By Late to this thread but I came here to say this! Each sailing has an expedition team made up of experts in fields like marine biology and photography. Though they now cruise around the world (including to Antarctica), Hurtigrutens roots, heart, soul and stomach are in Norway. The likes of Celebrity cruises are 4* to 5* and Royal Caribbean, NCL etc are 3* to 4*. Try a taste at Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisas only restaurants at sea. 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 . On most ships, expect small, simple cabins, but plenty of memorable excursions, like snorkeling in Borneo or hiking an ice field in Patagonia. You can prepare a select grade steak and a prime grade steak the same way and should be able to discern the difference in quality between the two. The selection at the market place buffet was the worst I have ever seen. True or false? However, the menu selections in the MDR were mostly head-scratchers. Travel Pulse states that NCL informed travel agents of the so-called nominal adjustment to its daily service charges today. Find first-hand insights from our cruise experts and read reviews from real cruisers. When possible, the chef also takes participants to a local market to shop for ingredients used in the class that day. The problem, for us, is that the quality of food/cuisine has changed so much over the years that its impossible to rate current ships unless one has been on the ships within the past few months. She loves reading, writing, video games, anime and is OBSESSED with The Nightmare Before Christmas and anything else having to deal with Tim Burton, Johnny Depp or Helena Bonham Carter. Crystal Cruises has always featured the Pacific Ocean and Asia in its itineraries and on its ships. The cruises offer many private programs onboard and ashorereceptions, fun and informative seminars, wine tastings and special wine-paired meals. The bigger MSC Cruises ships offer vacationers a ton of options for dining or entertainment. worst cruise line food. If you haven't cruised on a particular cruise ship (and Imean ship, not line)within the last few months your opinion is worthless. Celebrity Cruises. I'm so sorry that this post wasn't useful for you! All three had dishes that I couldn't get enough of and dishes that I wouldn't order again. Food overall very good (for cruise ship food) but soups too salty. 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. 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. Also, their sit down brunch on sea days has some of the best food at sea and is usually some the best meals of the week. 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. The average size of an inside cabin on some of the other cruise lines with low scores tends to be between 120 and 150 square feet. This was on a mass market line. There was a cruise line that you could cruise with for $10 per night, there were a few catches though. Powered by Invision Community. #3 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money. I didnt miss a meal there for sure! Sign up for our newsletter for the latest tech news and scoops delivered daily to your inbox. 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 important part of cruising. Fantastic service, all of the food was perfectly prepared. 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. Windstar, Oceania and Azamara are very good small ship boutique lines with exceptional dining options. I have no problem answering this question. Over the years, cruise lines have tripled in size. #3. Very average buffet - except for amazing Pizza and pastas. Again, worst doesnt mean bad. Home / Best Cruise Ships for 5-Star Dining / worst cruise line food. Their alternative restaurants seem on a par with alternatives on other lines. If youre someone who prefers a quieter cruise, you could still very much enjoy an MSC sailing if you choose one of the less popular dates. 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 Find out how to find the best cruise deals. Have you worked on a cruise ship? Focusing on adventurous coastal Norway destinations, the line and its chefs are dedicated to procuring and preparing locally produced, raised and caught ingredients. 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. #2 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. 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. The question is "worst food for the price" and while paying more may equate to better food overall for me personally if I am paying more then my expectations are going to be that much higher and could lead to a disappointing experience. Read Also: Cruise Leaving Jacksonville Florida. Love their risotto. Made-to-order, small pies, exactly as you want themand with true FRESH mozzarella! If it's related to cruising, it belongs here! Of those 3, I found the least enjoyable MDR food on Norwegian. The research looked at 20 cruise companies, asking thousands of passengers to rate them across 11 categories. What theyre concerned with is conflict resolution. But bringing up the rear at the very bottom of the league was MSC Cruises, with a customer rating of just 57 per cent. Many of the cruise lines guests are lifelong learners, and they flock to the nightly Seabourn Conversation program, which brings all sorts of intriguing figures, from Steve Wozniak to Elaine Paige, on board for lectures and casual chats. Luxury line Silversea recently launched a new culinary program called S.A.L.T. Some have commented that the food is cold, the boarding and debarking times are extremely long, and the ship is intended for Chinesepassengers and those whoaren't from China are treated with little to no consideration. There are a number of cruise lines that received 3 stars out of 5 for cabins on the Which? 