Embarkation day lunch question

[cyndiella]

I would rather go to a restaurant rather than Cabana's. (food allergies/cross contamination issues) What times do the restaurants serve lunch? Are they all open for lunch on embarkation day? I don't have a PAT yet.. way too early for that so I don't know what time we'll get on the ship. Thanks in advance!

 

[Uncleromulus]

On the Fantasy last cruise Enchanted Garden was open for lunch-don't know the exact times but would imagine a long enough period to accommodate most boarding times.

 

[erionm]

Not all restaurants are open on embarkation day.

On the Dream/Fantasy, Enchanted Garden also should be open
On the Magic, Carioca's should also be open
On the Wonder, Parrot Cay should also be open

 

[Weedy]

All the ships will have their buffet restaurant open as well as one other sit down restaurant. Both are set up as a buffet. The one on the pool deck is a typical buffet where you get both your food and drink. The other will have servers that will bring your drinks.

This is from the Navagator on the Dream to give you an idea of what is open the 1st day.

 

[KristiMc]

Both locations open on the first day are buffet. You will want to contact DCL about allergies before the cruise.

 

[samily]

Make sure that you or your TA contacts DCL and has them note your allergy on your reservation. When you check in to be seated at the restaurant on embarkation day, the allergy should come up when they type in your room number before seating you. A manager should be called over to walk you through what is safe to eat at the buffet. You tell them what you would like and they will have your plate prepared in the kitchen for you.

Have a great cruise.

 

[cyndiella]

Make sure that you or your TA contacts DCL and has them note your allergy on your reservation. When you check in to be seated at the restaurant on embarkation day, the allergy should come up when they type in your room number before seating you. A manager should be called over to walk you through what is safe to eat at the buffet. You tell them what you would like and they will have your plate prepared in the kitchen for you.

Have a great cruise.

Will do!! Thanks

 

[CM Dad]

I would rather go to a restaurant rather than Cabana's. (food allergies/cross contamination issues) What times do the restaurants serve lunch? Are they all open for lunch on embarkation day? I don't have a PAT yet.. way too early for that so I don't know what time we'll get on the ship. Thanks in advance!

Even at Cabanas they can take care of you food allergies/cross contamination issues. My wife recently was put on a gluten free/dairy free diet. At Cabanas they had her talk to someone who went over what the options were and then had the food prepared for her and delivered to our table.

 

[cyndiella]

Even at Cabanas they can take care of you food allergies/cross contamination issues. My wife recently was put on a gluten free/dairy free diet. At Cabanas they had her talk to someone who went over what the options were and then had the food prepared for her and delivered to our table.

Good to know. I need Gluten free myself. Don't want to spend my cruise time sick! Disneyworld restaurants have always been so good about this - preparing food special for me so I don't have to worry. I don't go to buffets anywhere else!

 

[CM Dad]

Good to know. I need Gluten free myself. Don't want to spend my cruise time sick! Disneyworld restaurants have always been so good about this - preparing food special for me so I don't have to worry. I don't go to buffets anywhere else!

Every night after dinner in the MDR, the head waiter and my wife would discuss what her options were for the next evening, as well as plan on where/what she wanted for breakfast and lunch. On Castaway Cay, we had to come back from our Cabana at Serenity Bay to get her meal from Cookies BBQ, where they prepare the allergy meals.

Palo's (both brunch and dinner) worked out fine for her.

 

[MunFam]

My "lunch advice" is to eat before you get on the ship. Once you do board, you will need to go to somewhere (the MDR is where we had to go) to meet with the dining team and go over my food allergy information that we submitted in advance. By the time we waited to do this, got our special tickets for the meet and greets, etc. our room was ready. We went there to drop off our bags. Then it was time for the muster drill and sailaway party.

