Question to RCL, How Dynamic can you be.

[hydrojim]

Since it seem to be 50-50 (more of less) on this new dining concept, My question to RCL now would be just how Dynamic can you be.

 

Having Quantum of the seas turn out to be "Norwegian of the Seas" is disappointing. I like traditional dining so the new Dynamic Dining doesn't appeal to me at all. I'm not interested in making reservation constantly for an evening meal, and I'm certainly not interested in doing so months in advance. I do occasionally use the speciality dining, but it's based a weak menu night in the MDR coupled with a desire to have something culinarily different.

 

If I want to create my own traditional dining experience will you let me? Say I choose to have a set time in one of the main complimentary restaurants at 6:30 for the duration of the cruise, will you let me order from the menu of the other complimentary restaurants while not being seated in that restaurant? Consider this, all food preparation is coming from the same galley right behind those restaurants walls. I don't think this should be a problem or make any difference when ordering. This way everyone can be happy, of at least I can be happy.

[swim13]

Since it seem to be 50-50 (more of less) on this new dining concept, My question to RCL now would be just how Dynamic can you be.

 

Having Quantum of the seas turn out to be "Norwegian of the Seas" is disappointing. I like traditional dining so the new Dynamic Dining doesn't appeal to me at all. I'm not interested in making reservation constantly for an evening meal, and I'm certainly not interested in doing so months in advance. I do occasionally use the speciality dining, but it's based a weak menu night in the MDR coupled with a desire to have something culinarily different.

 

If I want to create my own traditional dining experience will you let me? Say I choose to have a set time in one of the main complimentary restaurants at 6:30 for the duration of the cruise, will you let me order from the menu of the other complimentary restaurants while not being seated in that restaurant? Consider this, all food preparation is coming from the same galley right behind those restaurants walls. I don't think this should be a problem or make any difference when ordering. This way everyone can be happy, of at least I can be happy.

 

So this ship is "Norwegian of the Seas" just because the dining is similar? Far from a NCL ship!

 

This concept is 'dynamic' because if you want to make your own MDR experience, go ahead and book the same time in advanced for all of the restaurants or perhaps even go to the same one every night. Adam already said if someone isn't into trying other foods but the rest of the family wants to, you will have the options to eat your comfort food in any of the complimentary options...just talk to your wait staff. Maybe you want to eat a little later one night, just don't show up to the restaurant and go somewhere else whenever you want. Nobody knows how the wait will be if you haven't reserved but they are giving you the freedom to reserve whenever you want so you can avoid waiting if that tends to be the case.

[BrianAlt]

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Quantum/14037847_QN_Class_Culinary_FAQs.pdf

 

Q: What if I want the same waiter every night?

A: The wait staff is dedicated to a specific restaurant – “venue experts”. Guests can request the same waiter when they dine in the same restaurant and will be accommodated based on availability. However, we recommend guests to experience a different restaurant each night.

 

Q: What if I want to dine in the same restaurant every night?

A: Dynamic Dining allows guests to make reservations in the same restaurant every night of their cruise if they wish, based on availability, but we recommend guests to experience a different restaurant each night.

[London-Calling]

So this ship is "Norwegian of the Seas" just because the dining is similar? Far from a NCL ship!

 

Have you cruised on NCL's newer ships?

 

Apart from Quantum's gimmicks on the top deck, what's inside and how it all works, sounds very similar to Norwegian Epic, Breakaway of Getaway to me too!

 

So what are the differences?

[hydrojim]

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Quantum/14037847_QN_Class_Culinary_FAQs.pdf

 

Q: What if I want the same waiter every night?

A: The wait staff is dedicated to a specific restaurant – “venue experts”. Guests can request the same waiter when they dine in the same restaurant and will be accommodated based on availability. However, we recommend guests to experience a different restaurant each night.

 

Q: What if I want to dine in the same restaurant every night?

A: Dynamic Dining allows guests to make reservations in the same restaurant every night of their cruise if they wish, based on availability, but we recommend guests to experience a different restaurant each night.

 

This doesn't answer the question. Can I order off of Silks, or any other restaurants menu if I am seated at Chic?

[MADflyer]

A 'venue expert' would not be much of an expert if serving menu items from another venue. So, with the information available to us, the answer would be no.

[Schplinky]

Have you cruised on NCL's newer ships?

 

Apart from Quantum's gimmicks on the top deck, what's inside and how it all works, sounds very similar to Norwegian Epic, Breakaway of Getaway to me too!

 

So what are the differences?

 

Having sailed NCL, I would say the key differences extend beyond food to ship design, entertainment and customer service all tipping far in RCL's favor.

[London-Calling]

Having sailed NCL, I would say the key differences extend beyond food to ship design, entertainment and customer service all tipping far in RCL's favor.

 

It's all subjective of course, but having sailed on both lines, I can't really separate RCL and NCL's entertainment, on their newer ships.

 

RCL's Ice-Skating shows and Aqua shows are of course unique.

 

However NCL's F3 ships (Epic, breakaway & Getaway) the entertainment has been upgraded significantly. In fact much of it is 'branded' shows such as 'Blue Man Group' and 'Burn The floor'. Their circus how, in their intimate Spiegel Tent or magic show in their Illusionarium are also very good.

 

I've had great food and mediocre food, great service and poor service on both lines.

 

I still feel that with Quantum and Anthem their are more similarities to NCL now, than difference!

Edited March 30, 2014 by London-Calling

[BrianAlt]

I still feel that with Quantum and Anthem their are more similarities to NCL now, than difference!

 

 

Maybe so. The problem with saying that is that every other person that has said it meant it as a negative.

