Great Cruising Memories

[CGTNORMANDIE]

7 hours ago, George C said:

We were supposed to sail in yacht club at end of this month. Very easy to get used to all the perks they offer. 

Well...who knows...maybe by May or June 2021??  With a little bit of luck we all should be ready for the YC by that time.  You and RK will be ready to book and I should be ready.  (I am meeting with my surgeons in 3 weeks and hopefully will have my new kidney in time to book along with you...hopefully.)  I think we are all due for a week in the YC.  The YC is perfect for DW and me.  The new MSC ships are spectacular in every way.  The YC provides a First Class experience (note that I did not say luxury experience) and the ship is ours to explore.  I need the big casino and the exuberance of a ship that size.  We find that it’s the perfect fit for us...a big bustling ship with just enough luxury and the benefit of solitude when needed.  

[rkacruiser]

22 hours ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

while snacking on some of those enjoyable tidbits they lay out on the mini hors d’oeuvres buffet by the bar?  

 

That "delight" is my issue.  Most are quite tempting.  All that I have chosen have been good.  Didn't used to have to do so, but I do now need to control my pre-lunch/dinner tidbits to prevent from not enjoying what I order for lunch or dinner.  

 

 

[CGTNORMANDIE]

27 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

That "delight" is my issue.  Most are quite tempting.  All that I have chosen have been good.  Didn't used to have to do so, but I do now need to control my pre-lunch/dinner tidbits to prevent from not enjoying what I order for lunch or dinner.  

 

 

LOL...what a “delightful” conundrum!  My weakness is the flan...the little custards in the little glasses...YUMMMMM!  Then there are the dried apricots and nuts and anything chocolate and the fruit, and, and, and...  Then I have to wash all that down with a Moscow Mule or a Tiki something or other.  Then again...a flute of Champagne would be nice.😊

Edited November 25, 2020 by CGTNORMANDIE

[rkacruiser]

20 hours ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

LOL...what a “delightful” conundrum!  My weakness is the flan...the little custards in the little glasses...YUMMMMM!  Then there are the dried apricots and nuts and anything chocolate and the fruit, and, and, and...  Then I have to wash all that down with a Moscow Mule or a Tiki something or other.  Then again...a flute of Champagne would be nice.😊

 

And, there is still room in your "tummy" for lunch or dinner?  I am envious!  

 

 

[CGTNORMANDIE]

2 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

And, there is still room in your "tummy" for lunch or dinner?  I am envious!  

 

 

You wouldn’t be envious if you saw the size of my “tummy”...LOL.  I’ve lost over 70 lbs since then...😳. I’d still want to sample one of those flans!   In all honesty...we just don’t eat like we used to.  My usual routine on a cruise is to exercise early...walking the ship.  Then we have breakfast...heavy on the protein and lighter on the carbs.  Then more exercise.  I love to walk the ship...inside in bad weather and outside in good weather.  Then we have lunch...usually trying the fish and keeping it fairly healthy,  Afternoons are more walking...maybe a swim...a visit to the casino...then cocktails before dinner.  Dinner is the main event.  We love to take our time...good conversation with new and old friends.  Champagne with the starters, wine to compliment the courses and port with dessert and cheese...or perhaps a special coffee...mmmmmmmm.😋

 

 

[George C]

I have gained some of those 70 pounds you lost. Today is thanksgiving and we always cruise thanksgiving or the week after, mostly now the week after since it’s cheaper and way less children, but remember on a Italian line I believe Costa the waiter whispered to us that we could have turkey but they were only offering this to Americans, we both declined the offer. Will pop open a bottle of champagne soon.

[CGTNORMANDIE]

2 hours ago, George C said:

I have gained some of those 70 pounds you lost. Today is thanksgiving and we always cruise thanksgiving or the week after, mostly now the week after since it’s cheaper and way less children, but remember on a Italian line I believe Costa the waiter whispered to us that we could have turkey but they were only offering this to Americans, we both declined the offer. Will pop open a bottle of champagne soon.

Here’s to you George...hope the Champagne pops!  Happy Thanksgiving!  

