Day 1 Diamond Princess Alaska Cruise – It's Dinner and Showtime!

Alaska Cruise . 2012 . Sep 15

We indicated to Princess Cruises at the time of booking on our preference for Anytime Dining. This means that we can call and reserve a table for two at any of its Anytime Dining Rooms. Simply dial 3463 between 8pm and 5pm to make reservations of your choice at one of the Anytime Dining Room. For more information on the dining rooms and options, check out our article on cruise dining.

Pacific Moon Dining Room

We had our first dinner on Diamond Princess at the Pacific Moon Dining Room.

One of those small things that we didn't like was that the two-sitters at the dining rooms are all not located beside the window.  Only big tables for large parties are placed beside the window and so this makes it impossible to have a bit of nice romantic dining.

The distance between tables is quite small, but still bearable.  Just talk softly if you do not want your neighbor to overhear. 

Bread Basket

The breads and baked stuff at Princess Cruises are simply spectacular.  They start you off with a bread basket at every meal – breakfast, lunch and dinner.  It's so good, we usually finish the whole basket of it at every meal.  One of the best food available on Princess Cruises.

Here's a typical Diamond Princess Dinner Menu.

For those who are interested to see the full Dinner Menu, we have typed up the menu for your reading pleasure! :) Click here for the full menu!.

Appetizer

Trio of Cantaloupe, Honeydew and Watermelon (V)
doused with vintage port wine and lime zest

Verdict: You must try this dish, the fruits used are fresh, succulent and sweet!  A very nice opening dish to perk you up.

Shrimp Cocktail
an American classic with horseradish-spiked cocktail sauce

Verdict: This one is not to our liking.  The shrimps still feel a bit raw and not too fresh. The sauce didn't blend or complement the shrimps either.

Soups and Salads

Cream of Porcini Mushroom Soup  

velvety cream soup, flavor-heightened with tarragon 

Verdict: Not the best mushroom soup we've had, but it'll pass. 

Classic Caesar Salad (V)
crisp romaine lettice, caesar dressing, parmesan cheese and herb croutons; anchovies upon request

Verdict: Caesar salad is not bad. Just a bit too oily for our liking. Make sure to ask the waiter to add in some anchovies for better taste. 

Main Course

Mac 'n' Cheese with Bay Shrimp and Baby Scallop
elbow maccaroni baked with lobster bisque and cheese sauce topped with crisp bacon bits

Verdict: Too much marrcaroni spoils the dish. So-so in our opionion.

Slow-Roasted Corn-Fed Prime Rib with Natural Rosemary Jus and Horseradish Cream
carved to order with corn-on-the-cob, char-grilled tomato and baked Idaho potato

Verdict: Not the best steak that we had. In fact, we find it quite lacking in taste and texture. Corn on the cob was overdone and burnt.

Dessert

The Dessert Menu is separate from the main menu, and is given to you after you finish your main course.  

Princess Cruises (and most other cruise lines) does not limit you on the amount of food you want, so we ordered 2 sorbets and a platter of fruits to share!

Honeydew Sorbet
icecream

My perennial favorite ice-cream – sorbets. According to the waiter, their sorbets are made by the chefs on board the Diamond Princess. Unfortunately, this one's ice content is too high, giving it a too-dilute feeling.

Sweet & Nutritious Fruits
lemon twist, mint leaf

If anything, the fruits on board are all worth having – they are especially fresh, succulent and sweet! 

First Sunset onboard the Diamond Princess!

Showtime – Welcome Aboard Show 

Princess Cruises goes to great lengths to plan their entertainment schedule on board. The most major are the shows every evening at the Princess Theatre. The same show is performed twice every evening to cater to passengers with different dining schedules. 

Kevin Joy, our Cruise Director welcoming passengers on board, and explaining the activities available.

It's lights and actions as the singers and dancers take on the stage.

Overall, we felt that the shows were catered more towards the older crowd with late eighthies music and dance moves.

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