not fit my concept of such a luxury dining experience.

I'll accept my one seat, but, a wine steward serving would be a great comfort for me. 🤣

I cannot accept this as a perfectly normal business practice. It does not need to be. It ought not to be. Yet, HAL is not the only cruise company that is affected by this "disease". Read the Message Boards of Seabourn and Silverseas. Comments on "luxury cruise experiences" on those Boards are not what one would expect to read and inconsistency of the cruise experience is now the 21st Century "norm". Or, so it seems to me. As an edit, RKA, I think why are you surprised at this? The cruise industry, at this time, reflects our society. There is a dysfunction in both that I don't understand and that has taken place in my lifetime. Covid has only made the dysfunction worse, in my opinion.

Sydney is one of my most favorite cities that I have visited! The evening I attended an opera at the Opera House, the Hop On/Off bus trips, the walks through the Rocks, my visit to their excellent Maritime Museum: so much to enjoy!

An extra day to your cruise at no cost to you? I would accept that offer.

Nothing less than a pretentious dining concept in my opinion. Such bacon as an additional item for a Wedge Salad? Fine. But, is such a presentation really worth the effort of the Galley staff to prepare?

The one pleasantness, the courtesy, and service of the crew is the one consistent that remains from the HAL of 1970 when I first sailed on Rotterdam V. Many other things have changed, but, even in those early '70's when the nationality of the crew started to change, somehow, someway, this guest's experiences with the crew never altered from being excellent to being acceptable. (Except the one 21 day Noordam cruise when the Captain and the Hotel Director were less than guest oriented.)

Amen! I miss Janet Fast and her talented Bass player husband who was part of the Ocean Bar group. He would sometimes join her for a set after the Ocean Bar group was finished for the evening.

A not often found gem of a Lounge in my experience when I sailed on Meraviglia. Thanks for an interesting report.

In my experience, Filipinos are Lounge Stewards and bartenders. Indonesians are, as you said, Cabin Stewards and dining room Stewards. Lido Restaurant Stewards? Seems to be a mix. PG/specialty restaurants? Unsure of the nationality of the staff. Certainly a more welcoming and "warmer" mix of folks than when the PG was initially staffed. In my opinion, of course.

That was a similar experience that I had on Carnival Miracle. Some wine selections were unavailable, but, everything else that my traveling companion and I wanted were available. Nothing wrong with a non-alcoholic (if one desires) Bloody Mary in the morning if there is no Tomato Juice, in my opinion.

One of the disappointing changes that I have seen, at least on HAL ships, is the decreasing quality of the ice cream served. Once upon a time, Haagen-Dazs was the ice cream brand served. Various flavors (Pineapple Coconut, became very fond of that flavor) available. Then, that brand was dropped. A different brand was served (don't remember its name), it was OK, but, not Haagen-Dazs. Then, it changed again to what I think it is a generic brand. Edible, but, the variety of ice cream is not as great and certainly another cutback that has taken place over the past several years. Thankfully, one thing that has not changed at the ice cream counter is the quality and variety of cookies offered, HAL's Christmas Cookies and their selection is really very good. Love the Gingerbread men.

Not a lot of relish; just a bit. Agree with your bread choices and I would add a good quality Whole Wheat is a bread that I enjoy, particularly toasted. Love the tea sandwiches whatever the kind! I sometimes don't eat lunch when I am on a ship just so that I can better enjoy tea.

Sounds good. Was Naan available?

I recommend getting a rental car. It will give you more freedom to go where and when you want. Driving in Alaska is very easy to do. Staying in Seward is also a suggestion of mine. I like Anchorage and consider it to be a very nice city (and also easy to get around by car). But, to use Anchorage as your "home base", you will loose much sightseeing time driving back and forth from Anchorage to Seward, Girdwood, etc.

100% agree! I participated in 3 different wine tours when I last visited New Zealand and loved--and learned--from every one of them. One of the tours did include a delicious lunch in a very pleasant setting. I had to Google porno donuts; they sound good. A walk around the waterfront, regardless of the day of the week, is very enjoyable. A stop at the Wellington Museum was a favorite of mine as well as Te Papa. I really enjoyed my visit to your home city!