Dining on Cruise Ships: What does each line do best/worst - reddit I would disagree with Joebucks because we think food/cuisine is a very legit discussion issue, especially among those of us who find it an important part of cruising. In my experience, this problem is made worse by the poor use of space. Which cruise line has the worst food? - Cruise Critic Though officials originally blamed a freak tornado for the tragedy, investigators later said strong winds, heavy rains, and the crew's failure to send a rescue signal all contributed to the disaster. At a mere fifty-four percent overall customer satisfaction rating, the disgruntled cruisers had a lot to say about MSC. Costa even serves their own ship-made mozzarella di Bufala onboard (using curds from Sele) for the fleets Mozzarella Gourmet Bar and classic PummidOro pizzerias, including dough based on natural yeast in collaboration with the University of Gastronomy Sciences in Pollenzo. That was the Italian restaurant on NCL (pre-Del Rio) and while it was okay we had the same dish in the MDR on our next Carnival cruise and it was noticeably better. People are so stupid in not doing their homework when booking. Chefs focus on the season and region where theyre cruising and use local ingredients wherever possible. #3 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money. P& O Cruises Facebook. Celebrity Cruises currently sails around the world with a fleet of 14 ships, ranging in size from its petite Xpedition-class vessels, which carry 16 to 100 passengers, to its large 2,800- to 3,100-passenger Solstice class and 2,900-passenger Edge class, which debuted in late 2018 with Celebrity Edge. The lines ships are designed to offer something for everyone, and they thus appeal to a wide demographic, including couples of all ages and even solo travelers . WebCruise-line workers reveal one of the worst parts of living on a cruise ship. All rights reserved. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By When Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Edge debuted in 2018, it marked an overhaul for the line from bow to stern, including cuisine changes for the long-time food-focused line. Escape, Norwegian Cruise Line. Close to 450 passengers enjoying a Yangtze River cruise on the Eastern Star were killed when the ship capsized during a storm. But bringing up the rear at the very bottom of the league was MSC Cruises, with a customer rating of just 57 per cent. Situated on two ships from MSC Cruises (MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview), the Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi features three distinct restaurants and culinary experiences a Pan-Asian offering, fresh sushi and sashimi with a Hawaiian twist, and Teppanyaki by Roy Yamaguchi, which serves the chefs East-West cooking made on four teppanyaki grills. cruise ship food We ate most of our meals on Bleu and were mostly disappointed when we went elsewhere. Ownership, menus and chefs in restaurants change more frequently than some people change their underwear, and yesterday's star can be today's dudor vice versa . It was all very strange, and while ordinarily I probably wouldn't really care, since I grew up in Europe where poor service is common, it just stood out as unusual compared to the exceptional service we've had on every other cruise line. You mightve already guessed from its name, but the Bahama Paradise Cruise Line operates cruises to the Bahamas, sailing two-day itineraries from West Palm Beach, Florida. While Fred Olsen is definitely aimed at a more sedate cruising experience, and the quality of the entertainment may be a little tired, there is still at least a small variety of things to do. Delfin, the first Relais & Chateaux cruise line, makes the journey incredibly comfortable, offering boutique hotellike accommodations aboard its three rustic-luxe ships. Bacon cheese fries and grilled cheese sandwiches! Celebrity chef-helmed onboard restaurants, cooking classes, food-centric shore excursions and themed culinary cruises mean shipshape culinary experiences abound. Royal Caribbean International Facebook. Cooking workshops were not very interesting and so crowded we couldn't see anything at the two we tried to attend. said Vikings more upmarket ships mean passengers can avoid crowded bars and casinos which tend to be synonymous with cheaper rivals. Granted, Ive only been on one cruise and it was with HAL, but I was floored by how good their food was. #8. However one of the biggest sacrifices made is in cabin size. We tried one of nearly everything (and walked away so full we were sick but happy, first time that happened to us on Celebrity since portions in main dining are small). The likes of Celebrity cruises are 4* to 5* and Royal Caribbean, NCL etc are 3* to 4*. If youre someone