Dynamic Dining postponed for Oasis & Allure

[rbschultz]

What a shame was hoping to do DD sooner rather than later. But eventually the whole fleet will be this so I'm good

 

I tend to disagree with you on this. I don't think most of the fleet is large enough to accommodate dynamic dining.

[Grandma Petania]

I followed the link, and read about 10 of the reviews - focusing primarily on the comments about DD and food quality. Seems as if the biggest complaints had to do with the restaurants being short-staffed, with one person having to do all the jobs of waiter, assistant waiter & busboy. On my previous cruises on Oasis of the Seas, three different people handled these jobs. I hope we will find the same on our February cruise.

[sparkx]

On an All Access Tour (and from some waiters first hand) whilst recently on quantum we were told the technology side of DD is supposed to enable more efficient food prep but also enable the waiter to handle his section better and work more proactively to ensure we were served better. Some of the waiters got this and were amazing, I think others were still struggling and that's where some of the issues came in. The tablets they have definitely have promise but it boils back down to maturing the system and working out all the bugs in it.

 

 

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[Fastdak25]

Also talked to a reliable friend that a couple of the bar areas will be transformed into gaming tables when the ship goes to China??

 

(sorry is if this has been answered, only read through first few pages of this thread.)

 

That is correct. It was explained to us on board the Music Hall is being converted into an expansion of the casino.

[LetsGetWet!]

What a shame was hoping to do DD sooner rather than later. But eventually the whole fleet will be this so I'm good

Why do you seem so sure of this? I doubt it.

Its called "wishful thinking!" :)

[SaintL]

Its called "wishful thinking!" :)

 

 

Ive said this on other threads, the market Royal is going after doesnt want table mates or care to know thier waiters names.

 

People want choices and most people understand the reservation concept. on Allure i entered the main dining room once and never again, specialty dining is the way to go.

[Fastdak25]

My whole issue with DD after our experience on Quantum is the whole aspect of having to make reservations for everything before you leave for the cruise. That just does not sit with me cause I don't know what I'll be doing till I'm on the ship. That's why I love the MDR. Now I can see where DD would be nice if the ship were much more accommodating to the number of passengers on board. This is where Quantum seems to fail. Long lines at every restaurant, including for those with reservations.

 

Wonderland only seats 65 (give or take), Izumi about half that for example (on quantum). With 4k passengers on board that is so underwhelming and left many many people out who really wanted to experience those places. Even in the larger restaurants it was a 45 minute to an hour wait some nights. This is the real problem we found with RCI's DD, not so much the overworked staff. The staff will figure it out, but it's not like more seats are going to just magically spawn unless RCI engineers can come up with better restaurant design, cause it sure as hell seemed they left Quantum short on room.

 

If RCI wants to go with DD, fine. I like the idea of multiple choices. But they need to figure out how to better handle the crowds, and change the menus up at least 2 or 3 times per trip so if we have to go back to the same restaurant we're not getting the same thing.

[Julesben]

Why do you seem so sure of this? I doubt it.

 

I doubt it too.

[LuvBNatC]

Someone previously (I think on another thread) suggested rotational dining though the DD venues. Perhaps this could work. You would still have a set time, table mates and waiter but you move to a new venue each night. There could be a 'with Grande' option for those who like formal and and a 'without Grande' option for those who don't.

 

Perhaps an area could be reserved for a type of my time which is basically free form, any restaurant, any time, try your luck :)

 

Thoughts?

 

Fabulous compromise. :D

 

I have no problem eating in different places each night, but I don't enjoy potluck with serving staff and tablemates (or dining ALONE).

 

My objection with DD is all the plotting and planning involved. I cruise to think LESS about logistics, not more.

 

Why RCCL has decided to become NCL's Mini-Me escapes me. Dining wasn't broke, so why try to "fix" it?

