Rare Germancruiser Posted May 5, 2011 #1 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Just found this! Very interessting- if someone posted this before and missed it- sorry! Confirms our reasons to sail X. LOL. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/cruise-news/8065916/Royal-Caribbeans-cuisine-criticised.html Greetings Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bighairtexan Posted May 5, 2011 #2 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Thanks so much for the article. I tend to agree across the board on his findings. RCI is my least favorite, barely topped by Carnival. What I did find interesting is his high ranking of MSC which I completely enjoyed, but from reading the CC boards about MSC I was expecting food and service just slightly better than one might find in prison. I found the ship beautiful, the entertainment excellent but a LOT of smoking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denny01 Posted May 5, 2011 #3 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Thanks Germancruiser, very interesting and nice to see what the pros say. and of course I love it since I agree with it. Den Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelmac Posted May 5, 2011 #4 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Thanks so much for the article. I tend to agree across the board on his findings. RCI is my least favorite, barely topped by Carnival. What I did find interesting is his high ranking of MSC which I completely enjoyed, but from reading the CC boards about MSC I was expecting food and service just slightly better than one might find in prison. I found the ship beautiful, the entertainment excellent but a LOT of smoking. I had the same reaction. I agree with the article, and I'm intrigued by the higher rating of MSC. They were rated higher than HAL, which has pretty good cuisine. I've thought about MSC, but like you stated, CC members don't rate it very high. Enjoy! Kel:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridge Maven Posted May 5, 2011 #5 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I guess I should be scared because we are taking an Alaskan Cruise Tour on Radiance of the Seas next month, but I am looking forward to sailing on this beautiful ship that will be like new after its dry dock this month :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelmac Posted May 5, 2011 #6 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I guess I should be scared because we are taking an Alaskan Cruise Tour on Radiance of the Seas next month, but I am looking forward to sailing on this beautiful ship that will be like new after its dry dock this month :) Bridge, We've cruised RCCL six times, and the Radiance was the only ship to have decent food. We did both alternative restaurants and the MDR, and I must say the food was as good as HAL. All of our other Royal Caribbean cruises were disappointing in the cuisine department. It is a beautiful ship and have a great cruise! Kel:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonardofan Posted May 5, 2011 #7 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Mr. Ward's Berlitz Guide can read like a tender evaluation document for the Ruritanian Ministry of Vacation Choice, but it is indispensible-- worth all other advice (books or not) combined. I've been a fan for twenty+ years since he was the first to say the emperor had no clothes and the QEII was a 3 1/2 star ship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridge Maven Posted May 6, 2011 #8 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Mr. Ward's Berlitz Guide can read like a tender evaluation documentfor the Ruritanian Ministry of Vacation Choice, but it is indispensible-- worth all other advice (books or not) combined. I've been a fan for twenty+ years since he was the first to say the emperor had no clothes and the QEII was a 3 1/2 star ship Leonardofan, is the Leonardo in your screen name from the artist Leonardo da Vinci, or the Italian Line ship that was named after him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Germancruiser Posted May 6, 2011 Author #9 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Hello all, due a lack of time I could not comment the article myself- well I started with RCI - and switched to X- and stayed- I mostly agree with Ward- my last cruise was on board Brilliance- for a change- the food was okay- but just that- on board all X- ships I have been on- well it was much better- even in their Speciality Restaurants. Service is refinded- I could go on. .. I never tried Carnival or HAL- found Cunard compareable to X- but hatet Costa- for me the european Carnival ( when compareing the pictures of the inside) Greetings Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonardofan Posted May 7, 2011 #10 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Bridge Maven: It's the ship... The first ship I sailed on was the France--the most beautiful ship built since the War, and judging from photos one of the most beautiful ever-- BUT the real Parisian service, ranging from grudgingly correct to (often) psychotic. Then I sailed home on the Leonardo. Even then an old tub, but forty years and twenty odd cruises later still the most memorable experience I've had on a ship (What they resented on the France--we were young, we were American, we were on vacation while they had to work--they LOVED on the Leonardo.) Only other ship I can mention in the same breath is POL's Stefan Batory. Deep in evil empire days, it was a chance to show the Soviets how they would run their country if they had the chance (A great satisfaction that now they do...):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonardofan Posted May 7, 2011 #11 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Hello all,due a lack of time I could not comment the article myself- well I started with RCI - and switched to X- and stayed- I mostly agree with Ward- my last cruise was on board Brilliance- for a change- the food was okay- but just that- on board all X- ships I have been on- well it was much better- even in their Speciality Restaurants. Service is refinded- I could go on. .. I never tried Carnival or HAL- found Cunard compareable to X- but hatet Costa- for me the european Carnival ( when compareing the pictures of the inside) Greetings Michael You should try HAL's 700 passenger Prinsendam for a change of pace-- the only ships Mr. Ward rates higher are at least twice the price. Superbly run ship... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Germancruiser Posted May 7, 2011 Author #12 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Very interessting post, leoandrofan- ah the France, Norway- what beauty- even from the exterior. The Sovjets may have learned, but there still a few other who still have to. LOL. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridge Maven Posted May 7, 2011 #13 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Bridge Maven: It's the ship... The first ship I sailed on was the France--the most beautiful ship built since the War, and judging from photos one of the most beautiful ever-- BUT the real Parisian service, ranging from grudgingly correct to (often) psychotic. Then I sailed home on the Leonardo. Even then an old tub, but forty years and twenty odd cruises later still the most memorable experience I've had on a ship (What they resented on the France--we were young, we were American, we were on vacation while they had to work--they LOVED on the Leonardo.) Only other ship I can mention in the same breath is POL's Stefan Batory. Deep in evil empire days, it was a chance to show the Soviets how they would run their country if they had the chance (A great satisfaction that now they do...):) Leonardofan, my husband and I took our first cruise on Leonardo da Vinci in 1975, which was round trip from NYC to St Thomas and St Maartin. We loved that ship and thought its service and cuisine was as good as it gets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buggins0402 Posted May 8, 2011 #14 Share Posted May 8, 2011 I had the same reaction. I agree with the article, and I'm intrigued by the higher rating of MSC. They were rated higher than HAL, which has pretty good cuisine. I've thought about MSC, but like you stated, CC members don't rate it very high. Enjoy! Kel:) Ratings are lower because it is meant to appeal to a European cruiser - it offers a slightly different product, particularly when cruising Europe. Some allowances are made to a more US based customer base when it sails here - but it will still be different. For example in Europe, generally no free water poured in MDR (bottled water at a charge only), but on North American/Caribbean cruises they pour it for free. If you have traveled and independent land base trip in Europe, one usually doesn't have problems with the line. But, if you're tied to a US type cruise product (24/7 food, steaks, etc.) one is probably better off with one of the US centric lines. If you are someone that hates upsell and that is a major reason for sailing Celebrity, you might like MSC. Service styles are pretty similar. Few announcements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridge Maven Posted May 8, 2011 #15 Share Posted May 8, 2011 Bridge, We've cruised RCCL six times, and the Radiance was the only ship to have decent food. We did both alternative restaurants and the MDR, and I must say the food was as good as HAL. All of our other Royal Caribbean cruises were disappointing in the cuisine department. It is a beautiful ship and have a great cruise! Kel:) Thank you, Kelmac :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelmac Posted May 8, 2011 #16 Share Posted May 8, 2011 Ratings are lower because it is meant to appeal to a European cruiser - it offers a slightly different product, particularly when cruising Europe. Some allowances are made to a more US based customer base when it sails here - but it will still be different. For example in Europe, generally no free water poured in MDR (bottled water at a charge only), but on North American/Caribbean cruises they pour it for free. If you have traveled and independent land base trip in Europe, one usually doesn't have problems with the line. But, if you're tied to a US type cruise product (24/7 food, steaks, etc.) one is probably better off with one of the US centric lines. If you are someone that hates upsell and that is a major reason for sailing Celebrity, you might like MSC. Service styles are pretty similar. Few announcements. When I first met Lauren, we spent 53 days together, traveling with our Eurail passes and small backpacks, around Europe. Her favorite area was northern Italy and we found the food to be wonderful. Perhaps we should give MSC a try? Thanks buggins! Kel:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buggins0402 Posted May 8, 2011 #17 Share Posted May 8, 2011 When I first met Lauren, we spent 53 days together, traveling with our Eurail passes and small backpacks, around Europe. Her favorite area was northern Italy and we found the food to be wonderful. Perhaps we should give MSC a try? Thanks buggins! Kel:) If you like interesting different pastas and risottos, slow cooked meats, fish, and great gelato you'll do ok. Presentation is not up to Celebrity standards. Looks like they are just starting a very limited buffet at night even on European cruises (used to only have upcharge Pizza available in Europe). Pizza is regarded as top notch. Ships are very clean. Kids sail free so unless you go when kids are in school, it's something to keep in mind if you like a more adult atmosphere. If you think of it as a different adventure, expect some charges for things that are gratis on US centric lines, and definitely more smoking than Celebrity - you'll do fine. If the price and itinerary are right I'd have no problem sailing with them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.