Ordering more than one dish

[Lottycruiser]

Sorry that you felt awkward ordering exactly what you wanted. I've never gotten that vibe from the waiters who've served me. I am not one to order huge quantities of food, but I often order more than one "starter." There's nothing wrong with having, say, an appetizer and a salad. I'm much less likely to order more than one entree, but I have done so before. On my most recent cruise, there was an entree I had settled on, but the Indian curry dish sounded really good, so I ordered both, and my wife and I shared the curry. Wait staff didn't seem to mind in the least.

 

I am wondering if the fact we were on my time dining made a difference to the waiters approach to us , we usualy ate early between 6-30 and 7-30 and from an earlier post i got the impression that waiters are more laid back at second seating as they have no one else to seat after that sitting .please dont read me wrong , we had a brilliant time and the waiters were friendly i have no complaints about ,them it was my own fault that i didnt order to my will ,i just felt that they werent forthcoming when i couldnt decide over dishes ,which made it seem they didnt want to bring more than they had to , i now know better and will definately not be shy in my ordering next time , you live and learn;)

[Lottycruiser]

I find this topic interesting. I was surprised on my last cruise on RC that I was not only dissuaded from ordering more than one entree, I was told no! I was told by our server that RC doesn't like to encourage pax to order more than one as there may be shortages. I thought that was odd, especially since we were at the late seating. Also, it was very encouraged on all Disney cruises I have been on as well as allowed on Princess and Carnival. I didn't complain, I just dealt with it and shared different things with my husband. The last couple of nights, my sister was sick and wasn't able to join us in the DR. I then asked my server to bring us her portion as another option for the rest of us to try. Can you believe he was annoyed??? I actually told him that we would have consumed that meal anyway if she were with us and we weren't taking away from anyone else. He gave a bit of attitude but I didn't care. We paid for that food, so we ate it! lol

 

I think overall, the waitstaff has a lot to do with whether or not you feel comfortable asking for more and actually getting it.

 

 

I would have been mortified had i asked for extra and been told no :eek:

 

When ordering, it is no problem whatsoever to order three appetizers / two dinners / etc.

 

Waiter puts in the order for the table as taken, then brings it on when ready.

 

The problem is when you decide AFTER eating dinner (or the appetizer) that you would then like another clams casino, steak or lobster. Imagine if everyone at your table decided that they would like another dinner after eating dinner number one.

 

However, if everyone at the table ordered two dinners originally, waiter puts the order in, and then brings them out, no problem.

 

I can totaly understand this , the last evening we had eaten our appetisers and the waiter then brought out the soups for the belgium group on our table , we didnt mind at all and just sat patiently till they finished and the waiter then brought out all the main courses , it would be no fun though if meal after meal was coming out and you had to sit and wait till you could order dessert , no i would definately do the ordering at the start and not expect to keep ordering more later , am loving all the replies and tips i am getting from this , i will be well clued up for next time , many thanks .

[Gilgo Surfer]

I order either two apps and one entree or two entrees and one app. On last two cruises I had three fisherman's platters on lobster night.:o Never a problem.

[negc]

I am wondering if the fact we were on my time dining made a difference to the waiters approach to us , we usualy ate early between 6-30 and 7-30 and from an earlier post i got the impression that waiters are more laid back at second seating as they have no one else to seat after that sitting .please dont read me wrong , we had a brilliant time and the waiters were friendly i have no complaints about ,them it was my own fault that i didnt order to my will ,i just felt that they werent forthcoming when i couldnt decide over dishes ,which made it seem they didnt want to bring more than they had to , i now know better and will definately not be shy in my ordering next time , you live and learn;)

 

It shouldn't have made any difference. We have had MTD on our last few cruises and didn't find a problem on those occasions when we wished to order more than one appetizer, entree or dessert or wished to order an additional item to share. In our experience the wait staff in MTD were usually ones who had a long employment history with the cruiseline and had no problems accommodating any of our requests. It could perhaps happen if you had a new and inexperienced waiter but a firm but polite request, or if necessary, a quick word with the head waiter should produce the desired result. We have also occasionally had a waiter who would bring an additional item (usually one that none of us had ordered) to the table for everyone to share. That kind of service deserves a positive comment on your guest satisfaction form.:)

[NorbertsNiece]

I am wondering if the fact we were on my time dining made a difference to the waiters approach to us , we usualy ate early between 6-30 and 7-30 and from an earlier post i got the impression that waiters are more laid back at second seating as they have no one else to seat after that sitting .please dont read me wrong , we had a brilliant time and the waiters were friendly i have no complaints about ,them it was my own fault that i didnt order to my will ,i just felt that they werent forthcoming when i couldnt decide over dishes ,which made it seem they didnt want to bring more than they had to , i now know better and will definately not be shy in my ordering next time , you live and learn;)

 

Nah. We've eaten MTD last time and will always continue to do so from now on. Had to stop the waiter giving me B52 shots each night. Seriously. He was terrific!. Got plied with extras when he realised what our tastes were after a couple of nights.