 

And they're giving NCL the ammo to remain one step ahead. In a year or two when NCL is satisfied that the huge marketing database it's compiling of what works and what doesn't is big enough, and passengers show signs of burnout on reserving every freaking thing, NCL will launch a big new media campaign:

 

"Freestyle" means NO RESERVATIONS -- EVER.

 

And all the competitors' ships still requiring reservations suddenly will look like bureaucratic cruises from hell.

Edited December 30, 2014 by LuvBNatC
typo

[Charles4515]

 

 

 

Why RCCL has decided to become NCL's Mini-Me escapes me. Dining wasn't broke, so why try to "fix" it?

 

.

 

 

It's a cost cutting move. Get more work out of each crew member. Turn over tables 3 times. Less menu choices means saving on provisions.

[twindaddy]

"There are no bad cruise lines, only bad matches" Not sure where I read that, but it is true.

 

If DD goes fleet wide, Royal is probably not a match for me.

[CptSticky]

It's a cost cutting move. Get more work out of each crew member. Turn over tables 3 times. Less menu choices means saving on provisions.

What an evil and mean spirited thing to say about a corporation. To even suggest that they would do something to increase profit at the expensive of customers. How could you even think such a thing:eek:;)

[padrek]

Just got a notice from RCI via my TA that RCI is going to "postpone" the introduction of Dynamic Dining on Oasis and Allure (and other ships I assume) until" later in the year". Dare I think that the comments of thousands of upset customers about DD on Quantum have been heard???

Probably not - for when did RCI listen to passenger complaints - but perhaps this is a first - maybe having a new President foretells a change of attitude.

[christinalvt]

I hope so. I for one decided against sailing on Quantum because of all the complaints, so hopefully someone is listening!

 

 

[emoji572]️ You know you're a cruise addict if:

You know what DOtD and OBC mean.

You enter your bedroom at night and look for the towel animal.

You are reading Cruise Critic, and your cruise isn't for months, or you don't even have one booked (yet!) [emoji572]️

[ocav]

What an evil and mean spirited thing to say about a corporation. To even suggest that they would do something to increase profit at the expensive of customers. How could you even think such a thing:eek:;)

 

 

I know right, how dare accuse a corporation of doing the only thing they are meant to do as a publicly listed company- increase profits for shareholders.

[padrek]

Why may I ask are you posting a new Thread when you already know that one has been posted quoting the announcement?

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Ive said this on other threads, the market Royal is going after doesnt want table mates or care to know thier waiters names.

 

People want choices and most people understand the reservation concept. on Allure i entered the main dining room once and never again, specialty dining is the way to go.

 

Yes, I guess that is true, but is completely ignoring their loyal guests and hoping that Dynamic Dining will cause people who have never cruised to come book a cruise really a good business move? I get that the line needs to evolve with the ever-changing cruise industry, but Royal needs to remember that not everyone wants DD.

Edited December 30, 2014 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[awhcruiser]

As DH says, everyone needs a hobby....

Why may I ask are you posting a new Thread when you already know that one has been posted quoting the announcement?

[wyldkarma]

The Quantum seems to have only a 34% favorable rating on Cruise Critic. On the main Cruise Critic page search bar just search for Quantum of the seas. Lots of negative reviews, very very few positive ones.

Then to the RCCL site and look at booking a room on the next Quantum sailing. All room categories are wide open. Seems they are having trouble booking this ship now after all the poor reviews. We did the Dec 1st 11 night sailing and hated this concept after we did try it. Comes as no surprise RCCL has put the brakes on converting the Oasis class ships for the time being. Give us MDR anytime.

[LetsGetWet!]

Ive said this on other threads, the market Royal is going after doesnt want table mates or care to know thier waiters names.

 

People want choices and most people understand the reservation concept. on Allure i entered the main dining room once and never again, specialty dining is the way to go.

I don't care how many threads you've said it on, it's still nothing more than wishful thinking on your part. Hoping your unsubstantiated guesses turn out to be correct so that you get what you want.

