Just off Carnival Breeze...disappointed

[Dave994]

Realized that my last line was not what I was meaning.

 

 

 

Snacks all over the ship but especially the red frog pub wings!!! Didn't want to diss them wings! :cool:

 

 

Haven't tried those wings yet. Perhaps on my 4 day I will give them a go.

 

Also forgot to try the tacos at the Blue Iguna as well. Lots to look forward to I suppose.

[bingomamma19]

We cruised the Breeze April 3 - 9 to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We had been to GC and Coz before but this was the first trip to Ocho Rios. All in all we had a great time. All of the ports did not disappoint and we had plenty to do.

 

The ship, however, did not live up to my expectations. The food was horrible! The breakfast buffet had a variety but was the same every single day, the scrambled eggs were the equivalent of a sponge and completely inedible and the breakfast meats were greasy and under cooked. The bagels and toast were pre-toasted and sitting under a heat lamp making them hard, rubbery and old tasting. I am by no means a foodie but I was very disappointed in the quality as well as the taste of the food. The Omelette station was pretty much the only place to actually get "fresh" tasting eggs, but the line, early or late was at least a 25-30 min wait every single day, in or out of port. The Omelettes were very very good and worth the wait!

 

The tried the lunch buffet twice and found it absolutely terrible. The salads were pretty good but the entrees were just plain bad and not tasty at all. I don't understand why Carnival has resorted to covering every cut of meat or meat dish in some kind of sauce. It might be to cover the fact that they are using very low quality cuts of meat, but whatever it is, it's just not appetizing. Needless to say, The Guy's burgers were pretty much the lunch time go to place. One afternoon I decided to try the "Sea Dogs" but alas after trudging up there, I was informed that they had no hot dogs, just sausage. I was just a tiny bit upset but oh well. I remember the days of the lido grill with the grilled hamburgers and hot dogs available all afternoon and wish that were still an option. The deli was ok but I wasnt a big fan of the slapping the meat on pre-toasted bread and calling it a "grilled ham and cheese". Didn't try the BBQ as the lines were way too long and all I heard were people complaining that it just wasn't worth the wait.

 

The MDR was visited only once because of the bad service and sub par menu choices. I had ordered the beef tenderloin cooked medium rare and it was fatty, grizzly and hard to chew, again, it was covered in some secret sauce that was just terrible tasting. I ate one piece and left the rest on the plate. The baked potato came in a bowl, uncut but turned out to be the best part of the dinner. The wedge salad was good as it is hard to mess up lettuce and the dressings were very tasty. My son ordered the grilled Mahi Mahi and it was rubbery and tasteless. Disappointing to say the least.

 

The Italian restaurant on board was the best meal we had all week, but then again, I would expect it to be since we paid extra for it.

 

The room steward was very nice but very pushy, he was extremely irritated when we were in our room when he decided that he wanted to service it at 7 am in the morning. I asked him for an extra pillow and he was openly exasperated with the request.

 

The bartenders on board were the best! They always remembered who we were and what we drank and we never had to wait very long for a cocktail.

 

The casino staff was top notch and the casino wait staff was as well.

 

All in all, I liked the ship but I think it really needs some improvements in the culinary and staffing areas. I have never sailed anyone but Carnival and have always received the best service and enjoyed every other ship I have previously been on. The Breeze, however, just did not meet my expectations. Might be time to try another line or move back to the smaller ships.

 

 

 

I just got off the breeze from the 3/26 to 4/3 sailing...my 4th time on in 2 years. LOVED IT!!.

 

The scrambled eggs are and have always been gross---I never have to wait 25 minutes in the omelet line though--like 10 or less--I get up late.

 

I have a hard time believing that the room steward was trying to come in at 7am any day though. That is terribly early for a vacation and I cant believe anyone would be up and ready to be out of their room at that time. If that had happened even 1 time I would have complained to guest services in a heart beat.

 

 

For food there are so many choices--the Mexican place, guys burgers, buffet, Italian, bbq tandoor grill, pizza, sea dogs, mdr (breakfast and dinner), room service, Mongolian wok, deli (I probably am forgetting one or two)...but there is no way you could not find something that you like with all the choices. I love carved ham and would search it out on the buffet (found it 2x on our cruise)

[chilly1470]

Don't know if any of you noticed, but the OP never responded once to any of the comments. This is always a red flag to me. And hello? You are a paying customer and do not have to put up with substandard service. I am not a trouble maker, but I will be danged if any room steward is going to cop an attitude with me. I would politely ask for their supervisor and demand someone who wants to do their job pleasantly and I am more than happy to tip very well for that service. Ok, they work hard for little, I get it, but so do I. I did not force them to be there. If OP put up with any problems legit, then they are the fool for allowing it to happen. I believe the staff would make it right, or I would go up the line until they did.

As far as the food goes, you get what you pay for. If you want gourmet, you are going to have to move to another price level, not Carnival. No offense, but Carnival is a middle class, working folk cruise line, not high class champagne and caviar and lobster. I am cruising on the working class line in 3 weeks, and I will enjoy it and I promise you I will find something to eat. Something good. My room steward won't huff about a pillow, or I will find someone who will get it happily and be glad for the tip and my smiling face. Prima donnas, that's what people are becoming. Suck it up and make the best of it.

