raesive Posted December 30, 2019 #1 Share Posted December 30, 2019 Just got off Zuiderdam and wondering if their drink menus are different or the same to the rest of the fleet... there was only a single page with cocktails, plus a "Drink of the day" in all the menus I found throughout the ship- still listed all beers, liquors, wines, sodas, etc. There was a separate list in addition in the Billboard Onboard and BB King bar areas, but between those it was still lacking from when I cruised on NS back in April where there had to be at least 5 pages of just cocktails. Did they pare down the menu dramatically fleet-wide? Seemed odd to no longer see the suncicle (one bartender made it for me, but he had to do it from memory, and it wasn't in the computer) and many others from that previous trip. I also really wanted this frozen chocolate mint concoction (can't remember the name anymore), but was told the closest they could do was a mudslide- good, but not the same. Anyone else have a similar experience? Or was it just this ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higntn Posted December 30, 2019 #2 Share Posted December 30, 2019 I hope we can still get a Wang Wang! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raesive Posted December 30, 2019 Author #3 Share Posted December 30, 2019 1 minute ago, Higntn said: I hope we can still get a Wang Wang! Yes, those are definitely available... though idk if that was a menu item ever? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigi1977 Posted December 30, 2019 #4 Share Posted December 30, 2019 Think they have changed fleet wide. Our favorite in Tamarind was no longer available. Think it was the Snow Tiger?? Wish I knew how to make it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llbz327 Posted December 30, 2019 #5 Share Posted December 30, 2019 on the k-dam in dec. and the book with the drinks in does not have many cocktails listed but you could still get the same drinks. the still had the wang wang. the tamarind dinner menu was also different, not as many choices loved the ship but did notice alot a changes. sign of the times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagger16 Posted December 30, 2019 #6 Share Posted December 30, 2019 We're on Koningsdam right now. The cocktail menu has been the same in every bar. There is only a small list of specialty cocktails. All the former drinks are gone. But they will make anything you want. We haven't tried to order a Wang Wang yet but I think as long as the bartender knows what it is, it can be made. The only exception we have found is Tamarind which still has some of their own cocktails. BTW . . . This is the first time we've seen the new shortened room service breakfast menu with additional charge add ons. We've been successful with write in changes to the omelette but haven't gone crazy with any other write in attempts. The dining room menu also seems smaller but so far we have enjoyed many of our dishes. We were on Koningsdam back in 2016 and were not impressed but we have seen great improvement in service this time and are really enjoying this cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted December 30, 2019 #7 Share Posted December 30, 2019 Sorry to hear that HAL is cutting back on the number of cocktails being offered. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatcat04 Posted December 30, 2019 #8 Share Posted December 30, 2019 Hoping someone will post the new shorter menu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YXU AC*SE Posted December 30, 2019 #9 Share Posted December 30, 2019 38 minutes ago, Krazy Kruizers said: Sorry to hear that HAL is cutting back on the number of cocktails being offered. I think you are conflating 'promoted' with 'offered' ... most (if not all, iirc from my Nieuw Statendam TA) listed cocktails being promoted are Dale DeGroff custom creations. Hardly a cutback? I had no problems in ordering a Pearl Drop martini (remember those?) or my usual Crown Royal Manhattan with a whisper of vermouth. Scott. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatcat04 Posted December 30, 2019 #10 Share Posted December 30, 2019 42 minutes ago, YXU AC*SE said: I think you are conflating 'promoted' with 'offered' ... most (if not all, iirc from my Nieuw Statendam TA) listed cocktails being promoted are Dale DeGroff custom creations. Hardly a cutback? I had no problems in ordering a Pearl Drop martini (remember those?) or my usual Crown Royal Manhattan with a whisper of vermouth. Scott. Good to know. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted December 30, 2019 #11 Share Posted December 30, 2019 1 hour ago, fatcat04 said: Hoping someone will post the new shorter menu. Here is a link to the new beverage menus. Note that each bar will add a specialty page in the front. The NS Ocean Bar added a page offering snacks such as calamari, nachos: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Bar-Menu.pdf Current wine list: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Wine-List.pdfhttp://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Wine-List.pdf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seachef318 Posted December 30, 2019 #12 Share Posted December 30, 2019 3 hours ago, Higntn said: I hope we can still get a Wang Wang! Pretty sure that’s the Filipino version of a Long Island Ice tea not a HAL exclusive. I worked on ships 12 years ago and my bartenders were making those every time someone said “surprise me” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSR Posted December 31, 2019 #13 Share Posted December 31, 2019 3 hours ago, Crew News said: Current wine list: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Wine-List.pdfhttp://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Wine-List.pdf Thank you for the drink and wine lists. Still slim pickings for a glass of wine with the regular Beverage package...At the end of the wine list there was mention of the Wine Packages, but no listings of the wines in each (Cellar) package; do you have a listing of those? Or did I miss an earlier posting? Someone mentioned a while ago that the packages were changing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tv24 Posted December 31, 2019 #14 Share Posted December 31, 2019 This is kind of crazy. Don't they make money off of their cocktails? