Have pay for dining venues reached their saturation point?

[A1A]

Just off the Silhouette and we had a terrific cruise, we are booked for the Equinox next year. One observation I would like to make is the adverse effect I believe "pay for" venues may be having on the Celebrity customer. Before departure, I had viewed numerous posts regarding the recent increase of price of the Bistro on 5 and also learned that Murano would also be $50 a head.

 

I honestly believe that the quantity and quality of food in the Grand Curvee (Main Dining Room) had diminished since my last Celebrity cruise. I noticed a reduction in service and much longer than normal dining experience. Have staff from the main dining room been relocated to other venues and not replaced?

 

I never before have noticed such a hard sell for these upgraded dining experiences while on board a cruise. We were ambushed numerous times during our cruise while having drinks in the martini bars or having casual conversations while entering and exiting the Oeanview Cafe. I did notice these venues to be under utilized during our cruise and believed the 25-30% discounted sales push came off as a cry to all that these venues were empty.

 

Was this just happening on our cruise or is this now a more common experience on Celebrity and is it possible that these pay for dining venues have reached their saturation point?

 

Cheers!

Ken

[ghstudio]

On many, if not most Celebrity Cruises we've been on in the past couple of years, it's been pretty common to be offered special deals for specialty restaurants ranging from 20-50% during cruises.

[deise17311]

People rave how it's the best food they have eaten in the specialty restaurants...we must eat at different places because at $50 a pop plus the amount you have already pre-paid for the included food in the fare, it's hardly worth it. Princess has an excellent value in their Crown Grill for $25 pp. Regardless of what people rave about, it's not Ruth's Chris or Mortons...

[Vitamin_Sea]

The biggest mistake ever is to "pay" for dining on a cruise ship.

 

 

Never will I give an extra dime to eat on a ship

[julia]

The short answer (imho), is YES.

 

Not only have they met their saturation point cost-wise, but also in the overall experience.

We are totally "been there, done that" with the pay venues (especially QSine).

No need to do any again, even WITH obc.

[Oxo]

Totally agree that X has overdone it with their price increases. However, you have some on this forum that try to justify X's position. Maybe they have stock in the company. RCI has not raised their prices that I know of. Unless RCI is just letting X try it to see what reaction they get from us. LOL

[Orator]

IMHO prices have not reached their saturation point. My guess is that very few pay the listed price. As pointed out in another response there are often discounts, as much as 50% offered. Some purchase packages that offer a discount. Some are now getting the Specialty Dining as part of their Suite price. I have talked to very few who have paid the full price. That might happen if the venue is in a heavily booked situation, but that is rarely the case on most cruises. I believe that we have see more discounts being offered as the prices increased. No proof, but a strong feeling. The advertised price is only meaningful for those who actually pay it, someone like a sticker price on a car. Who pays sticker price? You'll know that the saturation price has been reached when you see the venues empty. That haven't happened yet. The last time I paid full price was on Connie when the Maître 'd told me that I was compted (remember Tommy?) only to be presented with a bill and told that I was not compted. I didn't argue since I usually receive more than I deserve and didn't want to make an issue.

[rjrpar]

I can't believe that people would pay $50pp to eat at a specialty restaurant where food quality has diminished in the last 10 years. As mentioned earlier, the quality is not on a par with the popular land based steakhouses.

[Cruizen Susan]

Well the way I see it.....is that cruising in this economy is still the best bang for your buck. My DH and I often say that we don't know how they do it. We usually get a balcony or higher cabin during a perks sale and compared to other vacations, you just can't beat it. I'm not content with an inside cabin, but it's a STEAL if you are!!

 

10-20 years ago, we thought nothing of spending $5,000 or more for an island vacation, that only included breakfast and dinner. NOT all-inclusive. These days, we can take a 10-11 day cruise in Aqua Class, with the drink package, gratuities included, and $500 shipboard credit for $4,000.

 

I am not a mathematician, but that's a pretty good buffer against inflation!

 

Soooo....if the Cruise line needs to make it up with specialty restaurants, the casino, bingo, and excursions etc, why not? No one is twisting our arm! We have a choice and can say "no thank you," and quite a few people do.

 

DH still loves a lazy beach vacation, but we spend a heck of alot more when we do that!

 

Just imho...... Each to his own.

 

Happy cruisin' and I do mean happy. Not complaining or griping! Geesh! (and I don't have stock in the company)

 

Susan

[mermamasailsagain]

We might have treated ourselves to an extra dining experience but I'm very reticent to do that now...especially as I've never been offered a discount and beginning to feel I'm in the group subsidizing the others!

