Disappointed with extra charge for almost ALL restuarants

[beachchick]

When everyone jumped on the bandwagon for "Freestyle" dining' date=' specialty restaurants with surcharges, etc., it was only a matter of time before cruise lines started adding more and more fees. If you have a successful enterprise, you want to expand it.

 

You can bet if we all avoided those restaurants with extra charges, they'd disappear in a season or two.

 

You can't have it both ways. Either you want a cruise that includes nice meals served in a nice dining room, with a good selection, well prepared and served-or, you want a selection of restaurants where you pay for what used to be included.

 

It's up to us, the passengers, to put a stop to this. Don't patronize those venues that charge.

 

Simple as that.[/quote']

 

Just a note that surcharge restaurants are by no means new to the cruising industry and NCL didn't "start" some sort of "trend" that all the other lines followed. They didn't even start the concept of anytime dining. There are premium lines that have had that for quite some time.

 

Obviously, everyone has their own opinions about whether surcharge restaurants are "worth it" and whether they believe the cruise lines should include every dining venue on the ship in the basic cruise fare.

 

beachchick

[CruisinEurope]

we're just back from the Jade.

 

As a family of 4, we CHOSE not to budget in extra $$ for trying out all of the specialty restaurants simply based on the menu offerings and the fact that there were 4 of us vs. just DH and myself.

 

HOWEVER - DH and I DID CHOOSE to go to one of the "extra" restaurants because we REALLY were in the mood for a different dining experience (especially without the kids!) and really wanted something on a specific menu.

 

No one forced us to eat there. We WANTED to. Even knowing FULL WELL that we could "eat for free" elsewhere (as we did all other 11 nights of the cruise).

 

This argument to me is hysterical.

 

OP - What do YOU care what WE do with our money?

 

I LIKE having the choices.

 

I LIKE being able to use them if I want to, and NOT pay for them if I don't.

 

It's just like the spa, or the golf simulators, or the bowling alleys, or the rock climbing walls, etc. etc. etc. It's an ADDITIONAL experience that you can CHOOSE to have or NOT.

 

Why is this so hard to comprehend???

[MadBrewer]

......Yes, you are right about the sur charge dining rooms becoming more and more a part of cruising, but this is true on all lines. RCI is now charging for room service after a certain time at night, and charging for some steaks in the main dining room, some lines are charging a fee if you get money from the casino and put in on your cabin account, many lines charge for cappachino. Every line is attempting to keep cruise prices down and adding extra charges when you are on the ship. Some do not like this, others like the idea of deciding what they want to pay for.....

 

 

Nita

 

Thanks for that. I really didn't know how NCL compared to the others. From your post, It does sound as if all the 'BIG 7' companies are targetting lower 'brochure' prices by adjusting revenue generating on board. (I do hope that 10 years from now, a cruise is still a cruise as I see it and not a ferry service. I.e. The industry keeps stage type entertainment free and the entrance fee for certain bars ideas falls flat before they target that too though.)

[fin]

"Most of us are against the concept of the pay extra restaurants"

 

Confused. Most of us = your family, or the people posting here?

[Catnip]

"Most of us are against the concept of the pay extra restaurants"

 

Confused. Most of us = your family, or the people posting here?

 

I was referring to the people posting here that are against the pay extra venues, although my family is against it too.

[Catnip]

This thread is almost as much fun as one on smoking...or tipping.....

 

Keep it going!!:D

 

 

or non-toilet trained kids in the pool, or jeans in the dining room! :eek: :D

[Dukegirl5577]

I mostly agree with what you are saying but I wouldn't call tacos and rice something really special, though I might have a tast for it...or a plate of spaghetti in the Italian restaurant.

{snip}

I totally get it for Cagneys or Le Bistro....but not for the rest....

 

Last time I cruised NCL, the TexMex and Italian places WERE free. And we didn't even utilize them then. LOL!

[CruisnGram]

Those that are opposed to surcharge specialty restaurants seem to believe that cruiselines are heading in a direction where all dining will have an extra charge. I just don't see it that way.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again....on a Holland America cruise 20 years ago, and a Carnival cruise 15 years ago, they had the main dining room, a place on deck to get lunch if you didn't want to get dress to go the dining room, and the midnight buffet. Period. No Blue Lagoon, no room service, no buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When you look at what cruiselines offer now, it appears to me that they are going in the OPPOSITE direction by offering MORE "free" choice then they ever used to. So I think those posters fears are totally ungrounded in facts.

