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» Cruise Talk   » Cruise Lines   » Carnival Increases Restaurant Fee

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Author Topic: Carnival Increases Restaurant Fee
Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-26-2001 04:49 PM      Profile for Malcolm @ cruisepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Passengers opting to dine in Carnival Spirit’s Nouveau Supper Club – a steak-house style eatery featuring nine different starters and salads, prime aged beef and Joe’s stone crab claws – will now have to pay $20 per person, a $5 increase from the original reservation fee.

Why the increase? Since the ship’s debut in late April, response to the supper club has been outstanding and, according to the cruise line, an increase in price is necessary to keep pace with demand.

The new fee is sure to cause some waves among cruisers – especially in the wake of Celebrity Infinity’s reversal of the thalassotherapy pool charge – but Carnival maintains that the price, which includes gratuity, is a great value.

The supper club does feature such delectable items as Grilled Lamb Chops, Broiled South African Lobster Tail and New England Crab Cakes, plus an extensive wine list hand-selected by chefs to match the cuisine.

Source: Internet
 


Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!  |  IP: Logged
Marbella
First Class Passenger
Member # 1863

posted 07-26-2001 07:17 PM      Profile for Marbella     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
$20.00 US translates to $30.00 CDN.

I haven't had the "pleasure" of sailing with Carnival but these extra charges for the "special" dining room cause me to wonder what exactly are they serving in the regular dining room. I LOVE good food, as much as the next person, but don't relish the thought of spending so much time on a short vacation trying to book a table.
The other thought I had, was if it is so popular, as was stated by Carnival, the volume of customers would be up, therefore allowing prices to drop--not increase.


Posts: 30 | From: Burlington Ont | Registered: Mar 2001  |  IP: Logged
nathan
First Class Passenger
Member # 720

posted 07-26-2001 07:21 PM      Profile for nathan     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I think their point was that since demand was so high, they are raising prices to discourage some people. The Supper Club only has limited seating, so they are raising prices in the hope that they won't have to turn some away.
Posts: 534 | From: Knoxville, Tennessee | Registered: Aug 99  |  IP: Logged
MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 07-26-2001 08:22 PM      Profile for MagnmPI     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Malcolm: Regarding the Celebrity pool charge...are they now dropping the fee?
Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99  |  IP: Logged
CTrail
First Class Passenger
Member # 64

posted 07-26-2001 09:08 PM      Profile for CTrail     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I believe that you are right Nathan. If the demand dosen't decrease then the charge will go even higher. Supply and demand. What I can't understand is why people would want to spend so much extra to have the same steak that is available in the dining room at no extra cost. I know that being dressed up for the evening meal was part of the atmosphere that we enjoyed so much on the cruise. Why give up part of the splendor of the cruise.

Theeveningmealisabigdeal.

Peter

Had to edit, need dictionary, kan't spel!!

[ 07-26-2001: Message edited by: CTrail ]


Posts: 332 | From: Kitchener, ON Canada | Registered: Apr 99  |  IP: Logged
billybob
First Class Passenger
Member # 1902

posted 07-26-2001 09:12 PM      Profile for billybob     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
It figures!!!

My wife and I are going on the Spirit in a couple of months and we were soooo looking forward to dining a couple of nights in the Supper Club. It figures they'd raise the cost even before we got on board!!

Oh well, the way I look at it is...we're on this beautiful vacation and we may never pass this way again. If the food is as good as advertised...$40 isn't much to spend (the $40 for a reservation is ALL I've got to spend..right?). You'd pay 2 or 3 times that back in the "real" world for a comparable meal. Noveau here I come!!

But I have to agree with Marbella...you'd think by it being so popular, prices would drop, not increase....Carnival getting a bit greedy??

aloha


Posts: 52 | From: Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged
Marina
First Class Passenger
Member # 1664

posted 07-27-2001 03:11 AM      Profile for Marina   Email Marina   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
CARNIVAL is GREEDY:
Bob Dickenson stated that the Nouveau Supper Club is a huge success, with 700 pax/cruise opting for the $20.oo culinary delight!
Does anybody know what the restaurants seating capacity is ??
Cruising was always synonymous with good food and service. That now Grilled Lamb Chops, Stone Crabs, South African Lobster and New England Crab Cakes are worth a surcharge, does indeed only indicate what MARBELLA so adequatley questioned " how good is the food they serve in the regular dining room"???? But I guess the crowd Carnival "transports" does not seem to mind. After all Carival is the K-Mart of the Cruise Industry and the "shoppers" excuse me "cruisers" are happy with what is being offered.
Oh, with all the special dishes being assigned a geographical origin, how come the Lamb chops are not from Australia or New Zealand ????
Chef's hand picked wines..... PLEASE !!!! We do know better folks, right ??
With the Cruise Industry efforts to increase onboard revenues and find new venues to do so, lets discuss the following:
The passage ticket is only that, just for the trasportation and cabin. all other services are pay-as-you-go, all meals, shows and so on..... instead of one concessionaire to provide F&B services have a multidute of different ethnic restaurants. basically the same scenario as in any other tourist destination. this idea is not new, but sofar the big companies were affraid to introduce such a radical idea. so, instead they feed us piece-meal. a bit here a bit there. 10 years from now the public will not know any different and swollow the whole shabang....
What do you think ??

