So what's a foodie to do then? (long)

[kwagmyre]

Ok, so coming on the tail-end of all these recent food threads… my fiancé and I are booked on the Liberty in June for our honeymoon, and we are both MAJOR foodies.

So, needless to say, all of the “the food quality is down” comments have me somewhat concerned.

 

Now, let’s get this out of the way right up front – by “foodie” I do NOT mean “food snob”. There is a difference. One of the best meals I have had in recent memory was a Big Mac and a chocolate shake. It was late at night from the drive-thru after a hellish 14-hour workday, and because of the hour, both were prepared fresh, and I tell you, it was near culinary orgasm. So, even McDonald’s can be good – damn good in fact – when its’ done right. Good food is all about execution.

 

This will be a different kind of food thread, in that, instead of posing problems, I am going to talk about solutions. But first, let me address a few of the more common arguments up front so we can (hopefully) dispense with them:

 

 

• “Carnival has lowered the bar/has comfort foods/spends less on food/has downgraded the offerings, so you should lower your expectations”. Though this will be my first cruise since I was a child almost 30 years ago, my research indicates that these are all valid points. However, since my research also indicates this to be the case for ALL “mass-market” cruise lines, it’s somewhat invalid for someone traveling on a cruise of this level, yet looking to maximize their dining experience. A very cursory glance of either the Princess, RCI, or NCL boards will find much the same rants, so Carnival neither gets a pass, nor an exclusive on cutbacks. You can even find these same comments to a lesser extent on Celebrity and HAL.
  
• “If you want better food, pay more for a different cruise line”. See point #1. In addition to that, it’s pretty easy to find (even in this environment) plenty of comments where people prefer Carnival to RCI or NCL, and sometimes Princess as well. Note that I am speaking strictly to the MDR here, not to buffets or specialty restaurants. So the “you get what you pay for” argument actually doesn’t seem to hold up very well in this instance. I have no problem paying for more, but at least for right now, it doesn’t seem like you necessarily get that by doing so.
  
• “Who cares – it’s free, plus I don’t have to do dishes”. This argument is so absurd I’m not even sure where to begin. A. It’s not “free”, you paid for it on your ticket, and B. I can think of no other restaurant where, if people are served lukewarm or overcooked food their response will be “well, that’s ok; at least I don’t have to clean up”. No one would have that attitude in a land-based restaurant, and the ship has all the same equipment – quite a bit more, in fact.
  
• “They have thousands of mouths to feed every day”. Irrelevant. They have (as indicated by popular consensus) managed to feed the same number of people quite well in the past, and obviously must continue to do so to remain competitive in the market.
  
• “I don’t cruise for the food”. Fair enough. Buffet’s on Lido deck, aft – enjoy. I didn’t book a Carnival cruise expecting a gourmet experience either, but if I’ve gotta eat anyway, I’d like for it to be as good as possible. To be honest, I don’t buy this argument anyway. People DO cruise for the food. Let’s face it; we’re not jumping on these things as an act of eco-tourism. Cruising is about decadence and excess, and pigging out is one of the ways people do that. I’ll take quality over quantity every time, but I would rather have a few tender morsels of perfection than a trough of crap, and make no apologies for that.
  

 

Ok. So with those preliminaries out of the way, here is my plan on how to get the most out of our dining experiences on our cruise, and going in with an open mind and a positive attitude. Yes, I am expecting to have a good time and maybe with a little extra effort, perhaps, a great one.

 

Breakfast: Since my favorite type of breakfast is eggs and hotcakes at a greasy spoon, I’m not too hard to please here. I know to avoid the eggs on the buffet, and use the omelet station instead, or if I’m in the MDR, to get the hollandaise on the side. The coffee is better, as I understand, in the MDR. Cool. Honestly, I may just go to the specialty coffee house each morning, either that or bring my own plus my French press and order the tea kettle from room service. Actually, I quite like the sound of that on that balcony, and since we are on a 7-day Western itinerary, will probably be having room service 4 out of 6 days anyway.

 

Lunch: With the 2.0 upgrades, wifey and I will be more than happy with the Fish & Chips, Guy’s burgers, the deli, and the pizza station, all of which seem to get rave reviews (we’ll probably split a calzone vs. pizza – less filling, more fresh). We both LOVE junk/bar-type food and beer, and so I think we’ll be all over it. I also love red ales and microbrews, so that Carnival chose this type to be their signature draught only gets major thumbs-ups from me.

