Vista MDR and lido buffet

[tallnthensome]

Sitting here on the Vista waiting to disembark. Great ship overall but the Lido buffet was the smallest and worst I have ever had. Add the the most slippery floor ever to it as well. Plenty of seating because there is no food, it sucked. MDR food was the worst I have ever had too. Blue Iguana and guys were good. This was our first Carnival cruise in over ten years. Entertainment and activities were great. Pools were nice as well as waterworks. Ship was clean and all were friendly. The NCL Escape we were on last year made all the food on Vista drop to dog food levels comparatively speaking. No waiting for MTD probably because it was not worth waiting for. Plenty of empty tables. This will be our last Carnival cruise for some time. I will add more...... disembarking now.

Edited April 30, 2017 by tallnthensome

[Gypsywych]

Interesting. We found the Lido buffet packed every single day for breakfast and lunch.

Quieter at dinner, but the menu was close to the same as the dining rooms and served hot.

 

Dog food? Really?

 

I am sorry you didn't have a good cruise. I hope your next one is better.

[tallnthensome]

Don't get me wrong, we had an excellent cruise and the ship was great. Just saying if the Vista is top dog on Carnival we won't go on anything else from them as of right now. Don't take the dog food comment literally. Just saying the food on this cruise was the worst we ever had in my 8 cruises on various lines. Poor small selection on lido. Bad dining room menus. Small steaks, fatty prime rib, 3 inch lobster tails, fried chicken thrown on the plate in MDR that came from the lido buffet, etc.

[dlovell3]

I was on the Vista in December 2016 for a 5 day cruise, the ship is beautiful and yes the floors on the Lido deck were slippery very slippery, the food was ok but the lines for everything was long, it was even long for the Pizza at 3 in the morning the lines were so long it was pitiful this may sound crazy but the ship is very big but it was small and its hard to explain but its like they took something away the dining room i was in was also different, I am used to having an upper and lower but mine was all on one floor it was big but again small, the area where they have shows also just did not feel right to me but again, I love Carnival and I will be leaving on May 27th on the carnival paradise

[sparks1093]

Don't get me wrong, we had an excellent cruise and the ship was great. Just saying if the Vista is top dog on Carnival we won't go on anything else from them as of right now. Don't take the dog food comment literally. Just saying the food on this cruise was the worst we ever had in my 8 cruises on various lines. Poor small selection on lido. Bad dining room menus. Small steaks, fatty prime rib, 3 inch lobster tails, fried chicken thrown on the plate in MDR that came from the lido buffet, etc.

 

When you use hyperbole to that extent you can't be surprised if people don't give you much credence.

[tallnthensome]

When you use hyperbole to that extent you can't be surprised if people don't give you much credence.

Well, believe what you want. I'm not the first or the last to dislike the quality of the food in the MDR on Carnival. Most of the food in the MDR could find it's equal at Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and local steakhouse. As others have stated, it is not fine dining anymore. The couple that was shoulder to shoulder with us on the last night took about three bites of their food and left it to go to the evening lido buffet.

[Cruisegirl6]

I totally can relate and agree with what you say about the food in the MDR and the buffet. We found many items in the lunch buffet to be inedible, and they wonder why people waste food?! Blue Iguana Cantina was good I agree with you also on that. As far as the MDR if the ship has a steakhouse you find us there each and every night because the MDR food is horrible, I have to say Carnival is worse than Ruby Tuesday/Olive Garden! They wonder why people want to eat in the MDR wearing shorts....shorts fits the MDR its not worth even putting on a pair of pants.

[Sizzlechest]

Well, believe what you want. I'm not the first or the last to dislike the quality of the food in the MDR on Carnival. Most of the food in the MDR could find it's equal at Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and local steakhouse. As others have stated, it is not fine dining anymore. The couple that was shoulder to shoulder with us on the last night took about three bites of their food and left it to go to the evening lido buffet.

 

I think what the other person was trying to say is that when you use terms like "dog food," you instantly hurt your credibility. I haven't sailed on Carnival since 2011, and I would say maybe NCL has better food than Carnival, but I wouldn't stoop to calling Carnival's offerings dog food. There's a lot of leeway in opinions of food quality since food is so subjective, but you exaggerated too much.

[Cruisegirl6]

I can understand what the OP means, she probably meant and this is my thinking also, that most of the meat that is served to passengers on a Carnival ship I wouldn't even give it to my dog.

[CharlesKru]

I can understand what the OP means, she probably meant and this is my thinking also, that most of the meat that is served to passengers on a Carnival ship I wouldn't even give it to my dog.

 

Wow, your dog must eat better than me.

 

OP, sorry that you did not have good meals on the ship. I hope you enjoy your future cruises!

