Are Celebrity Specialty Restaurants worth it?

[coolinary]

They are allowed in Tuscan Grille and Qsine. They will be most comfortable in Qsine. Unless your 2 yr old has really adult tastes for steak, etc. the menu at Tuscan Grille might be more limiting. Qsine has great options that are kids friendly. The Kobe Beef Sliders (mini-burgers) were the best hamburgers that I can ever remember having. The popcorn fish and chips were also great. It is family style so whatever you order is to share for the table - a great way to let kids try some different things. The Desserts are perfect for kids. (actually they are perfect for adults too!!)

 

 

Thank you for all the great advice!

[Lois R]

They are allowed in Tuscan Grille and Qsine. They will be most comfortable in Qsine. Unless your 2 yr old has really adult tastes for steak, etc. the menu at Tuscan Grille might be more limiting. Qsine has great options that are kids friendly. The Kobe Beef Sliders (mini-burgers) were the best hamburgers that I can ever remember having. The popcorn fish and chips were also great. It is family style so whatever you order is to share for the table - a great way to let kids try some different things. The Desserts are perfect for kids. (actually they are perfect for adults too!!)

 

They don't have a 2 year old;)...they have 2 girls, 8 and 6.

[caribbeansun]

I guess we agree to not understand each other :D

 

I believe there is a value to the MDR meal that needs to be factored into a more detailed review of the specialty restaurant. You started talking about costs which aren't relevant IMO. The meal forgone in the MDR has a retail value that should IMO be added to the $30 paid for dining in a specialty restaurant.

 

I don't agree that there is a meaningful value to be assigned to the "opportunity to dine" in another venue nor could I quantify it.

 

Huh? :confused: I am not understanding your post.

 

A couple people commented that a reason to avoid dining in the specialty restaurants is you have already "paid" for a meal in the main dining room. I was opining that this is not sound reasoning on which to base your decision. Just as one can claim they already "paid" for their main dining room dinner, one can also claim they already "paid" for the opportunity to dine in the specialty restaurant.

[jvrap]

Dining in the specialty restaurants is an experience. Sure you are paying more and if you are on a tight budget, the MDRs are fine - great service and good food.

I remember my 1st dinner in the Normanie on Summit several years ago. I got up to use the ladies room and one of the waiters escorted me- arm out and everything - to the door! When I came back into the restaurant he was waiting for me and escorted me back to the table.

[Andy C]

No, they are not. The food in the MDR is fine, why would anyone pay to have different food? But people pay for water in a plastic bottle,when you can get all the water you want for free, which is something I have never understood. So what do I know?

 

I would add that these extra cost food places seem to take up a lot of space on the ship that could be better used, I think.

 

Every time I drive by a Chili's or Applebees and see a long line outside I think to myself who are the fools that actually wait in line to eat that chain food garbage - and now I know who one of them is --> DRWhit.

[nobog]

I think you have to separate the food from the experience/ambiance. Food only tastes so good (don’t yell at me – that’s my opinion) and I believe some people equate fine china with good food. If you think the experience is worth the 30 some odd bucks then go for it. Although we might give a specialty restaurant a try, it would be the exception and not the rule. You can’t get much better than a Wisconsin Friday night fish fry (for $10) for taste although typically not 5 star ambiance/service – so to each his/her own :).

[jg51]

1. Yes [from Civitavecchia]. 2. Well, we were 4 and paid half price for all 4. I believe the same thing should happen to a party of 3. 3. It applied to all three [sRs].

Much obliged! :)

[Redtravel]

I used to look forward to specialty restaurants. However, they are not all that good. Unfortunately, they are not counting on repeat business. The worst was The Olympic on the Millenium. Horrible and they double charged us for the experience. Bad food...overcooked, slow service, and attitude. The best is Prime C on the Journey. Aquilina on the Journey is not that good. I've eaten in Prime C 5 times and loved it every time.

