The Taste Bar

[katiel53]

Nice, maybe, but classy? It's a push cart, with food placed on it as a marketing tool. Just because the food taste good, does not change the fact that it is sales pitch on wheels.

 

 

The only ship I have been on so far with the Tasting station was NOT a pushcart. I don't think it was cheesy, but I guess we have different outlooks on things. I thought the setup on Dream was fine.

 

Based on your comments, it seems to me that it would be unlikely that you would take advantage of such a low class thing, right?

[It's a Ship!!!]

Just so I'm clear.. the Taste Bar offers food from restaurants found on ALL carnival ships, not just the ship you're on? So on my upcoming Liberty cruise, I'll be able to taste something from Cucina del Capitano or Blue Iguana Cantina, even though none of those restaurants are on board?

 

That's nice, if true. Just seems odd to me since they're now having to cook dishes that the ship isn't even set up to serve, other than sparsely through the Taste Bar when it's open. Then again maybe a recipe is a recipe and they already have all the food items on board. Or maybe it's a way to cross train employees coming to/from the ships that have those venues. Maybe I'm overthinking it, now I just want something tasty. :)

It isn't really food from Carnival restaurants, it is more like food following the theme of Carnival restaurants. For example on the Blue Iguana night they serve a chicken tortilla soup, but the Blue Iguana restaurants on the ships don't serve that. I think the only thing in the taste bar that they actually serve in any of the specialty restaurants is the meatball, and of course I'm sure that doesn't require anything special other than the recipe.

 

Either way, the taste bar is a nice little snack before dinner, and even though I miss the sushi, this is a pretty good substitute.

[AriannaFan]

Enjoyed it on Liberty in 2012. Great placement and great snack after lots of drinking and before anytime dining. On Dream in 2013' the placement was between a bar and coffee shop and opposite a live band space. While it was always a crowded area, most were there for the music and blocked the taste bar, so you didn't know it existed most of the time. I love the taste bar and will hunt it down on the Glory in a few weeks. It is a great sampling of culturally themed tapas and I love tasting the accompanying soups. I haven't seen anything in the MDR menus, though.

 

 

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[Wilgr]

It is in no way a sampling cart like at Walmart (I've never seen a sampling cart at Walmart, I have seen one every time I walk into Publix though and that's considered an upscale grocery store).

 

I have also seen the Taste Bar on 4 different ships and it has always been in a fixed location with a sign, never on a push around cart.

 

The internet is a wonderful place, you can make up stuff as you go and still pretend to be an authority on things you know nothing about.

[hartsnvt]

It is in no way a sampling cart like at Walmart (I've never seen a sampling cart at Walmart, I have seen one every time I walk into Publix though and that's considered an upscale grocery store).

 

I have also seen the Taste Bar on 4 different ships and it has always been in a fixed location with a sign, never on a push around cart.

 

The internet is a wonderful place, you can make up stuff as you go and still pretend to be an authority on things you know nothing about.

 

Now that made me laugh....Publix, an upscale grocery store. Not in my town it isn't. :rolleyes:

[Ontario_Cruiser]

It is in no way a sampling cart like at Walmart (I've never seen a sampling cart at Walmart, I have seen one every time I walk into Publix though and that's considered an upscale grocery store).

 

I have also seen the Taste Bar on 4 different ships and it has always been in a fixed location with a sign, never on a push around cart.

 

The internet is a wonderful place, you can make up stuff as you go and still pretend to be an authority on things you know nothing about.

 

Yep!

 

While this goes back to 2012, it reflected what I saw on our cruise last year. It is nothing like a Walmart sampling station, and not even a sales pitch.

 

http://www.zydecocruiser.net/CarnivalConquest2012/menus/taste_bar.html

[Wilgr]

Now that made me laugh....Publix, an upscale grocery store. Not in my town it isn't. :rolleyes:

 

 

What is the upscale grocery store in your town?

[JohnSpo]

Nice, maybe, but classy? It's a push cart, with food placed on it as a marketing tool. Just because the food taste good, does not change the fact that it is sales pitch on wheels.

 

Just wondering which ships had the Taste Bar on push carts? The ships I were on had a dedicated counter on the Promenade with at least 2 attendants serving from heated pots and trays. The plates were also under a heat lamp. I would think using a push cart would not work to do Taste Bar service correctly.

 

I also miss the Sushi but the Taste Bar is also very good and I now look forward to it.:cool:

[pulledporky]

It has the appearance of a "cart" with a canopy top by design. I know they serve pepper pot soup one night and that is available in the MDR (or used to be).

 

OP, there's nothing unclassy or cheesy about it, it's a nice offering. And other the the $5 "paired" drink no one is selling anything. Give it a try.

[CRUZBUDS]

The taste bar is only a "sales" tool. Giver out "free" samples to get you to buy.

 

Think of it like this. Carnival is considered the WalMart of the seas, so let's put in a tasting station, just like in the food stores, to get you to buy a product. It's kind of Cheesy on a cruise ship.

 

You have an interesting perspective -- I doubt many will share your opinion.