[shipgeeks]

I've had turkey on cruises a few times.  Never as good as ours at home, although I do enjoy their turkey rolled up with stuffing.

We sailed on Braemar, Fred.Olsen line, close to Christmas a number of years ago.  One day there was turkey in the buffet, with "cranberry sauce" next to it.  The cranberry sauce was more like a gravy, creamy and hot.  (But that's usually what sauce is, right?)

[shipgeeks]

I should probably mention that I would most likely misinterpret some British dishes if I were given the task of preparing them.

[Heidi13]

11 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

I've had turkey on cruises a few times.  Never as good as ours at home, although I do enjoy their turkey rolled up with stuffing.

We sailed on Braemar, Fred.Olsen line, close to Christmas a number of years ago.  One day there was turkey in the buffet, with "cranberry sauce" next to it.  The cranberry sauce was more like a gravy, creamy and hot.  (But that's usually what sauce is, right?)

 

We had cranberry sauce when I grew up in UK and it wasn't any different to what we make in BC. Certainly wasn't hot, so I can only assume it was a Fred Olsen recipe.🙂

[CGTNORMANDIE]

Turkey onboard ship is rarely as good as home cooked.  Turkey needs constant basting for best results and breast needs to hit 160*.  Never stuff a turkey.  Cook stuffing separately.  Use beef stock to baste for best results and a hearty pan gravy.  The beef stock enhances the turkey flavor.  Most turkeys get overcooked.  Few people realize that the bird continues to cook if covered after coming out of the oven.  Turkey will be done in 3 hours at 350*.  Cover turkey for first 2 hours and baste every 30 minutes.  Remove cover for final hour and baste every 20 minutes.  Remove the turkey from the oven when breast meat hits 150* - 160*.   If covered the legs will quickly come up to 160*.  Then you will have a perfectly roasted turkey!  

 

Cranberry sauce:

1 lb. fresh cranberries. 1/2 cup of sugar.  2 cups of frozen raspberries.  1 whole sweet orange grated and juiced.  1 can of whole berry cranberry jelly.  3 tablespoons of raspberry jelly...no seeds.  2 teaspoons of cinnamon.  Chopped apple optional.  All ingredients boiled in a pot for 15 to 30 minutes.  Turn out into a bowl and chill.  This is the best cranberry sauce you will ever taste!  

Edited November 28, 2020 by CGTNORMANDIE

[shipgeeks]

11 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

We had cranberry sauce when I grew up in UK and it wasn't any different to what we make in BC. Certainly wasn't hot, so I can only assume it was a Fred Olsen recipe.🙂

Interesting, thank you!

But did you have Ocean Spray in a can, lol?

[shipgeeks]

The discussion of turkey and sides reminds me of onboard criticisms of foods which don't happen to be the same as expectations.  ("MSC pizza stinks; it's not like Pizza Hut at all!")

Especially at Thanksgiving, we think we have a universal menu, but I bet even the 16 houses on my block have 16 variations, to say nothing of other parts of the country.  Sweet potatoes with marshmallows?  Green bean casserole?  Pierogies?  Succotash?  Biscuits, cornbread, rolls?  Pies?

[shipgeeks]

I should have said Continent rather than Country.

Heidi, what is a typical Canadian Thanksgiving menu (or your family's menu)?

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, shipgeeks said:

I should have said Continent rather than Country.

Heidi, what is a typical Canadian Thanksgiving menu (or your family's menu)?

 

Don't know how traditional Canadian we might be, since I was brought up in UK and so was DW's mum, so just a little UK influence.

 

We do the Turkey with a ground pork/breadcrumb stuffing. I add a variety of herbs, spices, apples, nuts, etc. No recipe, just use what is on hand. With the turkey we always have mashed tatties, sweet potatoes/yams, brussel sprouts, cranberry sauce, gravy and a couple of other vegetables.

 

Always have traditional steamed brussels and in addition, DD has a recipe where she chops them and stir fries with bacon, garlic, nuts ++. The sweet potatoes/yams, again no fixed method, as we prepare them 3 or 4 different ways.

 

For dessert, we never have pumpkin, preferring apple and lemon meringue. 

