leerathje Posted January 11, 2020 #1 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Has anyone recently had experience with Rudi's Sel de Mer on the Oosterdam? We are doing the Mexican Riviera, leaving on February 29. Thanks all! L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakridger Posted January 11, 2020 #2 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Yes, on the December 7, 2019 cruise. I had been to Sel de Mer once before on Oosterdam in 2018 and twice on Noordam in 2019 and all three visits were excellent! This last time was bad, really bad, as the kitchen did not prepare any of my three courses properly. I waited 20 minutes after being seated before being greeted by the waiters although the wine steward had already brought my wine so I wasn't bothered too much. I then told the assistant manager about the first course being dried out and crumbly (Fois Gras Torchon) and she conferred with the kitchen to remake it and it was good. The entree was incredibly salty and the lobster was the same small size as the main dining room serves on gala night. (The MDR lobster was delicious though) Previously the Sel de Mer lobster tail was much larger and excellent! The dessert soufflé was a thick gloppy mess and inedible! The manager Paul tried to write it off as just "not to my taste" but the previous three I had were wonderful and fluffy!!! His offer of a free after dinner drink had no value to me since I already had the beverage package. Huge Fail this time!!! That all said, I'm going to assume it was just somehow a really bad night for the kitchen and will definitely give Sel de Mer another try on my next cruise. The Pinnacle Grill dinner the previous week was great...same kitchen! Good luck and I hope you have as good a meal as my previous three! ~Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detroit70 Posted January 14, 2020 #3 Share Posted January 14, 2020 On 1/11/2020 at 12:40 AM, oakridger said: Yes, on the December 7, 2019 cruise. I had been to Sel de Mer once before on Oosterdam in 2018 and twice on Noordam in 2019 and all three visits were excellent! This last time was bad, really bad, as the kitchen did not prepare any of my three courses properly. I waited 20 minutes after being seated before being greeted by the waiters although the wine steward had already brought my wine so I wasn't bothered too much. I then told the assistant manager about the first course being dried out and crumbly (Fois Gras Torchon) and she conferred with the kitchen to remake it and it was good. The entree was incredibly salty and the lobster was the same small size as the main dining room serves on gala night. (The MDR lobster was delicious though) Previously the Sel de Mer lobster tail was much larger and excellent! The dessert soufflé was a thick gloppy mess and inedible! The manager Paul tried to write it off as just "not to my taste" but the previous three I had were wonderful and fluffy!!! His offer of a free after dinner drink had no value to me since I already had the beverage package. Huge Fail this time!!! That all said, I'm going to assume it was just somehow a really bad night for the kitchen and will definitely give Sel de Mer another try on my next cruise. The Pinnacle Grill dinner the previous week was great...same kitchen! Good luck and I hope you have as good a meal as my previous three! ~Nancy I was just about to book the Sel de Mer for my upcoming Eurodam cruise, boarding 1/26. Has anyone else had a recent experience with this dining option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted January 14, 2020 #4 Share Posted January 14, 2020 7 hours ago, detroit70 said: I was just about to book the Sel de Mer for my upcoming Eurodam cruise, boarding 1/26. Has anyone else had a recent experience with this dining option? We enjoyed our Sel de Mer dinners. Ours were on the Prinsendam and the quality was quite good. 🙂. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabinBoy2020 Posted January 14, 2020 #5 Share Posted January 14, 2020 I was on the Oosterdam last month and enjoyed dinner at Sel de Mer. It was a fun change from the regular Pinnacle Grill and MDR menus. I could have made a meal of the delicious appetizer (shown in pic) they brought out at the start of the meal. I enjoyed the tuna salad Nicoise and whole dover sole. The waitress was delightful. I agree with oakridger that the maitre'd was a bit officious. But overall this was a positive experience and I wouldn't hesitate to go again. Enjoy your cruise! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john2003 Posted January 22, 2020 #6 Share Posted January 22, 2020 How is it priced as a pop-up? Normally I believe it us a-la-carte. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leerathje Posted January 22, 2020 Author #7 Share Posted January 22, 2020 It is $49.00 US, PP with a set menu you order from. We have booked on our cruise leaving on the 29th. The pop-up is on the 3rd, when we are in Puerto Vallarta. L. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petronillus Posted January 22, 2020 #8 Share Posted January 22, 2020 10 hours ago, leerathje said: It is $49.00 US, PP with a set menu you order from. We have booked on our cruise leaving on the 29th. The pop-up is on the 3rd, when we are in Puerto Vallarta. L. This is great to hear. I remember the Sel de Mer display on the Koningsdam last February and at that time the charges were all a la carte -- and eye-popping. By my calculations, one could easily expect to be set back $150-$200. Way beyond, in my humble estimation, a reasonable upcharge from the already-baked-in MDR standard of comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenValleyDogWalker Posted January 30, 2020 #9 Share Posted January 30, 2020 What is the dress code at the Sel de Mer ?? Thank You Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted January 30, 2020 #10 Share Posted January 30, 2020 47 minutes ago, GreenValleyDogWalker said: What is the dress code at the Sel de Mer ?? Thank You Dress code is the same as in the MDR. Gala night is Gala night at Sel de Mer. Same for smart casual. However, you may find some dressed up a bit on even smart casual night (ie a sports jacket on) but nothing serious 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petronillus Posted January 30, 2020 #11 Share Posted January 30, 2020 This is an interesting and worthwhile thread. I tip my hat to the OP. We are escaping the Chicago winter in a mere 6 days on the Odam, and based on this thread the four of us are going to give Sel de Mer a try (or so I hope!). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detroit70 Posted January 31, 2020 #12 Share Posted January 31, 2020 I’m just back to my cabin on the Eurodam after the Sel de Mer dinner and it was incredibly good! The escargots were the most plump and tastiest I’ve ever had, and the lamb was simply amazing! I’d go back tomorrow if I could! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leerathje Posted January 31, 2020 Author #13 Share Posted January 31, 2020 4 hours ago, detroit70 said: I’m just back to my cabin on the Eurodam after the Sel de Mer dinner and it was incredibly good! The escargots were the most plump and tastiest I’ve ever had, and the lamb was simply amazing! I’d go back tomorrow if I could! So happy to hear this! Appreciate you reporting back. L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john2003 Posted February 1, 2020 #14 Share Posted February 1, 2020 Do u know how popular it is? For our upcoming Noordam cruise we have a lot of OBC. Will we still be able to book when we get onboard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabinBoy2020 Posted February 2, 2020 #15 Share Posted February 2, 2020 40 minutes ago, john2003 said: Do u know how popular it is? For our upcoming Noordam cruise we have a lot of OBC. Will we still be able to book when we get onboard? I made a reservation onboard, but you could book on the website ahead of time to be certain of getting a table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john2003 Posted February 2, 2020 #16 Share Posted February 2, 2020 Yes but if one books online one can't use the OBC unless something has changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakridger Posted February 2, 2020 #17 Share Posted February 2, 2020 john2003, You are correct, if booking online you will pay up front. What you could do if you think it possibly might be very busy is book online ahead of time to guarantee a reservation then book a reservation when you board. If there is space, then just cancel the online booking. They will refund the fee to your folio/credit card. Enjoy! ~Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiveVision Posted February 2, 2020 #18 Share Posted February 2, 2020 We will be on the Oosterdam in March/April for 28 days and would like to go to Sel de Mar both times it is offered. I have one question. WHERE do they hold the Sel de Mar dining experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted February 2, 2020 #19 Share Posted February 2, 2020 52 minutes ago, DiveVision said: We will be on the Oosterdam in March/April for 28 days and would like to go to Sel de Mar both times it is offered. I have one question. WHERE do they hold the Sel de Mar dining experience? It’s in the Pinnacle Grill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare bluesplayer Posted February 2, 2020 #20 Share Posted February 2, 2020 Do Mariner discounts apply? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted February 2, 2020 #21 Share Posted February 2, 2020 10 minutes ago, bluesplayer said: Do Mariner discounts apply? Yes, they do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare bluesplayer Posted February 2, 2020 #22 Share Posted February 2, 2020 1 hour ago, kazu said: Yes, they do. Thank you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
existentialtraveler Posted February 2, 2020 #23 Share Posted February 2, 2020 (edited) 8 hours ago, bluesplayer said: Do Mariner discounts apply? I talked with the HAL customer service rep. this afternoon. The Mariner discount does apply to onboard reservations, but not to online reservations. Edited February 2, 2020 by existentialtraveler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted February 2, 2020 #24 Share Posted February 2, 2020 7 minutes ago, existentialtraveler said: I talked with the HAL customer service rep. this afternoon. The Mariner discount does apply to onboard reservations, but not to online reservations. Well, that is technically right, but misleading. Seattle at it’s best. You pay the full price if you book on line. But then once on board, you should receive your loyalty discount. It’s the same as if you book the Canaletto or PG in advance. I suggest you not waste time with HAL reps and contact the Mariner Society if my post is in doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detroit70 Posted February 2, 2020 #25 Share Posted February 2, 2020 1 minute ago, kazu said: Well, that is technically right, but misleading. Seattle at it’s best. You pay the full price if you book on line. But then once on board, you should receive your loyalty discount. It’s the same as if you book the Canaletto or PG in advance. I suggest you not waste time with HAL reps and contact the Mariner Society if my post is in doubt. That’s exactly how it worked for me last week. When I boarded the Eurodam, I had a credit on my account for my mariner discount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now