Awful State of Ocean View Cafe for dinner

[phoenix_dream]

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

That same entree shows up on the night of day 6 on our June Equinox cruise in the MDR. The description in the app sounds a little better than canned beans, but just calling it pork and beans started a firestorm of criticism and whoever came up with that name should be fired.

 

Here is how it is described in my app:

Pork and Beans Braised pork cheeks, roasted pork tenderloin, White bean puree with roasted carrots.

Yes I'm sure it's better than it sounds. Just can't believe they still title it that way. There had to have been tons of feedback as to what that means in the US!

[manmachine]

17 hours ago, Harrylinden said:

Can't be any worse than having bologna and cheap lunchmeat in the OVC for lunch instead of the good lunchmeat they used to have like turkey!! Who put's bologna on a buffet (Everyday)! I thought Celebrity was a Luxury cruise line? They sure do advertise as a luxary cruiseline. For a minute I thought I was on a budget cruiseline. In my opinion the food quality has gone way down since we cruised last December 2022! We pay high prices for our cabins and get low budget food quality for a luxury cruise line! JMO

Perhaps some luggage tags for VIPs of the ‘New Celebrity’ based on this culinary masterpiece are in order?

[phoenix_dream]

I ordered the halibut in Luminae the other night. There were literally 3 bites of fish. I do not exaggerate! Now we have an excellent waiter who would definitely fetch me more if I asked, but seriously,  3 bites?!?? Other nights portions smaller than before but basically acceptable. Just wish there were more options to choose from. Generally dislike the Luminae menu so often order off MDR on M and S class. So their cuts are affecting me as well.

[terrydtx]

11 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Yes I'm sure it's better than it sounds. Just can't believe they still title it that way. There had to have been tons of feedback as to what that means in the US!

On one CC thread there was a post with a picture of the dish from their cruise, but I can't find it now, too many pages of unhappy CC members to go through. It looked OK but something I would never order.

[Prometheus1]

Im sorry to hear how much Celebrity has declined.

I have a cruise booked on Apex in 2024 and i do like good food (not just in specialty restaurants). Im fine with portions being smaller but quality should be good. I dont have huge expectations when cruising Carnival, but i am hoping for an upgraded experience on Celebrity. Im seriously considering cancelling my Celebrity sailing and trying VV or Oceania.

This is not from 1 or 2 people discussing a decline in the experience but from many people discussing it. I would still like to try Celebrity but may wait until 2025, maybe the experience improves.

[retird]

12 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

Do you notice lines when you leave dinner?  On Royal Caribbean they have 2 lines; walks ups, and reservations line, each processed by a different host.  If someone with a reservation is waiting in line behind those without a reservation....they don't actually have a reserved table at all as the tables are given out in sequential order.  They don't know who in the line has reservations versus walk up, so they haven't actually set aside tables specifically for those with a reservation. 

 

I suspect that people try to just book early to get time slots they want, and since it's all anytime dining now they "bail" on reservations left and right depending on what the theme of the restaurant/wait time for that night.  If the reservation doesn't reserve a spot, what is it?

I asked if there was a reservation line and was told there was none.  There was only on line on each entrance to the mdr.   I specifically told them my reservation but was told it meant nothing.  Just stand in line when you arrive and be seated in your turn.    I believe that is how my time dining was originally meant to be.   Now that i know they do not honour reservations on this cruise anyway, i just go and wait in line, but wait is minimal

[terrydtx]

57 minutes ago, dreams_of_travel said:

There was a theory we considered, that Celebrity is purposefully making the free food so terrible that it would drive guests to the specialty/for fee venues to raise more money for their coffers

I have come to the same conclusion and to drive their Aqua Class and Retreat bookings for the better dining venues. 

Edited January 17, 2023 by terrydtx

[bonagrad]

1 hour ago, stringbean10 said:

Several people have mentioned the Bellagio/Ceasar's buffet as a bench mark 'good' buffet.  That runs about $50-65 pp,  Works out to be $700 per double occupancy room on a 7 night cruise - are people willing to have that baked in to their fare?  Would they be screaming about the "outrageous" price increasess.  Should they spread out the cost among and everyone else subsidises your buffet preference?  I don't eat there. Is that fair/good value for other passengers?  

