Master Chef's Dinner

[treasure4two]

The Master Chef's Dinner on HAL/Noordam was terrible and degrading for the waiters. I know many that like HAL, do not like Carnival, but our latest experience on the Carnival Imagination was wonderful when it came to the waiters singing and dancing-it was not as formal as the Master Chef's Dinner but so much more fun, relaxed, and we passengers, old and young alike, got up and joined in. It can be done and be done well, but HAL has not reached that point yet. I hope, as others have encountered, that the Master Chef's Dinner has disappeared off HAL. Also, if it is still there, is it usually the last night or one of the formal nights, so I can avoid it. Thanks.

[lorekauf]

I've taken to booking the Pinnacle on my last few cruises to avoid the MCD. The staff has more then they can handle on a "normal" night. To make them sing and dance is just too much and I won't be a part of it. I wish HAL would kill this already.

[Krazy Kruizers]

HAL has brought the Master Chef dinner back in full force. For a couple of years it was slowly disappearing -- but now nearly every ship has it -- on the final night of the cruise. We have sailed on all HAL ships except the Prinsendam and it was never held on a formal night when we cruised.

JMO -- I do not like to end the cruise in "Carnival" style -- I want to be able to say goodbye to my wonderful wait staff and get a few minutes to chat with them. With this Master Chef deal on the last night -- that is gone.

[Aruba]

I only endured the Master Chef's Dinner once (on the Ryndam) and vowed never again!

[boards]

The crew on the Noordam in Nov. sure did a great job of looking like they were enjoying what they were doing. Our table of eight certainly enjoyed it too.

[bakerintn]

Does the Mater Chef dinner activity extend to the "AnyTime" diners, or just the fixed seating....I can't imagine how it would work in the Any Time section.

[maxout]

Does the Mater Chef dinner activity extend to the "AnyTime" diners, or just the fixed seating....I can't imagine how it would work in the Any Time section.

They only have fixed times (either early or late) for the master chef dinner. So the Open Seating folks must choose one or the other.

[adrift@sea]

We also don't care for the Master Chef Dinner. It would be great to enjoy a leisurely dinner in the MDR on the last night of a cruise, instead of being subjected to a hurried, limited dinner. If HAL really feels they must provide us with this entertainment, why not at least bring in the singers and dancers to perform and allow the Dining Room Stewards do what they do best.

I can't even begin to guess how many times we have completed the end of the cruise survey relating to smoking, so how come passengers aren't asked what their opinions are of the Master Chef Dinner? And since many people hand in their completed surveys prior to dinner, how many people are able to voice their opinions on this?

[bepsf]

...how come passengers aren't asked what their opinions are of the Master Chef Dinner?

Because HAL doesn't care what we think?

[adrift@sea]

Because HAL doesn't care what we think?

Yes, I think you are right! I was trying not to actually come out and say that but...

[Krazy Kruizers]

Does the Mater Chef dinner activity extend to the "AnyTime" diners, or just the fixed seating....I can't imagine how it would work in the Any Time section.

The people in the Open Seating dining venue are asked the evening before which of 2 times they want to have dinner the next night -- they are given the choice of 5:30 or 8 PM -- and size of table.

But there have been some problems with this as some people may have not been in the dining room on the next to the last evening -- eating in the Lido, the Pinnacle, Canaletto, (Tamarind if you are on a ship that has one) or dining in their cabin). Some do not read the program -- show up when they are ready to dine -- and are surprised to find that they can not dine when they want to. Some have even encountered -- sorry -- no tables left. And if you show up too late at the Open Seating -- like 8 -- and are turned away -- it is even too late to dine at the Lido -- it is closed by that time. And also by that time the speciality restaurants are already filled up for the night.

[bepsf]

But there have been some problems with this as some people may have not been in the dining room on the next to the last evening -- eating in the Lido, the Pinnacle, Canaletto, (Tamarind if you are on a ship that has one) or dining in their cabin). Some do not read the program -- show up when they are ready to dine -- and are surprised to find that they can not dine when they want to. Some have even encountered -- sorry -- no tables left. And if you show up too late at the Open Seating -- like 8 -- and are turned away -- it is even too late to dine at the Lido -- it is closed by that time. And also by that time the speciality restaurants are already filled up for the night.

I could see that leaving a really bad taste in someone's mouth on the last night out - Even if they were able to get something to eat elsewhere, I personally would find the runaround alone to be Uber-annoying - So much so that it might turn a number of people off from booking another cruise on HAL...

