worst cruise line food worst cruise line food

We have been on 6 cruise lines and in my opinion the worst was Carnival. And when youre staying in one place for any length of time, personal space becomes a precious commodity. I can go eat 5 star dining here if I want, but I just don't. Almost no vegetables with any of the dishes though, it was strange. Excluding the luxury cruise lines like Crystal, which mass market cruise line has the worst food for the price? Trips include no-fee specialty dining in restaurants like Jacques (as in Ppin, the lines long-time Executive Culinary Director), Red Ginger, Polo Grill, Tuscan Steak, Toscana and others (depending on the ship), as well as one-of-a-kind culinary experiences ranging from cooking classes in kitchen classrooms to food-focused shore excursions and for-fee dinners curated by Ppin or featuring over-the-top wine pairings, like the Dom Prignon Experience, which pairs six courses with vintage Champagnes. However, food is only one part of the cruise experience for us. Having been on 16 cruise lines we suspect the worst food is on a line we have not experienced. Cunard First Class is legendary. A newlywed couple from Baton Rouge, Louisiana experienced what is described as a medical nightmare aboard the Norwegian Pearl during a recent cruise to the Caribbean. This is a very subjective topic. I've sailed with the three mainstream lines and have found their offerings in the main dining room and buffets to The other companies to round out the top five spots were Saga Ocean Cruises, Azamara, Hurtigruten and Silversea. Poolside burgers are popular on many ships, but leave it to the Fun Ship folks at Carnival to up the ante with Guy Fieri for next-level combinations. Funnily enough, despite the stereotype of Italian cruising meaning good food being wide of the mark, the pizza served on board gets almost universal praise. For the Fascinosa, one person who had the bad fortune to ride the vessel, left a review on CruiseCritic that they noticed some of the dinner desserts were used for breakfast the next morning. Ive never had food bad enough to say Id never sail a cruise line again. Food is too subjective for such a question to have a legitimate answer . There are too many other lines to sail. They are really good burgers and the fries are just as tasty. 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. WWL- TV and the New Orleans Advocate in Louisiana report that NCL passenger Brant Aymond was injured during a paddle board accident while the Pearl stopped in Roatan. Celebrity Edge was later joined by its sister ship Celebrity Apex in 2020, with Celebrity Beyond to follow in 2022 . The most 'average' in our opinion but in a fairly good way. People were underwhelmed by the service, room size, Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Tumblr Pinterest Vk Email. Azamara Club Cruises. With just six vessels, beloved small ship line Windstar Cruises can focus its attention on food. In the Caribbean. Nowhere near enough seating. So while the on-board facilities are limited, thats by design. They also have an inordinate amount of teen- and tween-friendly attractions everything from some of the largest waterslides at sea to sprawling amusement areas with race car simulators, flight simulators and XD cinemas . But plenty of people do. NCL pushes their alternative dining more vigorously - which makes sense. Workers would keep tuna, granola bars, and other snack foods in their rooms or favor simple foods that require little preparation, like fruit, cereal, and sandwiches, she said. As others have said, differences between mass market lines are trivial. I discussed a number of rather outrageous cases where the cruise lines refuse to refund or credit cruise fares when their customers face a personal catastrophe, like the unexpected death of a loved. We had no hygiene or health issues, though two different groups we'd met through cruise critic reported that their entire party got sick after some fishy smelling seafood in specialty dining. Love their risotto. On the two occasions that Ive cruised on MSC Virtuosa, Ive seen that some large venues are only used for one or two hours per day. #2 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money. Their team expertly plans tasty and tasteful upscale cruises and in-depth shoreside programs in practically every corner of the world, curated for discerning palates. While theyre closed, more people are crammed into the venues that are open. CC Help Jenn Norovirus, an extremely common and highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, has become a significant concern for cruisers over the past decade because of the nature of the illness, which spreads rapidly when persons occupy close quarters, exactly what occurs aboard a cruise ship. I didnt miss a meal there for sure! And thats key here everything is down to personal preference. That was the Italian restaurant on NCL (pre-Del Rio) and while it was okay we had the same dish in the MDR on our next Carnival cruise and it was noticeably better. True BBQ the sausage was delicious. Over the years though, that score has dropped. Again, you have to take the context of these ships being smaller than other cruise lines, because they are destination ships designed to get into ports that most larger ships cant. Love their ice cream sundaes. Where else can you get so much for such a low price? survey for food and drink, despite this idea that they must offer some excellent food being an Italian cruise line. The Food Republic menu reflects the cultural and culinary diversity of the planet, with small-plate-style dishes from Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, Latin America and elsewhere, including chicken teriyaki, duck and pumpkin dumplings, bulgogi pani puri, beetroot murabba croquettes, ahi tuna behi, baklava and more. 