Natmom Posted January 11, 2015 #1 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Are those restaurants a lot better than the MDR? DH and I are cruising on our own for our 15th wedding anniversary and I'm happy to pay the up charge if the food/atmosphere is significantly better. Food is a big part of our vacation experience. We have never cruised RCL so we have nothing to go by. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexCruise371 Posted January 11, 2015 #2 Share Posted January 11, 2015 (edited) Are those restaurants a lot better than the MDR? DH and I are cruising on our own for our 15th wedding anniversary and I'm happy to pay the up charge if the food/atmosphere is significantly better. Food is a big part of our vacation experience. We have never cruised RCL so we have nothing to go by. Sent from my iPad using Forums Absolutely, plus a much nicer atmosphere :) Enjoy your anniversary! Edited January 11, 2015 by TexCruise371 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnocchi_mommy Posted January 11, 2015 #3 Share Posted January 11, 2015 (edited) In our experience YES. I am not WOWed by RC's main dining room fare though tbh. I really like their buffet and mongolian BBQ/JADE a lot in comparison with my other favorite line ;-) but the MDR food is disappointing in comparison. Chops was really good!! Anniversary meal good :-) I have only eaten at Portofino as part of that mystery dinner theatre thing, and it was really good food as well, not sure how it compared to normal dining there. Edited January 11, 2015 by gnocchi_mommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natmom Posted January 11, 2015 Author #4 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Absolutely, plus a much nicer atmosphere :) Enjoy your anniversary! Thank you! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamFritz Posted January 11, 2015 #5 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Yes, specialty restaurant food is better. We usually do one specialty each cruise. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natmom Posted January 11, 2015 Author #6 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Is there a limit to how many times you can book a specialty restaurant? I would book 3 or 4 nights if we aren't limited Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexCruise371 Posted January 11, 2015 #7 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Is there a limit to how many times you can book a specialty restaurant? I would book 3 or 4 nights if we aren't limited Sent from my iPad using Forums You can eat at them every night plus, if you book several nights you can get a discount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathie13 Posted January 11, 2015 #8 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Went to Chops for our 50th with our family. It was wonderful!! Kathie Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrick22 Posted January 11, 2015 #9 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I was always under the thought that why should I pay for for a meal when I already paid for the complimentary one. Friends always went and raved. So we bit the bullet and went to Chops. WOW what a difference. The food and service is great. We make sure that we go every cruise. Last cruise we took friends who thought like us and they had the same impression. Giovanni's is also excellent. This coming cruise we have two reservations booked. :) Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookwife Posted January 11, 2015 #10 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Are those restaurants a lot better than the MDR? DH and I are cruising on our own for our 15th wedding anniversary and I'm happy to pay the up charge if the food/atmosphere is significantly better. Food is a big part of our vacation experience. We have never cruised RCL so we have nothing to go by. Sent from my iPad using Forums better, yes. a LOT better? that is subjective. the MDR is quite good to excellent. the atmosphere and quieter venue in a specialty goes a long way to making it a 'better' experience even if the food itself is not significantly higher quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papaflamingo Posted January 11, 2015 #11 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Are those restaurants a lot better than the MDR? DH and I are cruising on our own for our 15th wedding anniversary and I'm happy to pay the up charge if the food/atmosphere is significantly better. Food is a big part of our vacation experience. We have never cruised RCL so we have nothing to go by. Sent from my iPad using Forums What ship are you on? Chops is a very nice restaurant for a special evening. Giovannis is also very nice, and you can do it for lunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1ParticularHbr Posted January 11, 2015 #12 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Are those restaurants a lot better than the MDR? DH and I are cruising on our own for our 15th wedding anniversary and I'm happy to pay the up charge if the food/atmosphere is significantly better. Food is a big part of our vacation experience. We have never cruised RCL so we have nothing to go by. Sent from my iPad using Forums Yes! We always cruise over our anniversary and always book at a specialty restaurant for the anniversary night. We've done both Chops and Portofino and loved both. As others have said, it's not just the food that's better, it's the atmosphere...small dining area w/open views of galley...attentive waiters and relaxed pace. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nednrom Posted January 11, 2015 #13 Share Posted January 11, 2015 (edited) Are those restaurants a lot better than the MDR? DH and I are cruising on our own for our 15th wedding anniversary and I'm happy to pay the up charge if the food/atmosphere is significantly better. Food is a big part of our vacation experience. We have never cruised RCL so we have nothing to go by. Sent from my iPad using Forums Yes, we like Giovanni's and Chops. The food is better than MDR. The service and the food quality differ somewhat from ship to ship -- it is better than on some than others. Costwise, on our Oasis cruise this past week, we boycotted Chops -- they have a cover charge but also charge extra for other cuts of meat. On the other hand we like Giovanni's food such that we ate there twice last week. Edited January 11, 2015 by nednrom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted January 11, 2015 #14 Share Posted January 11, 2015 We liked both , but preferred service in Giovannis, which was also cheaper, what ship are you taking? We really liked Izumi and heard Sabor was excellent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted January 11, 2015 #15 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Happy Anniversary! Please go ahead and book the specialty restaurant of your choice. Our opinion should not matter. :) Having said that, I'm afraid I had the worst steak of my life at Chops. It was awful. BUT... I am in the minority, obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natmom Posted January 11, 2015 Author #16 Share Posted January 11, 2015 We are sailing on oasis. I think I'll book once at each, possibly twice. thanks everyone! Sent from my SGH-I337M using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14Terry Posted January 12, 2015 #17 Share Posted January 12, 2015 I truly believe you won't be disappointed with either restaurant. Congrats on your anniversary and enjoy the cruise! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpostman Posted January 12, 2015 #18 Share Posted January 12, 2015 hey Natmom, we are going on LOTS on Easter weekend for our 20th. We have booked Portofino one night and Chops for another on our 4 night cruise. So I'm reading your thread with great interest.:) dp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddcan Posted January 12, 2015 #19 Share Posted January 12, 2015 There are some experienced cruisers who have reported that Chops quality has been reduced. But, I've been 4 times, and loved every experience! We are booked on 3 more nights on our upcoming cruise - twice at Chops, and once at Giovanni's. The restaurant is so much smaller and intimate than the MDR - the pace is slower, and more relaxed. More personal attention from the waiter staff. And to me.. the Steaks are excellent! It can take a little more time than the MDR, so perhaps give yourself 90 mins, or up to 2 hours. IMO - very worth the extra fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackWP Posted January 12, 2015 #20 Share Posted January 12, 2015 We usually book specialty 3 nights per cruise. We have removed Chops from our list since they have indicated to us, no booze equals lesser service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted January 12, 2015 #21 Share Posted January 12, 2015 It's what USED to be served in the dining room.. unfortunately, now you have to pay additionally for the "good " stuff...and it's NOT "Ruth Chris". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_G Posted January 12, 2015 #22 Share Posted January 12, 2015 There are some experienced cruisers who have reported that Chops quality has been reduced. But, I've been 4 times, and loved every experience! We are booked on 3 more nights on our upcoming cruise - twice at Chops, and once at Giovanni's. The restaurant is so much smaller and intimate than the MDR - the pace is slower, and more relaxed. More personal attention from the waiter staff. And to me.. the Steaks are excellent! It can take a little more time than the MDR, so perhaps give yourself 90 mins, or up to 2 hours. IMO - very worth the extra fees. I'm one that gave up on Chops a while back but we had a freebie from a TA in December on Brilliance and it was the best Chops experience we've had. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfuz Posted January 12, 2015 #23 Share Posted January 12, 2015 I went to Chops at MOS last year Dec.. food n service is very bad. I think the staff see you as a one off customer.. Hence they don't bother. Sound ironic, I will pay to eat at MDR, but will not pay a single cent to eat at Chops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHilla619 Posted January 12, 2015 #24 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Happy Anniversary! Please go ahead and book the specialty restaurant of your choice. Our opinion should not matter. :) Having said that, I'm afraid I had the worst steak of my life at Chops. It was awful. BUT... I am in the minority, obviously. you're not the only one! Sailed Oasis 2 weeks ago on the NYE cruise, ate at Chops on NYE. The food and service was horrific! Literally sat for over 20minutes without any water being brought to the table or our drink order being taken. I ordered the 9oz filet and my girlfriend got the ahi tuna, both were almost en-edible; extremely dry and no taste to it at all. Found the MDR to be much better, especially when I paid a $70 cover charge at Chops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted January 12, 2015 #25 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Happy Anniversary! Please go ahead and book the specialty restaurant of your choice. Our opinion should not matter. :) Having said that, I'm afraid I had the worst steak of my life at Chops. It was awful. BUT... I am in the minority, obviously. I'm betting you're not in as much of a minority as you might think. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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