who doesnt mind waiting a little longer at the buffet, and you enjoy simple food, then you might have a blast on an MSC cruise. On Costa, crew members would sometimes eat just rice and watermelon since their other options were unappetizing. As you say it is not a traditional cruise line, more a local transport system and we were very pleased with our experience in the Richard With some years ago. I like MSC , theyre cheap & cheerful. What theyre concerned with is conflict resolution. #3. #2 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money. With an overall rating of 3.6 stars, the reviews on Cruiseline.com are generally favorable for this family favorite. Disney Cruise Line is renowned for its family-friendly options, but when parents or doting grandparents need an evening off, all four ships in the fleet feature adults-only Palo restaurants, with two-top tables and flavorful Italian dishes like sea scallops with a prosecco and black truffle reduction, dover sole served with Italian staples (like capers, anchovies and sun-dried tomatoes) and a lemoncello tart or chocolate souffl for dessert (why not order both?). Carnival has some damn good food options. Started June 21, 2021, By All three had dishes that I couldn't get enough of and dishes that I wouldn't order again. All Viking Ocean Cruises ships feature a dining concept called Mamsens, which is named for company chairman Torstein Hagens mother. First they tried to seat us practically in an aisle. As a result, the line draws a good number of luxury-seeking travelers. I'm surprised to hear all the rave reviews for Carnival. Windstar is the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation (JBF), hosting several JBF Culinary Cruise Collection cruises each year, as well as offering cooking demonstrations and classes, and serving chef-driven dishes on the menu every night. Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade has become the on-point go-to destination on four of Royal Caribbean International ships and counting, as they add the popular hotspot to other ships. WebAfter Sailing on Multiple Cruise Ships for Multiple Cruise Lines I decided to take a Cruise on board the MSC Meraviglia. and you can get it there. Windstar, Oceania and Azamara are very good small ship boutique lines with exceptional dining options. But one would have to factor in paying $600+ per passenger day on those ships vs $100 per passenger day on some other lines. worst cruise line food - Safe Honest and Reliable Cruise Parking Princess also offers a special Crafted by Curtis menu designed by Stone, which is available in the main dining room of all other Princess ships. No one is serving banquet TV dinners. Cruise Ship Workers Reveal Biggest Problem of Living on a Ship Now, I know many people dont like paying for food on an all inclusive vacation, but I found doing specialties was worth it. Cruise Ship The buffet was good but not amazing. Cant wait to go on a princess (cheap/undecided) over Feb. Waiter grabs my plate and walks away without saying a word. The one thing I will say is that the buffet was definitely the best of all cruise lines. Since many ships employ crew members from around the world, the food served in the crew cafeteria can reflect that variety, making it difficult for some to find food similar to what they would eat at home on a consistent basis. CUstomer reviews are alarming, but thats not the standard the BBB uses to calculate the score. No lobster, but always a good, varied selection, and our server never batted an eye when someone asked for 2 appetizers. The average size of an inside cabin on some of the other cruise lines with low scores tends to be between 120 and 150 square feet. Next:Here's What Norwegian Cruises Don't Actually Include In The Cost. It scored an overall customer satisfaction rating of 88 percent, with passengers praising the line for its well organised, culturally immersive and intimate cruising experience.. British and continental influences are prominent, including a variety of seafood dishes, Romney Marsh lamb, chateaubriand, roast duckling and crepes Suzette (flambed tableside). Again, Hurtigruten cruises are very much destination focussed, so you shouldnt expect to spend too much time in your room. As others have said, differences between mass market lines are trivial. Their team expertly plans tasty and tasteful upscale cruises and in-depth shoreside programs in practically every corner of the world, curated for discerning palates. Also - the worst food experienced is the worst food experienced - not necessarily the worst food experienced in the last couple of weeks. We did the sushi and steakhouse specialty restaurants as well. Its important to note that larger rooms are available and the newer ships have lovely, modern decor. On top of that, the dining