Celebrity Century Disaster Cruise
Apr 8th, 2014, 12:35 AM
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ParrotMom, they are all over. I still have a brother, a couple sisters, cousins etc in the Boston area. Brookline, Braintree, Cambridge ... pretty much all over. I am the black sheep that didn't stay on the east coast. I might ended up staying at a hotel so that I won't offend anyone for not staying with them 
And I think I have come across the same blogger that you are referring to about holding court. Met her at a cruise critic meet and greet a few years back. After 15 minutes, we bowed out. I kept my mouth shut so I am at still allowed there ...
If you recall, there was a scandal at the other place a few years back where posters were posting fake TR. Funny thing is you can spot the fake ones miles away as an experienced traveler would know better.
We have mostly good experience traveling. And of course, we came across some odd not so good moments as well but I rarely, if ever, slam people or companies over the poor experience. I think the worst descriptive I have used was "inconsistent". Honey attracts more flies and we rarely have any issues left unresolved if you frame your "experience" properly. There is a book called "The art of complaining" written by Phil Edmonston, the same author who wrote the "lemon-aid".
And I think I have come across the same blogger that you are referring to about holding court. Met her at a cruise critic meet and greet a few years back. After 15 minutes, we bowed out. I kept my mouth shut so I am at still allowed there ...
If you recall, there was a scandal at the other place a few years back where posters were posting fake TR. Funny thing is you can spot the fake ones miles away as an experienced traveler would know better.
We have mostly good experience traveling. And of course, we came across some odd not so good moments as well but I rarely, if ever, slam people or companies over the poor experience. I think the worst descriptive I have used was "inconsistent". Honey attracts more flies and we rarely have any issues left unresolved if you frame your "experience" properly. There is a book called "The art of complaining" written by Phil Edmonston, the same author who wrote the "lemon-aid".
Apr 8th, 2014, 03:18 AM
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A BIG HI TO ALL 8/4/14 from ALLSTU (Stewart) in the UK.tt
Particularly to Sara & Larry , Well I have spen tquite a while reading both your comments and found it most interesting!! It was like watching a Tennis Match if you get my meaning !!
Firstly my sympathies to Sara & her husband for what was obviously a very poor cruising experience - bad luck & a general lack of 5* Service certainly played their parts. I just wanted to say "keep on cruising" & next time I sincerely hope you enjoy the cruise
To Larry I did understand your comments, and do not wish to get involved as such ,but one thing that I through into the poy is Sara spent a good few POUNDS / DOLLARS on this cruise which quite probably was hard saved cash eh?
To another point I read dozens of reviews on Celebrity Equinox which spured us on to book for next year 2015 i.e.February 22nd flying in from London & on the cruise the next day departing from Fort Lauderdale to Southern Caribbean Mexico , Grand Cayman, Colon in Panama etc etc .
We have only cruised twice before so are not seasoned cruisers we are laying out £8000 ish for the 4 of us ,we are pensioners so cash is not that easy to find & have to save hard !!
We hope its all good - will have to wait a long time until 2015.
Any suggestions Larry as you seem to know the situation will be appreciated particularly on excursions .
Thank you in advance & to Sara & yourself "GOOD LUCK .
Regards Stewart (ALLSTU)
Particularly to Sara & Larry , Well I have spen tquite a while reading both your comments and found it most interesting!! It was like watching a Tennis Match if you get my meaning !!
Firstly my sympathies to Sara & her husband for what was obviously a very poor cruising experience - bad luck & a general lack of 5* Service certainly played their parts. I just wanted to say "keep on cruising" & next time I sincerely hope you enjoy the cruise
To Larry I did understand your comments, and do not wish to get involved as such ,but one thing that I through into the poy is Sara spent a good few POUNDS / DOLLARS on this cruise which quite probably was hard saved cash eh?
To another point I read dozens of reviews on Celebrity Equinox which spured us on to book for next year 2015 i.e.February 22nd flying in from London & on the cruise the next day departing from Fort Lauderdale to Southern Caribbean Mexico , Grand Cayman, Colon in Panama etc etc .
We have only cruised twice before so are not seasoned cruisers we are laying out £8000 ish for the 4 of us ,we are pensioners so cash is not that easy to find & have to save hard !!
We hope its all good - will have to wait a long time until 2015.
Any suggestions Larry as you seem to know the situation will be appreciated particularly on excursions .
Thank you in advance & to Sara & yourself "GOOD LUCK .
Regards Stewart (ALLSTU)
Apr 8th, 2014, 07:00 AM
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Welcome Stewart!!
What are your port stops? The Equinox like I said before gets the highest ratings for customer satisfaction of all the ships in the X line, at least thats what the CD told us in 2012 when we cruised her out of Rome. We felt that way too as the service was flawless.
The so. Caribbean is my fav caribbean route as the islands are very nice. So what ate your port stops as if they are some of what we have done I know some excellent tours guides who will give you a nice time and will cost way less that the ships tours. They use nice vans and provice juices, fruits and even local beer.
