Can you really carry food from International Cafe around ship?

[flashdog_1]

I see from the deck plans that there is no seating for the international cafe on Golden. Does that mean you carry it around with you? I see the library is across the Piazza, but I imagine that's a no no for food and drink, right?

[PescadoAmarillo]

I carry the shrimp salad form the IC up to the buffet to have with lunch, and also to the Wheelhouse to eat while DH is having the pub lunch (no healthy menu choices there). No one's ever said anything. And I can bet that lots of the desserts have found their way back to cabins.;)

 

And I would also assume the library is off limits for food. Also the casino, shops, etc.

[Loonbeam]

I've taken a small, non messy, snack to the Casino and no one has said anything (usually a few cookies). There is no food in the shops, not sure I ever saw a formal policy for the library..

 

I carry the shrimp salad form the IC up to the buffet to have with lunch, and also to the Wheelhouse to eat while DH is having the pub lunch (no healthy menu choices there). No one's ever said anything. And I can bet that lots of the desserts have found their way back to cabins.;)

 

And I would also assume the library is off limits for food. Also the casino, shops, etc.

[hillslife]

Sure - you can take food from anywhere and sit basically anywhere you want....no worries. Some places they will even wrap it for you or give you foil to cover it for the walk.

 

Enjoy!

[PrincessNancy]

Absolutely, you can carry the IC food anywhere (not sure about the library, I'd assume not.) There is seating in the Piazza and a few tables near the espresso/coffee bar that's part of the IC. This table/seating configuration was this way on the Emerald and Crown. I'll have to see what it's like on our upcoming cruise on the Golden.

[MichCook]

I carry the shrimp salad form the IC up to the buffet to have with lunch, and also to the Wheelhouse to eat while DH is having the pub lunch (no healthy menu choices there). No one's ever said anything. And I can bet that lots of the desserts have found their way back to cabins.;)

 

And I would also assume the library is off limits for food. Also the casino, shops, etc.

 

Oh, yes! Love the shrimp salad in the IC. Yes, many IC desserts have found their way to our cabin! :D

[Waynetor]

Have not been on the Golden but the ships I have been on had some sitting in that area that does not show on the deck plan. Just like food from the buffet, it can be taken almost anywhere, same for the drinks.

[Astro Flyer]

Seating in the Piazza is very limited & so you're only option could be to take it to eat elsewhere. Sometimes the Piazza is crowded with those watching entertainment or relaxing. Thus there are times you won't find a place to eat. For ships with Vines we've sat there when they're not open. But no matter the seating limitations, it's a great venue for something quick to eat.

[DeepWaterMariner]

The days of easily finding a table at the IC are in the past. On our last Princess cruise which was Canada to FLL at the end of October it was great to stop at the IC after a cold morning ashore and pick up a cup of hot soup to consume in our cabin, only a few doors away.

[Putterdude]

People take food from the IC all the time...no problem.

[flashdog_1]

Well, the food sounds wonderful and we'll find a way!

 

Are the lines usually tremendous? But they're open ALL the time, aren't they?

 

Closer than the buffet, are there lounge chairs and tables out on the promenade that might be a shorter walk?

[Janet Foster]

Well, the food sounds wonderful and we'll find a way!

 

Are the lines usually tremendous? But they're open ALL the time, aren't they?

 

Closer than the buffet, are there lounge chairs and tables out on the promenade that might be a shorter walk?

Never experienced any long lines. No more than five people ahead of me. Service is quick. Food is great!! Tables nearby were always taken. But that was ok!

[quincytoo]

On our last balcony cruise we would take turns every late afternoon running up to the HC and loading a plate with cheese, crackers, hot appy's and such then took the plate back to our stateroom to enjoy with a drink on the balcony.

 

Our last CB cruise the IC was not there yet and this cruise I am thinking that this would be a great place to get such a plate, thoughts of that shrimp salad is making me hungry.:D

 

Does the IC have good offerings for a late afternoon grazing such as we did on the Sapphire? Or is it more sandwiches and meal type items?

[grandmaa]

I take the yogurt parfait to breakfast in the dining room while DH orders his breakfast. Have never had a problem doing this.