In any case, thanks for the discussion - I've just booked my family and I into Pinnacle for last night out dinner aboard Noordam next month in hopes of avoiding the dreaded MCD.

[kazu]

It must differ on the different ships. On the Zuiderdam and the NA we found the last night to be tasteful. Just a parade of the Baked Alaska and a little parade by the waiters.

I could tell that our waiters were enjoying 'stutting their stuff'. (or they were very good at masquerades?)

In any case, although I am not a fan, on our last two cruises, we haven't minded it at all. It was just enough, not too much and it's the time we like to hand the envelopes for our 'little extra' if we have had good service (and we usually do) - so for that reason we don't miss it.

Sorry, don't flame me please :o

[room010]

There have been several threads and polls here about the MCD and the majority of people dislike them intensely. Me too. I know that HAL reads this board so they must know how unpopular the MCD is yet they persist in inflicting on us (and the poor waiters).

[solocanadian]

HAL has brought the Master Chef dinner back in full force. For a couple of years it was slowly disappearing -- but now nearly every ship has it -- on the final night of the cruise. We have sailed on all HAL ships except the Prinsendam and it was never held on a formal night when we cruised.

JMO -- I do not like to end the cruise in "Carnival" style -- I want to be able to say goodbye to my wonderful wait staff and get a few minutes to chat with them. With this Master Chef deal on the last night -- that is gone.

I echo your sentiments!

[Netta7]

We are doing a 17 night this summer. Although it is sold as a 17 night, the same itinerary is offered as a 7 and 10 night cruise. Does this mean we will have 2 MCD's on the Noordam?

Thanks,

Netta7

[Osmosis Jones]

Both times we have been on the Volendam and opted to dine elsewhere for the MCD, we think it would not be our 'cup of tea' an prefer a more sedate dining experience.
Consequently, we have not experienced a MCD, but every single person we spoke to who did attend, raved about it. I have never encountered or overheard passengers with negative feedback, afterall, you don't HAVE to attend.
Perhaps HAL do care and respond to the majority of passengers the actually interact with, and observe on the ships, rather than a small majority of Cruise Critic members expressing their opinions on a forum??

If I felt that strongly about the MCD, I would absolutely write my thoughts on the feedback form - even if that meant attaching an extra page.
You could even address a letter to the relevant personnel.

[bepsf]

We are doing a 17 night this summer. Although it is sold as a 17 night, the same itinerary is offered as a 7 and 10 night cruise. Does this mean we will have 2 MCD's on the Noordam?

Thanks,

Netta7

You have what we call Back-to-Back cruises...
...essentially, you're staying on board for two cruises in a row.

So yes, you'll have two MCD's, two boat drills, two deck barbeques...
...two of everything.

[lorekauf]

For those that think the staff enjoy doing the MCD, what do you expect them to do? Of course they are going to put on a happy face. Do you expect them to mope? I've talked to a number of the staff and I've never come across one that likes it.

[deserttraveler]

About a year ago, I ended up talking with a dining room steward and supervisor in the post-cruise airport and they admitted that they DID NOT like that dinner. I can't stand it, and after enduring 3 of them, will henceforth take advantage of the excellent food and service in the Lido for that last evening.

[Cybergoth]

The people in the Open Seating dining venue are asked the evening before which of 2 times they want to have dinner the next night -- they are given the choice of 5:30 or 8 PM -- and size of table.

But there have been some problems with this as some people may have not been in the dining room on the next to the last evening -- eating in the Lido, the Pinnacle, Canaletto, (Tamarind if you are on a ship that has one) or dining in their cabin). Some do not read the program -- show up when they are ready to dine -- and are surprised to find that they can not dine when they want to. Some have even encountered -- sorry -- no tables left. And if you show up too late at the Open Seating -- like 8 -- and are turned away -- it is even too late to dine at the Lido -- it is closed by that time. And also by that time the speciality restaurants are already filled up for the night.

Isn't there room service available?

[LynnObie]

After putting up with 3 MCDs hoping each time they'd somehow get better we gave up on them about 3 cruises ago. Any discussions we've had on the MCD subject from DR Mgr down to Asst Waiter have left no doubt that they like the MCD even less than we do. We have B2B cruises starting this weekend and will make reservations at either Pinnacle or Canaletto for both MCDs. Since they will be no doubt be held on the final night, any envelopes with extra tips will simply be given out & goodbyes said the night before.

