New Room Service Menu Coming April 12th - w/some pay items

[pe4all]

[quote name='Tom-n-Cheryl']

Oh well - we should all still be thrilled just to be able to cruise. There are many people who couldn't fathom that thought!!

Tom[/QUOTE]
This is so true. We don't cruise for food, or room service. We cruise because we love being on the ocean, and in different ports. We use room service once or twice every cruise. While not thrilled to possibly pay a service charge, I guess the alternative (we usually order in the afternoon after coming back on ship after an excursion) is to walk up to the deli and order our own sandwich, pizza, or grab a dessert from the buffet. No big deal, in my book. But I can see people who order food very late after the casino, shows, etc., being annoyed at a service charge or a la carte prices being added.

[Hoosierpop]

[quote name='perditax']Thanks. Maybe I picked the wrong time of year/news cycle to start investigating cruises and lurking on CC. Does this happen every spring? Is it always pay more/get less each year, or does awesome stuff get added to counterbalance it?

(I'm not trying to troll or whatever, but to an outsider skimming all the lines' boards it looks like I missed the golden age of cruising or something. :) Lots of outrage on RCCL and NCL right now especially.)[/QUOTE]


I wouldn't let posts you see here worry you about cruising unless you see something that would be very important to you. What I mean by that is, people have very different tastes when it comes to cruising. So things that are critical to one person may be a non-issue to someone else. Like the chocolates at turn down. I literally couldn't care less about them yet I see posts complaining about it. On the other hand, they took away smoking from balconies (I don't get balconies so I don't care) then that's a big deal to smokers.

Bottom line: think about posts in terms of how it would affect you. Of all the "cut backs" put in by Carnival, not a single one affects me in any way.

Now, could Carnival change something that would affect my enjoyment? Sure. Stop me from getting multiple items in the MDR. That would be bad.

As for charging for room service, if the charge is for things not currently on the menu, I don't see the big deal. But I rarely get room service.

[picomullet]

As long as we can get coffee, tea and cookies we are golden! :D

[jsglow]

I spent a little time over on the NCL board and I agree with what most of those folks are complaining about. A nice pot of coffee and a danish on the balcony is a nice morning perk and I too would be very upset if Carnival asked 7.95 for that service. But it does seem fair that adding a modest charge for new high end items on an expanded menu might be one of those upgrades that could make the company some money in return for an added customer benefit.

It's a fine balance for companies as they continually look to find the sweet spot. No doubt user fees are the wave of the future but not everyone views it the same. Southwest still gets great mileage out of 'Bags Fly Free'.

[boltfan12]

I cruised 2 Princess cruises last year and they served hot breakfast sandwiches that Wife and I would have every morning on balcony. Going on my 1st Carnival cruise in may and was wondering if Carnival offers something similar. Will they bring hot water to cabin? We would take Starbucks instant coffee Because free coffee is horrible on princess. Looking forward to cruising Carnival.

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='bury me at sea']My opinion only and don't care who flames: opened this door when they started charging for selected items in the MDR.

Now firmly down the path of doing away with the all-inclusive cruise.

You can pretend they are options. I can see a couple of years down the line when cruise ships are filled with a new group of people.

I have a cruise booked for June that I booked in May, 2014. If charging anything for room service comes to fruition it will be the fifth change Carnival has made unilaterally since I booked. It will be time for me to walk away and cheers to you who can't wait for the door to slam behind me.[/QUOTE]

Are not any change a cruise line makes unilateral? Guess it depends on the way you look at it. My way, if everything you used to be able to order that was free, will still be free then it is not removing anything (aka takeaway). If they add items that were not there and now there is a charge (assuming they are something I would want), it is new and additional, both with a charge and additional benefit, again no takeaway. Same is true for adding the (for pay) items in the MDR.

Lastly, I have no idea what the "new groups of people" refers to......

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='Tom-n-Cheryl']Since I'd be willing to pay for BUFFALO WINGS... they won't be offering that. Just like they're apparently not going to be offering hot breakfast.

Oh well - we should all still be thrilled just to be able to cruise. There are many people who couldn't fathom that thought!!

Tom[/QUOTE]

The advance copy I saw, did in fact have Buffalo wings on it....;)

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='boltfan12']I cruised 2 Princess cruises last year and they served hot breakfast sandwiches that Wife and I would have every morning on balcony. Going on my 1st Carnival cruise in may and was wondering if Carnival offers something similar. Will they bring hot water to cabin? We would take Starbucks instant coffee Because free coffee is horrible on princess. Looking forward to cruising Carnival.[/QUOTE]
Don't think there is anything hot for breakfast, hot water yes. All for free (other than a tip you would give to the server). Enjoy your cruise.

