I've been meaning to create a thread like this for a while, in hopes that it could be helpful for people looking for this information in the future as well. :). Remember though that worst doesnt mean bad You can have five amazing things, but one of them has to be the worst of those amazing, and thats often the case with cruise lines. There is so much food available on any ship that I will be just fine. We also had the worst lobster we've ever eaten on the same ship in the same specialty restaurant that served the lousy prime steak. Plus they arent exactly super-modern either. There are a number of cruise lines that received 3 stars out of 5 for cabins on the Which? And when guests are allowed to leave towels down on unattended sunloungers all day, you might have to remove them yourself if you ever want to be able to sit down outdoors. The program features more than 20 different cooking classes, with themes like Bounty of the Sea, Fiesta on the High Seas, From the Healthy Comfort Kitchen, A Taste of Spain and many more. Its 1,250-passenger MS Marina and MS Riviera offer restaurants by Jaques Pepin, a six-course Dom Perignon dinner with a pairing of three vintages, a cooking center where passengers of all cooking skill levels can take classes, and culinary-themed excursions, like a visit to the market in Nice with a chef. Royal Caribbean International Facebook. #6. Where there may be some discussion is with the specialty restaurants, but we've only eaten in one. Families are a big part of MSC Cruises business. But there are a lot of older ships in the fleet as well and they cant be disregarded. Since many ships employ crew members from around the world, the food served in the crew cafeteria can reflect that variety, making it difficult for some to find food similar to what they would eat at home on a consistent basis. While Fred Olsen is definitely aimed at a more sedate cruising experience, and the quality of the entertainment may be a little tired, there is still at least a small variety of things to do. Ahhh, now that is a different question which many of us have addressed over the years. U.K. consumer association Which? Neither is it the amount paid. No lobster, but always a good, varied selection, and our server never batted an eye when someone asked for 2 appetizers. This year saw the usual number of power failures and propulsion issues which have plagued the industry for years. Ive cruised with MSC Cruises three times and in my own experience, the service hasnt been great. They are not suitable for consumption.". Discoveries Restaurant is the main dining room on destination-focused Azamara, but its anything but mainstream when it comes to culinary discoveries. When Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Edge debuted in 2018, it marked an overhaul for the line from bow to stern, including cuisine changes for the long-time food-focused line. Have you worked on a cruise ship? The Scandinavian line Viking Ocean Cruises was named the best cruise line in the world and earned an impressive customer satisfaction score of 88 percent. Rivals anything on land in the same category (Five Guys, Smashburger, Shake Shack, etc). Along with lodging and dining, fares cover activities like cooking lessons and history lectures. Cruise travel used to be all about quantity over quality when it came to dining and other culinary experiences, but thats most definitely not the case today when it comes to eating and imbibing at sea and on the worlds rivers. Cant get a table at a Thomas Keller restaurant on land? Menus change frequently and even on any single cruise line food quality can vary greatly from one ship to another depending on the skills of the executive chef and his/her staff. Others book and praise Oceania, which does charge somewhat higher prices, but offers upscale food in their dining room. Kellers influence also shines in theme nights at The Colonnade and select dishes during lunch at The Patio. Youll soon realize that the size of the companys fleet, as well as the size of the cruise ships themselves have little correlation with which cruise line is most plagued with this scourge. Dont think of Seabourn as a typical cruiseits ships are much more akin to megayachts, with ultra-luxurious decor, service, and dining. Survey revealed MSC had been given two-star ratings for most categories. has revealed the best and worst cruise companies in its annual survey, with the worlds newest line Viking Ocean Cruises coming out top and MSC Cruises taking the bottom slot. Only the buffet was open for lunch and it seemed pretty par to me as far as buffets go. Next:Here's What Norwegian Cruises Don't Actually Include In The Cost. Data, collected over the last five years from CruiseJunkie.com reveals which cruise lines have had the highest number of Norovirus/gastrointestinal outbreaks. Which? We know folks who specifically book Seabourn because they like things like their caviar, which is available in unlimited amounts at any of the bars. Crystal Cruises. A former Carnival Cruise Line employee said he would advise crew members to refrain from eating the food he served them. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. #4. Starbucks Is Putting Olive Oil in Its Drinks Is This the Next Revolution in Coffee? Norwegian Cruise Line plans to increase the automatic gratuities charged to its cruise passengers, effective April 1, 2018. Hurtigruten is another cruise line that gets bad reviews, but they are clear and upfront about the service they offer, and how their focus is always on the destination, not the journey. The food isnt exactly bad it just doesnt necessarily stack up too well against what other cruise lines offer. In the Caribbean. As others have said, differences between mass market lines are trivial. These were cheaper types fish preparedsimply, but made quite edible based on more careful preparation. A. Princess also offers a special Crafted by Curtis menu designed by Stone, which is available in the main dining room of all other Princess ships. While theyre closed, more people are crammed into the venues that are open. How do you rate the cuisine/the food and beverages offered on the MSC Lirica? ("Sea and Land Taste") after two pilot cruises in Asia onboard the flagship Silver Muse indicated a strong demand for immersive culinary travel. on the Horizon yes, on the ship! In particular, the buffets tend to come under fire a little bit, due to not having too much variety or the quality of the food not being the best. Rock Circus a circus de sole type show. P& O Cruises Facebook. Agree the Chef is important, as they can be the difference. If youre looking for a good price and a good time Carnival Cruise Lines may be your best option. Carnival Cruise Line. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. On top of that, the dining spaces were cramped, and the food was just average. , the well-known river line that launched its first ocean ship in 2015 now has a six-strong fleet of 930-passenger ships. Share This Story, Choose Your Platform! I have no problem answering this question. Over the years, the maintenance on the ship has gone downhill, as well as the customer service. Hi, I'm Jenni. Olsen Cruise Lines and Hurtigruten. As you say it is not a traditional cruise line, more a local transport system and we were very pleased with our experience in the Richard With some years ago. Many passengers opt to extend their experience with a multi-night stay in the Bahamas, which the cruise line organizes for its guests. Recommended Reading: Size Of Largest Cruise Ship. #3 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. Have sent food back on some, have requested a different meal to the one that arrived on several of the lines. I was on the Eurodam July 2018 to Alaska. NCL pushes their alternative dining more vigorously - which makes sense. "It was real easy to gain weight when you're on the ships. Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and the Cruise Lines International Association a trade association for the cruise industry did not respond to requests for comment. Ive not seen any reviews saying that anyone didnt enjoy a meal they had paid for in these venues. At one level, MSC Cruises ships have a for-the-masses feel. Viking Ocean Cruises. Fusing fine cuisine and entertainment, the tabletops themselves come to life for dinner through a partnership with TableMation Studios featuring Skullmappings world-famous Le Petit Chef, an animated 3D character who appears on diners plates and "prepares" the courses right before their eyes. As with every category, there are still plenty of people giving the cruise line excellent reviews, including their service, but its worth being aware of some of these potential issues before you sail. Just my opinion. survey has revealed the best and worst cruise lines for the year, Check Engine Light And Cruise Control Flashing Subaru, What Cruise Lines Leave From Mobile Alabama, How Much Is Laundry Service On Celebrity Cruises. review, with Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line also scoring low in this area its not a new complaint for MSC. Generally featured on every sailing of five to 22 days, their classic Surf & Turf features roasted tenderloin of beef, Maine lobster claws, pan-seared scallops and grilled asparagus. I've been on several cruise lines now, and would love to compare opinions and hear about other cruise lines. Sailing the Amazon River in Peru isnt quite like other river journeysits a blissful escape into the wilderness, where you might be surrounded by pink dolphins or piranhas at any given moment. One of the reasons we would cruise with NCL again,if possible would be because we like the food.Everyone has different opinions.It would be a very dull world if we all shared the same opinion. However many people still love their time on the lines ships. The fleet currently has five vessels, the two largest of which carry 600 passengers each. #2 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. The most 'average' in our opinion but in a fairly good way. Food is anything but an afterthought on Oceania Cruises, a company that has branded itself as providing The Finest Cuisine at Sea. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. Most Scenic ships also offer a special six-course, wine-paired chefs table experience (Table la Rive) to suite guests and return passengers. The research looked at 20 cruise companies, asking thousands of passengers to rate them across 11 categories. Norwegian Cruise Line. MSC is 3* Dont expect to pay 3* prices and get 5* service and food. Viking was awarded five stars in every category while MSC received two or three stars across the board and an overall customer score of just 57 per cent. Food not the one issue, as one can dine in speciality offerings. Neither is it the amount paid. It's a combination of things, accommodation, basic Princess Cruises Facebook. A prior version of this story suggested that former colleagues of Jamile Viana on Cunard Line would sometimes eat just rice and watermelon during a meal due to a lack of compelling alternatives. There are a number of cruises that scored two stars for onboard facilities, but two seem to crop up as those for being the most limited Fred. Of course every cruise is a mixed bag of some dishes you really enjoy and some you dont. I used to love NCL cruised them over a dozen times Norway was a great ship in 1980s had honeymoon on the Norway also, about twenty years ago I thought they went downhill, will never cruise them again. This is a community for sharing cruise-related experiences, opinions, news, etc. Since though, those stellar reviews have deteriorated. The buffet was good but not amazing. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. #6. It seems like they were trying hard to accommodate different diets/eating lifestyles (vegetarian, vegan, etc). This is a very subjective topic. But in 2020, the company started operations in Egypt on its new m/s Nebu, which also has solo cabins. Princess Cruises. I got pears that were completely fermented into alcohol. I mean, I don't think they knew how to cook badly," said David Weber, a former musician for Celebrity Cruises. WebAfter Sailing on Multiple Cruise Ships for Multiple Cruise Lines I decided to take a Cruise on board the MSC Meraviglia. And sometimes there are things which arent that great, but in the context of the price of the cruise, or personal preference, its not that bad. Delfin, the first Relais & Chateaux cruise line, makes the journey incredibly comfortable, offering boutique hotellike accommodations aboard its three rustic-luxe ships. And House of Houdini. In my experience, the MDR food (and service) on NCL ships is uniformly less enjoyable than that on other lines. And they brew their own beer (four types!) When you pay 50 per night, you cant really complain if the food is a little bland or the bar service is slow. Join 40,000 cruiserswho readmy email each week People seem to forget you get what you pay for! Now, I know many people dont like paying for food on an all inclusive vacation, but I found doing specialties was worth it. Britannia, P& O Cruises. Sign up for notifications from Insider! MSC Cruises is increasingly known for big, bustling megaships thatll appeal to people who like a megaresort experience. Agreed. Oishii, The Brand Behind the Omakase Strawberry, Introduces New Koyo Berry Breed, 5 Best Non-Alcoholic Gins, According to a Spirits Expert, Everything You Need To Cook Like Emily Mariko, 25 Get Well Soon Gifts That Show How Much You Care, 6 Best Whiskeys, According to a Spirits Expert, These Cord Organizers Save Your Kitchen From Clutter, Enter Daily for Your Chance to Win $10,000. Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. Parent company Viking Cruises has expanded feverishly in recent years, with more than 60 river ships and six ocean vessels in its fleet. Definitely the best specialty dining of any we've done. With a lot more passengers to ferry across the deep blue sea, these cruises have had to step up their game to make sure those that are traveling with them feel entertained and satisfied enough to not only want to book with them again but to also convince others to also book with them. Jamile Viana, a former bar waitress and bartender for Island Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Costa Cruises, and Cunard Line, said that, while working for Cunard, she often complained to the chef who cooked for crew members. worst cruise line food - Safe Honest and Reliable Cruise Parking worst cruise line food Home / Best Cruise Ships for 5-Star Dining / worst cruise line food By Their newest ship, the transformed S.S. Bon Voyage, focuses on French and European culture, art, cuisine and wine, including Le Salon Champagne inspired by Yves Saint Laurents Villa Majorelle Parisian La Brasserie (inspired by famed Bouillon Pigalle in Paris), Le Grand Fromage, which focuses on locally-sourced ingredients reflective of itinerarys cuisines and La Cave du Vin, an intimate space where connoisseurs can gather for food and wine pairing dinners, upon request. We just got off a HAL ship. In my experience, the MDR food (and service) on NCL ships is uniformly less enjoyable than that on other