Dining in The Restaurant at lunch

[SLSD]

12 minutes ago, florisdekort said:

 

What I object to are statements along the lines of, if you disagree with me, you don’t understand what a luxury line is. And if Seabourn doesn’t open The Restaurant for lunch every day, they are no longer a luxury line. That is just stirring the pot. 

I never said this.   I did ask that others try to understand another point of view.  I don't like to argue so I am over and out on this topic. Please don't misconstrue my comments.  

Edited November 5, 2022 by SLSD

[cruiseej]

2 hours ago, florisdekort said:

What I object to are statements along the lines of, if you disagree with me, you don’t understand what a luxury line is. And if Seabourn doesn’t open The Restaurant for lunch every day, they are no longer a luxury line.

 

2 hours ago, SLSD said:

I never said this. Please don't misconstrue my comments.  

 

@SLSD I don't think that post was directed at you, but at a number of the comments made in this thread. I didn't go back to document them all, but here are several…

 

 

On 10/15/2022 at 7:06 PM, florisdekort said:

95% of passengers prefer the Colonnade for lunch on port days and only ~10 people show up at the Restaurant.

On 10/16/2022 at 4:45 PM, sullaRaffaello said:

Those 95% don't belong on an elegant ship.

 

 

On 10/17/2022 at 2:02 AM, texanaust said:

A 6-star cruise experience should have a table service venue with full menus for three meals a day.  Seabourn does not and their hamburger, hot dog and fish of the day doesn't cut it.

 

On 10/14/2022 at 5:48 PM, sullaRaffaello said:

leave the dining room, which is a necessary component of a "luxury" experience, open.  

 

On 10/21/2022 at 9:21 AM, adolfo2 said:

in our case (14-day cruise w/o any sea days) we're never going to experience an MDR breakfast or lunch (except for maybe Galley lunch?). This is hardly the mark of a very-expensive, five or six star LUXURY cruise line 😕

 

 

On 10/21/2022 at 12:35 PM, calm down dear said:

To me only having a frantic buffet or windswept patio is not luxury in 14 days.

 

On 10/23/2022 at 1:50 PM, brittany12 said:

we were then paying— and still paying— luxury prices that did not mandate buffet meals for two of the three meals of the day, and that  luxury, more relaxing and better food service was provided for SB guests who preferred it..  Patio dining, no matter how good or bad it is,  does not count in this equation because its burgers and hot dogs plus a few side dishes and maybe fish of the day it is essentially dressed-up snack bar service. 

 

On 10/28/2022 at 1:58 PM, calm down dear said:

trust me 14 days of colonnade breakfasts are not luxury.

 

On 10/22/2022 at 10:44 AM, Catlover54 said:

We can take it or leave it, but we should maybe stop calling it "luxury", as CC member Saminina has repeatedly suggested

 

 

 

 

[kjbacon]

It’s like little has changed with the breakfast and lunch buffet conversation!

 

Everybody likes something different and that’s ok, but the fact is that buffets are extremely unsanitary. Google it. I wish I had known the actual breakfast and lunch set up on SB in time to make an informed decision. If you are looking for a 6* food experience, I can say factually that it was not offered on the July 22-August 29 Quest sailing. Dinner was riddled with problems, yes, but breakfast and lunch were substandard to the point of disgraceful.

 

For those of you who are experiencing or reminiscing about the Restaurant being open for breakfast and lunch, good for you. Be happy that you got lucky because not everyone does. On our 38 night summer sailing, it was the very rare occasion that it was open. And yes, when it was open, it was open from 8-9 which is one hour. For those of you who want to interpret that be be longer than one hour because you can stay beyond 9 to finish your food, you are factually incorrect.

 

And there’s the segway to the mobbed and frenzied Collonade breakfasts and lunches that were too understaffed to order from the limited menu. We learned to stop at seabourn square for coffee on our way to breakfast because it was too difficult to order or to get coffee at the buffet.

 

There were many days that it was too cold or windy to dine outdoors, just making the indoor crowding worse. It was more common than not that the line for toast was so long that it was better for forego toast. Running out of plates or food items was not uncommon. The breakfast buffet selection was identical day after day after day and did not offer an actual special or the variety that we are accustomed to (and you should be to). 

