Specialty diner Price increase

[BillOh]

These restaurants are a "choice" and there are plenty of places to eat that are included in your cruise fare.

 

Wow, glad I read that, I wouldn't have realized. Thanks for the information.

[firstplacechef]

Wow, glad I read that, I wouldn't have realized. Thanks for the information.

 

Very funny, just seemed to me that by some of the posts people felt they were going to go hungry on the cruise if they didn't make it to one of the paid venues. Some of these pay as you go restaurants are really great and are worth the extra cost but others are just revenue enhancers. If you don't want to pay the extra for the "experience" don't go!

 

I know every little bit counts but it drives me crazy that people get up in arms about a 5.00 increase and they have spent hundreds if not thousands for the week. JMHO

[marci22]

I know every little bit counts but it drives me crazy that people get up in arms about a 5.00 increase and they have spent hundreds if not thousands for the week. JMHO

 

I don't see anyone up in arms about the increase. Some were wondering if their prepay would be valid once on the cruise. I don't think $5pp is a big deal because food has increased in cost, but some people book these restaurants for the entire week and in that case, it's more like a $70 increase.

 

I wonder why they didn't raise the Portofino price.

[bajathree]

I don't see anyone up in arms about the increase. Some were wondering if their prepay would be valid once on the cruise. I don't think $5pp is a big deal because food has increased in cost, but some people book these restaurants for the entire week and in that case, it's more like a $70 increase.

 

I wonder why they didn't raise the Portofino price.

I fall into that category....guess, they are loving me.

[Familygoboston]

I fall into that category....guess, they are loving me.

And they don't love us! :rolleyes:

Other than Johnny Rockets lunch once a week (DH wants his burger), we never dine in the specialty restaurants...and we probably don't intend to start with prices going up. It's not that we can't afford them, we just don't care enough about food, and I can't be convinced that the food would be good enough to pay twice;)

[bajathree]

And they don't love us! :rolleyes:

Other than Johnny Rockets lunch once a week (DH wants his burger), we never dine in the specialty restaurants...and we probably don't intend to start with prices going up. It's not that we can't afford them, we just don't care enough about food, and I can't be convinced that the food would be good enough to pay twice;)

 

NAahhhh...they love me better:p

[nelblu]

Just noticed that the specialty restaurants prices went up. I paid about a month ago for Dinner at Giovanni's Table $25.00pp it is now $30.00pp. and Chops went up to $30.00pp from $25.00pp. I'm sure the rest of them went up too the same 5.00

 

We sailed on the Oasis in Feb. and Gio's table was $15 per and Chops was $25--whend did Gio's go to $25?

[negc]

That one gets a "...you gotta be ....... kidding me..."

I posted something similar on the Disney board and was accused of not being familiar with "fine dining" restaurants - not those in New York or Paris - but some that are located in Disney World to which I would have to plead guilty. WDW is not uppermost in my mind when I think of the haute cuisine served in gourmet restaurants around the world.:)

 

Does sort of put these reported price increases in a somewhat different light, however.

 

Bill

[peteukmcr]

I don't see anyone up in arms about the increase. Some were wondering if their prepay would be valid once on the cruise. I don't think $5pp is a big deal because food has increased in cost, but some people book these restaurants for the entire week and in that case, it's more like a $70 increase.

 

I wonder why they didn't raise the Portofino price.

I wonder about the Portofino price as well. But then again as we've paid the $25 at Chops and $20 at Portofino since 2004, it's probably about time for an increase. The only thing that bugs me is the addition of the 8% Spanish Value Added Tax (VAT) to these cover charges when sailing from Barcelona and not visiting a non European Union port.

[TPKeller]

Just checked with RCCL with regards to those who have already booked restaurants and got this reply -

 

The new specialty dining cover charges for Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table,

150 Central Park and Chef’s Table are effective as of today.

For guests currently holding a dining reservation at these restaurants, the

cover charge at the time of booking will be honored.

Is this a fleet-wide change, starting today? If so, then I got one of the very last $25 meals at Chops on Enchantment last night! :eek:

 

Theron

[CaptData]

Interesting...I wonder...well will find out soon enough...I have already pre-booked all my dining for my next 2 cruises...I can't imagine them adding us an additional charge...that's kind of like raising cruise fare after purchase.

 

 

Under Canadian law they can't. I remember when they were going to increase the price because of fuel. The Canadians at the time got a break because of it. But after those of us who had made the final payment they could increse it. It will be the same for this. If not already done then they can increase it but if you have made payment then they can't under the law.nFor Canadians.

[critterchick]

I don't see anyone up in arms about the increase. Some were wondering if their prepay would be valid once on the cruise. I don't think $5pp is a big deal because food has increased in cost, but some people book these restaurants for the entire week and in that case, it's more like a $70 increase.

 

I wonder why they didn't raise the Portofino price.

 

I dunno, I saw a few :mad:, which is as close to up in arms as the emoticons get.:)

 

Maybe the cost of producing the new Portofino menu hasn't increased and/or maybe Portofino isn't as popular as Chops so RCI didn't want to drive off the traffic. Just a guess...

[bajathree]

Under Canadian law they can't. I remember when they were going to increase the price because of fuel. The Canadians at the time got a break because of it. But after those of us who had made the final payment they could increse it. It will be the same for this. If not already done then they can increase it but if you have made payment then they can't under the law.nFor Canadians.

