Non-suite Elite breakfast

[chemmo]

24 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

Not seen a buffet for a number of years, it was the plated version on our Baltic sailing on Silhouette in 2018. Something to do with not being able to serve buffet style in carpeted areas. The brunch in MDR also no longer takes place.

 

We were told that they only do the buffet when there is a large number of elite guests on board! What you say makes more sense...

 

Personally I prefer the plates, far more hygienic....

[the penguins]

6 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

We have often gone from breakfast in the dining room to the Elite Breakfast and had only croissants, coffee, and a smoothie or mimosa.  
 

Our dislike of shipboard coffee extends to the point of our bringing instant coffee in addition to tea.  We have found the coffee in Luminae and Elite breakfast to be of our liking but not every day. 

That's one problem the dreaded AI has solved - you can now get lattes all round the ship ( buffet, Passport Bar, casino bar , main dining room and Al Bacio - the lines and wait times will grow as passenger numbers increase.

[gold1953]

13 hours ago, lenetere said:

Was that because you were Elite?  Or Concierge?  

This would be for concierge and aqua class. We have never had such a menu being elite . It goes by cabin class.

[gold1953]

4 hours ago, upwarduk said:

Not seen a buffet for a number of years, it was the plated version on our Baltic sailing on Silhouette in 2018. Something to do with not being able to serve buffet style in carpeted areas. The brunch in MDR also no longer takes place.

Yes, we were told that they do not set up a buffet in a carpeted area

[excitedofharpenden]

4 hours ago, upwarduk said:

Not seen a buffet for a number of years, it was the plated version on our Baltic sailing on Silhouette in 2018. Something to do with not being able to serve buffet style in carpeted areas. The brunch in MDR also no longer takes place.

That's my understanding too. USPH say no to buffet served in carpeted areas, but outside of the US and perhaps for Westbound TAs as a last fling they will do it. What I heard is it's very much down to the individual ship then. I haven't had buffet for some time, including transatlantics. Always plated. 

 

The views out of Tuscan on the S-Class ships is the best bit!

 

Phil 

Edited September 8, 2021 by excitedofharpenden

[scorpio123456]

On 9/7/2021 at 9:13 AM, the penguins said:

Just back from Silhoutte. Basically as described above but a few changes due to covid. All pre plated with various options. However the the plates are "options" we changed ours to: 1 plate 4 plain croissants, 1 plate smoked salmon with extra cream cheese, 1 x assorted croissants for the boss etc. Assorted jams and the most delicious marmalade. They will make up any combination you like. Also, if you ask nicely you can have toast. If you prefer margarine to butter collect it from the buffet the day before and bring it with you on day 1. Then ask if they will have it for you from the next day. It's a quirk in the system that only butter is automatically added to the Elite breakfast. Choice of smoothies depending on availability - no banana on our cruise.

Very few passengers participated which is a shame - not the great atmosphere you get on Transatlantics - just a pleasant relaxed breakfast with great views out over the stern

Love this view

[Eastern flygirl]

where is the Elite Breakfast served on Edge?  We have a standard balcony room?  

[jasmiarowski]

10 hours ago, scorpio123456 said:

Love this view

My favorite table view

[DaKahuna]

15 hours ago, the penguins said:

That's one problem the dreaded AI has solved - you can now get lattes all round the ship ( buffet, Passport Bar, casino bar , main dining room and Al Bacio - the lines and wait times will grow as passenger numbers increase.

I am not a latte fan, prefer my coffee black or with Bailey’s, and my wife believes she’s lactose intolerant so has been avoiding most dairy products.

[the penguins]

7 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

I am not a latte fan, prefer my coffee black or with Bailey’s, and my wife believes she’s lactose intolerant so has been avoiding most dairy products.

Black espresso readily available in all the above mentioned venues.

[DaKahuna]

16 hours ago, the penguins said:

Black espresso readily available in all the above mentioned venues.

There is a difference in coffee americano and espresso.  I do like a mild blend and  I don’t drink espresso any longer and on my doctor’s advise, am now limiting my coffee to a couple of cups in the morning on weekends.  My blood pressure results support this.  
 

 

[canderson]

5 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

There is a difference in coffee americano and espresso. 

?

2~3 shots of espresso + water = Caffè Americano

Other than the water, no difference.

LOVE it iced in the summer.

[SbbquilterUT]

For the Millie - plated continental breakfast in the Tuscan Grill.

[Oxo]

This function is totally unnecessary with the AI pkg, Excellent Ocean View Cafe. In fact, now it is limited compare to  the above. You have much more choices in the OVC, too.

Elite and above perks are almost nonexistent when you have AI. 

I would rather see a free 8x10 photo like RCI offers. That would save me $25.

[the penguins]

7 hours ago, Oxo said:

This function is totally unnecessary with the AI pkg, Excellent Ocean View Cafe. In fact, now it is limited compare to  the above. You have much more choices in the OVC, too.

Elite and above perks are almost nonexistent when you have AI. 

I would rather see a free 8x10 photo like RCI offers. That would save me $25.

Not all our Elite+ benefits have gone we still get 1 extra bag of laundry 🤣

 

[Dylandude]

On 9/7/2021 at 9:13 AM, the penguins said:

Just back from Silhoutte. Basically as described above but a few changes due to covid. All pre plated with various options. However the the plates are "options" we changed ours to: 1 plate 4 plain croissants, 1 plate smoked salmon with extra cream cheese, 1 x assorted croissants for the boss etc. Assorted jams and the most delicious marmalade. They will make up any combination you like. Also, if you ask nicely you can have toast. If you prefer margarine to butter collect it from the buffet the day before and bring it with you on day 1. Then ask if they will have it for you from the next day. It's a quirk in the system that only butter is automatically added to the Elite breakfast. Choice of smoothies depending on availability - no banana on our cruise.

Very few passengers participated which is a shame - not the great atmosphere you get on Transatlantics - just a pleasant relaxed breakfast with great views out over the stern

I’m sorry to ask, but who prefers margarine to butter?

[hcat]

On 9/8/2021 at 7:51 AM, Eastern flygirl said:

where is the Elite Breakfast served on Edge?  We have a standard balcony room?  

In the Tuscan restaurant..our fav! 

On both of our Edge cruises it was a great buffet.. but served coffee.  Love the views, art work ( Fellini decor) and music.  Never crowded.

 

Cap Club rep usually there.

[excitedofharpenden]

11 hours ago, Oxo said:

This function is totally unnecessary with the AI pkg, Excellent Ocean View Cafe. In fact, now it is limited compare to  the above. You have much more choices in the OVC, too.

Elite and above perks are almost nonexistent when you have AI. 

I would rather see a free 8x10 photo like RCI offers. That would save me $25.

I don't agree. Many people go to the breakfast for the social aspect as well as chatting to the Captain's Club Host and being served by familiar faces. It would be a shame to do away with a loyalty perk like this. I can go to the Oceanview anytime and don't necessarily need a big choice. I'm a creature of habit before I wake up!  Sitting down and being served fits the bill perfectly. 

 

Phil 

[the penguins]

2 hours ago, Dylandude said:

I’m sorry to ask, but who prefers margarine to butter?

I do. They did add it to the buffet on our last TA but demand was so great they found it difficult - as it's not on the "official" list of provisions for the Elite Breakfast the staff were "borrowing"  it from Blu and elsewhere. Hopefully it will eventually  be added but until then I will collect it from the buffet in bulk - fortunately as we have the alcohol removed from our fridge we have plenty of storage space 😀

[upwarduk]

On 9/8/2021 at 11:46 PM, DaKahuna said:

I am not a latte fan, prefer my coffee black or with Bailey’s, and my wife believes she’s lactose intolerant so has been avoiding most dairy products.

They carry Lactose free milk, which I ask for. 
On leaving the MDR early in the cruise, I was taking out what was left of a glass of Lactose Free milk. The Maitre’D asked me what I was doing, so I explained that I would use it for tea/ coffee in the cabin. He got one of the waiters to go to the kitchen to bring a carton of milk for me, for the cooler in the cabin. He did however explain that it might not last as long, as the fridges in their kitchens are colder.

[the penguins]

55 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I don't agree. Many people go to the breakfast for the social aspect as well as chatting to the Captain's Club Host and being served by familiar faces. It would be a shame to do away with a loyalty perk like this. I can go to the Oceanview anytime and don't necessarily need a big choice. I'm a creature of habit before I wake up!  Sitting down and being served fits the bill perfectly. 

 

Phil 

Totally agree, it's a great start to the day. Gets very busy on the TA's but always enjoyable. Staff quickly get to know which smoothies, coffees you like and it almost arrives as you sit down.

[the penguins]

1 minute ago, upwarduk said:

They carry Lactose free milk, which I ask for. 
On leaving the MDR early in the cruise, I was taking out what was left of a glass of Lactose Free milk. The Maitre’D asked me what I was doing, so I explained that I would use it for tea/ coffee in the cabin. He got one of the waiters to go to the kitchen to bring a carton of milk for me, for the cooler in the cabin. He did however explain that it might not last as long, as the fridges in their kitchens are colder.

We collect cartons of the milk we like from the buffet - ask at the serving point with the cereals there are cartons of every type of milk on the ship stored there.

[Oxo]

1 hour ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I don't agree. Many people go to the breakfast for the social aspect as well as chatting to the Captain's Club Host and being served by familiar faces. It would be a shame to do away with a loyalty perk like this. I can go to the Oceanview anytime and don't necessarily need a big choice. I'm a creature of habit before I wake up!  Sitting down and being served fits the bill perfectly. 

 

Phil 

What about the Happy Hour from 5 to 7? That is more of a place to chat. That is also fading away. We attended both and it was like a ghost town. Everyone has their choice. 

[excitedofharpenden]

57 minutes ago, Oxo said:

What about the Happy Hour from 5 to 7? That is more of a place to chat. That is also fading away. We attended both and it was like a ghost town. Everyone has their choice. 

I totally agree about the choice, but you said the Elite breakfast was totally unnecessary because you don't go and prefer going to Oceanview Cafe. Kind of selfish attitude towards the many that do still want it. I don't go to the 5-7 drinks in the lounge. I wouldn't want to deprive others of going if they want to though. 

 

Phil 

Edited September 12, 2021 by excitedofharpenden

[Oxo]

1 hour ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I totally agree about the choice, but you said the Elite breakfast was totally unnecessary because you don't go and prefer going to Oceanview Cafe. Kind of selfish attitude towards the many that do still want it. I don't go to the 5-7 drinks in the lounge. I wouldn't want to deprive others of going if they want to though. 

 

Phil 

Thank you Phil. I voiced my opinion on this. You like to be served, so you may attend any serving function. As for my attitude, you may have one, too. LOL