Whats wrong with new menus

[Trumpster]

firemanbobwife- Your most kind a big hug to you thank you.

 

Trumpeter- As much as I love bitter and blanc I can't eat it the past three years I have to be gluten free :eek:

 

 

Horror! :eek:

 

But if I had to or chose to break Gluten free rules that would be the item I would choose to do it on. :D:D

[Trumpster]

$20 Lobster is a great idea. Better than free.

 

The free one's were rather puny but those are available gratis to those who sail 6 days or more AND those with a lack of discerning palate.

[meatloafsfan]

Interesting never heard of anyone getting free selections from steakhouse. We enjoy the steakhouse but always figured that if we had to pay 20 might as well go all the way and just have dinner there.

 

The casino sent me steakhouse selections a couple of nights (so no charge to me).

[luv2trvlnow]

That's OK. Hope you feel better. Here are the Western from last year:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2210835

 

And the Eastern:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2210835

 

WOW! Those menus look a lot better than what we had last month on the Magic which does have the American Table. We definitely had a few less choices on the appetizers. We did not have the Strawberry Bisque on any night.

 

One thing I did like was that most of the serving sizes are smaller. I didn't mind the no table cloths on the tables. I mean it was nicer with the table cloths on the elegant nights but it wasn't that bad on the other nights.

 

We were at a table for 10 (large round table) and I couldn't reach anything near the middle of the table. They put everything in the middle of the table (the bread, the butter, the water). Our waiters did start pouring the water for the table since most couldn't reach it. A table for 10 is quite large and you can't reach the middle of the table while sitting down. They also starting bringing the bread around. The problems occurred when 1 or 2 couples were not there. This would cause large gaps around the table and passing things around required getting up and taking it over to the next couple.

[CruzinScotty]

Bitter & Blanc is not on the everyday menu! :mad:

 

In fact it's not always on a menu for an entire cruise! :mad:

 

I don't remember Bitter and Blanc every day on the old menu's. True it is not on the regular new menu, but I have done two eight night cruises with the new menu, it was an option on the extra night.

[Cruisegirl6]

On every 7-8 night cruise we get a free night dining at the steakhouse curtesy of the casino.

 

Michas grandad- I agree for $15 more you get the entire meal all the courses, but for once (we usually always dine in the specialty restaurants each night on our 7-8 night cruises) we like to experience the MDR but that is what I say now, watch me eat in the MDR the first time I bet I be finding myself back each night at the steakhouse, who knows? :rolleyes::confused:

 

We were one of the first people to board the Fascination (FTTF) in december and was approached immediately to join the Chef's Table which we gladly and immediately did only to find ourselves during the first night dinner, to be approached telling us they sorry but it was booked up. It was a very tacky thing to do and to mess up that way, we were so excited to be trying it only to get disappointed, so from now on with this experience left in our heads, we will never be trying the Chefs Table...at least they should of picked up a glass of wine during that dinner when they cancelled us out I think. :roll eyes:

 

Trumpster- BON VOYAGE!

[CruisinDawn]

Is the new menu on the Miracle? If so does anyone know the port selections for PV, Cabo & Mazatlan since we are definitely not in the Caribbean. :)

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

[KatieCharlotte]

I enjoy trying new dishes, but my kids don't feel the same. So, I have two questions for those who have tried American Table on Sunshine or Magic. (1) Is the same grilled chicken breast that was on the old menu still available every night?

(2) Is the same plain baguette-style bread available every night in the bread basket?

[2Shoes2Go]

I agree there are many items that carry over and some new ones, options are a good thing.

 

Happy with new menus. Miss the extra flatware, but not a real issue. :)

[GOLDENBONNY]

 

I still can't get hold of the new menu's and I am reading boards of so many people saying they prefer the old menu's but nobody saying why. Can anybody tell me why they prefer the old menu's whats wrong with the new ones?

 

No tablecloth its a big downgrade for me. plus menu look like cheap american mass market restaurant food not like cruise ship food.

[gtalum]

FWIW, we enjoyed the new menus on Glory in March. We also had no problem with the lack of tablecloths, which is actually a current trend in fine dining. Anyway, it's all subjective.

Edited April 19, 2016 by gtalum

[JohnSpo]

On Conquest, I thought the new menu was great. Some new items such as the port options were really good. It was good to see some familiar items. I like the addition of the pork chops to the everyday menu. I also enjoyed the pies that changed everyday.:cool:

[Micahs Grandad]

No tablecloth its a big downgrade for me. plus menu look like cheap american mass market restaurant food not like cruise ship food.

 

They have cheapened the food overall but they usually can marinate meats to make them reasonably tender.

[fair-winds39]

 

I still can't get hold of the new menu's and I am reading boards of so many people saying they prefer the old menu's but nobody saying why. Can anybody tell me why they prefer the old menu's whats wrong with the new ones?

We were on the Carnival Pride for the 4th time in February of this year, and the first time for us to try the American Table menu. We liked the menu. We liked having the bread on the table, as well as the water. No problem either without tablecloths; no water all over the table, as the bottles are in a little holder. If we needed a different or additional utensil, it was provided as needed.

 

As long as I don't have to cook, I can find something on any menu. Everything we had was good. We were with another couple and they too enjoyed the food.

 

We've been cruising for a long time, and the days of tableside cooking, and food that isn't already plated are long gone, but that's the way cruising is today. I liked the old way, but the food we had on the Pride was very good. In fact I tried a few things I never tasted before, and they weren't bad either. No complaints here. Can't wait until our next cruise!!

[Cruisegirl6]

I also don't need the tablecloth, been to top restaurants where they also didn't have them.

 

Micah's Grandad- I can see what you mean that they "cheapened the entrees" because you always can find that pasta type dish and the extra seafood is pretty much the inexpensive plastic frozen bags of seafood from another country such as japan, indonesian, thailand, china, etc. We don't eat that stuff, but I pretty much am a meat and veggie type person so having the extra seafood actually cuts down my choices but I think the menu is ok, I feel we could find something to eat and if not, we have the up charge items as backup plus there is always the steakhouse and the italian restaurant to go to.

 

I can see some of you like the new menu....I can relate to that, and I think its great to actually have the bread basket on the table as my other half and father in law love their bread with their meal but what type of breads are currently in the basket, is it just one type?

 

Fair-winds39- We also are avid cruisers, this next cruise be my 63rd but I remember the day of elegant dining and wonderful quality food and huge selections to choose from. Its amazing to watch from that to going just good to going downhill more to fair (Carnival was fair in their mdr to me back in the late 70's early 80's) then around mid 90's I think it improved some, but then the quality of the meats and all took a big dive around 2005...going from Porterhouse, to NY Strip, to Sirloin then to Flat Iron Steak (which we never ever eat that tough and more fat beef piece of meat that you chew and chew and chew lol). But I am so grateful that Carnival added the up charge entrees....and also just as grateful that they added the steakhouse which I must say out of all the specialty restaurants that Royal Caribbean offers and we have tried each and every one and then there is the Steakhouse that Carnival has, have to admit our favorite is Carnivals steakhouse, its always been very very good.

 

When I cruise Carnival I expect the food to just be fair overall...(excluding the Steakhouse of course) but what I do like is not having to dress up like we did many years ago, it was fun back then, but now with the luggage weight restrictions I just don't need to lug all those types of clothes which are heavier and end up paying even higher fees when I fly. I like the more casual type dressing overall on the ship, so for me, there is a plus in cruising now plus I also think having the Cheers/Drink package also is another plus!

[RuthlessBoss]

On every 7-8 night cruise we get a free night dining at the steakhouse curtesy of the casino.

 

Michas grandad- I agree for $15 more you get the entire meal all the courses, but for once (we usually always dine in the specialty restaurants each night on our 7-8 night cruises) we like to experience the MDR but that is what I say now, watch me eat in the MDR the first time I bet I be finding myself back each night at the steakhouse, who knows? :rolleyes::confused:

 

We were one of the first people to board the Fascination (FTTF) in december and was approached immediately to join the Chef's Table which we gladly and immediately did only to find ourselves during the first night dinner, to be approached telling us they sorry but it was booked up. It was a very tacky thing to do and to mess up that way, we were so excited to be trying it only to get disappointed, so from now on with this experience left in our heads, we will never be trying the Chefs Table...at least they should of picked up a glass of wine during that dinner when they cancelled us out I think. :roll eyes:

 

Trumpster- BON VOYAGE!

 

So, you really don't need reservations after all:D

[Cruisegirl6]

Its always wise to make reservations this way your ensured you will be dining the exact time you choose and get the date you want to dine!!

[Trumpster]

I don't remember Bitter and Blanc every day on the old menu's. True it is not on the regular new menu, but I have done two eight night cruises with the new menu, it was an option on the extra night.

 

Well the old menu's had problems too. ;)

 

An option on an extra night...pish posh Not enough! NOT ENOUGH!

[firemanbobswife]

No tablecloth its a big downgrade for me. plus menu look like cheap american mass market restaurant food not like cruise ship food.

 

 

It's basically the same stuff as the last menu. And what did you think of the old one with the "Didja Ever" section? Sorry, but that's about as tacky and cheap looking as you can get in my book.

[Cruisegirl6]

Its actually not bad even my daughter said the very same thing to me when she called me less than hour ago.

I do think its great they offer the shrimp cocktail nightly and the fruit cup too.

[CruzinScotty]

Well the old menu's had problems too. ;)

 

An option on an extra night...pish posh Not enough! NOT ENOUGH!

 

I agree with you on that one. :D

 

 

Its actually not bad even my daughter said the very same thing to me when she called me less than hour ago.

I do think its great they offer the shrimp cocktail nightly and the fruit cup too.

 

I was on the Conquest recently with the new menus. We had family members order either the shrimp cocktail or the fruit almost every night.

 

We thought there was plenty to choose from on the new menus. I hope you find the same thing. Enjoy your cruise.

[Singer4Him]

Here's the link to Zydecocruiser's blog with all of the menus from this past February aboard the Carnival Freedom. It's by far the best that I've seen.

 

http://www.zydecocruiser.net/CarnivalFreedomBC9/menu/mdr_menu.html

 

He includes a lot of pictures of different dishes that are being offered. I'm excited about giving this a try in September.

[Cruisegirl6]

CruzinScotty thank you!

 

Thanks for the link Singer4Him

[Warm Breezes]

Here's the link to Zydecocruiser's blog with all of the menus from this past February aboard the Carnival Freedom. It's by far the best that I've seen.

 

http://www.zydecocruiser.net/CarnivalFreedomBC9/menu/mdr_menu.html

 

He includes a lot of pictures of different dishes that are being offered. I'm excited about giving this a try in September.

 

This is what I have been looking at the last couple of days since I discovered our sailing will have the American Table on it. It looks good to me. There seems to be many of the old dishes and quite a few new ones for us to try. I also like the variety in the every day menu of the different types of food (fish, chicken, pork and steak). I looks like there is something everyday that would interest me, which was a struggle for me on NCL. This will be our first time with American Table so I am anxious to give it a try.

[Schoifmom]

I agree, there really is not need to go to the steakhouse when we have the up charge items. I am good with just fruit cup or salad and since I can't have gluten desserts are really a waste for me there too.

 

I am very happy that Carnival added these extra items to the menu, good job Carnival!

 

They make a FANTASTIC GF chocolate melting cake ... you just have to ask for it a day ahead.