My experience (and this is every cruise line, not just DCL) the staff in the buffets are SO busy and overwhelmed for embarkation day lunch that it takes FOREVER to get the right person in front of you to walk you through what is "safe" and/or to have the kitchen make something special/safe. We've had everything from an hour plus wait (just standing awkwardly near the door to the kitchen) to "the only thing I can get for you right now is a hot dog without a bun and fries". Its not worth the stress of trying to get a lunch on board. Go, do your thing and by dinner everything will have settled. At breakfast and lunch the next day, things will be calmer.

Remember, half the dining crew is busy getting rid of all the stored food waste and inventorying the new food and beverage that was just loaded on for the new passengers. That all has to get stowed in the proper locations ASAP...which is why there are so few people available for embarkation lunch to assist.

 

[cyndiella]

My "lunch advice" is to eat before you get on the ship. Once you do board, you will need to go to somewhere (the MDR is where we had to go) to meet with the dining team and go over my food allergy information that we submitted in advance. By the time we waited to do this, got our special tickets for the meet and greets, etc. our room was ready. We went there to drop off our bags. Then it was time for the muster drill and sailaway party.

My experience (and this is every cruise line, not just DCL) the staff in the buffets are SO busy and overwhelmed for embarkation day lunch that it takes FOREVER to get the right person in front of you to walk you through what is "safe" and/or to have the kitchen make something special/safe. We've had everything from an hour plus wait (just standing awkwardly near the door to the kitchen) to "the only thing I can get for you right now is a hot dog without a bun and fries". Its not worth the stress of trying to get a lunch on board. Go, do your thing and by dinner everything will have settled. At breakfast and lunch the next day, things will be calmer.

Remember, half the dining crew is busy getting rid of all the stored food waste and inventorying the new food and beverage that was just loaded on for the new passengers. That all has to get stowed in the proper locations ASAP...which is why there are so few people available for embarkation lunch to assist.

Thanks! Will definently keep this in mind (and in my notes for our Wonder cruise!)

 

[cyndiella]

Every night after dinner in the MDR, the head waiter and my wife would discuss what her options were for the next evening, as well as plan on where/what she wanted for breakfast and lunch. On Castaway Cay, we had to come back from our Cabana at Serenity Bay to get her meal from Cookies BBQ, where they prepare the allergy meals.

Palo's (both brunch and dinner) worked out fine for her.

This makes me feel better about eating on CC!! I envisioned burgers and buns and pasta salad!

 

[Uncleromulus]

One comment--we usually eat lunch that first day in Enchanted Garden--less crowded than Cabana. But it is not a restaurant primarily set up for a buffet (as is Cabanas) so the lines for food are a bit haphazard and bunched up. And depending where you are seated, a bit of a hike just getting to the buffet lines.

 

[OKW Lover]

We also prefer to go to Enchanted Garden for embarkation day lunch. We prefer being shown to a table and having our drink orders taken. You don't have to wander around with a tray full of food looking for a table. Its also less crowded and we will usually just sit for a while and relax after the all the hubbub of getting to the port, registering and getting on board, its nice to just let that all flow away.

The food in the restaurants buffet 's the same as you'll find at Cabanas.

 

[The Sasquatch]

EG is far less crowded than Cabanas on embarkation. I am not certain of this but it seems their menu is far more limited than cabanas.

 

[OKW Lover]

I am not certain of this but it seems their menu is far more limited than cabanas.

I've heard this mentioned before, but I can't seem to think of anything that's missing. Perhaps others will weigh in on this point.

 

[cyndiella]

EG is far less crowded than Cabanas on embarkation. I am not certain of this but it seems their menu is far more limited than cabanas.

Not really a problem since my food choices are limited anyway.. way of life now!

 

[cyndiella]

We're going on the Wonder... anyone have any thoughts on their restaurants on embarkation day? I'm REALLY appreciating all the input from everyone!

 

[BCV23]

Parrot Cay on the Wonder is the equivalent of Enchanted Garden. We have always had lunch at Enchanted Garden (Fantasy), Carioca's (Magic) or Parrot Cay on embarkation day. Actually prefer the menu on the classic ships.

Would room service work for you? When your cabin is available about 1:30, you could place an order. My daughter did that on one recent cruise.