Is being able to order multiple main courses for dinner, documented anywhere as an official perk?

I have been reading this here, in both good postings and in bad (complaints), but I haven't been able to find it written down by Carnival itself.

One of the reasons I am bringing this up, is that on my cruise a few weeks ago, I went on the kitchen/galley tour.  That started with a sit-down talk by the head of the food department on-board (I forget his title, but the maitre D's report to him).  He was bragging about how great and advanced their computer ordering system is, and mentioned that one of things it does, is it will prevent a waiter from "accidentally" ordering more dinners than passengers he is assigned to serve.

So, I am wondering, when a single passenger orders for themselves, for example, 5 lobster dinners, how does the waiter get them?

One way, I guess, is that the extra dinners get assigned to "no shows".  I mean, I am sure that every waiter as a few passengers who don't show up for a sit down dinner on any given evening.

Or does the waiter need to get an exception approved by someone?  Possibly, the maitre D gets involved?  

Or does the waiter just walk into the kitchen a grab a few extra plates, and no one officially knows a passenger is "pigging out".

 

I have never seen the policy documented, but I have done it and my waiter specifically offered it to us on the Holiday. Here is a guess... if a waiter orders a second entree for someone, the computer might flag it to bring it to his/her attention, but not prevent him/her from putting the order through - kind of like when the cashier is scanning your groceries and you have two of the same item, the register will beep and they have to push a button to indicate that there were, in fact, two of the item and it wasn't an accidental double-scan, thereby avoiding the need for a manager to come over and void the extra. My guess is that the point is to avoid waste, via preparing dishes that have not been ordered as opposed to keeping guests from ordering extra. Having said all this, I will ask on the galley tour next time and report back.

Well if the waiter had to get "exceptions" approved, they would be approving my boyfriends dinner all night long.  He is a big guy, always orders more than one appetizer, and usually more than entree.  I really don't think there is a huge concern about who is ordering more than one of something.   That just sounds silly.

I don't know where that came from.  The waiters encourage you to try more than one.  My husband and I always order lobster on cruise elegant night , then order prime rib to share.  We have been on many cruises and have never had problems ordering more than one entree, appetizer, or whatever.

I agree with you here Lizzie Liz.... My husband is also a big guy (he lifts a ton of weights) but because he is big and most of the time men eat more anyway, he'll order more than one entree, appetizer, etc.  I too, don't think there is anything wrong with it.  As a matter of fact, LOTS of people do this and there is nothing wrong with it.  It's all in how your mannerisms are.  I, myself, have ordered 2 lobsters one night...no biggee - but I have seen people just put poor waiters thru all kinds of craziness, by taking things back because it didn't taste right, or it's not cooked enough, or acting like piggies...there is a way to order several entrees without "over doing it"....ok, now I'm off my soapbox...

joan:

I don't know where that came from.

Well, it came from the head guy in charge. 

   

I wasn't trying to pass judgement on it being right or wrong (though I am a pretty firm believer in eating everything you order).  I was just wondering if it was an official perk or not.

  

I have read a few postings here over the many months from people who returned from cruise quite upset because they had to actually talk with the maitre D' or someone when all all they wanted to do,was to exercise their right to a 10th lobster tail.  So, that just got me wondering if they do, indeed, have a right to such.  I went looking for it being documented somewhere, but came up empty.

Millyj:

I agree with you here Lizzie Liz.... My husband is also a big guy (he lifts a ton of weights) but because he is big and most of the time men eat more anyway, he'll order more than one entree, appetizer, etc.  I too, don't think there is anything wrong with it.  As a matter of fact, LOTS of people do this and there is nothing wrong with it.  It's all in how your mannerisms are.  I, myself, have ordered 2 lobsters one night...no biggee - but I have seen people just put poor waiters thru all kinds of craziness, by taking things back because it didn't taste right, or it's not cooked enough, or acting like piggies...there is a way to order several entrees without "over doing it"....ok, now I'm off my soapbox...

MILLIJ>That reminds me of that part where i read in the book cruise confidential. that same thing happend in the story. but i didn't know you can order more than one entree. hummm.....

Chassie,

  I just finished reading the book too. I will definitely look at the waiters a bit differently when I go. When I get on the ship I will ask the waiter the question "what's the best way to get extra lobster" order multiple right away or just let them know when we are ready for more.

Yes, you may order multiple entree's or whatever you may want. There is not a limit at all, you just simply finish your meal and then ask for more. They will give it to you with no problem.

My husband and I went on the Fansination Ship to Nassau last year and they were serving lobster and shrimp. Well I don't eat lobster so I asked if I may have 6 extra shrimp and the waiter brought out 6 entrees of lobster and shrimp (at the same time)and told me to enjoy.

where can i read this so called "cruise confidential" book? sounds interesting.

ladibug:

Yes, you may order multiple entree's or whatever you may want. There is not a limit at all, you just simply finish your meal and then ask for more. They will give it to you with no problem.

Again, where exactly does Carnival say you can do that ?

Bill orders his multiples when we order dinner and the waitstaff serves them accordingly.

I don't know where it's written, but we have always ordered more than one, either appetizers, pastas, mains, or even desserts if you don't know or can't decide what you want, my waiter even brought out an extra dessert when she heard I couldn't decide which to order, without me even asking.  Now that's service, we don't pig out, but the point is to be served what you like, without waste or going overboard.

Lizz,

  So Bill tells them he will want X amount of entrees and they bring them all at once or does the waiter go back for them?  Is this what they prefer to being told later on you want another one?

After reading the book it seems like the waiters have entrees squirreled away for themselves too and sometimes there isn't much of a chance to eat.

The book: Cruise Confidential by: Brian David Bruns. I borrowed the book from Regina before she left but I would think you could get this book at a major book store or order it from Amazon.

irishlizz:

Bill orders his multiples when we order dinner and the waitstaff serves them accordingly.

Walt It is not written anywhere that you can order more then one meal, but, it would make no sense to limit it when you can go to the all you can eat buffet, and order room service and pizza 24 hrs a day.  And since waiters I have had in the past would bring out 2 meals for people if they had trouble making up their minds tends to lead me to think it is an ok thing to do for people that want to do it. ( and waiters would do it without being asked)