Room service ...?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Many people wish to dine in their cabins because the food can be quite tasty as reported in dozens of previous posts on this site. Sorry to see that a bad experience with a Club Sandwich and a Cheeseplate more that ten years ago has soured you on room service. Will a bad dining experience in the MDR stop you from going there?

 

Obviously you did not read about our breakfasts -- some never making it to our cabin.

And Yes -- last cruise we never ate one dinner in the main dining room. We rotated between the Pinnacle Grill and Tamarind and Le Cirque and Chef's Rudi's special dinner.

[slabeaume]

We ordered filet mignon and lobster in room one time. We just didn't feel like dressing up. Dinner was great! Plus we got to eat it without waiting around for everyone else at the table to be finished. It was all brought at once, so it didn't take 3 hours to dine.

[Cruising-along]

We normally order room service breakfast on those mornings when our tours start before you can get breakfast in the MDR. Avoids the rush and quite relaxing :D....

 

 

 

We love room service breakfast any time, but especially on the mornings we have an early tour. So much more relaxing to get ready for the day leisurely, no rushing. :)

 

We have never ordered room service for lunch, but have enjoyed many dinners out on our balcony when sailing in warm climates.

[RocketMan275]

We've only been on one cruise but we found that breakfast can be wonderful. We would order coffee and some pastries and maybe orange juice. Something light. It was great sitting on the balcony. Then we'd probably go to the buffet if we wanted something a bit more.

 

Not exactly room service but we've started a tradition. On our last night, we get a bottle of wine, hit the buffet for cheese, hard breads, maybe some fruit. We have our picnic watching the sun set on our last night of our cruise. Quite romantic.

[MarBear50]

The afternoon snack in the room post shore trip is such a great idea as I am going to be at late dinner seating. Thanks!

[HamOp]

Because your day is always better when you start it by eating bacon while not wearing pants. :D (Sorry. Couldn't help myself.)

 

Were you on that nude cruise from the other thread?:D

[POA1]

Were you on that nude cruise from the other thread?:D

 

No. I was referring to eating breakfast in a robe, t-shirt and gym shorts.

 

We're on a fully clothed cruise at the end of next week. In fact, we plan to be overdressed. :)

Edited February 23, 2014 by POA1

[mamaofami]

One of the best parts of cruising for me is room service breakfast on my veranda. It's quiet, I can watch the water and it's not too warm. I have really never had a problem with room service breakfast except one time something didn't come. A quick call and they delivered it.

 

I only just discovered the club sandwich on our last cruise. I had read so much about it, we decided to give it a try and thought it delicious.

 

Only once did we have dinner on our balcony. We were late in a port and it was great fun eating and watching the ship sail away. In general, I prefer the MDR to the veranda for dinner.

[cruisun]

Many years ago before HAL had the Neptune Lounge on ships for those of who sailed in the PS, S, SA, SB and SC cabins we used to order breakfast so that we would be ready for excursions and not standing in long lines. We had quite a few bad experiences. We tried the club sandwich one time when we got back late from an excursion -- many people recommended -- it was horrible. Also tried the cheese plate -- barely could see the 4 tiny pieces of cheese on it. Never tried dinner.

So -- for at least 10 years or more we have ordered nothing to the cabin and have no intension to do so.

I also can not understand why people wish to dine in their cabins.

 

It's ashame that's was your experience, I think room service is one of the things Hal does best and one thing not yet changed by cutbacks!

[Spinner2]

Here's morning coffee out on the verandah, from a recent cruise. Yes, I'm such a fan of verandah dining that I bring a little (42 inches square) tablecloth. And send it with our clothes to the laundry when needed. But really, for a cruise in warm weather, with a beautiful sea early in the morning, isn't the table inviting? Complete with the morning paper, at least an abbreviated version of it.(Of course the cloth comes in when we do; the wind would take it away in a minute!)

 

Now you all know, if you didn't already. I'm a nut!:p

 

Edited February 23, 2014 by Spinner2

[Kona921]

Here's morning coffee out on the verandah, from a recent cruise. Yes, I'm such a fan of verandah dining that I bring a little (42 inches square) tablecloth. And send it with our clothes to the laundry when needed. But really, for a cruise in warm weather, with a beautiful sea early in the morning, isn't the table inviting? Complete with the morning paper, at least an abbreviated version of it.(Of course the cloth comes in when we do; the wind would take it away in a minute!)

