what is the point in the speciality restaurants?

[cruzerfornow]

I dont think we should be comparing Princess with McDonalds.

 

Each passenger should get equal service not matter what stateroom they are in or where they choose to eat.

 

If it comes down to that then why not go back to the old days of 1st class' date=' 2nd class etc on ships?

 

My point is on a ship each passenger shouldnt have to pay extra just to get decent service. It should be a given.

 

Land based eateries I would expect different levels of service depending on where I chose to eat. Just not a ship where everyone is equal.

 

Service on Princess or any other line should be equal across the board.

 

With that said, and as I said in the previous post, I do agree the extra money would be worth it for the atmosphere, quiet and smaller more cozy dining experience.[/quote']

 

I know this is the Princess board but you did mention ALL cruises lines...and NO everyone is NOT equal on a cruise ship...on several lines if you book a suite you will have a butler but you obviously will not with an inside cabin and there are MANY things on all lines that seperate pax and the perks they enjoy such as the number of cruises they have taken with that particular line so as you can see a cruise ship just like everything else in life evryone is not equal..

[AZAaronBoy]

Children are not banned from the specialty restaurants, if that is what you are asking. We have just found that few are ready to pay the service charge for a child, as I don't think there is a lower rate for children. Therefore, you see very few, even teens, in the specialty restaurants.

 

I don't remember the effective date but I did see an announcement from Princess offering lower prices on specialty dining for kids. I think it was young kids were free and young to tweens 1/2 price. Teenagers were the same as adults. (Left out ages because I don't really remember, but I do remember the free & 1/2 price part)

[junglejane]

We have not yet tried the specialty restaurants. I take it "no kid zone" means children are not welcome??

Karen

 

We have taken our daughters (ages 6 and 10) to Sterling Steakhouse. We have also taken the 10 year old to Sabatini's. I am aware of no age restrictions in these restaurants, and in both cases our daughters were treated wonderfully by the staff. Sabatini's is a slower paced dinner, and we knew our 6 year old wouldn't enjoy the pace or the food. But our 10 year old loved the experience and is already looking forward to repeating it on the Golden Princess.

 

Also, in both instances we dined early and the restaurants were far from full.

 

--Junglejane

[BruceMuzz]

Cruisin Ron,

 

Although this is the Princess Board, most of the special "First Class" perks I listed are offered by nearly all the mass market cruise lines. But they don't advertise them. The only people who know about them are those who qualify. I am sailing on a ship right now where our top VIP and his family were flown to the region in a private jet and transferred to my ship by helicopter. They will depart by helicopter and then private jet in a few days, all compliments of my company.

 

You may be surprised to learn that the mass market cruise line that offers the most "First Class" perks is NCL. Several of their ships feature a spectacular 10,000 square foot cabin with formal dining table and private outdoor garden that is often given gratis to top VIPs. Most of the perks I posted earlier come with that cabin. You will never see nor find the private dining rooms and private casino areas that they will be using.

 

But back to the dining issue. Despite what many cruisers might think, cruise ship dining rooms and service - at their best - are rarely better than a mediocre wedding reception dinner. Producing mass quantities of food all at one time - and serving it all at one time - precludes reaching any great levels of quality or service. Lucky for us that many of today's cruisers are not as discriminating as their counterparts were a few decades ago.

 

Preparing and serving individual plates is where the quality begins to show. Charging extra for specialty restaurants allows us to use higher quality ingredients and much nicer service equipment. It also affords us the luxury of providing additional (and better) service staff to ensure that the diners in those restaurants have a superior experience.

 

Is a Rolls-Royce better than a Volkswagen?

Some would say "yes".

There are others who don't see much difference - except the price.

[PescadoAmarillo]

Specialty restaurants are now half price for children up to a certain age (I can't remember exactly what it is...12?).

