Port Marinated Stilton

[Janet-]

Just back from Oriana's Canary cruise and much to my regret port marinated stilton was only available on the first formal night. Also gone is the different butters at dinner, except for the last formal night when there was the olive one ( who's name escapes me). The "always available " has also disappeared but prawn cocktail, sirloin steak and bread and butter pudding was always on the menu. Funnily enough the "local dish" section had such items as gammon and pineapple and cottage pie. Wonder where they specialise in these.
Moan over.
New boarding worked for us. The letter told us we could drop cases off from noon. Our given arrival time was 12:30. We arrived at Mayflower Terminal at 11:50 dropped our cases and were sent straight to check in and then to the hospitality area. I guess there would have been about 150 people already waiting at the terminal. By about 1240 there was standing room only in the hospitality area. We were allowed on board at 12:50 and at the same time the 1 o 'clockers were called to check in. We went straight to our cabin where our cases were waiting.
I won the raffle at the Peninsular Cocktail Party. ( the only other time I have won a raffle the prize was a box of out of date chocolates). The champagne went down a treat but does anyone want to buy a photo album

[Whynd1]

Well that's funny because on our Oriana cruise in November several of our table had the port marinated Stilton on several nights, not just foitmal evening gs. Having said that there only seems to be the one doing the rounds. We also had different butters on our table. We were in the Oriental restaurant.

[qbman1]

I think a lot of things that we used to enjoy are still available - you just have to ask for them now and the waiters will seek them out !

[Quizzical Bob]

On Adonia D522 this year Oct/Nov the soup had ceased to be listed as a separated course and was shown as one of the starters. There was no problem with ordering a starter and then soup but those who were newcomers were not aware of this. Stilton was available but only appeared as another block of cheese except for the formal nights. I found that it was too moist for my liking.

[Janet-]

Well that's funny because on our Oriana cruise in November several of our table had the port marinated Stilton on several nights, not just foitmal evening gs. Having said that there only seems to be the one doing the rounds. We also had different butters on our table. We were in the Oriental restaurant.

Perhaps your cruise was the last to get this or perhaps freedom diners get different offerings. We were offered Stilton but not with port.

qbman1
Yes I did ask but didn't get

[Raybosailor]

The fact that "The Always Available" section of the menu is missing concerns me as I am coeliac, and although the head waiter did a wonderful job tailoring dishes to suit my allergy there were nights when I had to settle for the sirloin steak.

Cottage pie would hardly go down well as a regional dish even on a round Britain cruise but I did enjoy it as a lunch option.

The cheese board is important to me too as often the only gluten free sweet was ice cream so I always go for cheese instead.

[Whynd1]

The always available choice was still on the menu. Some on the table chose from this side of the menu such as the chicken, salmon and steak.

[Janet-]

The always available choice was still on the menu. Some on the table chose from this side of the menu such as the chicken, salmon and steak.

Mmm, the plot thickens. Can you tell me when and which ship you are referring to

[qbman1]

Stephen has just come back from Oriana this week so we could ask him what was on offer there

[Stephen]

I think a lot of things that we used to enjoy are still available - you just have to ask for them now and the waiters will seek them out !

Apart from the old large cookies we use to get in the cabin, silver service, nibbles in certain bars in the evening...etc etc

[Stephen]

Stephen has just come back from Oriana this week so we could ask him what was on offer there

Port Stilton was on formal night only. The regular Stilton was available the other evenings. Not the same as it use to be when they came round with the big pot of Stilton.

[Whynd1]

I was referring to the left hand side of the menu and the always available option, including tomato soup,cprawn cocktail etc then salmon, steak or chicken or the regional dish of the day. Is this what you were referring to or something else.

Lindsey

[Quizzical Bob]

The always available choice was still on the menu. Some on the table chose from this side of the menu such as the chicken, salmon and steak.

Mmm, the plot thickens. Can you tell me when and which ship you are referring to

On Adonia in November the always-available choices were combined with the other options.

[Whynd1]

Hi qb

We were on the Oriana on 3 rd November, I haven't bought my menus home this time but from what I remember the always available was on the left hand side of the menu and the right hand side had the dishes for that evening. There was always a separate soup course.
The only time the always available disappeared was on gala night when we had Marcos menus.

I hope this helps.

[Quizzical Bob]

Hi qb

We were on the Oriana on 3 rd November, I haven't bought my menus home this time but from what I remember the always available was on the left hand side of the menu and the right hand side had the dishes for that evening. There was always a separate soup course.
The only time the always available disappeared was on gala night when we had Marcos menus.

I hope this helps.

It seems to vary by ship. Our soups were included in the list of starters.

[Whynd1]

The soup was defiantly a separate course.
Also on the always available was bread and butter pudding, this became a standing joke on our table as at least one person seemed to order it on each evening.

[Quizzical Bob]

The soup was defiantly a separate course.
Also on the always available was bread and butter pudding, this became a standing joke on our table as at least one person seemed to order it on each evening.

Was that the 'famous P&O brioche bread and butter pudding'? It became a bit of a joke after a while.

[Stephen]

Apart from chicken ceaser salad starter a chicken option was a rarity. Having said that, the chicken curry one evening was delicious.

[Peter D]

On our Oriana cruise, 5 December. only one list of Starter, including Soup, Main and Dessert. No separate area for the P&O favourites.

Out of the normal favourites, Tomato Soup, Steak and Bread and Butter Pudding were kept. Anything else has been discarded.

[Stephen]

Did we see each other Peter or was I enjoying myself too much to remember

[Gill W]

Out of the normal favourites, Tomato Soup, Steak and Bread and Butter Pudding were kept. Anything else has been discarded.

As Raybo said, the loss of most of the always available items is of concern to people with special dietary requirements.

I have to keep salt to an absolute minimum, and I struggle in particular with P&O's starters, which all too often include cheese, or smoked or cured items. There was a fruit based always available starter that was good for me, and a Caesar salad was fine, if they went easy on the croutons. It's particularly difficult on the first night, when they haven't been able to make something specially for me, so even a soup wouldn't be suitable then.

I might even have to miss a course!

[Dark Knight]

#firstworldproblems

[Gill W]

#firstworldproblems

#begratefulyouhaven'tgotachronicillnesswhichmeansyouhavetobecarefulwhatyoueattocontrolthesymptoms

[Stephen]

It's all a worry

[Dark Knight]

#firstworldproblems

#begratefulyouhaven'tgotachronicillnesswhichmeansyouhavetobecarefulwhatyoueattocontrolthesymptoms

I have a chronic illness Crohns disease
still can't see what a lack of a bit of cheese has to do with anything though???