mimikens

Can anyone tell me whether there is a bar in the Windjammer/Jade area? Thanks.

Yes there is a bar at the very front in between Jade (on the port side) and the forward portion of the starboard side of the Windjammer (up near Chops and Portofinos).

On RCI, Salmon, Rosemary Chicken, and Steak is available at every dinner as alternatives if you don't like the items on the menu. I've never seen King Crab on the menu of any of the lines I've been on. It would be nice though!

I know part of the "not buying locally" is the inability to acquire a large enough supply. One of the chefs also said there is always a question of health standards since all their suppliers are heavily screened.

lookincalm,

I can answer some of your questions, but this is based on my cruise on other ships since I haven't been on Rhapsody. RCI does have an extensive wine list, and they do have a sommelier on every ship. On a 7 day or longer cruise, they have a wine tasting seminar ($10 or $20 per person). I am like you with my steak, if it's medium, it goes back, and yes you can send it back as many times as it takes. I don't like my salmon undercooked so I don't know if my opinion would agree with yours here. I don't like it dry but I do not want any translucency left. IMO, the salmon onboard is very good-very moist. I had a filet on my last two RCI cruises (May & Sept of 2004), and on both occasions, I could have cut it with a butter knife. Sometimes it just depends on the chef. Also, your being from Texas, you might like things spicy. You won't find that on RCI (at least I've not experieinced it) so the sauces might not be "interesting' to you. The food is very European, IMO. I've never seen full lobster served. I know they serve caviar at different functions, but I don't know if it is readily available. Hope that helped. Someone else might be able to tell you specifically about the Rhapsody, though I've been on 13 RCI cruises, and there are very strong similarities.

I guess the quality isn't quite the same as it used to be. But, I have always found that the bigger the ship, either the food or service is lacking. I was on the Explorer in May, and the food in the Windjammer was not good. The dining room was pretty good though AND the vegetarian sandwiches in the cafe promenade were fantastic.

And, Dennis the chef, I believe I sat with you at dinner on the Serenade transatlantic. I thought the food was very good on that cruise. But, again, I like "tame" food.

The worst food, by far, was on Carnival. I got food poisoning all three times I sailed with them. The best food, IMHO, was on the now defunct, Dolphin Cruise line. Disney is a little worse than RCI and about the same as NCL. I've never been on HAL, Celebrity or Princess as they are much too laid back for me (from all the reviews I've read and friends I've talked to). Again, these are only my experiences, and things can be hit and miss depending upon the sailing and ship. Also, food isn't even in the top 10 reasons I cruise. Good luck on the baltic cruise!