Paying for Extra & Specialty Dining

[sjbdtz]

He has been a few other identities, prior to this one, with the same anti-NCL proclivities.

 

 

Agreed. That's why I assumed it was a he.

 

 

 

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[newmexicoNita]

He has been a few other identities, prior to this one, with the same anti-NCL proclivities.

 

Thanks, sometimes I can spot a repeater with a different screen name or when an entire family decides to post negatives when they return. This happened a couple of years ago, after spring break. Not only were they posting here, they did reviews. In the case of LMB I didn't pick up on this.

[rsinj]

One trend I keep seeing is many cruisers pay the up charge to eat in the better restaurants. Is this necessary to have good meals on the cruise? Is it just a nice treat to yourself? Is the rest of the food awful where you have to pay to have nice food? Just wondering why so many do so after paying the cruise fare and meals are included? Oh sorry, I know this is getting long....but I had a friend say she did not like NCL because she felt nickle and dimed while sailing them. I personally would like to try NCL but am I a little apprehensive after her input and some of the reviews.

 

We've sailed with NCL twice and coming up on a third time. We have never eaten at a specialty restaurant or felt nickel and dimed because there wasn't anything on the cruises that we've felt a need to pay for beyond what was included. What NCL provides is more than enough as far as food and activities without having to pay anything above your cruise fare.

 

The meals in the main dining rooms were excellent. On our last NCL cruise, after we found our waiter to be excellent on the first night, we made sure we were in his section every night of the cruise. He would be bringing us extra/special things just to try. Beyond the food, I think having the relationship with the waiter made the atmosphere more enjoyable for us.

 

There is enough of a variety in the main dining rooms that there should be something that everyone likes. Each member of our family would generally order different appetizers, entrees, and desserts just so we could share/try. I cannot remember anything that wasn't very good.

 

Bottom line, we've never found a need to go to any of the specialty restaurants where there is an additional charge - there's nothing to be apprehensive about.

 

Howard

Edited December 6, 2013 by rsinj

[jdvmd]

In my experience, no, you do not need to dine in a specialty restaurant to get a decent meal. The times that we have dined in the specialty restaurant it was just as an added treat.

 

I would agree with mizlori, try it for yourself.

Completely agree with this. Consider it a treat! One of the top five meals I have ever had on a cruise (54 and counting) was in the main dining room of a NCL ship!

[che5904]

Completely agree with this. Consider it a treat! One of the top five meals I have ever had on a cruise (54 and counting) was in the main dining room of a NCL ship!

 

54? I think you should make it 55 and come on our Feb cruise ;) After all 54 is such an odd number. :D

[Powriv]

Now that CCL has joined the movement towards multiple pay restaurants on each ship. Will CCL passengers now start complaining about the nickel and diming and being forced to pay restaurants? Especially now considering CCL is bringing out new menus

 

Me personally I like the choices on NCL and look forward to trying the choices on CCL Breeze and others when I get around to it. It was so cool watching my 5 yr old step daughter in utter amazement watching the chef in teppanyaki work his magic. She couldn't stop talking about it for weeks after.

 

That to me makes paying extra all worth it :D

[newmexicoNita]

Now that CCL has joined the movement towards multiple pay restaurants on each ship. Will CCL passengers now start complaining about the nickel and diming and being forced to pay restaurants? Especially now considering CCL is bringing out new menus

 

Me personally I like the choices on NCL and look forward to trying the choices on CCL Breeze and others when I get around to it. It was so cool watching my 5 yr old step daughter in utter amazement watching the chef in teppanyaki work his magic. She couldn't stop talking about it for weeks after.

 

That to me makes paying extra all worth it :D

 

I am in agreement with the poster who prefers to call it al la carte cruising. I think the MDR food is very acceptable, but not top of the line. And, like so many others, we choose and budget and decide where our extra $$s will go. For some it might be shopping, others the spa or the casino and still for others it might be excursions. For us, it is specialty dining, followed by maybe a little in the casino and maybe a spa treatment. but it is my choice. When people talk about nickel and diming they are not seasoned cruisers I am guessing. Why do I say that? Because most lines have ways of getting extra bucks. They don't make money of the cruise fare, they make it on spas, casinos, excursions and the bar.

[lolane1]

Your original point about food must be available NOW or basically not at all is a great one - it saddens me that so many people see food as a 'stop and fill up and go' option rather than a pleasurable experience to be savoured.

 

Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute..........

You and Sea Shark are trying to equate the unhappiness of waiting in line to eat as being a part of the fast food generation. Nooooo, not at all.

