Multiple apps/entrees in the MDR?

[Merion_Mom]

On 5/21/2023 at 8:27 AM, Biker19 said:

Usually, and especially now with Liberty as CEO, it's likely seen as some cost cutting measure. Whenever you have a no cost option, folks will abuse it - so the few who would order 4 apps and touch maybe two of them, ruins it for everyone else who choose/eat sensibly.

 

I disagree with your reasoning.  Yes, cost cutting.  But not because people abuse it.

 

I think that Jason Cut-That-Budget Liberty is hoping that after eating your first served appetizer, you'll be too annoyed to wait for another, just go on to your entree and forget about it, even if you really wanted it.

[Biker19]

3 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

But not because people abuse it.

Probably not intentionally but as the saying goes folks have eyes bigger than their stomachs.

[Merion_Mom]

4 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Probably not intentionally but as the saying goes folks have eyes bigger than their stomachs.

 

Thank you, PopPop.  😄

 

[Morecruisesplz]

On 5/20/2023 at 4:42 PM, Cruise5life said:

I’m sure it will be very hot.  The good hot sauce.  

Body temperature 

[pcur]

I have found since 1/14/23 when they changed the menus and service policies, that if I ask for an entrée, and then ask for an appetizer-sized second entrée on the same plate, I have no issues getting them.  On the same plate seems to work.

 

I also eat only appetizers for dinner sometimes, because the limited selections and removal of the standard grilled salmon.  I don't want them all at once, so they just keep bringing me the next one.

 

My serious issues on the Enchantment in January, and the Grandeur in February were cold food (obviously not using the warming equipment), and (I think) new kitchen staff.  I ordered 4 entrees for dinner one night on the Grandeur, and the mushroom risotto with snow peas arrived cold with cold pea SOUP on top. It was the second of 4 orderd, and I gave up and went to the Windjammer for dinner.  

 

I REALLY hope things have improved by my next RCCL cruise.  I just got off a Princess cruise and not a single bite of bad food passed my lips.  The food EVERYWHERE was amazing.

Edited May 24, 2023 by pcur

[coaster]

The need to order dessert ahead of time is wasteful. Many times we are full and don't want it or have to leave earlier to do other things. Liked it better years ago when they asked you after your meal if you wanted dessert. Just a rush to get orders in now regardless of waste. Maybe the bean counters will change that as it would be a cost savings. I always order extra appetizers at the start as they seem to be better than the entrees many nights. They don't go to waste.

Edited May 24, 2023 by coaster

[Merion_Mom]

3 hours ago, coaster said:

The need to order dessert ahead of time is wasteful. Many times we are full and don't want it or have to leave earlier to do other things. Liked it better years ago when they asked you after your meal if you wanted dessert. Just a rush to get orders in now regardless of waste. Maybe the bean counters will change that as it would be a cost savings. I always order extra appetizers at the start as they seem to be better than the entrees many nights. They don't go to waste.

 

That's an easy problem to solve.  Tell your waiter that you don't want to order dessert until after your dinner.  Never an issue.

[mfars]

On Anthem in March, for us everything had to be served one at a time. Absolutely no way around this and it was very frustrating. However, we just got off Liberty and found the exact opposite, if we wanted 2 apps they were served together or on one plate if it was the same, entrees were put together, they were much more accommodating! I would say it depends on the ship/staff. 

[Husky1987]

On 5/21/2023 at 11:14 AM, Jimbo said:

What is the Royal thinking?

That as long as ships are sailing at over 100% capacity, all this complaining on CC really doesn't matter.

[Engineroom Snipe]

On 5/21/2023 at 9:35 AM, monorail81 said:

Just off Adventure. They wouldn’t bring two apps or entrees at once. We like to order an app each and share the escargots in the middle at the same time. Been doing that for many years. They would not bring the escargots until the other apps were done. Said Royal wanted the food to be served at the “correct temperature” (which was ironic considering the poached eggs on the Benedict in the morning were stone cold). ... (Edited by poster).... The new rule is just causing anger amongst the cruisers and more work for the waitstaff. 

 

My wife and I are not big quantity eaters but we like to do what you do: order an appetizer each and maybe split one such as escargots or calamari. Not a deal breaker for us certainly but I think the "you cannot have more food until you finish your plate" is condescending.

 

I could agree that one person saying, "I want one of everything" and not even touching some of the food served is unreasonable.

 

Not allowing two adults to order three appetizers at once seems petty.

[pcur]

8 hours ago, mfars said:

On Anthem in March, for us everything had to be served one at a time. Absolutely no way around this and it was very frustrating. However, we just got off Liberty and found the exact opposite, if we wanted 2 apps they were served together or on one plate if it was the same, entrees were put together, they were much more accommodating! I would say it depends on the ship/staff. 