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. Recommended Reading: Bus From London To Southampton Cruise Terminal. 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. Get tips, news & inspiration. Actually per the OP as quoted below, I think it is about relating the fare paid to food quality.. "Excluding the luxury cruise lines like Crystal, which mass market cruise line has the worst food for the price? But for me, Norwegian has the fewest enjoyable meals and a few that I literally found inedible and had to go to the buffet after dinner. Good quality food, huge buffet, lots of variety, lot of 'fresh' stations like pasta, waffles, omelets, eggs benedict, etc. In 2015, Seabourn announced a partnership with celebrity chef Thomas Keller, who crafted new menus for the three existing ships and spearheaded new restaurants on the two newest ships, Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation. Real easy.". #3. Originally built for Festival Cruises in 2001, Armonia is one of MSCs oldest cruise liners. Over the years, the maintenance on the ship has gone downhill, as well as the customer service. Starting its journey in 1985, The Magellan has been voyaging passengers for over 30 years and its not uncommon for a voyager that old to deteriorate in more than just maintenance. Would you like to note some short remarks about the MSC Lirica? Discover 50+ million cruise opinions. How do you rate the cuisine/the food and beverages offered on the MSC Lirica? 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. Read Also: What Is The Best Mississippi River Cruise Line, March 16, 2016 by Katie RosbottomView All On 1 Page. KFC Brings Back Its Mind-Boggling Bunless Chicken Sandwich, The Double Down, The Key Food Moments You May Have Missed in The Last of Us, Peeps-Flavored Pepsi Makes Its Adorable Return. 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. Two former cruise ship employees said they enjoyed both the quality and variety of the food served to crew members. Norwegian Cruise Line Facebook. Of course you should expect to pay more for significantly better food - this thread is not about higher fares translating into better food it is about the worst food. Once I have identified a cruise line with significantly worse food than any other, I am not inclined to keep going back to refresh my bad experience. Sparkling, and not just a little bit. Providing its clients with even more options, Vantage also charters ships around the world for a variety of itineraries. 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. With high reviews, there have been comments left from other passengers stating that while there, the entertainment was jaw-dropping, the outdoor spaces were spacious and like a paradise, the activities were entertaining and family-friendly and it was just all-around beautiful and fun experience. 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. The decor can be a bit dated, the space to get dressed is very limited, and you may not have anywhere to sit down just a bed, which could even be a raised/bunk bed recessed into a sloping wall. Disney Cruise Line. With a focus on regional cuisine and wine, family-owned AmaWaterways sails more than 20 river ships in Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa. Join 40,000 cruiserswho readmy email each week People seem to forget you get what you pay for! Not sure I did any of the specialty dining on this one. The most fun cruise ships on the high seas, Recommended Reading: Cruises To Maui From California. Celebrity chef-helmed onboard restaurants, cooking classes, food-centric shore excursions and themed culinary cruises mean shipshape culinary experiences abound. Families are a big part of MSC Cruises business. When you pay 50 per night, you cant really complain if the food is a little bland or the bar service is slow. Share This Story, Choose Your Platform! The specialty dining restaurants were unremarkable. :). How did you like the entertainment program? - this thread is not about higher fares translating into better food it is about the worst food. #1 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money. Theyre one of the cruise lines with the lowest fares, but the way MSC keeps cruises so cheap is by having more guests on their ships with less space. Recommended Reading: Cruises Leaving From Baltimore Harbor. Ahhh, now that is a different question which many of us have addressed over the years. The problem, for us, is that the quality of food/cuisine has Im sure there is better food on the nicer luxury lines but in my experience carnival was way better than Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, etc. My experience and opinionare based on numerous fairlylong cruises ranging from 3to 8 weeks in duration. Its a stereotype though, and if you look at the reviews online youll see that food tends to be a recurring theme when people havent enjoyed their cruise. Never had bad food on any of them. Celebrities specialty dining is wonderful, blue for aqua class is amazing, and main dining room is definitely above royal Caribbean there sister line. Not the worst food per dollar - just the worst food. Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade has become the on-point go-to destination on four of Royal Caribbean International ships and counting, as they add the popular hotspot to other ships. This food tasted like neither.) Those searching for a wide range of food- and wine-focused cruises need look no further than Food & Wine Trails. #4. Thats especially true at the dimly lit Le Petit Chef and Friends experience at Le Grand Bistro. Recommended Reading: Size Of Largest Cruise Ship. MSC Cruises was rated the worst for customer service, with two stars out of five from Which. We went with the Aqua class upgrade because we read that Bleu was the place to be. Started June 21, 2021, By Food overall very good (for cruise ship food) but soups too salty. Email this reporter at mmatousek@businessinsider.com. 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. While I wasnt a fan of the food waste, the three slices that I did manage to eat were delicious. MSC is 3* Dont expect to pay 3* prices and get 5* service and food. The Meraviglia is a liner that can hold almost 4,500 passengers. "Sometimes, you cannot eat it.". 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 Every Alaskan Dream Cruises passage includes an evening at a private lodge or beach featuring seafood and more, like King crab legs and flame-grilled salmon, as well as a beachside fire to roast smores and share stories. I told them, 'Do not touch it,'" he said. There is so much food available on any ship that I will be just fine. Crystal Cruises has always featured the Pacific Ocean and Asia in its itineraries and on its ships. The top-rated cruise ship company in the survey, Viking, carries a maximum of 930 passengers per trip, compared to the largest of MSC ships which carry more than 6000 passengers. What distinguishes a cruise from the very best cruise? Avoiding the Rip-Off: Cruise-line promotions occasionally drop the single supplement to a figure in the 10 to 25 percent range. These cruise ships are not holding anything back and making sure their passengers are spoiled rotten. We had experienced an ongoing problem with how they were preparing fish, whichweexplainedto the maitre d' and we showed himexactly what it was. Seems to us to be more ship and crew dependent than anything else. I would disagree with Joebucks because we think food/cuisine is a very legit discussion issue, especially among those of us who find it an importan 2023 Warner Bros. Second-bottom of the table was Holland America. With an overall rating of 3.6 stars, the reviews on Cruiseline.com are generally favorable for this family favorite. 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. But there are a lot of older ships in the fleet as well and they cant be disregarded. Focusing on adventurous coastal Norway destinations, the line and its chefs are dedicated to procuring and preparing locally produced, raised and caught ingredients. Norwegian is still my preferred cruise line due to the freestyle concept, the lack of dress code, the entertainment, and the specialty restaurant variety and food quality. Of the lines Ive sailed, I thought Carnival had the best food overall. The fleet currently has five vessels, the two largest of which carry 600 passengers each. Every Hurtigruten ship does have basic facilities that guests need including restaurants, bars and a laundry room, while most have a gym, but thats often it for the on-board experience. No votes so far! Five At breakfast we were repeatedly served food that was actually rotten. In addition, the new S.A.L.T. When it comes to editor reviews, The Majestic has almost a 5-star rating, but when it comes to actual passenger reviews, the rating is much lower. and you can get it there. This year saw the usual number of power failures and propulsion issues which have plagued the industry for years. Dont think of Seabourn as a typical cruiseits ships are much more akin to megayachts, with ultra-luxurious decor, service, and dining. 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. The people who are actually complaining about Hurtigrutens facilities are often those who havent understood the type of cruise theyre booking. We picked this specifically because it's allegedly known as a foodie cruise line, but we still can't figure out why. WebNoble Caledonia, Viking and Saga, which include everything from wi-fi to excursions in the headline fare, were among the top-ranking brands. Food is a overrated discussion which has been done to death. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Situated onboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, Umi Uma & Sushi Bar serves Matsuhisas signature contemporary Japanese dishes, prepared by chefs that he trains to prepare dishes like black cod with miso or his yellowtail sashimi. Of course every cruise is a mixed bag of some dishes you really enjoy and some you dont. Its all about the food on Oceania Cruises. Items include tableside Caesar salads, steakhouse favorites like Lobster Thermidor and Kellers legendary coconut cake. #1. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider The United Kingdoms premier cruise lineand the worlds oldest, having commenced passenger operations in 1837P& O sails Europe, North America, and the Caribbean with a crowd made up primarily of British nationals. "The same people that are cooking for the guests are cooking for the crew. Carnivals fleet of 24 ships are loud in color and volume with music pumping, adults letting lose and kids having a ball. Definitely the best specialty dining of any we've done. Right now Oceania is leading that pack. At one level, MSC Cruises ships have a for-the-masses feel. 