Seabourn Odyssey - Restaurant

[PaulaJK]

These closures were the deciding factor in our sailing another line in the Med this August. We are looking at a March sailing on SB but this question is #1 before we book. On board [in this case] needs to catch up w the brochures.... much the way the shop w the chef topic also indicates....and the limitations to marina day need to be clearly spelled out.

[jenidallas]

It seems the issue is on port days more than anything else and I don't disagree with Seabourn having more limited services when most guests are off the ship.

 

Keeping multiple venue open means having to schedule more staff (which means scheduling issues that limit staff from going ashore) so that a couPle of people can dine in an empty dining room.

 

It appears that the same individuals continue to beat this drum. Perhaps Seabourn needs to explain the rationale but I can hardly see them taking away a service that was appropriately utilized just to spite their customers.

[Catlover54]

I just finished two BTB one week cruises i.e., 14 days, on the Odyssey ( My CC review is pending review by CC authorities and should be published soon) and the MDR was closed for breakfast and lunch all days. These were port-intensive cruises with only one full sea day, as the cruise was touring Greek Isles and western Black Sea ports. However, for both B and L, the Colonnade, though busy, was easy enough to find a place to sit down in, as many pax were either eating in port, eating room service, eating at the pool starting at 1, snacking at SB Square, or just not eating all 3 meals a day. As I love eating outside if weather is ok, I would still have opted for the Colonnade for a late B or an early L even if th MDR were open, but I understand some people might want table service in the MDR, so expectations and representations should be clear. Only on the one sea day did Colonnade lunch get a bit crowded and it looked like they opened up the space in R2 for people to spill over into. I think on sea days they should either open the MDR or expand the Colonnade hours to include the closed 10-12 times, to avoid the crowded mainstream line feel, but not at the expense of compromising the excellent food quality they have ( I would rather sit in a busy Colonnade with great food than an uncrowded MDR with mediocre food)

Edited September 21, 2015 by Catlover54
typo

[JVNYC]

I just finished two BTB one week cruises i.e., 14 days, on the Odyssey ( My CC review is pending review by CC authorities and should be published soon) and the MDR was closed for breakfast and lunch all days. These were port-intensive cruises with only one full sea day, as the cruise was touring Greek Isles and western Black Sea ports. However, for both B and L, the Colonnade, though busy, was easy enough to find a place to sit down in, as many pax were either eating in port, eating room service, eating at the pool starting at 1, snacking at SB Square, or just not eating all 3 meals a day. As I love eating outside if weather is ok, I would still have opted for the Colonnade for a late B or an early L even if th MDR were open, but I understand some people might want table service in the MDR, so expectations and representations should be clear. Only on the one sea day did Colonnade lunch get a bit crowded and it looked like they opened up the space in R2 for people to spill over into. I think on sea days they should either open the MDR or expand the Colonnade hours to include the closed 10-12 times, to avoid the crowded mainstream line feel, but not at the expense of compromising the excellent food quality they have ( I would rather sit in a busy Colonnade with great food than an uncrowded MDR with mediocre food)

 

 

Eeek! I just booked my first Seabourn cruise on Odyssey on a port intensive 17 day in Europe, May, 2017. There is only 1 sea day. I usually go the buffet for breakfast and lunch, BUT am I to understand now that the Restaurant will not be open so that option/choice is gone? Hmmm, not too thrilled with that since they advertise they are open.

[PaulaJK]

I don't believe that anyone posited 'spite'. I do think that many people would appreciate clarification and feel that advertising/representation should match

what is delivered.

 

I don't use the casino [advertized] but that doesn't but that doesn't mean that I would think it ok for them to close it.

[Catlover54]

Eeek! I just booked my first Seabourn cruise on Odyssey on a port intensive 17 day in Europe, May, 2017. There is only 1 sea day. I usually go the buffet for breakfast and lunch, BUT am I to understand now that the Restaurant will not be open so that option/choice is gone? Hmmm, not too thrilled with that since they advertise they are open.

 

I am not sure what the official plans are for May 2017, just noted that the time I was on they were closed. I do not know whether or not it was due to temporary staff shortages, and time-limited, or a long-term decision for the ships and the ads have not yet caught up ( probably the latter, based on other comments, unless enough people complain and they reassess cost/ benefit.

 

One nice thing of note, however, is that there are daily food specials in the Colonnade you order at the table and they will bring to your table, with requested sides, if you do not want to stand in line at the buffet, plus of course they bring your drinks. They offered to carry my plate from the buffet, too. I usually would sit down, order my drinks ( the waiters were quick to come) and decide if I wanted a special, then go to the salad and bread and appetizer and hot item buffet which took just a few minutes, and by the time I was back at my seat with my array of choices, drinks were waiting and just a little later the special entree appeared too. They would come by a couple times later to get additional requests, e.g., for more wine or coffee etc.I was impressed with how quick and efficient the flow was, with accurate order delivery ( especially compared with my lunch and often less than optimal service experiences, e.g., cold espresso, on SS). There seemed to be "all hands on deck" in the Colonnade at B and L, with many working crew to keep things going and prevent any significant lines from building up. SB dining crew were very impressive, as was the food! Fish options at lunch were especially nice, and they ran a daily special theme ( Greek, Indian, etc.)

