How does OCEANIA claim to be the “best food at sea”? The answer: with simple, careful and deliberate attention to detail. Every morsel prepared from fresh ingredients. Presentation is alluring so the familiar becomes unique.

Fresh juicy berries atop crisp airy and light meringue teases the tongue; apricot and blackberry jellies laid out in checkerboard fashion to please the eye, sweet tart taste explodes with the first bite; whole east coast lobster with drawn butter, warm and prepared at the table accompanied by filet mignon grilled to perfection and melts in the mouth. Exotic balsamic vinegar and olive oils from around the world roll up in a cart, tasty tangy hot spicy sweet … I decide.

Connoisseurs will be impressed with understated perfection. Every experience goes beyond ordinary, satisfying the senses and calls for another.

A flash in time, a sensory memory that will hold power over my impression of this day, this cruise, this choice for my carefully saved dollars; this is the moment of truth. Thanks Jacques!!

— Pamela MacDonald
Cruise and Vacation Consultant

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Expedia CruiseShipCenters, Victoria
170 – 911 Yates St.
Victoria, BC, V8V 4X3
cell (250) 857 5518

E-mail: pmacdonald@cruiseshipcenters.com
Visit: http://www.PamelaMacDonald.cruiseshipcenters.ca

Making DREAM vacations come to LIFE!!

Visit my blog at https://pamelatravelblog.wordpress.com
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Staying in a Quality Hotel?

In my 50 some years I have made this decision several times. Do I stay in a budget hotel as that really suits my income or …… do I choose luxury in my life?

As I sit in the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Vancouver tonight I reflect on this choice. I am now advocating for staying in as nice a hotel as your budget will tolerate.

Parking is free, there is a business center with complimentary access to internet and computer, including printer. The service is incredible. Several well dressed and attentive young men greeting the cars and parking them in some underground space, only to bring the car back at your very whim. One attendant opens the car door, one grabs the luggage and two open the huge heavy glass doors that expose the grand entrance way inside. High ceilings, plush carpet, chandeliers, comfy and coordinated couches with end tables and lamps make a homey feel and welcome all guests. The décor says “you matter to us”.

Up the escalator to the large front desk in the expansive and open lobby area. No wait. Immediately some soft spoken, polite, well dressed and groomed person is prompt and efficient with the check in process, then steps around the counter and is before me. Nothing between us, as I am explained the extra services I am to receive. I have been upgraded to a larger suite room, on a higher floor, with 2 large beds, “no charge for upgrade”. I am advised of the other extras, hours for the restaurant, location of business center and fitness area ….. all my needs are met and I have hardly uttered a sound. This is all beyond what I could have, would have asked for.

I enter the elevator and arrive on my floor, white painted walls and doors, clean and crisp. Well marked numbers on doors. I enter. Beautiful room and super comfy beds. Well placed light switches, upscale soaps and lotions, q tips and cotton balls, ice bucket and “turn down” service. The bathroom is spacious with very clean glass shower stall doors. Fluffy white towels and robes await me.

Very large screen TV that I don’t even turn on. I pod docking station on my clock radio. Mini fridge, mirrors full length. Padded head boards. Sound proof. All with an entire wall to wall window floor to ceiling overlooking the city streets and buildings in Vancouver. What a sight.

There is inside access to Pacific Center, a large downtown upscale mall. I can walk and shop my way to Robson street where I can experience the busy shopping street and area of Vancouver.

For the same price as a place that charges extra for parking and internet, I am experiencing a royal treatment. I feel lucky and special. I am pampered and well rested. I will remember this hotel and this experience. I want to share it with my family and friends, and advise them to stay here. I will come back.

I can recall the few very very special hotel rooms I have stayed in my life. The ones that were over the top and impressed me this way. I am glad they exist and I am thrilled when I decide that it is worth my money to treat myself in this way. Thanks 4 Seasons!

How does a cruise ship company live up to the claim of the “best food at sea”?   The answer: with simple, careful and deliberate attention to detail.

Every morsel must be prepared from fresh ingredients. Presentation must be interesting and alluring. People must be satisfied and not “filled up”. Food tastes must be unique and memorable. Recipes must be selected and coordinated, combining comfort foods, exotic spice and yet familiar and that sense of “special”.  Several choices, not to overwhelm, but offer something for everyone and several ‘something’s ‘of interest for the adventuresome.

Food specialists, as every ordinary person is, must be impressed with understated perfection. Words used to describe a taste, must entice from the menu. Presentation in a buffet must promise flavors and freshness, to inspire confidence. One bite must satisfy every palate. Not one item can be substandard or ordinary. All must be appealing to the senses.

This one flash in time, a photograph of the mind, will hold power over our impression of this day, this cruise, this choice for our carefully saved dollars.  This is the moment of truth and truly, the love is in the details.