 

Dinner: Ahh, dinner. Here’s where we run into the difficulties, right? Well, with much help (and props) to Sgt. Shulz/zydecocruiser’s menu site, and some snipped FunTimes, and lots of research, here is my tentative 7-day dinner menu plan:

 

Day 1: Steakhouse. In addition to the free bottle of wine that Carnival offers, plus the very consistent complaints I have read about the MDR on the first night (this seems to traverse all ships), plus this being a honeymoon, this is a no-brainer decision. Now, I *am* an absolute steak snob, so to avoid even setting myself up for disappointment, I’ll actually be ordering one of the seafood dishes. That lobster ravioli is lookin’ mighty good, and future-dw is a major lobster fan, so she’s all set. Yes, I have told her that the lobster tail in the steakhouse is grilled, not broiled. She says she’s had grilled lobster before and loves it.

 

Day2: Elegant night. Since we will be on a 7-day Western, with the 2nd night being the first sea day, I know there is about a 99.0% chance that this will be elegant night. Now, having just said that I am a steak snob, I am actually quite forgiving with prime rib. In fact, I think I can honestly say that I’ve never had a bad piece of prime rib, ever. For whatever reason, this seems to be a really easy cut for restaurants to get right. Yes, I understand they are on the smaller/fattier side. With all of the other food being served, I don’t need a huge cut anyway. If it’s gristly, I’ll trade it out. Wifey will order the lobster again, I am sure. Yes, we know they are small, and that she can order two.

 

Day3: We are going to book for the Chef’s Table, and it will probably be held on this night. At least I hope so. The MDR menu looks ok with the Penne Marisco, but I’ve heard nothing but bad about this dish, and little else on this night’s menu appeals to me (assuming they keep the same order as ZD’s site). Here’s to hoping for a little cosmic alignment.

 

Day 4-7. Ah. Now here’s where we start to run into issues. Menus seem to be quite “hit or miss” from here on out, even on the 2nd elegant night. I know there are standouts (Bitter-n-blanc), and siren songs (Chateaubriand). I am far less certain about my choices on these nights than those above, so I am faced with either gambling on the menu or one of my three planned back-pocket strategies, listed below:

 

 

• Ask the server. I have seen several comments that indicate this is a good way to go, as they know what’s really good and what’s best left on the plate.
  
• Go with the apps. Carnival seems to be pretty universally praised for their appetizers and soups, and I’ve seen a few people make a meal out of appetizers on nights when the entrees didn’t appeal.
  
• The Indian option – this is my ace in the hole. Now, to be clear, I am not talking about the “Indian Vegetarian” that you can order from the menu most nights, I am talking about the special Indian meals that you can order from off the menu, a day ahead. Besides just adoring Indian food – it’s one of our favorite cuisines – I also love the appeal of ordering off the menu, as any self-respecting foodie does, lol. Plus, that most of the chefs are Indian from what I understand, of course it’s no wonder that this option always gets such rave reviews from those who try it. There’s no question that I will do this at least one night, and possibly more – the only question is which nights to choose.
  

 

So, if I am doing MDR grub on these nights, I suppose my tentative choices (based again on the order from ZD’s sites) would be:

 

Day 4: Braised lamb shank. The seafood newburg also sounds awesome, as does the penne marisco above, but I have yet to see a positive comment of either dish. Now, we do a special sous vide lamb shank dish at home sometimes that’s to die for – the meat literally peels off the bone. So I’m not expecting perfection, but braising/moist/slow-cooking is the proper way to cook this cut, unlike, say, grilling a piece of shoulder meat and calling it a steak a-la “flat iron”, lol. (Which, I understand, at least is aptly named.)

 

Day 5: Man, this one looks rough. Now, I’ve heard great things about the lasagna – and, in fact, may order a starter portion. But, I don’t cruise for lasagna, and in fact I make my own at home and… ok, by now you know the drill. Now, the snapper, filet mignon, and cinnamon-pumpkin-squash pie all sound good, but I don’t know how any of these are translating into practice – all are pretty easy to screw up. Assuming all things are equal, I will mess me UP some snapper – it’s one of my favorite fish – but if they overcooked and ruined one of these beauties, I’m not sure I would get over it very easily – at least not until dessert!

