Portofino's on Explorer

[Grandeur]

Looking for some input about dining in Portofino's. If you have please respond.

Grandeur 9/98 [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Explorer 5/01 [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Monarch 5/03 [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]
Explorer 5/9/04
Voyager 5/21/04

[Bonnie Voyager]

We dined at Portofino on Explorer 2 years ago and it was the best meal and service we have ever had. We are returning to Explorer next week and are really looking forward to another fabulous experience at Portofino! Two thumbs up!

Bonnie Voyager...a.k.a. "Bon Voyage"

“Enjoy whatever cruise you choose....just be sure and choose to cruise”

Inspiration 9/99
Triumph 6/00
Victory 8/00
Victory 6/01
Regal Empress 7/01
Explorer 4/02
Triumph 6/02
Carnival Legend 10/02
Norwegian Dawn 12/02
Disney Wonder 3/03
Pride 7/03
Explorer 4/04
Victory 6/04
Voyager 7/04
Carnival Legend 10/04
...and more in the works :-)

[Grandeur]

Bonnie,

Besides the additional charge ($20 pp still the charge?) do you tip separately since it is different staff than in the main dining room. Do you recommend a certain night over another for opting OUT of the dining room and in Portofino's?

Would you mind e-mailing me directly at [email]tpodmenik2002@yahoo.com[/email]?

Grandeur 9/98 [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Explorer 5/01 [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Monarch 5/03 [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]
Explorer 5/9/04
Voyager 5/21/04

[casey1000]

Yes, you do tip seperately but I feel that it is worth the extra money. Food and service are excellent and I enjoyed the atmosphere very much.

[J&SLowery]

I've been to Portofino on both Explorer and Voyager

Without question, some of the best dining experiences of my life.

Personally, I fell the extra gratuity is well deserved in the specialty restaurants, as my experience has been the service you receive warrants it.

Jay

Jay & Scheila Lowery

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;04;04;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until Radiance of the Seas.....


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;10;17;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until Adventure of the Seas

Monarch 05/99
SS Oceanbreeze 10/00
Enchantment 04/01
Explorer (East) 10/02
Explorer (West) 03/03
Voyager 10/12/03
Radiance 04/04/04
Adventure 10/17/04

[sunshine!]

We can't make reservations for Portofino's until 7:00 because we can't drop our son off at the Adventure Ocean Club until then. Will we still be able to make it to stage show or what ever they are putting on that evening?

[mom22]

Depends on the night and the start time of the show. It could be tight, as Portofinos is at least a 2 hour experience. Well worth it [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img].

Nile river cruise 4/84
Song of America 12/87
Voyager of the Seas 1/04/04
Ecstacy 7/26/04

[Bonnie Voyager]

We also tipped above and beyond the $20 surcharge as we felt the service was truly exceptional! We tipped based on what we would have had to pay for that meal at an upscale restaurant in the U.S. You do need to allow at least two hours to enjoy the meal. As far as which night to go...that is purely subjective. I personally LOVE Caribbean night in the Dining Room so I didn't want to miss that (Jerk Chicken is terrific!) and I didn't want to miss either Formal night in the Dining Room either. We chose Italian (Venetian) Night to dine at Portofino as we felt we were trading good Italian for superb Italian! That's just our choice though.

Bonnie Voyager...a.k.a. "Bon Voyage"

“Enjoy whatever cruise you choose....just be sure and choose to cruise”

Inspiration 9/99
Triumph 6/00
Victory 8/00
Victory 6/01
Regal Empress 7/01
Explorer 4/02
Triumph 6/02
Carnival Legend 10/02
Norwegian Dawn 12/02
Disney Wonder 3/03
Pride 7/03
Explorer 4/04
Victory 6/04
Voyager 7/04
Carnival Legend 10/04
...and more in the works :-)