Selbourne ‘Live’ from Aurora’s 2024 Grand Tour

[twotravellersLondon]

On 2/9/2024 at 2:54 AM, Selbourne said:

The MDR lunch menu was dire

 

On 2/9/2024 at 6:20 AM, galeforce9 said:

Far too many vegan and vegetarian dishes proportionately on that lunchtime menu 

 

On 2/9/2024 at 7:54 AM, pete14 said:

I agree with you but I guess they are working on the basis of the fact that meat eaters can eat vegetarian and vegan dishes, which they have to provide, but vegetarians and vegans can’t eat meat dishes.

 

 

A veggie/vegan heavy menu is always a bit of a worry for us.

 

Like an lots of other people we've reached that stage of life and accumulated so many rare and unusual aliments (many that we never knew existed) that, apart from having to pack a load of medications for every cruise, we also have to be very mindful of the advice of our specialist NHS dietitian.

 

We used to occasionally try veggie options and they were often really enjoyable but we're now strongly advised to include protein with every meal and to make sure it's accompanied by a reasonable amount of fruit and vegetables. We do know that some nuts and beans contain protein but we just don't know how much protein will appear on a plate.

 

Breakfast would be no problems... lots of eggs.

 

At lunchtime we would have been very severely limited.

 

On the dinner menu we could chose only one starter and the chef's recommendation, only four of the seven mains and the chef's recommendation.

 

Veggie options are great for those who are willing and able to choose them, brilliant for the ship's catering budget but do make life harder for mere mortals who need to spread protein intake throughout the day.

 

So we do hope that someone from P&O is reading these comments.

 

[galeforce9]

28 minutes ago, twotravellersLondon said:

 

 

 

 

A veggie/vegan heavy menu is always a bit of a worry for us.

 

Like an lots of other people we've reached that stage of life and accumulated so many rare and unusual aliments (many that we never knew existed) that, apart from having to pack a load of medications for every cruise, we also have to be very mindful of the advice of our specialist NHS dietitian.

 

We used to occasionally try veggie options and they were often really enjoyable but we're now strongly advised to include protein with every meal and to make sure it's accompanied by a reasonable amount of fruit and vegetables. We do know that some nuts and beans contain protein but we just don't know how much protein will appear on a plate.

 

Breakfast would be no problems... lots of eggs.

 

At lunchtime we would have been very severely limited.

 

On the dinner menu we could chose only one starter and the chef's recommendation, only four of the seven mains and the chef's recommendation.

 

Veggie options are great for those who are willing and able to choose them, brilliant for the ship's catering budget but do make life harder for mere mortals who need to spread protein intake throughout the day.

 

So we do hope that someone from P&O is reading these comments.

 

Agree. The other issue is that whilst many people say vegans etc cannot meat and dairy, in most cases that isn’t true. They choose not to eat meat/dairy.  That is the same as me choosing to eat a diet including meat, fish and dairy (and veg). I don’t think either camp should be made to eat a diet they don’t choose.  There should be plenty of choices for all. 

[Fionboard]

I used to love the indulgent desserts, but I find the new vegan ones pretty bland. Ice cream is still good though. Just wish the fruit salad was more available. 

[mrsgoggins]

Thank you Selbourne; I loved your photos, especially the one of your wife with the monkey looking so comfortable!  I'm now at home, coughing in comfort, with copious hot drinks and a big TV 😁. I will still tune in daily to see what new challenges or pleasures you have encountered. 

 

I now know the time it takes to keep up a blog such as yours - and I did not do a daily blog unlike you - but not only is it enjoyable for us followers, it will serve as a good account for you and your wife when you look back and reflect on it all.  

 

My best wishes to you and your wife.

[FatBoy20]

39 minutes ago, Fionboard said:

I used to love the indulgent desserts, but I find the new vegan ones pretty bland. Ice cream is still good though. Just wish the fruit salad was more available. 

But even the Ice Cream choice is now 2 instead of 3.

[Eglesbrech]

22 hours ago, lincslady said:

To be a bit cynical, veggie dishes are pretty certain to cost less than those with meat, poultry or fish.

To an extent I agree with you but have you seen how much asparagus and butternut squash are up to. Even basics like carrots and onions are now moving towards a pound a bag. 

 

While not vegetarian I really enjoy veggie food (and the odd good steak!). The menus that @Selbourne has so kindly and diligently posted really don’t excite my palate at all. I’ll be able to pick something but on many of them it’s a bit of a stretch and it will be interesting to see if the description reflects what’s on the plate.
 

I’ve really enjoyed reading this blog (and we have been spoiled by having several good blogs in the last couple of months). Selbourne has brought both his and Lady S journey and days onboard the ship to life. 

[zap99]

On 2/8/2024 at 10:47 PM, Selbourne said:

Todays MDR menus. 

Chicken for me please.

[Clodia]

Loved the photos especially the monkey, and sad that your sore throat persists. 

I hate vegan food, no two ways about it. I like vegetarian, but only if it has plenty of cheese, eggs or similar included. 

I actually feel that these menus are bordering on discriminatory against people who eat meat and fish. I agree there should be choice for vegetarians and vegans, but vegan in particular seems to dominate especially at lunch time.

Worries me a little about the world cruise in 2026. We may struggle after the first few weeks.

Edited February 10 by Clodia

[Selbourne]

Just now, Angel57 said:

On another site, a poster reported that the delayed departure was due to “mandatory lifeboat checks”. 

That would make sense. It wasn’t a problem, if anything it’s all part of the adventure, but I do feel that telling us the actual reason why we were 3 hours late would have been common courtesy.
 

