Quantum of the Seas Dynamic Dining Disaster

[nycruise]

 

For all those stuck in the 1980s and 90s era of cruising, it's changing. The new generation of cruisers are the main demographic now. The new generation actually LIKES technology.

 

You've got it right! We will be sailing on the Quantum in February and really looking forward to it. We've been cruising for 30 years and love the improvements on the ships and particular the restaurant type dining. Years ago you had to eat all your meals in the same dining room, breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the same waiter, at the same table and sitting with strangers who you frequently had nothing in common with. Give me Anytime Dining, Dynamic Dining or whatever you want to call it. I remember when NCL started "Freestyle" people predicted it would never work, not only did it work but all the other lines followed suit.

 

Also there were no TV's in the cabins only 2 channels of Muzak and no balconies only small portholes or interior cabins. Don't get me started on the lack of activities and entertainment.

 

Companies cater to the demo, mid 20's to mid 40's so if you don't get with the program you won't be able to cruise 10 years from now.

 

I'm sure there are kinks that need to be worked out but that's pretty common for the first few months on a new class of ship. Chill.

[Biker19]

Yes, we need more folks complaining like in this thread to lower the demand on the Quantum so the rest of us (who happen to love it) can get better pricing.:cool:

Edited December 13, 2014 by Biker19

[bohemnartsn]

I really cannot agree with you, this post is written really rudely, you are effectively saying if you cannot afford a higher up cabin your deserve to eat in the Windjammer and that the MDR is for those in Suites.

 

It's really not the 1920s anymore, those in Indoor Cabins still pay high costs to be onboard and shouldn't be shunted out of the MDR because they don't have a window!

 

Secondly I've said it multiple times in this thread, EVERYONE STOP MAKING RESERVATIONS. The point is that there is no need for reservations. If people stopped making them then it would be what it's intended to be... DYNAMIC.

 

Royal Caribbean didn't build this ship for long standing cruisers, or Diamond+ and above C&A members. They made it because they saw financial potential in the market for this ship. They saw it as a ship that would invite new passengers who have never experienced cruising before.

 

At the end of the day, C&A members and returning passengers won't be there forever, they may begin to be bored of the destinations, or the events onboard, or they may begin to enjoy non sea based holidays.

 

This ship protects Royal Caribbean's future assets, by bringing newbies to cruising, creating a future passengers across the fleet.

 

I am beginning to actually wonder if you have ever even sailed before? What you are interpreting is 200% off from what I am stating. I really love your comment "everyone stop making reservations" - 3,500 people show up at the same venue at the same time - simply brilliant! You must be a Rhodes Scholar? WOW :eek:

[ocav]

I am beginning to actually wonder if you have ever even sailed before? What you are interpreting is 200% off from what I am stating. I really love your comment "everyone stop making reservations" - 3,500 people show up at the same venue at the same time - simply brilliant! You must be a Rhodes Scholar? WOW :eek:

 

 

Yes I have sailed before.

My comment about making bookings is exactly how Dynamic Dining is supposed to be. Reservations before should be used lightly, the chances of everyone onboard all turning up to the same restaurant are minimal, but at least if you get turned away, you are being turned away from a full restaurant rather than one where people have made reservations and not actually turned up.

 

The only restaurant where reservations are a must should be Grande (because then you have a guarantee you'll get served if you dress up) the rest would cope just fine, and would likely serve more people over the course of the cruise.

 

Dynamic dining is not dynamic when you book restaurants every night of the week- it's not meant to work like that!

[bohemnartsn]

Oh my goodness, how many times... THIS SHIP ISNT FOR PROVIDING WHAT THE CRUISE EXPERIENCE USED TO BE.

 

It's providing a new cruise experience for new cruisers.

 

Well I hate to burst your bubble - but, it was the former passengers that made RCCL what it is today and brought about this mindless experience for you. You see it as an advancement, when the reality of it is, RCCL is shearing its cost by cutting their help.. I realize that many a people of your generation were brought up by Nintendo and do not know how to carry on a simple conversation. Conversation is an art - While you see a robot bartender and think its "Cool", I see it simply as a novelty with the cost of two lost jobs. What's next no waiters, make your own dinner selections from your IPhone delivered via conveyor belt - but hey, that's technology. But, it is also for a mindless individual who cannot differentiate between cost cutting measures taken by a company with a huge spin placed upon all said and the actual cruising experience itself. At least when this venture fails, all RCCL has to do is send those ships back into the yards and strip out all of the techno garbage and return to warm friendly human environment - that we the members of the C & A are accustomed to. And this will barely do any harm to my RCCL stock, because RCCL will put a spin on that measure as well. Oh and by the way, another definition of Cold - without feeling or emotion. :eek:

[Yorkvillain]

For those of you contemplating this ship or the Anthem....believe what you read about this nightmare of a cruise. Its not about disliking technology...I like technology and use it allot. RC has no regard for what the cruise experience used to be. After 15 cruises my next one will be Carnival or Celebrity....RC is over for me sad to say

 

I'm going to believe all the positive reviews that Radio, LouTheGlue and others that I trust have given and not listen to all the doom and gloomers.

