I'm a 8 CCL cruisers. It's been a number of years since I took a cruise for several reasons #1 personal #2 pandemic. I literally just returned today 4/29/23 from a 7 day Mexico trip on Panorama. I was really disappointed on several levels.
#1 the food quality has dropped so horribly most meats are very over cooked so badly that cant hardly cut the meat not to mention to eat them..pork chop like a rock (even a table mate that like well done meat didn't eat theirs) steaks are very thin and dry, chicken also increadibly dry. Even Mai Mai was dry (my go to fish plate) Most menu selections where basic and no frills. But you can order the $23 meals that are larger & better cuts (I didn't opt for that but probably ly should have to compare) also now they offer less expensive breads i.e. chabotta and simple rolls. I remember being able to get dark and light rye (light rye is my favorite ) nope not any longer, cherries jubilee gone. Nice jumbo shrimp cocktail in glass..gone now you get few tiny shrimp layed in a bowl. Frankly if you want a decent meal you need to go to one of the several specialty restaurants. I did try the one that they cook the food in front of you and it was outstanding but cost me $38 sigh... many times the buffet had better food than the MDR. It's a very big contrast of what's was and now is. My mother still raves about the food from a cruise I took her on few years back. Yes CCL took big hit with the pandemic and I understand they are recouping but food on a cruise ship is one of the biggest things talk about, I heard this from table mates talking about other cruise lines food. Yes CCL saving by lowering quality and tha help in short term but for long term will hurt them.
#2 table service was not nearly as good as previously, most of the time waiters didn't k own what each other has or was in process of doing, they didn't greet most of my table mates by name. I was fortunate that I made a memorable connection with our waiter and he always greeted me by name but not the others. Additionally if you ordered a 2nd back up meal they would bring both out at the same time, which I have never seen this before. Why is this a problem ? When eating one the other is getting g cold and 2nd it makes a person look poorly that they would order 2 meals.
#3 dining room, here I have a serious bone to pick. Dining at the MDR on cruise ships has always been grand and take your breath away..that wow factor .. the I feel special etc.. NOT on the Panorama the main dining room for early and late seating is in the Horizon dining room which is 1 level and lower ceiling. The dining room where on other ships you would go for breakfast or high tea etc. Yes the Panaramo has a Grand 2 floor dining room (Vista) but it's only for the Anytime diners and FYI anytime isn't really anytime, you can't just walk in and be seated you have to set a time # of people and they buzz you when a table is ready for you and if you're a solo traveler you can not be seated with anyone else..you eat by yourself.. I call B.S. on the whole dinning room coordination as one of the greatest experiences on a cruise ship is dinner each night...getting to share a meal with others, having the ability to meet new friends and feel special. If other people want to just come and go as they please then don't ruin it for the others that want a reallygrand experience.
#4 perks. I remember when being a Gold member meant something, special cocktail hour, and souvenir pin. Nope neither one of those happen any longer. Yes I know it's minor but once again all the little things add up and make you lfeel apreciated and look forward to the next time you travel on the next ship.
I will say I was increadibaly impressed with the Celestial show on the last night certainly a must see and close to a Broadway production show.
Conclusion... I feel that CCL has made some poor choices by trying to cut expenses in food quality to recover from the pandemic as well as trying to do things with dining rooms to match other cruise lines... which is sad as it has in my opinion ruined the whole dining experience.
