It's July... is Cucina and Chef's Table Back

[WKUTopperFan]

Has Cucina and Chef's Table resumed service as the June pause should be expired? I have reservations for 2 nights in Cucina and Chef's Table booked on my August 15 sailing on the Magic.  I've already made 3 reservations in the steakhouse but can't eat there every Night.

 

Or is the "pause" still in effect... which in my opinion is nothing other than a cost savings tool by Carnival. Spare me the Visa argument... I don't have time for scapegoat excuses.

[mz-s]

John Heald reported on Facebook that Chef's Table is back but no word yet on Cucina.

 

It might be a cutback but it's free during lunch and paid during supper. They left the free lunch portion and cut the paid supper portion. So I don't see how it's a cutback since they're giving up revenue. But go off.

[Hoosierpop]

1 hour ago, WKUTopperFan said:

Has Cucina and Chef's Table resumed service as the June pause should be expired? I have reservations for 2 nights in Cucina and Chef's Table booked on my August 15 sailing on the Magic.  I've already made 3 reservations in the steakhouse but can't eat there every Night.

 

Or is the "pause" still in effect... which in my opinion is nothing other than a cost savings tool by Carnival. Spare me the Visa argument... I don't have time for scapegoat excuses.

So, Carnival put the breaks on services that generate revenue……as a cost saving tool?

 

Cruise critic is also a place to get outstanding business advice. Who knew?

Edited July 1, 2022 by Hoosierpop

[shof515]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

John Heald reported on Facebook that Chef's Table is back but no word yet on Cucina.

 

It might be a cutback but it's free during lunch and paid during supper. They left the free lunch portion and cut the paid supper portion. So I don't see how it's a cutback since they're giving up revenue. But go off.

The dinner portion is not that much. the only thing from Cucina in the MDR is the chicken parm and a pasta dish.not the full menu 

[WKUTopperFan]

21 hours ago, Hoosierpop said:

So, Carnival put the breaks on services that generate revenue……as a cost saving tool?

 

Cruise critic is also a place to get outstanding business advice. Who knew?

Obviously not many  finance majors on here. Revenue generation and profit margin are two separate beasts.   

 

The cost of Chef's Table used approximately $85 per person... the meal seats about 16 individuals.  Not much revenue there. Compare that with the cost to cover  half a dozen sous chef's for 2+ hours, at least two servers, and the Chef. The cost of the food to both maintain and prepare (usually only 1 Chef's Table per sailing on most ships... and only 16 guests consume). The cost of tasting events at land based restaurants often exceeds $250. 

Chef's Table is an amenity.. . the cost per person to Carnival for each "plate" is astronomically high compared to the miniscule revenue it takes in. Just because it generates revenue doesn't mean it's profitable. 

 

Same for Cucina. Not many guests eat there. The food cost is high. Compared to the MDR the server to guest ratio is 100:1. Multiple Chef's are in the kitchen serving only a tiny amount of passengers. Food waste costs ridiculously high.  The $15 per person revenue doesn't even keep the lights on.

 

Chef's Table, Cucina... they're gifts to the guest. The few bucks charged keeps the hoi polloi out and minimizes profit loss to Carnival. 

 

Open a business and sell services and things below actual cost. You'll generate revenue for sure but your business won't be open long. Of course, my degrees are in chemistry. What would I know about complex business metrics?

 

[Hoosierpop]

49 minutes ago, WKUTopperFan said:

Chef's Table, Cucina... they're gifts to the guest. The few bucks charged keeps the hoi polloi out and minimizes profit loss to Carnival.

 

Your opinion on the profit margin of the Cucina is meaningless. You said they didn’t do this to switch staff to help in other areas. You said they did it to save costs. With literally no evidence. That makes little sense. But I’m guessing you probably know that and just want to feel good about your tantrum as to why it’s not open. 
 

You might have to suffer and eat with the hot polloi. Oh the horror!

[JillK]

I had two bookings at Cucina for my cruise on the Panorama next week and received emails a few days ago telling me that the bookings would be cancelled as they are keeping Cucina closed across the fleet (except Mardi Gras) until the end of July. 

[titlediva]

So strange…I’ve sailed Horizon twice and Sunrise once since October and eaten at Cucina all 3 times. Am I missing something?

[mz-s]

18 minutes ago, titlediva said:

So strange…I’ve sailed Horizon twice and Sunrise once since October and eaten at Cucina all 3 times. Am I missing something?

 

Have you sailed over the past month or so? They closed it over the past month or so for supper but left it open for lunch.

[WKUTopperFan]

19 hours ago, Hoosierpop said:

Your opinion on the profit margin of the Cucina is meaningless. You said they didn’t do this to switch staff to help in other areas. You said they did it to save costs. With literally no evidence. That makes little sense. But I’m guessing you probably know that and just want to feel good about your tantrum as to why it’s not open. 
 

You might have to suffer and eat with the hot polloi. Oh the horror!

 

I don't do tantrums... I just call a spade a spade.

 

SO...Another month of no Cucina.  I assume the same for Chef's Table. The Visa issue has been remedied... yet they play the same stale card again.

