Celebrity Cruises to Raise Alternative Restaurant Surcharges Again

[Casino Player]

However if more decide to boycott the speciality restaurants the new ships are going to have a problem since the capcity of the MDR has been reduced - hence when ships are at full capacity you are waitlisted for dining space. This was done anticpating that X number of guests would dine elsewhere every night and then offering the anytime dining for those without a table..... That option could become a very tight one if more people opt NOT to use the additional cost options but rather stick to the MDR on any ONE particular cruise

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Moeve: However, you now have the buffett and the pasta bar. Both don't have a surcharge and are other dining options. Back a few years ago you didn't have those options. Then Celebrity had an casual dining area inside the buffett area for diner only. Now they don't have that, but, they have the pasta bar which they offered a few years ago too. So you do have other dining options today, without a surcharge, that you didn't necessarily have some years ago.

[Feelin' Nauti']

However if more decide to boycott the speciality restaurants the new ships are going to have a problem since the capcity of the MDR has been reduced - hence when ships are at full capacity you are waitlisted for dining space. This was done anticpating that X number of guests would dine elsewhere every night and then offering the anytime dining for those without a table..... That option could become a very tight one if more people opt NOT to use the additional cost options but rather stick to the MDR on any ONE particular cruise

I've only dined in a Specialty restaurant - once and that was on my Princess cruise.

I don't see the point of paying extra to eat in the specialty restaurants when the food in the MDR is excellent and fancy enough for me.

[Moeve]

I think some of you misunderstood me - there is simply NOT enough space in the MDR to handle all passengers. Now excuse me but what would you say if you booked a cruise - your dining time is - WAITLISTED since they expect X number of passengers to pay for the extra venues BUT that doesn't happen and they tell you you cannot be seated in the MDR you need to go to windjammer or pay at one of those extra venues - I bet some of you would not be happy at all

[2SeaWithMe]

I think some of you misunderstood me - there is simply NOT enough space in the MDR to handle all passengers. Now excuse me but what would you say if you booked a cruise - your dining time is - WAITLISTED since they expect X number of passengers to pay for the extra venues BUT that doesn't happen and they tell you you cannot be seated in the MDR you need to go to windjammer or pay at one of those extra venues - I bet some of you would not be happy at all

 

But has that ever happened??

 

The DR has capacity to service more than 50% of the pax at one time.

[bhughey]

I wish Celebrity would post prices of the new wine and dine packages.

[cruzeluver]

I think some of you misunderstood me - there is simply NOT enough space in the MDR to handle all passengers. Now excuse me but what would you say if you booked a cruise - your dining time is - WAITLISTED since they expect X number of passengers to pay for the extra venues BUT that doesn't happen and they tell you you cannot be seated in the MDR you need to go to windjammer or pay at one of those extra venues - I bet some of you would not be happy at all

 

This is the first I have heard of this. Usually someone is wait listed because their preferred seating time is not available. For example, you request early seating, but currently early is full, so you are "wait listed". There is adequate seating in the main dining rooms to accommodate all passengers.

[shipshape sam]

This is the first I have heard of this. Usually someone is wait listed because their preferred seating time is not available. For example, you request early seating, but currently early is full, so you are "wait listed". There is adequate seating in the main dining rooms to accommodate all passengers.

 

This is my understanding also. We were waitlisted once for Main/early dining AND they assigned us late seating till and if there was an opening at the main/early seating in MDR.

 

I am confused by a previous post. If there is more than 50% seating capacity at each seating, then > 100% (or all passengers can be seated in the MDR without one passenger using room service/not eating/or attending another venue for dinner.) If this is true, then the possiblity of being waitlisted for a table (at main/early or late collectively) cannot happen. Am I missing something here?

 

Not sure they do have 100% passenger seating capacity.

[Bridge Maven]

On our Radiance of the Seas cruise in June they did something very smart. During the first day of our cruise we received a call informing us that the specialty restaurants would be half price for the first two nights for passengers with anytime dining.

 

I meant to add the reasons why I thought this was smart to my previous post quoted above.

 

It encouraged people, such as myself, to eat in a specialty restaurant the first two nights of the cruise which reduced the number of people in the main dining room for anytime dining.