[ready2cruzagain]

[quote name='jimbo5544']Are not any change a cruise line makes unilateral? Guess it depends on the way you look at it. My way, if everything you used to be able to order that was free, will still be free then it is not removing anything (aka takeaway). [COLOR="Red"][B] If they add items that were not there and now there is a charge (assuming they are something I would want), it is new and additional, both with a charge and additional benefit, again no takeaway. Same is true for adding the (for pay) items in the MDR.
[/B][/COLOR]
Lastly, I have no idea what the "new groups of people" refers to......[/QUOTE]

The thing is...the $20 MDR charge are for things that use to be free. Use to get lambs chops on a 7 night cruise at least once, use to get New York Strip one night and also, Filet Mignon was on the menu one night a week on a 7 day cruise. Now you have to pay $20 extra.

New cruisers say there are no cutbacks but those of us that have been cruising for years know that there are. As I just stated, those charges in MDR are not extra...those are things that use to be on the regular menu for free! Edited April 3, 2015 by ready2cruzagain

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='Jamman54'][SIZE="4"][COLOR="DarkGreen"]I will wait until I see the details before I pass judgment. Getting upset before then is a waste of time and energy. I am on the Pride this Sunday, and the new room service menu is supposed to be tested on this ship this week and next. If they ADD some new hot items and charge for them, while keeping the old items free, I would have no problem with that. Nobody will be twisting your arm to purchase them, just like nobody twists your arm to buy the upcharge items in the MDR, or drinks, or photos, or bingo, or shore excursions, or buy in the Fun Shops, or play in the Casino, etc, etc.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/QUOTE]

I agree, and much more importantly enjoy your cruise! :DWe have clients sailing with you...;)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

[quote name='jimbo5544']The advance copy I saw, did in fact have Buffalo wings on it....;)[/QUOTE]

SCORE !

(assuming that they stay the course) :)

Thanks,

Tom

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='ready2cruzagain']The thing is...the $20 MDR charge are for things that use to be free. Use to get lambs chops on a 7 night cruise at least once, use to get New York Strip one night and also, Filet Mignon was on the menu one night a week on a 7 day cruise. Now you have to pay $20 extra.

New cruisers say there are no cutbacks but those of us that have been cruising for years know that there are. As I just stated, those charges in MDR are not extra...those are things that use to be on the regular menu for free![/QUOTE]

I am anything but a new cruiser..... and I disagree.

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='Tom-n-Cheryl']SCORE !

(assuming that they stay the course) :)

Thanks,

Tom[/QUOTE]
LOL, sadly it was said in jest. We did have the opportunity of discussing things with the hotel manager on the Breeze when we did our family cruise in December, and during that discussion, he did mention buffalo wings as an item they were considering..... there is still hope..... only to be consumed a frosty Reg Frog Ale of course.;) I will see him again starting Sunday. I will ask if it is any further along.

[ready2cruzagain]

[quote name='jimbo5544']I am anything but a new cruiser..... and I disagree.[/QUOTE]

What part do you disagree with? The part that lamb chops, fillet, strip steak use to be on the main menu for free and now they are $20 extra? That is the truth.

I guess my point is...Carnival will start with ... oh we will just charge extra for a few things...then the free things on the RSM disappear. It happens all the time.

Just like the farewell party. Got where they only advertised it once at the beginning of the week and then said .... not well attended, therefore they dropped it. Well duh, you hide it the time and location and few people know about it or what it is and not well attended? In truth, it was a cutback.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

[quote name='jimbo5544']LOL, sadly it was said in jest. We did have the opportunity of discussing things with the hotel manager on the Breeze when we did our family cruise in December, and during that discussion, he did mention buffalo wings as an item they were considering..... there is still hope..... only to be consumed a frosty Reg Frog Ale of course.;) I will see him again starting Sunday. I will ask if it is any further along.[/QUOTE]

Just double checked... and it's not April 1st !

Darn and double darn ! :o

Tom

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='ready2cruzagain']What part do you disagree with? The part that lamb chops, fillet, strip steak use to be on the main menu for free and now they are $20 extra? That is the truth.

I guess my point is...Carnival will start with ... oh we will just charge extra for a few things...then the free things on the RSM disappear. It happens all the time.

Just like the farewell party. Got where they only advertised it once at the beginning of the week and then said .... not well attended, therefore they dropped it. Well duh, you hide it the time and location and few people know about it or what it is and not well attended? In truth, it was a cutback.[/QUOTE]

To answer your question....with everything;), but specifically with the part that only new cruisers could come to that conclusion. Listen, things change all the time, in life and on a cruise ship. Is it only Carnival that makes changes....no. You can certainly take the stance that any change made by Carnival is a cutback. I disagree. Have there been cutbacks, yes industry wide. Adding pay items to room service, steakhouse, Cucina Del Capitano, JIJI''s and even yes the almighty return guest party....not so much. I view them as options.