 

Stock is plummeting and cash on hand is king... Cut costs wherever possible...Own it!  It's not illegal, it's good business.  Just don't insult my intelligence (or con the weak minded) by trying to spin the issue. Gotta stay afloat... trim the fat.

[Hoosierpop]

4 hours ago, WKUTopperFan said:

 

I don't do tantrums... I just call a spade a spade.

 

SO...Another month of no Cucina.  I assume the same for Chef's Table. The Visa issue has been remedied... yet they play the same stale card again.

 

Stock is plummeting and cash on hand is king... Cut costs wherever possible...Own it!  It's not illegal, it's good business.  Just don't insult my intelligence (or con the weak minded) by trying to spin the issue. Gotta stay afloat... trim the fat.

Acksually, I saw a memo from carnival brass that said they were tired of certain cruisers avoiding the ordinary masses. This was their way of forcing them to meet new people. 

[bunnyette]

Chefs Table is back.  No word on Cucina yet.

[vwrestler171]

8 hours ago, bunnyette said:

Chefs Table is back.  No word on Cucina yet.

Cucina is still not available.

[TerReuv]

On 7/1/2022 at 6:42 AM, WKUTopperFan said:

Has Cucina and Chef's Table resumed service as the June pause should be expired? I have reservations for 2 nights in Cucina and Chef's Table booked on my August 15 sailing on the Magic.  I've already made 3 reservations in the steakhouse but can't eat there every Night.

 

Or is the "pause" still in effect... which in my opinion is nothing other than a cost savings tool by Carnival. Spare me the Visa argument... I don't have time for scapegoat excuses.

 

 

It's not a cutback.  The visa issues are real.  Considering they make money from those places, calling it a cutback doesn't even make sense.  The staff are slowly going back up.  Chef's Table is back, but Cucina is still on hold until end of July.  The Diamond/Platinum party is starting again too since more staff are coming aboard.

[TerReuv]

On 7/3/2022 at 2:34 AM, WKUTopperFan said:

 

I don't do tantrums... I just call a spade a spade.

 

SO...Another month of no Cucina.  I assume the same for Chef's Table. The Visa issue has been remedied... yet they play the same stale card again.

 

Stock is plummeting and cash on hand is king... Cut costs wherever possible...Own it!  It's not illegal, it's good business.  Just don't insult my intelligence (or con the weak minded) by trying to spin the issue. Gotta stay afloat... trim the fat.

 

 

Reading responses would have kept you from making the comment about the Chef's Table.  The Visa issue has gotten better, but still not where it was before.  I guess you have some inside information to make your comment, or you just make your statement like it is an absolute fact.

 

Not sure how still serving the FREE lunch, but not the PAY dinner is cutting costs.  Doesn't even make sense.  The only person insulting on this thread is you acting like anyone who doesn't agree (or believe) your statements is weak minded.  

[Eli_6]

I think that Cucina and Chef's table are coming back July 31. 1. I read that. 2. My July 22-31 cruise does not offer either. 

[JillinCalgary]

We are cruising on the Vista out of Galveston July 23-30th.  Both are available!  I have reservations at Cucina on the 23rd...

[vwrestler171]

As of now, the Chefs Table is back, but Cucina is still TBD.  It may not be open in July, but at this time, they are planning on having it open mid July.

[Dadofsix]

Chef's Table is back and I personally had it on Ecstasy Saturday night July 2nd.

 

As debated by previous posters, I am of the opinion that the Chef's Table is NOT any kind of real profit engine for Carnival. The time, man hours and food cost is really high for an event that generates revenue of approx. $1000. Thats not $1000 profit that is simply cash flow. 12 people spending $80 for a single event isn't going to buy new ships but it keeps guests another option to spend $$$ onboard.

[keels81]

Also, the Visa issues are real and not limited to just Carnival. I'm just off the Scarlet Lady and a significant percentage of crew are still on-board four-plus weeks after their contract was supposed to end as they are waiting for replacements to arrive or are dealing with late-arriving replacements to train into their positions (this includes entertainment roles). This was roughly one in five crew that I spent conversation time with. 

 

The new crew was supposed to have at least two weeks of sailings under their belt before Branson's birthday sailing on the 17th and at this rate, many existing crew will still be there training new staff.

 

The Visa thing is real.

 

The demand for Cucina is overrated by you and obviously they've been able to look at the covers that are actually paid for and not comped by the casino or as make-goods and have decided that the staff needed to operate that as a paid establishment (at $18 or whatever a person) is not worth it while they're understaffed and the backhouse/cook team is better utilized to help alleviate backlogs for the MDR.

 

Also, they just opened up Club Ocean to 2-4 year olds starting this week's sailings. They make no money off that, but will definitely see a return in bookings now that parents have a place for the toddlers to go for a few hours so they can enjoy some alone time. I'm happier to see that return than Cucina.

Edited July 5, 2022 by keels81

[WKUTopperFan]

On 7/3/2022 at 7:25 AM, Hoosierpop said:

Acksually, I saw a memo from carnival brass that said they were tired of certain cruisers avoiding the ordinary masses. This was their way of forcing them to meet new people. 

We'll take a hard pass on that