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$14.95 for STEAK???

Gracie115

By Gracie115,
in Royal Caribbean International

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Ladylouwho

Ladylouwho

Posted
Posted
I flushed $14.95 down the toilet on this one. The steak stunk. Wasn't worth 10 cents.

 

That is because even though they say it is a "Chops Grille" steak it really isn't. A lot of the ships don't even have a Chops Grille and it is still on the menu. Skirting the "truth in advertising" again they are.....

 

 

Colleen

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Yo Eleven

Yo Eleven

Posted
Posted
That is because even though they say it is a "Chops Grille" steak it really isn't. A lot of the ships don't even have a Chops Grille and it is still on the menu. Skirting the "truth in advertising" again they are.....

 

Colleen

Yeah I heard this before. Looks like I may have been a victim of bait and switch.

 

But the ship I was on (Liberty of the Seas) does have a Chops grill and the waiter said it was the exact same steak. (So was this a lie?) We didn't go to Chops grill because we have a 2 year old and felt it would disrespectful to bring the little troublemaker in there. But figured if it was the "same steak" I would enjoy it in the MDR.

 

The steak at International House of Pancakes was better than the one I had there. :p

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Ladylouwho

Ladylouwho

Posted
Posted
Yeah I heard this before. Looks like I may have been a victim of bait and switch.

 

But the ship I was on (Liberty of the Seas) does have a Chops grill and the waiter said it was the exact same steak. (So was this a lie?) We didn't go to Chops grill because we have a 2 year old and felt it would disrespectful to bring the little troublemaker in there. But figured if it was the "same steak" I would enjoy it in the MDR.

 

The steak at International House of Pancakes was better than the one I had there. :p

 

Well Yo,

I'm not saying it was a lie..........but I have had enough steaks in RCI's Chops Grille to know that if it was really a Chops Grille steak you wouldn't have said that an IHOP steak is better and you wouldn't have said in your prior post that the steak stunk and that it wasn't worth 10 cents. The "real" Chops steaks are of a very good quality and are delicious and the other food in chops is very good as well. My opinion is that it is worth the $25, not only for the steak but for the rest of the food.

 

As far as taking your 2 year old, the age limitation is 13 years and older only in Chops. Although RCI President, Adam Goldstein mentioned on his blog recently that they are toying with the idea of letting little ones in the Specialty Restaurants.

 

Colleen

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Yo Eleven

Yo Eleven

Posted
Posted
Well Yo,

I'm not saying it was a lie..........but I have had enough steaks in RCI's Chops Grille to know that if it was really a Chops Grille steak you wouldn't have said that an IHOP steak is better and you wouldn't have said in your prior post that the steak stunk and that it wasn't worth 10 cents. The "real" Chops steaks are of a very good quality and are delicious and the other food in chops is very good as well. My opinion is that it is worth the $25, not only for the steak but for the rest of the food.

 

As far as taking your 2 year old, the age limitation is 13 years and older only in Chops. Although RCI President, Adam Goldstein mentioned on his blog recently that they are toying with the idea of letting little ones in the Specialty Restaurants.

 

Colleen

It was my understanding you can bring little little ones before 7pm to Chops?????

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Yo Eleven

Yo Eleven

Posted
Posted
That's correct, or at least it was on the Jewel when we were on in November.

Yeah- I could have swore I read somewhere you can bring them in early. However.....

 

I can see it now. My little guy throwing the container of butter at the honeymooners dining next to us. I don't think that would be cool. :p

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BecciBoo Great Review Rare

BecciBoo

Posted
Posted

There is always a strip steak on the right side of the menu offered every night under Alternatives (this is not the NY strip from the Chops/Porto) and also the Angus steak on certain nights, but IMHO the best cut is the prime rib. I think its much more tender than the other two. It was done perfectly every time. You can order any of these steaks at any time just by asking for it. As for the additional 4th choice $14.95 Chops strip, why bother, go to Chops or Portos and get all the trimmings and a grand evening for a few dollars more.

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luckyprincess

luckyprincess

Posted
Posted
You seem powerfully intent on missing the point here. I wonder why.