 

I agree with the majority of other posters. If you want to use the specialty restaurants, use them. If you don't, then don't. I too don't understand why people are concerned about what others choose to spend their money on.

 

CG

[*Wink*]

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 noticed some have gotten OT by thinking the OP cares about how people want to spend their money. IMO, the OP is upset that when they booked their cruise, they "assumed" the no-fee restaurants were still no-fee. I guess I'd be kinda grumpy about that too, but I pretty much expect things to change in between the time I booked and my cruise. I book well in advance and so much can happen in a year or more. I'm waiting for Pasta Cafe to start charging on Majesty any day now. Will I be upset? No, I expect it. That way I'm rarely disappointed.

[caspmorn]

The $10 fee added for Italian and Mexican has made it much, much easier to get a reservation in these restaurants. I was on Pearl last year in January and then December. After the price increases in the specialty restaurants, the experience was better. In January it was bery difficult to get in to these, but in December it was much easier. Thanks NCL.

[Pianoman6582]

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 :(

 

In '06 we cruised on the Dawn--back in the day when the mexican and italian (and maybe the chinese?) places were all included. Since then, they've charged a very nominal 10 or 15 dollars, but the difference is night and day! Where La Trattoria (on the Dawn) had actually been a converted section of the buffet only in existance at night, it is now it's own restaurant on deck 6 where Impressions (a former main dining room) used to be. And the food has increased in quality 1000%! They bring you an Anti-Pasto trolley then a menu with things like a 10oz Veal Shank. To me, that type of dinner is worth an extra couple of bucks.

 

As for the bar with cover charge on the new F3, that may be a bit much. I'll go back and sing karaoke at Dazzles with Fidel the DJ thank you very much. But I digress...

 

As I've said in other posts, check the main dining room menus before you go to bed the night before. They post them around 11 pm. Get an idea of what you'd like to eat and plan accordingly.

 

By the way, the Room Service menu is so cool. They have wings, mac and cheese and Mozzerella sticks..... Excuse me, that was my inner 12 year old speaking....

And I thank you...

JWK: NCL Booster

[Mooder]

As for the bar with cover charge on the new F3, that may be a bit much.

 

I was under the impression the cover charge would include a drink or maybe 2 and that it is really a matter of controlling traffic and avoiding people coming in to simply watch. If you plan to drink, it is a wash. Is this impression incorrect or does anyone even know at this point? Just curious. I am not a big clubber.

[*Wink*]

I was under the impression the cover charge would include a drink or maybe 2 and that it is really a matter of controlling traffic and avoiding people coming in to simply watch. If you plan to drink, it is a wash. Is this impression incorrect or does anyone even know at this point? Just curious. I am not a big clubber.

That's what I've read too, 'mooder. I read 2 drinks.

[CruisinEurope]

I was under the impression the cover charge would include a drink or maybe 2 and that it is really a matter of controlling traffic and avoiding people coming in to simply watch. If you plan to drink, it is a wash. Is this impression incorrect or does anyone even know at this point? Just curious. I am not a big clubber.

 

the ONLY one that I know of is that Paniolos (the Tex Mex) gives your first margarita on the house. Its only a $10 cover - so a wash in my book.

 

If there are more that offer a complimentary first drink - I'm not sure, but would love to know.

[Mooder]

the ONLY one that I know of is that Paniolos (the Tex Mex) gives your first margarita on the house. Its only a $10 cover - so a wash in my book.

 

If there are more that offer a complimentary first drink - I'm not sure, but would love to know.

 

I just took a quick look at one of the Press Releases about the Epic and it had this to say about the Ice Bar. Given the unique ambiance and the fur coat, I can see a lot of people going in simply to check it out. On the other hand, I don't think you could spend much time in there without a good stiff drink. :D

 

"To enter, guests will pay a cover charge with a drink or drinks included."

[terrymtex01]

In '06 we cruised on the Dawn--back in the day when the mexican and italian (and maybe the chinese?) places were all included. Since then, they've charged a very nominal 10 or 15 dollars, but the difference is night and day! Where La Trattoria (on the Dawn) had actually been a converted section of the buffet only in existance at night, it is now it's own restaurant on deck 6 where Impressions (a former main dining room) used to be. And the food has increased in quality 1000%! They bring you an Anti-Pasto trolley then a menu with things like a 10oz Veal Shank. To me, that type of dinner is worth an extra couple of bucks.