 

I'm pretty sure I will not have a "nightmare of a cruise" on my February 20th sailing but if I'm wrong I will own up and report back with a full review.

Edited December 13, 2014 by Yorkvillain

[ocav]

Well I hate to burst your bubble - but, it was the former passengers that made RCCL what it is today and brought about this mindless experience for you. You see it as an advancement, when the reality of it is, RCCL is shearing its cost by cutting their help.. I realize that many a people of your generation were brought up by Nintendo and do not know how to carry on a simple conversation. Conversation is an art - While you see a robot bartender and think its "Cool", I see it simply as a novelty with the cost of two lost jobs. What's next no waiters, make your own dinner selections from your IPhone delivered via conveyor belt - but hey, that's technology. But, it is also for a mindless individual who cannot differentiate between cost cutting measures taken by a company with a huge spin placed upon all said and the actual cruising experience itself. At least when this venture fails, all RCCL has to do is send those ships back into the yards and strip out all of the techno garbage and return to warm friendly human environment - that we the members of the C & A are accustomed to. And this will barely do any harm to my RCCL stock, because RCCL will put a spin on that measure as well. Oh and by the way, another definition of Cold - without feeling or emotion. :eek:

 

 

Funny that because it's this generation that's going to become the next big market. Just because you are C&A doesn't mean Royal has to do everything how you like it. They are trying something new.

 

I wasn't bought up on Nintendo, far from it, I got my first games console when I was 16, I had a relatively non-technology based childhood, so maybe we shouldn't be judgemental about each generation.

 

No your right, this ship won't do anything for your shares, in fact it's made them more profitable as the shares are higher than ever.

 

Royal will not scrap these ships because they are actually relatively successful- they are attracting a new target market who have another 70-80 odd years (on average) of cruising left still in them, protecting future business.

 

Just because you are C&A doesn't mean it's all about you and what you want. I have nearly 30,000 miles with my airline, but doesn't mean they should build a plane with things I want onboard.

[edjny]

We have renamed the "Quantum of the Seas", the "Nightmare of the Seas" run by a "Ship of Fools".

 

-- further diatribe about how terrible Quantum is removed ----

 

 

We loved the Quantum and all the improvements, especially the new dining plan. Since you were so disappointed, I assume that you will not book any Quantum class cruises in the future. Better add in Oasis class with their switch to Dynamic Dining....

 

I am sure you will be happier in the older and smaller ships and the people who enjoy the new changes will be happier with the 'chronic complainers' OFF the ship. Maybe with the reduced demand of people like you not booking Quantum, the high demand pushing prices up will be reduced some for the rest of us. :cool:

[jstraw20]

Lot's of whining from both sides of the coin. Personally, I hope I never have to share a ship with any of you.

[bohemnartsn]

Funny that because it's this generation that's going to become the next big market. Just because you are C&A doesn't mean Royal has to do everything how you like it. They are trying something new.

 

Then why does RCCL send us surveys constantly? I do not mind a company trying something new, I own a business and always incorporate new ideas. But, how about trying something and testing before pushing it out to the masses half broken - that is not good business. I would appear to be more like a scramble to try and generate revenue to appease the stock holders by trying to show a profit from a flawed program hoping for the best. How about come out w/ a new ship filled w/ great restaurants and then phase in a tested and proven system that actually works. Instead of having their paying customers suffer through there mistakes time after time.

 

I wasn't bought up on Nintendo, far from it, I got my first games console when I was 16, I had a relatively non-technology based childhood, so maybe we shouldn't be judgemental about each generation.

 

I never ever stated you. I stated your generation. And that is a fact.

 

Your right, this ship won't do anything for your shares, in fact it's made them more profitable as the shares are higher than ever.

 

How so, they just spent a billion dollars building this flawed ship overseas? When these monies could have been better well spent elsewhere. Meanwhile, It was a majority of C & A members cruising and spending money on those other so called obsolete ships that have generated the profits and hence, increased the share value based upon those said profits.

