Home / Best Cruise Ships for 5-Star Dining / worst cruise line food. 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. Next:Here's What Norwegian Cruises Don't Actually Include In The Cost. The likes of Celebrity cruises are 4* to 5* and Royal Caribbean, NCL etc are 3* to 4*. The menu reflects traditional Norwegian home-cooked seasonal fare, including Norwegian cheeses, smoked meats, fresh fish, hearty soups and Scandinavian pastries. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. We picked this specifically because it's allegedly known as a foodie cruise line, but we still can't figure out why. 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. Since there were lots of open tables we asked if it would be okay to sit somewhere else. All of the lines have things most people will like, and things they may not like. Celebrity Cruises currently sails around the world with a fleet of 14 ships, ranging in size from its petite Xpedition-class vessels, which carry 16 to 100 passengers, to its large 2,800- to 3,100-passenger Solstice class and 2,900-passenger Edge class, which debuted in late 2018 with Celebrity Edge. By Seems to us to be more ship and crew dependent than anything else. 7 Armonia Has Unfriendly Service, Limited Food Options & Below Average Cleanliness. 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. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Tumblr Pinterest Vk Email. And different people will have different opinions on the same dish. Each dining room has its own menu, and Grill chefs are happy to tweak any dish or even cook something off-menu with advance notice. One of the biggest concerns often lies around speciality diets they struggle to offer a good gluten-free range, and some waiting staff need the vegan diet to be explained to them. and you can get it there. 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. With a focus on regional cuisine and wine, family-owned AmaWaterways sails more than 20 river ships in Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa. Those searching for a wide range of food- and wine-focused cruises need look no further than Food & Wine Trails. The river cruise branch of tour operator Vantage Deluxe World Travel has several of its own ships, the majority of which sail in Europe. Since though, those stellar reviews have deteriorated. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By 2023 Warner Bros. With an expanding fleet of 11 ships sailing North Americas waterways, American Cruise Lines is the largest cruise line in the United States, offering 35 itineraries in more than 25 states for 100 to 200 passengers. - this thread is not about higher fares translating into better food it is about the worst food. Second in the annual ranking was Saga Ocean Cruises, followed by Azamara in third. Powered by Invision Community. Excluding the luxury cruise lines like Crystal, which mass market cruise line has the worst food for the price? 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. Then you have the luxury linesSeabourn, Regent, Silversea and Crystal are top notch with Regent winning that race by a nose. 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 But in 2020, the company started operations in Egypt on its new m/s Nebu, which also has solo cabins. 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. Travel Pulse states that NCL informed travel agents of the so-called nominal adjustment to its daily service charges today. 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, Really cool cooking workshops organized by America's Test Kitchen. 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. You can read more about why MSC Cruises are so cheap here. We went with the Aqua class upgrade because we read that Bleu was the place to be. What the heck?? But plenty of people do. My wife and I really like the steakhouse as well. Guy's Burgers are a hit. If it's related to cruising, it belongs here! They arent saying its a bad holiday just that this is how they perceive MSC in comparison to other cruise lines. Share This Story, Choose Your Platform! 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 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. Breakfast was always fantastic. Like any large scale food operation, I understand that theyll all have good nights and bad nights, and good weeks and bad weeks regardless of ship or company. 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. I just look back and say: "Yes, we would like that, thank you." By admin | 2023-02-28T14:13:42+00:00 February 28th, 2023 | 0 Comments. 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. 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. Harmony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International. 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. It scored an overall customer satisfaction rating of 88 percent, with passengers praising the line for its well organised, culturally immersive and intimate cruising experience.. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. Of the lines Ive sailed, I thought Carnival had the best food overall. 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. Agree the Chef is important, as they can be the difference. Norwegian Cruise Line plans to increase the automatic gratuities charged to its cruise passengers, effective April 1, 2018. Only the buffet was open for lunch and it seemed pretty par to me as far as buffets go. Of those 3, I found the least enjoyable MDR food on Norwegian. 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. The one thing I will say is that the buffet was definitely the best of all cruise lines. Viking Ocean Cruises. In my experience, this problem is made worse by the poor use of space. 