 

Day 6: Another tough one. Though obviously the second “elegant night”, (and the one on which I’ll be getting escargot– YUM!) this may wind up being my “appetizer” night. Though I’ve heard pretty bad things about both the Basa fillet as well as the chateaubriand, there’s not a single app on that menu I don’t love – including the soups, and I’m not really much of a soup guy. There’s a chance the new wife will order (and maybe enjoy) the grilled shrimp, so that may be a possibility for her. Though, I am concerned that this would draw both inevitable and unwinnable comparison to the surf and turf that I prepared for her birthday - which included grilled prawns along with seared ribeye with green peppercorn demi-glace. Sigh, such are the tribulations that we face…

 

Day 7: Ok, so if we are following the pattern on ZD’s site, it looks like we’ve got a broiled salmon, panko crusted shrimp, and another go at the prime rib. Since I’m not a fan of encrusted/fried shrimp, and since it seems like Carnival doesn’t know their way around a fish to save their life (with the possible exception of that yummy-looking rainbow trout almondine on the lunch MDR), I am thinking this will probably be an Indian night. If they follow the menu pattern on this site: https://www.goccl.com/irman/bookccl/sections/shipboard/DiningOnboard_master.html

 

… then it looks like this is going to be an Indian night for sure. Novratan Korma and Chicken Makhani???? Be still my beating heart! My two absolute favorite Indian dishes, and together on the same night?! I swoon….

 

So I know that there will be the detractors who will decry my efforts to have a gourmet experience on a budget cruise line, and throw out the phrase “champagne taste, beer budget”. To which I will reply that, I am not looking to try to take anything that isn’t already offered, nor am I complaining of the loss of duck (my favorite) or shrimp cocktail every night (meh) from the menu. I am merely looking to optimize the choices from what’s actually offered, today, on the ship that we will be on.

 

Would love to hear any helpful comments, suggestions, tips or feedback.

[foxesden1]

I was in the same boat as you last spring, just before we went on RCCL 14 night TA, (see very long review below) and in the end, I was pleased with the menu, and food options on most nights. I was sure from everything I had read I was going on the hometown buffet of the seas.. :rolleyes:

 

Did I end up having one of the best meals of my life, no but I had a great time regardless!

 

T

[navybaby1113]

I can say there are only a few dishes on Carnival that I have ever been disappointed in. The three that stick out in my mind are the jerked pork loin, veal parmigiana, and corn chowder. I would never order those again.

 

I have had very fatty prime rib before, but if you ask for a better piece, they will bring you a new one.

 

All in all, I think you'll enjoy the food.

[rtfnl]

There is an Indian dish every night that isn't on the menu. You have to see the hostess in the mar and request it. On the second night of my past cruise I requested the dish. My waiter had a dish for me every night. Unfortunately, I missed the first night because I forgot and went to the casino in Aruba. I didn't know that a dish would be waiting for me the next night because it wasn't requested. The next nights I had an Indian dish that I shared with my mom. The last night the food was great. The best meal I had on the ship. Enjoy your cruise.

[RuthlessBoss]

I think people get fussier once into the cruise a day or two. They are no longer hungry, but eating because the food is there, not waiting until actually hungry. How many of us eat at home the volume of food we consume on a cruise?

[GaNavy]

OP, you might want to rethink your opinion of the steakhouse - from what you wrote, I'm predicting that the steakhouse will exceed your expectations. The steaks I've had there are every bit the equal of Morton's or Ruth's Chris (I acknowledge that I don't know your standards here), and whatever you get for your entree, save room for the absurdly named "chocolate sampler," the recipe for which must have been sent directly from the Pearly Gates....yes, those Pearly Gates.

 

Otherwise, you've got the right expectations. You most definitely won't go hungry.

 

And btw, since you mentioned that Big Mac meal, Carnival's coffee bar will make you a fantastic milk shake ($) and their grill makes one of the best hot dogs on the planet. Really.

 

Have a great time!

[Micahs Grandad]

Think you are worrying to much. Can get a fine meal every night.

 

Just because they added "comfort food" to the menu no reason you have to get it. Noway am I going on a cruise and ordering the meatloaf for dinner. Lots of other good choices.

[supermom123]

How does one go about requesting the Indian dishes? through your server or the hostess/maitre'd? This sounds like a delicious idea. We'll be on the Conquest in Feb 2012. Thanks!

[kwagmyre]

their grill makes one of the best hot dogs on the planet. Really.

 

Great to know! My gal is a major hotdog connoiseur, lol... she hails from Buffalo, and is a major "Ted's" fan. She tells me that she literally ate one every day when pregnant with her first. Kinda gross. ;) I am sure she will be on this big time!

