Not amused by Muse

We recently returned from a S. America (Ft. Lauderdale to Valparaiso) trip. While the trip itself was mostly fine, the dining situation is not for us. Here are the problems we encountered and the things we disliked:

No published menus. In many cases it doesn’t really matter as the menus in Atlantide and Indochine are changed so infrequently that we soon had them memorized.

Poor service in many venues. Our only breakfast attempt in Atlantide was a comedy in that the waiter thought it was correct to serve items as courses — my eggs were held back until my husband finished his cereal. Too often at breakfast in La Terrazza the orders were wrong — on one memorable morning 2 out of 3 items were erroneous. In the Atlantide bar we were denied a seat at the bar as the bartender insisted the last 2 seats were taken, even though other passengers insisted the occupants had left. The problems were generally in the dining rooms — the cabin staff and most bar staff were excellent.

Odd and time consuming seating policy in Atlantide. Upon approaching the podium guests are escorted to their table by the maitre d’ which left the podium vacant and other guests just hanging out.

Table sharing was sporadic. Twice we were asked if we wanted to share, we said yes after inquiring about the table size and being told it was 6, which in both cases was erroneous. We were last to be seated at tables for 8 with only 6 guests. Since we are getting a bit hard of hearing we were mostly unable to join in the conversation.

Our confirmed reservation for Stars for 2 somehow morphed into a waitlist for 4.

Generally the food quality was only OK — not up to the standards of other SS ships we have sailed on. The one exception was La Dame which was terrific in every way.

I was confused by the availability of the “always available” menu as I read it to be room service only, and it is not shown on any of the restaurant menus. But on 2 occasions I requested broth, expecting to be turned down, and it was cheerfully served. Recommend you carry a copy from the room in case nothing on the restaurant menu appeals!

Our voyage was not full so we rarely experienced having to wait for a table, plus we dine late. On a full ship I think it would be a different story.

We really missed having a main dining room with its daily changing menu.

We like SS and will sail with them again, but not on Muse or Musified ships.

Thanks for sharing your experience and sorry this one didn't work out for you.

Keith

We recently returned from a S. America (Ft. Lauderdale to Valparaiso) trip. While the trip itself was mostly fine, the dining situation is not for us. Here are the problems we encountered and the things we disliked:

 

 

 

No published menus. In many cases it doesn’t really matter as the menus in Atlantide and Indochine are changed so infrequently that we soon had them memorized.

 

 

 

Poor service in many venues. Our only breakfast attempt in Atlantide was a comedy in that the waiter thought it was correct to serve items as courses — my eggs were held back until my husband finished his cereal. Too often at breakfast in La Terrazza the orders were wrong — on one memorable morning 2 out of 3 items were erroneous. In the Atlantide bar we were denied a seat at the bar as the bartender insisted the last 2 seats were taken, even though other passengers insisted the occupants had left. The problems were generally in the dining rooms — the cabin staff and most bar staff were excellent.

 

 

 

Odd and time consuming seating policy in Atlantide. Upon approaching the podium guests are escorted to their table by the maitre d’ which left the podium vacant and other guests just hanging out.

 

 

 

Table sharing was sporadic. Twice we were asked if we wanted to share, we said yes after inquiring about the table size and being told it was 6, which in both cases was erroneous. We were last to be seated at tables for 8 with only 6 guests. Since we are getting a bit hard of hearing we were mostly unable to join in the conversation.

 

 

 

Our confirmed reservation for Stars for 2 somehow morphed into a waitlist for 4.

 

 

 

Generally the food quality was only OK — not up to the standards of other SS ships we have sailed on. The one exception was La Dame which was terrific in every way.

 

 

 

I was confused by the availability of the “always available” menu as I read it to be room service only, and it is not shown on any of the restaurant menus. But on 2 occasions I requested broth, expecting to be turned down, and it was cheerfully served. Recommend you carry a copy from the room in case nothing on the restaurant menu appeals!

 

 

 

Our voyage was not full so we rarely experienced having to wait for a table, plus we dine late. On a full ship I think it would be a different story.

 

 

 

We really missed having a main dining room with its daily changing menu.

 

 

 

We like SS and will sail with them again, but not on Muse or Musified ships.

We are currently on Muse and agree with almost everything you’ve described. This morning, after ordering an English muffin for about the 10th morning, always asking for butter and strawberry jam...I was again presented with the under toasted muffin...NO butter or jam. I then wait, while the muffin cools for the butter/jam. This is just one example of the inconsistency in service at the dining venues. Atlantide is by far, the most disappointing.

