foodsvcmgr

MDR sounds much worse than the surprisingly good dining we experienced last month on Liberty of the Seas. I realize they are separate entities under the same corporate umbrella, but makes no sense for the supposed “step up” brand to have inferior food. Looking forward to the experience of an Antarctic drive by in January, the food and condition of the ship, not so much….

Thanks for the positive and informative reviews. Looking forward to our similar QV sailing in August. How was the musical entertainment around the ship?

Entirely too many and even though I have had my January Eclipse cruise booked for a year the fare never drops regardless of how they reword the “sale”.

It appears everyone is making similar points leading to a similar conclusion that the confusion emanates from many prospective passengers not familiar with dressing anymore in the manner stipulated. As I stated, being a F&B Director I still wore suits, albeit with no tie. A tech Director though might only wear jeans to work despite his rank and salary. Cunard and travel agents need to do better explaining the dress code up front so that new passengers can decide if they wish to buy the clothes required or would be more comfortable elsewhere. What I have difficulty understanding is why anyone looking for a casual evening experience would select Cunard?

January 20, 2024

Unfortunately for Eclipse in January almost every excursion shows sold out. So pricing seems to now be a moot point. And no apparent way to be waitlisted.

For the last 10 or 12 years before my recent retirement as a F&B executive at a major hotel casino we had all pretty much forsaken ties other than for major events. Typically we wore a suit or blazer with dark slacks and a button down shirt. When wearing a tie I use a shirt with a standard collar. A dress shirt without a pocket below the level of a tux shirt is difficult to find. So to a degree it boils down to what clothing one is used to wearing or may own already.

I have noticed this change or downgrading over the past few years on HAL and Celebrity as well, so possibly it reflects what the satellite providers are offering currently rather than what the cruise line wishes to provide on their Navigation channels?

I understand that Royal and X intentionally have differences to appeal to different interests and demographics. But I don’t understand how it makes sense for X as the “superior mass market” division to have fewer selections, lesser quality, and smaller portions than Royal as the “mass market” segment. Have sailed Celebrity five times pre-pandemic and just got off Liberty of the Seas two weeks ago where I was extremely pleased with all aspects of MDR and buffet food. These reports have me concerned for the food I’ll experience on Eclipse in January.

Sounds like deja vu back to the late ‘60’s when Cunard could only afford to paint one side of the original QE in her final years, the side that would be seen from the pier for a visit by HM the Queen Mother! QE and QM were famously tattered, I was fortunate to take a tour of QE a few months after she was retired to Florida and the interiors were magnificent but threadbare. This was the type of thing that Carnival’s acquisition of Cunard was supposed to eliminate, but no one envisioned Covid.

I still have somewhere the final statement form from my first t/a on QE2 in 1979, at that time there was a preprinted line item that read “Removal of ship’s fittings”. Just like “drinks”, “shops”, etc. Not sure how they knew what anyone took home and charged them for it, maybe at that time you could ask to purchase china or silverware if you wanted it?

All excellent points ballroom cruisers, I should have stipulated that I hope they are not regularly doing random testing “except in the event of a major outbreak”.

I certainly hope random testing is not being done, no government requires it and if so overkill by Cunard. Have not heard of other lines doing this for a year or more.

With all the confusion about dropping or modifying Lincoln Center performances, what’s the classical music situation currently aboard the various ships? Thanks for any updates.

You make a good point NE John - overhype by cruise lines, Cunard in particular, tends to create unrealistic expectations, especially for those who are new cruisers. Within the Carnival family, Princess is clearly pegged a notch below Cunard, yet frequently the maitre d’ will be cooking a pasta dish on a flambé table for the entire dining room, the everyday menu is in print, not “secret” as in Britannia etc. But Cunard have hyped themselves into a corner by needing to show a clear upgrade and value for stepping up to Club, PG, and QG otherwise why do it?

Last week on Liberty of the Seas a lady at an adjacent table requested cheesecake off menu nightly. Seems odd it would be no issue on Royal yet cut out on Celebrity. Hoping the cuts slow down soon as revenues climb back.

Thanks for your excellent review, we will be aboard QV British Isles in August and are glad to hear the World Club party is back, also the canapés in Commodore which were missing on our crossing in 2018. We will be in a regular Britannia balcony this time, late seating, hoping the menu cuts there are not too dramatic.

Have not sailed Celebrity since pre-Covid, but just got off Liberty of the Seas last week. Despite many current food complaints on CC, we were very impressed with the food quality and taste with their new menus as well as generous portion size. If we get that level of food product or better on Eclipse this January we will be very satisfied.

I thought that these differences were the result of UK regulations rather than discretionary company policy?

Does this apply to American passengers as well? Are there no special or additional incentives to book another cruise onboard?

Yet on Liberty this week none of this was an issue. The section maitre d’ spent a lot of time at the next table bringing special requests to a couple who cruise every few weeks. A Sous Chef came to a large Indian group nearby and took custom orders directly. I was cheerfully given my two apps and desserts at the same time. Clearly the F&B management on this ship at least was far more interested in guest satisfaction than draconian rules.

Just off Liberty two days ago. I ordered two apps every night and generally they were served together, never asked either way. Also I frequently got ice cream along with my cake or pie. Absolutely no issue doing so. Never ordered two entrees as they were good size portions, not small at all as some have reported. Quality was quite good also.

Arya - yes it is the second night, I didn’t see that photo in the app last week, found out after the fact once I loaded the full Compass off the QR code. Maybe others also were not aware as participation seemed very light.

And everyone still believes that all this aggravation is a better alternative than fixed early or late seating in the MDR? We eat early at home but late on cruises due to being busy during the day. Have grown tired of long waits at Blu even at 8:30, plus the odd menu choices. Will be back to traditional late seating on Eclipse in January, looking forward to the change.

I brought a sport jacket on Liberty last week but missed the dress night on the first sea day due to relying on just the basic program displayed on the app. If you don’t get a paper copy of the full schedule or put it on your phone via the QR code you won’t get a lot of detail such as suggested dress, drink of the day, etc.