 

What we're seeing is the diminuition of a quality product, much the same as we've been getting from the airlines for years. Food is removed from the list of amenities on short-haul flights in coach, then from transcon flights ... and then "food for purchase" is offered as a "choice." Soda (and on some airlines, even water) is then converted to a for-purchase "choice," too. Aisle seats, window seats ... these, too, are converted from free to a for-purchase "choice."

 

So unless we "choose" to fly in middle seats with no beverages or food, we can just pay more and shut up about it. Only a fool would view this as offering us "choices."

 

One would have to be profoundly naive - or deliberately ignorant - to miss the trend here. :rolleyes: A service or product that is traditionally free is slowly transitioned to an "extra," with new surcharges and fees.

 

When we began cruising a decade ago, perhaps the most attractive benefit was the "pay one price" system: You buy your tickets, and then count on unlimited food and basic non-alcoholic beverages. No extra $$ whatsoever. Period. No exceptions.

 

Then 24-7 lemonade vanished. Not a big deal, but it essentially wiped out the best alternative to buying Royal Caribbean's overpriced soda during the day. Next, soda at dinner became an add-on at an extra charge. No new value for passengers whatsoever; just Royal Caribbean's hand in our pockets - billing us for something that used to be part of the package.

 

The gradual direction here is to end the "all-inclusive" nature of cruising, and replace it with a long series of additional charges.

 

When the fatcat executives start getting customers conditioned to paying for basics in the dining room, there's a reason - and I don't believe it's the $14.95 revenue of the steak. Instead, it's the principle ... gradually, passengers will start accepting the notion that they should pull out the wallet at dinner to spring for "better" entrees. Why not start phasing in "better" fish and "better" veal dishes, all at premium prices?

 

Along the way, notice what happens to the core menu. I have. Compare an '08 menu to a '98 ... you're going to see lots more pasta entrees, vegetable dishes and chicken offerings. The names and descriptions will be as fancy and perhaps even exotic-sounding as ever, but the actual meal will be a lot cheaper for Royal Caribbean to serve. And the value to the customer will be that much less - but without any corresponding decrease in fare, any rebate, any improvement in other service. Simply more $$ out of your pocket and into Royal Caribbean's. The word is GREED.

 

And these trends aren't unrelated. If you're going to quietly force more customers to buy an unwanted upgrade, you've got to start subtly eroding the quality of the basic product. If you want to push those $14.95 steaks, then you'll eliminate the alternative menu steak ... or steadily downgrade the quality.

 

As the pressure builds to squeeze more and more profit out of the food upgrades, you can bank on further reductions to the size and quality of the basic entrees. That's the easiest way to drive more passengers to doing what was unthinkable just 10 years ago: Forking over money at each onboard meal. Does anyone really think Royal Caribbean (or any other cruise line) would voluntarily STOP forcing that trend forward?

 

 

What puzzles me is why people would act - and think - contrary to their own self-interest here. Why support any business that does a bait-and-switch aimed at you.

 

Why define a carefully orchestrated corporate campaign to pick your pocket with the happy bunny word "choice"? If the cruise line wants to offer me a choice, how about hiring some less-expensive excursion operators ... or booting Steiner on half the fleet, and hiring a better contractor ... or giving me a card to fill out at embarkation that lets me choose not to be approached by the ship photographer or the art auction hawkers. Oh yeah, they don't want me to have that choice!

 

So why would anyone defend the greed of the millionaire execs of the cruise line, rather than the interests of the paying customers whose business has enabled Royal Caribbean to expand its fleet and build ever-more-elaborate ships?

Wow! I have only just opened this thread today. I got to this post and had to comment. Outstanding writing with a total grasp on the problem that others just smile stupidly and accept. This is the best post I've ever seen on this board.

And yes, I still love cruising on RCCL but I'll keep my options open, as well.

