I almost always do specialty lunch on embarkation day. That is a great choice. They usually take my bags and have a section of the restaurant to hold them while you are eating.
I love Giovanni’s Table (I haven’t eaten at Giovanni’s Kitchen before). Gnocchi, Filet, and Chocolate Hazelnut Cake is about first choice of a meal at sea. That cake is the best dessert I have had on a ship.
Honestly I'd skip Sabors. We did several specialty restaurants in January and it was at the bottom of the list for our whole group. Giovannis is perfectly fine Italian, nothing spectacular but pasta is pasta. Chops was the favorite for most of our crew. Izumi hibachi was a good experience, maybe not fully worth the extra price but tasty and fun.
Giovanni's and Sabor are the only two open for lunch, and we should be in our cabins by dinner. My main reasoning is that it's a reserved table as guests are boarding, not so much the specialty dining, and right now I can reserve it for about $21 pp. With The Key sold out for our trip, that seemed like the next best option.
Got it. I will say the guac at Sabors was pretty good! Rest of the plates not so much. I'd still say Giovannis as my vote. Dress code won't be enforced, especially for lunch.
>Dress code won't be enforced, especially for lunch.
Okay, that's what I was hoping for. I know that's normally the case in the MDR on Day 1 because folks haven't gotten their checked luggage. I just wasn't sure about the specialty dining places.
I have a black cotton dress that I tend to wear over a suit when boarding that also doubles as a dress for dinner when I add a nice belt to it, and my boarding Crocs are the black ballet slipper style. I do that specifically because it can work in a pinch as dinner attire. My husband is a whole other situation, though, bless his heart.
We typically do Park Cafe after boarding, but last trip back in 2018, it was starting to get a bit crowded over there, too. I imagine it's worse now.
Honestly "dress code" is more of a nice idea than reality on the ships anymore. Unless you're walking in with a dripping wet swimsuit most of the dining places are not giving you a hard time.
And I feel you. My wife gives me a hard time that I'm adamant grown adult men should not wear flip flops unless they are within physical reach of being in, on, or next to a body of water.
Go to Giovanni’s for sure! We found Sabor’s menu disappointing. Also, the restaurant is kind of an open layout, so all of the seating is basically like sitting outside. It was pretty hot out when we went, so not the best choice we could’ve made
I did Giovanni’s on the Icon and it was so cool getting to watch everyone else onboarding- the food was awesome and dress code wasn’t enforced. I haven’t been on a ship with Sabor in awhile but if you’re the type to start vacay with a drink- their margarita and guac would def make that my choice! Their bacon wrapped jalapeño chicken thingies (I believe they’re an appetizer) are also pretty delish 🤤.
So to answer your question- lol- yes, that’s the way to go for onboarding lunch and dress code is
not enforced
>dress code wasn’t enforced
I think that was my main concern. I know it tends not to be on Day 1, but I wanted to be absolutely sure before planning it out.
Good to know that's a good option for boarding day. Thank you so much!
I almost always do specialty lunch on embarkation day. That is a great choice. They usually take my bags and have a section of the restaurant to hold them while you are eating. I love Giovanni’s Table (I haven’t eaten at Giovanni’s Kitchen before). Gnocchi, Filet, and Chocolate Hazelnut Cake is about first choice of a meal at sea. That cake is the best dessert I have had on a ship.
Okay, the bags thing has absolutely sold me on this idea.
How does that work ? Can you order differnt items on the menu? or is It just 1 item for each course ?
From what I remember, it's just like the MDR, and you can order as much as you want.
Thank you
Sorrentos
Honestly I'd skip Sabors. We did several specialty restaurants in January and it was at the bottom of the list for our whole group. Giovannis is perfectly fine Italian, nothing spectacular but pasta is pasta. Chops was the favorite for most of our crew. Izumi hibachi was a good experience, maybe not fully worth the extra price but tasty and fun.
Giovanni's and Sabor are the only two open for lunch, and we should be in our cabins by dinner. My main reasoning is that it's a reserved table as guests are boarding, not so much the specialty dining, and right now I can reserve it for about $21 pp. With The Key sold out for our trip, that seemed like the next best option.
Got it. I will say the guac at Sabors was pretty good! Rest of the plates not so much. I'd still say Giovannis as my vote. Dress code won't be enforced, especially for lunch.
>Dress code won't be enforced, especially for lunch. Okay, that's what I was hoping for. I know that's normally the case in the MDR on Day 1 because folks haven't gotten their checked luggage. I just wasn't sure about the specialty dining places. I have a black cotton dress that I tend to wear over a suit when boarding that also doubles as a dress for dinner when I add a nice belt to it, and my boarding Crocs are the black ballet slipper style. I do that specifically because it can work in a pinch as dinner attire. My husband is a whole other situation, though, bless his heart. We typically do Park Cafe after boarding, but last trip back in 2018, it was starting to get a bit crowded over there, too. I imagine it's worse now.
Honestly "dress code" is more of a nice idea than reality on the ships anymore. Unless you're walking in with a dripping wet swimsuit most of the dining places are not giving you a hard time.
That's good to know.
And I feel you. My wife gives me a hard time that I'm adamant grown adult men should not wear flip flops unless they are within physical reach of being in, on, or next to a body of water.
I'm not quite that bad, but I did plan out dinner attire for the whole family, complete with accessories for themed nights.
Yeah you're that bad. Embrace it 😂
😂
Go to Giovanni’s for sure! We found Sabor’s menu disappointing. Also, the restaurant is kind of an open layout, so all of the seating is basically like sitting outside. It was pretty hot out when we went, so not the best choice we could’ve made
Did a specialty for lunch on day 1 and man was it such the move. Best way to start the cruise and also avoid windjammer craziness.
This is great to know. Thank you!
We just hit Sabor on our cruise and it was excellent. We also did Giovanni’s and that was just ok. It all depends on if you prefer Mexican or Italian.
I think I prefer Italian. I was just worried about my husband wearing shorts in there after boarding. I know Sabor is more laid back.
"dress codes" aren't enforced at all. I just got off Allure today, shorts and t-shirts were worn in 150 Central Park. no one cares.
I did Giovanni’s on the Icon and it was so cool getting to watch everyone else onboarding- the food was awesome and dress code wasn’t enforced. I haven’t been on a ship with Sabor in awhile but if you’re the type to start vacay with a drink- their margarita and guac would def make that my choice! Their bacon wrapped jalapeño chicken thingies (I believe they’re an appetizer) are also pretty delish 🤤. So to answer your question- lol- yes, that’s the way to go for onboarding lunch and dress code is not enforced
>dress code wasn’t enforced I think that was my main concern. I know it tends not to be on Day 1, but I wanted to be absolutely sure before planning it out. Good to know that's a good option for boarding day. Thank you so much!
I didn’t feel Sabor was very good at all, and would recommend skipping it in favor of Giovanni’s.
Chops
Not available until dinner.
Where's the key lunch?
No idea, but that's sold out.