Lunchtime in The Galley

click to enlarge pictures

The Galley is Scarlet Lady's floating fresh food market. Start by grabbing something quick and head back out to the pool or sit down and check out the stunning design and incredible views. With more than 10 different international eateries (all included), food is made fresh to order, so it’s always tasty. From light bites and bold burgers to noodles, tacos, and much much more. This is the closest thing to a traditional cruise buffet.

Tip:  Your first time in The Galley we recommend walking around to get an idea of the various choices. Then sit down and someone will com to wait on you and take your drink and food order.

Getting Served

We took our own advice and walked around The Galley.   Since it was after 2 PM, we wanted something to tide us over until dinner, but not too filling.  You can scan the QR code on the table to view the menu or request paper menus.  Since this was our first time here, we asked for paper menus (see above).

We opted for the Taco Al Pastor - marinated pork, pineapple, salsa verde.   We made sure to leave some room for dessert.  The scarlet lady and smores cup were our favorites that we selected.  See our The Galley photo album for more pictures.

We found ourselves contrasting The Galley with a traditional buffet on other cruise lines.  There are several different stations, like a traditional buffet.  Since Covid, many cruise lines have eliminated the self-service option, so that is very similar.   The big difference that we saw was that the menu does not change at all throughout the cruise.  Also, the selections are quite limited from what a normal buffet would have.   If you want variety, you need to plan meals at the other dining venues.

Having said that, we did find ourselves eating many breakfasts and lunches in The Galley.   Stay tuned for more details about our favorite choices for breakfast and lunch.

Another difference is you don't need to dig out a room key (Sailor Band) to pay for your soda - basic drinks are included with your cruise fare.   You can help yourself from the fountain drinks or one of the wait staff will bring it to you.

Final Thoughts

Since we were sailing with only about 25% capacity, there wasn't a long wait for the made to order food.  We'd be interested in knowing how this process works when the ship is at capacity.  There is only one or two cooks preparing the food at each station, so unless they increase staff as capacity grows, you will most likely be waiting for your meals.

There is a selection of packaged goods which you can grab and go.  At lunch time these included salads, wraps, trail mix and the various Bento Boxes with fresh fruits and other choices.

This is a nice addition if you are looking for something quick any time of the day.

Click the image (left) to read more about this cruise.

Bookmark this page and come back to read all about this award-winning new ship.

See our The Galley photo album for more pictures.

Visit our Shutterfly Page to view photo albums.

 

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Cruising with Dietary Preferences and Needs

On a cruise, onboard restaurants cater to a variety of dietary preferences and needs, whether you’re lactose intolerant, sensitive to gluten, or looking for vegan options.  Celebrity Cruises is one line that is particularly favorable for vegetarian and vegan cruisers. Vegan cruise food can be found in nearly all onboard restaurants—if you know how to look for it.

Let Wait Staff Know Your Needs

If you have any dietary requirements, including food allergies, be sure to let your travel advisor know so that they can annotate it on your reservation.   For the best experience, you may want to select a traditional dining option so that you have the same wait staff for your meals.  However, you aren't locked into only eating in the main dining room.    The buffet is one of the best places to find vegetarian and vegan choices as well as other dietary choices. 

Check the Menu's Legend

Restaurants around the world, including those on cruise lines, are becoming more sensitive to diners'

needs by offering appropriate menu selections.  Many menus have a legend at the bottom of the page that makes it easier for diners to find what they’re looking for.

click image to enlarge menu

For example, on Celebrity Cruises, vegetarian menu options are noted with a leaf, and lactose-free choices are marked with a small blue cow with a line through it. If a menu item is designated with both a leaf and a blue cow, it’s most likely vegan. However, you should always check with your server to make sure there are no egg-based products in the meal.

Notice the legend in the menu above.  There are two vegetarian dishes, one of which is also vegan. Caprese is a vegetarian starter which could be ordered as a main dish as well.  Dal is a vegetarian dish that is vegan, since it has the blue cow and leaf designation.

If you’re on a cruise with ever-changing menus, the wait staff will be your greatest resource. Before each meal, let your waiter or maître d’ know you’re looking for vegan options on the cruise ship. They are well versed in the day’s offerings, the way food is prepared, and the ingredients used in each dish, so they will be your go-to experts to satisfy your dietary needs. Waiters have direct access to the kitchen, so if you have a specific question, they can get answers right from the source. We always ask them for their recommendations.

Find Your Choices on the Buffet

There are no menus on the buffet line, but there are signs by each food selection.  Many of them have the same symbols found on the bottom of dinner menus to help you determine how the dish is prepared and if it meets your dietary needs.   If you still aren't sure an item works for your diet, ask one of the servers.  If they don't know, they can get you an answer.

 

For example, many vegan cruisers find that the buffet is the easiest way to enjoy a meal without meat or animal by-products.  You could build your own salad at the salad bar, load up on vegetables at the deli, or fill your plate with an assortment of fresh fruits.

This Grilled Tilapia with Creamy White Wine Sauce is both vegetarian and vegan.   

For vegans, start with the vegetarian selections and explore further to see if it is something you can eat.

Whether you have food allergies or specific food preferences, cruise lines are committed to provide a culinary experience to meet your needs.  The staff are trained to  meet your requirements.  We've even seen executive chefs sit down at the table with guests to discuss menu options with them.  Don't be afraid to cruise fearing that you won't be able to satisfy your requirements.

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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday afternoon at 4 PM Eastern for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat