Room Service on Formal Nights

[ZuzuT]

After reading as many posts as I can, it seems to me that there is some debate about the availibility of Lobster in the Lido on formal night. So ... can anyone tell me about their experiences with ordering room service on Formal night. We are trying to cut down on packing and meet the needs of a 77 year old travelling with a 13 year old and two 50 year olds.

We are going to be on the Zuiderdam 10day trip to Panama at the end of March if that info helps.

[sail7seas]

We have never personally done so but I have read of people having lobster delivered by room service on formal night. If you call during the first 30 minutes the dining room starts serving dinner that evening and place your order for whatever later time you wish, I think the chances are good you will be accomodated ...within reason.

[hammybee]

The quality and quantiy of the lobster on any mass marketed cruise ship, is probably not worth dining in cabin, assuming lobster is the only reason you are doing so, especially if all four of you are sharing a cabin.

[ginger and professor]

I agree with Hammy, the lobster on formal nights is not what you expect. The only time the lobster has been good was on the New England cruises. The frozen lobster that you get on the usual cruise is not what you are expecting. My recommendation is to order two of the filets and forget the lobster on the surf and turf.

[Cruise To Relax]

Our experience on Noordam in Nov 08 was great. We had our 2 sons, a daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. My son and his wife wanted to go to the Pinnacle Grill for formal night. We chose to stay in the room with our older son and 2 year old granddaughter so as not to cause any problems for other diners. We called room service and each ordered a meal and then asked for a 1 extra lobster tail for each of us (we ordered the steak and lobster). They brought us our meals plus 3 extra meals of lobster (2 tails in each meal). Wow, what a surprise. Our lobster was much better than we expected although, as stated above, not very large and probably not what some folks expect. The service was superb and we had a great time dining on the balcony. All in all, we had a great meal with my son and granddaughter and did not cause any problems in the dining room. I would guess, as most folks say about food, that it is very subjective. We were happy and enjoyed a wonderful evening. Some folks would not like it I guess and that is their right.

[HALFans]

I just want to be clear on this.

T - A - I - L - S.

Lobster TAILS is what HAL serves. The days of whole lobster, or lobsters split down the middle are, sadly, in the past for the great number of HAL cruises.

...And IMO they're a LOT better than the 'Lobster' we get here in the Sonoran Desert. :eek:

[kakalina]

My DH has had the lobster dinner or surf and turf delivered to the stateroom on formal nights. He has thoroughly enjoyed those meals and they contained everything I had in the MDR.
It seems to me the lobster availability in the Lido may have to do with the length of the cruise. I may be wrong, I often am, but on our 30 day or longer it is there and on our shorter cruises it doesn't seem to be.

[ZuzuT]

Thanks everybody. I think that gives me enough information to plan with.

[DizzyDallasDi]

I was completely satisfied with the surf and turf delivered to my cabin. I can't imagine it being any better in the dining room. The steak was tender and cooked to perfection and the lobster tail was succulent and delicious. All the trimmings were included and served at proper temperatures. Pop that bottle of champagne your travel agent sent to your room and enjoy a fabulous meal in the comfort of your cabin in your robe or whatever attire you desire. I love that HAL does not restrict your room service menu to a couple of sandwiches or cold tough pizza. They truly do this right!

Diane