Maybe table clothes will be back.....

[fireofficer5]

The ones that are so concerned about laundry should give up thier bed sheets.

And twice daily towel changes.

[fireofficer5]

IMHO .. Didn't read this thread thru, but read others on this topic.... I think table cloths are very old fashioned ... High end , modern restaurants do not use them, it is a thing of the past....Changes happen. This helps with so many costs & environmental waste.... Have no problem with this even on elegant nites

The argument has come full circle.

Now CCL's MDR is compared to high end modern restaurant.

that we want to wear shorts to.

Edited December 16, 2013 by fireofficer5

[fireofficer5]

Wow! How sterile!

 

I think the ambience meter for that room is ZERO.

 

That's not on a moving ship either, a few waves, not my problem.

Plus, you think the DR is loud now, soft tops and fabric table cloths

do reduce the sound level.:p

[cruise77]

If all I cared about was the food, I wouldn't go on a cruise. Would go to Paris or NY and other foodie places. I go for the whole experience. By the way love Applebee's.

[JMAE]

We like Carnival's food and not having a tablecloth will not make a difference to us. We've eaten in many fine restaurants in major cities that did not have tablecloths. For the folks that don't want to eat in the MRD Carnival should create new cruise rates.

 

1. Cruise rate with MDR meals included

2. Cruise rate without MDR meals included and if the individual wants to eat in the MDR they will be changed accordingly on their sail & sign card.

[luddite]

Is there any truth to the rumors about the new menu items?

Ramen noodles, HotPockets, frozen pizzas and corn dogs?

[EZ4]

Is there any truth to the rumors about the new menu items?

Ramen noodles, HotPockets, frozen pizzas and corn dogs?

 

If they had yakisoba and yakitori, it truly would be some amazing dining. And those two are best eaten without a tablecloth. ;)

Edited December 17, 2013 by EZ4

[JMAE]

If they had yakisoba and yakitori, it truly would be some amazing dining. And those two are best eaten without a tablecloth. ;)

 

That is true as I remember my time in Okinawa while with the USAF.

[CruisingCS]

Sorry, I have not read all the posts. However, for those of you who have been on a ship which was rocking-and-rolling during rough seas, can you imagine what would happen to everything on your table if it wasn't for the tablecoth??? Better get some extra hands to stop everything from sliding off the table!!:rolleyes:

[LandlockedCruiser01]

Sorry, I have not read all the posts. However, for those of you who have been on a ship which was rocking-and-rolling during rough seas, can you imagine what would happen to everything on your table if it wasn't for the tablecoth??? Better get some extra hands to stop everything from sliding off the table!!:rolleyes:

That's what I'm beginning to wonder. During multiple dinners on my cruises, I felt the ship's movement quite a bit. They were both on Fantasy class ships, and I sat in the aft dining room. It felt nice and soothing to me personally, but it's a problem when stuff moves around with the ship. Plates have a low center of gravity, so they don't move around too much, but top-heavy glasses could be a problem, especially when full. Perhaps they'll start using coasters to solve that issue, but most coasters look too casual, more suited for a dive bar than a ship's dining room. Oh well, I guess that's Carnival cutbacks for ya.

Edited December 17, 2013 by LandlockedCruiser01

[LEtue]

A very entertaining thread and it is clear that there are a lot of cruisers that sail on Carnival that just don't care about the dining "experience" (which a lot of us enjoy).

 

Best to take your cruise dollars elsewhere which I just did by booking the Summit instead of the Valor :)

 

I join with the others here that say "enough is enough". I don't want my cruise to feel like what I can experience at home for a lot less money.....

[Blk_Amish]

A very entertaining thread and it is clear that there are a lot of cruisers that sail on Carnival that just don't care about the dining "experience" (which a lot of us enjoy).

 

Best to take your cruise dollars elsewhere which I just did by booking the Summit instead of the Valor :)

 

I join with the others here that say "enough is enough". I don't want my cruise to feel like what I can experience at home for a lot less money.....

 

For some, Carnival is not cruise or vacation but home. They are tied to it like an upside down mortgage. There is no 'experience' to be had with or without the tablecloth. In my house/ship I don't need or care to look or feel different. Carnival might simply not be marketing to vacationers who wish to have any kind of escape but the house, they call it casual feeling. Let's have a bar-be-que on deck with paper plates and the only thing missing would be the flies since we are in the middle of the ocean. Come on, there is more to Carnival fun!

