Should Celebrity Change Their Dining Options ?

[KenC]

Meeting new dinner companions can be the highlight of a cruise and many lifelong friendships have been made this way. The same can be said of having the same waiters. Why change yet another traditional aspect of cruising and make taking a cruise like any other resort holiday - leave the dining room alone!!!

[dbh62ark]

Host Andy, I find it interesting that while I'm sure this poll is likely not a representative sample of all passengers, the opinions are split basically 50/50 (half for some sort of change and half against). We cruise Europe every year and considering the luggage limitations and focus on ports, I would like to see formal night abolished or some sort of alternative for the many like us who would prefer additional choices.

 

Happy travels to all,

Donna

[Wilcoam]

I am sailing the Xpedition in Sept. I believe they have an open seating and open dining policy. So X already does this (lol), albeit on a very small level.

 

I recently tried Princess for the first time. Since we are used to set dining times via X, we elected to do the same. We had no problem getting the seating we wanted, and those whose choose traditional seemed just as happy as those who choose anytime. I don't see why X or HAl can't do both. I don't see the big deal. a choice is nice...

 

I'm trying NCL in Jan. Ok I'm cheating. I'm in a Garden Courtyard Suite, so I have a conceirge to make all the dining times. I'm Spoiled (lol), but I am darn curious to see how that will work and what no suite holders say about the process.

 

Being 'YOUNG', and an avid cruiser, I'm the kind of pax, all the lines want

and are starting to market too. My group is their 'future'. In this sense, just getting wi-fi on X ship's, modernizing the spa, the beds, the speed of the ships, more balconies, I really don't see the big deal with experimenting with chocie of dining, or relaxing the dress codes either (see ya 'informal'-lol. Cruising isn't suppsoed to be stuck in an era, kust like life it changes evry 5 years or so, and X, HAl etc, know this, in order to compete and attract new pax.

 

jc

Toronto

[Sekhmet]

Host Andy, I find it interesting that while I'm sure this poll is likely not a representative sample of all passengers, the opinions are split basically 50/50 (half for some sort of change and half against). We cruise Europe every year and considering the luggage limitations and focus on ports, I would like to see formal night abolished or some sort of alternative for the many like us who would prefer additional choices.

 

Happy travels to all,

Donna

 

You could also argue that two thirds do NOT want anytime dining at all (the stick-as-we-ares and the traditional-but-more-times). That's a problem with polls - everybody interprets the results differently. Who was it said "there are lies, damned lies and statistics"?:)

[BarbaraB2]

Anytime dining is our choice, without hesitation!! We've cruised more than a dozen times and, yes, the service on Celebrity wins over Princess and NCL! However, we favor flexibility over fixed dining times and have found the overall service on these options to be good too. To those who say that Celebrity already offers other dining options, I say, other than eating in your cabin or paying extra for 'premier' restaurants, the food selections are very limited and do not compare to dinner buffets offered elsewhere. Celebrity needs to get with the program and offer BOTH traditional AND open dining.

[dbh62ark]

I respectfully disagree.

 

My best two cruises ever were on Regent/Radisson. Open dining and fabulous food and service. Other true luxury lines offer open dining as well.

And to add to this statement, Oceania. We sailed that line last year and found the food to be far superior to our recent Celebrity Millennium sailing, and the service was great. Oceania has open seating for dining and is a great alternative for those who don't care about glitzy shows--which were pitiful on our Millennium Med sailing anyway--or lots of action at the casino.

 

Donna

[dbh62ark]

I have to agree with all of the other posters who pointed out that Celebrity already has the choice of 'anytime' dining, with room service, the specialty restaurants on the larger ships, and the casual dining area in the buffet.

Having sailed a number of different lines with more flexible dining alternatives, I have to say that Celebrity's "alternatives" are very weak compared to their competitors. It's just not the same at all.

 

Donna

[dbh62ark]

You could also argue that two thirds do NOT want anytime dining at all (the stick-as-we-ares and the traditional-but-more-times). That's a problem with polls - everybody interprets the results differently. Who was it said "there are lies, damned lies and statistics"?:)

As I said, the statistics clearly indicate that approx 1/2 are voting for some sort of change. That's not subject to misinterpretation.

 

Donna

[Lois R]

Having sailed a number of different lines with more flexible dining alternatives, I have to say that Celebrity's "alternatives" are very weak compared to their competitors. It's just not the same at all.

 

Donna

 

Hi Donna:) what is weak to one person is not weak to another....;)

I guess the poll is what it is.....a poll......interesting to see

how we all enjoy different things!

