What if we all stopped going to "Specialty" Dinning?

[Moby0215]

We have cruised a decent amount over the years and have tried specialty dinning on many NCL ships. Overall, I must admit to being underwhelmed. There have been a few really nice experiences, but not really worth the extra price.

 

 

 

To make it worse, it seems like NCL is pushing more and more in that direction. For example the Margaritaville experience on the Getaway and Breakaway.

 

 

 

So, I suggest we stop getting caught up in the hype of Specialty dining and demand that the cruise lines provide their best dining options at all dining rooms to all guests. No more paying extra for dining!

 

 

 

Crazy idea???

 

 

 

Yes that’s a crazy idea. NCL is a business. I like my dining options.

 

 

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[DCT61]

Extra tariff restaurants onboard ships have been around since the turn of the last century. The TITANIC and MAJESTIC each had one, plus several German liners had them. It's not just a new method dreamed up by NCL to part people with their money.

[rtkenmore]

I've been on Dawn since Los Lobos was added and I would LOVE to see it rolled out to all the ships. It is hands down one of my top two speciality restaurants. We ended up eating there 3 times on a 9 day cruise.

 

 

 

Someone on one of my groups on “the site that shall not be named” posted this today.

 

Just left a Travel Show - NCL was there and was giving out the current alcohol list for the UBP. Also confirmed that Moderno will be closing on most ships due to low “interest”. One of the servers did mention this when we were on the Escape two weeks ago and I didn’t know if I should believe them or not....[emoji53]

 

I don’t know if the information is correct or not, but personally I won’t miss Moderno. If this is true, the question becomes what will take its place? Maybe the new specialty restaurant Q that will be on Bliss, or maybe Los Lobos?

 

 

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[rtkenmore]

You don't have to choose Free At Sea... You can opt for no promotion.

 

 

What's worse is the Free at Sea program being forced upon people who want to choose their own cabin. It's not Free if they're charging more.

[kevmoley]

First off anytime you are a thread starter for ANYTHING, all the professional debaters come out of the woodwork. So you must understand that you will be wrong and they will be right.

 

The same can be said for those that post ALL in bold ;p

[oliver033]

I imagine if we all stopped going to speciality dining they would close the dining rooms and convert the areas to additional cabins, making it more crowded.

[molole]

I hardly ever go to specialty restaurants because I am not very into food.

 

I have to agree I dislike the bungling of "free at sea" perks with choose your own room. As a result nowadays I usually only book Norwegian last minute and take a guarantee room.

[newmexicoNita]

YA RIGHT !

Give up what free Latitude perk's we have left.

F.D.R. would love that.

Do YOU work for him? :evilsmile:

Few perks we as latitude members have, what have we long that really makes a huge difference? I like what has been added more than missing a few things lost like the other bottle of wine. Many of us have the UBP anyway. we don't need that other bottle.

[swedish weave]

Few perks we as latitude members have, what have we long that really makes a huge difference? I like what has been added more than missing a few things lost like the other bottle of wine. Many of us have the UBP anyway. we don't need that other bottle.

The " few things" NCL took away from me has cost them more than they gained.

The bottle of wine that I can buy in a store for under five dollars has cost NCL the revenue from several cruises. The other "takeaways" NCL has done make other cruise lines more attractive to me.

The other lines don't charge for "free stuff".

Edited October 16, 2017 by swedish weave

[Two Wheels Only]

I have no problem with paying more for "choose your own" staterooms but without the "free at sea" upcharge. It doesn't have to be one or the other, not with today's technology.

After you select your stateroom type, select "Norwegian Rate" then "choose your own" stateroom. There will be no charge for any of the promos since you won't be getting any of the promos.

[lazyirishchic]

Its an interesting thread because a first time cruiser will book a cruise because of stories they hear about the way it used to be. Long time cruisers like to say you are lucky to be able to cruise but in fact a cruise has become the cheapest vacation. So we take the cheapest vacation then complain about the low quality. I don't exclude myself, i was under the impression that by booking a balcony or suite I turned the motel 8 into the ritz carlton. I forgot that its the same employees at the motel 8 as the ritz

[Sotermarler]

I've only been to La Cucina once because my TA threw it in for free. I was in no way wowed, so there is no way I would pay for food since it's already included in the fare. That being said, I couldn't care less about the pay restaurants. If people want to fight for reservations and pay more for them, that is their choice.

I'm fine with the MDR and buffet. If it's free, it's for me!

 

 

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[NLH Arizona]

I've only been to La Cucina once because my TA threw it in for free. I was in no way wowed, so there is no way I would pay for food since it's already included in the fare. That being said, I couldn't care less about the pay restaurants. If people want to fight for reservations and pay more for them, that is their choice.

