Mardi Gras Specialty Dining theory…..

[asalligo]

On 6/15/2021 at 10:57 AM, Jthomasou said:

So on the Mardi Gras half of the specialty dining you can not make reservations.  
 

My theory is they are going to use those dining options as free dining that passengers will rotate thru to create more distancing when dining.  
 

So Emeril, JiJi, and Capitan would be free dining in my theory. Steakhouse, Bonsai, Seafood pay dining. 

You appear to have been correct 

 

MIAMI, June 29, 2021 – Carnival Cruise Line’s new Mardi Gras will feature the widest variety of culinary outlets in the fleet, with more than two dozen different venues, including Chibang!, a new two-in-one dining concept featuring both Chinese and Mexican dishes.

Responding to guests’ feedback for more diverse dining choices on board, particularly Chinese and Mexican cuisine, Chibang! is part of an expanded list of dining options created just for Mardi Gras.

For a limited time only, Chibang! as well as popular options Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse and Cucina del Capitano – all of which normally carry a dinner-time reservations fee or a la carte pricing – will be included in the price of the cruise, in addition to the Palm and Flamingo dining rooms and the Lido buffet.

[stellarose]

oh stay free until January . 

[cruisingguy007]

48 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I guess we will know soon. It says included usually pay venues.. I'm taking them at their word that it is the PAY venue for dinner on italian or the press release is untrue. Pig and anchor is not free for lunch or dinner usually? So you think they will swap out the meals and not serve the pay venue included?

 

Correct. I believe it will simply be an extension of the included lunch menu to dinner time as well. Pig and Anchor, Cucina Capitano and JiJi's are all included in lunch but not dinner. All require an up-charge and have a different menu. Pig and Anchor is an A la carte menu for dinner actually.   

Edited June 29, 2021 by cruisingguy007

[Cruise Related]

4 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Correct. I believe it will simply be an extension of the included lunch menu to dinner time as well. Pig and Anchor, Cucina Capitano and JiJi's are all included in lunch but not dinner. All require an up-charge and have a different menu. Pig and Anchor is an A la carte menu for dinner actually.   

Why would they announce a new restaurant and keep it lunch only? They even released the menu. No idea why they’d tease the dinner menu but keep it lunch. 

[cruisingguy007]

9 minutes ago, Cruise Related said:

Why would they announce a new restaurant and keep it lunch only? They even released the menu. No idea why they’d tease the dinner menu but keep it lunch. 

 

I never said lunch only, only that (IMO) they will offer the included limited lunch menu at dinner as an inclusion. It's already scaled up and easy to do. I don't think it will be the regular full dinner menus at the restaurants. They'd run out of items quickly with people ordering like hogs because "it's free" and wasting food. I just don't see it happening.    

Edited June 29, 2021 by cruisingguy007

[Cruise Related]

Just now, cruisingguy007 said:

 

I never said lunch only, only that (IMO) they will offer the included limited lunch menu at dinner ad an inclusion. I don't think it will be the regular full dinner menus at the restaurants. They'd run out of items quickly with people ordering like hogs because "it's free" and wasting food. I just don't see it happening.    

Ah, I misunderstood, my apologies. Thanks for clarifying. Thought you meant it was just the same lunch stuff but served at dinner time. My bad! 

[cruisingguy007]

Just now, Cruise Related said:

Ah, I misunderstood, my apologies. Thanks for clarifying. Thought you meant it was just the same lunch stuff but served at dinner time. My bad! 

 

LOL, that is what I meant. 

[firefly333]

17 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Correct. I believe it will simply be an extension of the included lunch menu to dinner time as well. Pig and Anchor, Cucina Capitano and JiJi's are all included in lunch but not dinner. All require an up-charge and have a different menu. Pig and Anchor is an A la carte menu for dinner actually.   

We will see. I'm taking carnival at its word, that the pay venues are includes ..which to me includes the food. Not a swap out to the free food other times. I'll take that bet.

