Ordering more than one dish

[PSCruiser]

Is lobster served in WJ? The menu has been the same as MDR on formal nights. We met one gentleman on last cruise that only eats in WJ so he does not have to dress up. You could probably get more tails upstairs.

 

Like I said above we have been spoiled by RCCL.............

 

Lobster is never served in the WJ, there are also a few other items like escargot that I've never seen on the buffet.

However, on a recent trip on the Oasis, we happened past the "healthy" lunch buffet in the Solarium cafe on the day after lobster night, and there on the buffet were stacks of lobster tails, already shelled, evidently left over from the previous evening.

 

Relative to the OP's hesitation to order extra on Navigator, I've found the My Time waiters on there to all be very personable and could not do enough for you, and I probably had 8-9 different ones on a 14 day cruise. I'm sure they would get you anything they wanted - I know I did multiple apps. many times, and I'm sure I did the surf and turf on lobster night.

I was a an RC cruise a year or so ago, early dining, and the waiter told us that while we would probably not be refused, the word from the kitchen was that we were "discouraged" from ordering a 2nd lobster tail because of short supplies. Waiters obviously do not like getting instructions like that from the kitchen which may make the guests annoyed at them.

[Robinhill]

many times i have asked for a second lobster tail and have asked that it be just that and not the whole dish and that was never a problem. Also- i have shrimp cocktail every night for an appetizer and sometimes order a second appetizer if something else looks "appetizing" as well.

[Lottycruiser]

Many thanks for all the replies , after reading them i feel so silly that i didnt ask for extra dishes , i will sure make up for it on Freedom in september , look out Lobster Tails ( something we never saw on Navigator ) i adored the scallop appetiser and would definately have eaten an extra one of those :)

[ccruisequeen]

I've ordered a 2nd lobster. Most of the time I get the whole plate, especially since now it also includes shrimp. (Gosh, with the oil mess in the Gulf and shrimp prices rising, I wonder if this will change.) I've also had waiters come by with just lobster tails and put them on my original plate. On a church cruise (Spledour of the Seas, January, 2006), two guys had six (count 'em) lobster tails each.

 

Generally I order the 2nd one after I finish my first one. Since this is usually evening meal number 6 on RCI, and I use traditional dining, the waiter usually knows me by now and has the 2nd lobster already waiting for me.

 

Sometimes I do order two different dished during the original order. Lobster night, I'll order the prime rib also. These are usually brought out at the same time unless I request otherwise. I have learned now to request them in sequence rather than together, since it can get rather crowded on the table with two plates just for me.

 

If the waiter absolutely refuses to let you have seconds, I'd probably say something like "I understand you don't want to serve seconds. Let's ask the head waiter his opinion on this." Or even get the Maitre'D. But I've never had that happen. There is no reason for any waiter to not serve seconds if the kitchen is still open and they still have the dish available.

Now-days, Lobster seems to be served with shrimp (which I'm allergic to). On our -X- cruise, we explained this to our server & he eliminated the shrimp & gave me two tails. Not sure if I can do this on Mariner, but I can't wait to try!

[Gone Fishing]

Our table mates were told "NO" on lobster night on the CCL Inspiration. The head waiter said that they did not do that any longer because of cost. I was sitting right there and was dumbfounded especially since I was the one who told her to order an extra tail.:o

For the rest of the trip no one dared to ask for anything extra.

We even complained to maître d' about the bad attitude and the waiter did apologize saying he missed his family (I could understand that) however, he never offered anything extra and we never saw our table mates again after that night.

That is one of several reasons we booked RCCL this October.

[QuickGold]

I always order more than one entree or appetizer. First, the portion sizes are generally small and second, it's the same price if I order 1 or 10 so I take the opportunity to sample lots of different food. Cruising is how I expand my taste pallet!

[spanner14]

Our experience has been the complete opposite. If anything we have waiters bringing us food we didn't order because they think we would enjoy sampling. My sons usually order 2 or 3 appetizers and 2 or 3 desserts and have never been made to feel out of line.

 

We had exactly the same as you, debmarie. Our lovely waiter on FOS was almost beside himself with anxiety because he didn't think we were eating enough! To be fair, I have a small appetite but really enjoy what I do eat, but my husband has a normal-sized appetite, and so does our DD. Our waiter kept offering to bring more food, and we kept saying "no, we wouldn't be able to eat any more!"

