Carnival to Roll Out For-Fee Room Service Fleetwide

[momof3cruisers]

 

I'm back..I just had to go get some popcorn.:D

 

Did you pay for it, or was it free. ;)

 

I am thinking we may try the fries on this upcoming trip. Guy's are not my favorite style so I think reg fries sound like a good option. I am bummed about the NY strip sandwich, but glad the BLT is on there still.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

Carnival made minor changes to the free room service menu, and added many new a la carte items. There is no nickle and diming here. You still have free room service for the things you had before, but if you want some fancier stuff you get to pay for it. It is a win - win situation. If you don't like this go to NCL where the only free room service is continental breakfast.

 

NCL is a great cruise. But yeah the room service menu is limited as heck. Good thing they have great ships with plenty of free food options.

 

I agree in that if free room service is a big motivation for choosing a cruise line, Carnival is a good choice.

Edited January 16, 2016 by Rottweiler Puppy

[Warm Breezes]

For me it is so much easier to just visit the buffet and grab a plate of whatever rather than wait for room service.

 

I agree. The few times we tried room service in the afternoon or evening it either took them so long to answer the phone that I gave up or it took forever to get delivered. It was just as easy to go grab what we wanted from the Lido and bring it back if we wanted to...and this wasn't just a CCL issue. It is rare for us to even attempt it anymore. We do like getting the breakfast with the card once in a while, especially on a port day.

[Warm Breezes]

The point is that royal (with the new class of ship and NCL are driving people to spend more money on food for what sued to included in fare. HAL, which is part of Carnival it is alive and well, just like it is on Carnival, again, maintaining the MDR experience.

 

I can't say that I agree with you here. I've not sailed Royal so I can't comment on them, but I can say with NCL you still have just as many food places (if not more) that are included in your fare as you do on CCL....they just have more for fee options. We don't spend anymore for food on NCL as we do on CCL so I can't agree with you about the driving people to spend more on food for what used to be included. I know that they are now charging for their room service in the evening but since we have given up on all lines for evening room service we are not spending more. I have to say on our last NCL cruise DH got wings at O'Sheehans and brought them back to our room and he loved them....for free:D.

Edited January 16, 2016 by Warm Breezes

[jimbo5544]

I can't say that I agree with you here. I've not sailed Royal so I can't comment on them, but I can say with NCL you still have just as many food places (if not more) that are included in your fare as you do on CCL....they just have more for fee options. We don't spend anymore for food on NCL as we do on CCL so I can't agree with you about the driving people to spend more on food for what used to be included. I know that they are now charging for their room service in the evening but since we have given up on all lines for evening room service we are not spending more. I have to say on our last NCL cruise DH got wings at O'Sheehans and brought them back to our room and he loved them....for free:D.

 

 

That's fine, people disagree with me all the time.

[smyliecruising]

If they keep the tickets low and offer optional upgrades, I am happy. I won't eat chicken wings but when I take my kids they will love this! We spend frivolously on vacation and I like the tad bit better food offerings as I thought much of the room service food was bland and they are keeping the same free stuff so I don't see a problem. Since they didn't have it for free to begin with I am happy that now they offer it for me to buy if I want to:)

Edited January 16, 2016 by smyliecruising

[moxie99]

We just returned from a 6 day on the Conquest - our first time with the new dining room menu's - we loved them - and our first time with the new Room Service menu. You can still have the old menu at no charge - we love the BLT's and the Tuna - but we also tried several of the "pay" options - they were great as well - the steak sandwich was great as were the fries. My only wish is a new breakfast menu as I would prefer to eat in my cabin but if I want eggs I have to leave for the lido. We do love the sea-day brunch and usually I will order coffee and juice in the early morning and then later on we head off for brunch - works for us!

[simplelife]

I see that some people just can't accept change... and nothing would make them happy... Nothing...

 

Last cruise someone at our table was complaining about the brand of milk and said they would never cruise with Carnival again... really??? just whiners, and usually can't afford to cruise again anyway.. We got up and walked out of breakfast.

