MDR Serving Staff

[BlerkOne]

35 minutes ago, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

The Maitra D on the Pride had a great voice (this was in 2018 - I think his name was Ken?)

 

Our head server on the Horizon made it a point to us that she would be singing one night, and told all her tables we weren't allowed to miss dinner that night. Or leave early. (Same one who danced with the kids).

Ken has been around for years, and sometimes they even let him do a show in the theater. But there are other singing maitre D's and waiters.

 

I posted this some 17 years ago 

 

 

 

Edited Friday at 04:38 AM by BlerkOne

[Essiesmom]

If you ever watch Mighty Cruise Ships on Smithsonian channel, there is one on Carnival Vista and you will see Ken on it.  I’ve sailed with him on Splendor, Dream, and Pride.  He usually brings out the new ships, but as quick as he can he gets back to a Spirit class ship.  EM

[Diamond-56-Plus]

4 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Some of the staff don't like other aspects of the job either. They aren't slaves or forced to work on a ship.

Obviously spoken as I stated. Everyone knows this story, not getting into the broken down who makes what scenario.

[Diamond-56-Plus]

5 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

With anytime dining last week we missed it which I am fine with.

I usually avoid it as well. Even known to skip desert if the timing is getting too close.

[aborgman]

10 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

So, is dealing with unpleasant guests

 

...and I guarantee - way more of them hate dealing with guests than hate the dancing. Ask anyone who has ever worked retail/customer service.

[BlerkOne]

7 hours ago, Diamond-56-Plus said:

I usually avoid it as well. Even known to skip desert if the timing is getting too close.

an army of two. Cut off your nose to spite your face? Me thinks you are greatly outnumbered. The fun shall remain on the Funships.

[jimbo5544]

21 hours ago, Diamond-56-Plus said:

Yes, and the guest still wave their napkins to the tune of the music throwing their food everywhere.

Throwing food??

[jimbo5544]

16 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Ken is Carnival's most famous Maitre

Yes he is, simply the best

[staceyglow]

4 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Throwing food??

Pretty sure they are referring to crumbs on the napkins. 

[jimbo5544]

Just now, staceyglow said:

Pretty sure they are referring to crumbs on the napkins. 

I get it, 

[Razor_Poke]

 

I don't care for it but I also have seen it many times.  I always try to put myself in the shoes of a new cruiser.  I think for the most part, they'll love the shows...........and towel animals every day and the CD that seemingly has the abilty to be everywhere at one time, and the "friendly" photographers, and art shows and the "discounts" in the spa.   It's all part of it.......now there are so many things we either skip or simply tolerate.

 

I'll usually talk to the waiter about dessert delivey earlier in the meal.  

[TexasBrit]

Some of the singing waitstaff in the MDR are better singers than the ones in the entertainment areas!

[silvercrikhix]

It would make sense for some wait staff to like it, love it or hate it;  just like us non MDR staff humans.  We all know peeps who’ll bust out singing & dancing unprovoked and those who would rather lay on a bed of nails. And many in betweens. Hopefully, they get a choice in the singing & dancing portion during their shift. Gosh, I’d think so… 
 

It’s not our favorite personally, but it’s been really good some times and also, oh my goodness - that poor girl can’t sing. lol  It’s only 5 minutes, if guests like it or love it, good for them. Everything changes, this will change or be gone sometime or another as well

Edited Saturday at 12:40 AM by silvercrikhix

[jimbo5544]

20 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Ken has been around for years, and sometimes they even let him do a show in the theater. But there are other singing maitre D's and waiters.

 

I posted this some 17 years ago 

 

 

 

There are, but none like Ken.

[DeniseTr]

Doesnt it only happen on formal nights? 

I think it also happens on RCL.

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

9 minutes ago, DeniseTr said:

Doesnt it only happen on formal nights? 

I think it also happens on RCL.

No. They do it most nights, but not all. 

[ldubs]

On 9/27/2024 at 2:01 PM, Razor_Poke said:

 

I don't care for it but I also have seen it many times.  I always try to put myself in the shoes of a new cruiser.  I think for the most part, they'll love the shows...........and towel animals every day and the CD that seemingly has the abilty to be everywhere at one time, and the "friendly" photographers, and art shows and the "discounts" in the spa.   It's all part of it.......now there are so many things we either skip or simply tolerate.