 

We may have stretched to $40 but now that the Canadian dollar is so low, that's over $52 per person and being from a large international city, I'd rather make good of what I've paid for as part of the cruise and save it for a good meal out at home between vacations than take a risk on what has been good but not amazing food in those venues.

[Vitamin_Sea]

I can't believe that people would pay $50pp to eat at a specialty restaurant where food quality has diminished in the last 10 years. As mentioned earlier, the quality is not on a par with the popular land based steakhouses.

 

I agree, Its not smart. Its the cruise lines way to nickel-dime the guests.

 

They all do it

[Orator]

I agree, Its not smart. Its the cruise lines way to nickel-dime the guests.

 

They all do it

 

Celebrity is moving in the direction of all-inclusive. Already the case if you're in. PHSuite.a number of senior staff have told me that it's only a matter of time before the Classic Package is included on the basic price. I for one would rather be nickeled and dimed and have he freedom to chose how to spend my money rather than being forced to pay for what I don't want. But that's me and I know that there are others who would pay anything not to see a charge or sign a slip.

[LuckiePuris]

I can honestly say that the only time we were approached regarding the specialty restaurants / beverage packages was on embarkation day. As we boarded on Deck 5 and handed our glass of bubbles, there was a table set up with the details for the specialty restaurants and a table set up with the details for the beverage package.

 

Staff were smiling and happy to greet you, but not calling you over.

 

Other than this first experience, we were never hassled about either throughout the cruise. I think it really does depend on the ship and the staff.

 

We found the dining room food amazing, and then Silks / Tuscan / Murano were a step above again. We are foodies and love good food, and we definitely found this on Solstice.

[bogofman]

We have only cruised celebrity in Europe, so it may be different elsewhere,

 

We have not used the pay restaurants and have always had to queue to get in the MDR (my time dining or what ever its called on celebrity)

 

so not sure how many others were either

[hcat]

We enjoy AQ/BLU (higher cruise fare) but usually do a few lunches/dinners at specialty restaurants...if fees climb we will definitely limit those visits...

 

.surprisingly the buffet has actually improved recently and we go there on an off night when we just want to take a break from BLU and other dining options,,,...and no extra charge for that!

 

would be interesting if you could do this thread as a poll....

[miched]

Have been on 10 Celebrity cruises and never dined in a specialty restaurant except for splurging $5 once to relax in the Bistro on 5 to avoid the Buffet chaos on embarkation day. Didn't think it was worth the extra so now we just suck it in and grab something to carry over until dinner and that isn't very hard to do.

 

Don't need to stuff ourselves as soon as we get on board as we had breakfast and food will still be there during the rest of the cruise.

 

There are enough options to have without paying extra for even though it may be a "special occasion and we owe it to ourselves." That never made any sense to spend tons of money to make it more special. :confused:

 

happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

[Vitamin_Sea]

Have been on 10 Celebrity cruises and never dined in a specialty restaurant except for splurging $5 once to relax in the Bistro on 5 to avoid the Buffet chaos on embarkation day. Didn't think it was worth the extra so now we just suck it in and grab something to carry over until dinner and that isn't very hard to do.

 

Don't need to stuff ourselves as soon as we get on board as we had breakfast and food will still be there during the rest of the cruise.

 

There are enough options to have without paying extra for even though it may be a "special occasion and we owe it to ourselves." That never made any sense to spend tons of money to make it more special. :confused:

 

happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

 

Good for you!

 

The cruise lines would love nothing more then to keep pick pocketing us throughout the cruise!

 

This paying extra to eat thing is insane

[ladylemondrop]

We don't drink much, but we do enjoy trying out all the different restaurants whilst onboard, to us, its just something we enjoy and don't mind spending a little extra on, (I do try to haggle for the price though) - each to their own. We have found the food in Muranos exceptional, and just loved the whole experience. I like to try all of them at least once while cruising.

[cherylroslyn]

For me, the answer is yes. My understanding is that the Normandie or Murano type restaurants are now $50.00 and for me, that means game over. I did the Unlimited Dining Package on my lst cruise, so I ate in specialty every day.

 

I have also bought the three pack and the five pack on various cruises...but i will not pay $50.00 to dine in normandie or Q-sine. In fact after doing Q-Sine about five time (and believe me I didn't want to), I am totally over it. I absolutely refused to do it this cruise, and I let all of my friends know it. I kept getting pulled back in because it is a nice place for a group dinner.....but I am completely sick of it and it doesn't warrant a 50 or 45 dollar price.......

