The end of the Master Chef Dinner

[ColoradoCherry]

According to Haris (dining room asst manager on the Zuiderdam), after many comments from passengers and crew over the past year, the Master Chef dinner is coming to an end, and the anticipated phase out is in March.

[NMLady]

according to haris (dining room asst manager on the zuiderdam), after many comments from passengers and crew over the past year, the master chef dinner is coming to an end, and the anticipated phase out is in march.


yay!!

[sportsmum]

Just off the Veendam. A very subdued last dinner. They did not dance around the dining room or have a baked Alaska parade. They stood near the band and sang one song. A crew member or two made a half hearted attempt at swinging a napkin and a very few patrons followed suit.

It was still a little uncomfortable to watch but much better than before. Glad it's almost over.

[MrsMuir]

Perfect timing! Thanks for the good news.

Mrs M

[SwissMyst]

According to Haris (dining room asst manager on the Zuiderdam), after many comments from passengers and crew over the past year, the Master Chef dinner is coming to an end, and the anticipated phase out is in March.

Double yay!

[lorekauf]

It's dying a slow death. I'd heard they were getting rid of it last year on the Westerdam in April. I guess nothing moves fast other than debarkation:D.

[kazu]

well, we'll see what happens on the Maasdam in March (we're too early).

But I have to say the last night on the P'dam was very nice. No flinging napkins and a very classy evening with some recognition. We enjoyed it

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I for one will be glad to see it is gone but I have heard this before :D When we were on the Oosterdam for Hawall October. They were told it had ended so there was not one that last night. But I think the ship was premature in ending it and had to bring it back.
I guess we will see what the Westerdam does on March 24th which will be our last night on board. Although I think to be safe I will still book the Pinnacle that night ;)

[Toad]

Does anyone know who the dining room manager is on the Zuiderdam?

[cruisinjudy]

We didn't have the song and dance on Maasdam in January. Just the song as described above and a master Chef's menu.

[ColoradoCherry]

Does anyone know who the dining room manager is on the Zuiderdam?


The Dining room manager is Indra, he's very nice! Give him my regards :)

[sail7seas]

We didn't have the song and dance on Maasdam in January. Just the song as described above and a master Chef's menu.


Was the song Gulang, Gulang?

I miss hearing that.
We used to enjoy hearing them sing that the last night before they started the Master Chef program. We stopped going to the dining room last night after seeing Master Chef dinner when they first started it.

[aliaschief]

A HM on a recent cruise affirmed it would be gone but he also stated it would most likely probably be replaced with another type theme. He also mentioned that there would probably be a Hal ship designated to test it out before fleet wide implementation.

Never have been a fan of MCD but I do hope that it's replacement will be tastefully done and memorable and not fall into the same mode as the MCD and feeling of been there and done that.

A nice memorable dinner experience where we want to spend the last evening with our dining staff versus seeking alternative dining venues; would be a nice improvement.

We will just have to wait and see and I'm sure various opinions will be heavily discussed on these boards.

[tjcox9]

After being told early last year on one of the dam ships that the MCD was on its' way out, we've been eagerly anticipating its' demise. But, it had not happened. So, we always make alternate dining reservations for that night.

However, on our last cruise on the Veendam, our last night was a rather late port night in Montevideo with an early arrival in Buenos Aires, and we found out that dinner would be as normal!!!! Yippee! So, we were able to cancel the reservation and enjoy that last night in the dining room with the waiters and wine steward who had taken such good care of us.

And our next cruise isn't until late April, so hope this will be a non-issue by then.:D

[brainyblonde]

I like to think that over the years Cruise Critic posters have voiced loud and clear their feelings about the fiasco!

Let's pat ourselves on the back that perhaps we also had a hand in changing the system!!!!

brainyblonde

[nana51]

It was alive and well last week on the Oosterdam with swinging napkins and a baked Alaska parade. I have to tell you it was sure enjoyed by everyone we saw. The whole room was waving their napkins. So many more reactions like that and it will come back.

[aliaschief]

Not sure if it is our postings here on CC or the fact many of us have been complaining about it on the end of cruise surveys.

[SwissMyst]

There is nothing wrong with a short, sentimental and sweet farewell conclusion to a cruise. Just not this one. Surely there must be a lovely Indonesian farewell song that does not require hype, hip-hop and brassy amplification.

[Wakepatrol]

I like to think that over the years Cruise Critic posters have voiced loud and clear their feelings about the fiasco!