 

I am all booked and paid so should be fine.

 

I knew this was coming.... writing was on the wall as soon as they started announcing the addition of more specialties to existing ships...I am sure this is big revenue for them.

[believer33323]

Just noticed that the specialty restaurants prices went up. I paid about a month ago for Dinner at Giovanni's Table $25.00pp it is now $30.00pp. and Chops went up to $30.00pp from $25.00pp. I'm sure the rest of them went up too the same 5.00

 

Sorry about that. Yes Dinner at Giovanni's Table was $15.00 and now $20.00. Not 25.00 as I stated incorrectly.

[Merion_Mom]

I wonder about the Portofino price as well. But then again as we've paid the $25 at Chops and $20 at Portofino since 2004, it's probably about time for an increase. The only thing that bugs me is the addition of the 8% Spanish Value Added Tax (VAT) to these cover charges when sailing from Barcelona and not visiting a non European Union port.

 

Well, that doesn't go to RC. Blame the EU.

 

:)

[Cruising89143]

I fall into that category....guess, they are loving me.

 

Same here. On our next cruise we have two lunches and six dinners booked for specialty dining. Even with the increase, we will still dine in the specialty restuarants. I always thought that Giovanni's was a steal at $15.00 per person.

[Cruising89143]

I posted something similar on the Disney board and was accused of not being familiar with "fine dining" restaurants - not those in New York or Paris - but some that are located in Disney World to which I would have to plead guilty. WDW is not uppermost in my mind when I think of the haute cuisine served in gourmet restaurants around the world.:)

 

Does sort of put these reported price increases in a somewhat different light, however.

 

Bill

 

Bill I have dined at just about every place there is to eat at Disney and their food is far from what I would call "fine dining". That is one thing Disney does not do well.

[Familygoboston]

NAahhhh...they love me better:p

 

Of course they love you Steve, I'll just bet you are part of their casino improvement society too, ;)another thing we don't do...I don't know why they don't just put us off the ship the first port, we are such money losers for the cruiseline:D

[will773]

Have any of you been to the grocery store lately? I have a client I cook for on a regular basis, pretty standard menu. Her grocery costs have gone from an average of 60-70 per week to 95 to 110 per week!!! And that is just the raw food not to mention the added fuel cost that I have in driving the 45 miles to her house back and forth, but hey, I'm glad I have the job!

 

These restaurants are a "choice" and there are plenty of places to eat that are included in your cruise fare.

 

I agree with you completely. I honestly don't think that an extra $5 is going to make someone NOT eat at a certain restaurant. Most people won't even notice that it has gone up. If they don't want to pay, they can just go somewhere else, there's plenty of other options.

[bajathree]

Bill I have dined at just about every place there is to eat at Disney and their food is far from what I would call "fine dining". That is one thing Disney does not do well.

 

Agreed.....Disney doesn't know the meaning of "fine dining"...most their dining venues are terrible...land wise that is.

[bajathree]

Of course they love you Steve, I'll just bet you are part of their casino improvement society too, ;)another thing we don't do...I don't know why they don't just put us off the ship the first port, we are such money losers for the cruiseline:D

 

lololol....the casino is something they don't get from me....learned a long time ago what I walk in with I leave without.....gambling has never been my thing.

[marci22]

I posted something similar on the Disney board and was accused of not being familiar with "fine dining" restaurants - not those in New York or Paris - but some that are located in Disney World to which I would have to plead guilty. WDW is not uppermost in my mind when I think of the haute cuisine served in gourmet restaurants around the world.:)

 

Does sort of put these reported price increases in a somewhat different light, however.

 

Bill

 

You can't compare Disney prices with anything normal. It probably is in line with a signature restaurant at Disney.

[marci22]

Is this a fleet-wide change, starting today? If so, then I got one of the very last $25 meals at Chops on Enchantment last night! :eek:

 

Theron

 

The nostalgia is settin in already heh heh.

[waterbug123]

I posted something similar on the Disney board and was accused of not being familiar with "fine dining" restaurants - not those in New York or Paris - but some that are located in Disney World to which I would have to plead guilty. WDW is not uppermost in my mind when I think of the haute cuisine served in gourmet restaurants around the world.:)

 

Does sort of put these reported price increases in a somewhat different light, however.

 

Bill

 

Mine either, if you're talking about the "standard" Disney restaurants located throughout the parks. However, Victoria & Alberts at the Grand Floridian is quite something, particularly if your reservation is for the private dining room. Food and service at a level I've never encountered anywhere else.

[MAHA]

I wonder about the Portofino price as well. But then again as we've paid the $25 at Chops and $20 at Portofino since 2004, it's probably about time for an increase. The only thing that bugs me is the addition of the 8% Spanish Value Added Tax (VAT) to these cover charges when sailing from Barcelona and not visiting a non European Union port.

 

If I understand your post correctly, whenever you sail from Barcelona and visit only EU ports, you have the Spanish VAT added on to specialty dining. I have seen other posts where it is also added to onboard shop sales, soda cards, wine packages, etc. If a cruise originates in Barcelona, but sails to a port in Turkey as well as EU ports, you are not charged the VAT. Is this correct and does it occur throughout the cruise?