Dining off the ship

[Les Picantins]

In a recent thread on a different board (Regent "food poisoning") the debate started about to dine or not to dine off the ship. This is, of course, each passenger's own personal preference.

 

Here is some useful information for the comfort of those who choose to dine on land.

 

Keep in mind that smoking is no longer permitted in restaurants in Europe (yeah), however it is permitted in all outdoor dining venues. If you eat outside, you will most likely be surrounded by smokers. Also, some places charge extra for terrace seating.

 

When visiting a city for several hours (Rome, Capri, Florence, Positano etc.) look up the hotels listed on the LHW website. They all have casual dining venues with local dishes and earn their reputation catering to tourists rather than taking advantage of tourists. Furthermore, you can then use these hotels for restroom breaks and concierge services. Personally, I have never been disappointed when doing so.

 

Another pointer would be to make conversation with some of the local shop owners (language permitting). Ask them for local dining suggestions.

 

Bon appétit

:)

[Emperor Norton]

Or find the restaurant you like that has the longest line (or is the most crowded) filled with people that don't look like tourists:cool:

[Keith1010]

Unfortunately food poisoning can happen anywhere and that includes a top restaurant or a low end restaurant and one where locals eat and one where tourists eat. It's terrible when it happens but it can happen. There are ways to minimize risk and that includes what you order.

 

Keith

[Mr Luxury]

Unfortunately food poisoning can happen anywhere and that includes a top restaurant or a low end restaurant and one where locals eat and one where tourists eat. It's terrible when it happens but it can happen. There are ways to minimize risk and that includes what you order.

 

Keith

 

 

Staying away from buffets and cheap tourist restaurants would be two places to avoid and minimise your risk.

[Keith1010]

Staying away from buffets and cheap tourist restaurants would be two places to avoid and minimise your risk.

 

Buffets yes.

 

As to restaurants, in the USA when I read the inspections you would be surprised that the problems are just as likely to happen in high end places.

 

Also, the same is true if you read the USA CDC Reports from the inspection of the cruise ships.

 

Being selected of the food you eat can be a big help.

 

But there are no guarantees on any of this.

 

Keith

[Fletcher]

Let's face it, all cruise ships, large or small, luxurious or basic, are seething, floating masses of bacteria and viruses. All passengers and crew are vulnerable and you are just as likely to catch something from touching a handrail as you are from eating something that someone has just sneezed over. We are human beings. That's a major drawback.

[MrsWaldo]

Can you post that on the Aus ports of call?