I usually make RESERVATIONS at restaurants so I don't wait. And they are not usually at the kind restaurants that give beepers to waiting customers. No offense to those of you who frequent Domino's, Olive Garden, and the other chain type of eateries. I love dinners out, and they are not rushed; food is savored, and the company is enjoyed, great conversation ensues. That's all part of the dining out experience. It's not just to fill your belly. But if I have to wait for an undetermined amount of time to eat, I am NOT eating at your restaurant. For goodness sake's, I'd have acid indigestion before I sat down to eat. So, yay for reservations and yay for plenty of choices for great restaurants in Manhattan.

However, on a cruise, I do wait patiently because we are captive audiences and really don't have a choice in the MDR. Acceptance of the situation doesn't denote approval. And disapproval doesn't mean that people only like fast food. I just don't like to waste time standing around waiting, and waiting, and waiting.........................

[SteveH2508]

Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute..........

You and Sea Shark are trying to equate the unhappiness of waiting in line to eat as being a part of the fast food generation. Nooooo, not at all.

I usually make RESERVATIONS at restaurants so I don't wait. And they are not usually at the kind restaurants that give beepers to waiting customers. No offense to those of you who frequent Domino's, Olive Garden, and the other chain type of eateries. I love dinners out, and they are not rushed; food is savored, and the company is enjoyed, great conversation ensues. That's all part of the dining out experience. It's not just to fill your belly. But if I have to wait for an undetermined amount of time to eat, I am NOT eating at your restaurant. For goodness sake's, I'd have acid indigestion before I sat down to eat. So, yay for reservations and yay for plenty of choices for great restaurants in Manhattan.

However, on a cruise, I do wait patiently because we are captive audiences and really don't have a choice in the MDR. Acceptance of the situation doesn't denote approval. And disapproval doesn't mean that people only like fast food. I just don't like to waste time standing around waiting, and waiting, and waiting.........................

 

Actually we were discussing the merits of taking your time once in the restaurant (with which you agree) - we did not mention the wait to get in.

 

I agree that waiting in line to get into a restaurant is a bit like schooldays/military service etc. - not an experience I would like on a cruise holiday. We are discussing two different issues here - the time to get in to the restaurant and the time to get served.

 

I have only had one significant (over 5 minutes) wait to get in on an NCL ship and that was Christmas Day last year. There were enough free glasses of bubbles and canapes that it was no hardship!

 

On NCL you have a choice of 2 MDRs with effectively the same menu so we can always try the other one to get in. There is also the choice of many speciality restaurants which we can almost always walk up and be seated in.

 

On RCCL recently we really couldn't get into the My Time Dining dining room without waiting well over half-an-hour on one night. Their problem is that there is no alternate MDR for MTD, and a much lesser choice of speciality restaurants, so the crowds concentrate at one or two venues instead of being spread out. They do not seem to give out pagers as far as we could tell.

 

Once in the MDR we have found both lines served at an acceptable pace (for dinner) - don't get me started on RCCL's sit down breakfast :eek:.

Edited December 7, 2013 by SteveH2508

[newmexicoNita]

Actually we were discussing the merits of taking your time once in the restaurant (with which you agree) - we did not mention the wait to get in.

 

I agree that waiting in line to get into a restaurant is a bit like schooldays/military service etc. - not an experience I would like on a cruise holiday. We are discussing two different issues here - the time to get in to the restaurant and the time to get served.

 

I have only had one significant (over 5 minutes) wait to get in on an NCL ship and that was Christmas Day last year. There were enough free glasses of bubbles and canapes that it was no hardship!

 

On NCL you have a choice of 2 MDRs with effectively the same menu so we can always try the other one to get in. There is also the choice of many speciality restaurants which we can almost always walk up and be seated in.

 

On RCCL recently we really couldn't get into the My Time Dining dining room without waiting well over half-an-hour on one night. Their problem is that there is no alternate MDR for MTD, and a much lesser choice of speciality restaurants, so the crowds concentrate at one or two venues instead of being spread out. They do not seem to give out pagers as far as we could tell.

 

Once in the MDR we have found both lines served at an acceptable pace (for dinner) - don't get me started on RCCL's sit down breakfast :eek:.

 

Maybe we have just been lucky, like you, we have only waited once or twice, more than a few minutes. Once there was a m&G group of us; a farewell get together, a full ship and we did have to wait, even with reservations, in the MDR on the Jewel about 20 minutes. One other time we were give the beeper, went to the bar to order a drink (witrh a 20% discount I will add) and were called almost before we got our drink. We eat as early as 6pm and as late as 8pm, so it isn't simply a matter of time. I just do not understand all the stories about how long the waits are!!!!