 

As for the bar with cover charge on the new F3, that may be a bit much. I'll go back and sing karaoke at Dazzles with Fidel the DJ thank you very much. But I digress...

 

As I've said in other posts, check the main dining room menus before you go to bed the night before. They post them around 11 pm. Get an idea of what you'd like to eat and plan accordingly.

 

By the way, the Room Service menu is so cool. They have wings, mac and cheese and Mozzerella sticks..... Excuse me, that was my inner 12 year old speaking....

And I thank you...

JWK: NCL Booster

 

You know, Pianoman.. I never thought of that. That the quality may have gone up since they started charging. I have said this before and got flammed for it..I don't care... The Tex Mex is anything but Tex Mex in my opinion. The worst meal we have ever had on any cruise we have taken was in the Tex Mex, and that was when it was a free dining option. I knew we were in trouble when the chips and salsa they gave us was Tostitoes (sp) and Pace Picante. Don't get me wrong, I love Pace, that is what we use in our home, but in Texas when we go to a Tex Mex Restaurant, we expect "homemade" salsa. Many of us here in Texas judge the Tex Mex restaurant by their salsa alone. The meal was just horrible, in my book. I do have to say in all fairness that Doug didn't think his was that bad, but the funny thing about that is he is MUCH more picky about food that I am. I don't know what that says, but wanted to be fair in my posting. Now that I know the quality may have gone up we may give them a try again.

[A.S.]

I don't think most people that do not like the pay restaurants care who spends their money on what.

 

There is this feeling that the food in the Main Dining Room will keep on getting worse and worse and everyone will be forced to pay more for food.

 

Some of their dinners in the MDR are not that good now.

[ohioNCLcruiser]

Guess I will have to put some more money in my Specialty restaurant budget for this contract!

[LMHCruise]

I don't think most people that do not like the pay restaurants care who spends their money on what.

 

There is this feeling that the food in the Main Dining Room will keep on getting worse and worse and everyone will be forced to pay more for food.

 

Some of their dinners in the MDR are not that good now.

 

Thank you! Well said! This does seem to be they way that the cruise line is moving. And if you were like many, and looked to learn most of what NCL offers by visiting their website or reading their brochure, you are lead to believe "free style" gives you lots of FREE options. I have been reviewing menus for the main dining room from some posters, and... on a few nights, the choices are very limiting and basic. Im my opinion, the cruising expereince is les than it once was. I still love it...just les than it once was.

 

And yes...I guess part of what happens is the corporations will push what the markets will bear. Seems like "we" as a general public, are willing to except less from cruiselines than was once the norm. And...when comparing prices several months ago, I didn't find much difference but thought it would be fun to try free style...at that time "free included Mexican, Italian, etc., etc. So...hopeully I will be pleasantly surprised and enjoy my first experience with NCL overall...otherwise, its back to another....

[mbisson]

I want everything included in my fare, I want a low fare, and I never want the fare to increase ;)

[LMHCruise]

I want everything included in my fare, I want a low fare, and I never want the fare to increase ;)

 

If fees need to increase to provide a certain level of quality and service, so be it......I'm not looking for Neimen Marcus but I'm not looking for K-Mart either....

[mbisson]

Well, I still want it all-and I want it cheap ;)

 

Of course if someone is willing to pay extra for a 'certain level of quality and service' they could just pay the price & eat in the spec dining rooms ;)

[CanadianTwosome]

Thank you! Well said! This does seem to be they way that the cruise line is moving. And if you were like many, and looked to learn most of what NCL offers by visiting their website or reading their brochure, you are lead to believe "free style" gives you lots of FREE options. I have been reviewing menus for the main dining room from some posters, and... on a few nights, the choices are very limiting and basic. Im my opinion, the cruising expereince is les than it once was. I still love it...just les than it once was.

 

And yes...I guess part of what happens is the corporations will push what the markets will bear. Seems like "we" as a general public, are willing to except less from cruiselines than was once the norm. And...when comparing prices several months ago, I didn't find much difference but thought it would be fun to try free style...at that time "free included Mexican, Italian, etc., etc. So...hopeully I will be pleasantly surprised and enjoy my first experience with NCL overall...otherwise, its back to another....

