How much extra do you spend on food on Royal Caribbean

[DarthGrady]

We usually take advantage of the BOGO coupon and do a specialty restaurant on the first night. Some ships allow us to use our other coupon (since we both get one) on another night later in the sailing.

[Paulette3028]

We are all in. We usually do all specialty restaurants and the chefs table. We usually get one bought by our travel agent and get a discount for booking 3. But still expensive. And we do the the alcohol packages. But we are foodies so we like it. The only one that wasn't worth it last time was chops, crowded with poor service on Allure. So 600 on food for the two of us for food. Plus 800 drinks package...

 

Considering the reading in this thread, there had to be some people (like yourself and a few others) who are as dedicated to go to the specialty restaurants as most others seem to be dedicated to the MDR.

 

We have always enjoyed our MDR experiences. We to enjoy Izumi, since we love Japanese food and it is not in any way on any menu in the MDR. So we indulge if it is onboard --- we go for Japanese food at home at least every other week.

[setsail]

Don't keep track of it or what anybody else does. We make use of SR's, coastal kitchen, etc.. We did not visit the mdr or wj our last cruise.

[LMaxwell]

The results are, honestly to me anyways, even more shocking today than they were yesterday. I really expected to see a solid 65% - 75% as not spending extra money for food. I'm also a bit surprised to see a solid 10% spending over $125 per person. All in all an interesting discussion and some eye opening results. But this is Cruise Critic and CC I feel does not represent the average vacationer. And the overall number of the poll is still a drop in the bucket compared to the capacity of even the smallest ship. But still, an interesting discussion point.

 

Now that I have sampled some specialty dining, I just feel that the food or experience isn't significantly better than the MDR. If we saw a menu that appealed to us or a deal seemed of particular value we would go again. I like the idea of using Izumi for appetizers but then heading to the MDR. That is to say I could go on a cruise and happily spend $0, but if something strikes us...yeah, we'd go. At this point in time the only restaurant I'm personally tempted to try is Sabor.

[ewenix]

For many it's an economic decision. Many are completely satisfied with the regular offerings of the MDR or buffet.

 

But you can tell that there are a lot of snarky people who think they are making a statement by not spending the upcharge as if it's a sucker's bet to do so. Yet, a lot of these are the same people who don't think twice about paying the upcharge for a window/balcony/suite, or the upcharge for soda/alcohol when water is included in the cruise fare. Why pay for an excursion when it costs nothing extra to walk around the port?

 

People pay additional money for a lot of things to enhance their vacation, but for some reason specialty restaurants stand out as something unnecessary or even offensive to many cruisers.

 

For most who don't use them I don't think it's snarky, just their perceived value for the upgrade vs the cost.

I also think a better comparison would be to say water included in the cruise fare vs. purchasing a bottled specialty water. (i.e. A steak in the MDR versus a steak in a specialty.)

As far as the room upgrade, I would agree with your comparison of inside to a window, but not inside to a suite or balcony since those increase actual cabin real estate and not an intangible value.

 

For us we've never used a specialty restaurant and will hit diamond on our november cruise. We do eat out a lot at home so that may factor into it. Since I can see the upcharge cost before eating I just can't imagine the food is that much better. But I'll concede that my personal comparison of the value would not include some of the reasons that others have stated they liked in specialty dining. e.g. smaller venue, atmosphere, more personal service. I know many people will truly value those things and for them I'm sure the upcharge is worth it for the experience they are getting. Having read a ridiculous number of reviews of specialty restaurants on CC, I personally would prefer to spend OBC on a known asset like a drink package than on a *potentially* better meal. Though if the cost was more less I could be persuaded to try one using OBC. I just don't think I'm the intended audience for those particular services.

 

The only time time we've ever used JR was to use the BOGO shake coupons.

Edited July 10, 2015 by ewenix

[OCruisers]

We're just HAPPY that RCCL offers us the option of Specialty Restaurants! :)

 

LuLu

[cb140]

Interesting thread.

 

We are Diamond on RCI and have done a handful of cruises on other lines (probably about seven cruises in total).

 

Our use of specialty dining has definitely increased over the time we have been cruising. For our first few, we would never have considered it - the MDR was fine for us and I couldn't imagine spending extra. After a while, though, the MDR gets a bit repetitive - we are major, major foodies. (I don't mean that in a snobby way, like as if people who are quite happy with MDR food are in some way unsophisticated. I just mean we are greedy lol. And the food on a cruise is probably the most important aspect of it, for us).

 

These days we would probably go to Specialty about 3-4 times per 7 night cruise, or maybe 5 times on a 14 night. If we could afford it, we'd go every night. The one place I've never been, ironically, is Johnny Rockets. We pay the upcharge for fine dining, and I'm not sure if a burger joint would meet that need, although perhaps I should try as it seems like lots of people love it.

 

One of the justifications we have is that although it is expensive, it is still cheaper than eating in an equivalent style restaurant on land. As eating out is our main leisure activity (and certainly our main leisure expense, other than cruising), I figure that we're saving money by doing it on a cruise lol.

 

We do usually get a balcony. Never had a suite (unless we've been upgraded). Never gone to the casino, or the spa, or any of the bars; never played bingo, or bought anything in the expensive shops. Don't take ship excursions if we can possibly help it. Don't buy souvenirs. All our onboard spend is focussed on eating, we are lucky from a money point of view that neither of us drink, so that saves a lot of money.