[MrsWaldo]

I am a MDR breakfast person.

 

We enjoy sitting together talking and planing our day which just doesn't happen at a buffet. (I avoid large buffets as they are the best way to get ill)

 

I can understand the closure at lunch on port days but certainly you need the 3 options for sea days. If the weather is ok I'll be by the pool but if not possible to sit outside (we braved it most days in Antarctica) then I am going to the MDR

 

On our Antarctica cruise we often had to wander Colanade to find. A spot, often because there were couple at tables for 4 and lots of 4s at tables for 6 and as 3 this made things very challenging. While that is not SB fault, although escorted seating would help, to wander around looking for a space to sit isn't what I expect on a Luxury line. Thankfully the cold helped a lot as we like to sit outdoors if possible, so those tables were often available until the weather improved.

 

I actually had a moment on our last sea day at lunch, as there was limited seating at the pool and sky bar (everyone had finally come outside) when I was chastised by a waiter who had not been outside all cruise, for moving a table a little into the sun and being told I could sit on the smoking side.

 

SB needs to keep options open, wherever possible. The market is a competitive

one and little things can give them an edge.

 

It will interesting . To compare shadow this Christmas having not sailed with ss for 9 years. I know it will give me a fair comparison of the 2 lines and which direction I will want to head in the future.

[jenidallas]

I wish they offered some escorted seating in the Colonade too.

 

It also drives me batty to not be able to get a table to dine at the Pool Grill because tables are taken up by folks camping there for hours (although we've never had a problem walking up to a couple at a larger table who are not dining and asking if we could join them). If they'd serve me food at a lounger (or at the bar), I'd not even mind skipping the table as it can certainly get crowded on a gorgeous sunny day.

 

I am 100% in favor of the MDR being open for breakfast as well as for lunch on sea days. I think the port days are the problem when passenger volumes can be unpredictable and quite a bit of waste can occur prepping menu items that go unserved. That plus staffing I'm sure factor into the decision to close on some days.

 

It has always been a ghost town in the MDR on the days I've dined there. I like it because I like the onion rings (not all would agree) but I always manage to fine something I like elsewhere.

[Emperor Norton]

...

 

I like it because I like the onion rings (not all would agree) but I always manage to fine something I like elsewhere.

 

Are onion rings on the bigger ships an every day item, or special order only as on the little sisters?

[jenidallas]

Are onion rings on the bigger ships an every day item, or special order only as on the little sisters?

 

Special order and only in the MDR. They go nicely with a steak w/ herb butter. :D

 

I'm looking forward to enjoying this next cruise with my mom... I shared the stack of menus I had from Odyssey last fall and she said she gained weight just reading them. I expect we'll test the limits of what goodies we can try.

[ab21au]

Id love to know who dictates when the MDR is open, it seemed to be open B and L each day on the Quest, although there was only a handful of diners along one side each time I walked through.

[lincslady]

Yes, I was just about to post that on Quest a few months ago the MDR was open for all meals. I think it must depend somewhat on the maitre'd/chef/whoever at the time.

 

However, if the advertising states that the dining room is open for all meals it should be. We personally prefer the Colonnade for breakfast and lunch, but there should be a definite ruling for all ships from management. As ab21au says, we walked through the dining room from our deck 4 suite often, and there were very few there - but at least we all had the choice. Certainly on sea days it should always be open.

[Mr Luxury]

It is the Hotel Manager that decides on the operation of the restaurants

[Harvey2442]

Whilst I am all for Hotel managers having some discretion surely they should not consistently keeping denying a service i.e. opening the MDR for Breakfast and Lunch which is explicitly advertised in the Seabourn brochure. On sea days the colannade and deck grill are unpleasantly full at peak times and in any event the MDR experience for those meals when open is much more restful and civilised

[wripro]

Again, agree completely. Whether the MDR remains open for breakfast or lunch should be consistent throughout the entire fleet and not be decided by a hot man. And it should be open, period!!!!

[jenidallas]

However, if the advertising states that the dining room is open for all meals it should be. We personally prefer the Colonnade for breakfast and lunch, but there should be a definite ruling for all ships from management.

 

I took a peek in the latest Seabourn brochure that arrived this week.

 

The only restaurant specifically noted for breakfast and lunch is the Colonade.

