So which 3 ships is Carnival testing simplified menu in steak house?

[SRQbeachgirl]

Well this is disappointing. We usually go to the steakhouse twice each cruise and I was planning to book it for our upcoming cruise next month. Guess we will be skipping it this time. For $50/pp, I expect better than this.

[pe4all]

Glad I saw this thread.  We usually eat at the steakhouse 1x during cruise.  Special needs dd doesn't eat steak/meat, and sometimes eats grilled shrimp.  We usually just load up on sides for her - mashed potatoes, mushrooms, Mac and cheese, etc.  There is nothing on the menu she really eats now.  We can get the things she eats at the buffet.   Just saved us some money.

Edited September 25 by pe4all

[tradewinds traveler]

Waste? I think that sad carrot is a waste. I don't think too many people will eat it.

[Cloud9Family]

19 hours ago, pe4all said:

Glad I saw this thread.  We usually eat at the steakhouse 1x during cruise.  Special needs dd doesn't eat steak/meat, and sometimes eats grilled shrimp.  We usually just load up on sides for her - mashed potatoes, mushrooms, Mac and cheese, etc.  There is nothing on the menu she really eats now.  We can get the things she eats at the buffet.   Just saved us some money.

We were going to go as a family for my mom’s birthday next year. My son would have only eaten Mac n cheese and a few bites of steak. No dessert even. I was willing to pay the $30 so we could all go together. I’ll have to keep an eye on this new menu. 
I’m hoping they end up expanding it back some if they see a decline in sales. 

[AmanaCruise2]

The ones who are going to be unhappy about the steakhouse changes are very likely going to be the ones paying for their meals. For those who are on comped steakhouse meals, how can they complain about these changes? It's difficult to be the ones complaining when you are a guest of the casino. Again, it's the paying cruisers who may feel like their loyalty to Carnival isn't as highly valued. Is it really worth it to Carnival to make these changes and risk bad feelings?  I for one will find it hard to justify these steakhouse changes and still pay the same price. As another poster stated, the waste that should be evaluated is what gets tossed in the buffet. 

[silvercrikhix]

Honestly, those who complain about the “free” steakhouse dinners have no clue how much you must gamble to get this offer.  On our June cruise, this year, the casino host came to my group playing and gave my daughter and her BF a steakhouse dinner for 2, to each of them. She stated that she normally gives these out at 10,000 pts but that it was obvious they were both going to hit that in a day or 2.  She based this on the amount they had already played in the 1st 3 days of the cruise. 
 

I do not know if this is how this usually works or not. Two days later she gave me a Cucina dinner for 2. I was at 8,000 and some points.  All 3 of us gambled several thousand dollars. And lost that much. These ‘free’ meals are NOT anywhere near ‘free’.  Blaming these possible changes on the gamblers is not correct. The gamblers all pay for these meals over and over and then some. 
Ditto for the ‘free’ cabins some complain about. They are more than paid for with much much larger gambling losses to cover that cost. After gambling on Carnival for 14 years, we have yet to make a bank deposit upon our return home. Tightest casinos we’ve ever played in. 
 

These possible changes are based solely on Carnival testing the waters on more slashing of their cruisers experiences. Thus Making more $. Nothing more. But definitely less for cruisers. Again, still, some more. If I had to guess, I’d say this possible cut goes away. People paying an extra $50 for their meals want more than a smear of potato and 1 baby carrot for sides. 

[slavens_09]

According to John's FB video this morning the sides like baked potatoes, onion rings, mac and cheese and fries are still available. So I'm not really seeing the huge problem. Just ask to sub one of those sides if that is what you want instead of what is listed to come with the entree you order.

[kgfeathers]

5 hours ago, slavens_09 said:

According to John's FB video this morning the sides like baked potatoes, onion rings, mac and cheese and fries are still available. So I'm not really seeing the huge problem. Just ask to sub one of those sides if that is what you want instead of what is listed to come with the entree you order.

