Amazing Cruise Cuisine Requires Extensive Grocery List

One of the most-anticipated aspects of a cruise vacation is all of the wonderful food onboard. Cruise ship dining is legendary, and for good reason. You're likely to find everything from favorites like cheeseburgers and fries to innovative gourmet dishes (prawns wrapped in pancetta and flamed in Armagnac, anyone?) onboard. Plus, everything will be freshly made and beautifully presented by a talented culinary staff.

Most cruise ships are ready to take care of guests' hunger pangs 24 hours a day, with a wide array of choices that range from super-healthy to deliciously decadent. Larger ships offer an increasing variety of dining venues, including traditional dining rooms, specialty restaurants, buffets, sushi bars, coffeehouses and ice cream parlors. For the ultimate in private dining, you can even call for room service.

The sheer variety of food available on a cruise ship often amazes guests, to say nothing of the quantity. One of the questions most frequently asked by cruise passengers is, "Just how much food is consumed on a cruise?"

The answer may surprise you!

Here is the shopping list for a 14-day cruise aboard the Celebrity Infinity, which can carry up to 2,038 guests:

Beef: 24,236 pounds

Lamb: 5,040 pounds

Pork: 7,218 pounds

Veal: 4,600 pounds

Sausage: 1,680 pounds

Chicken: 10,211 pounds

Turkey: 3,146 pounds

Fish: 13,156 pounds

Crab: 350 pounds

Lobster: 2,100 pounds

Fresh Vegetables: 25,736 pounds

Potatoes: 15,150 pounds

Fresh Fruit: 20,003

Milk: 3,260 gallons

Cream: 1,976 quarts

Ice Cream: 600 gallons

Eggs: 9,235 dozen

Sugar: 5,750 pounds

Rice: 3,800 pounds

Cereal: 1,750 pounds

Jelly: 450 pounds

Tea Bags: 2,450

Coffee: 2,458 pounds

Cookies: 1,936 pounds

Herb and Spices: 120 pounds

Wine: 3,400 bottles

Champagne: 200 bottles

Gin: 200 bottles

Vodka: 290 bottles

Whiskey: 350 bottles

Rum: 150 bottles

Sherry: 45 bottles

Liqueurs: 600 bottles

Beer: 10,100 bottles and cans

Imagine how many shopping carts that grocery list would require!

Of course, it does include most everything needed for all of the thousands of meals, snacks, desserts and refreshments served on a two-week cruise.

If you follow a vegetarian, kosher, diabetic, low-fat, low-sodium, low-cholesterol, gluten-free, lactose-free or other special diet, be sure to let me, your Personal Cruise Expert know. Cruise ship culinary staffs are accustomed to accommodating special requests.

With advance notice, they can provide a memorable dining experience within the limitations of virtually any special diet.

Happy Cruising!

Teresa Knox
(407) 290-2469
http://www.teresaknox.com