[coiran]

Although this is the Princess Board, most of the special "First Class" perks I listed are offered by nearly all the mass market cruise lines. But they don't advertise them. The only people who know about them are those who qualify. I am sailing on a ship right now where our top VIP and his family were flown to the region in a private jet and transferred to my ship by helicopter. They will depart by helicopter and then private jet in a few days, all compliments of my company.

 

It was a top VP in your company and the Jet service was provided by your company - Where does the cruiseline perks fit in here??

 

Ron

[MercedMike]

Anyone who thinks that there is not a very rigid class system on cruise ships is living in a fantasy world.

Since the American public doesn't want to actually see a class system (except on the airlines), it is carefully disguised to keep them happy.

 

Someone in a top suite (First Class) on nearly any cruise ship has a completely different cruise than those in the "Economy Cabins"

 

Some of the perks for our "First Class" Passengers:

Limousine service between ship and airport, complimentary hotel stays pre and post cruise, check-in in the cabin instead of in the terminal, personal escort onto the ship at embark, private cocktails in the Captain's Cabin, joining the Captain on the Bridge for sailaway, dinner with the Hotel Manager in the Hotel Manager's Cabin, private exclusive shore tours, private exclusive tenders to shore, reserved seats at the shows, private massages in the cabin, private dinners in the cabin, elegant gifts from the president of the cruise line, private casino, exclusive personalized menus, complimentary bars in their cabins, cover charges waived at specialty restaurants, duty free shopping in the cabin, exclusive butler, exclusive concierge, ship's mobile telephones to call for services. There are many more.

 

Does this sound like a class system to you?

 

I Begya Poddon??

 

Where in the world did you get those ideas? Not on any ship I ever cruised in a suite on.

[MercedMike]

Just an extra profit centre for Princess (Carnival), if you're happy to pay extra they are happy to take it from you.

 

UMM, yep -- it's called the Free Market System and is a hallmark of western democracy. God bless extra profits!

[cruzerfornow]

UMM, yep -- it's called the Free Market System and is a hallmark of western democracy. God bless extra profits!

 

Here, here!!! And to all you compainers of corporations (cruise line corporations too) that are always mad that someone is making too much profit off of you when it is YOUR choice to use those services i will personally use my extra profits to buy you a bus ticket and boat ride to Cuba! :D

[BruceMuzz]

Most everyone reading this has flown on long-haul flights where those peoiple up in First Class received some rather outrageous food, beverage, and other amenities that you knew nothing about.

 

I flew First Class from Seoul to Dallas on Korean Air a few weeks ago and was served a very nice Krug Vintage Champagne that runs about US$350 a bottle at my neighborhood wine shop. My seat had the newest model of Bose noise cancelling headphones. I told the Purser how much I liked them. They gave me a set to take home. Retail price = US$500.

 

Many Hotels and Cruise Ships operate in exactly the same way. But most of the average public never sees it. The Airlines, Hotels, and Cruise Lines realize that it would probably upset more people than it would impress, so they keep it hidden "behind the curtain".

 

But isn't it great that the average Joe can get a tiny taste of that on a Cruise Ship by paying just a token cover charge to get into a relatively upscale restaurant without buying an upscale cabin.

[Toto2Kansas]

Someone in a top suite (First Class) on nearly any cruise ship has a completely different cruise than those in the "Economy Cabins"

 

Some of the perks for our "First Class" Passengers:

Limousine service between ship and airport, complimentary hotel stays pre and post cruise, check-in in the cabin instead of in the terminal, personal escort onto the ship at embark, private cocktails in the Captain's Cabin, joining the Captain on the Bridge for sailaway, dinner with the Hotel Manager in the Hotel Manager's Cabin, private exclusive shore tours, private exclusive tenders to shore, reserved seats at the shows, private massages in the cabin, private dinners in the cabin, elegant gifts from the president of the cruise line, private casino, exclusive personalized menus, complimentary bars in their cabins, cover charges waived at specialty restaurants, duty free shopping in the cabin, exclusive butler, exclusive concierge, ship's mobile telephones to call for services. There are many more.

