Serenade of the Seas- Poor Food Quality

[travelmonkey]

Anyone else express their issue with the food on a  RCL ship to management? We love the itinerary but can't do another year of poor quality food.

This is the letter I sent to corporate.

 

     I just returned from the Serenade of The Seas holiday/New Year Cruise(December 21,2018). I really wanted to express the disappointment  we had with the food aboard this sailing.  Due to the experience last year we booked 5 nights in the specialty restaurant for a fee to avoid the dining room. That left us with 7 nights in main dining. The first night we never got our meals which made it a challenge of keeping an open mind to this years experience. We were moved to a new section with an outstanding waiter the next night. Unfortunately,the menu wasn't that good. We then started to eat in the specialty dining on a nightly basis to avoid the main dining room selection. Our experience there was great but you should not have to pay nightly to get edible food in my opinion. New Year's Eve was pretty comical when the dining room manager was happy to see us and wanted to guarantee that our experience was top notch. Unfortunately he served frozen appetizers and unappealing entrees. Then he proceeded to bring the chef to our table when I specifically told him the day before not to. I was embarrassed and horrified as they approached the table. Really, what is he going to do for me on the last 2 days of the cruise. I had met the chef last year and was told by corporate that the reason the food wasn't up to par was due to the change in venders. I am really disappointed with how RCCL declined in the food department. The Windjammer was full of breaded burgers, poor quality food, tons of stews, and a less then appetizing salad bar. On a positive not the salad bar in the dining room was outstanding for lunch. I have taken 18 holiday cruises and due to this experience we did not book for next year. We did look into booking the same room next year with the cruise specialist but the thought of another ten days of eating this quality food turns my stomach. I hope this becomes a learning tool for corporate to acknowledge that people do care about quality not quantity. I would like praise all the staff on the Serenade. They work very hard keeping a positive attitude and catering to the needs of their guest.

 

Waiting for a response.

[Arzeena]

We were on in October/November. I understand food is very subjective. We had no problem with the food. We thought it was very good in taste and there was  good variety.

Good luck, hope they give you a poistive response.

[Brit-Cruiser]

We were on the 2 cruises before yours & we thought the food was very good overall. Some dishes didn't appeal to us, but that's just me being a picky eater. We have had some truly awful food on Royal ships, but really enjoyed Serenade. 

Sorry to hear your experience wasn't what you had hoped for. 

[FirstTeacher]

My sister and I sailed on the Serenade in September, and we had a lovely experience in the main dining room. While I occasionally repeated a meal from a previous evening, that’s due to my being an unadventurous eater. My sister, on the other hand, ordered something different every night, and other than one fish that was oilier than she’d like she enjoyed every meal.  I guess it comes down to the fact that food tastes are very subjective. 

[YlangYlangF9PB3E]

Just finished a cruise on Jewel. Was hoping the food would be as good as our transatlantic on Serenade last April.  Something is going on with quality and variety since that sailing. I’ve been on 3 Royal cruises since April’s Serenade, and was hoping her sister ship would offer the same great taste and choices. Whoa, big changes on all Royal’s menus, quality and variety.  However, same great crew who all do their very best to please. 

[tallnthensome]

They WANT you to spend more money on specialty dining ...... and you're doing it. Mission accomplished for Royal. Only wau to beat that game is not to sail with Royal ...... Don't give them more money because you don't like the food. 

[ONECRUISER]

Nope, been sailing on Royal 30yrs, was on Serenade for 33nites Oct/Nov 2018 and I never went hungry. After 200nites on Serenade If anything WindJammer has better choices, presentation and taste then years past...

[cb at sea]

They are marketing to NEW cruisers who don't know what they're missing.  You are beating a dead dog.

 

[wytygr8]

Just finished a 9 day on Jewel, and the food was terrible. This was the third cruise for my wife and I, previously having been on 2 different Carnival cruises in 2018 and 2017, and the drop in quality for this cruise was huge and tremendously disappointing. We won’t be going back to Royal again anytime soon. Good food is just so much more important than any amount of entertainment.

 

I didn’t complain to anyone directly, but I did completely bash the food (but not the service) on the survey the sent me on Tuesday. 

[ajp_99]

We were on Serenade in October and overall we enjoyed the food. Sure there was a few dishes here and there we did not love but overall we were very happy with the food!

[frank808]

On Serenade now and wife and I had a good meal in MDR last night.  Food was hot and tasty but I know food is subjective.  Sorry that you experienced cold appetizers but rest assured my French onion soup was steaming last night.  

[papaflamingo]

13 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

They WANT you to spend more money on specialty dining ...... and you're doing it. Mission accomplished for Royal. Only wau to beat that game is not to sail with Royal ...... Don't give them more money because you don't like the food. 

I was wondering when the "conspiracy theorists" would pipe in.  Seriously?  You really believe that poor food in the MDR is a "ploy" to make you  pay for specialty dining?  Ok then.  

Food is subjective.  I've done 26 Royal Caribbean cruises and have always found something in the MDR that I like. Somethings are very good, some things I don't order.  But never had a problem.  Cruising in March.  I guess I'll see if they changed the food suppliers enough to make a difference.  

 

[tallnthensome]

20 minutes ago, papaflamingo said:

I was wondering when the "conspiracy theorists" would pipe in.  Seriously?  You really believe that poor food in the MDR is a "ploy" to make you  pay for specialty dining?  Ok then.  