Like many others, I find the lack of information from this Captain to be baffling. It’s as if the passengers are incidental to the whole experience and only need to be told the bare minimum. 

[Selbourne]

1 hour ago, Beckett said:

With all the things that have not been good on this cruise I wonder how you'll view it in years to come. Fond memories or the 'sore throat' cruise? It will be interesting to see.

As I have said quite a few times, we are both enjoying the cruise very much (apart from my persistent and irritating  sore throat, now into it’s 12th day). 
 

I was clear from the outset that, as with all the other ‘live from’s’ I have done, I would cover all of our experiences - good, bad and indifferent. Hopefully I’m honouring that commitment. 
 

We have enjoyed most of the ports, the weather has been good since we entered the Caribbean, daytime schedules on sea days have been the best we’ve had in years and I have not missed cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, gardening etc or the worst of the British winter! We also mustn’t lose sight of the fact that we got this cruise for a bargain price and so, even with the things that haven’t been as good, it’s still been phenomenal value for money. Would we book a cruise of this length at the normal Select fare? No. Are we glad that we managed to get on this one for the price we paid? Absolutely. 

Edited February 10 by Selbourne

[WestonOne]

1 hour ago, Selbourne said:

... daytime schedules on sea days have been the best we’ve had in years ....

Have you posted an example of this?  I had a quick look but may have missed it

[Selbourne]

Just now, WestonOne said:

Have you posted an example of this?  I had a quick look but may have missed it

I haven’t posted any copies of Horizon, but as I have mentioned throughout the blog we have had;

 

Guest lecturers (at times two) and most subjects have been interesting. 
 

Port lectures. I thought these had been culled as we haven’t had them on any other P&O ships since Covid. 
 

Daytime Classical recitals (flautist, pianist and harpist so far - singer and pianist from today)

 

As a result, we haven’t found sea days to be boring which, for us, is a big bonus. 

[Selbourne]

Todays MDR menus. Black Tie tonight and thankfully a Celebration menu. 

[V9vix]

New to cruise critic! I have really enjoyed reading your posts selbourne along with your daily menu updates! It's encouraged me to join in! My first cruise was on aurora back in 2014, never looked back! Only ship we haven't been on is arcadia. Really enjoying following your adventure xx

[jh1809]

Selbourne, looking on the bright side regarding the annoying hawkers, at least you weren't kidnapped by a Columbian drug baron.

[Selbourne]

Just now, jh1809 said:

Selbourne, looking on the bright side regarding the annoying hawkers, at least you weren't kidnapped by a Columbian drug baron.

The tour guide mentioned Colombia’s top 3 exports and failed to mention drugs, so I’m guessing he was only referring to the ‘official’ exports 😂

[Presto2]

Made me laugh. In one port on our last cruise there was a big sign saying Buy your Marijuana here. Must take a photo next time ..... and only a photo 📸 

[MellyMoo1989]

MDR Menus looking much better today! I'd be tempted to try the Clam Chowder... but I'd be too embarrassed to leave it if I didn't like it! 😂

[zap99]

9 hours ago, Clodia said:

Loved the photos especially the monkey, and sad that your sore throat persists. 

I hate vegan food, no two ways about it. I like vegetarian, but only if it has plenty of cheese, eggs or similar included. 

I actually feel that these menus are bordering on discriminatory against people who eat meat and fish. I agree there should be choice for vegetarians and vegans, but vegan in particular seems to dominate especially at lunch time.

Worries me a little about the world cruise in 2026. We may struggle after the first few weeks.

We need to appreciate the influence of the ' militant ' vegans ,so......we want meat....when do we want it....now🐄🐷🐏

[Selbourne]

Just now, Presto2 said:

Made me laugh. In one port on our last cruise there was a big sign saying Buy your Marijuana here. Must take a photo next time ..... and only a photo 📸 

We’ve seen it advertised in at least 2 ports so far. It’s meant to be good for my wife’s condition, but that might have taken some explaining to the ships security team when we attempted to bring it on board 😂

[TigerB]

19 hours ago, Selbourne said:

 

🥰

[TigerB]

Just catching up on your reports after a fews days away from t'internet.

Great photos. Just wondering, with your late return from the tour, and keen to get back to the ship from the port entrance to make your scheduled lunch date with your good lady, as that with or without the local marching powder? 🤭

[TigerB]

As a pescatarian of over forty years standing, it may be a surprise to some that I have to say that I agree with the comments of many about the veggie heavy menus. For me, just so long as there is at least one vegetarian or vegan option on each course, and a decent fish only dish (i.e., no added panecetta or other meat items), then I would be happy. After all, my choice to be a pescatarian is a lifestyle choice and not for any medical reason.

I would though welcome the reintroduction of the salmon as an always available dish. 

As the parent of a daughter who suffers with Coeliac disease, I think, with the many GF dessert options, and at least one GF starter or main, they are covered. They also have the option to preview the menus and ask for something to be adapted.

[terrierjohn]

1 hour ago, Selbourne said:

We’ve seen it advertised in at least 2 ports so far. It’s meant to be good for my wife’s condition, but that might have taken some explaining to the ships security team when we attempted to bring it on board 😂

Has your wife tried CBD oil or capsules?

[Selbourne]

The Captain has just announced that due to a medical emergency we have picked up speed (currently 18.8 knots) and will now be docking in Colon at 2am, some six and a half hours early. I guess this is when the slack schedules and planned slow cruising speeds have a benefit. Hoping that our fellow passenger will be OK.