I know I'm gonna get flamed, but Windjammer is AWFUL

[critterchick]

thanks!!

The breakfast on Brilliance was not good. Way too slow. Not much selection. Most will scratch heads but we really do like the WJ and prefer it over MDR food any day!! Would rather make our own plates!! I will give Chops a try and see if Jewel does it any better!

I am really looking forward to my last few Sea View fix's!!:D

Thanks so much again!!:)

 

Jewel has a better menu than Brilliance did in 2012, and I thought it had plenty of variety. But when we were on BR, it was the first time they'd done it. Watching people try to get eggs Benedict was comical, since ham was apparently a foreign concept to them. If we weren't going off the ship early in port, we ate in the WJ after the crowds had dispersed. Otherwise Chops was a better option for us because it wasn't chaotic.

 

And don't get your hopes up too much with Seaview. Although Don enjoyed his burger, my Rueben would have been pathetic had I not read an early post that complained about the lack of meat. I ordered double and that was ok, but it was still too much bread (picky, picky, picky). The service was dreadful - I think they're using it as a training venue.

 

But the view from the outside tables still can't be beaten.:)

[Paulette3028]

DH and I enjoy WJ on our cruises....but there are foods we would NEVER get from a 'cafeteria-like situation' -- for example, hamburgers. We like our medium rare, and hamburgers sitting in a warming tray are never going to be to our liking....I won't even go to Johnny Rockets for hamburgers, because you CAN'T order medium rare there....it is against their 'health' rules.

 

So the cruiser needs to use their 'discretion' based on their own likes and the situation.

 

I can't remember EVER seeing bottled dressing in WJ. I have seen Oil and Vinegar dispensers...but not salad dressing.

 

I am not 'eagle eyes' when it comes to everything going on in the WJ, so these are just a few things from my POV.

 

I have always enjoyed what I have eaten in WJ. Last cruise was actually the first time we did the MDR for breakfast, just to see what the Diamond section would be like....it was fine, but so is WJ.

[lovetocruiserccl]

I agree I have never ever seen a squirt bottle of salad dressing on any Royal ship. It is ladled on from the salad bar.

 

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[CruiseAddict1982]

I agree I have never ever seen a squirt bottle of salad dressing on any Royal ship. It is ladled on from the salad bar.

 

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Yea I've never seen that either. I've never had cold food either. My wife and I always get to WJ when it's opening to avoid it being cold. WJ is just like any buffet restaurant. Of course some food will be cold if it's been sitting for a while.

[alwayshappytocruise]

WJ is horrible for many reasons. It is always crowded, it is always noisy, it is always full of people who don't look where they are going. Food....blah, finding a place to sit is ridiculous. Many times there are tables filled with people drinking coffee/soda and playing cards or domino games....thanks for that. I grab a banana, make a cup of tea and get the heck out of that zoo. I will say that dinner is a bit more civilized but we don't do that anymore. I would rather spend money to eat in a specialty restaurant but we do MTD and love it. ;) Flame me if you must......!!!

[cjdixon4]

certainly hasn't been our experience. we usually just do WJ for breakfast.

 

Like you, we have a quick breakfast there and we're out. In all of my RCCL experience, I haven't had a horrific meal, but I've definitely had better.

 

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[Kellie Poodle]

Okay, seriously fellow cruisers. I am a huge RCCL fan. I am a middle class american who hardly eats at 4 or 5 stars restaurants. I am just an "average Joe". I have taken many RCCL cruises, and by far this is the worst Windjammer experience.

 

In the morning, pancakes, french toast, toast, etc were all cold! So bad there were a few times I couldn't even swallow it.

 

The meat is ridiculous. The infamous CC honey stung chicken is as dry as a bone. The hamburgers are something that would be served in a school cafeteria. No quality meat at all.

 

It takes the entire cruise to figure out what to avoid.

 

I do give credit to the salad bar, it was nice. But even the dressing was so cheap. I had Blue Cheese dressing that squirted out of a bottle with a very small tip. So it was runny, not creamy or chunky like it should be.

 

At what point are we going to all agree, the Windjammer is like eating at a local grocery store food cafeteria line. After you finish eating, you are full, but there is never anything you have to get seconds. It just wasn't good.

 

Go ahead and flame me. But I wish they would use flames in the Windjammer to at least keep the food warm.

 

The food is worse on Caribbean cruises. Do Europe or other itineraries and the food is better.

[cjdixon4]

I think it varies from ship to ship. I think our best WJ food experiences have been on Oasis and Enchantment.

 

Yep, agree with you about Enchantment. Enjoyed ALL of my meals, in fact, on that ship.

 

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[Debde]

Jewel has a better menu than Brilliance did in 2012, and I thought it had plenty of variety. But when we were on BR, it was the first time they'd done it. Watching people try to get eggs Benedict was comical, since ham was apparently a foreign concept to them. If we weren't going off the ship early in port, we ate in the WJ after the crowds had dispersed. Otherwise Chops was a better option for us because it wasn't chaotic.

 

And don't get your hopes up too much with Seaview. Although Don enjoyed his burger, my Rueben would have been pathetic had I not read an early post that complained about the lack of meat. I ordered double and that was ok, but it was still too much bread (picky, picky, picky). The service was dreadful - I think they're using it as a training venue.

 

But the view from the outside tables still can't be beaten.:)

 

Thanks again!!

I will definitely give chops another try. Our first port is St. Thomas and it's just a shopping day so a good day to give the breakfast a try.

I'll keep that in mind that we need to get a good comfortable seat at Seaview. I do love those burgers and onion rings.:)

You've been so helpful. Just a few days away so the excitement is building!!:D

[Paulette3028]

WJ is horrible for many reasons. It is always crowded, it is always noisy, it is always full of people who don't look where they are going. Food....blah, finding a place to sit is ridiculous. Many times there are tables filled with people drinking coffee/soda and playing cards or domino games....thanks for that. I grab a banana, make a cup of tea and get the heck out of that zoo. I will say that dinner is a bit more civilized but we don't do that anymore. I would rather spend money to eat in a specialty restaurant but we do MTD and love it. ;) Flame me if you must......!!!

 

MOST of what you are complaining about RCCL has little to now control over such as.....it is always crowded -- well it is NOTa 'sit down dining room, for a specific number of people, so it CAN be crowded AT TIMES, but I have been there when it has been quite empty; it's NOISY -- you say....well when you put lots of people in ANY environment, that is a contained area -- it will be NOISY; people who don't look where they are going.....it unfortunately happen; tables being used by other cruises playing dominos or cards.....it is their AREA as well.

[CruiseAddict1982]

MOST of what you are complaining about RCCL has little to now control over such as.....it is always crowded -- well it is NOTa 'sit down dining room, for a specific number of people, so it CAN be crowded AT TIMES, but I have been there when it has been quite empty; it's NOISY -- you say....well when you put lots of people in ANY environment, that is a contained area -- it will be NOISY; people who don't look where they are going.....it unfortunately happen; tables being used by other cruises playing dominos or cards.....it is their AREA as well.

 

Good answer. Try waking up and getting to WJ when they open. Might not be so crowded or noisy

[Seaside2358]

Egg McMuffin type sandwiches, breakfast burritos, panini, bagels, oatmeal.

 

McMuffins rocked on Grandeur. The only thing I love from The Windjammer is the stollen. I have it every single day :)

[cruisindoggie]

Okay, seriously fellow cruisers. I am a huge RCCL fan. I am a middle class american who hardly eats at 4 or 5 stars restaurants. I am just an "average Joe". I have taken many RCCL cruises, and by far this is the worst Windjammer experience.

 

In the morning, pancakes, french toast, toast, etc were all cold! So bad there were a few times I couldn't even swallow it.

 

The meat is ridiculous. The infamous CC honey stung chicken is as dry as a bone. The hamburgers are something that would be served in a school cafeteria. No quality meat at all.

 

It takes the entire cruise to figure out what to avoid.