[itzmered]

a couple of times we took salads and sandwiches back to our cabin and others we sat in the Piazza and ate, there is not a lot of seating but we usually could find a place to sit if we wanted

[Jasperdo]

If the seating in the Piazza is taken, a good place to go is the Explorers Lounge up on Deck 7. There are plenty of tables there, and unless there's something going on there, it's deserted.

 

This photo shows the Piazza seating on the Golden:

 

[hydrodriver831]

We were on the Golden last week (6/18-6/25) and most mornings someone would go done to the IC and get goodies for the morning and bring them back to the cabin. We used the tray from the cabin (the one the water and glasses sit on) to bring everything back to the cabin. The carmelized apple turnovers were a favorite.

[tequilasunrise]

I carry the shrimp salad form the IC up to the buffet to have with lunch, and also to the Wheelhouse to eat while DH is having the pub lunch (no healthy menu choices there). No one's ever said anything. And I can bet that lots of the desserts have found their way back to cabins.;)

 

And I would also assume the library is off limits for food. Also the casino, shops, etc.

 

Desserts and donuts DEFINITELY find their way back to MY cabin :p Wish they had the donuts all day

[sherryf]

I like to take a little dessert with me to the theater to eat while waiting for the show to start. :D

[caribill]

Well, the food sounds wonderful and we'll find a way!

 

Are the lines usually tremendous? But they're open ALL the time, aren't they?

 

Closer than the buffet, are there lounge chairs and tables out on the promenade that might be a shorter walk?

 

No, IC is only open from about 6 AM to 11 PM.

 

Yes, there are lounge chairs outside on the promenade deck, but no tables.

[bobhsv]

Is there a cost to eat there? What is the coffee like...ie strong.

Thanks

[4cats4me]

I don't understand all the hoopla about the food at the International Cafe. We were on a 10-day cruise on the Emerald and they really didn't have that large of a selction. I remember a shrimp salad which really wasn't all that remarkable and some kind of

Greek-type salad with feta, bell peppers, olives, which was good but not exceptional and some Paninis, and the desserts were comprised of the little fruit tarts that are always in the Horizon Court ... I think it's the presentation that gets everyone excited. The food does look nicer in the display cases in the IC, but really, it's just not that big of a deal to have a few caprese sandwiches and salads. I eat like that every day at home so it's not that special to have appetizers like that on a ship. I prefer the Horizon Court over the IC.

[caribill]

Is there a cost to eat there? What is the coffee like...ie strong.

Thanks

 

Food is at no cost (except for the IC's that have gelato which is 3 scoops for $1.50).

 

Beverages, other than tap water and milk, have a cost.

[A.S.]

Food is at no cost (except for the IC's that have gelato which is 3 scoops for $1.50).

 

Beverages, other than tap water and milk, have a cost.

 

So can you get milk at no charge at the IC?

 

Thanks for any info?

[lolane1]

I don't understand all the hoopla about the food at the International Cafe. We were on a 10-day cruise on the Emerald and they really didn't have that large of a selction. I remember a shrimp salad which really wasn't all that remarkable and some kind of

Greek-type salad with feta, bell peppers, olives, which was good but not exceptional and some Paninis, and the desserts were comprised of the little fruit tarts that are always in the Horizon Court ... I think it's the presentation that gets everyone excited. The food does look nicer in the display cases in the IC, but really, it's just not that big of a deal to have a few caprese sandwiches and salads. I eat like that every day at home so it's not that special to have appetizers like that on a ship. I prefer the Horizon Court over the IC.

 

THe international cafe is not meant to be a buffet, and yes, their selections are far less than the buffet but that is intentional. What they offer is fabulous. It is not only in the presentation but in the taste and selection. I love the yogurt parfait for breakfast - perfect with a latte and just enough without being faced with a ton of food offered at the buffet. Lunch consists of a couple of those sandwiches and an ice cold beer at the bar to the left. Perfect, again, without being weighed down carbohydrate laden fare and food covered in high caloric, dense sauces offered at the buffet. But the great thing about the ship is choices. What you might consider appetizers, I consider a meal. And after a day or two on the ship, I relish different, light choices - just personal preference. Fortunately, most people, like you, go to the buffet and use the IC for snacks. ;)