ettaterrell

We got the cheers on our last 5 day cruise and I think broke even... we drank a lot more trying to do so! We are now going on a 7 day cruise and I've decided to get it again. The difference is this time we are willing to except we will not break even. There's no way we can drink that much for 7 days. I am thinking we will loose about 100$ getting it. But.... the convenience of not stressing over tracking our drinking and just the freedom of drinking if we want what ever we want. And being able to try other things (every kind of martini on the ship) is worth it to me. If I didn't get it We would be sticking to the fun ship special and husband would stick to beer. So basically it's like paying for the FTTF, paying more for the convenience and better service lol

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I'll just chime in here on cheese (and Brie in particular). Look for the Brie that is near/at its sell-by date. It should be creamy throughout the slice. If it has a chalky looking middle it is not yet ripe.

 

 

 

All cheese should be let come to room temperature before serving. I do not know what possible varieties you have in US so I will not recommend any (I have heard some horror stories about US cheese though).

 

 

 

BTW - cheese snobbery is every bit as bad as wine snobbery;).

Oh wow great tip on Brie! I will look for the older one!

I have learned so much from everyone thank you all for taking the time to help me!

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Wow, I think SliderGirl has made some outstanding recommendations. Excellent job, SL.

 

I am going to add one idea.

 

Most grocery stores in my neighborhood sell packages of prosciutto or salami wrapped around mozzarella cheese. Costco offers a similar thing with different cured meats rolled around a slice of provolone cheese. These are excellent for people to grab and snack on and would seem to fit in your theme. Also, little work for you--open the package and lay them out on your platter.

We love this prosciutto wrapped motz! Great idea! Thanks!

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My apologies to the OP: I know you are looking for something simple and inexpensive for a foray into wine for you and your family. I'm not sure why some are offering something over what you want for your experience and price point. As I said before, I'm not a foodie nor a wine snob. Maybe I can offer something more "everyman" for you. I do like that you like the Hogue I offered - it is a nice little wine at a great price! For a red, I like Villa Antinori Toscano for my everyday red - it's within your price point, usually around $15. You did not mention anyone wanting of anyone wanting a white other than that Hogue: Give the Meomi Chardonnay a try if you want. It's also within that price point you want at around $15. This is the "house white" at my hotel and it's restaurant. I'm not a fan of Chardonnay. But, I received a bottle of this wine as a tip and I actually enjoyed it.

 

 

 

For your cheese & meat platter, you don't need to go all high-end gourmet and hit a salumeria. You can find plenty at the local supermarket deli counter. Find one that has Boar's Head - it's a steady line of meats. You can go basic - get your thinly sliced ham, beef, hard salami, cotto salami, mortadella, a stick of some dry salami. Get adventurous and get some prosciutto di Parma and prosciutto cotto (a nice italian roasted ham), speck, whatever sparks your interest. The deli counterperson will most likely be happy to let you sample different offerings.

 

For the cheese, you can grab from the cheese department at your store. Most of them nowadays have 2 sections - the "commodity" cheese and more special cheeses. Hit the special cheese section. I like to do a variety of soft, "medium" and hard cheese and a combination of cow, sheep, and maybe goat. I like Brie for my soft - always mild and everyone likes. I grab one or two cheddars - one plain medium or sharp and one "garnished" one (one of my local cheesemakers has cheddar coated in coffee grounds, one coated in sea salt, one in tea leaves, one in vanilla bean). Maybe a pepper jack or plain Jack for a nice mild one. For my harder cheese, I'm very fond of Manchego and Pecorino Toscano. If you want, add a "blue" cheese to the mix. Add some stuff to go along with the meats and cheeses, like olives, dried apricots, grapes, pear and apple slices, walnuts, almonds, whole-grain mustard, apricot or fig jam, some crackers, sliced baguettes. You're set to go!

 

If you want to wow the family, make your own ricotta! Easy to do, and so much different from that junk in the market!!! You can search and find easy recipes for it online - I use the recipe from Epicurious.com. This one I put on a cracker with a dab of jam. Once you do this, you'll never buy at the store again!!

Oh wow.... so much help thanks so much for taking the time to write this! I will try both the Chardonnay and your every day red!

And I am going to make that cheese this week to try!!!!! I will let u know how it goes (I love to cook). What jam do you suggest?

Also, we have a very large cheese section at our market... time for a sample or two lol

To who asked me where I'm from.. I'm from Mississippi USA. Small town! I was referring to 15-25$ per bottle. My budget doesn't allow for more than that. And thanks for the ideas I will look into them!

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Ok I've decided to have a meat cheese tray for pre Christmas dinner for all the family coming. My parents do not drink so I'm sure they will like the hogue wine which is a sweet resiling. Any suggestions on what cheese/meat or anything else snack related to pair it with? My brother and sister n law drink and room temp non sweet merlot... what will pair with this? And I would like one more choice... suggestion and what to pair with? In the 15 - 25$ range. Thanks everyone for all the help

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OP

 

 

 

wave a flag

 

 

 

can we see you??????????

