Why pay when you can eat for free?

[denamo]

Hey, to each is own. Some folks think its worth it some don't. I have tried many specialty resturants on many different lines and they just do not compatre with the food you can get in a good land restraunt. Don't forget the cost is much higher then you think because you are giving up a meal that you already paid for in the MDA.

 

Good point! We recently went on the Oasis and did Giovanni's for lunch. We don't buy drink packages, tons of souvenirs, or pictures. This was our treat for us. Never thought of actually paying more than one might realize. We've done Chops and a Mystery Dinner in Portifinos on other ships. We did enjoy all. Since we've done these previously, don't really feel the need to continue.

 

Also thought poster who mentioned they don't spend for anniversaries or birthdays and save for speciality cruise venues seems like a great plan.

 

I'm not one to care how people spend their dollars. It's their dollar. Some want mega balconies while others are content with inside cabins. If this is the option someone wants, it's there to enjoy! It really is a personal choice, and that I do like!:)

[negc]

There is NO need to pay extra to eat in the speciality restaurants unless you want to. If you want to experience a different type of food or dining venue, there is ample opportunity to do so ashore in the various ports.

 

MARAPRINCE

 

You are, of course, correct but I fear that many who buy into the argument that it is foolish to spend extra for a specialty restaurant onboard the ship, when your meals in the regular restaurants is included in your cruise fare, would be the first ones to avoid those onshore restaurants and hurry back to the ship because they have already paid for their meals.;)

[lady_cruiser]

I agree with the majority of the posters here. We also eat at least one meal at Portifino's the quality of meat is so much greater. We took a behind the scenes tour and one of the places we toured was the kitchen at Portfino and the chef showed us the different classes of meat and why they were a better grade than in the main dining room.

 

In also enjoy the smaller dining area, the quietness while dining, and the extra detail that the waiters can afford to give us since they are not serving 30 or 40 people at one time.

 

If we ordered the same thing at a restaurant back home we would expect to pay close to $90-$100.

[Sarahgraci]

Our cruise last year on LOS was the first for us on RCCL. We tried Portofino and Johnny Rocket's. While we are glad we tried them, they, nor are Chops or B & J's, on the plan for our trip on FOS next month. We were happy with Windjammer, places in the Promenade, room service, and the MDR. We're not too hard to please, and to not have to plan, shop, cook, and clean, and still get plenty of choices while not having to be concerned about price is good enough for us!

[jjb415]

Portofino and Chops are an upgrade to the food in the dining room, it is a more romantic, slow paced experience and the food is excellent. Well worth every penny. I know we can eat for free but we enjoy the experience

 

Yes, the steaks are great in Chops, and, as you say, well worth it. :)

[patseacruiser]

I used to feel that way - why pay when the MDR is free. Then I ate at the only specialty restaurant on the Explorer - Portofinos. The food quality and the service was excellent and I am so glad I gave in and paid the darned $20 pp. Then on the Independence I got the opportunity to try Chops and since I'm a steak person - that was great. If it's in your budget - give it a shot. You don't have to go back. Ask your maitre d' the first night in the MDR what the menu for the rest of the cruise is and usually he will look and tell you what night you should go and he will generally call and make your reservation for you.

[cruise pup]

You can buy Ben and Jerry's icecream in almost ANY supermarket...not sure why you'd pay inflated ship's prices for it...

 

If you're happy with the dining room food (and most times, we are fine with it), there's no reason to spend even more money on top of your fare. It's there if and when you do want to try it. It's certainly not a "must do".

 

You can buy any food cheaper in a supermarket so I don't understand the point of singling out B&J's. There is a reason for spending money above your cruise fare. You want to. It all depends on whether or not it appeals to you. I would never want to limit my experiences by sticking to what's included in the fare since that would also mean no drinks, no shore excursions, no casino, and no escorts (oops).

[Langley Cruisers]

Hey, to each is own. Some folks think its worth it some don't.

 

Exactly how I feel. We tried Portofino on Explorer a few years back and while the food was good, I thought the tables were way too close together to be intimate, and sadly, I had a bit of a personality clash with our waiter. He was obnoxious. My problem, absolutely - but it left me less than satisfied with the whole experience.

 

As said, to each his own.

[kam582]

This is a great thread as I have been wondering about this myself. I have not cruised for years, but have one booked at the end of next month. I am a fly over country, meat and potatoes kind of guy. Give me a good Ribeye, a baked potato, and a salad and I am happy. Fortunately, I live in a part of the country where a good steak is taken for granted. I like the fact that the ships have choices, but I will probably stick to the MDR. I am sure I will be very happy with the food. If not, then I might try a different option.

[5kids2dogs]

It's probably not in our budget to do anything with an extra cost. Just the cruise alone is really out of our budget. I've seen you can prepay for alcohol, soda, juice and water so what drinks are already included? You really have to pay for water?

[temple1]

You can buy any food cheaper in a supermarket so I don't understand the point of singling out B&J's. There is a reason for spending money above your cruise fare. You want to. It all depends on whether or not it appeals to you. I would never want to limit my experiences by sticking to what's included in the fare since that would also mean no drinks, no shore excursions, no casino, and no escorts (oops).

 

Ya know, I looked and looked but couldn't find the number for that department on my last cruise. :(

[thomarvin]

You have to pay for bottled water. Glasses of water are free. They have iced tea and I think it was fruit punch for free. OJ is available for breakfast along with apple juice. If you are happy with those choices you are fine and wont have to pay for your drinks. But if you drink soda then that would be 2.25 per can or you can get a soda card for $6 a day. You really can do a cruise for just the cruise price (and tips) if you want. Been there. Done that.