 

I don't mind the ala carte pricing.  It makes me feel like I am spending my money on things I like most.  Speciality restaurants, alcohol, casino and spa passes.  If they returned the buffet to it's former 'glory' and charged would that make people happy? 

 

As of September 2022, RCL has a $30 BILLION dollar debt load - that they are paying 11% interest!  It is honestly difficult to wrap your head around 1 billion dollars much less 30! Yes, changes will happen - so will be good and some will be bad.  They are trying to become profitable.  They have a big hole to dig out of here. 

 

Right now this freak out reminds me of when they stopped doing midnight buffets with the weird carved fruit, ice sculptures and chocolate fountains.  Do I miss it? no. Did anyone stop cruising over those cuts? IDK 

Again, we paid for, as you call it "my buffet preference" and a being given something substantially less than what we paid for.  As many of us have stated, we don't like the MDR experience and use the OVC for dinner.  This is not the same things as eliminating the totally unnecessary midnight buffet.  You know, I don't book suites, so I think they should do away with The Retreat and Luminae.  That's how this works, right?

Edited January 17, 2023 by bonagrad

[MarkWiltonM]

I wonder if the $9.95 service charge for room service is because Celebrity figured the reduced offerings in the Oceanview Café would lead people to order room service instead? 

[RichYak]

7 hours ago, mnocket said:

Yeah, I've finally reconciled myself to accepting that Celebrity management is not making these changes because they want to.  They're not making them because they think they improve Celebrity.  They're not even making them because they're greedy bastards and think they can get away it.  No, I've come to accept that they are making these changes because they have no other choice.

Don't give up so quickly on option number 3. This whole thing is a transfer of wealth from booked passengers to shareholders and much of senior management's compensation is stock based.

[TMLAalum]

I don't understand the rationale behind the cutbacks in meal offerings in all venues on Celebrity. 

With what sounds like a significant decline in both quality and quantity, who would want to book another Celebrity cruise? It will be "one and done" for newbies and "no, nay, never, no nay never no more" for those of us who've loved the brand! Therefore, bookings will decline and revenue as well!

[davekathy]

6 minutes ago, TMLAalum said:

I don't understand the rationale behind the cutbacks in meal offerings in all venues on Celebrity. 

With what sounds like a significant decline in both quality and quantity, who would want to book another Celebrity cruise? It will be "one and done" for newbies and "no, nay, never, no nay never no more" for those of us who've loved the brand! Therefore, bookings will decline and revenue as well!

Speaking only for myself, I'll make that decision for myself. 🙄

[terrydtx]

6 minutes ago, TMLAalum said:

With what sounds like a significant decline in both quality and quantity, who would want to book another Celebrity cruise? It will be "one and done" for newbies

Actually for the newbies who have nothing else to compare with are the ones who will not complain about the changes and will not notice any decline in quality.  I remember our very first cruise back in the 1990's on Carnival and thought the MDR dinning was spectacular. Now I have so many more to compare and would not cruise with Carnival today.

[TMaine]

Is the ice cream bar still open in the evening? The gelato doesn't interest me and my wife can't eat it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Whinenowine]

23 hours ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

I suspect the Gelateria gets a lot of use because my favorite flavors are gone by the end of the cruise.

Don't eat the yellow gelato!

 

[jules27556]

11 minutes ago, stringbean10 said:

 

 

Right now this freak out reminds me of when they stopped doing midnight buffets with the weird carved fruit, ice sculptures and chocolate fountains.  Do I miss it? no. Did anyone stop cruising over those cuts? IDK 

May I offer my take?  Here goes.

 

I was booked on a B2B on the Constellation last Oct.,  Concierge 24 days.

 

Unfortunately, I contracted Covid 5 days before my flight to Italy.  Due to fare increases for 2023, my FCC for the loss of the Oct trip only covered an Oceanview accommodation for a 10 day May Connie

replacement cruise.   I understood and had no problem with the increased fare.  Clearly it was a result of what Celebrity was experiencing in their costs and the debt they had incurred.

