Cruise Talk: What do you miss?

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Disney Cruise Line announced today that the honorary role of "godparent" for its new ship, the Disney Treasure, will be held by The Walt Disney Company cast, crew, Imagineers and employees around the world. The profound declaration is a heartfelt tribute to the more than 200,000 dreamers and doers who make every Disney entertainment, vacation and at-home experience possible. Disney Cruise Line is proud to celebrate...

Latest News...Carnival Cruise Line is adding to its line-up of 2026/27 deployment with sailings from New York City on Carnival Venezia, and more Long Beach sailings on Carnival Firenze and Carnival Radiance. “Our two Carnival Fun Italian Style ships offer great options from the east and west coasts, conveniently connecting New York and Long Beach to popular destinations, while delivering unique experiences on board...

Latest News...Vacationers are in for more ways to make memories across Royal Caribbean’s latest combination of tropical and Northeast 2026-27 getaways. The lineup of 12 Royal Caribbean ships rounds out a variety of adventures across Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and the Northeast for every type of family and vacationer to get away any time of year. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » What do you miss? (Page 1)

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

This topic is comprised of pages: 1 2

Author

Topic: What do you miss?

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-17-2001 01:22 PM

We have often discussed the joys of cruising here at CruiseTalk. But what is it you miss when your on board a cruise ship?

I'll start off:

I often miss the simple pleasures of life, like simple food i.e. baked beans on toast, a British favourite!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Amerikanis
First Class Passenger
Member # 1835

posted 12-17-2001 03:12 PM

Yes, Malcolm, this an very good Idea!
On an former German Ship (i forgot, if it was the "Berlin" or the "Europa" (the last),
but i think, it was the "Europa" of Hapag-Lloyd, there was every day an Dish on the Menu called: "From the Crews Galley"

Typical food for North German People.

Why not offer each day an Typical Dish from the Countries, in which Harbour the Ship is at the Moment?

If it is in Hamburg: LABSKAUS

And the drinks for the Menues?

Posts: 1034 | From: Gutach, Black Forest, Germany | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 12-17-2001 04:50 PM

Not one to be left out of this loop. We miss the kind of cruises, that have for example:
An Italian liner with all Italian staff. That includes the galleys.
We miss that,
And the dress code issue, always a topic on this board from time to time.
The lines (except HAL), let pax dress as they want. They're TOO LAXED.
And being served French Style at meal times. That was akways a treat. Lines are getting away from that too.

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

nzmike
First Class Passenger
Member # 1308

posted 12-17-2001 06:47 PM

Malcolm - interesting point! I tend to get a little tired of dining with others on longer trips, sometimes once a week it would be nice to dine away from the throngs of people! The longest cruise I've done was two weeks and by the end of that I was ready for food a little less rich that that served on board ship. I also miss having opening windows in my bedroom (can't quite afford balcony cabins yet) and having a full sized bed!! Other than that I would have to say that I enjoy pretty much everything about cruising....

Posts: 186 | From: Auckland, New Zealand | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 12-17-2001 10:17 PM

Never a big eater, at least once on any 7 day+ cruise, I resort to room service - 2 baked potatoes, butter, salt and pepper and perhaps some chopped chives. I'm very accustomed to the comment "is that all?"

Watching my weight has nothing to do with it - I just don't enjoy rich food every night in the week.

Malcolm - I'll keep your baked beans on toast in mind!

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 12-17-2001 10:38 PM

Hi...on most cruises I usually lose about 3 to 4 lbs. After so many my system seems to automatically decrease the quantities etc. I keep an eye on the vegetarian menu for a change or even just have a cheese plate - which can be very good on some ships. Have to leave room tho' for the Chocolate icecream with chocolate sauce.
...peter.

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-18-2001 10:09 AM

quote:
Originally posted by gohaze:
Hi...on most cruises I usually lose about 3 to 4 lbs.