spaces were cramped, and the food was just average. She loves reading, writing, video games, anime and is OBSESSED with The Nightmare Before Christmas and anything else having to deal with Tim Burton, Johnny Depp or Helena Bonham Carter. And because a large proportion of the ship is dedicated only to guests staying in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club, everyone paying the standard fare will feel the squeeze even more. Some of the poorest and some of the best foodI have had has beenon same class ships serving the same menu. Which? There was a cruise line that you could cruise with for $10 per night, there were a few catches though. My wife and I really like the steakhouse as well. Situated on Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor, the Culinary Arts Kitchen features 18 workstations with top-of-the-line induction cooktops, stainless steel sinks and a comprehensive collection of cooking essentials, all with an ocean view. The steak was perfectly prepared and tender, very impressive. Viking was awarded five stars in every category while MSC received two or three stars across the board and an overall customer score of just 57 per cent. In other words, what is considered very good by one may be viewed as equally bad by another. Princess Cruises Facebook. A couple of years ago, I wrote a number of articles asking the rhetorical question why cruise lines have an image problem. Their alternative restaurants seem on a par with alternatives on other lines. Fincantieri is the cheaper but quality wise, the worst cruise ship yard, with unfortunately extremely good connections with the Carnival group. Again, worst doesnt mean bad. When Quantum of the Seas first launched, it had a 4 out of 5-star rating. These 10 Cruise Lines Have The Worst Customer Service (2 Every Passenger Loves), Ovation Of The Seas Has Too Many Useless Gimmicks, Quantum Of The Seas Has Long Boarding Times & Cold Food, MajesticHas Great Staff, But The Food Is Bland & Lacking In Variety, Meraviglia Not Only Has Boring Food, But The Entertainment Is Lacking As Well, Lirica HasHorrible Food & Just All-Around Bad Service, Armonia Has Unfriendly Service, Limited Food Options& Below Average Cleanliness, Preziosa Has Cold & Old Food, As Well As Horrible Service, Magellan Doesn't Smell Nice & Doesn't Have Very Tasty Food, Deliziosa Has Poor Food & The Limited Staff It Does HaveHas Limited Knowledge, Fascinosa Has Rude Staff,HorribleQuarters & They Reuse Leftovers For Next Day Meals, Allure Of The Seas Is One Of Their Best Ships With Outstanding Food & Entertainment, Seaside Has Jaw-Dropping Entertainment & Is Just An All-Around Lively & Fun Experience, Services That Vacationers Assume Most Cruises OfferBut They Don't, Sweet Tooth: 10 Divine Desserts From Around The World, These Cruises Stop At The Safest Ports In The Caribbean, Here's What Norwegian Cruises Don't Actually Include In The Cost, Uncover Hidden Gems: 10 Unique Tours In Charleston, 10 Most Exclusive Myrtle Beach Resorts Where You Can Stay In The Lap Of Luxury, 10 Top-Rated Resorts In The Phoenix Area: Unwind In The Desert Oasis Of Arizona's Stunning Capital, Georgia's College Town: The Ultimate Guide To Athens & Things To Do, A Historic & Academic Haven: The Ultimate Guide To Chapel Hill & Things To Do, 10 Beautiful Hikes In Australia You Need To Experience, A Romantic Spring Getaway to Florida: Sunsets, Beaches, & More, 10 Incredible Things You Shouldn't Miss In Las Vegas In 2023. In addition, the new S.A.L.T. #1 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. Balance. When it comes to editor reviews, The Majestic has almost a 5-star rating, but when it comes to actual passenger reviews, the rating is much lower. Great snacks/sandwiches in the coffee shop until late at night, and we had a lot of fun going to those diners where they sing, even if the food is so-so. Your rating of sports, fitness and wellness on board the MSC Lirica: If you traveled with children: Was the cruise child-friendly? That makes them particularly appealing to families, including multigenerational groups. Looking online at the reviews, it seems to be a mix of people complaining about the service when trying to book or amend their cruise, or at the port, with some complaints about communication on the ship. ), the most fun, young cruises have the worst food (Carnival, Norwegian, RCL). Youll soon realize that the size of the companys fleet, as well as the size of the cruise ships themselves have little correlation with which cruise line is most plagued with this scourge. The decor can be a bit dated, the space to get dressed is very limited, and you may not have anywhere to sit down just a bed, which could even be a raised/bunk bed recessed into a sloping wall. Costa Cruises. Not on all of the ships some of the latest