HI,
We've cruised in Europe several times with Princess., last year on the Star out of Venice. On our first cruise, we booked the day-long tours and had lunch in hotels. These meals are similar to what you might expect at banquet lunches...uninspired and average. We've learned that we're happier booking a 1/2 day tour that allows for "lunch on your own" and free time before going back to the ship. We also do some homework using a favorite travel guide or travel writer, or, simply ask a shop keeper or someone on the street where to have a good lunch. You should not have to settle for MacDonald's!! Enjoying the local cuisine, for us, is part of the trip. Here's some of what we've experienced:
In Venice, we found a wonderful bistro down a side street near the Rialto Bridge.
In Kusadasi, Turkey, we ate near the marina, pricey, but the freshest fish and vegetables...
In Rome, on tour, we had the best hotel meal....but we believe there isn't a bad meal in Italy to be had.
In Florence, we asked a shopkeeper for a nice, but not too expensive restaurant, and two blocks later, we were the only Americans in the cafe. Wonderful veal, wonderful tiramisu.
In Bordeaux, where the ship overnighted ( in and out with the tides), the local tourist representative came on board. We wanted her to arrange dinner reservations at a place she would have dinner, not somewhere out of the tourist book she carried. AT 8pm, the taxi was waiting for us at the dock, we went to a wonderful restaurant where they spoke almost no English, and we spoke almost no French, but for 3 hours, and 4 courses, we just flat out were in French food heaven.
In Monte Carlo, we ate pannini, sitting on a stone wall near the royal residence, watching the world go by.
In Athens, we ate on tour at a hotel buffet....pretty good actually. Lamb, moussaka, real Feta, cheese, real calamata olives,and sweet yogurt and berries for dessert.
In Capri, on tour, we ate in a very small, almost seedy hotel...probably the worst of all tour lunches.
In Genoa, we hired a taxi driver to show us around, and he brought us to a small town called Santa Margarita, where we had pesto pasta like no other, and perfect grilled sea bass.
In Casablanca, we were advised NOT to eat....so we found the Hilton Hotel, had cokes and peanuts at the bar, and waited until we went back to the ship for a very early dinner in the Lido.
In Taormina, Sicily, we had pizza in the small town square. And gelato, of course!!
IN Brugges, Belgium, we were told on the ship that mussels were in season, which is a speciality of the area. We checked out a couple of cafes, found one down a side street where there wasn't English being spoken, ordered "Moules and Frites" , like we were taught on the ship, and some Belgium beer for a great lunch.
And I could recount more memorable lunches, but I'm sure you get it by now....Relax, ask some questions, and have an adventure!!! Enjoy, and safe travels.
Smooth Sailing,
Andrea
