Ordering off menu at dinner?

[darnheather]

Would it be possible to order completely off menu at dinner? Say ask for for a sandwich or scrambled eggs if you had an iffy tummy? Maybe even pancakes?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Would it be possible to order completely off menu at dinner? Say ask for for a sandwich or scrambled eggs if you had an iffy tummy? Maybe even pancakes?

I wouldn't do it. The most I go "off menu" for was to ask for a different side (from another entree) for my plate. Or, maybe, asking for something being served in one of the other dining rooms (on those nights when each dining room has a different menu).

If you have an "iffy" tummy, possibly it would be best to stay in your room and order room service, they might be able to work with you, and you don't run the risk of passing on whatever little bug you've got.

 

[Theresa35]

Plus these meals in the MDR are prepped in advance for the evenings dinner menus. If you want something off the menu your best bet would be to dine at Palo or Remy. But I wouldn't eat there if my stomach was iffy, I'd want to enjoy the best the ship has to offer. Perhaps room service would be better.

 

[quickcat]

The only thing we asked for off menu was for a sweet potato for a side. I never seen someone get breakfast food, although to be honest I usually do not pay attention to what others are eating. I know you can get sandwiches from the poolside places for dinner. Then maybe just get something light in the dining room? Hopefully others will have better responses! Have a great cruise

 

[Geomom]

If you do have an 'iffy' tummy, they can get you green apple slices. On our first cruise, my oldest DD was feeling seasick at our character breakfast. (She just ordered toast and tea.) As soon as our server discovered that, he brought out a bowl of green apple slices and said we could take them back to the room with us as well.

You can order just a baked potato as well. My oldest DD wasn't that hungry one night on our last cruise (too many snacks before dinner), she got 1 appetizer, and then had a baked potato as her entree...and of course had dessert too..

 

[Dug720]

I wouldn't do it. The most I go "off menu" for was to ask for a different side (from another entree) for my plate. Or, maybe, asking for something being served in one of the other dining rooms (on those nights when each dining room has a different menu).

If you have an "iffy" tummy, possibly it would be best to stay in your room and order room service, they might be able to work with you, and you don't run the risk of passing on whatever little bug you've got.

Yes. Having been at a table where a kid did throw up behind us, please keep iffy tummies out of the dining room.

 

[professorandmom]

Iffy tummies are the server's expertise: they will suggest available items that can be helpful even if not specifically on the menu, in my experience - chicken noodle soup, baked potato, etc...they were great

 

[71 Truck]

On our November 2018 cruise the table next to us were Indian and vegetarian. Every night the serving staff brought them the most amazing Indian food and lots of it. The serving staff had no problem doing this for this family and were happy to accommodate them. The cruise we just got off this past Saturday we had mentioned this to our head waiter one night and he offered to bring some out whenever we wanted. (there was a table near us again this cruise that appeared to be eating Indian cuisine every night) We had some of the most amazing Indian food brought to our table on Thursday and Friday nights. We told him not to have the kitchen staff go out of their way but he said it was not a problem. I think they make certain dishes on certain nights and offer it to the guest on certain nights.

As for asking for something completely not on any of the menus my wife and I would personally never think of doing that.
And if you were having an iffy tummy; they do offer a lighter fair menu that is served with things like plain rice and no sauces.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Also, don't be afraid to just sit with a cup of tea and maybe a few buns. Just let your server know you're not feel quite up to the heavy food and would just like to enjoy your family's company and the restaurant ambiance without eating much. But be sure that watching others eating heavier foods and the smells won't make you feel worse.

 

[Lilsia]

On our November 2018 cruise the table next to us were Indian and vegetarian. Every night the serving staff brought them the most amazing Indian food and lots of it. The serving staff had no problem doing this for this family and were happy to accommodate them. The cruise we just got off this past Saturday we had mentioned this to our head waiter one night and he offered to bring some out whenever we wanted. (there was a table near us again this cruise that appeared to be eating Indian cuisine every night) We had some of the most amazing Indian food brought to our table on Thursday and Friday nights. We told him not to have the kitchen staff go out of their way but he said it was not a problem. I think they make certain dishes on certain nights and offer it to the guest on certain nights.

As for asking for something completely not on any of the menus my wife and I would personally never think of doing that.
And if you were having an iffy tummy; they do offer a lighter fair menu that is served with things like plain rice and no sauces.

But they notify the ship ahead of time for special menus. They don't just have every single food item in their inventory, like Indian food. We have been on 8 Disney cruises and have also seen this. I have asked the servers about it and they say they make food for those who order it ahead and sometimes have a bit extra. That is probably what you got. Ships are completely different then a regular restaurant. They have limited space and plan everything out by what they think that they will need. You can special order, within reason, of course. DCL will go out of their way to get a person whatever they want to eat. But don't forget to tip your server extra for the extra work they do. Many times they have to run to a different kitchen to get your special order and they work hard enough as it is.