Does that price include air fare? What is your cabin accomodation as well. I just want to get an idea as I have heard that cruise lines charge more to Aussies and Brits, esp. Princess. Not so sure about Celebrity. However we went in the summer and your trip is winter so ti wil be more.
Cheers Stu!! Larry.
What are your port stops? The Equinox like I said before gets the highest ratings for customer satisfaction of all the ships in the X line, at least thats what the CD told us in 2012 when we cruised her out of Rome. We felt that way too as the service was flawless.
The so. Caribbean is my fav caribbean route as the islands are very nice. So what ate your port stops as if they are some of what we have done I know some excellent tours guides who will give you a nice time and will cost way less that the ships tours. They use nice vans and provice juices, fruits and even local beer.
Does that price include air fare? What is your cabin accomodation as well. I just want to get an idea as I have heard that cruise lines charge more to Aussies and Brits, esp. Princess. Not so sure about Celebrity. However we went in the summer and your trip is winter so ti wil be more.
Cheers Stu!! Larry.
Apr 8th, 2014, 09:16 AM
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Hello Larry,
Great to be able to correspond like this I only joined Fodor's today !! So excuse me please if I ask any daft questions as we have only cruised actually 3 times not twice as said earlier.
1st on a Liner called "Ocean Village 2 , really liked this particularly as a week into the cruise found out the Executive Chef was one of my students @ Catering College, food was excellent !! Then a quick few days in the Med on NCL JADE, also good but very pricy drinks !! Then we cruised on THOMPSON DREAM an old ship OK but poor shows, & food was terrible, I sat for 2hrs with the EXec Chef trying to show him a few tricks to help him ,He was obviously a good Chef/Manager but a Philipino /American so perfect understanding between us. He had never worked in the European Kitchens, & most of the dishes were French Cuisine with EXACT garnishes i.e no wriggle room, apparently THOMPSON made the menu's. Just one example Filets de Sole Veronique - well it turned up as Vietnamese Catfish(sometimes known as River Cobbler.) I grape & a spash of a poor sauce . I am a good pair of hands & have cooked for Lords ,Ladies ,The Royal Family at Buckingham Palace& Windsor Castle, also an ex member of the .
"British Team of Chefs"
However I certainly wouldn't have clue working in his country& told him so .
Cooking for 3000 + guests certainly is no picnic ,& the most I have been involved in was at THE SAVOY LONDON when I was quite young 1000 banquet, he had to do 3000 2 or 3 times a day !!!!!! I actually took my hat off to him.
Well I wonder how I will find The Equinox - it seems most folk rave over the food - great.
To your question I booked with PLANETCRUISE an offshoot of IGLU CRUISE all reliable British firms , it was £1965 per person including flights with American Airlines outbound and British Airways inbound (economy)PLUS extra for an extra night in Fort Lauderdale which will be approx. £65-75 per person.
WE are on the 7th Deck with a Balcony Cabin on the starboard side with our pals cabin next to us.
We as part of the deal have a drinks package which will be most helpful (not that we are big boozers but we love a
G n'T & fine wine, + a 24hour cabin/room service.
Our itinerary is as follows > FL .Grand Cayman-George Town >Cartagena Columbia > Colon Panama >Puerto Limon Costa Rica > Belize City > Cozumel Mexico > then 2 days in Fl hope to look at the Everglades ??
Well sorry to have gone on a bit !! We are all aged between 67-70 years young with us men good swimmers not so the wives !! We are all also blessed with good health !! Long may it continue eh???? ps we live in Broadstairs Kent circa 1.5 to 2 hours from London . OK all the best Stewart ( ALLSTU}
Great to be able to correspond like this I only joined Fodor's today !! So excuse me please if I ask any daft questions as we have only cruised actually 3 times not twice as said earlier.
1st on a Liner called "Ocean Village 2 , really liked this particularly as a week into the cruise found out the Executive Chef was one of my students @ Catering College, food was excellent !! Then a quick few days in the Med on NCL JADE, also good but very pricy drinks !! Then we cruised on THOMPSON DREAM an old ship OK but poor shows, & food was terrible, I sat for 2hrs with the EXec Chef trying to show him a few tricks to help him ,He was obviously a good Chef/Manager but a Philipino /American so perfect understanding between us. He had never worked in the European Kitchens, & most of the dishes were French Cuisine with EXACT garnishes i.e no wriggle room, apparently THOMPSON made the menu's. Just one example Filets de Sole Veronique - well it turned up as Vietnamese Catfish(sometimes known as River Cobbler.) I grape & a spash of a poor sauce . I am a good pair of hands & have cooked for Lords ,Ladies ,The Royal Family at Buckingham Palace& Windsor Castle, also an ex member of the .
"British Team of Chefs"
However I certainly wouldn't have clue working in his country& told him so .