 

Royal will not scrap these ships because they are actually relatively successful- they are attracting a new target market who have another 70-80 odd years (on average) of cruising left still in them, protecting future business.

 

Once again you are not comprehending what I have stated. A yard period is utilized for fixing a ship, not scrapping it.

 

Just because you are C&A doesn't mean it's all about you and what you want. I have nearly 30,000 miles with my airline, but doesn't mean they should build a plane with things I want onboard.

 

Really, Southwest has made its fortune by listening to its customers. Two months ago I spent 60,000 air miles for my flights going to FLL for my Feb cruise on the Oasis - well before they implement Disaster Dinning on March 15th. Tah Tah! :rolleyes:

[gaylemh]

Sometimes I think I sailed on a different ship. I was on the Quantum 3 night sampler. I went to the port when it was my scheduled time, no traffic back ups, checked in and was on the ship in less than 15 minutes. Never had to wait at any of my dinner reservations. Food was great. Entertainment was wonderful. Ship beautiful. Crew I dealt with were very nice. Was off the ship, through customs and in my car going home in 15 minutes.

 

Cons -

Casino was very tight.

 

When I booked and paid for a SJS solo, I was told that it included Coastal Kitchen, when I boarded I was told no for breakfast and lunch, I had no problem with my dinner reservations, and after speaking to the manager was able to dine for breakfast and lunch. I'm concerned about my reservations for CK in April, (I'm again in a SJS) and hope I don't have a problem with reservations that were booked back in April, long before it was changed to GS and above.

 

Too long a wait for Northstar (I heard they were giving out tickets now), and the cruise wasn't long enough to do what I wanted. I'm booked again for April 2015 and Anthem March 2016 and thinking about Quantum in January if the prices go down.

 

I was a big Explorer fan and was sorry to see her leave Bayonne, but it's nice to experience new things.

[ocav]

Really, Southwest has made its fortune by listening to its customers. Two months ago I spent 60,000 air miles for my flights going to FLL for my Feb cruise on the Oasis - well before they implement Disaster Dinning on March 15th. Tah Tah! :rolleyes:

 

 

You really aren't getting what I'm saying... You are basically saying "I want a traditional ship because I am a crown and anchor member"

 

You are not getting that for the moment this new concept will be rolled out to about 25% of the total passengers (if it remains on Quantum, Anthem, Ovation, Allure, Oasis, and Oasis 3)

 

Some people, in fact a majority have said that they liked the ship and DD yet you are already spurring off about how they should send it into DD to be made "traditional"- these ships already seem to be relatively successful, they are being talked about in communities outside of loyal customers and for stock holders and management that is very important.

[jannandjohn]

Lot's of whining from both sides of the coin. Personally, I hope I never have to share a ship with any of you.

 

Best post so far!!

CC stands for Cruising Complainers ....

Edited December 13, 2014 by jannandjohn

[bohemnartsn]

You really aren't getting what I'm saying... You are basically saying "I want a traditional ship because I am a crown and anchor member"

 

You are not getting that for the moment this new concept will be rolled out to about 25% of the total passengers (if it remains on Quantum, Anthem, Ovation, Allure, Oasis, and Oasis 3)

 

Some people, in fact a majority have said that they liked the ship and DD yet you are already spurring off about how they should send it into DD to be made "traditional"- these ships already seem to be relatively successful, they are being talked about in communities outside of loyal customers and for stock holders and management that is very important.

 

No, I am saying that I prefer to book my evening dining time when I book my cruise. If I elect to dine in a specialty restaurant outside of the normal MDR dinning, I have the concierge take care of it. Believe it or not, RCCL sets aside an allotment of dinning times for suite guest at the specialty restaurants; they are not stupid enough to piss off the people that are sailing in First Class. Being old and antiquated in your eyes seemingly clueless to innovation, I did manage to book a lunch reservation at Sabor on the "O", while shopping. But, I have zero interest in doing so, for each and every lunch & dinner meal. How about you enlightening me upon your return. Screen name at hotmail. Best of luck w/ your sailing.

[mommabean]

Just off Quantum yesterday...LOVED it.

 

Dynamic Dining is great. We enjoyed it.

 

Love the app. Used it.

 

Found crew members that we've known over the years on other ships - they were the best. No wonder they're on Quantum. They're still the best.

 

Traditional diners need to book the other 19 ships that will remain traditional. Leave the big 4 to us!

 

Eleven days wasn't enough. We've never had a bad cruise. This one was up there with the best!

