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Should Carnival bring back tablecloths each night?


Should Carnival bring back tablecloths for each night in the Main Dining Room?  

598 members have voted

  1. 1. Should Carnival bring back tablecloths for each night in the Main Dining Room?

    • YES!
      291
    • NO!
      87
    • Don't care...
      221


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No, it isn't sanitized, wiped with a wet cloth.

And the butter knife. Even the server thought that was dumb.

Sunshine had a tray under the water, no drips.

My bread plate was small.

They served a baked potato in a dish with sides on it so you couldn't cut it open and put butter on it. Had to put it on the main plate.

 

And what do you think that wet cloth is soaking in? A SANITIZER BUCKET. It's a small packet of powder that's mixed with water and then tested on a special paper strip to determine that it's the right strength. Pay attention next time you sail - they are in the wait stations. You may not see them unless you actually see them changing over a table. There is NO way they would just be wiping down a table with a cloth soaked in water. USCG or whoever evaluates them for health and safety would murder them for that.

 

I don't care about the tablecloths, but am kind of sick of the complaining on them. I don't think a coaster or napkin is unreasonable request though!

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I haven't read all of the replies, however, when he posted pictures of the MDR on the Vista today, it just looked CHEAP to me.

 

I get it. They have to wash hundreds of these daily, but to me, it makes a HUGE difference!!!

 

Bring back the tablecloths!!!!:D

 

Several of the most luxurious a la carte steak houses in Vegas and in other places don't use table clothes. More than the look, the food is what counts and some nights the food didn't come out in the right temperature or as ordered.

I care about that!

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Several of the most luxurious a la carte steak houses in Vegas and in other places don't use table clothes. More than the look, the food is what counts and some nights the food didn't come out in the right temperature or as ordered.

I care about that!

 

Personally, don't care one way or the other. I was under the impression that this was done to save money, but JH's comment about this seemed more in line with Carnival's "green" and sustainability initiatives, by indicating that discharging laundry waste water is not good for the environment.

 

No tablecloths on land...fine.

 

No tablecloths on a ship that can roll/list....possible issue as items can slide very easily across the table, fall off and break/shatter. The waiters attested to the fact there is much more breakage of table items now.

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I have to laugh at the folks saying how much more environmentally friendly it is not to wash all the table cloths. My god, those ships burn 30-50 gallons of sludge per mile. If you're really worried about the environment, a cruise ship is the last place you should be.

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And what do you think that wet cloth is soaking in? A SANITIZER BUCKET. It's a small packet of powder that's mixed with water and then tested on a special paper strip to determine that it's the right strength. Pay attention next time you sail - they are in the wait stations. You may not see them unless you actually see them changing over a table. There is NO way they would just be wiping down a table with a cloth soaked in water. USCG or whoever evaluates them for health and safety would murder them for that.

 

I don't care about the tablecloths, but am kind of sick of the complaining on them. I don't think a coaster or napkin is unreasonable request though!

 

Thank you. That is exactly what I was going to say.

 

Land based restaurants do the same thing. It may look like a plain wet cloth but they are soaked in sanitizer.

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When in the world did tablecloths, butter knives and salad forks become synonymous with the finer things in life. That lifestyle started dying in the 60s and pretty much has breathed its last breath. I'll make an a** of myself and assume that 95% of households don't set the table (if they set a table) with anything more than a single fork, a single knife, and a single spoon. All the little niceties don't seem to make food taste any better, for me at least.

 

I'll also make and a** of myself and state that a rousing majority of cruisers no longer cruise to play dress-up and psuedo rich....they cruise for fun and enjoyment and activities and relaxation. Most young kids have never seen a table cloth (except maybe for Thanksgiving dinner at Great Grandmas).

 

This. You nailed it. We do not set the table, and do not even own a table cloth. We MAY have one table cloth that has been passed to my wife but if we do, it's buried in storage somewhere. We do eat at the table on occasion but normally we sit on the couch and eat. If it's a big meal, we sit at the table.

