Specialty Restaurant Pricing Out Of Control

[S.A.M.J.R.]

On 9/7/2022 at 2:50 PM, KeroTravel said:

The price seems like a lot, but when we break it down its not that much.  Right now our upcoming cruise for UDP is $272.36 CAD per adult (as per today's exchange that's $207.27 USD), which is only $38 CAD per dinner (if we're only going to do dinner).  Very reasonable - only thing not reasonable is having to fork over $800+ dollars for 3 adults at this very moment. 

Except for the fact that you're also paying for the meals you're NOT eating in the MDR (or WJ).

[taglovestocruise]

28 minutes ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

Except for the fact that you're also paying for the meals you're NOT eating in the MDR (or WJ).

Maybe that is why the packages are so cheap, they factor in the meals in MDR that you are missing.  We have a 10 night on Quantum next month and the per meal price with lunches included is $13.00 pp per meal.

Edited September 17, 2022 by taglovestocruise

[Ret MP]

This is not a criticism of any one individual.  I just don't buy the logic of adding the cost of the MDR or other included meal/snack into the cost of a specialty restaurant.  I know I don't think that way when I go our for dinner by myself or with any other person/people and factor in the price of the groceries that I have at home that I could have eaten instead.   

[time4u2go]

22 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

This is not a criticism of any one individual.  I just don't buy the logic of adding the cost of the MDR or other included meal/snack into the cost of a specialty restaurant.  I know I don't think that way when I go our for dinner by myself or with any other person/people and factor in the price of the groceries that I have at home that I could have eaten instead.   

The difference is, you will still eat those groceries. So it is not an apples to apples comparison.

[Ret MP]

1 minute ago, time4u2go said:

The difference is, you will still eat those groceries. So it is not an apples to apples comparison.

I don't agree, but that's okay.  I'm not going to turn this into a debate.  I'll just say that I have thrown out food (mostly leftovers and some items that reached or came too close to expiration date(s)) because of going out for dinner. Even leftovers have a value attached.

[time4u2go]

2 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

I don't agree, but that's okay.  I'm not going to turn this into a debate.  I'll just say that I have thrown out food (mostly leftovers and some items that reached or came too close to expiration date(s)) because of going out for dinner. Even leftovers have a value attached.

Lol ok. 

[aubreyc1988]

After my sailing on the Liberty of the Seas, my personal opinion is that the cost of the specialty dining isn't worth it. Almost everything I had in the MDR was better than I had in Chops/Sabor/Giovanni's. Can't speculate on the other specialty venues and of course, food is subjective. 

[blueslily]

1 hour ago, Ret MP said:

This is not a criticism of any one individual.  I just don't buy the logic of adding the cost of the MDR or other included meal/snack into the cost of a specialty restaurant.  I know I don't think that way when I go our for dinner by myself or with any other person/people and factor in the price of the groceries that I have at home that I could have eaten instead.   

 

Also not posting a reply to get into a debate, but I have actually heard many people say that they chose not to go out to dinner since they already spent money on groceries. They consider it wasteful. So, just sharing that some people do indeed consider the amount of money spent on groceries when considering dining out. Plus, they also consider wastefulness of groceries that might not hold up, meaning go bad or expire since they are eating out. So, I guess it's not that odd of a thing that some people consider groceries. 

[wreckem2013]

I always do the unlimited dining packages. My next cruise is 8 nights if I did dinner only there $37 a meal. I’ll definitely take advantage of the four lunches and get the price down to $24.6 a meal. I remember that break down used to be like $22 and $16 for a 7 day cruise.

 

That said I am slightly annoyed my Christmas cruise isn’t offering an unlimited package this year because they have ridiculously expensive holiday meals at multiple restaurants for Xmas Eve and Xmas.

Edited September 18, 2022 by wreckem2013

[S.A.M.J.R.]

