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Comments (19)
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Save/ShareThe days of all-inclusive cruises including the cost of all of your meals seems to be vanishing.
For a few years now, cruise ships have been offering "premium" dining at a higher price. ("Want a steak dinner? Splash out for a night at a higher price.") But in 2011, a mania for up-charging for meals may be kicking into gear.
Passengers used to pay $8 for meals at Rita's Cantina, for instance. They'll now pay a fee of $3 to dine at the restaurant and then pay a price for each item ordered a la carte, too. The 15 percent gratuity isn't included either. (A tip of the hat to Cruise Critic for breaking this story.)
The first absurdity here, I think, is that cruise company RCI considers Rita's Cantina and Seafood Shack to be "premium restaurants."
Rita's Cantina and Seafood Shack serve the type of food that ought to be included in the "all-inclusive" price in the first place. The menu at Rita's Cantina includes such glamorous items as chicken tacos ($2) and taco salad ($3), while Seafood Shack goes all fancy with a basket of grilled jumbo shrimp ($7). Cruise Critic says that these changes amount to a price hike, noting that a meal with guacamole, a quesadilla and grilled chicken that cost $8 in the winter now costs $11.25.
But, of course, that's because there's now ultra-premium restaurants, like Chops Grille. I'll agree that Chops Grille, with its selection of prime rib and lobster dishes, counts as a premium restaurant. I also agree that it's nice to have the option of splashing out on a fancy meal during a cruise. I'm willing to pay an extra cost for the meal, which is now $30 per person (a fee hiked by $5 this year).
Yet the danger here is that all cruise lines will begin to serve sub-standard food in their main dining rooms. After all, by making the dining hall experience less attractive, a company can make more money by upselling customers on fee-based meals elsewhere on-board.
I don't mean to pick on RCL, which offers an outstanding cruise experience overall. That corporation just happens to have been the latest one to do this.
Another example from this summer:
Norwegian Cruise Lines has put into place a $4 fee for late night room service. Room service used to be free. Royal Caribbean instituted this fee about two years ago.
In another twist, if you order a pizza to your room on Norwegian, you'll pay $5 at any time of day.
Is it just me? Or do you, as a traveler, mind these meal-related charges, too? Do premium restaurants and per-person charges allow cruise lines to broaden the range of food experiences on their ships? Or are they nickel-and-diming passengers? Let us know by posting a comment. Thanks!
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Chops Grill was delicious, and the setting was romantic. But delicious or not, the food they served was the same as the regular dining. It only provided a more private setting, with extra decorative on the plate. But for me to celebrate an anniversary, it was worth the extra money. At the time I believe it was $25 per person.
I honestly don't mind them charging extra for specific restaurants. At the end it is our choice to use them or not, and our choice to find ways to save money. As long that they do not take options away.
It was a one time experience for me, at Chops Grill. ever since that one time, I've never reserved a place at any of the places that charges extra anymore.
Was it worth it? Yes. Would I do it again? No, unless they provide a significant difference in menus and food.
Posted By Frank on July 27, 2011, 5:33 PM
We believe Chops Grille is worth the extra money. The setting is romantic and intimate. My husband and I usually dine there one night of our typical 7-night cruise. The service we have had so far on RCI in Chops Grille was outstanding.
However, on NCL we felt like we were nickel and died to death. On our Alaska cruise, we ate at the Japanese restaurant and the Steak House. Both places the food and service was very good. However, we just felt nickel and dimed at all other parts of the ship. We also don't care for the anytime dining.
Back to RCI, I don't think we would go to Rita's Cantina or the Seafood Shack unless it was included in the price.
Posted By Sue on July 27, 2011, 6:37 PM
one of the main reasons I don't cruise with RCI any longer is because I felt they always were trying to get more $$ out of the customer. I don't feel this way with Holland America.
To answer the question, I dont have a problem with the cruise lines charging for the premium restaurants (I never go anyway) but I am irritated that they charge extra for Mexican or fast food seafood. I would not cruise on those cruise lines. Thx for the informative article.
Posted By Toobusy2 on August 1, 2011, 10:16 AM
After the wife and I doing 24 cruises since 1998 we are not even looking at another one because of the cheaping of the experience. We do not mind paying extra for a exceptional meal such as is served on Carnivals steak houses. However even these have been cheapend and their main dinning room fare is just ok, and we think they are the best of the bunch. Cheapening the cruise price and then chargeing for everything on board my get them the first time cruisers but will lose them the experienced .
Posted By Len on August 1, 2011, 12:02 PM
In November, 2009, my wife & I sailed on RCL's Navigator of the Seas on a trip from Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We had a wonderful time on the 12 day trip. My only negative was our dining experience at Chops (steakhouse, $25.00/person) and the Italian counterpart (also $25.00/person). Neither dining option was worth the extra fees. The steaks were not as good as the Metropolitan Grill in Seattle. The Italian restaurant quality of food was equivilent to your basic Italian food costing $15.00 to $18.00 per person. I will say that the service and ambience of both were 5 star. Would I do it again? Probably not! Frankly, I'm sick & tired of hotels, cruises and airlines charging for things that used to free or included WITHOUT IMPROVING QUALITY OR SERVICE.
Posted By JEH106 on August 1, 2011, 1:58 PM
We do not use the extra dining rooms. We pay well for the food in the dining room and buffet. It is only food after all.
Posted By Catherine Hay on August 1, 2011, 2:38 PM
I agree that the major cruise lines have all been "cheapened" by the extra charges; the main reason being is that we will not pay extra for the cruise so - like the airlines, are charging for all of the "extras". Although we love Royal Caribbean if it gets more price-picky we do have the option of sailing on more expensive ships that truly are more or all inclusive. You do get more by paying more and the little things add up. Myself, I would rather pay a bit more and have no additional charges once on the ship...
