Steakhouse entrees in the MDR

[msmccorm]

We have a reservation in the steakhouse during our upcoming cruise, to celebrate a birthday on-board. But after reading about the steakhouse entrees being available in the MDR, I am wondering if we might as well just get our special meal there, and save a bit of money too. I would appreciate thoughts from people who have experienced both.

 

We have a 7-year old and if we can get a comparable meal in the MDR, where they are more accustomed to kids, and have a kids menu, I think that might be a good option.

[lmarie83]

With the steakhouse options in the mdr you won't get the steak house apps or dessert. We got mdr selections comped by the casino otherwise we wouldn't have done it. If I was going to spend the money I would prefer to splurge for a special occasion to have the full steakhouse experience.

[springs741]

The entrée is a steakhouse item. There are no yummy garlic mashed potatoes or super tasty spinach salad or Chocolate sampler for dessert. OMG, I am hungry now.

 

To OP with a seven year old you might want to think about just taking advantage of the steakhouse selection. The steakhouse experience is nearly three hours and not much there to keep a youngster amused. And your seven year old would have to order off the adult menu. I do understand that some children that age do have a more sophisticated palate but for my money ($35) I would save the cash.

[maritaysa]

We went to the Steakhouse before we had kids, and loved it. We now have a 4 & 1 year old, and will opt for the MDR Steakhouse Selections, but will certainly miss everything else that we would normally get in the Steakhouse. The appetizers and desserts are yummy. When we sail next year when our youngest is 2, we will bring our kids to Camp Carnival, and enjoy the Steakhouse just DH and I.

[IMSAILING]

I didn't realize this was an option now - I really like this idea. We always go to the steakhouse as well as the Italian restaurant - but sometimes I don't feel like a huge meal the same night as my hubby so this is best if both worlds :)

[AlycLiz]

For what it's worth, on our last cruise we took both of our kids - ages 6 and 7 at the time, and they did just fine.

 

When my husband and I have the option of the steakhouse (our last few cruises have been on the Fascination) we always have one dinner there. It's completely worth it to us.

[edinboro cruiser]

I've eaten in the steakhouse and had the entrees in the mdr. I don't plan on going to the steakhouse again, I'll just get what I want in the dining room

[snorkelgirlca]

The steak house options in the MDR on the liberty two weeks ago were three choices. Lobster one steak and pork chops. The steakhouse itself had at least four different steaks fresh fish and lobster. And you don't get the sauses from the steakhouse either. I probably would not have ordered it in the MDR except the casino paid. And we ate in the steakhouse one night too. Took about two hours and was empty. I used to take my boys out to teach them how to behave in restaurants. If you go early the steakhouse is empty so even if they get rambunctious there won't be anyone annoyed.

 

And even if they get annoyed so what. Kids don't learn unless you expose them to different situations.

[cb at sea]

It's not "comparable",..just more costly.

 

If you want the "Steakhouse" experience...go to the Steakhouse!

[talkorpi]

The steak house options in the MDR on the liberty two weeks ago were three choices. Lobster one steak and pork chops. The steakhouse itself had at least four different steaks fresh fish and lobster. And you don't get the sauses from the steakhouse either. I probably would not have ordered it in the MDR except the casino paid. And we ate in the steakhouse one night too. Took about two hours and was empty. I used to take my boys out to teach them how to behave in restaurants. If you go early the steakhouse is empty so even if they get rambunctious there won't be anyone annoyed.

 

 

 

And even if they get annoyed so what. Kids don't learn unless you expose them to different situations.

 

 

Is lobster in the dining room still free on formal night? Like OP, I will have a birthday cruiser, and I am contemplating a steakhouse visit (never been) or just MDR.

[snorkelgirlca]

Is lobster in the dining room still free on formal night? Like OP, I will have a birthday cruiser, and I am contemplating a steakhouse visit (never been) or just MDR.

 

Yes it is but it is nothing like the lobster at the steakhouse lobster which was awesome

[ldlewis45]

It would be hard for me to substitute the MDR "steakhouse" steak for the actual steakhouse. For one, you only get the entrée, not any of the steakhouse sides. The wasabi mashed potatoes and the creamed spinach are to die for, and would be worth the price difference just by themselves (IMO). The French onion soup in the steakhouse is also exponentially better than the mediocre stuff the MDR menu calls French onion soup. The marinated portabella mushroom is so good (and again, better than the one in the MDR)! And the rosemary focaccia that is served in the steakhouse can't be missed! I could seriously just eat that and be satisfied. I'm usually too stuffed to enjoy dessert very much, but the ice cream is quite tasty, and I usually get a very small scoop of each of the three available flavors.

