Our Amazing Adventure: Part 8 The Food

I have a rule when I travel. No chain restaurants if at all possible. Oh, but I know that's a major challenge when travelling with children.... someone always wants the comfort or familiarity of Subway, and they ARE on every corner in every town. But it IS possible.

I simply feel you have a more "local" and authentic travel experience when you think outside the chain. I was very proud of my son for not even asking for a mc-something at all on this trip.

In Quebec City he chose a place called "Les Trois Garcon" for breakfast. It was great! I loved their decor. We did our best to order in French. I believe, translated directly, my son asked for "an egg of the chicken, a small pig and bread that is blank." Charming, in a grade 6 french class kind of way.

Rue Saint Jean becomes a pedestrian only street each evening.

My favourite memory from the trip was our sunset dinner on Rue Saint Jean at Sapristi. It was simply the moment. My son and I laughed and debriefed the events of the day. We had no time constraints and were just hanging out. Hanging out with fabulous food, on a fabulous summer night, on a patio in a fabulous city! Our server was a warm and gracious host. We ordered dessert just to linger in the moment. Our own little french postcard memory, if you will.

I won't pretend to be a foodie or tell you what to eat. My only advice is to budget 20% more for dining than you normally would. Not because food is more expensive in Quebec, but because you will want the moment to last. You'll splurge on dessert and another drink just so you can stay a while longer.  And you'll be so glad you did!

Disney Cruise: Part 3... The Tastes

The food on a Disney Cruise is certainly above average. And, Disney knows just what your family likes!

There's a tried and true kids' menu with chicken fingers, mac 'n cheese, and mini burgers. And every night the kids' menu has a different Disney theme and colouring projects to keep them busy. Of course, meal service is so quick, they'll hardly have time to colour!

On board the Wonder, there are three sit-down dinner restaurants that you are assigned to. With your cabin assignment you are also given a dinner rotation and a seating time. You will have the same server and assistants every evening.

You will also dine with the same table mates. Our table of 8, was made up of a Texas Grandma and her two delightful grand daughters, plus a Polish couple and their sweet 7 year old girl. Add my son and me, that equals 8.

Our servers Lito and Marcel got to know us and our preferences pretty quickly and knew before the second dinner that Kamryn liked lots of ketchup with her chicken fingers and I liked a cappuccino after the meal, and with my 2 or 3 desserts!

The three restaurants on the Wonder are: Tritons - (most formal); Animator's Palate (most unique) and Parrot Cay (most Caribbean & casual). There are numerous theme menus, ranging from Pirate Night to Captain's Dinner. The Captain's Dinner serves lobster, and was my favourite.

Chilled salmon salad.

There is a wide variety of dishes to choose from every night. Your children may also order any item they wish off the adult menu, and my son often did. He LOVED the seafood pasta, and the traditional turkey dinner, and tried many of the fresh salads too.

Lemon tofu with couscous. 

I found some menu items very salty. Some, I found a little stingy, and others were simply perfect. With so many options, everyone will find something to suit their tastes. There are vegetarian options, and gluten free dishes on every menu. They take dietary needs seriously and were very accommodating of requests.

Meals are included with your cruise fare, as are non-alcoholic fountain beverages, milk and iced tea. Fancy kids' drinks (which they try to sell you every day and night) are extra, as is wine, and liquor.  Even specialty coffees, like cappuccino (non-alcoholic) are an additional charge.

There is one adult-only, fine dining restaurant on each ship. On the Wonder it is called Palo. It requires reservations and meal charges range from $35 & up. I didn't get a chance to experience Palo, as my "date" for the week was 8 years old!

There is one formal night, where guests are expected to wear their finest suits and dresses. There is also a semi-formal night in a 7 night cruise. On every Disney cruise there is a pirate night where you dress up as much or as little as you like in the theme.  Otherwise, "cruise casual" is the expected attire. Think.... golf course. Tank tops and shorts are not permitted at dinner.

There are also numerous casual places to grab a bite on the ships. Buffets, hot dogs and a late-night pizza station satisfy hunger quite capably. Of course, there is also room service 24 hours a day. That too is included in your fare, however, cash gratuities are expected for room service each time.

Self serve beverage station.

There is a 24 hour self-serve beverage station where you can get a soda, milk, coffee or tea any time you like.

Must try treats on the ship are Mickey Bars (ice cream bar on a stick shaped like a Mickey Mouse head), the banana bread in Parrot Cay, and the lobster.

Dining is one of the signatures of a cruise. I would encourage you to try new things and enjoy the variety.

Fresh tomato & cheese appetizer tart

Vegas DOs and DON'Ts

DO tip everyone! Everywhere! Your bell man, the maid, the blackjack dealer, the front desk clerk, your  restaurant hostess.  This is VEGAS, not Piedmont North Dakota. Money talks. (I can write a column on this one topic alone if you like. Yes??? )

DO bring the rockstar shoes! But also bring ballet flats or flip flops in your purse. Don't kid yourself, there is a TON of walking in Vegas. Your feet will hurt. ALOT!

DO make dining reservations. Especially with any restaurant named for a celebrity chef. Walk-in tables are rare. Use the iPhone app "Open Table" for last minute reservations in your area, and/or advance reservations without using the hotel concierge.

DO find a slot machine with an old fashioned pull arm. It's classic Vegas IMHO.  This is especially MUST DO if it is a crazy-oversized, cheesy, lobby machine. Just do it!

DO try things outside your comfort zone. Push boundaries even just a little. Bet $25 on one blackjack hand.... stay up to 2AM instead of rushing to bed at your normal time.  Push the steam button in the shower. Splurge on a piece of cheesecake for dessert. Book a seat at the Jay Leno show - see him live even though you've seen him on the Tonight Show for years. Try something new.

DO research your hotel before you book it. Don't expect to book your bachelor party at Paris, or bring your friends to a wine tasting at the Quad. LOL!  Just do the research and find the hotel suited to your tastes and desired activities and budget.

DON'T drag your toddlers around the Vegas strip at Midnight. What the hell is a matter with people who do this? Grrrrrrr..... Vegas is not for children, especially little children.  Little children need sleep, and routine and consistency. They do NOT need to see people screaming and drinking and stumbling about, half naked and unruly in the middle of the night.

DO NOT rock your child's stroller back and forth on the casino hall carpet with your outstretched foot as you pour money into a machine just inside the "over 21 only area." This is NOT keeping your child out of the casino games. This is a horrible act of borderline rule bending, bad parenting & insanity.

DON'T expect everyone at the pool to look like a movie star... even if they are. But that's ok. Perfectly, ok even. It's Vegas.

DON'T gamble more than you can afford to lose. If it's not fun, it's not appropriate.

DON'T expect to see everything in one visit. I could go back twice a year and never have enough time to see, do and dine everywhere on my list.

Restaurant in Planet Hollywood (PH HOTEL) and lined up out the door,  all day and night