Cooking for 3000 + guests certainly is no picnic ,& the most I have been involved in was at THE SAVOY LONDON when I was quite young 1000 banquet, he had to do 3000 2 or 3 times a day !!!!!! I actually took my hat off to him.
Well I wonder how I will find The Equinox - it seems most folk rave over the food - great.
To your question I booked with PLANETCRUISE an offshoot of IGLU CRUISE all reliable British firms , it was £1965 per person including flights with American Airlines outbound and British Airways inbound (economy)PLUS extra for an extra night in Fort Lauderdale which will be approx. £65-75 per person.
WE are on the 7th Deck with a Balcony Cabin on the starboard side with our pals cabin next to us.
We as part of the deal have a drinks package which will be most helpful (not that we are big boozers but we love a
G n'T & fine wine, + a 24hour cabin/room service.
Our itinerary is as follows > FL .Grand Cayman-George Town >Cartagena Columbia > Colon Panama >Puerto Limon Costa Rica > Belize City > Cozumel Mexico > then 2 days in Fl hope to look at the Everglades ??
Well sorry to have gone on a bit !! We are all aged between 67-70 years young with us men good swimmers not so the wives !! We are all also blessed with good health !! Long may it continue eh???? ps we live in Broadstairs Kent circa 1.5 to 2 hours from London . OK all the best Stewart ( ALLSTU}
Apr 8th, 2014, 10:00 AM
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You are always better off asking to sure!
So I take it you used to teach culinary skills and have been a well accomplished chef. Nice. I certainly am not, nor will ever be a pro but my grandfather was but I do like to be in the kitchen. My wife is Indian so I do like to cook some curries, khormas or whatever else she fancies.
Its interesting that you mentioned about cooking for thousands. Of course thats much harder but I have to say that the food we had on the Equinox was the best of or 10 cruises, even better than what we had on the 700 pax. Tahitian Princess which was also pretty good but yes it should be as the passengers were so much less. I think yo will really like the Equinox. Stroll on the top deck, check out the lawn and see some glass blowing. One night there was a wine, cheese and fruit serving while we listened to live music. Pretty nice!
I think you got a very good price BTW especially considering the drink package. BTW I don't know if you like coffee but the regular ships coffee is not so good. I bring Starbucks via packets with me which is was better than the standard fare. They do have speciality coffees for a fee.
I have not been to most of the islands or stops you are going to except for GC which we spent a week on way back in 1991! We actually have a cruise stop there later this month. In any case there are usually private touir operators just waiting at the docks so getting a tour should be easy. You can also just say google private tours ad put in your port and you should be able to arrange someone to meet you as you exit.
Again if you like coffee CR has really good coffee and they have this condiment they put on almost everything except ice cream called Lizano sauce. I brought some back and its pretty good really.
I'm glad you have great health and yes long may it continue. We visited London and Scotland once and we stayed in the Kesington area not too far from Harrads, the greatest store in the world IMO.. The food court is astounding. We went to bath and I am not sure where that is in rel. to where you are but it was very cool.
I just figured out what G and T is some I don't have to ask.. Anyway it keeps malaria away, right.
Cheers, Larry.
So I take it you used to teach culinary skills and have been a well accomplished chef. Nice. I certainly am not, nor will ever be a pro but my grandfather was but I do like to be in the kitchen. My wife is Indian so I do like to cook some curries, khormas or whatever else she fancies.
Its interesting that you mentioned about cooking for thousands. Of course thats much harder but I have to say that the food we had on the Equinox was the best of or 10 cruises, even better than what we had on the 700 pax. Tahitian Princess which was also pretty good but yes it should be as the passengers were so much less. I think yo will really like the Equinox. Stroll on the top deck, check out the lawn and see some glass blowing. One night there was a wine, cheese and fruit serving while we listened to live music. Pretty nice!
I think you got a very good price BTW especially considering the drink package. BTW I don't know if you like coffee but the regular ships coffee is not so good. I bring Starbucks via packets with me which is was better than the standard fare. They do have speciality coffees for a fee.
I have not been to most of the islands or stops you are going to except for GC which we spent a week on way back in 1991! We actually have a cruise stop there later this month. In any case there are usually private touir operators just waiting at the docks so getting a tour should be easy. You can also just say google private tours ad put in your port and you should be able to arrange someone to meet you as you exit.
Again if you like coffee CR has really good coffee and they have this condiment they put on almost everything except ice cream
called Lizano sauce. I brought some back and its pretty good really. I'm glad you have great health and yes long may it continue. We visited London and Scotland once and we stayed in the Kesington area not too far from Harrads, the greatest store in the world IMO.
. The food court is astounding. We went to bath and I am not sure where that is in rel. to where you are but it was very cool. I just figured out what G and T is some I don't have to ask.
. Anyway it keeps malaria away, right. Cheers, Larry.
