QUICK BITE: Noodle Bowls on Majestic Princess

Majestic Princess is a ship in the Royal Class but has some unique venues that are not on other ships of the class.  The ship was originally built for the Asian market so as you might expect there are food areas that would be more attractive to that market. Once of those venues is Chopsticks which is a noodle bar.  

There is a daily special and then they always have wonton soup and vegetable ramen. I went with the Dan Dan noodles.  

There was a rich broth and udon noodles.  Then there was a variety of toppings including cilantro, green onions, shredded pork, seaweed and garlic oil.  

I added cilantro, pork, onions, seaweed and garlic chili oil. The chili oil added a decent amount of heat.  I am very excited to have this venue. Especially if we had some colder days during this Alaskan cruise.   

QUICK BITE: Dinner at King Salmon at the Denali Princess

The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is about two miles from the entrance to Denali National Park.  It is the second hotel on our cruise tour of Alaska prior to boarding the Majestic Princess on Saturday.  

We started with a bottle of Chianti Classic.  

If you are ever looking for authentic chianti, make sure you do what my mother-in-law does. Check for the black rooster!!  It is the way to know it is authentic. 

Our dinner at Denali Princess was similar to the dinner at McKinley Princess. We ordered the same main!!  I mean, when salmon is presented to you, you take advantage.  While king salmon is not currently running, I think the fresh frozen salmon here in Alaska is "fresher" than what I can buy in Florida.  

My starter was the smoked salmon chowder.  

Smoked salmon chowder appears to be the Grouper sandwich of Alaska.  If you have visited Florida, a lot of restaurants will market themselves as having the best grouper sandwich. Or maybe similar to the pork tenderloin sandwich that most restaurants in Indianapolis say is the best.   I haven't seen that type of promotion here yet, but every dinner restaurant we've been to so far has it on the menu. So I'm doing what I need to do.  For science of course.  

This version wasn't as smokey as other and had more of a potato flavor.  There was lots of fish but could have used more flavor.  The one at Glacier Brewhouse still wins for flavor.  Although this one gets points for having a less "gloopy" (yes - that is a word) consistency.  And gets another point for serving it with simply the best oyster crackers on Planet Earth.  

If you haven't had these Westminster crackers made in Rutland Vermont, try to find some.  They are great in soups and chowder or just as a snack.  They don't get soggy like traditional saltines.  I have seen these crackers in many places around the world so kudos to the team at Westminster.  I don't know they were able to get such wide distribution.  

My main was the grilled king salmon.

This was another well cooked piece of fish served with creamy mashed potatoes and simply cooked green beans.  Nearly identical to the meal at North Fork at the McKinley Princess Lodge.  That fish was a bit better since it had a delicious crispy skin.  This wasn't crispy but was perfectly seasoned and cooked medium.  We will be back tonight at that restaurant.  Can you guess what I will be ordering?

For dessert it was an apple crisp with Tillamook Huckleberry ice cream.  

This had all the trademarks of a traditional crisp.   Cinnamon sugar apples, crisp topping and creamy ice cream!!  What else do you need?  Really well done!!

QUICK BITE: Dinner at Mt McKinley Princess Lodge

We stayed one night at the Mt McKinley Princess Lodge.  Dinner was included in our package and we could order one starter and one main plus a dessert.  First up was a beverage. They had a decent Malbec from Argentina for only $32/bottle 

We were at a Princess lodge. Interestingly, it had been rated by James Suckling, the sommelier that is associated with Holland America Line.  

Both lines are part of Carnival Corporation so that might explain it. It was a very good wine. 

First course was the beef chili. 

This was a very meaty chili seasoned predominantly with cumin. There were some chunky tomatoes and red onion for some additional texture.  It could have used a bit more heat for my taste but I think they try to keep it milder for the masses.  The real star of the chili was the delicious and tender beef chunks. They were similar to short ribs.   

For our main we had to go with something local. This was the king salmon. 

What a beautifully cooked piece of fish. Crispy skin.  Crispy bottom. But still medium and moist in the middle.  It had a wonderfully simply rub on the skin as well as a butter sauce.  Certainly one of the three best pieces of salmon I have ever had. 