 

On two nights I couldn't even manage any dessert so I didn't order any, and our poor waiter nearly burst into tears - he said he wasn't used to people eating so little food - and I was stuffed! :D

[Lottycruiser]

Our table mates were told "NO" on lobster night on the CCL Inspiration. The head waiter said that they did not do that any longer because of cost. I was sitting right there and was dumbfounded especially since I was the one who told her to order an extra tail.:o

 

For the rest of the trip no one dared to ask for anything extra.

 

We even complained to maître d' about the bad attitude and the waiter did apologize saying he missed his family (I could understand that) however, he never offered anything extra and we never saw our table mates again after that night.

 

That is one of several reasons we booked RCCL this October.

 

Well i sure hope this doesnt happen to me on my next cruise , i would be mortified ,here i am getting all brave ready to do some sampling ,if this happens it will end in tears :eek:

[Northern Bear]

We usually order an extra entree that no one else is ordering "for the table" and pass it around for everyone who wants to, to try it. This usually catches on and someone else does it every other night. It allows you to try something you may not have tried before.

On the other hand, one of our regular travelling companions is a bit of a glutton and has no problems ordering multiples of anything, especially appetizers. Gets a bit embarrassing at times but I guess to each their own.

[Gone Fishing]

Well i sure hope this doesnt happen to me on my next cruise , i would be mortified ,here i am getting all brave ready to do some sampling ,if this happens it will end in tears :eek:

 

That would never happen on RCCL!!!!! :D

[yogimax]

On our last cruise, our head waiter, who was from India, insisted on bringing us an extra (Indian) dish each night. This was the result of our commenting on the first night how much we enjoyed the Indian entrees. He even appeared with dishes that weren't on the menu. Yes, those samosas were delcious!

[Jimnbigd]

Cruising is how I expand my taste pallet!

 

Cruising is how I expand my waistline! :D

[carhirer]

When I read the post about picky eaters flocking to Chops because they can't stand the food in the MDR, I thought that made the MDR look more "grown up".

 

But these posts encouraging self-indulgence make me wonder about that!

 

Just because a waiter doesn't encourage ordering two entrees etc does not mean he won't deliver without a fuss if asked.

 

Just because many waiters encourage over-ordering doesn't mean you should take them up on that - they are simply playing the tipping game.

 

If you feel hesitant about ordering two entrees, maybe it's a cell at the back of your brain telling you it's wrong!

 

if you feel unable to choose between two desserts that does not mean you shouldn't choose - maybe it's good to exercise the part of your brain which deals with choice and living with consequences.

 

OK the portions are not large. But don't forget there's breakfast, and lunch, and teatime cakes, and 24/7 pizza and cookies, and Sprinkles by the pool and etc etc

 

I shall now dive into my bunker!

[Terre]

We've always ordered two entrees if we couldn't decide and the same with the other courses. On our Serenade cruise in June our waiter very much encouraged it, in fact, he would bring around extra dishes of each course for anyone who wanted to try them. We have begun ordering more than one lobster tail because they are smaller now.

 

I really try to get only what I know I can eat, though. No wonder the crew thinks we're all rich...we just order all this food and then don't eat half of it.

[morgan1312]

There is no reason for any waiter to not serve seconds if the kitchen is still open and they still have the dish available.

 

One thing to keep in mind, once all of a specific course is served the kitchen cleans up that section, so if you want something it's best to order with your original order cause there may not be any left in the kitchen later. We found this out when we tried to order the strawberry soup for our grandson's desert a few years ago. Now we just order it with the rest of dinner and tell the waiter it's his desert and they will hold it off to the side till they serve desert. This may have changed with MTD...

 

It's always been our experience that the waiters bring everything you even MENTION you might like when ordering. We've ordered the fish dish as an extra to share with the whole table before in addition to everyone's entree on a family trip... No one should leave the MDR the slightest bit hungry.

