Ships without American Table

What ships don't have the American Table yet? This was my 9th cruise. I loved all my cruises but I was so disappointed. Sailed Glory in March and experienced the American Table for the first time. I was okay with the food - not that much different but I HATED no tablecloths and the service was pathetic in the dining room - no personalized attention and horribly slow. I don't mind a long dinner but the time between courses was too long. Getting a drink in the piano bar was almost impossible as they had one server to do everything. The last night they ran out of Miami Vice in the piano bar and at the casino bar - absolutely no excuse for this. If I cruise again, I want to be sure they don't have the American Table. Never done an all-inclusive but think that might be better after my last experience.

Victory does not have American Table yet. But I hate to tell you, we had the same issue with the dining room service a couple of weeks ago. I think the problem isn't the menus, it's the cut back in the number of staff.

We did have tablecloths. :)

We were on the Valor August `15 and Splendor November `15 and neither had the American Table menu.

What ships don't have the American Table yet? This was my 9th cruise. I loved all my cruises but I was so disappointed. Sailed Glory in March and experienced the American Table for the first time. I was okay with the food - not that much different but I HATED no tablecloths and the service was pathetic in the dining room - no personalized attention and horribly slow. I don't mind a long dinner but the time between courses was too long. Getting a drink in the piano bar was almost impossible as they had one server to do everything. The last night they ran out of Miami Vice in the piano bar and at the casino bar - absolutely no excuse for this. If I cruise again, I want to be sure they don't have the American Table. Never done an all-inclusive but think that might be better after my last experience.

Well...if I'm not mistaken, any ship that has had the 2.0 upgrade goes to the American Table. I think all the new ships already have it.

Eventually I believe they will all be changed.

We are going on the Valor Saturday and they have not been upgraded but will go to dry dock right after this sailing.

I have been on ships that have been changed to the American Table and have had no issues at all. And frankly, I couldn't care less about tablecloths. I also have not experienced horribly slow service as a result of the type of menu, American or not.

It is unfortunate that you did not enjoy your cruise but I believe your cruise is what you make of it and if these things are that important to you, maybe you should try an all-inclusive resort.

I don't know which ships still have the old menus, but I think you're right in the fact that you need to try something different. The menus had nothing to do with slow service. Carnival revamped the amount of tables each wait team has to take care of before they switched. You could have gotten a slow team as well. It's hard to tell what the issue was you experienced.

Running out of Miami Vice mix or slow service in the Piano Bar also had nothing to do with the menu. Unfortunately, Carnival has been spreading their employees thinner and something has to give. Usually it's the service as you have found out.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience on the Glory. She's my favorite Carnival ship as you can see from my signature. But I can see you wanting to go elsewhere. I got bored at the AI so I know that cruising is still for me. I want to try the Vista at some point and then I can see myself going back to Celebrity. Carnival isn't the super great value it used to be a couple years ago and I'm finding it harder to justify the similarities in price for the experience vs Celebrity.

Don't feel bad about going a different route. Besides the table cloths, the not so stellar things you encountered had nothing to do with the menu, but rather what Carnival in general is. Running out of alcohol or mixer isn't that uncommon even on land. It's in their best interest to stock as much as possible with a finite amount of space. After all, alcohol is a huge revenue maker for them.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

We're sailing Dream in August, and it doesn't do American Table (yet). We were on Freedom last month and it DID have it...not a huge fan of American Table, but not a deal breaker for me at all.

Victory didn't have it in January. Service was good.

The Breeze has American Table and it was not bad. There were two things on the menu most nights I wanted to try. One night they had this pumpkin vegetarian tart that was the best thing I ate on the cruise. I of course paired it with a flat iron steak, defeating the purpose of vegetarian. Missed the tablecloths but they were back on Elegant Nights. Service time depends on your waiter. We had a team of three taking care of 4 tables and they were excellent.

Thanks for your responses. I did enjoy the cruise because of the people I was with. We had a lot of fun in the piano bar and the comedy club.

I do realize they have cut down on the number of servers all over the ship which makes me feel sorry for the servers as I know they work hard.

As far as tablecloths, yes I prefer them for several reasons: 1) they just look so nice and set the ambiance, 2) they contribute to the dining room acoustics and 3) having water set upon folded up towels so they don't slide off the table or sweat is so cheap looking. I am not a super picky, or high maintenance but these are just some things that really bothered me.

The water carafe is supposed to be set into a rimmed coaster.

We've been sailing on ships with the American Table since the second week of its implementation. Watching it evolve has been a fun process.

Have seen no difference in the level of service.

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Does the Legend have American Table yet? I believe it's running a completely different itinerary at this time of the year than it will be running during the summer when it does the Seattle to Alaska cruises, but just wondering. Guessing if it's already doing AT, it's not going to switch back.

I always find something on the menus that I want to eat! Haven't had American Table yet, but I've seen the menus posted and the food looks pretty good, so I'm glad to try it if my next cruise has AT.

But, I am a big fan of tablecloths and will be sorry to see bare tables....still I remain open minded and excited to be cruising, whatever is covering the table!

Now slow service....gets me crabby!

We actually prefer the American table menu. Don't care about table cloths or having to reuse silverware.

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What ships don't have the American Table yet? This was my 9th cruise. I loved all my cruises but I was so disappointed. Sailed Glory in March and experienced the American Table for the first time. I was okay with the food - not that much different but I HATED no tablecloths and the service was pathetic in the dining room - no personalized attention and horribly slow. I don't mind a long dinner but the time between courses was too long. Getting a drink in the piano bar was almost impossible as they had one server to do everything. The last night they ran out of Miami Vice in the piano bar and at the casino bar - absolutely no excuse for this. If I cruise again, I want to be sure they don't have the American Table. Never done an all-inclusive but think that might be better after my last experience.