 

Don't want it, don't buy it... duh. simple

I wouldn't have let a whiner ruin my plans. If the whining was severe, certainly the waitstaff, your tablemates and anyone in earshot was aware of it also. If I could not diffuse the whining (by changing the subject, concentrating on conversing with others, etc) I would have asked to be reseated. The reason why would be obvious to all,

[wantocruisemore]

I wouldn't have let a whiner ruin my plans. If the whining was severe, certainly the waitstaff, your tablemates and anyone in earshot was aware of it also. If I could not diffuse the whining (by changing the subject, concentrating on conversing with others, etc) I would have asked to be reseated. The reason why would be obvious to all,

 

Yea I know what you mean. I heard a woman in line upset because they did not have fig or apricot preserves with Brie for breakfast. She would never cruise on Carnival again. Another I heard complaining about the size of the free lobster tails and would never cruise Carnival. I almost told them good, leaves more choices for me.

 

If that's what important to them they can she'll out 4 times the price for a luxury line. I just don't understand some people. Another I heard complaining about the decor. My list could go on and on. There's no pleasing some people.

[crusinpsychRN]

We just returned from a 6 day on the Conquest - our first time with the new dining room menu's - we loved them - and our first time with the new Room Service menu. You can still have the old menu at no charge - we love the BLT's and the Tuna - but we also tried several of the "pay" options - they were great as well - the steak sandwich was great as were the fries. My only wish is a new breakfast menu as I would prefer to eat in my cabin but if I want eggs I have to leave for the lido. We do love the sea-day brunch and usually I will order coffee and juice in the early morning and then later on we head off for brunch - works for us!

 

Did they really eliminate shrimp salad option?

[beachbum53]

Oh my goodness- isn't there already enough "no charge" food to go around a thousand times over? AAah Carnival is charging $5 for chicken wings delivered to my state room! I will surely starve!!!!!

 

For me it is so much easier to just visit the buffet and grab a plate of whatever rather than wait for room service.

 

The "for an additional charge items" are an option, available to those too lazy to put on some pants and go to the buffet area. I wonder, how many of these same people that are whining about paying a couple of dollars for something on the room service menu have no problem dropping $20.00 or more at the casino?

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Is the room service breakfast menu the same?

 

I thought I saw somewhere that they no longer have the smoked salmon for room service breakfast. True or not true?

 

Just off the Pride. Smoked salmon is NOT on the room service breakfast menu.

 

It was on the MDR breakfast and brunch menus, as well as available at the deli.

[whitshel]

Your right nobody knows for sure and you are correct again you can think anything you like. From there, we pretty much disagree. Your logic of doing it slowly and that will be more easily accepted has so many holes it I cannot find a place to start. Oops, we kind of agree on another point, Royal is he king of nickel and diming and had been doing it much longer than anyone else. I would be happy to debate that one with you. For the record Carnival does not charge a fee for their standard room service no matter what time of day it is. They charge for new and enhanced things, which you can either do or not do.

 

Its funny how Royal is nickle and dimming its passengers for specialty restaurants and anything else they charge for but now that Carnival is following suite, they are giving their passengers choices. HMMMMM, Royal is nickle and dimming, Carnival has choices. Seems like that's what Royal Pax have been saying all along, you can choose to spend it or not.

 

Lets see they both charge for;

Drinks

soda

specialty dinning

pictures

steakhouse steak in the MDR

specialty coffee

Room service

anything else?

 

Royal Caribbean nickles and Dimes, Carnival you get choices. Guess I'm going to have to try Carnival so I have choices :D

 

I only post this because I know soon Rccl will price me out of their cruises so I have check things out here too. I just think its so funny for years people say nickle and dime we say choices, now the times are a changing.

[jimbo5544]

You are correct, there is some drag along in this regard. My point was that Royal is the king of this and does it much more so than other cruise lines (most specifically Carnival in this discussion). Examples of this are: Oasis charges 3.50 for a tiny bag of popcorn, Carnival free. Royal charges a la carte pricing for Johnny Rockets Carnival Guys burger joint free, Royal charges 3.50 for fresh squeezed OJ in Windjammer. While it is true Carnival offers extras for room service, Royal charges for anything for late hours. On Anthem they charge 14.50 for a pina colada. On Freedom they offered an exclusive New Years Eve "viewing station for "only 120/per person (you do get a bottle of champagne). I can go on if you want. I also agree on this pricing, the prices they have for Anthem are ridiculous. People pay it so maybe I am all wet on that......