 

I too wouldn't care if elegant night went away. Who wants to pack long pants in the middle of summer just to eat 1 or 2 nights? I know some older folks like to dress up, which is fine. But for me, no thanks.

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Maybe when the Carnival 3.0 upgrades come out they will do away with tables altogether... Just long troughs of food with people crowded around eating with their hands, or face first for the more aggressively hungry.

 

Just because some of you choose to have your meals at home "McDonalds Style" doesn't mean that is the experience we want in the MDR on a cruise!

Edited by James in SA
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I vote no big deal and we DO eat fancy at home. I am a tableware junkie. Full China/silver/crystal (sorry I use placemats, not a tablecloth) for holidays and special occasions and dinner parties. And I am in my 40s. But it still recognize that VERY nice restaurants don't always have tablecloths.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

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I just had to look up our newer fancy place with the famous chef of here......it is California/Western new decor and they have tablecloths all around still..was 2 years ago I was there..same with the new San Fran bistro type place. And there are other places in the nice category without. It would not keep me from cruising but I can't buy that at 56 I am so old fashioned and table cloths or place mats are totally out. I am grateful to tears for Sunday dinners with as many who can come most Sunday nights at my sister's house since my mom passed...gives all nieces, nephews, dad and I rendezvous place..and yeah..it is place mats usually..except in summer on patio table..think nothing there and glass. If oversized birthday yes some sit at tables some eat in laps and finger food and paper plates on big game days...I just can't fathom nobody does it now in the new group...my mid 40's sis does/did..one or the other even with boys. LOL..it is just a shocker..I admit since moving back to Montana..last 9 years I eat out much less often and thank God siblings and their spouses love to cook and BBQ..lol.

 

I also think....a huge dining room...much better with...a huge room just feels like a bingo or church hall to me without..smaller restaurants can pull things off without....doing different things. my favorite wine bar in Portland, OR does have a copper top bar and can't remember dining tables but but bar tables no tablecloths and silverware served in the napkin that then goes on plate and nice bar ware..for past, gulp, 15-20 years. Same food served everywhere. My stool misses me...lol.

Edited by sjn911
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I have to laugh at the folks saying how much more environmentally friendly it is not to wash all the table cloths. My god, those ships burn 30-50 gallons of sludge per mile. If you're really worried about the environment, a cruise ship is the last place you should be.

 

The you're laughing at JH as he indicated that might be the reason. I just reiterated what HE said. Not my position.

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Maybe when the Carnival 3.0 upgrades come out they will do away with tables altogether... Just long troughs of food with people crowded around eating with their hands, or face first for the more aggressively hungry.

 

Just because some of you choose to have your meals at home "McDonalds Style" doesn't mean that is the experience we want in the MDR on a cruise!

 

:D:D:D:D:D Ditto

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I vote no big deal and we DO eat fancy at home. I am a tableware junkie. Full China/silver/crystal (sorry I use placemats, not a tablecloth) for holidays and special occasions and dinner parties. And I am in my 40s. But it still recognize that VERY nice restaurants don't always have tablecloths.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

I'm with you on the placemat. Even if there is no tablecloth, I will bring and use paper placemats. Or I will simply use napkins. But dishes and utensils directly on the able is a big no-no.:eek:

Edited by clearwaters
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The you're laughing at JH as he indicated that might be the reason. I just reiterated what HE said. Not my position.

 

I laugh at him all the time. A "green cruiseship" is an oxymoron. Every little bit that they can do helps, but at the end of the day, they will always be one of the world's great polluters. It's just the nature of their business. Washing tablecloths doesn't even register on the scale of pollution that they create.

 

And no, I wasn't responding to any comment that you may have made. :)

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When in the world did tablecloths, butter knives and salad forks become synonymous with the finer things in life. That lifestyle started dying in the 60s and pretty much has breathed its last breath. I'll make an a** of myself and assume that 95% of households don't set the table (if they set a table) with anything more than a single fork, a single knife, and a single spoon. All the little niceties don't seem to make food taste any better, for me at least.

 

I'll also make and a** of myself and state that a rousing majority of cruisers no longer cruise to play dress-up and psuedo rich....they cruise for fun and enjoyment and activities and relaxation. Most young kids have never seen a table cloth (except maybe for Thanksgiving dinner at Great Grandmas).

 

WHAT SHE SAID!!! :D:D

One of the finest restaurants in our area, which serves possibly the best food to ever pass through my lips, has never had a table cloth, and as far as the patrons are concerned, doesn't need any. And yes, this is a higher end reservations only establishment, with an average check of greater than $50/pp.

I have never understood people's hang ups with this, if you want to play dress up and eat on tablecloths, cruise a higher end line.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

We love a great dining experience as well as anyone, but tablecloths and silverware never enter my mind when I sit down. Heck if need be, I could eat with my hands if the food is excellent. Sorry, rant over!! :D:D

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Ok... I've been away from Carnival for a few years and am trying to be positive about coming back now that Princess gave up on Houston. We have a cruise booked on Breeze this fall.

 

Princess, BTW still has tablecloths, cloth napkins, and a small bouquet of cut flowers in the center of the table. The silverware is the full set, and it is actually silver. Simple but very elegant. The food is excellent and dinners or even lunches feel "special". I really enjoyed that!

 

My last Carnival cruise had been on Magic, and I always enjoyed Carnival's MDR experience and food at that time, even though the cutbacks were really starting to be noticeable. Not all change is bad, but these were "stupid changes", like putting all the popular main courses, lobster, prime rib, and St.Louis on one night, first elegant night. Other nights were seeming more like Denney's food. But it was still ok, just not as good.

 

Being positive, some of the new menu items actually look like improvements... and I hope they taste good too. But I have to say the pictures I have seen of the bare tables do not look like an upscale restaurant. They have not pulled that one off. They look like an Applebees or Denneys. IMO they need to bring back the tablecloths and preserve at least an illusion of quality. Aside from appearance, there are practical reasons for having them on a cruise ship.

 

1. They look elegant. The bare tables failed to achieve that. Just say Denneys!

 

2. They are SANITARY! Noro on a cruise ship is no fun, and I am all for a germ free place to set down my fork.

 

3. They do help to muffle some of the clanking noises in a crowded dining room.

 

4. Things stay put on your table when the ship moves.

 

But I am still going to enjoy my cruise on Breeze.

Edited by James in SA
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WHAT SHE SAID!!! :D:D

One of the finest restaurants in our area, which serves possibly the best food to ever pass through my lips, has never had a table cloth, and as far as the patrons are concerned, doesn't need any. And yes, this is a higher end reservations only establishment, with an average check of greater than $50/pp.

I have never understood people's hang ups with this, if you want to play dress up and eat on tablecloths, cruise a higher end line.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

We love a great dining experience as well as anyone, but tablecloths and silverware never enter my mind when I sit down. Heck if need be, I could eat with my hands if the food is excellent. Sorry, rant over!! :D:D

 

Yours and many other's sentiments about this are why you now have Denny's At Sea. Keep not caring and see how deep the knife cuts. If the beards think for a second that they're giving more than they have to, they will take even more.

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Yours and many other's sentiments about this are why you now have Denny's At Sea. Keep not caring and see how deep the knife cuts. If the beards think for a second that they're giving more than they have to, they will take even more.

 

 

Yea yea yea. According to your type Carnival should have been out of business years ago with the cuts they've made. Yet they are stronger then ever right now. Most people on a cruise don't even know if they had tablecloths or not on their last cruise. And the rest are 1st timers just happy to be on a Carnival cruise.

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Maybe when the Carnival 3.0 upgrades come out they will do away with tables altogether... Just long troughs of food with people crowded around eating with their hands, or face first for the more aggressively hungry.

 

"Aggressively hungry"...LOLOL

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I voted No - I don't want the tablecloths back. I much prefer the plain tables - and they are certainly not McDonald's style.

 

Outside of other cruise lines, I can't recall when I've eaten at a restaurant with a tablecloth. We frequent casino restaurants on a regular basis and even the upscale Steakhouses, Asian or Italian restaurants no longer use tablecloths.

 

Tablecloths are passé.

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