NCL food compared to land based restaurants

[Stealthdog]

2 hours ago, newmexicoNita said:

Am a bit surprised with how you rate some of the restaurants. I guess that is why we say food is so subjective: I can't imagine anyone  putting Moderno's in the same catagory with O'Sheehan's As for not as good as land based Brazilian steak houses, somewhat agree, but it is still very good with a great salad bar. I would not say the buffet is awful food. The sanitation issue is another topic and something that is discussed a lot whether on ships or land based buffets. 

 

I've done Moderno several times on different ships.  IMHO they can never get the temperature right, their variety is really lacking, the quality of the cuts seem to be a step down, and the salad bar is very limited compared to a Texas or Fogo. In general the quality and preparation of the filets, strips, tenderloins, etc is what I can find an in average, casual restaurant.  I've had some great breakfasts and lunches at O'Sheehan. 

 

As for the buffet - I find Royal's and Celebrity's buffet greatly superior to NCLs (I don't remember Carnivals).  I don't go very often, but when I have, much of the food has been dry, the pasta sections have been basic (in terms of taste), and the deserts kind of meh.  It is what it is - they are mass producing generic food for several hundreds of people at a time.  Sometimes the quality if below McDonald's level, sometimes better.  In my experience the average is comparative to fast food quality.

 

 

[Stealthdog]

10 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

I can't add much to the discussion since McDonalds and Cheesecake Factory are the only restaurants I know anything about but I'm wondering why some people cruise if they think the food is so bad! I should never cruise if I didn't liked the food!

 

I don't go on cruises for the food. :)

 

I go on cruises for the itinerary. 

 

Some cruise lines put more focus on food than others.  When I book with NCL, it is with my understanding that I probably won't go to MDR or the buffet unless I am looking for something immediate and quick.  I'll pick up dining packages and eat breakfast/lunch at Cagney's/Bisto (if I am in a suite) or O'Sheehan's if in balcony or below.  And I am ok with that because I know that MDR and buffet food is not NCL's strength IMHO, but they do a great job with entertainment. 

[newmexicoNita]

23 minutes ago, Stealthdog said:

 

I've done Moderno several times on different ships.  IMHO they can never get the temperature right, their variety is really lacking, the quality of the cuts seem to be a step down, and the salad bar is very limited compared to a Texas or Fogo. In general the quality and preparation of the filets, strips, tenderloins, etc is what I can find an in average, casual restaurant.  I've had some great breakfasts and lunches at O'Sheehan. 

 

As for the buffet - I find Royal's and Celebrity's buffet greatly superior to NCLs (I don't remember Carnivals).  I don't go very often, but when I have, much of the food has been dry, the pasta sections have been basic (in terms of taste), and the deserts kind of meh.  It is what it is - they are mass producing generic food for several hundreds of people at a time.  Sometimes the quality if below McDonald's level, sometimes better.  In my experience the average is comparative to fast food quality.

 

 

You can seriously say sometimes the quality is below McDonalds? Wow, we certainly do not agree on this. As for Moderno's i think the one of the best meals we had on our last month's 10 day cruise was Moderno's. Maybe the meat temps were a little off, but as foe variety and the salad bar, what more could anyone possibly want or expect? O'sheehans? this is one of our go to places for lunch but otherwise I can't imagine anyone rating it very high. Even for lunch, it is not much different than a fast food, or pub type eatery. I certainly can't say I have had anything outstanding there. We ate breakfast there a few times on our last cruise and have many times in the past. Again, for a quick meal with a very limited menu it is ok but that is about as far as it goes,, OK.

 

Obviously we totally disagree on food tastes. I would never put RCI buffet ahead of NCLs though we are not huge buffet eaters period. HAL had the best buffer on all ships we have cruised on. I will say, I don't think any line has truly outstanding food anymore, but there is more to cruising than food. I doubt anyone goes home hungry but probably those who really  criticize NCLs good are looking to find fault or at least that is how it appears to me 

[BNBR]

11 hours ago, DCP said:

I am not sure what Golden Corral most of these posters have been to, but the buffet is DEFINATELY better than any of the ones we have eaten at. MANY more selections, and much cleaner too.  Fresh made crepes? Yes, thank you. The MDR take hits all the time, but again, we have always had good food there, and great service. I don't know of any Applebees that serve you on white table cloths. Le Bistro is a stand out, IMO - a fine dining experience for us. I may be looking through rose colored glasses, but I think most of the comments are really low balling the great experiences and food that are served on the ships, but then the way I see it any day on a ship beats being at home.  