 

I do give credit to the salad bar, it was nice. But even the dressing was so cheap. I had Blue Cheese dressing that squirted out of a bottle with a very small tip. So it was runny, not creamy or chunky like it should be.

 

At what point are we going to all agree, the Windjammer is like eating at a local grocery store food cafeteria line. After you finish eating, you are full, but there is never anything you have to get seconds. It just wasn't good.

 

Go ahead and flame me. But I wish they would use flames in the Windjammer to at least keep the food warm.

 

No flame here, I agree. The food is not that great and I avoid the windjammer with the exception of getting a quick snack. And I will not make any friends with the following statement as well: Honey Stung Chicken is the most over rated crap on the planet!

[mcatmcat]

Stop building windjammer and I stop cruising lol

 

 

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[janetz]

We walked in and walked out and never looked back. ;)

[rubrrick]

We eat most of our meals in the WJ. It's not gourmet......but middle of the line fare.

 

And, at dinner time, if the food is so terrible, why are so many officers eating there, rather than in the officers mess, down below? Actually, we have enjoyed dining with senior officers in the WJ more than dining at the captains table.

 

Food is so subjective. We don't live to eat, but enjoy what what we do eat, and if the food is not up to standards, we do complain, on the spot, and food is changed out for something that we enjoy.

 

Royal Caribbean will listen to the comment sheets. We know that they have become bottom line specialists under Adam Goldstein.

 

Some years back, just as an example of one item, the cocktail napkain, which was made of a quality material, with the Royal Caribbean name and Logo. Then a few years ago, the company changed vendors, and the napkin had just the logo, and was not a strong as the last ones. Then, when it became clear that they could save a few more pennys.......they gave us no name, super cheap, shread as the drink sits on the napkin.......cocktail napkins.

 

They also tried this with food, a couple of years ago, and it really backfired. So today, they are actually using a better quality of food, but it's up to the Executive Chef to make sure that everything that is put out by the chefs, both in the MDR and the WJ, to be hot and tasty. So when the food is bland, talk to the chef.

 

I'm not flaming the OP, I understand the slide in food from years ago, but, today it's better than a year ago. And I'm talking about the WJ. I have not personally experienced dressings in a bottle.

 

And, we were on the Liberty of the Seas for a b2b, last month, and found the WJ's food to be pretty much on par with the rest of the fleet.

 

And, yes, there are some ships, like Jean mentioned, the Jewel OTS, has a wonderful Executive Chef, and the food is quite good. Also, when travelling in Europe, the food will be better than here in the US, as the quality of the food over there is better than here!;)

 

Rick

[critterchick]

I agree I have never ever seen a squirt bottle of salad dressing on any Royal ship. It is ladled on from the salad bar.

 

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I think that I would prefer the squirt bottle. The dressings get cross-contaminated with drips and the ladles are just disgusting with dressing all over them. I've taken to getting a spoon from the soup area to keep my fingers un-sticky.:eek:

 

MOST of what you are complaining about RCCL has little to now control over such as.....it is always crowded -- well it is NOTa 'sit down dining room, for a specific number of people, so it CAN be crowded AT TIMES, but I have been there when it has been quite empty; it's NOISY -- you say....well when you put lots of people in ANY environment, that is a contained area -- it will be NOISY; people who don't look where they are going.....it unfortunately happen; tables being used by other cruises playing dominos or cards.....it is their AREA as well.

 

Agree with all but your last bit - the people playing cards/dominoes can go someplace else to play and by staying in the WJ they are depriving diners of a place to sit.

 

But as for crowds, I find the RCI MDRS to be far more chaotic and noisy than the WJ. And I don't like the food as well.

[lifeboatcaptain]

Saw quite a few complaining about temperatures. I don't see this problem on Mariner. In fact, I feel everything is too hot, from plates to ladles to food. The only thing cold is my napkin pack! I think feedbacks do help, but as I always stress, there's something commendable about everything, so don't only say the bad stuff in your feedbacks.

