Dynamic Dining postponed for Oasis & Allure

[setsail]

We are sailing on the Allure of the Seas Westbound TA in October 2015.

 

When we booked it was MTD. This was reflected on invoices and in the Cruise Planner.

 

However just recently it has switched to DD in the Cruise Planner.

 

So from that I would guess DD will definitely be launching towards the end of 2015 on Oasis class.

 

We are on several weeks after you and ours now says DD also, changed from MTD, but I put little stock in what the website says

[poncho1973]

I've heard that there have been so many upset people on the online message board at Cruise Critic that they are selling the Quantum & Anthem to Carnival and cancelling the 3rd and 4th ship orders.

 

The sheer power that 150 or so people on this forum wield over the financial decisions of a multi-billion dollar company is outstanding.

 

DD is over.

The entire fleet is going to formal wear for EVERYTHING (including the pools) 24 HOURS A DAY.

Smoking is allowed everywhere.

The casinos have guaranteed minimum winnings.

All the tanzanite you can carry off the ship is free.

BINGO is mandatory.

Everyone who has ever taken a dance class at Arthur Murray Studios is granted full privileges on the ship. Carte Blanche.

A $20 tip is required upon stepping a foot on the ship.

[Ocean Boy]

I've heard that there have been so many upset people on the online message board at Cruise Critic that they are selling the Quantum & Anthem to Carnival and cancelling the 3rd and 4th ship orders.

 

The sheer power that 150 or so people on this forum wield over the financial decisions of a multi-billion dollar company is outstanding.

 

DD is over.

The entire fleet is going to formal wear for EVERYTHING (including the pools) 24 HOURS A DAY.

Smoking is allowed everywhere.

The casinos have guaranteed minimum winnings.

All the tanzanite you can carry off the ship is free.

BINGO is mandatory.

Everyone who has ever taken a dance class at Arthur Murray Studios is granted full privileges on the ship. Carte Blanche.

A $20 tip is required upon stepping a foot on the ship.

 

Corporate RCI has finally listened!:D

[setsail]

I've heard that there have been so many upset people on the online message board at Cruise Critic that they are selling the Quantum & Anthem to Carnival and cancelling the 3rd and 4th ship orders.

 

The sheer power that 150 or so people on this forum wield over the financial decisions of a multi-billion dollar company is outstanding.

 

DD is over.

The entire fleet is going to formal wear for EVERYTHING (including the pools) 24 HOURS A DAY.

Smoking is allowed everywhere.

The casinos have guaranteed minimum winnings.

All the tanzanite you can carry off the ship is free.

BINGO is mandatory.

Everyone who has ever taken a dance class at Arthur Murray Studios is granted full privileges on the ship. Carte Blanche.

A $20 tip is required upon stepping a foot on the ship.

 

Thanks, you used the "T" word, now my wife is on the phone with rci booking 52 b2b's:p

[OBWan]

To lend a little credence to those of us who enjoy Traditional Dining in the MDR, check out the Examiner.Com article at the link below. It is written by David Kriso who is one of their Travel writers and he experienced first-hand, the failures of Quantum DD. In the article, he states "Dynamic Dining is the worst mistake RC has ever made in their 46 year history"

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/dyamic-dining-on-royal-caribbean-a-menu-of-uncertainty-and-disappointment

 

Carnival: Valor, Freedom & Dream

Royal Caribbean: Adventure

Upcoming: RC Oasis Feb 16

Edited December 31, 2014 by OBWan

[cruizefam]

To lend a little credence to those of us who enjoy Traditional Dining in the MDR, check out the Examiner.Com article at the link below. It is written by David Kriso who is one of their Travel writers and he experienced first-hand, the failures of Quantum DD. In the article, he states "Dynamic Dining is the worst mistake RC has ever made in their 46 year history"

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/dyamic-dining-on-royal-caribbean-a-menu-of-uncertainty-and-disappointment

 

Carnival: Valor, Freedom & Dream

Royal Caribbean: Adventure

Upcoming: RC Oasis Feb 16

 

Totally Agree!