We agree that most staff are pleasant and bartenders are quite good...but the food, variety and quality have been disappointing.

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Lady Madeleine -- we must have had the same server. That is precisely the problem I had when ordering English muffins -- warm but not toasted. I gave up on butter/jam and just got it myself...

Only had breakfast once in Atlantide..... Mostly because La Terrazza is preferable but also because the service was very slow and mornings tend to be much more hurried.

After reading about your experiences with the dining situation, I’m wondering if you have any ‘tips’ for a better experience for those of us still booked on the Muse in the near future?? Any advice for us newbies?:confused::)

I’m wondering if you have any ‘tips’ for a better experience for those of us still booked on the Muse in the near future?? Any advice for us newbies?[emoji782]:)

Also, sail on a full voyage. We did and never had a problem with our meals, regardless of time of day. They were excellent. Luck of the draw I guess.

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Our Muse voyage is coming up in March however we never eat breakfast in the main dinning room or its equivalent. On all the lines we have tried this it seems to be a slow and painful process.

Yes. Before ordering an English muffin for the 10th time, be sure your server knows how you want it toasted as well as that you would like the butter and jam placed on the table before said muffin arrives. [emoji6]

 

Also, sail on a full voyage. We did and never had a problem with our meals, regardless of time of day. They were excellent. Luck of the draw I guess.

 

 

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I was always specific with my ordering.

Also, what’s it mean “sail on a full voyage”?

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A basically "sold out" cruise.

Somehow I’m having trouble connecting better service with a full ship. Seems counterintuitive that the relatively fixed number of staff serving more people would be more efficient. I suppose it could be argued that they’re paying more attention because they have to serve more people but not sure I buy that.

Somehow I’m having trouble connecting better service with a full ship. Seems counterintuitive that the relatively fixed number of staff serving more people would be more efficient. I suppose it could be argued that they’re paying more attention because they have to serve more people but not sure I buy that.

Ah.... I wasn't the only one then! :p:p:p:p

I was always specific with my ordering.

Also, what’s it mean “sail on a full voyage”?

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Somehow I’m having trouble connecting better service with a full ship.

Ah.... I wasn't the only one then! :p:p:p:p

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While I don't eat muffins I think that if what you describe occurred for me I would have got to maybe three times before I called the maitre d' or the assistant m d' and forcefully stated the problem. Certainly not 10 times. If that didn't fix it I would see the next up the chain. You shouldn't have to do that but sometimes you do, on a Silversea ship or wherever.

While I don't eat muffins I think that if what you describe occurred for me I would have got to maybe three times before I called the maitre d' or the assistant m d' and forcefully stated the problem. Certainly not 10 times.

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OP plus anyone else who has been on Muse:

1. Were you able to order any meals brought to and served in your room other than off the basic room service menu, like we used to be able to do on SS, served by the butler?

Did you ever try room service for breakfast and if so was it cold, and was coffee decent?

Are there in-room coffee machines?

2. Were there any good entrees at all?

3. Was there any sit-down, table service dining available at lunch on sea days?

We did not use room service at all.

No in-room coffee machine.

La Dame was terrific in all ways, and Atlantide was acceptable. I found Indochine bland (but we lived in San Francisco for 30 years so are spoiled re Asian food). The pizza was nearly inedible (why do ships persist in attempting it since they cannot have a wood fired oven?) Hot Rocks was OK -- just plain grilled meats/shrimp. The night club's offerings were poor, with the exception of the lamb medallions main course. La Terrazza was as always excellent, but the menu became tedious after a time. One of the best meals was a surprise lunch outside after the equator crossing ceremony -- tiny clams in a wonderful cream sauce, cooked a la minute by one of the sous chefs.

Lunch was available in Atlantide and we had a good one on a sea day. Menu choices are limited and the menu is not posted, but I understand changes daily.

There are coffee machines in the Silver suites and above.

OP plus anyone else who has been on Muse:

 

 

 

1. Were you able to order any meals brought to and served in your room other than off the basic room service menu, like we used to be able to do on SS, served by the butler?

 

 

 

Did you ever try room service for breakfast and if so was it cold, and was coffee decent?

Are there in-room coffee machines?

 

2. Were there any good entrees at all?

 

3. Was there any sit-down, table service dining available at lunch on sea days?

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