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted December 31, 2019 #15 Share Posted December 31, 2019 6 hours ago, PSR said: Thank you for the drink and wine lists. Still slim pickings for a glass of wine with the regular Beverage package...At the end of the wine list there was mention of the Wine Packages, but no listings of the wines in each (Cellar) package; do you have a listing of those? Or did I miss an earlier posting? Someone mentioned a while ago that the packages were changing. As requested: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sommelier-Suite.pdf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystalspin Posted December 31, 2019 #16 Share Posted December 31, 2019 9 hours ago, Crew News said: Here is a link to the new beverage menus. Note that each bar will add a specialty page in the front. The NS Ocean Bar added a page offering snacks such as calamari, nachos: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Bar-Menu.pdf That's really amazing in the negative sense of the word. Surely people will still be able to order a Pina Colada, Margarita, Pain Killer??? I guess they save money not printing thicker menus, but it bursts a balloon for anyone wanting to try something new that isn't a Dale whatshisname's concoction. (I for one did not know what a Painkiller was until our last TA on the Zuiderdam.) I know! I'll print Roger's OLD bar menu and take it as a crib-sheet! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSR Posted December 31, 2019 #17 Share Posted December 31, 2019 1 hour ago, Crew News said: 8 hours ago, PSR said: Thank you for the drink and wine lists. Still slim pickings for a glass of wine with the regular Beverage package...At the end of the wine list there was mention of the Wine Packages, but no listings of the wines in each (Cellar) package; do you have a listing of those? Or did I miss an earlier posting? Someone mentioned a while ago that the packages were changing. As requested: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sommelier-Suite.pdf Thank you. The selections seem very similar to our last cruise a year ago...especially since they still have the ones we like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatcat04 Posted December 31, 2019 #18 Share Posted December 31, 2019 That really lovely late harvest Sauvignon Blanc they have had for a long time and that we ordered after dinner for years has sadly been eliminated from the posted MDR wine list. I would even order a glass of that instead of dessert it was so flowery sweet and luscious. That is a real shame. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTcruisenut Posted December 31, 2019 #19 Share Posted December 31, 2019 right? where's the Margarita's, the Mojito's etc.? maybe they are specialties for the day? I'm not a fan of all these "Celebrity" sponsored things, the chef, the mixologists and Oprah. Focus on what HAL has always done best, good food, excellent service and less advertising! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatcat04 Posted December 31, 2019 #20 Share Posted December 31, 2019 2 minutes ago, VTcruisenut said: right? where's the Margarita's, the Mojito's etc.? maybe they are specialties for the day? I'm not a fan of all these "Celebrity" sponsored things, the chef, the mixologists and Oprah. Focus on what HAL has always done best, good food, excellent service and less advertising! Ditto..I am puzzled by this change. I will still order my Sidecars, Caribbean Coolers, and Hemingway Daiquiris even if they are not on the menu. can't imagine those would not be available. Every cruise we would try a couple new HAL cocktails just for fun. The mixology class bartenders were always good about introducing us to fun stuff. Like Crystal said above, might crib sheet Rogers old menu and see if they will still make drinks off it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YXU AC*SE Posted December 31, 2019 #21 Share Posted December 31, 2019 (edited) 28 minutes ago, VTcruisenut said: right? where's the Margarita's, the Mojito's etc.? maybe they are specialties for the day? I'm not a fan of all these "Celebrity" sponsored things, the chef, the mixologists and Oprah. Focus on what HAL has always done best, good food, excellent service and less advertising! Perhaps HAL has come to the realization that most customers already know what they want, will order what they want, and don't feel the need to explicitly list every single cocktail permutation and combination in a menu? It is also an interesting way to conceal price to the pax (and thereby stimulate sales?). No menu, no prices, no paper chit to sign, no thermal receipt to stick in a suit coat pocket, no cash. Scott. Edited December 31, 2019 by YXU AC*SE 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KruisingKaren Posted December 31, 2019 #22 Share Posted December 31, 2019 Crew News thanks for sharing the bar menus and wine offerings. Will definitely be making a trip to Total Wine and More before we board our ship in Fort Lauderdale. I don't mind paying the corkage fee to drink wine I know that I like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatcat04 Posted January 5, 2020 #23 Share Posted January 5, 2020 (edited) Just fyi, we were able to order that lovely late harvest Sauvignon Blanc dessert wine in the mdr on NA last night even though it was not on the menu. So happy! I think it is still on the PG menu so good for us. Also, I don't know about the rest of the fleet but the wine by the glass menus prices seemed lower than our cruise on NA last Feb. My go to Gruener Veltliner was less expensive I know. We both had so much obc this time it almost completely covered 2 Elite Bev Pkgs so we purchased them as soon as we got on and immediately inaugurated them with a glass each if the Rose Brut sparkling, which is quite pleasant even for a non-rose drinker like myself. Dh and I are both quite pleased with the wines so far. I will snap some pics of the mdr wine by the glass menu today and post. Seems like a lot more Signature and Elite Bev pkg options due to the lower prices. Edited January 5, 2020 by fatcat04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir PMP Posted January 5, 2020 #24 Share Posted January 5, 2020 On 12/30/2019 at 1:09 PM, Crew News said: Here is a link to the new beverage menus. Note that each bar will add a specialty page in the front. The NS Ocean Bar added a page offering snacks such as calamari, nachos: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Bar-Menu.pdf Current wine list: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Wine-List.pdfhttp://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Wine-List.pdf As you can see the beer list is trimmed also, no more Stella (most popular) and Grolsch(tradition), just came off the Amsterdam, they had no Hoegaarden, Molson, ran out of Dos Equis, ran low on Bud and Heineken, at one time there was only Corona left, great selection. The same with the wine list which is going to be changed again, needs too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamsno Posted January 5, 2020 #25 Share Posted January 5, 2020 I hope NS has the excellent Bloody Mary with huge shrimp and veg garnish I enjoyed at aft pool bar on K when it was new. Almost lunch. Not on a special menu at the time but many takers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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