[Quigley10]

We ordered extra appetizers and desserts often on the FoS. I'm not a huge eater, so I ordered two entrees only during Italian night - the southwestern pasta and the eggplant bake. My husband and I shared the eggplant, and it was the perfect accompaniment to the pasta.

 

We found that multiple appetizers would come out individually, but multiple entrees or desserts would come out at the same time. Yummm! :p

[akcruz]

I agree, don't think it was the MTD as we've done that most of the time lately. Just sounds like grumpy waiters. Next time just ask for what you want and chances are pretty good you'll get it.

[1st mate]

We, too order what we want. We have been encouraged, by the our wait staff to try a 2nd order ot to order a different entree. We have, also had the pleasure of the waiter bringing us an entree or two that he thought we might enjoy.

 

This is what gets them an extra tip and makes for a very pleasurable dining experience.

 

The wait staff begins to get feel for what each diner might enjoy.;)

[AFS1970]

On my only cruise (Carnival) one of my table mates would order two deserts every night. One was whatever the sugar free desert was and the other was the cheese plate. It was actually the suggestion of our waiter, when asked if the cheese plate was filling, and saying he didn't want anything with sugar. She was very helpful and told him the cheese plate was small, but that they always had sugar free ice cream and usually had a special sugar free desert each night.

 

I like the idea of hitting one of the cafe's later though. It might just improve the options a bit.

[Mack704]

DW and I were on the Oasis for two weeks in May. We had MTD. We were in the MDR 11 out of 14 nights.

 

On the first night we liked our waiter, a lot! So every night there after we requested him. Andug was terrific. By the second night he began anticipating our needs.

 

The night I ordered rack of lamb he told me to order two. He said one might not be enough. Needless to say there was no meat left on those bones. Delicious.

 

I can't imagine ever leaving the MDR not full. I thought there were supposed to be 5 course meals in the MDR: app.; soup; salad; entre; dessert. Like that.

 

On a resume of more than a dozen cruises, on four different cruise lines, I've always ordered what I want, and never been discouraged by either cruiser or wait staff.

 

Once, on a Celebrity cruise, they had rib eye (my favorite food) at the beginning of the week. It was delish. I spoke to the Asst. Maitre 'd and had a rib eye every night for the rest of the week - along with another entre if it appealed to me.

 

I never thought of it as being timid or bold. It's always been just a fact of cruising life. I feel bad you didn't know. I'd bet you'll gain a couple pounds on your next cruise.

 

Harvey

[tx_sweetpea]

On my last cruise, I had a table mate who wanted shrimp cocktail every night-whether it was on the menu or not. So, every night he received SIX shrimp cocktails. They were all brought out at the same time. The waiter would then serve them one at a time.

Then on formal night, the table ordered lobster. I wasn't sure if I would want another. So, I did not order my second one until I finished first one and I was sure I could eat another one. Also, you can choose whether or nor you would like extra sides.

As for desserts, one night my DM could not decide which dessert she want. I have attached a picture of the of FIVE desserts she ordered.

 

FYI, we ate in the MDR at the early seating.

 

Remember, you are paying for it and it never hurts to ask for what you want.

[jlbkty]

Our son ordered two entrees each and every night at dinner. And ate every bite! It became quite the joke with the waiter. He would take his order, then say, "and for your second entree?"

We have also had wait staff that brought food out that we didn't order, just so we could try it. And, of course, you hate to be rude! So you have to eat it (haha).

[Lottycruiser]

On my last cruise, I had a table mate who wanted shrimp cocktail every night-whether it was on the menu or not. So, every night he received SIX shrimp cocktails. They were all brought out at the same time. The waiter would then serve them one at a time.

Then on formal night, the table ordered lobster. I wasn't sure if I would want another. So, I did not order my second one until I finished first one and I was sure I could eat another one. Also, you can choose whether or nor you would like extra sides.

As for desserts, one night my DM could not decide which dessert she want. I have attached a picture of the of FIVE desserts she ordered.

 

FYI, we ate in the MDR at the early seating.

 

Remember, you are paying for it and it never hurts to ask for what you want.

 

I could polish off every single one of them right now :) oh my , this second cruise is going to be so different ;)

[MikeDaDog]

 

You've not seen how many escargots I can eat at one sitting.... :o

You know you have to eat them slow...

 

 

Right about at a snails pace is it...

 

:D

[NorbertsNiece]

You know you have to eat them slow...

 

 

Right about at a snails pace is it...

 

:D

 

Oh good grief!

 

Recently we ate at a very famous restaurant in the UK and were served snail porridge..... absolutely phenomenal!!

 

Sorry for going off topic......

 

[ChiMimi69]

Our experience has been the complete opposite. If anything we have waiters bringing us food we didn't order because they think we would enjoy sampling. My sons usually order 2 or 3 appetizers and 2 or 3 desserts and have never been made to feel out of line.