 

SNJ made a bet with me he lost .. 

[Cruise Related]

1 minute ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

LOL, that is what I meant. 

Well, heck! For whatever it’s worth, I think there will be dinner options. I’m eyeing the roasted duck personally. 

[cruisingguy007]

Just now, Cruise Related said:

Well, heck! For whatever it’s worth, I think there will be dinner options. I’m eyeing the roasted duck personally. 

 

That's the problem. "I want 3 great steaks, 3 lobster tails, roasted duck" etc etc etc. How long will the food last? People are used to the MDR and ordering what they want and eating as much as they'd like. The free lunch options are scalable and tailored for mass service. The up-charge options are not. They'd need to ramp up provisions dramatically. That is unless this is some temporary whoopla to drum up business/bookings and press while sailing with limited capacity. 

[AtSeaWithChris]

I wonder if the limited time is for the restart period. Because at lower capacity there will be lower crew and not enough to man every location possibly so they are opening up things to keep people happy.

[firefly333]

5 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

That is unless this is some temporary whoopla to drum up business/bookings and press while sailing with limited capacity. 

That's exactly what I believe it is. Temporary .. get some good reviews for mardi gras, drive up prices for bookings. Make people want to pay extra to book this ship. 

 

While capacity is low. Dont forget they want to social distance right now as well. Brilliant as john h would say.

Edited June 29, 2021 by firefly333

[AtSeaWithChris]

5 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

That's the problem. "I want 3 great steaks, 3 lobster tails, roasted duck" etc etc etc. How long will the food last? People are used to the MDR and ordering what they want and eating as much as they'd like. The free lunch options are scalable and tailored for mass service. The up-charge options are not. They'd need to ramp up provisions dramatically. That is unless this is some temporary whoopla to drum up business/bookings and press while sailing with limited capacity. 

I am sure they will limit it to one entree at a minimum if not the sides too.

[cruisingguy007]

1 minute ago, MamallamaAndDaddy said:

I am sure they will limit it to one entree at a minimum if not the sides too.

Oh I'm sure folks will order one entry minimum, it's the maximum that will be the issue. I guess you could just head to the MDR after if it wan't enough and treat it like an appetizer. LOL

[ray985]

When I was on the Horizon in March 2020 (last before shutdown), they made Guy's PIg and Anchor Smokehouse was free for dinner. The manager said they were testing it for Mardi Gras. They wanted to see if people would skip the main dining room for speciality restaurants if there was no charge. Apparently they were worried about crowds and not enough room in the dining rooms with so many people on the Mardi Gras. It'll be interesting to see if they keep Pig & Anchor, Cuchina Del Capitano, and Chibang free. I could still see them charging to Fahrenheit, Emerils and Rudy's Seagrill as they're higher cost. 

[cruisingguy007]

44 minutes ago, ray985 said:

When I was on the Horizon in March 2020 (last before shutdown), they made Guy's PIg and Anchor Smokehouse was free for dinner. The manager said they were testing it for Mardi Gras. They wanted to see if people would skip the main dining room for speciality restaurants if there was no charge. Apparently they were worried about crowds and not enough room in the dining rooms with so many people on the Mardi Gras. It'll be interesting to see if they keep Pig & Anchor, Cuchina Del Capitano, and Chibang free. I could still see them charging to Fahrenheit, Emerils and Rudy's Seagrill as they're higher cost. 

 

If passengers quit paying extra for all of them, they will all turn to included options. Paying extra only leads to reduced included options.

[SNJCruisers]

5 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I guess we will know soon. It says included usually pay venues.. I'm taking them at their word that it is the PAY venue for dinner on italian or the press release is untrue. Pig and anchor is not free for lunch or dinner usually? So you think they will swap out the meals and not serve the pay venue included?

 

Well wrong again half way. Not emerils .. and this ship has a different pay venue not JiJis.. but yep 3 usually free pay meals included.

 

Btw if we ever meet you owe me a drink. You and I bet. You bet carnival would do half vaccinated and half not vaccinated.. all are the same. If we are on the same cruise you can buy me that drink. Thanks lol 🙂

You are now taking information that was just released today about Chibang and comparing it to a post I made on June 16 when nobody knew about Chibang besides XConnections.

My response was also about another poster who said that Jiji's,  Cucina and Emeril's were all going to be free.  I guess he was 1/3  correct for the short term since Cucina will be free.  More than likely through September while still at reduced capacity.

[SNJCruisers]

2 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

If passengers quit paying extra for all of them, they will all turn to included options. Paying extra only leads to reduced included options.

That will happen when the bars are empty as well as the casino.

[cruisingguy007]

26 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

That will happen when the bars are empty as well as the casino.

Apples and oranges. 

[SNJCruisers]

1 hour ago, cruisingguy007 said:

Apples and oranges. 

People will always pay extra for what they want.  It could be the Cheers package for those that like to imbibe on vacation.  Or pay food venues for those that like to eat something prepared to order instead of on an assembly line in the MDR.  Or those that like the ambiance of relaxing in the Havana area.  

As long as Carnival offers it, there will be people that will pay for it.  It's why cruises are not all inclusive.   Some people will cruise, eat in the buffet or MDR, drink lemonade and iced tea , prepay their tips and have a zero sail n sign balance.   Others, will happily pay extra for what makes them happy.

[cruisingguy007]

27 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

People will always pay extra for what they want.  It could be the Cheers package for those that like to imbibe on vacation.  Or pay food venues for those that like to eat something prepared to order instead of on an assembly line in the MDR.  Or those that like the ambiance of relaxing in the Havana area.  

As long as Carnival offers it, there will be people that will pay for it.  It's why cruises are not all inclusive.   Some people will cruise, eat in the buffet or MDR, drink lemonade and iced tea , prepay their tips and have a zero sail n sign balance.   Others, will happily pay extra for what makes them happy.

 

Of course. They'll charge extra for whatever passengers let them get away with. Simple as that. Every extra charge lowers the value of your cruise vacation investment, raises your costs and puts more money in the cruise lines pockets. Win for them.  

[SNJCruisers]

11 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Of course. They'll charge extra for whatever passengers let them get away with. Simple as that. Every extra charge lowers the value of your cruise vacation investment, raises your costs and puts more money in the cruise lines pockets. Win for them.  

It's the same way with every mass market cruise line. It's totally up to you to spend nothing or spend extra for something that enhances your experience.  If you don't want to put more money in the cruise lines coffers, accept what you get with the basic cruise package and live with it.

[cruisingguy007]

1 minute ago, SNJCruisers said:

It's the same way with every mass market cruise line. It's totally up to you to spend nothing or spend extra for something that enhances your experience.  If you don't want to put more money in the cruise lines coffers, accept what you get with the basic cruise package and live with it.

 

You forgot the most important one, vote with your wallet and find a better value that already has an enhanced experience included. 

[Joe817]

2 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

It's the same way with every mass market cruise line. It's totally up to you to spend nothing or spend extra for something that enhances your experience.  If you don't want to put more money in the cruise lines coffers, accept what you get with the basic cruise package and live with it.

^^^^^THIS! It makes perfect sense to me. When I'm cruising, I expect to pay more for what I've paid for my cruise. And I do. Willingly. The staff works their butts off, and I'm willing to show my appreciation. And I do. Quite often. 

[SNJCruisers]

2 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

You forgot the most important one, vote with your wallet and find a better value that already has an enhanced experience included. 

That's why I took the Carnival blinders off years ago and cruised on other lines that were a better value to me.  The first reason I came back to Carnival was because of the Havana area on the Horizon.  And now the second reason is what is being offered on the two Excellence Class ships.  All of the smaller ships in the fleet are permanently in my rear view mirror.

The Edge Class on Celebrity,  the Prima Class on NCL, the Seaside EVO Class on MSC are all examples of ships that I see value in.