A $30 burger?

[hcat]

[quote name='gillianrose']"[B]upscale[/B]" and "[B]pretzels & large screen TV bar[/B]" in the same sentence?

Oxymoron! :([/QUOTE]

True-- I only posted what they descibe--maybe high price would have been a better choice of words.. anyhow.. as the posts seem to indicate some like the idea! We loved Michaels as is..

Maybe the automatic wine bar area whihc is also quite uinder utilized unles they have a ta[COLOR="SeaGreen"]$[/COLOR]ting going on can be re- purposed as more of a quiet music/ piano space for those who do not want the large screen TV experience..

[C-Dragons]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="DarkOrchid"]Imo, Celebrity just keeps improving their ships. I recall all the nay saying that went on before Solstice came out... ;) Some will love the new enhancements for Silhouette and Reflections, others will not. Celebrity provides options, which I think is brilliant. :)

The only thing I thought they could have done better is to make Cellar Masters into the "sports bar". It's probably more underused than Michael's Club and in a better location. Who wants a sports bar next to Murano?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[dkjretired]

[quote name='C-Dragons'][FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="DarkOrchid"]Imo, Celebrity just keeps improving their ships. I recall all the nay saying that went on before Solstice came out... ;) Some will love the new enhancements for Silhouette and Reflections, others will not. Celebrity provides options, which I think is brilliant. :)

The only thing I thought they could have done better is to make Cellar Masters into the "sports bar". It's probably more underused than Michael's Club and in a better location. Who wants a sports bar next to Murano?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

I see your point about Michael's club and its proximity to Murano's especially if you have some bitter rivalry on the TV. Been to Atlantic City casino bars a couple times during Giants-Eagles games, its not pretty...

[greeneg]

I would tend to agree that Cellar Masters is terribly under-used and probably would be a better location for a Sports Bar. I would certainly not want to be dining in Murano during one of the "seasonal bloodlettings" such as some of the major rivalries.

Most probably not a problem for me anyway, but I do think that Cellar Masters is a better idea.

[Sabbycat]

[quote name='Host Andy']Hi Nobog !

I was on the Conference Call today, and the plan is for Lunch to be Complimentary. Dinner will be $ 30 PP, and will feature (Per the Celebrity Press Release) Top Quality Meats - the photo showed Steaks, not standard Lunch fare. In other words, it shouldn't cost $30 for a Burger.

Of course, anything can change over the next several months, so we will have to wait and see.[/quote]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Thanks Andy for the clarification. I was not too thrilled to hear about some of the new changes, and this was one of them.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I was surprised at the comment that the lawn area is underutilized; I was up there most days up there from approx [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]3pm-5pm[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana], and even more time on sea days and found the area ALWAYS busy.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I am also confused as to why they would get rid of the glassblowing as it was ALWAYS popular.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Is it possible for you to comment on these changes I have mentioned and any other you felt were of note.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Thanks again Andy.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[2SeaWithMe]

I agree, Cellarmasters would be a nice location for a sports venue, with ideally a section for craft beers, etc. Small batch beers are becoming more popular, and several local restaurants in my area are doing "beer tasting" dinners.

For a non-wine drinker as myself, I would absolutely visit it at least once.

[hcat]

Hoping they won't monkey with Cafe Al Baccio--that's a great spot!!!

Also would not mind losing the BISTRO crepes place which we have not really gotten to use much on our two S class cruises--have to try it next time---but that's another revenue area!!

[C-Dragons]

[quote name='hcat']Hoping they won't monkey with Cafe Al Baccio--that's a great spot!!!

Also would not mind losing the BISTRO crepes place which we have not really gotten to use much on our two S class cruises--have to try it next time---but that's another revenue area!![/QUOTE]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="DarkOrchid"]You really should give Bistro on 5 a try, the crepes are fabulous!! It is extremely popular not only with passengers but the staff as well. Many people eat there more than once on a single cruise![/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[Jerseyboy1]

[quote name='yayvacation!']I guess I am a part of the "new demographic" I am 29 DH is 31, we sail Celebrity regularly [I]because[/I] it is upscale, refined, and we don't feel like hanging out with a "party" crowd either. Both of us work extremely hard and just want to relax together on vacation, not ride some wave rider or climb a rock wall.