[supermom123]

There is an Indian dish every night that isn't on the menu. You have to see the hostess in the mar and request it. On the second night of my past cruise I requested the dish. My waiter had a dish for me every night. Unfortunately, I missed the first night because I forgot and went to the casino in Aruba. I didn't know that a dish would be waiting for me the next night because it wasn't requested. The next nights I had an Indian dish that I shared with my mom. The last night the food was great. The best meal I had on the ship. Enjoy your cruise.

 

Sorry, but what is mar? Did you still order off the menu every night? Was the Indian dish in addition? Sorry for the silly questions, just a little confused. Thanks!

[kyrisong1]

Ok, so I'm going to let you know, I am also a big foodie, meaning food done RIGHT, not neccessarily the most expensive cut.

We likes the Penne and also the Newburg, in fact we were tickled you can get a seafood option every night that isn't just shrimp cocktail.

I think your server is the main culprit when the food is not good (letting it sit too long, bringing out too many in case people ask for extras, etc)

We LOVE the Steakhouse and the Chefs table was awesome.

Please also tell the wife that the Lobster tail in the Steakhouse is not Maine lobster, it's african and I am such a lobster freak that I order them and have the sent live on very special occasions since shipping cost more than the lobster themselves, from Maine.

So the meat isn't as sweet and as tender as from Maine, some people like it, I didn't. I believe the lobster in the surf and turf is Maine lobster, it was good.

The steak house Lamb is to die for, and the 24 oz porterhouse is my husbands fav (we are from Nebraska and VERY picky about beef, since we get some of the best corn fed beef around) and the lobster bisque in the Steakhouse ruins you for any other Lobster bisque, it's perfect.

We had a great server and liked the MDR just fine. You will love the Mac and Cheese with bacon they have on the last night, but don't be fooled into ordering the Mac and Cheese any other night, it's just kids menu mac and cheese.

Also try the MDR for lunch on seadays, got some good fish there.

Another thing to remember is High Tea in the afternoon of sea days, really nice little finger sandwichs and sweets.

Most importantly have an AWESOME time!!!

Carole

[just_us]

Sorry, but you are waaaaaay over-thinking this.

[PictureChris]

To go to the Steak House and dismiss steak out of hand is a shame. Also, a question, are you planning on getting a table for two for the cruise? It may not be pleasant for table mates if you are putting so much thought in to the food as for many it is highly enjoyable.

[kyrisong1]

To go to the Steak House and dismiss steak out of hand is a shame. Also, a question, are you planning on getting a table for two for the cruise? It may not be pleasant for table mates if you are putting so much thought in to the food as for many it is highly enjoyable.

True, I missed that until I read your post and reread it.

The steak in the Steakhouse is aged prime beef and it's excellent, we're from Nebraska and ARE steak snobs, I wouldn't hesitate to order the steak in the Steakhouse.

I think the steak complaints have been about the steak and some beef in the MDR, although my Prime rib was pretty darn good in the MDR on the Miracle!!!

Carole

[crewsweeper]

For breakfast on the Liberty, don't forget they have breakfast burritos at the Blue Iguana. Also good for lunch as a change from Guys.

 

In the MDR, do try the vegetarian dishes served at dinner if nothing on the main menu appeals. Not all are Indian. They do serve a good chili relleno and the vegetarian lasgna was the best thing we had at our table one night. The bassa filet served on our 2nd elegant night on the Dream was very good both times I had it. I haven't looked at the new menus that closesly to see when these are offered.

 

Will look forward to hear your comments after your cruise as we're on the Liberty in mid April.

 

But yes, one foodie to another, you are way over thinking this.:)

[krehberg]

FYI, if you are a steak snob, then the steaks in the steakhouse should appeal to you. They do serve aged, Prime steaks and in my experience, they are cooked to perfection. They are as good as any high end steakhouses you might visit on land.

[Sargent_Schultz]

There is an Indian dish every night that isn't on the menu. ...

 

It's on the menu now. :)

[nybumpkin]

OP, if food is important I think you're smart to plan ahead - but you'll also probably want to consider things like port times. I have found that my appetite may not be as good after a day in port. There might also be two offerings of the Chef's Table on a 7-day cruise, depending on the demand. Having said that, and if I were dining in the MDR every night, here are my recommendations (understanding that food is very subjective):

 

Day 1: Cured salmon, chicken a la greque, creme brulee.

 

Day 2: Pumpkin soup (love this soup - I've tried to re-create it at home, but it's never as good), lobster or prime rib, cherries jubilee.

 

Day 3: Sushi (prosciutto ruffles is good too), short ribs, cheesecake. (Note: this is the night we usually opt for the steakhouse. I find days 3 and 4 to be the weakest menus on a 7-day cruise. If the Chef's Table is offered this day, I'd go for it.)

 

Day 4: Smoked duck or spinach/portabello. I don't care for any of the entrees listed on zydecocruiser's menu, so this might be the night to do all appetizers, or opt for the Indian offering. If you go with appetizers, you could save room for multiple desserts this night since they have both tiramisu and bitter and blanc on the dessert menu. (I really wish they'd split them up on different nights - they're both really good and I feel guilty about ordering multiple desserts:o.)

 

Day 5: Tomatoes and mozzarella or mushroom soup, filet mignon, chocolate/raspberry/vanilla creme cake.

 

Day 6: Delice of the ocean, grilled tiger shrimp, amaretto cake.

 

Day 7: Crab cake, prime rib, cappuccino pie.

 

As for the steakhouse - I've never had anything that didn't measure up, and the service has always been very attentive. On one cruise we went after a busy port day; I was sunburned and the seas were a little more "active" than expected. I made it through the appetizer and salad, but by the time the entree arrived I had completely lost my appetite. When they saw I wasn't eating my steak, they became very concerned, even bringing the chef out of the kitchen to ask me what was wrong. They insisted on sending the entree back to our cabin.

 

If you like steak, I wouldn't hesitate to order it in the steakhouse. It's consistently been wonderful for me. For appetizers, I like the beef carpaccio or lobster bisque (REALLY good); for salad, the spinach, mushroom or beefsteak tomatoes; for entree, the filet mignon (the other cuts are too big for me); and for dessert the chocolate sampler (I've never been able to finish it).

 

Best wishes to you and your fiancee, and hope you have a great cruise!

[HazyDavy]

You're certainly putting a lot of thought and effort into what you're going to be eating in the dining rooms.

 

For my honeymoon, I'd be thinking more about what I was going to be eating in the cabin.:cool:

 

Gigity

[MsTabbyKats]

Now I've heard it all.......

 

Going on your honeymoon and you are obsessed with food?

 

Call me old fashioned.....but I'd be obsessed otherwise. :)

[DancerOT]

I have to laugh.... OP - you sound like my boyfriend! He loves his food and with the comments I have been getting increasingly concerned about the food. He knows the best restaurants in cities around the world, but, like you, he loves a good old McDonald's hamburger when it is cooked fresh. I always say that my biggest problem is that he is such a good cook. Either way, enjoy your cruise and your wedding!

[halos]

You're certainly putting a lot of thought and effort into what you're going to be eating in the dining rooms.

 

For my honeymoon, I'd be thinking more about what I was going to be eating in the cabin.:cool:

 

Gigity

LMAO..quite a few hysterically funny posts today!!!

 

 

OP, I am one of those who have noticed a change in the food however, I still feel the food is decent. (My gripe with CCL is more about an overall slippage)

 

Anyway, one thing I will say...and this holds true for every line I have sailed.

The soups are REALLY excellent.

My advise is do NOT miss a soup.

Asking the waiter for a recommendation is also good...but sometimes I wonder if they are instructed to recommend the entrees that are in large supply/not being ordered.

If you order something and do not like it, send it back.

 

You don't want to be too stuffed after your meals anyway...this is your honeymoon after all.

Have fun :)

[nybumpkin]

Asking the waiter for a recommendation is also good...but sometimes I wonder if they are instructed to recommend the entrees that are in large supply/not being ordered.

I wondered that as well - but one time I ordered the NY strip steak and our server recommended against it - said it was too tough. I stayed with my decision and he was right - it was too tough.

[ann2]

How does one go about requesting the Indian dishes? through your server or the hostess/maitre'd? This sounds like a delicious idea. We'll be on the Conquest in Feb 2012. Thanks!

 

Does anyone know the answer to this? I'm sailing on the 7th and LOVE Indian food :)

[NeuroQueen]

We were on the Dream recently and since we had not had a good experience in the steakhouse on the Oasis, we were hesitant about doing the steakhouse on the Dream. Well.....it was the best steak I have had anywhere. I ordered the ribeye and it was better than any upscale steakhouse. Don't miss the steak! Have a great cruise.