 

BTW, loved the RCL deck bar-b-que!

Edited December 17, 2013 by Blk_Amish

[Keel Haul]

That is a very nice setting for a breakfest at home! I assume she runs a tight kitchen too

thank you,the kitchen is my domain.

[smyliecruising]

If a table has a beautiful surface it can lovely with good quality placemats, napkins and candles. Now if napkins become paper and no placemats.............well that's something entirely different.

 

I completely agree with you! At first Mention of no tablecloths I was sad but as I look at upscale restaurants on the travel channel and foodie shows, tablecloths are going away. If done right, it looks very classy and elegant. I go on cruises to get out of the norm, and I love the elegance of cruise ship dining AND how long it takes to get my meal;) so I really hope it stays beautiful:)

[judydoc]

We were on the Glory last week and got to view the new tables. My preference is table clothes but did notice a few things without them. The glasses sweat considerably and between the glasses and pouring water, there was always water all over the table. Cloth obviously absorbed the water so we never noticed it before. Carnival does have reasonable cruises so if people must have tablecloths then they may want to consider another line. The new glossy tables look great now but it won't be long before they are scratched and look similar to the buffet tables. The staff said it took alot of work to get them streak free. It will be interesting to see what does happen! :)

[RWolver672]

My vote:

 

The goal is certainly to reduce laundry costs. OK, so don't strip every table -- no spills/stains, then don't replace it. Carefully brush all crumbs, and reset -- like many restaurants do.

 

If a table didn't get used, I agree but if someone used that table, who knows what was done to it. Sneezing, coughing, etc. Replace a used one in my book.

 

Well, I guess I don't see removing table cloths as a cutback :) Removing live bands, and downgrading entertainment, to me, is a cutback - but table dressing, not.

 

Anything that you use to get and now don't is a cutback. No table cloth is not the end of the world but it is a cutback from what you use to get.

[meatloafsfan]

I personally hope Carnival doesn't cave and bring back the tablecloths. They are unnecessary.

 

I like the direction they are going with the new menus, the new look, the new dining experience.

 

Casual on casual nights and formal on formal nights. Makes sense to me.

[halos]

One thing I think you have wrong here is that seasoned return cruisers are the ones that don't spend so much. The newbie cruisers are sometimes so overwhelmed and uninformed that they spend way more than anyone else.

 

Case in point. I know how expensive bingo is and that the chances of winning the top prize are close to zero so I don't go to it and pay for expensive cards. Whereas a newbie thinks bingo is all just part of the cruise experience and willingly overpays for the experience of it

 

Same for the casino. Same for the photos. Same for the alcohol

 

 

Newbies spend more and don't realize all the costs

 

Seasoned cruisers have had their share of excessive sign and sail bills and know when to not overspend

 

Just my 2 cents but I really don't think seasoned cruisers are still spending a fortune on photos every time the leave and return to ship at the various ports. However I still get a chuckle at the newbie pax who think taking those pix are mandatory. We just walk to the side when others just think they can't say no. Or maybe they really want the pix. Lol

 

While we don't spend any money on bingo or the casino, I have to say we didn't when we were inexperienced either. And because when we first started cruising we still had kids at home and our income was less at that time, we didn't spend half as much as we do now...so your theory doesn't work.

 

IMHO .. Didn't read this thread thru, but read others on this topic.... I think table cloths are very old fashioned ... High end , modern restaurants do not use them, it is a thing of the past....Changes happen. This helps with so many costs & environmental waste.... Have no problem with this even on elegant nites

 

Of course not....until your glass condensates and it slides across the highly polished table spilling it's contents into your lap just because of the motion of the sea.

Edited December 21, 2013 by halos

[Georgiagolfer]

One thing I think you have wrong here is that seasoned return cruisers are the ones that don't spend so much. The newbie cruisers are sometimes so overwhelmed and uninformed that they spend way more than anyone else.

