Enchanted Garden Embarkation Lunch

[Alicatt]

Hi everyone!

I saw somewhere recently that EC on the Dream started having a lunch menu instead of buffet. Can anyone confirm this and if it's true, is it a permanent thing? Any information would be great!
Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi everyone!

I saw somewhere recently that EC on the Dream started having a lunch menu instead of buffet. Can anyone confirm this and if it's true, is it a permanent thing? Any information would be great!
Thanks!

If you could remember where you read/saw it and can link it, that would be helpful.

It may or may not be true. I know the Wonder no longer has a buffet Main Dining room option (Triton's is a menu service on embarkation day).

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

Someone posted a menu a few days ago. It seems to be all of the ships are moving to menu embarkation lunch in MDR.

 

[Alicatt]

It was on the Disney Cruise Line Blog

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It was on the Disney Cruise Line Blog

Well, then, I guess it's true. Maybe the menu option dining room was a test on the Wonder.

I suppose, if you want to take the extra time necessary for a sit down meal on your embarkation day, that would work well. Personally, I like going to Cabanas and watching the goings-on for departure prep. We did Parrot Cay on one cruise, since we had older family members with us and it was a bit more sedate to go there.

 

[Alicatt]

I was thinking we might like the quieter atmosphere with kids so that they aren't too distracted. It will be a game time decision, I think, if it's still available.

 

[debc1212]

We were on the Fantasy last week and they told us as we entered Enchanted Garden that it was the first time without the buffet. There was a menu only. Some folks turned around and left. The buffet was still there in back without the food in it, but the waiter said it will probably be removed during dry dock.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We were on the Fantasy last week and they told us as we entered Enchanted Garden that it was the first time without the buffet. There was a menu only. Some folks turned around and left. The buffet was still there in back without the food in it, but the waiter said it will probably be removed during dry dock.

Yes, I read this earlier. The Dream started the menu-only option in Enchanted Garden on her Mar 3 cruise.

I think it's going to fill up Cabanas even more.

 

[debc1212]

I honestly wasn't that impressed with the menu and will probably go to cabanas next time if they stick with the menu. It's a shame because we liked the food on the buffet, but enjoy the quieter atmosphere in the sit down restaurant. I don't really remember what was on the menu - I think we all got soups or salads. We had early dining and decided to keep it light for dinner.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I honestly wasn't that impressed with the menu and will probably go to cabanas next time if they stick with the menu. It's a shame because we liked the food on the buffet, but enjoy the quieter atmosphere in the sit down restaurant. I don't really remember what was on the menu - I think we all got soups or salads. We had early dining and decided to keep it light for dinner.

You can see the menu that was on the Dream here: http://disneycruiselineblog.com/menus/embarkation-lunch-menu/

 

[DIS_Ag]

Yeah we were fans of the sit down buffet. We liked the convienence and low stress of the sit but the options in the bufffet. Not sure which way we'll go, but I'm sure either will be good.

 

[debc1212]

PrincessShmoo, that was the same menu in the Fantasy.

Don't get me wrong, the food wasn't bad, but nothing hit me as special either.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

PrincessShmoo, that was the same menu in the Fantasy.

Don't get me wrong, the food wasn't bad, but nothing hit me as special either.

I would prefer keeping the buffet in the dining room. As I said, it's a much quieter option for those who need it. Now, unless you want to waste time waiting for a meal, anyone requiring a quieter spot for lunch is going to be required to use room service, I guess (once the rooms are available). The quick serve locations poolside and Cabanas are less than peaceful, and I think that can cause problems for some.

 

[Dug720]

As someone who is gluten free but doesn't want sirloin at lunch, this is a definite no-go for me.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Well, then, I guess it's true. Maybe the menu option dining room was a test on the Wonder.

I suppose, if you want to take the extra time necessary for a sit down meal on your embarkation day, that would work well. Personally, I like going to Cabanas and watching the goings-on for departure prep. We did Parrot Cay on one cruise, since we had older family members with us and it was a bit more sedate to go there.

What are the 'goings-on for departure prep' you're referring to? I find all that interesting too and want to make sure I'm not missing anything. I know about the refueling barge thing, and escorts, but is there anything else I could be missing?

 

[M4travels]

I love this idea.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What are the 'goings-on for departure prep' you're referring to? I find all that interesting too and want to make sure I'm not missing anything. I know about the refueling barge thing, and escorts, but is there anything else I could be missing?

Well, just being able to look over the side and watch the later people arriving. Any last minute (late) luggage arrivals. The crew waiting for the all clear to start removing the ropes. Enjoy the weather. Stuff you can see from an interior dining room.

 

[dprincessmom]

Never having cruised before - this doesn't sound half bad menu wise, however I don't have any comparison. Do you really think ordering a chicken ceasar salad will cause that much delay? Asking because I want to book a spa package for my DD at Chill and those can only be done onboard at 1.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Never having cruised before - this doesn't sound half bad menu wise, however I don't have any comparison. Do you really think ordering a chicken ceasar salad will cause that much delay? Asking because I want to book a spa package for my DD at Chill and those can only be done onboard at 1.

It really would depend on how many of each item they've already got prepped and ready to serve in the kitchen. And how busy your server is. And how long you might have to wait to actually get a table in the dining room.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Well, just being able to look over the side and watch the later people arriving. Any last minute (late) luggage arrivals. The crew waiting for the all clear to start removing the ropes. Enjoy the weather. Stuff you can see from an interior dining room.

Ok got it. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Funny thing on the crew and removing the ropes thing, if you watch the Miami Port you can hear audio too, and one of them sounded like communications from the bridge of one of the ships and at departure time you could hear over the radio 'get that damned bow rope off now'. Then some comment after about causing too much rope tension or something I couldn't make out.