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. Well said, Alan. No one is serving banquet TV dinners. How the dish is prepared is part of the equation, certainly, but the underlying quality of the food should be fairly consistent ship to ship on the same cruise line. The food was all fresh and high-quality. Whether youre a complete novice, or an experienced cruiser keen to get back to the seas following the coronavirus pandemic, it always pays to do your research into the best and worst cruise lines. For this article, Ive taken a look through the latest Which? Many had the same comments when it came to this cruise line: the food was boring, the entertainmentwas uninteresting and lacking and the staff was unfriendly. If youre a vegan and are planning to cruise with MSC, I definitely recommend that you read my MSC Cruises Vegan Guide first. You can read more about why MSC Cruises are so cheap here. Best Cruise Lines for the Money#1. Now that is the perfect answer I was looking for. Close to 450 passengers enjoying a Yangtze River cruise on the Eastern Star were killed when the ship capsized during a storm. Even on a singleship we've seen very noticeable differences in the quality of the final product when an executive chef changed mid cruise. One of the worst steaks I've ever had anywhere was an prime agedrib steakthat was butchered and cooked improperly on an upscale small ship cruise line that heavily advertises andpromotes its food quality. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Hi, I'm Jenni. In December 2021, Seabourn Venture is due to join the fleet, with a not-yet-named sister arriving in 2022. worst cruise line food. We've been on one cruise, and it was a Celebrity cruise. That makes them particularly appealing to families, including multigenerational groups. "The food for the crew is really bad," Viana said. Others described food of poor quality, like chicken with a rubber-like texture or sauteed fish heads. Ahhh, now that is a different question which many of us have addressed over the years. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 20 cruises. Those sailing on Holland Americas classic older ships dont have to miss out there is a Sel de Mer evening in the specialty dining room, Pinnacle Grill. MSC Cruises. #3 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. 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. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Not on all of the ships some of the latest ships have cabins that are on par with other cruise lines. Ownership, menus and chefs in restaurants change more frequently than some people change their underwear, and yesterday's star can be today's dudor vice versa . Each sailing has an expedition team made up of experts in fields like marine biology and photography. Plus, the most important thing to remember is that you get what you pay for, and MSC cruises are often some of the cheapest available, especially for families. Beyond that, personal tastes are extraordinarily important. Hope all that I have read here about MSC is not all right as I have just booked a 15 night cruise on 1st Oct,its my first cruise. #2. The menus celebrate Yamaguchis Asian- and Hawaiian-leaning passions in dishes like the Surf n Turf Roll (Kobe beef, king crab, asparagus and black sesame oil) and his steamed dumplings with pork, shrimp and crab. You forgot to mention the Indian vegetarian in the MDR on Carnival. Read Also: What Is The Best Cruise To Jamaica. The steak was perfectly prepared and tender, very impressive. Its important to note that larger rooms are available and the newer ships have lovely, modern decor. Be sure to join my email list for my best cruise tips and handpicked deals each week. Whenever youre trying to find the best in something, it means you automatically have to rank something as the worst at the same time. Customers that have ridden the modern vessel have complained that the cleanliness and the decorating are lacking, the food is old and cold, the service ishorribleand the entertainment definitely needs improvement. You mightve already guessed from its name, but the Bahama Paradise Cruise Line operates cruises to the Bahamas, sailing two-day itineraries from West Palm Beach, Florida. But those with lower-paying jobs, like bartenders and waiters, can sometimes be banned from eating with passengers and are at the mercy of the crew cafeteria. We did a cruise on the Carnival Horizon early in 2018, which was one of its first sailings. A couple of years ago, I wrote a number of articles asking the rhetorical question why cruise lines have an image problem. Since there were lots of open tables we asked if it would be okay to sit somewhere else. 7 Armonia Has Unfriendly Service, Limited Food Options & Below Average Cleanliness. NOW WATCH: The world's largest cruise ship just landed in Miami here's what it's like on board, Sign up for Business Insider's transportation newsletter, Shifting Gears, to get more stories like this in your inbox, Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories, Cruise-ship workers reveal how much money they really make, Trump banned US cruise ships from traveling to Cuba, and Carnival is feeling the pain, A lawyer who represents cruise ship workers reveals the hardest job on a cruise ship, A former cruise-ship waiter describes why the party culture on cruise ships isn't as fun as it seems. Our ratings are driven by thousands of cruise line guests rating their experience of the facilities onboard, the cabin, food and drink and customer service so you can avoid finding yourself queuing for the restaurant every morning or being ripped off over tips. Passengers told Which? Past passengers have commented that the food quality is poor and the options are limited, the service is unfriendly and the cleanliness of the ship is seriously lacking. Windstar is the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation (JBF), hosting several JBF Culinary Cruise Collection cruises each year, as well as offering cooking demonstrations and classes, and serving chef-driven dishes on the menu every night. There was a cruise line that you could cruise with for $10 per night, there were a few catches though. Royal Caribbean International. Looking online at the reviews, it seems to be a mix of people complaining about the service when trying to book or amend their cruise, or at the port, with some complaints about communication on the ship. Also several port calls a day! The river cruise branch of tour operator Vantage Deluxe World Travel has several of its own ships, the majority of which sail in Europe. 