New Room Service Menu Coming April 12th - w/some pay items

[pamrose228]

Bravo for CCL not going the way another cruiseline went with a fee service room service. All I want is free options for a late dinner in the room after a full day at port. This is great. Grilled cheese sammich makes me happy with a ceasar salad and chocolate cake I'm good.

[Jenniell]

[quote name='ccruisequeen']
It's hard, especially at night, to find milk on the ship, unless you go to lido deck and search for a staff member who can go into the bowels of the ship to dig one up. Many ships do not have coolers to store milk brought back from breakfast or lunch.


Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

I agree with you so much on this one. My husband had heartburn on our last cruise but there was no milk to be found on Lido during lunch. Some awesome employee actually took 5 minutes to go find some even after I offered to go back to the room and get it from room service.

Also at 2am after playing the in casino and getting the kiddo to bed I require a Ruben. The only place I eat them is in the middle of the Gulf and it is a weird thing I look forward to.

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='ready2cruzagain']Very well stated and I totally agree!! My feeling is that the free delivery items will disappear soon or will get a charge added due to the attitude of many that "We don't care if it makes our cruise cheaper".



Personally, I am not seeing Carnival as being the mega cheap they were the past couple of years.



Our last 4 cruises were on Princess and they cost LESS than anything closely related on Carnival.[/QUOTE]


Yeah, the rumor is that they will charge for linens next. Your other theory of pricing has been out to bed many times as well. Lastly, the later is JFK was killed by a Cuban ? Wait that one is true.

[ATHENA3]

After looking at the RS menu now to the new there is definitely a cutback to make room for pay items

[trvlgirlmq]

[quote name='ready2cruzagain']More than just a couple of things are gone...the new "Freebie" menu has been hacked!

Not on this new menu that was FREE on the old RSM:

Shrimp Salad on french Roll
Mozzarella & Portobello Mushrooms on Focaccia
Roasted NY Strip Loin & Cheddar Cheese on French Bread
Chicken Fajita, Guacamole with Greens in a Jalepeno & Tomato Wrap
Hot Pastrami Sandwich on Rye
Assorted Vegetable Sticks with Blue Cheese Dip
Fresh Fruit Salad
Strawberry Yogurt

Actually they cut the FREE items in half. Use to get 18 free...plus drinks...now only 9!!!

And someone will come along and say "This is not a cutback"[/QUOTE]

Pretty much every item we ever ordered is gone. Ordering a sandwich from RS is the only way to get chips. If they offered potato chips at the deli I would be happy to carry my plate back to my cabin to eat.

We enjoy lunch in our cabin or on the balcony many times. Sometimes I just don't want to be surrounded by lots of other people on my vacation. I want quiet and not other people's kids making noise and a mess around me. I don't always enjoy watching the gluttons with plates piled high with food and them leaving half of it. So, yes free food is available all over the ship but I enjoy having it in my room.

[sjn911]

Well I am more a cruise dreamer soon to be a goer more often..God willing. and working hard not to have major mobility issues with some tough old surgery chronic pain and favorite food and drink lifestyle changes and meds. I am thrilled that Carnival even though they cut back a few free items added a fee menu and left most alone. A few things always changed around on the menu. Now when I try NCL...I may go for those closet insides due to this pay menu thing. I was going for at least the slightly larger inside on Epic like mega ships to enjoy all the entertainment. Whomever I go with for my first solo balcony; I hope has a free simple RS menu at least...I always compare everything though and NCL's coffee machine helps...or guess BYO French press if things get bad enough..LOL. My major splurge is spa..which all have something nice there..even Fantasy class..the suanas showers and lovely big window to outside..highly underrated space...Ladies locker room...

I have to get up and take thyriod med and glass of water and wait for that coffee 45 to and hour..nothing like the first cup..my sis waits for hers in car after church I just learned..heaven with this issue is that first cup.

