One Main Course

[knittinggirl]

I'm also 100% against this charge.    If I get something I don't like, scaloppini comes to mind,  I don't want an extra charge.  Got Veal Scaloppini on Royal Caribbean, and it looked like someone had barfed on the plate.  If I get a charge, I'll remember this come evaluation time.

[slidergirl]

5 hours ago, VitaminSea53 said:

Well you know what is next...... limit to one portion for entrees at the buffet. HAL has done away with self serve (for hygienic reasons) but this will enable them to limit serving sizes to “one” portion.  It is a slippery slope. First the entrees, then the appetizers, etc.  They are taking the fun out of cruising. 

 

I don't see anything wrong with limiting one portion per pass if it is not self-serve.  Someone can always go back and get more.  

Someone gets something they don't like, no problem, just get back in line and get something else.  

[bEwAbG]

31 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

I see this as a cost reduction initiative vice revenue generating. They would be happy to see food costs go down and not collect a nickel in $10 charges.

 

This is what I see it as, too.  The current environment encourages people to splurge and get food they may not eat.  Seeing that it will cost $10 to do that will encourage those people to not do it.  In the long-run, HAL could feasibly stop preparing so much extra food that may go to waste. 

 

As far as waiters encouraging the practice in the past, that's really no different than a bartender giving free drinks or heavy pours in a bid to get higher tips at the expense of the company. 

[OCruisers]

On 2/24/2019 at 6:12 PM, Jilltoons said:

Another cruiser who is on the NA right now attached a copy of the dining room menu - and yes indeed it says $10.00 extra charge if you order a Second entrée.  Here is the attachment of the menu.

Feb24dinner (3).pdf

 

Had hoped the $10.00 for a second entree was just a rumor and not true.

Sadly, seems it is true.  

[kazu]

3 hours ago, OlsSalt said:

I suspect this would not be the targeted audience. Mistakes or inferior preparation are not cause for passenger punishments.  Food waste prevention is perfectly reasonable justification.

 

And whoever wrote about the alleged new trend "vlogging"  intentionally ordered extra food is probably on to something. 

 

You can assume all you want but you don't know and neither do I.

 

I DO know that if I don't like what I get and were to ask to have it substituted, I wouldn't appreciate being charged $10 for what I consider should be decent service in any restaurant.  If HAL isn't up to that, I will be looking elsewhere.  

 

I post food porn on my LIVE threads but I have NEVER ordered extra food to do it.  I simply share what others are having with their permission.

 

I really can't fathom a lot of people doing that and, even if they do, they are in a very small minority.

 

What HAL doesn't get is that small things can irritate more than big problems.  Why?  Because they are not worth pursuing but the aggravation burns.  My ship is not on the "test" (yet), but just charge me once and I will have my back up.  

 

charge me because I can't eat what was put in front of me?  I think NOT.

 

And, what if I want a small taste of something?  Not a dinner plate but a small taste on a bread and butter plate? 

 

Nope.  I don't mind to pay for the other things but this is above and beyone IMO.

 

 

[WoodtreeYJ]

From a customer point of view, the fact that this “test” is being implemented is ridiculous. Wonder if it would constitute “bait and switch”, since consumers have long committed to theses cruises when MDR second entrees did not come with extra cost? Guess it may depend on prevailing understanding or whether explicit language that MDR was unlimited food is needed.

 

Anyways, even though we do not order second entrees in MDR, this $10 cost will strongly make us go away from HAL, not just for non-HAL, but specifically a cruise line not owned by Carnival corporation. No reason to give tens of thousands each year to Carnival corporation if they feel this is appropriate direction for their cruise lines.

 

In terms of HAL needing to attract a newer generation of cruisers, my wife and I are young professionals in early 30s, who have very much enjoyed HAL and intended to make HAL our go to cruise line for the next several decades, with two 10 to 14 nights cruises booked for this year. Even though this cost will rarely be applicable to us, the concept itself sickens us. Cruises and vacation in general are places of escape from the workplace for us, and this nickel and dime behavior, the mere fact of seeing if printed on the menus, would ruin the cruise experience for us, knowing how it was just in last few years. The loss of the cold soups was already a sad change. 

 

Lastly, we have all seen people exhibiting behaviors on cruises that we ourselves do not agree with. You can choose to not associate with those kind of behavior, but feeling that you have a right to judge someone else lifestyle does cross a line. They paid their quoted price to be on the cruise, which may be less or more than you paid, but they are living their independent life separate from you. Just my humble opinion on some of the posts that I have read in this thread.

Edited March 2, 2019 by WoodtreeYJ
Changed font size to regular small size.

[SeaTheW0rld]

Did NCL buy HAL? 

