Jump to content

Probably my last unlimited dining package purchase.


 Share

Recommended Posts

Currently on Harmony and even though we are in a Grand Suite and have Coastal Kitchen access I purchased the unlimited dining package for everyone in our family (5 total). We were on the Allure in May and found it to be a good value in terms of food  and service and I wanted us all to dine together since 3 in the party would not have Coastal Kitchen access. In both Chops and CP150 we were told when we were handed our menus that we could only have one entree unless we wanted to pay $10 additional. The 2 men in our party were not happy. The entrees are not all that large and our daughters boyfriend is a college rugby player with a healthy appetite. The ladies in the party ended up sharing their entrees so the guys had enough to eat. We were also told in Jamie's on the first day that the dry aged rib eye had been removed that week and going forward it would be short ribs. Something already served in CP150. Several other menu changes were made but I can't recall them all. That one sticks out because again, the guys wanted a steak. The service in CP150 was terrible. We did not even receive bread after waiting at the table 35 minutes and our waiter was interrupted by the host who kept pressing tickets for other seated tables in his hand. You could tell he was overwhelmed and distracted. This has never been our experience in the last 8 to 10 times we have dined in CP150 and usually the service is the best. Honestly I would rather see them increase the price and keep better/multiple entrees than make it close to a main dining experience and charge for it. Next time I'll splurge for a suite and eat at CK every night or just go back to the main dining room.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Officially it has always been an extra $10 for entrees.  Multiple apps and desserts are not a problem. 

 

Even with the Unlimited dining package?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you so much for posting this! We just purchased this package for a cruise on Navigator, and it says specifically "multiple entrees". So I printed it out just in case. We've never ordered a second entree, but it will be a nice option if we really don't like the first thing we order. 

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

From their website

 

 

UNLIMITED DINING PACKAGE

 

PRICES STARTING FROM*$199.00 USD Adult
  • RESTRICTIONS

    none

OVERVIEW

 

Savor the savings with the Unlimited Dining Package! For one low price, you can enjoy multiple entrees and visit multiple specialty restaurants every night of your sailing. And as an added perk, this unlimited package also applies to lunch at specialty restaurants on sea days. Plus, enjoy a discount of 40% off bottles of wine under $100 and 20% off bottles above $100 while dining in specialty restaurants.

 

 

A courtesy reservation will be made for the first night of your cruise based on your preferred dining time. You will receive your courtesy reservation confirmation in your stateroom on the first day of your cruise. All additional reservations or changes to your courtesy reservation must be made once onboard at any specialty restaurant.

 

 

For restaurants with a la carte pricing, you’ll receive a $35 food credit.*

 

 

Holiday Celebration Dinners are not included with this package.*

Edited by molly361
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Harmony definitely does not have their act together with the UDP.  In May we were told it could not be used for upcharge items in the Solarium Bistro.  I'm pretty sure that info was wrong as well but we did not push it.  Used it on Oasis for upcharge items twice with no problems BEFORE it was called Unlimited

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I don’t really know.  I had always assumed that stuff like that would have fallen under the Hotel Director but maybe it is a bit lower down the chain.

 

Depending on staffing, RM is often an HD assistant. 

 

I'll ask next week

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd contact the powers that be and complain. Attach a screen shot showing the description. Buying it for a fairly large group was a big purchase--maybe you can get some OBC or something. I don't always think that anything that goes wrong automatically deserves compensation,  but when you literally find them refusing to provide what you paid for...that merits a partial refund or something!

Edited by mayleeman
  • Like 6
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I have access to CK I never buy the UDP.  When I don't have CK access I'll sometimes buy the UDP if it's on sale.  

 

My biggest complaint with UDP is the full rules and where it works aren't published and everything varies by ship or even sail date.  You don't really know what you are getting with the UDP.  It's reported that Playmakers is included but that isn't stated anywhere so it could be withdrawn at any moment.  

 

Consequently there is a lot of ambiguity and ships can make up their own rules to achieve revenue targets.   If I knew exactly what I'd get with the UDP I might buy it more often.  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The way I see things, when you purchase the UDP you fall under a different menu and different rules, I can understand that...its like going to an early bird dinner, your given a certain menu for that (or regular menu items and smaller portions) and then after early bird dinner ends the regular menu comes out.  When you purchase the UDP you are getting a discount rate, your able to eat as many times as you want in these specialty restaurants, surely the cruise line has to control its cost and have different rules....on another note, they do not state this which is wrong, they need to let the people who purchase the UDP know the rules and what is included and what is not.  As for right now, they are not being honest.  

 

I avoid all early birds just like I would avoid UDP, surely you think your getting a bargain, but there are different terms and I expect this, you get what you pay for I say.  You may disagree with me, but lets face reality...you really think they going to give you everything for less of a price?  Not!

Edited by Cruisegirl6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

The way I see things, when you purchase the UDP you fall under a different menu and different rules, I can understand that...its like going to an early bird dinner, your given a certain menu for that (or regular menu items and smaller portions) and then after early bird dinner ends the regular menu comes out.  When you purchase the UDP you are getting a discount rate, your able to eat as many times as you want in these specialty restaurants, surely the cruise line has to control its cost and have different rules....on another note, they do not state this which is wrong, they need to let the people who purchase the UDP know the rules and what is included and what is not.  As for right now, they are not being honest.  