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Ladylouwho

Ladylouwho

Posted
Posted

Hi luckyprincess,

Interesting that you pulled up that post. And yes it is a good post. Very insightful. That was from about a year ago. A lot has been revealed here on Cruise Critic and a lot of changes have occurred at RCI since that time. Don (the poster you quoted) hasn't been around for some time now. But I wonder if he stuck around long enough to get the answers to some of his questions such as these?

 

 

You seem powerfully intent on missing the point here. I wonder why.

 

 

He was addressing a Cruise Critic member who (along with others) had been given a special title here on CC by Royal Caribbean.

 

 

What puzzles me is why people would act - and think - contrary to their own self-interest here. Why support any business that does a bait-and-switch aimed at you.

 

 

Well we found out one reason, now didn't we?

 

 

 

 

So why would anyone defend the greed of the millionaire execs of the cruise line, rather than the interests of the paying customers whose business has enabled Royal Caribbean to expand its fleet and build ever-more-elaborate ships?

 

 

It happens everyday here at CC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colleen

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pmshirl

pmshirl

Posted
Posted
Hi luckyprincess,

Interesting that you pulled up that post. And yes it is a good post. Very insightful. That was from about a year ago. A lot has been revealed here on Cruise Critic and a lot of changes have occurred at RCI since that time. Don (the poster you quoted) hasn't been around for some time now. But I wonder if he stuck around long enough to get the answers to some of his questions such as these?

 

 

 

 

 

It happens everyday here at CC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colleen

 

 

I think this poster was posting in another name on this thread, don't know what happened, but then came along with this New name and posted some more FACTS!

 

He had some very interesting Intelligent comments in many of his posts!:)

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atimetraveler

atimetraveler

Posted
Posted

WOW..a year old thread..and some repeat posts of bad information (or just outright lies as I truly suspect). If you bought one and flushed $14.95 then obviously the kitchen made a mistake and gave you the wrong steak.

 

Current status of the steak issue as of the Sept 6 departure of the Mariner out of LA (Mexican Riv). Pleae note I do not like the concept of 'extra cost' food hitting the MDR- see it as a bad traditon waiting to happen. But that said- reality time or my perception of it.

 

The extra cost steak was available every night...$14.95 for the 10oz Filet. It was served with steamed veggies that were great and a cut way above those served with the normal meals (example: carrots freshly cut, cooked and 'crisp' while fully cooked while standard carrots on neighbors plates had been over steamed and kept warm far too long, had gone soft and just perfect for 'mashing'. The steak and veggies were prepared as they are in Chops.

 

Every night the alternative steak was available. It is listed as a 7 oz New York Sirloin. IGNORE the word (or letters) NY. It is NOT a New York Strip Steak. It is a name game-folks see New York and just jump to 'strip' in their minds...It is a basic sirloin..about the quality you would find at Denny's. Sizzler wouldn't servie it. I tired it the first night out. Followed by ordering down the Chops Filet 3 nights. An 88 yr old woman at our table in great phy condition (no walker) and she couldn't cut the 'daily' free sirloin. The head waiter for our area tried to cut it for her...he blamed the knife and then returend with a 'sharp one'. The look on his face was priceless as he tried to smile while shaking the table via his effort to cut the steak. He later asked the table to be kind in our reviews to the line as to 'staff' as they are trying their best with the quality of the 'food' provided them.

 

One night we were offerred New York Strip as a main course --yes they used the words 'strip' on the menu for this one. It was a joke that would maybe be served at Denny's or IHop. Go to a butcher--look at a nice true New York Strip..now cut it down the middle--I stress the middle so you have 2 steaks the same size but 1/2 as thick as a normal NY Strip. That is what they served and one side of it contained marks as if it had been tenderized...since when do you need to tenderize a New York Strip? Tenderizing didn't work-it was tough.

 

The steak sandwich in the MDR for lunch was a joke...no more then 1/4 of an inch thick..you could actually roll it up like a fruit rollup.

 

Why didn't I just switch to Chops? I would have after the sirloin the first night but I made friends with the folks at my table..we hit the casino and shows together..so I Ordered the Chops Filet 3 nights (Salmon another 2, lobster.prime rib on other nights). Was the $14.95 worth it--yes.

