Dream Cruises
On my second sailing on Explorer Dream around NZ, I had more chances to tantalise my tastebuds and fill my greedy tummy.Please Read PART 1 first, as I have reviewed all the included or free restaurants.
In this blog post, PART 2 - I'm reviewing the speciality or pay to eat restaurants aboard Explorer Dream.
Let me preface by saying that there are a variety of paid eateries aboard Explorer Dream, from very casual bakery-style shops to the formal Chinese Silk Road. Unfortunately, once again I didn't eat at EVERY restaurant, so there are a few holes (there's always the next cruise) but I will try to be as comprehensive as possible.
Umi Uma
From tepanyaki to sushi, Umi Uma offers delicious Japanese fare. I didn't eat any of the sushi or a la carte, however I did try the tepanyaki. My first word of advice: do not eat for at least three hours beforehand. My second word of advice: wear stretchy pants.
There are a two tepanyaki rooms in the restaurant, so it's a great way to enjoy a family meal or a special occasion with a a group of friends. There a few different menu to choose from (meat, seafood or vegetarian) and prices start from $62 per person.
Don't expect this to be a boring, formal sit down affair. The tepanyaki chef is entertaining, funny and very skilled. Expect some food to come flying your way, and for lots of laughter and cheers. I highly recommend giving this a go, you won't be disappointed, but you will be very, very full.
Silk Road
I can't give you a review of this restaurant, however I heard great things about this eatery from the Captain himself. Traditional Chinese food, and from the outside the decor is beautiful.
Chef Mark Best's Seafood Grill
The alfresco restaurant has a multitude of options, mostly seafood in his funky space. From fresh oysters, prawns and crab, I was lucky enough to have a seafood brunch, complete with champagne cocktails.
On my last night aboard, I was treated to a wonderful dinner at the restaurant. Make sure you order the guacamole and corn chips - I'm angry at myself that I only discovered this on the last night. so, so good! The lobster rolls were drool-worthy and fresh spring rolls fragrant and light.
What I loved about eating at Mark Best's Seafood Grill (aside from the delish nosh) was the service. For those who have cruised before, you know how windy and chilly it can get on the open deck. Well, no need to fear, the wonderful waiters bring snuggly blankets to keep you toasty while your savouring your meal. Just magic!
Mozzarella Ristorante & Pizzeria
Gimme pizza, calzone, mozzarella sticks and risotto! Located on Deck 7, this place is located in the walk-through area of the ship, not far from the reception. The food is very reasonably priced and absolutely delicious. The other great thing is that it's open quite late, so a great place to grab a late-night snack. My favourite meal I had was an asparagus and mushroom risotto. It was a port day and I had a light lunch on land. I also had a lot of work to catch up on and was hungry. So I plopped myself down, pulled out my laptop and ordered my meal. Within 15 minutes, a steaming bowl of perfectly cooked risotto was placed before me. I don't recall inhaling the dish, but within a few minutes my bowl was empty and my tummy full. For between $10 and $16, it's well worth the extra dollars spent.
Hot Pot
Again, I didn't have a chance to eat here, but my cruising companions did. It must have been pretty special as one of my fellow journalists returned four times!
Blue Lagoon
Over the next 7 nights (and days) whenever I found myself peckish, headed to Blue Lagoon. Prices range from about $8 to $15. Here's a tip: after 11pm, there is a $2 per item menu which includes burgers, steamed buns and soup.
Oh, and there's dessert and ice cream. A must try is the matcha cheesecake. YUM
I hope you've enjoyed by gastronomic breakdown of all the eateries aboard Explorer Dream. In a nutshell, you will not go hungry and there really is something for everyone. Be adventurous, try something new and take your tastebuds on a dreamy adventure.
PS There are a few other places to grab snacks, cakes and hot drinks around the ship. Everything is made on board and is super fresh. And the coffee is amazing.
