WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE ON A CRUISE? LUNCH IN THE VERANDAH ON CUNARD'S QUEEN VICTORIA
what is it like to dine in the Verandah, a premium surcharge restaurant on Queen Victoria? is it worth the additional cost? Food represents one of the most universal aspects of the cruising experience across all Cruise Lines. Today, we had lunch in the Verandah on board Queen Victoria, which is one of the "fine dining" surcharge restaurants in the ship. It has been a year since we last dined in the Verandah, so (#FirstWorldProblems alert) we noticed some dismaying changes. For instance, there are now only two appetizers and three mains on the entire menu that are actually included in the $35 per person fee for lunch, accompanied by an increase in the number and selection of surcharge items. In the past, one could order more than one appetizer. Of course, they had the bread to start, but I did not partake. I would have liked to have had both the asparagus and the Caesar salad, but I was informed by an abashed waiter that sadly I could only choose one. I chose the asparagus and egg with hollandaise sauce, the asparagus grilled to a smokey al dente perfection. For my main, the choice was obvious: why waste my digestive efforts on a banal sirloin steak, when the vastly superior beef rib is available? The Irish braised beef rib melted in my mouth with a silky sophisticated set of flavors owing to its sleek coffee rub. The cheesecake was still excellent, albeit literally half the size it was a year ago. Shrinkflation, ftw! That all being said, the side dishes were honestly rather disappointing when one considers the fact that this is supposedly a fine dining restaurant that comes with a hefty surcharge per person on top of the fare you've already paid just to be on the ship. For instance, the mashed potatoes were just that - the same plain, unadorned mashed potatoes that they serve in the buffet on the Lido deck. The tender stem broccoli did not come with, for instance, lemon garlic butter; the topping on the grilled hispi cabbage tasted like gloppy Kraft salad dressing; the creamed spinach was stringy; and the mushrooms were... anonymous mushrooms of an unremarkable type. But the most disappointing part, honestly? The service. I don't know if they were short staffed, but - as the couple sitting next to us quipped wryly just before they departed in disgusted frustration - I've been ignored at better restaurants than The Verandah. For instance, when we first arrived, we were told to go and pick whatever table we wanted (and then left to wander our own way to said table); it took 10 minutes for the menus to be brought; our water was never refilled until the very end of our meal after a waiter spotted me thirstily nursing the ice in my glass as though it were my salvation, etc. Definitely not a fine dining experience, and not one worthy of an extra US$35. And yes, I know this may all sound like privileged whinging, but I feel that one should get what one pays for! Have you eaten lunch at The Verandah? What have your experiences been like? *********If you would like to support such content from the Creative Contessa, consider becoming a a Patron on Patreon, which comes with a host of other perks! www.patreon.com/travelswiththecontessa @@@@@Music is by Gaita Medieval Music and can be found on their Queen of Measures album available at www.gaita.co.uk Check out the Creative Contessa website for fun, creative classes and workshops inspired by my travels across the globe! Visit thecreativecontessa.com for more information! #traveltips #travelvlog #cruiseship #cruising #QueenVictoria #Cunard #Food #FoodReview