$14.95 for STEAK???

[Tranquil Waters]

I don't think there should be an extra charge for any food item in the main dining room.

 

Do you think it'll stop with just steak? I can see them charging an additional fee for shrimp cocktail, lobster, specialty deserts.

 

Oh well, nothing I can do about it. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

Bingo! I think I will not be at all surprised to see the additional charges you mentioned. And all the while the RCI loyalists will proclaim that "RCI is just keeping your cruising cost down. Go RCI!" :D :D :D (And meanwhile RCI exec's will be reading - and smiling all the way to the bank)

[Catnip]

Why pay for anything when there is plenty of good food included in the cost of the cruise?

 

Exactly my thoughts, too.

[Catnip]

Bingo! I think I will not be at all surprised to see the additional charges you mentioned. And all the while the RCI loyalists will proclaim that "RCI is just keeping your cruising cost down. Go RCI!" :D :D :D (And meanwhile RCI exec's will be reading - and smiling all the way to the bank)

 

 

You are exactly correct. As long as (some) passengers don't see anything wrong with this nickle-n-diming and willingly shell out more and more money for "good" food, it'll go on & on & on & on...........surcharge for this, surcharge for that.........:cool:

[goneclear]

So The OP was correct. There is a steak available as an option for $14.95 in the main dining room. Just goes to show just because you have not herd about it does not mean it is not so. Thats what we do here, share information.

[Cruising89143]

So The OP was correct. There is a steak available as an option for $14.95 in the main dining room. Just goes to show just because you have not herd about it does not mean it is not so. Thats what we do here, share information.

 

More information was needed such as it is a different quality steak than what is normally served in the main dining room. Most of us took the initial comment as RCI was now charging for the alternative steak that had always been there. Big difference.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Here is a link to all of the menus aboard Freedom. The main dining room menu lists steak as an alternative every night..........not a price in sight anywhere.

 

So' date=' the reviewer was not being truthful.

 

http://www.thepreismans.com/Freedom_menus.htm[/quote']

You cant predetermine the person was not being truthful, thats just silly.

Maybe he was mistaken, legitimately.

(oops! Or- legitimately NOT,lol)

[DPurcell58]

Just off the Freedom also and the steak from Chops was offered for $14.95, no other steak on Alternative menu. We did not try it, but did go to Chops and that was delicious!!!!!

[Gracie115]

Well I'm glad to have it more clarified anyway....thanks to everyone who responded both good and bad...did not mean to start a rumor, just trying to get that review clarified which you all did...thanks

[MACruisers]

I have a problem with this. $14.95 for a Chops steak. The total cover charge at Chops is $20.00 for an amazing meal, app, sides, entree, and dessert, and GREAT service.

 

So, given the steak is $14.95 does that mean all of the rest is just worth $5.05?

 

This is not a good development.

 

With the increased price of the Oasis - will we see the same surcharges and should we be equally as happy about them?

[tommccabe]

Just got off the Majesty today. Indeed, the menu everynight had a "Chops" N.Y. Strip Steak for 14.95. However, there was still a sirloin steak available in the alternatives. We assumed because the Majesty doesn't have a Chops, this was their way of making it available. I didn't have it so I couldn't say if it was worth it.

 

By the way, we were quite happy with the quality of the food in general.

 

good to hear they still had the sirlion - we are sailing on the explorer which doesn't have a Chops (I believe), so I was curious as to what the alternative would be. I've enjoyed that sirloin on previous cruises.

[Lynnees]

Here is a link to all of the menus aboard Freedom. The main dining room menu lists steak as an alternative every night..........not a price in sight anywhere.

 

So' date=' the reviewer was not being truthful.

 

http://www.thepreismans.com/Freedom_menus.htm[/quote']

 

Jumping to conclusions again are we? As you used OLD menus you really should find up to date information before you say someone is being "untruthful".

 

Personally, I believe this is only the beginning of extra charges in the main dining room.

[Jamielps]

Ok so its been established that there is $14.95 for the Chops steak as an alternative. My question is, is there gratuity in addition to that like when ordering from the bar or is it a flat rate?

[cb at sea]

I foresee a time when only the buffet is "included" and ALL other eating venues will carry a charge! This is just a trial--if alot of folks start paying this, then they will add charges to additional menu items....just wait and see!

[lysolqn]

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.

[megr1125]

You are exactly correct. As long as (some) passengers don't see anything wrong with this nickle-n-diming and willingly shell out more and more money for "good" food, it'll go on & on & on & on...........surcharge for this, surcharge for that.........:cool:

 

 

i heard that even the SURCHARGES will soon have SURCHARGES!:eek: :rolleyes:

[Merion_Mom]

Ok so its been established that there is $14.95 for the Chops steak as an alternative. My question is, is there gratuity in addition to that like when ordering from the bar or is it a flat rate?

