robbalvey Posted May 17, 2014 #1 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Currently on Radiance of the Seas on an Alaskan Adventure and we noticed that one of our favorite food locations from Allure, Rita's Cantina is getting a makeover to Rita's Crabshack. We asked around and were told me several crew members including GR that the Mexican cuisine was not very popular on this ship and they are trying something new. Got conflicting info on if this was permanent of just for the Alaskan sailings. We will give it a try and report back, although I'm not much of a fish person and I really like Mexican, but if it makes more sense for the audience then I understand the change. Here's a few photos where you can see they are actually re-theming it a bit. Here was the first sign we saw that we knew something was different! So we went and checked it out about an hour ago, and sure enough, some construction is being done, and Rita's Crabshack is supposed to open tonight! The sign out front hasn't changed yet, but there is a menu: And some construction! (Photos take about an hour ago) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted May 17, 2014 Author #2 Share Posted May 17, 2014 We will report back again after it opens! --Robb Alvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted May 17, 2014 #3 Share Posted May 17, 2014 If you like Mexican, why would you be sad Rita's been converted to crab? :p :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Cruizers Posted May 18, 2014 #4 Share Posted May 18, 2014 We just got off the Radiance and other then overflow off the WJ, rarely saw anyone eating there, except breakfast & lunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinkerdevil Posted May 18, 2014 #5 Share Posted May 18, 2014 I sail Radiance in 2 weeks, might be willing to try this one day. Looking forward to your review. Sent from my SGH-T769 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiiCruz2 Posted May 18, 2014 #6 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Awesome. We board Radiance on Friday; embarking from Seward. We have enjoyed Rita's happy hour on previous cruises. We'll give Rita's Crab Shack a shake for sure. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aronde Posted May 18, 2014 #7 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Our family has always enjoyed Rita's Cantina on Radiance when she is in Australia but it will be interesting to try out this Alaskan alternative when we sail on her next year (assuming it is still an option). Given the menu mentions obtaining the seafood from local fisherman I am guessing they will revert it back to a 'Cantina' when she returns to Australia. Though every time we ate there we pretty much had the place to ourselves so maybe they will try something else! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funbobby68 Posted May 18, 2014 #8 Share Posted May 18, 2014 I had possibly the last plate of nachos served on the last night of our sailing , have subscribed to this thread , please say hi to Bernadette , just call her Jaunita and she will know who's it's from . Sadly we loved the cantina so will miss it was told that they will be adding mexican to the WJ , just won't be the same but Rita's was not busy the 3 times we were in there Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted May 18, 2014 Author #9 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Had dinner at Rita's Cantina... I mean Crabshack tonight. The good news is that our one seafood eater thought the fish & chips and the crablegs were GREAT! The rest of us though, aren't big seafood eaters so while we enjoyed hanging out (and the Alaskan Amber beer was great!), we would have preferred the Mexican offerings. That being the overall reaction was positive! Lots of crew and senior management eating tonight, not a lot of guests, though. The location on the ship is good, just beyond Windjammer, but on the downside, it's kind of outdoors, so on an Alaskan cruise, it gets cold there. They could really use some outdoor heaters. The menu (shown in my first post) has a variety of different crab and seafood options. We spoke to executive chef Paul Rouse and he told us this has been in the planning stages for quite a while and whether or not Rita's continues to serve this menu on this ship will be based on customer feedback. Here's a few images from tonight... They created a little backstory for why Rita's was now serving crab! It was cute! Having an Alaskan Amber. Good beer! Some of the menu was presented on the specials board. The fish & chips come in a bucket! (I could only vouch for the chips, but they were fresh cut and very good!) Reed's not sure what to do with this thing! Corporate Executive Chef Paul Rouse came over to chat with us. Crab legs and Fish & Chips get thumbs up! And here's a fun little Vine we made called "How the hell do I eat this thing???" Thanks for reading! --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.O.C.I.O.C.A.T.s Posted May 18, 2014 #10 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Is this permanent or only for the Alaskan cruises? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumbletigger Posted May 18, 2014 #11 Share Posted May 18, 2014 This is sad news...I was looking forward to the Cantina on Radiance next summer!!! Love Mexican food, will not touch seafood! Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pspercy Posted May 18, 2014 #12 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Dungeness crab - reminds me of "The Office" in Icy Strait/Hoonah, whole crab about $15 or less. I hope they keep this for the Hawaii sailing in September, it'll be great to have Alaskan Amber on tap:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volunteer cruiser Posted May 18, 2014 #13 Share Posted May 18, 2014 I like the option of having local dishes, wonder if they would do that for the Hawaiian cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pspercy Posted May 18, 2014 #14 Share Posted May 18, 2014 I like the option of having local dishes, wonder if they would do that for the Hawaiian cruise. Spam fritters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funbobby68 Posted May 18, 2014 #15 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Love the "office" with its massive kitchen ;) Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choozin Croozin Posted May 18, 2014 #16 Share Posted May 18, 2014 It sure seems to be geographic specific, but I would love it if they would make this change on all of the ships! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccMiMi Posted May 18, 2014 #17 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Is the Alaskan Amber beer included with the premium drink package? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted May 18, 2014 #18 Share Posted May 18, 2014 On our last May Alaska cruise I agree that Rita's Cantina was virtually empty almost every night of our particular cruise....Will be on again May 30th and this might just appeal to a lot more cruisers...we'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norcalemt02 Posted May 18, 2014 #19 Share Posted May 18, 2014 I'm enjoying your post Robb on Twitter. Nothing beats your klassy cruise on carnival. Keep it up!!!!! Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coordinator23 Posted May 18, 2014 #20 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Sailing on X to Alaska this summer. Now I wish I was on ROS. I love fresh seafood and would gladly pay to eat there (& I'm a "MDR" type person). I'm getting hungry just looking at it. Makes sense for this market. Alaska=Alaska food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pspercy Posted May 18, 2014 #21 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Is the Alaskan Amber beer included with the premium drink package? Says it's not, in one of the photos :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaquester Posted May 18, 2014 #22 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Looks good, but expensive. I am not willing to pay that for seafood. On Oasis the Seafood Shack was empty, hope it works on this ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funbobby68 Posted May 18, 2014 #23 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Is the Alaskan Amber beer included with the premium drink package? Yes it was and they had three different ones to choose from Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paylady Posted May 18, 2014 #24 Share Posted May 18, 2014 I was planning on skipping Rita's when we sail Radiance in a few weeks and now will probably give it a try. Thanks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneyfan1313 Posted May 19, 2014 #25 Share Posted May 19, 2014 I am the person in the Vine video that Robb posted - currently sailing on Radiance. I actually *really* enjoyed the experience at Rita's Crab Shack. The fish and chips were some of the best I have *ever* had and the crab was good as well! I hope this does well and stays for the Alaskan sailings. It's a very fun addition! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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