 

The only bad part were the C&A members who do nothing but complain and demand. They were a total embarrassment at the Captain's Corner. Save it for the e-survey/comment card. Shame on them for what they put Capt. Srecko and HD Darren through.

[coasters]

I would have to say that indeed you did. Everyday I hear radio ads for the Quantum locally in NY area, " this changes everything ." It actually really does as it eliminates the ability to have same staff and a waiting for you table and seat. Something that I value. We sail her in like 12 days and will determine if other factors make sailing this class worth the change or not.

 

It has also been noted that just waiter no assistant waiter. It is believed that the what were assistants at the table are now utilized as runners to get the food? To me the whole system seems deemed to increase margin and being sold under guise of some new WOW standard.

 

George in NY

 

George,

Having recently completed the maiden voyage of Quantum, I will insist next time on her (march 1) that my life jackets are IN MY CABIN!

At the moment, they are stored at the muster station.

Forgive me, but in an emergency, I do not want to fight for my jacket!

I also want tissues and waste baskets in the bathroom, also, a pen & paper would be nice touch too!

[jannandjohn]

George,

Having recently completed the maiden voyage of Quantum, I will insist next time on her (march 1) that my life jackets are IN MY CABIN!

At the moment, they are stored at the muster station.

Forgive me, but in an emergency, I do not want to fight for my jacket!

I also want tissues and waste baskets in the bathroom, also, a pen & paper would be nice touch too!

 

I think them handing the LIFE VESTS out AT the muster station in emergency, is way quicker than thousands of passengers, a lot of them incapacitated, racing all over the ship,trying to get back to their cabins, possibly in darkness, and trying to find their jackets in a blind panic.

 

It would be a much more civilised sinking.....:rolleyes:

Edited December 14, 2014 by jannandjohn

[jefarl]

I have been quietly reading these posts each day and decided to add my two cents...

First about the life jacket issue that just came up.....the Allure (and assuming the Oasis) has the jackets at the muster stations and not in the rooms so thus is not new to RCCL

Secondly, this DD program seems very much like the NCL free-style dinning then have been using for years. We sailed on many NCL ships and with up two about 12 venues to select (free or extra charge ) never seems to be an issue. Even the main or smaller free (pre-paid) dining options you have to wait maybe 15-30 minutes in the height of the dinning hour, especially if you are a group. They take reservations in these restaurants as well but most people show

up when the want to eat. It works well it NCL and not sure why it wouldn't work with DD? If one venue has too long a wait time, will try another if I wish...

We will be on the TA on May 2nd and want to veg out on this voyage so planning ahead on when and where I eat each day now seems foolish to me. I know I won't starve ( not that I can't afford to lose a few pounds...)

 

Jef from Bensalem PA

 

Oh.. Sorry if I made any spelling errors ......;)

Edited December 14, 2014 by jefarl

[Turtles06]

I have been quietly reading these posts each day and decided to add my two cents...

First about the life jacket issue that just came up.....the Allure (and assuming the Oasis) has the jackets at the muster stations and not in the rooms so thus is not new to RCCL

Secondly, this DD program seems very much like the NCL free-style dinning then have been using for years. We sailed on many NCL ships and with up two about 12 venues to select (free or extra charge ) never seems to be an issue. Even the main or smaller free (pre-paid) dining options you have to wait maybe 15-30 minutes in the height of the dinning hour, especially if you are a group. They take reservations in these restaurants as well but most people show

up when the want to eat. It works well it NCL and not sure why it wouldn't work with DD? If one venue has too long a wait time, will try another if I wish...

We will be on the TA on May 2nd and want to veg out on this voyage so planning ahead on when and where I eat each day now seems foolish to me. I know I won't starve ( not that I can't afford to lose a few pounds...)

 

Jef from Bensalem PA

 

Oh.. Sorry if I made any spelling errors ......;)

 

Having just booked the Anthem's TA for next fall, I too have been following the various Quantum threads with great interest, including this one (and frankly am getting even more excited about the Anthem). I'm very familiar with NCL's Freestyle Dining and like it a lot, and agree with you that Dynamic Dining ought to work that way.

 

But the sense I'm getting from the roll out of Dynamic Dining on Royal is that guests are feeling like they have to make reservations, rather than just going with the flow and turning up for dinner whenever they want, wherever they want (which is how things have worked on NCL, although more recently NCL has been allowing advance reservations for the MDR).

 

Obviously, not having experienced DD yet for myself, I can't be sure whether that's the issue, but in reading these threads, it does seem to be at least one of them.