Let's pat ourselves on the back that perhaps we also had a hand in changing the system!!!!

brainyblonde

Yea, that's it.

Next up is when the captain should use the stabilizers
:rolleyes:

[Himself]

according to haris (dining room asst manager on the zuiderdam), after many comments from passengers and crew over the past year, the master chef dinner is coming to an end, and the anticipated phase out is in march.

"Te Deum Laudamus!"

[SilvertoGold]

"Te Deum Laudamus!"


Gratias ago!

[erewhon]

According to Haris (dining room asst manager on the Zuiderdam), after many comments from passengers and crew over the past year, the Master Chef dinner is coming to an end, and the anticipated phase out is in March.

Thank you for posting this good news.

[cruisinjudy]

Was the song Gulang, Gulang?

I miss hearing that.
We used to enjoy hearing them sing that the last night before they started the Master Chef program. We stopped going to the dining room last night after seeing Master Chef dinner when they first started it.
Oh dear, now I don't even remember,but I don't think so. Inn Lady probably knows.

[RuthC]

Let's hope the replacement doesn't make us long for the days of the Master Chef's Dinner. ;)

[Raring to go]

Just off the Zaandam last week, and the napkin waving, singing and baked Alaska were in full force. I thought the food offerings were not as good as the other nights.

[falcon10156]

Just of Veendam a couple of weeks ago - no parade, no Baked Alaska, the waiters sang (however they were all on the door side of the dining room and made it hard to hear them throughout. If they are going to do it then they should spread out so we can all hear.) - Nice that it was less formal. A couple of passengers started to wave napkins but most people just sat back and listened. In some ways it is a tradition that some will miss, but I am all for new traditions so lets see how it goes.

Debbie

[Lauren]

Oh, bummer. I guess we are in the minority here but we loved the chef's dinner and the dancing and singing, etc.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Actually what I disliked the most was the menu, there was nothing my husband and I cared to eat the singing and dancing limited would be OK if they just got rid of the terrrible menu, I actually long for the old days when they did sing Gulang Gulang. I loved the Fairwell song and it always brought tears to my eyes. I actually did not mind the Baked Alaska Parade but along the time of the dancing veggies and the silly menu was about when I said I give up. I think we honestly gave it a try at least 3 maybe 4 times that was it.

[airlink diva]

I really never cared for Master Chef Dinner. I also hate the fact that often half my tablemates would not eat in the dining room the last night because of this.
Now I would love the last night to be a Dutch theme like they use to have when I first start sailing on HAL. The menu was great and I still have my hats :D:D!

[iancal]

We would be very happy with just the regular dinner menu and great service.

[startwin]

We would be very happy with just the regular dinner menu.

Me too! I never enjoyed the Dutch dinners very much.

[Spinner2]

The rolls are good from the Master Chef menu. Maybe those will show up someplace on the menu.

Yes, Gulang, Gulang. And they used to pass out little slips of paper with the words so everyone could sing.

[xjust4fun]

Now this is great news, we were never fond of this practice. Glad to see that HAL finally started reading some of our comments.

[localady]

On the Oosterdam last week there was no Master Chef production with set dining times, though the menu was still Master Chef.
There was the traditional Baked Alaska parade and song though. Our waiter indicated they were relieved to not be tossing salad anymore! ;) :D

[jcrandle]

I always felt that the MCD was an attempt to convince cruisers to go to the specialty restaurants.

[JamesEM]

The night of the Maser Chefs Dinner was a trip to the Lido for us.

[GeriatricNurse]

I really never cared for Master Chef Dinner. I also hate the fact that often half my tablemates would not eat in the dining room the last night because of this.
Now I would love the last night to be a Dutch theme like they use to have when I first start sailing on HAL. The menu was great and I still have my hats :D:D!

So do I! :) The boys hats were black & the girls were white! ;)

[KirkNC]

According to Haris (dining room asst manager on the Zuiderdam), after many comments from passengers and crew over the past year, the Master Chef dinner is coming to an end, and the anticipated phase out is in March.

Too bad it's not over by February.

[KirkNC]

I always felt that the MCD was an attempt to convince cruisers to go to the specialty restaurants.

Well it worked because that is where we usually went.

[world~citizen]

Let's hope the replacement doesn't make us long for the days of the Master Chef's Dinner. ;)

There is much wisdom is that.

Still, I have to say we were embarrassed for the wait staff and servers on the evening of the MCD. Like many, we avoided it. I am surprised it lasted as long as it did.