Whether mobility temporary or long term,,,I pay for room service when in hotel....if a fancy one...and through my fees on a cruiseline for a simple menu. I also love microwave, coffee machine, and fridge medium price properties with hot breakfast...but even on an inside 1a..that fresh fruit, danish, croissant, cereal and coffee and juice all or less..lol..was simply heaven..cozy reading...and sleeping in...HEAVEN. Pleas keep a major cruise perk service fee, suggested 3 dollar tip free and cost free for a basic easy menu..cost for extras great.....thank you Carnival!!

I agree with suggestion for Carnival to deliver full meals to their upper suite people...a simple thing they could do to add to what is now zero perks except for space and fancy bathroom and closet and larger balcony for considerable more cost would make them competitive and attractive at that level.

Viva Idea for Creme Brulee' room sevice option pay or not!! So many of us want to wait for dessert and only splurge when traveling....

Never make fun of those traveling slower than you..I think my deal is light Karma duty for frustration in the past...LOL..Happy travels..we still have so much..prayers for our economy..these are still the good ole days...Sarah

POP plus...LOL..Carnival equals Coke....

NCl I just read during this RS drama equals Pepsi...the nerve...it is a wonder they fill their ships at all..LOL....Sarah Edited April 3, 2015 by sjn911

[katiel53]

[quote name='poison7fl']Getting ready for cruise #16 next week and never got room service... Never understood how lazy someone must be that they can't walk a couple of hundred feet to piles of food everywhere..[/QUOTE]

I think your post is totally rude in that you don't know what the limitations are of some cruisers. Obviously you haven't traveled alone with a child in a cabin when you were awake and the child was asleep. I am doing so this next cruise, and no way would I leave a young child alone in the cabin to go to Lido when I want to have a cup of coffee in the morning on the balcony.

Based on your post, I guess I can't have coffee until my granddaughter is up and dressed as that makes me so lazy. There are times when perhaps you ought to put yourself in someone else's shoes before you make your judgments. Your thinking is that of someone who has a small mind. JMO.

[evanAction]

YAK JUICE HAHAH...oh that John Heald :)

[poison7fl]

[quote name='katiel53']I think your post is totally rude in that you don't know what the limitations are of some cruisers. Obviously you haven't traveled alone with a child in a cabin when you were awake and the child was asleep. I am doing so this next cruise, and no way would I leave a young child alone in the cabin to go to Lido when I want to have a cup of coffee in the morning on the balcony.

Based on your post, I guess I can't have coffee until my granddaughter is up and dressed as that makes me so lazy. There are times when perhaps you ought to put yourself in someone else's shoes before you make your judgments. Your thinking is that of someone who has a small mind. JMO.[/quote]

Jeez, you don't have to attack me. Oh wait, see the irony? Have a nice day.

[cruizinisthebest]

[quote name='katiel53']I think your post is totally rude in that you don't know what the limitations are of some cruisers. Obviously you haven't traveled alone with a child in a cabin when you were awake and the child was asleep. I am doing so this next cruise, and no way would I leave a young child alone in the cabin to go to Lido when I want to have a cup of coffee in the morning on the balcony.

Based on your post, I guess I can't have coffee until my granddaughter is up and dressed as that makes me so lazy. There are times when perhaps you ought to put yourself in someone else's shoes before you make your judgments. Your thinking is that of someone who has a small mind. JMO.[/QUOTE]
The post was most certainly rude. I agree with. However since when do you need to have mobility issues in order to justify ordering room service? I don't get it. I can move just fine thank God. We like ordering room service. SMH. Edited April 3, 2015 by cruizinisthebest

[fair-winds39]

Actually, I guess it was the "golden age" of cruising when I first started back in the late 1980's, but I was a working girl, and I saved up for a cruise every year. I wasn't wealthy, or someone who had a lot of time on my hands. When we cruised it was special. It's still special, but no where near as personal. That was what cruising was about; smaller ships, meeting many different people, making new friends. It's different now, and that's fine. Why should the cruise lines be any different. They're in it for the money, and they're entitled to that. So, as long as I can get a balcony on the Pride for $550/ea., I'll pay extra for an item on the RS menu if I really want it. Times, they are a changing.

