Loyal Celebrity cruisers try RCCL - LONG review

[lysolqn]

In response to the "other thread" started in response my mentioning the $14.95 steak charge in my review, I posted the following:

 

Firstly, the review was written by a "she" and not a "he."

 

Secondly, I did not order a drink and assume the bill I got was for a steak.

 

Thirdly, I did not make a mistake, legitimate or otherwise, when I posted about the $14.95 charge for steak on the dinner menu.

 

Fourthly, other than the $14.95 upgrade, there was no steak offered as an alternative on the regular dinner menu.

 

Finally, I'm perplexed by the reaction of some RCCL cheerleaders who would rather call someone a liar (based on nothing other than their own wishful thinking) than accept the fact that their favorite cruise line has of late introduced a pay as you go upgrade selection on its dinner menu in the main dining room.

[VillaHappy]

Great review!

 

Yes, the nickle and diming makes me sad as well. My cruise history shows a large period (from 1993 to 2008) where we didn't sail because we preferred to go to Sandals and Beaches resorts. Even they have started with finding ways to offer/apply upcharges. :mad:

[petesweet]

He can still order two steaks. I suggest that you read this thread to get the "entire" story to this story about the steak.:)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=837525

 

Just interrupted DH's morning shower to give him the good word. Thanks.:)

[lysolqn]

Just interrupted DH's morning shower to give him the good word. Thanks.:)

 

Hope he enjoys his steak(s) but if you're sailing on FOS, he will have to pay for them.

[cruisenfever]

Fair enough...but what you refer to as "confusion," I view as "blinders" that prohibit some rather myopic RCCL fans from accepting the fact that their favorite cruise line is now charging for a dinner upgrade in the main dining room, and it matters not where that upgraded steak comes from. It's one thing to pay extra to dine in a specialty restaurant; it's an altogether different story to pay to upgrade dinner in the main dining room. We can play a game of symantics, but the bottom line is that RCCL has entered a new phase of commercialism/nickle-and-diming by offering an upgrade charge for an item on its dinner menu.

Thank you so much for your review.....I thought it was a very fair and balanced report of your experience.

 

I must say, though that it does make a big difference where this costly steak comes from and where it is prepared. The cuts/grades of meat that are prepared in both Chops and Portofino's are completely different than the cuts/grades of meat that are served in the main DR. Also, when ordering a specific steak in either Specialty Restaurant that cut of meat is being prepared only for you at the time you order it.

 

Hopefully this new steak entree on the menu in the main DR will be prepared individually and not mass prepared like other steaks are.

[lysolqn]

Thank you so much for your review.....I thought it was a very fair and balanced report of your experience.

 

I must say, though that it does make a big difference where this costly steak comes from and where it is prepared. The cuts/grades of meat that are prepared in both Chops and Portofino's are completely different than the cuts/grades of meat that are served in the main DR. Also, when ordering a specific steak in either Specialty Restaurant that cut of meat is being prepared only for you at the time you order it.

 

Hopefully this new steak entree on the menu in the main DR will be prepared individually and not mass prepared like other steaks are.

 

When I said it didn't matter where the steak comes from, I wasn't referring to the quality of the beef; clearly it's of better quality than beef routinely served in the dining room. Rather, I was referring to the fact that regardless of where the steak comes from, an upgrade charge on the dinner menu in the main dining room (IMHO) descends to a new low in generating onboard revenue and screams "commercialism" on the part of RCCL - especially because the pay as you go steak replaces the always available steak option previously available for no charge.

[Tranquil Waters]

Excellent review and certainly consistant with what we - as RCI exclusive (to date) cruisers - have observed and experienced. It is hard to give up the D perks (that is one thing that RCI still has going for them) but we have debated more and more lately about giving other cruise lines a try. Your description of Celebrity certianly seem to mesh with what DH and I are looking for in a cruise experience. I am sure we will give them a try in the next year......

[FL_Cruiser64]

We’re loyal Celebrity cruisers (32 X cruises under our belt, w

 

.......

 

No doubt, RCCL offers a good product but not one that is necessarily a good fit for us.

 

Great review. In just a few days I will go on the Freedom for the first time.

 

I do like your comparison to Celebrity though. Especially the "TRADITIONAL" part.

 

I am fully aware that in a few years I have to part from RCI because they won't be able to supply me with my cruising needs anymore. So after 2010 I will be looking into Celebrity and Azamara.