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. Food is too subjective for such a question to have a legitimate answer . However, food is only one part of the cruise experience for us. Being vegan, I requested a slice of pizza with no cheese and instead of a slice, I was delivered a huge 16-slice pizza! #2. Cunard First Class is legendary. It has just two ships in its fleet, neither of which is necessarily a showstopper, but thats not what the crowd is here forthis is a relatively no-frills cruise line for those interested in quick, affordable getaways. The ultra-luxe Crystal Endeavor, which sails to remote locations like the Arctic and the Antarctic, as well as urban ports around the world, launched in 2021, and can carry up to 200 passengers. Have you worked on a cruise ship? This is definitely a cruise line for partiers, extroverts and boisterous families with young children. There was a cruise line that you could cruise with for $10 per night, there were a few catches though. Over the years though, that score has dropped. As such, prepare for the ships amenities to have a British bent . MSC Cruises was rated the worst for customer service, with two stars out of five from Which. Of the 20 cruise ships surveyed, MSC also had the lowest rating for description matching reality. 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. 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. Which? The Meraviglia is a liner that can hold almost 4,500 passengers. I might like the way a dish is prepared and you may feel the opposite. But travel during peak season and you should expect to feel a little more crowded than you would with some other cruise lines, and you might have a challenge on your hands to get a good spot by the pool for those sea days. Sparkling, and not just a little bit. "The food sucks," a former employee for Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America Line said. A few cruise ships have a few cabins designed for singles. 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. Where there may be some discussion is with the specialty restaurants, but we've only eaten in one. Escape, Norwegian Cruise Line. Sign up for our newsletter for the latest tech news and scoops delivered daily to your inbox. Again, worst doesnt mean bad. 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. Fincantieri is the cheaper but quality wise, the worst cruise ship yard, with unfortunately extremely good connections with the Carnival group. CUstomer reviews are alarming, but thats not the standard the BBB uses to calculate the score. I'll make a post for each, to help organize. A Lindblad cruise typically prioritizes adventure over luxury. Delfin, the first Relais & Chateaux cruise line, makes the journey incredibly comfortable, offering boutique hotellike accommodations aboard its three rustic-luxe ships. They easily have the best specialty dining, but they seem to cut corners at the free stuff, especially in the dining room. 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. Three of the fleets six current ships fall into the large category, while its two adults-only ships, MS Aurora and MS Arcadia, are medium-sized. Working on a cruise ship often involves long hours and few, if any, days off for months at a time. #6. "'Don't eat that.' Two new 1,200-passenger ships are on the way for Oceania, set for delivery in 2023 and 2025. Now that is the perfect answer I was looking for. We did the sushi and steakhouse specialty restaurants as well. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Oh and the Pizza Pirate (24hr pizza shop). What distinguishes a cruise from the very best cruise? #4. At one level, MSC Cruises ships have a for-the-masses feel. 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. 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. I'm so sorry that this post wasn't useful for you! Celebrity Edge was later joined by its sister ship Celebrity Apex in 2020, with Celebrity Beyond to follow in 2022 . We had experienced an ongoing problem with how they were preparing fish, whichweexplainedto the maitre d' and we showed himexactly what it was. 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. Food not the one issue, as one can dine in speciality offerings. And thats key here everything is down to personal preference. 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. Fortunately the "char" turned out to be a pretty tasty salmon-like fish. Viking River Cruises also includes complimentary Wi-Fi and select shore excursions in its prices, and its Culture Curriculum offers experiential learning through events like regional wine tastings and menus that rotate seasonally. It seems like they were trying hard to accommodate different diets/eating lifestyles (vegetarian, vegan, etc). There arent any swimming pools on Hurtigruten cruise ships and things to do in the evening are a little limited. (That's speaking from my combined experience of 15 years in America eating Italian American food and 22 years in Europe with at least 3-4 weeks in Italy each year. 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. No one is serving banquet TV dinners. Though they now cruise around the world (including to Antarctica), Hurtigrutens roots, heart, soul and stomach are in Norway. All three had dishes that I couldn't get enough of and dishes that I wouldn't order again. 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. Food is anything but an afterthought on Oceania Cruises, a company that has branded itself as providing The Finest Cuisine at Sea. And Norwegian Cruise Line recently built several new ships that have studio-cabin sections outfitted for solo travelers as well as associated lounge areas. Not the worst food per dollar - just the worst food. Started June 21, 2021, By Related:Sweet Tooth: 10 Divine Desserts From Around The World. Neither is it the amount paid. Also - the worst food experienced is the worst food experienced - not necessarily the worst food experienced in the last couple of weeks. 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. They had a lobster night and regular escargot. P& Os newest ship, MS Iona is a mega-ship, as will be her sister, MS Arvia, due to sail in 2022. Email this reporter at mmatousek@businessinsider.com. Theres no point in having a drink package if it takes over 30 minutes for each drink to be served to you. 