[pms4104]

HAL now is a couple to several years into the MCD ... perhaps it's time for them to tweak it and stage this nonsense at lunch time in the MDR. That way, it wouldn't impact so many cruisers. Further, this food-as-theatrics just isn't in keeping with the image HAL markets ... who thought up this crap, and what were they thinking?

[Krazy Kruizers]

We are doing a 17 night this summer. Although it is sold as a 17 night, the same itinerary is offered as a 7 and 10 night cruise. Does this mean we will have 2 MCD's on the Noordam?

Thanks,

Netta7

I would count on it.

Our Ryndam cruise we booked as a Collector's Cruise -- but you could just go for one of the 7 day segments. Thus there wwas a Master Chef's Dinner on both segments.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Isn't there room service available?

Yes -- but at that hour of the night you can not order from the dining room menu -- in order to order from the dining room menu you have to order within the first 1/2 - 1 hour of the dining room opening at 5:30.

You can order from the cabin service menu. I talked to couple of people and they said that they waited nearly 1 1/2 hours for food to be delivered since everything was centered around this "dinner".

[Krazy Kruizers]

After putting up with 3 MCDs hoping each time they'd somehow get better we gave up on them about 3 cruises ago. Any discussions we've had on the MCD subject from DR Mgr down to Asst Waiter have left no doubt that they like the MCD even less than we do. We have B2B cruises starting this weekend and will make reservations at either Pinnacle or Canaletto for both MCDs. Since they will be no doubt be held on the final night, any envelopes with extra tips will simply be given out & goodbyes said the night before.

That is what we do -- say our goodbyes the night before and pass out our extra tips.

We explain to them that we do not like the Master Chef dinner.

[Krazy Kruizers]

HAL now is a couple to several years into the MCD ... perhaps it's time for them to tweak it and stage this nonsense at lunch time in the MDR. That way, it wouldn't impact so many cruisers. Further, this food-as-theatrics just isn't in keeping with the image HAL markets ... who thought up this crap, and what were they thinking?

We first experienced this dinner in 2005 or 2006 -- don't remember the exact date. It was going strong then on the ships.

Then suddently it was slowly dropped from some of tthe ships. In 2009 we all started to read that it was brought back to most of the ships.

Don't think they can do it at lunch. On the last sea day there is always at least one of the Mariner's Brunch held.

[iceman93]

I find it hilarious that the CC members who despise the MCD somehow always talk to staff who also complain about it. And those of us, like me, who enjoy it always talk to staff who think it's a fun break from the routine. I also find it interesting that when I point this out, the inevitable response from the haters is something along the lines of, "Well, what do you expect them to do, COMPLAIN about it? Of course they're going to put on a happy face!"

Does anyone else see the inherent contradiction in their two arguments?

[lorekauf]

I find it hilarious that the CC members who despise the MCD somehow always talk to staff who also complain about it. And those of us, like me, who enjoy it always talk to staff who think it's a fun break from the routine. I also find it interesting that when I point this out, the inevitable response from the haters is something along the lines of, "Well, what do you expect them to do, COMPLAIN about it? Of course they're going to put on a happy face!"

Does anyone else see the inherent contradiction in their two arguments?

I assume you are talking about me...and no I don't. Maybe the staff feels like that can't tell you the truth so they don't. If you like it well good for you. I don't enjoy making the staff work harder then they already do. If that doesn't bother you so be it.

[Cruising-along]

I find it hilarious that the CC members who despise the MCD somehow always talk to staff who also complain about it. And those of us, like me, who enjoy it always talk to staff who think it's a fun break from the routine. I also find it interesting that when I point this out, the inevitable response from the haters is something along the lines of, "Well, what do you expect them to do, COMPLAIN about it? Of course they're going to put on a happy face!"

Does anyone else see the inherent contradiction in their two arguments?

I wish I could post photos to this site, I have some really good ones taken at a MCD. The pictures say a thousand words. Servers literally kicking up their heels, laughing, making jokes to each other, making the most of it. There's no way it was an act, I watched them when they weren't "on stage" and saw that they were enjoying themselves even when they weren't "on".

As others have said, I too have seen how most of the diners were enjoying themselves. IMO it's just here on CC that we hear such negativity.

Not saying it's something I love either, but I just don't get the heated negativity that comes out about the subject. :confused:

[ithaca gal]

After cruising on Carnival in October, we were very disappointed in the "show" on HAL last month. Our waiter kept telling us about "the show", so we were really expecting a "show". Having the waiters dance around to hand out napkins, then juggle vegetables and throw them in a salad bowl did not seem to be much of a show. On Carnival, the waiters sang a song every night, with choreographed dance moves. We looked forward to it every night. I would be fine if HAL abandoned their half-hearted attempt.

