Uh-Oh...Hoping this Room Service Breakfast Menu change is not going fleet wide?

[Flamencacha]

So, another HAL cut-back? The usual Cheerleaders will make the usual excuses, many will simply accept the cut-backs, and others will look to other cruise lines.

 

Hank

 

 

 

Don't look at too many others, unless you want to upgrade lines. They all are following suit.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cruisemom42]

Lizzie, there have been reports that you can write in. One succeeded and the other on the K did not.

 

I think we need to see what different people report as time goes on. Hopefully the "write in" will work ;)

 

 

Not to sound like a killjoy, but it may be worth pointing out that this is how it started when Princess transitioned from availability of a full in-cabin breakfast to more of a continental breakfast menu with a few add-ons.

 

Initially most write-in selections were honored, but as time went on that became rarer until eventually people just accepted the menu "as is".

Edited October 10, 2016 by cruisemom42

[3rdGenCunarder]

From what I've seen here, experiences with this menu have been in insides, OV, and veranda categories. Someone mentioned that the upcharge items are complimentary in NS and PS. So this new menu is going to all passengers, with the only difference being suites not paying the upcharge?

 

It sure looks like they're streamlining the kitchen process. Odd choices though. Why salmon eggs benedict but not regular/original eggs benedict??? Is it because they think they can justify the charge by using salmon in place of ham?

[cbr663]

From what I've seen here, experiences with this menu have been in insides, OV, and veranda categories. Someone mentioned that the upcharge items are complimentary in NS and PS. So this new menu is going to all passengers, with the only difference being suites not paying the upcharge?

 

It sure looks like they're streamlining the kitchen process. Odd choices though. Why salmon eggs benedict but not regular/original eggs benedict??? Is it because they think they can justify the charge by using salmon in place of ham?

 

Good question on the cabin category. Keep in mind that there are also Vista Suites and Signature Suites. It would be great if anyone sailing in any suite would chime in and let us know if there have been any changes to the room service breakfast menu.

[Roz]

The ability to get a full hot breakfast was one of the things, among others, that distinguished HAL from other cruise lines. One by one all of these "little" things are either going away or are being replaced by something inferior. The room service breakfast is one more example.

 

Roz

[RuthC]

The ability to get a full hot breakfast was one of the things, among others, that distinguished HAL from other cruise lines. One by one all of these "little" things are either going away or are being replaced by something inferior. The room service breakfast is one more example.

One of several, now. :( Slowly, but surely, it brings people to the question "Why sail HAL?". All those lovely little touches that made HAL special are fading fast.

[Roz]

Agree with you 100% Ruth. Exactly my point.

 

Roz

[Fouremco]

One of several, now. :( Slowly, but surely, it brings people to the question "Why sail HAL?". All those lovely little touches that made HAL special are fading fast.

Increasingly, the only good answer to that question is "the itineraries". We have one more HAL cruise booked, the Koningsdam next month, and we'll re-evaluate after that. Our next two cruises after that are with RCI (grandkids intro to cruising) and Celebrity, our other "regular" cruise line, so our experience on the Koningsdam will go a long way in determining whether we continue on HAL.

[Crew News]

Per my conversation with our HAL PCC today, the Room Service Breakfast menu is going fleetwide. Also learned of new Room Service options from the Pinnacle Grill coming, too.

[Tampa Girl]

(bold is mine) I hate to sound like a lush, but we do like the mimosa at breakfast. I look at it this way, OJ is healthy. And there is NO wrong time of day to drink champagne, even the low-end stuff they put in the mimosa. (I'm pretty sure it isn't Dom ;) )

 

We had mimosas almost every morning in the Pinnacle. We had a beverage card, so why not! I did feel bad that someone had to schlep to a bar to fetch them, so we left a tip for the staff on the last morning.

 

And anyone who wants oatmeal can have my share! (I'll trade for your mimosa :D )

 

I like your thinking!

[alwaysfrantic]

Per my conversation with our HAL PCC today, the Room Service Breakfast menu is going fleetwide. Also learned of new Room Service options from the Pinnacle Grill coming, too.

 

That you for searching out an answer.

 

I'm sorry to see they are changing to such a limited menu of offerings.

[iancal]

Just booked a Princess SA cruise for Feb. It will be interesting to see what their cutbacks have been.