 

When I said it didn't matter where the steak comes from, I wasn't referring to the quality of the beef; clearly it's of better quality than beef routinely served in the dining room. Rather, I was referring to the fact that regardless of where the steak comes from, an upgrade charge on the dinner menu in the main dining room (IMHO) descends to a new low in generating onboard revenue and screams "commercialism" on the part of RCCL - especially because the pay as you go steak replaces the always available steak option previously available for no charge.

 

I think RCI just reacts to its passengers. The new low of cheapness and 'give me more' is apparent. I said in many posts over the last few months that RCI will charge more for certain things because it matters what everybody does (sharing soda cards, cashing OBC, not spending a dime on the ship and being proud of it, smuggling booze...just to name a few) and was laughed at for my comments. Last few months we see some aditional charges such as 3% for cash advance, less opportunity to combine benfits and offers, now the steak charge in the MDR. They care less about enforcing rules and more about making up for onboard revenue. It'll continue that way - unfortunately.

 

When I get ready for my first Celebrity cruise I'll be picking your brain. :D

 

Excellent review and certainly consistant with what we - as RCI exclusive (to date) cruisers - have observed and experienced. It is hard to give up the D perks (that is one thing that RCI still has going for them) but we have debated more and more lately about giving other cruise lines a try. Your description of Celebrity certianly seem to mesh with what DH and I are looking for in a cruise experience. I am sure we will give them a try in the next year......

 

Welcome to the club. :D

[Tranquil Waters]

Welcome to the club. :D

 

Azamara is also on our "possibles" list.

[FL_Cruiser64]

Azamara is also on our "possibles" list.

 

Jean (Critterchick) is going on an Azamara repo in December. I am looking forward to her review. I still will go on RCI in the future but more select cruises where the clientel might be a little more "cruiser-like".

 

I have currently booked a B2B for Jan/Feb 2010 on the Navigator. But for summer and fall 2010 I will definitely look at Celebrity and Azamara first instead of RCI.

[cruisenfever]

When I said it didn't matter where the steak comes from, I wasn't referring to the quality of the beef; clearly it's of better quality than beef routinely served in the dining room. Rather, I was referring to the fact that regardless of where the steak comes from, an upgrade charge on the dinner menu in the main dining room (IMHO) descends to a new low in generating onboard revenue and screams "commercialism" on the part of RCCL - especially because the pay as you go steak replaces the always available steak option previously available for no charge.

Absolutely agree with you...................I'm sorry that I misinterpreted your post.

[isujim]

Jean (Critterchick) is going on an Azamara repo in December. I am looking forward to her review. I still will go on RCI in the future but more select cruises where the clientel might be a little more "cruiser-like".

 

I have currently booked a B2B for Jan/Feb 2010 on the Navigator. But for summer and fall 2010 I will definitely look at Celebrity and Azamara first instead of RCI.

 

We also have booked Azamara and have booked the Pacific Princess.......both 674 passengers.......and we look forward to the experience.

 

Thanks for the nice review.

[FL_Cruiser64]

We also have booked Azamara and have booked the Pacific Princess.......both 674 passengers.......and we look forward to the experience.

 

Thanks for the nice review.

 

Cool. They are both sister ships right?

I am not sure if I would venture onto Princess Cruises. But maybe the smaller ships are different on Princess (onboard experience).

 

Certainly looking forward to all the reviews.

[alonzo14]

Thank you for your review! I have sailed Celebrity although it's been several years and pretty much agree with your comparison. I did like RCl's desserts better though.

[isujim]

Cool. They are both sister ships right?

I am not sure if I would venture onto Princess Cruises. But maybe the smaller ships are different on Princess (onboard experience).

 

Certainly looking forward to all the reviews.

 

Yea they are both R class ships from Renassaince days.........we may hate the experience, but it's something I think more of us are compelled to try right now.

[Spender Nui]

An excellent and fair review.

 

My favorite ships are the M class too. We've sailed 32 times on Celebrity and currently are booked on the Constellation again.

 

The only RCCL ship we've sailed on is the Explorer of the Seas which we sailed originally for convenience. We also are booked again on her.

 

We usually book concierge class on Celebrity and enjoy the amenities.

 

We've booked junior suites on the Explorer and actually like the cabin much better than X concierge class.

 

X gets the nod on food and sophistication.

 

RCCL wins hands down for perques.

 

Thanks for your comparisons.

