To begin with, I certainly enjoy eating, but taking pictures of each plate seems too awkward for me, so I’ll have to do it the old fashioned way … in words.
We both felt the food was below that of Disney and Princess. Lara rated it on par with Carnival, but I probably wouldn’t go that low. Keep in mind that Lara doesn’t like British food all that well, so that was one strike against them already. I can find something I like on nearly any menu. Thinking back though, I seem to recall rarely having to decide between two good sounding entrées, so maybe their choices were a bit limited for the Midwestern palate. Probably a consequence of having a more global base of passengers. Restaurants are designated by class, with most dining in the large 4 level (2 story) Britannia Restaurant. Those who paid for the top level rooms avoided the riffraff in one of two other cozy venues. We always ate at the same table with the same wait staff and table mates. After the first day, we always had a high chair waiting for Laran. While our waiter, Basil, was pretty good, we have seen better. About once a meal the wrong order was placed in front of one of us, and Lara often had to ask for more water.
Generally I ordered two appetizers and no salad along with the entre. Like other cruise ships, they had no problem with this, bringing one of my appetizers when everyone’s salad arrived. If there was a problem with any dish, it was immediately taken back, and a new one arrived very quickly. The filet (steak) I had for dinner was thick, juicy, and about as tender as they come. I thought some of the other meats were cooked just a tad too long. Naturally, each course was a piece of artwork. Unlike Disney, they were a bit more accommodating with order changes. For instance, Laran just wanted the Hot Dog, with no bun. At Disney, I seem to recall that the entire meal would arrive regardless, and the extras were just thrown away. Also while Disney was able to acquire Mickey Mouse ice cream bars (for me), they made it seem to be difficult. I suppose they had to have it delivered from the ice cream shop upstairs. Laran didn’t want any of their desserts from the menu, so the waiter suggested cookies. She was very happy with them (even if they were bone dry), so she got cookies from then on. I believe the desserts were as good as most cruise ships.
A funny story about wine that Ted (our dinner companion) and I ordered. Generally, we both ordered one of their house wines. The first day, his glass was noticeably fuller than mine. I figured they emptied a bottle when pouring one of ours. The second day, again his glass was fuller, but they were shaped differently, so I assumed mine had more volume toward the bottom of the glass. The third day, same thing. I was wondering, did he pre-tip the sommelier? Was he somehow dressed better or friendlier? When I asked him, he said he noticed me looking at our glasses. It was probably all he could do to keep a straight face, because he admitted that he had been asking for large glasses. We compared bills and they had charged him a couple of dollars more for the large pours, so I quit feeling slighted. Might be a fun trick to pull on future cruises, explaining to others how I must just be more likeable, so they give me a little extra.
Their Lido buffet (the Kings Court) consisted of 4 individual areas: Asian, Italian, a Carvery, and a Grill. They were all in the same area, so I often went to each and picked out what ever looked good. At night two of them would turn into table service for $10 more. We ate breakfasts and lunches there, and one dinner. For breakfast they had waffles & pancakes, scrambled, poached, hard boiled & eggs cooked to order, omelets, potatoes, hash, bacon, sausages, cold meats & cheeses, fruits, pastries, breads, oatmeal, cereal, etc. So something for everyone.
I would have to say they were very attentive even at the free part of the buffet for dinner. Laran started saying she wanted toast, and while I was explaining to her that they weren’t making toast for dinner one of the staff came up and asked the chef if he could make some toast. He agreed and I figured he would just put some bread on the grill, but he disappeared to where they stored the toaster for the night. They found our table and delivered toast! If I thought it was going to be that much work, I would have declined. The same night Laran was singing the ‘pea – nut, peanut butter’ jingle. Again they asked if she would like some peanut butter. Of course she said yes. He disappeared and returned with peanut butter. Later I noticed they were keeping a jar of peanut butter set out, quite possibly for her. Also the same night, Lara asked someone if they were going to refill the strawberry bowl. He said yes. A bit later he saw her still waiting, so he told her to have a seat and he would bring her a bowl personally.
There is an upscale restaurant, Todd English, which adds $20/30 per person for lunch/dinner. We did not eat there. I think two of the bars had lunch service available, for which we ate fish and chips at the Golden Lion Pub once. Actually I had heard good things about it, but really thought the deep fried fish on the buffet was better. Probably only because at the buffet it was freshly made, and at the pub it traveled a longer distance. But the pub would give you the option of having an adult beverage with your lunch. Catherine, who we met on Princess, suggested that we should try the pub lunch, saying both the curry and Cornish pasties were great. Unfortunately, I forgot to try either, so I guess we missed out on those. Room service was available 24 hrs, but from a limited menu. And of course they had a British tea around 3 or 3:30 pm.
I thought the meats were cooked a little too much on the buffets (slightly dry). They, like England, cook their hamburger to well done, but I was surprised how juicy they were, having no pink. Our table mates said they wanted medium rare and had to sign a waiver, but they did it. Lara didn’t like the cheese they used on lasagna and pizza. It was claimed to be mozzarella, until pressed then the cook relented. Our table mates later asked the chef about the cheese, and he claimed it tasted different because it was from a round block of mozzarella. It tasted like parmesan to us. Many times on buffets, the desserts look better than they taste. I thought they tasted as good as they looked here. I don’t eat much soup, but what I had was pretty good.
Free drinks included apple juice, cranberry juice, orange juice, lemonade, iced tea, hot tea, coffee, and water. I think they were available around the clock at one of the buffets and during the day near their computer and conference rooms. In between the buffets they had a sushi bar one day and a chocolate dessert spread for Easter. There may have been something there other days too.
Sorry my reports get so long, but I think that's about it unless someone has questions.
