Awful State of Ocean View Cafe for dinner

[Guest TopoChico]

27 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

The humorous thing about this buffet rage is that if someone asked this group a month ago, 95% would say you have never have dinner in the buffet and never plan to.

 

I guess knowing there are 50 entree options upstairs waiting for you just in case you get extra hungry provides some sort of peace of mind 🤨

 

 

Where are you getting your statistics from? 

[Salt Lifer]

19 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

The humorous thing about this buffet rage is that if someone asked this group a month ago, 95% would say you have never have dinner in the buffet and never plan to.

 

I guess knowing there are 50 entree options upstairs waiting for you just in case you get extra hungry provides some sort of peace of mind 🤨

 

 

 

It isn't *just* about the buffet.  Simultaneously they have also reduced and cheapened the options in the MDR.  So even those who may have tolerated changes in one venue with the belief that they would just get a quality meal in the other are out of luck.

 

It is obvious many people chose Celebrity over other lines because of food.  Serving some of the cheapest cuts of meat and fish daily in the MDR and eliminating many of the fan favorites just makes zero sense from a PR standpoint.  There are so many other ways that costs could be cut in less noticable ways than to completely destroy the one element (the food experience) that used to set Celebrity apart.  It is baffling to me.  

 

I am starting to agree with others that they may be in worse financial shape than we realized.  

[AC Stew]

37 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

The humorous thing about this buffet rage is that if someone asked this group a month ago, 95% would say you have never have dinner in the buffet and never plan to.

 

I guess knowing there are 50 entree options upstairs waiting for you just in case you get extra hungry provides some sort of peace of mind 🤨

 

 

Oh for crying out loud ... you're ignoring the whole point of this discussion. Nothing "humorous" about that.

Edited January 18, 2023 by AC Stew

[grandgeezer]

44 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

Well if the OVC is really that bad, and others chime in with comparison to other lines on recent cruises, perhaps that will prompt them to do further research on what is out there.  If it causes them to re-think cruising with Celebrity, then perhaps the powers that be will take notice.  I know it has caused me to look at Oceania and to book a cruise on them this spring.

The only way this will change is, instead of whining on the internet, change lines or stop cruising all together. As long as the money is rolling in, nothing is going to change. If you can post specific instances where something was changed strictly based on written complaints only, please share with the rest of us.

[LGW59]

Just now, grandgeezer said:

The only way this will change is, instead of whining on the internet, change lines or stop cruising all together. As long as the money is rolling in, nothing is going to change. If you can post specific instances where something was changed strictly based on written complaints only, please share with the rest of us.

I should have been more clear.  My dining experience on Edge in Oct/Nov was fantastic.  The cost of a specific cruise was what prompted me to look at O, for the Med cruise, better ports of call and much better $$$.

[bonagrad]

1 minute ago, grandgeezer said:

The only way this will change is, instead of whining on the internet, change lines or stop cruising all together. As long as the money is rolling in, nothing is going to change. If you can post specific instances where something was changed strictly based on written complaints only, please share with the rest of us.

A lot of us are already booked and fully paid with other expenses like air and hotels already booked.  Yes, we will look at other lines, but that doesn't change the fact that we're not getting what we paid for to begin with.  The video in the original post shows that.

[Salt Lifer]

Just now, grandgeezer said:

The only way this will change is, instead of whining on the internet, change lines or stop cruising all together. As long as the money is rolling in, nothing is going to change. If you can post specific instances where something was changed strictly based on written complaints only, please share with the rest of us.

 

Do not underestimate the power of "whining on the internet." PR is important for any business, especially one whose product is an experience-based one.  People choose cruises based on what other passengers are saying.  Bad OR will hurt the company, which will lead to lost sales, which will hopefully lead to changes in policy.  If Celebrity/RCI is smart they are monitoring this and working to right the ship before too much damage is done.  And for those who think Celebrity doesn't read here, I beg to differ.  I can almost guarantee they have an entire team whose sole purpose is to monitor social media, message boards, etc. All big corporations have such a department.  Those who don't do not last long in this day and age.

[paulh84]

10 minutes ago, AC Stew said:

Oh for crying out loud ... you're ignoring the whole point of this discussion. Nothing "humorous" about that.

 

I'm just choosing to ignore the bandwagon rage over things that are nearly inconsequential to me personally. 

 

By next month there will be a new on trend hot topic and this one will go away like they always do. 

