How to Pour Champagne in a Moving Vehicle
At this point in the journey, I wanted to give a quick review of the beverages available onboard. As a big fan of Belgian beers and microbrews, as well as fine wines and champagnes, it takes something special to impress me.
So I present… "How to Pour Champagne in a Moving Vehicle, a 5-Step Process to Enjoying Liquid Refreshment on the High Seas"…
1. When pouring champagne, ask your Butler for help.
When enjoying a beautiful bottle of Veuve Cliquot, one does not want to waste a single drop, especially when pouring in rough waters. Therefore, the best idea is to call on a professional. Our butler, Ryan, is used to handling both champagne and unsteady seas. He managed an expert pour, delivered effortlessly as we lunched in the courtyard. Ryan suggests that during a Transatlantic crossing, one can break from tradition and pick up the wine or champagne glass to execute the pour, as he says this is safer. It's always a good thing to have expert advice!
2. Some beers are hidden better than "Where's Waldo."
Looking at the published beer list, which is a challenge to get your hands on (it's not even available at Maltings Beer and Whisky Bar), it looks like the ship does not offer a wide selection. Granted, when the draught beers include the usual choices like Miller Light, Heineken, and Stella, one can start to lose hope.
But don't worry! The Norwegian Jewel has a treasure trove of excellent beers hidden in silver cooler cabinets behind Maltings' granite topped bar. What the beer list hides, but what the bartenders will reveal verbally, are the many excellent bottled beers available. Some of my favorites, including Franziskaner (a German weissbeir), Leffe (a Belgian ale), and Hoegaarden (a Belgian wheat beer) are available and kept perfectly chilled until you select them. With reasonable prices per bottle, we have found a new favourite hangout on Malting's cushy barstools. It's convenient when your local is just downstairs, isn't it?
3. Any questions about wine selection should be referred to your waiter.
When dining in any of the restaurants on board, you don't need to look for a sommelier to assist you in your wine selection. Your NCL waiter is actually fully trained in all-things wine. Cagney's Steakhouse has a sommelier, and the other restaurants have waiters trained to advise you on wine selections that will pair nicely with whatever dish you order. NCL made the shift from wine stewards to wine- trained waiters in about 2003 or '04. Vinod, our waiter in Le Bistro, was extremely knowledgeable about the wine selection, and we have had similar positive experiences throughout the many specialty restaurants. With a pretty thick wine list (practically a book), I don't think we will have to repeat any bottles during the voyage (although we did order the Pascal Jolivet Pouilly-Fumé 2006 twice).
4. If you're in the Villas, there's no need to leave your room for a bespoke tipple.
Every Villa gets to select two bottles of liquor to be kept in their room during the voyage, included with the cruise. Additionally, your butler will be happy to equip you with any juice mixers or citrus trimmings, and sodas are available in the mini bar. The Garden Villa has its own bar, complete with cocktail shaker, jigger, and several ice buckets. With four retro silver bar stools, this corner of the living room is always popular. If you ask nicely, Ryan will even play bartender and mix you up the martini of your choice. Hey, if you're going to take a cruise, why not have your own bar, too?
5. Spring breakers beware, the jig is up!
Although not applicable to this voyage, future cruisers take heed: they know all your tricks for sneaking alcohol on board. Even the dye-it-and-put-it-in-a-Listerine-bottle trick is old news to this savvy crew. (Note: it doesn't work anyway, Listerine bottles make Malibu taste unfortunately minty… ) With X-ray machines in operation every time you re-board the ship, you will not be able to play rum runner and smuggle on your exotic purchases. Luckily, the Jewel features many bars, indoors and out, to serve you throughout your voyage.
Book a North Atlantic Cruise with Virgin Holidays Cruises.
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Read the other articles:
Days 7-12 St Johns, Halifax and Journey's End
A Peak at the Inner Workings of the Norwegian Jewel
How to Pour Champagne in a Moving Vehicle (you are here)
Day 5 - Icelandic Saga
Day 5 - Straddling the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Day 5 - Steam and Snow in the Southwest
Day 5 - Golden Waterfalls and Pearls of Architecture
Day 5 - Iceland: Tour, Geology and Saga Museum
Days 0-4 Dover to the Shetlands
Added 2008/09/28 @ 18:55:34
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