Entertaining RMS Caronia Style
In many ports the Caronia acted as a great ambassador for Britain, and most local communities would be delighted to have their town or city visited on her cruise itineraries. Quite often local dignitaries would be invited and be entertained to Luncheon on board.
Most of the passengers would be ashore at this time anyway, so quite a large group could be entertained, usually but not exclusively in the Balmoral Restaurant, with little or no disruption to on-board life. To make them feel welcome, some lengths were gone to, including providing them with a menu card with some, if not all, of the dishes presented in their local language, where appropriate.
Evidence of this can be seen on the Luncheon suggested menu for 30 October 1954 during Caronia's call to Lisbon. The main menu on this occasion was the usual Caronia fare, however the Suggested Menu has everything, including the title, written in Portuguese, with English translations provided below. All this belies the behind the scenes activity that would take place.
Translating the menu was probably all that the visitors may have noticed. In reality, quite a lot of background work would be put into presenting a meal which had a very definite “Caronia” stamp on it. After all, Cunard always claimed a reputation for very high standards of cuisine.
The Caronia's Chef would ensure that, translations apart, a meal on the “Green Goddess” would be a memorable event, with the menu acting as tangible proof for a long time afterward. Did I mention that there was some pride in being associated with the RMS Caronia?
If you can contribute any information, do please get in touch…