Posts: 217 | From: Miami Beach, FL.USA | Registered: Nov 2000  |  IP: Logged
Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-27-2001 06:30 AM      Profile for Malcolm @ cruisepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I don't blame Carnival or any other organisation for trying to maximise their profits. After all, they are not a charity!

The idea of paying for your cabin and transport, with everrthing else costing extra, is an interesting one.

It woulds save some cruise passengers money! Those that do not eat three times per day, plus a midnight buffet, those that do not go to the shows etc.

Of course if you eat like a horse, you would probably be out of pocket!

I suspect the prices would be fixed so the majority of passengers would pay more, than they do aready. However, the cruise line would argue that you now have the 'choice'to manage their budgets.


Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!  |  IP: Logged
billybob
First Class Passenger
Member # 1902

posted 07-27-2001 09:45 AM      Profile for billybob     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Malcolm....I must admit I might have been a bit hasty when I asked if Carnival was being greedy. You are right that they aren't a charity and should be able to find ways to maximize their profits.

Locarno's idea of paying for transport and cabin and everything else extra IS interesting!! Although if it ever came to fruition, I don't know how many cruises I'd be able to go on. I love to eat, drink and gamble...I'm already paying extra for 2 of the 3. If they add in the third one, I'd need a second AND third mortgage on my house to go!!...unless I can pack my own food and booze. Here's hoping they leave well enough alone.

Anyway, Malcolm...couple questions have come up about the Spirit's Supper Club that I'd like to know...

The $20 pp reservation charge is ALL that it will cost me to eat there..right? Tip's included? And....

What is the seating capacity of the supper club? I'm assuming if I book it when I first get on board I shouldn't have any problems doing 2 nights??

aloha


Posts: 52 | From: Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged
Frank X. Prudent
First Class Passenger
Member # 1723

posted 07-27-2001 11:01 AM      Profile for Frank X. Prudent   Email Frank X. Prudent   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Well what do you know, all this talk about pay as you go! Starting in April 1968 the S.S.INDEPENDENCE began offering week long cruises out of the Big Apple for fares begining at $98.00 per person. American Export Lines and Fugazy Travel of New York teamed up to market the INDY in a last ditch effort to keep her profitable. Everything was ala carte, and it only lasted until early 1969 when a longshoremen's strike closed the operation
down. So was the INDY a trend setter, way ahead of her time, offering the travelling public a pay as you go cruise, or is it that it didn't work then, it won't work now?

[ 07-27-2001: Message edited by: Frank X. Prudent ]


Posts: 577 | From: Covington, Kentucky, U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 2000  |  IP: Logged
Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-27-2001 01:33 PM      Profile for Malcolm @ cruisepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
That's very interesting Frank.

Most (all?) of the European cruise/ferries, (for example on routes such as UK to Norway etc.) are run on a pay as you go system.

You pay your fare for the cabin and you can either pay for individual meals or buy a package of meals i.e 3 breakfsts and 3 dinners. The latter works out a little cheaper than buying individual meals.

It's worked for years - but they are principally Ferries.


Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!  |  IP: Logged
CTrail
First Class Passenger
Member # 64

posted 07-27-2001 04:01 PM      Profile for CTrail     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I for one certainly hope that it dosen't go that way. I prefer to have everything included, well almost everything. I like the idea that when I pay for the cruise I know I have everything paid for that I need to have a great vacation and do not have to worry about budgeting for meals etc for the rest of the entire trip. I also feel that if the cruise lines go the a la carte route, they will be hard pressed to compare their cost to an all inclusive resort. A la carte will always mean more.

Alacarte-blahh!

Peter


Posts: 332 | From: Kitchener, ON Canada | Registered: Apr 99  |  IP: Logged
Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-27-2001 06:46 PM      Profile for Malcolm @ cruisepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Thompson's 'Topaz' offers all inclusive 'budget' cruises.

That means all food and alcoholic drinks (selected brands) are included, all for a modest fare!


Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!  |  IP: Logged
scone.
First Class Passenger
Member # 2068

posted 07-27-2001 08:50 PM      Profile for scone.   Email scone.      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm:
Passengers opting to dine in Carnival Spirit’s Nouveau Supper Club – a steak-house style eatery featuring nine different starters and salads, prime aged beef and Joe’s stone crab claws – will now have to pay $20 per person, a $5 increase from the original reservation fee.

Why the increase? Since the ship’s debut in late April, response to the supper club has been outstanding and, according to the cruise line, an increase in price is necessary to keep pace with demand.

The new fee is sure to cause some waves among cruisers – especially in the wake of Celebrity Infinity’s reversal of the thalassotherapy pool charge – but Carnival maintains that the price, which includes gratuity, is a great value.

The supper club does feature such delectable items as Grilled Lamb Chops, Broiled South African Lobster Tail and New England Crab Cakes, plus an extensive wine list hand-selected by chefs to match the cuisine.

Source: Internet
 


Dining in a 'special' dining room on any cruise ship is up to the couples who want to do it.From my experience it seems like a private restaurant with a nice atmosphere. My wife and i have never tried it since we seem to think, what can they serve that exceeds the quality of the main dining room? The cost quoted of course wouldnt cover the tip in a restaurant ashore and so my opinion is that if you and your partner wish to partake of this service by all means go ahead.After all arent we on vacation and we tend to enjoy things just a little bit more. Who knows maybe we will try it once, being pampered is what it is all about.We will be sailing on the Dawn Princess on Sept 21st on her Panama Canal vogage so we will have lots of time to make up our minds as to going for the 'special' dining room.


Posts: 14 | From: Ontario Canada | Registered: Jun 2001  |  IP: Logged
scone.
First Class Passenger
Member # 2068

posted 07-27-2001 08:53 PM      Profile for scone.   Email scone.      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm:
Passengers opting to dine in Carnival Spirit’s Nouveau Supper Club – a steak-house style eatery featuring nine different starters and salads, prime aged beef and Joe’s stone crab claws – will now have to pay $20 per person, a $5 increase from the original reservation fee.

Why the increase? Since the ship’s debut in late April, response to the supper club has been outstanding and, according to the cruise line, an increase in price is necessary to keep pace with demand.

The new fee is sure to cause some waves among cruisers – especially in the wake of Celebrity Infinity’s reversal of the thalassotherapy pool charge – but Carnival maintains that the price, which includes gratuity, is a great value.

The supper club does feature such delectable items as Grilled Lamb Chops, Broiled South African Lobster Tail and New England Crab Cakes, plus an extensive wine list hand-selected by chefs to match the cuisine.

Source: Internet
 


Dining in a 'special' dining room on any cruise ship is up to the couples who want to do it.From my experience it seems like a private restaurant with a nice atmosphere. My wife and i have never tried it since we seem to think, what can they serve that exceeds the quality of the main dining room? The cost quoted of course wouldnt cover the tip in a restaurant ashore and so my opinion is that if you and your partner wish to partake of this service by all means go ahead.After all arent we on vacation and we tend to enjoy things just a little bit more. Who knows maybe we will try it once, being pampered is what it is all about.We will be sailing on the Dawn Princess on Sept 21st on her Panama Canal vogage so we will have lots of time to make up our minds as to going for the 'special' dining room.


Posts: 14 | From: Ontario Canada | Registered: Jun 2001  |  IP: Logged
Marina
First Class Passenger
Member # 1664

posted 07-28-2001 04:02 AM      Profile for Marina   Email Marina   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Folks,
the extra charge of $20.oo - or what ever other cruise lines wish to charge - is nothing but a trap to find another way to dig into your pockets!!
It was said above, that the cost of the cruise is similar to what Resort Hotels charge, that is not the case. Go to jamaica or any carib island in the winter months and try to find a decent place, which can favorably compare with a cruise - any cruise - after all that is why we all go on cruises and not stay in one place, right??
Food and service was always the marque of a good run cruise ship. that is what we have come to enjoy and expect. those items that Carinival is offering at an added cost, are nothing special and should be included in any "normal menu". But then again you have primimum cruise lines, such as Renaissance, charging $5.oo for their speciality restaurant??? Now that seems rather silly, five dollars, please??????
Malcolm, re TOPAZ, you are correct (as usual) I have not heard how good the food is, the caterer is a rather colorful person, who hails from Salzburg, Austria, who ahs recently left that beautiful country in a hurry to escape to Cyprus, as the tax people were after him. The crew comes from Russia and Ukrania. Anyone sailed on her?
Can you share your experience with us?

Posts: 217 | From: Miami Beach, FL.USA | Registered: Nov 2000  |  IP: Logged

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