Looking for someone currently on Edge (1/3/23) that can confirm/deny scaled back dinner buffet??

[BermudaBound2014]

This post is 5 hours old and has 220 comments. Apparently they are allowing shorts in the MDR. No surprise, many people don’t even pack a pair of pants so to have this change sprung with no warning leaves no choice but to eliminate the mdr dress code (at least for now).

 

Edited January 9, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[Cjonthesea]

 

[WonderMan3]

On 1/7/2023 at 5:38 PM, helen haywood said:

I hate to sound skeptical…but these calls and emails actually don’t mean anything.

I disagree. (Although they do need to be combined with customers giving feedback to management onboard too)  We have seen in the past with guests in an uproar over changes, like the Mast Grill charging for burgers, the removal of the turndown chocolate or Royal's whole MDR service structure on one of their new ships, that they have backed off of the changes. Of course the more powerful way to send a message is to cancel your cruise and then call or email them and let them know why you cancelled so they can see a direct correlation between their changes and revenue loss.

[cruisemom42]

58 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

This post is 5 hours old and has 220 comments. Apparently they are allowing shorts in the MDR. No surprise, many people don’t even pack a pair of pants so to have this change sprung with no warning leaves no choice but to eliminate the mdr dress code (at least for now).

 

 

"Not everyone wants to go formal every night!!"

 

Quite the overstatement. Nothing formal anymore about formal nights, let alone normal nights in the MDR... 

[dodger1964]

8 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

"Not everyone wants to go formal every night!!"

 

Quite the overstatement. Nothing formal anymore about formal nights, let alone normal nights in the MDR... 

we only pack one shirt that can pass for whatever is one up from t-shirts.  

 

We are elite plus and have never eaten in the MDR...we eat in the buffet or in our room...that is just how we travel...the only reason we bring a nicer shirt is to be able to go the elite events in something other that a t-shirt.

13 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

I can't get confirmation either, but I'll let you know next week. I plan to do a live thread with the offerings.

 

You are aware that Celebrity added a room service charge of $9.95 per delivery (plus gratuity) at the same time they reduced the Ocean View Cafe offerings???

 

Yes, I read that somewhere...normally that would make me cringe, but this time we are cruising on one of the "why the hell did they give us a free casino cruise!!" deals...so $100 paid for dinners(and we order A LOT of food) will be just fine (as long as we can get the MDR meals!)

 

Thanks for your info!

 

 

[BermudaBound2014]

10 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

"Not everyone wants to go formal every night!!"

 

Quite the overstatement. Nothing formal anymore about formal nights, let alone normal nights in the MDR... 

 

I'm not sure if you are reading the thread I copied above on social media, but apparently dress code has been relaxed. Specific reports mention Blu was allowing flip flops and backward baseball caps. Those who were planning to dine in the buffet each night might not have packed closed toe shoes and long pants. Celebrity must reduce the dress code until word gets out or the buffet options improve, no way around that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cruisemom42]

6 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

I'm not sure if you are reading the thread I copied above on social media, but apparently dress code has been relaxed. Specific reports mention Blu was allowing flip flops and backward baseball caps. Those who were planning to dine in the buffet each night might not have packed closed toe shoes and long pants. Celebrity must reduce the dress code until word gets out or the buffet options improve, no way around that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm just saying there's no way that what Celebrity has previously required every night could be considered "formal".

 

I'm just as happy I have no Celebrity cruises scheduled at the moment until they get all of this sorted.

[vkb2751]

 

On the Beyond Oceanview at dinner time - only thing missing was the grill station. Salad bar, bread station, Indian, Spanish and other hot food stations all open. Also, pasta and stir fry stations open. 

 

today is listed as sweet and savory crepes! Will see what else is open! Looks like it varies by ship somewhat.

[Fivelinks]

On 1/3/2023 at 11:30 PM, RICCruisers said:

To answe some of the questions that were posed. The photos I took were after we finished our dinner in Normandie at about 7:30. Much of the seating area in the OV was dark. Those of you familiar with the OV on Edge know about the area on the back wall where they traditionally offer made to order steaks and fish etc. That area was totally closed. The photos may have been a little exaggerated due to my shock in how little was actually open. We did not walk to the back of the OV so I can neither confirm or deny the Pizza area availability. 
 

On the question about a Room Service charge. We still have not been charged for our Room Service breakfast from this morning and I will challenge any charge if it does show up since it was not on the menu card we filled out the night we placed the order. The only mention of a charge in the App is the $4.95 charge for the late night service. 
 

One additional change we noticed today was the lunch in the Eden Cafe. The size of the terrific brownies and chocolate chip cookies has noticeably decreased. The food was still very good but to a chocolate aficionado like my DW it was disappointing. Especially since she spent an hour in the fitness center today before lunch to offset her cookie enjoyment. 😉

 

On a positive note, we saw the 9:00 Kaleidoscope show. We’ve seen it before, but this cast was terrific. 

Do you have or can you snap a pic of the Eden dinner menu? I have heard they changed it but am wondering if it is worth the fee. Also, what has been your experience on this sailing with specialty restaurants? Wondering what is worth the money and if there have been any specials offered you are aware of. Thanks!

[CruiseCrew123]

It’s in the App

[bnurick]

Just boarded the Edge. The buffet was package with nothing cut back. Every station was hopping. 