Apr 8th, 2014, 11:35 AM
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Hi Larry, yes many thanks for your prompt reply. Yes G N'T is Gin and Tonic sorry about that ,we have great pals who live in Washington Dc they laugh like crazy at all my "funny " Brit sayings. i.e couldn't give a monkey's which means I couldn't care less !!!!
I am a funny Brit ,I don't drink TEA only Coffee , bit unusual but we as Brits generally love afternoon tea that's cocktail finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream ,jam& pastries, Should be ok as the drinks package includes speciality coffees my wife has the tea myself the coffee . This should be good on the X eh?
Bath is the West of UK we are as far South East as you can go ,quite close to the Channel Tunnel & oft go to Calais France shopping for cheap quality wine ,not so many taxes as in the UK. Glad you have visited & hope you enjoyed it?
We will sort out the excursions as the ship organised ones are to many $$$$$$$$$$$$ well we must keep in touch ,I am on face book under my wife's membership. >[email protected], ask to be friends then you can access me and mine !! That is also our e-mail address .
all the best - keep calm & carry on cruising , regards Stewart Rolfe
I am a funny Brit ,I don't drink TEA only Coffee , bit unusual but we as Brits generally love afternoon tea that's cocktail finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream ,jam& pastries, Should be ok as the drinks package includes speciality coffees my wife has the tea myself the coffee . This should be good on the X eh?
Bath is the West of UK we are as far South East as you can go ,quite close to the Channel Tunnel & oft go to Calais France shopping for cheap quality wine ,not so many taxes as in the UK. Glad you have visited & hope you enjoyed it?
We will sort out the excursions as the ship organised ones are to many $$$$$$$$$$$$ well we must keep in touch ,I am on face book under my wife's membership. >[email protected], ask to be friends then you can access me and mine !! That is also our e-mail address .
all the best - keep calm & carry on cruising , regards Stewart Rolfe
Apr 9th, 2014, 02:34 AM
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Hello Eschew.
Thanks for the welcome greeting, very well received !!
In answer to your question "YES" the £8000 is for two couples, Plus an extra costing for the extra night in F.L. (not sure of that as yet, X kinda books the hotels for pre & post cruise accommodation - we don't really have a say )
So that's for 2 separate balcony staterooms on deck 7 - cabins 7124 and 7126 which is I think is the bottom end of balcony cabins, however we do have an unobstructed view !!
Deck 6 has balcony cabins circa £40-50 cheaper per cruise but there is a lifeboat just underneath , we thought it better to cough up the extra for NO obstructions.
Just for interest I spent approx. 3-4 days surfing the web and making calls to get this price for our cruise - some companies are charging circa £250 more for exactly the same cruise . X is giving away the drinks package , or $300 per state room as an incentive,which helps enormously eh?
(we opted for the former)
Also the price in the UK includes all the transfers in the US.
Re: our stateroom our wives think its a smidge too close to the pointed end !!(of the ship) I feel as its a pretty large cruise liner it will be perfectly ok , I certainly did not wish to pay + £150 extra per person to go to the next deck for exactly the same space and quality cabin .
Larry will hopefully let me know a good tour on the Grand Cayman Island as he is there later this year , but I am quite sure there will be loads of offers at the ports from the local tourist info desk eh?
I also want to suss-out the wild life in the area of FL/Everglades so will be checking out the web for that.
By the way I tried to book via American Cruise sites but they cannot book flights unless your in the USA, the prices for cruise only were VERY COMPETATIVE but it may have been a big problem arranging my own flights *( just in case of a major delay /or Virgin or B.A. go on strike, we would not be covered and then we may well miss the boat, & £4 grand goes down the Swannee !!)
Hope that was of interest.
All good things, & hope to hear from you again.
Regards Stewart (ALLSTU)
Thanks for the welcome greeting, very well received !!
In answer to your question "YES" the £8000 is for two couples, Plus an extra costing for the extra night in F.L. (not sure of that as yet, X kinda books the hotels for pre & post cruise accommodation - we don't really have a say )
So that's for 2 separate balcony staterooms on deck 7 - cabins 7124 and 7126 which is I think is the bottom end of balcony cabins, however we do have an unobstructed view !!
Deck 6 has balcony cabins circa £40-50 cheaper per cruise but there is a lifeboat just underneath , we thought it better to cough up the extra for NO obstructions.
Just for interest I spent approx. 3-4 days surfing the web and making calls to get this price for our cruise - some companies are charging circa £250 more for exactly the same cruise . X is giving away the drinks package , or $300 per state room as an incentive,which helps enormously eh?
(we opted for the former)
Also the price in the UK includes all the transfers in the US.
Re: our stateroom our wives think its a smidge too close to the pointed end !!(of the ship) I feel as its a pretty large cruise liner it will be perfectly ok , I certainly did not wish to pay + £150 extra per person to go to the next deck for exactly the same space and quality cabin .
Larry will hopefully let me know a good tour on the Grand Cayman Island as he is there later this year , but I am quite sure there will be loads of offers at the ports from the local tourist info desk eh?