Posted By jane on August 1, 2011, 4:28 PM
Future cruisers will vote with their wallets if the Cruise Lines continue to up sell premium extras.They must maintain the High Standards of the All Inclusive dining experience that come with the cruise. They already hit us hard on pop and drinks not to mention the prices of shore excursions...Beware it is a Buyers Market....Best Value will win...
Posted By Ron B on August 1, 2011, 6:43 PM
I haven't eaten at Chops or cruised on RCL more than once. But I do really disagree with the idea of charging for inexpensive Mexican food. A specialty restaurant with an extra charge should serve extra special food and I have no problem with that as I can choose whether or not to eat there. I do worry that too much of this will lead to them serving poorer food in the dining room. After all, one reason for cruising is really good food and great service. Several years ago we cruised on the Star Princess and there were a lot of pasta dishes and small shrimp, none of the "wow" dishes we'd come to expect after cruising on Carnival and Celebrity. My husband vowed not to cruise on Princess again. Since then we've cruised on other Princess ships with family groups and the food has been good, but we wouldn't have done it had not other family members set things up.
Posted By Bonnie on August 1, 2011, 6:48 PM
Unfortunately, the cruise lines are just doing what all the other travel providers are these days - dangling an attractive sale price in front of travelers, and then finding ways to nickel and dime them to boost their profit margins once they're committed. It's not going to stop until we stop falling for the come-ons in the ads and brochures and demand truth in sale pricing.
Posted By Paul S on August 1, 2011, 7:18 PM
I am saddened by the nickel-and-dimeing by the cruise lines to get more $$ out of the passengers. I have loved cruising for years and part of the experience is the usually excellent food in the main dining rooms. My last experence on NCL was a dissapointment.
I guess I am willing to pay more for a cruise line that actually has "all-inclusive" policies. The experience is better and with all the extras that you pay for on the others, you are spending about the same amount of money anyway.
Posted By Maia on August 1, 2011, 8:04 PM
I don't usually go for the extra restaurants. The dining room meals are usually good...and if you don't like your meal, you can send it back and order another! And RCL has great breakfast and lunch buffets, as well.
What is really pissing me off is the tips thing! It used to be $10/day, and if you wanted to give something extra to your personal waiter and room steward, you did. The people in the buffet who give you personal service should get a piece of that. NCL is now up to $14-16/day! No, I don't think I should be tipping the people who wash the linens, or the dishes, or make the food, or answer questions at the front desk! The cruise line is supposed to PAY them for that! It's not a personal tipping experience! I have found that you can CAP the daily rate, though, and give more to your personal attendants. If the cruise line is not making enough to pay people properly, then raise the price of the cruise....don't nickle and dime me!
Posted By Lisa W on August 1, 2011, 8:06 PM
great responses...have been cruising for forty years, cruise lines used to be known for superior service and spectacular meals...no longer the case...couple that with 3000 tacky people on a tenement-style ship returning to the same old ports shared with six other ships and you have a business model that is not promising...cruise lines better work on new destinations, even better cuisine that is all-inclusive and a well-paid staff that knows their jobs depend on pleasing passengers.
Posted By dunblak on August 1, 2011, 8:58 PM
Looks like the best bet is to go to a real all inclusive small ship like Silversea or Regent. Yes, they charge more, but they include virtually everything, give you lots of $$$ on board credit, air is usually included and on Regent, so are shore excursions and pre/post hotels. Do the math folks, you are paying this anyway. Might as well go luxury.
Posted By Ilene on August 1, 2011, 9:33 PM
Looks like the best bet is to go to a real all inclusive small ship like Silversea or Regent. Yes, they charge more, but they include virtually everything, give you lots of $$$ on board credit, air is usually included and on Regent, so are shore excursions and pre/post hotels. Do the math folks, you are paying this anyway. Might as well go luxury.
Posted By Ilene on August 1, 2011, 9:34 PM
That's why we like cruising on Princess. Their steakhouse is outstanding with high quality, large steaks that are well prepared. Also, they have great deserts like chocolate pecan pie. We go to the steakhouse at least once or twice during each cruise.
Posted By Len Boscarine on August 2, 2011, 1:30 AM
I have enjoyed Palo's and then this time, Remy's on the two Disney cruises I have taken (Magic and Dream)and they were definitely worth the extra charge, which was high at Remy's but really worth it. The cuisine was 5 star Michelin, the service exquisite yet friendly and the ambience priceless. And the experience lingered, when we returned to our stateroom to find hand-made chocolates and roses had been delivered! Would NEVER pay extra for tacos and shrimp! Disney all the way!
Posted By Nina Mangan on August 2, 2011, 6:40 AM
yes, they are now nickle dimeing costs that enables them to show a lower fare and attract people to the cruise the all-inclusive feature is what drew people to cruising in the first place and if they toy with the concept they will find people not cruising anymore ok to charge for a "real" premium restaurant but not to drop the quality of the food in the diningroom
Posted By sarah petersen on August 2, 2011, 7:04 PM
I don't mind the a la carte pricing one bit and would rather not pay for things I do not use, such as the fare served by Rita's or Johnny Rockets. I suspect RCL charges a premium for its Mexican restaurant because it does not have an audience large enough to make it worthwhile to serve the cuisine in the main dining room.
I am not the least afraid of RCL making the main food offerings less appetizing for cruisers. If that were the strategy, they would lose cruisers entirely to lines that met their customers wants.
Bon voyage.
Posted By Lex on April 5, 2012, 9:17 AM