Mystery dinner question

What ships offer the Mystery Dinner? And (in your opinion) is it worth it?

I did find on RCI that AOS is supposed to offer Mystery Dinner Theater. Still would like to know if you liked it and if you thought the price was worth it. Also does anyone know what night it is offered?

"Was it worth it" is very subjective. That said, my sister and I did this twice on two different ships and had a ball both times (even though it turned out to be the same "crime"). The food was very good and the wine was free-flowing. The more the guests get into things, the more fun it is. The "acting" is VERY campy and over-the-top, which is what makes it so hilarious. Will you think it's worth it?....I don't know, but we had a great time.

rofl, I posted same question at exact same time!!!

And is it the same Portofino menu offered for the Mystery Dinner?

I had a question on this too. I read somewhere that the price was $150.00 for the Mystery Dinner. Is that price per person? If it is $150.00 per person, I don't think I could justify spending 450.00 for one meal for the 3 of us.

Don't think its anything like that much, I was under the impression it was about £35 (x 1.5 for dollars)

I had a question on this too. I read somewhere that the price was $150.00 for the Mystery Dinner. Is that price per person? If it is $150.00 per person, I don't think I could justify spending 450.00 for one meal for the 3 of us.

Last time we did the Mystery Dinner, the cost was $49.50 per person. The wine is La Terre.

Last time we did the Mystery Dinner, the cost was $49.50 per person. The wine is La Terre.

That sounds a whole lot better. I can justify that. I've always wanted to go to a Murder Mystery Dinner or weekend somewhere. This just might be my opportunity.

"Was it worth it" is very subjective. That said, my sister and I did this twice on two different ships and had a ball both times (even though it turned out to be the same "crime"). The food was very good and the wine was free-flowing. The more the guests get into things, the more fun it is. The "acting" is VERY campy and over-the-top, which is what makes it so hilarious. Will you think it's worth it?....I don't know, but we had a great time.

My sister and I also did this and had a great time, very glad we tried it at least once - my thoughts are the same as yours - it was a little cheesy but funny. As we were leaving Portofino's they filled up our wine glasses ;)

And is it the same Portofino menu offered for the Mystery Dinner?

It is a smaller menu - only a couple of choices & they offer red or white wine, unlimited. I think it was one or two dessert options. The food was still outstanding! The best tiramisu I've ever had (hope I spelled that right :o)

We were recently on a cruise with someone who did this. Sadly, they had researched the outcomes and already knew the outcome.

Their goal was to win a prize for "solving" the mystery.

Unfortunately for them, numerous other people had done the same and they were not chosen in the lottery which followed.

I would never do this, knowing that others had already googled the outcome and the deck was stacked.

We have booked this for our upcoming cruise on the Navigator

We were recently on a cruise with someone who did this. Sadly, they had researched the outcomes and already knew the outcome.

 

Their goal was to win a prize for "solving" the mystery.

 

Unfortunately for them, numerous other people had done the same and they were not chosen in the lottery which followed.

 

I would never do this, knowing that others had already googled the outcome and the deck was stacked.

I wouldn't want to know the answers before hand. I would think that would ruin the fun.

We did it on the Radiance a few years ago. We had a drink (included) beforehand while the "Mystery Guests" did their pre-dinner intoductions.

Dinner selection was a small selection of a few of the Portofino's favorites and the wine did flow. My glass was always full.

It was over the top and quite campy but fun. We also had some great tablemates and that helped.

And to top it off - I won a bottle of champagne for guessing the killer first.

Cost was $49.50 and considering that Portofino's is $20 anyway...it was "worth it". Yes the wine was El Cheapo La Terre but hey - I drink Two Buck Chuck (so I can pay for some very expensive wine too!!).

We considered doing it for our upcoming Brilliance cruise - but I think that it may be too soon and they may not have mixed up the show. Maybe in a few years.

Besides - I want to go to Chops too. :D:D

We did the mystery dinner a few weeks ago on AOS. It was a fun time and about $100 per couple. The food was a select menu - you only had a couple of choices and the wine was unlimited. The night we went there were about 8 tables of 8 couples and it was a long evening. For us, it dragged on a little bit.

We did it about 5-6 years ago on tithe Mariner.

I have it booked again for our upcoming cruise on Explorer.

Both times it was held first evening, which was the first formal evening.

Is it worth it? Depends upon what you expect. It is not a professional dinner theater per say, but it is a group of the entertainers getting together and basically having fun. It is a who dunnit skit, wih just about anything goes. The more crazy the better. Lot of camp, audience participation.

We had a good time and a lot of fun.

On a 9 night cruise it is something different and out of the ordinary to do.

I thought it was very fun. Don't go in expecting a serious mystery dinner but expect to go laugh and have fun and enjoy the unlimited wine they give you.

We just did it on Voyager. It was fun. The food was Great, the wine was ok but plentiful. There were hand passed hors d'oeuvres and champagne to start then part of the show. Then Dinner and the rest of the show. I think the people you are sitting with will make it or break it.

We did it about 5-6 years ago on tithe Mariner.

 

I have it booked again for our upcoming cruise on Explorer.

Both times it was held first evening, which was the first formal evening.

 

Is it worth it? Depends upon what you expect. It is not a professional dinner theater per say, but it is a group of the entertainers getting together and basically having fun. It is a who dunnit skit, wih just about anything goes. The more crazy the better. Lot of camp, audience participation.

We had a good time and a lot of fun.

 

On a 9 night cruise it is something different and out of the ordinary to do.

You answered my question that it is on the Explorer, but you said that the first night is formal night which it is held. We have done about 29 cruises and formal night has never been on the first night on any line. Some people do not even have their luggage yet. Are you sure that Explorer has formal night the day you embark????????????:confused: We are sailing on her this December.:)

We did this on the Freedom of the Seas this past December and felt that it gave us a chance to try Portofinos. For $50 each you were able to select a filet or a seafood kabob type entree.that were wonderful. Evening began with a glass of champagne and a few hor doerves in one of the lounges where the actors came out and set the scenario up. The attendees then went down to Portofinos and while dinner was served the actors played out the story. They re-filled wine glasses 3 or 4 times throughout dinner. Acting was kind of cheesey but still lots of fun. We had the opportunity to be seated with an enjoyable couple which added to the evening. While the AMAZING desserts were served you had the opportunity to figure it out and state who did the crime. Of those that guess correctly,one person has a chance to win a prize of some ship related souveniers. Considering the caliber of the meal, and the value of the 4 glasses of complimentary wine that you would probably pay $8@ elsewhere on the ship, we felt it was a great value for the money. It was only offered on the first night and most people reserve online. It was almost completely sold out when we andboarded the ship so reserve before hand.

We did the mystery dinner at Portofino on Adventure in February. It was originally scheduled for the first formal night (second evening of the cruise) but was changed to the third evening. I'm not sure if Adventure usually holds it on the second or third evening. The price was $49.50 per person.

It's something different and worth doing once. The acting was way over-the-top and very silly. It's definitely not a Broadway production but it was fun. The food was not up to Portofino's usual standards because they do serve everyone at once. My shrimp was dried out like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for a while before being served.

We started the evening in the Viking Lounge with sparkling wine and some toast hors d'oueves. The actors gave a set-up for the mystery. We were then divided into 6 groups of around 16 people each and escorted to Portofino.

Once in Portofino, we were given a choice of red or white wine. If you don't drink wine, they will bring sodas or tea. The wine was unlimited. The appetizer was a choice of either ceasar salad or soup of the day. Our soup choice was creamy mushroom but that can vary. They also brought out a variety of breads. After the appetizer, the actors provided some more background on the mystery. Our entree choices were beef tenderloin or tiger shrimp. After the entree, each table was allowed to pick one actor to ask a question to help solve the mystery. Everyone wrote down their choice for the murderer. Then everyone got tiramisu for dessert, which was really good. After dessert, the mystery was revealed. The people who selected the correct murderer were put in a drawing to win a gift basket.

I enjoyed the mystery dinner once, but don't think that I would want to do it again for a while. The menu was very limited and the quality not up to Portofino's usual standards. We went back to Portofino later in the cruise to experience the full menu and had a wonderful meal.

Is this offered on the Enchantment?

Enchantment does not appear to have a mystery dinner but I'm not positive. According to the Royal Caribbean website, it is only on Freedom, Liberty, and Radiance class ships. I was on Adventure, which is a Voyager class ship and not listed as having a mystery dinner, but we had one. Adventure has a Portofino restaurant onboard, but Enchantment does not have a Portofino.

Mystery Dinner Theater

Our professional cast hosts an evening of theater packed with mystery, intrigue and lots of laughs. Solve the crime in Portofino, our gourmet Italian specialty restaurant, over an exquisite multi-course dinner paired with fine wine. An exclusive event on Freedom-, Liberty- and Radiance-class ships; sailings vary. Limited space, reserve early.

When you check your reservation online, there should be an option to book specialty restaurants. If the mystery dinner is offered, it will show up there. I booked online before our cruise because I heard that it often sold out.

You answered my question that it is on the Explorer, but you said that the first night is formal night which it is held. We have done about 29 cruises and formal night has never been on the first night on any line. Some people do not even have their luggage yet. Are you sure that Explorer has formal night the day you embark????????????:confused: We are sailing on her this December.:)

Usually the 1st formal night on the Explorer is the 2nd night. We are going to the Mystery Dinner on our cruise on May 24th. It is on the 2nd formal night which is night 8 of our 9 day cruise.

Fred

Enchantment does not appear to have a mystery dinner but I'm not positive. According to the Royal Caribbean website, it is only on Freedom, Liberty, and Radiance class ships. I was on Adventure, which is a Voyager class ship and not listed as having a mystery dinner, but we had one. Adventure has a Portofino restaurant onboard, but Enchantment does not have a Portofino...

You are correct, the Mystery Dinner Theater is currently only available on ships with Portofino.

Which brings up the question that since all Portofino restaurants are being replaced with Giovanni's Table, I wonder what will happen with the Mystery Dinner Theater?