Hhahaha sorry about that... [emoji4]

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OK. I see you liked the Chateau St. Michelle. I'll give you another one to try: Hogue. It is another Washington State winery. You will usually find 2 different Rieslings from them, a Riesling and a late-harvest Riesling. the late-harvest will be a little sweeter, as the grapes were allowed to sit a little longer before being pulled from the vine. I like the Riesling - nice green apple taste to me, not too sweet, but not too dry. This is my "have in the refrigerator" bottle in the summertime - for me, it's an easy and good drink in the afternoon/evening.

 

And, for a beginner, the price point for both is pretty good - usually around $10/bottle.

 

 

 

I like Rieslings. There are so many styles of the wine to play with. The one Riesling that I cannot stand are those Alsatian ones. The gasoline smell/taste from the mineral content of the soil in the area just doesn't do it for me.

Just now trying hogue... very good! Thanks Any more suggestions? It's right on the spot if sweetness but nothing sweeter than this or it would be too sweet.

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My bad lol [emoji6]

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OP was last seen walking out of 7-11 with a 12 pack of Natural Lite

 

 

 

painful lesson learned

Next time something goes wrong for you.... remember being an ass only leads to carma being a bitch. And think if me! Ok sweetie? Now you enjoy your day tomorrow [emoji8].

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My wine experience started out with Boone's Farm, Annie Green Springs and Lancer, all in college. Progressed to Two Buck Chuck and now my palate tends to things like Opus One and Caymus.

 

 

 

OP, one thing you must remember is that a wine's taste changes dramatically depending on what you're eating. We just got back from a 10 course tasting menu with a wine pairing, and I can tell you, each wine tasted different from the first taste to adding it with the food. There were a couple wines that I didn't like when I first tasted them, but when I paired them with the food, those wines were exceptional and had wonderful flavors. Some wines just don't taste good when paired with certain foods, for example with strong cheeses, you really need a sweeter wine and not a dry red or white.

Wow ok I didn't know that! For now I'm just starting out so I want to find a drinking wine. After learning a lot more I will venture off into food pairing. What do you think?

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If all you've liked so far is the Chateau St Michelle "Sweet Riesling," that's understandable. Typical for some folks new to wine to like things on the sweeter side. There are a lot of Germanic wines that have some sweetness to them. Too bad we didn't have this conversation before TG. One of the best wines for turkey is Gewurztraminer- just the right amount of slight fruitiness in a brand like Gundlach Bundschu (Sonoma County).

 

Just a note on your pix: these are all fairly low end wines. In fact, the only ones I've heard of are the St. Michelle and the Ménage a Trois. In all honesty, I'd toss the other stuff and focus on finding more of the Germanic types like Riesling and Gewurtztraminer. Forget about my other previous post recommendations for now.

 

If you've got a Costco, BevMo or Total Wine nearby, check with their wine person(s) on something better than the St Michelle and, perhaps, a little bit drier. If possible, look for California and New York Rieslings since they will be easier to find in varying locations. In fact, google Navarro (Philo, CA). This winery started with Germanic wines and they have sampler packages for sale or you can mix/match some of their recommendations (call them). Most of their business is mail order though you might try Total Wine or BevMo.

If your travels ever take you to Northern California's north coast (Mendocino County), do go to Navarro for tasting- I know you'll find something there you'll like.

Ok I will look into that thanks!

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What didn't you like about ones you tried above? Was the Pinot Grigio too tart and acidic?

The Grigio was very flat... not sweet at all (to me)

The Riesling was a very hit me in the face taste lol I can't even describe it... I could barely finish the glass. Not sweet at all (to me). I have tasted other wines like this and that taste is what has turned me off wines to start with. If I had started with this wine I wouldn't have kept going this time. So glad the first Riesling I tried was good!

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Sounds like you were drinking a Moscato D'Asti. I don't usually serve that with food, I usually have it with dessert or to start the meal as a palate teaser.

 

 

 

So you don't like sweet or bubbles, did you like the tartness of the Riesling? Do a little googling on Rieslings as it varies wildly in sweetness. Don't just pick one up expecting to taste the same as what you had. A German Riesling will be a lot sweeter than an Australian one.

 

 

 

I'm not a fan of super tart, but maybe try a Pinot Gris. Not quite as tart as a Pinot Grigio. The grapes are picked a titch later.

This is the moscato I had, I will drink it but I won't buy again because it was so sweet... I do like sweet wine but this was very very sweet. This Riesling was pretty good.. and I will buy again but I was just wondering if there was something better I might like more. So I tried the two new ones (pics in above post) and didn't like either!

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Moscato d'oro (even a really good one) will generally be quite sweet. As for reislings, you haven't identified the type, winery, etc. After all, there are $5 to $50 Rieslings with origins from across the globe.