[Kristi Williamson]

[quote name='cruizinisthebest']The post was most certainly rude. I agree with. However since when do you need to have mobility issues in order to justify ordering room service? I don't get it. I can move just fine thank God. We like ordering room service. SMH.[/quote]


I've read these threads today and have thought the exact same thought over and over and over. Why are people having to defend themselves for enjoying ordering room service on vacation?!

We enjoy it immensely and believe since NONE of these items are specialty items we should NOT be charged for them. And I shouldn't have to explain myself for ordering room service on my vacation. If I want to lie in bed and eat room service all day and watch TV, that's my business. I work my behind off running a company and raising four kids. Vacation means vacation to me.

[kicia]

When I first heard about the rumor I wasn't too concerned about it. If the old items were kept and only charge for the new ones I would be OK with it. Now that I know the shrimp sandwich is eliminated I'm disappointed. That was the only thing I ever ordered from room service. It's one of the few things that you can't get anywhere else on the ship so I can't go to the Lido to get one. Now I'm sad.

[jonbgd]

[quote name='poison7fl']Getting ready for cruise #16 next week and never got room service... Never understood how lazy someone must be that they can't walk a couple of hundred feet to piles of food everywhere..[/QUOTE]

I don't think someone is lazy, if they decide to enjoy room service
While it might not be for you, doesnt make it a bad thing
I enjoy it on ever cruise Ive ever been on, since I started sailing in balconies and above.
Nothing better than enjoying a cup of coffee in my skivvies;)


Back to the thread
The way CCL is doing the expanded for fee room service is BRLLIANT:p compared to the way NCL is doing theirs

[MrMileStoner]

[quote name='ready2cruzagain']More than just a couple of things are gone...the new "Freebie" menu has been hacked!

Not on this new menu that was FREE on the old RSM:

Shrimp Salad on french Roll
Mozzarella & Portobello Mushrooms on Focaccia
Roasted NY Strip Loin & Cheddar Cheese on French Bread
Chicken Fajita, Guacamole with Greens in a Jalepeno & Tomato Wrap
Hot Pastrami Sandwich on Rye
Assorted Vegetable Sticks with Blue Cheese Dip
Fresh Fruit Salad
Strawberry Yogurt

Actually they cut the FREE items in half. Use to get 18 free...plus drinks...now only 9!!!

And someone will come along and say "This is not a cutback"[/quote]

It isn't.

The strip loin was already gone from the menu on Carnival Breeze and perhaps others. There is a Vegetable platter with dips on the new menu. Strawberry yogurt is an abomination. I don't think I tried any of the others and suspect many other cruisers didn't either.

For that matter, I doubt most cruisers ever order room service, yet part of their cruise fare goes to subsidize it, just like Camp Carnival/Ocean and other non-revenue generators.

As a mass market cruise line, I think Carnival is simply trying to appeal to the largest market possible. Carnival Corp has a number of other cruise lines that target different markets.

[cruizinisthebest]

[quote name='Kristi Williamson']I've read these threads today and have thought the exact same thought over and over and over. Why are people having to defend themselves for enjoying ordering room service on vacation?!

We enjoy it immensely and believe since NONE of these items are specialty items we should NOT be charged for them. And I shouldn't have to explain myself for ordering room service on my vacation. If I want to lie in bed and eat room service all day and watch TV, that's my business. I work my behind off running a company and raising four kids. Vacation means vacation to me.[/QUOTE]
I hear ya girl!