 

On the list of cheesy things found on a cruise ship -- this isn't even in the top 50 to me. :)

[Florings]

It is a nice little treat to have with a cocktail before the dinner hour. Nothing "cheesy" or low class about it. A very nice service to offer to whet your appetite.

[FlyingCruiserNJ]

We've had it on port days also. Might depend on ship and itin.

 

I had it on the very first night of the cruise on a short sailing last year if I am not mistaken. It is not open every night but it doesn't have to be a sea day for them to be open either. I do believe they offer discount margaritas there on certain nights also as part of the blue iguana promotion. Not a bad deal but a lot of people just don't know about the place. It obviously isn't enough food for a meal or anything but if you really like what they have of course you can go up and get seconds. All in all pretty good.

[winddawn]

The taste bar is only a "sales" tool. Giver out "free" samples to get you to buy.

 

Think of it like this. Carnival is considered the WalMart of the seas, so let's put in a tasting station, just like in the food stores, to get you to buy a product. It's kind of Cheesy on a cruise ship.

I don't think of it that way at all. I've enjoyed getting to try the appetizers. Why such negativity?? Did you not enjoy even one appetizer?

[FlyingCruiserNJ]

Nice, maybe, but classy? It's a push cart, with food placed on it as a marketing tool. Just because the food taste good, does not change the fact that it is sales pitch on wheels.

 

Of course it is a marketing tool. So are the midnight deck parties and the onboard shows and the comedy hours and the gold/platinum cocktail reception. They aren't going to just do something to do something. It helps get a sample of the brand out to people and the people get to enjoy a snack without having to spend any more money or commit to anything monetarily. Win win. Not every bit of marketing is a bad thing. I can't think of anyone who hasn't taken advantage of the free sample snacks in the grocery store either. lol :cool:

[rosecruise]

Just got off Valor and we had it 4 nights. Days 1, 3, 5, & 7.

 

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Edited July 14, 2014 by rosecruise

[Rosefloater]

Do they offer this on 3-dayers to Mexico? We'll be on the Inspiration out of Long Beach, CA next weekend.

 

Yes they do. It is located at a kiosk outside the casino.

[momof4boys]

Had it on the Dream and it was very nice. Not crowded and food was tasty. They had the pumpkin soup I love but called it "Indian Pumpkin Soup." Either way it was nice. Easy to skip if it is not your thing....but easy to participate in the tasting if you like.

[Jldevlin]

I loved it ... just a little taste .... well it was supposed to be until I got the meatballs .. then I became a stalker.... would walk away and have to go right back. They gave me a plate with 5 of the little darlins......

[Rena921]

The Walmart of cruises....funny, but in "the real world" I never once have heard anyone say that. The only time I ever see or hear of it is in these forums. I think the term was coined here so that some people can make themselves feel superior. :cool:

 

I like the taste bar. It's a nice little treat before dinner and we look forward to it. Nothing walmart or demo cart about it.

[evandbob]

Of course it is a marketing tool. So are the midnight deck parties and the onboard shows and the comedy hours and the gold/platinum cocktail reception. They aren't going to just do something to do something. It helps get a sample of the brand out to people and the people get to enjoy a snack without having to spend any more money or commit to anything monetarily. Win win. Not every bit of marketing is a bad thing. I can't think of anyone who hasn't taken advantage of the free sample snacks in the grocery store either. lol :cool:

 

Meet me, my name's Bob - I'm a 64 yr old GrandPa who has never eaten a sample offered in a food or grocery supermarket. Those trays are Petri dishes for Noro and other diseases.

 

I did enjoy the sushi bar on the first days of a 7 night cruise. Guess I'll have to see what the taste bar is all about.

Edited July 14, 2014 by evandbob

[SMSACE6]

Nice, maybe, but classy? It's a push cart, with food placed on it as a marketing tool. Just because the food taste good, does not change the fact that it is sales pitch on wheels.

 

We live in a capitalist society, at least I do, so I expect to find marketing tools on a regular basis and accept them as part of the society I live in. I love free samples even if that is not classy. Just me. :)

Edited July 14, 2014 by SMSACE6

[bar1068]

Why is someone calling the Taste Bar a push cart? Is that what it is on ships that have not had any of the 2.0 updates? We're sailing the Pride again in September, I have heard on that ship, the sushi cart has been replaced by the Taste Bar...I guess using the same cart!! We're sailing the Pride next March after it's gone through it's upgrades later this year, was expecting the Taste Bar to be permanent then.

 

We've sailed multiple times on the Breeze and Sunshine and also stalked the Taste Bar for a few of the better items, but those Taste Bars are permanent "venues" near Ocean Plaza...Taste Bar by night....additional breakfast buffet stations by morning....not carts.

[PeggyMc]

Would someone be kind enough to comment on the $5 drink at the tasting bars? Is this also a special recipe? Are they good?

 

Thank you for the information.

[islandatsea]

I was on the Paradise last month for a 5 day cruise & saw The Taste Bar near the casino, close to the Vault machine. The times I walked by there, no lines that I saw. Guess I missed out since I did not stop to try anything during that cruise.

[lostdart1]

Sales pitch???

 

 

So I am going to book another cruise just because I had a friggin meatball at the taste bar???

 

That's funny!!