Chilled Soups?

[DoggyDaddy]

On past Holland America cruises, there was usually a chilled soup appetizer option. I understand that this has been discontinued. However, in the current World Cruise I noticed that they are on the menu. Is this fleet wide or just for the World Tour? We are taking a 44 day cruise in March and DW would be very happy if they are back.

 

DD

[RuthC]

If you take a long cruise you may see a chilled soup on the menu once in a while. But for the most part they have disappeared. 

[Mtn2Sea]

On our Caribbean cruises last month, we were able to preorder chilled soup for the next night.  Pretty much the chef’s choice on the type of fruit.  They were all very good.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Knowing how popular these chilled soups have been in the past (we love them as well), one would think that HAL would offer them on all cruises.

[syesmar]

This is encouraging news.  On our last Cruise Survey, I made sure to include a comment about missing the chilled soups, and remember an older Thread where others are doing the same.  I used to enjoy them so much.

Happy Sailing!

[SilvertoGold]

We have special ordered them a couple of times.  No problems with doing that the night before.

[Jinty684]

On last year's cruise (partial Panama), I mentioned to our server in the MDR how much I missed the chilled soups and he got them for me after that.  🙂  I hope the same thing happens this year (leaving in 8 days!  yahoo - can't wait!)

[Scrapnana]

 

The chilled soups on the GWV have been fantastic.  I passed on last night's because it was beet (☹️) but we have had some great ones.  My favorite so far was one with apples, pears, and eggnog.  Sounds weird but was delicious.  Tonight's is chilled strawberry bisque which I will order.

[Himself]

I used to love the Chilled Soups.  I don't see them offered very often.  It used to be the was a broth, a creamed soup and a chilled soup at dinner in the dining room. Now there is one offered each evening and the option is French Onion Soup.

[cruisemom42]

I promise I'm not being snarky. But for the life of me I just don't get the appeal of a chilled fruit soup as an appetizer. It sounds like a fancy glass of juice or a smoothie in a bowl with a spoon. Yet folks repeatedly lament their absence.

 

I never ordered one when they were available, so help me understand:  Why would people want a sweet appetizer? (I assume they are sweet?)  What makes them special, over and above something like a fruit smoothie or drink (neither of which I would ever desire as an appetizer....)?

 

Now if it was a chilled sorbet served as a palate cleanser or intermezzo, then maybe .... but only maybe. And I've never thought those were that great either.

 

Am I the only one who doesn't feel the chilled fruit soup love?

 

 

[YXU AC*SE]

I personally looked forward to them b/c it is typically something one doesn't make at home -- one could consider them to be lighter fare -- and a nice course for warm-weather cruising,   That said, I expect the food cost on them is fairly high, and the future meal re-purpose opportunity quite low.   As for popularity, despite the pleadings of above, I don't think they were generally too loved -- focus group of one notwithstanding, I seemed to be the only person at my table to ever order them.  Plus, consumer tastes, like hemlines, change with the years.     Scott. 

Edited January 17, 2020 by YXU AC*SE

[SilvertoGold]

Not really sweet.  I prefer the creamy ones, but some like the ones without cream because they are very fruit-forward.  As noted, these are not something you get every day and there is appeal in that.

 

HAL's regular soups have been demoted to a tablespoon or two (rarely two) of veg and/or meat and a lot of broth.  Not worth the bother, so the chilled fruit soups hold even more appeal.

[wander]

Cruisemom42,

I agree with you question about the fruit soup during the meal.  HOWEVER, I LOVE most of the fruit soups I had on HAL.  BUT I always asked the steward to serve it as my Dessert!  For me it has been a perfect dessert, sweet enough but not too sweet or filling.

 

Edited January 18, 2020 by wander

[DFWGUYZ]

3 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

Not really sweet.  I prefer the creamy ones, but some like the ones without cream because they are very fruit-forward.  As noted, these are not something you get every day and there is appeal in that.

 

HAL's regular soups have been demoted to a tablespoon or two (rarely two) of veg and/or meat and a lot of broth.  Not worth the bother, so the chilled fruit soups hold even more appeal.

One, non-sweet, favorite of ours is Rudi Sodomin's creation served on HAL when your lucky.

https://honestcooking.com/chilled-pea-soup-with-chives-recipe/

Edited January 18, 2020 by DFWGUYZ
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[cruisemom42]

1 hour ago, DFWGUYZ said:

One, non-sweet, favorite of ours is Rudi Sodomin's creation served on HAL when your lucky.

https://honestcooking.com/chilled-pea-soup-with-chives-recipe/

 

...but that is not fruit. I'd actually order that. 

[dogs4fun]

13 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Am I the only one who doesn't feel the chilled fruit soup love?

Nope, you aren't the only one - my brother & SIL rave about them but I have always passed.

[carnivaljunkie]

We used to order them as a second appetizer and have them put in a glass as a smoothee