Food decline?

[mra9955]

Hello all. On Eclipse now ending a nice two week cruise. We've been loyal but infrequent Celebrity cruisers for about six years, having taken about one a year. We were attracted to Celebrity six years ago on a friends recommendation about great food. However on or current cruise we have found food noticeably lousy, especially with cuts of beef and other meats. We travel with here young children so eating in speciality restaurants is a no go unless we put them in kids camp (something I tired to do once I realized good meals could only be found there...sadly all speciality were booked the rest of the cruise). We are cancelling an already booked future Celebrity cruise as a result of lousy food here since in a suite in Royal I can take kids to speciality restaurants....booked three Royal cruises in suites while on this Celebrity cruise. So what I am wondering is if food has been really cut back fleet wide or is this one (lengthy) cruise just a standout. Any thoughts?

[markluke]

Hello all. On Eclipse now ending a nice two week cruise. We've been loyal but infrequent Celebrity cruisers for about six years, having taken about one a year. We were attracted to Celebrity six years ago on a friends recommendation about great food. However on or current cruise we have found food noticeably lousy, especially with cuts of beef and other meats. We travel with here young children so eating in speciality restaurants is a no go unless we put them in kids camp (something I tired to do once I realized good meals could only be found there...sadly all speciality were booked the rest of the cruise). We are cancelling an already booked future Celebrity cruise as a result of lousy food here since in a suite in Royal I can take kids to speciality restaurants....booked three Royal cruises in suites while on this Celebrity cruise. So what I am wondering is if food has been really cut back fleet wide or is this one (lengthy) cruise just a standout. Any thoughts?

I have only been on two Celebrity cruises so can't comment on a decline over a period of time, but if you're booked in a suite I would eat almost every dinner at Luminae, even with younger children.

 

First, they do have a kids menu which was pretty complete. Second, you can get any MDR dishes you want in Luminae, so it's really like a 2 in 1. My 9 year old had the mini filet mignon every night (with a shrimp cocktail as an appetizer) and he it was delicious; high praise from a picky eater. My 7 year old rotated between a burger, mac and cheese and other options. He didn't eat as much because he probably ate 3 rolls before his main course came!

 

Third, the experience is excellent, so if the cut of beef or something else is poor you can send it back and get something else very easily without waiting for service staff to circle back. Can't decide between desserts? They'll bring both!

 

The only reason I could see eating in other specialty restaurants is if you wanted a different experience, especially for people who perhaps are more limited at home with their choices.

[mra9955]

We are in a FV on this cruise. Previous celebrity cruises were all in M class ships with big FV aft balconies. Liked those better. Anyway wish I was in suite here.

[markluke]

We are in a FV on this cruise. Previous celebrity cruises were all in M class ships with big FV aft balconies. Liked those better. Anyway wish I was in suite here.

Yet you booked 3 RCCL suite cruises? Hard to compare the two properly. I was in an aft corner FV on a M-class a few years ago and the food wasn't anything to write home about but I don't recall being disgusted either.

 

Before giving up on X you may want to try a sky suite and then eat in Luminae.

 

I'm sure more will comment on food quality in the MDR.

[mra9955]

I don't think I can get three kids and two adults in a sky suite. Can I? Not disgusted just disappointed.

[mra9955]

Two suites on Royal are two bedroom aqua theatre suites on Allure. We did this in December and enjoyed the extra space. The other suite booked on Royal is a Royal Family Suite on Grandeur, which sails from our home port of Baltimore.

[jagoffee]

Two suites on Royal are two bedroom aqua theatre suites on Allure. We did this in December and enjoyed the extra space. The other suite booked on Royal is a Royal Family Suite on Grandeur, which sails from our home port of Baltimore.

 

Just to clarify:

1. You find the RC food to be superior to Celebrity's food? We had a different opinion.

2. You can dine in speciality restaurants at no charge if booking a suite on RC?

3. You find the price of a suite on RC to be competiveness compared to Celebrity cabins plus speciality restaurants costs?

