Colorado Babe Posted January 24, 2019 #1 Share Posted January 24, 2019 Why do we all continue to purchase the Specialty dining package when there are so many complaints that they have declined? Is the dining room food so bad that we have no other choice but to pay more for just a decent meal? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted January 24, 2019 #2 Share Posted January 24, 2019 8 minutes ago, Colorado Babe said: Why do we all continue to purchase the Specialty dining package when there are so many complaints that they have declined? Is the dining room food so bad that we have no other choice but to pay more for just a decent meal? We don't all purchase specialty dining. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37645 Posted January 24, 2019 #3 Share Posted January 24, 2019 I never purchase the package. I do one specialty dining per cruise as a treat. I have personally always had a wonderful time in the MDR where the food has always been great and service excellent. Never had any issues. But then again, I am pretty easy going. Others may have a different experience. I would never personally purchase a food package when dining is included already. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfaeric Posted January 24, 2019 #4 Share Posted January 24, 2019 Some of us think the dining package is a waste of money. Heck, now that BOGO is pretty much offered to everyone, we rarely go to a specialty restaurant anymore. Unless for a special event. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTBCruiser Posted January 24, 2019 #5 Share Posted January 24, 2019 DW and I are content with MDR food and will stop in at the Windjammer a time or two if we want something else after dinner. I'd be willing to do the steak house (Chops) if I find a deal on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBE4 Posted January 24, 2019 #6 Share Posted January 24, 2019 We don't buy the dining package but will treat ourselves to a specialty restaurant once in a while just as a change of pace. Probably did 8 over the past 6 years on various ships (Anthem / Oasis / Allure / Liberty / Serenade). Of the 8, I would say 3 were truly great and worth every penny, 2 were pretty good and 3 were just ok, not awful, but not worth the price of entry. So for me, it's basically a 50-50 toss-up. Interestingly, we did Chops 3 times and hit each category once (great, good, ok). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerif Posted January 24, 2019 #7 Share Posted January 24, 2019 1 hour ago, 37645 said: I never purchase the package. I do one specialty dining per cruise as a treat. I have personally always had a wonderful time in the MDR where the food has always been great and service excellent. Never had any issues. But then again, I am pretty easy going. Others may have a different experience. I would never personally purchase a food package when dining is included already. I feel the same, once is enough. Of course, I live in an area that has tons of really good restaurants that we frequent and are close to Manhattan if we get bored with the local offerings so don’t feel the need to do specialty restaurants on a cruise. Now, I do have friends who live in areas where they are lucky to have a few chain restaurants so are more apt to try specialty restaurants on a ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare tennislvr8 Posted January 25, 2019 #8 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I purchase the bogo when it's on sale. Never paid more that $35 per person, that's an excellent deal to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare vacationlover_mn Posted January 25, 2019 #9 Share Posted January 25, 2019 We’re doing the UDT because I’m bored with the regular menu and want to try something different. At $200 pp for 7 dinners and 4 lunches, we find it worthwhile. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzeluver Posted January 25, 2019 #10 Share Posted January 25, 2019 We have been purchasing the 5 night package but not for the reasons indicated by the OP. Food in the main dining room is perfectly fine, but the crowds and noise levels (particularly in the anytime dining sections of the larger ships) have gotten to the point that its most unpleasant. We like having a variety of dining experiences which the package affords, the more attentive service and quieter atmosphere. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Babe Posted January 25, 2019 Author #11 Share Posted January 25, 2019 2 hours ago, cruzeluver said: We have been purchasing the 5 night package but not for the reasons indicated by the OP. Food in the main dining room is perfectly fine, but the crowds and noise levels (particularly in the anytime dining sections of the larger ships) have gotten to the point that its most unpleasant. We like having a variety of dining experiences which the package affords, the more attentive service and quieter atmosphere. WE also purchase the 5 night package. We also find the noise in the main dining room is very loud and the service is so slow. I have a fusion in my back and sitting in the dining room for 2 hours is unbearable. I do enjoy going to the dining room on lobster night though. It's the only time on a ship that you will see me gorge. Most waiters find it entertaining to see a woman eat just as much as a grown man. Sometimes I can eat 3-4 lobster tails and prime rib, potato, etc. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted January 25, 2019 #12 Share Posted January 25, 2019 We eat most meals in specialty restaurants for several years, we like the food and service when is normally way better than mdr. I thought we would eat most dinners in suite restaurant on recent cruise but after two nights wife wanted to eat rest of meals in specialty restaurants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debgreg Posted January 25, 2019 #13 Share Posted January 25, 2019 We purchase the three night package which I find especially worthwhile where they have Wonderland which I love. We just like to mix it up, change of scenery that's all :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted January 25, 2019 #14 Share Posted January 25, 2019 We go once a cruise. With a two top you can be out in 60 minutes easy. Just let them know up front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare orville99 Posted January 25, 2019 #15 Share Posted January 25, 2019 We usually do one a cruise. It's nice to sit across from your partner and be able to have an actual conversation without yelling over the constant MDR noise. Nothing better than turning a formal night into a romantic date night in the middle of the ocean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBE4 Posted January 25, 2019 #16 Share Posted January 25, 2019 3 hours ago, vacationlover_mn said: We’re doing the UDT because I’m bored with the regular menu and want to try something different. At $200 pp for 7 dinners and 4 lunches, we find it worthwhile. At $18 pp a meal, that's quite the deal and will make just about any specialty restaurant worthwhile. 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueridgemama Posted January 25, 2019 #17 Share Posted January 25, 2019 3 hours ago, vacationlover_mn said: We’re doing the UDT because I’m bored with the regular menu and want to try something different. At $200 pp for 7 dinners and 4 lunches, we find it worthwhile. I guess if you cruise really frequently you could get "bored" with the offerings in the MDR. We only cruise once or at most twice a year so there have always been plenty of menu items that we can enjoy. We have only cruised with RCI, Princess and Carnival and we have always been happy with the food in the MDR. Sometimes it's really good and sometimes it's just ok, not unlike going to a restaurant in our home town. The great thing about the ship is that if you didn't like your meal in the MDR there are lots of other places to go to where you can get something else to eat. It's great that there are options for everyone and that the cruise lines are making it more reasonable to purchase specialty dining if that is your preference. However or wherever you decide to eat on a cruise you will never have to go to bed hungry😊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare orville99 Posted January 25, 2019 #18 Share Posted January 25, 2019 36 minutes ago, blueridgemama said: The great thing about the ship is that if you didn't like your meal in the MDR there are lots of other places to go to where you can get something else to eat. 😊 Unless you're on a Disney cruise, where non-MDR options are few and far between, and most other food venues that do exist shut down as soon as the MDR opens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Researcher Posted January 25, 2019 #19 Share Posted January 25, 2019 ...because the same people also whine about (I mean discuss ) the MDR declining, so it's all relative. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeedsVitaminSea Posted January 25, 2019 #20 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I'm new to RCCL but was offered the 7 night dining package for $125pp! I snapped up that deal. I figure we can even forfeit a few nights and come out ahead. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorben-Hendrik Posted January 25, 2019 #21 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I think specialty dining is a very US thing as there is hardly any developed food culture where people live on land..... We have so much better food where we live - specialty dining is much better back home than on the ship!👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted January 25, 2019 #22 Share Posted January 25, 2019 8 minutes ago, Thorben-Hendrik said: I think specialty dining is a very US thing as there is hardly any developed food culture where people live on land..... We have so much better food where we live - specialty dining is much better back home than on the ship!👍 What's tasty in Norway? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorben-Hendrik Posted January 25, 2019 #23 Share Posted January 25, 2019 1 minute ago, John&LaLa said: What's tasty in Norway? That's not the point.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted January 25, 2019 #24 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Just now, Thorben-Hendrik said: That's not the point.... Ummm, yes it is. Truly curious. Mainly due to your love of American all you can eat buffets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorben-Hendrik Posted January 25, 2019 #25 Share Posted January 25, 2019 4 minutes ago, John&LaLa said: Mainly due to your love of American all you can eat buffets. I feel I will always find something when they serve 350+ items.....😇 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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