 

Because I'm pretty sure you have absolutely nothing to back up your claim that cruisers don't want table mates or care to know thier waiters names - no matter how many times you post it.

[sparkx]

May be going out on a limb here ... One thing I've noticed in all the threads across CC is that people assume a cruise line is going to offer one product. Why can't the line offer more than one product to cater for the wider cruise audience? Ie go for both the NCL vs more traditional cruisers? If done well this could be an excellent strategy, admittedly I think there is definitely lessons to be learnt from it all ... But if executed correctly could be great.

 

I mean it's a harder commercial strategy to undertake competing in more than one market with one product but my own opinion is good on them. If they think they think they can create such a diversive product then let's see it

 

 

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[SherriZ366]

Just got a notice from RCI via my TA that RCI is going to "postpone" the introduction of Dynamic Dining on Oasis and Allure (and other ships I assume) until" later in the year". Dare I think that the comments of thousands of upset customers about DD on Quantum have been heard???

Probably not - for when did RCI listen to passenger complaints - but perhaps this is a first - maybe having a new President foretells a change of attitude.

I have heard good things about Michael Bayley, the new President. He was appointed in early December and RCI has already moved to postpone DD on OA and AL -- hope he lives up to what I have heard.

[wyldkarma]

May be going out on a limb here ... One thing I've noticed in all the threads across CC is that people assume a cruise line is going to offer one product. Why can't the line offer more than one product to cater for the wider cruise audience? Ie go for both the NCL vs more traditional cruisers? If done well this could be an excellent strategy, admittedly I think there is definitely lessons to be learnt from it all ... But if executed correctly could be great.

 

I mean it's a harder commercial strategy to undertake competing in more than one market with one product but my own opinion is good on them. If they think they think they can create such a diversive product then let's see it

 

 

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I think you are absolutely correct. All ships are different in their own way. Using CC helps find out what those are. We have cruised many RCL ships and like the traditional dining. We heard how wonderful the new Quantum was to be, but alas, for us, did not live up to the hype. We found we really hated the DD concept and will not do it again. While we don't like it, it may be just the right thing for many others. My gut is that way too many folks dislike it enough to cause the ship not to fill all the staterooms. They may have to drastically cut prices to book all their staterooms.

[sparkx]

I think you are absolutely correct. All ships are different in their own way. Using CC helps find out what those are. We have cruised many RCL ships and like the traditional dining. We heard how wonderful the new Quantum was to be, but alas, for us, did not live up to the hype. We found we really hated the DD concept and will not do it again. While we don't like it, it may be just the right thing for many others. My gut is that way too many folks dislike it enough to cause the ship not to fill all the staterooms. They may have to drastically cut prices to book all their staterooms.

 

 

I agree - the ship is designed to appeal to a different market [on purpose] and an appropriate marketing campaign is needed. In the UK at least they're heavily marketing the different pros of the quantum class to make way for anthem next year - I'll be intrigued to see how she suits the UK market in comparison to Quantum to the U.S. Market.

 

As I've posted before, I personally had no issues either time I said on Q'tum but I can equally see why many would have problems and not like it (which is totally fair). It makes CC an even more crucial resource in my opinion to research how to cruise in the future, but again it's down to fair reviews and I think at present the %% may be slightly biased. Quantum will be a success but just perhaps in a different way to classes that have predated it.

 

 

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[SherriZ366]

I think you are absolutely correct. All ships are different in their own way. Using CC helps find out what those are. We have cruised many RCL ships and like the traditional dining. We heard how wonderful the new Quantum was to be, but alas, for us, did not live up to the hype. We found we really hated the DD concept and will not do it again. While we don't like it, it may be just the right thing for many others. My gut is that way too many folks dislike it enough to cause the ship not to fill all the staterooms. They may have to drastically cut prices to book all their staterooms.

Cutting prices would be a real statement vis-a-vis RCI's newest, showcase ship. Too many choices out there (RCI and other lines) to have a product that is not well accepted.