Edited January 18, 2016 by jimbo5544

[Aquahound]

I just think its so funny for years people say nickle and dime we say choices, now the times are a changing.

 

Funny how that works, huh.....the way people view things? ;) Besides, anyone who says RCI is the king of nickel and dime has never sailed NCL, starting with NCL's 24/7 $7.95 room service charge.

[Athankfulheart]

Did they really eliminate shrimp salad option?

 

They sure did :(

They also got rid of the strip loin and cheese sandwich which was my fav.

 

This is a good scan of the new menus. http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/89081_NoSushi_LR.pdf

[kiefer1130]

Just off the Paradise, we had the normal "free" room service items and there was a one page list of items you could get for an upcharge.

[nanwel]

I do not have any complaints about a fee for special food after hours, or on top of regular "free" food.'

Go to any hotel - conference or most other cruise lines - those little extra are not free.

Rather pay a few $ if I want extra service and food than more $ for whole cruise.

[whitshel]

You are correct, there is some drag along in this regard. My point was that Royal is the king of this and does it much more so than other cruise lines (most specifically Carnival in this discussion). Examples of this are: Oasis charges 3.50 for a tiny bag of popcorn, Carnival free. Royal charges a la carte pricing for Johnny Rockets Carnival Guys burger joint free, Royal charges 3.50 for fresh squeezed OJ in Windjammer. While it is true Carnival offers extras for room service, Royal charges for anything for late hours. On Anthem they charge 14.50 for a pina colada. On Freedom they offered an exclusive New Years Eve "viewing station for "only 120/per person (you do get a bottle of champagne). I can go on if you want. I also agree on this pricing, the prices they have for Anthem are ridiculous. People pay it so maybe I am all wet on that......

 

I understand what your saying and Royal may be king but from the looks of things Carnival is offering way more "choices" (wink, wink) now and is right on RCCL's heels. All I'm saying is its funny how RCCL was mocked especially for charging of the premium steaks in the MDR, then Carnival does it and so on.... Quick question, does Carnival offer fresh squeezed OJ in their buffet for free? I honestly don't now, just wondering?? I'll give you the JR/Guys thing, I agree I would much rather have a Guys, as for the popcorn, I just got off the Oasis and didn't see any popcorn so that one i'm not sure about. Oh, wait what about the hot tea now? Carnival is charging for flavored hot tea? Ahhh, I gotcha, choices, Carnival has choices.:D I guess I'm playing with you guys, it's just funny to me, choices......

 

And yes, I'm sure you all blame it on RCCL, they started this whole mess :eek:

[jimbo5544]

I understand what your saying and Royal may be king but from the looks of things Carnival is offering way more "choices" (wink, wink) now and is right on RCCL's heels. All I'm saying is its funny how RCCL was mocked especially for charging of the premium steaks in the MDR, then Carnival does it and so on.... Quick question, does Carnival offer fresh squeezed OJ in their buffet for free? I honestly don't now, just wondering?? I'll give you the JR/Guys thing, I agree I would much rather have a Guys, as for the popcorn, I just got off the Oasis and didn't see any popcorn so that one i'm not sure about. Oh, wait what about the hot tea now? Carnival is charging for flavored hot tea? Ahhh, I gotcha, choices, Carnival has choices.:D I guess I'm playing with you guys, it's just funny to me, choices......

 

 

 

And yes, I'm sure you all blame it on RCCL, they started this whole mess :eek:

 

 

There certainly is enough blame to go around. Pretty observant that there are thing in the "Royal Plan" that I don't enjoy. That being said, Royal did start the "for fee" in terms of room service.

 

Cruising is changing, NCL began paving the path with freestyle dining and the race began. All cruise lines have had to adapt, some more drastically than others. I love the mega liners (from a ship perspective). They truly are amazing. From there, I am less impressed, Amusement park rides don't add to the cruising experience from my perspective. I can go on if you would like....

