Sea Day Brunch - I don't get the hype

[simplelife]

17 hours ago, klfrodo said:

The OP tried it, didn’t enjoy the experience.

Why do people feel the need to defend the experience?

 

OP didn’t attack anyone. Didn’t demean anyone. Didn’t belittle anyone.

Because the OP asked us to????

 

[sanmarcosman]

1 hour ago, 1kaper said:

 

I had them on the Dream in March and also liked them very much. 

Living in So-Cal it's odd I haven't tried them but I prefer soft boiled eggs so that's probably why. I do want to find a new favorite at Sea Day Brunch so thanks for your encouraging input. 

[CruiserLucas]

I think Seaday Brunch was fine the first couple of times we had it. I don't know that I paid attention to its promotion enough to get a sense if it was overhyped. I'd say I'm not writing letters home about it. Just writing some letters on Cruise Critic about it... 😅 

I think they do/did a worse job overhyping afternoon tea on seadays. A box of Twinings or Tetley bags wasn't my idea of classy tea time I guess. 

[Drew B 58]

It’s sad that a number of dishes people have mentioned on this thread as the reason they live Sea Day Brunch are no longer offered…

[MeganGC1983]

Today on the Dream 70-80 minute wait. People were mad. The steak and eggs weren’t good but the tomato soup was 🔥🔥🔥

[AHS123]

1 hour ago, MeganGC1983 said:

Today on the Dream 70-80 minute wait. People were mad. The steak and eggs weren’t good

That piece of beef looks like the scraps we toss to our dogs. Good that the tomato soup is back and that you enjoyed it. 

[Crusin Karen]

Have never once been to the brunch.  Every cruise I say I'll try it.  Every cruise I haven't!  I love the buffet.  My favorite thing in the world is oatmeal with brown sugar and I ONLY eat it on cruises.  I'm not a sitter arounder lol.  I like to sit, eat and go.  Not order, wait, wait for food.  MDR for dinner I'm ok with.  Breakfast-sip my coffee, eat, if I want something else I can go back to buffet.....I'm sure I'm missing out on some good grub, but buffet works for me.  Good to read all the opinions and experiences.  I'll try it on my next cruise....or maybe I won't!  🙃

[Kay S]

2 hours ago, Crusin Karen said:

Have never once been to the brunch.  Every cruise I say I'll try it.  Every cruise I haven't!  

This is me.  I haven't done a post-shutdown on Carnival yet, but I'm working on it.  Maybe I will finally do the brunch?🙂

[monty3]

So what are the hours of Sea day Brunch? Are they open by 7:00AM?

[simplelife]

On 10/14/2022 at 11:05 AM, CruiserLucas said:

I think Seaday Brunch was fine the first couple of times we had it. I don't know that I paid attention to its promotion enough to get a sense if it was overhyped. I'd say I'm not writing letters home about it. Just writing some letters on Cruise Critic about it... 😅 

I think they do/did a worse job overhyping afternoon tea on seadays. A box of Twinings or Tetley bags wasn't my idea of classy tea time I guess. 

I used to love the Steak and eggs when they served the Filet Mignon - it was the meal I enjoyed most on most cruises. Now with the cheaper steak, it is good, but not great 

 

[cruisinpips]

Cruisin for the 33rd time this November, we have never been to Brunch. Never saw anything that remotely interested us on the menu. And based on this thread, I certainly don’t now…. Ate in dining room for breakfast twice on our last cruise based on the crowds in Lido… nothing special there either. 

[CruisingWalter]

On 10/13/2022 at 10:47 AM, Woody14 said:

I took my first Carnival cruise recently and in my researching of the things not to miss and other tips there was lots of references to sea day brunch as something not to miss.   So I took it in and I don't get it.   It seemed like it was basically breakfast menu with the addition of steak frits and burger to the menu.    Did I totally miss this or ???

 

we didn't do the brunch but we definitely enjoyed Sea Day lunch at Cucina Del Capitano. That was a lot of fun, basically make your own pasta bowls. 

[BlerkOne]

On 10/13/2022 at 3:40 PM, cruisingguy007 said:

 

No, I'm referring to the fact that it's no longer a sea day brunch, it's a sea day breakfast with the current hours. It's breakfast that self identifies as brunch, madness I tell ya! 😁 

No common definition of brunch require it to extend beyond noon. By definition, it is a mix of breakfast and lunch items, which the Carnival brunch is.

[mz-s]

speaking of a combination of breakfast and lunch - has anyone eaten one of the burgers at brunch? I keep meaning to but never do!

[BlerkOne]

One source does give times

Brunch is a meal eaten between 10:00 a.m. and 11:59 a.m., sometimes accompanied by alcoholic drinks. The word brunch is a portmanteau of breakfast and lunch. Brunch originated in England in the late 19th century, and became popular in the United States in the 1930s. Wikipedia

 

So I guess Carnival is still generous with the hours brunch is offered. 🙃

[ldubs]

Someone previously pointed out on these forums that the first meal of the day is always breakfast, regardless of the time.  So, I guess I had my breakfast at brunch.  Though, on some days I've had breakfast at lunch.

[sparks1093]

6 hours ago, ldubs said:

Someone previously pointed out on these forums that the first meal of the day is always breakfast, regardless of the time.  So, I guess I had my breakfast at brunch.  Though, on some days I've had breakfast at lunch.

