Oceania Losing Ground - Just Back From Marina

[janecambridge]

Originally made from stale bread,tomatoes,cucumbers, oil, garlic,salt and water...Still is authentically made like this in Spain,Served cold,often with a little crushed ice.

I would hope that Oceania does original recipes and not 'souped up' versions according to international tastes.

Sadly we had sloppy puréed potato in Polo Grill and not mashed potato,on Riviera.

[Floridiana]

It's important to speak up - in your written comments with details about the food. If I want bland food, I can book HAL at a lower price point.

[californiacruiseluvrs]

Hi Everyone! I'm the original poster. I've remained silent until now and enjoyed reading everyone's reply. Cruise Critic is great and allows cruisers to share information as well as honest opinions with other cruise enthusiasts. To clarify, we will cruise Oceania again and had a fabulous time on a terrific ship and line. I gave a fair, honest and reasonable review of the good, bad and ugly (not truly any ugly) as seen and experienced personally. People - you don't have to agree. You also don't need to get nasty. I posted an "opinion" about my experience. Unfortunately, in today's day and age people feel the need to be offended, defensive and find their safe place when they don't agree with another person's opinion. Some people even become despondent. Really not necessary or productive. I enjoy reading the opinions of others and am greatly appreciative of those who take the time to open up and share their impression of their cruise experiences. Thank you to all those who continue to contribute. Happy cruising everyone :D

[wiks]

As an "Aussie" might say--Good on you!!!! Nice post. Wiks

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[twochromic]

I did find a bit of a decline on my recent (Aug 7) Alaska cruise on Regatta. We still had a great time, but I didn't think the food quality and presentation was as consistent as on earlier ones. And there were nights in the MDR where nothing looked appetizing (I don't ever remember thinking that on any cruise!).

For instance: no Caesar salads concocted tableside from scratch, even in specialty restaurants -- dressing already in a pot, likely the same one as at the buffet.

[kreastman]

I did find a bit of a decline on my recent (Aug 7) Alaska cruise on Regatta. We still had a great time, but I didn't think the food quality and presentation was as consistent as on earlier ones. And there were nights in the MDR where nothing looked appetizing (I don't ever remember thinking that on any cruise!).

For instance: no Caesar salads concocted tableside from scratch, even in specialty restaurants -- dressing already in a pot, likely the same one as at the buffet.

I don't think O has ever made their Caesar dressing from scratch tableside. We were on Regatta more than a decade ago and were disappointed to find the pre-made dressing then. I can understand using pre-made in Terrace, but I wish they'd make it from scratch at least in the specialties.

[ronrick1943]

I don't think O has ever made their Caesar dressing from scratch tableside. We were on Regatta more than a decade ago and were disappointed to find the pre-made dressing then. I can understand using pre-made in Terrace, but I wish they'd make it from scratch at least in the specialties.

 

I agree, one would think they would. But we've cruised 8 times on "O" and never made table side. It's not going to happen because of training and timing. A few times they didn't even mix the salad table side-the salad was carried to the table.

[LHT28]

The only place we had Caesar salad made table side was in Polo it was already plated & dressed in the GDR

Not sure they still make it table side in Polo still

[kreastman]

It is still advertised as being made table side in Polo (https://www.oceaniacruises.com/experience/dining/polo-grill/), "with gusto", whatever that means. It also says "prepared according to tradition". That implies making the dressing from scratch, but unfortunately that doesn't happen.

[YoHoHo]

It is still advertised as being made table side in Polo (https://www.oceaniacruises.com/experience/dining/polo-grill/), "with gusto", whatever that means. It also says "prepared according to tradition". That implies making the dressing from scratch, but unfortunately that doesn't happen.

"prepared according to tradition" is true, it it O's tradition to tossed the lettuce and croutons with dressing in a wooden bowl table side. It is not their tradition to make the dressing table side.

 

I think this presentation phony and silly trying to elevate from MDR to something special. I'd prefer they did not bother with the show. On one cruise we were seated with a first-time couple and they were so taken aback I was almost embarrassed. The dressing is a consistent product which we would not if made by the server (and then there would be another bunch of complaints and debate (is eating raw egg was healthy, no the Worcestershire sauce should be ... etc, etc, etc). I'd also prefer if they made the dressing with anchovy as opposed to tossing a couple of fillets on top. Perhaps, that is the stye somewhere but I had never seen it until O. Not shy on garlic though so it is still tasty

[kreastman]

Probably right. In many restaurants where table side Caesar is offered, some "specialist" other than the waiter will handle the preparation for any table that orders it, so the dressing is always consistent. Often they will ask you how much garlic you want in it, or offer other custom touches. And yes, the anchovies are usually part of the dressing, not served on top. Wish it could be that way on O.