 

Now, if I were already eating in the MDR, and the choice was between one of the "steakhouse" steaks and the horrid flatiron steak that's on the regular menu, that's a no-brainer: "steakhouse" steak all the way. But usually, there's other stuff on the menu that I would prefer (the Indian vegetarian entrée is usually very good, or I'd get an assortment of soups and appetizers), and I'd save the yummy steak for the steakhouse.

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

It wasn't until my 25th cruise with Carnival that I went to the Steakhouse (it was a gift from the casino host). It was so good that we booked another night on that cruise. If I were you I would book the Steakhouse the $35.00 dollars is well worth it!!!!

[MrMileStoner]

You can always pick up some tasty desserts at the coffee shop for a lot less than the $15 difference and bring to dinner in the MDR. Want a special appetizer? Pick up something from the Taste Bar.

[crusinpsychRN]

The Caesar salad in MDR is better than the giant chunk of Romaine served in the Steakhouse. I didn't get any sauces in SH, couldn't get waited on, couldn't get water refilled. My steak was an unknown cut that was tough. This was on Pride in March.

[katiel53]

We have gone to the Steakhouse on every cruise that has a Steakhouse. My husband was a very small eater, so if I wanted the Steakhouse quality meat I would be able to get that in the MDR. I didn't do that as I love the ambience in the Steakhouse, the apps are great, the sides and sauces aren't available in the MDR.

 

I read on another thread that the meat is a cut from the Steakhouse, but it is not cooked there. It is cooked in the MDR kitchen so the seasonings aren't the same either. Having said that, if I really couldn't find anything I liked on the menu, rather than eat meatloaf on the old menu or something I really didn't want, I'd spring for the Steakhouse selection in the MDR. I would still go to the actual Steakhouse once though.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I think the biggest advantage of this is to enjoy upgraded entrees in the MDR on ships which don't have a steakhouse. When we sail on a ship with a steakhouse, that's where we dine each evening.

 

We were on the Inspiration (early 2011) for Sixthman's VH1 Best Cruise Ever II. It happened to be one of the select ships which were (back then) trying out the same concept. Here's the menu we enjoyed:

 

 

From what I've read about the new steakhouse (in MDR) options, they've switched out the "Grilled Prime Rib Chop" (aka: Ribeye) with a New York Strip steak.

 

Does anyone have an image of the new menu? Does it still include the same sides as in 2011 (noted in the above image)?

 

Throwing around the possibility of a weekend Sensation sailing in the next couple of months, and was just curious !

 

Tom

[MrMileStoner]

[Rottweiler Puppy]

I think its an awesome idea. Its a $20 steak at best anyway.

 

I plan on having a few on my Splendor cruise if they offer it.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

 

Wait, they charge $20 for that? lol

 

I guess I wil still give it a try but that isnt a very motivating picture. Where is Zydie/Sarge at these days anyhow?

Edited May 10, 2015 by Rottweiler Puppy

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Wait, they charge $20 for that? lol

 

I guess I wil still give it a try but that isnt a very motivating picture. Where is Zydie/Sarge at these days anyhow?

 

That photo does not resemble the (thick cut) NY Strip which I enjoyed in the steakhouse on the Conquest last month. Perhaps it's just the angle, but I don't think so.

 

Tom

[MrMileStoner]

The standard (included) steak

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

The standard (included) steak

 

Not much difference. I hope at least it's actually PRIME. Perhaps they can do a "showing" of the steaks beforehand as they do in the steakhouse. ;)

 

Tom

[MrMileStoner]

Not much difference. I hope at least it's actually PRIME. Perhaps they can do a "showing" of the steaks beforehand as they do in the steakhouse. ;)

 

Tom

 

Looks can be deceiving. The difference in the quality of beef is very noticeable.

[eponym]

I can't imagine many people wanting to run all over the ship to piece together a complete and high quality dinner. Dashing for appetizers at one place, running to MDR for a $20 partial steakhouse meal, dashing off to the pay for dessert offerings in another area.

 

Some may suggest that, but I question the drive/motivation to suggest such a whirlwind approach to achieve a high quality experience. But, it has been suggested.

 

I am speaking about dinner, and steakhouse versus MDR solutions, not lunches.

Edited May 11, 2015 by eponym