This much-loved crew member will be the Cruise Director of Carnival Splendor when she arrives in Sydney on 10 December 2019.Originally from the North West of England (Cumbria), Lee has been working at sea for about five years. He's "delighted" to be returning to Aussie shores having sailed out of Sydney previously on Carnival Spirit and Legend.
Here are the 7 Questions with... Lee!
1) Can you explain what your role is as Cruise Director? What do you love most about your job?
As Cruise Director I am the face and voice of the ship. I like to draw the analogy that it’s a house full of fun and I’m hosting in the Captain’s house! What I love most about my job is by far the people I meet. Getting to share their holidays and to help them make life long memories.
2) What are the most common questions or requests passengers have asked you as Cruise Director?
The kids often ask if I’m the Captain. The grown-ups tend to ask if I can help them find somewhere to hide so they don’t have to get off when we return to port.
3) What are you most looking forward to sailing from Australia? Have you been here before?
I’ve been in Sydney before and sailed on both Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend in 2017. I adore docking between the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. I grew up watching Sydney’s NYE Firework displays with my Nanna on the TV. Seeing those landmarks makes me feel strangely close to her, despite them being on the opposite side of the globe from her.
4) What tips do you have for people considering or who have booked a cruise on Carnival Splendor?
Remember Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5. Decks 9 & 5 are the two public decks that you can walk forward to aft (front to back) onboard Carnival Splendor.
Find your dining rooms on the first day – there are TWO onboard Carnival Splendor
Get involved, do everything, see everything and remember to take photos and videos.
5) Can you reveal some inside info on the features Carnival Splendor will receive during dry dock? What are you most excited about?
There have been heaps of exciting things shared already! Carnival is too excited to keep things secret.
I am excited to work alongside a stellar management team, from Captain La Fauci, Duncan Hotel Director, Dessi in the Main Dining Room and Erica as Entertainment Director – I couldn’t have asked for a better team to be a part of. We are bringing some of my favourite Fun Squad hosts with us too!
As for features, having a RedFrog Pub installed and the Masala Tiger Restaurant is right up my street! The new thrill waterslide looks amazing… and I also heard Music Manila is joining us as our resident rock band.
6) Have you had any tips from crew who have already sailed in Australia on Carnival Spirit or Carnival Legend?
I am one of those crew who have already sailed on both
7) Which destinations are you most excited to visit?I am delighted to get back to Sydney so I can explore the city on my turnaround days! The Isle of Pines is one of my favourite ports with its white sand, crystal clear waters and snorkelling.
Cruise Food
Explorer Dream
When people ask me what I love most about cruising, I rattle off my standard three responses sleeping, eating and not cleaning. Obviously there are many other things, but as a busy mum, this is the hat trick of desperate desires.
I do love my food and am a self-confessed foodie, so I was eager to try all that was on offer on Explorer Dream. Before cruising on this lovely ship, I knew that there were a number of different eateries, including speciality restaurants to sample. But it’s one thing to read about the dining options and expose them to my tastebuds.
Over the seven days I was aboard, I ate at nearly every eatery (did you expect anything less?). Instead of giving you a meal-by-meal, blow-by-blow account, I’ll try to give a brief rundown of the restaurants on board. Just as an FYI, when entering the included eateries, you must present your cruise card. A few times the kidlets forgot and it wasn’t an issue.
As there are so many to review, I thought I’d split it up into two parts.
Clean, bright and uncluttered, the Lido offers both Asian and Western options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s a cold/juice and hot drink station on either side and plenty of tables.
If you’ve ever eaten at a buffet, then you won’t be surprised by the different stations, and Explorer Dream is pretty standard on what you’d expect. The standard is high and I particularly loved having typical Asian breakfast items (such as congeee, steamed buns and noodles) instead of just toast, eggs and bacon.
The only suggestion I would make is to extend breakfast and lunch opening hours. I for one like to sleep in and have a later breakfast and a later lunch. A nice touch are coasters you can place on your table indicating whether you’re done eating or have popped up for a refill.