 

 

I've had the same experience on RCCL. Great service from the waiters and asst. waiters. :)

[orville99]

The first time we were on HAL, the first night was a gala and they had lobster as an entree, and filet as a separate entree (I know, it's been awhile). I couldn't decide, so I asked the waiter if I could combine them and get the lobster tail along with my filet.

 

No problem - well two problems, really. I thought I'd just get a lobster tail on the same plate as the filet. Nope - two complete entrees. Second problem - every night after that, the waiter automatically brought me two complete entrees of anything I ordered. I guess he just thought I liked to eat a lot. Only cruise where I gained weight:o

[Cruisebylandorsea]

We have always ordered 2 entrees to make surf & turf on lobster night. We have asked the waiter just for the lobster and not the veggies or starch on the plate. However I think the plates had already been plated in the kitchen since they brought out the whole plate.

 

I am not sure if MTD makes any difference, except maybe MDR staff already knows their tip is secure, since you cannot change the tip-----except to give them more...

 

Is lobster served in WJ? The menu has been the same as MDR on formal nights. We met one gentleman on last cruise that only eats in WJ so he does not have to dress up. You could probably get more tails upstairs.

 

We've ordered multiple appetizers to try something new and usually do not waste it. We have also taken dessert back to our cabin.:)

 

Like I said above we have been spoiled by RCCL.............

[aldewitt]

I'm not saying that pax should not order extra entrees..desserts.. etc if they are hungry and really want to eat them. I also understand pax wanting to try new things..fine..try it..if you don't like it order something else...but please don't be piggish about it...:rolleyes:

 

 

Good advice, and remember, pigs get fat, but hogs get slaughtered. Taking two entrees and not finishing one = piggish. Taking three and eating a few bites out of all of them = being a hog.

 

Lots of the people who work on these ships have come from a hard scrabble life and it offends them that people waste food that, in their country might go to feed four or five hungry people.

 

Its good to get what you order and will eat. It's bad to waste food at any time.

[Jimnbigd]

Sometimes I think the waitstaff are "reluctant" to bring everything some pax order because they take one bite out of it and then don't eat it.

 

We usually like to dine alone but there have been times we have eaten with other pax. One man loved to order just about one of each on the menu and then would proceed to take a few bites and shove it aside or ask the waitstaff to remove the plate from the table. It was a gross waste of food and he would do it just about every evening we dined with them.

 

Lobster night was the worst..he ordered six...and other dinners as well. It was a disgusting site to behold.

 

I'm not saying that pax should not order extra entrees..desserts.. etc if they are hungry and really want to eat them. I also understand pax wanting to try new things..fine..try it..if you don't like it order something else...but please don't be piggish about it...:rolleyes:

 

Most anything not ordered has to be thrown away anyway at the end of the cruise. It's not as if the food we don't order will be sent to starving people somewhere. But it does seem like a big waste sometimes.

 

I wonder with shrimp and other seafood prices climbing, if ships will start limiting the number of shrimp cocktails and such. I bet they do. I have also known ships to limit the number of lobsters at the first (early) dining, to make sure there is enough for the second (late) dining.

[Yvie]

We've had wonderful waiters on most of our cruises. Don't be afraid to make a request. We always ask for mostly savory bites in our bread basket because we love those. I have asked for all broccoli in the past if a mixed vegetable offering wasn't to my liking, and have also asked if an appetizer could be served as my entree (larger portion size) if I didn't care for any of the listed entrees. On rare occasions I have had an entree I really didn't like and asked for something else. Usually we are cruising with family members or have or own table so we don't disrupt the dinner service by doing this.

[yahootelemundo]

I always ask for more than one plate specially when they have lobster.

[kooljamming]

If you order a lobster tail and then want another do you get the whole dish again or do you just get the tail ?, likewise if you order a second steak , or if you know you would want two lobster tails would you just ask for two of them when you order , i'm just wondering how you approach the waiter about ordering the extra dishes .

 

I order multiple entrées at the same time, the whole meal . On my last cruise (Mariner of the Seas 2/10) I added deserts. I order something I am familar with, then something I would like to try. I am not a appetizer person, more steak and potato, so double the main entrees...bam!. I order it all at once because so I don't have to wait. I am afraid my stomach will get that horrible message from my brain that it's full. I take pictures of the food before I eat them. Here was my intake for a week, prepare to be shock:p In my defense I don't care much for breakfast or lunch and save my appetite for dinner. Once I ordered 2 lobsters, then one each for my kids. After the first bite my kids said, I don't like this. I did what any good mom would do...oh they weren't that big:p Our waiter was great and kinda instead we tried something he thought was special.

 

http://travel.webshots.com/album/577169966zGsdiR?start=0

 

Pauline

[ncsteeler]

On Monarch this May the waiter made the mistake of telling my 19 yo son he could have anything he wanted. Boy ended up with two different maindishes and a bowl of croutons with ranch dressing for dipping. He ate every bite.

[sandravb79]

I always order 2 appetizers and 2 desserts (and then I wonder why I gain weight, ha!). Waiters never look surprised when I do it.

 

Last time, on lobster-night, it was the waiter who asked, and insisted, I got a second lobster.