I also want to suss-out the wild life in the area of FL/Everglades so will be checking out the web for that.
By the way I tried to book via American Cruise sites but they cannot book flights unless your in the USA, the prices for cruise only were VERY COMPETATIVE but it may have been a big problem arranging my own flights *( just in case of a major delay /or Virgin or B.A. go on strike, we would not be covered and then we may well miss the boat, & £4 grand goes down the Swannee !!)
Hope that was of interest.
All good things, & hope to hear from you again.
Regards Stewart (ALLSTU)
Apr 9th, 2014, 02:34 AM
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Hello Eschew.
Thanks for the welcome greeting, very well received !!
In answer to your question "YES" the £8000 is for two couples, Plus an extra costing for the extra night in F.L. (not sure of that as yet, X kinda books the hotels for pre & post cruise accommodation - we don't really have a say )
So that's for 2 separate balcony staterooms on deck 7 - cabins 7124 and 7126 which is I think is the bottom end of balcony cabins, however we do have an unobstructed view !!
Deck 6 has balcony cabins circa £40-50 cheaper per cruise but there is a lifeboat just underneath , we thought it better to cough up the extra for NO obstructions.
Just for interest I spent approx. 3-4 days surfing the web and making calls to get this price for our cruise - some companies are charging circa £250 more for exactly the same cruise . X is giving away the drinks package , or $300 per state room as an incentive,which helps enormously eh?
(we opted for the former)
Also the price in the UK includes all the transfers in the US.
Re: our stateroom our wives think its a smidge too close to the pointed end !!(of the ship) I feel as its a pretty large cruise liner it will be perfectly ok , I certainly did not wish to pay + £150 extra per person to go to the next deck for exactly the same space and quality cabin .
Larry will hopefully let me know a good tour on the Grand Cayman Island as he is there later this year , but I am quite sure there will be loads of offers at the ports from the local tourist info desk eh?
I also want to suss-out the wild life in the area of FL/Everglades so will be checking out the web for that.
By the way I tried to book via American Cruise sites but they cannot book flights unless your in the USA, the prices for cruise only were VERY COMPETATIVE but it may have been a big problem arranging my own flights *( just in case of a major delay /or Virgin or B.A. go on strike, we would not be covered and then we may well miss the boat, & £4 grand goes down the Swannee !!)
Hope that was of interest.
All good things, & hope to hear from you again.
Regards Stewart (ALLSTU)
Thanks for the welcome greeting, very well received !!
In answer to your question "YES" the £8000 is for two couples, Plus an extra costing for the extra night in F.L. (not sure of that as yet, X kinda books the hotels for pre & post cruise accommodation - we don't really have a say )
So that's for 2 separate balcony staterooms on deck 7 - cabins 7124 and 7126 which is I think is the bottom end of balcony cabins, however we do have an unobstructed view !!
Deck 6 has balcony cabins circa £40-50 cheaper per cruise but there is a lifeboat just underneath , we thought it better to cough up the extra for NO obstructions.
Just for interest I spent approx. 3-4 days surfing the web and making calls to get this price for our cruise - some companies are charging circa £250 more for exactly the same cruise . X is giving away the drinks package , or $300 per state room as an incentive,which helps enormously eh?
(we opted for the former)
Also the price in the UK includes all the transfers in the US.
Re: our stateroom our wives think its a smidge too close to the pointed end !!(of the ship) I feel as its a pretty large cruise liner it will be perfectly ok , I certainly did not wish to pay + £150 extra per person to go to the next deck for exactly the same space and quality cabin .
Larry will hopefully let me know a good tour on the Grand Cayman Island as he is there later this year , but I am quite sure there will be loads of offers at the ports from the local tourist info desk eh?
I also want to suss-out the wild life in the area of FL/Everglades so will be checking out the web for that.
By the way I tried to book via American Cruise sites but they cannot book flights unless your in the USA, the prices for cruise only were VERY COMPETATIVE but it may have been a big problem arranging my own flights *( just in case of a major delay /or Virgin or B.A. go on strike, we would not be covered and then we may well miss the boat, & £4 grand goes down the Swannee !!)
Hope that was of interest.
All good things, & hope to hear from you again.
Regards Stewart (ALLSTU)
Apr 9th, 2014, 03:45 AM
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Hi Larry, sent the FB request this am .
What does BTW mean , & re the coffee CR , sorry just don't know.
Steak /Prime Beef >> Aberdeen Angus this is a bit of a trade name that originated in Aberdeen Steak House Restaurants in the UK & is now pushed out World Wide (I think}
It normally guarantee's a quality tender steak ??
However NOT necessarily as I have had a few tough ones in my time.