 

Funny.  The Golden Corral by us is far better than just about any cruise ship buffet I've been to.  It just depends on location and how they are operated I guess.  Golden Corral had an obscene amount of selections and everything was somehow kept fresh and hot.  We had never been to a Golden Corral until last year and were kind of shocked at just how hot and fresh everything was.  Steaks right off the grill, nothing sitting around luke warm, etc.  It was a very, very well run location I guess.  It's the only one I've been to as I prefer more upscale non-chain restaurants when I go out but the NCL Escape buffet wasn't even close, that's for sure.  Best buffet so far for me is Celebrity Reflection. That one was a step up.

 

Anyways, an overall view of cruise ship sit down dining I would put around Casual Plus (Cheesecake Factory, for example) with a few upcharge restaurants that skew premium.  Exceptions are O'Sheehans which is slop and the buffet which is as one would expect from a buffet.

Edited March 20, 2019 by BNBR

[PTC DAWG]

As far as Golden Corral...D, JD.  

[Stealthdog]

37 minutes ago, newmexicoNita said:

 As for Moderno's i think the one of the best meals we had on our last month's 10 day cruise was Moderno's. Maybe the meat temps were a little off, but as foe variety and the salad bar, what more could anyone possibly want or expect?

 

My expectations of a Brazilian Steakhouse are these:

https://texasdebrazil.com/menu/meats/

https://fogodechao.com/menu/steak/

 

Texas has 15+ and Fogo has 14+ cuts (both have seasonal or weekly specials in addition to the permanent items on the menu).  Moderno has 10 cuts.  The salad bar and offerings on Moderno is about half of what Texas/Fogo offer. 

 

I don't blame NCL - I think it is great they added a Brazilian Steakhouse on a cruise ship and understand there are space limitations on what they can do.  I was only answering the question on how I would rate the restaurant.  IMHO (and I go to Texas or Fogo about 3-4 times a year), Moderno is a clear step down from its land based comparative restaurants.

 

Doesn't mean I hate it - just that my expectation level at Moderno is not the same as Texas or Fogo.  I'll still go there with my UDP. :)

[rmurray847]

1 hour ago, Stealthdog said:

 

I don't go on cruises for the food. :)

 

I go on cruises for the itinerary. 

 

This is certainly true for us as well...but we still find ourselves (especially on sea days) focused on food!  We are only modestly picky about food, and we always find plenty we enjoy at the included venues.  We enjoy the MDR experience in particular.  The specialty restaurants are a one or twice per cruise treat.  Discussions about food on these boards are certainly the best way to see the EXTREME diversity in tastes and expectations.  No one is wrong in their opinions...but some folks certainly get belligerent if someone disagrees with them.  In particular, I have to scratch my head when one person says they (for example) like the buffet on the Breakaway, and someone else not only disagrees, but implies the person who is satisfied is a moron or worse.  Yes, let's try to make people who were happy with their experience unhappy!  Sorry for the rant...not directed at you Stealthdog!

[Takoyaki]

43 minutes ago, rmurray847 said:

This is certainly true for us as well...but we still find ourselves (especially on sea days) focused on food!  We are only modestly picky about food, and we always find plenty we enjoy at the included venues.  We enjoy the MDR experience in particular.  The specialty restaurants are a one or twice per cruise treat.  Discussions about food on these boards are certainly the best way to see the EXTREME diversity in tastes and expectations.  No one is wrong in their opinions...but some folks certainly get belligerent if someone disagrees with them.  In particular, I have to scratch my head when one person says they (for example) like the buffet on the Breakaway, and someone else not only disagrees, but implies the person who is satisfied is a moron or worse.  Yes, let's try to make people who were happy with their experience unhappy!  Sorry for the rant...not directed at you Stealthdog!

 

I have noticed the same

I think it is interesting that some people feel above a certain person or food type.

I consider myself a foodie for sure.

