Just Docked From Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise/Some Changes Coming Fleet Wide

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

$ 29.00 for PG still less than what comparable specialty restaurants are on NCL and Celebrity. Wonder if they will up the PG charge in the middle of a cruise.

[frankc98376]

The US Public Health Service claims jurisdiction over any non-US Flag cruise ship that sells tickets in the USA, visits the USA, or has a sister ship that visits the USA, or carries US Passengers anywhere in the world.

The US Coast Guard and US Navy make the same claims.

 

The US Internal Revenue Service has similar regulations:

If a European National boards a non-US Flag ship in a US Port, then wins a casino or bingo jackpot over $1200 in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the cruise line is required to deduct US Income taxes from the winnings before giving the remainder to the winner. If the lucky winner boarded in any other country, he is not liable for any taxes.

 

US Customs is the same:

If a Dutch ship that sells tickets in America, or carries American passengers, or visits the USA, or has a sister ship that visits America even once, buys Cuban Cigars in China and then sells them to a European passenger anywhere in the world, US Customs will fine the cruise line US$1 Million.

Hmmm... interesting. Was just looking at an article on CNN about the recent Silversea "problem":

 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/24/travel/luxury-cruise-inspection/

 

According to the article: "That's because the CDC has no authority to correct any of the issues. The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program employs inspectors from the U.S. Public Health Service and, even though it's a considered a regulatory program, it only has the authority to ask the cruise line to correct its actions".

[Laminator]

We were told that beginning with either this cruise or the next on the Noordam the lobster would no longer be offered on the Pinnacle Grill menu. It was being replaced by Alaskan King Crab legs.

 

Most disappointing cruise we have ever had with HAL. Probably more to do with the fact that we are usually extremely happy.

[realnurse2]

We were told that beginning with either this cruise or the next on the Noordam the lobster would no longer be offered on the Pinnacle Grill menu. It was being replaced by Alaskan King Crab legs.

 

Most disappointing cruise we have ever had with HAL. Probably more to do with the fact that we are usually extremely happy.

 

 

For an additional $20! :mad:

[Himself]

------- Paying more for fewer choices at the Pinnacle ..... alas a sign of the times!!

 

I paid a hell of a lot more for a Steak at Don Shula's on the Beach in Ft. Lauderdale and the Pinnacle steak on the Nieuw Amsterdam was just as good. It was neat having the salad prepared at table.

[taxmantoo]

I paid a hell of a lot more for a Steak at Don Shula's on the Beach in Ft. Lauderdale and the Pinnacle steak on the Nieuw Amsterdam was just as good. It was neat having the salad prepared at table.

 

Maybe, but Don Shula's did not charge you thousands of dollars for the privilege of paying of surcharge :rolleyes:

[sherilyn70]

Maybe, but Don Shula's did not charge you thousands of dollars for the privilege of paying of surcharge :rolleyes:

 

But they also did not get a hotel room, entertainment and 20 other meals with it.

 

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

[aliaschief]

As the OP of this thread I have enjoyed the post and comments. Just goes to prove everyone has different wants and expectations.

 

I have learned a lot from this thread and special thanks for some very informative post.

 

Our last night of the cruise we did the "trolly tour" in the Pinnacle which included table Caesar Salad, Steak Dianne and even Ben & Jerry's Flambé Cherry Baked Alaska. We called it our Memorial Service, seeing it was the last time having table side service in the Pinnacle.

 

We are looking forward to the menu changes, still feel specialty meals are good deals and enjoy new experiences and offerings. In our case we cruise enough that we enjoy changes so it doesn't get redundant.

 

Some changes work and some don't. Just glad someone is always trying to make our next cruise better.

Edited December 17, 2013 by aliaschief

[Copper10-8]

As the OP of this thread I have enjoyed the post and comments. Just goes to prove everyone has different wants and expectations.

 

I have learned a lot from this thread and special thanks for some very informative post.

 

Our last night of the cruise we did the "trolly tour" in the Pinnacle which included table Caesar Salad, Steak Dianne and even Ben & Jerry's Flambé Cherry Baked Alaska. We called it our Memorial Service, seeing it was the last time having table side service in the Pinnacle.

 

We are looking forward to the menu changes, still feel specialty meals are good deals and enjoy new experiences and offerings. In our case we cruise enough that we enjoy changes so it doesn't get redundant.

 

Some changes work and some don't. Just glad someone is always trying to make our next cruise better.

