nelblu Posted September 28, 2017 Author #51 Share Posted September 28, 2017 The roving wait staff often offer discounts for individual venues. We got 20% off Izumi. I think I've seen them offer 30% as well Never hurts to listen or ask Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app Got the same % from our Maitre D, however, we had to remind our waiter of the discount. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted September 28, 2017 #52 Share Posted September 28, 2017 Got the same % from our Maitre D, however, we had to remind our waiter of the discount. lol Not uncommon to be offered free specialty if the lines are long at MTD. Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFunInTheSun Posted September 30, 2017 #53 Share Posted September 30, 2017 The way to go seems to be the ultimate dining package when its on promotion at 60% off. $168 for a 7 night cruise on Oasis. $24 a night. It also includes lunch on sea days. Add three sea days to that it brings the price down to $16.80 a meal. I bought this a couple weeks ago for my upcoming Oasis cruise. As another poster pointed out and I think this is what they are trying to push folks to do, is get the multi-day packages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
land lover Posted September 30, 2017 #54 Share Posted September 30, 2017 (edited) Multi package sales.. of course that is what they are trying to do, unfortunately when this happens service goes down and as someone else said tables are just as close as the MDR. At one time there was a pleasant atmosphere in the specialty restaurants now it seems just like a business lunch rush at the nicest restaurant in town, and at those your company usually picks up the tab, so the experience is less important when you are not paying. Many have posted with break down, how the packages make it worth their time and often those participants will accept sub-par everything because of the price. The cruise line is banking on this. For them any money they can make from the venues is better than nothing. Edited September 30, 2017 by land lover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compman9 Posted September 30, 2017 #55 Share Posted September 30, 2017 We paid $115 for five speciality meals on the Anthem two weeks ago We went to Jamie's which was very good and then went to Chops the next night So, the waiter had a bigger table next to us that were halfway through their meal and getting a lot of attention. We waited for a while and he apologised profusely when eventually bringing menus. He apologised again for the wait for starters - there was a very limited selection. He apologised again for the wait for the main. He apologised again when the steaks were given the wrong way around. He apologised again when one was over-done, offered to take it back, but we said it was okay because unless he wanted to do both again there was no point. He was happy to do that, but we were getting a bit fed up by now, so accepted his very nice apology. Cut a long story short, we went to Wonderland and Jamie's twice more to complete our five meals deal. I would say Chops limited menu is the biggest downpoint. We loved Oysters Rockerfeller, but they have clearly cut back. The steaks were decent but not five star standard, which they most certainly should be, when you've got a two or three star meal waiting in the MDR and they are asking full paying guests $45. We will get the meal deal again in January, but it will be Wonderland once and Jamie's four times, even though Chps works out at just $23 in the deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinfromtampa Posted September 30, 2017 #56 Share Posted September 30, 2017 John, can you confirm the following: On the Brilliance Aug. 29th they took away the French onion which I loved and replaced with non tasting mushroom soup. When I complained, our waiter said that they added the NY strip steak which was an up-charge, but now is part of the regular menu. Ps: I did love the ice cream sundae in a waffle cup/cone. It was outstanding. The ice cream sundae at Chops was my husband's favorite single item when we were on Adventure in June. It's the one thing he keeps talking about. I'm looking forward to trying it in November. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sun Lover Posted September 30, 2017 #57 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Can you still order more than one of the same item at the specialty restaurants? For example, can you get two appetizers if there isn't a soup you like or two entrees and no soup or appetizers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted September 30, 2017 #58 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Can you still order more than one of the same item at the specialty restaurants? For example, can you get two appetizers if there isn't a soup you like or two entrees and no soup or appetizers? Everything but entree. Order as many as you wish! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelblu Posted September 30, 2017 Author #59 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Can you still order more than one of the same item at the specialty restaurants? For example, can you get two appetizers if there isn't a soup you like or two entrees and no soup or appetizers? You can have as many appetizers as you desire, but limited to 1 entrée. Not sure if this is still available--for $10 more you can order an add'l entrée. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted September 30, 2017 #60 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Multi package sales.. of course that is what they are trying to do, unfortunately when this happens service goes down and as someone else said tables are just as close as the MDR. At one time there was a pleasant atmosphere in the specialty restaurants now it seems just like a business lunch rush at the nicest restaurant in town, and at those your company usually picks up the tab, so the experience is less important when you are not paying. Many have posted with break down, how the packages make it worth their time and often those participants will accept sub-par everything because of the price. The cruise line is banking on this. For them any money they can make from the venues is better than nothing. My discount at Izumi gave us a fabulous meal and entertainment. Nothing getting dumbed down there. Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