 

I can clearly see why you would prefer RC especially with kids. I am never sure why anyone would cruise on Celebrity with kids if RC is even the same price. Much more for the kids on RC.

 

Enjoy your cruises.

[4774Papa]

Hello all. On Eclipse now ending a nice two week cruise. We've been loyal but infrequent Celebrity cruisers for about six years, having taken about one a year. We were attracted to Celebrity six years ago on a friends recommendation about great food. However on or current cruise we have found food noticeably lousy, especially with cuts of beef and other meats. We travel with here young children so eating in speciality restaurants is a no go unless we put them in kids camp (something I tired to do once I realized good meals could only be found there...sadly all speciality were booked the rest of the cruise). We are cancelling an already booked future Celebrity cruise as a result of lousy food here since in a suite in Royal I can take kids to speciality restaurants....booked three Royal cruises in suites while on this Celebrity cruise. So what I am wondering is if food has been really cut back fleet wide or is this one (lengthy) cruise just a standout. Any thoughts?

 

We have done 9 cruises on Celebrity in 5 years and have not seen a decline in food quality. We do miss the end of cruise brunch, but that's not a big deal.

Food is subjective and we may not eat the same items that this cruiser. Doesn't Celebrity win awards for dining?

 

I have sent back dishes on NCL and once on Celebrity when the item was not what I expected or just wasn't good. The new dish worked just fine.

 

Our last cruise we had an upgrade to Luminae, which was fantastic. Normally, we are in a balcony.

[grandgeezer]

We have cruised with Celebrity for 13 years and in our opinion, the food quality, in the MDR, has dropped the last three years or so. I think a big part of it is consistency. I've had some very good meals and some just so-so. Because of the distance we travel to get to a cruise port, we always book longer cruises or b2bs. It's been quite awhile since I looked forward to having a certain main course a second time. One of the reasons mentioned on this board is the number of meals having to be prepared, at the same time as a major factor. We disagree, most of the ships sail full just like 10 years ago. Then, almost every meal was very good to excellent and we ordered it the second time, in a flash.

We always find something to eat so we aren't starving. We've tried about all the specialty restaurants and haven't found any that justifies the upcharge, not even with the discounts they offer on the ship. The bottom line is we wouldn't frequent the mdr or specialty restaurants if they were on shore.

[JanineM]

Yes, food quality has declined over the 8 years we have been sailing Celebrity. HOWEVER, our fares have stayed the same so something has to give somewhere.

 

You can take children to specialty dining with a 6 pm reservation ...

[macaroni]

We did the Eclipse for 2 weeks in February and I have to say that all the beef entrees were excellent. Did not have one that was not tender and flavorful...

[az_tchr]

The portion size has been cut to control waste, but one can get two entrees or a dozen shrimp in their Shrimp cocktail so no issue there.

 

Steaks are inconsistent, but beef certainly varies from steak to steak and one needs to remember the meat must be frozen which does bad things especially to beef.

 

As to RCCL - MDR food similar. Buffet food on RCCL awful. And yes it is a personal and subjective comment.

[I&J Cruisers]

Food has been deteriorating in all mainstream cruise lines since the early 90's. We cruised reflection last month and ate in luminae. Food was very good though too much fat,salt and sugar for my taste. I'll probably eat in Blu more Next time. Did love SO5.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chardonnay Char]

Our first celebrity cruise was so long ago -- 15 years -- that the computer did not register us as former guests. But the food in the MDR HAS really declined. Sorry to say, but there is no comparison. However, the prices have declined too, so I guess you get what you pay for.

[0244711219]

Just got off the solstice and the food in the oceanview cafe really went down hill at about day 4 very disappointing.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[pmctrish]

I have been on four Celebrity cruises between 2000 and 2015. I think the food quality, food selection, and portion size have all declined recently.

