Can we STOP complaining about the MDR food?

[summersigh]

Having sailed CCL in Jan and May of 2016 and HAL in Dec 2016 we found we prefer the menu on CCL to that of HAL.

Better variety and more down to earth on CCL whereas HAL tried too hard to be "very gourmet" but IMHO stumbling in that venture.

[Sitzmark]

If you received bad service then yes, you should complain about it- onboard, where it matters. If your food was served cold then yes, you should complain about it- onboard, where it matters.

 

I will likely not complain to the server if my food is served cold in the main dining room on a ship, my opinion will be apparent when I leave the food on the table and move on. I will feel free however to note it on the comment card, in the survey and in any conversation I have following the experience.

[Qchell]

AH, see? That food that has been moved to the steakhouse was once served in the MDR and was part of your fare.

 

When was the MDR food the same quality as what they serve in the steakhouse? I've only been cruising for 6 years and while I have no issues with the food in the MDR, the steakhouse is a definite step up from the MDR.

[ksmcdonald]

People have to keep in perspective that cruises now cost the same as they did 30 years ago! I found my receipt for our Holiday 7 day cruise honeymoon back in 1988. $799.00 for a balcony out of Miami. I have a 7 day on NCL Breakaway in two weeks for $799 base fare balcony. People have to realize that the price just covers the cost, cruise lines make most of their money off alcohol, casino, excursions and specialty dining. You can't expect the price to stay the same for 30 years and still get top quality cuts of meat and more expensive food options. Something has to go to keep the prices the same. They are trying to keep the price affordable. By all rights, with inflation, the price of cruises should of at least doubled in thirty years. Imagine what kind of good food we could have if we were willing to pay $1600 pp for a cruise!

[ksmcdonald]

When was the MDR food the same quality as what they serve in the steakhouse? I've only been cruising for 6 years and while I have no issues with the food in the MDR, the steakhouse is a definite step up from the MDR.

 

 

About 25-30 years ago the main dinning room was all they had, no specialty dining and the steaks were top of the line!

[Micahs Grandad]

About 25-30 years ago the main dinning room was all they had, no specialty dining and the steaks were top of the line!

 

15 20 years ago it was still the same and you had the same table for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the DR.

 

Cruiselines found out less crew if you moved staff up to lido and people would pay extra for same food they used to get in the DR.

[krehberg]

15 20 years ago it was still the same and you had the same table for breakfast' date=' lunch and dinner in the DR.

 

Cruiselines found out less crew if you moved staff up to lido and people would pay extra for same food they used to get in the DR.[/quote']

 

1) You can still go to MDR for breakfast (though not same table)

2) With bigger ships and more people to serve at once, but with very little cost increase, no doubt some compromises have been made...portion size being one (though once I go through an app, salad, entree and dessert, I'm glad I waste less cause I'm stuffed)

3) They never served comparable steaks to the Steakhouse in the MDR. They might have had NY Strip and Filet, but they weren't prime...very noticeable difference between Choice and Prime meats. Choice is good stuff...its what we get at supermarket, etc. If the upcharge to get prime isn't worth it for you...so be it, but it is not the same that used to be served in the MDR. Maybe the lobster is..but I don't go to the Steakhouse for lobster.

 

In the old days...there were fewer ships with fewer berths each. Cruising was more exclusive. Exclusivity has its perks. These days...not so much. You can still get all that - Crystal, Seaborn, Windstar, etc. You pay for it, but most likely not much more than the inflation adjust cost of cruising 30 years ago.

[Emptynesternow]

Many cruises later....I will never starve on a cruise....now that being said, this American Table Menu is what everyone complains about. The old menu was far better. My husband and I are not picky...we will try lots of things, however, we were not pleased with this new menu either. Did it ruin our cruise ...no. You can always order something else if what you get is not to your liking.

[Computer Nerd]

No. We can't. Because once we accept lower quality, then we have given up.

Once we accept lower quality, Carnival will lower the quality yet again.

Once we accept lower quality, then the standards will never rise.

 

Do not accept. Complain about the food. Complain about the lack of tablecloths. Complain about cold entrees Complain about the lack of service. Be heard.

 

I will not be complacent with my money. :)

 

You sound like the protesters I see on TV. If you don't like the quality of the food on Carnival, sail somewhere else or don't sail at all. Not everyone wants to hear your complaining. :rolleyes:

 

BTW, if you keep sailing a line that you obviously do not like you are exactly being complacent with your money. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Computer Nerd]

I never will understand this attitude. This sets the bar so low as to be ridiculous.

 

Just as I will never understand those that set the bar so high that they will never be happy or satisfied yet keep going back to the same line over and over again. You're not sailing first class on the Titanic and you're not paying that amount of money either.

[Computer Nerd]

Since it seemingly used to be much better, apparently they are capable of better. Why settle for less? I don't get it.

 

Would you pay double for slightly better food? Most people are rational enough not to.

[Computer Nerd]

We used to have a vending machine at work that would dispense fruit, hamburgers, sandwiches or salads. It was cheap and there was nothing to clean up. We called it the wheel of death and eventually it was removed because it was disgusting. Now we have a cafeteria with a deli, a grill and an entrée station that varies. It isn't the best in the world but it's a big step up from the wheel and we still don't have to clean up after ourselves.

 

And you either currently pay more than you paid to the vending machine or the vending machine was vastly overcharging you.

[Computer Nerd]

I didnt have a problem with ANY of the food on Carnival. I found it all to be better than what i was use to on Royal Caribbean lately in every aspect and thats the only two cruise lines I have to judge by. Including the steakhouse. If you think Carnivals steakhouses are overrated dont ever waste 39.00 on Chops on RC! Ive had better steaks at the Sizzler!

 

It's $42 on RCCL now. :o

[Computer Nerd]

Can you recommend a cruise line with better food that is somewhat more expensive? I honestly saw a menu that had NO entrees that appealed to me except the ones that are extra. Sure, you can pay $35 pp per night to go to the steakhouse. That is $490 more. I'd rather pay more for the cruise to begin with than get nickeled and dimed to death once on it.

 

Oceania, Regent, Crystal.

[Computer Nerd]

I will likely not complain to the server if my food is served cold in the main dining room on a ship, my opinion will be apparent when I leave the food on the table and move on. I will feel free however to note it on the comment card, in the survey and in any conversation I have following the experience.

 

So, if the food you are served isn't too the temperature you like, your server is supposed to read your mind and know that because you didn't touch something on your plate that it's too cold? Talk about setting a bar too high. :rolleyes:

[Micahs Grandad]

1) You can still go to MDR for breakfast (though not same table)

2) With bigger ships and more people to serve at once, but with very little cost increase, no doubt some compromises have been made...portion size being one (though once I go through an app, salad, entree and dessert, I'm glad I waste less cause I'm stuffed)

3) They never served comparable steaks to the Steakhouse in the MDR. They might have had NY Strip and Filet, but they weren't prime...very noticeable difference between Choice and Prime meats. Choice is good stuff...its what we get at supermarket, etc. If the upcharge to get prime isn't worth it for you...so be it, but it is not the same that used to be served in the MDR. Maybe the lobster is..but I don't go to the Steakhouse for lobster.

 

In the old days...there were fewer ships with fewer berths each. Cruising was more exclusive. Exclusivity has its perks. These days...not so much. You can still get all that - Crystal, Seaborn, Windstar, etc. You pay for it, but most likely not much more than the inflation adjust cost of cruising 30 years ago.

 

We understand that and this is why most of our cruises lately have been on Princess. Somewhat more expensive but better food and we want to see the world.

[Jerseygirl1416]

I prefer the food overall on Carnival over RC and NCL. And I think Carnival's steak house is far better than the steak houses on RC and NCL.

[Thrilled2012]

I prefer the food overall on Carnival over RC and NCL. And I think Carnival's steak house is far better than the steak houses on RC and NCL.

 

I was definitely not fond of the steakhouse (Cagneys) on NCL. I don't have crazy high expectations (not expecting Ruth's Chris or Capitol Grille or anything) but I'm hoping that my first experience with Carnival's steakhouse next month will beat NCL!

[Sitzmark]

I was definitely not fond of the steakhouse (Cagneys) on NCL. I don't have crazy high expectations (not expecting Ruth's Chris or Capitol Grille or anything) but I'm hoping that my first experience with Carnival's steakhouse next month will beat NCL!

 

I've seen the steakhouse here compared to Ruth's Chris. But I've had a tough steak at the Capital Grille on 42nd too so you never know.

[Thrilled2012]

We understand that and this is why most of our cruises lately have been on Princess. Somewhat more expensive but better food and we want to see the world.

I'm also looking at Princess and other lines because of the lack of varied itineraries on Carnival. Their "journeys" cruises look nice and all but still don't have the vast itineraries that I'm looking for and there aren't enough of them to fit into my travel schedule unfortunately.

[Micahs Grandad]

I'm also looking at Princess and other lines because of the lack of varied itineraries on Carnival. Their "journeys" cruises look nice and all but still don't have the vast itineraries that I'm looking for and there aren't enough of them to fit into my travel schedule unfortunately.

 

We have been to the Caribbean many times and these days want to see the world.

 

Princess has many different itineraries around Europe and have been delighted with our experiences.

 

Their buffet is far superior to Carnivals in our opinion.

[ghrvty423]

I'm a real picky eater. I always found something good to eat. I am a happy customer. My only complaint is the bread in the basket was always hard on the Pride. But I am not supposed to eat bread anyway.

[Thorncroft]

We have been to the Caribbean many times and these days want to see the world.

 

Princess has many different itineraries around Europe and have been delighted with our experiences.

 

Their buffet is far superior to Carnivals in our opinion.

 

This is exactly the Carnival Corp. model. As you outgrow CCL, you move up their ladder of cruise lines to seek a different experience. Some people just never grow up. LOL. Good for you. :)

[johnny75]

Never mind the food in the Mdr is bad,

 

The service is now the worst !

 

There were too many cut to wait staff and kitchen servers.

 

The food never comes out of the kitchen in a timely manner AND never gets served until cold.

 

 

A terrible experience now, Too bad.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Micahs Grandad]

This is exactly the Carnival Corp. model. As you outgrow CCL, you move up their ladder of cruise lines to seek a different experience. Some people just never grow up. LOL. Good for you. :)

 

Just wish they would combine loyalty programs