 

Does this sound like a class system to you?

 

WOW! I missed almost all of these perks in our last suite on Princess. The only two I can remember were private dinners delivered to our cabin (off of the diningroom menu) and a complimentary bar (which we get anyway being Elite with Princess no matter if we booked and inside or a full suite). I think maybe you are posting on the wrong cruise board? Princess does not give these amenities to passengers booking full suites on their ships. Hummmmmmmmmmmm, in fact, don't think I have ever heard of any cruise line out there that does. But sounds like fun to me. ;) ;)

[sultan_sfo]

Besides the marginally better service and food in the Specialty Restaurants, we found it great for dining with a large group -- with new found friends on the ship. Anytime dining can be a hassle with 10 or more dining together but Specialty Restaurants, if not full, are able to arrange it cheerfully.

[BruceMuzz]

When I worked for Sun Cruises in Asia a few years ago, one of my duties was delivering complimentary cases (plural) of vintage 1945 Chateau LaTour to some of our VIP cabins. Our wholesale cost was just over US$2,000 a bottle.

I did this every week.

 

On my ship this week (mass-market, but not princess), we have one family that has booked 16 suites of varying categories. They have dropped about a half million dollars in our casino at this point, and spent about a quarter million dollars at the art auction.

 

Do you think they are getting the same treatment, food, and services as the folks who booked the inside cabins?

Not a chance.

[Cruisin' Ron VA]

I am not sure why you are being so vauge Bruce. But I think I better just get out my old salt shaker in this particular case.

[Toto2Kansas]

When I worked for Sun Cruises in Asia a few years ago, one of my duties was delivering complimentary cases (plural) of vintage 1945 Chateau LaTour to some of our VIP cabins. Our wholesale cost was just over US$2,000 a bottle.

I did this every week.

 

On my ship this week (mass-market, but not princess), we have one family that has booked 16 suites of varying categories. They have dropped about a half million dollars in our casino at this point, and spent about a quarter million dollars at the art auction.

 

Do you think they are getting the same treatment, food, and services as the folks who booked the inside cabins?

Not a chance.

 

But may I ask what the heck this has to do with Princess Cruise lines?

[bdjam]

Do you think they are getting the same treatment, food, and services as the folks who booked the inside cabins?

Not a chance.

And they shouldn't get the same treatment. The reason there's an extra tariff on the specialty restaurants - sometimes called a service charge - is for the increased quality of service and product. The premise of equal service is still part of the Princess fleet – assuming everything else, including cost, is equal. If you want something a little more elaborate, you pay a little extra. I totally get it.

[dclark]

It is no secret that people who gamble a lot get perks. But, s what? NV (where I live) has doen this for years. Take a $1,000 from a guy, but give him a free dinner. Take $10,000 from him, but give him a free suite. It isn't like they are getting it free. I know that on some of the CCL three day cruises, people who gamble a lot will be offered free cruises on the same ship in the future- sorry, but that doesn't appeal to my sense of logic.

Back to the topic- there always seems to be a night on every ship where the menu isn't appealing, or the food is known to be just nasty. On RCL, this was half the week, on CCL, it was the beef wellignton night. In both cases, going to the super club is a good idea, plus the food quality is much better than anything in the main dining room.

With princess, there is only one night where I'd consider going to Sterlings, but even then, the anytime menu is pretty good. I have $200 in ship board credit; maybe I'll just spend it on booze...

[royalcruz]

For us, eating in specialty restaurants is a good way to break up the monotany of the dining room meals, and to eat better quality food. On a cruise of 5 nights or less, we don't bother. We were on the CB last week, and tried both specialty restaurants. DH only eats fish and found the fish in Sterling to be dry, needing sauce. The filet mignon was delicous, moist and tender. We both had the fish in Sabitini's, and it was one of the best dishes we have ever had. We also loved the white chocolate dessert in Sabitini's. All of the fish dishes in the dining rooms were dry and tasteless, and the beef filet tournados were way too salty. The fettucini was the only dish that I enjoyed there. We went to the Caribe buffet a few times for dinner, so that we could just taste small amounts of more items. Contrary to what I have read on earlier posts, there were no tableclothes, and the menu items weren't the same as the dining rooms. Service was good everywhere. The specialtiy restaurants were quiet and relaxing, and Sabitini's was a beautiful setting. We will return to Sabitini's on another voyage.