 

We just tried Select Dining on Celebrity (aka Anytime or My Time on other cruise lines) for the first time last month and absolutely loved it. Just showed up whenever we wanted to and either never had to wait at all, or just had to wait a few minutes. Granted, it was usually after 8 PM (not at "rush hour"), but we totally enjoyed not being tied to a fixed dining time. However, some of the DD discussions on here make me feel as though we'd better make dinner reservations on the Anthem in advance, and, like you, I really don't want to have to cruise that way.

 

I hope things settle down so that DD doesn't become a case of defense reservation making.

[Biker19]

However, some of the DD discussions on here make me feel as though we'd better make dinner reservations on the Anthem in advance, and, like you, I really don't want to have to cruise that way.

 

I hope things settle down so that DD doesn't become a case of defense reservation making.

Folks need to take the discussion about what a disaster DD is with a huge grain of salt. Do what you did on Celebrity (avoid rush hour) and you'll be just fine.:cool:

 

The only time reservations are really needed is on a full ship for the main show (even then you might get in on standby). If really worried, make a few place holder reservations (one per restaurant) for the first few days to get a feel for the venues. There's no sense making 2-3 reservations at a single venue 6+ months out just to find out the first time it's not to your liking.

 

RCI decided to borrow from NCL more than 4 years ago when they designed the Quantum class and DD (yes, they knew more than 4 years ago about DD but didn't officially announce it until this year). As they say that ship sailed a long time ago. Traditionalists are rightly disappointed with this decision but no amount of complaining will change that.

 

OTOH, the implementation of DD could use improvement. Some of the waiters will skip the tablet entry system and use pen and paper. Staffing will be adjusted if wait times and feedback warrants it. RCI would be smart to implement a two wait line system (one w/ and one w/out res) at venue entry. The bulb will eventually go off above some of the folks' head in Miami. Eventually.....

Edited December 14, 2014 by Biker19

[edjny]

We just tried Select Dining on Celebrity (aka Anytime or My Time on other cruise lines) for the first time last month and absolutely loved it. Just showed up whenever we wanted to and either never had to wait at all, or just had to wait a few minutes. Granted, it was usually after 8 PM (not at "rush hour"), but we totally enjoyed not being tied to a fixed dining time. However, some of the DD discussions on here make me feel as though we'd better make dinner reservations on the Anthem in advance, and, like you, I really don't want to have to cruise that way.

 

I hope things settle down so that DD doesn't become a case of defense reservation making.

 

When we set up our reservations for both entertainment and meals, it was long before the Quantum was completed. I learned a few things over the past cruise.

 

Entertainment reservations: If you want to sit is some prime location for the shows, make the reservation. You can only make reservations for ONE of each show. They do check that you have the reservation before letting you in. Otherwise, the entertainment opens up to 'stand-by' ten minutes before showtime. We had reservations for all the shows, but went stand-by for a second show of Mama-Mia. For StarWater, we had reservations for one show and went three additional times on stand-by. Every show still had seats available for us on stand-by, but they were off to the side or behind a pole in the theater. BTW, there were some who thought they could go into the Two70 or theater before the 'checkers' arrived at the door. Won't work; they come around to everyone already in the venue to check that they have a reservation for the show. If no reservation, you are shown the door...

 

Dinner reservations: We had booked dinner reservations for 7 of the 11 days before the cruise. We could easily make reservations on-board for a convenient time for all but Grande. For reasons I do not understand, Grande was near fully booked every night. Next cruise we will make dinner reservations only to match particular entertainment reservations. Other than that, we will either walk up to the restaurant or make the reservation on-board to meet our needs.

[Biker19]

BTW, there were some who thought they could go into the Two70 or theater before the 'checkers' arrived at the door. Won't work; they come around to everyone already in the venue to check that they have a reservation for the show. If no reservation, you are shown the door...

 

Did you notice if there were any reservation checkers by the deck 6 back door to 270?

[gaylemh]

Did you notice if there were any reservation checkers by the deck 6 back door to 270?

 

They were there on the 3 night cruise.

[edjny]

Did you notice if there were any reservation checkers by the deck 6 back door to 270?

 

Don't know.... I did not even know there was an access door on deck 6. We always went in on deck 5.

[tapemann]

I have experience Dynamic Dining on the Quantum and it is very BAD. I don’t want to or will have to make Reservations for dinner on a ship. What I like about a Cruise is just being able to walk in to the Dining room and being served. If I wanted to spend time deciding where to have dinner I would have taken a Land Vacation. I want to sit at a large table and meet new people. That to me is the FUN of a Cruise. If RCCL does not make adjustments I’ll stop cruising on their ships!