 

The specialty restaurants we tried were excellent, so we told other passengers throughout the cruise how good they were.

 

I wonder if Celebrity will be smart enough to follow suit from its sister cruise line.

[FM]

Check out the latest Celebrity Cruises news from Cruise Critic:

 

Celebrity Cruises to Raise Alternative Restaurant Surcharges Again

 

Good thing I checked back in with Cruise Critics today - definitely will look at locking in the reservation for Qsine for our forthcoming cruise before the Sept 1st increase to $40 per person ... have to admit that the price is quite steep - however one has to consider that a cruise is a holiday and on holiday, one tends to treat themselves to whatever they would like to do ... one has to decide at which price point things become too expensive

 

... anyways, looking forward to dining in Blu for the majority of the cruise :)

[SusieV]

I tried to do what we did for the beverage package increase- I called and asked if I could commit to purchasing so many dinners for my 2013 cruise and would they apply an OBC for the difference in price (since I'd have to book at the prevailing rate when it opened up).

 

I was told that wasn't possible :( I was hoping since they were willing to do this for drink packages that they'd do it for dinners, too.

[jerseygirl3]

It seems to be 5.00 per person for murano and 5.00 per person for Qsine, only 10.00 on the new lawn club grill.

 

So it's only 5.00, and with prices staying still lower on most sailings and people sharing the beverage packages when they should not! I understand these increases. Secondly the cost of everything is going up In all areas of life.

 

Now that the offer the specialty dining discounted packages that's another alternative to save some money.

 

We will still continue to enjoy all onboard.

 

According to Celebrity, Qsine is being raised $10/pp, and will be $40/pp after September 1.

 

Glad we booked Qsine and Murano last week for our March Silhouette cruise. The price increase may seem insignificant, but since there are 6 of us, it adds up.

 

Jo-Ann

[ShawninFL]

I think some of you misunderstood me - there is simply NOT enough space in the MDR to handle all passengers. Now excuse me but what would you say if you booked a cruise - your dining time is - WAITLISTED since they expect X number of passengers to pay for the extra venues BUT that doesn't happen and they tell you you cannot be seated in the MDR you need to go to windjammer or pay at one of those extra venues - I bet some of you would not be happy at all

 

I understand what you're saying but find this to be a highly doubtful occurrence. There are always going to be people on a cruise that choose not to use the MDR. We were probably on our 15th cruise when one time we decided we were just going completely casual. We never went to the MDR once. Ate in the buffet each meal and actually enjoyed not having to change to eat or follow any particular schedule. The was just a weekend cruise, but we loved it and have now done it on 3 or 4 week cruises. I will admit though, that since cruise lines have introduced anytime dining, I've gone back to the dining room. For me this is the best compromise....I'll dress "business casual" for anytime dining. On formal nights we usually go to a specialty restaurant because they are usually still business casual . Now getting back to the topic of this thread....$40 pp is too much for me. Actually, I could be persuaded to pay $30 pp, but not more. I know if someone really wants to go, they will...and it may be worth it to them. If so, I say go and enjoy, it's your vacation. It just crosses a value line for me and there are other things I would rather spend that $80 meal for two on. Happy cruising!!

[2SeaWithMe]

I am confused by a previous post. If there is more than 50% seating capacity at each seating, then > 100% (or all passengers can be seated in the MDR without one passenger using room service/not eating/or attending another venue for dinner.) If this is true, then the possiblity of being waitlisted for a table (at main/early or late collectively) cannot happen. Am I missing something here?

 

Not sure they do have 100% passenger seating capacity.

 

Not 100% at one seating, but tables and chairs to seat more than 50% at each seating. Everyone who comes on board (save select diners) has an assigned table. There are also extra tables. So basically, there is no possible way to "overbook" the MDR. If you look at any ship, they state the capacity as well as the seating in that ships MDR. It's normally greater than a 50% accommodation.

 

I think the issue with the first seating always being booked up first, is that generally with an older crowd, that's the more popular time in which to eat.

 

Not that I'm knocking it, I prefer to eat early as well, I don't want to be at a show until midnight.

