Sabatini's - What's so great about it?

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Taters

Guest
I've cruised many times, but have never paid for food on board a cruise ship. I'm not a tightwad, it's just that the main diningroom has always had absolutely wonderful food! (I've traveled on RCI and Carnival). My next cruise is a 15 nighter to Hawaii on the Island Princess... Why should Spudly and I eat there? Just wondering...

Taters
 
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Lady Jag

Guest
For that long of a cruise, you might give it a try. Personally, we didn't think much of it at all. Guess we're just not sophisticated enough to appreciate it. Some people just rave about Sabatini's, but we found the dinner to be too drawn-out, the food wasn't very good and the service wasn't that great either. Where we did have a good experience was with Portofino's on the Radiance. Everything was perfect there. Perhaps people that really 'know' food will explain what's so special about Sabatini's for you. :?
 
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Cruise cutie

Guest
We went on the Coral and never went to Sabatini's and loved the food in Traditional dining!!...Not sure I'd spring for the extra as I'm happy with the other...Gonna grill you on the Island 15 day cruise Annie after you get back as thats the next booking for us in 2007 after the Golden...My dream Hawaii cruise for our 10th anniversary!!!...We adored the Coral and will book the same Mini-suite Aloha 503 as we had on Coral...It was PERFECT!!!...Good luck and I'll be staying in touch...:grin...Joanne
 
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cruiseaholictoo

Guest
Well when we ate there, it was a shock when theysaid they once thing we were going to be able to order was the Entree.... I ask why and they said , because you are going to get all the rest of the menu...well after the second course iwas getting full and we still have alot more to eat .the food was excelent and well worth the small additional cost. Since then we have always eaten in the alternative dinning.... just expect to be there 2 to 4 hours eatting they do not rush you ....
enjoy it ...
the ONLYn REASO FOR WORKING IS TO PAY FOR THE NEXT CRUISE >>>>>>>>>>
 
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PeabodyNVL

Guest
We ate at Sabatini's in 1999 when the fee was only $3.50 and you ordered from a normal menu. It was excellent!

But, I cannot eat an endless parade of food, as they seem to bring now, so the extra $20 is wasted on me. I'd rather just have a dinner where I can order a soup or salad, entree and dessert. That is enough for me!

Pea
 
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CruiseAholic

Guest
When I sailed on the Coral Princess over Thanksgiving (11/19-11/29) we didn't eat in either the Bayou Cafe or Sabatini's.

However, on the Island Princess over Christmas (12/16-12/26) we eat in the Bayou Cafe two times (it was excellent) and Sabatini's one time (also excellent).

Yes, Sabatini's is an endless parade of food, but it was not rushed, the next course was not brought out until you were ready for it. The food was excellent. We were there about 3 1/2 hours. Well worth it in my opinion.

Also, FYI, was on the Sun Princess 1/10 sailing and ate in the Sterling Steak House, also outstanding.
 
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Paulie

Guest
Going there in a large group makes it much more enjoyable. I did it with a party of 8 and a party of 2, and if it was just two again, I wouldn't bother.

So make some friends, and have a good time for 4 hours. Otherwise, hit the Painted Desert when it opens. Great for couples! :)
 
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cruisinrg

Guest
We ate in Sabatini's when we sailed on the Grand Princess 2 years ago. We're going on the Caribbean Princess in May & we will not be going back to Sabatini's. It's a very very long drawn out meal & not worth it. There's nothing exceptional about the food & you spend alot of time there. We did however eat in Portofino's on the Voyager of the Seas on RCCL & that was a wonderful meal.
 
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sparkle56

Guest
We ate at Sabatini's with 6 other people we met on the cruise. The company made it enjoyable but we also had a blast with them in the regular dining room each night.
I did not think it was worth the extra money. . .the food was almost exactly the same as in the dining room. We actually had brunch there, which I understand is no longer offered. The appetizers were an assortment of seafood and the photos far surpassed the actual food. Giant crab legs? Not. Enormous shrimp? Not. Sushi? None left. There was champagne (unlimited I think) and we did get very silly.

But we don't plan to go there again. It just wasn't that impressive.
 
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Taters

Guest
Thanks for all of the input, everyone! It seems that the "nays" outnumber the "yays". I have plenty of time to think about it - whether or not Spudly and I will want to partake of a meal at Sabatini's, our cruise is not for another 11 months. Maybe if we want a change from the main dining room, well go? Hmmm.... Not so sure!

Thanks a million everyone!

Taters
 
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kruznut

Guest
Taters, i think you have the right idea to do whatever will please the two of you. There will certainly be many differing opinions all of which pleased each individual. We've never been to Sabatini's or the Bayou Cafe not the we are stingy or cheap, but i don't want to give the cruise lines any incentive to eventually start charging us for all of the food.
 
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Taters

Guest
kruznut - I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with you. Seems that NCL and parent company Star Cruises started this whole thing with the alternative restaurants and the charging of the dinners... Isn't changing the menu in the main dining room daily enough to keep most of us happy?

Taters
 
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Hooked on Cruising

Guest
Just to show how different opinions are. We ate at Sabatini's on our last cruise. I heard so much on the boards what a "must do" it is. So we did. Yes, I thought the food was very good, but I wouldn't do it again. I was so miserable after the first couple courses that I couldn't enjoy the rest. And no, I wasn't making a pig out of myself. On the otherhand, my husband still rants and raves about it to this day, saying it was one of the highlights of the cruise. So it is personal preference. I would say try it if you don't mind paying the cover charge and then you will know whether or not you would ever want to do it again.
 
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