American Table? Not a fan....

[jimbo5544]

We were on the last sailing of the Breeze before they rolled out the American Table menu. Trust me, the slow service had nothing to do with the new menu. We had assigned early seating and the service was extremely slow. Often times, they were clearing tables as our entree was being served. We felt incredibly rushed to finish and leave so they could get ready for then next seating. I'd thought at the time that maybe Anytime Dining would be faster, but it doesn't sound like that's the case.

 

 

I have not had bad service on the Breeze in our two trips but we do assigned dining. I agree that service has nothing to do with the menu.

[jimbo5544]

I agree that much of the problem with the service could be chalked up to the learning curve on the part of the kitchen and the staff learning a new menu.

 

 

 

I'm not sure that the slow service is entirely due to this. Both my wife and I observed that the staff was exceedingly slow at bussing tables and setting up a new table. Your average Denny's busboy could clear a 2 top in about 20 seconds. We watched one guy on the Breeze take about 2 minutes, moving one piece at time, walking back and forth from the table to their service area. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of efficiency. They're working hard, just not very smart.

 

 

 

Another thing we noticed was how young the wait staff was. I know it's a somewhat different animal, but on Princess you had waiters in their 50s. I don't think I saw anyone on the Breeze staff who was a over 30.

 

 

 

I agree with the comment that the menu skewed heavily toward seafood. Another thing we noticed was one of the vegetarian dishes was the same thing all 8 nights. With only 2 vegetarian selections on the menu, that's not much variety.

 

 

 

While we're not foodies, neither are we habitués of the Golden Corral. We are not charmed by haute cuisine but appreciate good, well prepared quality food. There was nothing wrong with the quality of the food. I was just underwhelmed at the variety of choices, which seemed to be less that in the past. Given that, it wasn't worth sitting through slow service for.

 

 

 

Finally, I wonder if non-Americans would be put off by a concept called "American Table"?

 

 

Carnival caters specifically to Americans. They leave their other brands to the international set. I have to say that when I saw the new menus on JH blog I thought there were no much like the old menu which I found to be ...., well, old. To each their own.

[firemanbobswife]

I have to say that when I saw the new menus on JH blog I thought there were no much like the old menu which I found to be ...., well, old. To each their own.

 

I agree. There is so much that is actually the same (sometimes it just has a different name) that I can't take statements like one below seriously. I think people just automatically make up their minds beforehand and get so blinded by the mere mention of change, that they don't see the forest for the trees. If the same food on a differently named menu is "the worst you ever had on a cruise", then what in the heck are you doing back on the same cruise line?!

 

We liked nothing about the American Table, worst food we ever had on a cruise by far.

[planetcadillac]

One thing I did notice from the American menus I saw was the virtual absence of pasta or fusion dishes. I suppose that has to do with the concept of the menu trying to hew more closely to the meat-and-three Midwestern food ideal.

[nybumpkin]

I agree think the OP had more of an issue with service than the food. I have 38 Carnival cruises and are on the Breeze Feb.28 and can't wait to try the American Table. I tried Anytime once and swore I would never do it again, even with us being Diamond it was terrible. Dennis

Hi, Dennis! Hope you have a great time on Breeze - would love to hear what you think. We're sailing on her in July.

 

We had American Table on Glory in August. By the time we sailed they had tweaked the menu enough that the early objections were addressed - no more salad or calamari "for the table" - and they brought back items like creme brulee that people realy missed. And I thought some of the dishes were a real improvement over earlier incarnations of the same dish. I'm thinking particularly of the lobster bisque. The old version was good, but the American Table version was even better.

 

We've done YTD once, when our schedule just didn't work for early seating, which is our preference. We like having the same table with the same wait staff who know our preferences - and know that DH is diabetic and is going to avoid the bread basket and potatoes.:)

[BlueHonu]

I thought I'd chime in.

Last year in March we were on Conquest. Service was slow, after 2 nights I talked to the head waiter and bam things moved a little quicker for the remainder of the cruise. I normally wouldn't speak up, but we were the ones just getting our entre and others were having dessert.

Last June we were on Glory with American table. Wasn't impressed especially. We found things to our liking, but ordering was sometimes confusing. I think one night I almost got 2 baked potatoes. Lol

I didn't like that the nice messy ribs were on formal night.