[shipshape sam]

Not 100% at one seating, but tables and chairs to seat more than 50% at each seating. Everyone who comes on board (save select diners) has an assigned table. There are also extra tables. So basically, there is no possible way to "overbook" the MDR. If you look at any ship, they state the capacity as well as the seating in that ships MDR. It's normally greater than a 50% accommodation.

 

I think the issue with the first seating always being booked up first, is that generally with an older crowd, that's the more popular time in which to eat.

 

Not that I'm knocking it, I prefer to eat early as well, I don't want to be at a show until midnight.

 

Thanks for clarification. I was assuming greater than 50% of the total passengers capacity for each seating which would then mean that there could never be a waitlist overall to be able to even have a seat in the MDR for either the early or late seating. There would be a seat maybe at late, where you may want to have early seating, but there would be a seat.

[Moeve]

Begining with the Soltice class the dining rooms no longer can accomadate 100% of all passengers in 2 regular seatings - as I pointed out this would only become an issue IF!!! the ship was over 100% (an Xnumber of extra beds filled) and all passengers decided to boycott those extra pay venues.

 

However bear in mind the same thing will apply to the M class when they start stuffing extra cabins - the dining rooms on the other hand are NOT getting bigger and this then CAN happen especially IF more passengers choose to boycott the extra pay venues that are also being added and the ship is at over 100%.

[Jade13]

However if more decide to boycott the speciality restaurants the new ships are going to have a problem since the capcity of the MDR has been reduced - hence when ships are at full capacity you are waitlisted for dining space. This was done anticpating that X number of guests would dine elsewhere every night and then offering the anytime dining for those without a table..... That option could become a very tight one if more people opt NOT to use the additional cost options but rather stick to the MDR on any ONE particular cruise

 

Really? There is a smaller MDR on the Solstice class ships? What/how is the space being used?

[i guide the sky]

Really? There is a smaller MDR on the Solstice class ships? What/how is the space being used?

 

 

 

I think his point while hypothetically possible is extremely unlikely. I would assume IF the MDR is smaller then the extra space would be devoted to.... that odd "disco" on deck four. Is anyone ever in there?

[Solstice23]

I can't believe all the complaining on here for 5.00-10.00 dollars. To be honest if you don't want to pay then just don't go. I see people loaded with shopping bags, gambling loads of cash away at the casino, even of they dud raise prices to 50.00 per person in the grand scheme of things it's not that much, choose one and enjoy and if you don't agree then don't worry about it. Companies have to look at the bottom line.

 

On our last cruise a few weeks ago on Summit I heard a passenger say to the waiter "when I want lobster I want 3 ******g lobsters not this risotto ****" so appalling and rude behavior aside some people demand loads and loads of food, it's actually discusting! I have heard people enjoying the dinner in Murano on the Eclipse to actually then be sitting with the maitre D and the food and beverage manager the next day in Cafe al Bacio complaining to just get a refund? We could not believe it because we were near them the night before and they were enjoying it ?

 

It really comes down to the bottom line, the money has to cone somewhere, raise cruise prices or raise onboard revenue.

[Solstice23]

I think his point while hypothetically possible is extremely unlikely. I would assume IF the MDR is smaller then the extra space would be devoted to.... that odd "disco" on deck four. Is anyone ever in there?

 

Depends on the cruise... Quasar last July 2010 on equinox was packed until 2 am most nights, same as Eclipse in March ? But then on another cruise it was more empty ?

 

The passenger mix and age demographic I guess makes the difference, we do prefer it for dancing because you don't fell as If you on display in a huge lounge, on the other hand a few more searing options would help.

[shipshape sam]

Begining with the Soltice class the dining rooms no longer can accomadate 100% of all passengers in 2 regular seatings - as I pointed out this would only become an issue IF!!! the ship was over 100% (an Xnumber of extra beds filled) and all passengers decided to boycott those extra pay venues.

 

However bear in mind the same thing will apply to the M class when they start stuffing extra cabins - the dining rooms on the other hand are NOT getting bigger and this then CAN happen especially IF more passengers choose to boycott the extra pay venues that are also being added and the ship is at over 100%.

 

Good point about M class ships and MDR ration once more cabins added.