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. I mean, I don't think they knew how to cook badly," said David Weber, a former musician for Celebrity Cruises. #2. In the Caribbean. Cooking workshops were not very interesting and so crowded we couldn't see anything at the two we tried to attend. Find first-hand insights from our cruise experts and read reviews from real cruisers. Luxury line Silversea recently launched a new culinary program called S.A.L.T. Plus they arent exactly super-modern either. Others book and praise Oceania, which does charge somewhat higher prices, but offers upscale food in their dining room. 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. Basically which cruise line has the worst food considering how muchyou pay for the cruise?". 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. WebDisney 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 Royal Caribbean International Facebook. First they tried to seat us practically in an aisle. Even on a singleship we've seen very noticeable differences in the quality of the final product when an executive chef changed mid cruise. True BBQ the sausage was delicious. Five The MDR was better than I expected. A former Carnival Cruise Line employee said he would advise crew members to refrain from eating the food he served them. How do you rate the service in the restaurant, cabin and bars? NCL pushes their alternative dining more vigorously - which makes sense. Two Disney ships (Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy) also offer adults-only Remy restaurants, with an elegant French-leaning dining experience. Now, I know many people dont like paying for food on an all inclusive vacation, but I found doing specialties was worth it. Be sure to join my email list for my best cruise tips and handpicked deals each week. 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. In my experience, the MDR food (and service) on NCL ships is uniformly less enjoyable than that on other lines. 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. I don't have comparisons, but I would agree with what you've said. Seabourn Cruise Line. Not sure I did any of the specialty dining on this one. :). Ill say this about X. #5. 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. 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. 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. And then she finally walks us over to another one (without going back!). 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. If you ever manage to get served, that is! Shay Preitz is a married, stay-at-home housewife, in her thirties who lives out in Whitehall, Pennsylvania and has been writing for the company for two years now. Agreed. Silver Wind (Silversea Cruises) This ship scored a 79 score overall, due to several drinking and pool water options having too-low pH and chlorine levels, stacks of 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. Past customers have complained that the cuisine is poor, entertainment is amateurish, its overpriced and there are some pretty rancid smells throughout the ship. Made-to-order, small pies, exactly as you want themand with true FRESH mozzarella! #3. WebAfter Sailing on Multiple Cruise Ships for Multiple Cruise Lines I decided to take a Cruise on board the MSC Meraviglia. Late to this thread but I came here to say this! Almost no vegetables with any of the dishes though, it was strange. Its four smaller Regatta-class ships, each accommodating 684 passengers, also have excellent dining options, like the Polo Grill and the Italian eatery Toscana. In the main dining room the Italian food was amazing. 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. **Edit: Hypothesis - The most boring cruises with a lot of older travelers have the best food (HAL? Over the years, the maintenance on the ship has gone downhill, as well as the customer service. We have been on 6 cruise lines and in my opinion the worst was Carnival. A couple of years ago, I wrote a number of articles asking the rhetorical question why cruise lines have an image problem. The Worst Cruise Line 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 Ive cruised with MSC Cruises three times and in my own experience, the service hasnt been great. Princess Cruises. 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. I even woke up early to catch breakfast there. 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. 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. Norwegian Cruise Line. Bar, with regional libations. But its not just families that flock to MSC Cruises. Dont think of Seabourn as a typical cruiseits ships are much more akin to megayachts, with ultra-luxurious decor, service, and dining. Others have commented that the juice was watery, the service was horrible, and the staff was rude and unenthused. 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. Well said, Alan. Fred Olsen does at least have some gaming tables on their ships, and they offer theatre shows both of which are missing on Hurtigruten. #2 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. MSC Cruises is increasingly known for big, bustling megaships thatll appeal to people who like a megaresort experience. 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. This cruise line has built a reputation for offering non-stop fun in the form of parties, karaoke, comedy shows and wacky contests and entertainment. And as @njhorsemanhas said there can be a remarkable difference between ships. Regent Seven Seas Cruises kicks it up a notch with their cooking school at sea, Culinary Arts Kitchen. In addition, the new S.A.L.T. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. While I wasnt a fan of the food waste, the three slices that I did manage to eat were delicious. What theyre concerned with is conflict resolution. We did a cruise on the Carnival Horizon early in 2018, which was one of its first sailings. Azamara. I asked the waiter, and our conversation went like this: "Excuse me, I think these peaches have gone bad. Their small size allows the vessels to dock in small ports all around the world . These headlines come with complaints such as poor food that is bland and cold and even made some sick, subpar service, and employees with limited knowledge.