Carnival Temporarily Closes Popular Restaurant, Dining Experience

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 minute ago, nlktx49 said:

What $50 OBC?

 

I read elsewhere (not from Carnival) that Diamond guests will receive this since they're temporarily cancelling the Diamond Gathering.

 

It's probably one of these things where you'll have to know that it's a benefit and ASK for it... like going to the photo gallery and asking for trinkets, or getting your free bottle of water at a bar.

 

Tom 

[Retiredmedic]

24 minutes ago, ray98 said:

Oh great....here come the Italian food experts to tell us how closing the restaurant is a benefit.

Not saying it's a benefit, but it is not a great loss either. 

[Drazil65]

 I truly don't think we will ever see pre-Covid Carnival again.

 

LOL...manage expectations, covid has changed our world (like it or not) and it is pointless to wish and hope for pre covid anything at this point.  CCL and current cruising is just another byproduct of the virus which is still in charge for the most part.  At least CCL is offering some comp for current reservations as they could just refund and move on. 

 

This does not affect our cruise experience at all as we are not big fans of Italian food to begin with so no loss if they never bring it back truthfully.  

 

Edited May 17, 2022 by Drazil65

[Honolulu Blue]

12 hours ago, KyloRen said:

The cuchina is amazing and the lunch that’s free is delicious. I can’t rave more about the sushi restaurant as well so I hope that one remains as well. 

 

After the blast of bad news, there's some good news:

• Cucina remains open on the Mardi Gras
• Cucina will be open for lunch on all ships
• Cucina closings are currently only until the end of June
• Selected Cucina entrees will be available at the MDR for free
• No changes to the sushi restaurant, yet

 

Source:  https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-temporarily-closes-two-specialty-dining-venues/72164

[Retiredmedic]

37 minutes ago, Drazil65 said:

 I truly don't think we will ever see pre-Covid Carnival again.

 

LOL...manage expectations, covid has changed our world (like it or not) and it is pointless to wish and hope for pre covid anything at this point.  CCL and current cruising is just another byproduct of the virus which is still in charge for the most part.  At least CCL is offering some comp for current reservations as they could just refund and move on. 

 

This does not affect our cruise experience at all as we are not big fans of Italian food to begin with so no loss if they never bring it back truthfully.  

 

Expecations for Carnival are fairly low anyway, how much lower should we lower them?

[nlktx49]

52 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

I read elsewhere (not from Carnival) that Diamond guests will receive this since they're temporarily cancelling the Diamond Gathering.

 

It's probably one of these things where you'll have to know that it's a benefit and ASK for it... like going to the photo gallery and asking for trinkets, or getting your free bottle of water at a bar.

 

Tom 

I'm just Platinum, so no $50.

[WKUTopperFan]

On Vista Class ships  I dine in specialty restaurants for dinner exclusively.  On my first Mardi Gras experience in March/April, the same held true. I also usually do Chef's Table.  

 

My next Carnival cruise in August is on the Magic ( which I only booked because I wanted a New York shopping and theater weekend in advance) which dining options are very limited. I booked 2 nights in Cucina, 2 in Steakhouse and Chef's Table. I figured i could tolerate the MDR for two nights. This move is unacceptable.  I am sure this suspension of service will continue throughout the summer. I am calling my PVP and requesting a ship change with more specialty restaurants (Vista Class or Mardi Gras) that are actually going to be open so I have options to dine to my liking.  I'll deal with a airfare change. This is a joke. My November cruise on Celebrity Apex is looking better by the minute. 

[Cruise, J.D.]

So, the PGP is cancelled and drink tickets (2?) will be given out in lieu of it? Is this through June too?

Edited May 17, 2022 by Cruise, J.D.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

When I was first reading the the release from Carnival about the closing of a "popular" dining experience, I was thinking that it was going to mention Guy's Burgers (though, granted, that's more "eating" than "dining")!

 

Now THAT would have been big news!

 

Tom

[d12j28]

4 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Loving the $50 pp OBC ("cashing" in on that Friday!). With regard to the two drink vouchers in lieu of the Diamond/Platinum party, I wonder if those can be used at a later date, as we have CHEERS (as many people do).

 

Tom

Whip that voucher out when they say you have hit #15 and see if it works.

[icft]

2 hours ago, ray98 said:

Oh great....here come the Italian food experts to tell us how closing the restaurant is a benefit.

One of the things I have been enjoying watching is the reactions to people pointing out Carnival is eliminating something it previously provided to its customers. They generally fall into two categories with one being "it was beneath me and I didn't want it anyway" and the other being "you elitist so and so, in times like these..."

 

Very few are willing to just recognize Carnival has greatly reduced the value of its product, be it an avoidable or unavoidable reduction.

 

We recognize the value is greatly diminished but since we are sailing for fee we continue to sail. Even with a greatly reduced product it is worth the price of zero.

[Frank12]

1 hour ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

When I was first reading the the release from Carnival about the closing of a "popular" dining experience, I was thinking that it was going to mention Guy's Burgers (though, granted, that's more "eating" than "dining")!

 

Now THAT would have been big news!

 

Tom

Now that would have these boards freaking out!!🤣

[CleverCruisesKat]

13 hours ago, ScottsSweetie said:

I've cruised 3 times since the restart - they haven't had a single platinum event yet. Can't suspend it if they already aren't doing it.

I went to two platinum parties since the restart? 

[ScottsSweetie]

43 minutes ago, icft said:

. . . 

Very few are willing to just recognize Carnival has greatly reduced the value of its product, be it an avoidable or unavoidable reduction.

 

We recognize the value is greatly diminished but since we are sailing for fee we continue to sail. Even with a greatly reduced product it is worth the price of zero.

THIS ^^!!  As far as Cucina goes, I have not enjoyed it for lunch, and the only time I've visited for dinner was comped by Carnival (for a leaky toilet situation). But we can all realize that if it is offered, and then not available, then Carnival has indeed reduced the value of their product, whether I personally use it or not.

 

BUT - many of us here on CC are repeat cruisers who are sailing at greatly reduced or even free prices, so we are willing to put up with a slightly diminished product. I'll be stepping onto an Alaska cruise next week with a free balcony room (not a casino offer), and I'm sure I'll be able to overlook some deterioration because of that. But when prices return to normal, we'll see just how much people are willing to put up with when there are other choices to be had out there in the big wide world of cruising.

[cruisingguy007]

^^^^^For a "free" cruise (no fare, only grats, taxes, port fees, gas and parking), I'd eat at the buffet the whole cruise lol. Get me on the ship and let the good times roll! 

[ashkir]

Ate at Cucina 3 times in one week on Panorama for dinner. 100% recommend it. Sad others won't get to experience it. The host, Jovana from Panorama was amazing! 

[Moviela]

A lot of people seem to think Carnival is making cutbacks to either save money or nickel and dime folks for formally free offerings.

 

The problem with Cucina is a "staffing issue." The cause of the "staffing issue" is the US State Department slow rolling the visa approvals for experienced staff members. 

[cruisingguy007]

2 minutes ago, Moviela said:

A lot of people seem to think Carnival is making cutbacks to either save money or nickel and dime folks for formally free offerings.

 

The problem with Cucina is a "staffing issue." The cause of the "staffing issue" is the US State Department slow rolling the visa approvals for experienced staff members. 

 

Good point and I agree, though some cutbacks are also acceptable right now and make sense also. Paring down menus can save a lot of waste, some higher priced items that they would normally be able to offset may now not make the best fiscal sense, in that they need to get the books balanced and service debt. Not to mention the uncouth who try and take an entire pan of bacon or shrimp (I seen that) and can't be civilized/considerate. Considering a lot of folks are sailing on deeply discounted fares, it shouldn't surprise anyone. The larger and more diverse the menus, the more provisioning costs come into play and more staff is needed to prepare/plate/serve. Doing more with less makes a lot of sense right now. Most of us are doing that in everyday life as well. I'm skipping a lot of higher priced items I used to buy and parlaying/substituting cheaper goods in as well. It is what it is and I'm very happy that cruising is back.   

[pc_load_letter]

19 minutes ago, Moviela said:

A lot of people seem to think Carnival is making cutbacks to either save money or nickel and dime folks for formally free offerings.

 

The problem with Cucina is a "staffing issue." The cause of the "staffing issue" is the US State Department slow rolling the visa approvals for experienced staff members. 

 

And I will disagree.

 

Carnival announced they are 100% back with all ships returned to the fleet. Splendor was the last one I think.

 

So tell me, why run ships with low staff and cut back on passenger offerings when the could easily take the 1000 or so staff from Splendor, and perhaps even keep Ecstasy in dock.

 

You would then have over 2000 crew members that could be reallocated throughout the fleet.

 

Sure, there may very well be a delay in visa processing, but if that's the case, keep ships offline until there is the staff to adequately man them.

[cruisingguy007]

4 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Why is it that grandmothers are generally better cooks than mothers?  🙂

 

Oh - Swanson and Betty Crocker might have messed things up!

 

Tom

 

Don't be so quick. My grandparents (God rest theirs souls) used to stock Swanson like mad (mostly ice cream though). The Swanson man was there every week and she could still cook well. 😄  

Edited May 17, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[Guest BasicSailor]

2 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

When I was first reading the the release from Carnival about the closing of a "popular" dining experience, I was thinking that it was going to mention Guy's Burgers (though, granted, that's more "eating" than "dining")!

 

Now THAT would have been big news!

 

Tom

I don't lift my elbows too high for those burgers, especially if they look like that photo, you posted a few weeks back 😉

[Djptcp]

DH and I love, love the Cuchina and eat there at least 3 times on every cruise that has it. We also loved our Chef's Table experience on the Legend a few years ago. I do hope the closings are temporary as Carnival as said.

 

Guy's Burgers? Just a hamburger, nothing special.

[ledges1]

I have been on 25 Carnival cruises. They are very convenient to where I live. If I want a fine dining experience, there are better land based opportunities near my home. I do not spend the extra money on the ship for their specialty restaurants.

[Guest BasicSailor]

25 minutes ago, pc_load_letter said:

 

And I will disagree.

 

Carnival announced they are 100% back with all ships returned to the fleet. Splendor was the last one I think.

 

So tell me, why run ships with low staff and cut back on passenger offerings when the could easily take the 1000 or so staff from Splendor, and perhaps even keep Ecstasy in dock.

 

You would then have over 2000 crew members that could be reallocated throughout the fleet.

 

Sure, there may very well be a delay in visa processing, but if that's the case, keep ships offline until there is the staff to adequately man them.

 Hitting the nail square on the head.

[HaveWeMetYet]

I wonder if the staffing issues are because a lot of crew members are getting covid and they are in quarantine?