[Love2Cruz2015]

Chilly, fyi..Carnival is I believe the only cruise line left that serves lobster tail without an upcharge.:cool:

 

As for food choices, I never personally met anyone who couldn't find something they liked on a cruise...AS for the Breeze, there are SOOO many options and places to eat, that unless you are the type that just eats non fat, non gluten non-carb...etc (you get the gist), you will find something.

 

I'm not a buffet person either, though I may dabble in it if there is something good (like chocolate chip cookies)..but otherwise I stick to the other venues. I love Guy's and the Blue Iguana cantina on deck. I DO like their made to order omelettes for breakfast at the buffet station, along with their continental choices. Their italian eatery is okay, but I'm italian and to me, it tastes like Olive Garden, not the real thing...I liked the make your own salad area on the Promenade, the Seaday bar-b-q, Tandoori Grill, Sushi joint, Red Pub had great conch fritters...and I always enjoy the Main Dining room for dinner and Seaside Brunch on sea days.

 

I honestly don't see how people complain about the food on Carnival...When I sailed on the Disney dream, I had to send food back...I NEVER had to do that on Carnival. Carnival's food was way better than Disney's (with the exception of STone Crabs...) Disney doesn't serve lobster tail for dinner either..but some God Awful fish that made me lose my appetite.

 

But food is subjective I suppose.

[dave_k58]

This!

 

Oh..and "fatty, grizzly and hard to chew" doesn't sound like Tenderloin, but I wasn't there so not sure if OP is over exaggerating or if CCL is calling something Tenderloin that is actually something else.

 

Maybe the " Flat Iron"

[texast518]

Princess uses the same 'powdered' egg stuff that Carnival uses for scrambled eggs. Their toast and bagels are also pre-toasted.

 

Agree that for the most part Princess's buffet is better than Carnival's. Though I did have a bug crawl out of the asparagus in the salad buffet on the Golden.

Princess's MDR menu is uninspiring to us.

 

It's great we have choices.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

You can order FRESH eggs ANY way in MDR, brunch, omlette station.

[nursemommy7578]

OP. We did a b2b on the breeze and had many issues and complaints. MDR service was terrible. I ended up leaving one night after waiting 2 hours for my meal that never came. I even had to get my own drink from the atrium bar. I was hugely let down on that trip!

 

Im sorry you didnt enjoy your trip. Im booked on vista....its carnivals last chance to impress me. My vacation dollars are important and I work hard for them. I deserve a good vacation!!

 

Good luck!

[CJDepew]

Maybe next time it will be better.

 

Had the same dining experience on the Conquest last month. Guys Burgers became my go-to for lunch or dinner.

[carterd2002]

 

I honestly don't see how people complain about the food on Carnival...When I sailed on the Disney dream, I had to send food back...I NEVER had to do that on Carnival. Carnival's food was way better than Disney's (with the exception of STone Crabs...) Disney doesn't serve lobster tail for dinner either..but some God Awful fish that made me lose my appetite.

 

But food is subjective I suppose.

 

I couldn't agree with you more re: food on DCL. I have been on 3 Disney cruises and was very disappointed in the food overall each time, but especially in the MDR. I haven't cruised on CCL yet (have two planned in the future) but it couldn't be any worse than DCL.

Edited April 15, 2016 by carterd2002

[amyh13]

I couldn't agree with you more re: food on DCL. I have been on 3 Disney cruises and was very disappointed in the food overall each time, but especially in the MDR. I haven't cruised on CCL yet (have two planned in the future) but it couldn't be any worse than DCL.

 

 

I am glad I wasn't just me. I have said many times, the food seemed to look better, but it wasn't good.

 

 

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[carterd2002]

I am glad I wasn't just me. I have said many times, the food seemed to look better, but it wasn't good.

 

 

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I don't know about you, but it seemed like none of the MDR meals I had were ever served "hot" or even 'very warm".

[chilly1470]

Chilly, fyi..Carnival is I believe the only cruise line left that serves lobster tail without an upcharge.:cool:

 

And FYI they have stopped serving lobster --according to numerous posts I have read, some seeming reliable, but IDK. Take it with a grain of salt, I guess. If they do, great. If not, I will live lol. Also I was just using that as an example of people expecting gourmet when they have paid budget prices. I personally and am happy with Carnival's affordability. Under 3 grand for 4 people, 5 day cruise, now that is SICK! I am in whole hearted and believe me, I will eat well.

[Trumpster]

Chilly, fyi..Carnival is I believe the only cruise line left that serves lobster tail without an upcharge.:cool:

 

And FYI they have stopped serving lobster --according to numerous posts I have read, some seeming reliable, but IDK. Take it with a grain of salt, I guess. If they do, great. If not, I will live lol. Also I was just using that as an example of people expecting gourmet when they have paid budget prices. I personally and am happy with Carnival's affordability. Under 3 grand for 4 people, 5 day cruise, now that is SICK! I am in whole hearted and believe me, I will eat well.