The "so called" "Best Beef"( Aberdeen Angus) is from Scotland , something to do with the rain/ quality pastures etc ( bit like the Scotch Whisky only made with water from Scotland ),however much Irish & English Beef is transported live to Scotland then slaughtered, to NOW call it Scottish !!! ( this good Beef too )
I think the best point I can make is this > Beef once slaughtered MUST hang for a minimum period for 21days - sometimes longer , ( under correct refrigeration)
The average housewife buys the beef joint when it looks nice and fresh & pinkish in colour.
Worst possible idea - buy a joint that is much darker almost blackish on the edges - THIS WILL be tender - I promise !!
However for all that when I have eaten American Steaks -- WOW what a fantastic flavour and tenderness - you Americans have absolutely nothing to worry about - your meat is 100% +++ perfect !!! Thus their is nothing to learn from us !!!!
Argentinian/Brazilian Beef which is fairly tough is very often injected with an enzyme, just prior to slaughter which relaxes all the muscles thus making it tender , however when it is eaten ,in my opinion its mushy ,and tastes different almost like cardboard.
Sometimes its acceptable but more oft than not its a poor quality meat - but much cheaper - you pay's your money and takes your choice !!!
Hope that clarifies ?? Re: your wife cooking curries I love Indian Fayre, but try to keep myself ignorant ,so I can enjoy it and not make adverse comments on the dish. However if you want to send me a recipe from your wife's best dish - crack on please
all the best Stewart
What does BTW mean , & re the coffee CR , sorry just don't know.
Steak /Prime Beef >> Aberdeen Angus this is a bit of a trade name that originated in Aberdeen Steak House Restaurants in the UK & is now pushed out World Wide (I think}
It normally guarantee's a quality tender steak ??
However NOT necessarily as I have had a few tough ones in my time.
The "so called" "Best Beef"( Aberdeen Angus) is from Scotland , something to do with the rain/ quality pastures etc ( bit like the Scotch Whisky only made with water from Scotland ),however much Irish & English Beef is transported live to Scotland then slaughtered, to NOW call it Scottish !!! ( this good Beef too )
I think the best point I can make is this > Beef once slaughtered MUST hang for a minimum period for 21days - sometimes longer , ( under correct refrigeration)
The average housewife buys the beef joint when it looks nice and fresh & pinkish in colour.
Worst possible idea - buy a joint that is much darker almost blackish on the edges - THIS WILL be tender - I promise !!
However for all that when I have eaten American Steaks -- WOW what a fantastic flavour and tenderness - you Americans have absolutely nothing to worry about - your meat is 100% +++ perfect !!! Thus their is nothing to learn from us !!!!
Argentinian/Brazilian Beef which is fairly tough is very often injected with an enzyme, just prior to slaughter which relaxes all the muscles thus making it tender , however when it is eaten ,in my opinion its mushy ,and tastes different almost like cardboard.
Sometimes its acceptable but more oft than not its a poor quality meat - but much cheaper - you pay's your money and takes your choice !!!
Hope that clarifies ?? Re: your wife cooking curries I love Indian Fayre, but try to keep myself ignorant ,so I can enjoy it and not make adverse comments on the dish. However if you want to send me a recipe from your wife's best dish - crack on please
all the best Stewart
Apr 9th, 2014, 08:16 AM
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Hi Larry
I just have to jump in here. Most of the beef in the US is actually Angus. Here in Canada we have AAA AA A which compares to your Prime, Choice and Select. My Dad was a butcher so of course I was taught to pick out the best cuts. Just like Stewart says to look for the darker colour and lots of marbling. If you feel like really splurging I know Costco on line Costco.com sell Waygu beef. My mother always told me to make friends with the butcher!!
Here is a website you may find interesting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angus_cattle
I just have to jump in here. Most of the beef in the US is actually Angus. Here in Canada we have AAA AA A which compares to your Prime, Choice and Select. My Dad was a butcher so of course I was taught to pick out the best cuts. Just like Stewart says to look for the darker colour and lots of marbling. If you feel like really splurging I know Costco on line Costco.com sell Waygu beef. My mother always told me to make friends with the butcher!!
Here is a website you may find interesting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angus_cattle
Apr 9th, 2014, 11:34 AM
#75
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BTW means By The Way and Cr is Costa Rica.
We are now fb friends as I accepted your wifes request. Cheers!
Great advice about the beef. I do like a good steak and I've always wondered what dry aged means in terms of how long a steak is aged so thanks for that info.
I will send a recipe for Indian food but actually she sort of tosses in spices whereas I follow recipes nearly to the letter, at least the first time. I will send you something I made that my wife and this Pakistani gal at work both liked so hey it may not be too bad..
T69 thanks so much for the info on beef. Costco is one of two places nearby where I can get USDA prime. The chain grocery stores don't carry it d/t the cost.
I do look for marbling and actually some USDA choice steaks are pretty tender as well. Once I was wondering if some that I bought were mislabeled. Theey looked great but were just a tad tougher than the prime variety.
In the Chicago area there are many nice steak houses but I would rather just cook them myself.
