I Was Wrong

[Woodfaerie]

5 hours ago, dcwalker said:

I had a very "Love Boat" preconception. I expected open air buffets; people staying in their swimsuits all day, more crew than guests. I thought people lounged in the sun for awhile, then still in their swimsuits went to the casino to gamble a bit. I also had the wrong idea about the pools - thought I would swim a few laps every morning. I was totally unprepared and so didn't really have a very good time.  When we got home I told my husband I didn't care for cruising, but after some consideration realized I just needed a redo. I did my research for the next cruise; and now . . .  10 years later, 8 cruises later, 2 cruises currently booked . . .. 

addiction can creep in ever so slowly........

 

[cruizergal70]

9 hours ago, Steve551 said:

18 Carnival cruises and we've never eaten in the steakhouse....maybe next cruise.

Save your money. It Isn't that special.

[coevan]

The best $38 you will spend on a meal. You can not get a steak ala carte in any decent steakhouse for less than $38. The apps are outstanding. Always find it odd people make comments like above, not even a matter of taste or subjective, it's just very good. We go at least twice a week. Can you please explain what is not that special.

[schazzy]

1 hour ago, coevan said:

You can not get a steak ala carte in any decent steakhouse for less than $38.

 

I beg to differ, but then again, what I consider a decent steakhouse might be different that what you consider a decent steakhouse. 

 

1 hour ago, coevan said:

Always find it odd people make comments like above, not even a matter of taste or subjective, it's just very good.

 

Well, You are entitled to your opinion and you've made it very clear several times that you really enjoy Carnival's steakhouse and that's fine, but I disagree with that statement as our experience wasn't "very good".

 

It may have just been a bad night in the kitchen, but we were not impressed by the steakhouse last year, in fact after hearing so many people on here hype it up, it was really disappointing when it didn't live up to that hype.

 

I could go into details, but I'm not going to bore everyone with that again, my point is, just because you enjoy something, doesn't mean someone else has to as well and can't have a differing opinion.

 

You'd think, as a restaurateur, you'd know not every customer is going to love your food or decor, no matter what it is.

[bowlinmoe]

I agree with the steakhouses not really being worth it.    

[keywest1]

I went to prove I would not like cruising at all.  My DH and kids were wanting a family cruise, and I was totally opposed.  I get seasick even on ferries 🤢 and queasy and claustrophobic in tunnels, so I could picture a week of pure misery.  I was advised to take Bonine every night starting the night before boarding and to take an extra the morning of any day we would be tendering or in rough seas.  I have never felt the slightest queasiness during our cruises.

I also was sure we would not fit in at all, since we are non-drinkers and do not gamble.  I am an introvert and I hate crowds.  I was pleasantly surprised.  We have met lots of nice people onboard and also made friends through cruise forums.  I have something in common with fellow cruise addicts right off the bat so I feel at ease and come out of my shell.  I've never felt

judged and I hope I've never come across that way to anyone I've met onboard.

I'm really glad my notions were debunked 😁 

Slightly off topic, but I've found that the cruises really do book themselves!!!

[Joebucks]

I honestly had no idea what to expect, but here were some things I thought that I ended up being wrong about

 

- The food would be bottom of the barrel. 

 

- I would be bored, and there would be nothing to do

 

- I would want unlimited drinks all day, every day

 

- That it would not be enjoyable without a balcony room

 

2 hours ago, coevan said:

The best $38 you will spend on a meal. You can not get a steak ala carte in any decent steakhouse for less than $38. The apps are outstanding. Always find it odd people make comments like above, not even a matter of taste or subjective, it's just very good. We go at least twice a week. Can you please explain what is not that special.

 

I was beyond excited to try the steakhouse on my cruise two months ago. No one in our party of 4 was overly wowed, but a few people enjoyed a few things. We are far from food snobs. We enjoyed nearly everything we ate in the MDR. We even missed the MDR that night. Our MDR dining team was so much fun, and the Steakhouse was just dry. Definitely not what I was expecting.

 

The lobster bisque was disgusting as it tried too hard to be fancy. My steak was good, but at no point did it scream out to me that it was the best $38 I spend on a meal. To be fair, I ordered the Wagyu flat iron, and very likely would have preferred a Ribeye or surf and turf. Also to be fair, I rarely am wowed by fancy steak restaurants. I love steak too. I will definitely give it another chance.

 

Edited April 5, 2019 by Joebucks

[coevan]

2 hours ago, schazzy said:

I beg to differ, but then again, what I consider a decent steakhouse might be different that what you consider a decent steakhouse. 

 

 

Give me your top 2

[MommytoAsquared]

2 hours ago, keywest1 said:

I went to prove I would not like cruising at all.  My DH and kids were wanting a family cruise, and I was totally opposed.  I get seasick even on ferries 🤢 and queasy and claustrophobic in tunnels, so I could picture a week of pure misery.  I was advised to take Bonine every night starting the night before boarding and to take an extra the morning of any day we would be tendering or in rough seas.  I have never felt the slightest queasiness during our cruises.

I also was sure we would not fit in at all, since we are non-drinkers and do not gamble.  I am an introvert and I hate crowds.  I was pleasantly surprised.  We have met lots of nice people onboard and also made friends through cruise forums.  I have something in common with fellow cruise addicts right off the bat so I feel at ease and come out of my shell.  I've never felt

judged and I hope I've never come across that way to anyone I've met onboard.

I'm really glad my notions were debunked 😁 

Slightly off topic, but I've found that the cruises really do book themselves!!!

