Dinner at the Lido buffet; who has gone?

[RuthC]

Thanks For the Gala warning, Ruth. Will keep it in mind this week. Have not been impressed with the postings about the new menu. (Am writing from Amtrak now en route to board Veendam in San Diego.) (And DH recently expressed interest and willingness to do Antarctica. And he should have the time on the books). :D

On the Nieuw Amsterdam recently the "always available" was available, although not listed on the menu. Just because something isn't noted, doesn't mean you can't get it---just ask to find out. Generally mashed potatoes, green beans, and carrots are always available, though not listed on the menu.

 

Hope he goes to Antarctica! We both know he'll love it.

I am booked again for January, 2017. It remains to be seen whether or not I actually take the trip though. Perhaps I will see you both again! :)

[RuthC]

RuthC.........I think you were on the NA for the Transatlantic in Oct.-Nov. the same time as we were. ...

I was, as well as the three previous cruises.

 

I learned a long time ago that if you don't ask, you don't get (or find out). So, I always ask about the items I think they may have, but aren't listed. Can't hurt, and it's made the difference in how well I enjoy my dinner more than once.

 

I was at 2nd fixed sitting, and had a table right near those galley doors. I prefer that location as there's plenty of parking spaces for my scooter, with a short walk to the table. No matter how busy my steward was he always saw me coming/going and hurried over to escort me. Love, love, love that great service.

[sail7seas]

We just got off the NA this morning and can tell you that the Lido experience has been greatly improved. For evening meals now, all tables are set with cutlery, glasses, cloth napkins, and a place mat. There are plenty of staff assigned to each area to fill your water glass, clear your table and bring you coffee.

 

The morning service and noon service is similar, although the place mat is not used. The staff are quickly available to refill coffee and juice.

 

The greatest improvement is the service. I smiled one morning as I watched a server quickly move a chair and go fetch a high chair as soon as he saw a particular passenger. The Mom walked over with her 4 year old and infant and the server gently took the baby from the Mom's arms, supported the baby in his arms and gently slid the baby into the high chair. The server then started to play with the baby while Mom grabbed some breakfast. When Mom returned with a box of fruit loops for the older child, the server just automatically put the cereal in the bowl, added milk and passed the cereal to the older child. He then went back to entertaining the children while Mom got her breakfast.

 

As a lovely lady said before a show one evening, "they really do try so hard."

 

 

What a great post.

I so Love this. It is so easy to read this and have a vivid picture of one of those fabulous HAL stewards doing just that. :)

Thank you for sharing with us.

 

[RocketMan275]

We just got off the NA this morning and can tell you that the Lido experience has been greatly improved. For evening meals now, all tables are set with cutlery, glasses, cloth napkins, and a place mat. There are plenty of staff assigned to each area to fill your water glass, clear your table and bring you coffee.

 

The morning service and noon service is similar, although the place mat is not used. The staff are quickly available to refill coffee and juice.

 

The greatest improvement is the service. I smiled one morning as I watched a server quickly move a chair and go fetch a high chair as soon as he saw a particular passenger. The Mom walked over with her 4 year old and infant and the server gently took the baby from the Mom's arms, supported the baby in his arms and gently slid the baby into the high chair. The server then started to play with the baby while Mom grabbed some breakfast. When Mom returned with a box of fruit loops for the older child, the server just automatically put the cereal in the bowl, added milk and passed the cereal to the older child. He then went back to entertaining the children while Mom got her breakfast.

 

As a lovely lady said before a show one evening, "they really do try so hard."

 

Now, that's the sort of thing that makes me feel much more comfortable about cancelling my Allure cruise to book a cruise on Westerdam.

[Stratheden]

We have yet to have a dinner in the Lido.

But have often talked about doing it.

Do you have to carry all of your dishes back to the table like at lunch time?

 

I have often been asked if I need help when carry plates of food to the table and I have always declined with a smile. I am still quite capable and I would rather they helped someone who did need the help.

 

If you and DH find yourselves a table then ask one of the attendants to help you with carrying plates I am sure they would. I have found them to be very helpful and only too happy to help.

[cbr663]

What a great post.

I so Love this. It is so easy to read this and have a vivid picture of one of those fabulous HAL stewards doing just that. :)

Thank you for sharing with us.

 

 

It made us smile also. It was clear that the Steward was a father. He was so gentle with the children and even pushed the older child in closer to the table so she could enjoy her fruit loops.

 

Breakfast tables in the Lido had water glasses, juice glasses and coffee mugs. Stewards would visit your table to see whether you wanted more coffee or more water or juice. We discovered the same stewards were in the same area so they got to know you quickly if you returned to the same area. One of the fabulous waitresses that served us earlier in the cruise in the Tamarind served us for breakfast one day in the Lido. She called us by name and offered to make another Tamarind reservation for us.

 

It is my understanding that this is part of the Lido Marketplace roll out.

[Lizzie68]

We just got off the NA this morning and can tell you that the Lido experience has been greatly improved. For evening meals now, all tables are set with cutlery, glasses, cloth napkins, and a place mat. There are plenty of staff assigned to each area to fill your water glass, clear your table and bring you coffee.

 

The morning service and noon service is similar, although the place mat is not used. The staff are quickly available to refill coffee and juice.