[dbh62ark]

Hi Donna:) what is weak to one person is not weak to another....;)

Okay, for clarification, I found Celebrity's "alternatives" to be fewer in number and in quality as compared to their competitors on our cruises.

 

Happy travels,

Donna

[Lois R]

Hi:) yes, it is less...and your assessment is correct in the amount

of offerings.....(or lesser amount).

I was trying to put a little humor on here;) :D ...sorry.

 

For me, there are enough choices. For other folks there doesn't

seem to be...as I said, we all have different priorities on things.

I really wasn't trying to be rude or anything:)

Just my take........

[caviargal]

Okay, for clarification, I found Celebrity's "alternatives" to be fewer in number and in quality as compared to their competitors on our cruises.

 

Happy travels,

Donna

 

Donna, I agree that the options for those not wanting the fixed dining times are not appealing. At $30pp, the specialty restaurants are not really something I consider as an alternative since the charge is fairly high.

 

Now that RCI is experimenting with open dining on one ship and HAL has implemented on most of their vessels, I daresay X cannot afford to be far behind. I would lay bets that Solstice will indeed be offering new dining options, including at least one venue where a nice dinner can be enjoyed during a range of times and without additional charge. Those are both requirements, IMO, for dining options to be considered a true alternative to the traditional fixed seatings.

[dbh62ark]

Hi:) yes, it is less...and your assessment is correct in the amount

of offerings.....(or lesser amount).

I was trying to put a little humor on here;) :D ...sorry.

 

For me, there are enough choices. For other folks there doesn't

seem to be...as I said, we all have different priorities on things.

I really wasn't trying to be rude or anything:)

Just my take........

Oh, no apology necessary. :) I can respect the fact that others have different opinions, and I can see that you do too.

 

Donna

[dbh62ark]

Now that RCI is experimenting with open dining on one ship and HAL has implemented on most of their vessels, I daresay X cannot afford to be far behind. I would lay bets that Solstice will indeed be offering new dining options, including at least one venue where a nice dinner can be enjoyed during a range of times and without additional charge. Those are both requirements, IMO, for dining options to be considered a true alternative to the traditional fixed seatings.

I think so too. I know Celebrity has lost some of our revenue over this issue and have heard many comments to that effect from other passengers. It's a shame that so many board members (not Lois but others) are so adamantly opposed to some sort of compromise because I do think it's coming sooner or later. When we cruise in the Caribbean, which is not the norm for us because we go on longer trips to destinations further away to escape from our offices for as long as possible--ha!, we enjoy the formal dining at a more relaxed pace. But in Europe, it's all about the ports and the places you visit. When we sailed from Venice to Barcelona on May 25th, the timing of formal nights was insane, but there weren't a lot of scheduling options with a busy port schedule. We sailed from Venice at 3:00 and had scenic sailing until approx 4:00 p.m., so of course we were out enjoying that. Formal dinner was at 6:15. That was not enjoyable. Our last formal night was in Villefranche, where the ship was in port until 8:00 p.m. So you choose between spending more time on the French Riviera as opposed to rushing back to the ship to dress up for a formal night that you don't even want to go to? Those who were on late seating didn't have good options either due to early port calls. These are not the kind of choices I want to have to make on vacation, so two thumbs down here! And for those who want to be "superior" and tell us to choose another cruise line, I can only say that Celebrity is glad to have our $$. I don't have a problem with the continuation of formal night for those who want to participate in that, so I have a hard time understanding why others are so intolerant of passengers who don't want the same things (as shown by some of the comments on these boards).

 

:) Donna

[floridacruisers]

After 18 cruises on ...X.. we prefer the traditional dining. You always have alternative dining available to you and now there's sushi and other goodies too

. I like it when my waiter or waitress knows my likes and dislikes. Don't have to keep asking for extra breadsticks after the first night.

[BarbaraB2]

Why isn't it possible to offer BOTH options? 'Traditionalists' are entitled to their preferences the same way as those of us who want flexibility? Why would people oppose this??:confused:

[rucruizin]

The one time I did Personal Choice dining on Princess, I HATED it! I would never choose that option again. All I heard on the Princess boards was how everyone was wait listed for traditional.

 

I'll stick with tradition, tradition works for me.

[bobbyleduck]

Don't you think it's nice to have different ships and cruiselines that cater to different tastes? Why should all cruiselines be the same? There seem to be enough people interested in the various ships, with the variety of dining, entertainment, activity and ports. I don't want Celebrity to make the change because it is impossible to do everything and do it well.