That being said - I am a HUGE football fan and think that EVERY ship has room for a sports bar! :) I love the ambiance, and really, Micaels club is never used, at least on any cruise I have been on less than 3 people are in there unless it's an elite event. It's boring. Something with a little life on these newer ships won't hurt anyone!

As for the pool music - yuck it has to go, the games too! I like it quiet I just want to read. Agree with you 100% there! I really think we (meaning your group who left beer in college and my group that enjoys upscale cruising but enjoys just a little football too!) shares some similarities and can cruise happily together.[/quote]

I agree with you. After first looking at this sports bar concept as a step down, I can see where it may make sense for some. Let's just hope they stop here and don't add any kid friendly ammenities to the ships. IMO they are fine the way they are, no rock walls, slides, zip lines etc....

[6502programmer]

[quote name='dkjretired']I see your point about Michael's club and its proximity to Murano's especially if you have some bitter rivalry on the TV. Been to Atlantic City casino bars a couple times during Giants-Eagles games, its not pretty...[/QUOTE]

I can only imagine what it would be like for a Champions League, UEFA Cup, or World Cup game. I was privileged to be on the QM2 during the semi-finals and finals of this past World Cup, and it was QUITE the electric atmosphere in the Golden Lion pub--Especially during the middle of a formal night for the final!

[Nonna and Papa]

I was doing pretty well and feeling quite flexible until the subject of football came up............:eek: :D

Mary

[hoppysmom]

[quote name='Lois R']No...you don't have to cook.

If you look at this paragraph in the Press Release, it specifically
says you can cook or not. THE LAWN CLUB GRILL:

"By night, in a particularly unique twist, guests will have their choice from an array of top-quality meats to either grill themselves, side-by-side with Celebrity's chefs, or have grilled to order. A nominal surcharge will apply. Complementing the dinner experience will be libations ranging from wines, beer and sangria, all consistent with the casual nature of the 56-seat restaurant."

There are choices which means you can if you want to and if you
don't want to you don't have to.[/quote]


it would almost be worth it to cook my own, if the burgers weren't coiled in advance. nothing is more gross than watching them throw those parboiled burgers on the grill until an inch of their lives and then have to listen to " well, we're not allowed to serve them any other way but dead, according to the health code" whose health code? i can order my steak mooing on the plate.

[Christine Frances]

Hamburger (all ground meats) has to be well cooked to kill the bacteria. [url]http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/food-aliment/meat-viande-eng.php[/url]
I don't think this applies to steaks.

[jackdiamond]

I sometimes cook medium- rare burgers at home, sans bun; and, they are delicious. Of course, they are seared on both sides.

[Christine Frances]

So do I:D, but I think places that serve the public have to make sure they are well done.

[Lois R]

[quote name='Christine Frances']So do I:D, but I think places that serve the public have to make sure they are well done.[/quote]

You are correct.:) But it seems to vary restaurant to restaurant.
I have been to some places where they say medium well to well
is the only way they cook "red meat"....sorry, I prefer my burgers
and steaks medium. Pink throughout, thank you:)

[Denny01]

[quote name='hoppysmom']it would almost be worth it to cook my own, if the burgers weren't coiled in advance. nothing is more gross than watching them throw those parboiled burgers on the grill until an inch of their lives and then have to listen to " well, we're not allowed to serve them any other way but dead, according to the health code" whose health code? i can order my steak mooing on the plate.[/quote]

The reason hamburger is cooked well-done is because it is groundup meat. There is a tendancy to put unused (and thererefore older meat cuts) into the grinder to cut down on costs. There have been many cases of health issues with ground meats. There is a rationale reason. Up to you to decide to take the chances, but health codes are set so you dont get ill from eating hamburgers from your local hamburger joint that decided to save a few bucks and put the old hamburger that went beyond expiration back into the grinder and mix with newer meats.


