Margaritaville coming to Breakaway & Getaway

[Evangaline]

I'd doubt whether they take the rock climbing out on the Getaway and Breakaway. They did it on the Escape, because they thought the restaurant would be so popular that they added more tables there. That was true while it was free. Now that it's a la carte, they could put the rock wall back and it would have no impact on the restaurant. It's mostly empty now.

 

Don't doubt the restaurant is empty. Few people would think MV would be worth paying for. Corporate dropped the ball because they could not figure out that just because people would line up when its free, does not mean that it is worth paying for. I mean people line up to go down the water slide as well. That doesn't mean they should start charging $10. plus 18% gratuity to go down. Geez! I should not have said that out loud. The idea is dumb enough NCL might just do it.

[LMaxwell]

Anyone holding out hope of complimentary breakfast returning should drop that hope now....

[Blondie008]

Heh, I just learned from another post in this thread that they have them in airports.

 

Aside from the hotel - in Concourse E in Miami Airport can assure you its a warm welcome. The food in that airport has to be the lousiest world wide - worst airport ever. I can never understand why a huge airport like Miami has this dreadful international departure terminal - its the pits.

Margaritaville is just before the queue for security - enough Maragaritta's and you feel ready to face the music ;)

We only found it when they closed the hotel restaurant (at the top) - for refurb. Its directly opposite the hotel.

[FellowCollector]

Although I applaud your thought of how to take a 'meh' product offering (the specialty dining payment options as currently offered) and improve it to be beneficial to both company and consumer (vs the usually "I hate it, change it back" I've read on here lately) your thought process as I bold-ed above is sort of Del Rio's point.

 

You saw some value in the $24 lunch (for I'm assuming 2 people) and would probably do it twice. He just (almost) got his extra $50 out of you. Why would he then want to add into the SDP lunches, when he has you spending not just $24 but an extra $48 in the week that would have been free under your idea. Benefit to you and not NCL.

 

Del Rio wanted an extra $50 out of you, and he got all of it but $2 by just saying "pay for what used to be free". You saw value in that - and paid. NCL got their extra $48 out of you, allieviated some of the buffet crowd, and you got a dining experience that you were happy with and saw value. (I assume since you didn't say "oh that was a waste of money!")

 

In the end, I question if adding lunches would work to the model and have a positive result for all involved (consumer/corporate). Though we haven't cruised recently, I don't remember too many for fee lunch options. If it is just 1 or 2 venues on the larger ships only, then what is the point of adding it in. It then takes away that extra money NCL was making off the venue with no added benefit to anyone but the consumer.

 

In the end the company is in business to make money. There obviously is a fine line and dance that needs to go on between consumer and company, I have my feelings that NCL is trying to go in a certain direction but are going about it all wrong - but again that is just my perception.

 

I feel making a 'meh' place such as margaritaville a pay venue for lunch was a poor choice. The JB Margaritaville's I have been to, I wouldn't choose to eat at vs a free venue. I can only assume a similar experience on a ship. I don't personally see that value. You did, and that is more than fine.

 

I think the idea of a fee venue for lunch in general isn't the greatest idea (and can lead to a slippery slope to further reductions of free venues) but if you WERE going to do a fee based venue for lunch why not open one of the specialties and do a lunch menu for a fixed price - for instance Tepanyaki. I feel this would have given the same result without the headaches of the "oh they are nickle and diming us" plus how many people would like to eat a speacilty that don't because of kids, or because of the shows or because of the casino, whatever they want to grab a bite and go, vs during the day when they may be more relaxed....

Not many people say they want a new fee based restaurant that serves similar foods of what they can already get elsewhere on the ship for free.

 

Unfortunately, the slippery slope is already well underway as it relates to food upcharges on cruise ships. In reality, none of it is free. Some is included in the fare. Some is subsidized by that amount and upcharged. We like having dining options, and respect that for whatever reasons some others do as well and others do not.

 

Related to dining plans, we were not happy that NCL switched from Ultimate Dining (the UDP which was unlimited) to Specialty Dining (the SDP which only has 3 meals on a 7 day cruise). Under UDP, Margaritaville was covered. But, under SDP, it doesn't make much sense to use a credit that can be used for 3 course specialty dinners at Bistro, Cagney's, and Moderno; we don't like Teppanyaki. Thus, if NCL made Margaritaville a $7 cover charge under the SDP like Food Republic & Pinchos are, that would level out the options.

 

We didn't keep the Freestyle Dailies from July on Getaway, but we think one day the Ocean Raw Bar was open for a la carte lunch. So, whether a private brand (like Zakarian or Margaritavile) is a la carte and/or participates in the SDP discounting (or not) may depend on the contracts behind the scenes that are negotiated with NCL.