The exec. sous chef on the Equinox told us that there steaks are USDA prime. Well I am not sure about that d/t the cost but I will say they seemed to be on the border between prime and choice.
Cheers, LArry
We are now fb friends as I accepted your wifes request. Cheers!
Great advice about the beef. I do like a good steak and I've always wondered what dry aged means in terms of how long a steak is aged so thanks for that info.
I will send a recipe for Indian food but actually she sort of tosses in spices whereas I follow recipes nearly to the letter, at least the first time. I will send you something I made that my wife and this Pakistani gal at work both liked so hey it may not be too bad.
.T69 thanks so much for the info on beef. Costco is one of two places nearby where I can get USDA prime. The chain grocery stores don't carry it d/t the cost.
I do look for marbling and actually some USDA choice steaks are pretty tender as well. Once I was wondering if some that I bought were mislabeled. Theey looked great but were just a tad tougher than the prime variety.
In the Chicago area there are many nice steak houses but I would rather just cook them myself.
The exec. sous chef on the Equinox told us that there steaks are USDA prime. Well I am not sure about that d/t the cost but I will say they seemed to be on the border between prime and choice.
Cheers, LArry
Apr 9th, 2014, 08:44 PM
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Stewart: Places of interest on your itinerary.
Grand Cayman is a tender port. It took us 3 tires to finally landed at Grand Cayman. The sea was too rough to tender on the first 2 trips. Everyone wanted to go to Hell and back at Grand Cayman. Not worth the money but sending a postcard from Hell is all the rage. Beach is nice and Botanic garden is okay.
Cartagena - stop in old walled city, San Felipe de Barajas Castle, the Cathedral, and the Naval museum.
Colon - You are close enough to go see the Gatum locks or just go see old Panama city
Puerto Limon - Veragua Rainforest Park and Tortuguero Canal and buy some "Slasa Lizano", Try local coffee and visit a planatation.
Belize City - Mayan ruins and botanic garden. beaches and snorkeling
Cozumel - stay at the island and enjoy local sights and sound. Most will take ferry to Playa del Carmen and visit Xcaret, Tulum or Coba. It is 30+ minutes ferry ride across the channel (in potentially rough water) and an hour bus ride one way so you are spending a lot of time commuting rather than sight seeing.
Everglades - I'll skip. go to Sawgrass Mill and shop till you drop or take a day trip to Cape Kennedy.
Grand Cayman is a tender port. It took us 3 tires to finally landed at Grand Cayman. The sea was too rough to tender on the first 2 trips. Everyone wanted to go to Hell and back at Grand Cayman. Not worth the money but sending a postcard from Hell is all the rage. Beach is nice and Botanic garden is okay.
Cartagena - stop in old walled city, San Felipe de Barajas Castle, the Cathedral, and the Naval museum.
Colon - You are close enough to go see the Gatum locks or just go see old Panama city
Puerto Limon - Veragua Rainforest Park and Tortuguero Canal and buy some "Slasa Lizano", Try local coffee and visit a planatation.
Belize City - Mayan ruins and botanic garden. beaches and snorkeling
Cozumel - stay at the island and enjoy local sights and sound. Most will take ferry to Playa del Carmen and visit Xcaret, Tulum or Coba. It is 30+ minutes ferry ride across the channel (in potentially rough water) and an hour bus ride one way so you are spending a lot of time commuting rather than sight seeing.
Everglades - I'll skip. go to Sawgrass Mill and shop till you drop or take a day trip to Cape Kennedy.
Apr 10th, 2014, 01:22 AM
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To Eschew,
Hello you certainly know your ports , thank you very much for the info ,as we have never been to this part of the Caribbean it will be quite an adventure. ( not heard of Sawgrass Mill will look it up ,its all the wild life that we love)
My wife said thank you too, & hopes the seas will not be too rough when we visit this time (the cruise commences 22nd Feb-6th March ???)
When we went to the other part from Barbados ,St Kitts. St Lucia etc etc I must say it was calm, & we cruised 2 years back circa the same time -so hope for the best EH ??
Hello you certainly know your ports , thank you very much for the info ,as we have never been to this part of the Caribbean it will be quite an adventure. ( not heard of Sawgrass Mill will look it up ,its all the wild life that we love)
My wife said thank you too, & hopes the seas will not be too rough when we visit this time (the cruise commences 22nd Feb-6th March ???)
When we went to the other part from Barbados ,St Kitts. St Lucia etc etc I must say it was calm, & we cruised 2 years back circa the same time -so hope for the best EH ??
Apr 10th, 2014, 11:11 AM
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TO Traveller 69, Hello (name unknown sorry,) I wanted to return some chat re: Beef, however as a brand new member of only a couple of days, I surfed a few threads & found your very sad post on the passing of your husband - I don't know you but may I be permitted to also pass on my sincere condolences to you & your kin, so very sorry T69,!!
As a Brit I am unfamiliar with US/Canadian terminology on quality of meat ,in the UK with exception of Argentinian, and Brazilian all our beef is Prime Beef.