[Godello]

Been on multiple Celebrity cruises since 2005. At that time the MDR had 5 course meals. Then it became 4 course. Now it's down to 3 course. I know that one can order various dishes at each course, but the point is that the number of selections has been reduced. As for eating in the extra pay restaurants we never do. I'm fortunate to live in an area with good restaurants. I don't go on a cruise (which is supposed to include meals) to then pay more money for food that I can easily find at a better quality level for the same or lower price at home! When the cruise lines started going this they really put one over on their clientele. They bet that customers would want to one-up each other with "I've eaten at fu-fu-fa-fa, have you." And they were right! I've watched these posts over the years and certain folks love to talk about the pay restaurants they've patronized. I've always wondered what kind of restaurants they have at home. As long as they do it food quality and choice will continue to deteriorate in the "free" dining areas.

 

I've also watched the MDR and cafeteria locations spaces be invaded by increasing numbers of pay places. I suspect that eventually the only "free" place will be the cafeteria and everything else will be extra money. The constant grab for more money and the fact that the daily programs featured activities are almost always things that require extra fees has really become a turnoff on Celebrity. (And, of course, they're not the only cruise line with that approach.) Nuf said!

[vadell]

Been on multiple Celebrity cruises since 2005. At that time the MDR had 5 course meals. Then it became 4 course. Now it's down to 3 course. I know that one can order various dishes at each course, but the point is that the number of selections has been reduced. As for eating in the extra pay restaurants we never do. I'm fortunate to live in an area with good restaurants. I don't go on a cruise (which is supposed to include meals) to then pay more money for food that I can easily find at a better quality level for the same or lower price at home! When the cruise lines started going this they really put one over on their clientele. They bet that customers would want to one-up each other with "I've eaten at fu-fu-fa-fa, have you." And they were right! I've watched these posts over the years and certain folks love to talk about the pay restaurants they've patronized. I've always wondered what kind of restaurants they have at home. As long as they do it food quality and choice will continue to deteriorate in the "free" dining areas.

 

I've also watched the MDR and cafeteria locations spaces be invaded by increasing numbers of pay places. I suspect that eventually the only "free" place will be the cafeteria and everything else will be extra money. The constant grab for more money and the fact that the daily programs featured activities are almost always things that require extra fees has really become a turnoff on Celebrity. (And, of course, they're not the only cruise line with that approach.) Nuf said!

 

 

We purchased the ultimate dining package on our last cruise because we like the smaller venues and the food, not because we wish to brag and I think that this statement is an insult just because you do not think it is worth paying extra for does not mean others that do are wrong in doing so. We did not mention once to any other cruisers where we ate, if you feel that strongly that this is all cruise lines are doing now, why cruise? We have also been to many restaurants on land that are better but if we wish to purchase dining packages on top that is our choice if you do not that is your choice. It is the freedom of choice that we like. We never go an all inclusive holidays, we like to go out to restaurants, the cruise gives us the opportunity to visit several different places, in comfort and we can also now choose which restaurant we eat in.

[MR_T]

We've recently come back from 14 nights on the reflection and we found all the food & restaurants we tried (MDR & Specialties) was some of the best we've had over the last 3-4 years we've be cruising on celebrity,

 

What someone likes one day the next person might hate the following day, food is so subjective it's very hard to say one way or another,

 

Personally we think the food offering on all the celebrity cruises we've been on have been good to great & never had a bad meal [emoji4]

[KKMurphy2]

 

Steaks are inconsistent, but beef certainly varies from steak to steak and one needs to remember the meat must be frozen which does bad things especially to beef.

 

I grew up on a farm and we butchered a whole steer at a time. Obviously, we had frozen beef. It was fantastic. It depends on the cut and how you prepare that makes a great piece of meat. Cheaper cuts of beef are being used to decrease costs, and is therefore the reason behind the decreasing quality. :)

[wales4ever]

Totally agree. Everything from the bread rolls to the service has gone downhill.

[4774Papa]

DW and I don't order beef dishes very often. On a 14 day cruise, we might have beef twice. When we do order beef, it is usually a NY strip or prime rib. We have not seen a decline in quality for those dishes.

 

The salmon is always excellent. Also, like the shrimp (although it is not as good as our wild Georgia shrimp here in coastal Georgia) and seafood dished. However, sometimes the fish dishes can be overcooked a bit.

