? Best embarkation lunch ?

[sk8ingmom]

Palo Ressie: $20
Spa Taster Ressie: $89
All the shrimp you can eat: PRICELESS

It's my understanding that we ahve several options for the embarkation lunch buffet. What's the best choice??

 

[rae519]

I like you!
I like you!

I really like you!!!!!


And in answer to your question, I prefer Parrot Cay because I think it's the most beautiful restaurant and enjoy the shorter lines and more personalized service given!

Rae

 

[mketting]

Definately Parrot Cay. It is colorful with Dining Room seating and waiters and there were many different choices for lunch including a kids buffet.

 

[westjones]

If it is your first time, then I would say Parrot Cay. If you are a several time repeater, you will figure out what works best for your family.

For us, we have 'lunch' by the pool. We get pizza and watch our girls be one of the first (and few) to jump in the pool. They have swimsuits on under their clothes, and we head straight for deck 9.

So our favorite lunch, is pool side pizza!

DJ

 

[lbgraves]

We sat outside at Topsiders for our first cruise. It was wonderful to be able to start taking in the atmosphere already & we really enjoyed it. We didn't eat forward often during the sailing because it was just too windy when we were moving so it was a nice treat to enjoy that first morning. I'm not sure what we will do next time. I know that the kids did OK in PC for lunch during the week, but they will probably be too excited & want to get in the pool right away so the pizza idea sounds good. We can always just bring a tray there from TS.

 

[krhardy]

remember, you may not really have a choice. Both times I've cruised, we wanted to lunch at Parrot Cay, but it was already full by the time we finished our ressie rush. Gonna try again in July. Contemplating grabbing something from Pluto's to hold me over until the rush dies down at PC.

 

[jwann]

done both -- prefer Parrot Cay -- the free sodas there swing it for us -- IMHO it's worth waiting in line and being first on the boat to eat at PC instead of Topsiders/Beach Blanket

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by jwann
done both -- prefer Parrot Cay -- the free sodas there swing it for us -- IMHO it's worth waiting in line and being first on the boat to eat at PC instead of Topsiders/Beach Blanket

Yes, I forgot the free sodas there! Another PLUS of Parrot Cay.
It's tropical atmosphere always makes me puts me in the "NO STRESS VACATION TIME" mode!

Rae

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by rae519
Yes, I forgot the free sodas there! Another PLUS of Parrot Cay.
It's tropical atmosphere always makes me puts me in the "NO STRESS VACATION TIME" mode!

Rae

Thanks for the tip, I think we will try PC this time around as we did Topsiders on last year's cruise. I like the "NO STRESS VACATION TIME" mode, myself!!!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

You know, I'm really torn on this one.

I like Parrot Cay a lot because there are shorter lines, better selection of food and there doesn't seem to be as many passengers there. BUT, BBB/Topsiders is fun, too because you get to eat outdoors.

Also, (not sure if this is a plus or not for you) you can get soda at PC embarkation lunch but at the other buffet you cannot.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

We prefer Topsiders only because of tradition. The first time we cruised, we didn't know anything about the ship and we went to Topsiders. (I don't remember how we learned about it.) We did the same thing the next year (still unaware that PC had lunch buffet.) This year, however, even though we know about PC we'll still do Topsiders.

It's a tradition we can't break!

 

[crisi]

We never really enjoyed any meal we had at Beach Blanket Buffet (Topsiders of the Wonder). Too "buffet-y" and finding a table was sometimes a little bit of a hassle - particularly outside (lots of inside seating, but then you might as well be eating at Parrot Cay). We thought the Parrot Cay food was a lot better as well.

We arrived early and were "directed" to Parrot Cay for lunch - and are happy we did. It also gave us a chance to scope out the approximate location of our table.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by crisi
We never really enjoyed any meal we had at Beach Blanket Buffet (Topsiders of the Wonder). Too "buffet-y" and finding a table was sometimes a little bit of a hassle - particularly outside (lots of inside seating, but then you might as well be eating at Parrot Cay). We thought the Parrot Cay food was a lot better as well.

We arrived early and were "directed" to Parrot Cay for lunch - and are happy we did. It also gave us a chance to scope out the approximate location of our table.

Very true statements re: buffet-y and hard to find a table, especially when you are holding a tray and trying to keep your family together and not spill drinks, etc. I am still working on balancing the shrimp bowl on my head, but either my head isn't flat enough or I limp too much to balance it!!!!!
Gonna have to work on that some more!

Rae

 

[Tera]

We haven't done our first cruise yet, but sounds like we'll make a point to head to PC for our first meal onboard. I'm having DH make Palo ressie and I'll be doing the spa ones. Hope my IL's don't mind watching the kids *G* And forget the soda, I'll be ready for a nice BIG drink for our first day out

 

[crisi]

Thinking about "hard to find a table" - at Parrot Cay you walk in, you find a table, you sit down, a waiter brings you drinks (and you don't pay for pop), you get up, get your food and bring it back to the table.

At T/BBB, you are directed straight into the buffet line, where you have your tray (and if traveling with small children, their trays as well), you are trying to herd children, get food, balance drinks - and then find a table.

At Parrot Cay, the buffet line is spread out and kind of roomy - you can skip right over the salads and to the end and grab a sandwich or hop back up and get a dessert without a hassle. The T/BBB buffet is more of a cafeteria line - with the extra stations kind of hidden (we discovered the cinnamon rolls our last day - took a while to find them up there).

 

[Tera]

Okay, so we're DEFINITELY doing PC on our first day. I think I'll order my foo foo drink and then head right to the desserts. That's the way to start off a vacation

 

[Tera]

Oh, or do they serve alcohol before they do the emergency drill?? Tell me I don't have to wait that long

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by Tera
Oh, or do they serve alcohol before they do the emergency drill?? Tell me I don't have to wait that long

No, you definitely don't have to wait that long. You can get a drink as soon as you board.

 

[Tera]

Thanks CRSNDSNY!!!! I will be SO ready to party when we get on board

 

[sk8ingmom]

Roger that. Every time I have saved $$ while planning this trip (mostly due to the great people on these boards) DH & I refer to it as being able to afford "more fruity drinks with umbrellas" on the cruise!

PC it is for us. We will be boarding as soon as they let us, so we should be able to get to lunch fairly early after making assorted ressies. I have little guys (3&5) - just can't picture DH & I balancing 4 trays, drinks, daybags, etc. while hunting for a table. Doesn't sound very relaxing to me.

Thanks for your opinions!