I have to say this, and I really do not care what anyone else says. So, if you disagree with my comments, just disagree with them and keep your comments to yourself. I speak facts, and I am not commenting on anyone else's opinion. The MDR themed menu each night is terrible. The quality of ingredients have grossly dropped. For example, (I'm not going to list everything) i.e., desserts that should have "whipped cream" do not have good quality whipped cream on them--a cheaper version is obviously used and is simply a turn off once you put the fork or spoon in your mouth. Do not eat the coconut layer cake, unless you have never tasted what a real cake with whipped cream should taste like. It is a joke that they even put that product out to be eaten. Tastes like a cheap dessert at the Old Country Buffet restaurant, which is no longer in business because it had terrible, cheap food. That is just one example that supports my stance--there are numerous others, but I do not have the time to write a book about every item on the MDR menu and the poor ingredients that were used. Also, the nightly options to choose from are limited and make no sense whatsoever. If you are going to have a theme night, then stick to the theme night!!!!! Why in the world is there an "Indian" type dish on the menu each night? I personally cannot stand Indian food!! The spices put off an extremely offensive odor that not only smells while the food is on the dish but also smells from the pores of your skin once you eat the food. I know I am not the only one on this earth who detects this horrific smell that comes with Indian food. I am not prejudice nor racist; I am a minority--so those of you who are thinking on that line of thinking need to grow up and just accept the fact that Indian food puts off an awful smell due to the spices used when making it. There are many other foods that smell, but I am focusing on Indian food because Royal Caribbean seems to believe that everyone who buys a passenger ticket wants to eat it and smell like it. How about just having an Indian restaurant for those who want to eat Indian, instead of subjecting everyone else to it. I don't see you putting Sushi on the menu every night, oh because there is a Sushi restaurant for that. You would think that the majority of paying passengers were Indian in Royal Caribbean's eyes, as they have specifically catered to that culture by putting an Indian dish on the menu every night. However, that is not the case and majority of paying passengers are not Indian. Since I speak facts, simply read the menus: Royal Night (spicy shrimp jalfrezi--Jalfrezi is an Indian curry sauce); French Night (curried lamb rogan josh--Indian lamb curry); Welcome Aboard Night (aromatic chicken sagg--Indian vegetable dish); Italian Night (spiced lamb kofta--Indian meatballs); Caribbean Night (rustic chicken korma--Indian chicken); Mexican Night (butter chicken--Indian chicken); Mediterranean Night (chicken chettinad--Indian chicken). I cannot believe that there was a post by someone else on this blog asking for Indian night--it's already Indian night every night!! That's my rant on the nightly options to choose from. At the end of the day, if you want to eat anything that has quality ingredients and doesn't smell like you just got off the plane in New Delhi, then put out the money and pay to eat at a restaurant, pub, or bar that requires you to pay for your food. I can attest that the specialty restaurants (even the sports bar and BBQ places) have superior food options that are extremely tasty and made with far better quality ingredients---a world of difference from the MDR food. I believe that Royal Caribbean purposely makes inferior food in the MDR so that you are forced to put out the extra money to eat at an establishment that costs extra money. Because the MDR food is awful, I have no problem putting out the extra money and will readily pay for upgraded food options. I do feel bad for those who cruise on a budget and have no choice but to eat in the MDR. They are missing out on what food should really taste like and have paid good money to be slighted in that area. I have given my comments to Royal Caribbean after two sailings, and I am confident they have ignored every word I have said. However, I am confident that there are others out there that agree and feel the same way. If you have a theme night, stick to it. Just make a specific Indian night, so people who feel the same way that I do, will have the chance to avoid Indian food and can dine somewhere else that night. I am scheduled to sale on Icon of the Seas in 2024 and have already purchased specialty dining. I do not plan on ruining my vacation by eating the awful food in the MDR. It is not a hit or miss in the MDR, it is a miss every night..... The service is great, the servers are great, but the food is not and it is a shame that it has to be that way. (Simply Carnival Cruise level food.)