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. Past customers have complained that the cuisine is poor, entertainment is amateurish, its overpriced and there are some pretty rancid smells throughout the ship. Started August 27, 2021, By Never had bad food on any of them. Sign up for notifications from Insider! 16 / 24 However many people still love their time on the lines ships. And thats key here everything is down to personal preference. Number 7 The Year of Cruise Ship Power Failures? Beyond that, personal tastes are extraordinarily important. Hi Craig, try not to worry. And Norwegian Cruise Line recently built several new ships that have studio-cabin sections outfitted for solo travelers as well as associated lounge areas. MSC again scores low here, and while there are a few cruise lines that join it on two stars in the Which? Ive cruised with MSC Cruises three times and in my own experience, the service hasnt been great. Costa Cruises. #1 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money. Though officials originally blamed a freak tornado for the tragedy, investigators later said strong winds, heavy rains, and the crew's failure to send a rescue signal all contributed to the disaster. Since most mass market cruise lines are all relatively comparable in price and offer similar options with dining venues IMO it is not a valid measure to begin with to compare food quality to fare paid as they would all be more similar than different in that regard. Also, Breakfast was always fantastic. We only did one specialty dining restaurant, the Italian Steakhouse, and it was exceptional. Data, collected over the last five years from CruiseJunkie.com reveals which cruise lines have had the highest number of Norovirus/gastrointestinal outbreaks. 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. But the question of the worst food is one we would not want to tackle. **Edit: Hypothesis - The most boring cruises with a lot of older travelers have the best food (HAL? Some of the poorest and some of the best foodI have had has beenon same class ships serving the same menu. The whole thing was subpar compared to what we were used to on the line, though the food was fine and service very good across the board. At one level, MSC Cruises ships have a for-the-masses feel. 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. We did the sushi and steakhouse specialty restaurants as well. Two former cruise ship employees said they enjoyed both the quality and variety of the food served to crew members. Under Viking River Cruises, the companys riverboats explore familiar waters like the Danube and Rhne in Europe, as well as faraway itineraries on the Volga in Russia, the Nile in Egypt, and the Mekong in Southeast Asia. And, of course, while many lines host high tea at sea, Cunard may do it best. Royal caribbean, Norwegian, Cruise and Maritime and Holland America were also among the bottom of the heap. Get tips, news & inspiration. and will either be self-serve or have crew ready to portion out food from large serving dishes for you. 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. Along with lodging and dining, fares cover activities like cooking lessons and history lectures. The one thing I will say is that the buffet was definitely the best of all cruise lines. We tried one of nearly everything (and walked away so full we were sick but happy, first time that happened to us on Celebrity since portions in main dining are small). 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. Created and crafted by the lines culinary consultant, Master Chef Rudi Sodamin for Holland Americas two newest ships (Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam), Rudis Sel de Mer is a French-Mediterranean seafood brasserie like those found in and near Marseille. 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. On another ship of the same cruise line the next year we had none of those problems. Azamara Club Cruises. Lab will host workshops, demonstrations and tastings, with the help of expert local chefs and industry authorities such as Maya Kerthyasa, a Balinese food expert and member of Ubuds Royal Family, sharing her grandmothers original recipes and hosting a spice-paste workshop. Hi, I'm Jenni. Broadway shows, concerts, celebrity appearances, gigantic water parks, 5-star cuisine, luxurious accommodations, and so much more keep the party going on the water. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions, C858B0A9-6769-424D-B129-59363EDAC023.jpeg, B5073042-BF8A-4EEC-BD19-0938D8732763.jpeg. This year saw the usual number of power failures and propulsion issues which have plagued the industry for years. It seems like they were trying hard to accommodate different diets/eating lifestyles (vegetarian, vegan, etc). Also - the worst food experienced is the worst food experienced - not necessarily the worst food experienced in the last couple of weeks. Common complaints include a limited menu that is a little bit basic, not offering the sort of fine dining options that you might get on other cruise lines. Situated on Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor, the Culinary Arts Kitchen features 18 workstations with top-of-the-line induction cooktops, stainless steel sinks and a comprehensive collection of cooking essentials, all with an ocean view. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 20 cruises. Both of them scored the same low grade. Definitely the best specialty dining of any we've done. The menu reflects traditional Norwegian home-cooked seasonal fare, including Norwegian cheeses, smoked meats, fresh fish, hearty soups and Scandinavian pastries. There is good reason for that though Hurtigruten ships are not designed for a traditional cruising experience. Please give an overall rating of the ship MSC Lirica. Which? I'll make a post for each, to help organize. We picked this specifically because it's allegedly known as a foodie cruise line, but we still can't figure out why. Azamara. Her dream is to write a book and have it published. On board, people have mentioned excursions being cancelled at short notice, or crew not taking enough action to stop people smoking in their cabins. MSC Cruises was rated the worst for customer service, with two stars out of five from Which. 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. A new Which? Having been on 16 cruise lines we suspect the worst food is on a line we have not experienced. Plus, Carnival Cruise Line will kick it up another notch on their new ship, Mardi Gras, in 2020, with Emeril Lagasses New Orleans-inspired concept, Emerils Bistro 1396. Featuring jaw dropping magic illusions and high-flying. Celebrities specialty dining is wonderful, blue for aqua class is amazing, and main dining room is definitely above royal Caribbean there sister 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. (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line) The other standard included option is the buffet, typically located near the pool.The buffet will offer multiple themed stations (salad bar, carvery, deli, pasta station, dessert bar, etc.) Ill say this about X. The pre-cruise service reviews talk about people giving the wrong information, but a lot of that is during the COVID pandemic around vaccination requirements. Whenever youre trying to find the best in something, it means you automatically have to rank something as the worst at the same time. Buffets were reasonably varied, and the main dining room was reasonable quality. There are too many other lines to sail. 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. Royal Caribbean International Facebook. #4. Bacon cheese fries and grilled cheese sandwiches! Viana was referring instead to former colleagues on Costa Cruises. Interesting to see the poor rating for Hurtigruten which is unjustified. "'Don't eat that.' #2. If youre looking for a good price and a good time Carnival Cruise Lines may be your best option. 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. Cruise lines often use the euphemism, Also Check: Which Cruise Lines Depart From San Francisco. 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. We do think that the best food is generally found on the smallest shipsoperated by the luxury lines. They easily have the best specialty dining, but they seem to cut corners at the free stuff, especially in the dining room. 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. Recommended Reading: Size Of Largest Cruise Ship. they were bombarded with sales promotions while onboard and the drinks packages on offer were confusing. The other companies to round out the top five spots were Saga Ocean Cruises, Azamara, Hurtigruten and Silversea. 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. Dinner was also always good. Seabourn Cruise Line. Then having experienced the worst possible package, one does not book again. :). Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. The MDR was better than I expected. Ive not seen any reviews saying that anyone didnt enjoy a meal they had paid for in these venues. Only the buffet was open for lunch and it seemed pretty par to me as far as buffets go. We had experienced an ongoing problem with how they were preparing fish, whichweexplainedto the maitre d' and we showed himexactly what it was. Lots of fun international nights. Easily search 70,000+ cruise itineraries to compare and find the best deal. Their signature Chefs Table restaurant in Europe provides a perfect example of their culinary offerings, with an intimate setting and a multi-course menu highlighting local and regional flavors on the plate (like the caviar-topped grilled prawns) as well as in the wine glass. 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 Balance. 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. #1 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. Celebrity Edge was later joined by its sister ship Celebrity Apex in 2020, with Celebrity Beyond to follow in 2022 . Meanwhile, some of the inside cabins on older Hurtigruten ships start as small as 53 square feet, while the biggest inside cabins on these same older ships are just 110 square feet. Really cool cooking workshops organized by America's Test Kitchen. Passengers told Which? While most cruise ship crew have English as a second language, Ive found that communication can sometimes be particularly difficult on an MSC Cruise, although mask policies wont have helped this at all. The portions can be pretty small, so you should be sure to order sides to go with your main course in the main dining room. You forgot to mention the Indian vegetarian in the MDR on Carnival. 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. Which? 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. The food was all fresh and high-quality. break!! We have had excellent food on Celebrity, HAL, Princess, RCI, NCL, and Carnival. How do you rate the cuisine/the food and beverages offered on the MSC Lirica? 