 

Thanks for this note. For anyone who wants to see his response:

 

https://www.facebook.com/JohnHeald/videos/843110154681069

14:50 starts the steakhouse discussion

[ProgRockCruiser]

5 hours ago, slavens_09 said:

According to John's FB video this morning the sides like baked potatoes, onion rings, mac and cheese and fries are still available. So I'm not really seeing the huge problem. Just ask to sub one of those sides if that is what you want instead of what is listed to come with the entree you order.

Yeah, but it is the "appearance" of having fewer choices (because some/many people will not realize the can substitute), plus the actual reality of what seems to be smaller side portions, that is grinding my gears here.  The MDR meal is usually satisfying for me, so it takes a big "plus up" for me to want to bother with the Steakhouse for a $35, no, $45, no, $50 upcharge - which means a really good cut of beef, and ample sides of quality food, not the same mashed potatoes I can get in the buffet.  Not sure it is worth the bother now, to get stuff that even Outback might be embarrassed to serve...

 

Harrumph, I say.  Harrumph.

 

EDIT: also, the other reply to your post will get deleted in 3, 2, 1....

Edited September 26 by ProgRockCruiser

[SRQbeachgirl]

5 hours ago, slavens_09 said:

According to John's FB video this morning the sides like baked potatoes, onion rings, mac and cheese and fries are still available. So I'm not really seeing the huge problem. Just ask to sub one of those sides if that is what you want instead of what is listed to come with the entree you order.

 

The "huge problem" is that most cruisers don't read this forum or follow John Heald, so without the items being listed on the menu there will be no way for people to know there are other items available. Which is probably Carnival's plan. Of course, I can see some people getting grumpy when they look down at the plain mashed and sad, lonely carrot on their plate, then look over at the in-the-know diners at the next table with a serving of mac & cheesy goodness and a pile of onion rings, and wonder why they didn't get to choose from those items.

 

[slavens_09]

1 hour ago, SRQbeachgirl said:

 

The "huge problem" is that most cruisers don't read this forum or follow John Heald, so without the items being listed on the menu there will be no way for people to know there are other items available. Which is probably Carnival's plan. Of course, I can see some people getting grumpy when they look down at the plain mashed and sad, lonely carrot on their plate, then look over at the in-the-know diners at the next table with a serving of mac & cheesy goodness and a pile of onion rings, and wonder why they didn't get to choose from those items.

 

According to his video they are listed on the menu. Maybe on another page than the one pictured earlier in this thread? I would be surprised if they weren’t listed on the menu somewhere. Maybe someone currently on a ship that’s testing it can help us out.

[crooooze]

I absolutely love the stuffed mushroom appetizer - But they now give 4 instead of 6. They think they're being clever by serving them on a smaller plate so that you wouldn't notice. The server said this was to reduce waste and offered to bring a second plate of 4.

 

When I said that I didn't want a full plate, just two more mushrooms, he replied, sorry, he can only bring out a full portion - but I can leave the other two.  SMH

[ZoeyVictoria]

We canceled our reservation for next week and while we hope the availability of other sides is true, we just don’t have $98 worth of faith in that report. We are not changing our minds about the cancellation. 
 

For me, this was the third blow in a short period of time. I just paid $14.95 plus a $2.69 delivery fee for a 12-pack of bottled water. In 2022, water was offered for $4.95 to offset the banning of taking bottled water onboard. We will not be receiving the $25 each in the casino that was offered in lieu of a slot tournament entry. It was changed post-Covid to avoid the crowds of people for the tournaments..  The entire ship is now extremely crowded, but both the slot tournament entry and the $25 are still gone.  What will be the next change?
 

We are not going to quit sailing on Carnival over these small changes, but feel only disappointment when we think about Carnival. We cruise on five different cruise lines and are booking fewer Carnival cruises over their prices. There is just more value for us on the other four lines. 
 

 

Edited September 27 by ZoeyVictoria

[ProgRockCruiser]

14 hours ago, slavens_09 said:

According to his video they are listed on the menu. Maybe on another page than the one pictured earlier in this thread? I would be surprised if they weren’t listed on the menu somewhere. Maybe someone currently on a ship that’s testing it can help us out.