[teecee60]

I'd NEVER eat in a specialty restaurant unless it's 50% off, because it's just so easy to get that discount. Only a few days until we are on Silhouette for two weeks, and I'm looking forward to the lamb chops at the Lawn Club. :D

 

Tuscan USED to be my absolute favorite, but the quality of the steaks and other menu items there has PLUMMETED in the last few years. :(

 

With $450 OBC this time, I will probably end up giving Tuscan another chance, just because the overall experience is still pretty nice.

 

I was on the Reflection transatlantic 6 months ago and had absolutely no complaints about the MDR food OR service.

 

We have friends on Reflection right now who have reported the MDR experience is total chaos due to the advent of Luminae... hour long waits for seating in select. THAT sounds a bit melodramatic, so we will reserve comment until we see for ourselves.

Edited April 14, 2015 by teecee60

[smtcan]

The specialty restaurants on Celebrity are way too expensive for us, especially when we pay in Canadian dollars. We once ate in Qsine with a group of friends and while we enjoyed the experience we are not in a hurry to repeat it.

 

We also cruise on Princess, and their dining options are closer to our price point. Last fall we enjoyed an ultimate balcony dinner, for $100 per couple. We were served a cocktail, appetizers, a four course dinner, including surf and turf, a bottle of wine, a flower arrangement and had a free photo of the event. We thought this was good value and very enjoyable, so we gifted one to our son and daughter in law when they cruised with us. (we provided baby sitting so they could have a romantic evening). Another option we have enjoyed on Royal Princess is their Winemakers Dinner, $40 pp, including wine pairings, with table side cooking and a serenade, although that part was a little cringeworthy and I'm not sure if it is actually part of the deal! Their regular specialty restaurants are $25 - 30 pp.

[ladylemondrop]

Ultimate balcony dinner sounds wonderful! We have only experienced dinner on our balcony once with Celebrity, when we were lucky enough to be in a suite and our really kind butler set it all up for us, but if they offered this in any category with a balcony, I know I would love it, its an unbeatable view!

[hvsteve1]

As I have said on other threads, it is not difficult to eat in the specialty restaurant for generous discounts so long as you are willing to take an early or late reservation which is the tables they're trying to fill. I don't consider folks standing outside Oceanview saying," We have discounts tonight." to be an annoyance but an opportunity.

 

Now, let's talk about the advantage of charging for specialty restaurants, and, yes, there is an advantage. On our Regent cruises they did not charge for the specialty restaurants. Know what the problem was? You couldn't get in. When everybody on the cruise wants to eat in the specialty restaurant it becomes a challenge to get a reservation. You often have to settle for a time or day you don't want. And, while the cruise line wants to try and get everybody in at least once, a second visit is almost always out of the question (except if you're in a top level suite). We had been planning a cruise on Crystal, which never happened, but, spending time on their forums, I found that the restaurant I was most anticipating, Nobu's Silk Road, was difficult, if not impossible, to get into during the shorter cruises. I would rather pay the $25 or $30 and KNOW I can get into a desired restaurant rather than worry I will end the cruise disappointed.

[Oxo]

, I would rather pay the $25 or $30 and KNOW I can get into a desired restaurant rather than worry I will end the cruise disappointed.

 

Yes, we all would rather pay $25 or $30. HOWEVER, that is not the current price as of today on X. It is $45 and $50. That is why they have to discount the price. Some get it for 20% others 30% a few get 50% off.

[dkjretired]

As I have said on other threads, it is not difficult to eat in the specialty restaurant for generous discounts so long as you are willing to take an early or late reservation which is the tables they're trying to fill. I don't consider folks standing outside Oceanview saying," We have discounts tonight." to be an annoyance but an opportunity.

 

Now, let's talk about the advantage of charging for specialty restaurants, and, yes, there is an advantage. On our Regent cruises they did not charge for the specialty restaurants. Know what the problem was? You couldn't get in. When everybody on the cruise wants to eat in the specialty restaurant it becomes a challenge to get a reservation. You often have to settle for a time or day you don't want. And, while the cruise line wants to try and get everybody in at least once, a second visit is almost always out of the question (except if you're in a top level suite). We had been planning a cruise on Crystal, which never happened, but, spending time on their forums, I found that the restaurant I was most anticipating, Nobu's Silk Road, was difficult, if not impossible, to get into during the shorter cruises. I would rather pay the $25 or $30 and KNOW I can get into a desired restaurant rather than worry I will end the cruise disappointed.

 

Ironic, when Celebrity first introduced Specialty restaurants the ships each had one. It was mentioned at the time by many that they were of course introducing a new concept but the cost was basically for crowd control, giving everyone a chance to eat there. At the time the thought was that there would be one restaurant for the ship, basically for special occasions. Who knew at that point that they would be so prevalent in the cruise industry and at the expense of the MDR.