Welcome!

Welcome to the official Cruise Ship Menus blog! Cruise Menu Blog is a tribute to the intersection of Art, History and Cuisine on Historical Ocean Liners and Cruise Ships. I started collecting Ship Menus 10 years ago when I was a an Auction House in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and I bought what I thought was old musty cookbooks. To my amazement there was several SS Andrea Doria Menus at the bottom of the box in very good condition with beautiful illustration of flowers. When I opened them and read what was on the Menu, I visualize what the person who had collected this ephemera might have ordered for their lunch or dinner. I started collecting other ship menus at street fairs and antique stores. I became fascinated with finding new Menus. I love to hunt for unique and magnificent works of art on the cover of the menus. First. I was impressed with some covers that depict famous painting that hang in well known museums while others are a collection of original works created specifically for the menu of a Cruise Line. Some as you will see in my Blog are whimsical and comical. 
Second, I am most intrigued with how different the selection of appetizers, entrees and dessert were in the early 20th century from the Menus on our present day cruises.  Imagine getting on a Cruise ship today and being served up "Turtle Soup" for an appetizer, Mutton Stew for an entree and Paw, Paw fruit for dessert! These are not common menu choices on big luxury ships today.  Most of these recipes are not commonly found in Cookbooks.  I had never heard of  Paw, Paw, a mango fruit till I researched it on the internet. I learned that some people in the U. S.  forged it along Potomac River in Maryland. I recently attended the US OPEN Tennis in NYC and they were giving out free samples of Paw Paw fruit lip balm!   I am drawn to the origin of these Ocean Liner  menus ... I turned my passion in to this blog to muse about my discoveries and love of maritime menus. I hope you enjoy them. I would love to hear your thoughts and would appreciate your comments and feedback. 
I look forward to hearing from you!