[thyme2go]

10 minutes ago, WoodtreeYJ said:

From a customer point of view, the fact that this “test” is being implemented is ridiculous. Wonder if it would constitute “bait and switch”, since consumers have long committed to theses cruises when MDR second entrees did not come with extra cost? Guess it may depend on prevailing understanding or whether explicit language that MDR was unlimited food is needed.

 

Anyways, even though we do not order second entrees in MDR, this $10 cost will strongly make us go away from HAL, not just for non-HAL, but specifically a cruise line not owned by Carnival corporation. No reason to give tens of thousands each year to Carnival corporation if they feel this is appropriate direction for their cruise lines.

 

In terms of HAL needing to attract a newer generation of cruisers, my wife and I are young professionals in early 30s, who have very much enjoyed HAL and intended to make HAL our go to cruise line for the next several decades, with two 10 to 14 nights cruises booked for this year. Even though this cost will rarely be applicable to us, the concept itself sickens us. Cruises and vacation in general are places of escape from the workplace for us, and this nickel and dime behavior, the mere fact of seeing if printed on the menus, would ruin the cruise experience for us, knowing how it was just in last few years. The loss of the cold soups was already a sad change. 

 

Lastly, we have all seen people exhibiting behaviors on cruises that we ourselves do not agree with. You can choose to not associate with those kind of behavior, but feeling that you have a right to judge someone else lifestyle does cross a line. They paid their quoted price to be on the cruise, which may be less or more than you paid, but they are living their independent life separate from you. Just my humble opinion on some of the posts that I have read in this thread.

 

VERY WELL SAID!!

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

From a customer point of view, the fact that this “test” is being implemented is ridiculous. Wonder if it would constitute “bait and switch”, since consumers have long committed to theses cruises when MDR second entrees did not come with extra cost? Guess it may depend on prevailing understanding or whether explicit language that MDR was unlimited food is needed.  

Anyways, even though we do not order second entrees in MDR, this $10 cost will strongly make us go away from HAL, not just for non-HAL, but specifically a cruise line not owned by Carnival corporation. No reason to give tens of thousands each year to Carnival corporation if they feel this is appropriate direction for their cruise lines.

 

In terms of HAL needing to attract a newer generation of cruisers, my wife and I are young professionals in early 30s, who have very much enjoyed HAL and intended to make HAL our go to cruise line for the next several decades, with two 10 to 14 nights cruises booked for this year. Even though this cost will rarely be applicable to us, the concept itself sickens us. Cruises and vacation in general are places of escape from the workplace for us, and this nickel and dime behavior, the mere fact of seeing if printed on the menus, would ruin the cruise experience for us, knowing how it was just in last few years. The loss of the cold soups was already a sad change. 

 

Lastly, we have all seen people exhibiting behaviors on cruises that we ourselves do not agree with. You can choose to not associate with those kind of behavior, but feeling that you have a right to judge someone else lifestyle does cross a line. They paid their quoted price to be on the cruise, which may be less or more than you paid, but they are living their independent life separate from you. Just my humble opinion on some of the posts that I have read in this thread.

 

This is why the test will fail. The slight reduction in cost won’t be worth the negative feedback.

 

I was working for an airline when they started the baggage fees. Our revenue management folks thought it would never stick....they were wrong. Sooooo.....never say never but I will still predict a big fail here...

 

 

www.theinsidecabin.com

 

[Hawaiidan]

3 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

What if I am paying $300 on HAL?  As a solo, that is what I'm paying for an inside cabin on upcoming Westerdam cruise....  🤷‍♀️

 

Wow... I am Solo in a OV for 29 days,...for only 221 pd.solo.    On an All inclusive in the MED, October, solo for 17 days  I am only paying 332 PD.  but get 600 OBC  or 6 shore ex  or 17 days liquor  my choice of what I  want.   Id be looking If  I were you..  

[Jareds_mommytoo]

46 minutes ago, kazu said:

I post food porn on my LIVE threads

I am off to go stalk your live threads ( unless you can provide a link?) i love food posts

[Hawaiidan]

18 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

This is why the test will fail. The slight reduction in cost won’t be worth the negative feedback.

 

I was working for an airline when they started the baggage fees. Our revenue management folks thought it would never stick....they were wrong. Sooooo.....never say never but I will still predict a big fail here...

 

 

www.theinsidecabin.com

 

 

I admire your  enthusiasm .... I wish you were right.    The extra charges the airlines are making  food, bags, entertainment  even reserved seats..  are making then hundreds of millions each year.  and traffic is up to record levels     HAL sees this..... Judging from the language in their public statement.....I conclude the decision has already been made months ago.... they are just softening  the impact up.

People will continue to book brought in by  the low fare... and the profits will be made, as always  in all the little extra charges here and  there. Most wont notice it till the bill comes due of just how much their cheap fare really cost them when all is said and done.      NO, its going to happen .  Sit back and suck it up is the only option

[OlsSalt]

52 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

You can assume all you want but you don't know and neither do I.

 

I DO know that if I don't like what I get and were to ask to have it substituted, I wouldn't appreciate being charged $10 for what I consider should be decent service in any restaurant.  If HAL isn't up to that, I will be looking elsewhere.  

 

I post food porn on my LIVE threads but I have NEVER ordered extra food to do it.  I simply share what others are having with their permission.

 

I really can't fathom a lot of people doing that and, even if they do, they are in a very small minority.

 

What HAL doesn't get is that small things can irritate more than big problems.  Why?  Because they are not worth pursuing but the aggravation burns.  My ship is not on the "test" (yet), but just charge me once and I will have my back up.  

 

charge me because I can't eat what was put in front of me?  I think NOT.

 

And, what if I want a small taste of something?  Not a dinner plate but a small taste on a bread and butter plate? 

 

Nope.  I don't mind to pay for the other things but this is above and beyone IMO.

 

 

 

Indeed, assumptions can and do  cause unnecessary dithering. 

[rkacruiser]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

What HAL doesn't get is that small things can irritate more than big problems.

 

I wonder if much of what appear to be "small changes" to the executives of HAL, of which there are now more than there were a few years ago due to retirements, etc., are because these people have little or no cruise experience?  President Orlando Ashford had never cruised, as I understand it, until after he was appointed as the President of HAL.

[Sir PMP]

5 hours ago, SumoCitrus said:

My spouse once inadvertently ordered "sweetbreads" not knowing what they were. Under the new Savor the Nickle & Dime™️ program, would he be charged $10 if he sent the sweetbreads back in exchange for something edible?

 

'Sweetbreads' are an appetizer not an entree..delicious..

[RuthC]

57 minutes ago, Hawaiidan said:

Wow... I am Solo in a OV for 29 days,...for only 221 pd.solo.    On an All inclusive in the MED, October, solo for 17 days  I am only paying 332 PD.  but get 600 OBC  or 6 shore ex  or 17 days liquor  my choice of what I  want.   Id be looking If  I were you..  

I can't imagine how you thought this would be helpful to readers.

[OlsSalt]

Room service came at no extra cost. Now some items do carry a surcharge. Was that also a bait and switch.

[kazu]

1 hour ago, Hawaiidan said:

Wow... I am Solo in a OV for 29 days,...for only 221 pd.solo.    On an All inclusive in the MED, October, solo for 17 days  I am only paying 332 PD.  but get 600 OBC  or 6 shore ex  or 17 days liquor  my choice of what I  want.   Id be looking If  I were you..  

On a Holland America Ship?  You have all inclusive?

 

Please share.  This is the HAL board after all.  

 

But maybe you missed that ?  

 

 

[rkacruiser]

20 minutes ago, Sir PMP said:

 

'Sweetbreads' are an appetizer not an entree..delicious..

 

Yet, not all like what, I assume we both agree, is a "treat" that we both rarely enjoy.

[Fouremco]

27 minutes ago, Sir PMP said:

 

'Sweetbreads' are an appetizer not an entree..delicious..

Are you referring to sweetbreads served on HAL or in general? In my experience, they have always been served as a main dish.

[rkacruiser]

6 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Are you referring to sweetbreads served on HAL or in general? 

 

HAL serves them as a First Course choice.  I have never seen them as an entree item on any HAL menu.

[Fouremco]

Just now, rkacruiser said:

 

HAL serves them as a First Course choice.  I have never seen them as an entree item on any HAL menu.

Thanks. Somehow I've missed them in the past, but I'll keep my eyes open for them on the NS in June. Hopefully they won't be served on a night when we are in one of the specialty restaurants.

[VennDiagram]

27 minutes ago, OlsSalt said:

Gluten free was demanding separate prep facilities and separate equipment - don't use the same tongs or the same toaster. That was just part of the gluten demands.

 

Your lack of knowledge of celiac disease and food allergies is shocking, given how much time you spend dismissing the "demands".  Please educate yourself.

Edited March 3, 2019 by VennDiagram

[kazu]

2 hours ago, Jareds_mommytoo said:

I am off to go stalk your live threads ( unless you can provide a link?) i love food posts

 Feel free - in the old days when we had subscribed threads, I had a file saved.  But, sadly they are all gone 😞 

 

Search for LIve from the Prinsendam, Westerdam, Rotterdam and you should find it.

 

And stay tuned as we sail in 5 weeks and we are going to some fabulous places with some fabulous food.  Guaranteed food porn.  And yes, if no one minds, I’ll be doing another LIVE thread.

[Turtles06]

3 hours ago, kazu said:

What HAL doesn't get is that small things can irritate more than big problems

 

I totally agree with you on this.  It doesn't take much to generate ill-will.  No one wants to feel nickel and dimed this way.   There are times my spouse and I will order a third entree to split as a side, typically when it's something that sounds tempting that we'd like to try but neither of us wants as her entree.