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The Consumerist reports that Royal Caribbean has announced plans to charge customers who order steak in the main dining room a $14.95 surcharge. The New York strip steak being offered in the main dining rooms on these two ships is a Black Angus steak. It will also be available in the alternate dining room, Chops, but there will be no additional fee above the regular cover charge.
Frosty 4
what you don't write is that this large steak is being offered in addition to the regular menu, i.e. according to RCi it will not replace any "regular" steaks on the menu.
Nonetheless, I hope that passengers will "honor" this offer on those ships on which it is currently being tested, so that it will disappear, soon.
Best,
Raoul
quote:Originally posted by r.fiebig: Nonetheless, I hope that passengers will "honor" this offer on those ships on which it is currently being tested, so that it will disappear, soon. Best,Raoul
Exactly Raoul. I agree 100%. In the end it will be the consumer that decides if this is something that will go beyond test mode. If enough passengers buy the steak, then I imagine you will see it expanded to all ships.
My understanding is it's the same steak you would pay for in Chops, but RCI is just making it available in the main dining room as well.
Ernie
We did wait for 45 minutes for the main dinning room one evening for a table for two and noticed open tables in Crown and Sabitines available. If that is any indication, I don't think people are willing to pay extra for meals.
quote:Originally posted by sunviking82:I doubt very much this will fly. I just got off the Crown Princess and the speciality resturants were not booked.(...)les in Crown and Sabitines available. If that is any indication, I don't think people are willing to pay extra for meals.
One of the major attractions, I think, of a cruise holiday, is the (more or less) all inclusive aspect.If you lose that, and this certain in these financial unstable times, you lose our customer. why pay extra if a good meal is already included in the fare.
Above that, I have my questions and doubts abot these "specialty" restaurants. Most likely the food won't be marketfresh (as the main dining room), nor will there be really good chefs in the kitchen (not as in advisor) as in a real gourmet restaurant. Decor alone (nor the relative privacy) IMO doesn't justify the cover charge.
It smacks more like the wish of executives to go upmarket while apparently being general. The only "specialty" restaurant perhaps relevant is that on QM2 during crossings, as per memoriam of the Grill Rooms of days gone by.
J
Goldstien noted he thought the era of "single class" cruises was ending. I think this is an example of what he was getting at. In due time, people will have the basic option, and everything else will be an extra charge. And they'll do it, because generally, they are keeping an all inclusive quality by offering a meal without a charge. But they know half the people will get up-sold to something else.
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