lines. NCL pushes their alternative dining Since there were lots of open tables we asked if it would be okay to sit somewhere else. The new. See the full results below to find out which cruise lines give you room and which ones pack holidaymakers onboard. read more about why MSC Cruises are so cheap here. The 7 Best Carnival Cruise Ships of 2023 Best Overall Cruise: Carnival Horizon Best for Families: Carnival Vista Best New Ship: Mardi Gras Best Ship Renovation: Carnival Sunrise Best Large Ship: Carnival Dream Best Budget: Carnival Conquest Best Amenities: Carnival Miracle Best Overall Cruise : Carnival Horizon See Rates on Carnival.com I might like the way a dish is prepared and you may feel the opposite. Both of them scored the same low grade. No votes so far! The demonstration kitchen is part of the experience, where guests watch the chefs prepare the meal, which is paired perfectly with unlimited hand-selected regional wines. Best Cruise Lines for the Money#1. Basically which cruise line has the worst food considering how muchyou pay for the cruise? WebWith 27 ships, there are bound to be a few that slip through the cracks, and for RCCL, one of those is Ovation of the Seas. We picked this specifically because it's allegedly known as a foodie cruise line, but we still can't figure out why. worst cruise line food. Balance. Even on a singleship we've seen very noticeable differences in the quality of the final product when an executive chef changed mid cruise. Food is a overrated discussion which has been done to death. Beyond that, personal tastes are extraordinarily important. Theres no doubt that the crew members work very hard, but sometimes there just arent enough of them to prevent huge queues from forming at the bars, or for dinner to be served within a reasonable time. Originally built for Festival Cruises in 2001, Armonia is one of MSCs oldest cruise liners. Guys Burgers and Blue Iguana are awesome, as is the cook to order pasta and Asian stir fry at lunch. Again, worst doesnt mean bad. The most fun cruise ships on the high seas, Recommended Reading: Cruises To Maui From California. Others have commented that the juice was watery, the service was horrible, and the staff was rude and unenthused. Some of the poorest and some of the best foodI have had has beenon same class ships serving the same menu. In my experience, this problem is made worse by the poor use of space. This food tasted like neither.) According to the website, Royal Bahama has refused to respond to ten conflict resolution requests and failed to resolve an eleventh, and that was just for one of their US locations. Over the years though, that score has dropped. And as @njhorsemanhas said there can be a remarkable difference between ships. Wherever they go, UnCruise Adventures chefs focus on local cuisine, which is especially true in Hawaii, almost everything except the seafood (including their popular Pacific ono and much more) comes from the island of Molokai. I can go eat 5 star dining here if I want, but I just don't. All of the lines have things most people will like, and things they may not like. In other words, if youre the kind of person who loves staying on property at Disney World or at a giant Las Vegas resort, this is a great line. I don't need 5 star dining at a 5 star price every night to tell everyone how refined my pallet is and that I have exquisite taste. When you consider whats included, its understandable that MSCs standards in some areas may be a little below the more expensive cruise lines. Food is a overrated discussion which has been done to death. All of the lines have things most people will like, and things they may not like. And Its often possible to book MSC cruises for under $50 or 40 per person, per night. We're considering Carnival for our next vacation. A few cruise ships have a few cabins designed for singles. I'll make a post for each, to help organize. In early 2015, Crystal brought a yacht into its fleet for the first time, and following its success, the cruise line decided to custom-build a polar-class expedition megayacht. Waiter grabs my plate and walks away without saying a word. survey has revealed the best and worst cruise lines for the year, with Viking Ocean Cruises taking out the top spot. Then you have the luxury linesSeabourn, Regent, Silversea and Crystal are top notch with Regent winning that race by a nose. Fred Olsen does at least have some gaming tables on their ships, and they offer theatre shows both of which are missing on Hurtigruten. CUstomer reviews are alarming, but thats not the standard the BBB uses to calculate the score. Disney Cruise Line is renowned for its family-friendly options, but when parents or doting grandparents need an evening off, all four ships in the fleet feature adults-only Palo restaurants, with two-top tables and flavorful Italian dishes like sea scallops with a prosecco and black truffle reduction, dover sole served with Italian staples (like capers, anchovies and sun-dried tomatoes) and a lemoncello tart or chocolate souffl for dessert (why not order both?).