Coffee on Cruises
P&O Australia
Coffee at sea seems to divide cruisers; with some absolutely loving it a latte and others not even willing to give it a shot.
I know for a fact that many cruise lines have invested a lot of time, research and training to get the perfect cup of Joe for Australian cruisers. If you didn’t know, us Aussies have a bit of a reputation for being coffee snobs (and I say that as a compliment).
I know for a fact that many cruise lines have invested a lot of time, research and training to get the perfect cup of Joe for Australian cruisers. If you didn’t know, us Aussies have a bit of a reputation for being coffee snobs (and I say that as a compliment).
“But what does this have to do with you, Honey,” I hear you all ask.
I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. You all know me as an amazing cruise blogger, a pretty average bass player and a terrible dancer, but from next Monday, 10 December, I will also be known from then and forever more as:
‘Celebrity’ Guest Judge for P&O’s Barista Competition.
“Well, what does-cinno about coffee?” I hear you also ask.
I drink it to survive. I’m a mum of three. #CoffeeIsLife
Did any of you know about this competition? I didn’t until Director, Guest Experience, Food and Beverage for P&O Simon Blacoe reached out and wondered if I wanted to get caffeinated (and in fact 18 times over). Of course I said yes, I’d never turn down such a great perk.
Apparently, I’ll be tasting all the brewtiful coffee creations made by the baristas, and also giving out blue ribbons (I just made that part up). I’m absolutely frothing with excitement and I can’t espresso how honoured I am to be asked to be the guest judge. And before you ask, yes, I have warned Simon that I might percolating up and down the stairs of the atrium and bouncing around the decks post-comp.
I asked Simon to elaborate about the coffee aboard the P&O fleet.
"P&O Australia, with their long standing partnership with Nestle, the investment and focus from both teams, simply has a better understanding of the Australian guests and their expectation of what a ‘great coffee’ really means."
He also added these points:
- “P&O is in their 17th year in partnership with Nestle. Nestle consistently brings a great product along with a fantastic training package whereby their trainers board our ships (over 160 visits per year) ensuring that our baristas are trained appropriately.
- There are espresso coffees in more than 60% of bars and lounges on board.
- One of the top three reasons people return to P&O is because of the standard of coffee and the friendliness of the team that serve them.
- Over two million coffees a year are served to our Australian guests.
- We focus on our quality and standard of service of our coffee just as much as we do on our cocktails and restaurant menus.
- Only one person per ship is allowed to touch / adjust the grinders on board and they're checked twice daily.
- If there are any technical issues, Nestle will send out technicians regardless of where the ships are in order to fix the problems.
- We're now opening a coffee shop just for our crew.
- Many of our managers and crew who live across the globe often cannot wait to return to the ship just to get a good cup of coffee.”
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| Barista Competition aboard Pacific Eden |
Luke Mangan
P&O Australia
Luke's on Pacific Explorer
I have absolutely no recollection of eating the Wagon Wheel Ice-Cream Sandwich at Luke’s, but there’s photo evidence, so it must have happened! But sometimes, when something is good, I mean eyes-squeezed-shut-good, you’re not entirely sure if it was just a dream.
Well, it wasn’t a dream, and now that I really think about it, the memory of the creamy, chocolate-y, jam-y, marshmallow-y concoction is making my mouth water. Stop, Honey.
Trust me, you MUST try one, and if you don’t like it, I will personally refund you the six bucks.
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Wagon Wheel Ice-Cream Sandwich $6 |
For those of you who haven’t cruised on Pacific Explorer, Luke’s is an alfresco dining area on Deck 14 and offers cruisers some seriously delicious meals, with the main focus on burgers. (You can read my interview with Luke Mangan here). It’s open for lunch and dinner, but there is a breakfast burger. There is a charge (prices range from $3 to $12) but judging by the queues, this did not seem to deter diners. In fact, during the six nights I was aboard, I never saw the eatery less than jam-packed.
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| Credit: P&O |
After our Bridge tour, and because I was being treated like Lady Muck, we were escorted to our reserved table at Luke’s. As I had already memorised the menu, and was told by Luke himself what to order, I promptly exclaimed, “One Chicken Confidential Gangnam Style Burger and parmesan chips, please.” My lunching companions all ordered their selections, thankfully all different to mine so I could sticky-beak. In a jiffy, our meals arrived, and by the relative quiet, except for the thoughtful ‘mmmms’, everyone seemed perfectly satisfied.
The burgers were large and bursting with fillings. I’d heard so much about this Gangnam Style Korean fried chicken burger, and finally I was about to try it! Just as I was about to take a bite, an announcement came over the PA: WHALES WERE SPOTTED!
With no thought of table etiquette, I galloped over to side, throwing my napkin on the floor and knocking over a glass of water along the way.
Pushing my way through the crowd, I managed to find a little spot to see these majestic creatures. People were pointing and “ooh-ing” and “ahh-ing”, and all I could see was some churning water. Frustrated, I turned to get back to my burger, but then a guy next to me shouted, pointing to my left, “LOOK, there!” and lo and behold A WHALE, then another, then another. It was truly magical and a moment I’ll never forget.
Soon, enough these beauties were out of sight. With tears streaming down my mascara-streaked face, I returned to Luke’s. Breathless and still crying, I shouted, “I SAW WHALES”. By the reaction of my lovely new friends, I’m sure they thought I’d lost my mind.
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| Chicken Confidential Gangnam Style |
Back to the burger. By now it had been sitting on the table for way too long, and I expected it to be stone cold and dry. How wrong I was. The crispy fried chicken was juicy and succulent, and the burger was very yummy. I particularly liked the mayo, however kimchi is not my favourite, so the next time I order one, I’ll ask to have the burger without the pickled veg. However, this is a personal preference, so don’t be put off. PS I still ate it all.
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| Prawn Caesar |
Others on our table enjoyed the prawn caesar salad, hot dog, barramundi burger and cheese burger, with all declaring that each dish was delicious. Unfortunately I didn’t sample the wings everyone raves about, but a few days later I tucked into the mushroom and buffalo mozzarella burger, which I also enjoyed (although I think it needs a bit of a kick just to lift it to the next level as buffalo mozzarella has such a mild flavour).
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| Mushroom and Buffalo Mozzarella burger |
Despite devouring the huge burger and some parmesan and truffle chips, our lovely waiter could barely get the words out before my greedy mouth jumped in, “yes please, one Wagon Wheel Ice-Cream Sandwich.” I was the only one to order dessert. Please refer to first paragraph of this review to re-live my gluttonous moment.
In my humble opinion, Luke’s is a fabulous addition to Explorer. For a very small amount of money, you get to not only experience some truly delicious food, but the setting is relaxing, contemporary and classy, and overlooking the main pool deck. The table settings and furnishings are tasteful and trendy, and the service is impeccable. I know a lot of people don't like paying extra for food aboard a cruise, and that's a personal choice. But for me, this small charge is extremely good value for money. For the quality and the ingredients, it's a downright bargain.
If truth be told, I can’t wait to jump back aboard so I can eat my way through the whole menu. And if you think I can’t, just watch me!
