Who would like to see late evening hours in Windjammer?

[bUU]

I wonder can they make better use of Cafe Promenade and Sorrento's when Windjammer shuts for the evening. Like serving fries and hotdogs along side hot pizza in Sorrento's etc?

Doesn't that just move the problem around? Let's talk about the single supplement for a second: Why is the single supplement on so many cruise lines 100%? After all, if there's only one of you, then you're only eating half as much food as if you were a couple - right? The most rational explanation I've seen posted is that in reality even 100% is offered begrudgingly, because the difference in cost associated with food that missing passenger is trivial but the difference in terms of lost revenue from add-on sales related to that missing passenger, i.e., beverages, spa services, casino losses, etc., is significant.

 

Given that a major source of profit for the cruise lines are these add-on sales, where does the cruise line want passengers to be at night? In the Cafe Promenade eating hot dogs, or in the nightclubs drinking alcohol? Obviously, they want passengers drinking beer at Michael's Pub paying $5 for a basket of chips or $12.50 for a burger.

 

I think we can safely assume that many changes, in the past, in the present and in the future, will be driven by this logic: How to drive things toward a more profitable tilt by way of attracting passengers who make these add-on purchases.

 

Cafe Promenade is 24hrs, again depending on ships, should be good for your first cup of coffee.

Thanks!

 

Is that relatively new (post 2005) or did I simply miss it on my previously RCI cruises?

[Ocean Boy]

Doesn't that just move the problem around? Let's talk about the single supplement for a second: Why is the single supplement on so many cruise lines 100%? After all, if there's only one of you, then you're only eating half as much food as if you were a couple - right? The most rational explanation I've seen posted is that in reality even 100% is offered begrudgingly, because the difference in cost associated with food that missing passenger is trivial but the difference in terms of lost revenue from add-on sales related to that missing passenger, i.e., beverages, spa services, casino losses, etc., is significant.

 

Given that a major source of profit for the cruise lines are these add-on sales, where does the cruise line want passengers to be at night? In the Cafe Promenade eating hot dogs, or in the nightclubs drinking alcohol? Obviously, they want passengers drinking beer at Michael's Pub paying $5 for a basket of chips or $12.50 for a burger.

 

I think we can safely assume that many changes, in the past, in the present and in the future, will be driven by this logic: How to drive things toward a more profitable tilt by way of attracting passengers who make these add-on purchases.

 

Thanks!

 

Is that relatively new (post 2005) or did I simply miss it on my previously RCI cruises?

It depends which ships that you have sailed in the past. On Voyager/ Freedom/ Oasis class ships the Cafe Promenade has always been open approx 23 hrs. a day where at least coffee is available. It usually closes for about an hr. early in the morning for cleaning. There is no problem getting a 5 AM cup of coffee. I always stop by on my way topside to catch the sunrise.

[sky0000547]

Is that relatively new (post 2005) or did I simply miss it on my previously RCI cruises?

 

 

I don't have a cruise compass from my latest cruise but at least in 2015 Cafe Promenade was opened 24hrs on my cruise. Again possibly different on ships and itineraries.

 

[trev71]

I would like to see WJ have a late night option they don't even need to have a ton of options. Wouldn't hurt them to have some

 

Now dumb question here will we have to pay a 18% tip on top of that 7.95$ ???

 

 

That would bring it to 9.38$ USD / 12.48 CDN

 

That's quite pricey

[cruzeluver]

Could be a tough argument to make.

 

"Please spend more money to keep the Windjammer open later so I do not have to pay you for room service."

[Bootman4U]

Could be a tough argument to make.

 

"Please spend more money to keep the Windjammer open later so I do not have to pay you for room service."

 

And the cruise line RESPONDS: No, please keep PAYING for Room Service. That's why the 'Jammer ISN'T going to BE open late because if it isn't, and you get hungry, you'll be picking up the phone, hopefully and spending even more money.

[bUU]

It depends which ships that you have sailed in the past.

Majesty, Serenade.