[SRQfireman]

the dinning room food used to be as good as the extra cost food. If stupid people did'nt pay extra for specialty dinning the main dinning room would serve the better quality food. Fifteen yrs. ago you would get fellet mingion and large lobster tails along with free soft drinks in the MDR. All the food was free and very good. No extra charge for ice cream or hambergers and fries back then.

 

Well.....consider me one of the stupid people...I usually treat myself there 1 night during the week. I guess if I wasn't so stupid , I would know that I already paid for 7 "free" meals in the MDR....Ya just can't fix stupid :D:):eek:

[lovemylab]

We eat in the specialty restaurants because we enjoy the experience more than the MDR.

 

It's the same reason why I take a cruise vacation rather than go camping...sure it costs more, but I enjoy the experience more.

 

As for those comments about the food quality being better 15 years ago and not having to pay extra...that's because you were paying signifcantly more for your cruise!!

 

I can understand that some choose not to eat in the specialty restaurants...what I don't understand is why people feel the need to judge others because they choose to dine there.

[Cruising89143]

the dinning room food used to be as good as the extra cost food. If stupid people did'nt pay extra for specialty dinning the main dinning room would serve the better quality food. Fifteen yrs. ago you would get fellet mingion and large lobster tails along with free soft drinks in the MDR. All the food was free and very good. No extra charge for ice cream or hambergers and fries back then.

 

And 15 years ago the price of a cruise was much more than it is today. So we the "stupid" people will keep paying for things that we desire while the rest of you make your trip to the "dining" room. Have to get my filet mignon at Chops and a very good hamburger at Johnny Rockets. ;)

[Karma5]

Recently sailed, no charge for burgers, french fries, ice cream in the WJ, and no charge for ice cream in the MDR.

"Be as you are"

[PhoenixCruiser]

And 15 years ago the price of a cruise was much more than it is today. So we the "stupid" people will keep paying for things that we desire while the rest of you make your trip to the "dining" room. Have to get my filet mignon at Chops and a very good hamburger at Johnny Rockets. ;)

 

We "stupid" people will be doing the same ;)

 

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[Wilda]

the dinning room food used to be as good as the extra cost food. If stupid people did'nt pay extra for specialty dinning the main dinning room would serve the better quality food. Fifteen yrs. ago you would get fellet mingion and large lobster tails along with free soft drinks in the MDR. All the food was free and very good. No extra charge for ice cream or hambergers and fries back then.

 

 

Well color me stupid:eek: On our 8-nighter last December we ate at Chops and Portofino's 4 times. Love the service, food, quiet. I think the food in the MDR is fine, just want to mix it up and not have to sit in such a huge venue every night:)

[Cruising89143]

We "stupid" people will be doing the same ;)

 

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Hey PC. How are things out west? Cruising anytime soon? :)

[PhoenixCruiser]

Hey PC. How are things out west? Cruising anytime soon? :)

 

Everything is good!! We are not sailing until December, taking the Serenade out of San Juan.

 

How are things with you? B2B on the Allure, wow, very jealous here!

 

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[Cruising89143]

Everything is good!! We are not sailing until December, taking the Serenade out of San Juan.

 

How are things with you? B2B on the Allure, wow, very jealous here!

 

###

 

Going well. Ready for fall and some cooler weather. Dry-docked until January. :)

[sandinmypants]

I'm not even going to bother reading the replies on this thread, I don't need to. I know why WE won't pay extra for it - it's just like at home. We rarely go out to eat, it's too expensive. I rarely buy coffee at Starbucks, it's too expensive. We rarely go out for ice cream, it's too expensive.

 

Why would I want to pay more money for a good meal, coffee, or ice cream (or anything else) when all of those items are available for the price I already paid to cruise? As far as I'm concerned, I'm already going out for a restaurant-quality meal, a cup of coffee, and ice cream - because it isn't coming out of MY kitchen!

[Powriv]

Living in a small town doesn't afford my fiance and I the opportunity to eat at fancy restaurants, so we enjoy going cruising to try the upcharge restaurants once a cruise just to enjoy time for us and a great meal.

 

The food in the MDRs has always been good, but one night for us in a Ruth Chris type environment without the cost is something that just adds to the whole cruising experience.

 

We even eat at restaurants in ports!!!

 

As my signature indicates, we are boarding NCL next and really looking forward to trying their extra charge restaurants and have budgeted for this :D

[Goyette10]

My husband and I just sailed on Liberty in May for our honeymoon. We ended up eating at Chops. Truth be told? Romantic...but that was it. I didn't find the food any better than the MDR. And, they asked what water I wanted to drink. ?? Only to find out, it was $6.50 or something like that for the water. If I knew that, I wouldn't have gotten water, which is free in the MDR. Was good food, romantic, but wouldn't spend the extra next time.

[lovemylab]

My husband and I just sailed on Liberty in May for our honeymoon. We ended up eating at Chops. Truth be told? Romantic...but that was it. I didn't find the food any better than the MDR. And, they asked what water I wanted to drink. ?? Only to find out, it was $6.50 or something like that for the water. If I knew that, I wouldn't have gotten water, which is free in the MDR. Was good food, romantic, but wouldn't spend the extra next time.

 

The only water that is free in the MDR is the tap water, which is also free in Chops.

 

If you paid $6.50 it's because you had sparking or bottled water, which you also would have paid extra for in the MDR had you ordered it.

 

Just wanted to clarify this for people who may be reading this thread and think that they will have to pay for tap water.