[dforeigner]

Higher level of service?

 

Shouldnt passengers be getting that no matter where they eat? :confused:

 

Other than that I would agree that the atmosphere' date=' the quiet, the no kid zone is great. Its smaller and more cozy.[/quote']

 

Yes they should. But the Specialty Restaurants are usually not as busy as the regular restaurants. Therefore, the wait staff can afford to spend more time with each table. You are also paying extra for this Service. We also had personalized service at the main restaurants as well.

[gingerwolf]

am i missing something, dont you all get limo's and private jets???/

 

 

maybe its just the english that gets this

[maitaiguy]

It may sound like that but it's really not. We've enjoyed the food in the dining room but the experience at Sabatini's was exceptional. It was definitely worth the 20 dollars per person charge. (Please Princess, if you are reading this, don't raise the price.....)

 

On Caribbean Princess we tried Sabatini's during the first formal night, hearing we were missing the lobster in the dining rooms. We really didn't care, we had such a great experience. I will tell you that other people opted for the free lobster. We had Sabatini's almost to ourselves and the ship was completely sold out. We had five or six waiters serving us because of all the empty tables.

 

Later in the week we tried Sterling Steakhouse. It was okay but we really should have gone back to Sabatini's instead. That is what we will do on our next cruise on Princess. I wouldn't mind eating at Sabatini's at least twice during a week long cruise....now which ship should I book. No future cruise booked yet on Princess but now I'm really starting to think about it.

[coiran]

Brucemuz - it appears that you work for a cruiseline - in what capacity I could care less - but - think about it - do you think the VP of a cruiseline would fly coach and wait in line with all of the other pax to check in - Get a Life - or are you related to the infamous "TONY"?

 

Ron

[NSWP]

Maitaguy..mentions 'free lobster' in the dining room ? Huh, not free old boy, all paid for in your fare, nothing free on the ships, you pay for all of it, lobster, icecream, iced tea, all in your fare. So why pay Carnival more $ for eating in another place when you pay big bucks to get on the ship?

 

These 'special restaurants' are just a money spinner for Carnival.:confused:

 

I have done some lengthy cruises as you can see, never have, never will pay any extra for my tucker on board, pay enough as it is.

 

Cheers..Les from Oz:cool:

[pris993]

After reading on here how good the service and food is whats the point in paying for a speciality restaurant? sounds like a waste of money to me.

 

You are right!! It is just another way the cruiseline trys to get you to spend more. We have eaten in a speciality restaurant twice. Once while on ascruise from Vancouver and the "sunset" was worth it. Another we received a coupon from our TA, it was okay not outstanding, would not pay extra for it

 

Tried to book on our recent Holy Land cruise while in the Greek Islands, found we could not book a specific table in advance, so we skipped it entirely. If we pay extra, we expect to be able to reserve the table we want. They wanted to do it on a first come first service, who needs it.

 

We got just as good a dinner in the regular diningroom, so was a win for us. :)

[custompcsys]

:D

You may be surprised to learn that the mass market cruise line that offers the most "First Class" perks is NCL. Several of their ships feature a spectacular 10,000 square foot cabin with formal dining table and private outdoor garden that is often given gratis to top VIPs.

 

Hmmm....that's interesting, considering the "average" house is about 2500 square feet, and 5,000 - 6,000 square feet gets you into the big house range. Oh wait, I forgot...you need room for the private helipad and tender dock :D

 

Whatever drugs you're on, I want some!! :rolleyes: