Just off Explorer/Hoping "O" food is better

[iowacruiser]

Just got off the Explorer of the Seas and while the cruise was fun, the food was marginal. We ate in the Portofino 3 times becase the dining room menu was so unappealing.
Had eggs benedict one morning and I could have used the poached eggs as golf balls.
Sailing Oosterdam Jan 2nd nd praying the food is up to HAL standards.

[Little Feet]

We shared your opinion of RCCL food on their mega ships when we were on the Voyager of the Seas. They don't seem to do so well when serving to 3,000 passengers. We also found the alternative restaurant to be the way to go. The food was excellent, however, on the RCCL Nordic Empress....now the Empress of the Seas...but it is a very small ship. It was several years ago...the food and service were great.

I'm sure you will like HAL food. We have been on the Zuiderdam 3 times and the only menu we found unpleasant is on "Dutch Night". Do go to the Pinnacle that night, and make your reservations early. Most on board will be trying to avoid "Dutch Night" with you! Celebrity food is excellent, too.....and it is probably my favorite dining of all the major cruise lines. I prefer HAL for service, pleasing crew, and pampering!

[Tatka]

I would rate HAL (Zuiderdam) food between Celebrity(Century) and RCI(Splendour).

It's almost as good as Celebrity's (more choices in buffets on HAL..about 8-10 different fresh juices for breakfest and different stations for lunch, ) and much better than RCI.

With both RCI and HAL being understaffed.

[Nautical Wheeler]

Just came off the Oosterdam. The food was very good and well presented but we had many service issues. Hopefully these problems will be resolved by the time you cruise.:(

[DB469]

I just booked my first HAL cruise on the Zuiderdam....I have read many posts about people not liking the dutch menu for dinner that evening. Can anybody give me an idea what is on the menu? Also, if there isn't anything we like, could we just order a steak or something else?