 

Now THAT is a really intriguing question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Time to go post on a Freedom Roll Call thread...................... ;)

[EscapeFromConnecticut]

This is precisely why I've wanted to stay away from the specialty restaurants while at sea -- if ALL passengers boycotted the extra add-on stuff, it would stop. The problem is that enough people buy into it, and then the cruise execs feel justified in ramming it down everyone's throat.

Sadly, we can't charge Royal Caribbean or any other cruise line for our financial concerns. So even if we receive minimal raises and no bonuses (and insurance givebacks) in 2007, we don't get to take 10 percent off the cruise bill and call it a "reverse surcharge" to cover our costs.

But we DO get to starve the cruise lines when they institute genuinely extortionate charges - such as extra fees for any item on the main dining room menu. Personally, I'd rather keep the $14.95, order something different that night, and then buy a steak in the next port - even if it's more expensive. ANYTHING to discourage Royal Caribbean from further degrading its basic product.

[Merion_Mom]

This is precisely why I've wanted to stay away from the specialty restaurants while at sea -- if ALL passengers boycotted the extra add-on stuff, it would stop. The problem is that enough people buy into it, and then the cruise execs feel justified in ramming it down everyone's throat.

Sadly, we can't charge Royal Caribbean or any other cruise line for our financial concerns. So even if we receive minimal raises and no bonuses (and insurance givebacks) in 2007, we don't get to take 10 percent off the cruise bill and call it a "reverse surcharge" to cover our costs.

But we DO get to starve the cruise lines when they institute genuinely extortionate charges - such as extra fees for any item on the main dining room menu. Personally, I'd rather keep the $14.95, order something different that night, and then buy a steak in the next port - even if it's more expensive. ANYTHING to discourage Royal Caribbean from further degrading its basic product.

 

It's a vacation. It's a choice.

 

Obviously this bothers you very much.

 

Perhaps you would be less aggravated in a different setting.

 

(I have absolutely NO intention of ever having this "$14.95 Chops steak in the dining room" - my choice)

[berman947]

i agree with Merion Mom. It is a choice. If I decide I want to pay $14.95 for a steak that goes above and beyond what they're offering, that's my choice. If I want to go to Chops and pay $50 more, that's my decision....If I decide to go to the casino and lose $500 on blackjack, that's my stupidity.

 

Basically, to me, the thing that makes cruising the most enjoyable to me....All the choices they offer.

 

But, like EscapeFromConnecticut, I'm not going to actually order the steak in the main dinning room because the regular menu is ok with me. I don't get the soda card either because I'm ok with water and lemonade. I just like having that option.

[Morecruisesplz]

I have a problem with this. $14.95 for a Chops steak. The total cover charge at Chops is $20.00 for an amazing meal, app, sides, entree, and dessert, and GREAT service. So, given the steak is $14.95 does that mean all of the rest is just worth $5.05? quote]

 

So don't order it. Eat what is not an additional charge. Drink iced tea and lemonade -- that's included in your cruise price also. Some things are extra; some aren't. Did you see the other thread here where it seems everyone is ordering 2 and 3 of each course on the menu each night and encouraging others to do the same? People bragging about how much their young sons can eat and how much the waiters "enjoyed" bringing it and watching them enjoy it all?

 

What do you think might cause them to have to start charging for extras?

[Coralc]

That's kind of rotten if this goes fleet wide, because I frequently order the "alternative" steak instead of the regular entrees. I'm not sure what I will do if there isn't an included choice or something else I will eat. :rolleyes: I don't really want to buy a steak in the dining room.

 

I am sort of glad that we don't have cruises booked next year. We are taking a break for land trips. Maybe when we get back in to it, some of these things will be sorted out instead of an unpleasant surprise. :)

[cruiserbryce]

amazing how much specifics and details can make a story different

[Tranquil Waters]

...What do you think might cause them to have to start charging for extras?

 

Greed, hope for bigger bonuses and stock options, the usual.....:confused: :( :mad: .

 

Wait, I guess that wasn't the answer you were looking for. I was suppose to say it was the cruisers' fault.....:rolleyes:

[G'ma]

NOW that makes sense. Thanks for clearing it up. Glad that someone was paying attention.:)

 

I agree, that makes sense.

 

Not that I'd pay for it.....not with all of the good selections available free....but some would, I suppose.

[TravlGrl]

Now THAT is a really intriguing question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Time to go post on a Freedom Roll Call thread...................... ;)

 

Hi Merion Mom! Saw your note on our roll call and will check it out in 12 days...and report back. :) It's a very good question!