Bistro on 5 menu

[shofer]

We haven't been on X since 2006 and have been on Princess the last 3 times d/t cost and itinerary. Definitely want to try the "S" class ships.

 

Wondering about Bistro on 5 and what do they offer? I am kind of disappointed to hear that this is another extra-pay venue. It seems that X is going the NCL route with all the extra for-fee restaurants.

 

Princess has added the International Cafe to their ships and this is a free food area with salads, sandwiches, soup and desserts. What is so different with Bistro that there is a fee?

 

Sue

[obxgirl]

I can't speak to the differences because I haven't been on RCCL in many years. In my opinion the $5 charge for Bistro on 5 is well worth it. Great crepes, salads, and paninis-all you can eat. My husband enjoys the paninis and I love the Nicoise Salad with fresh tuna. My husband has a crepe for desert and I have the creme brulee, some of the best I have ever eaten. The setting is lovely and quiet and the service is usually excellent.

[snow bunny]

If you go onto the Celebrity website there is a link to the Bistro on 5 menu. Personally on embarkation day we find it is the best spot to get something to eat without the crowds!

 

Snow bunny

[FortyNinerLiz]

If you go onto the Celebrity website there is a link to the Bistro on 5 menu. Personally on embarkation day we find it is the best spot to get something to eat without the crowds!

 

Snow bunny

 

Totally agree!!! Very relaxing spot and good food!

[lori450]

We were on the Eclipse in December. The Lobster Bisque is yummy!! My son loves the panninis. Unfortunately, the soup fills me up so I never got to much else. The $5 is more of a token and it tends to keep the place uncrowded. I did notice that there were always crew members (officers) eating in there. That says something. Service was spotty at best. But it was quiet, the food is good and we had some time to ourselves. We ate in there about 3 times. Lunchtime and dinner time.

[TMaine]

X10 on what the others have said! Definitely worth the time and money to check out. Delicious food, uncrowded, quiet and relaxing!

[mikedoes]

What is the dress code there on embarkation day ?

 

Wondering if shorts would be acceptable.

[librarylady19]

What is the dress code there on embarkation day ?

 

Wondering if shorts would be acceptable.

 

No problem wearing shorts anytime.

[CathyCruises]

Yes, shorts would be fine at lunch. I have seen several compaints about spotty service--we have always had GREAT service due to the venue being underutilized. The waiters from Tuscan Grille, at least on our cruise, were assigned to Bistro at lunch, and they did a great job. They often have time to chat and we have learned a lot about their homelands--now we want to go to Macedonia!!

[Kevnzworld]

I like both the desert crepes and the savory crepes at Bistro on 5. It's rarely crowded, and it's nice to sit down for lunch and be waited on. It's an afternoon refuge from the buffet madness. They will do custom crepes, I took the mediteranean crepe and added stuff to it. 5$ is a deal.

[Nicole in NJ]

I agree $5 is worth it. I enjoyed the savory crepes for lunch and sweet dessert crepes. They have other things but I really liked the crepes and you can order as many as you want.

[Hawaiidan]

I have to say that it is not the price of this or that, it is the idea of another and ever increasing way to make more.

 

When I first started cruising there were no specialty places and you only paid for tips and liquor.

Then I enjoyed several trips on lines that included them as well.. All inclusive.

 

So it is not the $$ but the idea behind it I loathe. Just on that pretense I would not patronize such a place.

[cherylroslyn]

I have to say that it is not the price of this or that, it is the idea of another and ever increasing way to make more.

 

When I first started cruising there were no specialty places and you only paid for tips and liquor.

Then I enjoyed several trips on lines that included them as well.. All inclusive.

 

So it is not the $$ but the idea behind it I loathe. Just on that pretense I would not patronize such a place.

The fares are cheaper now than they were 20 years ago.........

 

 

The cruise lines have to make MONEY....this is a business, so I welcome all the new pay venues and if others do not want to partake that is fine....some spend in the casino, spa, jewlery shop or in bars and lounges.........

 

If they don't make money we will all be in a much worse situation competeing with each other for limited cabins..........

 

We are lucky to be cruising in an unprecedented time when the new berths built over the past five years have created a somewhat unbalanced playing field for the cruiselines and passengers.......... There is a need for , that is fine........but many of us want the options...... and they are more affordable now because of the great rates that we are all getting on our fares.........

[shofer]

Thanks everyone for your input. We did the International Cafe on Grand Princess for lunch on embarkation day and it was a great choice so I imagine it would be the same for Bistro on 5.

 

I do agree with Hawaiidan on the extra costs but no one holds a gun to your head either. We have eaten at the Normandie on Summit twice and felt it was worth every penny.

 

As long as the food in the MDR remains as good as ever and not repetitive menus like NCL driving you to the specialty places, I'll return to X every time.

 

Sue

[fishywood]

Just back from Infinity in SA. Ate at Bistro on Five twice for breakfast and twice for lunch. It is by far the best dining value on the ship and an insult to compare the totally fresh made-to-order crepes, sandwiches and salads to the prefab finger food found at the bottom of Princess' piazzas (which, btw, were extra charge when first launched). Worth it at twice the price to avoid the plague of locusts descending on the buffet mid-afternoon when all the shore excursions return at the same time. And re: the discussion about the role of specialty restaurants and their accompanying cover charges, I found on Infinity that what drives one to them is the repetitive menu in the buffet--if looking for a night off from the MDR, you had better be a huge fan of Asian or Italian food or the pay venues will be your only real option.