ships have cabins that are on par with other cruise lines. Fantastic service, all of the food was perfectly prepared. Sailing the Amazon River in Peru isnt quite like other river journeysits a blissful escape into the wilderness, where you might be surrounded by pink dolphins or piranhas at any given moment. Regent Seven Seas Cruises kicks it up a notch with their cooking school at sea, Culinary Arts Kitchen. Their newest ship, the transformed S.S. Bon Voyage, focuses on French and European culture, art, cuisine and wine, including Le Salon Champagne inspired by Yves Saint Laurents Villa Majorelle Parisian La Brasserie (inspired by famed Bouillon Pigalle in Paris), Le Grand Fromage, which focuses on locally-sourced ingredients reflective of itinerarys cuisines and La Cave du Vin, an intimate space where connoisseurs can gather for food and wine pairing dinners, upon request. #3 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. Guys Burgers and Blue Iguana are awesome, as is the cook to order pasta and Asian stir fry at lunch. Oishii, The Brand Behind the Omakase Strawberry, Introduces New Koyo Berry Breed, 5 Best Non-Alcoholic Gins, According to a Spirits Expert, Everything You Need To Cook Like Emily Mariko, 25 Get Well Soon Gifts That Show How Much You Care, 6 Best Whiskeys, According to a Spirits Expert, These Cord Organizers Save Your Kitchen From Clutter, Enter Daily for Your Chance to Win $10,000. The menu reflects traditional Norwegian home-cooked seasonal fare, including Norwegian cheeses, smoked meats, fresh fish, hearty soups and Scandinavian pastries. While I wasnt a fan of the food waste, the three slices that I did manage to eat were delicious. "The food for the crew is really bad," Viana said. Both of them scored the same low grade. Just my opinion. The food isnt exactly bad it just doesnt necessarily stack up too well against what other cruise lines offer. This is a very subjective topic. Plus they arent exactly super-modern either. Norwegian Cruise Line Facebook. One of the worst steaks I've ever had anywhere was an prime agedrib steakthat was butchered and cooked improperly on an upscale small ship cruise line that heavily advertises andpromotes its food quality. Princess Cruises. Each sailing has an expedition team made up of experts in fields like marine biology and photography. Ive worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and now my blog helps over a million people to plan their cruises each month. Email this reporter at mmatousek@businessinsider.com. All three ships feature separate dining rooms called the Queens Grill and Princess Grill, reserved for those who have booked larger and more luxurious suites. There, according to five people who have worked on cruise ships, the food leaves much to be desired. Viana was referring instead to former colleagues on Costa Cruises. For example, we used to think that Celebrity had the best mdr food among the mass market lines. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions, C858B0A9-6769-424D-B129-59363EDAC023.jpeg, B5073042-BF8A-4EEC-BD19-0938D8732763.jpeg. The 7 Best Carnival Cruise Ships of 2023 Best Overall Cruise: Carnival Horizon Best for Families: Carnival Vista Best New Ship: Mardi Gras Best Ship Renovation: Carnival Sunrise Best Large Ship: Carnival Dream Best Budget: Carnival Conquest Best Amenities: Carnival Miracle Best Overall Cruise : Carnival Horizon See Rates on Carnival.com A prior version of this story suggested that former colleagues of Jamile Viana on Cunard Line would sometimes eat just rice and watermelon during a meal due to a lack of compelling alternatives. #2. Working on a cruise ship often involves long hours and few, if any, days off for months at a time. I have no problem answering this question. Done six celebrity and disagree. Love their ice cream sundaes. (Four of them requested anonymity due to a fear of reprisal from the cruise lines they've worked for.). I also like the other cruise lines & when I want more luxury, Im happy to pay for it. One of the biggest concerns often lies around speciality diets they struggle to offer a good gluten-free range, and some waiting staff need the vegan diet to be explained to them. Norwegian is the worst IMO. Well-known for their popular river cruises in Europe and beyond, Viking also offers ocean cruises across the seven seas. The people who are actually complaining about Hurtigrutens facilities are often those who havent understood the type of cruise theyre booking. With a focus on regional cuisine and wine, family-owned AmaWaterways sails more than 20 river ships in Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa. Why I Disagree with Whichs Worst Cruise Line Choices, The WORST Cruise Ive Taken (As Rated by Cruise Critic Reviews), BEST and WORST on Disney Cruise Line (Disney Dining Guide