Lobster
Galore & More on NCL
May 2008
— Say "lobster" to many cruise passengers and they respond like
Pavlov's dog, salivating at the thought of the tender crustacean
swimming in a sea of drawn butter.
Say "lobster" to the folks at Norwegian Cruise Line and they
respond, "Could you really have too much Lobster?"
Apparently not, because NCL now offers "Lobster Galore" ...
meaning that passengers who just can't get enough of it can indulge
in a personal lobster-feast every night on a cruise.
Look for lobster offerings in the main dining room at least twice
per cruise and a lobster dish on specialty restaurant menus every
night. Keep in mind, though, that they don't all serve a whole
lobster, or even the traditional broiled lobster tail, and this is
not like an all-you-can-eat special at the local Red Lobster.
The star of the lobster dishes in
the main dining room is, of course, the traditional broiled lobster
at least one night; the second night, lobster will be a featured
ingredient in a dish. Think of a seafood "platter" that includes
your favorite sea critter and his pals.
Of course not everyone is fond of lobster. (Who would that be?)
However, those who are will find it incorporated into this sampling
of Specialty Restaurant dishes:
- Le Bistro - Maine Lobster
- Italian - Lobster Ravioli
- Steakhouse - Maine Lobster
- Asian - Szechuan Stir-Fried Maine Lobster
- Tex-Mex - Warm Lobster Taco
Keep in mind that there is a surcharge for dining in
Specialty Restaurants, and there may be an upcharge for the
lobster-themed menu items. Even so, the Specialty Restaurants are
popular and you'll need to make reservations as soon as possible to
avoid disappointment. Or, you can simply
check the video screens in public areas
when you're hungry to see which restaurants aren't busy and
go to the one with the shortest waiting time. As a recent NCL cruise
passenger related to me, that was the procedure he successfully
followed. It may not be your first restaurant choice, but lobster
will be on the menu.
What About "MORE"?
NCL
proves once again that they offer something for everyone and
this treat is a little something extra for passengers accommodated in
suites.
When you pay more, you naturally expect more, and that even applies to
snacks in the 2.0 version of
NCL's "Freestyle" cruising. In this instance, it means you get what
you want, when you want it. Instead of a tray of canapés delivered
in the late afternoon, suite occupants receive a snack menu. Items
like dried fruit & nuts, a soft pretzel, brownies, chocolate-covered
strawberries, potato chips, tortilla chips & salsa, veggies & dip,
or assorted cheese & crackers can be delivered every day or
day-by-day at 5pm or 10pm.
This menu of goodies is inspired! You may be thinking, who'd want
chips & dip when they previously got caviar on toast points ... but,
seriously, how many people crave caviar? Aside from me, my family
isn't into it.
While fancy hors d'oeuvres may appeal to some passengers, there
are probably more who either don't like them or simply aren't in the
mood when they automatically show up. On the other hand, if your family
is like mine, attacks of the munchies hit while watching
late-night television. Brownies or soft pretzels would be just the
thing to keep us satisfied during a movie.
It's not much, but it's a touch that shows passengers that NCL is
thinking about them and the way they live. I guess this means
I can avoid slipping those pre-packaged peanut butter crackers into my
tote bag before leaving home ... if I can talk my
husband into booking NCL's suites in the future.