13 hours ago, Ret MP said:

This is not a criticism of any one individual.  I just don't buy the logic of adding the cost of the MDR or other included meal/snack into the cost of a specialty restaurant.  I know I don't think that way when I go our for dinner by myself or with any other person/people and factor in the price of the groceries that I have at home that I could have eaten instead.   

Pick a routine restaurant, let's say Texas Roadhouse.  You purchase a $100 GC from them.  But that GC can only be used between October 1 & October 8.  That week, you choose to eat elsewhere.  Your other meals lets say cost you $200.  

 

So, did you spend $200 or $300 on your meals?

[Ourusualbeach]

12 hours ago, wreckem2013 said:

That said I am slightly annoyed my Christmas cruise isn’t offering an unlimited package this year because they have ridiculously expensive holiday meals at multiple restaurants for Xmas Eve and Xmas.

Not offering or sold out?  We are on Wonder over Christmas and purchased the UDP but it is now sold out and not available

[BND]

My feeling is as long as people are willing to pay, they will keep increasing prices til they hit a tipping point.  Demand drives these things, not people complaining about it.  We pretty much only do specialty for boarding day lunch to avoid the insane WJ crowds.  

[Ourusualbeach]

Why is it that spending money on specialty dining seems to be so debated here on CC.

 

Spending money on shore excursions, spa services, the casino etc... never generates this much debate.  Every person has different desires and wants out of a vacation.  The cost is whatever Royal thinks they can charge for it regardless of what it is they are selling, no different than charging $1500 or more for a cabana at Perfect day.  Personally I would get a whole lot more enjoyment out of the UDP than 6 hours in a cabana but others I'm sure are the opposite.  To each their own.

[Jimbo]

Does anyone know if Radiance of the Seas offers a UDP, because as of right now for a cruise we have booked 13 months from now it is not offered. I'm guess though Royal doesn't want to under price it this early.........I guess they are just waiting.

 

Kind of scary seeing this picture when I searched our cruise. Guess we made a wrong turn.

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16 Night Panama Canal Eastbound Cruise

Departures: 2023-10-07

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Edited September 18, 2022 by Jimbo

[Bobal]

Just at the end of a 10 day cruise on Jewel. I can't remember the last time we cruised and didn't buy at least the 3 day package- and fully expected to this time.

 

We decided $125 + 18% gratuity seemed a bit steep but happy to pay if we were satisfied and used our D+ BOGOs in Giovannis and Chops on day 1 and 3 to test the water. Giovannis was just meh. Maybe because we have some great local Italians restaurants at home and this fell short. Chops was really disappointing- mushroom soup without truffle oil, truffle fries with no evidence of truffle, minor cutbacks OK. But our favourite sweetcorn bacon with bbq sauce arrived as a slab of cheap belly pork with a smear of sauce. It was basically a chunk of fat with a vein of meat running through it. We weren't told that would be the substitute and when we asked the waitress she shrugged and said sometimes they can't get the ingredients 🙄 Decided not to bother with the package after that. 

 

So yes the package is overpriced and underwhelming,  certainly on this ship

[Seville2Cabo]

38 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Does anyone know if Radiance of the Seas offers a UDP, because as of right now for a cruise we have booked 13 months from now it is not offered. I'm guess though Royal doesn't want to under price it this early.........I guess they are just waiting.

 

Kind of scary seeing this picture when I searched our cruise. Guess we made a wrong turn.

Viewing 1-1 of 1 results

• 1

16 Night Panama Canal Eastbound Cruise

Departures: 2023-10-07

View Day by Day ItineraryREQUEST A QUOTE

 

Radiance does offer the UDP.  We just came off her and had the package.  However, Royal does not offer the UDP on cruises of 15 days or more.  We are back on Radiance in April for 15 days and it was not offered.  I contacted RCLDining and they told me it would not be offered due to the length of the cruise.  We also have a 14 day Anthem next year and it was offered (and we bought it)

[firefly333]

43 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Why is it that spending money on specialty dining seems to be so debated here on CC.

 

Spending money on shore excursions, spa services, the casino etc... never generates this much debate.  Every person has different desires and wants out of a vacation.  The cost is whatever Royal thinks they can charge for it regardless of what it is they are selling, no different than charging $1500 or more for a cabana at Perfect day.  Personally I would get a whole lot more enjoyment out of the UDP than 6 hours in a cabana but others I'm sure are the opposite.  To each their own.

Not me. I would only spend on upgraded food or excursions. I saw we now have surf n turf offered in the Mdr as a add on. My gripe is we used to have that at chops .. olden days. I was glad to see it in Mdr for a upcharge. .. though I prefer the service in chops, but they no longer have that combo. 

 

I sound like my parents talking about the olden days. 

 

I've never seen such good deals on excursions. Rcl used to be higher than carnival. I love the sales. I'm a thumbs up.  

[lovescats5]

We receive, included, the UDP with Star Class so can't comment on some ships MDR or Windjammer but on Liberty we purchased a 3 day dining package and would purchase the week next time.  Can't say the food is that much better but the atmosphere and lack of jammed tables is worth the extra money for us.  Just enjoy the lack of people in specialty restaurants.

[firefly333]

15 hours ago, cruisingator2 said:

Then that’s something that has changed. We found the food on Carnival to be mediocre back then (MDR was good) unless you want burgers, pizza or ice cream. We booked specialty dining for all four nights. We will give them a try to see the current status of their product. We’re willing to,go,in with open minds. 

I find carnival dinners below par. 

 

On the other hand I love guys and pizza. Their pizza is made from scratch and I love their white pizza. Rcl pizza sub par. Jijis on vista class at $18 is one of the best. I did pay restaurants for 6 nights for $100 on carnival  though they raised prices. Their pay restaurants are just as good and half the price. Nice treat. I'm only booked carnival dream, a special journey cruise for 14 days. Journey cruises a but nicer. We had a guest lecture last time. Does the best ports out of Galveston without flying. I'll pay the $100 and eat at pay restaurants. 

[Ret MP]

2 hours ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

Pick a routine restaurant, let's say Texas Roadhouse.  You purchase a $100 GC from them.  But that GC can only be used between October 1 & October 8.  That week, you choose to eat elsewhere.  Your other meals lets say cost you $200.  

 

So, did you spend $200 or $300 on your meals?

I really didn't want to get into a debate and go on and on with many examples of why I don't get the logic of adding the cost of a MDR into the cost of a specialty restaurant because I have already paid for the MDR, which is included if you eat there or not. I'm not a Financial Advisor, economist, a Corp. Lawyer (I don't even play one on TV), and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night. I'm just a regular guy trying to make my vacation,,,, a vacation.  

 

If I decide to skip a meal, should I consider that I just lost $X.XXs? When I take a 3+ day cruise (we haven't taken a cruise less than 7 nights, so far) I left a steak worth $28.00 in the refrigerator that expired on day 3 of my cruise,  when I get home, I have to throw away the steak and go out and purchase another, probably a little more expensive now.  So, when I go to Chops Grill, do I consider the cost of the original steak (steak is just an example, it could be a head of lettuce, a half used gallon of milk, a container of carrots, etc etc etc, or any combination thereof)  that went bad in my fridge, the replacement steak, AND the cost of the MDR meal that I didn't eat?  I once owned a Corvette, it used premium gas.  Every time I filled up, I didn't say to myself, "Damn I just lost 5 to 10 cents per gallon because of owning that luxury item". If I go on an excursion, should I consider the meal(s) I'll miss on the ship while on land?  My logic is that if I decide to do something out of the ordinary/usual activity that costs me extra money, it isn't a loss compared to something else, it's the cost of a luxury that I'm willing to pay for if I want to do it.  Not a loss, at all.