Like I mentioned above, ASK for multiples on one plate.  It can be plated in the kitchen that way.

 

(I just reread my previous post, and started laughing.  I ordered 4 APPETIZERS for dinner on the Grandeur, NOT 4 entrees!)

Edited May 24, 2023 by pcur

[pcur]

6 hours ago, Husky1987 said:

That as long as ships are sailing at over 100% capacity, all this complaining on CC really doesn't matter.

They take what's said about them seriously on all social media. I've been with RCCL for over 50 years, and I've seen many changes come about from individuals en masse voicing the same opinion.

[Morecruisesplz]

8 minutes ago, pcur said:

They take what's said about them seriously on all social media. I've been with RCCL for over 50 years, and I've seen many changes come about from individuals en masse voicing the same opinion.

Some for the worse. CCers like to brag about work arounds and/or hack that worked. Then low and behold the option is banned by Royal. I'll bet you remember some of those. 😉

[c-leg5]

14 minutes ago, pcur said:

Like I mentioned above, ASK for multiples on one plate.  It can be plated in the kitchen that way.

 

(I just reread my previous post, and started laughing.  I ordered 4 APPETIZERS for dinner on the Grandeur, NOT 4 entrees!)

How does that not create extra work in the kitchen? Have you done a galley tour? I thought plating individual orders was what they were trying to avoid. If the appetizers are already individually plated why wouldn’t it be easier to pick up those?

[HappyTexan44]

14 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

How does that not create extra work in the kitchen? Have you done a galley tour? I thought plating individual orders was what they were trying to avoid. If the appetizers are already individually plated why wouldn’t it be easier to pick up those?

 

There is the conflict between Rules From Above and the inherent Do Guests Reasonable Requests in a service industry.   Rules From Above say Only One Plate At A Time.   Customer reasonably requests something like, "I'd like some shrimp cocktail at the same time as my Caesar salad because I'd like to put the shrimp ON the Caesar salad."  So they do what they can to do without violating the rules.  

 

ETA: The no individual plating bugs me enough that I wouldn't have gone with Royal for our starter cruise if I were booking right now.  Cruise is non-refundable and some friends decided to join us, so we are stuck.   

 

 

Edited May 25, 2023 by HappyTexan44

[pcur]

19 hours ago, fredmdcruisers said:

Some for the worse. CCers like to brag about work arounds and/or hack that worked. Then low and behold the option is banned by Royal. I'll bet you remember some of those. 😉

The only one I remember is Flagger and his casino trick.

[LobsterStalker]

4 hours ago, HappyTexan44 said:

 

There is the conflict between Rules From Above and the inherent Do Guests Reasonable Requests in a service industry.   Rules From Above say Only One Plate At A Time.   Customer reasonably requests something like, "I'd like some shrimp cocktail at the same time as my Caesar salad because I'd like to put the shrimp ON the Caesar salad."  So they do what they can to do without violating the rules.  

 

ETA: The no individual plating bugs me enough that I wouldn't have gone with Royal for our starter cruise if I were booking right now.  Cruise is non-refundable and some friends decided to join us, so we are stuck.   

 

 

I hear ya , these issues really P!$$ me off as well , but when I think of all the enjoyment/relaxation/rejuvenation that comes from cruising (for me)... There is no single issue that can ruin that for me . As much as I enjoy the dining aspect of a cruise , and see how many ways it is and has changed for the worse over the years , Still so much I enjoy that the experience is priceless.

 

Hmmm.... Priceless ? Well , that's another issue I guess , whether I get priced out by the wild price hikes as of late 

 

Cheers

[pcur]

19 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

How does that not create extra work in the kitchen? Have you done a galley tour? I thought plating individual orders was what they were trying to avoid. If the appetizers are already individually plated why wouldn’t it be easier to pick up those?

I have taken so many kitchen tours over 50 years that I won't take any more. 

 

Yes, they pre-plate as many as possible, but combining two appetizers together, or serving a smaller portion of an entree with a full portion of another, is something they will accommodate. 

 

The kitchen and serving staff are responsive to passengers' requests.  We are NOT at a predetermined banquet where no exceptions are allowed.  We ARE on a cruise in the main restaurant where they still make efforts to accommodate requests.

 

The requests we are discussing are what I have done for ME to accommodate THEIR changes in the menu and service.  I pay them, not the other way around.  And, my extra requests are inclusive with extra tipping, too.

[pcur]

4 hours ago, HappyTexan44 said:

Cruise is non-refundable and some friends decided to join us, so we are stuck.   

 

 

Just a reminder, you can move a cruise to another date for a $100 change fee.  I always do this, because I know I'm going to want to cruise again......................