 

My assumption was that the increases were in part necessary in order for them to maintain the quality product their guests enjoyed and that they continue to advertise.  

 

The reduced offerings in the evening at the OV cafe, be it a result of waste or use, may be a disappointment. However,  if executed while maintaining quality choices, such as a grill and carving station with  accompaniments, would be reasonable and probably accepted.

 

My exception is also to the changes to the cuisine in the complimentary dining venues. 

 

Last fall's increase in gratuities....fine

Going Green for stateroom....fine

Room Service charge.......fine ( reduces carrying so many $5 s)

Drink package changes.....fine  (my choice)

etc etc

 

The tone and vibe being set by these changes is surely going to make guests less forgiving when noticing the "warts and wrinkles" in other areas.

 

My expectation, when choosing Celebrity, was that I would have an Exceptional Experience.  Not luxury but certainly "above and beyond"  what I had experienced in the 70's through my last cruise in 2010.  

 

Appears best to let the dust settle, since my FCC is intact and there is time to make a new decision on which ship and destination.

 

It does appear that those loyal to Celebrity are more interested in preserving the brand than they are.

 

My best to everyone and may your experiences always be exceptional!

 

 

 

[HS2BS]

Another “change” this past week on the Reflection we’re the towels by the pools. The normal gray large towels were supplemented by older, thin, worn out yellow towels that had dates from 2016(there is a small tag on every towel that tells which quarter and the year put into service)onward. What next?

 

Hal

[Ipeeinthepools]

10 minutes ago, Whinenowine said:

Don't eat the yellow gelato!

 

Good tip

[Cruzinforpeace***]

19 hours ago, MarkWiltonM said:

The Oceanview Cafe looks so bad it would be hard to imagine Celebrity isn't on the verge of bankruptcy. Nice look, Celebrity!

Put a fork in them

[rmalbers]

20 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Speaking only for myself, I'll make that decision for myself. 🙄

Ya, everyone is going to have to decide if it's worth it to them.  One thing that I haven't seen mentioned:  These food/beverage costs are going to affect land based resorts/vacations also. Also higher fuel costs directly affect some resort destinations costs.  It's sort of the time period we are in right now.   I'll add to the posts about X, I'm sure they didn't want to deal with the cost situation anymore that cruisers, but as has been pointed out in many threads, their main goal is to avoid bankruptcy at this point.  

[basil1]

It will be interesting to hear whether those two posts regarding an improvement in the OVC dinner was just because they had a late port day yesterday of if someone is paying attention to all the complaints.

[davekathy]

3 minutes ago, HS2BS said:

What next?

Only non-refundable cruise fares. 

[southernbreezes]

43 minutes ago, bonagrad said:

Again, we paid for, as you call it "my buffet preference" and a being given something substantially less than what we paid for.  As many of us have stated, we don't like the MDR experience and use the OVC for dinner.  This is not the same things as eliminating the totally unnecessary midnight buffet.  You know, I don't book suites, so I think they should do away with The Retreat and Luminae.  That's how this works, right?

You still get your buffet with more than enough food and hopfully a lot less waste.  You don't book suites and you are not charged for one. Keep in mind my suite on Apex costs $24,000.00 so yes I get The Retreat and Luminae and free room service but I paid for it.  

[Ipeeinthepools]

2 minutes ago, rmalbers said:

...  I'll add to the posts about X, I'm sure they didn't want to deal with the cost situation anymore that cruisers, but as has been pointed out in many threads, their main goal is to avoid bankruptcy at this point.  

 

You won't avoid bankruptcy by losing your long-time cruisers.

[Ipeeinthepools]

2 minutes ago, southernbreezes said:

You still get your buffet with more than enough food and hopfully a lot less waste.  You don't book suites and you are not charged for one. Keep in mind my suite on Apex costs $24,000.00 so yes I get The Retreat and Luminae and free room service but I paid for it.  

 

Wow.  How do you figure that your $24k includes room service and my $2k cabin doesn't?  Room service was included when I made the booking.