[John&LaLa]

To lend a little credence to those of us who enjoy Traditional Dining in the MDR, check out the Examiner.Com article at the link below. It is written by David Kriso who is one of their Travel writers and he experienced first-hand, the failures of Quantum DD. In the article, he states "Dynamic Dining is the worst mistake RC has ever made in their 46 year history"

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/dyamic-dining-on-royal-caribbean-a-menu-of-uncertainty-and-disappointment

 

Carnival: Valor, Freedom & Dream

Royal Caribbean: Adventure

Upcoming: RC Oasis Feb 16

 

I can't believe I wasted my time on that amateurish review. Loved the parts about other RCL waiters only have one table and their very own sommelier. :confused:

 

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[Debde]

 

The sheer power that 150 or so people on this forum wield over the financial decisions of a multi-billion dollar company is outstanding.

 

.

 

and don't you forget it!!! :p

[CptSticky]

To lend a little credence to those of us who enjoy Traditional Dining in the MDR, check out the Examiner.Com article at the link below. It is written by David Kriso who is one of their Travel writers and he experienced first-hand, the failures of Quantum DD. In the article, he states "Dynamic Dining is the worst mistake RC has ever made in their 46 year history"

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/dyamic-dining-on-royal-caribbean-a-menu-of-uncertainty-and-disappointment

 

Carnival: Valor, Freedom & Dream

Royal Caribbean: Adventure

Upcoming: RC Oasis Feb 16

Too bad that the newspaper couldn't find a writer who was willing to have an opinion. What a milk toast article. Too bad he didn't let us know how he really felt:eek::p:D I'm wondering if a first time cruiser reading the article realizes that he is only talking one ship. This could really hurt the brand image. OK, now it's a cheerleader's turn to tell us how the author must really like DD after all.

[RocketMan275]

To lend a little credence to those of us who enjoy Traditional Dining in the MDR, check out the Examiner.Com article at the link below. It is written by David Kriso who is one of their Travel writers and he experienced first-hand, the failures of Quantum DD. In the article, he states "Dynamic Dining is the worst mistake RC has ever made in their 46 year history"

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/dyamic-dining-on-royal-caribbean-a-menu-of-uncertainty-and-disappointment

 

Carnival: Valor, Freedom & Dream

Royal Caribbean: Adventure

Upcoming: RC Oasis Feb 16

 

The author attributes all the problems to reduced staffing in the dining rooms, not the concept of dynamic dining. Adding additional staff would correct that problem.

[RenieRaider]

...

 

...I like my MDR experience and having the same waiter....

 

 

...It's so much easier just to have a time set for dining and shows that flow around that rather than me trying to figure out what works....

 

...Plus I whole heartily agree .... if you have a group, it's incredibly tough to get everyone to agree upon one restaurant if you all want to eat together every night....

 

 

I agree with these three statements.

 

We loved that our Wait Staff got to know us and the relationships with them grew every night. So nice to know they were waiting for us at the same time and at the same table. No Thinking!

 

Having 1st and 2nd Seating was never a problem as far as the "shows" because they would have two offerings. NOW.... we have to make dining reservations and HOPE we don't miss the opportunity to meet The Master or Headliner Shows.

 

Groups... even with a small group of 14, you are right..... it would be so much easier to have assigned dining with the Specialty Dining options IF wanted.

 

I am not one to have an issue with "change" ..... if it is a positive change.

"If it's not broken, don't fix it."

 

Royal Caribbean's Ships are the most innovative in the industry.... THAT'S the main reason people take RCCL cruises.... To Be WOWED!!!!! NOT to have to be thinking so much about dining times.

 

The Oasis of the Seas is incredible....everything about her! When we heard they were changing her to DD, I was so disappointed because everything I told people about her.... was changing in a not very user friendly way. Glad they decided to leave her as she is. Perfect!

 

That being said..... Give it a try and do a review.

Just my humble opinion.

 

Happy New Year and Smooth sailing!

[Host Kewlguy]

According to Royal's website the idea to bring DD to Oasis and Allure hasn't been scrapped altogether. It's just been "postponed until later in the year."

[DragonOfTheSeas]

DD is not working. I can not say it will not work or that I will not like it--but, it is not currently a viable model.

 

I agree with the decision to pull back on the OOS and AOS.

[Elizanessie]

According to Royal's website the idea to bring DD to Oasis and Allure hasn't been scrapped altogether. It's just been "postponed until later in the year."

 

That is correct and Allure is still scheduled to have the MDR changed into the DD restaurants during her dry dock in May.

 

At this moment in time no one at RCCL is able to give info on the timeline for further announcements with regards to DD on OA & AL.