 

I avoid all early birds just like I would avoid UDP, surely you think your getting a bargain, but there are different terms and I expect this, you get what you pay for I say.  You may disagree with me, but lets face reality...you really think they going to give you everything for less of a price?  Not!

 

This is the most ridiculous post of the day and it's not even 9am

  • Like 16
  • Thanks 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fixed the verbiage to match reality:

 

4 hours ago, molly361 said:

OVERVIEW

 

Savor the savings with the Unlimited Dining Package! For one low price, you might be able to enjoy multiple entrees and maybe visit multiple specialty restaurants some or every night of your sailing. And as an added perk, this unlimited package could also apply to lunch at specialty restaurants on sea days on some ships. Plus, sometimes enjoy a discount of 40% off bottles of wine under $100 and 20% off bottles above $100 while dining in specialty restaurants.

 

**UDP is offered by the casino.  Roll the dice and take your chances.  You might win big but understand the odds are stacked in favor of the house.

 

Holiday Celebration Dinners are not included with this package.*

 

 

 

  • Like 1
  • Haha 12
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I am glad you enjoyed it...your mind is very vivid.  If you own a restaurant, and you offer unlimited dining, do you really think you like the fact that people dine multiple times a day at your establishment and order a rib eye and be happy with that?!!  You will take a financial loss, so with this being said as I have to speak to somebody with a simple mind or maybe your a young person and don't understand the "restaurant business and marketing", your going to make changes to suit your cost so that you can maintain profit and not financial loss...same goes for RC, I understand where they are going, but I totally disagree not advertising the rules of one purchasing the UDP.   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

 

How is that "fair enough"? 

It's really just a phrase. I don't actually mean that it is fair what they are doing.

 

I'm saying that I understand that each ship has sales goals to meet, fair enough, but you can't advertise something one way and also allow each ship to interpret it a different way.  

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

Well, I am glad you enjoyed it...your mind is very vivid.  If you own a restaurant, and you offer unlimited dining, do you really think you like the fact that people dine multiple times a day at your establishment and order a rib eye and be happy with that?!!  You will take a financial loss, so with this being said as I have to speak to somebody with a simple mind or maybe your a young person and don't understand the "restaurant business and marketing", your going to make changes to suit your cost so that you can maintain profit and not financial loss...same goes for RC, I understand where they are going, but I totally disagree not advertising the rules of one purchasing the UDP.   

 

That's why it is an upcharge and labeled as "unlimited".  

 

Didn't we all know Royal would dumb down the menus and add all kinds of gotchas and "house rules" after they took people's money?  

 

Honestly, you are just digging a deeper hole and your backhanded attempts to make me appear as if I had a lobotomy would work better if you had a full grasp of our language and actual business logic. 

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, marci22 said:

It's really just a phrase. I don't actually mean that it is fair what they are doing.

 

I'm saying that I understand that each ship has sales goals to meet, fair enough, but you can't advertise something one way and also allow each ship to interpret it a different way.  

 

This is a statement I agree with.  Some think it's OK to charge more and then reduce the menu and make house rules on the fly 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you read this you will find the words "all selections are subject to change", RC has given notification to the public.

 

Terms & Conditions:

Prices are per person for the full sailing. All selections are subject to change. Royal Caribbean International reserves the right to verify eligibility upon arrival to the activity. Specialty Dining Packages must be booked at least two days prior to boarding and may not be available for every sail date. One reservation will be automatically created for the first night of the sailing. All other reservations must be made onboard and are subject to availability. Packages include service charge and food portion only for dinner and, when available, lunch service. For restaurants with a la carte pricing, you’ll receive a $35 food credit. Beverages not included. For Dining Packages, It is not required that children 12 and under purchase this product. Children ages 0-5 dine for free and children ages 6-12 will be charged a $10 cover at the restaurant. Not available on holiday sailings. Not valid for Chef's Table, or Culinary Experiences/Activities. Purchase of dining packages provides 40% discount off bottles of wine priced at $100 or less; 20% discount off bottles of wine priced over $100 while dining in Specialty Restaurants. Wine discount valid only with the purchase of 3-night, 4-night, 5-night, or Unlimited Dining Packages; other Dining Packages excluded. Terms of Royal Caribbean’s Alcohol Policy apply, including a minimum drinking age, which varies by itinerary. Offer is not transferable, not redeemable for cash, and expires on the final night of the cruise. VAT will be added to the price where applicable.  Terms of Dining Packages apply.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

If you read this you will find the words "all selections are subject to change", RC has given notification to the public.

 

 

They can change the offering at any time, but they didn't.

 

They continue to promote:

 

  • Savor the savings with the Unlimited Dining Package! For one low price, you can enjoy multiple entrees and visit multiple specialty restaurants every night of your sailing. And as an added perk, this unlimited package also applies to lunch at specialty restaurants on sea days. Plus, enjoy a discount of 40% off bottles of wine under $100 and 20% off bottles above $100 while dining in specialty restaurants.

 

If they are changing the terms and conditions, which they can do, then they should no longer advertise it one way but implement it a different way.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...