[skiiergirl]

Thanks for the great review. I for one (and obviously am the only one) am glad to see the $14.95 option on the MDR menu. The food quality has declined over the years and with the economy we are in it will continue to decline. Folks want to eat 5 star food and pay 1 star pricing. I understand! However, I think it is a great idea to offer the "included" food and then offer "upgraded" food at an additional fee. I love steak yet Mr. Ski does not. I can sometimes talk him in to going to Chops or Portofinos but he usually doesn't want to go. He doesn't care about the fee but he doesn't want to give up his time in the dining room with the tablemates. He would go to the dining room every night if all they offered were sardines and crackers so that he wouldn't miss his tablemates. I gladly would pay the $14.95 to have a nice steak (Chops quality) in the dining room so that we can both enjoy dinner. I would get a good steak and he (we) could be with the tablemates. Other than the food, we love RC. I'm sure somebody out there will say "Go to another cruiseline". Well, we have never sailed anyone but RC and Mr. Ski has no desire to try anyone else. For about the last 3 years, every time we fill out a comment card at the end of a cruise, we suggest an "upgraded" menu as an option. Our suggestion though is make it something that would have to be "opted" and paid for at time of final payment. If they would do that, then it would keep it "economical" for everyone yet allow "upgrades" for those that would prefer higher quality and are willing to pay for it.

[lysolqn]

Thanks for the great review. I for one (and obviously am the only one) am glad to see the $14.95 option on the MDR menu. The food quality has declined over the years and with the economy we are in it will continue to decline. Folks want to eat 5 star food and pay 1 star pricing. I understand! However, I think it is a great idea to offer the "included" food and then offer "upgraded" food at an additional fee. I love steak yet Mr. Ski does not. I can sometimes talk him in to going to Chops or Portofinos but he usually doesn't want to go. He doesn't care about the fee but he doesn't want to give up his time in the dining room with the tablemates. He would go to the dining room every night if all they offered were sardines and crackers so that he wouldn't miss his tablemates. I gladly would pay the $14.95 to have a nice steak (Chops quality) in the dining room so that we can both enjoy dinner. I would get a good steak and he (we) could be with the tablemates. Other than the food, we love RC. I'm sure somebody out there will say "Go to another cruiseline". Well, we have never sailed anyone but RC and Mr. Ski has no desire to try anyone else. For about the last 3 years, every time we fill out a comment card at the end of a cruise, we suggest an "upgraded" menu as an option. Our suggestion though is make it something that would have to be "opted" and paid for at time of final payment. If they would do that, then it would keep it "economical" for everyone yet allow "upgrades" for those that would prefer higher quality and are willing to pay for it.

 

While it may sound great to you in theory, in practice your suggeston sounds like a strategic nightmare for waitstaff - as if their job isn't already difficult enough. Imagine trying to keep track of who gets which menu and who's entitled to order what. Then there's the issue of who gets to ride shotgun on Mr. Smith (of the upgraded menu Smiths) when he orders two of his upgraded appetizers to allow tablemate Mr. Gray (of the ordinary menu Grays) a taste of the better life? Unless your plan includes different dining rooms for different 'classes' of diners (a la Cunard), you're going to have a need for the food police patrol.

[lysolqn]

Thanks to all for the kind words about the review I posted.

[HorrorFan]

While it may sound great to you in theory, in practice your suggeston sounds like a strategic nightmare for waitstaff - as if their job isn't already difficult enough. Imagine trying to keep track of who gets which menu and who's entitled to order what. Then there's the issue of who gets to ride shotgun on Mr. Smith (of the upgraded menu Smiths) when he orders two of his upgraded appetizers to allow tablemate Mr. Gray (of the ordinary menu Grays) a taste of the better life? Unless your plan includes different dining rooms for different 'classes' of diners (a la Cunard), you're going to have a need for the food police patrol.

First, I enjoyed reading your review lysolqn.

I am not so sure it would be a strategic nightmare for staff. because I think RCI would make more sweeping changes in order to implement it. It wouldn't be all that difficult to implement an 'upscale dining' add on to cruising. All they need to do is make it an option at the time of booking. An extra $200+ pp option. All suites would automatically get the upscale option. Anyone purchasing that option (or in suites) would dine in the dining room. Everyone else would eat in Windjammers or the specialty restaurants.

Lets face it, its been heading in that direction anyway. people bitch and complain that they have to wear pants to eat in the dining room as it is now, and many are choosing not to use the dining room at all.So, unless they want to pay the cost, they wouldn't go to the dining room at all.

Purely speculation on my part, but I don't think its that far fetched.