[sparks1093]

Well, believe what you want. I'm not the first or the last to dislike the quality of the food in the MDR on Carnival. Most of the food in the MDR could find it's equal at Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and local steakhouse. As others have stated, it is not fine dining anymore. The couple that was shoulder to shoulder with us on the last night took about three bites of their food and left it to go to the evening lido buffet.

 

Disliking the quality of the food is one thing, overly exaggerating how bad you think it is (i.e. dog food) just makes you a source of derision and people will not give any weight to anything you say. I am perfectly fine with Red Lobster, Olive Garden and the local steakhouse quality and given how little I am paying for the cruise to begin with it is about what I'm realistically expecting. Mainstream cruise line food is not "fine dining" by any reasonable definition.

[Cruisegirl6]

Yes, Bentley eats very very well, certainly not like the typical dog, he is one lucky dog.

[ryano]

I totally can relate and agree with what you say about the food in the MDR and the buffet. We found many items in the lunch buffet to be inedible, and they wonder why people waste food?! Blue Iguana Cantina was good I agree with you also on that. As far as the MDR if the ship has a steakhouse you find us there each and every night because the MDR food is horrible, I have to say Carnival is worse than Ruby Tuesday/Olive Garden! They wonder why people want to eat in the MDR wearing shorts....shorts fits the MDR its not worth even putting on a pair of pants.

 

I find the very same problem with the food on Royal Caribbean that you find on Carnival. Their "Prime Rib" on Freedom of the Seas was without a shadow of doubt, the worst quality meat Ive ever had plated in front of me. Their included steak sucks too. I wont even go into that horrendous stuff they call pizza at Sorrentos or how bad Chops has gotten over the last 5 years. They have cut back as much or even more than Carnival has yet they still have a higher food budget.

 

Sorry but no one takes anyone as being credible using words like "inedible" and "dog food".

[sparks1093]

I find the very same problem with the food on Royal Caribbean that you find on Carnival. Their "Prime Rib" on Freedom of the Seas was without a shadow of doubt, the worst quality meat Ive ever had plated in front of me. Their included steak sucks too. I wont even go into that horrendous stuff they call pizza at Sorrentos or how bad Chops has gotten over the last 5 years. They have cut back as much or even more than Carnival has yet they still have a higher food budget.

 

Sorry but no one takes anyone as being credible using words like "inedible" and "dog food".

 

Especially when they later compare the MDR food to that offered in Red Lobster or Olive Garden;p.

[Cruisegirl6]

I agree regarding the prime rib on RC, but at least they do offer NY Strip Loin a few days instead of that Flat Iron that Carnival gives you, but its all eh, I agree. Chops has gone down hill for sure but it is better than the MDR

 

Pizza on every cruise line isn't good but with Carnival when your hungry late at night and its the only thing they have lol

 

Sorry but we had foods on the buffet in Carnival that were inedible, I am cringing thinking of it too.

 

Carnivals steakhouse is our most favorite specialty restaurant!

[Cruisegirl6]

I don't eat at fast food type establishments, but I have to say I probably eat at Olive Garden once a year (when visiting my parents they like it ugh!) and Ruby Tuesday perhaps 4 times a year, other than that I stay away from all those bad places, but I used those two places to compare Carnival food because I mostly dine at 4/5 star restaurants and there is NO COMPARISON comparing these types of upscale restaurants to what Carnival offers. I have been to that Golden Coral once ten years or more ago, and what Carnival offers is worse, but their Steakhouse is a 4 star overall restaurant experience to me.

[CharlesKru]

I don't eat at fast food type establishments, but I have to say I probably eat at Olive Garden once a year (when visiting my parents they like it ugh!) and Ruby Tuesday perhaps 4 times a year, other than that I stay away from all those bad places, but I used those two places to compare Carnival food because I mostly dine at 4/5 star restaurants and there is NO COMPARISON comparing these types of upscale restaurants to what Carnival offers.

 

Are you adopting? I can eat with the dog... I am not to picky.

 

:cool:

[Cruisegirl6]

CharlesKru sure come! I am Italian we always have too much lol.

[sparks1093]

I don't eat at fast food type establishments, but I have to say I probably eat at Olive Garden once a year (when visiting my parents they like it ugh!) and Ruby Tuesday perhaps 4 times a year, other than that I stay away from all those bad places, but I used those two places to compare Carnival food because I mostly dine at 4/5 star restaurants and there is NO COMPARISON comparing these types of upscale restaurants to what Carnival offers. I have been to that Golden Coral once ten years or more ago, and what Carnival offers is worse, but their Steakhouse is a 4 star overall restaurant experience to me.

 

If you are normally dining at 4 and 5 star restaurants what the heck are you doing on Carnival?:confused: You should be on Silver Sea. In any event you shouldn't be expecting that type of food quality for what's included in the fare (on any main stream line).