Wonder Appetizers), How Much Are Drinks On Viking River Cruises, Where Do Viking River Cruises Dock In Amsterdam, Bus From London To Southampton Cruise Terminal, What Is The Best Mississippi River Cruise Line, Which Cruise Lines Depart From San Francisco. Basically which cruise line has the worst food considering how muchyou pay for the cruise?". Others have commented that the juice was watery, the service was horrible, and the staff was rude and unenthused. The new rates for standard cabins will increase from $13.99 to $14.50 per passenger per day. This year we even saw a change in how particular dishes were prepared under a single executive chef. Then I got peaches that were simply rancid. Every Alaskan Dream Cruises passage includes an evening at a private lodge or beach featuring seafood and more, like King crab legs and flame-grilled salmon, as well as a beachside fire to roast smores and share stories. Britannia, P& O Cruises. This edgy ship was designed to appeal to a non-cruising clientele with innovations like Eden, a three-story hybrid experiential restaurant, craft cocktail lounge, and performance venue and Le Petit Chef at Le Grand Bistro, a dinner restaurant that features a 4D animation projected on your plate throughout your meal. While most cruise ship crew have English as a second language, Ive found that communication can sometimes be particularly difficult on an MSC Cruise, although mask policies wont have helped this at all. Related:These Cruises Stop At The Safest Ports In The Caribbean. Azamara. I told them, 'Do not touch it,'" he said. Definitely the best specialty dining of any we've done. Originally built for Festival Cruises in 2001, Armonia is one of MSCs oldest cruise liners. Celebrities specialty dining is wonderful, blue for aqua class is amazing, and main dining room is definitely above royal Caribbean there sister line. Best Carnival Cruise Ships of Once I have identified a cruise line with significantly worse food than any other, I am not inclined to keep going back to refresh my bad experience. The problem, for us, is that the quality of food/cuisine has changed so much over the years that its impossible to rate current ships unless one has been on the ships within the past few months. They have a Guy's BBQ shop there and that food is really good too! I've sailed with the three mainstream lines and have found their offerings in the main dining room andbuffets to be very close quality-wise. The food sucks, a former employee for Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America Line said. Love their risotto. Of the lines Ive sailed, I thought Carnival had the best food overall. We have had excellent food on Celebrity, HAL, Princess, RCI, NCL, and Carnival. Workers would keep tuna, granola bars, and other snack foods in their rooms or favor simple foods that require little preparation, like fruit, cereal, and sandwiches, she said. Late to this thread but I came here to say this! Also, Customers that have ridden the modern vessel have complained that the cleanliness and the decorating are lacking, the food is old and cold, the service ishorribleand the entertainment definitely needs improvement. U.K. consumer association Which? Not the worst food per dollar - just the worst food. All Norwegian Cruise Line ships (over two dozen and counting) feature a multitude of dining options to please any palate, but Food Republic has become a favorite since being introduced on Norwegian Escape in 2015, with several rollouts since. When you consider whats included, its understandable that MSCs standards in some areas may be a little below the more expensive cruise lines. Cruise travel used to be all about quantity over quality when it came to dining and other culinary experiences, but thats most definitely not the case today when it comes to eating and imbibing at sea and on the worlds rivers. All of the Collection sailings are led by James Beard Foundation-recognized guest chefs, sommeliers and beverage experts. True BBQ the sausage was delicious. 12 Worst Cruise Rip-offs The ultra-luxe Crystal Endeavor, which sails to remote locations like the Arctic and the Antarctic, as well as urban ports around the world, launched in 2021, and can carry up to 200 passengers. There are some who have ridden it though that were not too happy with their experience. So while the on-board facilities are limited, thats by design. Whether its chana masala vegetable biryani, tempura vegetable tacos or filet mignon with black truffle sauce, culinary discoveries are a keynote of the Azamara experience. But in 2020, the company started operations in Egypt on its new m/s Nebu, which also has solo cabins. The question is "worst food for the price" and while paying more may equate to better food overall for me personally if I am paying more then