Wow! You must be the only one, Peter!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 12-18-2001 10:34 AM

The two things I miss whereever I am in the world are a chinese takeaway from my local (chicken satay, sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, chips and noodles) and a big Ulster fry. You just can't capture that tase anywhere else. Oh gawd I am starving...

Paddy.

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 12-18-2001 12:16 PM

Simple things like Malcolm's baked beans...after three or four weeks of ship's food quite often you'll find us looking for something like a Big Mac and fries. Had them all over the world, China, Korea, Argentina, Australia, Spain, Greece, Singapore, etc. etc. But very rarely at home. And you'd be surprised how often and how many other pax and crew you meet in there.
...peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

M.S.Grumple
First Class Passenger
Member # 1340

posted 12-18-2001 01:50 PM

I miss a good cup of tea - particularly in the morning.

I don't think the water is fully boiled on board ship - in any case it usually tastes so awful I'd rather do without.

Posts: 280 | From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Colin
First Class Passenger
Member # 1676

posted 12-19-2001 12:49 PM

quote:
I often miss the simple pleasures of life, like simple food i.e. baked beans on toast, a British favourite!

Malcolm, If they can't supply you with beans on toast then I suggest you may be cruising on the wrong ship.

Posts: 283 | From: Inverness, Scotland | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-19-2001 04:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Colin:
Malcolm, If they can't supply you with beans on toast then I suggest you may be cruising on the wrong ship.

Well Colin, they are NEVER on the menu and I can't bring myself to ask!

I understand that the 'Toast' part of 'Beans on Toast' is a very British delicacy???

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 12-19-2001 04:40 PM

Malcolm, on the real ships such as the Marco Polo they cater to Brits as well, and you can have your baked beans "on toast" for breakfast every day, plus two types of bacon.
....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 12-19-2001 05:00 PM

You can always have BoT on UK based ships. It's always on the breakfast buffet anyway. Not sure you'd get the right sort of beans, let alone Heinz on anything else though. Likewise toast is never 'right' anywhere else; they can't make the right sort of bread. Then again the rest of the world probably think our bread is awful.

The husband can't have rich sauces/gravies/fancy potatoes, and usually has plain mash/boiled pots/ or chips on his plate. You can have whatever you want, if you ask nicely with a smile Ask your waiter at lunchtime for BoT for dinner, and you'll get it...

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

trailhiker
First Class Passenger
Member # 1674

posted 12-21-2001 05:48 AM

After the last two cruises on Royal Caribbean we both missed our morning coffee. I don't know why they messed around with the old brew. They were trying to improve it and now it is really vile. It's hard to describe, but really awful...has a burnt taste and is way to strong.
We also crave the simpler foods after about 10 days. It's great to treat ourselves on a cruise but in no way could we eat like that all the time. Right now at about 6am on a cold winter morning I wouldn't turn down some eggs benedict with crispy bacon on the side and maybe some fresh pineapple. There's nothing like that in my fridge.

Posts: 46 | From: North Conway, NH 03860 USA | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

scorpio
First Class Passenger
Member # 1245

posted 12-21-2001 07:15 AM

Good old British Fish and Chips - preferably with North Sea Cod freshly landed at Whitby. Nothing else tastes the same.

Posts: 92 | From: UK | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-21-2001 08:38 AM

quote:
Originally posted by PamM:
You can always have BoT on UK based ships.

Just because I miss it, does not mean that I want to eat it on a cruise ship!

After paying all that money, I just have to force rich sauces and steak etc. down every night!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-21-2001 08:46 AM

It is interesting: A while ago a number of CruiseTalkers were debating why a mega-ship could possibly need a 'Johnny Rockets' onboard.

Although our little chat here is hardly a scientific survey, there would seem to be a real demand for 'simple' food as well as the usual gastronomic treats, on offer.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Colin
First Class Passenger
Member # 1676

posted 12-21-2001 11:56 AM

quote:
Good old British Fish and Chips

A couple of years ago we were on QE2 and at lunch one day the elderly lady across the table ordered fish and chips. The waiter took her order and moved on to the next person, and the lady turned to the person on her other side and jokingly said, "But it doesn't taste the same if it's not wrapped in newspaper."