[Paulette3028]

I think that I would prefer the squirt bottle. The dressings get cross-contaminated with drips and the ladles are just disgusting with dressing all over them. I've taken to getting a spoon from the soup area to keep my fingers un-sticky.:eek:

 

 

 

Agree with all but your last bit - the people playing cards/dominoes can go someplace else to play and by staying in the WJ they are depriving diners of a place to sit.

 

But as for crowds, I find the RCI MDRS to be far more chaotic and noisy than the WJ. And I don't like the food as well.

 

IF (which I am not) I were a card/domino player and wanted to be near coffee or snacks EASILY -- then the ONLY place to play is somewhere IN the WJ. I can only remember my dear mother and her Mah Jongg HABIT (I am calling it HER habit, because she loved it and played it often) and her need to have snacks while playing....and I could see my mom (if she were on a cruise with her friends and they wanted to play) needing her game to be in the WJ.

 

You may not agree, I accept that POV.

[time4u2go]

IF (which I am not) I were a card/domino player and wanted to be near coffee or snacks EASILY -- then the ONLY place to play is somewhere IN the WJ. I can only remember my dear mother and her Mah Jongg HABIT (I am calling it HER habit, because she loved it and played it often) and her need to have snacks while playing....and I could see my mom (if she were on a cruise with her friends and they wanted to play) needing her game to be in the WJ.

 

You may not agree, I accept that POV.

 

What about Promenade Cafe (on those ships that have it)?

[Paulette3028]

What about Promenade Cafe (on those ships that have it)?

 

On ships that have a Promenade Café that would be a CHOICE that cruisers could make, but it doesn't mean that they would HAVE to use it....this is that CRUISERS vacation ALSO.

 

Perhaps I am more 'open minded' to having others do what they like (on there vacation), while I do what I like (on the same vacation that I share with them).

[Ladysilver]

I've read some pretty harsh comments on the food in the Windjammer. There was only one thing I tried that I would never eat again and that's the honey stung chicken. YUK! Everything else was very good, including the hamburgers. :D

[time4u2go]

On ships that have a Promenade Café that would be a CHOICE that cruisers could make, but it doesn't mean that they would HAVE to use it....this is that CRUISERS vacation ALSO.

 

Perhaps I am more 'open minded' to having others do what they like (on there vacation), while I do what I like (on the same vacation that I share with them).

 

Oh I agree that Promenade Cafe is a choice, and I'm certainly not implying that anyone HAS to use it. But you said WJ was the ONLY option; I was merely pointing out that that's not the case on some ships.

Edited January 11, 2014 by time4u2go

[The Big Booper]

DW makes fun of my mother's cooking skills but I grew up eating well done and somewhat dried out food and I like it. I have been known to get 3 hamburgers from the Jammie and call it lunch - no rolls or condiments just a fork and a knife to cut them.:) Straight out of the low carb diet.

 

Different strokes for different folks.

[LizC]

Okay, seriously fellow cruisers. I am a huge RCCL fan. I am a middle class american who hardly eats at 4 or 5 stars restaurants. I am just an "average Joe". I have taken many RCCL cruises, and by far this is the worst Windjammer experience.

 

In the morning, pancakes, french toast, toast, etc were all cold! So bad there were a few times I couldn't even swallow it.

 

The meat is ridiculous. The infamous CC honey stung chicken is as dry as a bone. The hamburgers are something that would be served in a school cafeteria. No quality meat at all.

 

It takes the entire cruise to figure out what to avoid.

 

I do give credit to the salad bar, it was nice. But even the dressing was so cheap. I had Blue Cheese dressing that squirted out of a bottle with a very small tip. So it was runny, not creamy or chunky like it should be.

 

At what point are we going to all agree, the Windjammer is like eating at a local grocery store food cafeteria line. After you finish eating, you are full, but there is never anything you have to get seconds. It just wasn't good.

 

Go ahead and flame me. But I wish they would use flames in the Windjammer to at least keep the food warm.

 

No flames I so agree, rarely eat at WJ....only when I board. Park cafe often or dining room/speciality restaurants rest of the time.: