Warning Harry's Supper Club Surf & Turf

[gracie65]

Just back from The Liberty & had a wonderful cruise. Great Halloween activities, great food in Main Dining Room & Supper Club except The Surf & Turf.
I have always been a Supper Club Cheerleader & always gotten the surf & turf every time I have gone. Last year on The Valor it was so good we ate there twice. The surf & turf was no different then what I had in the dining room the night before on this trip.
Everything else in The Supper Club was wonderful. The Crab Cake, Lobster Bisque. DH got the Bone in Rib-Eye again wonderful. Our friends got The Porterhouse & The Lamb Chops and they were great as well.
Had I not eaten at the Supper Club so many times I would have thought the surf & turf was the norm but I've gotten it enough to know that this was in no way up to par. I politely complained & they brought out a new Fillet. They actually came out took it off my plate with tongs then brought the new one the same way which was a bit tacky.
Got the second fillet and it was worse then the first. The hostess came over to check on the second one & again probably more polite then I should have been told her I had eaten the surf & turf each time I had gone to a Supper Club and this was just not the same quality as normal. She made no apologies or excuses.
I have always compared to a Ruth's Chris type of place & the other cuts were just not the surf & turf so be prepared when you order for it to not be as good as the other cuts of meats.

[Crazy4Koko]

Funny.. I just had a similar experience at the Sun King on the Freedom last week.....


http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...327&highlight=

[pjtulsa]

I had the same on the Valor in Sept and thought that maybe it was just me and that I had imagined it better than it was... My lobster was also not very good...

If I were you I would send a letter to Carnival. I think they need to know that we do notice the changes taking place. If I hadn't waited so long I think I would do it too, but snooze you loose...

[cathyz]

I had the surf & turf on the Splendor in the Pinnacle Steakhouse 3 weeks ago and it was better than ever, the filet was fork tender and the lobster was delicious. Like any restaurant, the product from their suppliers can vary, but they probably should have accommodated the situation better.

[Crazy4Koko]

I did contact Carnival as soon as I got home, using the 'contact us' button on the website.

We are just off the Freedom after a fantastic 8 day cruise. Just want to give you my opinion of my long awaited Supper Club reservation. Not knowing how much room I have to write this, I'll keep it short. MEDIUM should not moo, Women are NOT called SIR.( not once.. but TWICE for TWO women in our party) Accompaniments should should be served immediately after putting a plate in front of you, not after every one has gotten their plate plus a few extra minutes. Dessert was the only thing that was perfect about our Supper club experience, even though the regular coffee was wallpaper remover in disguise. The next evening I spoke to my MDR waitstaff and told them that their service was VOLUMES better than what I had experienced the previous evening in the Sun King. I really expected a higher caliber of service in the Sun King, not giggling waitresses joking amongst themselves. It was truly a disappointment.




I wasn't impressed with the response I got..

Thank you for contacting Carnival Cruise Lines. We have received your e-mail message and appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.


We appreciate you taking the time to share your cruise experiences with us. Please be assured that your observations are important to us. We extend our sincere apologies for the disappointment you experienced.


Thank you again for choosing Carnival Cruise Lines. We hope you allow us an opportunity to welcome you back.


Sounds like a typical canned response to me....

[pjtulsa]

Originally Posted by Crazy4Koko

jI wasn't impressed with the response I got..

Thank you for contacting Carnival Cruise Lines. We have received your e-mail message and appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.


We appreciate you taking the time to share your cruise experiences with us. Please be assured that your observations are important to us. We extend our sincere apologies for the disappointment you experienced.


Thank you again for choosing Carnival Cruise Lines. We hope you allow us an opportunity to welcome you back.


Sounds like a typical canned response to me....

It sounds automated to me.... I would put in print and mail it in...

Our experience was with a group of 10 and the service was not up to par either... We thought it was because there were 10 of us but that is no excuse... They build this up as something special and it should be. I am not sure I will try it again for awhile... I guess if the food/service in the MDR gets worse I may

[gracie65]

If a ship I have sailed on has had the Supper Club we have always gone & everything been awesome. We did have a really good waiter named Thomasluv. Not sure if the spelling is correct but that's how it sounded.
The hostess even said she remembered us from The Valor twice. Not sure how as it was just DH & I and all was wonderful. I could see remembering a guest who had caused a scene about somethingLOL. I just know there is usually a huge difference between the Supper Club Surf and Turf and the MDR surf & turf.This time they were equal.
I'm sure if I complained to Carnival I would get a response much like the above poster.
I will have to say the MDR food was much better then on The Valor last year.
Both places have a problem with cold baked potatoes. Wish they would have the scalloped one's like the Crown Grill's on Princess.

[mom2tcdx2]

I have done the supper club twice now and I must say while it was ok, I really don't feel it warranted $30 pp service charge. On the Pride our dining room servers were so much better than in David's. We had luke warm water (I had to ask for a glass of ice just to put in the water) glasses remained empty, we had to ask for refills. No bar service was offered except for wine. Waitresses changed mid way through the meal. Food was good, thought a bit better than the dining room but not by much. Not so sure that I wish to even attempt the Chef's Art on the Dream.

[cruise pup]

I've heard that the Supper Club has changed a lot. Some of it has to do with the relaxed dressing and such that it is no longer considered an upscale experience. However, if they charge $30.00 then the quality of the food should have not been affected. I've been to the Supper Club twice and both times were excellent. I considered the cuisine superior to the specialty restaurants on Holland America, NCL, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess and even Todd English on the QM2. I do know that when my sister was about to sail on Carnival I highly recommended the Supper Club and told her that the Seafood Martini appetizer was a must (my waiter brought me an extra) but it was no longer offered when she dined there. Something told me then that there were changes being made and not for the better.

[mj]

We were on the Liberty on 10/24 and ate at Harrys. Thought the lobster was better in the main dining room; however, thought the filet was good. It was not as good as the filet we had on the Glory, but still very good and tender. Also, much better than the one we had in the main dining room. Everything else was very good to excellent.

[salty dingo]

Was the problem with the filet related to over or uner cooking, or was the beef quality not up to par? They advertise USDA prime meat. If a lower grade is used instead, many people can tell the difference.

If they simply run out of the prime filet, they should be up front about it and not continue to serve the dish unless the passenger approved of the substitute meat.

I wonder if they will do as some steakhouses do, and bring the uncooked to you for your approval before cooking it? Could not hurt to ask. How hard would it be for them to bring a piece of meat to the table?

[dan40]

never mind

[Snorkel2Much]

Originally Posted by Crazy4Koko

Funny.. I just had a similar experience at the Sun King on the Freedom last week.....


http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...327&highlight=

The only one of our party of 8 on our Freedom cruise in September who ordered the surf & turf said the same thing. The rest of our meals were great.

[pnjkeith]

Originally Posted by dan40

never mind

Come on, say it! You know you want to.

[Nunu]

Originally Posted by pnjkeith

Come on, say it! You know you want to.

beef grades 101?

[salty dingo]

Well, no surf and turf for me! I'm leaning toward the Prime Rib Chop! The Porterhouse looks good but I don't know if I could eat a 24 oz steak with everything else they serve.

[jonbgd]

Originally Posted by Crazy4Koko

I did contact Carnival as soon as I got home, using the 'contact us' button on the website.


I wasn't impressed with the response I got..

Thank you for contacting Carnival Cruise Lines. We have received your e-mail message and appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.


We appreciate you taking the time to share your cruise experiences with us. Please be assured that your observations are important to us. We extend our sincere apologies for the disappointment you experienced.


Thank you again for choosing Carnival Cruise Lines. We hope you allow us an opportunity to welcome you back.


Sounds like a typical canned response to me....

The Customer service has gone down with Carnival. Ever since Bob retired
The new CEO is about the Bottom line not customer service
I ve eaten a dozen supperclubs on different CCL ships and have always had great food and service Last year on the Valor I watched another waitress, not mine, Pick her nose and handle silverware a couple times and then give it to the other table. GROSS! Never saw the hostess except for her hanging out at the bar talking to another Officer. The sommelier sat us and brought us the bill.
I complained to the asst Maitre'd the next night at the MCR after she asked about my experience and she said they would take care of it.
When we got home I wrote multiple emails to my PVP and they got lost somewhere. Finally i called Carnival and got a special email at guest services...... and they basically sent me the same email you recieved
If Bob was still there I would have gotten an apology from his office(his assistant) and comps whether a drink or something.
I wasnt asking for any comps but something stating an admission of lousy service would have been great
Thats the reason we have gone on a couple other cruise lines since then including RCCL in 2 weeks if they dont care about us why should we be loyal

Do tell .
Y'all actually pay for better service and food .
Or so you thought ?

I guess that will show that your willing to spend more money than I .
RW's here at the beach , by far famous for their hot dogs !
A buck fifty will do ya proud ! I guarantee you will love it !

[picklebongo]

Originally Posted by jonbgd

The Customer service has gone down with Carnival. Ever since Bob retired
The new CEO is about the Bottom line not customer service
I ve eaten a dozen supperclubs on different CCL ships and have always had great food and service Last year on the Valor I watched another waitress, not mine, Pick her nose and handle silverware a couple times and then give it to the other table. GROSS! Never saw the hostess except for her hanging out at the bar talking to another Officer. The sommelier sat us and brought us the bill.
I complained to the asst Maitre'd the next night at the MCR after she asked about my experience and she said they would take care of it.
When we got home I wrote multiple emails to my PVP and they got lost somewhere. Finally i called Carnival and got a special email at guest services...... and they basically sent me the same email you recieved
If Bob was still there I would have gotten an apology from his office(his assistant) and comps whether a drink or something.
I wasnt asking for any comps but something stating an admission of lousy service would have been great
Thats the reason we have gone on a couple other cruise lines since then including RCCL in 2 weeks if they dont care about us why should we be loyal

I could not have sat idle and watched somebody eat using silverware that a waitress had been picking her nose before giving it to them. When I'm eating out and see folks cough in their hands or any serve person, even at a gas station, I will tell them that the accepted place to do that is in their elbow. Nobody wants somebody elses mucus. How gross!!

[Gulf Breezer]

I'm afraid that if people keep paying for food at a supper club, then we will all be paying for our food in the MDR eventually. Just a thought.