Roll Call Celebrity Sumitt 01/20/2007

[cherole]

Hmm, I have to dig back in my mind to elaborate on the meal in Olympic.

One thing was that the service was really sllllooooooooow. I realize that what we Americans call slow service is standard in Europe and certain nice restaurants. But, there comes a point where the length of time between courses is tooooo much of a gap. I wasn't looking to rush, I know the difference.

Next, the caesar salad was a huge problem for all of us. It didn't have any flavor at all and they called it traditional. I think it was just egg & anchovie or something. Now, I'm not one to think that Kraft bottled is high class, but I do like a little oomph, such as what you get from lemon and garlic. Anyway, it was just bland and nasty. I think that a lot of people gripe about this because they explained to us like they had done that a million times before. The rest of the meal was fine, I'm not blanket complaining. Just underscoring that I thought the food in the main dining room was pretty darn good for mass production and didn't think the Olympic was worth the extra $$.

My overall critique of Millennium food was as follows:

1) The pastries were not that spectacular. But, I think that I have to be thankful, or I would have gained 20 pounds instead of 9 on that cruise (lost it all in 1-2 weeks - mostly water/salt bloat).

2) The broth soups all seemed the same - regardless of what they called them. But, the cream soups were good.

3) Some of the pool cocktails were not that good, such as Mai Tai, etc. They seemed to have one mix and called it a different drink each day depending on whether it had vodka, rum etc. Kinda funny, actually.

Other than that, I love the food!! Especially the breakfast burritos and pretzel bread. And the main dining room was great, there was nothing I didn't like (except the lobster tails didn't taste quite right on Lobster night).

Of particular excellent note was the spa food, believe it or not. Light, healthy and delish!! So, while my husband and companions were having a 5:00 p.m. hot dog by the pool, I'd dash over to the spa part on the opposite side of the pool deck and grap a little salmon or tuna thing with fruit. And I still haven't gotten over how good the cold berry soup was! Yummmmmmmmmmm.

[JoeyandDavid]

Thank You Cheryl It sounds like you food was along the lines of what we experienced on the Amsterdam a few years ago.....

Was happy to hear about the cold soups I fell in love with them on the Century..

Wow so I guess I will interview the PAX coming out of the Olympic Restaurant before I make my dinning reservations ...

Thanks for clearing that up..

(Personally I wasn't impressed with the decor of the Specialty restaurant on the Summit seemed very industrial..)

[avie]

Good morning --

It's going to be another deadly-hot day in our nation's capitol! And I have to leave our relatively cool offices for a few hours this morning. Ugh!!!

I guess differences of opinion are what makes life interesting -- and these forums useful. Hopefully, we will continue to share ideas, and of equal importance, have more people join in with new and different views.

As to the alternative dining thingy, our experience is based only on Connie. We did enjoy it so much that we ate there twice on a short 7-day trip. The only thing with which I found fault was the lack of change in the menu on the two visits. But, in our view, the food and variety of items on the menu was excellent -- freshly and well prepared by its own staff in the small kitchen adjoining the restaurant. Yes, dinner did take two to two and a half hours. But that is what I expected, and, indeed, the length of time I expect to spend at dinner in a good restaurant. And the service was beautiful. Indeed, the service reminded me of that in one and two star restaurants in Paris! (I have not had the experience of a three star restaurant there!) (I cannot comment on the Caesar Salad, as I did not have it on either occasion. But the cheeses served from the trolley were fantastic!)

We found the Spa food to be very good, and actually had lunch there most of the time! Regretfully, in my view, the dinners in the main dining room went from mediocre to good. But keeping in mind the large number of portions being served from the kitchen, the chefs do a pretty good job!

We're really looking forward to breakfast and cocktails on the balcony!

Avie

[JoeyandDavid]

At the same time ?? :cool:

Stay cool Avie....

[avie]

Joey,

So what's wrong with Bloody Marys or Mimmosas with breakfast?

Avie

[JoeyandDavid]

see those aren't cocktails........ those are considered breakfast beverages

[avie]

Joey,

Actually, I'm looking forward to breakfast and afternoon cocktails on the balcony! Okay?

Avie

[JoeyandDavid]

sounds like a plan! :grin: What is your afternoon cocktail of choice?

[avie]

Hi,

Afternoon beverages: most anything!!! Prefer beer (e.g., Sierra Nevada); martini (e.g., Gray Goose); Pimms Cup (if I'm feeling very British!); water.

The choice really depends on the time that breakfast is over.

Avie

[JoeyandDavid]

I dont drink alot.. David likes his beer.. I do when i drink beer like Sierra Nevada that was funny you should mention that beer... David likes corona, hienkien, sol..

When cruising I do drink more than on land nightly cocktail and all...but my martini is always absoulte straight up 3 olives..but If I drink during the day it's wine.... mostly i am an IceTea guy