 

When we were on Escape in December, the 5 o'clock bar was usually busy all day it was open; it is covered under the Ultimate Beverage Plan (UBP). The Margaritaville restaurant got busy on port days following excursions, and on sea days around 1. But, on Getaway in July, Flamingo was essentially empty whenever we went in. Maybe people were joining others at the buffet seating so weren't eating in the Grill. To me, Flamingo was essentially an extension of the buffet anyway, so maybe rather than repeating the buffet stations, NCL can make a buffet section carrying the same Flamingo items to satisy those who will miss the Cuban offerings. It would make sense for the ships (such as Sky that has an upcoming Spring 2017 drydock) that might be stopping at Havana soon.

 

P.S. It may be a typo, but on the NCL partners page, it shows Star getting MV as well!https://www.ncl.com/partners/margaritaville

[Sand and Seas]

 

 

We didn't keep the Freestyle Dailies from July on Getaway, but we think one day the Ocean Raw Bar was open for a la carte lunch. So, whether a private brand (like Zakarian or Margaritavile) is a la carte and/or participates in the SDP discounting (or not) may depend on the contracts behind the scenes that are negotiated with NCL.

 

https://www.ncl.com/partners/margaritaville

 

Ocean Blue has had a waterfront window open on 'at sea' days on all of our Getaway cruises. It has a great Lobster roll for around $10. We would rather pay for this as a lunch as it's a treat for us. You just can't get Lobster rolls where we live:( We even like their lobster roll more than Food Republic's....but we love all the great variety at FR and decent prices for what you get. MG at sea just doesn't seem worth their prices.

[collectingcoke]

We were on the Escape in February. Margaritavile was very disappointing. This Pay restaurant was totally empty almost all the time. Still can't believe they can't even play Buffet music.

[tinkr2]

We were on the Escape in February. Margaritavile was very disappointing. This Pay restaurant was totally empty almost all the time. Still can't believe they can't even play Buffet music.

 

Wait, is that true? They can not play Buffet music like all the other Margaritavilles? So what makes it a Margaritaville? The Nachos?

 

Oh and Fellow Collector, Food Republic is not a 7 dollar option. It is a true a la carte not in the sdp.

[AdoraBelle]

FG was always busy on my trip in June, even when were skirting a tropical storm and it was windy. I believe I have some pics of the crowd level somewhere. I definitely always had to wait in line.

 

If they set up those foods as a station in the regular buffet, I would certainly take it as a goodwill gesture. Doubt they will though--it was much higher quality than most of the buffet food and very protein-rich (rather than cheap carbs).

Edited August 11, 2016 by AdoraBelle

[oscarlota1]

So they're replacing our favorite restaurant Flamingo Grill with a for pay restaurant. I guess they no longer want us to come back to this ship. :mad:

[Blondie008]

We were on the Escape in February. Margaritavile was very disappointing. This Pay restaurant was totally empty almost all the time. Still can't believe they can't even play Buffet music.

 

No Music :eek:??

Whyever not? I mean they must be PRS covered etc etc - is it just Jimmy Buffet music which is not allowed or any music?

Destroys the ambience for sure. That's not so good. :(

[LrgPizza]

So they're replacing our favorite restaurant Flamingo Grill with a for pay restaurant. I guess they no longer want us to come back to this ship. :mad:

 

Was that the only thing you liked about the ship? If that were the case, I wouldn't have gone back even if it stayed the same.

[LrgPizza]

No Music :eek:??

Whyever not? I mean they must be PRS covered etc etc - is it just Jimmy Buffet music which is not allowed or any music?

Destroys the ambience for sure. That's not so good. :(

 

I don't understand that at all. Both times we were on the Escape there was music playing there. Sometimes the area was so loud from the sounds of the ocean combined with all going on around there that you could barely hear it, but there was always music playing.

[FellowCollector]

...

 

Oh and Fellow Collector, Food Republic is not a 7 dollar option. It is a true a la carte not in the sdp.

 

We didn't eat at Food Republic, but I thought it was on the plan last December; not sure if memory is wrong or it got changed with SDP. Nonetheless, the fortunate point is that with the SDP, the dinner shows (Supper Club, Cirque, and Illusionarium) and at least some private branded dining (Ocean Blue, Bayamo, and Pinchos) are still included at a discounted flat fee. See the NCL details page on this. That is why making Margaritaville $7 under the plan for those that have it and want the option would already fit into the existing framework NCL is using. Having MV use up a meal credit just doesn't make sense.

Edited August 11, 2016 by FellowCollector

[TravelinFam]

You don't understand the difference between loud blaring pop/dance music and Jimmy Buffet music? Really?

 

No Music :eek:??

Whyever not? I mean they must be PRS covered etc etc - is it just Jimmy Buffet music which is not allowed or any music?

Destroys the ambience for sure. That's not so good. :(

 

Very sad and disappointing...that would be the only reason why I would go.

Jimmy Buffet music (type of music) is not that loud obnoxious music...but you can talk during it, dance to it, enjoy refreshing cocktails to it...

I go to Jimmy Buffet often in NJ and would not pay to eat there during a cruise only because I go often enough.

However, I would definitely go and enjoy a few cocktails while enjoying some tunes...

