LMHCruise Posted February 7, 2009 #1 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I guess I had been reading alot of old reviews and was expected to have some "free" or including dining choices on the Dawn...besides the main dining room. Seems like some of the dining options aren't really worth it. For my family of four to spend $40 for Mexican...when a free dinner of same quality of food is available, doesn't make sense. The food variety is one of the reason we choose Norwegian...maybe it was a mistagek :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmexicoNita Posted February 7, 2009 #2 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I guess I had been reading alot of old reviews and was expected to have some "free" or including dining choices on the Dawn...besides the main dining room. Seems like some of the dining options aren't really worth it. For my family of four to spend $40 for Mexican...when a free dinner of same quality of food is available, doesn't make sense. The food variety is one of the reason we choose Norwegian...maybe it was a mistagek :( I am so sorry to hear you were disappointed with the new charges..this has been posted here for about the last 4 or 5 months, they went into effect toward the end of the summer or early fall, after the completion of 2.0. I understand with a family it can get pretty pricey, but you do still have the 2 main dining rooms, buffet, grill, and Blue Lagoon to choose from which is more than on many lines.. I hope the rest of your cruise went smoothly and you enjoyed yourselves. Nita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H82seaUgo Posted February 7, 2009 #3 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I am so sorry to hear you were disappointed with the new charges..this has been posted here for about the last 4 or 5 months, they went into effect toward the end of the summer or early fall, after the completion of 2.0. I understand with a family it can get pretty pricey, but you do still have the 2 main dining rooms, buffet, grill, and Blue Lagoon to choose from which is more than on many lines.. Nita How can you even justify that where that' where they serve the bland and boring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantwaitt Posted February 7, 2009 #4 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I never understand why people pay extra for something that is already included. Maybe in the current economy, the gratuitous money wasters are learning a painful lesson. We'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBrewer Posted February 7, 2009 #5 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I am booked with an NCL Cruise later this year and looking forward to it but ..... I think you are right in one way, the Cruise Line is at risk of seeming like a ferry company. In as much as with Ferry's from UK to France you get on cheap enough but then have to pay for everything!! With NCL whilst I would perhaps expect to pay for the top two 'elite' restaurants, the bingo, the casino & alchohol. To have sooooo many chargable things that 'should' be free is now getting tedious. Don't get me wrong I, have loved the three NCL cruises we have done - but I wonder how much more hidden charges I am willing to bear? I quantify my 'Ferry' remarks as I recently read that some people had to pay for one of the shows on an NCL ship recently? Also yesterday I see a Vegas NCL event/meeting where a demo of the new F3 ship was being shown. This had an 'Uber' bar - which IIRC the CEO of NCL said would be admission charged to everyone who did not have a full suite or above room catagory. Come On!!! I know they have to make their margins somewhere but how much more of this pay-for-everything culture are we willing to put up with? Depending upon how 'stung' I feel this time around - next time it may be worth me trying out some of the competition. How do other lines compare in the hidden extra's you get hit with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrymtex01 Posted February 7, 2009 #6 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Thats whats great about NCL. It's your choice to spend the extra or eat in the included dining choices. They have two main dining rooms, a buffet, Blue Lagoon and a grill or two that is included plus room service, all included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhall85917 Posted February 7, 2009 #7 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I have to agree, it is a shame that soooo many of the restaurants have extra charges. On the other hand, we should all be aware of that before stepping onboard ship and be prepared for that . In the past the main dining room was pretty much your only choice, now there are options - we can pick and choose as we see fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Cruise4Ever Posted February 7, 2009 #8 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I never understand why people pay extra for something that is already included. Maybe in the current economy, the gratuitous money wasters are learning a painful lesson. We'll see. Having the money already in our budget for specialty restaurants is far from being money-wasters. As a matter of fact, we chose to cruise this year precisely BECAUSE of the economy. Our original plan to go to LA this year was scrubbed when we found that the price of the cruise was about 2/3 of what we'd pay to go to LA. We enjoy going to some of the specialty restaurants because it IS different food than the main dining rooms. You're not going to find asian chefs putting on a cooking show right in front of you in the main dining room; you're not going to find whole main lobster and filet mignon in the main restaurants; and, you're not going to find lobster ravioli in the main dining rooms. To us, it is WELL worth it! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluefintuna Posted February 7, 2009 #9 Share Posted February 7, 2009 The specialty restaurants are well worth it even if you only do one or two. NCL still charges less than Carnival, RCL or Princess to dine in their specialty restaurants. With the recent onboard credit promo we will dine in at least two of the specialty restaurants when we sail Spirit in May. As for the mexican food: when we ate at Salsa on the Dawn it was fabulous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluefintuna Posted February 7, 2009 #10 Share Posted February 7, 2009 The specialty restaurants are well worth it even if you only do one or two. NCL still charges less than Carnival, RCL or Princess to dine in their specialty restaurants. With the recent onboard credit promo we will dine in at least two of the specialty restaurants when we sail Spirit in May. As for the mexican food: when we ate at Salsa on the Dawn it was fabulous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantwaitt Posted February 7, 2009 #11 Share Posted February 7, 2009 you're not going to find whole main lobster and filet mignon in the main restaurants; and, you're not going to find lobster ravioli in the main dining rooms. Actually, a few years ago I enjoyed filet mignon and lobster ravioli in the main dining room, along with Chilean Sea bAss (no longer), escargot (no longer), and several other items. You used to be able to go to the spa without paying extra. I think NCL and the other cruise lines are pushing the envelop to see how much the lemmings are willing to pay extra for that were included in the past. I think the vast improvement of the buffet on the Gem and Pearl are a set-up for when that dining choice is the only one included in the price of the cruise. Everything else--including a lounge chair--will one day be extra. I like free-style concept and the informal dress code. So, I still cruise with NCL. I certainly don't choose them for the extras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYcruzzer Posted February 7, 2009 #12 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Thats whats great about NCL. It's your choice to spend the extra or eat in the included dining choices. They have two main dining rooms, a buffet, Blue Lagoon and a grill or two that is included plus room service, all included. I aggree 100% There are enough dining choices that are included in the price of your cruise. Fares are at historical lows. Would it be better if NCL raised their prices and not charge in the specialty restaurants ? I don't think so ! Why should I pay extra if I'm happy with the choices available to me for free ? As others have said every major cruise line has a cover charge for their specialty restuarants. If you sail on RCCL they even charge extra if you want to eat at Johnny Rockets, or if you want room service after midnight. Princess charges if you want Pizza delivered via room service and on and on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisnGram Posted February 7, 2009 #13 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Sorry but I just don't get all of the complaints. Up until last March, I had not cruised in over 10 years. On that cruise, there were two main dining rooms. Period. Yes, there were bar-b-Q's by the pool for lunch if you didn't want to dress and go to the dining room, but no buffet until midnight. No room service (without charge) and no Blue Lagoon type place. You ate in the main dining room, at a set time, or you didn't eat.........period. Now we have 2 main dining rooms, room service, a full buffet and the blue lagoon. What more do people want for heavens sake? The specialty restaurants are there for you to enjoy if you want to pay the extra price. If you don't.....then don't. There are PLENTY of included venues to choose from. CG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curly-Q Posted February 7, 2009 #14 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I don't eat at the specialty restaurants and I disagree with the industry-wide concept of charging for the "specialty" restaurants. I believe I paid for my meals with my cruise ticket price. I understand people wanting to have choices, but that's what the ports of call are for. As long as people continue to go to these "specialty" restaurants, it will never change. Maybe I'm not hard to please, because I have been pleased with the meals I received at the main dining rooms, buffet and grills. BTW, I have eaten at the specialty restaurants to see what it was like and I wasn't impressed - just a waste of money IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ohioNCLcruiser Posted February 7, 2009 #15 Share Posted February 7, 2009 On my first cruise on the Norway your options were the one main dining room you had (Leeword or Windward) or the buffet. The only other option was the Le Bistro at a extra charge. Now I can choose between two main dining rooms, diner, grill, diner restaurant and several extra restaurants to choose from if I want. There are still plenty of free restaurants with great food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ohioNCLcruiser Posted February 7, 2009 #16 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I don't eat at the specialty restaurants and I disagree with the industry-wide concept of charging for the "specialty" restaurants. I believe I paid for my meals with my cruise ticket price. You are correct you did. Main dining room 1 and 2 with a changing menu everyday. Buffet with a changing menu everyday. Grill, Pool BBQ, Diner or sports bar are all free. I have gone several cruises without going to any of the surcharge restaurants and we never ran out of options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAWTONCRUISE Posted February 7, 2009 #17 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I have always been a firm believer in 'to each his (her) own'. For those of you, like me, that don't choose to pay extra when perfectly okay with the 'free' eats and for those of you that choose to pay for the extras I say this. Whichever you choose, to each his (her) own. In any case, have a great cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPete Posted February 7, 2009 #18 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Sorry but I just don't get all of the complaints. Up until last March, I had not cruised in over 10 years. On that cruise, there were two main dining rooms. Period. Now we have 2 main dining rooms, room service, a full buffet and the blue lagoon. What more do people want for heavens sake? So compare the 10 year span. Did you find the food in the MDR as good as ten years prior? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisnGram Posted February 7, 2009 #19 Share Posted February 7, 2009 BTW, I have eaten at the specialty restaurants to see what it was like and I wasn't impressed - just a waste of money IMHO. I'm really glad that you said this. Admittedly, I've only eaten in LeBistro (once on Dawn, once on Sky) and the italian specialty restaurant on the Dawn. Yes, the food was good, but honestly, I wasn't all that impressed. People rave about LeBistro, and I found it to be excellent, but not some place I can't wait to go back to. I did enjoy the italian restaurant as I like italian food and you don't see it offered very much in the main dining rooms. But other then that, if I never step foot in another specialty restaurant again, that's fine with me. Glad I'm not alone in this thought. :) Guess I'm just not a foodie. CG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big green Posted February 7, 2009 #20 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I am really tired of reading this complaint all the time on this board-- if you do not like the quality, quantity, or cost of any service such as food on NCL--then do not cruise on NCL-- cruise on another lines or take a land vacation and see how much that will cost you. Also people who do not research how they spend their money and the services they are buying have no pity from me when they are surprised after they book. Big Green Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueSea Posted February 7, 2009 #21 Share Posted February 7, 2009 As long as people continue to go to these "specialty" restaurants, it will never change. I hope that's true. However, I've read many reviews where people say the pay restaurants on their cruise did not have a lot of business and yet the charge for these restaurants hasn't come down. Now we have 2 main dining rooms, room service, a full buffet and the blue lagoon. What more do people want for heavens sake? People still remember that Endless Summer and La Trattoria (I think that was the second one) were no charge until recently. When you take something away from people, it's human nature to feel you are getting something of less value than you got before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisnGram Posted February 7, 2009 #22 Share Posted February 7, 2009 So compare the 10 year span. Did you find the food in the MDR as good as ten years prior? I'm a really bad person to ask this question to. In all honestly, I enjoy food, but I'm not a foodie. I'm also a very "meat and potato's" girl. I'm not interested in exotic or unusual dishes. I can thoroughly enjoy food such as Appleby's, Ruby Tuesdays, etc. I think it's decent food. On the other hand, my fav place to eat is Ruth Chris! :) So I guess you can see that I'm really not picky about food, other then I need basic food that I will eat. Having said that, my cruise 10 years ago was on Holland America and the food was great (from what I can remember). But I have also enjoyed all of my meals on NCL. But, I also remember that I paid about the same for that cruise 10 years ago that I'm paying now. So I think that needs to be taken into consideration. Like I said, I'm a bad person to ask that question to. Sorry. CG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curly-Q Posted February 7, 2009 #23 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I am really tired of reading this complaint all the time on this board-- if you do not like the quality, quantity, or cost of any service such as food on NCL--then do not cruise on NCL-- cruise on another lines or take a land vacation and see how much that will cost you. Also people who do not research how they spend their money and the services they are buying have no pity from me when they are surprised after they book. Big Green I think you've read the post wrong. No complaints here, OP is dissapointed in the rising cost of the specialty restaurants. I, for one, have no complaints with the meals I've received on NCL, including quality, quantity and cost of same. I just don't pay extra for something I can get for free --but wait... it's not really free, because I paid $$$ for my cruise ticket!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sun~ Posted February 7, 2009 #24 Share Posted February 7, 2009 We love having the choice of different types of cuisine. The main dining rooms are gorgeous and have a very typical cruise ship menu. A bit of this and a bit of that - something for everyone. The first time we set foot in LeBistro on the Norway in '97, we thought this is a great idea for a romantic dinner. No sitting with other people, just us and a good bottle of wine. The first time we set foot in the teppanyaki place as a family, we were hooked for the other restaurants. We have tried Cagney's, LeBistro, the TexMex place, the Italian place etc. Rarely did we go to the main dining room. My DH is really fond of the Italian place, and at $10 pp it DIRT CHEAP. Remember, it is a 'top up' to the food costs and really does not represent the true cost of the meal. For those that don't understand how it works, take for example teppanyaki. $25 is about half of what you would pay for a similar restaurant on land. We go to the Japanese Village in Ottawa, our last bill from there was around $200 for the four of us. A good Italian restaurant close to us, Fratelli's, it would again be in the $200 region for the four of us. Do the math folks. For those who are too cheap to go into the speciality restaurants, that's good for us who want to go, we can get in when we want. We enjoy going to different restaurants all within a five minute walk from our cabin. We go out once or twice a week as a family and I take out clients on a regular basis. The food in the main dining rooms is banquet food, like going to a wedding every night (so far true on NCL, HAL & CCL - and I will tell you the verdit on our upcoming princess cruise). The specialty restaurants offer something different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big green Posted February 7, 2009 #25 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I think you've read the post wrong. No complaints here, OP is dissapointed in the rising cost of the specialty restaurants. I, for one, have no complaints with the meals I've received on NCL, including quality, quantity and cost of same. I just don't pay extra for something I can get for free --but wait... it's not really free, because I paid $$$ for my cruise ticket!!! i did not read it wrong they are complaining about the cost--try going out for four people to eat these days-- try a land vacation and then tell me about the costs. Big Green Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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