The waiter gave no indication of having heard, but when the meals arrived the lady was presented with her fish and chips, wrapped in newspaper. Someone had been to the library and aquired an old paper.

The highlight of that lady's cruise and a story that I'm sure she'll tell for a long time to come.

Posts: 283 | From: Inverness, Scotland | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 12-21-2001 01:42 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Colin:
.. the lady was presented with her fish and chips, wrapped in newspaper. Someone had been to the library and aquired an old paper.

Brilliant; it's things like that, that really make one feel special and not just another human being in a crowd.
Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 12-21-2001 03:26 PM

I'm with Dambrosi on this one. I miss when ships were a source of National pride for the country they represented and were registered in. Officers, staff, and crew were all citizens of said country, and took great pride in "their" ship and the service provided. Of course, it hasn't been this way in quite some time, and today's ships are multi-national regardless of the country of registry. It's becoming more and more rare to even find the Senior Officers citizens of one country. While I'm too young to remember most of these "ships of state", I did have some experiences that remind me of what a wonderful experience this was. The Italian Line comes to mind, and just being onboard was like being transported to Italy. That was my first cruise, and I remember how well those Italian's treated me. It helped that Italians are known to love kids! Subsequent cruises on Home Lines and Sitmar also gave that "Italian feeling" that can't be duplicated today.

Some others that come to mind are:

French Line - France
Italian Line - Italy
Sitmar Cruises - Italy
Home Lines - Italy
Costa - Italy
United States Line - United States
Holland America - Dutch
Royal Caribbean - Norway
Royal Viking - Norway
Norwegian Caribbean Lines - Norway
Norwegian American Line - Norway
Paquet - France
March Shipping - Russia
Swedish American Line - Sweden
Hamburg America Line - Germany
Cunard - Great Britain
P & O - Great Britain
American Export Lines - United States
Zim Lines - Israel
Canadian Pacific - Canada
Greek Line - Greece
Sun Line - Greece
Chandris - Greece

I'm sure there are many others....but these most notable come to mind.

Ernie Roller,
Atlanta, GA

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

cruznut6
First Class Passenger
Member # 543

posted 12-23-2001 08:30 AM

A few things I miss are honey and green tea. I haven't been able to get it on any line I've sailed, and I usually forget to pack it. My better half drinks soy milk (and yes, she loves it!)and misses her treat. Most of all, the one thing we both miss terribly is our sheltie named Cody. We never owned such a sweet natured dog and can't wait to see him after a cruise.

Regards...Bob

Posts: 161 | From: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-23-2001 11:22 AM

quote:
Originally posted by nzmike:
I tend to get a little tired of dining with others on longer trips, sometimes once a week it would be nice to dine away from the throngs of people! The longest cruise I've done was two weeks and by the end of that I was ready for food a little less rich that that served on board ship.

I fully agree...hence the move towards 'free style' dinning and 'alternative' dining rooms.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 12-23-2001 05:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scorpio:
Good old British Fish and Chips - preferably with North Sea Cod freshly landed at Whitby. Nothing else tastes the same.

I'll take haddock any day over cod - freshly landed in Aberdeen - and what about those plump cod roes, boiled, cooled, sliced thick and gently fried, chips on the side - deep fried Scottish Meat Pie also goes down well.....add vinegar and salt - my mouth waters at the thought!

Colin - it's true about the newspaper wrapping - absorbs just enough grease!!

As a schoolgirl, was forbidden to frequent the local 'chippie' - returning home one night, denied that I'd broken the rules - solidified grease down the front of my regulation navy blue trench coat said otherwise! Things one remembers!

A Guid New Year ta you an' yours! Lang may ye're lum reek!

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 12-23-2001 06:12 PM

cruznut6

HAL has green tea (bags) - pick up your honey at the Lido - MOTH does it all the time and although it's not 'authentic', I'm told, "that's really not bad".

Happy cruisin'

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)
This topic is comprised of pages: 1 2

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...