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 is probably the biggest consumer magazine in the UK, and so is a reliable source when it comes to garnering opinion. Sparkling, and not just a little bit. Basically which cruise line has the worst food considering how muchyou pay for the cruise? MSC Cruises is often voted as one of the worst cruise lines, with some people unhappy with the standard of service, the quality of the food and drink, and the cramped feel to some of the larger modern ships. Food is too subjective for such a question to have a legitimate answer . "The food for the crew is really bad," Viana said. Good service. I asked the waiter, and our conversation went like this: "Excuse me, I think these peaches have gone bad. And as @njhorsemanhas said there can be a remarkable difference between ships. Viking Ocean Cruises. Which? But there are advantages unique to cruise ship jobs, like the elimination of time-consuming tasks like commuting, shopping for groceries, and cooking. Great snacks/sandwiches in the coffee shop until late at night, and we had a lot of fun going to those diners where they sing, even if the food is so-so. Paired with fresh-cut fries, a tasty toppings bar and Carnivals own beers, the Fieri-curated burgers (including the Pig Patty and a version topped with a huge onion ring) make this a popular joint come lunchtime. 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. Also several port calls a day! 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. A Lindblad cruise typically prioritizes adventure over luxury. 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. Others have commented that the juice was watery, the service was horrible, and the staff was rude and unenthused. Really got me ready for the treks through the Alaskan wilderness. #3. On Costa, crew members would sometimes eat just rice and watermelon since their other options were unappetizing. With regal ships and a previous-passenger list that includes many generations of royals, Cunard knows how to treat passengers like royalty. When it comes to Royal Caribbean ships, the Allure of the Seas ranks number one with a 5-star review. All Norwegian Cruise Line ships (over two dozen and counting) feature a multitude of dining options to please any palate, but Food Republic has become a favorite since being introduced on Norwegian Escape in 2015, with several rollouts since. This fleet of 15 vesselswith passenger capacities ranging from just 28 to 148sails to rugged, far-flung destinations, including Arctic Svalbard, Antarctica, Indonesia, and the Galpagos. And where theres a tie, Ive then looked through a lot of reviews and forums online, to see what people are saying to make a call on the worst of the cruise lines. Excluding the luxury cruise lines like Crystal, which mass market cruise line has the worst food for the price? This is definitely a cruise line for partiers, extroverts and boisterous families with young children. Crystal Cruises. Royal Bahama is one of those companies that score extremely low with the BBB. My wife and I really like the steakhouse as well. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As such, prepare for the ships amenities to have a British bent . The food on the other areas of the ship were just as bad. 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. As for the drinks, I think theyre pretty good. These 10 Cruise Lines Have The Worst Customer Service (2 Every Passenger Loves), Ovation Of The Seas Has Too Many Useless Gimmicks, Quantum Of The Seas Has Long Boarding Times & Cold Food, MajesticHas Great Staff, But The Food Is Bland & Lacking In Variety, Meraviglia Not Only Has Boring Food, But The Entertainment Is Lacking As Well, Lirica HasHorrible Food & Just All-Around Bad Service, Armonia Has Unfriendly Service, Limited Food Options& Below Average Cleanliness, Preziosa Has Cold & Old Food, As Well As Horrible Service, Magellan Doesn't Smell Nice & Doesn't Have Very Tasty Food, Deliziosa Has Poor Food & The Limited Staff It Does HaveHas Limited Knowledge, Fascinosa Has Rude Staff,HorribleQuarters & They Reuse Leftovers For Next Day Meals, Allure Of The Seas Is One Of Their Best Ships With Outstanding Food & Entertainment, Seaside Has Jaw-Dropping Entertainment & Is Just An All-Around Lively & Fun Experience, Services That Vacationers Assume Most Cruises OfferBut They Don't, Sweet Tooth: 10 Divine Desserts From Around The World, These Cruises Stop At The Safest Ports In The Caribbean, Here's What Norwegian Cruises Don't Actually Include In The Cost, Uncover Hidden Gems: 10 Unique Tours In Charleston, 10 Most Exclusive Myrtle Beach Resorts Where You Can Stay In The Lap Of Luxury, 10 Top-Rated Resorts In The Phoenix Area: Unwind In The Desert Oasis Of Arizona's Stunning Capital, Georgia's College Town: The Ultimate Guide To Athens & Things To Do, A Historic & Academic Haven: The Ultimate Guide To Chapel Hill & Things To Do, 10 Beautiful Hikes In Australia You Need To Experience, A Romantic Spring Getaway to Florida: Sunsets, Beaches, & More, 10 Incredible Things You Shouldn't Miss In Las Vegas In 2023. Your rating of sports, fitness and wellness on board the MSC Lirica: If you traveled with children: Was the cruise child-friendly? 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. Discoveries Restaurant is the main dining room on destination-focused Azamara, but its anything but mainstream when it comes to culinary discoveries. When you pay 50 per night, you cant really complain if the food is a little bland or the bar service is slow. 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. The free food at the main dining room is generally good also, as is the buffet. In the main dining room the Italian food was amazing.