[mac_tlc]

2 hours ago, terrydtx said:

We have 2 cruises on Celebrity this year and 2 more in January 2024, on the Equinox, Apex and Edge. These 4 cruises will determine how much longer we will be loyal to the line. We found that the Retreat product fulfilled our wanting of something more premium, but if the product fails to deliver how they did in the past, we are gone. The outrageous pricing of suites in the future may be all we need to justify leaving. 

 

We are trying our first Oceania cruise in January 2025 and are looking at another O itinerary for summer 2024. We are also looking at Viking Ocean and Virgin Cruise Lines but so far have not found an itinerary that we would want to sail on with them.

Your first paragraph is us too. Our Beyond cruise in a couple weeks and in Feb 2024 along with the Ascent in Jan 2024 are in the Retreat. In August 2024 we have sunset verandas in Alaska for us the kids and grandkids. The two Edge repo cruises are also in the Retreat, but those may not happen. 
 

Up to now, we have loved the E class Retreat, but future prices are unacceptable for us. So far O has not been enticing for reasons I have mentioned before. Frankly following @GenerationX MSC review this week has me seriously looking at the Seashore YC out of Cape Canaveral, where I have always yearned for an X ship. VV is a non starter — we dislike everything about their vibe. No casino and absurd payment terms have, to this point, eliminated Viking Ocean. 
 

I plan on doing a live review from the 1/29 Beyond, so stay tuned and get your questions ready. 
 

 

mac_tlc

Edited January 18, 2023 by mac_tlc

[Oceangoer2]

This is my problem with all the 'cuts' and perhaps 'changing to another cruise line to enjoy better dining' comments.  It's pretty expensive in $$s and time to go line to line personally and presently in order to experience what each has to offer, and perhaps be disappointed in some way by each.  I have read other boards.... there are similar comments to the ones posted here.  Our X cruisers have enjoyed, for the most part, a little better dining offerings in both MDR, OVC, and Specialty restaurants by comparison to most lines, and now with the abrupt changes in both pricing and menu it has created anxiety in those anticipating a great cruise, not really sure what to expect, and will they realize full value considering they now will be paying more for less (in some experiences).  We're taking the next cruise with an eye half closed to the negative and the other eye fully aware of what may be.  And what may be for us afterward will depend on what we ourselves experience resulting  perhaps in a rest from cruising all together .... I don't believe this is the only cruise line having these cuts and in particular the smaller cruise lines;   not making similar cuts may result in loss of revenue.  We've seen how they go under in the blink of an eye (to us anyway) with deposits forfeited or in some cases, full payment. 

Edited January 18, 2023 by Oceangoer2

[C4HCG]

18 minutes ago, bonagrad said:

Clearly, 95% is off, based on this thread.  There are quite a number of us that prefer the buffet over the MDR.

Previous threads did show the vast majority of posters here never, or very rarely used the OVC. Which surprised me as like you, we use it often and like it.

[C4HCG]

16 minutes ago, AC Stew said:

Oh for crying out loud ... you're ignoring the whole point of this discussion. Nothing "humorous" about that.

I disagree, there are threads from the past where people, and very many of them the majority of posters contributing, said they would never eat in the OVC. Many reasons were given, hygiene, too informal and so on. So I too was surprised and saw the irony in so many people now bemoaning it’s reduction in service.

[Oceangoer2]

6 minutes ago, bonagrad said:

A lot of us are already booked and fully paid with other expenses like air and hotels already booked.  Yes, we will look at other lines, but that doesn't change the fact that we're not getting what we paid for to begin with.  The video in the original post shows that.

The 18 min. video only told us what had been reported in many prior threads and many posts.  Even a version of the OV video had been shown in some respects by other posters in other threads.  So....what it actually did was keep the dialogue going with more and more getting upset over what might be the case when they cruise.  This dialogue has had the expected effect in that we may find 'things' have changed by the time we cruise as I'm sure the 'powers' that can make that change will take a hard look.    They will amend if they can and not realize the potential revenue as a result.  If they make the decision to not amend, they'll have to understand the market will not bear these changes at the $$s they're charging and some of their clientele will try other vacation alternatives.  Catch 22 for us and them.

[Cruising Cindy Lou]

1 hour ago, paulh84 said:

The humorous thing about this buffet rage is that if someone asked this group a month ago, 95% would say you have never have dinner in the buffet and never plan to.