 

The greatest improvement is the service. I smiled one morning as I watched a server quickly move a chair and go fetch a high chair as soon as he saw a particular passenger. The Mom walked over with her 4 year old and infant and the server gently took the baby from the Mom's arms, supported the baby in his arms and gently slid the baby into the high chair. The server then started to play with the baby while Mom grabbed some breakfast. When Mom returned with a box of fruit loops for the older child, the server just automatically put the cereal in the bowl, added milk and passed the cereal to the older child. He then went back to entertaining the children while Mom got her breakfast.

 

As a lovely lady said before a show one evening, "they really do try so hard."

 

That got an "awww" from me! How nice to see staff that really care.

[wander]

On my recent Volendam cruise (55 days), my experience was the same as posted by Strathedan describes. The crew were offering assistance to folks who looked like they perhaps needed some help, either due to the "load" they were carrying or their physical situation. Most folks either graciously said - yes thank you, or no thank you. However, I was appalled by the number of folks who responded NO, in a very unpleasant, harsh manner. Some even added a snippy comment like - I can care for myself just fine! (Note: looking at most of the folks who were rude to the crew, they are exactly the folks I would have offered to help myself if the crew were not there.)

[iancal]

What is really telling about this is that even IF DW and I were pack the appropriate clothes (which we would no longer do) for Gala nights we would still give the MDR a miss in favour of either the Lido or the alternate dining venue. And on a few other nights as well. The only thing that stands out for us is the place setting. And that is not enough of a reason for us to attend.

 

Sad commentary on our current perspective on HAL's MDR.

Edited December 14, 2015 by iancal

[Miamichile77]

We prefer the lido... At the Lido you can have the servers place as much or as little as you wish on a plate. you can sample several entrees at once--small portions of each. And you can take as much or as little time as you wish--you are on your schedule and not that of the server.

 

This is the main reason why we most times prefer the lido over the MDR. I love "sampling" the menu, and hate to waste food, so a little of this and a little of that is easier in the lido. Also, going on several theme cruises, we're often trying to get to a concert or other performance, and don't want to spend upwards of 2 hours dining.

[dakrewser]

Maybe a little OT but am in the Lido now and they have both pre are sandwiches and made to order. The station has been moved further down the line though, and a staff member who is serving the regular line steps over to the otherwise unmanned station to make your sandwich. Keep in mind we just boarded so there is no shortage of hungry pax.

 

You don't mention which ship you are on. Not all ships have done away with made-to-order sandwiches, only (I believe) those that have converted to the "Lido Marketplace" design.

[RuthC]

You don't mention which ship you are on. Not all ships have done away with made-to-order sandwiches, only (I believe) those that have converted to the "Lido Marketplace" design.

That's my understanding, too. :( Along with the plan that eventually all the ships will be converted to the pre-made sandwiches only. :mad:

Edited December 14, 2015 by RuthC

[travelnap]

You don't mention which ship you are on. Not all ships have done away with made-to-order sandwiches, only (I believe) those that have converted to the "Lido Marketplace" design.

 

I was on the Oosterdam last month and although they did have the premade sandwiches available, they would also make sandwiches for you at the sandwich station.

[janmcn]

We virtually always eat in the Lido having tried the MDR on numerous occasions.

 

We find the food warmer, fresher (they are often just making it, or will for you), easy to see what you want, etc.

The menu is about 80-90% the same as MDR.

 

The coffee is always hotter!

 

The staff is less harried at night and so has time to bring you more beverages, another serving of something, more sauce, etc.

 

We also find we linger well-into the evening with friends without the need to vacate a table.

 

The Lido is definitely different at night from the morning and lunch rush...if you haven't tried it, you might want to.

[retdon]

Thank you.

I thought that may be the case.

DH's Parkinson's has gotten worse and he can't carry a plate of food any more without spilling something. That is why he likes sandwiches at lunch time since we rarely eat them at home.

And I can't help him as I use a walker have problems of my own.

On our last couple of cruises, there were very few helpers at lunch time in the Lido.

 

The staff in the Lido will be glad to carry your plate for you, a nice touch for those of us who can't manage it.

[Barrheadlass]

I usually avoid the lido but have to say after reading these posts I'll give it a few tries on my cruise next summer. You have been most encouraging!

[holacanada]

What a great post.

I so Love this. It is so easy to read this and have a vivid picture of one of those fabulous HAL stewards doing just that. :)

Thank you for sharing with us.

 

 

 

I agree so much !

How cuuuuuute !!!

 

 

Holacanada

[GeorgesGal]

We were just on the Eurodam over Thanksgiving and always eat in the MDR. One night we didn't feel like changing for dinner and decided to give the Lido a try. The food was excellent. As someone mentioned it was not crowded and we were able to eat at our leisure. It was a much better experience than I expected.

 

Helen

 

Glad you gave the Lido a try! We (my sister and I) will often eat there, in addition to MDR and room service from MDR. We ALWAYS check the MDR menu once lunch is over, then decide where to eat, as we can always find something we like in the Lido if nothing on MDR menu piques our interest or taste buds.

 

I seem to recall in the not too distant past that Lido had table cloths at dinner time, and wait staff would take your tray to your table. But it might have been ten years or so ago.

[dakrewser]

I seem to recall in the not too distant past that Lido had table cloths at dinner time' date=' and wait staff would take your tray to your table. But it might have been ten years or so ago.[/quote']

 

 

You remember correctly (or we're both mistaken). In those days you ordered your entree in the serving line which was brought to your table when it was ready. The key item in dating this is "tray" - it's been at least 7-8 years since they were available.