[Linda the Book Lover]

[quote name='Tom-n-Cheryl']When we sail on Carnival, probably the single biggest thing I miss (compared to most other mainstream lines) is not being able to order off the dining room menu in our suite. Many will say "yes, but other lines charge much more than Carnival for thier suites." While that's mostly true, Carnival would do well (in my opinion) to offer this perk to those in at least their top suites: Captain's Suites, and Fantasy class Owner's Suites - as the rates for those are similar to other lines suites.

This has happened rarely for us, but that's HD dependent!

Tom

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2[/quote]

Ahh Tom from your post to the big folk in Carnival's eyes. We book a suite on Carnival for the cabin and balcony not for sadly almost non-existant perks. This is not a complaint just a fact. I would love to have meals off of the main menu included as a suite perk. This July my DD and I will stay in a suite for the above mentioned space and balcony (it's a 4-day so it is the only balcony option). What a great surprise to have Carnival add this to our cruise!

This 4-day Carnival suite experience did cost more than our recent 5-day NCL suite experience which included all of the talked about suite perks and yes full meals in our suite. Calendar date most likely had something to do with the cost and the "what the market will bear" pricing.

Wait...sorry I was donning my fire-retardant suit. We are not well-to-do and save for each cruise. But when I am cruising this old lady would sure like to enjoy a nice breakfast delivered to her balcony. Long ago the DH and I paid the $$ to have the old Princess balcony breakfast and we still talk about it.

[Insel]

A few items I usually ordered and enjoyed on our balcony are gone. I guess this year I'll be bringing my tray from the lido. [emoji52]

[hftmrock]

[quote name='MCFTJCH2V']I don't agree. If they are simply bringing you food that is already being made and being served up top, why would it suddenly be charged for and tipping "charges" still not apply. They are not delivering it any differently.[/quote]


they are bringing you food that they never brought before. better food, more food. this is like the steakhouse upcharge. you can eat at the regular MDR for no charge or the steakhouse for a fee. you can order ANYTHING that is on the room service menu that is CURRENTLY on the room service menu for no charge or order the NEW additions to the room service menu for a charge.

[sjn911]

[quote name='hftmrock']they are bringing you food that they never brought before. better food, more food. this is like the steakhouse upcharge. you can eat at the regular MDR for no charge or the steakhouse for a fee. you can order ANYTHING that is on the room service menu that is CURRENTLY on the room service menu for no charge or order the NEW additions to the room service menu for a charge.[/quote]

technically...

They dropped a few items...luckily not my favorite items...but they dropped a free hot beef sandwich and a free shrimp sandwich many loved...I sadly never tried that shrimp one...but i will live...LOL...

I have a tiny crock pot for one that might get nabbed but old fashioned oatmeal...LOL...will have to think about it on road trips..LOL..and my French Press on NCL...LOL...Sarah

[eponym]

[quote name='lido deck larry']Oh brother.. Not another Carnival cut back! 😝[/QUOTE]

New CEO means bottom line (revenue and profit) view on everything at the expense of brand predictability with consumers. In some industries it is a dangerous game. Someone believes the rewards for changing things outweigh the risks. Just the way it is in business.

My sense is that they are laying the foundation for more sweeping changes to come right about the time as they field a number of new mega ships and possibly the pace for retrofits increases.

No matter, what's done is done and could always be redone in the future.

At a glance, the reduction of choices on the free RS menu is not favorable in my opinion, and the priced offerings aren't so attractively positioned that we will jump at them.

[eponym]

[quote name='BAILEYHY']A few items I usually ordered and enjoyed on our balcony are gone. I guess this year I'll be bringing my tray from the lido. [emoji52][/QUOTE]

I understand. They MAY find real messy decks and hallways every evening with people lugging food down to their rooms more than ever before. And oops, statistically having more spillage and drops.