my expectations are going to be that much higher and could lead to a disappointing experience. I'm so sorry that this post wasn't useful for you! P& Os newest ship, MS Iona is a mega-ship, as will be her sister, MS Arvia, due to sail in 2022. Outstanding service everywhere. While Carnival caters more to families, Princess 17 ships target more adult travelers, especially on longer voyages. #3. Originally built for Festival Cruises in 2001, Armonia is one of MSCs oldest Theres no point in having a drink package if it takes over 30 minutes for each drink to be served to you. This fleet of 15 vesselswith passenger capacities ranging from just 28 to 148sails to rugged, far-flung destinations, including Arctic Svalbard, Antarctica, Indonesia, and the Galpagos. 7 Armonia Has Unfriendly Service, Limited Food Options & Below Average Cleanliness. Meanwhile, some of the inside cabins on older Hurtigruten ships start as small as 53 square feet, while the biggest inside cabins on these same older ships are just 110 square feet. But some of its recent fleet additions are truly luxe, from its two polar-sailing expedition ships, National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution, to the elegant Oberoi Philae, which sails the Nile. When it comes to The Lirica, it has been around for a while and over the years, its customer rating has dropped significantly. The most fun cruise ships on the high seas, Recommended Reading: Cruises To Maui From California. MSC Cruises scores lowest on the Which? is probably the biggest consumer magazine in the UK, and so is a reliable source when it comes to garnering opinion. How do you rate the service in the restaurant, cabin and bars? Carnivals fleet of 24 ships are loud in color and volume with music pumping, adults letting lose and kids having a ball. Top notch!!! Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. They weren't serving fancy species of fish prepared in an exotic way. Plus, Carnival Cruise Line will kick it up another notch on their new ship, Mardi Gras, in 2020, with Emeril Lagasses New Orleans-inspired concept, Emerils Bistro 1396. Menus change frequently and even on any single cruise line food quality can vary greatly from one ship to another depending on the skills of the executive chef and his/her staff. Cruisers were asked to grade their experience out of five across 11 categories including customer service, passenger-to-space ratio, cabins, food and drink, port excursions and value for money. Best variety of cool upscale food Ive had cruising. We picked this specifically because it's allegedly known as a foodie cruise line, but we still can't figure out why. they were bombarded with sales promotions while onboard and the drinks packages on offer were confusing. If it's related to cruising, it belongs here! Food not the one issue, as one can dine in speciality offerings. Royal Caribbean International. (That's speaking from my combined experience of 15 years in America eating Italian American food and 22 years in Europe with at least 3-4 weeks in Italy each year. Remember though that worst doesnt mean bad You can have five amazing things, but one of them has to be the worst of those amazing, and thats often the case with cruise lines. We do think that the best food is generally found on the smallest shipsoperated by the luxury lines. Many passengers opt to extend their experience with a multi-night stay in the Bahamas, which the cruise line organizes for its guests. Food not the one issue, as one can dine in speciality offerings. Neither is it the amount paid. It's a combination of things, accommodation, basic By the end of the cruise, we would check the dinner menu BEFORE committing to making a reservation. I will say they always seem to have an awesome curry on the buffet though. #1 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money. Worst Cruise The menu features classic American bar food with a Royal Caribbean twist, including wings with a variety of sauces, burgers with Playmakers fries (steak fries drizzled with Caesar dressing and sprinkled with parmesan) and the colorful Touchdown Sundae, with five types of ice cream served in mini Playmakers football helmet. Since most mass market cruise lines are all relatively comparable in price and offer similar options with dining venues IMO it is not a valid measu And they brew their own beer (four types!) The river cruise branch of tour operator Vantage Deluxe World Travel has several of its own ships, the majority of which sail in Europe. Silver Wind (Silversea Cruises) This ship scored a 79 score overall, due to several drinking and pool water options having too-low pH and chlorine levels, stacks of Parent company Viking Cruises has expanded feverishly in recent years, with more than 60 river ships and six ocean vessels in its fleet.