Mardi Gras...Completely Paperless...Sort Of...

[CaptainBazz]

So we are just back from the Mardi Gras NYE cruise and had a fabulous time...great ship...great bars...lots of good food...and great entertainment.

The one annoying thing for me was that there were no hard copy menus in the restaurants and at the bars. You had to use your phone to view menus. Now I use my phone all the time at home...but when on a cruise without internet I have no need to carry it around on the ship...but on this cruise I had to. 

 

On the other hand, every time we got a drink we had to sign a receipt...a complete waste of paper especially as we had the drinks package and there were huge piles of these receipts behind the bar from everyone signing...and we also received a paper copy of our bill at the end of the cruise when I could easily download it.

What's everyone's thought on this...do you prefer hard copy menus or digital?

 

[ColeThornton]

Did you ask for a hard copy of the dinner menus?  Hard to believe they wouldn't have some available since not everyone has a smart phone.

[Elaine5715]

I got hard copies at every bar and restaurant on Mardi Gras in May.  

[hapytobehr]

They have them-you just have to ask.

[Drazil65]

We were on MG the week before Christmas and we asked for paper menus in all the restaurants we ate in.  No issue or pushback and as a matter of fact, in Rudi's, the server asked if we would prefer a paper menu (we had not had a chance to get our phone out yet) before we asked.  I did notice many of the other passengers had paper menus in Rudi's as well that night. 

 

 We tend to read the menus ahead of time anyway either online or at some point during the day as we are walking around the ship and have a pretty good idea what we will order.  

[CaptainBazz]

I guess I wasn't pushy enough to get a hard copy in the restaurants but the bars were so busy they always said no.

[ninjacat123]

We were able to access a menu at the Alchemy Bar on Pride this October. It was always available, which I like but I always order the same drink 🤣

[RoperDK]

I'm glad that menus are available if you ask for them.  I guess I'm old fashioned, but I like to peruse the menu before ordering.  Lol, we always look over the menu before going to the MDR and I basically have an idea of what I'm going to order.  Somehow though, I do change my mind once I sit down and physically look at the menu. 

[CeleBrat]

1 hour ago, ninjacat123 said:

We were able to access a menu at the Alchemy Bar on Pride this October. It was always available, which I like but I always order the same drink 🤣

 

OMG!  LOVE LOVE LOVE that dress!

 

Signed, CeleBrat, who is a fellow fashionista

[ninjacat123]

8 minutes ago, CeleBrat said:

 

OMG!  LOVE LOVE LOVE that dress!

 

Signed, CeleBrat, who is a fellow fashionista

Me too😁 I got it at CabanaLife.com. Go get it CeleBrat👍

[Lee Cruiser]

We prefer the menus on the app. We can view the whole menu for the week as soon as we board. We love the app for a lot of reasons.  I also prefer the menu on the app because it is much more sanitary than touching things that a lot of others have touched.  It's just an OCD thing for me 😀

[teknoge3k]

I know there are still some people who like the paper menus and everything else on paper. Personally I would prefer if it were 100% digital. Have all menus on the app, your boarding pass on the app just like Royal. No need to print anything. Even enable NFC within the app and do away with the sail & sign cards. Have it so you can open your cabin door with the app, just like hotels have done for 15+ years. I cannot tell you the last time I visited a hotel lobby to check in or get a key. I know it's been at least 15 years if not longer.

 

Of course, still keep the physical media for those who still need it. Just give those of us who prefer digital, the option of being 100% digital. 

[gopackgo21]

The reason the bars print receipts, even with the drink packages, is so you can tip. If the bars are busy, and you’re tipping still, I’m sure they’d pause to give you a menu or guide you to a drink you’d enjoy. 

[Elaine5715]

4 hours ago, gopackgo21 said:

The reason the bars print receipts, even with the drink packages, is so you can tip. If the bars are busy, and you’re tipping still, I’m sure they’d pause to give you a menu or guide you to a drink you’d enjoy. 

It is for inventory control. 

[Stallion]

22 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

We were able to access a menu at the Alchemy Bar on Pride this October. It was always available, which I like but I always order the same drink 🤣

Yeah I think you just wanted to show off the dress

[ninjacat123]

4 minutes ago, Stallion said:

Yeah I think you just wanted to show off the dress

I’m holding a menu, thus the context. And the dress is pretty😉

[starstruck05]

I was on the same cruise and was given paper menus without asking, especially at Chibang. I actually prefer digital! I did see SOME of the bars had paper menus but not all. Example Serenity bar had them hooked to the sofas and chairs near the bar but there were none to be found at the Casino bar. Alchemy had it on the app but I did see a paper one in passing. Agree it was an amazing cruise! 

[Colorado Beach Bum]

7 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

It is for inventory control. 

Ringing it in does the inventory, no need to print a receipt for that.  Just done for tip purposes and I have heard for when guests challenge a charge.  

[Elaine5715]

49 minutes ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

Ringing it in does the inventory, no need to print a receipt for that.  Just done for tip purposes and I have heard for when guests challenge a charge.  

Crew could be ringing in drinks all day and pour them out.  People who are paying per drink like to know costs.  

[Roscoe13]

12 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

I’m holding a menu, thus the context. And the dress is pretty😉

There was a menu in the picture? 

[ninjacat123]

3 hours ago, Roscoe13 said:

There was a menu in the picture? 

I’m holding it🤣🤣

[ray98]

I certainly am not against technology but restaurants are one place where I prefer a paper menu.  Browsing sections of the menu on the phone is simply not the same experience for me.  I will always ask for a paper copy.

[Oceansaway17]

just curious if you ever found any public trash cans besides what is next to coffee areas?

I did the Celebration and was very surprised no trash cans by elevators.  

 

Oh and never any sports on TV.  They want folks in the bars.  Very different things on CCL.

[CaptainBazz]

9 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

just curious if you ever found any public trash cans besides what is next to coffee areas?

I did the Celebration and was very surprised no trash cans by elevators.  

 

Oh and never any sports on TV.  They want folks in the bars.  Very different things on CCL.

Don't recall any next to the elevators but to be honest I wasn't looking. Lots of trash cans in the Java Cafe area and along most of the areas besides eateries and on the pool deck.

 

Lots of sports playing in the Pig and Anchor...but no where else.

 

[Oceansaway17]

Just now, CaptainBazz said:

Don't recall any next to the elevators but to be honest I wasn't looking. Lots of trash cans in the Java Cafe area and along most of the areas besides eateries and on the pool deck.

 

Lots of sports playing in the Pig and Anchor...but no where else.

 

and that is the point as other cruise lines will have a few by the elevators.

I asked and they told me never on CCL will they have them anywhere but near food.

Why even in the public restrooms on Celebration the trash is in each stall.