On this cruise, passengers did space themselves out automatically so the waiting staff did not have to cope with rushes. This is very different to my previous experience on Uniworld where the majority of passengers arrived for dinner at 7pm when the doors open.
After a night or two, the restaurant works out how many large table settings to set up.
Many tables for two are set up by splitting tables of four or six so talking you your neighbours is very easy. It makes for a good set-up if you are used to fixed dinning arrangements as you get to chat to your fellow guests during the meal. There are also several tables of two against a wall that offer a more private dinner setting if you wish to avoid dinner chatter with other guests.
After a few nights, I have notice several couples sitting at the same tables even though they have arrived for dinner a lot later.
There are also two sommeiliers, each talking one side of the restaurants. There are usually busy, but top-ups are good. On high days and holidays, where many table order off the Connoisseur Menu, the two sommeliers are rushed. Best to pre-order in your wine is sufficient high-end to require an ice-bucket or decanting.
All orders on taken on those little phone-like devices like you get at Taste on the Crystal Serenity.
If you order wine off the connoisseur's menu, you also have to sign for it with your finger on those devices. No paper is used.
Dinner - December 22
Volcano Ham
Consommé
Veal Tenderloin
Dinner - December 23
Artichoke Salad:
Lobster
Dinner - December 24
Crayfish
Cheese plate
Christmas Bombé
Dinner - December 25
Since it was Christmas Day, we got a posh bottle of wine - in an ice bucket!.
Suspect someone may have grabbed a bottle by mistake but this wine was extremely good value for what we were charged. Merry Christmas Crystal and thanks.
Veal Tartar with Caviar - truly yummy!
Dessert was listed as Almond Cake - but no one was ordering this based on the listing from the menu
The moment the first one appeared, cotton candy sales rose steadily. Err... there was some Almond Cake under that ice-cream under that dome ...... somewhere.
Dinner - December 26
Oxtail Ragout
It got a bit boring posting pictures of consommé....
Very tender Veal Goulash
Too much good food - so definitely cutting back on how much we order!
No desert tonight.
Dinner - December 27
The Smoked Beef Crudo is the first Crystal Symphony/Serenity signature dish that I have seen reproduced on the Mozart. It is presented in a covered ceramic bowl rather than a glass bowl. So while we miss seeing the smoke effect under glass, it smells as gorgeous and taste as delicious. A big hit with many passengers new to Crystal. I was so overwhelmed, I forgot to snap a photo of this.
Cabbage soup - a variation on Russian Borsch
Calf's liver
Roast Chicken - a breast portion and a leg portion. Way too much as usual.
The Peach and Almond Tart - exquisitely presented.
A selection of cheeses.
Lobster and Mushroom Strudell
French Onion Soup
Brill
Filled cabbage
Peanut Butter Triffle
Dinner in the Bistro so no details on the Waterside. Blog for Dec 29 has the pictures and details
Dinner - December 30
Dinner off the boat in Budapest
Dinner - December 31
Lobster medallions
Caviar on mash potato - another Crystal standard but much larger portions than on-board the ocean vessels.
Crab legs
Dessert
Dinner - January 1
Dinner off the boat in Bratislava.
Dinner - January 2
Buffet dinner offered in the Waterside between 5:30pm and 7:30pm for guests to leave for the Belvedere Palace at 7:30pm
Chicken Noodle soup and pretzel sandwiches were served in the Bistro on our return to the shop at 11pm.
Dinner - January 3
Dinner excursion to the Heurigar in the Viennese suburbs.
These pictures are awesome and have read your blog over and over. I am stuck between booking this or the Uniworld enchanting Christmas and new year trip. What would you advise please ? Thanks in advance
ReplyDeleteI do believe all of the ideas you have presented on your post. They are very convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are very short for starters. May you please extend them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post. And also with our web site, Add Hunters you're going to benefit from our international usages!Items listed on Add Hunters include electronics, pets, cars and, vehicles and other categories including land and property. Feel free to visit our web site http://www.addhunters.com heavy machinery for rent in qatar
ReplyDelete