[hcat]

If OP is sailing in Dec on Infinity--- is that before it is Solsticized? If so, then there will only be one Specialty restaurant choice..& that is the upscale one .. well worth a try at least once-- food & service will be excellent but keep in mind the meal will take quite awhile--it is dining! BTW We always add a tip to the upcharge in Specialty restaurants...

 

If it is after the refurb, then they will have one more restaurant..is it Tuscan? if so, That's a nice place but not like United states, Olympic, Muranos. Oceanliners or whatever it is called... not many have experienced Tuscan on the M class ships as Connie is the only M class ship that has it at the moment......S class ships have Tuscan but it is in a diff location--aft..very nice decor...

 

we have enjoyed them all but our fav is Silk Harvest on Solstice..not looking forward to Q-sine but for that sailing we booked AQ so we can stay in Blu....

Edited August 10, 2010 by hcat

[world~citizen]

In a word, yes.:)

 

Smooth sailing...

[Sandylee]

Whether one likes it or not the service has always been over the top.

 

I'm one who didn't like it. "Over the top" is a good description: when we ate in the Tuscan Grille the staff were trying so hard to give the promised extra-good service that they were intrusive. Kept interrupting conversations to ask what we thought of the food. Really, I thought the service we got in the MDR was better, at least from one of the service teams we had. Lots of attention, remembered names/preferences, lots of jokes and fun but seemed to know just when to chat and when to let us get on with our meal.

 

The food and ambience were very nice though, quite a step up from the MDR. It's a fun thing to do.

[ssptcruise]

We ate in all three Solstice specialty restaurants last year.

The experience was great but we decided we will not do it again this time on the Equinox.

Don't get me wrong, food was better in the specialty restaurants and we are glad we did them. But food was also very high quality in the MDR.

I agree with the previous poster that the service in the specialty restaurants is a little less friendly than in MDR...maybe because of the fact that there is little repeat business.

Service in the specialties was seemed at times to be focused on the upsell of cocktails, wine and pairings. Sometimes we order these things and sometimes we don't. Servers seemed... well...disappointed we didn't and that left us feeling less than welcome.

Our servers in MDR were more attentive to our desires than any in the specialty restaurants.

We also really like the Bistro on Five and will do than again.

We have signed up for Aquaclass this time and are looking forward to dining in Blu everyday.

[Rysyonok]

Specialty restaurants on Celebrity are just amazing. Food quality, costs aside, you just can't beat the pleasure of dining in a quiet area with ten, maybe twenty other people as opposed to hundreds.

 

We always schedule our reservations for 6pm sharp and always on the first day - we get the quietest dining hall and the best service.

 

Well worth the extra $70 + 15% tip.

[KAYEF]

On my first (and last) NCL cruise the food in the MDR was very far below any I've had in MDRs onother lines.

In other words, IMO you will feel the food in the MDR IS superb and you won't "need" to pay extra to try the upscale DRs.

There is NO comparison between a NCL buffet and those on other lines I've been on either..............plastic plates, long lines, cramped quarters, plastic topped tables (not ever enough)..........I will quit there.

You will enjoy the food on this line very much.:)

[Keith1010]

I think the Specialty Restaurants are some of the best food that we have ever had on any cruise line.

 

The combined cuisine, ambience and the service makes this very special and I highly recommend it.

 

Keith

[GeorgeL]

We are cruising on Celebrity Infinity thru the Panama Canal down to Chile in December. Never cruised on Celebrity before (NCL). I understand that the specialty restaurant US United States, has a cover charge of $35. That seems high. On NCL the specialty restaurants are $10-25.

If the specialty restaurants are that good, is it because the basic restaurants are not?

 

On many occasions it's worth it but there are times when the food at MDR is on par , if not better, than that in the specialty restaurants.

[mahdnc]

We just got back from sailing on the Summit yesterday and ate at the Normandie Restaurant twice. With our kids now 18 and 14 yrs old, this was the first time that we brought both of them. The food and the service was terrific and our family had a great time.