Everyone has a different opinion. I had a difference of opinions with someone about the playlist productions and Hasbro game show too. Different strokes for different folks. Haha

[TerReuv]

We have done ATD on both of our cruises and will be doing it again this year on the Conquest. We had no issues. I guess, we are just more laid back than some people. We sail with my parents and while dinner may take up to 2 hours, it never seemed to matter. We just visited and did not feel like we were there that long.

 

Question, when you go out to dinner at home (say a Chili's, Longhorn, Red Lobster, etc.) do you expect to get in there and get out within an hour? We usually have to wait for a table, especially on a Friday or Saturday night, between 15-30 minutes before we even get seated. We just never worried about the time frame and just enjoyed ourselves and our dinner.

 

I guess what I am saying is that when we go out at home (with another couple), if we leave the house at 6:00, I would not expect to be back home until at least 8:00, usually later. That is wait time, appetizers, dinner, dessert, socializing. That just doesn't sound unreasonable to me. Why would it be any different on a cruise?

[hunter14]

We have done ATD on both of our cruises and will be doing it again this year on the Conquest. We had no issues. I guess, we are just more laid back than some people. We sail with my parents and while dinner may take up to 2 hours, it never seemed to matter. We just visited and did not feel like we were there that long.

 

 

 

Question, when you go out to dinner at home (say a Chili's, Longhorn, Red Lobster, etc.) do you expect to get in there and get out within an hour? We usually have to wait for a table, especially on a Friday or Saturday night, between 15-30 minutes before we even get seated. We just never worried about the time frame and just enjoyed ourselves and our dinner.

 

 

 

I guess what I am saying is that when we go out at home (with another couple), if we leave the house at 6:00, I would not expect to be back home until at least 8:00, usually later. That is wait time, appetizers, dinner, dessert, socializing. That just doesn't sound unreasonable to me. Why would it be any different on a cruise?

 

 

Well said!

[firemanbobswife]

We have done ATD on both of our cruises and will be doing it again this year on the Conquest. We had no issues. I guess, we are just more laid back than some people. We sail with my parents and while dinner may take up to 2 hours, it never seemed to matter. We just visited and did not feel like we were there that long.

 

 

 

Question, when you go out to dinner at home (say a Chili's, Longhorn, Red Lobster, etc.) do you expect to get in there and get out within an hour? We usually have to wait for a table, especially on a Friday or Saturday night, between 15-30 minutes before we even get seated. We just never worried about the time frame and just enjoyed ourselves and our dinner.

 

 

 

I guess what I am saying is that when we go out at home (with another couple), if we leave the house at 6:00, I would not expect to be back home until at least 8:00, usually later. That is wait time, appetizers, dinner, dessert, socializing. That just doesn't sound unreasonable to me. Why would it be any different on a cruise?

 

 

I already gave my other reasons previously for choosing assigned dining, but when I'm on a cruise, there is a lot more to do besides wait for dinner. If I go out to a restaurant for dinner, we always just go right home. On the ship, I may want to go to the comedy show, or catch "Name that Tune" by the casino bar. That's why assigned dining works best for me. Obviously not everyone feels the same. So if you are like me, then I suggest assigned dining. If you know there is a potential for an initial wait, and possibly slower service, then go with anytime dining.

 

When it comes to cruising, I am the most laid back person you will ever meet. But I also like to enjoy every possible minute on the ship and waiting in lines, or for service isn't enjoyable to me so I try to avoid that as much as possible.

 

Happy cruising, y'all!!

[Jenny in TX]

It is still on there, so no need to worry.

 

Thank you so much for answering!! I have asked this question many times and have never gotten an answer. It wouldn't make or break my trip either way, but it is nice to know I can enjoy it!

[familycruzinnewbie]

On our first cruise on the Liberty in 2012 we picked early dining. Service was very slow and our waiter left a lot to be desired some nights and downright rude on others. Decided to go with anytime dining on the Breeze in 2014. Our table was the same and always waiting for us. DD was 14 and some nights she chose to eat with friends instead and they were seated without much wait.

 

I like a good variety as I like to try new things but I need things DD will eat too. Her 1st night on her 1st cruise she ordered nuggets and fries and was so horrified by what she received, she switched to the adult menu.

 

Now breakfast/lunch is quite another issue. We had a very slow breakfast on the Liberty and the brunch from hell on the Breeze. They sat DH and I at a long table with others and they would take orders from a few people and disappear. 20 minuted later someone we're still trying to order. The people next to us never received their drink (I went to the cart for ours)