[skiiergirl]

While it may sound great to you in theory, in practice your suggeston sounds like a strategic nightmare for waitstaff - as if their job isn't already difficult enough. Imagine trying to keep track of who gets which menu and who's entitled to order what. Then there's the issue of who gets to ride shotgun on Mr. Smith (of the upgraded menu Smiths) when he orders two of his upgraded appetizers to allow tablemate Mr. Gray (of the ordinary menu Grays) a taste of the better life? Unless your plan includes different dining rooms for different 'classes' of diners (a la Cunard), you're going to have a need for the food police patrol.

 

Actually, it could be worked the same as separating the dining room into different sections for "traditional" versus "my time". Seat everyone with "like menus" together. You would have to book the "upgrade food" prior to final payment (therefore paying for it in advance). Everyone that paid the "upgrade" would be assigned tables in a certain section. This would not cause the waitstaff any additional work.

[lysolqn]

Skiiergirl, in effect, what you and HorrorFan are suggesting is a return to the class-system of cruising yesteryear which may, in fact, be the direction in which things are destined to go. Cunard has been doing it forever and Celebrity's new Solstice-class ships will offer Aqua-class(?) cabins affording those passengers an exclusive dining room with more health-conscious offerings. I, for one, would hate to see cruising revert to a class- or tiered-system because after separate dining rooms would come separate pool areas, separate bars, separate theaters and, inevitably, a return to the actual physical barriers of years past, designed to prevent the "lower" classes from mingling with the "upper."

[HorrorFan]

Yeah, in effect that is what I am suggesting. And it could extend far beyond dining. Didn't I read in another thread where they are now roping off sections of the theatre (front rows) for suite guests? Its hardly a jump to think that it won't extend to dining as well.

Hey, it'll keep the 'riff raff' with their jeans out of the dining room.;)

In fact, I think something along these very lines was suggested by a top man at RCI wasn't it?

Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not suggesting I like it, bt it's happening just the same.

I don't actually cruise that often, but after our upcoming Panama cruise (if it even remains a Panama cruise, but thats a different thread) I think we will look closely at other cruise lines before we book again.

[Lynnees]

When I sailed Cunard as a child we were part of the "lower class". Cunard has always had the class system and will continue to do so. I suppose the difference between them and RCI is the fact you know it going it. You buy at the level you want and that's the end of it.

 

If that is what RCI wants then that's they way they should do it. Not all this nickeling & diming and sneakiness. Just do it and see how the public reacts to it. It may go over very well or may not but at least it would be upfront.

[skiiergirl]

Skiiergirl, in effect, what you and HorrorFan are suggesting is a return to the class-system of cruising yesteryear which may, in fact, be the direction in which things are destined to go. Cunard has been doing it forever and Celebrity's new Solstice-class ships will offer Aqua-class(?) cabins affording those passengers an exclusive dining room with more health-conscious offerings. I, for one, would hate to see cruising revert to a class- or tiered-system because after separate dining rooms would come separate pool areas, separate bars, separate theaters and, inevitably, a return to the actual physical barriers of years past, designed to prevent the "lower" classes from mingling with the "upper."

 

 

Definitely don't want a "class system". I definitely believe that the folks that book the RS, OS, GS, etc. should pay the same pp as I do for my inside cabin on deck 2. I don't think they should have to pay more for those rooms. Those cabins shouldn't even be offered. Let's design all new ships with one size stateroom. They must all be the same sq footage, with the same size shower, same size balcony (or no balconies at all on the ship), same size tv, etc. That way they will all cost the exact same and no one will have an advantage. Remember when bingo was a pool game and the prizes were free keychains? Well, let's cut out bingo since not everyone onboard can afford $35 per day for it. As a matter of fact, let's turn the casino into a free gaming area. Everyone onboard gets the same amount of monopoly $ so that we all have the same opportunity for the same amount of fun. All spa services should be free too. I guess if I can't afford to go to the casino or the spa, they should rope those areas off and not let me in. :) What I would really prefer is just for RC to raise the fares to whatever price they feel necessary to give us back the quality of food we had as recently as 3 years ago. However, I know that would limit some folks from cruising and I hate to see that happen as I think all folks should have the opportunity to cruise. What I am saying is that offering alternative food options (via a one-time upgrade charge or an individual meal charge) would be a good way to still keep the fares reasonable and still offer higher quality food options. I hope to see the $14.95 option on the menu in December. It will give me the opportunity to get a good quality steak and still give Mr. Ski his main dining room tablemate experience.