 

I disagree wholeheartedly. Your statement that "we" as in general public, are willing to accept less... etc. suggests that you speak for ME, as I am a member of the general public. You do NOT. I've been cruising for over 30 years, and the cruises that I have been on over the past three years have had much MORE to offer than those I took in the 70s or 80s. I'm not going to say that the menus aren't less 'extravagant', but I don't cruise to eat (though I do look forward to it and enjoy it), and while my family does make use of waterslides, we are not interested in caviar or frog's legs (both of which appeared on menus on my past cruises). (I should add that caviar WAS available at the Latitudes party on the Star - for FREE) The 'free' in Freestyle, by the way, is the short form of 'freedom' - as in to make your own choices. :)

 

I hope you will be pleasantly surprised by your first NCL experience also, though if you go into anything with a negative attitude it can colour your perception of everything. Are you expecting to not enjoy the included food? If so, that's a real shame, because in my opinion, they have some wonderful dishes on their menus. My husband's favourite meal in the main dining rooms was the gnocchi. The escargot is divine. The prime rib and English striploin are delicious, and the coconut souffle is not to be missed. I've also had excellent experiences with the lobster - of which you can have as many servings as you want. My biggest issue when booking the specialty restaurants is what I'm going to 'miss out on' in the main dining rooms. Don't believe the hype - in fact, don't believe me either - I can't predict whether or not you will enjoy anything just because I have. I just think you should go into any new experience with an open mind. Form your own opinion once you actually have the experience, not based on what a complete stranger has typed into an anonymous message board. :)

[CC Help Michell]

If fees need to increase to provide a certain level of quality and service, so be it......I'm not looking for Neimen Marcus but I'm not looking for K-Mart either....

 

And some people ARE. I don't think NCL's K-Mart, but honest to betsy -- we read reviews here day after day from people who say they booked their cruise on NCL because the price was so amazing, and then they express complete shock and indignation at how NCL does business. Maybe a little investigation prior to booking would help prevent these shocks?

 

People here are talking about "back in the day" when Tex Mex, etc. was free (no surcharge) -- I sailed NCL WAY back in the day when the new LeBistro was the only specialty restaurant onboard and the other mainstream lines had nothing like it. The charge was $5 per person (jaw-dropping heresy in the cruise world at the time -- PAY extra for food onboard?????). We gladly paid it -- the service and food quality even THEN -- 1996? 1995? -- FAR surpassed the MDR.

 

From that day to this, we've never sailed a cruiseline where we didn't find food we enjoyed included in our fare. That's not to say that some lines didn't offer specialty restaurants with food and service we thought was a cut above their regular fare (we think that's the case with NCL, but think the included food is fine, too). It's also not to say that some lines (HAL) didn't offer included food with service and quality above the included restaurants on other lines (NCL, RCCL, CCL) -- HAL definitely did, by a good bit.

 

But we also enjoyed the basic, included fare on every line we've sailed, and none of those differences we've found here and there changed our basic philosophy that being on a cruise is better than being at home, any day, OR our practice of booking cruise travel based on itinerary and price, in that order.

 

Sigh, I digressed a bit. In any event, I'm so sorry the OP here didn't realize prior to boarding his ship which restaurants had surcharges and how much they were. It's not like this info's secret or hard to find, but it had to be disappointing not to realize it before the cruise.

 

And PS -- don't increase those fares for me -- I'm perfectly fine with included food on every line I've sailed, which is what I was trying to say before I detoured down memory lane!

[Leafpeeper]

We enjoyed the two main dining rooms and the Great Outdoors buffet area on NCL Gem last month. We only have one dining room to use on the other cruiselines we sail.

 

DH enjoys the casino and I enjoy specialty restaurants. Our cruise offered 2 for 1 rates for 3 of the specialty restaurants if dining between 5:30 and 7:30. That meant we only paid $5 per person for the $10 restaurants. We love the Asian restaurant food for that price and we also agreed the Tiramasu in the Italian restaurant was the best we've ever had anywhere and well worth the $5 we each paid for the specialty dining. LeBistro is my favorite restaurant on NCL. They offered the 2 for 1 rate on one night of the cruise. I am happy to pay their $15 fee without the 2 for 1 because that price is still far below what we pay on other cruiselines for specialty restaurants that don't have anything close to the ambiance of LeBistro.

 

What I enjoy about the specialty restaurants is the different decor of each venue. Sometimes I just want to dine in a small restaurant with a quiet setting and not in a large dining room atmosphere. NCL gives us lots of choices.