trinaM

Bagels and Lox (smoked salmon). I eat this for breakfast every day on the cruise, and never seem to get enough!!

Mark

Last time I asked for this, The waiter got it wrong. But yes it is a good breakfast.

Thank you for the ideas.

can you elaborate on the "great Hotels" in downtown Vancouver comment?

Some other ideas other than 260-300.00 per night?

safe,clean friendly staff?

I've been trying to increase my fruit and veggies and get rid of some carbs in my diet. I've discovered a few replacements over the last couple weeks that I was shocked how much I love! I'd love to hear more suggestions! Here are some of my successes:

 

I've been throwing a 3lb bag of chicken in the crockpot at the beginning of every week with a little coconut oil and some italian seasoning, cook for 8 hours, shreds up easily and I weight it out into 100gm portions through salads throughout the week. (My new favorite salad is lettuce, tomatoes, crushed melba toast, 2tbsp of BBQ sauce, and chicken, mixed well, it has a little crunch and I LOVE BBQ:)

 

I cut radishes in half and threw them in my crockpot with a roast and carrots in place of potatoes and they were "amazing" per my husband, tasted almost just like potatoes! Each radish has like 1 calorie in it!

 

I've used cauliflower to make spicy chicken "rice": (I've tried the cauliflower mashed potatoes before and my children thought they were disgusting and I was unimpressed)

200 g shredded chicken breast

1 cup chicken broth

1 head cauliflower (chopped into tiny rice size pieces, possible in food processor or grated like cheese)

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp garlic powder

 

Mix it all together and cook until cauliflower is soft and most of water has been cooked out. There's approximately 200 calories in this whole recipe :)

thanks again... they are great~~

hi,

Looking for Pre cruise hotel for a stay before a Cruise leaving out of vancouver.

 

thanks for any help.

So many different ideas, choices, Prices! thanks for all the assistance.

Framer- I was enjoying your Signature PHOTO's

Where did you find them?

TrinaM

would it be near the salad bar in the buffet?

hi,

Looking for Pre cruise hotel for a 3 day pacific coastal leaving out of vancouver.

want to look at something that is economical. thanks for any help.

share your Winning Priceline bids for

downtown Vancouver , B. C. Canada..

Winter season December 2015

I wonder on Princess whether you can ask for oatmeal that s not "soupy" but more oats well cooked and

condiments to put with: such as

fruit, rice or soy milk alternatives

raisins, granola,

?

Thank you so much. Could you explain how to make yoghurt cheese? thanks again.

Always had the omelets or scrambled eggs till I discovered they are made with powdered eggs like most dry land restaurants use to save $. Fresh eggs only available in sunny side, once over, boiled or poached. Ever made an omelet yourself and added sour cream afterwards (with green onions, salsa, cheese & mushrooms cooked in and/or on top - yummy)...hubby can't get enough. Love the lox and bagels with cream cheese (substitute at home with cheese yogurt-no fat-for way less calories & just as good not to mention cheaper). Ask and I will explain how easy it is to make cheese from yogurt...Was a part-time caterer so have a little knowledge I wld enjoy sharing..Happy cruisin'!

I brink snack bags of candy get ice cream from the soft serve machines and mix them into my ice cream. Very tasty

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

reeses PB cups? m&M's? which ones?

this should keep me busy poking around for what might be available.

I'm not sure if this classifies as a mistake, but I feel that one previous cruises we've not taken advantage of everything the ship has to offer. We usually book port intensive cruises and being off the ship so much we don't do a lot on the ship. We need to change that on our upcoming cruise!

I'm not sure either. (qualifying what you said as a 'mistake') but I know what ever it is that I find relaxing I hope I will have More of that on my next cruise.

Happy cruising.

70 days as of today

I suppose maybe I am lucky, but I have never had that happen. It seems like final payment should be just that-- FINAL.

Must be something in the documents we all sign. "we reserve the right to get payment of taxes and fees, and adjustments, even after final payment" or some such wording.

Twice on my two time a year pacific coastals in the last (i will say probably 4 years) this has happened.

Interesting...

Thanks for the tip to Prevent seasickness by using the patch. I have heard it helps

I am prone to seasickness so I use the patch. It lasts about a week for me with no side effects. On a ten-day cruise I forgot to change patches after a week and got quite seasick in the rough weather that night. So I skipped dinner, put on a new patch, and crawled into bed, knowing I would feel better in about three hours.

 

In came the steward to turn down the beds. He asked after my health and I told him what was going on.

 

Now if I'm lucky enough to be on a cruise longer than a week, I change patches after a week, even if I still feel fine.

hi,

I like to look around in shops for Fountain pens and Stationary.

Are there any MUST SEE shops in Downtown Vancouver B C area that might be fun to look at?

I'm looking for low end to middle end pens..

thanks all. this is a great thread...

These are all great. :)

 

I booked us into a room below the Horizon Court kitchen once. My DH still hasn't completely recovered.

 

I also booked us for a hike in Mexico, where we would "get our feet wet." "Getting our feet wet" turned out to be wading across a river twice. Once was hip deep with a very strong current and the other time was up to my armpits. I complained of this to the shore excursions desk, and the smart assed kid there told me that this couldn't be true because the cruiseline would never allow this to happen.

 

We didn't figure out that we could get lunch on the ship on embarcation day until our third cruise. We're not really very bright.

WOW sea,

that excursion must have been amazing... one of a kind. a little scarry! they should know a bit more about their excursions!

embarkation lunch is still a secret because most of the time the crew on board tells you "there is NO dining room open for lunch" you have to go up to the buffet..

