Embarkation Lunch - Cabanas or Enchanted Garden?

[Castillo Mom]

Last cruise we had lunch at Enchanted Garden and really liked the ambience. I noticed that a lot of people tend to go to Cabanas instead. Is that because of the view or do many consider the food at Cabanas better? What is your preference and why?

Trying to decide where to have lunch on our next cruise. If it makes any difference there will be 8 adults and two children in our group.

Thanks!

 

[jjnshane]

Most like it because of the view and the proximity to the pools. I believe the food is exactly the same in both places. If the weather is nice Cabanas will tend to be more crowded. I have sailed when a rather cold and windy storm front was rolling through Florida, and was really grateful to be more inside! With 8 adults you might prefer the more relaxed atmosphere of EG.

 

[JnDRader]

We prefer the view from Cabana's. If weather was bad we'd either sit inside or hit EG.

 

[Callymum]

I go to Cabanas because its a nice area to sit in the sun, I am going to try EG this Cruise though as I haven't done it yet.

 

[jdb in AZ]

It depends on how crowded EG is, and how hungry your group is. If there's a wait, it's quicker to go to Cabanas.

 

[huffjoann]

I like EG it is less chaotic and you don't have to find a table,, food same. The view in port to me isn't that special.

 

[MagicMe]

I like EG (as adults) but then i like to go to Parrot Cay on the classics too. Cabanas is nice but it can get very hectic and less room for those carry on's you are dragging around. I enjoy relaxing and having them bring our drinks to the table (one less thing to balance). I prefer that to getting a hot plate of food only to have to sit it down while someone stays at the table to preserve your space, then go over to get your drink(s) and come back to sit down to a lukewarm plate. If you only plan on getting something small and heading out to the tables around the pools, then it works great!

And if you are there during the peak lunch times (ie arrive as it's opening or not long before it closes) then you could have issues trying to find spaces together for 8 adults and 2 children.

 

[TgrFans]

Is EG a buffet on embarkation day? I've only cruised once, and chose Cabana's. thinking about trying EG for my next cruise (in 11days!)

 

[mmouse37]

On the classic ships we always preferred Parrot Cay over Topsiders/BBB on embarkation day.


But, found we enjoy Cabanas much better than EG on the new ships on embarkation day. I felt very closed in and felt EG had less choice than Cabanas.

MJ

 

[Kim1964]

We ate at Cabanas because it was our first cruise and we didn't know there was any other option (should have spent more time in this forum before we went!). The CM who greeted us as we boarded directed us to Cabanas and didn't mention anything else. We enjoyed it.

 

[tweis]

On our first cruise we went to EG because we thought it would be less hectic with the kids and it was. A CM seated us and took our drink orders which was great. On our last cruise it was just DH and I and we were literally some of the first people on the ship so we went to Cabanas. They had a lot more choices than EG and we were able to sit out on deck and enjoy the view. If we had a later PAT or the kids had been with us we probably would have gone to EG just for the convenience factor.

 

[wiigirl]

We prefer the view from Cabana's. If weather was bad we'd either sit inside or hit EG.

 

[Msmit002]

If you are dealing with food allergies, you might want to stick with EG so the staff can work with your personally to make appropriate choices. Although, I have heard they will do the same at Cabanas. My worry would be that if it is hectic already, try for the less hectic to be more assured that care is given.

Just my $.02.

 

[wiigirl]

I go to Cabanas because its a nice area to sit in the sun, I am going to try EG this Cruise though as I haven't done it yet.

 

[princesspwrhr]

When we got onboard the CM by the elevators simply stated that lunch was being served in the Enchanted Garden so that's where we went. I remembered about Cabanas later but I am SO glad we did Enchanted Garden. It was very good, was a great calm start to the voyage and we later discovered that we didn't particularly care for Cabanas. If we had started out there it might have set the wrong tone for our cruise.

(There's nothing wrong with Cabanas at all, the general noise and din of the restaurant bothered my husband who has crowd issues and we weren't find of the way the stations were laid out. The food and staff were still great)

 

[bobbiwoz]

EG was too crowded on our last Dream Cruise. I'm heading to Cabanas this next time!

 

[erocrobro]

We went to EG. I liked having them find a table for us and bring our drinks. There are not as many choices, that is true, but when our server saw that my youngest son didn't have much on his plate he asked what he would like. My son said chicken strips, so a few minutes later he returned with a platter full of chicken strips.

 

[Justacruiser]

Have only done Cabana's or Topsiders on departure day. Have never done EG. You do have to get your onw drinks rather than being served. We eat and then go sit on the deck. We are some of the first folks on the ship so there is never an issue in getting a table. With that said, if you are wanting a table for 10, I would go to EG unless you are in the first 10 boarding numbers. You can always go up to the top decks after lunch.

Can't lose either way.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Cabanas for sure! Nothing beats sitting outside in the sun...if it was raining though, we might do EG. Cabanas has more kid-friendly options though, we had to request stuff for our kids in EG.

 

[tweis]

We went to EG. I liked having them find a table for us and bring our drinks. There are not as many choices, that is true, but when our server saw that my youngest son didn't have much on his plate he asked what he would like. My son said chicken strips, so a few minutes later he returned with a platter full of chicken strips.

The same thing happened when we had lunch in EG. My two DSs were not eating very much and our server noticed and asked what they would like. A few minutes later we had several plates with pizza, corn dogs, chicken tenders and mac & cheese. Oh, and a bowl of honey mustard