[whitshel]

There certainly is enough blame to go around. Pretty observant that there are thing in the "Royal Plan" that I don't enjoy. That being said, Royal did start the "for fee" in terms of room service.

 

Cruising is changing, NCL began paving the path with freestyle dining and the race began. All cruise lines have had to adapt, some more drastically than others. I love the mega liners (from a ship perspective). They truly are amazing. From there, I am less impressed, Amusement park rides don't add to the cruising experience from my perspective. I can go on if you would like....

 

I completely understand what you are saying. But like you said they all have to adapt and keep up with the Jones. You say amusement park rides, I assume you are talking about all cruise lines as well, water slides, ropes courses, motion rides, etc or is just the flow rider, bumper cars, rock walls that diminishes your cruise experience? And in my mind it completely adds to the cruise vacation experience, whether It a ropes course or a flow rider.

 

I have never been on a carnival cruise so in no way can I talk dirt about them, like I said one day I will cruise with them one day because I see the writing on the wall with rccl pricing. And more power to rccl , supply and demand, they keep building them and filling them, what can you do? Although sounds like Carnival is following suit too.

 

Happy sailing!

[jimbo5544]

I completely understand what you are saying. But like you said they all have to adapt and keep up with the Jones. You say amusement park rides, I assume you are talking about all cruise lines as well, water slides, ropes courses, motion rides, etc or is just the flow rider, bumper cars, rock walls that diminishes your cruise experience? And in my mind it completely adds to the cruise vacation experience, whether It a ropes course or a flow rider.

 

 

 

I have never been on a carnival cruise so in no way can I talk dirt about them, like I said one day I will cruise with them one day because I see the writing on the wall with rccl pricing. And more power to rccl , supply and demand, they keep building them and filling them, what can you do? Although sounds like Carnival is following suit too.

 

 

 

Happy sailing!

 

 

And to you.

[Aquahound]

You say amusement park rides, I assume you are talking about all cruise lines as well, water slides, ropes courses, motion rides, etc or is just the flow rider, bumper cars, rock walls that diminishes your cruise experience?

 

You know how it is...it's the same on every board. A loyal Carnival cruiser will try to insult Oasis by calling the amenities amusement park rides, yet they will happily sail Dream Class over and over and call them "options." NCL loyalists do the same thing with Breakaway Class and RCI loyalists do the same thing with Oasis Class. I always laugh at how people justify things in their own minds and on these boards. :D

[sparks1093]

You know how it is...it's the same on every board. A loyal Carnival cruiser will try to insult Oasis by calling the amenities amusement park rides, yet they will happily sail Dream Class over and over and call them "options." NCL loyalists do the same thing with Breakaway Class and RCI loyalists do the same thing with Oasis Class. I always laugh at how people justify things in their own minds and on these boards. :D

 

Yep. "On my line dinner is 90 minutes long, on yours it's an hour and a half."

[jimbo5544]

You know how it is...it's the same on every board. A loyal Carnival cruiser will try to insult Oasis by calling the amenities amusement park rides, yet they will happily sail Dream Class over and over and call them "options." NCL loyalists do the same thing with Breakaway Class and RCI loyalists do the same thing with Oasis Class. I always laugh at how people justify things in their own minds and on these boards. :D

 

I do know how it is, since I said it. Most of the difference is, I have experienced both products. My comments on them are.....my comments. My comments specifically to amusement rides on Oasis and Quantum class ships stand. I am not trying to insult them or the people that sail them (which I was one of). What I said, was that it is not my cup of tea. Having bumper cars, merry go rounds, etc etc (by the way, way, way more than on a Carnival ship) do not enhance the cruise experience....for me. I never called ropes courses options, and these things on a Carnival ship don't enhance my cruise experience either.

 

The point was that cruising is evolving and changing. Carnival has taken a less aggressive path on those changes than other cruise lines....that is fact. Whether you or I think that is right, wrong, innovative or radical is our opinion. I will try and not belittle you for having yours....;).