[CGTNORMANDIE]

2 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Don't know how traditional Canadian we might be, since I was brought up in UK and so was DW's mum, so just a little UK influence.

 

We do the Turkey with a ground pork/breadcrumb stuffing. I add a variety of herbs, spices, apples, nuts, etc. No recipe, just use what is on hand. With the turkey we always have mashed tatties, sweet potatoes/yams, brussel sprouts, cranberry sauce, gravy and a couple of other vegetables.

 

Always have traditional steamed brussels and in addition, DD has a recipe where she chops them and stir fries with bacon, garlic, nuts ++. The sweet potatoes/yams, again no fixed method, as we prepare them 3 or 4 different ways.

 

For dessert, we never have pumpkin, preferring apple and lemon meringue. 

I’m coming for dinner!  I love lemon meringue pie...anytime!  Your semi traditional dinner sounds like ours although this year we did have pumpkin cake.  

[marco]

And another one bite the dust.....our March, 2021 HAL cruise was canx.

[CGTNORMANDIE]

3 hours ago, marco said:

And another one bite the dust.....our March, 2021 HAL cruise was canx.

Cheer up Marco...vaccines are on the way.  We will survive this horrible pandemic and WE WILL cruise again.  

[rkacruiser]

On 11/28/2020 at 2:18 PM, CGTNORMANDIE said:

 I love lemon meringue pie...anytime!

 

I do as well.  But, anytime some one says "PIE", I am all ears!

 

 

On 11/28/2020 at 6:19 AM, CGTNORMANDIE said:

Few people realize that the bird continues to cook

 

That applies to other meats as well.  How many recipes have I read for many meats that specifically say:  let the meat "rest"; it will be more juicy as it finishes cooking?

[rkacruiser]

On 11/28/2020 at 9:08 AM, shipgeeks said:

The discussion of turkey and sides reminds me of onboard criticisms of foods which don't happen to be the same as expectations.  ("MSC pizza stinks; it's not like Pizza Hut at all!")

 

I have heard that kind of expression relating to many chain related foods that are offered aboard a ship.  When I do, I "roll my eyes" and find someone else with whom to converse.  

[rkacruiser]

On 11/28/2020 at 11:57 AM, Heidi13 said:

Don't know how traditional Canadian we might be,

 

I was a guest with some Toronto friends who happen to be of the Jewish faith during Canadian Thanksgiving.  While they were not Kosher, one of their daughters was.  So, I experienced a Kosher Thanksgiving.  The turkey prepared in that manner was memorable.  It was absolutely delicious and I think was even better than what my maternal Grandmother and Mother prepared.  I don't recall what the side dishes were; traditional, I think.  It was a delicious dinner with wonderfully nice friends!

[shipgeeks]

Do any of you have favorite ocean liner/ship movies set in Great Cruising Memories days?

One of ours is "The Captain's Table", a British comedy about a cruise from England to Australia.  It is set on the Oronsay (or perhaps Orsova?), 1959.  (Heidi, have you seen it?)

[Heidi13]

13 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

Do any of you have favorite ocean liner/ship movies set in Great Cruising Memories days?

One of ours is "The Captain's Table", a British comedy about a cruise from England to Australia.  It is set on the Oronsay (or perhaps Orsova?), 1959.  (Heidi, have you seen it?)

 

Don't recall seeing that film, but looks interesting with some great actors. Checked Netflix, Prime & Disney, but none of them have it.

 

Will scroll through my IPTV options to see if Sky has it available.

 

Oronsay & Orsova were amazing ships, just a little before my time. Only ones left when I started were Oriana, Arcadia, Uganda and Canberra.

[rkacruiser]

35 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

Do any of you have favorite ocean liner/ship movies set in Great Cruising Memories days?

 

#1:  Titanic

#2:  Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (I recall that was the title with Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell

#3:  Out To Sea

#4:  The Last Voyage

 

Let me do some more thinking.  I may remember some others.  

[George C]

19 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

#1:  Titanic

#2:  Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (I recall that was the title with Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell

#3:  Out To Sea

#4:  The Last Voyage

 

Let me do some more thinking.  I may remember some others.  

An affair to remember 

Like father