[Earl Rosebery]

I surely hope the Caesar salad isn't a deal breaker

[twochromic]

I surely hope the Caesar salad isn't a deal breaker

Of course not. And perhaps you folks are correct that Caesar has always been simply "assembled" on O. I was likely remembering Seabourn.

[kreastman]

I surely hope the Caesar salad isn't a deal breaker

Definitely not! O's Caesar isn't that bad, just not as good as a true table side version might be.

[pinotlover]

Actually on our last cruise there were two Caesar dressings. An original recipe with anchovies and spicy garlic and a bland one without. I only learned this by chance. I had ordered a Caesar Salad in the GDR and got this bland glob romaine salad. I had to ask for anchovies which the waiter later brought out. My first thought was "just an off night". However, a couple of nights later in Toscano, I ordered another that was supposed to be made table side. Out came the waiter with all the fixings, but with two different dressings. I asked what they were and he explained they had two dressing now to choose from. I asked for the one with anchovies and all the spices. I also asked for a sample taste of the other dressing. Sure enough, it was the tasteless glob that was on my salad before. The couple we shared the table with lit into the waiter telling him that glob wasn't "Caesar " dressing , but some tasteless fake. The waiter curtly told us that dressing is now the most preferred on board and is now the standard useless one orders the salad with "original " dressing with anchovies. Our table mate responded "so now I must order a Ceasar salad with real dressing not just the salad?" Yes , was the response. Wherein he replied "that's like saying I want pepperoni pizza with pepperoni, otherwise, you bring me a cheese pizza!" The waiter only responded "that most of the passengers now prefer the other dressing." The original dressing is still very good, but now take nothing for granted when ordering. Bland is becoming the standard.

[YoHoHo]

Actually on our last cruise there were two Caesar dressings. An original recipe with anchovies and spicy garlic and a bland one without. I only learned this by chance. I had ordered a Caesar Salad in the GDR and got this bland glob romaine salad. I had to ask for anchovies which the waiter later brought out. My first thought was "just an off night". However, a couple of nights later in Toscano, I ordered another that was supposed to be made table side. Out came the waiter with all the fixings, but with two different dressings. I asked what they were and he explained they had two dressing now to choose from. I asked for the one with anchovies and all the spices. I also asked for a sample taste of the other dressing. Sure enough, it was the tasteless glob that was on my salad before. The couple we shared the table with lit into the waiter telling him that glob wasn't "Caesar " dressing , but some tasteless fake. The waiter curtly told us that dressing is now the most preferred on board and is now the standard useless one orders the salad with "original " dressing with anchovies. Our table mate responded "so now I must order a Ceasar salad with real dressing not just the salad?" Yes , was the response. Wherein he replied "that's like saying I want pepperoni pizza with pepperoni, otherwise, you bring me a cheese pizza!" The waiter only responded "that most of the passengers now prefer the other dressing." The original dressing is still very good, but now take nothing for granted when ordering. Bland is becoming the standard.

hmmmm. IFRC from when I started on O, 2008(?) the only Caesar dressing did not have anchovy that I assume was for those who might be allergic to fish or the 'ewe' crowd so the would top the salad with a piece of fish, which is clearly not the same.

 

Great to hear they now have options and I can get the "original" with anchovy and a swack of garlic. If someone, even the majority want the bland one that is aok with me.

 

I find the pizza pepperoni analogy amusing, seems like it is the modern way. At fast food restaurants on more than one occasion I've overheard a person ordering something like "I'll have the #1 combo (which is a cheeseburger) without the cheese". Often wondered why they don't order the mushroom burger without the mushrooms.

[Mura]

I don't prefer a bland version ever, but what use is it to attack the waiter who is just delivering the product? Make a comment on the review requests that come out after a few days on board. Let management know.

 

The waiter can't change anything.

 

(Yes, I did note that you were talking about your tablemates, not yourselves!)

[YoHoHo]

Definitely not! O's Caesar isn't that bad, just not as good as a true table side version might be.

Hard to get tableside service here any more. As a matter of fact, tonight we're going out to an old school restaurant, same location 40 years. Second generation owners, one almost-from-the-start waiter! Sadly the area they are in has decayed over the years but they are still a gem. If they were located in a newer area or closer into the city it would be even harder to get a reservation. They have their own farm in the valley for vegetables where they also raise the lamb they serve.