 

My husband could have written this post!  But unlike you, he has still never cruised.  We go every year as a three generational girls trip.  Hubs stays home and watches the dogs 😃

[schazzy]

13 minutes ago, coevan said:

 

 

Give me your top 2

 

Well, for a normal meal out, Texas Roadhouse, which I know isn't a "high-end" steakhouse, but I've always gotten a very good steak dinner there. Their bone-in ribeye is awesome.

 

For a special occasion, there's a local place over in Columbia called the Blue Marlin that specializes in seafood, but they have a to die for black & blue NY strip. It is my favorite "fancy" restaurant and it is much better in my opinion than the Carnival steakhouse.

 

We are not food snobs, but when paying at the time $35 for an enhanced experience, I expected it better than the MDR that's included in my fare and where I have had a very good strip steak for only $20 that was cooked to the desired temperature. Like I said, the kitchen may have been having an off night, and maybe it's better than what we experienced, but my current opinion of it is not very good.

 

To keep it on topic, it one thing on a cruise that my perception was wrong. 

 

 

[Organized Chaos]

45 minutes ago, schazzy said:

 

Well, for a normal meal out, Texas Roadhouse, which I know isn't a "high-end" steakhouse, but I've always gotten a very good steak dinner there. Their bone-in ribeye is awesome.

 

For a special occasion, there's a local place over in Columbia called the Blue Marlin that specializes in seafood, but they have a to die for black & blue NY strip. It is my favorite "fancy" restaurant and it is much better in my opinion than the Carnival steakhouse.

 

We are not food snobs, but when paying at the time $35 for an enhanced experience, I expected it better than the MDR that's included in my fare and where I have had a very good strip steak for only $20 that was cooked to the desired temperature. Like I said, the kitchen may have been having an off night, and maybe it's better than what we experienced, but my current opinion of it is not very good.

 

To keep it on topic, it one thing on a cruise that my perception was wrong. 

 

 

 

You don't have to justify the meals you consider to be quality. Not to a restaurateur or anyone. What someone considers to be a good steak is most certainly subjective and for the average person, it isn't hard to find one under $38.

 

I think the flat iron steak in the MDR is great. And the filet mignon at sea day brunch even more so.

[schazzy]

1 hour ago, Organized Chaos said:

You don't have to justify the meals you consider to be quality. Not to a restaurateur or anyone. What someone considers to be a good steak is most certainly subjective and for the average person, it isn't hard to find one under $38.

 

Thank you.

 

1 hour ago, Organized Chaos said:

I think the flat iron steak in the MDR is great. And the filet mignon at sea day brunch even more so.

 

I do too, I even had a flat iron from the buffet that was tender enough to cut with a butter knife and it was very flavorful. And I haven't had much else off the brunch menu because I almost always get the steak and eggs, so good!

[coevan]

1 hour ago, Organized Chaos said:

Well, for a normal meal out, Texas Roadhouse

 

 

I rest my case. 

 

 

3 minutes ago, schazzy said:

What someone considers to be a good steak is most certainly subjective

 

 

No it's not, either it's marbled and tender or it's not and tougher. There is a huge difference between a select cut and a Prime cut. The only thing subjective is seasoning. If you put A-1 or Heinz 57 on your steak.........

[Chervil]

21 hours ago, Steve551 said:

18 Carnival cruises and we've never eaten in the steakhouse....maybe next cruise.

We ate in the steakhouse for the first time on our last cruise.
The food was definitely a better quality although we didn't try the onion soup.

If you are on a 7 night cruise, I suggest booking the first night (embarkation) since they give you either a free bottle of house wine or 50% off any bottle on the list.
We liked the house wine and got that free but then they also still gave us 50% off of two other bottles.
We did this specifically because they said any bottle you bought that night, if you didn't finish it they would store it for you and you could request the bottle any other night in the MDR.

[schazzy]

1 hour ago, coevan said:

 

 

I rest my case. 

 

 

 

 

No it's not, either it's marbled and tender or it's not and tougher. There is a huge difference between a select cut and a Prime cut. The only thing subjective is seasoning. If you put A-1 or Heinz 57 on your steak.........

 

There's also a huge difference in a poorly prepared, previously frozen steak and a well prepared, fresh steak. 

[cruise_mojo]

wellll we sometimes hit the steakhouse, on carnival rarely but sometimes my wife usually will get the filet I can't actually recall what I got the last time in a carnival steakhouse but maybe a ny strip or lamb chops it they had them worth it on liberty service was slow slow on valor though but the food was good and on pride we  skipped it last time and the first time it was OK 

 

on royal definitely lamb chops for me and the filet for my wife worth it! every time...

 

years ago on NCL surf and turf in the bistro and for sure IT WAS WORTH IT! dittos!

 

Chef's table much more expensive, worth it? one time sure but come hungry and don't eat much for lunch!   if you taste something you don't like don't make yourself eat it cause there's plenty more tiny courses coming...

[Organized Chaos]

4 hours ago, coevan said:

I rest my case. 

 

 

No it's not, either it's marbled and tender or it's not and tougher. There is a huge difference between a select cut and a Prime cut. The only thing subjective is seasoning. If you put A-1 or Heinz 57 on your steak.........

 

First, if you're going to quote more than one person, the least you could do is match the right quote to the right person. Your position in the food industry means nothing to me. I do not value your opinion about food any more than someone who isn't a "restaurateur." 🙄 If someone thinks a steak at Texas Roadhouse is good, it's not your place to say otherwise. Let it go.

[Organized Chaos]

I'd say one of the biggest preconceived notions about cruising is that it isn't affordable for the average person. While we can, and often have, taken land-based vacations for a lot cheaper, you get a lot of bang for your buck with cruise. A room, more food than you can eat, onboard entertainment of all kinds, and a ride to multiple vacation destinations. Booking well in advance not only helps get a cheaper rate, but also lets you save up for the cruise.