[The Fun Researcher]

2 hours ago, bnurick said:

Just boarded the Edge. The buffet was package with nothing cut back. Every station was hopping. 

For dinner?  I don’t think they touched the lunch buffet, it is the dinner buffet you need to check out.

Edited January 13, 2023 by The Fun Researcher

[WonderMan3]

5 hours ago, bnurick said:

Just boarded the Edge. The buffet was package with nothing cut back. Every station was hopping. 

The lunch buffet was not in question it was the dinner buffet.

[Dreamer68]

On 1/6/2023 at 10:11 AM, KKB said:

I'm specifically referencing the Sea Bass in Cyprus on E-class.

Sadly it looks to be replaced by beef tenderloin en croute--NOT exactly Greek in my mind.

Tried the lavender halibut...meh, I'm not sure those 2 things go together.

SHOOT

https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/restaurants-and-bars/restaurant-menu/cyprus-menu.pdf

I have just come off the Apex that sailed on the 7th of January. The Celebrity.com menu for Cyprus is off. It's a duplicate of Normandie. I questioned that before my departure. The Cyprus  menu on the Celebrity app is correct. I can confirm the Cyprus exclusives are the Sea Bass (delightful light meal), the Lamb Tagine (amazing robust meal) and the Chicken Souvlaki (in between the other 2 offerings). I will do a trip report once I fully get my land bearings again. 

Because of this thread, I did check out the Oceanview situation for the evening, took some photos, spoke to a supervisor-looking staff member one late afternoon and he confirmed that a reduced buffet is being offered at OVC. One station called "Chef's Favourite" which has about 8 items that include at least 3 meats, and then the hot sides (there is ALWAYS a carving station in that Chef's Favourite section)... a salad bar, breads and dessert station. That's it, really. He said there are nightly themes but I checked out the OVC 3 different evenings and I did not see a pattern of themes. I have to say though that there really is enough options for a good-sized meal....(not so much good-sized variety). Will cover that in my trip report. 🙂

[BermudaBound2014]

2 minutes ago, Dreamer68 said:

(there is ALWAYS a carving station in that Chef's Favourite section)... 🙂

Just adding for accuracy-

 

There is NOT a carving station to be found during dinner at the ocean view cafe on Connie this week.  
 

Obviously there are some differences in what is being offer on each ship. We have had a pasta station offered each evening, but no carving station (which would be a welcome addition at this point in the cruise). 
 

Again, just to add info so folks are better prepared. 

[Dreamer68]

On 1/8/2023 at 5:20 PM, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

There was a recent report that the grill station was alsoclosed for lunch. Did you see the dinner menu posted? I would not really call that a buffet, at all. 

I just got off the Apex on the 14th. Everything in the OVC is open at breakfast and lunch. The Grill station at lunch time is magnificent! Loved the fish station on the last day with a veritable buffet of different gravlax/ smoked salmon offered and at least 4 different grilled fish.  On other days, I enjoyed flank steak and also duck at the Grill station. Delish! Will do a trip report soon with photos. DH complains I took too many food photos. I don't think there is ever any "too many" for food photos. 😉 

[Dreamer68]

Just now, BermudaBound2014 said:

Just adding for accuracy-

 

There is NOT a carving station to be found during dinner at the ocean view cafe on Connie this week.  
 

Obviously there are some differences in what is being offer on each ship. We have had a pasta station offered each evening, but no carving station (which would be a welcome addition at this point in the cruise). 
 

Again, just to add info so folks are better prepared. 

Yes, thanks for the clarification. I am speaking specifically for the Apex. 🙂 

[BermudaBound2014]

3 minutes ago, Dreamer68 said:

I just got off the Apex on the 14th. Everything in the OVC is open at breakfast and lunch. The Grill station at lunch time is magnificent! Loved the fish station on the last day with a veritable buffet of different gravlax/ smoked salmon offered and at least 4 different grilled fish.  On other days, I enjoyed flank steak and also duck at the Grill station. Delish! Will do a trip report soon with photos. DH complains I took too many food photos. I don't think there is ever any "too many" for food photos. 😉 

I’m currently on the Connie. The grill station is open for lunch but far from

magnificent. The fish offered is tilapia and all beef choices have been removed. It’s still good, but cut backs are evident everywhere on the buffet during breakfast and lunch, and the cuts backs at dinner are significant.

 

 

I realize you are speaking about Apex. Did you have other choices besides chicken, pork chop, and tilapia at the lunch grill station?

Edited January 16, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[Dreamer68]

1 minute ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

I’m currently on the Connie. The grill station is open for lunch but far from

magnificent. The fish offered is tilapia and all beef choices have been removed. It’s still good, but cut backs are evident everywhere on the buffet during breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

I realize you are speaking about Apex. Did you have other choices besides chicken, pork chop, and tilapia at the lunch grill station?

Apex lunch OVC Grill station - over the whole week, I tried barramundi, tuna, snapper, flank steak, duck, salmon. Other offerings at the grill station: turkey, and what you mentioned. I think DH had "minute steaks" one lunch time. I was looking for lamb specifically and did not see it at the Grill station but saw it in other stations, for example, one evening, there was Roast Lamb at the OVC as one of the 3 or 4 main meats. For me, a foodie, there were more options than I could eat so although I checked out the Grill Station daily, I chose from other stations for multiple helpings. 🙂  For this thread though, I can confirm a scaled back OVC offering for dinner time and I specifically chatted up a staff member about it.