 

We also cruise on NCL and find their MDR food is inconsistent. Sometimes very good, sometimes average. I like the Eggs Benedict on Celebrity. Also, the pizza station for lunch. Further, enjoy the Indian food at the buffet as well.

[Cruizen Susan]

Originally Posted by Godello View Post

Been on multiple Celebrity cruises since 2005. At that time the MDR had 5 course meals. Then it became 4 course. Now it's down to 3 course. I know that one can order various dishes at each course, but the point is that the number of selections has been reduced. As for eating in the extra pay restaurants we never do. I'm fortunate to live in an area with good restaurants. I don't go on a cruise (which is supposed to include meals) to then pay more money for food that I can easily find at a better quality level for the same or lower price at home! When the cruise lines started going this they really put one over on their clientele. They bet that customers would want to one-up each other with "I've eaten at fu-fu-fa-fa, have you." And they were right! I've watched these posts over the years and certain folks love to talk about the pay restaurants they've patronized. I've always wondered what kind of restaurants they have at home. As long as they do it food quality and choice will continue to deteriorate in the "free" dining areas.

 

I've also watched the MDR and cafeteria locations spaces be invaded by increasing numbers of pay places. I suspect that eventually the only "free" place will be the cafeteria and everything else will be extra money. The constant grab for more money and the fact that the daily programs featured activities are almost always things that require extra fees has really become a turnoff on Celebrity. (And, of course, they're not the only cruise line with that approach.) Nuf said!

 

We purchased the ultimate dining package on our last cruise because we like the smaller venues and the food, not because we wish to brag and I think that this statement is an insult just because you do not think it is worth paying extra for does not mean others that do are wrong in doing so. We did not mention once to any other cruisers where we ate, if you feel that strongly that this is all cruise lines are doing now, why cruise? We have also been to many restaurants on land that are better but if we wish to purchase dining packages on top that is our choice if you do not that is your choice. It is the freedom of choice that we like. We never go an all inclusive holidays, we like to go out to restaurants, the cruise gives us the opportunity to visit several different places, in comfort and we can also now choose which restaurant we eat in.

 

Well said. I totally agree!

[kencr]

Last 2 cruises I did not eat in MDR , dined in BLU and specialty. Next 2 cruises this year I will and report. Food is subjective, never had a bad meal. I have had a dish I did not like the taste of but it was a dish I never had before and that's is not Celebrity fault. Cruising is for experience of new places, people and foods.

[Godello]

We purchased the ultimate dining package on our last cruise because we like the smaller venues and the food, not because we wish to brag and I think that this statement is an insult just because you do not think it is worth paying extra for does not mean others that do are wrong in doing so. We did not mention once to any other cruisers where we ate, if you feel that strongly that this is all cruise lines are doing now, why cruise? We have also been to many restaurants on land that are better but if we wish to purchase dining packages on top that is our choice if you do not that is your choice. It is the freedom of choice that we like. We never go an all inclusive holidays, we like to go out to restaurants, the cruise gives us the opportunity to visit several different places, in comfort and we can also now choose which restaurant we eat in.

 

Vadell, I'm not into word wars. I was not attacking you nor anyone else personally, so your response seemed a bit strong. The point I was trying to make is that what you now pay extra for you used to get as part of your cruise package. As with airlines, where you are now charged extra for a seat you used to get as part of your fare, you now get jammed into sardine seats if you won't pay more. The business model is to charge extra for everything you can and Celebrity and the cruise lines in general are excellent at that. The other point I was trying to make is that if folks avoided these extra pay restaurants they would disappear and maybe the quality would return to the MDR. (I know that's not gonna happen!!!) I cruise because I love cruising. I lament that the middle class cruise lines have become venues for constant sales pitches. Food, pictures, casino, spa treatments--it's unending. It won't keep me from cruising. But cruising was more fun before the corporate managers went to the present model. And if you think I'm wrong about some people on here (and on board ship) one-upping with their restaurant stories, then obviously you and I read different board entries and hear from different people. Nothing wrong with people have different opinions. Hope you're having a great day!