Sister Line testing charges for 2nd entree in MDR

[Brooklyn Bridget]

🤣 🍰as long as no extra charge for dessert!!!!   🥧

[xDisconnections]

On 3/7/2019 at 7:49 PM, jimbo5544 said:

I would wager that it does not happen much on HAL, so I cannot fathom it saving tons of money (waste) or generating tons of revenue (charging for extra meals). 

There's a big difference in the passengers on Carnival and Holland America. Knowing the demographics, more passengers are likely to order additional meals on Carnival whereas those on Holland America wouldn't order as much food.

[jimbo5544]

6 hours ago, xDisconnections said:

There's a big difference in the passengers on Carnival and Holland America. Knowing the demographics, more passengers are likely to order additional meals on Carnival whereas those on Holland America wouldn't order as much food.

I agree with that, which makes it more interesting why they would trial this on HAL.  It is engrained in the process on Carnival (both staff and customers) and do not see that changing.

[MauiWowie57]

On 4/4/2019 at 7:53 AM, jimbo5544 said:

I agree with that, which makes it more interesting why they would trial this on HAL.  It is engrained in the process on Carnival (both staff and customers) and do not see that changing.

Doing quite a few cruises on both lines ... 

I'd say the reason to start this on HAL is exactly that. Not that many HALsters are going to want a second entree, and so the incidences of this occurring are going to be rare; an easy way to see if the extra accounting procedures work,  kitchen management processes easily adapts, and the service staff is able to overcome the resistance to being charged for what used to be considered "included."

The first two would carry right over to Carnival from HAL once perfected, but the second is going to require some 'strategic communications/change management training" for the service staff to avoid customers getting upset.  

I always think it's funny when businesses (and the cruise lines are really going after this in recent years) talk about "testing" additional fees, or unbundled fees for things that used to be considered included.  Airline baggage fees, fees for a seat inside the plane (as opposed to in the cargo hold I suppose), etc.  The presumption with 'testing' is that the test could FAIL.  All of a sudden bookings drop to zero because of additional entree charges...? I doubt it. More along the lines of "(a) how many people does this negatively impact, and (b) are they impacted enough that hurts our bottom line more than the additional revenue we're now getting from the second entree up charge?"

 

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, fyree39 said:

I've read on the HAL board that the charge ended on 31 March and it was decided not to continue with it.  There were a LOT of upset HAL fans once the charge was implemented.

Not surprising

[lottiegreen56]

I love how you guys are either stereotyping HAL cruisers as a bunch of people who don't like food or have eating disorders or you are saying Carnival cruisers are gluttonous. Just waiting for a wal-mart of the seas comment.

[MommytoAsquared]

I have only ordered two entrees once.  It was at breakfast and I couldn't decide so I ordered both.  I was actually a little embarrassed when they brought two plates of food and put it in front of me.  I don't think I will do that again - charge or no charge.

[lottiegreen56]

19 minutes ago, fyree39 said:

That's normal.  Carnival is the line that people love to hate.  I've seen chow hounds, large and small, on all the lines we've sailed. People are shown a buffet or menu that's "all you can eat" and they go a little crazy. I think it's normal.

 

 

It’s so silly, the different cruise lines are kind of like shoe brands but people treat them with this weird nationalistic ferver! We like CCL food pretty much the best other than Princess. Maybe they eat less on HAL because the food is worse lol.

 

I am glad they did away with the charge for extra entres, i’m sick of the nickel and diming in cruising. Heard Viking is pretty good in the respect, will find out soon!

 

As an aside, every time we’ve done HAL, we’ve got an excellent deal probably cheaper than most non-casino carnival deals we’ve had. The only big improvements were better pools, less crowded and more smoker friendly.