I'm fine with the MDR and buffet. If it's free, it's for me!

 

 

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This is a great example of why NCL has both MDR and specialty resturants; it is all about giving the passengers a choice.

[Cruise4Twos]

After you select your stateroom type, select "Norwegian Rate" then "choose your own" stateroom. There will be no charge for any of the promos since you won't be getting any of the promos.

I've tried this but the price stays the same so you end up paying for the promos whether use them or not.

Sad because I like Norwegian but it looks like I'll be traveling RCL more in the future.

[Two Wheels Only]

I've tried this but the price stays the same so you end up paying for the promos whether use them or not.

Sad because I like Norwegian but it looks like I'll be traveling RCL more in the future.

The price "looks" the same when choosing but if you pick a promo such as SDP or UBP, the service charge is added later.

[BostonGal35]

we only eat at specialties now with our platinum vouchers. they just arent worth it. food is no better than in the MDR.

[LrgPizza]

We stopped going a couple cruises ago. We prefer not to be tied down to reservations. Any time we dined at a specialty, we felt we were missing out on something we'd have preferred in the MDR. Now we just eat in the MDR. I'll take the ambience of a Manhattan Room with live music and dancing over the boring and tightly packed Le Bistro any day, that's for sure.

[Cruise4Twos]

The price "looks" the same when choosing but if you pick a promo such as SDP or UBP, the service charge is added later.

The price is the same since some promos do not have service charges such as excursions and the internet. I wouldn't pick the SDP or UDP. The MDR/Asian Restaurant are better than what I normally get when I eat out at home. I do respect that others have the right to choose.

Edited October 16, 2017 by Cruise4Twos

[PTC DAWG]

I really enjoyed the UDP as one of the Perks on my last cruise on the Getaway....had 3 great meals. Looking for 3 more on my next cruise in April. That said, nothing wrong with the buffet at all. I actually prefer it for breakfast for sure. Not much of a big eater at lunch...The MDR's aren't really my style...but we did have a nice meal at the one with the live band...drink service was lacking, though.

[uneamie]

Speciality dining is an "option". You don't have to buy into it. I like this option and I think it serves a huge purpose. The food is by far better than the free options but the free options are good in my opinion as well.

[psac]

On Disney Cruise Line, their premiere restaurant, Remy, is $95 per person. And it’s tough to get a reservation, it usually sells out. (Their other specialty, Palo, is $35 and fantastic, so we just do that one.). Specialty restaurants aren’t going anywhere, just getting more and more extensive and expensive. Having the option to choose is best for everyone.

[uneamie]

On Disney Cruise Line, their premiere restaurant, Remy, is $95 per person. And it’s tough to get a reservation, it usually sells out. (Their other specialty, Palo, is $35 and fantastic, so we just do that one.). Specialty restaurants aren’t going anywhere, just getting more and more extensive and expensive. Having the option to choose is best for everyone.

I remember on our Disney Cruise it was almost impossible to get a reservation at either of those restaurants. There was a line a mile long to get the reservations upon boarding. I remember waiting in line for over an hour only to be turned away because they were not taking anymore more ressies.

[LMaxwell]

What is starting to get a bit of "creep" is more and more specialty breakfast and lunch across cruise lines. I'm afraid marketers will say see, less demand for MDR, and increase demand for specialty; let's close MDR for breakfast and lunch; buffet or specialty is fine.

[papadave]

I believe there may still be a couple of cruise lines without specialty restaurants. A few years ago I was on a Costa ship and the dining choices were buffet or main dining, nothing else. The main dining was impressive. Those who wanted different table mates or perhaps a quicker meal ate at the buffet. I am quite certain that there was no specialty restaurant option on that ship because I was solo and was, at first, seated with a group of people who were conversing in German, so I went to the front desk and asked about my options. By the way, I was seated with a larger group that had one free space and we are still friends today -- I send them a card every Christmas.

 

I digress.

 

Your suggestions is valid. But, also, it is similar to suggesting that a cruise line remove the casino. You and I do not need to go there, but giving the cruise line the additional revenue source makes it possible for them to charge us less for a cruise and still turn a profit.

 

To all of you who pay extra on a cruise, keeping my price down, I thank you for subsidizing my trip.

[luvtheships]

I've tried this but the price stays the same so you end up paying for the promos whether use them or not.

 

Sad because I like Norwegian but it looks like I'll be traveling RCL more in the future.

 

 

 

I always pick the free wifi

 

No added fees and I want wifi anyway

 

And yes either free sdp and ubp service charge is added during the next step of the process

 

 

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