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. Costa has also collaborated with Michelin-starred chef Bruno Barbieri on a dozen Italian dishes offered on all cruises. Built in 2009, this mega-ship can hold up to 6,400 passengers, has a Central Park in the middle of the ship, outstanding food and entertainment, and lots of activities that will make sure passengers dont get bored. Viking Ocean Cruises. The food was very tasty, both in the MDR and the buffet. But there are advantages unique to cruise ship jobs, like the elimination of time-consuming tasks like commuting, shopping for groceries, and cooking. This doesnt just refer to cabins but its across the entire ship so expect longer queues at buffets, and more of a battle for sun loungers by the pool. We just got off a HAL ship. Delfin, the first Relais & Chateaux cruise line, makes the journey incredibly comfortable, offering boutique hotellike accommodations aboard its three rustic-luxe ships. However many people still love their time on the lines ships. Really got me ready for the treks through the Alaskan wilderness. Aprime steak should be better than a select steak but I've had good and bad of both because of preparation. It was all very strange, and while ordinarily I probably wouldn't really care, since I grew up in Europe where poor service is common, it just stood out as unusual compared to the exceptional service we've had on every other cruise line. Read Also: Cruise Leaving Jacksonville Florida. Agreed. , founded in Italy and the worlds largest privately owned cruise company with a fleet of 15 ships and two more launching this year, scored 54 percent, the lowest of all the lines surveyed. Unfortunately, not every cruise line can get it right. Data, collected over the last five years from CruiseJunkie.com reveals which cruise lines have had the highest number of Norovirus/gastrointestinal outbreaks. and will either be self-serve or have crew ready to portion out food from large serving dishes for you. But that changed shortly after Lisa Lutoff-Perlo took over the company and imposed various cut-backs. And as others have mentioned food comparisons are far too subjective to provide a legitimate answer as everyone's taste and preferences are different and can only be judged on individual experience. The buffets were unremarkable, but the main dining room had the highest quality food. But some of its recent fleet additions are truly luxe, from its two polar-sailing expedition ships, National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution, to the elegant Oberoi Philae, which sails the Nile. Seven Seas Explorer also offers Gourmet Explorer Tours, and Seven Seas Splendor will add even more of these tours when the liner launches in 2020. This edgy ship was designed to appeal to a non-cruising clientele with innovations like Eden, a three-story hybrid experiential restaurant, craft cocktail lounge, and performance venue and Le Petit Chef at Le Grand Bistro, a dinner restaurant that features a 4D animation projected on your plate throughout your meal. Here are 10 cruise lines that have missed the mark and have some of the lowest ratings on travel sites, as well as two cruise lines that make sure to go all out for their passengers. That can be a major advantage to some workers, particularly those whose positions give them access to passenger dining areas. The waitress replies with: "I would have to go all the way back and find a new table" and then just stands there staring at us, expecting us to take the table. Of the 20 cruise ships surveyed, MSC also had the lowest rating for description matching reality. Also, Cant get a table at a Thomas Keller restaurant on land? Others have commented that the juice was watery, the service was horrible, and the staff was rude and unenthused. LauraS This is a very subjective topic. Uniworld features luxury river ships on 23 rivers in two dozen countries worldwide, with all-inclusive itineraries in Europe, Russia, China, Vietnam and Cambodia, India and Egypt. The workshops were easy to view physically and not so packed that you couldn't see anything. Carnival by far wins in dining on affordable cruise lines. Oh and the Pizza Pirate (24hr pizza shop). Rock Circus a circus de sole type show. Its often possible to book MSC cruises for under $50 or 40 per person, per night. In my experience, this problem is made worse by the poor use of space. Fred Olsen does at least have some gaming tables on their ships, and they offer theatre shows both of which are missing on Hurtigruten. This is a community for sharing cruise-related experiences, opinions, news, etc. These were cheaper types fish preparedsimply, but made quite edible based on more careful preparation. Buffets were reasonably varied, and the main dining room was reasonable quality.