 

[Dug720]

But they notify the ship ahead of time for special menus. They don't just have every single food item in their inventory, like Indian food. We have been on 8 Disney cruises and have also seen this. I have asked the servers about it and they say they make food for those who order it ahead and sometimes have a bit extra. That is probably what you got. Ships are completely different then a regular restaurant. They have limited space and plan everything out by what they think that they will need. You can special order, within reason, of course. DCL will go out of their way to get a person whatever they want to eat. But don't forget to tip your server extra for the extra work they do. Many times they have to run to a different kitchen to get your special order and they work hard enough as it is.

This! When you have a special food need - such as gluten-free or vegan - it is pretty essential that you notify them ahead of time so they can order the right amount of supplies. When I was on a 12-night Med cruise on Royal, about halfway through, the gluten-free bread at dinner changed from a good bread to some nasty stuff. My server saw I was not eating it and apologized and explained that apparently a lot more people were asking for gluten-free than had reported it. They always ordered a percentage more than what was reported, but this time that percentage was not enough. Fortunately the next day we were going to dock in Venice where they had a distributor and were already making plans for a delivery. But it’s not always that lucky.

 

[Barbydoll8]

I totally disagree but agree with others that say "don't do it." I was on the Wonder a few years ago with exceptionally rough seas. My tummy was VERY iffy. That night at dinner my server suggested I order anything I wanted including scrambled eggs just so I would eat. THEY suggested it. I wouldn't go in the MDR's expecting to order off menu but if you are not feeling well or there really isn't anything you like on the menu, you can do it. My server was more concerned that if I didn't eat something I would get more sick than I was.
Special meals/diets are requested up front but they will accommodate you if they can. I'd be prepared for a little longer of a service than you expect but they will do it for you.
You can even go to the MDR early or guest services for help in advance of your meal time.

 

[Lilsia]

I totally disagree but agree with others that say "don't do it." I was on the Wonder a few years ago with exceptionally rough seas. My tummy was VERY iffy. That night at dinner my server suggested I order anything I wanted including scrambled eggs just so I would eat. THEY suggested it. I wouldn't go in the MDR's expecting to order off menu but if you are not feeling well or there really isn't anything you like on the menu, you can do it. My server was more concerned that if I didn't eat something I would get more sick than I was.
Special meals/diets are requested up front but they will accommodate you if they can. I'd be prepared for a little longer of a service than you expect but they will do it for you.
You can even go to the MDR early or guest services for help in advance of your meal time.

Totally agree that if it is something within reason, like some scrambled eggs, that it won't be an issue. You will probably have to wait a bit longer while they find an open burner to cook it up(the kitchens run like a machine). And you should always take care of your server when they go above and beyond with special requests. But I would never ask for a whole different cuisine then what is offered on the menus unless they are notified ahead of time.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I smile when you all suggest eggs for an upset tummy. For me, it was probably the eggs that upset my tummy in the first place. Not an allergy, but I do find them hard on the stomach.

 

[Lilsia]

I smile when you all suggest eggs for an upset tummy. For me, it was probably the eggs that upset my tummy in the first place. Not an allergy, but I do find them hard on the stomach.

Same, eggs make me sick. I would go with toast and tea.

 

[Bonnie1222]

But they notify the ship ahead of time for special menus. They don't just have every single food item in their inventory, like Indian food. We have been on 8 Disney cruises and have also seen this. I have asked the servers about it and they say they make food for those who order it ahead and sometimes have a bit extra. That is probably what you got. Ships are completely different then a regular restaurant. They have limited space and plan everything out by what they think that they will need. You can special order, within reason, of course. DCL will go out of their way to get a person whatever they want to eat. But don't forget to tip your server extra for the extra work they do. Many times they have to run to a different kitchen to get your special order and they work hard enough as it is.

I agree with you; and I am sure that their menus were preplanned. When the offer was made to my table and the one next to ours to bring some Indian food the first time they brought out butter chicken and paneer. After dinner our head service came by and asked if we enjoyed it, which we all did. He then asked if we would like to have something brought the next night. The table next to ours asked to have more butter chicken, and our head server apologized and said "that was not on the menu for tomorrow but Biryani was an option if any of us were interested".

 

[diznymom]

I eat rice when my tummy is queasy. And I think it is always on the menu.

 

[nutshell]

Can you ask for whatever the crew is eating? I’ve heard that’s some of the best food on the ship!

 

[DIS_MIKE]

During my last cruise, I ordered the samosas appetizer and told my server how much I enjoyed Indian food. She told me she would remember and have them make a special dish for me. The last night she brought out a Biryani dish. A lot of servers are from India so maybe it was served to them in the back. It was not seasoned to my liking and the texture felt off but it was a lovely gesture on her part.

 

[Lilsia]

Can you ask for whatever the crew is eating? I’ve heard that’s some of the best food on the ship!

No, that is their food. They only make a limited amount of it. And they are not allowed to eat the guest food. That would be taking food out of their mouths.