 

And they have an old school menu, hardly changed in many years I'm sure. Tonight we will have Caesar salad made tableside, Châteaubriand finished and carved tableside, cherries Jubilee flambé for dessert. If one orders a old style liqueured coffee, again flamed at the table, you'll get a free pour (actually not legal here ) that would make even Travel2cat happy.

 

There is no drop a plate and off to the next table. Great table side service from very experienced staff.

 

Understandably cannot be duplicated on a cruise ship though I give them credit for trying especially when trying to please a mass of people with different tastes. On land a a restaurant can differentiate itself and those who don't like their offerings simply don't go. But on the cruise ship "because the restaurant is "free", pax are going to (repeatedly) have dinner there whether it is to their liking or not.

[LHT28]

Actually on our last cruise there were two Caesar dressings. An original recipe with anchovies and spicy garlic and a bland one without. I only learned this by chance. I had ordered a Caesar Salad in the GDR and got this bland glob romaine salad. I had to ask for anchovies which the waiter later brought out. My first thought was "just an off night". However, a couple of nights later in Toscano, I ordered another that was supposed to be made table side. Out came the waiter with all the fixings, but with two different dressings. I asked what they were and he explained they had two dressing now to choose from. I asked for the one with anchovies and all the spices. I also asked for a sample taste of the other dressing. Sure enough, it was the tasteless glob that was on my salad before. The couple we shared the table with lit into the waiter telling him that glob wasn't "Caesar " dressing , but some tasteless fake. The waiter curtly told us that dressing is now the most preferred on board and is now the standard useless one orders the salad with "original " dressing with anchovies. Our table mate responded "so now I must order a Ceasar salad with real dressing not just the salad?" Yes , was the response. Wherein he replied "that's like saying I want pepperoni pizza with pepperoni, otherwise, you bring me a cheese pizza!" The waiter only responded "that most of the passengers now prefer the other dressing." The original dressing is still very good, but now take nothing for granted when ordering. Bland is becoming the standard.

So are the anchovies mixed in the dressing ?

I do not like them on the salad but they are OK in the dressing

 

I think your tablemates were very rude

 

If you have a problem take it up with the Maitre"d not take it out on the waiter

 

JMO

[drkitkat123]

Love real whole anchovies on my Caesar salad....

[TERRIER1]

I don't think O has ever made their Caesar dressing from scratch tableside. We were on Regatta more than a decade ago and were disappointed to find the pre-made dressing then. I can understand using pre-made in Terrace, but I wish they'd make it from scratch at least in the specialties.

 

On our first cruise in 2008 on the Regatta they made the dressing tableside from scratch in Toscana - smashed anchovies and all. It was the first and last time.

[St Paul Girl]

I don't prefer a bland version ever, but what use is it to attack the waiter who is just delivering the product? Make a comment on the review requests that come out after a few days on board. Let management know.

 

The waiter can't change anything.

 

(Yes, I did note that you were talking about your tablemates, not yourselves!)

 

Okay, so now I have it all straightened out! Every time we order food on Oceania, we have to ask for them to cook it the "original" way not the bland way!:)

I still can't believe that they serve a Caesar salad without garlic! That is NOT a Caesar salad! It should be called a romaine salad.

Also, I agree, the waiter is not the problem, it's the management.

I would not wait for management to change the recipes, I would ask to speak to the "chef" and make it known that when serving "us" that he has the liberty to cook as it should be done, NOT the corporate BLAND way.

[TERRIER1]

Love real whole anchovies on my Caesar salad....

 

We always ask for extra anchovies and get 6 instead of 3. Just ask. Apparently there are always enough since most people don't like the whole ones on their salad (lol).

[golfguyhhi]

I hope everyone who is unhappy with any recipe or service option for dishes is making that fact known to management through their mid-cruise and end-of-cruise comments/surveys. I can tell you from personal experience they are read and acted on.

[LHT28]

WOW things must have really changed since last April when we cruised

Food is subjective but for the most part it has been fine .... a few exceptions apply

The Caesar salads we have had always had more than enough garlic I do request no anchovies because they usually are whole ones & do not care for them

The food is not highly spiced so you actually taste the main ingredient ..which I think is the way it should be

If all you want to taste is the seasoning then ask when your order for them to add extra spices

 

Will see how things are in Dec

 

jmo