Food Glorious Food! Would You Ask For More??

There seems to be alot of talk on our forums amongst passengers, and with returning clients regarding the quality of the food on board a wide range of cruise lines.  The underlying theme is that the standard has definitely dropped, and more and more people are returning their offerings back to the kitchens.  I believe that our opinions on the quality of our food is a very personal thing.  People’s expectations, delicacy of palate, vary so much, that two people could eat the same food at the same sitting and have polar opposite views of the quality, taste etc.

Now, my own personal view regarding food on board is that it would have to be pretty bad for me to complain and send a dish back.  As long as I don’t have to think about what food to buy, go shopping for it, prepare & cook it and then clear up afterwards, I’m happy to eat what I’m given.  In fact on all of the various cruise ships I have travelled with I have never sent back a plate of food…….Until….. hate to say it, but the Magellan..  (Actually there was an incident on board the Magnifica 2 years ago, regarding what looked a bit like steak but I didn’t want to take the chance, so left it).

Back to the Magellan…….

The occasion was ‘Theme Night’ on this particular evening we were treated with great ceremony to a Greek Fayre.  I ordered Santorini Chicken and by the looks of it, it had lived a very long life and died a natural death.  It was grey.   Enough said, it was sent back to the galley for a decent burial …  My fellow dinner guests had ordered different items on the Greek menu, and all sadly were sent back as they were completely inedible.    The waiter then presented us with a leaflet advertising Dinner with The Captain with a choice of 7 courses with wine for just £49.00 each!  Saying we may prefer this option. Cheek!

Now call me a cynic, but was this the cruise line’s attempt to extract more money from us?  Pay more and we’ll give you a decent dinner??  This view isnt so far fetched as it seems, as a very well travelled, regular client of mine has just returned from the Brilliance of the Seas, with very much the same opinion, and had the same disappointing experience on board….

At lunch, you could order freshly cooked pizzas and jacket potatoes from the buffet, as well as a good choice of meals.  Again lovely.    You’d think though that you couldnt ruin Pasta?  Wrong – Magellan can!  Completely tasteless and rubbery, with a sauce to match.  Shame, I do love a bit of pasta.

On a positive note however, breakfast was great! A choice of cereals, freshly cooked omelettes, fried eggs, bacon sausages, hash browns, beans tomatoes, in fact the usual ‘English breakfast’ fayre.  As well as a huge choice of croissants, pastries, toast and preserves.  Also on offer were rollmops, cold meats, cheese etc if you fancied a bit of ‘continental’.  Very nice, tasty and filling.

The Magellan staff also laid on a ‘Magnificent Buffet’, which we were all invited along to take pics of, and the option to eat from afterwards.  From what I had experienced on the dinner table, the food looked far better on the photos than in ‘real life’.

So, my question is:  Do you think the quality of the food has dropped?  and do you think this is a cynical move by the cruise lines to push us into the Speciality Restaurants to make more ££’s & $$$’s??