$14.95 for STEAK???

The Big Booper · September 5, 2008

It appears that the FOS is the test ship for the pricey steak.

Assuming that RCCL management reads these boards, it appears the people have spoken! Down with the $14.95 steak in the MDR and down with any extra charges in the MDR for food.

The Oasis will have dozens of eating venues and who knows what the pricing, if any, will be at those spots. That is the future of cruising. Look at what NCL is doing, the MDR is included and there are surcharges upon surchages in the extra cost dining rooms.

skiiergirl · September 5, 2008

What we need here is a poll...

Where's Merion Mom???? she's good with those sort of things...:)

What I'm not seeing is any indication that this is a fleet-wide change?? So far, at least 1 sailing has reported this, possibly 2 - though I'm not entirely clear there and too damned lazy this morning to sift through the various pages to find it... I'm sure that "someone" who has nothing better to do can dredge up that post about another sailing that charged for steak...

I can say for certain that our sailing last week DID NOT charge extra for steak... the steak option was simply missing from the menu - though there were a few nights where beef was on the menu... and we splurged for Chops because we wanted filet...

I get that many feel this is an ominous sign of things to come - extra charges galore... though I guess I feel the argument of "where does it stop" is a tad too over-reactionary for me... though if it comes to pass, I'll eat those words (provided there's not a surcharge to do so) as an alternate menu selection... :rolleyes:

Damn I love the steak thread... :D It's like going to Costco and buying 200+ rolls of toilet paper - you just can't help yourself!

Actually, I think I did a poll similiar to what you are asking about a while back but I haven't searched for it.

See what you think about these options:

1. I would be willing to pay an additional $25 per person per night at time of final payment for upgraded dinners in the main dining room. (Upgraded appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts) (Everyone in party would have to go for this option.)

2. I would be willing to pay an additional $20-$25 per night per person as a nightly option for upgraded dinners in the main dining room. (Upgraded appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts) (Each individual person could choose.)

3. I would be willing to pay an additional $15 per person as a nightly option for a better quality entrée. (Each individual person could choose.)

4. I am not willing to pay any additional fees in the main dining room and will just choose from whatever is available on the menu. I will only pay additional fees if going to Chops/Portofinos.

5. We already pay extra every evening as we dine only in Chops/Portofinos every evening.

6. We eat at Windjammer, Seaview, Room Service, etc. every evening. (We do not ever go to dining room in the evening and do not pay the fee for the specialty restaurants.)

7. The cruiselines should just increase the fare to whatever $ amount it takes to provide “Chops” quality food in the dining room every evening.

If anyone wants to start a poll thread with these options (or additional/modified options) go ahead. If not, make some comments here and I will start one.

twoputt.plusone · September 5, 2008

I haven't seen a poll in a while but I think you choices (there we go AGAIN with those pesky choices) are limited to 5.

2P.P1

hulahoops · September 5, 2008

I was just on FOS and this is correct. The only steak on the menu is the $14.95 "Chops" steak. My husband and I thought it was very tacky.

skiiergirl · September 5, 2008

I haven't seen a poll in a while but I think you choices (there we go AGAIN with those pesky choices) are limited to 5.

2P.P1

I thought it was a max of 10 options but the system shows a max of 14 options for a poll.

katiel53 · September 5, 2008

I guess I am a RCI cheerleader in that I am not all ticked about paying $14.95 for steak. My husband is a very small eater and when we go to Chops/Portofino, to him it's a waste of money. Now, I can have the great steak without paying the full price for me. No where did I see where that the first formal night that had steak was no longer. All I have seen is that the steak from the alternative menu is no longer there. (If it is not on the formal night menu, then I have misunderstood that part.)

I have also seen the question as to if the steak from Chops is $14.95, is the rest of the food $5.05? My understanding is that Chops is $25 now up from the $20 it was last year when we were on Mariner.

If anyone reads CC frequently, one would notice that repeatedly people havv complained about the food. So many posted that they would be glad to pay extra for food that is better. Now that your wishes are granted, there is still a big fuss.

I am one who wishes things were ala carte, ie the children's program, the rock climbing, the ice skating etc. I don't use any of those "enhancements", but they are included in the fare. How about you that use them start paying for them just as I who prefer to have better food pay for it?