[boards]

We have pictures too and they certainly do not look like they are enjoying themselves. We spoke as they were serving us and they again did not sound or appear as though they didn't like what they were doing. They sang to us from the spiral staircase right beside us and it was very enjoyable to us and it appeared to them. We thank them for their efforts on our behalf.

[m steve]

but I like the menu that night. We try to eat before all the show ends ith the flaming deserts.

[jtl513]

It must differ on the different ships. On the Zuiderdam and the NA we found the last night to be tasteful. Just a parade of the Baked Alaska and a little parade by the waiters.

I could tell that our waiters were enjoying 'stutting their stuff'. (or they were very good at masquerades?)

In any case, although I am not a fan, on our last two cruises, we haven't minded it at all. It was just enough, not too much and it's the time we like to hand the envelopes for our 'little extra' if we have had good service (and we usually do) - so for that reason we don't miss it.

Sorry, don't flame me please :oHaving been on the Nieuw A (just before you) I can tell you that what you/we had is NOT the MCD nonsense. When I asked our waiter early in the cruise what night the MCD was he was noticeably happy to tell me that the N.A. didn't have one!

I agree that the Baked Alaska parade is "just enough".

[Krazy Kruizers]

Before we boarded the Nieuw Amsterdam I made reservations for the Tamarind for the last night of the cruise.

Once we were on the ship, the next to the last night we passed out our tips and explained to everyone that we wouldn't be eating in the main dining room as we don't care for the Master Chef dinner. We were told that as yet (then - Nov 21 - Dec 5) the ship hadn't received the clothes, or hats or anything else for this performance.

[jmps]

We are just of the Ryndam and had the MCD last Saturday night. It was my wife's favorite menu of the week. We really like it especially the duck. The dinner did not take longer. The food was great. Everyone around us had a great time. Having fun did not seem out of character for HAL. :-)

For those first reading about it who haven't been to one, my advice is to actually go to it once to decide whether you like it or not.

[bepsf]

who thought up this crap, and what were they thinking?

Bill Prince - The guy who thought that rearranging the furniture in the showlounges and changing the showtimes would improve the entertainment.
:cool:

[boards]

For sure if you are planning on enjoying the evening the right thing to do is not attend and eat in one of the other dining areas where you will. Enjoying one's self is what cruising is all about.

[taxmantoo]

I wish I could post photos to this site, I have some really good ones taken at a MCD. The pictures say a thousand words. Servers literally kicking up their heels, laughing, making jokes to each other, making the most of it. There's no way it was an act, I watched them when they weren't "on stage" and saw that they were enjoying themselves even when they weren't "on". :confused:

We were on the Zuiderdam in October and can certainly attest to the above. We were assigned a table very close to the entrance to the MDR where we could easily see outside the MDR (near the yum-yum station) and hear what was happening. That is where the waiters congregate before making their grand entrance and between courses and they were certainly having a great time. They were all laughing it up, telling jokes, even taking pictures of each other with the hats on. They certainly did not seem humiliated to us. It is the one night of the week where they can put decorum aside and let loose. Granted, it is not for everyone, and we are thankful to those of you who prefer to go elsewhere. That is definitely a better option than showing up in the MDR and ruining everybody else's little fun.

[kyriecat]

I'm not a fan of waiters dancing around with salad bowls and juggling fruit, but I'm not going to say that HAL shouldn't do it. My complaint about the MCD is having it on the last night. I enjoy fixed dinner seating with a large table so I'd prefer a quiet, relaxing dinner where I can talk with my tablemates rather than loud music and distractions. If HAL wants to put on a dinner show, having it earlier in the cruise would be better, in my opinion.

[LoyHAL]

HAL has brought the Master Chef dinner back in full force. For a couple of years it was slowly disappearing -- but now nearly every ship has it -- on the final night of the cruise. We have sailed on all HAL ships except the Prinsendam and it was never held on a formal night when we cruised.

JMO -- I do not like to end the cruise in "Carnival" style -- I want to be able to say goodbye to my wonderful wait staff and get a few minutes to chat with them. With this Master Chef deal on the last night -- that is gone.


Amen to this! The last evening used to be special -- now it is something to be avoided! Too bad. We just say goodbye the night before and head for the Pinnacle Grill or other.
LoyHAL