Clarea Posted June 2, 2018 #126 Share Posted June 2, 2018 There's also talk of slow service, how long does service in the MDR usually take? Whole dinner service? (We're first time RCI cruisers.) With the new menus and a party of two in My Time, 60 minutes has been the norm for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinders411 Posted June 2, 2018 #127 Share Posted June 2, 2018 When we first began cruising in 2010 the food on Carnival was really pretty good. Over the years it seems the quality has gone down a bit. Currently, I think the food in the buffet and main dining room is about the same on RCI and Carnival. Guy's Burgers are better than RCI hamburgers however, I prefer RCI's fries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Dazzles Posted June 2, 2018 #128 Share Posted June 2, 2018 There's also talk of slow service, how long does service in the MDR usually take? Whole dinner service? (We're first time RCI cruisers.) Dinner in the MDR is usually around 1-1/2 hours. This is for a table of perhaps 6-10 people who are enjoying a full dinner, e.g appetizer, soup, salad, entrée, dessert, coffee. The staff will serve each course and try to keep it so that everyone gets their entrée at the same time even if you are not having one of the courses. It's meant to be a leisurely dinner with ample time for conversation. If you want something quicker you can go to the buffet (Windjammer). You can also still eat in the MDR, but it's better to request a 2-person table and let the waiters know you want a speedy meal. You will have requested traditional dining or My Time Dining when making your cruise booking. Traditional dining means the two standard dining times; early or late with the same table each evening. My Time you can just show up, or make a specific time reservation each evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnival03 Posted June 2, 2018 Author #129 Share Posted June 2, 2018 MDR dinner consistently takes 90-120 minutes on any ship. It's for people who enjoy lingering over dinner on vacation. If you need to be out in an hour or less, visit the Windjammer. With the new menus and a party of two in My Time, 60 minutes has been the norm for us. Thanks for the insight. It will help me plan for evening entertainment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnival03 Posted June 2, 2018 Author #130 Share Posted June 2, 2018 Dinner in the MDR is usually around 1-1/2 hours. This is for a table of perhaps 6-10 people who are enjoying a full dinner, e.g appetizer, soup, salad, entrée, dessert, coffee. The staff will serve each course and try to keep it so that everyone gets their entrée at the same time even if you are not having one of the courses. It's meant to be a leisurely dinner with ample time for conversation. If you want something quicker you can go to the buffet (Windjammer). You can also still eat in the MDR, but it's better to request a 2-person table and let the waiters know you want a speedy meal. You will have requested traditional dining or My Time Dining when making your cruise booking. Traditional dining means the two standard dining times; early or late with the same table each evening. My Time you can just show up, or make a specific time reservation each evening. Thanks for the insight. We'll be doing My Time and have three in our party. I'm trying to gather everyone's experience with service time, this way I can better plan for evening entertainment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted June 2, 2018 #131 Share Posted June 2, 2018 Thanks for the insight. It will help me plan for evening entertainment. Also, it's a good idea to let your waiter know about any time contraints. They will do their best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnival03 Posted June 2, 2018 Author #132 Share Posted June 2, 2018 Also, it's a good idea to let your waiter know about any time contraints. They will do their best. That's what I've heard. I'm allowing 1 hour and 45 mins. for dinner, so I'm hoping we'll be okay. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACE Posted June 2, 2018 #133 Share Posted June 2, 2018 With the new menus and a party of two in My Time, 60 minutes has been the norm for us. I agree and experienced the same on our Adventure of the Seas 4/28/18 Cruise, we had a table of two (#176 Deck 3), My Time Dinning. 60 Minutes was perfect, we both felt we weren't being rushed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACE Posted June 2, 2018 #134 Share Posted June 2, 2018 For the authentic old-time "sailing" experience, guests shall also be served salt tack and ship's biscuit -- weevils will be an extra upcharge (for the protein). For dessert, if you've been good, roly-poly and spotted dick* will be served.-- * both of these are puddings. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! :D Love it! And you only get to enjoy the salt tack and ship's biscuits, once you stand @ Inspection Formation outside the MDR, to ensure no one is wearing shorts, T-Shirts, Sandals, and for those in the Suites, Bathrobes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Babe Posted June 3, 2018 #135 Share Posted June 3, 2018 Nothing like a delicious MRE. Loved the dried out cake and canned peaches mixed together, yum! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnival03 Posted June 3, 2018 Author #136 Share Posted June 3, 2018 Question: Does RC serve lobster on formal nights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted June 3, 2018 #137 Share Posted June 3, 2018 Question: Does RC serve lobster on formal nights? RC typically serves lobster once per cruise, on those cruises based out of the US that are 5-days or longer. On 7-day cruises, this usually happens on the second formal night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellaleah Posted June 3, 2018 #138 Share Posted June 3, 2018 Just off Ovation in Asia on 5/25. 9 nights. 2 formal nights. No lobster. No special menu in anyway. Bad food! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuvraj Posted June 3, 2018 #139 Share Posted June 3, 2018 I allow a minimum of 1 hour for dinner in the MDR. If I don't want a long drawn out dinner then : I avoid large tables. Skip desert and coffee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnival03 Posted June 3, 2018 Author #140 Share Posted June 3, 2018 RC typically serves lobster once per cruise, on those cruises based out of the US that are 5-days or longer. On 7-day cruises, this usually happens on the second formal night. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow8800 Posted June 3, 2018 #141 Share Posted June 3, 2018 We had 4 in our party and had my time dining. We did not make reservations and arrived for dinner between 5:30 and 6:15 and never had to wait. Dinner with dessert took an average of 1 1/2 hours. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnival03 Posted June 4, 2018 Author #142 Share Posted June 4, 2018 We had 4 in our party and had my time dining. We did not make reservations and arrived for dinner between 5:30 and 6:15 and never had to wait. Dinner with dessert took an average of 1 1/2 hours. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Forums mobile app Thanks for the info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davekathy Posted June 4, 2018 #143 Share Posted June 4, 2018 We enjoy breakfast and the evening meals in the MDR. We always like what we select. We like the tutti salad in the MDR on sea days in the MDR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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