heyabbott

What's entrees are not good in the MDR?

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Has a server ever steered you away from something because it's not very good?

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I too ask the servers what he/she recommends.

 

 

 

And I ask about off menu items they sometimes have.

 

 

 

Usually some sort of Indian dish...

A trick of the food biz is sometimes to recommend what is not moving well, in a banquet setting where almost nothing is really "cooked to order" this is a notorious practice.

As we take our meals very seriously, we always look at online menus before selecting a restaurant. While there is always something good on the MDR menu nightly, I will not settle for something. Rather go to WJ or specialty if I'm not completely thrilled about my choices.

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What you don't seem to comprehend is that if the cruiseline paid their staff more, they would simply charge more for the cruise. Maybe one day the mainstream cruiselines will do this - the high priced ones already do.

One way or another, you pay it. But now it is not very opaque.

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She's 30 years d

I really would only expect the wow on the newer ships

But they all still wow me with the beauty of cruising and how special they make us feel

That us if we let them

 

 

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I haven't look at the price structure, is the cost of a 7 day Caribbean cruise the same whether you are on a 16 year old ship or a 2 year old ship?

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It's not the under tipping passengers who are cheating the staff, it is the underpaying cruise lines.

 

 

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This, oh yes this. A tip for service beyond their job description is civilized. Paying people to work long hours for little compensation is not. I am not responsible for making up the difference, out of pocket, between their actual wages and their perceived worth. That is RCI's responsibility.

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When you must walk from your suite to any place on the ship a senior officer, a junior officer and 2 armed petty officers accompany you in case non-Elite passengers look in your direction.

You get fresh fruit everyday, flown in by helicopter, not the fruit kept in the subzero fridge for the peons. 21/2 lb lobsters are merely snacks

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And remember RCI is NOT an American corporation, Liberian, and not subject to US wage and hour laws, and generally not an American crew. Tipping insults RCI, it's like the passengers are saying"you don't know how to treat employees ".

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I love port days, all the rug rats and their over preening parents get off the ship, leaving it for me and the old people:D

What bars would be open? Viking, Solarium and Pool Bar

I completely understand the OPs disappointment. If you are waiting in line for something that is supposed to be open and its not, it is incumbent for someone in charge to let their customers know what is going on. It doesn't have to be specific, but give people an explanation and they will be much more understanding

Part of our daily ritual is to walk over to the MDR sometime before noon to see whats for dinner and if its worth eating there.

It is your cruise. If you want something that's not on the menu, ask for it. They are supposed to go out of their way to satisfy you. This isn't Sunday dinner at Aunt Louisa's house. Its an expensive cruise. Don't think twice about special requests, they live to serve you.

Thank you very much, great job.

BTW that's not a Porterhouse steak, that's a T-Bone Steak. It's not even close.

you can skip the tie too. A tie without a jacket makes you look like assistant produce manager at Target

Was thinking exactly the same thought!....

totally agree with this except if you owed RCI $4.90, they wouldn't let you alone until it was paid. If its good enough for Royal, its good enough for you.

Yes.

 

Staff in WJ also work in the MDR.

Thanks. Good to know

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Does the windjammer staff get a share of the MDR waitstaff's tips? How are they generally tipped?

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This may be hard for some folks to understand but I leave extra tips because I want to. Not because RCI doesn't pay them well or any other excuse folks come up with.

That's great and I'm not looking to start I flame war. I know why I leave a 25% tip or more in a restaurant, and why I'll only leave 15%. Why would someone, not necessarily you, leave a double tip? What do banquet servers and hotel housekeeping do for people to consider over tipping?

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Open toed shoes ?

Now there is a new one.

I did not know boots had open toes?

How did bashing Texans get thrown into the pot? :rolleyes:

Texans seem to think a cowboy hat is license to be impolite.

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Absolutely! The staff go above and beyond. They earn every cent of auto tips and that's why we give additional cash in a thank you note.

Without starting a skirmish I was wondering what your definition of above and beyond means. What anybody's definition of above and beyond means. My wife and I are very accommodating travellers, about the only request we tend to make anywhere is extra towels, we'll shower 2-3 times a day and maybe an extra pillow.

What does the staff and crew have to do go beyond what they are supposed to do?

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What do you wear in the specialty restaurants?

I always bring a blue blazer and wear it with a button down shirt and khakis. Our up coming cruise is our 4th or 5th, if you count a Seine River cruise, and it will be the first time I am not bringing my tux. One, I'm afraid to try it on in case it doesn't fit and two, its a summer Caribbean cruise. Not bringing any suits just a blazer to wear on formal nights. We're by passing Chops this time, I don't care about the up charge, just don't think its that great. We'll try Izumi and Giovani's. I won't wear the blazer for sushi.

I may make fun of people who criticize what others wear because the others are adults and should know what to do. Hats should never be worn at the supper table (this means you Texans, men shouldn't wear open toed shoes at the supper table and grown up men should wear a collared shirt that buttons with long pants to dinner, except at the buffet. Jackets optional and ties unnecessary. Country club rules.

We did that cruise on the Nav a number of years ago. We climbed the waterfall on the shore excursion. The beach is the one they filmed the famous Ursula Andres scene in the Sean Connery James Bond movie, Dr. No. It was very crowded, glad we did it, I'd never do it again.

But we have a family story about losing our 8 year old in the marketplace after the waterfall that is a treasured classic. The short story is that she listened to us and didn't move, but we almost got on the bus without her. The entire Jamaican population of the market followed my lead and we all chanted her name in unison until she was found.

The Chateau Lafite 2001 seems to be a good buy at $550. Wine.com lists it at $999.00.

http://www.shipcruise.org/royal-caribbean-wine-package-policy-list-prices/

Prices.

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If I haven't asked already, which MDR nights are most missable? Are the deck 10 loungers by the pool crowded?

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How did you get from the ship to Breezes? How long did it take to get there and settled in? We'll be in Nassau in 10 days but aren't scheduled to arrive until 1:30 pm. Is there enough time to enjoy the day?

BTW great pictures

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There are RCI wine lists floating around the internet. Mostly overpriced wine of large vineyards' moderate or entry-level offerings. RCI buys fleet wide not per ship, so individual ships have basically the same lists, give or take some bottles. There are still some good wines at all prices but as inflated as any over priced restaurants.

Cruises no longer cater to the gourmet with refined tastes

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