[che5904]

I just do not understand all the stories about how long the waits are!!!!

 

We haven't had waits either, the one night there was a bit of a line up, we just went to the other MDR and got in right away. If they had an issue with that, they certainly wouldn't want to do MTD on CCL. The waits every night there were long. Not sure why CCL doesn't clue in by that, that maybe they should open a bigger section for MTD LOL.

[lolane1]

Your original point about food must be available NOW or basically not at all is a great one

 

Sorry Steve, I think I misconstrued this quote with the previous post about Domino's and thirty minutes to mean wait times. So much for my reading skills!

[sjbdtz]

Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute..........

You and Sea Shark are trying to equate the unhappiness of waiting in line to eat as being a part of the fast food generation. Nooooo, not at all.

I usually make RESERVATIONS at restaurants so I don't wait. And they are not usually at the kind restaurants that give beepers to waiting customers. No offense to those of you who frequent Domino's, Olive Garden, and the other chain type of eateries. I love dinners out, and they are not rushed; food is savored, and the company is enjoyed, great conversation ensues. That's all part of the dining out experience. It's not just to fill your belly. But if I have to wait for an undetermined amount of time to eat, I am NOT eating at your restaurant. For goodness sake's, I'd have acid indigestion before I sat down to eat. So, yay for reservations and yay for plenty of choices for great restaurants in Manhattan.

However, on a cruise, I do wait patiently because we are captive audiences and really don't have a choice in the MDR. Acceptance of the situation doesn't denote approval. And disapproval doesn't mean that people only like fast food. I just don't like to waste time standing around waiting, and waiting, and waiting.........................

 

 

This sounds as though you're looking for the EXACT experience which is created in the specialty restaurants.

 

Reserved seating, no lines, quiet ambiance, fine food....

[Love my butler]

Note to the OP: Read everything posted by this lady and assume the opposite of her posts is factual. Doing this will enhance your experience on CC and a cruise ship.

 

Note to everyone reading this board: Read everything posted by this lady and assume it's all based on flawed opinion and heavy NCL cheerleading. Doing this will give you a better basis in reality.

[Love my butler]

Pray tell: when was the last time you were on an NCL cruise. Do they serve meatloaf, yep and so do most of the cruises we have been on, but on that same night will be 3 or 4 other choices and not what you get at Denny's, plus they always have steak, salmon and chicken breast available. They have Cesar salad and baked potatoes every night, and you can request almost any veggie you want. They will have it. As for 2 hours, we have only had a 2 hour dinner once and yes, the service sucked that night. We have dined just the 2 or us or with as many as 12, except for that night, we have had good to outstanding service. I expect dinner to take at least an hour, that is what we are used to in a decent restaurant and on every ship. We have found much worst service on a couple other cruise lines.

 

BTW, they have not cut back on the number of crew members they have. I am guessing either you had one bad experience on an NCL ship and are judging all cruises by that one or you really have never cruised NCL. It seems you and regular mass market lines are not for each other.

 

Haha, thanks for the lecture, but it's full of falsehoods. Was on an NCL cruise a couple months ago and have been on at least 10 in the last two years so my knowledge is FIRST hand.

 

BTW, they HAVE cut back on staff. But hey, keep on guessing....

[Love my butler]

You know very well that the speed of service is always tailored to the passengers request/needs.

 

That has to be the most inaccurate statement I have read in months/years.

[newmexicoNita]

Haha, thanks for the lecture, but it's full of falsehoods. Was on an NCL cruise a couple months ago and have been on at least 10 in the last two years so my knowledge is FIRST hand.

 

BTW, they HAVE cut back on staff. But hey, keep on guessing....

 

Lets just say, you have been on 10 in the past 2 years, which I doubt, please clarify why you would continue to cruise on a line that you have no respect for? That makes no sense what so ever.

 

As for advising everyone to pay close attention to us cheerleaders as you put it: I guess, your being one of the few, if not the only negative poster means everyone who needs to listen to you and forget the tens that disagree with you. WOW, I am so glad you are the only one that could be right here. I am sure everyone, not knowing much about NCL will take your word over the rest!! Where are you getting the information they have cut back on their crew? that is what it is called, not staff btw. You seem to have inside information the rest of us do not have and have not noticed.

