Looking for a classic authentic and vintage Christmas menu from the past? Then you might like to consider this offering which was offered 60 years ago and comes from the Shaw Savill Lines Christmas Day menu.

Their ocean liner SS Southern Cross was built in 1955 by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, Northern Ireland for the UK-based Shaw, Savill & Albion Line for their Europe – Australia service.

Under the Captaincy of Sir David Aitchison KCVO, en voyage, on S.S. Southern Cross, come Christmas Day, 1955 the lucky voyageurs, enjoyed a selection of food from their special Dinner menu which offered:

Entree
Grapefruit Maraschino
Consomme Printanier or Cream of Tomato soup

Main
Fillet of Sole Meuniere
Lamb cutlets Reforme
Baked York Ham Oporto
Roast Norfolk Turkey and cranberry sauce
Fresh garden peas, roast and nature potatoes

Cold Buffet
Consomme Frappe en Tasse
Rolled ox tongue, sirloin of beef
Leg of pork & apple sauce
Salad: lettuce, tomato, Parmentier
Dressing: French, Mayonnaise, cream

Dessert:
Christmas plum pudding, hard sauce, Brandy Butter
Hot mince pies
Fruit salad and cream
Scotch short breads
Vanilla cream ices

If you were not satisfied enough with any of the above, you could always have retired to one of the public rooms to enjoy:

Savory snacks and cod roe toast,
oranges, apples, grapes, pears, mandarins,
assorted nuts, dates, and coffee

How civilized was this? And why do we faff-around so much on obtaining the ‘right ingredients’ for our Christmas meal, when; if we had oodles of money (even back in 1955), we could have enjoyed our dinner afloat without the hours of blood, sweat and tears in the preparation, presentation and enjoyment; let alone knowing that on-board, the washing up duties were well under control and well clear of our duties or expectations!

Thus we would all be: “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time!”

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