I think the way he phrased it he means you can see on the menu the sides that come with other dishes, so you can then ask if you can get those instead.  Not that there is a list of all available sides.  I might be wrong in my interpretation.

[fozzy1975]

I have a reservation and plan on keeping it. I cannot see why someone would cancel because they cant get mac and cheese lol. I can see canceling if the quality has gone down, but seriously. I always ordered the sides and really never ate them. Between the bread, the apps and the steak its still a great value. Each to their own.

[jimbo5544]

21 hours ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

We canceled our reservation for next week and while we hope the availability of other sides is true, we just don’t have $98 worth of faith in that report. We are not changing our minds about the cancellation. 
 

For me, this was the third blow in a short period of time. I just paid $14.95 plus a $2.69 delivery fee for a 12-pack of bottled water. In 2022, water was offered for $4.95 to offset the banning of taking bottled water onboard. We will not be receiving the $25 each in the casino that was offered in lieu of a slot tournament entry. It was changed post-Covid to avoid the crowds of people for the tournaments..  The entire ship is now extremely crowded, but both the slot tournament entry and the $25 are still gone.  What will be the next change?
 

We are not going to quit sailing on Carnival over these small changes, but feel only disappointment when we think about Carnival. We cruise on five different cruise lines and are booking fewer Carnival cruises over their prices. There is just more value for us on the other four lines. 
 

 

You speak to CCL and all cruise lines with your wallet.  If these changes are meaningful enough  for you, then change your plans (as you did in canceling the reservation) or on a more grand scale, your vacationing choice.  Their driver (why they do these things) is clear.  They are still in the VERY active phase oof trying to recover from an extreme financial position (over 39 billion in debt) not of their own doing.  These are the facts.

 

My suggestion is that if you feel strongly enough on these topics, after you cruise, let them know this.  THAT is the way to affect change,

[ZoeyVictoria]

22 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

You speak to CCL and all cruise lines with your wallet.  If these changes are meaningful enough  for you, then change your plans (as you did in canceling the reservation) or on a more grand scale, your vacationing choice.  Their driver (why they do these things) is clear.  They are still in the VERY active phase oof trying to recover from an extreme financial position (over 39 billion in debt) not of their own doing.  These are the facts.

 

My suggestion is that if you feel strongly enough on these topics, after you cruise, let them know this.  THAT is the way to affect change,

That is exactly what I am doing. In the survey after our Vista cruise, I stated that I believe they are going too far with cutbacks and gave examples. Under the topic of food - food served with items listed in the menu description that were completely missing, the waiter removing my used fork from my appetizer plate and plunking it down on the bare table so I could use it again for my entree, salads served without dressing and a waiter who poked around in the salad trying to prove it was there. There were also topics other than food.  I had booked the Venezia as soon as it was announced, but I canceled it after our experience on the Vista. I waited a few months to make sure my feelings remained the same and I was not acting on impulse, but then I canceled it. After the Glory next week, our next (and only) Carnival cruise is a four-nighter in October 2025. I am not boycotting Carnival; I search for cruises almost daily, but haven’t seen anything where I am willing to pay a high price for what is becoming a mediocre experience. I hate that this is happening, because I have enjoyed Carnival in the past.

[jimbo5544]

18 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

That is exactly what I am doing. In the survey after our Vista cruise, I stated that I believe they are going too far with cutbacks and gave examples. Under the topic of food - food served with items listed in the menu description that were completely missing, the waiter removing my used fork from my appetizer plate and plunking it down on the bare table so I could use it again for my entree, salads served without dressing and a waiter who poked around in the salad trying to prove it was there. There were also topics other than food.  I had booked the Venezia as soon as it was announced, but I canceled it after our experience on the Vista. I waited a few months to make sure my feelings remained the same and I was not acting on impulse, but then I canceled it. After the Glory next week, our next (and only) Carnival cruise is a four-nighter in October 2025. I am not boycotting Carnival; I search for cruises almost daily, but haven’t seen anything where I am willing to pay a high price for what is becoming a mediocre experience. I hate that this is happening, because I have enjoyed Carnival in the past.

That clearly is the best way to get their attention.  Let Carnival know that it is affecting your decision to buy their product.  Here is NOT the way to do that, but there are vehicles out there to message heard.

[Mike45LC]

We just got off the Firenze. I did not see any listing for alternate side dishes on the menu, and I did not know

 (despite having eating at the steakhouse on other ships several times) that onion rings or mac & cheese were available. We did request additional mashed potatoes, because a little smear on the plate was inadequate. The staff was happy to comply.

 

The filet mignon was outstanding.

 

Thanks to this thread, I will be asking for onion rings on my cruise next month. 

[johnboy036]

I’m on the Horizon in three weeks and would have booked a reservation for the first night so that I could get a nice bottle of wine for 50% off. I just checked and only one time is sold out (usually this close on the first night most times have been sold out this close to the cruise). So, I’m just going to wait and check the menu when I board and if the old menu is still on the Horizon I make a reservation then and if not $98 will be in my pocket to spend elsewhere on my vacation. The menu change won’t cause me to stop sailing Carnival (I’m booking a 2026 Europe cruise this week), but will lower my onboard spend.

[ninjacat123]

7 hours ago, johnboy036 said:

I’m on the Horizon in three weeks and would have booked a reservation for the first night so that I could get a nice bottle of wine for 50% off. I just checked and only one time is sold out (usually this close on the first night most times have been sold out this close to the cruise). So, I’m just going to wait and check the menu when I board and if the old menu is still on the Horizon I make a reservation then and if not $98 will be in my pocket to spend elsewhere on my vacation. The menu change won’t cause me to stop sailing Carnival (I’m booking a 2026 Europe cruise this week), but will lower my onboard spend.

What 2026 Europe cruise are you looking at? We booked beginning of June 2026 on Legend. So excited!!

Edited Sunday at 01:24 PM by ninjacat123

[ZoeyVictoria]

On a (mostly) related note, I just read that Carnival has taken away the Deal or No Deal prize of a $25 bingo package for two matches. The minimum to win now requires three matches for $30 in casino free play. The cutbacks have now gotten to the point of removing value from paid activities, which seems just plain greedy. I think there might be some fallout over reducing the benefits of activities with additional costs. 

[jimbo5544]

20 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

On a (mostly) related note, I just read that Carnival has taken away the Deal or No Deal prize of a $25 bingo package for two matches. The minimum to win now requires three matches for $30 in casino free play. The cutbacks have now gotten to the point of removing value from paid activities, which seems just plain greedy. I think there might be some fallout over reducing the benefits of activities with additional costs. 

Not a big rumor mill follower here.  That said, all things are like water, they find their own level.  Personally speaking, I would rather get nothing than free bingo plays which only entice one to spend more money on cards.....but that is just me.

[ZoeyVictoria]

1 minute ago, jimbo5544 said:

Not a big rumor mill follower here.  That said, all things are like water, they find their own level.  Personally speaking, I would rather get nothing than free bingo plays which only entice one to spend more money on cards.....but that is just me.

I choose nothing when I win the free bingo package, after I found out the game is at 6 p.m, on the last night of the cruise. A free small bingo package is not worth skipping dinner for me.  I found that out when I tried to pick up the free package and the first interaction was the offer of an upgrade for $23. When I said I would not be playing because of the timing, their response was to ask if I wanted to buy a bingo marker   😂. Some of their antics are comical.

[jimbo5544]

3 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

I choose nothing when I win the free bingo package, after I found out the game is at 6 p.m, on the last night of the cruise. A free small bingo package is not worth skipping dinner for me.  I found that out when I tried to pick up the free package and the first interaction was the offer of an upgrade for $23. When I said I would not be playing because of the timing, their response was to ask if I wanted to buy a bingo marker   😂. Some of their antics are comical.

Never enticed me...