 

Nice post Chief!;)

[goleta]

I really don't care either way about this change in offering but I do care about limp excuses that make no logical sense. The regulators have never stopped anyone from serving Caesar Salad on dry land for health and safety reasons. Thousands of restaurants still do! I do believe flambes may be a bit dangerous on a ship but Caesar Salad??? :rolleyes: HAL is getting very good at coming up with excuses that make no sense to explain their decisions.

 

 

It might be due to the risk of Salmonella with raw eggs if they use raw eggs in the dressing. Can't have raw eggs in the dressing in the state I live in. If this is the case, it might be due to many outbreaks of Salmonella from that egg farm a while back. Yes, you can get Salmonella from lots of other foods too...just a thought.

Edited December 17, 2013 by goleta
changed a word

[cruisetrail]

As the OP of this thread I have enjoyed the post and comments. Just goes to prove everyone has different wants and expectations.

 

I have learned a lot from this thread and special thanks for some very informative post.

 

Our last night of the cruise we did the "trolly tour" in the Pinnacle which included table Caesar Salad, Steak Dianne and even Ben & Jerry's Flambé Cherry Baked Alaska. We called it our Memorial Service, seeing it was the last time having table side service in the Pinnacle.

 

We are looking forward to the menu changes, still feel specialty meals are good deals and enjoy new experiences and offerings. In our case we cruise enough that we enjoy changes so it doesn't get redundant.

 

Some changes work and some don't. Just glad someone is always trying to make our next cruise better.

 

Agree 100%.

[scopewest]

OP, thanks for the heads up re PG price change. I looked at the dining reservations for November 2014, and I can still book now at the lower price and get the time slot I want.

 

I'd book anyway, even at the higher price, but I might as well save a few dollars now that I can spend elsewhere onboard!

[InTheWASide]

Maybe, but Don Shula's did not charge you thousands of dollars for the privilege of paying of surcharge :rolleyes:

 

But not every cruise is "thousands of dollars"

[CJcruzer]

It might be due to the risk of Salmonella with raw eggs if they use raw eggs in the dressing. Can't have raw eggs in the dressing in the state I live in. If this is the case, it might be due to many outbreaks of Salmonella from that egg farm a while back. Yes, you can get Salmonella from lots of other foods too...just a thought.

 

As i understand it, they will still be serving caesar Salad, just not prepared tableside? In the kitchen, would they be preparing the salad with raw egg still? If so, the health aspect/Salmonella possibility really does not make sense...you can still get sick from a raw egg whether Caesar salad is prepared in a kitchen or at the table.....

 

I assume the Caesar salad offered in the MDR as a standard does not have raw egg added to it, it is probably already in a "prepared" or bottled dressing they use.

[SeaWatch]

We sailed on the Celebrity Silhouette last summer for a Med cruise and the food and service in the MDR was excellent.

[CJcruzer]

We sailed on the Celebrity Silhouette last summer for a Med cruise and the food and service in the MDR was excellent.

 

we sailed Celebrity Silhouette a year ago in the fall...great service/food (except excruciatingly slow service the one formal night) - buffet not so good...in fact several people got sick from the bacon, other days people said it looked and smelled/tasted bad

 

Backtrack 2 years earlier reverse true on the Constellation - MDR food always lukewarm /cold, wrong orders served, lacklustre taste... The buffets were delicious, fresh...

 

go figure...every cruise is different.

 

Carol

[Barrheadlass]

Being gone for a week I thought some of this info would be repetitive but did not have the time to review a week of postings.

 

I was gone for a week too (loved my Seine river cruise!) so your info was not repetitive to me, and I appreciated your posting of the info. Glad you enjoyed your cruise!

[RDC1]

Do not like the news that they are going to follow Carnival and start serving sides family style. Family style with strangers is not appealing at all to me.

 

Looks like time to cut Holland America from my cruise selection list. Hope the change doesn't spread to Princess or Celebrity.

[aliaschief]

Do not like the news that they are going to follow Carnival and start serving sides family style. Family style with strangers is not appealing at all to me.

 

Looks like time to cut Holland America from my cruise selection list. Hope the change doesn't spread to Princess or Celebrity.

 

We are talking about specialty restaurants were there are no strangers to share mealswith only family/friends who we want to dine together.

 

The thread does not apply to Main Dining Room menus.

Edited December 18, 2013 by aliaschief