 

Our last second last cruise was a Princess mini suite about 18 months ago. Although we did not order, a hot breakfast was on the room service menu. Same for our Celebrity cruise just prior to that. We were on RCI last but have not idea if they still did room service hot breakfasts. We prefer going to the Diamond lounge for a few cappuccinos and some fruit/cheese/quiche.

 

Either way, it is not on high on our list when comparing cruise line offers. It's only breakfast, in our experience often delivered with lukewarm/cold eggs (on various lines), and usually available by going to the buffet, MDR, or other depending on the cruise line.

Edited October 10, 2016 by iancal

[kazu]

One of several, now. :( Slowly, but surely, it brings people to the question "Why sail HAL?". All those lovely little touches that made HAL special are fading fast.

 

If this menu holds true, you are right.

 

 

 

Just booked a Princess SA cruise for Feb. It will be interesting to see what their cutbacks have been.

 

Our last second last cruise was a Princess mini suite about 18 months ago. Although we did not order, a hot breakfast was on the room service menu. Same for our Celebrity cruise just prior to that. We were on RCI last but have not idea if they still did room service hot breakfasts. We prefer going to the Diamond lounge for a few cappuccinos and some fruit/cheese/quiche.

 

Either way, it is not on high on our list when comparing cruise line offers. It's only breakfast, in our experience often delivered with lukewarm/cold eggs (on various lines), and usually available by going to the buffet, MDR, or other depending on the cruise line.

 

Never had a bad breakfast ever on HAL-on O a different experience. Fine to say to go to the MDR, buffet/whatever but when we order breakfast - it's not available.

 

different strokes ;)

[drowelf]

Good question on the cabin category. Keep in mind that there are also Vista Suites and Signature Suites. It would be great if anyone sailing in any suite would chime in and let us know if there have been any changes to the room service breakfast menu.

 

Was on the Prinsendam in August in an SS. We had the old standard breakfast order form left in our room every night. We would also write in anything that was not on the menu and always had it delivered. The most common thing we would add would be passion fruit for the juice.

[Palm Bay Cruise Couple]

The room service menu for breakfast has changed, the Lido Market and the Dining Room can be utilized instead of in room breakfast.

I just don't understand the complaining.

My wife and always enjoy eating breakfast in the Dining Room and meeting other cruisers from all over country and the world.

Yes, if we have scheduled any early morning shore trip, we will have room service of cereal, juice and tea or coffee, or go to the Lido. :)

[Fouremco]

The room service menu for breakfast has changed, the Lido Market and the Dining Room can be utilized instead of in room breakfast.

I just don't understand the complaining.

My wife and always enjoy eating breakfast in the Dining Room and meeting other cruisers from all over country and the world.

Yes, if we have scheduled any early morning shore trip, we will have room service of cereal, juice and tea or coffee, or go to the Lido. :)

Many of us enjoy room service breakfasts for a variety of reasons. DW and I love to have it on our balcony as we approach our day's port, or on lazy sea days, to sit in our robes and take our time eating al fresco. We too enjoy eating in the MDR or Lido on occasion, but one of cruising's great pleasures for us is dining on our balcony!

[kazu]

The room service menu for breakfast has changed, the Lido Market and the Dining Room can be utilized instead of in room breakfast.

I just don't understand the complaining.

My wife and always enjoy eating breakfast in the Dining Room and meeting other cruisers from all over country and the world.

Yes, if we have scheduled any early morning shore trip, we will have room service of cereal, juice and tea or coffee, or go to the Lido. :)

 

 

 

I love eating in the PG/MDR too. That's a non issue.

 

For us, early morning is an issue. LIdo is not open except for continental.

 

I CANNOT eat cereal because it requires milk. Cereal is the lowest of the low for me.

 

I will skip breakfast if it must be cereal, sorry. for me, breakfast is the juice, coffee and an EGG. And a REAL egg. Sorry to be so fussy - if I can have a decent breakfast at home, I expect it on board. ;)

[mame42]

If this menu holds true, you are right.

 

 

 

 

 

Never had a bad breakfast ever on HAL-on O a different experience. Fine to say to go to the MDR, buffet/whatever but when we order breakfast - it's not available.

 

different strokes ;)

 

Thank you. I for one am not going to get dressed to traipse to the Lido at 6 AM to obtain something sufficiently filling to buffer my early AM med.

[RuthC]

I just don't understand the complaining.

As a disabled person, I have found hot, room service breakfast on the last morning to be especially nice.