 

It sounds as though there’s been some improvements and I hope that continues. Seabourn was our 3rd post Covid cruise and the only one of the 3 that was apparently crippled by it. We have future cruise credits that we are going to use next year and nothing would please me more than to experience the 6* luxury that I was promised the first time. And I’ll be the first one to report it here.

[Catlover54]

13 hours ago, florisdekort said:

I think everyone gets it: for you and others it is important that The Restaurant is open for lunch every day. You’ve made that loud and clear. Why would anyone deny that that is your opinion? 
 

What I object to are statements along the lines of, if you disagree with me, you don’t understand what a luxury line is. And if Seabourn doesn’t open The Restaurant for lunch every day, they are no longer a luxury line. That is just stirring the pot. 
 

Many first timers come here looking for factually correct information. What I therefore also object to is the false information that is being spread by a few. People have claimed that The Restaurant is no longer open for breakfast. That’s not true; it’s open from 8 am to 9 am. People have claimed that The Restaurant is no longer open for lunch. That’s also not true; as always it’s still open on sea days from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. 
 

Lastly, I’ve read a few times now “The Restaurant is only open for breakfast for an hour”. Again, not true. You’re being asked to walk in between 8 am and 9 am. If, like us, you walk in at 8:50 am, you’ll still be enjoying a wonderful breakfast come 10 am. So it’s open for much longer than an hour. All this dramatizing is just not helpful.  

 

". . . .

Many first timers come here looking for factually correct information. What I therefore also object to is the false information that is being spread by a few. People have claimed that The Restaurant is no longer open for breakfast. That’s not true; it’s open from 8 am to 9 am. People have claimed that The Restaurant is no longer open for lunch. That’s also not true; as always it’s still open on sea days from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. . . . "

 

There you go again, failing to read and/or acknowledge the multiple reports by cruisers of their contrary experiences since the pandemic.  Why is it so difficult to acknowledge that there are *inconsistent* practices, repeatedly documented?

 

It is not "false information" , for example, for cruisers such as Calm Down Dear to report -- in detail, day by day -- that The Restaurant was not open *on his cruise* for breakfast or lunch on *any* day. That was his  *factual experience*,  regardless of what the glitzy website says, and whatever the explanation ("staffing shortages" and "Covid" as an explanation doesn't cut it, since other "luxury" lines consistently manage to plan to have enough staff to keep their MDR open at breakfast and lunch -- apparently they are better prepared in the pandemic era) . Cruisers reporting closure experiences  are not the "dramatizing" lie 'spreaders' you accuse them of being.

 Indeed, there would be no logical motivation for people  to lie for the sake of lying, given the hostility with which their comments are received by a handful of posters here.  If anything, the path of least resistance is just to say "everything was wonderful and happy happy happy", and then receive dozens of acknowledging electronic strokes.

 

And that isn't even getting to the quality, atmosphere and service issues in the Colonnade that many report (and others, like you, gloss over or don't care about) much less the issue of whether or not it is "luxury" to be forced to eat meals in a buffet setting (e.g., lunch on cruises where every day is a port day).  

I agree that people  can certainly debate what the subjective definition of "luxury" is.  Many  do not consider it luxury to be compelled to eat in buffets at some (or all) breakfasts, and some (or all) lunches, depending on the cruise.  

 

 

 

 

 

[brittany12]

I tip my hat to Catlover 54, SLSD and the others who want the best from their luxury cruise experience and have the tenacity to speak that truth of what they have been witness to and what  others have reported.  Even at the risk of speaking ad nauseam on this subject. What is clear is that the different SB ships have had recent different MDR experiences for B and L. The optimum is that Colonnade and its fans should live and be well but —for us others who prefer the standard that any luxury line should be offering its passengers— the MDR should be open for a reasonable length of time at both breakfast and lunch on all SB ships every day and not just sea days. We should make achieving and maintaining that our mission and SB should be adhering to that standard..

[rkacruiser]

19 hours ago, florisdekort said:

f, like us, you walk in at 8:50 am, you’ll still be enjoying a wonderful breakfast come 10 am. So it’s open for much longer than an hour

 

This is true on all cruise lines.  But, when I come waltzing in shortly before the posted closing time, I sometimes feel guilty because I am keeping my dining room staff (as well as those in the Galley) working longer than perhaps necessary if I had been an earlier arriving guest.  

[LMB01]

5 hours ago, Catlover54 said:

 

". . . .