 

I guess knowing there are 50 entree options upstairs waiting for you just in case you get extra hungry provides some sort of peace of mind 🤨

 

 

On a 10 day cruise in December I ate 7 nights in the buffet.  Mainly due to I saw a difference in MDR food.  It wasn't worth my time to eat in MDR each night.  I rather go to buffet where I could pick from many different options and make my own salad.  I do think the OV had too much food for number of people eating in there.  I am fine with a few cut backs, but they seem to be taking it to the extreme. If there are so few in OV and that is the reasoning, then do away with the prepared hot food, open up  fresh to order stations.  If really so few eating in OV then wouldn't take much staff to run the stations. 

[Cruising Cindy Lou]

41 minutes ago, Salt Lifer said:

 

It isn't *just* about the buffet.  Simultaneously they have also reduced and cheapened the options in the MDR.  So even those who may have tolerated changes in one venue with the belief that they would just get a quality meal in the other are out of luck.

 

It is obvious many people chose Celebrity over other lines because of food.  Serving some of the cheapest cuts of meat and fish daily in the MDR and eliminating many of the fan favorites just makes zero sense from a PR standpoint.  There are so many other ways that costs could be cut in less noticable ways than to completely destroy the one element (the food experience) that used to set Celebrity apart.  It is baffling to me.  

 

I am starting to agree with others that they may be in worse financial shape than we realized.  

We have been on 6 different lines.  In past when people asked what was our favorite, we always mentioned Celebrity.  We love the beauty of the ships, the quality service and always had hands down the best food.  After my cruise in December, I felt differently.  The food overall was just not the same. 

[drevil0208]

Still too early to tell... but it looks like the Celebrity app MDR menus are changing for some ships next week...  now including beef wellington, prime rib etc.  

 

I wonder if there could be upgrades to the buffet at the same time.

[LGW59]

14 minutes ago, C4HCG said:

I disagree, there are threads from the past where people, and very many of them the majority of posters contributing, said they would never eat in the OVC. Many reasons were given, hygiene, too informal and so on. So I too was surprised and saw the irony in so many people now bemoaning it’s reduction in service.

very many of them the majority of posters contributing, said they would never eat in the OVC.  This is exactly me, though I had a temporary and regrettable lapse on my cruise this past fall.  On sail away day, I went to OVC for something quick and had mac n cheese, honestly it was quite good.  So I thought perhaps I've been a buffet snob all these years and need to re-consider.  One morning I wanted to get off the ship fast so decided to go there for breakfast, eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, fresh fruit and yogurt.  I don't want to be dramatic (but I will) and say it was inedible but it was degusting.  Apparently I got those powdered eggs and the sausage, bacon and hash browns were I think "marinated" in a vat of lard for 24 hours before being served.  The fresh fruit and yogurt were good, the rest was left on the table after one bite.  I walked through again during the cruise on several occasions and all I could think was how can anyone eat this college cafeteria food that was prepared hours ago and then placed in a metal tin to sit in hot water to keep it warm.  In every other restaurant I ate in, Luminae, Eden, Grand Bistro, Cosmopolitan...every meal I ate was plentiful and delicious and the service was A+..  

[ldubs]

1 hour ago, paulh84 said:

The humorous thing about this buffet rage is that if someone asked this group a month ago, 95% would say you have never have dinner in the buffet and never plan to.

 

I guess knowing there are 50 entree options upstairs waiting for you just in case you get extra hungry provides some sort of peace of mind 🤨

 

 

 

22 minutes ago, C4HCG said:

Previous threads did show the vast majority of posters here never, or very rarely used the OVC. Which surprised me as like you, we use it often and like it.

 

We eat in ship buffets routinely so I guess I'm among the 5% of posters who are not happy with this change.   Let's keep in mind that the number of posters is probably less than 1/10th percent of cruise passengers.  Looking at all cruise lines the count of folks having dinner in the buffet areas will vary widely based on itinerary and offerings.  I don't know the actual percent but my experience with  Celebrity,  would support the number at dinner in the buffet area is pretty small compared to the MDR.  

[Cruising Cindy Lou]

31 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

Your first paragraph is us too. Our Beyond cruise in a couple weeks and in Feb 2024 along with the Ascent in Jan 2024 are in the Retreat. In August 2024 we have sunset verandas in Alaska for us the kids and grandkids. The two Edge repo cruises are also in the Retreat, but those may not happen. 
 

Up to now, we have loved the E class Retreat, but future prices are unacceptable for us. So far O has not been enticing for reasons I have mentioned before. Frankly following @GenerationX MSC review this week has me seriously looking at the Seashore YC out of Cape Canaveral, where I have always yearned for an X ship. VV is a non starter — we dislike everything about their vibe. No casino and absurd payment terms have, to this point, eliminated Viking Ocean. 
 

