Chef’s Table Suggestion

[Hobby3333]

My wife, mother-in-law and I attended Chef’s Table last week on the Breeze.  There were 14 in the room with nine of the guests under the age of 36.   They were the rudest and loudest guests that I have ever seen at a dining experience.  One even said, I wish he (the chef) would just serve the food without the monologue.   They talked over the chef and I really felt bad for him as he explained the course.  My suggestion would be, when possible to place the younger guests together and the more mature guests together.  Then they could take all the selfies and talk to each other as much as they wish.   

[Cruise, J.D.]

That's unfortunate. It's always a crapshoot when you dine with strangers. Not my cup of tea.

[EdmundXXIII]

It’s not age. Some people just suck.

 

If I’d done it at 21, I’d have been attentive and delighted by the chef.

[Hobby3333]

5 minutes ago, EdmundXXIII said:

It’s not age. Some people just suck.

 

If I’d done it at 21, I’d have been attentive and delighted by the chef.

You are 100% right.  Alcohol and ignorance and youth is not a good mixture.   But, the chef and his staff did a great job and it came us more opportunity to interact with the chef.  

[Virga]

At first I was like, 'please no, don't lump us in with the youngins!' but I think we're finally old enough to get to be seated at the adults table.  We've definitely been known to get boisterous at the bar, but I don't think our age has played into our manners elsewhere.  

[klfrodo]

wow,,, that perspective can be taken alot of ways. None of them good.

 

[crazyank]

5 hours ago, Hobby3333 said:

My wife, mother-in-law and I attended Chef’s Table last week on the Breeze.  There were 14 in the room with nine of the guests under the age of 36.   They were the rudest and loudest guests that I have ever seen at a dining experience.  One even said, I wish he (the chef) would just serve the food without the monologue.   They talked over the chef and I really felt bad for him as he explained the course.  My suggestion would be, when possible to place the younger guests together and the more mature guests together.  Then they could take all the selfies and talk to each other as much as they wish.   

this kind of stuff is one reason we no longer do Chef's Table. Ours was ruined by and elderly woman who seemed to think she was queen of the ship

 

[KmomChicago]

Perhaps a chef’s table express option, and maybe also a party experience option rather than an arbitrary separation based on demographics that are probably unrelated to behavior and demeanor. 
 

I’m not really joking here. Different nights of the cruise could host different versions of CT. We’d dislike the entitled or obnoxious boisterous fellow guests, but a compressed timeline with shorter commentary and spacing between courses would make sense for some.

[WKUTopperFan]

A tasting experience is what it is... it should be no different at sea than what it is on land. Frankly, it gives individuals the opportunity to learn how to attend a tasting on land at a third of the price and the proper etiquette.  

The purpose of a tasting is to learn about the way the food is prepared...and how to enjoy it. An express option is not what you are there for.  If you want express you need to eat at the buffet or McDonald's.  

[mz-s]

My Chef's Table experience on the Ecstasy several years ago was exquisite...the folks we were dining with made the experience even more fun than it would have been otherwise. My wife and I enjoyed it, but don't really desire to do it again.

Edited May 16, 2022 by mz-s

[trbarton]

I’ve organized & done many chef’s  table on Princess for CC members & they have never gotten out of hand. Perhaps it’s because it’s an older crowd. 
 

I’m going to Alaska from San Francisco have signed up for the chef’s table. I’m aware the reputation on Carnival of a younger party crowd but I’m looking forward to a great meal. 
 

Anybody have any recent copies of the chef’s dinner?

 

Thanks!

 

Tom😀

[KmomChicago]

5 hours ago, WKUTopperFan said:

A tasting experience is what it is... it should be no different at sea than what it is on land. Frankly, it gives individuals the opportunity to learn how to attend a tasting on land at a third of the price and the proper etiquette.  

The purpose of a tasting is to learn about the way the food is prepared...and how to enjoy it. An express option is not what you are there for.  If you want express you need to eat at the buffet or McDonald's.  

Okay well so sorry. It was just a brainstorm idea but thanks for shutting me down and putting me in my place. Have a lovely day.

[TexasJohn82]

Did the Chef's Table on the Vista week of April 23rd.  We had a couple that was pretty drunk and rude and they were older then my wife and I.  We also had young couples that were probably better mannered than the remaining older couples.  So saying spread it out by age is probably not the correct approach here.  The experience was long (I enjoyed it) and Carnival could probably do a better job telling people what to expect and how much time it will take up.  I think the issue (at least in my mind is the amount of drinks people are able to consume before showing up).