 

Our last 7 night cruise on Celebrity, we bought the 3-meal dining package (for $99pp). I *really* wanted to get the Ultimate at $29 pp/pd but felt we couldn't afford it. Another time, though....

[cruisingsince94]

Not a dime! We do however eat in a specialty restaurant once or twice per cruise. We always have OBC or a free dinner for two at Chops on every cruise thus we spend nothing extra.

[jjtimes2]

I voted $100-125 but then saw the "per person" note - oops! It's about $50-60 per person. We typically will have one special restaurant dinner, just to have a change of pace and a more romantic and quiet evening.

 

We are lucky to live in an area that has amazing restaurants of all types and varieties! So, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, etc. on the ship just don't interest us enough to spend the extra money.

[mac_tlc]

Usually a shake at JR. Have done Chops a couple times - -with the price increase, I'm less interested in paying extra to eat anywhere.

[mufflerman]

Nothing I will not pay when there is all that food for free

[DebJ14]

Nothing I will not pay when there is all that food for free

 

It is not "free" since you paid for it in your cruise fare. Some of us are just willing to pay a bit more for better food and service. After all, we are on vacation.

 

That is the beauty of a cruise - you have choices. Pay extra for food or not. Pay for a suite or not. Engage in all the activities offered or do nothing.

 

There are probably as many ways to enjoy a cruise as there are passengers on each ship and there is no right or wrong way to cruise.

[wreckem2013]

On a 7 night cruise we will do 3-5 specialty restaurants. 2-3 dinners and 1-2 lunches. We are definately in the $100+ or maybe even in the $126+ category. This is almost always covered by OBC.

 

We have a B2B 12+14 night in Europe next summer. We fully intend to budget and eat at the specialty restaurants ~10-12 times during that trip. Chops, GT, Izumi, and Sabor. Probably 2-3 times at each.

 

Going forward my wife and I are only doing B2Bs or 12+ day cruises. To me the MDR gets boring night after night on B2Bs and longer cruises.

Edited July 11, 2015 by wreckem2013

[mcatmcat]

0$ on food

20$ drinks ( maybe )

[OzKiwiJJ]

With the Aussie dollar crashing it's not value for money for us. :(

[CookieDiva]

Kind of off topic, but is there an actual poll to vote on or is someone tabulating the totals based on the posts? I belong to another message board that has actual polls - but I'm not seeing this on this thread.

[Clarea]

Kind of off topic, but is there an actual poll to vote on or is someone tabulating the totals based on the posts? I belong to another message board that has actual polls - but I'm not seeing this on this thread.

The poll is right before the first post in this thread.

[finzleftright]

Wow! I'm surprised by these responses because more seem to agree with me than I expected. My wire and I are foodies. I love reading about unusual restaurants and it's nothing for us to do several hours of driving to try one out. When we're traveling, trip advisor is my bible. I constantly pull it up to find out what's around. But on a cruise, forget it! That MDR always has something great and interesting, and we've already paid for it! I push my limits with it, look for something different and interesting, and it's normally there. I've yet to feel the need to spend more for that. The soft drink package and the specialties coffee, and maybe a couple of drinks from the bar will be our only extra expenses in that regard.

 

 

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[CookieDiva]

The poll is right before the first post in this thread.

 

 

Could it be that it doesn't show up in the iPad and iPhone apps? I've been using both of these and I don't see it.

[CVU]

Last cruise in August 2014 on the Navigator we ate at Sabor twice, Chops once and Giovanni's Table once. There were 3 of us. With specialty Margaritas at Sabor each bill was around $120.00. So, on that cruise we easily spent over $400 on the specialty restaurants.

 

First night in MDR I got glutened in spite of going over the menu with the waiter and head waiter. I was sick within 30 minutes. It ruined the next few days and I was unable to eat anything until day 4 of the cruise.

 

I didn't have any problems in the MDR with my GF diet. I guess someone in the kitchen was not paying attention. Too bad...... I would order my dinner the night before off the menu to be made GF.

[Mistletoe76]

Could it be that it doesn't show up in the iPad and iPhone apps? I've been using both of these and I don't see it.

 

Yes. I was using my mobile app and couldn't see the poll the other day until I logged into my laptop.

[pthoma2942]

Just returned from Allure of the Sea in the Mediterranean. Every meal I ate at a speciality restaurant we had some form of a discount. First night F&B discount. 2nd night after captains party in line for MDR large crowd offered 50% to go to a specialty restaurant one night coming back on the ship offered a 50% coupon to eat at Chops. Even at Johnny Rockets free milkshakes. Breakfast is free at Johnny Rockets too

 

 

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[nolesrule]

We just got back from 7 nights on Grandeur. We did Chops and Izumi. The only reason we didn't do Giovanni's (which I've never tried but have wanted to) was because we were invited to dine with the Chief Engineer on the first formal night, when we had originally planned to do Izumi. So we chose Izumi over Giovanni's when we rescheduled.

 

We don't get sushi as much as we'd like anymore, and we find Izumi to be very good.

 

I think we've only not done a specialty restaurant at least once on only two cruises. I like it because the food is different from the MDR, so it's a nice change.

[dbali]

We usually eat one time in JR and get a free meal from the travel agent. Other than that, forget it.

[sleepless]

If a ship has a Johnny Rockets, we will have lunch there one afternoon. We may also buy an ice cream sundae one evening. DH and I do not spend money on the specialty restaurants, as we have always been happy with MDR for dinner.