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='Tom-n-Cheryl']Just double checked... and it's not April 1st !

Darn and double darn ! :o

Tom[/QUOTE]

uh oh.... explains the lack of appreciation I am getting around the office also...:eek:

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

[quote name='jimbo5544']uh oh.... explains the lack of appreciation I am getting around the office also...:eek:[/QUOTE]

:D

Congrats on your upcoming Diamond sailing !!

Tom

[Jamman54]

c[quote name='ready2cruzagain']What part do you disagree with? The part that lamb chops, fillet, strip steak use to be on the main menu for free and now they are $20 extra? That is the truth.

I guess my point is...Carnival will start with ... oh we will just charge extra for a few things...then the free things on the RSM disappear. It happens all the time.

Just like the farewell party. Got where they only advertised it once at the beginning of the week and then said .... not well attended, therefore they dropped it. Well duh, you hide it the time and location and few people know about it or what it is and not well attended? In truth, it was a cutback.[/QUOTE]

[SIZE="4"][COLOR="DarkGreen"]I will just say this. I am paying LESS for a balcony cabin on my upcoming Pride cruise, than I did for an inside cabin on the Holiday in 1985. This is an amazing feat considering the amount fuel, goods, and labor have risen in the past 30 years. So if Carnival, or any other cruise line, has to tweak, eliminate, or change the goods and services they provide to keep the prices low, so be it. Cruising is still the best bang for the buck, so it's up to each individual to decide if the aforementioned changes are too painful or unacceptable to continue cruising on Carnival, or any other line. Thanks for listening. :) [/COLOR][/SIZE] Edited April 3, 2015 by Jamman54
Patti yelled at me for grammar errors!

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='Tom-n-Cheryl']:D

Congrats on your upcoming Diamond sailing !!

Tom[/QUOTE]

Thanks:):D How was your Sunshine cruise?

[ANGELSwithANGLES]

[quote name='Jamman54'][SIZE="4"][COLOR="DarkGreen"]I will just say this. I am paying LESS for a balcony cabin on my upcoming Pride cruise, than I did for an inside cabin on the Holiday in 1985. This is an amazing feat considering the amount fuel, goods, and labor have risen in the past 30 years. So if Carnival, or any other cruise line, has to tweak, eliminate, or change the goods and services they provide to keep the prices low, so be it. Cruising is still the best bang for the buck, so it's up to each individual to decide if the fore mentioned changes are to painful or unacceptable to continue cruising on Carnival, or any other line. Thanks for listening. :) [/COLOR][/SIZE][/QUOTE]


I guess youre forgetting they are cramming twice as many people into these ships where personalized service is almost non existant. I would expect to be paying half the fare I used to.

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='ANGELSwithANGLES']I guess youre forgetting they are cramming twice as many people into these ships where personalized service is almost non existant. I would expect to be paying half the fare I used to.[/QUOTE]

Love to see those facts to support that statement......;) You have sailed on Carnival?

[ANGELSwithANGLES]

[quote name='ready2cruzagain']What part do you disagree with? The part that lamb chops, fillet, strip steak use to be on the main menu for free and now they are $20 extra? That is the truth.

I guess my point is...Carnival will start with ... oh we will just charge extra for a few things...then the free things on the RSM disappear. It happens all the time.

Just like the farewell party. Got where they only advertised it once at the beginning of the week and then said .... not well attended, therefore they dropped it. Well duh, you hide it the time and location and few people know about it or what it is and not well attended? In truth, it was a cutback.[/QUOTE]

So true.

And to actually be made to think swapping things onto a menu should make one think they should pay for it is wrong. They have swapped out many things over the year and it was still included.

Bad road this line is on.

[Jamman54]

[quote name='jimbo5544']I agree, and much more importantly enjoy your cruise! :DWe have clients sailing with you...;)[/QUOTE]

[SIZE="4"][COLOR="DarkGreen"]Thanks Jimbo, and enjoy your cruise. Congrats on becoming a Diamond!![/COLOR][/SIZE]

[ANGELSwithANGLES]

[quote name='jimbo5544']Love to see those facts to support that statement......;) You have sailed on Carnival?[/QUOTE]

Since the mid 80's. And thats when air was included in the fly aweigh program.

You sail back then? Edited April 3, 2015 by ANGELSwithANGLES