 

In fact, I would suggest that if some of the options that are currently available on Celebrity were eliminated it might make for even better dining in the main restaurants. I think those in charge of food tend to be stretched a bit thin, and that can show up in both preparation and service.

 

Do one thing, do it better than anybody else, and the world will beat a path to your door. Somebody said something similar to this one time, and I agree.

 

What do you all think? Anybody agree, or disagree?

 

Happy cruising to all!

 

Bob

[peterm]

I don't see the problem with offering a choice like Princess and others do it - keep one dining room for the traditional dining with formal evenings and have a second dining room with anytime dining and maybe even smart casual dress code. This way, the conservative customers will be happy in "their" dining room and the new cruise generation can enjoy a more relaxed vacation.

 

Celebity's offer with the cafeteria style dining is not an alternative for guests who like a nice dining room, but want to be free to choose their dining time.

[Drew B]

Why isn't it possible to offer BOTH options? 'Traditionalists' are entitled to their preferences the same way as those of us who want flexibility? Why would people oppose this??:confused:

 

I think that traditionalists fear that they will lose what they love if anything changes at all. I understand the fear.

[cruisinelsewhere]

Why isn't it possible to offer BOTH options? 'Traditionalists' are entitled to their preferences the same way as those of us who want flexibility? Why would people oppose this??:confused:

 

 

I surely hope Celebrity does not veer away from traditional dining. For those who prefer more flexibility there are more cruise lines out there that offer it. Celebrity's dining and dress codes appeal to those of us who choose to cruise with them.....They are doing it well and hopefully will remain true to brand.

[Drew B]

I surely hope Celebrity does not veer away from traditional dining. For those who prefer more flexibility there are more cruise lines out there that offer it. Celebrity's dining and dress codes appeal to those of us who choose to cruise with them.....They are doing it well and hopefully will remain true to brand.

 

I understand where you're coming from, but people who want otherwise aren't necessarily trying to eliminate traditional dining. To them, it makes no sense that you would mind having another option as well. If you don't want to take advantage of the open seating option, don't! The traditional option will still exist.

 

It's almost like if I didn't like Bingo and I tried to tell everybody who liked bingo that they should choose a different line and keep bingo off of X. That is ridiculous. If I don't like bingo, I can just stay away...

[bobbyleduck]

I think that traditionalists fear that they will lose what they love if anything changes at all. I understand the fear.

 

You've completely missed the point. I can't say this with enough emphasis: It isn't possible to be all things to all people. There are plenty of cruiselines that have changed, and that is wonderful, but why is it necessary that every cruiseline change?

 

I have nothing against all the cruiselines that have felt the need to create something different when it comes to dining. I would, however, appreciate it if there would remain one cruiseline, Celebrity, dedicated to making the traditional dining experience something that stands out.

 

Why are you so interested in changing this one cruiseline, when you have plenty to choose from that have already changed?

 

Happy cruising to all!

 

Bob

[bobbyleduck]

I understand where you're coming from, but people who want otherwise aren't necessarily trying to eliminate traditional dining. To them, it makes no sense that you would mind having another option as well. If you don't want to take advantage of the open seating option, don't! The traditional option will still exist.

 

It's almost like if I didn't like Bingo and I tried to tell everybody who liked bingo that they should choose a different line and keep bingo off of X. That is ridiculous. If I don't like bingo, I can just stay away...

 

Dear Drew:

 

It is a completely different thing with food. I'm sure you've visited buffets and I'm sure you've noticed that the one thing missing from a buffet is quality. There are plenty of options, and plenty of food, but there is little room for quality. The more a cruiseline has to focus on, regarding food, the less likely any of it is going to be great. This has already happened across the broad spectrum that is cruising.

 

As I said earlier, I would prefer that Celebrity scale back the alternatives it already has, so that the food preparation people can put more effort into providing an excellent traditional dining experience.

 

Happy cruising to all!

 

Bob

[DeepWaterMariner]

Bobbyleduck, I agree that traditional dinning gives a cruise line the best chance to offer their best quality. Traditional dinning is designed to feed all the passengers in the most regimented and efficient way. Unfortunately the downside is inflexible dinning hours and wait lists when a particular sitting gets over subscribed. In a perfect world we could have flexibility and optimum quality. If multiple dinning rooms (or levels in the same dinning room) are available to support two approaches, one traditional and one open sitting, there are many cruisers that will take their chances on the quality if they can gain the flexibility to eat when they want. I'm sure the cruise lines would love to have all traditional dinning but the realities of competition drive what they actually do.