[CarpeCerevisi]

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Quantum/14037847_QN_Class_Culinary_FAQs.pdf

 

Q: What if I want the same waiter every night?

A: The wait staff is dedicated to a specific restaurant – “venue experts”. Guests can request the same waiter when they dine in the same restaurant and will be accommodated based on availability. However, we recommend guests to experience a different restaurant each night.

 

Q: What if I want to dine in the same restaurant every night?

A: Dynamic Dining allows guests to make reservations in the same restaurant every night of their cruise if they wish, based on availability, but we recommend guests to experience a different restaurant each night.

 

Notice that both replies stress their desire that guests eat in a different restaurant each night. The last thing they want is 3000 passengers wanting to eat in one restaurant on a particular night. They also want guests to not limit themselves to the free venues so as to generate more revenue. It will be very interesting to see how this works out and whether they get the spread of restaurant usage they are looking for.

[BrianAlt]

Correct. And I'm looking forward to doing just that.

[swim13]

Have you cruised on NCL's newer ships?

 

Apart from Quantum's gimmicks on the top deck, what's inside and how it all works, sounds very similar to Norwegian Epic, Breakaway of Getaway to me too!

 

So what are the differences?

 

I've read enough reviews and seen enough pictures to be able to see that the design of a NCL ship and RCCL ship is a lot different.

 

But in all seriousness, the only similar thing on this ship is dining. All ships have casinos, retail, bars, entertainment. It's just done differently, set up in different locations, etc. They look completely different!!

[London-Calling]

Maybe so. The problem with saying that is that every other person that has said it meant it as a negative.

 

In reality 'Dynamic' is probably both positive AND negative. Just like 'freestyle', some aspects work very well other aspects don't'.

 

Mind you fixed dining (one main dining room ) has its problems too - like a total lack of flexibility.

[marci22]

The menus for Dynamic Dining look very ambitious to me. I am wondering how they are going to afford it profit-wise. There are high end items on the menu of every venue. With all the complaints about cost cutting in the MDR, how can they expend so much $$ on DD?

 

Maybe because they are saving money on ports (itineraries are really not that great) they are focusing on the food instead? time will tell.

[Dave85]

The menus for Dynamic Dining look very ambitious to me. I am wondering how they are going to afford it profit-wise. There are high end items on the menu of every venue. With all the complaints about cost cutting in the MDR, how can they expend so much $$ on DD?

 

Maybe because they are saving money on ports (itineraries are really not that great) they are focusing on the food instead? time will tell.

 

My assumption is they're just going to build the price difference into the cruise fare. I don't know for sure how much extra it will cost Royal to serve some higher end items over what they currently serve (they of course get great deals buying in super bulk), but I can't imagine that the difference would cause such an eye-poppingly huge difference in price per passenger. We'll see though.

[marci22]

My assumption is they're just going to build the price difference into the cruise fare. I don't know for sure how much extra it will cost Royal to serve some higher end items over what they currently serve (they of course get great deals buying in super bulk), but I can't imagine that the difference would cause such an eye-poppingly huge difference in price per passenger. We'll see though.

 

If you look at each menu, there are at least 1-3 expensive items on each one. Usually in MDR you get an option of lobster once and sirloin of beef once. The rest of the week it's eggplant tower, beef shoulder, tofu stir fry or some nonsense.

 

On the new menus, you can theoretically eat lobster, scallops, filet mignon, rib eye, or halibut every night. I just don't see how it's possible.

[Maraprince]

If you look at each menu, there are at least 1-3 expensive items on each one. Usually in MDR you get an option of lobster once and sirloin of beef once. The rest of the week it's eggplant tower, beef shoulder, tofu stir fry or some nonsense.

 

On the new menus, you can theoretically eat lobster, scallops, filet mignon, rib eye, or halibut every night. I just don't see how it's possible.

 

 

Have you checked out the cabin prices? Definitely built into the pricing along with the other new features on the ship. Same thing as when Oasis was first introduced. After the initial "newness" worn off, prices returned to a more normal level.

 

Also, by having a set menu every night in each of the restaurants RCCL can buy in bulk and get lower prices from the food suppliers they use.

They may be purchasing higher end items but they are buying less items per sailing since less items are being offered. Quantities of what they are buying are higher, but less items are being purchased.

 

MARAPRINCE

[Dave85]

Have you checked out the cabin prices? Definitely built into the pricing along with the other new features on the ship. Same thing as when Oasis was first introduced. After the initial "newness" worn off, prices returned to a more normal level.

 

Also, by having a set menu every night in each of the restaurants RCCL can buy in bulk and get lower prices from the food suppliers they use.

They may be purchasing higher end items but they are buying less items per sailing since less items are being offered. Quantities of what they are buying are higher, but less items are being purchased.

 

MARAPRINCE

 

That's what I was thinking. Quite frankly, I'd pay a little more for higher quality MDR food. I realize not everyone will share that opinion, but that's my position.

[Blue Darter]

The menus for Dynamic Dining look very ambitious to me. I am wondering how they are going to afford it profit-wise. There are high end items on the menu of every venue. With all the complaints about cost cutting in the MDR, how can they expend so much $$ on DD?

 

Maybe because they are saving money on ports (itineraries are really not that great) they are focusing on the food instead? time will tell.

 

In most food service operations, the "raw ingredients" are a very small part of the total cost of getting your meal on the table. It makes a difference, but not as much as we'd think.

 

Think about most of your trips to land-based restaurants. They pile way more than a serving onto our plate to ensure we "think" we're getting value for the $$ we're spending. They wouldn't (couldn't) do that if the food itself was a major cost component.