The Chef's Table on Caribbean Princess

I am always looking out for activities, features and programs on cruise ships that are out of the ordinary. The goal is to be able to look back and say that was something special that made that cruise memorable. One such program I found was The Chef’s Table on Caribbean Princess.

Under this program, small groups of guests are taken behind the scenes into the ship’s galley, not between meals when it is empty, but at dinner time when it is a hive of activity. Then, after champagne and special treats in the galley, the guests are seated in one of the main dining rooms for a multi-course gourmet meal. All of this is done under the personal supervision of Executive Chef Antonio Cereda and Maitre d’ Hotel Angelo Balbiani.

I am not a chef and have no particular interest in cooking. Nonetheless, it was fascinating to see Chef Cereda and his staff at work preparing dinner for literally thousands of people. Moreover, we were able to talk with Mr. Cereda and Mr. Balbiani about how it is done and how they maintain such a high level of quality in the food that they serve. It also should be noted that Messrs. Cereda and Balbiani have such a rapore that they are able to inject humor and conviality into the tour.

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Then, still in the galley, there was the champagne and one specially prepared appetizer after another, each one better than its delicious predecessor.

Adjourning to the dining room, the group was seated at a large table. More excellent courses, each paired with a wine selected by Mr. Balbiani. In addition, conversation flowed amongst the group, most of whom had been strangers beforehand.

It was indeed a memorable evening. My article about it, along with some photos and a copy of the menu are at http://www.beyondships.com/Princess-CB-ChefsTable-2.html.

I have also posted this week more from my interview with James Deering, Passenger Services Director on Caribbean Princess. This time, Mr. Deering talks about how managing the hotel operation on a cruise ship has changed over the years and gives some interesting insights into tipping on cruise ships. The article is posted at : http://www.beyondships.com/Princess-CB-Deering-2.html

Caribbean Princess Passenger Services Director James Deering

James Deering has a vast experience in the cruise industry coming from having worked for a series of major names in cruise industry including NCL, Star Cruises, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Renaissance Cruises, and now Princess Cruises. He also has a keen intelligence and is quite articulate. Consequently, each time I have interview James, I have walked away with large amounts of material. Indeed, there was so much material this time, that there is too much for just one article.

Most recently, I encountered James on Caribbean Princess where he was the Passenger Services Director, which is equivalent to the hotel manager or hotel director on the other major lines. The ship was on a Caribbean cruise out of New York.

It is a time of transition for Caribbean Princess, one of the mega-cruise ships of the Grand (Princess) class. Caribbean Princess is taking over the itineraries previously done by her younger sister Crown Princess. In addition, in January, she will undergo an extensive refit which will give her all of the amenities and facilities that are on the more recent Grand class ships.

While it may seem a no-brainer to add features that have been successful on other ships, there is risk in change. The service, the food and the activities on Caribbean Princess were all working well on this cruise. In addition, there were numerous repeat passengers on this voyage, many of whom had come because they liked Caribbean Princess the best of all of the Grand class ships. If things are working well, why change?

James agreed that each ship develops its own character and that leads to a ship having its own following. However, based upon his experience on the Crown Princess and the Emerald Princess, he felt that the features planned for Caribbean Princess would enhance the Caribbean Princess experience without changing the ship’s basic character.

My most recent interview with James Deering is at: http://beyondships.com/Princess-CB-Deering.html