 

Part of the issue: My sailing had inside cabins sold at $319 pp plus the taxes of about $50. $319 = 7 nights at $45 per night. Hard to cover room costs, fuel and food for 3 meals for that very limited budget. I paid more in a junior suite (9264)...but got the same food. But I also benefited from a last minute California discount booking at $702pp and paid less then my table mates for a Junior Suite then they paid for standard balconys. Thus even with upcharged food at dinner and Johnny Rockets I was still financially ahead for a 7 night cruise. If I had paid anywhere near 'normal' prices I would have been beyond steamed.

 

Will I sail RCCL again- no. Not my cup of tea. I can stay home and eat at a Denny's just as easily. I cruise for the old fashion reasons..the extra touches...not the new rack and stack'em at the lowest cost possible approach. Next up for me is Celebrity- and I'm already scared about what RCCL might do to this line.

 

RCCL execs: back in 05 and 06 I sailed twice with an argued lower standard line--NCL (Spirit and the old and now gone Wind). I skipped the main MDR many nights and enjoyed their buffet on both crusies. I tried the Windjammer once on the Mariner...NCL of 05/06 simply blows you away--have your folks check out a Golden Corral and see how good a Buffet really can be.

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Ladylouwho

Ladylouwho

Posted
Posted
WOW..a year old thread..and some repeat posts of bad information (or just outright lies as I truly suspect). If you bought one and flushed $14.95 then obviously the kitchen made a mistake and gave you the wrong steak.

 

The extra cost steak was available every night...$14.95 for the 10oz Filet. It was served with steamed veggies that were great and a cut way above those served with the normal meals (example: carrots freshly cut, cooked and 'crisp' while fully cooked while standard carrots on neighbors plates had been over steamed and kept warm far too long, had gone soft and just perfect for 'mashing'. The steak and veggies were prepared as they are in Chops.

 

 

Why didn't I just switch to Chops? I would have after the sirloin the first night but I made friends with the folks at my table..we hit the casino and shows together..so I Ordered the Chops Filet 3 nights (Salmon another 2, lobster.prime rib on other nights). Was the $14.95 worth it--yes.

 

QUOTE]

 

May I ask you a question? You say you did not go to Chops Grille. Your prior cruises mentioned in your signature show no prior cruise with Royal Caribbean. My question to you is....Have you ever actually been to Chops Grille on a Royal Caribbean Ship?

 

Just wondering,

Colleen

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xpcdoojk "Live from...." Rare

xpcdoojk

Posted
Posted
Hi luckyprincess,

Interesting that you pulled up that post. And yes it is a good post. Very insightful. That was from about a year ago. A lot has been revealed here on Cruise Critic and a lot of changes have occurred at RCI since that time. Don (the poster you quoted) hasn't been around for some time now. But I wonder if he stuck around long enough to get the answers to some of his questions such as these?

 

 

 

 

 

It happens everyday here at CC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colleen

 

Some people have a one track mind, that can not see any point of view but their own, and Don certainly was going only down a broken track....

 

Follow, please.:D:p

 

jc

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Toddcan

Toddcan

Posted
Posted
WOW! The dead really can be brought back to life. This was a funny post a year ago.....and is still funny.

 

1240+ posts' date=' 63 pages about a piece of MEAT...

 

 

cow_white.gif

 

 

1231.gif

 

To some it's only about the single piece of meat. To others, it's a great deal more. I enjoyed this thread when it was hot.

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mjm1204

mjm1204

Posted
Posted
WOW! The dead really can be brought back to life. This was a funny post a year ago.....and is still funny.

 

1240+ posts' date=' 63 pages about a piece of MEAT...

 

 

cow_white.gif

 

 

1231.gif

 

 

The last piece of meat cost me a lot more than that... alimony sucks!

 

jk

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negc

negc

Posted
Posted
Really? Why in the world would there be 63 pages of posts about that crappy filet of beef? :confused:

And why would anyone want to resurrect a thread that died a well-deserved death so long ago?:confused: :rolleyes:

And in commenting, I know I am only prolonging the time until it again meets its demise.:rolleyes:

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