esstheman

Who's the Cruise Director?

33 minutes ago, kangelop said:

Circling back to Butcher Block by Daria--I am wondering if I should have just booked the Crown Grill instead. Any strong opinions?

Indeed.  What's supposed to be the difference between CG and BB?

On 1/16/2024 at 9:28 AM, 57eric said:

Information that, by multiple accounts, is now wrong.

We should consider it a happy accident if more than half of any description on the Princess website is factually accurate at any time.

From the Princess website description of the "Chef's Table": 

"The menu is specially created by the Executive Chef and is not offered anywhere else on the ship. The fare might include anything from a focus on regional cuisine and ingredients to a display of the Chef’s favorite show stopping recipes perfected over the years. Each course is accompanied by a detailed explanation of the dish, preparation methods, and tasting suggestions. Curated wine pairings also complement the meal, enhancing the ingredients and flavor profiles. During the dessert course, the Executive Chef rejoins the group at their private table to participate in a discussion about the evening’s meal, answer questions, and share culinary secrets gathered during many years of restaurant experience at sea and on land."

Anyways, don't leave the rest of us hanging.  What is the new standardized "Chef's Table" menu?  Anyone have a pic?

What's the point?  I thought this was supposed to be a meal curated by the specific chef, not the same cookie-cutter menu rolled out on every ship at an exorbitant cost.

How was the cruise director for your week?

Recent cruises in Alaska have had bingo on sea days, so I guess it’s back. 

On 2/10/2023 at 8:49 AM, AVCruzers said:

We were impressed with Esther when we were on Discovery a week ago.  She was an assistant CD and think she will do a great job as CD.  Will be with her on the 20th.  

I am on the Discovery for the 20th, and DuVaul Gamble is back as C.D., at least for this cruise. 

The sports channel on board is called Sports24, and at present do not have any World Cup games on schedule for its cruise channel. However, sometimes the ship will make a deal to pick up the games, similar to how they pick up Sunday NFL games. 

My bet is that it’s “Made in Chelsea”, a reality soap about the lives, loves and feuds of Rich Young Things in London. 

Last time I checked, Princess uses Sport24 as its channel, and it covers a wide variety of events, including Champions League and the Premiership, as well as American sports.  https://sport24live.com/schedule

In any event, I would figure that where his impact would first be felt would be on Alaskan cruises, since the line always tries to alter the cuisine for that season: ie., if the menus are different this year than in the past, or if there are changes in other areas than on a typical Princess Alaska cruise in past years.

13 hours ago, 1emerald1 said:

I don't know if it was due to him, but on the Discovery inaugural I had the Duck l'Orange and it was the best duck I've had.  Very moist and tasty.  I stopped ordering duck on Princess years ago because it was always dry.  Perhaps he recommended a new cooking method.

I figured his impact would mean new menu items, better ideas for specialty restaurants for the upcoming Sphere Class, or perhaps a more innovative way in which the food is presented, but perhaps a "new wine in old bottles" is the approach the new guy chooses to go with....

Anyone been on a recent cruise and been able to tell whether Chef Sodamin has made any impact or change in the MDR?

Has the ship in its latest incarnation kept "Club 6" next to the Casino?  I don't see it on the ship map on the Medallion App, and I don't see any information about it in the Princess Patters since the Alaska season started?

Also, is Sabatini's open on Royal?

19 hours ago, caribill said:

 

 

Good to hear. This is different from in the past.

 

Is the channel the International ESPN channel?

In the past the on-board channel, Sports24, got a more limited slate of programming.  About a week ago, they renewed their agreement to air the Olympics, and expanded it to showing more hours on board ships.  See: https://sport24live.com/news/sport-24-renew-olympic-games-agreement

On 1/23/2022 at 5:10 AM, vickie_bernie said:

Nathalie Elaine transhipped and is joining the Majestic.  

 

Aaron Hawkins is CD on Regal now 

Nathalie Elaine? Is that the same person?

I watched the Summer Olympics aboard the Majestic Princess via Peacock+, but only on my i-Pad.  If you have an app for your cable or satellite system, you may be able to access the individual cable stations that are broadcasting as well, but again, only on your smartphone or pad, not on the TV.   It is unlikely that the sports channel Princess uses, Sports24, will have the games.

4 hours ago, shipsealand said:

Harmony disappointing.  My reference point is live in LA where have many Chinese restaurants and my folks used to own a Chinese restaurant.  Hopefully Princess will have their cooking staff learn from some of the really good restaurants and not from a celebrity chef.

I'd heard something about how Harmony was no longer associated with Richard Chen, although the Princess website still has him listed.  The menu has dramatically changed since the restart....

The Summer Olympics were not shown on the Majestic Princess in July, and Sport24, the in-cabin sports station, did not offer it.

5 hours ago, philv said:

We are on the CB during Olympics and Superbowl. I presume they will have on MUTS but I’m wondering if they will show in Princess theatre if shows are not scheduled. Any thoughts?

The Super Bowl will be a big event on board, if past history is any indicator.  If there's a TV set in any public area, it will probably have it on.

As far as the Winter Olympics are concerned, forget it.  I was on the Majestic during the Summer Olympics last July, and there was nothing.  Princess no longer has any deals with ESPN International, and has never had anything with NBC. 

However, I was able to get my Olympics fill because the WiFi on board was so good.  Every event is streamed live and is thus watcheable anywhere you have a smartphone or Ipad, and if you have a cable app worth a damn, you can also stream the over-the-air stations NBC will be using to broadcast the events.

On 1/18/2022 at 10:45 AM, jwattle said:

Who is it? 🙂

A poster on this thread last month said the new CD would be Natalie Costa, perhaps most famous as the CD aboard the ill-fated Diamond Princess at the onset of the COVID crisis.  She was much praised at the time for her good cheer and professionalism during incredibly adverse circumstances.

Well, don't leave us in suspense.  Did they have the game?  Any games?

Well, don't leave us in suspense.  Did they have the game?  Any games?