Charge for second meal
Mar 10, 2019 | 10:42 am
#16
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I hope there's pushback on this. Either that or sit-down dining will soon enough become for-pay (and the buffet will not have a commensurate increase in seating capacity). That's sort of the case at Aida, the German-market sister line. At least wine and beer are complimentary.
Mar 12, 2019 | 1:58 pm
#17
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Mar 13, 2019 | 1:00 am
#18
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Adjusted for inflation, the price of cruising has gone down over the decades. For as much as people complain about cruising, they sure don't complain about the lower prices. Generally, when a company makes cuts, they cut something that is only utilized by a few, but has a disproportionately higher cost. The best victim statement people can make here is "cruising no longer will have an appeal if I can't try a bunch of dinner at no charge, and finish none of them". Excuse me as I shed a few tears. These poor cruisers have nothing to eat.
A few cruises ago, I sat next to a large, gluttonous family who ate multiple dinners each night. One night, I made the mistake of quickly glancing at the young boy who was eating 2 bowls of ravioli after eating 3 appetizers. I was immediately berated by his mother. This would be doing them a favor.
A few cruises ago, I sat next to a large, gluttonous family who ate multiple dinners each night. One night, I made the mistake of quickly glancing at the young boy who was eating 2 bowls of ravioli after eating 3 appetizers. I was immediately berated by his mother. This would be doing them a favor.
Mar 13, 2019 | 9:52 am
#19
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Some on cruise critic have hypothesized it's due to those using social media (Instagram, blogs and the like) who are ordering dishes just to photo it and not eat it. I still think it is the (whipped) bean counter theory as you surmise. I can see the mass-market lines in the future just offering a menu with a choice of one of each category, like at French restaurants, with supplements for various dishes (the latter of which I understand some cruisecos have tried in the past).
Mar 23, 2019 | 8:02 pm
#21
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Mar 25, 2019 | 8:50 am
#23
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If portions are small or if you can ask for a small portion, it could be fun on a cruise to order a meal with both fish and meat courses, essentailly to create something more like a sampling menu for yourself from an a la carte menu.....or one could reasonably ask for an appetizer potion of pasta (after the usual appetizer) to be followed by a main course of meat or fish. You couldn't easily do this in most restaurants, but it should be one of the advantages of an "all inclusive" restaurant.
Mar 25, 2019 | 9:58 am
#24
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If portions are small or if you can ask for a small portion, it could be fun on a cruise to order a meal with both fish and meat courses, essentailly to create something more like a sampling menu for yourself from an a la carte menu.....or one could reasonably ask for an appetizer potion of pasta (after the usual appetizer) to be followed by a main course of meat or fish. You couldn't easily do this in most restaurants, but it should be one of the advantages of an "all inclusive" restaurant.
Mar 27, 2019 | 9:34 am
#25
Join Date: May 2017
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If portions are small or if you can ask for a small portion, it could be fun on a cruise to order a meal with both fish and meat courses, essentailly to create something more like a sampling menu for yourself from an a la carte menu.....or one could reasonably ask for an appetizer potion of pasta (after the usual appetizer) to be followed by a main course of meat or fish. You couldn't easily do this in most restaurants, but it should be one of the advantages of an "all inclusive" restaurant.
Apr 1, 2019 | 7:09 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Apr 1, 2019 | 9:55 am
#27
Join Date: May 2011
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Nor should you have seen any issues. Holland America is testing the upcharge right now and only on a few of its ships. If they determine it's worthwhile then I'd imagine it'll first go fleet-wide on HAL and then Carnival Corporation will decide whether or not to implement on their other lines. I'm kind of ambivalent about the upcharge but I see it as another revenue generator by a mass market line. HAL, and probably every other line for that matter, has been making a lot of small changes to either generate more revenue or cut costs. In and of themselves they're maybe not that big of an issue but taken in total I think it really has diminished the overall experience. Certainly has driven us away from the mass market to the higher end all inclusive lines.
Apr 4, 2019 | 11:04 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2004
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I am just amazed how the whole "cruising product" continues to deteriorate with a new business model that nickels and dimes people to death. Been on 137 cruises since my first at age 21 and yes in my younger days I might have ordered 2 entrees at most. But it was just nice to know you could do so. Now I've had enough, no more for me. Cruises once were a relatively all-inclusive product (other than drinks and gratuities) but now prepare to have your pockets picked from the moment you've made your reservation!
Apr 4, 2019 | 3:45 pm
#29
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Costs have gone up for most things in life, if we want cheaper tickets we have to pay for other things ! When most of us started cruising we had never heard of "Specialty Restaurants" , Italian, Sushi, Steak what have you. We also have Johnny Rockets and now I heard will have Dave & Busters on board. It is buyers beware when you board. I still think they are excellent values if you can zap a sale and can live with an O/V cabin !
Just think, which hotel ( take a Holiday Inn, or others in that class, where will you get a bed made twice a day, unlimited food, activities, different ports, a state of the art gym etc etc for $ 200 per couple per day ?
Apr 5, 2019 | 7:01 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Also had free soda in the MDR (opps now the restaurant). Ahh memories.