[Ocean Boy]

Majesty, Serenade.

So it is neither a new phenomenon nor did you miss it. You were on ships that did not have a Cafe Promenade or equivalent.

[ramja96]

Maybe I missed it somewhere in the middle of this thread but what time does the Windjammer open in the morning? I'm typically asleep by the time they're closing the Windjammer. Yes I'm one of those old people who abide by early to bed early to rise... The biggest issue for me with regard to the cafeteria aboard cruise ships is whether or not I can get that first cup of coffee in the morning when I wake at 4 or 5 o'clock.

 

This message may have been entered using voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

Windjammer opens at 6:30, but it's a narrow selection of coffee, juices, and basically breads/pastries. Full breakfast menu starts at 7:00.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using Forums mobile app

[Ocean Boy]

Windjammer opens at 6:30, but it's a narrow selection of coffee, juices, and basically breads/pastries. Full breakfast menu starts at 7:00.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using Forums mobile app

Last week on Freedom it opened at 7 AM and you could not get in there until 7 AM. I have been on ships where it works as you posted but it is not that way on all of them. There was one day when we had an early port arrival (7 AM) and the Windjammer opened at 6:30 for full breakfast.

[bUU]

So it is neither a new phenomenon nor did you miss it. You were on ships that did not have a Cafe Promenade or equivalent.

Thanks. What I'm gathering over the last day or so I'm really going to like being on this significantly larger ship.

 

This message may have been entered using voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

[Ocean Boy]

Thanks. What I'm gathering over the last day or so I'm really going to like being on this significantly larger ship.

 

This message may have been entered using voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

That may be. One thing that I've always said about RCI is that the different classes of ships really do provide different cruise experiences. That is why we try to avoid some of the ships. We tend to only book Voyager class or larger.

[squadron]

Nope. (n)

 

 

 

Direct payment.

[LMaxwell]

And the cruise line RESPONDS: No, please keep PAYING for Room Service. That's why the 'Jammer ISN'T going to BE open late because if it isn't, and you get hungry, you'll be picking up the phone, hopefully and spending even more money.

NCL has late night buffet hours, AND a sit down pub restaurant 24 hours with no charges, and still has a $7.95 RS menu. No reason both can't be done.

[LMaxwell]

Could be a tough argument to make.

 

"Please spend more money to keep the Windjammer open later so I do not have to pay you for room service."

 

"Your competitors do this. Holland America, Princess, MSC, NCL, even Carnival. Please match their offerings, it would be appreciated for our vacation dollars"

 

Asking any company to match a competitive offering isn't really a tough argument to make. You're letting the company know an area they can improve on that would satisfy you. RCI spends plenty of time giving surveys and talking about surveys; I'm a bit cynical, but some may say they use those surveys to improve things.

[cruizers]

Other cruise lines usually have their buffets open 10pm-Midnight for late night snacks; a place to get some hot food, quick bites, etc. Not every RCI ship has Cafe Promenade and the buffet selections on competitors, even when limited to one section offers much more than CP.

 

With early dinner it would be nice to have a late night spot after a show and make Royal more in line with competitors.

 

Whatever happened with Quantum-Class that was supposed to have 24 hour WJ? Never happened? Do they still just close down at 9:30PM?? That's a bit early.

 

My DH and I vote, YES, too. That would be fantastic.

[HallOfPromise]

I'm 100% in the Yes category! My dear GF and I are usually night owls and usually get hungry later at night for a midnight snack. It would be really nice to have more than just pizza and premade sandwiches. Some burgers, hot dogs, chili, or even some soups available would be nice! Easy stuff to fill the tummy after some late night cocktails. It was nice to have that on our last Carnival cruise.

[samiam0403]

Other cruise lines usually have their buffets open 10pm-Midnight for late night snacks; a place to get some hot food, quick bites, etc. Not every RCI ship has Cafe Promenade and the buffet selections on competitors, even when limited to one section offers much more than CP.

 

With early dinner it would be nice to have a late night spot after a show and make Royal more in line with competitors.