 

On cruises of Less than 7 days lobster is no more.

[pusywillow]

On the Breeze last month smoked salmon WAS available on the room service menu every day.. and at the deli..

 

:)

 

 

 

 

I was on the Breeze March 12, 2016 sailing and smoked salmon was not available from Room Service. It was available in the MDR.

[Love2Cruz2015]

 

On cruises of Less than 7 days lobster is no more.

 

Sigh...wrong. I went on a 6 day western itin in August and I ate lobster, double serving actually as I skipped a starter.:D

 

I went on a quick 4 day getaway on Ecstacy in 2014 and I had Lobster. Maybe they got rid of them on the weekend ones:confused:

[Love2Cruz2015]

I couldn't agree with you more re: food on DCL. I have been on 3 Disney cruises and was very disappointed in the food overall each time, but especially in the MDR. I haven't cruised on CCL yet (have two planned in the future) but it couldn't be any worse than DCL.

 

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the food on CCL. I agree the rotational dining sounded awesome on DCL, too bad the food was mediocre to horrible. I would sail disney again, only for my daughter, as the shows were spectacular imo, okay and maybe for the stone crabs at lunch and their soft serve...lol I also loved their rooms and the ship was just gorgeous. I'd sail Disney for other reasons, definitely not for their food.

[Trumpster]

 

Sigh...wrong. I went on a 6 day western itin in August and I ate lobster, double serving actually as I skipped a starter.:D

 

I went on a quick 4 day getaway on Ecstacy in 2014 and I had Lobster. Maybe they got rid of them on the weekend ones:confused:

 

I thought the change occured early this year which, sigh ;) is after you sailed.

 

Edit: fall last year...sigh ;)

Edited April 16, 2016 by Trumpster

[Trumpster]

Sept 17 2015 to be precise.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6534

[SMSACE6]

My understanding is that lobster is no longer available without charge in the mdr on cruises 5 days or less, and yes that did change last year, and was not available on my 5 day cruise in October.

 

Smoked salmon is also no longer on the new room service breakfast menu. It just may be that not all ships have the new room service breakfast menus yet, and I don't know which do, but eventually all will have the new menu sans smoked salmon.:(

Edited April 16, 2016 by SMSACE6
5 days or less

[nursepixie]

Guys Burgers!!!! The best. Loved the breeze and, like someone else said, I didn't go hungry.

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

Sept 17 2015 to be precise.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6534

 

Sigh..:cool: .according to your article..it's 5 nights or fewer, not 7. So western Carib cruises 6 days or longer will still have it without an upcharge. My comment was regarding a 6 day I took...so I was correct. sigh.:cool:

 

That Christine though! ...new bosses always make changes that end up pissing people off...not a deal breaker for me, as I can make a mean lobster tail in my broiler...but I do look forward to lobster tail that I don't have to prepare myself.

 

Luckily, most of my cruises are 6 days or longer so I can still indulge. I do want to try their surf % turf for a $20 upcharge in the main dining room one time though to see if it's better.:D

Edited April 16, 2016 by Love2Cruz2015

[GlendaleCruiser]

Jimmy's C-side BBQ is totally worth the wait. I usually take a book and go hang out on that side of the ship before they open so I'm ready to get in line. But honestly................do you have an appointment to hurry off to?

 

All ships had Lido buffet issues (pre-toasted bread and bagels) so I get grits to dip them in and exercise patience in the omelette line..............or......go to the MDR for breakfast.

 

I'm not all that fond of the American Table, but I normally order other items (off menu) that I am most fond of.

 

If you want chicken tenders and fries in the afternoons, stick to the smaller ships like Imagination and Inspiration size.

[Isasprings]

# never lido

 

the buffet is the last place to eat never the first.

 

Just say no to buffet's :d

 

 

sea day brunch for b-fast or the blue iguana cantina.

 

Lunch at tandoor, or cucina pasta bar

 

dinner at the mdr, or cucina or steakhouse

 

snacks all over but red frog pub wings

 

#never buffet

 

agree!!!!

[Trumpster]

Sigh..:cool: .according to your article..it's 5 nights or fewer, not 7. So western Carib cruises 6 days or longer will still have it without an upcharge. My comment was regarding a 6 day I took...so I was correct. sigh.:cool:

 

That Christine though! ...new bosses always make changes that end up pissing people off...not a deal breaker for me, as I can make a mean lobster tail in my broiler...but I do look forward to lobster tail that I don't have to prepare myself.

 

Luckily, most of my cruises are 6 days or longer so I can still indulge. I do want to try their surf % turf for a $20 upcharge in the main dining room one time though to see if it's better.:D

 

Only one thing to say...SIGH ;)

[Love2Cruz2015]

Jimmy's C-side BBQ is totally worth the wait. .

 

I think on the Vista, Guy's BBQ will be replacing Jimmy's?....Can't wait to try it...if it's anything like his burger spot, it's going to be another big hit!