Bad time at the steak house on the Liberty

[tomboyy]

My wife and I and 2 other couples went to the steak house on the liberty and had a horrible time. Things started out great, we ordered, received our apps and when we finished we sat there talking and waiting for our salads. I noticed it seemed to be taking longer than normal. I have been to a cruise steak house before but for other 2 couples it was their first time.

 

Well next thing you know the steaks show up... I'm like wait, we haven't got our salads yet. The waitress says yes you did and the whole table spoke up at the same time and says "no we didn't" So we sit there with our mains on the table wondering what happened. I'd like to put in here what happened to me when I was ordering. I asked for the 18oz Ribeye and asked for it to be cooked medium-rare and that I'd like to have it more on the rare side. Well this young girl starts to inform me how I want my steak cooked because their steaks are top quality and contain 30% fat so it should be cooked a certain way. I calmly explaned that I have been cooking Ribeyes for 40 years and I know how I like to have my steak.

 

Well back to the dinner... Next the manager comes to the table and told us the reason the salads were not delivered is because our mains finished cooking before they (the salads were done) This really set off one of my friends and he told the manager not to patronize him and that he knew why the salads weren't delivered ( the young waitress forgot to order them) The manager turned and left.

 

Now at this point I have this steak in front of me. It looks dry, I cut a couple pieces and it is dry, tough and not seasoned well. I thought well maybe it's just this part so I tried another bite and it's the same. I sat here thinking the flat iron steak I have on my first night in the MDR was WAY better than this ribeye. I stopped eating and told my wife I was done.

 

The manager came back to the table and offered a free bottle of wine which we declined ( no wine drinkers) Then the chef came to the table and asked how our dinner was... I was honest and said calmly that the flat iron steak in the MDR was way better than this steak. I think I hurt his feelings but sometimes the truth hurts. The manager came back again and said there was not going to be any charges for tonights dinner( I didn't plan on paying for 3 shrimp anyhow)

 

I kinda wished they would have offered us another dinner later in the cruise. We ended up with room service for dinner...oh well.

 

Now before the cheerleaders start let me say this... I not trying to say this steak house is bad. In fact I'm sure it's a fine place to eat. I am just telling my personal experience on this particular day. That's why I mentioned earlier that I wished they had offered up a dinner on another night.

[Beachdiva1979]

I'm glad you told your story and hopefully when I'm on the Liberty in August it will be better. I love a medium rare steak.

 

 

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[okgirl]

I would have sent the steak back and explained to the manager and chef that it wasn't prepared as requested and that you had to argue with the waitress over it in the first place.

 

I also wouldn't have sat for more than about 10 minutes after finishing my appetizer without pleasantly requesting that my salad course be served.

[winddawn]

My wife and I and 2 other couples went to the steak house on the liberty and had a horrible time. Things started out great, we ordered, received our apps and when we finished we sat there talking and waiting for our salads. I noticed it seemed to be taking longer than normal. I have been to a cruise steak house before but for other 2 couples it was their first time.

 

Well next thing you know the steaks show up... I'm like wait, we haven't got our salads yet. The waitress says yes you did and the whole table spoke up at the same time and says "no we didn't" So we sit there with our mains on the table wondering what happened. I'd like to put in here what happened to me when I was ordering. I asked for the 18oz Ribeye and asked for it to be cooked medium-rare and that I'd like to have it more on the rare side. Well this young girl starts to inform me how I want my steak cooked because their steaks are top quality and contain 30% fat so it should be cooked a certain way. I calmly explaned that I have been cooking Ribeyes for 40 years and I know how I like to have my steak.

 

Well back to the dinner... Next the manager comes to the table and told us the reason the salads were not delivered is because our mains finished cooking before they (the salads were done) This really set off one of my friends and he told the manager not to patronize him and that he knew why the salads weren't delivered ( the young waitress forgot to order them) The manager turned and left.

 

Now at this point I have this steak in front of me. It looks dry, I cut a couple pieces and it is dry, tough and not seasoned well. I thought well maybe it's just this part so I tried another bite and it's the same. I sat here thinking the flat iron steak I have on my first night in the MDR was WAY better than this ribeye. I stopped eating and told my wife I was done.

 

The manager came back to the table and offered a free bottle of wine which we declined ( no wine drinkers) Then the chef came to the table and asked how our dinner was... I was honest and said calmly that the flat iron steak in the MDR was way better than this steak. I think I hurt his feelings but sometimes the truth hurts. The manager came back again and said there was not going to be any charges for tonights dinner( I didn't plan on paying for 3 shrimp anyhow)

 

I kinda wished they would have offered us another dinner later in the cruise. We ended up with room service for dinner...oh well.

 

Now before the cheerleaders start let me say this... I not trying to say this steak house is bad. In fact I'm sure it's a fine place to eat. I am just telling my personal experience on this particular day. That's why I mentioned earlier that I wished they had offered up a dinner on another night.

I can only imagine how disappointed you must have been, Tom. The steakhouse is usually so good and such a pleasurable experience that I know it would have disappointed me for this to happen.

