Why is American Diner a specialty ?

[The Traveling Man]

22 hours ago, MtnGolf4 said:

I'm wondering why the American Diner is a Pay Restaurant on the Breakaway Class ships.

We we're on the Joy back in January of 2020. Every time we went by the American Diner it was always dead, with very few customers if any.

I've seen many videos of these ships and the American Diner is never busy. Seems like such a wasted area that should be at least Complimentary as I look at prices compared to other restaurants on the ships.

 

 

Because they can.

 

Seriously, though, they used to serve a pretty good lobster roll.  Not quite up to Bangor or Halifax quality, but an enjoyable change of pace for those of us from "away."  I'm not sure that I would pay extra for it though.  The only time we ever ate there was when the GM comped us.

[UKstages]

they could easily make the american diner a complimentary venue, but they would likely have to change the menu, eliminating some of the items with a higher food cost. outdoor burger, fries and hot dog joints already exist on several NCL ships, albeit without the kitschy decor and branding.

 

oh, I suppose they’d also have to figure out what to do about haven restaurant overcrowding on embarkation day.

Edited July 16, 2023 by UKstages

[Cruiseguy14]

How is the lobster quality on ncl I’m general? I’m staying at the haven and the pictures don’t look great. 

[MacGuffin3]

2 minutes ago, UKstages said:

eliminating some of the items with a higher food cost

What is even the premiere dish there? a double-burger with cheese?

[justhappy]

12 hours ago, roger001 said:

Flamingo Grill on the Getaway.  It was great...and free.  

You are right! I said Escape in a previous comment and meant the Getaway. 😞

[graphicguy]

American Diner has been through a few iterations.  At one point, you could actually get breakfast there for free.

 

I just think they can’t quite nail down a concept that works.  Personally, I think remove the “specialty dining” moniker and serve nothing but Nachos, Hot dogs, Burgers and fries there.  Could be the same as they serve in the garden cafe.  But, it’s close proximity to the arcade might  make it work.

[MacGuffin3]

5 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

remove the “specialty dining” moniker and serve nothing but Nachos, Hot dogs, Burgers and fries there . . . it’s close proximity to the arcade might  make it work.

Oh that would definitely work.   But not in the way NCL would want it to "work."

[WexIrl]

16 hours ago, CruisnHallelujahs said:

 Hoping to find it on our next cruise,  getaway in October. 
 

The lifeboat decks port and starboard have a shuffleboard on the Getaway.

The wife and I had good fun playing it for the first time a few weeks ago on it.

Also the American Diner was empty anytime we walked by it, and became a bit of joke during the 9 days of why it is offered as an option as it was clearly not appealing to those onboard.

Edited July 16, 2023 by WexIrl

[tsahall01]

Maybe they should change it to Indulge Food Hall--very popular, free venue on the Prima and soon to be Viva

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, tsahall01 said:

Maybe they should change it to Indulge Food Hall--very popular, free venue on the Prima and soon to be Viva

That's a great idea!

[MacGuffin3]

I’ve decided the boat needs a churrascaria in that spot. End of discussion.

[schmoopie17]

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2947619-bringing-the-joy-with-as-live-ish-a-review-as-the-lousy-wi-fi-will-allow-bermuda-79-716/?do=findComment&comment=65712959

 

Apparently the American Diner is a free option on the joy, as per @Dorhead1230

[Liljo22]

41 minutes ago, MacGuffin3 said:

I’ve decided the boat needs a churrascaria in that spot. End of discussion.

Which ship are you on?  Moderno is on a bunch already.

[MacGuffin3]

20 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

Which ship are you on?

Encore. No shuffleboard, no churrascaria, but plenty of room for a go-kart track.

[graphicguy]

1 minute ago, MacGuffin3 said:

Encore. No shuffleboard, no churrascaria, but plenty of room for a go-kart track.

If you're on the ship now, try the go carts.  They are a lot of fun.  Amazing actually, while you're sailing at sea to be able to drive the go carts seeing the water.

[RocketMan275]

30 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

If you're on the ship now, try the go carts.  They are a lot of fun.  Amazing actually, while you're sailing at sea to be able to drive the go carts seeing the water.

NCL charges for the gokarts. 

[MacGuffin3]

28 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

If you're on the ship now, try the go carts.

I'm holding out until they add a Log Flume ride.

[The Traveling Man]

15 hours ago, Cruiseguy14 said:

How is the lobster quality on ncl I’m general? I’m staying at the haven and the pictures don’t look great. 

Most reports indicate that NCL uses warm water or rock lobster rather than cold water lobster.  Its good, but not great.

[graphicguy]

6 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

NCL charges for the gokarts. 

True.  I tried them when I sailed the Encore.  I had a really good time on them.

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by graphicguy

[chillyw]

Making American diner a popular restaurant that's free means they'd have to staff it. Might be worth it to them to keep it paid and not busy.

[CruisnHallelujahs]

3 hours ago, WexIrl said:

The lifeboat decks port and starboard have a shuffleboard on the Getaway.

The wife and I had good fun playing it for the first time a few weeks ago on it.

Also the American Diner was empty anytime we walked by it, and became a bit of joke during the 9 days of why it is offered as an option as it was clearly not appealing to those onboard.

Thanks so much for the shuffleboard info. It’s our favorite pre dinner vacation game.  Is the putt putt golf still gone?  Having that back would be ideal.  

[MacGuffin3]

20 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

NCL charges for the gokarts. 

May splurge on a ride for the kids, but if it's so great, NCL would include one ride free for every cabin, and then make money on the repeat visits. I generally refuse to do up-charge stuff after I've already paid a fortune for a vacation.

[WexIrl]

3 minutes ago, CruisnHallelujahs said:

Thanks so much for the shuffleboard info. It’s our favorite pre dinner vacation game.  Is the putt putt golf still gone?  Having that back would be ideal.  

Unfortunately the putt golf is still gone.

I would have enjoyed that too if it was still there! 

[RocketMan275]

10 minutes ago, MacGuffin3 said:

May splurge on a ride for the kids, but if it's so great, NCL would include one ride free for every cabin, and then make money on the repeat visits. I generally refuse to do up-charge stuff after I've already paid a fortune for a vacation.

Then you should be grateful that there is so much up-charge stuff.

Think of the money that saves you.

[ColeThornton]

15 minutes ago, MacGuffin3 said:

May splurge on a ride for the kids, but if it's so great, NCL would include one ride free for every cabin, and then make money on the repeat visits

 

 

Seems like it would take the whole cruise to fit in free rides for all cabins with no time left for repeat visits.