 

I'm on vacation, I'm not going to get my abacus out or call my financial adviser to justify or compare my losses and gains of luxury items I'm freely and willing to pay for on a cruise ship.  On all my RCCL cruises, except one, I've cruised in Suites.  Should I have considered the price difference between the suite fare and the interior cabin as a loss?  Answer, for me:  NO!  I just say to myself, "I'm paying extra (sometimes a little and sometimes a lot) for what I want and can afford, at the time, nothing more and nothing less. 

 

As stated, I could go on and on with examples of how we, most of us, at times, pay extra for luxury items or better quality items and so on.  I'm not going to worry about it, while on vacation!  Let's just enjoy cruising and not analyze everything as a plus or minus, cost benefit analysis, and so on.  Just do what you can afford and let everything else and everybody else do their thing.  

Edited September 18, 2022 by Ret MP

[Cruising89143]

2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Why is it that spending money on specialty dining seems to be so debated here on CC.

 

Spending money on shore excursions, spa services, the casino etc... never generates this much debate.  Every person has different desires and wants out of a vacation.  The cost is whatever Royal thinks they can charge for it regardless of what it is they are selling, no different than charging $1500 or more for a cabana at Perfect day.  Personally I would get a whole lot more enjoyment out of the UDP than 6 hours in a cabana but others I'm sure are the opposite.  To each their own.

This. People spend money on what they want. Why is it another persons business on how they spend their money? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cruising89143]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

I find carnival dinners below par. 

 

On the other hand I love guys and pizza. Their pizza is made from scratch and I love their white pizza. Rcl pizza sub par. Jijis on vista class at $18 is one of the best. I did pay restaurants for 6 nights for $100 on carnival  though they raised prices. Their pay restaurants are just as good and half the price. Nice treat. I'm only booked carnival dream, a special journey cruise for 14 days. Journey cruises a but nicer. We had a guest lecture last time. Does the best ports out of Galveston without flying. I'll pay the $100 and eat at pay restaurants. 

Regarding your comment on Carnival MDR is why we booked specialty dining. I have read recent comments on the Carnvial board. We also purchased the drink and internet packages. All were less expensive than RCI. We will try Shaq’s and Guys for lunch as I have heard the burgers are good. RCI’s WJ burgers leave a lot to be desired. 

[Ret MP]

2 hours ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

Pick a routine restaurant, let's say Texas Roadhouse.  You purchase a $100 GC from them.  But that GC can only be used between October 1 & October 8.  That week, you choose to eat elsewhere.  Your other meals lets say cost you $200.  

 

So, did you spend $200 or $300 on your meals?

To answer that question directly:  No, I don't consider that the meal cost me $300.00.  However, I do consider that I wasted $100.00.  Why?  Because any number of things could have caused me to not use the $200.00 GC, including laziness, a family emergency, I decided that I don't like Texas Roadhouse (I don't dislike TRH!), etc etc.  It's not like I paid for the GC knowing that I would never use it.  

Edited September 18, 2022 by Ret MP

[Ret MP]

15 hours ago, blueslily said:

 

Also not posting a reply to get into a debate, but I have actually heard many people say that they chose not to go out to dinner since they already spent money on groceries. They consider it wasteful. So, just sharing that some people do indeed consider the amount of money spent on groceries when considering dining out. Plus, they also consider wastefulness of groceries that might not hold up, meaning go bad or expire since they are eating out. So, I guess it's not that odd of a thing that some people consider groceries. 

And I don't disagree with that.  I'm sure there are people that think that way.  I never denied it.  I never said that people should or shouldn't consider it.  I'm just saying that I don't get it and don't think that way.  It's not logical to ME!  I guess I should have put a "YMMV" after my post!

[blueslily]

Just now, Ret MP said:

And I don't disagree with that.  I'm sure there are people that think that way.  I never denied it.  I never said that people should or shouldn't consider it.  I'm just saying that I don't get it and don't think that way.  It's not logical to ME!  I guess I should have put a "YMMV" after my post!

 

That's fine. I dont get into debates on the internet either.