[cravingthis]

I order multiple entrées at the same time, the whole meal . On my last cruise (Mariner of the Seas 2/10) I added deserts. I order something I am familar with, then something I would like to try. I am not a appetizer person, more steak and potato, so double the main entrees...bam!. I order it all at once because so I don't have to wait. I am afraid my stomach will get that horrible message from my brain that it's full. I take pictures of the food before I eat them. Here was my intake for a week, prepare to be shock:p In my defense I don't care much for breakfast or lunch and save my appetite for dinner. Once I ordered 2 lobsters, then one each for my kids. After the first bite my kids said, I don't like this. I did what any good mom would do...oh they weren't that big:p Our waiter was great and kinda instead we tried something he thought was special.

 

http://travel.webshots.com/album/577169966zGsdiR?start=0

 

Pauline

 

Hi Pauline,

 

Great pictures, thanks for sharing! Is there any way to tell what each item is?

 

Thanks!

[PIR8LUVR]

There have been several times when I have ordered multiple desserts. A couple times I wanted steak and shrimp and ordered them both upfront but said I did not want sides with both, but got sides with both. It's just easier for them to get the plates out that way.

[Bound4Bermuda]

Our waiter (shout-out to Augusto on Explorer!) often SUGGESTED we order two items. Formal night my husband ordered something else, and he said, "I'll bring you a lobster tail, too!" And often when we finished an entree, he'd ask if we wanted another serving, which my husband took hm up on sometimes. But, it wasn't just the waiter, the head waiter, too, came over, saw my son not eating, and asked him what else he wanted instead. Maybe your waiter didn't pick up on the passive-agressive nature of your tablemate saying that she couldn't decide, lol.

[ccruisequeen]

DF ordered 2 appetizers- one for appetizer; other as Main course.

[Aboat1]

Just off the Radiance (10/30) On Lobster night DH and I tried to order a Prime rib to split as surf and turf. Our waitress (Rowena) was unable to serve them together! She was very upset with the kitchen and very apologetic that she could not serve more then 1 entrée at a time. We did get the Prime Rib, but had to finish our Lobster first! ( kind of reminds me of my Kindergarten days!)

 

As an aside, we were also limited to only (5) $10.00 bills a day in the casino! DH and I always change our larger bills into $10.00 bills to control our slot spending. We ended up leaving the casino after spending our 5 bills. That is FAR less then we would normally spend in the casino. Thank you RCI, we came home with far more of our spending money in our pocket the we usually do. Good for us not so good for the stockholders!

[BillOh]

 

 

I'm going to give my observations based on 22 nights in dining rooms so far and then read your replies. I quoted this particular line from your post because I generally leave it up to the waiters. On my cruises, the workload seems to vary a little and some waiters are a little more experienced. This can be a real burden on someone who doesn't want to say no and jeopardize his tips. I've told my wife, you get one, I'll get the other, and sometimes the waiter will speak up and say he will bring both. I let them make the gesture.

[Morecruisesplz]

I always order more than one entree or appetizer. First, the portion sizes are generally small and second, it's the same price if I order 1 or 10 so I take the opportunity to sample lots of different food. Cruising is how I expand my taste pallet!

 

Sample? So you throw away a lot of food?

[bigeagle12]

I often order multiple entrees, appetizers, desserts. I hate to waste food too and usually order an extra seafood entree and always ask them just to bring the fish and not the whole meal. They always bring the whole meal anyway.

[cruisechamp62]

I would NEVER let a waiter decide if he/she wants to bring me more than one of something. If I want it, why not get it. Cruises are great opportunities for my kids to try new foods. They never order off the kids menu. We usually steer them in a particular direction but we always share and the food always gets eaten (unless it is really bad, and sometimes it happens).

 

I will ask the waiter's opinion on food, but we lead a very active life and we always eat well (especially at the dinner table as a family). No reason why it should be any different on a cruise.

[Host Faith]

We usually order more than one appetizer (since I love salads, soups, and appetizers). I've made a meal out of appetizers before. The only time we order more than one entree is on lobster night...we may get lobster and prime rib and enjoy that very much. We haven't been that excited about the desserts, though. The one standout dessert for me is the Mud Pie in Chops, we're lucky if we can finish half of that one! :D

 

I don't see anything wrong with ordering 1-2 dishes....as long as you order them all at once so the waiters aren't going back and forth too many times.