 

I'll usually talk to the waiter about dessert delivey earlier in the meal.  

 

I've also seen it many times and on more than just Carnival.  I won't be upset if it doesn't happen but I still enjoy it.  It is like a tradition.  I think you hit the nail on the head about new cruisers. 

[BlerkOne]

On 9/27/2024 at 3:44 PM, staceyglow said:

Pretty sure they are referring to crumbs on the napkins. 

Fake news. Carnival eliminated crumbs in the last round of cutbacks.

[Mike45LC]

A lot of the Filipino staff love the opportunity to sing/dance for the passengers.  And it is part of their culture.  I often enjoy it.

 

The singers/dancers are volunteers. 

[brepri_h]

Just got off the Venezia. "Showtime" was a mixture this cruise. Some nights they danced and some nights they had someone sing a song.....the dancing was more enjoyable than the singing. I couldn't wait for the singing to be over. 

[Diamond-56-Plus]

On 9/27/2024 at 4:39 PM, jimbo5544 said:

Throwing food??

I could tell you about the Amazing Flying Macaroni, but you would just think I was talking about a trapeze artist 😉

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, Diamond-56-Plus said:

I could tell you about the Amazing Flying Macaroni, but you would just think I was talking about a trapeze artist 😉

I did so love those members of the Flying Macaroni's, but alas throwing them up against a wall to see of they are done...did them all in.

[iowananny]

Never again on Carnival.  We took the inaugural cruise on Celebration from South Hampton to Miami.  The price was great but we found out you get what you pay for.  I've gambled on previous Carnival cruises thus the good price.  I loved the casino and the ship was lovely, just too big.

 

But the dining room was just plain awful.  We did make it through three nights on our fourteen day cruise.  We had a table and on our three nights a morbidly obese man in a scooter needed to get by our table.  He was too big to fit by unless I moved my chair.  The wait staff just stood there and watched as I tried to move my heavy chair so he could get by.  My husband was on the other side of him and couldn't get up and help me.  Our waiter was right beside me but never tried to help me move my chair and I do have some mobility issues which is why I came into the dining room with a cane.  But once the music started he was dancing and having the time of his life.  

 

We cruised with Carnival before Covid and while their food was never the greatest it was okay and we enjoyed it.  On this cruise one night my husband ordered a pasta dish.  It didn't come with the rest of the food for those at our table.  Eventually they brought a plate of what he though was spaghetti-os.  

 

There were other restaurants and we did not go home starved to death but the main dining room food is BAD.

 

If Carnival is your idea of fun, go for it but we'd rather spend a little more and have good service and decent food.

[jimbo5544]

1 minute ago, iowananny said:

Never again on Carnival.  We took the inaugural cruise on Celebration from South Hampton to Miami.  The price was great but we found out you get what you pay for.  I've gambled on previous Carnival cruises thus the good price.  I loved the casino and the ship was lovely, just too big.

 

But the dining room was just plain awful.  We did make it through three nights on our fourteen day cruise.  We had a table and on our three nights a morbidly obese man in a scooter needed to get by our table.  He was too big to fit by unless I moved my chair.  The wait staff just stood there and watched as I tried to move my heavy chair so he could get by.  My husband was on the other side of him and couldn't get up and help me.  Our waiter was right beside me but never tried to help me move my chair and I do have some mobility issues which is why I came into the dining room with a cane.  But once the music started he was dancing and having the time of his life.  

 

We cruised with Carnival before Covid and while their food was never the greatest it was okay and we enjoyed it.  On this cruise one night my husband ordered a pasta dish.  It didn't come with the rest of the food for those at our table.  Eventually they brought a plate of what he though was spaghetti-os.  

 

There were other restaurants and we did not go home starved to death but the main dining room food is BAD.

 

If Carnival is your idea of fun, go for it but we'd rather spend a little more and have good service and decent food.

Thanks for letting us know.

[BlerkOne]

We were on the Celebration cruise and agree the ships are getting too big, but enjoyed the food in the MDR. The one food I will complain about is the awful "pepperoni" sometimes served on pizza on cruises that originate in Europe.