[SherriZ366]

The author attributes all the problems to reduced staffing in the dining rooms, not the concept of dynamic dining. Adding additional staff would correct that problem.

The reduced staffing problem issue has been mentioned in many reviews and posts. Seems strange as they could turn the tables quicker with assistant waiters and busboys. There are reports of table standing empty because they are not bussed with folks in line. Edited December 31, 2014 by SherriZ366

[SherriZ366]

I agree with these three statements.

 

We loved that our Wait Staff got to know us and the relationships with them grew every night. So nice to know they were waiting for us at the same time and at the same table. No Thinking!

 

Having 1st and 2nd Seating was never a problem as far as the "shows" because they would have two offerings. NOW.... we have to make dining reservations and HOPE we don't miss the opportunity to meet The Master or Headliner Shows.

 

Groups... even with a small group of 14, you are right..... it would be so much easier to have assigned dining with the Specialty Dining options IF wanted.

 

I am not one to have an issue with "change" ..... if it is a positive change.

"If it's not broken, don't fix it."

 

Royal Caribbean's Ships are the most innovative in the industry.... THAT'S the main reason people take RCCL cruises.... To Be WOWED!!!!! NOT to have to be thinking so much about dining times.

 

The Oasis of the Seas is incredible....everything about her! When we heard they were changing her to DD, I was so disappointed because everything I told people about her.... was changing in a not very user friendly way. Glad they decided to leave her as she is. Perfect!

 

That being said..... Give it a try and do a review.

Just my humble opinion.

 

Happy New Year and Smooth sailing!

I agree with you.

 

As for trying it, I might if they get the bugs out but with my party of picky eaters and special diets, I don't know how it would go. I have a 2 page game plan for DD on my hard drive for our usual cruising couple to give to their TA (was written up with FR in mind -- have 4 cruises booked on her). Glad we don't have to use it for our upcoming Feb. and May cruises (and maybe beyond). It does seem like a lot more work than just booking and linking reservations.

[SherriZ366]

DD is not working. I can not say it will not work or that I will not like it--but, it is not currently a viable model.

 

I agree with the decision to pull back on the OOS and AOS.

Agree with you totally.

[RocketMan275]

The reduced staffing problem issue has been mentioned in many reviews and posts. Seems strange as they could turn the tables quicker with assistant waiters and busboys. There are reports of table standing empty because they are not bussed with folks in line.

 

If you read the article that was linked, you'll see the author lists three problems with dynamic dining all of which he attributes to overworked wait staff. Seems RCI was trying to cut staffing and it hasn't worked as well as some thought it would.

 

Bottom line, if it's a staffing problem, that can be solved. But that won't satisfy the group here on CC that wants DD to be scrapped because the prefer the classic dining experience. That's fine of course and they should be providing RCI their feedback. I just don't think they will succeed in convincing RCI to cancel DD.

[SherriZ366]

If you read the article that was linked, you'll see the author lists three problems with dynamic dining all of which he attributes to overworked wait staff. Seems RCI was trying to cut staffing and it hasn't worked as well as some thought it would.

 

Bottom line, if it's a staffing problem, that can be solved. But that won't satisfy the group here on CC that wants DD to be scrapped because the prefer the classic dining experience. That's fine of course and they should be providing RCI their feedback. I just don't think they will succeed in convincing RCI to cancel DD.

What will really convince RCI is if ships with DD have reduced booking (some anecdotal evidence of this). So they have to get their act together and correct it. Hope if they keep DD, some RCI ships stay traditional. QU class was built with less staff cabins so wonder how they will increase staff capacity to house the needed assistant waiters and bus boys.

[Mattsudds]

It never ceases to amaze me how the big cruise groups apparently fail to learn from the different brands within the same group. On Carnival you can see Carnival Cruise lines failed attempt to introduce things to its newest ships which were properly done on the Aida sub-brand.

 

It seems to me that like Carnival, RCI could perhaps use some advice from its own German subsidiary. In June 2014 Tui cruises introduced the superb Mein Schiff 3. With her came a new dining concept, not dissimilar to Dynamic Dining but with one important difference.

 

Mein Schiff 3 is an approx 100,000gt ship and her main Atlantik restaurant is in fact 3 restaurants. On the upper level portside is an Asian restaurant, Starboard side is a Mediterranean restaurant. Their menus change after 3 nights. The lower level of the restaurant is the main restaurant which is a traditional cruise ship restaurant with a daily changing menu pitched somewhere around Chic and Grande on Quantum.