 

Case in point. I know how expensive bingo is and that the chances of winning the top prize are close to zero so I don't go to it and pay for expensive cards. Whereas a newbie thinks bingo is all just part of the cruise experience and willingly overpays for the experience of it

 

Same for the casino. Same for the photos. Same for the alcohol

 

 

Newbies spend more and don't realize all the costs

 

Seasoned cruisers have had their share of excessive sign and sail bills and know when to not overspend

 

Just my 2 cents but I really don't think seasoned cruisers are still spending a fortune on photos every time the leave and return to ship at the various ports. However I still get a chuckle at the newbie pax who think taking those pix are mandatory. We just walk to the side when others just think they can't say no. Or maybe they really want the pix. Lol

 

So agree with this, and appears to be the reason behind CCL's strategy to ignore the Loyal cruisers and seek the newbies.:(

[luckycruzer]

I'm a cold beverage drinker @ dinner..and I dress fancy.....silky, linen, jeweled, velvety tops. while I am careful with my serviette placement, I'm not over the moon with thoughts of water dripping off of the footed glassware in my lap, down my girly bits, or lapels! A tablecloth does take care of that problem//so can I!.. I'll get an extra serviette, fold it neatly, and used it as the coaster..Voi La !..more laundry to wash !!!!!!!

[cruzn buckeye]

the reason the dining room isn't full like it used to be, is obviously because of the menu which is so much different than it used to be, and the time it takes for the service. Going to dinner in the MDR used to be an event, now it's just well, like dinner at home. Except at home, it doesn't take 2 or three hours once you sit down. It is sad really, if they just stop and look back at what they were doing right when the dining room was always full, they could get back to that level.

 

Just curious as I don't know the answer to this... how are the MDRs on the other lines? Are they full? Is the service slow?

Edited December 21, 2013 by cruzn buckeye

[Webb of Joy]

the reason the dining room isn't full like it used to be, is obviously because of the menu which is so much different than it used to be, and the time it takes for the service. Going to dinner in the MDR used to be an event, now it's just well, like dinner at home. Except at home, it doesn't take 2 or three hours once you sit down. It is sad really, if they just stop and look back at what they were doing right when the dining room was always full, they could get back to that level.

 

Just curious as I don't know the answer to this... how are the MDRs on the other lines? Are they full? Is the service slow?

 

Why is everyone so anxious to get hurried service. When I first started cruising 20 years ago dinner was an event because of the conversation with friends. I cruised on MSC this year and dinner was 2 hours 30 mins, nobody complained except the Americans, why are you all so in a hurry

[spazilla1]

For what we pay to go on these cruises, you would think that the table cloths would be included! DH and I went an a 4 day cruise last year to Cozumel, and while yes, the crowd is young, most everybody dresses decently in the MDR and if you put a little effort into dressing nicely each night it makes the trip more enjoyable for You. Part of the effect is the fancy table and candles etc etc. Take that away and you might as well go to Mcdonalds or Arby's. and a movie at home. Bad choice administration, you have cut back enough, let it rest for now, keeping up with the Jones' is ruining your line, not making it better ! People will pay to go on these cruises, and yes you can keep raising the bar on the price, but we DO expect a certain level of class within the ship itself. No table clothes is tacky and shows no respect for the people who cruise with you. You took away the live bands, you took away the good entertainment, you took away the future cruise certificates, you took away the good point system for those who cruise many times and replaced it with a so so one, The Costa Concordia was a tragic tragic accident, but it is also symbolic of where your company is going if you do not stop with the inane cutbacks.

[spazilla1]

So agree with this, and appears to be the reason behind CCL's strategy to ignore the Loyal cruisers and seek the newbies.:(

 

I agree, we will be on our 3rd cruise, coming this January, and when we first started out we wanted to see and do it all in the time we had. the bingo is an example, while we may go back one time on the card we will never buy more than one! and while the drinks are really good, we don't overspend like we did the first time. We also played the casino, but don't do the one armed bandit (apt name that) but would rather play 21 instead for the better odds. However you have to keep them coming back and looking like a hole in the wall will not keep that happening.

[Crusin6]

While we don't spend any money on bingo or the casino, I have to say we didn't when we were inexperienced either. And because when we first started cruising we still had kids at home and our income was less at that time, we didn't spend half as much as we do now...so your theory doesn't work.

 

 

 

Of course not....until your glass condensates and it slides across the highly polished table spilling it's contents into your lap just because of the motion of the sea.

 

You never agree with me so I don't expect you to this time however you may not have overspent but my theory is quite valid