 

Now you all know, if you didn't already. I'm a nut!:p

 

 

I am not alone! :)

[erewhon]

Here's morning coffee out on the verandah, from a recent cruise. Yes, I'm such a fan of verandah dining that I bring a little (42 inches square) tablecloth. And send it with our clothes to the laundry when needed. But really, for a cruise in warm weather, with a beautiful sea early in the morning, isn't the table inviting? Complete with the morning paper, at least an abbreviated version of it.(Of course the cloth comes in when we do; the wind would take it away in a minute!)

 

Now you all know, if you didn't already. I'm a nut!:p

 

 

Great idea to bring your own tablecloth.

 

Something else to add to my packing list.

[Copper10-8]

...................................

Now you all know, if you didn't already. I'm a nut!:p

 

...........................

 

I've met you in person and I don't think you're a nut! ;) Nice tablecloth, btw!

[Spinner2]

Thank you kindly sir!

[louthebowler]

Okay, we are on the eurodam in 7 days (yippee:D) and even thouth Ive had balconys before, I have never had room service, but after this thread its going to happen for sure. New to HAL, and cant wait to wake up to the beautiful Caribbean sunshine with at the very least, a coffee on the balcony, its that first cup of the day be it tea or coffee, that gets me kick-started! P and O have kettles in the cabin which makes it easier, but as Im going to be lazy this holiday so room service may get used more than once!:)

Just in case nobody paid attention, WE ARE GOING ON THE EURODAM IN 7 DAYS :cool:

Sorry- Im excited.

[RollieUK]

I am also from the UK but I don't think this a nationality difference but more the type of cabin you have and where you are sailing.

 

We have been in all types of cabin from inside to Royal Suite (RCI's equivalent of HAL's Penthouse).

 

When in an inside cabin we rarely order room service but if we have a balcony or better, especially warm weather cruising, we often eat on the balcony

[whogo]

Hi everybody, we are from the UK and cruise usually with UK based lines P and O , Fred Olsen and Thomson.

We cruised with HAL On a back to back Jan 2013.

I read all the forums and and find it very interesting that on the so called UK lines nobody ever considers room service yet on the USA lines it always seems important.

We have cruised for the last six years and I have never met anybody who thought about room service for meals.

To us it seems totally unbelievable to go on a cruise and eat meals in your cabin.

Not decrying it just wondering maybe it is different mind set.

Suppose it could be that our ships tend not to have as many balconies.

Anyway...it was just a thought as I was reading the forums.

Happy cruising

I have never had a room service breakfast. The thought of dining next to a bed does not appeal to me in the least. I see the attraction of dining on the balcony, but the odds are it would be too hot, cold, windy or sunny for me. One of the joys of cruising is socializing with a group at the dining table.

[POA1]

Here's morning coffee out on the verandah, from a recent cruise. Yes, I'm such a fan of verandah dining that I bring a little (42 inches square) tablecloth. And send it with our clothes to the laundry when needed. But really, for a cruise in warm weather, with a beautiful sea early in the morning, isn't the table inviting? Complete with the morning paper, at least an abbreviated version of it.(Of course the cloth comes in when we do; the wind would take it away in a minute!)

 

Now you all know, if you didn't already. I'm a nut!:p

 

 

You're not a nut. You're a genius! What a great way to add an element of class to your veranda breakfast.

[RuthC]

If I never otherwise have room service, I have breakfast in my cabin that last morning. There is nothing nicer than having that tray delivered right after I finish dressing, while I still face packing those last items.

I can eat leisurely, pour a second cup of coffee, pack a thing or two, sip, pack, repeat until done.

This is civilized.

[Cruising-along]

If I never otherwise have room service, I have breakfast in my cabin that last morning. There is nothing nicer than having that tray delivered right after I finish dressing, while I still face packing those last items.

I can eat leisurely, pour a second cup of coffee, pack a thing or two, sip, pack, repeat until done.

This is civilized.

 

I so agree! Celebrity doesn't offer room service breakfast that last morning -- something we appreciate on HAL!

 

Spinner, I love the idea of bringing a tablecloth -- what a lovely picture, thanks for sharing. :)

[Copper10-8]

One more without a table cloth ;)

 

[sail7seas]

Spinner and Copper, both.....

 

Great photos.

That is how to enjoy a lovely room service breakfast. :)

[Lovely other]

starting to really envy the balconies now ...

[1160451]

So am I.....:-)

[Spinner2]

In my way of thinking, Copper's photo is just lovely; just imagine how pleasant that setting is for a lovely meal! Thanks for sharing it.

 

Thank you all for the kind comments.

 

As you can see from Copper John's photo, it's the setting, not a tablecloth, that makes one want to be there, and in my experience, any meal on any table in a setting as delightful as at sea has the makings of a terrific experience. (Didn't plan it, didn't shop for it, didn't cook for it and certainly didn't clean up after it!)