[alicam]

No, they are not. The food in the MDR is fine, why would anyone pay to have different food? But people pay for water in a plastic bottle,when you can get all the water you want for free, which is something I have never understood. So what do I know?

 

I would add that these extra cost food places seem to take up a lot of space on the ship that could be better used, I think.

I have to disagree with you on this one...when we went to Murano's on Century back in March, we thought it was wonderful and truly a highlight of the cruise...by the way, how are you doing DRWhit? Haven't seen you since the bridge tour

[Fixit2010]

After sailing on the Eclipse, mu experience is as follows.

Firstly as a Brit, the cover charge equates to slightly less than our US friends may find due to exchange rate differences. So from my point of view, I felt it was a fair price.

 

Having already paid for my holiday, the cover charge for 2 people was like a night out at home. However at home you would never get 5 or 6 star dining treatment at that price.

 

We ate at the Tuscan Grill. I have to say the pistachio creme brule was amazing. However the rest of the meal was perfect too. My wife a veggie was put off at first by the menu, but after a chat with the manager, they put together a fantastic alternative for her. For me, the non veggie menu was worth it.

 

We also tried Qsine a couple of times. The first time was an experience. We ordered way too much and had to bale out. However it was a lot of fun, different and worth it.

Knowing where we went wrong we returned again and had a most enjoyable time.

[kitkat9438]

Sandi, you are in for a treat on the Summit. The Normandie is an excellent specialty restaurant and well worth the extra $$$.

 

I would also like to point out that you can get different things in the specialty restaurant than you can in the MDR. We loved the MDR food and service, but when we went to Normandie and got to order the goat cheese souffle, filet mignon and lobster tail and chocolate souffle for dessert, there was no comparison. You cannot get any of these in the MDR (well maybe the filet, but the quality is way better in the specialty restaurant). I'm really looking forward to trying out Blu, Bistro on Five and Qsine on the Eclipse in December.

 

You can use the money argument on a lot of things. Why pay more for Aqua or CC?? Does that mean a regular balcony cabin is not just as good? Absolutely not. They are all great. It's all about what you want out of your cruising experience.

 

Have a great cruise with whatever you decide.

[Robert7242]

While the food in the MDR is usually good, it is not in the same league as the food in the specialty restaurants. It is like saying why would anybody pay more to get a steak from Ruth Chris versus a steak from Applebees. Many people do not mind paying more afor a higher end product. For my wife and I, our meals at the specialty restaurants are among the highlights of our cruise.

 

Ok. But what if you are single. I see myself reading my e-book and looking at all the lovely couples. I know, poor me. I've enjoyed great restaurants. The service and the food has to be five star. Is it?

[perditax]

Zombie thread rises from the dead!

[Burpelson]

Hi Robert,

 

I have often dined as a 'single', including up to six hours at one sitting. Sometimes it helps to be at a bar like setting, or overlooking the kitchen. Not sure if those are available on the cruise. But then maybe sitting with others will lead to good talk and some friendships. In any case, make sure you can sit by yourself and enjoy the views. I always try to arrive early, get the best views possible, then be slow about ordering each course. I just settle in. I do that with company too. Just my way. No idea about the star level on the ships. Or why/who 5 compared to 3? If that's the key, go for good rated food, and enjoy the cruise. Knowing you got among the best food available at sea, but perhaps not unless you run aground in Paris....

[maxsales]

We are cruising on Celebrity Infinity thru the Panama Canal down to Chile in December. Never cruised on Celebrity before (NCL). I understand that the specialty restaurant US United States, has a cover charge of $35. That seems high. On NCL the specialty restaurants are $10-25.

If the specialty restaurants are that good, is it because the basic restaurants are not?

 

No, IMHO.

[hcat]

Zombie thread rises from the dead!

 

Good point...reviews 5 yrs old....hope op realized that...

we still try one or two, but happy in BLU