 

It sounds like your waitress really screwed up and then the situation was handled poorly. I can't imagine a waitress telling me how I want my steak cooked or telling me she had brought a salad that she didn't bring. That is the epitome of arrogance! You can get better service than that at McDonalds. Lol.

 

I'm glad they at least removed the charges for you and your group. Cold food from room service isn't much of a consolation though.

 

I hope the rest of your cruise was better and that you had a good time with your group.

[LuckyZ]

We recently sailed on the Liberty and did the steakhouse for the 1st time. It was an OK experience but not sure it lived up to what I expected.

 

The service was a little slow but I think it is planned that way so you can not feel rushed IMHO. They do overwhelm you with large quantities of food which I think is meant to make you feel like you got your $35 worth.

 

Appetizers, soups, salads I think were the highlight of the meal. I had the French Onion Soup and it was very good.

DW has the lobster (3 tails) and she enjoyed them.

I had the Cowboy 18oz steak. I thought it was good but 18 oz is just too much food.

Cheesecake was enormous so DW had the fruit and I had the chocolate sampler.

 

Again, an OK experience. Will we do it again? Not sure.

 

We also did the Chefs table that week (3rd time) and had a wonderful experience $75 pp was well worth it.

Edited June 21, 2014 by LuckyZ

[bury me at sea]

Sorry you had a bad experience and very glad it didn't ruin your cruise.

 

Appreciate your report and the spirit in which you wrote it.

[nwo4life]

 

I kinda wished they would have offered us another dinner later in the cruise.

 

You did not pay and you were expected a second trip to the steakhouse to be free also?

[KPfromCT]

:eek::eek:

Hardly EVER see bad reviews of the Steakhouse.

Sorry that you had such a bad experience, but glad they took care of it, by reimbursing the cost to you. It was definitely the right thing to do.

Hoping we have a much better experience in a couple of weeks.

It will be our first trip to the Steakhouse, after reading mostly awesome reviews.

Fingers crossed:D

 

Hopefully you enjoyed the rest of your cruise.

Thanks for the feedback.

[realjd]

Even the best restaurant will have an off night. I'm glad to see that the manager handled the situation well by giving you a refund.

[tomboyy]

You did not pay and you were expected a second trip to the steakhouse to be free also?

 

No... I did not say that.

 

I'm not that type of person. I did go to guest services and I told the lady I had something to tell her, I then told her up front before I explained what happen to me that I was not asking for anything and that I did not want anything, I said I just want to tell you my experience.

 

When I said I wished they had offered another dinner on a different night I meant that I kinda wished the manager would have come to the table and said something like "Why don't we try this again tomorrow or the next day I can book this for you right now , I'm sure your next experience will be up to your standards, as for today, you will not be charged"

 

 

And this didn't ruin anything for me or my wife... we had a great time.

 

I think this was an anomaly, everyone has bad days.

 

They kinda just left it with "you won't be charge today, sorry"

Edited June 21, 2014 by tomboyy

[Shaded Lady]

Wow Tomboy - sorry about your experience... and I absolutely agree with you... obviously you wouldn't pay for the dinner you didn't eat that night but like you, I would have appreciated it if the manager had gone the extra mile to say, let's plan this for another night this week to see if we can exceed your expectations...

 

I would have accepted, and gladly paid the $35 pp as you said- it's not like you wanted something for free, you just wanted what you paid for and what you expected to get!

 

We're trying the steakhouse on our first cruise in October, and like you, my DH KNOWS steak, so they'd better not try to argue with him! ;)

[MicksMom]

We were on The Magic in April & went to the steakhouse for the 1st time. 6 adults, we went the 1st night. Everything was wonderful, not 1 negative thing. One in our group hit big on the casino & wanted to treat us all later in the week. It must have been an off night. Slow service, not nearly as friendly. Took forever after our salads. We heard plates crash & all commented that it must have been our food. When we finally got our steaks, they were good but nothing like the 1st night.

 

Had our 2nd time been 1st, we probably wouldn't ever go back. Will definitely try it again.

[golfb4cruzing]

Who wants a steak that's 30% fat? Raise your hands.

[Linerguy]

That's too bad, I can certainly understand why you were upset.

 

Unfortunately, I think the experience is a little inconsistant. We had an incredible experience on the SPLENDOR last November, but on our trip on the FREEDOM last month, it wasn't nearly as good.

 

Never had a waitress tell me how I want my steak cooked.....that alone would have sent me flyin'.....

[vols_159]

Sorry you had a bad meal.. I like my steak medium if it came out well done i would of sent it back.. Salads I could live with or without but my wife loves a salad

 

 

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[ragethjj23]

No... I did not say that.

 

I'm not that type of person. I did go to guest services and I told the lady I had something to tell her, I then told her up front before I explained what happen to me that I was not asking for anything and that I did not want anything, I said I just want to tell you my experience.

 

When I said I wished they had offered another dinner on a different night I meant that I kinda wished the manager would have come to the table and said something like "Why don't we try this again tomorrow or the next day I can book this for you right now , I'm sure your next experience will be up to your standards, as for today, you will not be charged"

 

 

And this didn't ruin anything for me or my wife... we had a great time.

