Royal May Charge for Some Entertainment on Quantum

[JasonV1]

With NCL the only entertainment with a fee (I'm aware of) is paired with food or wine.

 

I could see Royal copying that concept, but not for entertainment outright.

[negc]

between this and automatic tipping for dynamic i may just cancel. seems they are pushing everyone to pay for meals and everything on board

 

Perhaps I'm missing something but from my reading of the "Dynamic Dining" information, most of the dining venues are still complimentary but each one features special styles or types of food. It will still be possible to enjoy a variety of dining experiences without paying an extra charge, and will even offer one complimentary venue where formal dress can be an every night experience. Unless one doesn't plan to tip their servers or room stewards, automatic tipping seems especially appropriate if people will be dining in different restaurants most nights.

[Priusprof]

Perhaps I'm missing something but from my reading of the "Dynamic Dining" information, most of the dining venues are still complimentary but each one features special styles or types of food. It will still be possible to enjoy a variety of dining experiences without paying an extra charge, and will even offer one complimentary venue where formal dress can be an every night experience. Unless one doesn't plan to tip their servers or room stewards, automatic tipping seems especially appropriate if people will be dining in different restaurants most nights.

Of the 17 dining venues that I checked the only new ones that have an upcharge compared to other ships in the fleet is Wonderland and the Pub. Johnny Rockets, Izumi, Chops, Jamies Italian(Giovanni?),and Chef's Table are for fee dining on all ships. No one needs to go there and pay.

[Dave85]

DH received a survey from

RCI yesterday all about Broadway type entertainment. They listed maybe 15 or so shows and asked several questions about them - one being would you pay to see this show. His answer was NO on all of them.

 

Anyone else get the survey?

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

 

 

Thanks for the heads up on this survey. My answers will be the same if i get it.

 

Sounds like Royal would love to charge for these shows. The problem is a Royal cruise is not cheap -- you are paying for these shows already. I will not pay to attend a Broadway show on Royal Caribbean, especially since I live in New York City and can see the real thing anytime I want.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[mcatmcat]

I have never being in a pay restaurant I don't mind if they have it as long as there are free restaurant. But pay entertainment as the only choice? I just want to see that. I though the charge for the towers were bad idea, let's see how long can they keep it for lol

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Goodtime Cruizin]

If I'm required to pay for entertainment of any value, I'll just move to the Rock & Blues Cruises. They cruise fare does cost more, but to be able to cruise with, be entertained, and then meet & mingle with some of my all time favs in Rock &/or Blues would be nice.

 

So far, there hasn't been a show I've attended on RCL that is worthy of an upcharge of any size/kind.

[SailingSiggy]

I have never being in a pay restaurant I don't mind if they have it as long as there are free restaurant. But pay entertainment as the only choice? I just want to see that. I though the charge for the towers were bad idea, let's see how long can they keep it for lol

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Charge for the towers. Lost me there. :confused:

 

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

[Russ Lomas]

Part of the enjoyment of cruising is to do it with your family. We love going to the shows as a family. There is no way I would pay for entertainment for the kids when they sometimes want to leave early if they do not like it or they fall asleep in it (dad (me) has been known to do this often too;)).

[SailingSiggy]

By brother in law falls asleep before the shows start

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

[Dave85]

Charge for the towers. Lost me there. :confused:

 

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

 

 

Towels maybe?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[SailingSiggy]

Towels maybe?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

 

That may be what was intended. If so the poster should be happy to know they stopped doing that.

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

[antsnanny]

Aren't there some NCL ships where they charge for entertainment? If they can make it work I am sure other lines will follow unfortunately. :(

 

Yes, The Cirque Show in the tent on the Brakaway but it is a Dinner show, Filet Mignon and Shrimp, baked potato and veggie. Normal shows, like Burn the Floor and Rock of Ages do not have a charge. My guess if Royal Charges for entertainment it will be something special like Cirque. BTY, the dinner show was fabulous, did it twice and considering what a Cirque show on land costs, its a bargain.

[caribbean sailor]

Just saw this article online at Sea trader:

 

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/godmother-adviser-chenoweth-to-help-reveal-quantum-entertainment.html

 

I could care less never plan sailing on one of these sea going amusement parks.Also think they are trying to do away with THE MDR in my opinion.:)

[SailingSiggy]

Yes, The Cirque Show in the tent on the Brakaway but it is a Dinner show, Filet Mignon and Shrimp, baked potato and veggie. Normal shows, like Burn the Floor and Rock of Ages do not have a charge. My guess if Royal Charges for entertainment it will be something special like Cirque. BTY, the dinner show was fabulous, did it twice and considering what a Cirque show on land costs, its a bargain.

 

The article from seatrader seems to point to something like the dinner show on NCL. However several people that have received the email surveys say its specifically asking about Broadway type shows and if they would be willing to pay.

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

Edited June 9, 2014 by SailingSiggy

[Ocean Boy]

The article from seatrader seems to point to something like the dinner show on NCL. However several people that have received the email surveys say its specifically asking about Broadway type shows and if they would be willing to pay.

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

 

If I had paid to see Chicago on Allure I'd be pretty annoyed about it.

[Dave85]

If I had paid to see Chicago on Allure I'd be pretty annoyed about it.

 

 

Ditto.

 

They could definitely pull off a dinner show concept like NCL. Might even be wildly successful and profitable. I'm confident that they will find no traction, however, for attempting to charge for the usual nightly entertainment if they're foolish enough to go down that road (which I do not think they are).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[trev71]

Entertainment on a cruise is a low priority for us. No way we'll EVER pay to see a show on a ship.