 

Whatever happened with Quantum-Class that was supposed to have 24 hour WJ? Never happened? Do they still just close down at 9:30PM?? That's a bit early.

 

Late late night food would be amazing. Just off of my first Royal Caribbean cruise this week (a music charter) and the biggest complaint was the sheer lack of food. Shows ended at 0200, and there was no food after that. Room service wouldn't answer the phone. Dinner started after the shows started, so folks had to miss shows to eat dinner, or go hungry. We didn't have that problem with the same charter on NCL in previous years. So yes, 24 hour food that is actually available would be delightful.

[timtam2]

Another yes for later hours. And I wish they opened earlier for full breakfast (Voyager, Explorer in Australia). 7am is way too late for early risers

[LMaxwell]

Late late night food would be amazing. Just off of my first Royal Caribbean cruise this week (a music charter) and the biggest complaint was the sheer lack of food. Shows ended at 0200, and there was no food after that. Room service wouldn't answer the phone. Dinner started after the shows started, so folks had to miss shows to eat dinner, or go hungry. We didn't have that problem with the same charter on NCL in previous years. So yes, 24 hour food that is actually available would be delightful.

 

I thought charters got say in the scheduling of dinners, times food is available, activities, etc. Was it a full ship charter? Just curious.

[samiam0403]

I thought charters got say in the scheduling of dinners, times food is available, activities, etc. Was it a full ship charter? Just curious.

 

It was a full ship charter. There were some cut-rate offers (90% off, we heard) the week prior, since they didn't fill the ship as expected. But it was absolutely a full-ship charter. Every venue was filled with our bands, and no "normal" activities took place. Main dining room was open from 6:00-9:30pm. Windjammer opened after the music started also (typically started at 5:00pm).

 

The food issue wasn't a problem the last 2 years - and it's the same company running the charter. It just happened to be on Enchantment of the Seas this year, instead of the Norwegian Sky. We really missed having a 24-hour venue!

[LMaxwell]

It was a full ship charter. There were some cut-rate offers (90% off, we heard) the week prior, since they didn't fill the ship as expected. But it was absolutely a full-ship charter. Every venue was filled with our bands, and no "normal" activities took place. Main dining room was open from 6:00-9:30pm. Windjammer opened after the music started also (typically started at 5:00pm).

 

The food issue wasn't a problem the last 2 years - and it's the same company running the charter. It just happened to be on Enchantment of the Seas this year, instead of the Norwegian Sky. We really missed having a 24-hour venue!

 

That's pretty interesting to know. On cruises geared to more evening, and later, entertainment you'd think the shift to more available evening times would be a no brainer decision.

 

Yes, the Sky was nice at night. I've been on that, non-charter, and they have one section of the aft outdoor buffet open late, nothing extravagent, wings, burgers, sub sandwiches, salads, cookies and one deck above that is the sports bar where you can order off a fairly extensive menu at no charge.

 

With a kid in tow we usually go to dinner early and then he will fall asleep in a stroller during evening entertainment, but having had dinner at 6, usually looking for a snack around 10-11pm and, well, everyone has it but Royal. On some ships you're lucky if you can even get the "pizza".

 

This isn't really a room service issue, I didn't use late night service prior. I just like having the fresh prepared foods at night to get a little and go.

[cantgetaname]

What kind of dessert type items are available at Cafe Promenade? (Will be on Oasis) Anything remotely like cheesecake?

[denamo]

There seems to be a big cut down on any complimentary food items outside of the MDR or the WJ. On our last two cruises, the Café Promenade has very few items in their cases. There used to be a full selection of various sandwiches and sweet items. The only sweet items was a cookie jar sitting on the counter in the evening hours, and once they were out, so you were out of luck for a cookie. No longer the full trays of different types of cookies.

 

I won't hold my breath for the WJ to be open after dinner service.

[realtyman95]

Please add my vote for later Windjammer hours. Once upon a time they were open for a midnight snack.

 

Sent from my SM-G925P using Forums mobile app