I have had many upscale dinners, fancy French bistros, high end Italian, 10+ course chefs menus at nice places but that does not mean I cannot enjoy an item at the buffet or a fast casual meal, some people treat that as black and white and if youre not the top notch youre nothing. It must be sad/ hard being that picky/concerned

[tomservo]

4 hours ago, Stealthdog said:

 

My expectations of a Brazilian Steakhouse are these:

https://texasdebrazil.com/menu/meats/

https://fogodechao.com/menu/steak/

 

Texas has 15+ and Fogo has 14+ cuts (both have seasonal or weekly specials in addition to the permanent items on the menu).  Moderno has 10 cuts.  The salad bar and offerings on Moderno is about half of what Texas/Fogo offer. 

 

I don't blame NCL - I think it is great they added a Brazilian Steakhouse on a cruise ship and understand there are space limitations on what they can do.  I was only answering the question on how I would rate the restaurant.  IMHO (and I go to Texas or Fogo about 3-4 times a year), Moderno is a clear step down from its land based comparative restaurants.

 

Doesn't mean I hate it - just that my expectation level at Moderno is not the same as Texas or Fogo.  I'll still go there with my UDP. 🙂

 

I think it's great as well that NCL has a rodizio on board, I think it's an experience that probably not a lot of people have had. I've been spoiled by living near a very large Portuguese/Brazilian community (Ironbound Newark), so I've eaten at dozens of rodizio's, from stand-alone restaurants to chains (including Fogo), so for me personally, I have no interest in Moderno since it's a scaled down version of what I'm used to. I know that argument can be made for all of the specialties, but maybe I'm too big a fan of rodizios to be able to handle a scaled down version.

 

On a side note about rodizios, has anyone seen skirt steak at a rodizio lately? I feel like I used to see it all the time (was my favorite cut to get there), but now I can't find it anywhere. Even on my recent birthday visit to Fogo they didn't have any.

[rmurray847]

Just now, tomservo said:

 

so for me personally, I have no interest in Moderno since it's a scaled down version of what I'm used to. I know that argument can be made for all of the specialties, but maybe I'm too big a fan of rodizios to be able to handle a scaled down version.

 

I live in New Mexico, and have NO interest in any ship's Mexican restaurant.  (Of course, we also have steak restaurants in New Mexico, but I'll still eat at Cagney's...gladly.  So, just a smidge of hypocrisy in what I just said!)

[tomservo]

11 minutes ago, rmurray847 said:

 

I live in New Mexico, and have NO interest in any ship's Mexican restaurant.  (Of course, we also have steak restaurants in New Mexico, but I'll still eat at Cagney's...gladly.  So, just a smidge of hypocrisy in what I just said!)

Yeah, I totally get that. I would probably be the same way too about TexMex if I live in NM.

[Zippeedee]

I must be either really lucky because I have never been served anything on a ship that I would consider "slop".  Breakfast at O'Sheehan's is quite good for a limited menu. I've had a few lunches there I didn't think were very good, but still, not "slop".  The only consistency between ships is the inconsistency though. I had a horrible meal at La Cucina on the Gem, and then a meal on the Breakaway that was so good I went back a few nights later. The same for buffet desserts. Absolutely blah on the Epic, surprisingly good on the Breakaway.  I will say I really disliked the Royal buffets on their older ships (Mariner, etc) and Disney's wasn't all it was exclaimed on here to be either.  

[pbenjamin]

This thread is really depressing.  My first NCL cruise is upcoming and I had higher hopes.  I've never eaten in a Golden Corral or wanted to.  I HAVE  eaten in Applebee's and Olive Garden andif the MDR or La Cucina are comparable that's bad news.  The worse news is thinking that Cagney's and (give me a break) Outback Steakhouse are on par.  My experience with Celebrity and even Carnival was better.

[Takoyaki]

12 minutes ago, pbenjamin said:

This thread is really depressing.  My first NCL cruise is upcoming and I had higher hopes.  I've never eaten in a Golden Corral or wanted to.  I HAVE  eaten in Applebee's and Olive Garden andif the MDR or La Cucina are comparable that's bad news.  The worse news is thinking that Cagney's and (give me a break) Outback Steakhouse are on par.  My experience with Celebrity and even Carnival was better.

 

I would not compare them to non chain high class restaurants but all the food I had was good from the MDR. The choices usually included more interesting stuff than one would get at applebees (lamb shank, goat cheese beet salad to name a few) and never disappointed us.

 

Like a previous poster said one must keep in mind the sheer volume when accounting for some quality but if you go in already unhappy that's setting a bad bar. 

 

I never tried cucina as where I'm from is overloaded with italian so wouldnt go out of my way for it. 

