dweeb Posted May 3, 2016 #1 Share Posted May 3, 2016 (edited) Just boarded the Ruby Princess. Called to make a reservation at the Crown Grill and was told that it was sold out for the whole cruise. It's only an hour since boarding has started, so I asked how this happened, and I was told that corporate is on board and they have reserved the Crown Grill, the Crab Shack, and Share for every night for the four day cruise. We could make a reservation for the Salty Dog if we wanted. Really? Corporate,you should be ashamed. Closing the revenue generating restaurants for your own use? You could have at least sent an email stating this fact so at least we knew about it. As a shareholder, not sure I really approve of this. What is your thoughts? Edited May 3, 2016 by dweeb Wrong date mentioned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JF - retired RRT Posted May 3, 2016 #2 Share Posted May 3, 2016 I would be very upset. You're right, they should have sent an email. Even corporate doesn't want to eat in The Salty Dog.:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphey Posted May 3, 2016 #3 Share Posted May 3, 2016 I have never heard of such a thing!!!! That's just crazy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenie082756 Posted May 3, 2016 #4 Share Posted May 3, 2016 That is bad business if that information is correct. I can see taking over for one night but for the whole cruise ALL the special dining? Ummmm...there is going to be a lot of really, really unhappy customers! I know if I was on that cruise and was told that, I would of been irritated because I know that I only cruise once a year and do look forward to certain experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dweeb Posted May 3, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted May 3, 2016 I was told that they are having dinner meetings to discuss the price increases at the speciality restaurants. Bummer, cause we were really looking forward to a night at the Crowb Grill. It really is our highlight on these short cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmak8 Posted May 3, 2016 #6 Share Posted May 3, 2016 I never heard of this!! I guess the customer doesn't come first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted May 3, 2016 #7 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Yes, this isn't as unusual as you'd think. Whenever there's a booking promotion that includes dinner in a specialty restaurant, expect to be frozen out. This has happened to me a couple of times: completely booked a couple of hours after boarding (and before Muster.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennybenny Posted May 3, 2016 #8 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Whoa! Hold up! Not having specialty dining available would be a huge bummer to me and my family. I would hope to have some kind of notification, similar to a hotel, where you are notified if they are under construction and the pool or something is not available during your stay. I really like the current price point and if it goes up then I guess we will be spending less time at the specialty restaurants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dweeb Posted May 3, 2016 Author #9 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Yes, this isn't as unusual as you'd think. Whenever there's a booking promotion that includes dinner in a specialty restaurant, expect to be frozen out. This has happened to me a couple of times: completely booked a couple of hours after boarding (and before Muster.) Pam, I really value your knowledge and your input, but this wasn't from a booking promotion. This is from corporate using them. While we were waiting to board, we noticed the captain escorting a couple onto the ship, obviously a VIP. I didn't recognize who it was but thought it was different for the captain to come out and get them. That's a status that I am trying for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjrmather Posted May 3, 2016 #10 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Yes, this isn't as unusual as you'd think. Whenever there's a booking promotion that includes dinner in a specialty restaurant, expect to be frozen out. This has happened to me a couple of times: completely booked a couple of hours after boarding (and before Muster.) Speaking of booking promotions - how does that work? This is my first cruise ever and when we booked we got a free specialty restaurant meal. Are we supposed to book that ourselves or is it prearranged? And if we are supposed to book it ourselves, should we be doing this now since it seems everything could be booked pretty quick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peety3 Posted May 3, 2016 #11 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Go picket in front of the restaurant nightly! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted May 3, 2016 #12 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Very poor move by Princess. Passengers are ALWAYS more important then any Princess employee, no matter what their level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted May 3, 2016 #13 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Speaking of booking promotions - how does that work? This is my first cruise ever and when we booked we got a free specialty restaurant meal. Are we supposed to book that ourselves or is it prearranged? And if we are supposed to book it ourselves, should we be doing this now since it seems everything could be booked pretty quick? You will receive a card in your stateroom. That card may or may not have an assigned reservation and restaurant. In either case you can call the DINE line or visit the restaurant if you wish to make a change of day or time. Do this on boarding day. You can not pre-book restaurants. All reservations are made on board. While I am not in agreement in any way with Princess employees taking up all the specialty dining space, this is not normal and you shouldn't have any problem getting a reservation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted May 3, 2016 #14 Share Posted May 3, 2016 They can't meet on land to discuss restaurant prices? Seems to me that the execs have decided to give themselves a vacation. It doesn't take a restaurant full of corporate to inspect the ship, evaluate the product, discuss price points, or anything else! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nooptere Posted May 3, 2016 #15 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Maybe they have forgotten it's the customers who pay their corporate salaries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaDeb Posted May 3, 2016 #16 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Very poor move by Princess. Passengers are ALWAYS more important then any Princess employee, no matter what their level. Agreed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted May 3, 2016 #17 Share Posted May 3, 2016 After all the blurbs about the wonderful new presidents brought in to head the various "products" that Carnival has, I'm suddenly not too thrilled with the Princess person. Some of her press sounded amazing. Now it sounds like "same old, same old." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted May 3, 2016 #18 Share Posted May 3, 2016 That really sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted May 3, 2016 #19 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Does your cruise brochure say the Restaurants are available? I think it is very poor. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted May 3, 2016 #20 Share Posted May 3, 2016 What they should have done was open these speciality restaurants "during lunch" for "corporate". This way, passengers would not inconvenienced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyRose Posted May 3, 2016 #21 Share Posted May 3, 2016 I would think that "Corporate" would also want to have some meals in the main dining room. They should experience the food and service that their passengers normally experience. To not eat in the main dining room is, in my opinion, almost like saying you don't find the food in the main dining room acceptable. Just my honest opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNGALNG Posted May 3, 2016 #22 Share Posted May 3, 2016 What they should have done was open these speciality restaurants "during lunch" for "corporate". This way, passengers would not inconvenienced. Sounds like that would be a fair deal. I was taught that your guest should always go first and then you get what's left. Yes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idahospud Posted May 3, 2016 #23 Share Posted May 3, 2016 If The Salty Dog is all that is available it's worth a try. There are pics and a review under my signature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovevacadays Posted May 3, 2016 #24 Share Posted May 3, 2016 That doesn't sound good. I would be very disappointed. It's definitely Princess Corporate and not another Corporation that's onboard and booked everything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted May 4, 2016 #25 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I've taken a couple of BVEs in Los Angeles when Corporate boarded early, used a dining room (not the one open for passengers) for lunch and meetings, and then disembarked before sailing. It was kind of strange to see "suits" walking around the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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