The International Dinner - Where is the love?

[cruz chic]

We looked at the International menu and compared it to the regular night menus. Other than the fact that there are more choices, I don't think it's any less composed than on a regular evening. A typical dinner menu in the Caribbean might have Asian, Italian, Caribbean, and Indian dishes.

 

It's the giant piece of menu paper that's freaking people out, isn't it? :D

 

I agree. I'm not too fussy about keeping in the same region for dinner. I like what I like. Never thought of mixing regions as being a biggie. Everyone is different, I guess.

[nanlaur]

you do know i'm joking about the big sheet of paper, right? For what it's worth, my wife is not a fan of the layout. She's okay with the menu, but prefers not to skip around so much when choosing.

 

We also have strong feelings about fonts.

 

And it seems I have issues with emoticons. :D Tried to make a whole line of broad grins and failed :eek:

Edited July 1, 2014 by nanlaur

[cruz chic]

And it seems I have issues with emoticons. :D Tried to make a whole line of broad grins and failed :eek:

 

I don't think it's you. I think you can only add a set amount.

[POA1]

And it seems I have issues with emoticons. :D Tried to make a whole line of broad grins and failed :eek:

 

The system only allows 6 images per post and emoticons are images. Look at it this way, the CC system is keeping your from getting too emotional! ;)

[nanlaur]

The system only allows 6 images per post and emoticons are images. Look at it this way, the CC system is keeping your from getting too emotional! ;)

 

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha ;)

[Linda&Vern]

I guess I never realized how many people don't care to attend the last evening's dinner. I'm surprised by all the negative comments about that "big" menu. FYI - The "Big Apple" Cheesecake is delish! It is one of the few times I order dessert at dinner. To us the "parade" isn't a big thing. The staff dance and sing their way thru the aisles and the guests usually clap. I don't think the whole event takes more than 90 seconds.

[Linda&Vern]

No, it's the stuff listed on the "giant piece of menu paper" and the possible/probable lack of the "plainer" offerings that every other night are listed as "always available". I'm not generally overly picky, but with foods that I cannot eat without getting sick being the preponderance of what's on there, I need options that apparently may or may not be available.

I feel bad you have posted so many negative comments about your upcoming HAL cruise. I hope you do find some enjoyment during your Alaska journey, I really do.

[idiebabe]

I guess I never realized how many people don't care to attend the last evening's dinner. I'm surprised by all the negative comments about that "big" menu. FYI - The "Big Apple" Cheesecake is delish! It is one of the few times I order dessert at dinner. To us the "parade" isn't a big thing. The staff dance and sing their way thru the aisles and the guests usually clap. I don't think the whole event takes more than 90 seconds.

 

I think the Cheesecake is very good, too! I also enjoy the Guiso Soup, Brie in Phyllo and either the Beef or Duck. DH likes the Spring Rolls and the Poblano Chicken.

 

I also like the Parade! :)

[cruz chic]

I find that big apple cheesecake to be mediocre at best. Surprised it's so well liked.

[cruz chic]

I feel bad you have posted so many negative comments about your upcoming HAL cruise. I hope you do find some enjoyment during your Alaska journey, I really do.

 

I don't agree that she has posted many negative things. Isn't it ok to state things we are concerned about or don't like? Not everyone will like or has to like the same things. Hal May or may not be a good fit for her and that's perfectly ok.

[Vict0riann]

This was the one dinner we skipped in the MDR on our cruise. When I looked at the menu it seemed to scattered and not very cohesive since they were combining 4 cultures all into one meal. We ate at the lido at dinner for the first time. Sounds like we made the right choice.

 

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That is so funny! If you scroll down on Crew News' post of the menus - you'll see they are the same, just presented differently!:)

[sherilyn70]

That is so funny! If you scroll down on Crew News' post of the menus - you'll see they are the same, just presented differently!:)

They are. I chose to eat other things instead. I made a salad with corn and a Mexican chicken and then had the chicken entrée with no sides.

 

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[Vict0riann]

Yes, of course you are right, Sherilyn, that's what's good about the Lido, you can "mix and match". :)

[Typhoon1]

We tried it on our last cruise. We both thought it was pretty good. Something different from the daily offerings in the MDR.

Edited July 1, 2014 by Typhoon1

[donswife]

Wait, parade and song??? Ugh. Might have to cut out early that night - or take a bathroom break. The only place I like having my wait staff sing is a place in NYC I take visiting friends to where all the wait staff is aspiring Broadway actors and they CAN all sing.