 

Cagneys steaks were very good(not the best obviously) but I found the sides a tad underwhelming for the hype I read here.

 

Los lobos reminded me a lot of a nicer local mexican American restaurant. Good quality and tasty id pay alacarte for it instead of sdp because it's much cheaper than other specialtyoptions. but I've never heard of super high end mexican food.

 

I found mdr fair comparable maybe slightly below rccl but I also ate en suite on ncl so it probably lost some temp on the journey. 

 

 

[mking8288]

Food comparison is subject & personal, and, buffet-banquet food has sub-categories that varied widely from within ...  oy vey, a hot potatoe topic ! 

 

Me think, Atlantic City & Las Vegas casino buffets in prices, qualities & offerings, etc. - each of us can compare & score NCL's Garden Cafe in relation to the ones that we've been to lately; and, or from years ago.  For better or worst, those on the main strip vs. off the freeway by what the typical NCL buffet offer these days - point being, not easy to "generalize" by the presence of (or, lack thereof) premium items including seafood, oysters, crab legs, lobster tails, jumbo prawns, et. al.  

 

In the old NCL days, specialty dining was a simply upcharge or surcharge, no extra "fees" as it was included in the lowered DSC then, and almost AYCE within reasons with a longer selection of choices, then the changes with FDR refining & continuing what O'Sheehan started.  To be in tune with changing times for the millennials ... freshen up on IG.  

 

For the masses on NCL, the executive chef has a rotating selection of 14 daily menus to plan for the week ahead - the thumbs down award go to their fixed daily luncheon menu in the MDR (it does not change, except, maybe on longer 10+ days sailing with many sea days) - if NCL can offer 3 choices of specials at breakfast, surely it can make a better effort for its lunch options.  Not going to "blame" it on cutbacks but there used to be more choices for the MDR.  

 

The Heaven experience is obviously better & more upscale, but keep in mind that one is "paying" more for the privileges and extra daily "treats" - maybe, a matter of expectations - an indirect ?? function of you get what you think you paid for, with the "slick" free marketing.  

[cowboymouth]

The best Osso Bucco I have ever had ANYWHERE  was on the Getaway at La Cucina...Its always hit or miss.. Just enjoy your cruise!!!  Ready for mine in 11 days!!

 

 

[GUT2407]

Only one of those I’ve heard of is McDonalds and Non Chain fine dining so it’s hard to say, but in a nut shell in my opinion Buffet is Buffet, though peppers in their baked beans was a bit of a shock.

 

MDR on any ship I’ve sailed on is at best banquet food.

 

never had a meal at sea I’d call Fine Dining

[GUT2407]

8 minutes ago, cowboymouth said:

The best Osso Bucco I have ever had ANYWHERE  was on the Getaway at La Cucina...Its always hit or miss.. Just enjoy your cruise!!!  Ready for mine in 11 days!!

 

 

Yep but on another NCL cruise it might be to say the least ordinary, it was when I sailed Jewel. Most food tends to be hit or miss in the quality department.

[cowboymouth]

36 minutes ago, GUT2407 said:

Yep but on another NCL cruise it might be to say the least ordinary, it was when I sailed Jewel. Most food tends to be hit or miss in the quality department.

thanks for reiterating my point.  But i'm Sorry you had a bad experience.  We ate it twice on that cruise it was that good!

[GUT2407]

2 minutes ago, cowboymouth said:

thanks for reiterating my point.  But i'm Sorry you had a bad experience.  We ate it twice on that cruise it was that good!

Yeah I always take the view that what’s on the menu might not be the same dish as I ate last cruise, it all seems to come back to head chef and quality control.

 

an example from another line (Princess) had Curtis Stone chicken pot pie (fist night they introduced it to the menu) it was wonderful, two weeks later (same ship, it was a 33 night cruise) ordered it again,.... woeful almost as if they forgot to put the filling in.

[david_sobe]

When La Cucina was $10 it was worth it just for the service and atmosphere.  The food has always been MDR quality IMHO.  Last time on Getaway we found the gnocci better at Taste than La Cucina.   Their rigatoni was pretty much the same as you would get from the buffet.  The upcharge in La Cucina is all fancy footwork IMHO.  I don't even know what the upcharge is today but they lost me at $10.  We no longer consider them.  I know some will jump in and mention a filet or seafood selection.  That could be good but an upcharge menu should have the same quality across the board and not only 1 or 2 selections. (see I beat you La Cucina defenders to the punch lol)

Edited March 21, 2019 by david_sobe

[newmexicoNita]

13 hours ago, rmurray847 said:

 

I live in New Mexico, and have NO interest in any ship's Mexican restaurant.  (Of course, we also have steak restaurants in New Mexico, but I'll still eat at Cagney's...gladly.  So, just a smidge of hypocrisy in what I just said!)