Denny

[dkjretired]

[quote name='Denny01']The reason hamburger is cooked well-done is because it is groundup meat. There is a tendancy to put unused (and thererefore older meat cuts) into the grinder to cut down on costs. There have been many cases of health issues with ground meats. There is a rationale reason. Up to you to decide to take the chances, but health codes are set so you dont get ill from eating hamburgers from your local hamburger joint that decided to save a few bucks and put the old hamburger that went beyond expiration back into the grinder and mix with newer meats.


Denny[/QUOTE]

Denny:

I usually agree with you but have to disagree with this one. I have on many occasions been to restaurants in the same jurisdiction where one has the well-done policy and another does not. Its just CYA probably at some point due to a law suit. I won't eat in a restaurant that restricts the way I want my burger, thats my choice.

On the ships they are cooked well done at the grill and usually before you are served but yet I can get a medium rare burger in the MDR.

[jackdiamond]

[quote name='dkjretired']Denny:

I usually agree with you but have to disagree with this one. I have on many occasions been to restaurants in the same jurisdiction where one has the well-done policy and another does not. Its just CYA probably at some point due to a law suit. I won't eat in a restaurant that restricts the way I want my burger, thats my choice.

On the ships they are cooked well done at the grill and usually before you are served but yet I can get a medium rare burger in the MDR.[/quote]
Yes, on Celebrity, but not on many other lines, including, I believe, Royal. I anticipate that my steaks in Blu, on our Christmas cruise, will be rare.

[dkjretired]

[quote name='jackdiamond']Yes, on Celebrity, but not on many other lines, including, I believe, Royal. I anticipate that my steaks in Blu, on our Christmas cruise, will be rare.[/QUOTE]

They will be whatever you want them to be, I have had the filet mignon and the everyday steaks as well as a couple others. No problem getting it rare or medium rare..

[greeneg]

Actually one factor in whether or not a restaurant can serve under-done ground beef is the source of the beef itself. In North Carolina, you can get a rare hamburger IF the restaurant grinds its own beef; if it obtains its beef from a commercial supplier already ground then it has to be medium to well-done. My understanding is that there are several States who have similar rules.

I would be surprised if RCCL and its subsidiaries ground their own beef, they may, but I suspect that they have their own supplier, hence the over-cooked burgers.

[Brad1185]

[quote name='hcat']Hoping they won't monkey with Cafe Al Baccio--that's a great spot!!!

Also would not mind losing the BISTRO crepes place which we have not really gotten to use much on our two S class cruises--have to try it next time---but that's another revenue area!![/QUOTE]

I agree if they have to charge $5 for a crepe for the Bistro I could do without it

[excitedofharpenden]

[quote name='greeneg']Phil, I haven't forgotten that I still owe you a drink either. Happy Holidays, Friend.

Ed[/QUOTE]
Ed, Happy Holidays back to you. We need to get together on a cruise at some point. I need a drink!:)

[quote name='C-Dragons'][FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="DarkOrchid"]You really should give Bistro on 5 a try, the crepes are fabulous!! [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]
Sherry, the paninis were pretty good too!:cool: I remember when Bistro was first announced with a cover charge a lot of people were up in arms about it. It was pretty quiet there on Equinox last November. I think the secret is out. It was much busier on Eclipse this year. $5 represents excellent value in my opinion and I see much less complaining about it here now.

At the end of the day I will form my own opinion of these new venues by actually going there and seeing what they are like. It's pretty hard to judge before that. If it proves too pricey then people will vote with their feet and not go and Celebrity will have to rethink, but I like the concepts very much and hope they live up to the billing.

Phil

[dkjretired]

[quote name='Brad1185']I agree if they have to charge $5 for a crepe for the Bistro I could do without it[/QUOTE]

Bistro is one of the most popular areas of the S class ships and worth every penny...

[Infi]

[quote name='dkjretired']Bistro is one of the most popular areas of the S class ships and worth every penny...[/quote]

Agree with this 100%. To those who complain about the charge, think of how many things one wastes $5 on in daily life...Starbucks coffee, bad fast food, etc. I'd rather have one of Bistro's crepes for that price. $5 is a bargain for the quality meal you get.

My one concern is that because Bistro is always so empty, X will eventually get rid of it. But they keep putting it on S-class ships, so it must either be making money, or at least, it isn't losing that much money.