The best is so called Scotch Beef oft called Aberdeen Angus , however some Irish,& English Cattle are taken live to Scotland allowed to graze for a period & then slaughtered > thus it's NOW Scotch!! A bit of a con , however both Irish or English Beef is really excellent & I doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference, often I can't but when purchasing its usually stamped on the meat "Scotch" !!!!
It is important as you say about the marbling, also fat ratios & white creamy fat ,NOT yellow .
Most folk would say Sirloin is the best joint for roasting & steaks, fillet is always tender but lacks the full flavour of the sirloin, rump is maybe the very best flavour but is always tougher.
As a Chef my favourite roasting joint is the Wing Rib, which comes from the Fore-Quarter.
I think in the US and Canada you butcher your meat quite different to our butchers in the UK, & in the French Kitchen even different again!!
However THE TASTE will always give the Clue!!
Wishing you all the best T69. Stewart.
As a Brit I am unfamiliar with US/Canadian terminology on quality of meat ,in the UK with exception of Argentinian, and Brazilian all our beef is Prime Beef.
The best is so called Scotch Beef oft called Aberdeen Angus , however some Irish,& English Cattle are taken live to Scotland allowed to graze for a period & then slaughtered > thus it's NOW Scotch!! A bit of a con , however both Irish or English Beef is really excellent & I doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference, often I can't but when purchasing its usually stamped on the meat "Scotch" !!!!
It is important as you say about the marbling, also fat ratios & white creamy fat ,NOT yellow .
Most folk would say Sirloin is the best joint for roasting & steaks, fillet is always tender but lacks the full flavour of the sirloin, rump is maybe the very best flavour but is always tougher.
As a Chef my favourite roasting joint is the Wing Rib, which comes from the Fore-Quarter.
I think in the US and Canada you butcher your meat quite different to our butchers in the UK, & in the French Kitchen even different again!!
However THE TASTE will always give the Clue!!
Wishing you all the best T69. Stewart.
Apr 10th, 2014, 11:33 AM
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Hello T69, Thought I would tell a tale to hopefully give you a smile ???
KING HENRY 8th (the one who had 6 wives)was holding a Banquet
the main course was BEEF he began eating the meat ,then shouted for the Cook, who was dragged before the King trembling as you can imagine !!
"WHAT IS THIS MEAT" roared the King - "Its LOIN Sire" replied the petrified cook. "LOIN BE BUGGERED" shouted the King & withdrew his sword - the poor old cook thought his last moment had come.
The King then tapped the Beef with his sword and said "This Beef is Good from this day forth I dub thee "SIR LOIN"
The cook probably raced back to his kitchen.
That is how we named our Sirloin of Beef !!
Hope you enjoyed that - it is a true story !! Regards Stewart.
KING HENRY 8th (the one who had 6 wives)was holding a Banquet
the main course was BEEF he began eating the meat ,then shouted for the Cook, who was dragged before the King trembling as you can imagine !!
"WHAT IS THIS MEAT" roared the King - "Its LOIN Sire" replied the petrified cook. "LOIN BE BUGGERED" shouted the King & withdrew his sword - the poor old cook thought his last moment had come.
The King then tapped the Beef with his sword and said "This Beef is Good from this day forth I dub thee "SIR LOIN"
The cook probably raced back to his kitchen.
That is how we named our Sirloin of Beef !!
Hope you enjoyed that - it is a true story !! Regards Stewart.
Apr 10th, 2014, 01:53 PM
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Stewart Thank you for your very cute story about “Sir” Loin. That did make me smile. My name is Joy by the way. Thank you also for your very kind words. It has been a very hard time for me but it is wonderful that we have as Eschew put it a “close knit community”. We have shared our travel stories and exchanged information over the years so we feel like old friends. So welcome to this community – it is a pleasure to read your posts. Unfortunately, here in Canada (Victoria BC) a butcher shop is hard to come by. The retail chain grocery stores have basically “meat cutters” as the meat is shipped already butchered and they just cut it into steaks or roasts. Until recently I used to go to a butcher shop that was truly Scottish. There were two brothers and a sister. The sister made every meat pie imaginable (my favourite was steak and Kidney) I don’t know what ever happened but they suddenly closed after many years. I must tell you that I am famous with my friends for my Yorkshire pudding. (my Grandfather was English). Thanks again for sharing your story and the condolences you are very kind.
Eschew – Have you made a decision yet? I’m looking forward to hearing what you are going to do. Either way it will be delightful.
Hi Larry!! Percy left yesterday for Brussels and then boards the ship for the river cruise. He’ll be gone for a couple of weeks.
Eschew – Have you made a decision yet? I’m looking forward to hearing what you are going to do. Either way it will be delightful.
Hi Larry!! Percy left yesterday for Brussels and then boards the ship for the river cruise. He’ll be gone for a couple of weeks.