 

I think this was an anomaly, everyone has bad days.

 

They kinda just left it with "you won't be charge today, sorry"

 

The manager doesn't know your plans the rest of your trip, and who knows how booked the steakhouse was the rest of the time. Did you ask to try again on a different night?

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the review! That was not good at all.

[tomboyy]

The manager doesn't know your plans the rest of your trip, and who knows how booked the steakhouse was the rest of the time. Did you ask to try again on a different night?

 

Naw... we just chalk it up with "it is what it is" and got on with our cruise.

[FloridaMommyof3]

That's disappointing. I have a reservation at the steakhouse on Legend coming up next week and for the price I hope to be blown away. I order my steak medium rare, and if it isn't cooked that way I send it back. I think that is very odd that someone is telling you how you want your steak cooked.

[spunkie4]

sorry you had this experience.

 

We always book the steakhouse, twice on the Liberty, and have never been disappointed.

 

However, there is always the first time. We have three Carnival cruises booked, so hopefully we will not experience "the first time".

 

I did not read the entire thread, but did you ask the purser's desk to remove the charges?

 

Shirley

 

Shirley

[Freedom2014]

My wife and I and 2 other couples went to the steak house on the liberty and had a horrible time. Things started out great, we ordered, received our apps and when we finished we sat there talking and waiting for our salads. I noticed it seemed to be taking longer than normal. I have been to a cruise steak house before but for other 2 couples it was their first time.

 

Well next thing you know the steaks show up... I'm like wait, we haven't got our salads yet. The waitress says yes you did and the whole table spoke up at the same time and says "no we didn't" So we sit there with our mains on the table wondering what happened. I'd like to put in here what happened to me when I was ordering. I asked for the 18oz Ribeye and asked for it to be cooked medium-rare and that I'd like to have it more on the rare side. Well this young girl starts to inform me how I want my steak cooked because their steaks are top quality and contain 30% fat so it should be cooked a certain way. I calmly explaned that I have been cooking Ribeyes for 40 years and I know how I like to have my steak.

 

Well back to the dinner... Next the manager comes to the table and told us the reason the salads were not delivered is because our mains finished cooking before they (the salads were done) This really set off one of my friends and he told the manager not to patronize him and that he knew why the salads weren't delivered ( the young waitress forgot to order them) The manager turned and left.

 

Now at this point I have this steak in front of me. It looks dry, I cut a couple pieces and it is dry, tough and not seasoned well. I thought well maybe it's just this part so I tried another bite and it's the same. I sat here thinking the flat iron steak I have on my first night in the MDR was WAY better than this ribeye. I stopped eating and told my wife I was done.

 

The manager came back to the table and offered a free bottle of wine which we declined ( no wine drinkers) Then the chef came to the table and asked how our dinner was... I was honest and said calmly that the flat iron steak in the MDR was way better than this steak. I think I hurt his feelings but sometimes the truth hurts. The manager came back again and said there was not going to be any charges for tonights dinner( I didn't plan on paying for 3 shrimp anyhow)

 

I kinda wished they would have offered us another dinner later in the cruise. We ended up with room service for dinner...oh well.

 

Now before the cheerleaders start let me say this... I not trying to say this steak house is bad. In fact I'm sure it's a fine place to eat. I am just telling my personal experience on this particular day. That's why I mentioned earlier that I wished they had offered up a dinner on another night.

 

Yes. We went to the steakhouse on the liberty in March. We spend almost 300 for our table. The food was slightly higher quality than the main dinning room. Def not the worth the price.

[jtwanabe]

In all honesty except for the atmosphere having eaten at some top shelf steak houses

you can get almost as good a steak in the main dinning room. In my opinion any way.

 

With the exception of a filet mignon.

 

JT:rolleyes:

Edited June 21, 2014 by jtwanabe

[gregg204]

Yes. We went to the steakhouse on the liberty in March. We spend almost 300 for our table. The food was slightly higher quality than the main dinning room. Def not the worth the price.

 

 

$35 for a appetizer, salad, steak and desert not worth the price? Ok

[Freedom2014]

$35 for a appetizer, salad, steak and desert not worth the price? Ok

 

No. Not when it taste like the food on the rest of the ship.

[Danacat222]

. The manager came back again and said there was not going to be any charges for tonights dinner( I didn't plan on paying for 3 shrimp anyhow)

 

I kinda wished they would have offered us another dinner later in the cruise. We ended up with room service for dinner...oh well.

 

Now before the cheerleaders start let me say this... I not trying to say this steak house is bad. In fact I'm sure it's a fine place to eat. I am just telling my personal experience on this particular day. That's why I mentioned earlier that I wished they had offered up a dinner on another night.

 

 

They were not going to charge you....so you could have booked another night and paid like you would have had the food not been good.

 

To be honest, on Liberty last Oct my steak was not so good. I had a great steak on Legend's steakhouse. I am not booking it on this October's cruise on Liberty. We want to try the new menus every night in the MDR anyway.

Edited June 21, 2014 by Danacat222