 

 

What more proof do you need? Every cruise line is pushing specialty dining. Lessening MDR food quality has been happing cruise industry wide over the last few years. The lines are after profits. They need give people reasons to leave the MDR and spend money on specialty dining? Do you think it's by making the complimentary MDR food better than the specialty dining? No..... Its by reducing the quality and selection in the MDR's. Many lines don't even serve Lobster, filet, or chateubriand in the MDR anymore.  You have to pay for it now but in your opinion it's just a coincidence. Come on man ......

Edited February 3, 2019 by tallnthensome

[teacherman]

IMO, those people who "complain" about the food and service on a cruise ship must have an absolutely wonderful home life.  If you do not like the taste of something, then order something else.  If you don't like any of it, then choose another form of travel.

[frank808]

2 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

What more proof do you need? Every cruise line is pushing specialty dining. Lessening MDR food quality has been happing cruise industry wide over the last few years. The lines are after profits. They need give people reasons to leave the MDR and spend money on specialty dining? Do you think it's by making the complimentary MDR food better than the specialty dining? No..... Its by reducing the quality and selection in the MDR's. Many lines don't even serve Lobster, filet, or chateubriand in the MDR anymore.  You have to pay for it now but in your opinion it's just a coincidence. Come on man ......

Tenderloin was served last night and lobster will be served on night 9 of this sailing in serenade mdr.

[ONECRUISER]

3 hours ago, papaflamingo said:

I was wondering when the "conspiracy theorists" would pipe in.  Seriously?  You really believe that poor food in the MDR is a "ploy" to make you  pay for specialty dining?  Ok then.  

Food is subjective.  I've done 26 Royal Caribbean cruises and have always found something in the MDR that I like. Somethings are very good, some things I don't order.  But never had a problem.  Cruising in March.  I guess I'll see if they changed the food suppliers enough to make a difference.  

 

Agree, intentionally serve less taste food so people will so to Premium Rest is way out there. As I said earlier sail on Serenade all the time in last 5yrs and if anything Food is better. Presentation has improved as in WJ they been serving full size desserts most nites not the tiny size ones in the past. Also whole roast pigs served at lunch time. 

[andrew2346]

Never fun to be disappointed by any part of your vacation.  You sound like a foodie.  Given that you have taken the time to speak to the chef you take your food seriously.  MDR food is wedding banquet food.  I don't consider myself a foodie and realize that.  If I was thinking of taking a cruise where food would be a highlight it certainly would not be RCL.  I would be suprised if you got more than a canned response.  It doesn't sound like you are their target market anymore.  

[cruisinfanatic]

On 2/2/2019 at 11:26 AM, travelmonkey said:

Anyone else express their issue with the food on a  RCL ship to management? We love the itinerary but can't do another year of poor quality food.

 

Just off Serenade 10 night 2 weeks ago and the food was delicious in the dining room every night. I'm the absolute pickiest eater in the family and had no problem with a thing I ordered.  Only a couple selections were sent back between four of us in the 10 nights

Windjammer is the windjammer and that's another story for me, but my wife loves Asian food and liked very much on this cruise.

From your letter, it sounds like you only went to the main dining room once and declaired that it was up to your standards. So you can't review based on one night!!!

The chef doesn't come out for simply saying you don't like something and would like to try another selection. You surely said and complained plenty more.

You obviously don't like Royals food. Change lines, stop cruising, or lower your elevated standards

Edited February 3, 2019 by cruisinfanatic

[cruisinfanatic]

30 minutes ago, cruisinfanatic said:

The OP obviously did not enjoy the prime rib, Rack of Lamb, etc because they didn't go to the dining room

 

Edited February 3, 2019 by cruisinfanatic

[watcher_62]

On board right now, so far food has been good. The push will always be fir the specialty restaurants, but overall still tasty and good variety.

[potsie57]

Just got off the Serenade.  The food was excellent in the Windjammer and MDR.  Plenty of choices and the service was top notch.

[time4u2go]

6 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

What more proof do you need? Every cruise line is pushing specialty dining. Lessening MDR food quality has been happing cruise industry wide over the last few years. The lines are after profits. They need give people reasons to leave the MDR and spend money on specialty dining? Do you think it's by making the complimentary MDR food better than the specialty dining? No..... Its by reducing the quality and selection in the MDR's. Many lines don't even serve Lobster, filet, or chateubriand in the MDR anymore.  You have to pay for it now but in your opinion it's just a coincidence. Come on man ......

I definitely agree.  They're in business to maximize their profits, and obviously driving customers to eat in the pay restaurants is one way to do that.

[A2Mich]

14 hours ago, papaflamingo said:

I was wondering when the "conspiracy theorists" would pipe in.  Seriously?  You really believe that poor food in the MDR is a "ploy" to make you  pay for specialty dining?  Ok then.  

Food is subjective.  I've done 26 Royal Caribbean cruises and have always found something in the MDR that I like. Somethings are very good, some things I don't order.  But never had a problem.  Cruising in March.  I guess I'll see if they changed the food suppliers enough to make a difference.  

 

So, it’s a conspiracy theory if it’s an opinion different than yours?  Why is it that most mass market cruise lines budget so little for food per person, if increasing their bottom line isn’t the end goal?

[cruzeluver]

Not really sure what the OP expects corporate to do with this letter due to a complete lack of details. What made the food poor quality? Just saying its bad is of no help.

[debgreg]

I would just like to say I am amazed how they can cook for so many people and make it so good, I have always found something I like and if not they will bring you something else, I'm just so happy I don't have to cook it :)