 

 

[IrritatedEllipses]

18 hours ago, Hobby3333 said:

My suggestion would be, when possible to place the younger guests together and the more mature guests together. 

 

As someone who served and explained fine dining prix fixe for many, many years you have had the rare experience where it is the younger folks with no respect.

 

I cannot think of a single time I had issues with guests under 40 in those meals. I also can't remember a single night where I didn't have at least one table of 40+'s talk constantly, complain about the food, ask me if I'm sure I knew what I was doing (Pretty sure I did since I made the food you're eating), or just generally disrespect the members of the staff and the time and effort going into it. 

 

Now I'll have to try the chefs table to see if I can get a group of these rogue "under 36-year-olds" and find out where they've been all my life. 

[Hobby3333]

42 minutes ago, IrritatedEllipses said:

 

As someone who served and explained fine dining prix fixe for many, many years you have had the rare experience where it is the younger folks with no respect.

 

I cannot think of a single time I had issues with guests under 40 in those meals. I also can't remember a single night where I didn't have at least one table of 40+'s talk constantly, complain about the food, ask me if I'm sure I knew what I was doing (Pretty sure I did since I made the food you're eating), or just generally disrespect the members of the staff and the time and effort going into it. 

 

Now I'll have to try the chefs table to see if I can get a group of these rogue "under 36-year-olds" and find out where they've been all my life. 

They were at the same Chefs Table I was.   You weren’t there.   I was.  The total lack of respect, to the chef and the other guest was uncalled for.   They came after a long day of drinking and it only got worse as the wine continued to be poured.  There are jerks of all ages and the ones at my Chefs Table were “under 36 year olds.   

[klfrodo]

Still digging huh?

Sometimes you just have to put the shovel down and walk away.

Right or wrong, the optics don't look to be in your favor.

[ninjacat123]

Just curious, was any of the loud behavior addressed to the staff?  Or addressed in general to the table?  I would want to hear what the chef has to say and would want a moment of quiet.  Maybe tapping a glass like at a wedding?  It's a rough situation.

[TxTeach79]

Welp, looks like it’s a moot point at least through June based on the email I just got….

[KmomChicago]

3 minutes ago, TxTeach79 said:

Welp, looks like it’s a moot point at least through June based on the email I just got….

Which is??!!

[TxTeach79]

19 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

Which is??!!

Chefs Table cancelled fleetwide through June. Cucina closed fleetwide through June as well (except on MG)

[IrritatedEllipses]

1 hour ago, Hobby3333 said:

They were at the same Chefs Table I was.   You weren’t there.   I was.  The total lack of respect, to the chef and the other guest was uncalled for.   They came after a long day of drinking and it only got worse as the wine continued to be poured.  There are jerks of all ages and the ones at my Chefs Table were “under 36 year olds.   

 

I.. didn't say I was? I'm very sorry, I was just expressing my shock considering my own professional experience has been vastly different. Didn't mean to hit a nerve, though thanks for the reminder of why I got out of the field. 

[bury me at sea]

I am sorry the op had an unpleasant evening.  The Chef's Table experiences on the Breeze, several times, and the Freedom, in the delightful small private dining room, were the highlight of each of those cruises.

[csoud68]

I sit with my wife only..had a dreadful experience with 2 girls from Ohio state at my table..

 

They were drunk, loud, wore short short short clingy dresses where you could see thru to the thong..

 

The maitre de was good enough to switch us.  Later in the week they were escorted out of the mdr...

[Oklahoma Cruiser 2012]

On 5/16/2022 at 5:40 AM, mz-s said:

My Chef's Table experience on the Ecstasy several years ago was exquisite...the folks we were dining with made the experience even more fun than it would have been otherwise. My wife and I enjoyed it, but don't really desire to do it again.

It's a crap shoot.  The first one we went on was fantastic.  The second one, was in the kitchen, but segregated enough from the bustle to still clearly hear the chef. The 3rd one, they must have walked around with a decibel meter specifically to find the noisiest part of the kitchen to place the table and then found the chef that spoke the softest and flew him in specifically for this chefs table.  It soured the experience for us, and we've never really made it a point to sign up again. We're going on a cruise in Oct, maybe we'll give it another shot..

[crazyank]

14 hours ago, csoud68 said:

wore short short short clingy dresses where you could see thru to the thong..

and exactly why did what they wore matter to you?  kinda seems like MYOB