[lolane1]

This sounds as though you're looking for the EXACT experience which is created in the specialty restaurants.

 

Reserved seating, no lines, quiet ambiance, fine food....

 

I can't judge NCL since I haven't sailed the line in years but have frequented speciality restaurants on other lines especially Princess and Celebrity. The food in the MDR on Princess is really quite well done, except for their Italian and Caribbean nights. No need for specialty restaurants because all of it was there in the MDR, fine food, ambiance, great service, etc. It was only a few years ago that Princess stopped taking reservations and they went to beepers. Bummer. All of this can be avoided by doing traditional dining. And therefore, no need for specialty restaurants. However, choices are fantastic.

Edited December 8, 2013 by lolane1

[che5904]

You know very well that the speed of service is always tailored to the passengers request/needs.

 

 

 

 

That has to be the most inaccurate statement I have read in months/years.

 

Actually, so far that has been my experience in a nut shell. We do not like to waste time in a dining venue. Our staff have always read us very well and didn't waste time between courses. And yet tables around us that appeared to be enjoying their relaxed dining experience had more time between their courses. Same wait staff.

 

There was only one time that our staff did not read us well, and we requested less time between courses, they seem more than happy to oblige.

 

I can't speak for all servers on all sailings, only the ones we've experienced.

Edited December 8, 2013 by che5904

[ohioNCLcruiser]

I've been generally pretty disappointed with the main dining room food on NCL. The quality is certainly not where it was a few years ago. We pretty much budget to do specialty restaurants for most of the nights now with maybe one in the regular dining rooms.

[MsShel330]

For new readers to CC or the NCL board please note - I have NEVER seen meatloaf on an NCL menu - LMB trolls round the NCL board spreading doom and gloom - I wonder if LMB has ever sailed on NCL - take LMB's posts with a large pinch of salt (hopefully not in the food).

 

Now where is that ignore facility?

 

My family and I took the Gem in November and there was meatloaf in the Garden Café on ONE day. I didn't eat it but I took note of it since my sister isn't very adventurous food-wise so I looked for boring old American food for her.

[newmexicoNita]

I've been generally pretty disappointed with the main dining room food on NCL. The quality is certainly not where it was a few years ago. We pretty much budget to do specialty restaurants for most of the nights now with maybe one in the regular dining rooms.

 

We too budget for specialty dining. It is worth the extra money, certainly not every night, but 2 or 3 times, depending on the length of the cruise. We do this is with all cruises, not just NCL. That being said, I don't know understand everyone saying the food quality has gone down in the past few years, or maybe we are just living in a different world: we think the food has improved in the past few years. There was a period when the quality in the MDR dipped quite a bit, but our last cruise all of us (8 total) thought it had improved. No, it isn't meant to be top of the line, but we always leave satisfied and not unhappy with the selection or the quality. I will add, my first love is cooking, so it isn't as though food isn't important to us. I would say, the food in the MDR is similar to what we have at home most nights. No, not what I would serve at a dinner party, but enjoyable. The servings are smaller than in years past, which is a good, not a bad thing.

[Out to sea!]

For new readers to CC or the NCL board please note - I have NEVER seen meatloaf on an NCL menu - LMB trolls round the NCL board spreading doom and gloom - I wonder if LMB has ever sailed on NCL - take LMB's posts with a large pinch of salt (hopefully not in the food).

 

Now where is that ignore facility?

 

O'Sheehans, NCL Epic, Meatloaf.

[SteveH2508]

O'Sheehans, NCL Epic, Meatloaf.

 

I read LMB's post as referring to MDR menus - my bad.

[sjbdtz]

I can't judge NCL since I haven't sailed the line in years but have frequented speciality restaurants on other lines especially Princess and Celebrity. The food in the MDR on Princess is really quite well done, except for their Italian and Caribbean nights. No need for specialty restaurants because all of it was there in the MDR, fine food, ambiance, great service, etc. It was only a few years ago that Princess stopped taking reservations and they went to beepers. Bummer. All of this can be avoided by doing traditional dining. And therefore, no need for specialty restaurants. However, choices are fantastic.

 

 

I did not consider what Princess had on the Sapphire, to be ambiance.. there were still 500 people in the room, even though they got to eat when they wanted.

 

I was also quite disappointed with the MDR food on Princess...found very few 'basics'. It seemed that every menu item had something I could not, or would not eat. And there were few specialty restaurants to which I could turn.

 

 

And if I was forced to do Traditional Dining, it would be the last time I cruised.

 

 

 

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