 

All these restaurants are eat when and with whom you want without reservations. Rarely on a full cruise did I see queues. The mix enables people who want the traditional experience to have it, and those wanting an inclusive alternative to have it. The capacity is sufficient to prevent huge queues.

 

In my experience the Tui Cruises operation is combining the key features of Dynamic dining but with style and delivery that makes it work really well. I think RCI could look across at what they are doing at TUI, which is after all part of the family, and take some inspiration to iron out the creases in Dynamic Dining.

 

Incidentally I do feel that Dynamic Dining on Oasis and Allure has more chance of success by simple virtue of the higher capacity of the overall inclusive venues. If nothing else, that ought to make waiting less likely.

[ChampagneBrut]

Actually, I don't like DD because I miss the grandiose three-tiered dining room. It was a lot of fancy footwork because I needed to link our six rooms but block 3 people since 17 required a group coordinator's assistance. The first two days, I could only book for that day but on the third day was able to book dinners for the week, scheduling around five shows. Never had to wait more than 5 minutes except on the penultimate sea night, 10 minutes max. Because Royal IQ didn't always reflect accurate bookings I came to the dining room myself every day to check/ confirm our reservations. The hostesses were overwhelmed but very accommodating after the second day. Half my party preferred DD because of the variety of cuisine and venue. I'm just traditional and love dressing to the nines at dinner on a cruise ship. The Grande food and service was outstanding. I also lived Chic.

 

 

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[brfan]

What will really convince RCI is if ships with DD have reduced booking (some anecdotal evidence of this). So they have to get their act together and correct it. Hope if they keep DD, some RCI ships stay traditional. QU class was built with less staff cabins so wonder how they will increase staff capacity to house the needed assistant waiters and bus boys.

 

I was wondering if they reduced crew cabins on Quantum because they were planning on the reduction of dining crew. If that is the case then they may not be able to add many new crew to fix the issue without reducing somewhere else, such as fewer cabin stewards, which would create a whole other issue.

 

I'm wondering if they might have been better off, when they came up with the idea for dynamic dining to start slowly by picking one of their existing ships and piloting my time dining only. That way they could have tried various reservation methods/testing IT, staffing, etc., using a dining type that was already in place. It also would have helped them to see exactly what the impact would be to eliminating traditional set seating dining. Once they got that worked out then move to Dynamic Dining, which is really an extreme version of MTD with different restaurants instead of one dining room.

 

Anyway I will be giving it a try on the Anthem in 2016 and all that I hope is that they will allow sharing as a solo traveller I really don't want to be stuck eating by myself every night, which is my main concern regarding DD.

[bob brown]

I'm wondering if they might have been better off, when they came up with the idea for dynamic dining to start slowly by picking one of their existing ships and piloting my time dining only. That way they could have tried various reservation methods/testing IT, staffing, etc., using a dining type that was already in place. It also would have helped them to see exactly what the impact would be to eliminating traditional set seating dining. Once they got that worked out then move to Dynamic Dining, which is really an extreme version of MTD with different restaurants instead of one dining room.

 

Good point...

Perhaps they should have tried a version of NCL's 'Freestyle' concept...not as radical as DD, and time-proven. But they probably don't want to be perceived as a 'follower' of other lines, but rather want to be known as the leader of cutting-edge cruising concepts....

[nenasmum]

We are cruising Allure on June 6 and Anthem for 14 nights 2 weeks later. With 2 fussy eaters I am hoping that DD will not be introduced to Allure. With a 14 nighter on Anthem we only end up with 3 and a bit possible choices each night. Not what we have leant to expect on RCL . If Allure is in the mix it is only 2 choices a night. And with my party's dietary restrictions many people will be eating the same food doe 5 or 6 days of our vacation. Not happy with DD at all

 

 

 

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[twindaddy]

I was wondering if they reduced crew cabins on Quantum because they were planning on the reduction of dining crew. If that is the case then they may not be able to add many new crew to fix the issue without reducing somewhere else, such as fewer cabin stewards, which would create a whole other issue.

 

 

Or by reducing passenger cabins. When the Disney fleet added lifeguards last year, they took some inside lower deck cabins out of service to make room for the extra staff. They indicated to me in her next dry docks they were going to squeeze in some extra crew cabins, but in the mean time they were living in former guest cabins right next to a service entrance.