They served it with some al dente green beans which were simply seasoned with butter and salt. As well as some creamy smoked Gouda mashed potatoes.  Well balanced since smoked cheese can quickly overpower.  

Dessert was the blackberry/blueberry crumble.  

This really focused on the fruit.  It was a warm compote of blackberries, blueberries and strawberries enhanced with just a bit of sugar. Then on top was a crunchy concoction of granola and cinnamon.  I was surprised they kept it so simple.  But that really made a great dish.  And it was served with a scoop of Tillamook Bramble berry ice cream. We had recently been the Tillamook creamery outside of Astoria Oregon and seen how they make their cheese and ice cream. But I didn't have a chance to try it there.  Maybe this was the universe giving me another shot.  

QUICK BITE: Glacier Brewhouss in Anchorage

We were staying at the Four Points Sheraton for one night before our Princess Alaska cruise tour began.   We made dinner reservations a couple of months ago at one of.ojr favorite restaurants.  

We had the appetizer tower which had three of these most popular items. 

Thia was the fried calamari. 

So tender and delicious!  It was like they had braised a calamari steak, cut it up and then fried it with some jalapenos.  It came with a slightly sweet and spicy sauce. 

Next was garlic shrimp. 

I think there were about ten large shrimp in a creamy garlic sauce.   So fresh tasting and not overly garlicly.  You can also tell the freshness of shrimp by how easily it comes out of the shel.  Gran the tail with your fingers and then pull the shrimp meat with your teeth.  You could also use a fork but using your teeth is more fun.  If the shrimp comes out cleanly and completely with nothing left attached to the tail, you have some fresh shrimp.  Also included some blistered tomatoes and charred bread which was great for dipping. I think they could sell a starter of just that sauce in a big bowl with some of that bread.  So good!!

Then my favorite of the three. Salmon spread. 

This was such a clever dish.   I've had smoked salmon dips and spreads before where the salmon is almost pulverized so you hardly know it was salmon to begin with.  Not here.  They have a very creamy, cream cheese based spread in which they careful fold in some large chunks of smoked salmon.  As you dipped in your knife, you could make the perfect bite to spread in the bread.  So delicious!!   The smoking method incorporates a little sweetness from a liquid smoke and then is finished off with more traditional wood smoke.  I'm guessing a cherry or apple is used.  

Also tried a bowl of the seafood chowder. 

This had some great flavor with chunks of scallops salmon and cod.  It was just a bit too thick for my liking but that didn't stop me from finishing it.  

Not pictured but highly recommended is the smoked salmon BLT salad.  The same salmon used in the spread comes in a very large entree salad.  Crisp spinach, sliced cherub tomatoes, diced cucumber and crispy, smokey bacon.  And there huge pieces of delicious smoked salmon.  

Definitely get a reservation here if you plan to come in a weekend.  And check the schedule for cruise ships.  When they are sailing out of Whittier, many cruise passengers will be staying nearby.  

QUiCK BITE: Holland America Koningsdam Pinnacle Grille

Last night's dinner was at Pinnacle Grill.  Definitely come here hungry.  I had the crab cakes, mushroom soup and baked halibut. My wife had the wedge salad and filet. And we also had the clothesline bacon. So much food!!  All was delicious.  The halibut was definitely the star attraction.  The chefs on this ship know how to cook fish.   A bit of crispy seasoned bread crumbs on top a thick piece of halibut.   Cooked perfectly medium.  And they brought out a chocolate mousse cake for our anniversary.   

QUICK BITE: Eat Local in Alaska

Eat local!!   Always great food at Skagway Fish Company!!   Love the halibut fish and chips and some amazing clam chowder.   Same as I remember from August.  Close to the pier.   And they have several beers from Alaskan Brewing.   And try their signature beer the Panty Peeler.

QUICK BITE: Hot Soup and Grilled Cheese

You can get your comfort foods on a cruise ship.  

I fondly remembered the pea soup from our sailing six years ago on Holland America Line Koningsdam.. It was one of my favorites!! It didn't disappoint this time. Really tasty and perfect on a colder day. Also tried the toasted ham and cheese. All from Grand Dutch Cafe and included in your cruise fare.