If you’ve ever eaten at a buffet, then you won’t be surprised by the different stations, and Explorer Dream is pretty standard on what you’d expect. The standard is high and I particularly loved having typical Asian breakfast items (such as congeee, steamed buns and noodles) instead of just toast, eggs and bacon.
The only suggestion I would make is to extend breakfast and lunch opening hours. I for one like to sleep in and have a later breakfast and a later lunch. A nice touch are coasters you can place on your table indicating whether you’re done eating or have popped up for a refill.
Located at the back of the Lido buffet (and overlooking the Palace) is small ‘grill’ that serves up morning and afternoon tea. It’s a beautiful place to relax and munch while admiring the wake. This eatery services the gap where hungry people like myself either missed a meal or need a top up (doesn’t everyone have two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners?).
As well as light snacks such as hot chips, slices, cakes and biscuits, chefs cook hot meals such as burritos and sliders to order. Oh, and here’s a tip: at breakfast, the Lido Grill converts into a pancake station. Flipping great!
As well as light snacks such as hot chips, slices, cakes and biscuits, chefs cook hot meals such as burritos and sliders to order. Oh, and here’s a tip: at breakfast, the Lido Grill converts into a pancake station. Flipping great!
Dream Dining Room (Main Dining Room - Western)
This dining room oozes charm and romance. Located aft of the ship, Dream Dining Room has big chandeliers, round tables, warm wooden accents and breathtaking arched windows that fill the very big room with natural light.
It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast had the usual western offerings. Lunch and dinner meals included favourites just roast meats, grilled fish, vegetarian options and pastas.
I have to admit, I enjoyed every meal I had and often ordered a cheese platter after my meal. A few main courses were a little small, but that was easily rectified by ordering another dish to fill my tum. Deserts were delicious, in particular the apple pie and creme caramel. The waiters took your complete order at once (including dessert) rather than come back after the mains. Drink service was a little slow, but it was the very first cruise and there was a lot to adjust to. All waiters were extremely courteous and professional.
It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast had the usual western offerings. Lunch and dinner meals included favourites just roast meats, grilled fish, vegetarian options and pastas.
I have to admit, I enjoyed every meal I had and often ordered a cheese platter after my meal. A few main courses were a little small, but that was easily rectified by ordering another dish to fill my tum. Deserts were delicious, in particular the apple pie and creme caramel. The waiters took your complete order at once (including dessert) rather than come back after the mains. Drink service was a little slow, but it was the very first cruise and there was a lot to adjust to. All waiters were extremely courteous and professional.
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Pavillion (Main Dining Room - Asian)
I love, love Chinese cuisine, as was looking forward to many meals here. The room itself looks like a typical Chinese restaurant, mostly round tables to accommodate banquet-style feasting. For lunch and breakfast, the thinking is done for you, and the waiters bring out a set menu of dishes.
I warned my kids not to expect you typical Asian nosh that we get in Australia, but that this would be a lot more traditional. Some dishes we recognised, others we didn’t, but it was all about the adventure. There was plentiful Jasmine tea and boiled rice which accompanied spicy pork, saucy-lobster, steamed fish and Asian greens. The only course we didn’t enjoy was dessert. My palate is just not accustomed to Chinese sweets, but other diners seemed to love the dishes.
I’m cranky with myself I missed breakfast here as dishes include lots of delicious dumplings, buns and a congee station. Sigh. Until next time I’m aboard...
UPDATE: On my second cruise on Explorer Dream around New Zealand, I was are breakfast in Pavillion. The waitstaff when I arrived for breakfast was a bit confused, saying, "Excuse me ma'am, this is Chinese breakfast." I reassured them that I knew, and was keen to eat.
Here, you won't get you eggs, bacon or baked beans, but you will have a congee station with loads of different toppings and a fruit and danish buffet.
Next, a waiter will bring you a variety of dishes; from pork buns, sticky rice, dumplings and noodles. (The menu changes daily). I actually loved the meal, but I wouldn't eat there every day. For me, it was more of what I'd eat a at a lunchtime yum-cha in Australia.