Mikew0805 Posted March 3, 2019 #1 Share Posted March 3, 2019 So looks like Holland America is trying it out. As the article states... where one line goes, others seems to follow. I personally am not one to order a second entree, although I am guilty of a salad and two appetizers. I wonder if it will be successful, and if it will come to RCI/CCL, as I have read many reviews on both where multiple entrees are ordered. https://cruiseradio.net/cruise-line-adds-fee-for-second-entree-in-main-dining-room/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njkruzer Posted March 3, 2019 #2 Share Posted March 3, 2019 No way! One of the advantages of cruising. Can have choices. We'll order something to share with the table or to try something different. Waiters bring something they think you'll like. Hope this idea flops. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditmar2007 Posted March 3, 2019 #3 Share Posted March 3, 2019 I would find it reasonable IF YOU DON'T FINISH THE FIRST. I hate to see good food wasted because someone feels entitled to try out a lot of food just to see if they like it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorben-Hendrik Posted March 3, 2019 #4 Share Posted March 3, 2019 9 minutes ago, ditmar2007 said: I hate to see good food wasted On RCI? 🤔 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditmar2007 Posted March 3, 2019 #5 Share Posted March 3, 2019 4 minutes ago, Thorben-Hendrik said: On RCI? 🤔 Yup. Not fabulous food, but good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMESCC Posted March 3, 2019 #6 Share Posted March 3, 2019 I saw this story yesterday and it actually bothered me and I'm someone who has never ordered a second entree. My problem is the food in the main dinning room is obviously made as cheaply as possible and the portions intentionally small. My wife order 2 one or twice on a cruise because its nice to have some variety. Also how freaking cheesy is gonna be for the waiter/waitress to actually bill you for a meal in the MDR. This actually really bothers me. 8 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo Posted March 3, 2019 #7 Share Posted March 3, 2019 3 hours ago, Thorben-Hendrik said: On RCI? 🤔 I really don't think cruising on RCI is your thing by most of the answers you give on Cruisecritic, do you enjoy any other types of vacations? just don't think cruising is your thing. 14 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare vacationlover_mn Posted March 3, 2019 #8 Share Posted March 3, 2019 It will be interesting to see if this spreads to other cruiselines. Since I’m more apt to order 2 appetizers and a dessert instead of any main course, this doesn’t really impact me... but I’d hate to see this spread to things like appetizers... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRF Posted March 3, 2019 #9 Share Posted March 3, 2019 The only time this would affect me would be lobster night. I will eat 3 tails. Or do prime rib and 1 - 2 tails for a home made surf and turf. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamcruzin Posted March 3, 2019 #10 Share Posted March 3, 2019 The food in the MDR as deteriorated so much and the menus have also changed among all of the cruise lines. The only night that I have ever ordered 2 meals was on formal night when they serve lobster and Beef Wellington. The lobster seems to get worse with every trip so I am not about to shell out an extra $10 for surf and turf that used to be a choice on formal night many many years ago. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouhunter Posted March 3, 2019 #11 Share Posted March 3, 2019 28 minutes ago, Jimbo said: I really don't think cruising on RCI is your thing by most of the answers you give on Cruisecritic Good observation. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulette3028 Posted March 3, 2019 #12 Share Posted March 3, 2019 9 hours ago, Mikew0805 said: So looks like Holland America is trying it out. As the article states... where one line goes, others seems to follow. I personally am not one to order a second entree, although I am guilty of a salad and two appetizers. I wonder if it will be successful, and if it will come to RCI/CCL, as I have read many reviews on both where multiple entrees are ordered. https://cruiseradio.net/cruise-line-adds-fee-for-second-entree-in-main-dining-room/ I have no idea if Holland America has gone the way of Royal and added so many specialty restaurants, that the MDR is quite empty many evenings. Royal gets plenty of additional revenue from their 'specialty dining' (even with all the special offers) that it would seem unnecessary to do this. No one can predict if it would cause people NOT to sail on Royal, but it would not be received well by 'loyal Royalists' I am sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare orville99 Posted March 3, 2019 #13 Share Posted March 3, 2019 Wow, have times changed. The first time we sailed on HAL, I couldn't make up my mind which entrée I wanted on the first night in the MDR, so the waiter suggested I order both. After that evening, he brought me two of whatever entrée I ordered every night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATC cruiser Posted March 3, 2019 #14 Share Posted March 3, 2019 They say this is a way to reduce waste. I’d be willing to bet that the vast majority of waste comes from the buffet, not the MDR. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulette3028 Posted March 3, 2019 #15 Share Posted March 3, 2019 2 minutes ago, ATC cruiser said: They say this is a way to reduce waste. I’d be willing to bet that the vast majority of waste comes from the buffet, not the MDR. You are probably quite right. Over the years we have been sailing....which is now 15 years....lots has changed as far as dining. People disagree tremendously on it. What I believe everyone can agree on is that the MDR is used by less and less people on a nightly basis. We used to go to the MDR every night and have terrific meals meeting new people, since we often cruise as a couple and love to sit at a table for 6 or more. When Izumi came along, since we love Japanese food....it became one of our dinners (we do it once at least every other week at home anyway). Now we get a gift certificate from our TA for a specialty restaurant....so another night out of the MDR. This past cruise we were sailing with quite a few friends and had a night in the WJ together for dinner (lots of fun and some types of food, not available in the MDR). So even US, who love the MDR, had our seats empty 3 of the 7 nights --- NOT because we disliked the food or service. I can say that on every sailing we have been on, if I did not like what I ordered and the waiter noticed it in the MDR, they offered to bring me something else.....the goal is to please the cruiser so they come back. I can't imagine charging for a 2nd entree going over very well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time4u2go Posted March 3, 2019 #16 Share Posted March 3, 2019 6 minutes ago, Paulette3028 said: I can't imagine charging for a 2nd entree going over very well. People said the same thing about charging for room service.😏 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarpeCerevisi Posted March 3, 2019 #17 Share Posted March 3, 2019 If you believe it's about reducing waste as opposed to revenue I have a vast array of bridges over the East and Harlem Rivers I can sell you. 5 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseguy1016 Posted March 3, 2019 #18 Share Posted March 3, 2019 1 hour ago, Jimbo said: I really don't think cruising on RCI is your thing by most of the answers you give on Cruisecritic, do you enjoy any other types of vacations? just don't think cruising is your thing. 1 hour ago, bouhunter said: Good observation. The "ignore" feature works really well. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LB_NJ Posted March 3, 2019 #19 Share Posted March 3, 2019 I am crossing HAL off my list as possible cruise lines. We don't always do it however once in a while we order a second entrée to split. The food in most MDRs (we have cruised Princess, Cunard, and RC) is OK, not great. If the mainstream cruise lines start charging for a second entrée does that mean you have to eat at the MDR and then the buffet to avoid the charge. This is stupid unless they are going to significantly reduce the quality in the buffet. At that point I just forget about the mainstream lines and go to the all-inclusive lines; when you start adding up all the costs of the drink packages, the additional charge restaurants, etc. the prices do not look that bad. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted March 3, 2019 #20 Share Posted March 3, 2019 2 hours ago, Iamcruzin said: The food in the MDR as deteriorated so much and the menus have also changed among all of the cruise lines. The only night that I have ever ordered 2 meals was on formal night when they serve lobster and Beef Wellington. The lobster seems to get worse with every trip so I am not about to shell out an extra $10 for surf and turf that used to be a choice on formal night many many years ago. ...many many years ago. 😉 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted March 3, 2019 #21 Share Posted March 3, 2019 Are you talking about the MDR, or SPECIALTY restaurants? I don't know of any line that charges for additional MDR entrees....but I believe virtually all of them do in the "for fee" restaurants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken at the beach Posted March 3, 2019 #22 Share Posted March 3, 2019 4 minutes ago, cb at sea said: Are you talking about the MDR, or SPECIALTY restaurants? I don't know of any line that charges for additional MDR entrees....but I believe virtually all of them do in the "for fee" restaurants. Then you should read the link in the first post before commenting. 5 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisegirl1 Posted March 3, 2019 #23 Share Posted March 3, 2019 4 minutes ago, cb at sea said: Are you talking about the MDR, or SPECIALTY restaurants? I don't know of any line that charges for additional MDR entrees....but I believe virtually all of them do in the "for fee" restaurants. If you had even clicked on the article you would see the headline notes it is the main dining room! m 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayla4m Posted March 3, 2019 #24 Share Posted March 3, 2019 (edited) Figures this happens right as we're going on our once every ten years anniversary cruise...was looking forward to trying some new things. Pretty ridiculous if the portions are small anyways to do this. Especially when we paid so much just for the cruise itself....nickel and diming us all the way....also would have loved communication from holland america to its customers this month that will be affected by it. Not a peep. Edited March 3, 2019 by Ayla4m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molly361 Posted March 3, 2019 #25 Share Posted March 3, 2019 Business as usual for one of our "regular" posters😇 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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