Many first timers come here looking for factually correct information. What I therefore also object to is the false information that is being spread by a few. People have claimed that The Restaurant is no longer open for breakfast. That’s not true; it’s open from 8 am to 9 am. People have claimed that The Restaurant is no longer open for lunch. That’s also not true; as always it’s still open on sea days from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. . . . "

 

 

 

 

It depends on the ship and the itinerary - our April and August cruises on the Odyssey - MDR was not open on sea days for breakfast or lunch.

 

[Catlover54]

1 hour ago, LMB01 said:

1 hour ago, LMB01 said:

 

 

 

LMB01 wrote in post #207, that

 

   7 hours ago,  Catlover54 said: 

 

". . . .

Many first timers come here looking for factually correct information. What I therefore also object to is the false information that is being spread by a few. People have claimed that The Restaurant is no longer open for breakfast. That’s not true; it’s open from 8 am to 9 am. People have claimed that The Restaurant is no longer open for lunch. That’s also not true; as always it’s still open on sea days from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. . . . "

 

 

LMB01 then  replied,

 

"It depends on the ship and the itinerary - our April and August cruises on the Odyssey - MDR was not open on sea days for breakfast or lunch."

 

 

Just to be clear, it was not me, but poster florisdekort who wrote that paragraph you cited,  e.g., the one starting with "many first timers . . . "

 

The CC software is not always friendly to quoting statements, then response to the statements, etc ., and confusion can occur.

 

I (Catlover54) totally agree with your "depends" comment , and have repeated, (as in my post #204) that the experience , in opening patterns depends on the cruise, and not just whether or not there are sea days  (with multiple variables).  

The website, by posting Restaurant lunch menus, implies that it is routine for there to *be* a lunch menu, i.e., have it open.  I think SB should stop listing it that way, or at least have a little footnote indicating that " the Restaurant, depending on itinerary and staffing issues, may be closed for breakfast and/or lunch -- we ask for your patience during these trying times  ".

 

It is also a separate issue (open or not) as to whether  buffet dining per se is "luxury" or not, if the quality of buffet food is good, if the service is good, etc (or if luxury has been redefined, that is more subjective).

I have been to what I would call "luxury" buffets , even on cruise ships  (excellent food, excellent hygiene standards, fantastic and unrushed/timely service with good supplemental table ordering options, guests escorted to a table by staff instead of guests trying to find one that is not only open but also cleaned up, and  a relatively calm and soothing atmosphere without pop music pumped in). I even used to think of SB buffets as casual luxury overall   (and still think being able to sit outside while sailing at sea is one component of luxury).  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 5, 2022 by Catlover54
Typo

[Catlover54]

2 minutes ago, Catlover54 said:

 

 

Edited November 5, 2022 by Catlover54
Duplicate

[Catlover54]

2 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

This is true on all cruise lines.  But, when I come waltzing in shortly before the posted closing time, I sometimes feel guilty because I am keeping my dining room staff (as well as those in the Galley) working longer than perhaps necessary if I had been an earlier arriving guest.  

 

I understand the semi-guilt feeling to an extent , (unlike at the buffet, where you can quickly grab a few things close to closing time and then take your seat before the buffet gets deconstructed) , but then I remind myself

1) the time is already restricted to one hour, and

2) having that one hour to sit down and then eat in peace is part of the overall "luxury" service expectations, for which crew are paid (they are professionals, or at least are in training to be professionals)  and pax pay for the privilege,  and 

3) it is SB that not uncommonly sets up ship excursions that bring pax back just before dining venue closing times, instead of adjusting open/close times to when the bulk of people return

4) it is SB that has decided not to have enough staff to allow them adequate rests, which should include anticipating some people will still be sitting eating 30-45 minutes after closing , not the pax

 

There is a happy middle ground, however:  

1. try and think a little in advance about what you may want to order (e.g., you already know they'll offer a hot dog and burger and you can decide you definitely don't want that and then just quickly ask about specials, without waiting for menu delivery -- we have even done that for dinner, by looking at the menus in advance ), and similarly you can 

also think in advance about what you want to drink 

2.  Consider skipping clothing changes when you get back from an excursion, e.g., just wash up a little but leave the hiking pants and sneakers on), and go straight to the dining room instead of the suite. The personnel would probably rather see you in those clothes 20 minutes before closing, even if you are carrying a backpack, instead of more upscale clothes 5 minutes before closing (as long as you do not stink or have mud all over you :)).  Some pax may not like that, but as long as you are compliant with the stated dress code, you are ok. 

