Dispatch 5: Sunday Supper

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Rick Krishfield

September 19, 2010

There are 3 messes to eat in on the Louis: the crew's mess, the officer's mess, and the Captain's wardroom. For the most part, the same excellent cuisine is served in all places. While the crew's mess is cafeteria style, the officer's mess is served by several stewards. The messes are open for every meal (and scientists can choose to eat in either), but the Captain's wardroom is typically only used for Sunday supper, and traditionally the Captain will invite several scientists to join him and the chief officers for that meal. On this day, I was fortunate to be on the guest list for the Captain's table.

On Sunday, the officers are expected to dress in their Sunday whites, and most scientists tend to dress a little better than usual as well, especially if dining with the Captain this day. Wine is available for purchase in the ship's canteen to have with the supper meal. At the Captain's table this day the menu consisted of a delicious shrimp appetizer, a beautiful salad, sorbet to cleanse the pallet, followed by the main meal consisting of prime rib, followed by a custard desert. You couldn't find a better meal, better conversation, or better companions in any fine restaurant. And though Sunday is special, I have to say that the meals are typically this wonderful every day of the week. Thankfully, there is also an exercise room onboard, or else it would be impossible not to gain weight during the cruise (and still might be impossible regardless!).

Last updated: October 7, 2019