I can have a decent meal while I tend to the last of packing the carry-on. When you're disabled, that can take a lot longer. To have to head up to the Lido, extra crowded because everyone is trying to eat at the same time, find a place to sit that also has a parking space for the scooter nearby, fight the crowds to try to get around and in a line---pain in the @$$.

 

You don't have to understand. HAL needs to. To take away another amenity is another loss of what HAL had come to mean.

[bluegiraffe]

As a disabled person, I have found hot, room service breakfast on the last morning to be especially nice.

I can have a decent meal while I tend to the last of packing the carry-on. When you're disabled, that can take a lot longer. To have to head up to the Lido, extra crowded because everyone is trying to eat at the same time, find a place to sit that also has a parking space for the scooter nearby, fight the crowds to try to get around and in a line---pain in the @$$.

 

You don't have to understand. HAL needs to. To take away another amenity is another loss of what HAL had come to mean.

 

I'll give you a big "Amen" to that, Ruth.

 

As to the other poster's "why the complaining" question: This is the loss of an amenity. Generally, people don't like losing amenities. And specifically, I don't like getting showered/hair done/dressed/fight the crowds at the Lido just to get a hot breakfast. I'm on vacation; I want to relax and be pampered a little.

[Cindy]

Price might not be so much of an issue if HAL only had a few smaller ships and competed in a different market space.

 

But this is not the case. HAL is a mass market cruise line in the truest sense of the word. Many ships and thousands of berths to fill each month.

 

No doubt HAL has some unique market niches however in many markets they compete with the rest of the gang. HAL's offering is not much different, apart from specific ship size and some itineraries, in terms of product and service. At least that is how we view HAL and I suspect how many others do as well. So price positioning does become important to them.

 

I think that's a really valid point, and while none of us like cutbacks I think HAL is doing what it needs to in order to remain competitive in a difficult and somewhat saturated market.

 

I look at many things when I plan a cruise -- itinerary, price, cabin availability, ship amenities, etc. and choose the cruise I think gives me the best combination of my priorities for that particular trip. I have recent (last three years) experiences on Princess, RCI, Celebrity, and HAL. They have ALL cut things, and after an initial outcry people adjust and accept it. :(

 

I think the trick for the cruise lines is to try to have a crystal ball to see what the tipping point is for their customers. They need to keep generating revenue and attracting/maintaining passengers, which means some "extras" people were accustomed to have to go, but at the same time cutting too far can result in a loss of passengers.

 

I can tell you that we tried an all-inclusive this summer (family vacation that my mom planned). We hated it! I had better food and service on the worst of my cruises, and we had upgraded rooms and "club" privileges at the resort. In the evenings, there was nothing to do but drink...very little live music, no entertainment, a pathetic little casino.:( In addition to being nickel and dimed, there was some fairly persistent pressure to attend a sales pitch and buy into their vacation program. My husband and I really didn't care for the experience at all, and despite the current cutbacks and cruiseline nickel and diming, in our opinion a cruise is still FAR preferable to what we experienced at the all-inclusive.

[3rdGenCunarder]

I have to agree with several of the posters--too many to do quotes.

 

Like Foremco, I think breakfast in my robe while sitting on my balcony is a great treat.

 

mame42, you're not alone. DH needs to take his morning meds with food. He will sometimes go to the Lido for an early pre-breakfast something, but for a lot of people that's difficult.

 

Ruth, I completely agree about the Lido on the last morning. So many people who always do MDR breakfast are there on the last day, no idea where anything is because they haven't been there before. It's like the first morning, except with more lost people and they're all stressed. One last room service breakfast is a good stress-reducer before you have to face the disembarkation crowd.

[iancal]

There is always the option of voting with your feet and with your wallet.

 

There are many cruise lines, ships, and vacation options out there.

[cruisun]

Room service breakfast on the balcony is one of my favorite things......especially when cruising solo, and HAL did it well.

 

On recent cruises other than breakfast I've been dining exclusively in Pinnacle, Tamarind and Canaletto due to the major decline in quality and selection in the lido and MDR.

 

I've been sailing HAL much less recently and have been enjoying more luxury/all inclusive lines but still enjoyed some things exclusive to the HAL feeling. I think soon they will all be gone !

[The-Inside-Cabin]

We are on the Zuiderdam. Attached is a copy of the current room service breakfast menu. No Change

Room Service Breakfast Hang Tag012.pdf