 

 

This is regarding our experience on Westerdam Alaska. On the formal night there were no parading baked Alaskas. A nice assortment of crew members walked through the dining rooms (once for each set seating time), room stewards bearing towel animals, while we applauded their hard work serving us throughout the week. Then they sang one song. Not a bad thing to show appreciation. The last night the menu was in the usual format, with the always available items listed.

[GRACECRUISE]

I think to food the last is good, especially the cheesecake. But if I plan ahead we eat in the Pinnacle or Canelletto and it is not because of the food. It is the waving of napkins. Kind of freaks me out the these napkins full of crumbs and sneezes (we always have a sneezy person near us) are now waving over my head and table. It just freaks me out. If we do want in the MDR that night, I quietly leave before the hoopla!!!!! We leave next week for the VOV and I have already booked the Italian food for final night of the 1st segment.

[runnergirl71]

This is regarding our experience on Westerdam Alaska. On the formal night there were no parading baked Alaskas. A nice assortment of crew members walked through the dining rooms (once for each set seating time), room stewards bearing towel animals, while we applauded their hard work serving us throughout the week. Then they sang one song. Not a bad thing to show appreciation. The last night the menu was in the usual format, with the always available items listed.

 

I can show appreciation on my own. I hate feeling forced to. (And yes, I am the person who doesn't give a standing ovation at a theatre performance simply because people showed up on stage and did their job. They have to earn it, and merely performing doesn't. I've done it from the back row AND the front row. If you get a standing O from me, you've earned it.)

[cruz chic]

I can show appreciation on my own. I hate feeling forced to. (And yes, I am the person who doesn't give a standing ovation at a theatre performance simply because people showed up on stage and did their job. They have to earn it, and merely performing doesn't. I've done it from the back row AND the front row. If you get a standing O from me, you've earned it.)

 

I think you and I are a lot alike. I'm not a fan of the napkin swirling "appreciation". I find the whole thing quite embarrassing. Frankly, I don't think this is showing appreciation. I think they would rather see $$$ then people clapping as they parade around. It's just one more thing for them to do in their already busy day.

[cruz chic]

I think to food the last is good, especially the cheesecake. But if I plan ahead we eat in the Pinnacle or Canelletto and it is not because of the food. It is the waving of napkins. Kind of freaks me out the these napkins full of crumbs and sneezes (we always have a sneezy person near us) are now waving over my head and table. It just freaks me out. If we do want in the MDR that night, I quietly leave before the hoopla!!!!! We leave next week for the VOV and I have already booked the Italian food for final night of the 1st segment.

 

It could be my poor memory but don't think do the napkin thing on the last formal night which wouldn't be the last night?

[runnergirl71]

I think you and I are a lot alike. I'm not a fan of the napkin swirling "appreciation". I find the whole thing quite embarrassing. Frankly, I don't think this is showing appreciation. I think they would rather see $$$ then people clapping as they parade around. It's just one more thing for them to do in their already busy day.

 

Bingo!! :D

[Boytjie]

Lately on our charters we have been spared the MDR parades! Typically we have a dance on the aft Lido deck late afternoon and representatives from the various departments come out then to say good bye.

[SeaBands]

do they serve Baked Caribbean?

[POA1]

do they serve Baked Caribbean?

No. It's "Frozen Florida" which has hot liqueur inside of frozen merengue coated with chocolate, and held together with caramel "glue" . It sounds like something that would be made up - but it's not. You'll sometimes see it in a restaurant that specializes in molecular gastronomy. (While it's cool, it's not a real winner as a dessert.)

 

Edited July 2, 2014 by POA1

[Cruzin Terri]

I want to thank you all for reminding us how much we dislike the menu on international night. We now have reservations in the Pinnacle for the last night of our upcoming cruise.

While it is a back to back, we are taking care of the first half by having dinner off the ship in Venice that night.

Terri

[summersigh]

For people with WAY more cruises under their belt I am sure it gets old.

 

This comment tickled me. I've seen it made in regard to the normal MDR menus too. It seems the majority of folks cruise once a year at most - to me, seeing a menu again months later doesn't exactly wear me out on it :D:D

I definitely repeat my menus at home wayyyyy more often than that (like every 2 weeks??? ) :p