 

 

I am with you on that one. I mean if i had to pay for a show I would only pay for the Comedy show. I wouldnt pay to see Momma Mia.

I really hope they will not start this non sense

[LMaxwell]

If they take a theater that holds 1K people and even ONE person pays for the show RCI is revenue positive. Right now that show generates NO revenue.

 

But what about people that order drinks during the show?

 

I bet they drink far less over 45-90 minutes at a show then they would if they were at the Schooner Bar or Casino! So even if NO ONE goes to a pay for show, the guests are going to go elsewhere and spend.

 

Very clever, Very smart. Wonder if the MBA who came up with it has ever taken a cruise?

[Dave85]

If they take a theater that holds 1K people and even ONE person pays for the show RCI is revenue positive. Right now that show generates NO revenue.

 

But what about people that order drinks during the show?

 

I bet they drink far less over 45-90 minutes at a show then they would if they were at the Schooner Bar or Casino! So even if NO ONE goes to a pay for show, the guests are going to go elsewhere and spend.

 

Very clever, Very smart. Wonder if the MBA who came up with it has ever taken a cruise?

 

lol. They would also go down as the first major cruise line to charge for standard nightly entertainment (NCL's dinner show and Carnival LIVE! concerts are more akin to specialty dining / experiences). I may not have an MBA but I think it would be damaging to their brand... unless they're planning on reducing prices to Carnival / NCL levels and moving to a more a la carte experience. Wouldn't hold my breath on the cutting prices.

[leaveitallbehind]

I could care less never plan sailing on one of these sea going amusement parks.Also think they are trying to do away with THE MDR in my opinion.:)

 

On Quantum class ships you are correct - that is exactly what they are doing, but only in terms of the single MDR concept.

 

Instead of one large MDR, they are replacing it with four smaller "themed" restaurants all with an expanded menu. But they all remain at no charge as with the current MDR. So instead of everyone using a single larger room with the current menu they will have the choice of four smaller venues with different menus.

 

The other thing they are doing is eliminating the current fixed early / late seating with the new concept replacing it with and expanded MTD program called Dynamic Dining. But this has been covered on other threads.

Edited June 9, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[SailingSiggy]

I am with you on that one. I mean if i had to pay for a show I would only pay for the Comedy show. I wouldnt pay to see Momma Mia.

I really hope they will not start this non sense

 

Been on 26 RCI cruises and haven't saw a comedy show I'd be willing to pay for.

[LMaxwell]

lol. They would also go down as the first major cruise line to charge for standard nightly entertainment (NCL's dinner show and Carnival LIVE! concerts are more akin to specialty dining / experiences). I may not have an MBA but I think it would be damaging to their brand... unless they're planning on reducing prices to Carnival / NCL levels and moving to a more a la carte experience. Wouldn't hold my breath on the cutting prices.

 

I don't support the idea. But I could see some logic like I stated above being used. An over-eager MBA grad looking to squeeze pennies into nickles, yet never having been on a ship to experience "ship life" and what it entails.

 

I wouldn't pay for main theater entertainment on a cruise ship. it's part of the cruise fare as far as I am concerned. I don't find Royals prices per day to be out of line compared to Carnival and NCL; sometimes even lower. I do view Carnival Live differently as well. Now that tickets for that are like $20 onboard or given free to Platinum members that eases the pain.

[Tyler80]

We've all been paying for entertainment all along. Entertainment is getting better and better so it is costing more. If I had a choice, I would rather pay a la carte for shows than have the entire cruise fare go up.

 

No matter what, I still think cruising is an excellent value.

[TC1957]

On Quantum class ships you are correct - that is exactly what they are doing, but only in terms of the single MDR concept.

 

Instead of one large MDR, they are replacing it with four smaller "themed" restaurants all with an expanded menu. But they all remain at no charge as with the current MDR. So instead of everyone using a single larger room with the current menu they will have the choice of four smaller venues with different menus.

 

The other thing they are doing is eliminating the current fixed early / late seating with the new concept replacing it with and expanded MTD program called Dynamic Dining. But this has been covered on other threads.

 

And this is the reason why the ONLY way I will ever sail on a Quantum class ship (or any other ship that does not have the "traditional MDR concept" is if someone GIVES me a criuse...and by that I mean I am out a grand total of $0 after all taxes/fees/gratuities.

 

We have season tickets to a broadway show series so we see the hot productions every couple of years. I will not be paying for enteratianment on a ship.

Edited June 9, 2014 by TC1957

[DEIx15x8]

We've all been paying for entertainment all along. Entertainment is getting better and better so it is costing more. If I had a choice, I would rather pay a la carte for shows than have the entire cruise fare go up.

 

No matter what, I still think cruising is an excellent value.

 

The problem is that as the size of ships has gone up so has the show quality. That means more people paying in the same amount resulting in bigger show budgets. This is where they may have finally hit a problem. They are trying to out do Oasis with the capacity and thus budget of a Freedom class ship.

 

The shows along with dining are a big part of my enjoyment of a cruise. Following the Dynamic Dining announcement and horrid rollout I was getting tired of RCCL. If they go through with this I'd have to consider jumping ship. I left Disney vacations for the easy planning and all inclusive nature of a cruise, now it's looking like Disney is getting more appealing with every announcement RCCL makes.