Maybe instead we should have a server appreciation night where the passengers do the cooking and serving for the DR folk. ;):eek::D

Smooth sailing...

[sapper1]

Let's hope the replacement doesn't make us long for the days of the Master Chef's Dinner. ;)
You mean--"Be careful what you wish for--you just might get it"!!!:eek:

[Randyk47]

A year plus ago I too heard that the Master Chef's Dinner was been or was going to be discontinued and was surprised when we had it on the Maasdam last March. Maybe this more recent "announcement" is correct and they finally are going to drop this soon. I will say that the version on the Maasdam was extremely limited and quick compared to just a year earlier when it was the full blown "Broadway" production. Once or twice was kind of fun and interesting but it got old quickly.

[NanaBnana]

Just off NA, still had the meal but no danicng. The food was actually better and there were more choices. It wasn't rushed or disorganized like the dinner has been in the past.

[PumpkinPatches]

IMHO, I will miss the MCD. I always enjoyed the singing and dancing since it was the last night of the cruise and I always had lots of fun at the MCD. However on my last HAL cruise on the Oosterdam, they didn't give us chef hats like they did in previous cruises so it wasn't as much fun as before. They might as well get rid of the whole thing as long as they're not giving out chef hats but I will miss the way it used to be..

[sapper1]

IMHO, I will miss the MCD. I always enjoyed the singing and dancing since it was the last night of the cruise and I always had lots of fun at the MCD. However on my last HAL cruise on the Oosterdam, they didn't give us chef hats like they did in previous cruises so it wasn't as much fun as before. They might as well get rid of the whole thing as long as they're not giving out chef hats but I will miss the way it used to be..

Chef hats =hat head which is as bad as bed head 

[lorekauf]

Chef hats =hat head which is as bad as bed head 
No kidding. I refused to wear that dumb thing.

[Infi]

I sure hope this is true. I have never been a fan of making the hard working waitstaff dance and sing, and the menu is pretty awful too so I hope it does go away. But, I'm also a little wary as to whether or not they'll replace it with something worse. :eek:

[startwin]

The rolls are good from the Master Chef menu. Maybe those will show up someplace on the menu.

Yes, Gulang, Gulang. And they used to pass out little slips of paper with the words so everyone could sing.

I loved that song, and it always made me very emotional!:o

[cruisinjudy]

On the Oosterdam last week there was no Master Chef production with set dining times, though the menu was still Master Chef.
There was the traditional Baked Alaska parade and song though. Our waiter indicated they were relieved to not be tossing salad anymore! ;) :D
We didn't even have the Baked Alaska parade and the Baked Alaska came in single servings.

[iriemon]

I am really hoping that they change the menu. To be the last meal served on your vacation that didn't put good parting thoughts in my head. We usually eat in the Pinnacle that night.

[SwissMyst]

Sounds like we should go long with Gulang.

[GeoGeotraveler]

According to Haris (dining room asst manager on the Zuiderdam), after many comments from passengers and crew over the past year, the Master Chef dinner is coming to an end, and the anticipated phase out is in March.
I am so glad to hear that the Master's Chef's Dinner may be coming to an end. I didn't mind the festivities and the crew always seemed to enjoy doing it, but the food tasted like it came in a cardboard box and was microwaved. Really awful! I have been complaining about it for years and years. I like what they do on Carnival when the crew sings or entertains in the diningroom nightly.

[kazu]

You mean--"Be careful what you wish for--you just might get it"!!!:eek:

Or 'better the devil you know than the one you might get' :D:D:D

[bepsf]

Well it worked because that is where we usually went.

Indeed - Our past few cruises, Pinnacle has been jam-packed during MCD nite.

Will be nice to have simple, quiet dinners on last night out again.

[RSWBADGER]

According to Haris (dining room asst manager on the Zuiderdam), after many comments from passengers and crew over the past year, the Master Chef dinner is coming to an end, and the anticipated phase out is in March.

The Master Chef Dinner was alive and well on our February 24th Noordam Sailing.
http://image81.webshots.com/81/0/19/84/2283019840079335670Epivru_fs.jpg

[PathfinderEss]

According to Haris (dining room asst manager on the Zuiderdam), after many comments from passengers and crew over the past year, the Master Chef dinner is coming to an end, and the anticipated phase out is in March.
Couldn't be happier. Nothing like over working your employee's after they already work many, many hours. I know many of them thought it was a stupid program along with a lot of the passengers. Good riddance I say........

[RSWBADGER]

The Master Chef Dinner was alive and well on our February 24th Noordam Sailing.


http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/49594/2283019840079335670S600x600Q85.jpg

[Harris Jeffer]

My Latin is rusty ....but I hope Himself said goodridance ! :rolleyes:

[tomc]

I went to it far too often -- and I only went once.

[2disneydads]

According to Porthole Magazine, the MCD is being replaced by an International Dinner. Foods from several international (I guess that means non-American) cuisines will be featured. Guests supposedly will have the option of mixing cuisines over the courses or staying with one cuisine over all of the courses. This is going to be the final dinner of each cruise.

[SilvertoGold]

My Latin is rusty ....but I hope Himself said goodridance ! :rolleyes:

In a way, yes!

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Master Chef dinner was alive and well on the Upper Level of the dining room on the Maasdam when we left the ship on March 2.

I certainly do hope that it is done away with.

The first segment of our cruise we went to the Canaletto -- which was horrible and on the second segment we went to the Pinnacle to avoid the Master Chef dinner.

[iflyrc5]

Our last evening on the Rotterdam on 3 Mar we did not have the full MCD - just a Baked Alaska Parade followed by the crew singing. Much better than the full MCD.

[Typhoon1]

No loss. It makes me wonder if we will see a return of Dutch Night.

[dobiemom]

No loss. It makes me wonder if we will see a return of Dutch Night.
I love Dutch night... especially the hats! ;)

[foodsvcmgr]

On EURODAM February 25th sailing the MCD had been replaced by "International Night", we were told this was the second week of the new program.

Seemed like a fairly typical menu with the addition of Baked Alaska looking it over outside MDR.
Can't comment on the food as we were pre-booked in Pinnacle in anticipation of wanting to avoid MCD.

[sail7seas]

Anyone know what makes it "International Night"? I wonder what they do that distinguishes it from all other nights? :confused:

[pms4104]

Anyone know what makes it "International Night"? I wonder what they do that distinguishes it from all other nights? :confused:
Tho not a HAL news release, post #60 above cites a magazine that indicates a selection of international cuisines ... but in implementing these new menus, perhaps HAL also will have the dining room staff juggle vegetables of international origin, such as jicama:rolleyes:

[foodsvcmgr]

Sail - in response to your question, reading over the menu I did not really note anything particularly exotic or unusual, it seemed pretty typical.
Unlike the MCD, however, the Always Available section was still offered.:)

[3rdGenCunarder]

Tho not a HAL news release, post #60 above cites a magazine that indicates a selection of international cuisines ... but in implementing these new menus, perhaps HAL also will have the dining room staff juggle vegetables of international origin, such as jicama:rolleyes:

Shhhhh! Don't give them any ideas! :eek:

I would love to see the end of the MCD. As others have said, the waitstaff have enough to do without having to sing, dance, and juggle.

I have never liked the napkin waving. It's the end of the meal--do you know what you've spilled on it? Do we need bread crumbs flung through the air? I was dismayed to see napkin waving has made it to Cunard. On our last night on QM2, they didn't do a baked alaska parade as they used to on cunard. Instead, they had a parade of chefs and kitchen staff so that passengers could applaud to show their appreciation. That's a nice variation on a final something. But they encouraged the napkin waving. All I could think of was the "terrible towels" at a football game. :p It just doesn't belong in a proper dining room.

A final something--chef's parade, baked alaska parade, or goodbye song. One of these is sufficient. Please, no chef's hat--I didn't do the cooking, why should I wear a chef's hat????? And please, no napkin waving.

[artnak]

I'm glad that they are finally doing away with the MCD ..

I really hate baked Alaska .. so on every final cruise night, there was no dessert for me ..

what a way to end a cruise. :(
.
.
.

[3rdGenCunarder]

I'm glad that they are finally doing away with the MCD ..

I really hate baked Alaska .. so on every final cruise night, there was no dessert for me ..

what a way to end a cruise. :(
.
.
.

No alternate dessert offered? :eek: Wow, baked alaska is loaded with sugar--sometimes the meringe is crunchy from the sugar. What about people who want a sugar-free dessert?

I don't care for baked alaska, either. No wonder I avoid the MCD!!

[djhsolara]

On EURODAM February 25th sailing the MCD had been replaced by "International Night", we were told this was the second week of the new program.

Seemed like a fairly typical menu with the addition of Baked Alaska looking it over outside MDR.
Can't comment on the food as we were pre-booked in Pinnacle in anticipation of wanting to avoid MCD.

We were on the February 25th sailing of Eurodam as well and were in the MDR on the last night. I'm not really sure why it was called International Night. I asked our server and he told us that the sailing prior to ours was the last MCD on Eurodam.

We had what seemed to be a regular menu, but after dinner it all seemed to be a little off in the timing. Many tables were served Baked Alaska for our dessert and while we were eating it they did the parade of Baked Alaskas (I've never had it served prior to the parade before). After the parade they finished serving the Baked Alaska and then they sang the farewell song. There was much waving of napkins from everyone around the dining room during the parade and during the song. Of course the sparklers were gone and there were no glow sticks or anything like that during the parade.

On Westerdam last year we were offered a dessert menu in addition to the Baked Alaska, but on this sailing it was Baked Alaska...no dessert menu offered. I don't know if that was a general thing all around the MDR or if we just had servers that decided they weren't offering additional dessert.

:) :)

[sail7seas]

Sail - in response to your question, reading over the menu I did not really note anything particularly exotic or unusual, it seemed pretty typical.
Unlike the MCD, however, the Always Available section was still offered.:)


Thanks.

We don't care for MCD and have avoided it for years.
I suspect we will continue to be out of the dining room last night from the sound of things....at least for a while to see what finally 'shakes out'. :)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I think to play it safe I will plan to go to the Pinnacle the last evening ;) Till further reports come in for the International Night

[3rdGenCunarder]

Thanks.

We don't care for MCD and have avoided it for years.
I suspect we will continue to be out of the dining room last night from the sound of things....at least for a while to see what finally 'shakes out'. :)





I think to play it safe I will plan to go to the Pinnacle the last evening ;) Till further reports come in for the International Night

Aw, c'mon, we need an experienced Mariner to check it out. Take one for the team!!! :D

[djhsolara]

I've never understood why the last formal night (generally the next to last night on a 7-night Caribbean) is called the Farewell Dinner. Why wouldn't the last night be called the Farewell Dinner?


Douglas...Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GeriatricNurse]

According to Porthole Magazine, the MCD is being replaced by an International Dinner. Foods from several international (I guess that means non-American) cuisines will be featured. Guests supposedly will have the option of mixing cuisines over the courses or staying with one cuisine over all of the courses. This is going to be the final dinner of each cruise.


The "International Dinner" sounds confusing! :confused: I'll be happy to enjoy my dinner, as I always do, in the Lido! ;)

[Krazy Kruizers]

No loss. It makes me wonder if we will see a return of Dutch Night.

I love Dutch night... especially the hats! ;)

We loved Dutch Night -- HAL can bring that back.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I'm glad that they are finally doing away with the MCD ..

I really hate baked Alaska .. so on every final cruise night, there was no dessert for me ..

what a way to end a cruise. :(
.
.
.

Years ago on the last formal night -- there was a small dessert menu offering -- the main item was Baked Alaska. You could order one of the other 2 or 3 items but you had to wait and wait until after the parade and the BaKed Alaska was served before (and if) you got one of the other desserts that you ordered. We hate the dining room's Baked Alaska and since we couldn't get the other dessert served in a timely manor we would just tip our servers and leave after our entrees.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Reading all this stuff about International Night replacing Master Chef - I think I will skip it as well until I see the menu and what will actually be served.

[GeriatricNurse]

We loved Dutch Night -- HAL can bring that back.

So did I! I still have my one and only black Dutch sailor's cap! :)

[cmdchiefthom]

We loved Dutch Night -- HAL can bring that back.

Love the hats, hated the food!:eek:

[2disneydads]

Dutch Night would be a wonderful return - we had some great times at Dutch night.

[bepsf]

I was dismayed to see napkin waving has made it to Cunard. On our last night on QM2, they didn't do a baked alaska parade as they used to on cunard. Instead, they had a parade of chefs and kitchen staff so that passengers could applaud to show their appreciation. That's a nice variation on a final something. But they encouraged the napkin waving.

Thank goodness we won't have to deal with that in the Grills...
:cool:

[foodsvcmgr]

Don't know why the actual last night of the cruise is not the Farewll Dinner either, but I can tell you since my first cruise on the LEONARDO DA VINCI in 1978 it has always been this way as typically the next to last night was the final formal night.

[redwinger]

Bring back Dutch night, hats and all!

[Typhoon1]

I love Dutch night... especially the hats! ;)

I could do without either. A traditional dinner in the MDR is just fine.