For all that feel they are being cheated etc., it is only a matter of time before almost all lines do the same. On NCL new builds, there is not going to even be a main dining room. All restaurants will be considered specialty restaurants.

To me, the handwriting is on the wall. If one doesn't wish to have the choices on RCI, one could still, for a while at least, sail other lines. RCI is not being sneaky, maybe they are just following what others have requested both on here and on the comment cards.

Be careful what one asks for as it just might happen.

LAnn · September 5, 2008

We've been on Carnival, and they offer great food at no extra charge. Royal Carribean charges much more, so it's hard to understand the justification.

We'll be going on our first cruise with RCCL in a few months. If the food is of poor quality with extra charges for items like steak, I can simply say definitively we will not be back. This kind of thing would particularly make my husband angry. I'm sure we'll be "wowed" by the ship, but once is enough.

lysolqn · September 5, 2008

If anyone reads CC frequently, one would notice that repeatedly people havv complained about the food. So many posted that they would be glad to pay extra for food that is better. Now that your wishes are granted, there is still a big fuss.

Excuse me, but if complaints about the food on RCCL have been on the increase, it seems to me management would find it to its own benefit to improve the food, not charge extra to upgrade to tastier offerings. Does this fall into the category of "the dumbing down of the cruise industry" or "the dumbing down of cruise passengers?"

skiiergirl · September 5, 2008

Everyone have a great weekend. Obviously this is one of those cases where "you are darned if you do and darned if you don't" "can please some of the people all of the time, some of the people part of the time, and some of the people none of the time" (or however those sayings go!). Anyway, Mr. Ski and I are both very pleased to hear about the $14.95 option (or at least the efforts on RC's part to start working on the food issues). I believe they are doing the best they can to work toward keeping cruising affordable for most folks with our current economical woes yet strive to give "options" to those that desire them. Yep...I typically am an RC cheerleader EXCEPT when it comes to food quality...but yes, I do cheer them here at least for the effort of trying to do something about the recent (unfortunately necessary) decline in food. Again, everyone have a great weekend!

Cruise Junky · September 5, 2008

Everyone have a great weekend. Obviously this is one of those cases where "you are darned if you do and darned if you don't" "can please some of the people all of the time, some of the people part of the time, and some of the people none of the time" (or however those sayings go!).

Ah, but they could have pleased everyone, they could have added the chops one for those that wanted a better option, but left the freebie on the menu for those that wanted steak. Not rocket science, but they thought better.

gambit57 · September 5, 2008

I like option 7. I'd prefer the build it into the price of the cruise fare. That way, I never see it. Plus, I highly doubt it'd cost them an extra $25/person/day to upgrade the food. Cruising used to be special cuz you had gourmet food and fancy service in the dining rooms. I hate having to try and budget for extra charges that might occur. I liked how cruising was all inclusive and you just had to budget for the initial cruise fare, and possibly alcohol.

Now, it's not too different from going to Applebees. And I realize they'd never do option 7. They're going to make cruising not very special and then dollar and $20 you to death in order to capture the old cruising experience.

dmndlil · September 5, 2008

So did they have a free alternative steak also, and then the "upgraded" one from Chops?

That appears to be the case...at least it was on the Majesty this last sailing.

temple1 · September 5, 2008

I like option 7. I'd prefer the build it into the price of the cruise fare. That way, I never see it. Plus, I highly doubt it'd cost them an extra $25/person/day to upgrade the food. Cruising used to be special cuz you had gourmet food and fancy service in the dining rooms. I hate having to try and budget for extra charges that might occur. I liked how cruising was all inclusive and you just had to budget for the initial cruise fare, and possibly alcohol.

I go with the cruise fare matching the level of service and food expected. I don't even have trouble with them having the additional charge restaurants on board - Some people want the special dining experience. But I really hate they would reduce available options to accomodate cut rate fares. If it costs $X to provide quality food and service, then by golly - charge $X. Don't charge $X-5 and then nickel and dime or cut the quality.

Merion_Mom · September 5, 2008

That appears to be the case...at least it was on the Majesty this last sailing.

I realize that it won't feed the September 5th frenzy, but I'll be on the Majesty as of September 12th, and I'll report that night.

Somehow, I think that this thread may still be going strong.............:rolleyes:

The Big Booper · September 5, 2008

I wasn't following this thread today after the tattooed lady appeared. So there are 2 ships involved in the experiment?