3.  Be conscious of whether or not you are the last group in the venue , holding everyone up

4.  Skip the premium wine or custom drink order if you are coming later

 

I have also nudged DH to just assume the venues close 15 minutes before they do, so if we have a choice, we're not showing up 5 minutes before closing .  The clock on the wall of our suite helps 🙂

 

Edited November 5, 2022 by Catlover54
Typo

[rkacruiser]

43 minutes ago, Catlover54 said:

3) it is SB that not uncommonly sets up ship excursions that bring pax back just before dining venue closing times, instead of adjusting open/close times to when the bulk of people return

 

Some cruise lines do a better job at adjusting their dining times than others.  Why?  On-board management of such issues is what I think is responsible.  Some Hotel Directors/Culinary Operations Managers are better aware of guests' preferences than others.  

 

Thanks for an excellent post!  

[jenidallas]

I’m glad this topic is still around… save for the dress code threads, this has been the most contentious topic over the past decade. These threads go back at least that far… the alarmist “The Restaurant is no longer open for breakfast/lunch thread” followed by all the debate defining what luxury is/isn’t.

 

I’ve yet to be on a sailing where The Restaurant is closed every day for breakfast/lunch.  I’ve been on a couple of port-intensive sailings with early docking a where breakfast was unavailable on those early days.  I was told it was because waiters were instead deployed to room service or The Colonnade to accommodate pre-tour rushes.  Likewise, I’ve seen some days closed to lunch when most guests were off the ship on long tours.  This seems to be something that Seabourn tries to plan for, but certainly misses the mark for those who want to dine on The Restaurant.

 

I personally love breakfasts/lunches in The Restaurant.  My husband, not so much, mainly because he loves “a bite of this, a bite of that” and doesn’t feel he can dine that way in The Restaurant - we end up compromising with The Colonnade so he can look at the buffet while I order off the menu.  My mom is a late sleeper on vacation so usually is up past the limited hours so when with her, we rarely end up dining there.  My girlfriends that I’ve sailed with are “up and at ‘em” sightseers, so we’ve usually dining with room service or in The Colonnade for speed.  And when I eat an early breakfast alone (I’m an early riser, even on vacation), I usually grab yogurt, coffee, and a pastry to enjoy at the back of Seabourn Square while I read the papers and work the daily puzzles.

 

But I still vote for The Restaurant being available when demand calls for it, even if it’s only sparsely utilized, because I like the option.

[Covepointcruiser]

Cunard opens their restaurant for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner so if that is what would give you a 6* experience then sail on them.   They have a buffet but the offerings are not extensive.   If you sail Britannia Grill class or in the Princess or Queen level suites you have a reserved table and your wait staff awaits your arrival whether you come early or late for my meal.   The major difference with Seabourn is there are dress standards.   If you book a Princess or Queen level suite from the U.S., drinks up to $12 are included as are gratuities and 2 hours of internet per day.

[SLSD]

On 11/6/2022 at 1:05 PM, Covepointcruiser said:

Cunard opens their restaurant for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner so if that is what would give you a 6* experience then sail on them.   They have a buffet but the offerings are not extensive.   If you sail Britannia Grill class or in the Princess or Queen level suites you have a reserved table and your wait staff awaits your arrival whether you come early or late for my meal.   The major difference with Seabourn is there are dress standards.   If you book a Princess or Queen level suite from the U.S., drinks up to $12 are included as are gratuities and 2 hours of internet per day.

I think you probably realize that being able to dine from a menu in a serene environment is only one part of a luxury cruise experience.  For many of us, sailing on a small ship is another part.  Most of us are aware of what Cunard has to offer and have not chosen to sail with them for various reasons. Thanks for the heads up anyway.  

[kjbacon]

On 11/6/2022 at 2:05 PM, Covepointcruiser said:

Cunard opens their restaurant for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner so if that is what would give you a 6* experience then sail on them.   They have a buffet but the offerings are not extensive.   If you sail Britannia Grill class or in the Princess or Queen level suites you have a reserved table and your wait staff awaits your arrival whether you come early or late for my meal.   The major difference with Seabourn is there are dress standards.   If you book a Princess or Queen level suite from the U.S., drinks up to $12 are included as are gratuities and 2 hours of internet per day.

