tapemann

The Royal one says "Best offer of the year" We the years 2015 is only 3 weeks old. But Truth in Adv.

Have only tried traditional dining so far (My Time and Dynamic Dining didn't exist for my past cruises). But I'm amazed at all the fuss. Isn't Dynamic Dining basically the same as My Time Dining, except that you also pick the actual restaurant (and menu is static at each restaurant)?

Yes, But you don't have a choice of a MRD option if you want it.

I think the one thing that RCCL can't grasp is that many people go on a cruise because they don't have to make Reservations. They don't have to think about where are we going to eat tonight. If that's the case they would Book a Land Vacation. It's great that they are now offering Specials. But the verity of food items was now the problem. On a cruise a lot like to meet different people and not have to make Reservations. New cruisers don't know any different. But those who know see nothing wrong with the old MDR. Just change up the selection on the Menu.

Radio

Since you have not responded about getting into a Restaurant without reservations ( and being seated at a large table with others) that they are not providing a work around. Many prefer a set time and don’t want to have to think where they want to eat every night. Is RCCL not going to come up with a way its past guest will be able to go to the free restaurants without reservations on the new Ships? I was hoping for your unbiased view of the DD changes.

Why not let Radio's posts speak for themselves without assigning him tasks just to confirm your personal opinions.

They are NOT just my personal opinions. This is a good way of grtting a on the spot reaction to a new change.

This is a great way to get a LIVE Test if RCCL has found a solution to the likes of many past cruisers. I'm NOT saying DD is bad. Just that it needs some adjustments.

Now try having dinner at a free restaurant at 8PM with out reservations and ask for a large table and see what happens.

Radio

You left out some details on Dinner.

1. Did you have Reservations?

2. What time did you walk up?

3 Were you seating a a large table with others or by yourself?

The point I'm testing is I have spoken to people who Do not want to be forced to make Reservations. They like and want to stay with DT. They want to sit with new people at a large table. The fun of meeting people on a cruise. Plus the like a set time with no waiting.

The new Menu Items in each Restaurant is great, but not at the risk of loosing the 3 points I pointed out. There has to be a way of doing both with out the establish base to be upset.

It's like the stock market. You never buy at the lowest. There is always a "Sale". The real cost changes maybe $50 up or down / Cat. Your time is worth more. Just enjoy the vacation.

Let me know how DD works if you don't make ANY Reservations , walk up at 8 PM to a Restaurant and want to sit at a 10 top with others to meet new people. The nice part of Cruises in meeting new people and not having to think " where should I eat tonight".

RCCL offering people more choices is good. ( They are trying to keep up with NCL) The bad part is having to make Reservations and seating with other new people. To meet on the cruise. If you only want a table for 2 or 4 fine. But is you want to sit at a 10 top and meet others DD doesn't work. Also most people like an early or Late seating. People that don't take MTD. Just expand the Menu. The smaller Dining rooms does cut down on the noise level so you can hear people at your table talk.

You don't have to pay $12/day. You can pay less if you feel the service is not up to par. You just go the the desk and ask for an adjustment form. They want you to think that $12 is the norm. It's up to you really.

If Royal wants to roll DD out to the whole fleet at some point, it's time to try other Cruise Lines. It's nice to have the selection of food to choose from. But all the work of making REz and decisions of where to eat on what night is what I want to get away from on a cruise.

My feeling is that DD is not as good as they make it sound. They force you into deciding every day where to eat. Make Rez. Who needs that. Yes you get a different menu, but they can do that without all the other mess. Plus what's nice about a cruise is meeting new people. If you want a large table with others your at a loss. The cruise rather have you make Rez in 2,4,6 at a table. They also want you to get use to going to the special Rest and paying extra to eat.

RCI should run the programs like Marriott runs their program. You get credit if you stay at a Courtyard, Town Place Suites, or Spring Hill Suites, or Full service Hotel. RCCL doesn't want people to try Celebrity and Like it better. If you worked your way to the top who wants to start over. What they don't think of is that it all helps if people Cruise more on Both lines. They each have different type of cruises. Help people cross lines

Why be forced into making Rez for meals. What is nice about a Cruise is that you can meets new people. If the Cruise Line forces you to make Rez you miss out. I say bring back set times. Just rotate the selection of meals more. It's a Vacation. You should be free to do what you want , NOT what is good for the Cruise Line!

Your Tips should be what ever you want them to be. The Cruise Line should not tell you an amount. If you get good service tip what you want. If you are unhappy with the service do what you want.

There are 2 accounting systems used. The cost of a cruise is covered mostly by the fare charged. The profit comes mostly by what is spent on the ship. ( Drinks,Port Tours, Shops,etc) I guess people that sail out of Baltimore don't spend a lot on the ship. I sailed in Dec and they were really pushing the special Rest. I looked in and every night only 1-3 couples were in them.

I guess that's why they are trying to get Dynamic Dining in place. So people think about trying the pay Rest. I think people like having diferent Dinner (food) choices. But don't want to make Rez. The nice part of a cruise is meeting new people and not having to think where to eat at night. If I wanted that I would do a Land Vacation. Some of the info came from a high HQ person.

Grandeur always sail full. But according to RCCL they don't make the profit they would like to on it. Time will tell.

The best time to book is when they first open up. You get the pick of cabins. The cost usually goes up. If it goes down before the final payment , the just get it re-priced and get a credit. contact me if you want the tricks to use.

My vote is for RCCL. You don't have to make Rez for anything. the $100 will be made up with Quality. Each cruise is different, depending on the gusts on board the week you sail.

You don't have to make Rez for dinner. Relax its your vacation. Make RCCL jump to what you want. Don't think you have to do what they want you to.

Why pay extra for a meal you already paid for? Just relax!!!

What happens if you don't make dinner Rez and walk up and want to sit with other couples at a large table? Do they comply with your wishes right away?

Were you able to sit at a large table with new people?

I don't want to be forced into making Rez. I just want to walk in to any Restaurant and sit at a large table and meet new friends. If you have to make Rez I rather sail another Line! I hope they don't roll this out to all ships. I spoke to many who feel the same way. It's nice to have the selection of food, but not at the cost of having to decide where to eat.