land lover Posted September 30, 2017 #61 Share Posted September 30, 2017 My discount at Izumi gave us a fabulous meal and entertainment. Nothing getting dumbed down there. Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app I am glad ur experience was fabulous. Do you think if you would have paid the full price would you enjoy it as much.....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin7kodak7 Posted September 30, 2017 #62 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Chops is not worth $100 for two people when the MDR is around the corner. The MDR is not that bad and definitely worth keeping a hundred bucks! Agreed. Never had a bad meal on any RCCL MDRs. On NCL in 28 days. Got 3 days of specialty dinning with free at sea promos. Booked the steakhouse 2x. Will see what's the difference. Lol, the have a 29 ounce tomahawk ribeye, will try that 1st night. Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted September 30, 2017 #63 Share Posted September 30, 2017 I am glad ur experience was fabulous. Do you think if you would have paid the full price would you enjoy it as much.....? Yes, but I probably would not have tried it. Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plum24 Posted October 1, 2017 #64 Share Posted October 1, 2017 I find people forget that a specialty meal doesn't 'cost' $35 or whatever - you have already paid for that meal in your cruise fare, plus they'll slap another 18% grat on, so at the end of the day, it's a lot of money ... we enjoy the MDR & don't like the whole concept of upsells or the pressure tactics used to convince pax to pay them. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcrcruiser Posted October 1, 2017 #65 Share Posted October 1, 2017 RCCL has commercialized their special restaurants to the point of driving pax towards that extra cost for food . My wife's comment is why should we pay the extra cost & need to pay an extra tip .she made a excellent point . Now for those who feel otherwise ,we have no problem with any others decision to dine in those special restaurants ;but ,for us it is the MDR & recently on Anthem of the Seas we experienced excellent service & excellent food quality & preparation in the MDR for early dinner time . We are Diamond on Royal & we go to the Casino bar (get it free )to get a drink & a glass of wine ;which we take into the MDR .So then we have NO problems with drink service in the MDR . Where there is a will there is a way :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelblu Posted October 1, 2017 Author #66 Share Posted October 1, 2017 I find people forget that a specialty meal doesn't 'cost' $35 or whatever - you have already paid for that meal in your cruise fare, plus they'll slap another 18% grat on, so at the end of the day, it's a lot of money ... we enjoy the MDR & don't like the whole concept of upsells or the pressure tactics used to convince pax to pay them. Sent from my iPhone using Forums No 18% on then meal portion, as it's supposed to be included . However, the % is applied to any drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABoatNerd Posted October 1, 2017 #67 Share Posted October 1, 2017 In reviewing similar subjects on most of the CC mass cruise line threads, it seems that all cruise lines are degrading the quality of the extra charge dining venues while holding and more often increasing the cost. If there is a declining value for money - why do consumers continue to patronize these venues? The cruise lines are laughing at their customers and will continue to reduce quality until consumers push back Just wondering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisegirl1 Posted October 1, 2017 #68 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Just found out that specialty dining for my New Year's eve cruise is $79 per person at most restaurants. Royal Caribbean is calling it "holiday dining" and it apparently includes Christmas Eve Christmas day, and New Year's Eve. Intetestng as New Year's Eve is on the first day, boarding day, so wonder if they will honor the BOGO. We won't bother, as I recall on previous cruises there was always an enhanced dining room menu for New Year's Eve M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolfansam Posted October 5, 2017 #69 Share Posted October 5, 2017 I thought $35 for Chops on the Brilliance was a little over the top, but $42 that's outrageous. In addition $35 for Jamie's which IMO the selections are not as good as Giovanni's which was $25 pre-cruise & $29 while on board. I think that RCL is pushing Paxs that want to dine in SR to the 3 or ultimate package. The food at Jaimes is way better than Giovanni's. I buy the BOGO for $30. You don't choose the first night, you are assigned. You can change if available. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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