[DGP1111]

. . . Both times we were on the Escape there was music playing there. Sometimes the area was so loud from the sounds of the ocean combined with all going on around there that you could barely hear it, but there was always music playing.

 

For my first Escape sailing, there was no specialty music. The loudest thing being heard was that dim bulb F&B manager who couldn't get her act together (and was shortly thereafter released from NCL - bye Felicia!)

 

For my second Escape sailing, there were a very few occasions of some live music being performed, and at other times, mostly silence.

 

.

[Sand and Seas]

In January on the Escape we never heard ANY type of music being played in the Margaritaville area. We went to the bar there a couple of times, and once ordered some very ordinary nachos. Even the bartenders were kind of low-key so we chose to go to other bars after that. Although they had some interesting sounding margaritas on the menu, it just wasn't much fun there. Definitely not reminiscent of visiting a land-based MG.

[LrgPizza]

For my first Escape sailing, there was no specialty music. The loudest thing being heard was that dim bulb F&B manager who couldn't get her act together (and was shortly thereafter released from NCL - bye Felicia!)

 

For my second Escape sailing, there were a very few occasions of some live music being performed, and at other times, mostly silence.

 

.

 

We've never gotten lucky enough for live music. On the TA, there were a lot more tables, which were then removed and not needed after the fees were added. In May, an entire area near the entrance that had previously been filled with tables is now just armchairs and such. I saw someone else post about live music occurring in that area, but we didn't get that lucky. That would be great! We spend a lot of time at that bar during the day time.

[LrgPizza]

In January on the Escape we never heard ANY type of music being played in the Margaritaville area. We went to the bar there a couple of times, and once ordered some very ordinary nachos. Even the bartenders were kind of low-key so we chose to go to other bars after that. Although they had some interesting sounding margaritas on the menu, it just wasn't much fun there. Definitely not reminiscent of visiting a land-based MG.

 

On the TA, the bartender there (Yaj, now called Yaz) was telling us how all the Margaritaville bartenders needed to be trained on flair bartending. He said they learned all kinds of tricks and things, because the Margaritaville company required it, or something like that. BUT - when they actually got to the bar, the ceiling above the bar is so low, that it's impossible for them to throw anything in the air, so the training was a complete waste. Kind of funny.

[Sizzlechest]

Ocean Blue - Gourmet food by Geoffrey Zakarian no longer with Geoffrey Zakarian.

 

Carlo's Bake Shop - Gourmet desserts by Buddy "Cake Boss" Valastro but without Buddy "Cake Boss" Valastro.

 

and now...

 

Margaritaville without any traces of what makes Margaritaville special. NCL delivers another fee-based venue that provides a no-frills experience. Hey, at least they're consistent.

[Warm-Water Diver]

Ocean Blue - Gourmet food by Geoffrey Zakarian no longer with Geoffrey Zakarian.

 

Carlo's Bake Shop - Gourmet desserts by Buddy "Cake Boss" Valastro but without Buddy "Cake Boss" Valastro.

 

and now...

 

Margaritaville without any traces of what makes Margaritaville special. NCL delivers another fee-based venue that provides a no-frills experience. Hey, at least they're consistent.

 

Too funny.... :D

[Warm-Water Diver]

In January on the Escape we never heard ANY type of music being played in the Margaritaville area. We went to the bar there a couple of times, and once ordered some very ordinary nachos. Even the bartenders were kind of low-key so we chose to go to other bars after that. Although they had some interesting sounding margaritas on the menu, it just wasn't much fun there. Definitely not reminiscent of visiting a land-based MG.

 

This was our experience during our sailing last December (12/11), except we didn't order/buy any food from the restaurant with the exception of sampling several of the menu margarita recipes, all covered under the UBP

 

I think we'll just skip the entire area this upcoming (12/10/16) cruise since the bartenders and margaritas we had there were pretty much forgettable. The bartending staff at the adult pool was WAY more entertaining and they could make just about any margarita (or cocktail for that matter) you could want!

[dongordon]

Here is a link to the menu: https://1593187674.rsc.cdn77.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Margaritaville.pdf

 

Perfect!!

 

Thanks so much. :)

 

Don

[mcd2745]

Is it true they will open be open until 4pm? I can understand that being the case for the locations in the ports since everyone is generally headed back to ship by that time. That makes sense. On the ship(s)...that makes zero sense. They should be open until 4AM daily.

[AdoraBelle]

Is it true they will open be open until 4pm? I can understand that being the case for the locations in the ports since everyone is generally headed back to ship by that time. That makes sense. On the ship(s)...that makes zero sense. They should be open until 4AM daily.

 

I can't tell if maybe this is a joke I'm just not getting, but I don't think the idea of MV onboard is as a place to party or linger, it's a place to separate you from your money for the nachos and margarita as quickly as possible.

[Kosi]

How sad this isn't an all inclusive venue ..reading the menu.. certainly nothing exciting .. it looks as though it should be.