[A2Mich]

[quote name='tkportersat']It's funny, I have started watching old episodes of the Love Boat and there are never cabins with balconies or windows. People would just walk on to the ship, etc. Knowing how things are today it makes watching the show very amusing.[/quote]


Not surprising considering that cruise ships in the 70's and 80's did not have balcony cabins, with the possible exception of suites. There were plenty of scenes on the Love Boat with portholes in the cabins, but have never seen cabins as large as on LB.

[Cruiseboy06]

I have not cruised since 2011, but planning go on a 4 day cruise with some friends of mine on Carnival Imagination this August.. going to book it this weekend. :-) I read the new menu for a fee.. The food list sounds yummy AND PRICES are reasonable. less $$ than hotel Room service.. A Philly cheese steak in a restaurant about $9 to $12..

Go with the flow and have some fun!! :-)

[A2Mich]

I do have to say that I have enjoyed some of the replies here - especially the ones along the lines of "well I don't mind the changes......as long as they don't affect me." Well, duh? But they do in fact affect SOMEONE.

No matter how we choose to look at it, cruise fares are going back up - not to the same levels they were at in the 80's, but they are slowly going up either way. While I understand that cruise lines need to cut costs here and there to stay competitive and viable, I do think that the cruise lines are trying to see just how much they can get away with as far as cutbacks, cost cutting, additional charges, etc., until their number of bookings or profit margins begin to decrease. Why else would they be testing a pilot program for extra charge items? To see if people will pay the money. And inevitably, people will. Businesses will charge for everything they can because PEOPLE WILL PAY IT. Why does Disney charge over $100 per person for a one day park admission (while still paying the majority of their workers $9-$10 an hour) and paying their POS greedy board members millions per year? Because people continue to pay it on a daily basis. It seems in my opinion, that many people seem to have lost the value of their money. When a typical one day trip to a theme park for a family of 4 costs in excess of $500, am I the only one here who thinks that is ridiculous? Well the cruise lines are no different. Years ago, there were no alternative dining options on cruise ships. All dining options were included (MDR, lido buffet, and room service) for NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. Years later, some brilliant bean counter thought it would be a good idea to find another way to earn more revenue, so we came up with alternative dining options to make more money. So that became a standard aboard nearly all ships, and people expected it and gladly paid the additional costs. Drink packages - as if the cruise lines weren't already making a killing on drink sales, the cruise lines decided to come out with drink packages so they can charge, quite frankly, a lot of money for drinks made with duty-free below wholesale bulk priced alcohol. So now we have people gladly forking over several hundred dollars per week so they can drink as much as they want (which incidentally led to the new game of "How many drinks do I need to drink to come out ahead). And, we as cruisers now expect this and are willing to pay top dollar for it. Or specialty dining packages where you can book multiple reservations in specialty dining for a discount. And in addition, we have the usual justification of "well, I can't eat at a steakhouse at home for $35 per person." Well, guess what? You're not. Your base cruise fare already includes X number of dollars per meal figured in. So, the $35 steakhouse dinner, is really $35 PLUS whatever amount the cruise line already budgeted per meal. Even if only $5 per meal for food costs (as I've heard it's a rather small amount), I can certainly go to a typical chain steakhouse for less than $40 per person, and often do. While it may not be Ruth Chris' or Sam Seltzer quality, neither is the food you're getting onboard.

At the end of it all, we are doing exactly what the cruise line wants us to - spending more money onboard. All the while, they have been finding ways to cut costs - charging extra for things that used to be included, eliminating soap, eliminating pillow chocolates, removing table linens in the dining room. While the individual cuts and savings don't have a huge monetary value on an individual basis, the overall savings of a few dollars per passenger, can easily translate into millions of dollars saved per year, which also translates into millions more added to the bottom line. We as passengers likely don't think about a few dollars here and there, and that's exactly what the cruise line wants. We won't miss a few dollars per person, but that few dollars per person multiplied by a few million passengers per year, can change hands very quickly from the consumer's hand to the cruise line's hand - and now the cruise line has made a few extra million dollars per year. But it's only a few dollars.......;)