BikiniBlonde Posted September 20, 2021 #1 Share Posted September 20, 2021 I am a virgin MSC cruiser. I usually cruise on Celebrity, but I’ve been on less than a dozen cruises. Before I sailed on Saturday, I read so many online opinions about Meraviglia’s “bland” and “unseasoned” food that I brought Cholula and seasoning mix with me. Yes, I did. After two sensational dinners, I am trying to figure out what made people unhappy about their meals. Maybe some people DID get bland food. Maybe some don’t enjoy continental/European cooking. If you use a lot of salt and pepper when you sit down at a meal, if you consistently choose chicken breast over any other main course, you MIGHT not like the Meraviglia’s food. I’m impressed with the food onboard. I’ve had grouper with “lime and Creole spices,” with some amazing okra/tomatoes/onion on the side. Last night was duck a l’orange. Tonight’s dinner main courses include NY Strip and house-made lobster ravioli. This is all MDR food, not a specialty restaurant. Not saying dining is flawless. Ordering a bottle of cava took way too long, and we were first seated at a group table with strangers. Uh, no. Managers quickly addressed the problems, and stopped by at least twice afterwards to make sure we were happy. The food is better than expected, if you stick with what cruise ships do best. If you want hamburgers/mac & cheese, you might be disappointed. I paid less than $75/day for a balcony room and perfect duck a l’orange. This discriminating diner is happy AF with MSC. 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted September 20, 2021 #2 Share Posted September 20, 2021 We returned from the Meraviglia on Sept 6th. No complaints about the food either, both at the Main Dining Room (Panorama) and at the Marketplace buffet. In fact, we considered the selection, quality and taste to be better than most other mass market cruise lines that we sail on. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roberttz Posted September 20, 2021 #3 Share Posted September 20, 2021 Thank you both. We are going this Saturday and it's good to know food quality is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatordad1967 Posted September 20, 2021 #4 Share Posted September 20, 2021 7 hours ago, BikiniBlonde said: I am a virgin MSC cruiser. I usually cruise on Celebrity, but I’ve been on less than a dozen cruises. Before I sailed on Saturday, I read so many online opinions about Meraviglia’s “bland” and “unseasoned” food that I brought Cholula and seasoning mix with me. Yes, I did. After two sensational dinners, I am trying to figure out what made people unhappy about their meals. Maybe some people DID get bland food. Maybe some don’t enjoy continental/European cooking. If you use a lot of salt and pepper when you sit down at a meal, if you consistently choose chicken breast over any other main course, you MIGHT not like the Meraviglia’s food. I’m impressed with the food onboard. I’ve had grouper with “lime and Creole spices,” with some amazing okra/tomatoes/onion on the side. Last night was duck a l’orange. Tonight’s dinner main courses include NY Strip and house-made lobster ravioli. This is all MDR food, not a specialty restaurant. Not saying dining is flawless. Ordering a bottle of cava took way too long, and we were first seated at a group table with strangers. Uh, no. Managers quickly addressed the problems, and stopped by at least twice afterwards to make sure we were happy. The food is better than expected, if you stick with what cruise ships do best. If you want hamburgers/mac & cheese, you might be disappointed. I paid less than $75/day for a balcony room and perfect duck a l’orange. This discriminating diner is happy AF with MSC. There are people in this world that would find things to complain about on a free cruise. We sailed MSC in 2019, went in with an open mind, and had a blast. Glad you had fun, that is what counts! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatordad1967 Posted September 20, 2021 #5 Share Posted September 20, 2021 3 hours ago, roberttz said: Thank you both. We are going this Saturday and it's good to know food quality is good. you will love it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlbdude Posted September 20, 2021 #6 Share Posted September 20, 2021 Been on many MSC cruises over the years, including the Meraviglia. Always enjoyed the food. Some of it is different than what you get on the other US cruise lines but I take it as an opportunity to try new things. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sojodave Posted September 20, 2021 #7 Share Posted September 20, 2021 We sailed on the Seaside and we thought the buffet was great, specialty restaurants were great, the main dining room was not so great. Our waiters had a problem with English, the wait was long, the food was cold, bland, and the deserts weren't that great. We are going on the Meraviglia in November and I'm hoping that the main dining room is improved over the Seaside. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miataman19 Posted September 20, 2021 #8 Share Posted September 20, 2021 Sailing in 12 days in the YC. Anyone have experience with the YC Dining Room? I've been told they are very accommodating with any special requests. If I can get my steak and eggs in the morning I'll be a happy cruiser...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Native Floridian 26 Posted September 20, 2021 #9 Share Posted September 20, 2021 9 hours ago, BikiniBlonde said: I am a virgin MSC cruiser. I usually cruise on Celebrity, but I’ve been on less than a dozen cruises. Before I sailed on Saturday, I read so many online opinions about Meraviglia’s “bland” and “unseasoned” food that I brought Cholula and seasoning mix with me. Yes, I did. After two sensational dinners, I am trying to figure out what made people unhappy about their meals. Maybe some people DID get bland food. Maybe some don’t enjoy continental/European cooking. If you use a lot of salt and pepper when you sit down at a meal, if you consistently choose chicken breast over any other main course, you MIGHT not like the Meraviglia’s food. I’m impressed with the food onboard. I’ve had grouper with “lime and Creole spices,” with some amazing okra/tomatoes/onion on the side. Last night was duck a l’orange. Tonight’s dinner main courses include NY Strip and house-made lobster ravioli. This is all MDR food, not a specialty restaurant. Not saying dining is flawless. Ordering a bottle of cava took way too long, and we were first seated at a group table with strangers. Uh, no. Managers quickly addressed the problems, and stopped by at least twice afterwards to make sure we were happy. The food is better than expected, if you stick with what cruise ships do best. If you want hamburgers/mac & cheese, you might be disappointed. I paid less than $75/day for a balcony room and perfect duck a l’orange. This discriminating diner is happy AF with MSC. Can you post main dining room menus? Was the NY strip an upcharge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikiniBlonde Posted September 22, 2021 Author #10 Share Posted September 22, 2021 On 9/20/2021 at 12:58 PM, Native Floridian 26 said: Can you post main dining room menus? Was the NY strip an upcharge? NY Strip was served last night in the MDR with no upcharge. Steak and lobster have been listed on the upcharge menu on other nights. I haven’t had luck with posting menus. I keep getting error messages. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenc56 Posted September 22, 2021 #11 Share Posted September 22, 2021 You did great!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted September 22, 2021 #12 Share Posted September 22, 2021 3 hours ago, BikiniBlonde said: NY Strip was served last night in the MDR with no upcharge. Steak and lobster have been listed on the upcharge menu on other nights. I haven’t had luck with posting menus. I keep getting error messages. This menu that you have posted is quite a good menu. There ought to be nothing for someone to quibble about those selections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted September 22, 2021 #13 Share Posted September 22, 2021 On 9/20/2021 at 12:32 PM, miataman19 said: If I can get my steak and eggs in the morning I'll be a happy cruiser.. Not that I recall that Steak and Eggs are on the usual YC Restaurant menu. But, I do think that might be possible with a request to the Maitre d' before the morning that you would like to have that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slk1000 Posted September 23, 2021 #14 Share Posted September 23, 2021 9 hours ago, BikiniBlonde said: NY Strip was served last night in the MDR with no upcharge. Steak and lobster have been listed on the upcharge menu on other nights. I haven’t had luck with posting menus. I keep getting error messages. Looks yummy! Can't wait to go 10/2nd:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccio Posted September 23, 2021 #15 Share Posted September 23, 2021 On 9/20/2021 at 12:32 PM, miataman19 said: Sailing in 12 days in the YC. Anyone have experience with the YC Dining Room? I've been told they are very accommodating with any special requests. If I can get my steak and eggs in the morning I'll be a happy cruiser...lol On our January 2020 Meraviglia cruise in the YC we thought the food was great, especially the different risottos offered each day. Having lived in Italy for 5 years, we have very high standards for risottos and thoroughly enjoyed each of them. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GA Dave Posted September 23, 2021 #16 Share Posted September 23, 2021 On 9/20/2021 at 12:32 PM, miataman19 said: Sailing in 12 days in the YC. Anyone have experience with the YC Dining Room? I've been told they are very accommodating with any special requests. If I can get my steak and eggs in the morning I'll be a happy cruiser...lol Sailed in the YC on Meraviglia back in August. Found the food to be as good if not better than the Haven restaurant on NCL. Very satisfied with the food in the YC restaurant and in the special YC enclave on Ocean Cay. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatordad1967 Posted September 23, 2021 #17 Share Posted September 23, 2021 5 minutes ago, GA Dave said: Sailed in the YC on Meraviglia back in August. Found the food to be as good if not better than the Haven restaurant on NCL. Very satisfied with the food in the YC restaurant and in the special YC enclave on Ocean Cay. thanks for making me hangry. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted September 23, 2021 #18 Share Posted September 23, 2021 7 hours ago, GA Dave said: Very satisfied with the food in the YC restaurant and in the special YC enclave on Ocean Cay The Lobster Roll that was served in the YC Ocean Cay restaurant was delicious and was difficult to eat as a sandwich because it was so full of the filling. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebr.cruiser Posted September 24, 2021 #19 Share Posted September 24, 2021 On 9/20/2021 at 9:37 AM, Gatordad1967 said: There are people in this world that would find things to complain about on a free cruise. We sailed MSC in 2019, went in with an open mind, and had a blast. Glad you had fun, that is what counts! On one cruise (not on MSC) we happened to be seated with the same couple several times. They had many complaints and especially about the food, which we thought very good. On the last night they let slip that they had won the cruise on some raffle and were sailing absolutely free. They complained more than anyone else I have ever listened too. We had a lovely cruise. Some people just enjoy complaining or can't be pleased. 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ready2cruzagain Posted September 24, 2021 #20 Share Posted September 24, 2021 I LOVE MSC's food. Hands down for us one of our favorite cruise lines for food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geobugs Posted September 24, 2021 #21 Share Posted September 24, 2021 August 16th on Meraviglia, there was some great food, there was some lousy food. But a very good overall dining experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maureencruiser Posted September 24, 2021 #22 Share Posted September 24, 2021 On 9/20/2021 at 11:58 AM, Native Floridian 26 said: Can you post main dining room menus? Was the NY strip an upcharge? I agree with Bikini on all this. I'm currently on Divina and loving the MDR every night. Bikini, if they offer the swordfish, it's spectacular. Native, We went to the Butcher's Cut and my friend had the NY Strip. The next day, he had it, at no charge, in the MDR. He said he preferred the one at BC, it was seasoned a little differently, but, loved it in the MDR, as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTNORMANDIE Posted September 24, 2021 #23 Share Posted September 24, 2021 On 9/22/2021 at 7:03 PM, rkacruiser said: Not that I recall that Steak and Eggs are on the usual YC Restaurant menu. But, I do think that might be possible with a request to the Maitre d' before the morning that you would like to have that. Steak for breakfast was available by request when I sailed in YC. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadweller001 Posted September 24, 2021 #24 Share Posted September 24, 2021 We thought the YC dining room food was equal to any Celebrity included venue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted September 24, 2021 #25 Share Posted September 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Seadweller001 said: We thought the YC dining room food was equal to any Celebrity included venue. That was not my opinion when I sailed on Celebrity Eclipse. The YC Chef produced a better product. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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