(not really true) like the times they say "ship is sailing full" when you know.. its a really short one, and it is not.

Not realizing that the taxes can and do sometimes get adjusted after final payment.

and you have to shell out more money..

in 2015 is it as challenging as when you were starting out?

I am a life-long vegetarian. Until recent years, this made traveling a challenge! Up to about 5-10 years ago (depending on region) veg dining options were limited...again and again, I was offered the same boring iceburg salads and carbs, carbs, carbs! However, the GOOD NEWS is: restaurants (and cruise lines) have become increasingly eager to cater to the health conscious consumer. Not only are they offering healthier menu choices, they are also becoming more sophisticated in vegetarian cuisine!

 

 

TRAVEL TIPS FOR VEGETARIANS & VEGANS:

 

 

 

DISCOVER HIDDEN MENU SECRETS:

 

• Many restaurants (and chefs) offer vegetarian and vegan dishes that they DO NOT PUT ON THE MENU.
  
• I have discovered there is often an underground secret menu for vegans and vegetarians!
  

 

HOW TO HANDLE SPECIAL REQUESTS - DINING ETIQUETTE:

 

Selections vary, but most chefs are happy to accommodate vegetarians and they frequently have a personal repertoire of veg dishes they enjoying creating by special request. However, the most important thing impacting your service and selection as a vegetarian is your attitude and approach...

• Do NOT start off by telling them what you don't want. Give the server a chance to realize you are not being difficult, you simply need help!
   
  
• I usually say, "I am having a bit of a challenge. I am vegan (or vegetarian) and looking for a low-carb dish. What would you suggest?"
   
  
• Remember...the server is your ambassador to the kitchen. Make them your ally! Everyone wants to be a hero. I have found the staff will knock themselves out to please you if you approach them as your partner in this food adventure.
  

BE FLEXIBLE:

• Another thing I have noticed is that the less restrictions I put in the request, the more the staff asks questions...which allows them to feel like they are involved and in the end, you still get to communicate items you like or dislike: but they feel like it was all their idea!
   
  
• One nice open-ended way to get your server engaged and inspired is to ask, "What is in season?" and they usually start offering you all sorts of wonderful options.
  

 

INSPIRE THE CHEF:

 

Take a positive approach. Don't restrict the chef...inspire their creativity

• Sometimes I say, "Does the chef have any special dishes they like to make for vegans?" Or, "I see so many wonderful vegetable and side dishes on the menu. Could the chef create something vegan?"
   
  
• Many chefs get bored with the routine menu and will jump at the chance to create a special dish! I have had some amazing and gorgeous plates put before me! One meat-eating companion in particular has started saying, "I'll have the same" because they have discovered I end up with better service and better food!
   
  
• This is one request Chefs seem to love: "Just surprise me." or "I can't wait to see what the chef creates." Nine times out of ten, the chef and staff will bend over backwards to impress you!
   
  

 

THANK THE STAFF AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR EXTRA EFFORT:

 

• Don't forget to thank your server!
   
  
• Suggested remarks: "This is delicious and I really appreciate your extra effort" or "Thank you for your excellent suggestion. I am really enjoying this dish."
   
  
• Also, be sure you send a message of appreciation to the kitchen. "Tell the chef this is fabulous." or "Tell the chef I just love the meal they created for me."
  

 

WHAT TO DO IN RESTRICTED MENU SETTINGS:

 

If it is a more straight off the menu setting, try:

 

• "I am looking for a vegan dish and I noticed all the side dishes on your menu entrees look delicious.
  
• "Is it possible to put together a vegan plate from the side-dish selections?" Most kitchens and servers seem equally eager to create a beautiful meal in this manner.
  

 

 

OTHER MENU SECRETS:

 

1) Many short-order menus have vegetarian burgers that are not always on the printed menu. Be sure to ask: "Do you have a Gardenburger or vegetarian patty?"

 

2) Some of the cruise lines offer vegetarian Indian meals for Hindi cruise passengers...but you have to know to ask for it. They might already be making an Indian menu for other passengers and so you can benefit from the wonderful and exotically tasty selection!

 

3) Sushi restaurants are always happy to offer cucumber and avocado rolls and usually some creative variations on tofu and vegetable rolls. Once again, I have discovered that sushi chefs enjoy showing off their artistry with exotic vegetable combinations and beautiful presentation.

 

 

CRUISING TIP:

 

I called the Princess Cruise customer service number and asked them if they could email me some menus or provide me with information that would help me plan in advance. They have a special person that handles special dietary requests. They said you can get pretty much anything you want...just alert them in advance. They will also customize meals to meet your needs. They are also happy to provide info on what the various on-board restaurants and food venues offer as their vegetarian menu selections.

 

Good luck and Bon Appetite!

Original Poster of this thread SHYLE.

HOW DID your surprise go? how did everything work out for you?

:)

What company is the 3rd party that carnival brought in?

thanks.

Up to this year I worked for Princess. Seattle and Vancouver were the only 2 places in the world where you were processed on and off Princess ships by Princess employees. Their parent company, Carnival, wanted everybody to use shared services for that so now we work for a 3rd party :(

 

I'll probably be working right next to the taxi line greeting buses when you arrive.

 

Still a Princess at heart though. :)

 

Tom

We have just graduated to "premium plus" , and love it -- but still love to cruise on other lines as well.

what is "premium Plus?"

Great Blue Angels Picture!! thanks

That is Seafair Weekend! Unlimited hydroplane races and an airshow headlined by the Blue Angels. If that sort of thing interests you, you could spend most of Saturday down at Genesee Park.