We lived in NM for 7 years, raised in Los Angeles and lived in Texas for 13 years. It is hard for us as well to enjoy the Mexican restaurants on cruise ships. I still think it is a great idea and enjoy reading what others have to say about them. I guess that is why I rarely say a place is awful. As been  said over and over food is very subjective. 

[dexddd]

2 hours ago, david_sobe said:

When La Cucina was $10 it was worth it just for the service and atmosphere.  The food has always been MDR quality IMHO.  Last time on Getaway we found the gnocci better at Taste than La Cucina.   Their rigatoni was pretty much the same as you would get from the buffet.  The upcharge in La Cucina is all fancy footwork IMHO.  I don't even know what the upcharge is today but they lost me at $10.  We no longer consider them.  I know some will jump in and mention a filet or seafood selection.  That could be good but an upcharge menu should have the same quality across the board and not only 1 or 2 selections. (see I beat you La Cucina defenders to the punch lol)

Ala carte now.  We skipped our Plat (limited meals) and one "free" SDP (restricted) last trip and just stuck to Haven for dinner.  Have also skipped  booking NCL for numerous reasons.

[newmexicoNita]

9 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Food comparison is subject & personal, and, buffet-banquet food has sub-categories that varied widely from within ...  oy vey, a hot potatoe topic ! 

 

Me think, Atlantic City & Las Vegas casino buffets in prices, qualities & offerings, etc. - each of us can compare & score NCL's Garden Cafe in relation to the ones that we've been to lately; and, or from years ago.  For better or worst, those on the main strip vs. off the freeway by what the typical NCL buffet offer these days - point being, not easy to "generalize" by the presence of (or, lack thereof) premium items including seafood, oysters, crab legs, lobster tails, jumbo prawns, et. al.  

 

In the old NCL days, specialty dining was a simply upcharge or surcharge, no extra "fees" as it was included in the lowered DSC then, and almost AYCE within reasons with a longer selection of choices, then the changes with FDR refining & continuing what O'Sheehan started.  To be in tune with changing times for the millennials ... freshen up on IG.  

 

For the masses on NCL, the executive chef has a rotating selection of 14 daily menus to plan for the week ahead - the thumbs down award go to their fixed daily luncheon menu in the MDR (it does not change, except, maybe on longer 10+ days sailing with many sea days) - if NCL can offer 3 choices of specials at breakfast, surely it can make a better effort for its lunch options.  Not going to "blame" it on cutbacks but there used to be more choices for the MDR.  

 

The Heaven experience is obviously better & more upscale, but keep in mind that one is "paying" more for the privileges and extra daily "treats" - maybe, a matter of expectations - an indirect ?? function of you get what you think you paid for, with the "slick" free marketing.  

My guess, the reason for a set menu in the MDR at lunch is the few people who choose to eat there at noon. Of course on port days everyone is doing something else and on sea days, because of so many choices people often overlook the MDR. We usually will eat there once during a cruise and it is rarely they are more than 1/3 full. 

[Stealthdog]

13 hours ago, pbenjamin said:

This thread is really depressing.  My first NCL cruise is upcoming and I had higher hopes.  I've never eaten in a Golden Corral or wanted to.  I HAVE  eaten in Applebee's and Olive Garden andif the MDR or La Cucina are comparable that's bad news.  The worse news is thinking that Cagney's and (give me a break) Outback Steakhouse are on par.  My experience with Celebrity and even Carnival was better.

 

You are going to have a great time.  Food is subjective and everyone is coming from a different background with different levels of expectation.  If you don't like something, return it.  This is your vacation.  Also, every ship is different so your experience on your upcoming Jewel sailing may be completely different than others' experiences on other ships.  For example, Bistro was my favorite on the Pearl and the Sun, but I did not like it on the Epic (I thought Cagney's was much better than the Bistro on Epic).  Go in with an open mind and make your own determinations.  Hope you have a great cruise!