When I was aircrew in the Navy we would be taking off and landing at all hours of the day and night for our missions (usually 10 to 12 hours long). Some people were very regimented and if they woke up at 5pm for a night mission they absolutely had to have "breakfast" or they would grumble. They weren't as fussy on the other side. I mean, who doesn't enjoy breakfast for supper every now and then? I've never been a slave to the clock when it comes to meals, if I am hungry I will eat whatever is available at that time. 

[asalligo]

On 10/13/2022 at 10:47 AM, Woody14 said:

I took my first Carnival cruise recently and in my researching of the things not to miss and other tips there was lots of references to sea day brunch as something not to miss.   So I took it in and I don't get it.   It seemed like it was basically breakfast menu with the addition of steak frits and burger to the menu.    Did I totally miss this or ???

No, you did not miss anything except the experience cruising once was. Seaday Brunch is a reduction in what service used to be packaged as an upgrade by a corporation trying to squeeze as much profit as possible out of every passenger. 

 

[Schoifmom]

On 10/14/2022 at 9:30 PM, Crusin Karen said:

Have never once been to the brunch.  Every cruise I say I'll try it.  Every cruise I haven't!  I love the buffet.  My favorite thing in the world is oatmeal with brown sugar and I ONLY eat it on cruises.  I'm not a sitter arounder lol.  I like to sit, eat and go.  Not order, wait, wait for food.  MDR for dinner I'm ok with.  Breakfast-sip my coffee, eat, if I want something else I can go back to buffet.....I'm sure I'm missing out on some good grub, but buffet works for me.  Good to read all the opinions and experiences.  I'll try it on my next cruise....or maybe I won't!  🙃

^^^^ THIS is why we have options!!!  I prefer to sit down and have someone wait on me and not have to fight the masses (JK) to get it.  DH has mobility issues and it's just easier than having him struggle with the buffet lines.  We don't normally eat a buffets on land, don't know why we would at sea.  Again, options are wonderful things!

[wesorbeth]

I will miss the "tower" and Chia Seed Pudding.  

[cruisingguy007]

13 hours ago, mz-s said:

speaking of a combination of breakfast and lunch - has anyone eaten one of the burgers at brunch? I keep meaning to but never do!

 

They got rid of the popular ones, only one left. Aft deck burger is gone. That was the one I regret not trying, wife had it on a past cruise and raved about it. I think there is just one burger left on the menu now. 

[Retiredmedic]

Did a sea day brunch last week on the Mardi Gras, 46 minutes to get our food.

[grantbob]

16 hours ago, mz-s said:

speaking of a combination of breakfast and lunch - has anyone eaten one of the burgers at brunch? I keep meaning to but never do!

 

I like the one with a fried egg and hash browns. They used to have a brisket burger that was good too but its not on the current menu.

[cruiseny4life]

As someone who cruised Carnival once back in 2009, I have questions! In full transparency, I ask because I'm curious. I may, or probably will not, cruise Carnival, but hey maybe y'all can convince me to try it out again! 

 

1. Does Carnival not serve breakfast, like real breakfast, on sea days? What about port days? Is the buffet the only alternative? 

2. @Badfinger mentions being seated with others. Do you have a choice in this? It's always just my husband and I, so would we be able to get a seat just for two? 

3. Why is the wait so long? Some have stated it's a long time to get in, and to eat. Do they only open part of the main dining room? Is it because of staffing levels? Something else.

4. If you're in line at 11:58 will they let you get in even after noon? Or is it a hard cut off regardless of the time? 

 

So many interesting things about this sea day brunch! Oh, and on NCL (I know, not Carnival), the buffet is equally as disgusting as some posters here have stated the Carnival buffet is. That's why I have absolutely no inclination to go to a buffet and so many sea day brunch questions. 

 

Thanks all you funderstruck folks! 

[Schoifmom]

1 minute ago, cruiseny4life said:

As someone who cruised Carnival once back in 2009, I have questions! In full transparency, I ask because I'm curious. I may, or probably will not, cruise Carnival, but hey maybe y'all can convince me to try it out again! 

 

1. Does Carnival not serve breakfast, like real breakfast, on sea days? What about port days? Is the buffet the only alternative? 

2. @Badfinger mentions being seated with others. Do you have a choice in this? It's always just my husband and I, so would we be able to get a seat just for two? 

3. Why is the wait so long? Some have stated it's a long time to get in, and to eat. Do they only open part of the main dining room? Is it because of staffing levels? Something else.

4. If you're in line at 11:58 will they let you get in even after noon? Or is it a hard cut off regardless of the time? 

 

So many interesting things about this sea day brunch! Oh, and on NCL (I know, not Carnival), the buffet is equally as disgusting as some posters here have stated the Carnival buffet is. That's why I have absolutely no inclination to go to a buffet and so many sea day brunch questions. 

 

Thanks all you funderstruck folks! 

1.  The sea day brunch menu has traditional "breakfast" foods on it and there is a MDR breakfast served with limited hours on port days.

2.  You have the option to be seated with others or not.  Sometimes we have chosen not, but they still would take us to a shared table.  We simply tell the host(ess) escorting us that we would like our own table.  No problem.

3.  I have never had a long wait, but perhaps we choose to go at times when they are less busy?  We've never waited more than 10 minutes after checking in on the HUB app to be seated.  Even if there was a wait, you can wait wherever you want, since you check in on the app.  As far as service times, they can be a little slow, but I've never experienced long delays.

4.  I believe that they cut off the check-in funcationality in the HUB app at 12:00.  There is no physical "in-line" any longer.