Apex Lunch on Embarkation

[stitch4me]

Hi everyone.  Any ideas for lunch on the Apex on enbarkation day?  I would rather not go to the buffet.

 

Thanks!

[kwokpot]

You only other choices is Mast Grill or Le Grand Bistro.

[Straughn]

Sometimes, the Eden Cafe is open for lunch on embarkation day.  However, the last time I went there, it didn't open until 12:30 or 1:00.

 

[Jim_Iain]

If in Suite Luminae is open and if in Concierge they often have an embarkation sit down lunch.

[kwokpot]

7 minutes ago, Straughn said:

Sometimes, the Eden Cafe is open for lunch on embarkation day.  However, the last time I went there, it didn't open until 12:30 or 1:00.

 

Really? That has not been the case. I was on the Edge inaugural cruise back in December 2018 and since then I've been on the E-Class a total of four times and the Eden Cafe has never been open on embarkation Day. You've experienced that yourself? When was this?

[Mirage]

Apex NYE cruise Dec 27- Jan 3

Eden Café was open on Embarkation, and we had lunch there. 

 

Mirage

[Straughn]

21 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

Really? That has not been the case. I was on the Edge inaugural cruise back in December 2018 and since then I've been on the E-Class a total of four times and the Eden Cafe has never been open on embarkation Day. You've experienced that yourself? When was this?

Edge in October. I found it by accident.  I was wandering around waiting for rooms to be ready. When I went to look at Eden, the cafe was open, so I ate there.  I heard someone ask what time they opened and the guy behind the counter said that they opened at 1:00 that day, but normally opened at noon.

[kwokpot]

35 minutes ago, Straughn said:

Edge in October. I found it by accident.  I was wandering around waiting for rooms to be ready. When I went to look at Eden, the cafe was open, so I ate there.  I heard someone ask what time they opened and the guy behind the counter said that they opened at 1:00 that day, but normally opened at noon.

I was on the Edge's October 30th sailing and it wasn't open for lunch. 

[CruiseRQA]

Le Grand Bistro.

 

Will be the best meal of the week.   On embarkation day there will be few people there and the service will be superb.     Trust me on this one.  

[joetop2467]

Is Le Grand Bistro free or extra charge for lunch?

 

[kwokpot]

1 minute ago, joetop2467 said:

Is Le Grand Bistro free or extra charge for lunch?

 

Le Grand Bistro is extra charge always, except when Elite Continental breakfast is served there for Elite and above Captains Club members.

[CruiseRQA]

8 hours ago, joetop2467 said:

Is Le Grand Bistro free or extra charge for lunch?

 

Yes,  I think it is $20pp.    But if you have some OBC it is a wonderful way to use it.  

[PAGA]

Craft Social (bar between casino & Bistro) was also available for a la carte priced pub food on embarkation day lunch on  2/5. Both Craft Social and Bistro had only 1-4 tables seated. It’s a pretty well kept “secret” there are options other than the buffet. We ate at the Bistro upon boarding, and had a great experience with waiter Robbie. 

[kwokpot]

10 hours ago, PAGA said:

Craft Social (bar between casino & Bistro) was also available for a la carte priced pub food on embarkation day lunch on  2/5. Both Craft Social and Bistro had only 1-4 tables seated. It’s a pretty well kept “secret” there are options other than the buffet. We ate at the Bistro upon boarding, and had a great experience with waiter Robbie. 

I had no idea Craft Social served food.They should advertise that. 

[39august]

Craft Social on Equinox can also serve pub food, or did last time I was on her. There is a charge for all the limited choices, like wings, fries, etc. 

[miched]

What is your  reason for not wanting to dine in the buffet?   If it is the crowd I don’t think there will be any. 

 

There will probably be around 1100 passengers as that has been the norm lately

 

The suites are sold out so that is about 1/2 the passengers and most will be in Luminae.  Those that are in CC will have the MDR for their embarkation lunch as will those doing a B2B 

 

The designated boarding times will also control the flow.   

I would say that the buffet will look empty,   There is a nice variety to choose from that changes every day 

It is worth investigating 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅
 

 

Edited February 8, 2022 by miched

[ljk76]

4 hours ago, miched said:

What is your  reason for not wanting to dine in the buffet?   If it is the crowd I don’t think there will be any. 

 

There will probably be around 1100 passengers as that has been the norm lately

 

The suites are sold out so that is about 1/2 the passengers and most will be in Luminae.  Those that are in CC will have the MDR for their embarkation lunch as will those doing a B2B 

 

The designated boarding times will also control the flow.   

I would say that the buffet will look empty,   There is a nice variety to choose from that changes every day 

It is worth investigating 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅
 

 

That was our experience last week! I’m it a buffet person either, but it worked out fine! I think it was our only buffet meal. Don’t know if Raw on 5 is open that day but the food was great, and plenty of cooked options…surprisingly generous portions for this type of restaurant as well 

[PAGA]

There are 1500 onboard the Feb 5 Apex sailing. Tons of seating at the buffet throughout the week , but it’s pretty cramped with everyone milling around the food areas & waiting to be served. Also, not all the available stations have been open during every lunch, making it a little more cramped. 

[kwokpot]

1 hour ago, PAGA said:

There are 1500 onboard the Feb 5 Apex sailing. Tons of seating at the buffet throughout the week , but it’s pretty cramped with everyone milling around the food areas & waiting to be served. Also, not all the available stations have been open during every lunch, making it a little more cramped. 

Our  December 11th-20th Apex sailing also didn't have all the buffet sections open either which I thought was odd considering 2 weeks earlier on the Edge all the stations were serving food 

[WonderMan3]

If Le Grand Bistro is open definitely go there. It’s an extra charge but so worth it. The food is excellent.

[wildcats40]

If you are staying in a Concierge level cabin, isn't there a dining area for lunch on embarkation day?  I thought I remember reading that was a perk of it.