 

---------------------------

 

As to complaining about $5-$10, this is a discussion board and I thought that is what we could do at times, have discussions and opinions and yes complain.

 

If the product quality is there, I have no problem paying a higher amount. I paid $90/person for Chef's Table of Allure of the Seas last December. I believe that the food quality HAS dropped in the MDR and will continue to drop as they will need to make sure that there is a difference in quality/product to promote the speciality restaurants and create the higher value and thus the fee/price.

 

I believe the increased charge will not result in higher value as I thought the current pricing for the value was getting on the upper end already. We have every right to complain/discuss this issue. I don't understand why all the belly aching about reading about our complaining/discussing. If you don't like it, don't read the post/thread.....

[boogs]

......there is simply NOT enough space in the MDR to handle all passengers.

 

Wrong, wrong, wrong! Before anytime dining options became available, every passenger received a card in their stateroom with their MDR table number on it. EVERY passenger. The only way the ship could do that is if they had enough tables for each and every passenger. We all had assigned tables. No one was left out. You always have a table even if you don't want to use it. The wait listing is for a specific dining time if the one you wanted was already full. There would still be a table available to you at the other time.

 

Where do people come up with these crazy ideas??????

[Spf12]

Wrong, wrong, wrong! Before anytime dining options became available, every passenger received a card in their stateroom with their MDR table number on it. EVERY passenger. The only way the ship could do that is if they had enough tables for each and every passenger. We all had assigned tables. No one was left out. You always have a table even if you don't want to use it. The wait listing is for a specific dining time if the one you wanted was already full. There would still be a table available to you at the other time.

 

Where do people come up with these crazy ideas??????

You are absolutely correct on this issue.I bet the people at Celebrity can't stop laughing when they read these boards.

[TLCOhio]

In this wonderfully appointed Murano room with nice wood, ceiling, glass, etc., details, an important factor to consider is that the maximum capacity for seating there is only 90 people. It is the smallest of the three special dining locations on the Solstice. For the last night of our cruise, they had 30 people on a waiting listing to get in Murano. We booked ahead which was smart in order to get a specific date for our 39th anniversary on one of the two final sea days on our cruise. The seat capacity is much larger for the Tuscan Grille. Silk Harvest doesn't not seem as larger in its seating capacity, but its menu/audience appeal is not as larger, hence, in part, its lower pricing.

 

My take is that the combination of smaller seating capacity and a more "luxury/special" setting are the market-based reason to do the $5 increase in pricing for Murano.

 

Each of these three locations is very different and it is hard to say and quantify which might be called “best” for each person’s personal tastes, interests and style. We tried all three, especially since they offered that three for $79 special on our mid June Solstice cruise. We were very happy we did all three locations, giving us, also, added flexibility for dining versus the MDR fixed times.

 

I would like to pay less and less, but I know to maintain quality and manage capacity, the market makes adjustments as needed.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Recently back from a June 7-19 Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 28,853 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[Redcasey55]

Does anyone know if I can purchase one of the dinner packages before the 9/1/11 deadline to lock in price, for a cruise booked in Dec of next year.

[Moeve]

Wrong, wrong, wrong! Before anytime dining options became available, every passenger received a card in their stateroom with their MDR table number on it. EVERY passenger. The only way the ship could do that is if they had enough tables for each and every passenger. We all had assigned tables. No one was left out. You always have a table even if you don't want to use it. The wait listing is for a specific dining time if the one you wanted was already full. There would still be a table available to you at the other time.

 

Where do people come up with these crazy ideas??????

 

 

Because it ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO US!!!

We only found out what we would get once on board. They could not tell us wether there would be space inthe traditional or wether we would have to go to anytime dining before we actually got to the ship. We were waitlisted for all dining options. The reason was the ship was at capacity!

 

So THAT is where these "crazy idea" came from. Now in our case it all went well because X number of passengers took Celebrity up on their optional / extra pay dining options every night to open up seating for us and a few others we spoke to on the cruise. HOWEVER and that is my point what happens if cruisers start boycotting those options or in the case of the M classe which are getting over 120 EXTRA passengers after the "cabin stuffing" with out extending the MDR.