[Keys2Heaven]

Sitting here on the Vista waiting to disembark. Great ship overall but the Lido buffet was the smallest and worst I have ever had. Add the the most slippery floor ever to it as well. Plenty of seating because there is no food, it sucked. MDR food was the worst I have ever had too. Blue Iguana and guys were good. This was our first Carnival cruise in over ten years. Entertainment and activities were great. Pools were nice as well as waterworks. Ship was clean and all were friendly. The NCL Escape we were on last year made all the food on Vista drop to dog food levels comparatively speaking. No waiting for MTD probably because it was not worth waiting for. Plenty of empty tables. This will be our last Carnival cruise for some time. I will add more...... disembarking now.

 

We were on the same cruise as you and found everything to be completely opposite.

[klfrodo]

We were on the same cruise as you and found everything to be completely opposite.

I was on the same cruise as you and OP also.

My experience was also completely opposite of what the OP experienced.

MDR was good, Marketplace was acceptable, Guys burger and BBQ was great, Seafood Shack was great, and 555 Farenhight was good. Chefs table food was great, overall experience was better on Royal.

Lines appeared very long, but in reality they moved very fast.

 

Must have missed the Alpo

[cruiser4four]

Well, believe what you want. I'm not the first or the last to dislike the quality of the food in the MDR on Carnival. Most of the food in the MDR could find it's equal at Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and local steakhouse. As others have stated, it is not fine dining anymore. The couple that was shoulder to shoulder with us on the last night took about three bites of their food and left it to go to the evening lido buffet.

 

I agree with you about the dog food part. On our last cruise we had pizza for dinner multiple times. The grilled chicken they offered on the everyday menu in the MDR had a weird taste and texture, I took one bite and spat it back out. I actually would prefer the food from Olive Garden or Red Lobster much better than the new MDR menu. I want to go on another cruise later this year but hate the thought of having pizza for dinner. I miss a lot of aspects of cruising but not sure if its worth it to have to eat subpar food for dinner.

[ryano]

I mostly dine at 4/5 star restaurants and there is NO COMPARISON comparing these types of upscale restaurants to what Carnival offers..

 

Why in the world would you even try to compare a dining room that serves mass prepared banquet type food to thousands of people every night to a 4-5 star land restaurant that likely serves less than 100? I honestly think your expectations were WAY too high :) Give Crystal or Regent Seven Seas a try. They have the food you are looking for. Be prepared to pay about 5K a person for a week cruise though.

[Keys2Heaven]

I was on the same cruise as you and OP also.

My experience was also completely opposite of what the OP experienced.

MDR was good, Marketplace was acceptable, Guys burger and BBQ was great, Seafood Shack was great, and 555 Farenhight was good. Chefs table food was great, overall experience was better on Royal.

Lines appeared very long, but in reality they moved very fast.

 

Must have missed the Alpo

 

MDR was good, but have never had GREAT food in MDR on any cruise ship. However, I know what to expect.

 

All I had from Lido was an omelet a few mornings. Those were good. My wife had some breakfast offerings and really liked it.

 

Guys burgers is o.k., but I make better!

Did Bonsai Sushi (good) and loved the meat skewers.

 

Had the Mongolian Wok and it was o.k.

 

However, NOTHING was "dog food" level and I agree with other poster's that have indicated that if it upset you that bad, please don't ever sail Carnival again.

[Cruisegirl6]

I think it all boils down on how you eat at home...what type of cuts of meat you buy, what type of restaurants you mostly go to......we all are different and we all have options and able to choose what we want and like.

 

The OP just stated his/her experience and I happen to agree with the OP regarding the food in the buffets and MDR, nobody is "right" or "wrong", we have different preferences that is all.

 

Why do I cruise on Carnival, first, its generally not my only cruise of the year, for instance, I am booked on RC Harmony of the Seas next week, I have a mini trip booked in the first week of July, another mini trip during mid July and two weeks land based vacation in Aruba in August....I enjoy and love cruises so Carnival allows me to have another cruise the end of the year and this is why we cruise Carnival (its very economical) and we are booked on a Carnival cruise for October 21st. When I cruise Carnival its not for the food although we do dine at the steakhouse each evening, we enjoy the friendly staff and we love the way the casino treats us with all types of goodies and gives us the drinks on us card (although we still get the drink package) they treat us wonderful...I also enjoy listening to the live bands that play during the evenings, although I am reading they are doing away with them and going to duo and trio bands but its still music. Each cruise line offers pros and cons but for sure Carnival certainly isn't for the food but I don't starve either.

 

Sparks1093- If I cruised on Silver Sea I would have to get dressed up formal each night and its not for us right now, later when we get older maybe?