That said, let's make it easy for your next tasting of white wines:

Buy a bottle of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, which will run $17-$20. Not sweet but not ultra dry and no bubbles (I.e., sparkling wine). It's pretty much the readily available "standard" for Pinot Grigio. If you like it you could also try a Sauvignon Blanc, which is more "dry". Here, a readily available $15+\- example would be Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand). It doesn't sound like you're anywhere near ready to taste the difference in Chardonnays. So, steer clear for now.

Whatever you do, don't buy cheap wine. Perhaps I am over-generalizing but, from $15-$25/bottle, at least you're more likely to get something that suits your taste without breaking the bank.

If money is an issue, you could try one or two brands of boxed wine (yes-really) that will help you, at least, find your comfort zone. Of all the stuff in boxes, the only really decent box wines IMO are made by Bandit and Black Box.

Finally, let's throw you one curve ball: if you can find them in a store (otherwise purchase online from the winery), get a Rosé of Pinot Noir - either the regular offering from Navarro (Mendocino County) for under $20 or the "Estate" bottle from Martin Ray (Sonoma County) due out in February 2017 ($25??).

Let us know how it goes. And, again, try to avoid cheap wine in your quest to home in on a varietal and style.

Thank you so much this will help... I do think I like sweet just not as sweet as a moscato! Almost like drinking sugar lol.

This is the riesling I had that I liked the other day...

Tonight my husband brought me this one and I didn't like it at all! Not sweet at all and I can't even describe the taste.

I also tried an Pinot Grigio and didn't care for it at all!

Husband told me I can't try this all in a week or we would go broke lol. I guess if it was one I would like it wouldn't be bad but now I have 3 bottles I don't like [emoji15]

Thanks again for the direction I will look into your suggestions.

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Ok I got back from my cruise and only tried one wine that my sister n law had which was a moscato? It was nice but alittle to sweet so now I'm back home and my oldest goes out and gets me 2 kinds to try another moscato and a reslings. Again Moscoto was to sweet and it also had the bubbles (what is this called in wine terms?). I don't like the fuzzy feel with that kind of wine. Now the resling is pretty good! Not fuzzy/bubbles, not to sweet but it has alittle tart taste to it? (Makes the top of my mouth feel dry like eating an unripened banana)

What do I need to stay away from if I don't like the fuzzy or the tart taste? What do you wine drinkers call these things? I'm on a wine app that gives reviews and they are describing theirs taste in different wines but I'm at a loss! Besides when they say sweet lol. I am guessing this tart feeling would be dry?

What is another wine in should try knowing that I'm not fond of the overly sweet or the bubbles lol. Thanks and I hope y'all don't mind me asking questions!

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I tried to! I ran up to this guy and his name was Marcus and I'm just shaking his hand and telling him you said hi! Lol it wasn't your son though lol.

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FYI if anyone needs to know... carnival will reserve u one ..

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We are meeting a group of family from all over in Jacksonville fl port Saturday heading to Nassau. I was just made aware that a cousin n laws daughter has a boot on her foot. [emoji15] we was planing on walking around town but this throws a wrench in to things! Is there any place to rent a wheel chair or will carnival have one we can use?

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We have been on several cruises but never heard of this white party... what is it? When is it? Do all ships have it?

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I have been planing on just walking the bay street block and stopping in a few places that got rated good on trip advisor to try different foods. But some where I read about fish fry and I thought that was a restaurant but seems to be more of an area with lots of restaurants? What time does the area open? And what's some good places to eat (was planing on creating our own food tour lol). Any help on must try foods and drinks either at fish fry or bay street area would be great!!!

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From the view point of this cruiser who has use the parking lot 5 times in the last 2 months. (terrible addiction- love the Elation0

 

 

 

Just go in lot 3 and continue straight ahead until you have to turn right. Then go to row thee or so and turn right. :):):):) and you will be very close to the boat. Porters will pounce on ya. Love em...

Great tip!! Thanks!

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On the Miracle a few weeks ago on the Hawaii itin.....cubes of several types of cheese, the walnut bread and, IIRC the candied?poached? pears were off to the side of the salad bar. No blue cheese here. Went to the pizza station and asked for some Gorgonzola. Don't remember seeing grapes.

 

The steakhouse cheese plate was a disappointment. Used to be able to get what you wanted cut from the wheel brought to the table. It was basically the same as the MDR, but served with packaged crackers.

 

YMMV

 

Bonus hint-- we've taken peppers and onions from the salad bar for pizza toppings.

Oh wow your now my BFF lol. Thanks so much!

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You're not alone. I especially like getting rainbow sherbet.

 

On the Miracle I've discovered how to get a cheese plate (no grapes) up on the lido. Almost everything is near the salad bar. Gorgonzola is available at the pizza station.

Please share the cheese plate on lido? My brother n law is coming with us and I swear the man could eat his weight in cheese!

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I think most will agree the chocolate cake is great... but what else?

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Where can I buy the Ricardo rum? Is there a place I can taste it?

We are really wanting to just walk around and shop by the pier somewhere close to pier I hope! Also would love some local spices where can I find them?

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