I plan on doing a live review from the 1/29 Beyond, so stay tuned and get your questions ready. 
 

 

mac_tlc

MSC has some beautiful ships.  We are booked on the Seaside for May.  We were on the Divina in October.  I saw an improvement in their food, from our 2020 MSC cruise.  And honestly after the Edge in December, I would say the food was pretty much comparable. I missed having fries on the Edge OV buffet, the Divina had the best fries all day.   I missed Nachos on the buffet on the Divina.  Had to laugh, when on the Edge they had Nachos twice a day every day. Guess that was my main complaint with both lines this year, the food seems to constantly be same things day in and day out.  On a 7 day you get tired of same food over and over.  

[ldubs]

9 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

very many of them the majority of posters contributing, said they would never eat in the OVC.  This is exactly me, though I had a temporary and regrettable lapse on my cruise this past fall.  On sail away day, I went to OVC for something quick and had mac n cheese, honestly it was quite good.  So I thought perhaps I've been a buffet snob all these years and need to re-consider.  One morning I wanted to get off the ship fast so decided to go there for breakfast, eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, fresh fruit and yogurt.  I don't want to be dramatic (but I will) and say it was inedible but it was degusting.  Apparently I got those powdered eggs and the sausage, bacon and hash browns were I think "marinated" in a vat of lard for 24 hours before being served.  The fresh fruit and yogurt were good, the rest was left on the table after one bite.  I walked through again during the cruise on several occasions and all I could think was how can anyone eat this college cafeteria food that was prepared hours ago and then placed in a metal tin to sit in hot water to keep it warm.  In every other restaurant I ate in, Luminae, Eden, Grand Bistro, Cosmopolitan...every meal I ate was plentiful and delicious and the service was A+..  

 

Noted!  😁.

[C4HCG]

12 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

very many of them the majority of posters contributing, said they would never eat in the OVC.  This is exactly me, though I had a temporary and regrettable lapse on my cruise this past fall.  On sail away day, I went to OVC for something quick and had mac n cheese, honestly it was quite good.  So I thought perhaps I've been a buffet snob all these years and need to re-consider.  One morning I wanted to get off the ship fast so decided to go there for breakfast, eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, fresh fruit and yogurt.  I don't want to be dramatic (but I will) and say it was inedible but it was degusting.  Apparently I got those powdered eggs and the sausage, bacon and hash browns were I think "marinated" in a vat of lard for 24 hours before being served.  The fresh fruit and yogurt were good, the rest was left on the table after one bite.  I walked through again during the cruise on several occasions and all I could think was how can anyone eat this college cafeteria food that was prepared hours ago and then placed in a metal tin to sit in hot water to keep it warm.  In every other restaurant I ate in, Luminae, Eden, Grand Bistro, Cosmopolitan...every meal I ate was plentiful and delicious and the service was A+..  

I love the fried bread at breakfast in OVC, with mushrooms and baked beans. Have it whenever we head there. Not healthy but we’re on hols! I’ll stop there as don’t want telling off for going off topic 😂😂

[basil1]

16 minutes ago, drevil0208 said:

Still too early to tell... but it looks like the Celebrity app MDR menus are changing for some ships next week...  now including beef wellington, prime rib etc.  

 

I wonder if there could be upgrades to the buffet at the same time.

Yes, Please!

[davekathy]

1 hour ago, drevil0208 said:

Can we keep this topic to discussions about the Oceanview Cafe and people's experiences opinions on it?  Seems like this is turning into a thread comparing and discussing other cruise lines which is very off topic.  

Are you new to the CC mod squad (host). I don't recognized your screen name. 🙄

Edited January 18, 2023 by davekathy

[drevil0208]

Just now, davekathy said:

I'm sorry, are you new to the CC mod squad. 🙄

Nah I'm just a peasant who can't afford a suite, so I'm sick of reading about all these expensive cruise lines I will never be able to experience!

[bonagrad]

1 hour ago, paulh84 said:

 

I'm just choosing to ignore the bandwagon rage over things that are nearly inconsequential to me personally. 

 

By next month there will be a new on trend hot topic and this one will go away like they always do. 

So why chime in, mockingly,  if it's inconsequential to you?  I don't think a downgrade in food quantity and quality is a topic that's going away.  Food is a major component of cruising or any vacation for that matter.

Edited January 18, 2023 by bonagrad