 

 

I'm guessing the page in there is the revised dining marketing as it also references the sushi bar coming on the new build and the switchover to Thonas Keller specialty starting in 2016.

Edited September 24, 2015 by jenidallas

[jozi]

It is the Hotel Manager that decides on the operation of the restaurants

 

Surprised no one mentioned room service breakfast. For port days especially it was just wonderful. We found MDR sluggish, with short hours, and really weren't fond of the oatmeal served upstairs-- it seemed to sit somewhere and get cold and yucky. Room service was prompt, hot things were hot and it was lovely, leisurely start to even a busy day.

[Emperor Norton]

Surprised no one mentioned room service breakfast. For port days especially it was just wonderful. We found MDR sluggish, with short hours, and really weren't fond of the oatmeal served upstairs-- it seemed to sit somewhere and get cold and yucky. Room service was prompt, hot things were hot and it was lovely, leisurely start to even a busy day.

 

Sssh you'll ruin the best disembarkation breakfast;)

[lincslady]

My latest UK brochure (the cruise collection 2016 & 2017) on page 25 - delightful dining choices - mentions the new sushi and signature restaurants, BUT the first paragraph, re the main restaurant, states ' the cuisine is exquisite at breakfast, lunch and dinner'.

 

Jenidallas -maybe we have different brochures, or yours goes later into 2017 than mine, which is only up to springtime.

[jenidallas]

The one I'm looking at is a 48 page marketing brochure for the 2016 sailings that arrived this week. I know the breakfast and lunch language was in previous ones I saw - but they are definitely updating language - I snapped a photo of the page for those who'd like to compare.

 

[carefreecruise]

Currently on the Quest and breakfast is served every morning in the MDR. Although it is limited to one hour. Also they are relaxing the dress code a lot for dining in the Colonnade. If you show up in the MDR and not dressed for "Elegant Casual" they send you up to the Colonnade.

[lincslady]

My suggestion to anyone to whom it matters - not us, we prefer the Colonnade for breakfast and lunch - they try to get a copy of this page and take one with them to brandish if necessary on board! It could not be more specific.

[jenidallas]

Which page are you referring to? The one I posted does not specifically reference breakfast or lunch being available in the MDR.

 

I do realize it was referenced in older marketing materials... the same ones that didn't make it clear that the marina was only open in very specific circumstances. This brochure also has different and much more specific language around Marina Day and Caviar in the Surf which leads me to believe they ARE listening to customer complaints and working to tone down expectations.

[lincslady]

Jeni - as I wrote earlier, the full brochure entitled 'the cruise collection 2016 and 2017', with all sailings of all ships - like the one you find in your suite when on board. Ours is exactly like those, apart from prices in sterling. It was sent to us probably about a month ago, can't quite remember. I agree that the page you illustrate from a small brochure does not refer to breakfast or lunch in the MDR, whereas the large one specifically does. Obviously it has been issued recently, in view of the dates it covers.

 

I am sorry that I do not have the ability to reproduce this page here - maybe someone more computer savvy can do so?

[jenidallas]

I'm not sure where brandishing a page from a marketing brochure is going to change Seabourn direction or force a hotel manager to change their decision whether or not to open the MDR on specific days for breakfast and lunch. I would need to find my last contract of carriage for Seabourn, but I'm sure there is specific language allowing for changes to offerings.

 

It does seem from the dozens of posts on this topic that the days affected seem to be port days and that leads me to believe it's a staffing/cost decision. It seems that on port morning the majority of passenger want to eat at the same time and disembark. On port lunch days, many passengers stay off the ship and Seabourn has to consider the best way to deploy resources (while also allowing staff their time off on the schedule).

 

While not Seabourn related, I had the opportunity to peek behind the scenes into F&B operations with NCL recently. I was amazed at how much analytic data went into their daily operations. They too use Seabourn's system of rotating menus and track entree consumption from week-to-week so they do not overprepare (and thus waste) food. They track the traffic patterns of guests into the venues (seating times, etc) and there is effort to direct traffic based on timing of entertainment options. The home office tracks dozens of KPIs from cruise to cruise.

 

For the MDR to be open for lunch, they have to be prepared to serve all the dishes on that menu - so a minimum number of passengers need to show up there to cover that prep and service labor. If resources are not being utilized appropriately, it results in higher food and labor costs - and those get passed on to the passengers.

 

I personally enjoy the MDR at lunch when I'm not otherwise spending the day at the pool. But if the cost of keeping it open on port days means that I'm paying extra for my cruise for something that very few passengers are utilizing then I agree with Seabourn's decision. I don't want to personally subsidize something that 5% of the ships passengers may be using. (5% is based on my own observations - I've never observed more than a dozen people in the MDR for breakfast or lunch with the exception of the Galley Market lunch.)