I think RCI is being hurt because they have to stay price competitive with the various Carnival brands. Carnival has 3 $$$$ advantages over RCI

1. They build the same ship over and over again and just change the mushrooms that Farcus ingests each time to get a different crazy look:D .

2. They squeeze more people on their various ships per GRT available than RCI.

and...

3. They limit food waste more efficiently, especially in the Lidos. On the Spirit class there is a tight 4 side serving area crammed into the middle of the congested seating area with no self service, so the servers can give out only the standard amount allowed. And on the other classes they use the old fashioned 2 cafeteria line set up for all the food except for the deli station and sushi station where there is no self service. All this prevents the food hogs from pitching the first platters after nibbling and going back for more heaping platters only to nibble again.

Brilliant. And nobody catches them on this.

Which is why they are more profitable but less desirable in many areas that are important to us.

RCI's new experimental method leaves the cost cutting out in the open where it is easy to spot.

Merion_Mom · September 5, 2008

I wasn't following this thread today after the tattooed lady appeared. So there are 2 ships involved in the experiment?

The poster who was on the Majesty was very specific that the "regular", "free" alternative steak was still on the menu, along with the "Chops" $14.95 steak.

The Freedom posters have stated that the Chops steak was the ONLY steak choice on the menu for all seven days.

The Big Booper · September 5, 2008

The poster who was on the Majesty was very specific that the "regular", "free" alternative steak was still on the menu, along with the "Chops" $14.95 steak.

The Freedom posters have stated that the Chops steak was the ONLY steak choice on the menu for all seven days.

OK Thanks.

Not that I ever eat steak out; I like it dead which means that it shrivels up when I order it in a restaurant, so I eat mostly fish and chicken.

Brad1185 · September 5, 2008

I guess the question is do you want the cruise line charging for meals in the main dining room. I dont

Anton · September 6, 2008

I guess the question is do you want the cruise line charging for meals in the main dining room. I dont

That is the heart of the matter. People are getting caught up in a debate over the steak quality and missing the point. The problem is the encroachment of extra charges into what used to be a safe haven from them - at least for food.

I remember when I started cruising the FAQ about food was answered with "your cruise fare includes all meals and snacks". Then it became "your cruise fare includes most meals". Now, assuming this experiment is considered a success and rolled out fleet-wide, it will be "your cruise fare includes most meals and some entrees".

I just reached diamond C&A level and I have to say this is quite disturbing to me. RCI can put all the extra-fee eateries they want on their ships. But they need to leave the MDR and Windjammer alone.

kingsgirl · September 6, 2008

Yeah, I agree with the above few posts....I'm all for options but I feel smothered already thinking that I'm losing options because now they are becoming pay for a steak or don't get one feeling...

Very odd to think of seeing a price on those DR menus...

Catnip · September 6, 2008

I remember when I started cruising the FAQ about food was answered with "your cruise fare includes all meals and snacks".

I do too. And soft drink's were included at that time, also.

Hondu · September 6, 2008

I don't do the fee based options so the MDR should be left alone.

petesweet · September 6, 2008

If anyone reads CC frequently, one would notice that repeatedly people havv complained about the food. So many posted that they would be glad to pay extra for food that is better. Now that your wishes are granted, there is still a big fuss.

EXACTLY. If I did not make that comment earlier on this thread, I certainly thought it in my mind. They are getting what they asked for.

EscapeFromConnecticut · September 6, 2008

Maybe my assumption was based on insufficient facts. The OP claimed that the ALTERNATE MENU listed the upcharge steak only. Hopefully someone else on the same sailing or the OP can verify whether a steak was offered on the REGULAR MENU on any of the 7 nights.

Right, except there's no "maybe" - the first assumption was definitely misinformed.

What we're looking at is whether the $15 upsell is replacing the every-night alternate (and no-cost) steak offering.

On many cruises, there will be an regular menu offering of a better-than-average steak on one night ... but that, too, is provided at no extra charge. Salmon might be a comparable example; every night RCL offers a basic alternate salmon, and occasionally also makes a different (usually fancier) version available on the regular menu.

But none of this changes the fact that on that Freedom cruise, RCL's "new choices" actually wiped out choices and substituted upsells.