Isn't it interesting how no one can come up with a list of ships that don't have American Table? I think a lot of people out there would like to know the answer to this question instead of a lot of opinions about whether they like American Table. I'd like to know myself. Thanks to the OP for asking this question, and I'd be greatful to anyone that has the real answer!

Well...if I'm not mistaken, any ship that has had the 2.0 upgrade goes to the American Table. I think all the new ships already have it.

 

Eventually I believe they will all be changed.

 

We are going on the Valor Saturday and they have not been upgraded but will go to dry dock right after this sailing.

 

I have been on ships that have been changed to the American Table and have had no issues at all. And frankly, I couldn't care less about tablecloths. I also have not experienced horribly slow service as a result of the type of menu, American or not.

 

It is unfortunate that you did not enjoy your cruise but I believe your cruise is what you make of it and if these things are that important to you, maybe you should try an all-inclusive resort.

We were just on the first cruise on the Splendor after it came out of dry dock (March 20, 2016) and it did not have American Table.

Does the Legend have American Table yet? I believe it's running a completely different itinerary at this time of the year than it will be running during the summer when it does the Seattle to Alaska cruises, but just wondering. Guessing if it's already doing AT, it's not going to switch back.

I got off Legend 4/5 (here in Australia) and it does not have American Table.

We also had excellent service in the MDR :)

We're sailing Dream in August, and it doesn't do American Table (yet). We were on Freedom last month and it DID have it...not a huge fan of American Table, but not a deal breaker for me at all.

We debarked Dream Sunday, 4/10, and I noticed the posted daily menu for the next cruise was the American Table(in BIG letters) Version. Commented to my husband that we just missed it!

The water carafe is supposed to be set into a rimmed coaster.

 

We've been sailing on ships with the American Table since the second week of its implementation. Watching it evolve has been a fun process.

Have seen no difference in the level of service.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

It was in the rimmed coaster and still put on a folded up towel.

The water carafe is supposed to be set into a rimmed coaster.

 

We've been sailing on ships with the American Table since the second week of its implementation. Watching it evolve has been a fun process.

Have seen no difference in the level of service.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

The water carafe was in the rimmed coaster but was still put on a folded up towel in the center of the table. Unfortunately, our service was terrible.

Isn't it interesting how no one can come up with a list of ships that don't have American Table? I think a lot of people out there would like to know the answer to this question instead of a lot of opinions about whether they like American Table. I'd like to know myself. Thanks to the OP for asking this question, and I'd be greatful to anyone that has the real answer!

Thank you for your support. I don't know if I want to cruise again but I'm willing to try again if the ship doesn't have the American Table. If a ship without the American Table has just as bad service, then I'll know to change lines or do an all-inclusive. My first cruise was in 1979 on the Carnival Festivale and I have been loyal to Carnival because it was a wonderful experience.

As long as you CAN find something to eat on menu, put up with lousy service, running out of items, once a day room service and believe it's a great value for your money, Carnival will continue to chop away and degrade their product. Just roll over, play dead and drop money out of your pockets. Carnival used to be it in cruising, not any more. Open your mouths and/or move to a different cruise line. At lastly, they aren't the cheapest, so be don't be that delusional. Will you all still be cheerleading when you have to pack a lunch and bring your own linen????

Just off the Liberty. The American Table was a hit and miss. Liked some things and did not like others. I did not starve. One night I ordered just appetizers because I didn't like any of the main entrees. I did miss the tablecloths. I don't like the condensation from my glasses, but it isn't a deal breaker for me. Usually don't have tablecloths at the restaurants I frequent here at home. I will fold a paper napkin and place it under my glass, even at my house. Had the later seating and the MDR was pretty empty around us. Had 3 wonderful guys who took excellent care of us. Service was not slow. Three people at our small table did not show up any night. We had 3 people from a nearby table join us one night because we were having such a great time. Sometimes it is what you make of it. The Alchemy Bar staff was phenomenal. Annemarie, Juluya, and Csaba were absolutely entertaining. I would love to go back just for that experience.

Well...if I'm not mistaken, any ship that has had the 2.0 upgrade goes to the American Table. I think all the new ships already have it.

 

Eventually I believe they will all be changed.

 

We are going on the Valor Saturday and they have not been upgraded but will go to dry dock right after this sailing.

 

I have been on ships that have been changed to the American Table and have had no issues at all. And frankly, I couldn't care less about tablecloths. I also have not experienced horribly slow service as a result of the type of menu, American or not.

 

It is unfortunate that you did not enjoy your cruise but I believe your cruise is what you make of it and if these things are that important to you, maybe you should try an all-inclusive resort.

That was not the case for the Victory when we sailed last May. Had just come out of its selected 2.0 upgrades and still had the old menus. Not sure if it's changes since then - but she did not get the AT menus with her 2.0 upgrades.

We were just on the first cruise on the Splendor after it came out of dry dock (March 20, 2016) and it did not have American Table.

Well....then I must be mistaken..........

I found this on cruisedeckplans dot com. Not sure how accurate it is, but based on comments in this thread, it looks pretty accurate. Might be of interest to some....

Ships WITHOUT American Table~ (according to a chart on cruisedeckplans dot com)

Dream

Ecstasy

Elation

Fantasy

Fascination

Legend

Paradise

Sensation

Spirit

Splendor

Valor

Victory