You seem to have the “if-then” backwards. Table service meals 3 times per day doesn’t make a 6* cruise experience. Rather it is a service provided by a 6* cruise experience.

[brittany12]

Spot on, kjbacon. 6* by definition is table service meals 3X day. 

[JPH814]

9 hours ago, brittany12 said:

Spot on, kjbacon. 6* by definition is table service meals 3X day. 

And whose definition is that?

 

I googled six star service and did not see a definition.  (Try it - but don't look for the definition of six stars in the the Urban Dictionary. 🙂  yikes!  )

 

 

De gustibus non est disputandum.

 

[Mr Luxury]

Anyone else old enough to remember when five stars were the best of the best.

[kjbacon]

8 hours ago, JPH814 said:

And whose definition is that?

 

I googled six star service and did not see a definition.  (Try it - but don't look for the definition of six stars in the the Urban Dictionary. 🙂  yikes!  )

 

 

De gustibus non est disputandum.

 

So the same guy who wants formal wear at dinner wants to stand in the long toast line at breakfast, holding his own plate and watching the rest of his food get cold? Or is the lure of the debate a bit much ….

[frantic36]

50 minutes ago, kjbacon said:

So the same guy who wants formal wear at dinner wants to stand in the long toast line at breakfast, holding his own plate and watching the rest of his food get cold? Or is the lure of the debate a bit much ….

You do know you can order toast with the rest of your breakfast while seated at the Colonnade?

 

As I said before, I am sorry your cruise was a disappointment and glad you have an alternative that makes you happy as Seabourn is obviously not the right fit. 

 

I currently have friends cruising on Sojourn, Odyssey and Venture and they are all happy on their cruises.

[twochromic]

I know you all have hashed this "MDR for lunch" topic possibly to death. However....

Just for information, we are currently on Sojourn, 6 days into the transatlantic. So far, Zero days when MDR has been open for lunch. Sadly. Will see what the next 8 days offers!

 

Colonnade food is actually quite good, but the feeding frenzy at lunch time puts me a bit off.

[twochromic]

I know you all have hashed this "MDR for lunch" topic possibly to death. However....

Just for information, we are currently on Sojourn, 6 days into the transatlantic. So far, Zero days when MDR has been open for lunch. Sadly. Will see what the next 8 days offers!

 

Colonnade food is actually quite good, but the feeding frenzy at lunch time puts me a bit off.

[JPH814]

3 hours ago, kjbacon said:

So the same guy who wants formal wear at dinner wants to stand in the long toast line at breakfast, holding his own plate and watching the rest of his food get cold? Or is the lure of the debate a bit much ….

I enjoy formal wear.  I also enjoy gym pants and a sweatshirt.  I enjoy a 7 course tasting menu.  I enjoy the galley lunch.  

 

But that is not my point.  My point was to question a "definition" of 6 star service. It was stated as if there was a book written on the subject - a Roberts Rules of Order for high class cruising.    Who made this definition?  Where is it written and prescribed?    

 

I'll help you out in the "debate"...."Of taste there can be no dispute".  What I like is what I like.  What you like is what you like.  And when I can closely match what I like to what is offered at a price I am willing to pay, I will give that 6 stars. 

[Mr Luxury]

17 minutes ago, JPH814 said:

I enjoy formal wear.  I also enjoy gym pants and a sweatshirt.  I enjoy a 7 course tasting menu.  I enjoy the galley lunch.  

 

But that is not my point.  My point was to question a "definition" of 6 star service. It was stated as if there was a book written on the subject - a Roberts Rules of Order for high class cruising.    Who made this definition?  Where is it written and prescribed?    

 

I'll help you out in the "debate"...."Of taste there can be no dispute".  What I like is what I like.  What you like is what you like.  And when I can closely match what I like to what is offered at a price I am willing to pay, I will give that 6 stars. 

There has only ever been five stars in the real world.

I was in Dubai recently and two hotels are boasting seven stars.

Who invents this rubbish.

It's a bit like when people say that they are giving 110% 😀

[kjbacon]

2 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

There has only ever been five stars in the real world.

I was in Dubai recently and two hotels are boasting seven stars.

Who invents this rubbish.

It's a bit like when people say that they are giving 110% 😀

Remember that cigarette back a million years that was a silly little millimeter longer 101 🤣