SINGAPORE - April 3, 2016

 
We had received a notice to "save the day" ,  April 3rd, for the -- "ta-dah", drum roll please - WORLD VOYAGE GALA DINNER.


I expected the worst, based on previous dinners, and I was not disappointed.  We were bussed to the Shangri La Hotel and deposited in the lobby - 200 (?) of us, as not all attended.  It was worse than  Standing Room Only since after 15 minutes, it was impossible to move. 

What constantly amazes me is that people who spend thousands of dollars for a 4-month luxury cruise will fight for free drinks.  One of the guests stationed himself at the bar, in my line of sight, and had at least 3 double whiskys (that's what it looked like) within 30 minutes.  We were running out of oxygen when finally we were ushered into the dining room.  It looked like a cave, the only escape through the doors which were closed once we were all in. 

Normally our table would have been the best - headed by the Captain.  Unfortunately, as per usual, there was local entertainment, this time worse than mediocre.  The singer, who had seen too many 1940 gangster movies, sang torch songs in English with a Chinese accent, and sang them badly.  Someone kept turning the sound system up, just when we were trying to get to know the others at our table.  When Ming Toy and the Gang of 4 finally stopped, the only entertaining part of the show began - the traditional Lion dance, celebrating the New Year, if a bit late.

It was fun, went on too long but was sorely missed when the following act appeared:  teenagers dressed in the "national" costumes representing the Indians, Malay, Thai and Chinese.    Of the 12 or so dancers, 4 or 5 could really dance.  The others either had not practiced or had not practiced together as they bumped into each other, were out of sync with the music and had grim expressions.  Finally, they stopped!

Then, the food came.  There was absolutely nothing either special or tasty.  Mozzarella cheese and tomatoes as a starter,  pieces of beef which I could (and did) bounce on the plate, overcooked (mushy) green beans and for dessert, peach and apricot tartin which was dry and crumbly.   Many plates went back to the kitchen more than half-full.

This is my 4th Gala dinner and they have all been horrible.  In Dubai, 2012, the food was so bad that the host at my table, a sous-chef, said it was rubbish.  That was polite.  In Cape Town,  2013,the vegetarian meal consisted of rice with chopped red and green peppers, pressed into a mold and then served cold on the plate.  In Hawaii, it was not much better but this year was a new low.

The irony is that the chefs on the ship produce more and better meals every day.  I hope that Cunard takes my suggestion, which I send in after every WV dinner, to have the dinner on the ship with good entertainment once we have finished eating.  It would not be more expensive and would undoubtedly be better for all concerned.