Anyone Not Book Specialty Dinners?

[OCruisers]

On RCCL we almost always book Specialty Restaurants EVERY night! :)

 

LuLu

[Paulette3028]

Most specialty restaurants don't appeal to me, as they just seem to be serving slightly better versions of the already perfectly nice MDR food. However, two exceptions for me:

 

Qsine on Celebrity - serves utterly bizarre food, and if you purposely aim for the most bizarre, it can be fantastic (our rule was anything we even remotely knew how to make, we couldn't order!)

 

Izumi on Brilliance - planning to try that out on our next cruise - my OH is a massive sashimi fan, and there is nowhere all that local to us that serves it, so always willing to pay a bit more for it!

 

So yeah, my answer would be generally the MDR is fine, but if we're in the mood to splash out, then somewhere serving very different food can be a nice change.

 

We generally enjoy dinner in the MDR. However on ships that have Izumi we set aside one evening to indulge in it. We enjoy Japanese food and Japanese food is not served on any night in the MDR menu. You can get a steak or Italian dishes on many nights in the MDR. Izumi is different. At home we generally go out for Japanese food every other week, so we do it while on the ship. We have enjoyed it a great deal, as a matter of fact -- it is done as well as our favorite sushi/Japanese restaurant at home.

[Paul65]

That's true, and like I said, some people (myself included), don't even pay for Johnny rockets because it's just another fee for something that's offered for free. I think the reason people are seeing a difference is because for one, you have to make a reservation and pay up front, and secondly, for 2 people it's $80 or so, whereas Johnny Rockets is more of an "impulse buy" and for 2 people it's $12, so when you get into taking a family out to eat, $80-$160 dollars is a much bigger difference than $12-$24. I don't know. I don't pay for either, I eat the free stuff for commoners, haha!

 

I actually think you're the one who is "nit picking" here, trying to justify why Johnny Rockets isn't a real specialty. There are many different specialty venues with different prices. We went to Giovanni's table on our last cruise at a price of $20 per person, so it's not just $6 for Johnny Rockets and $40 for anything else. And I only pay for those extras that I think are worth it to me.

 

It seems like a contradiction to me for someone to say that they've already paid so much, why would they pay more for food, when there are included options, then say that they pay more for Johnny Rockets, because it's worth it to them. That's pretty much why anybody pays for any extra, because it's worth it to them.

[denatravels]

So glad to hear this perspective!! I did NCL recently and booked the package-- I did find it to be an exceptionally good value.

On rhapsody and Liberty upcoming, I was not planning on doing any-- glad to hear there are enjoyable meals elsewhere (especially since rhapsody is after 16 days in Italy).

On anthem, I have 4 nights booked-- a meal like Wonderland in NYC would be WAY out of my price range. My point on this cruise is to relax, eat, drink, and enjoy the sun. On the other two, it's about the ports, not the food (except the lobster on shore!!)

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Thank you for all the replies. This is great as reading posts, I got the feeling that most do pay extra for specialty dining. But it seems like we will be fine just sticking to the main dining room. We've always enjoyed it in the past (I guess the one fear is that the quality has gone down in the MDR to force people to pay extra for the specialty...but doesn't sound like that's the case)

 

The quality definitely has gone down, but IMO, not to the point that some of the posters on here make it sound. Maybe they notice a bigger difference if they've been cruising since the early 90s, but personally, I don't think the MDR food in the early 2000's was that much better than it is now. For example, we cruised Royal in 03, 05, 06, 07, and 14; and I was just as happy with the food in 2014 as I was in 2003. I guess maybe we just aren't picky eaters and don't require extra-special food to please us.

 

To answer your original question, I'm one that doesn't go to specialty restaurants for dinner. I will however, go to them for lunch sometimes. I'm perfectly happy with the MDR food and like having the same waitstaff every night, so I feel no need to pay extra for the specialties. An exception to that will be on our upcoming Oasis cruise, where we are planning to go to 150 Central Park, but that is for a special occasion.

Edited May 11, 2015 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[ColoradoGurl]

I actually think you're the one who is "nit picking" here, trying to justify why Johnny Rockets isn't a real specialty. There are many different specialty venues with different prices. We went to Giovanni's table on our last cruise at a price of $20 per person, so it's not just $6 for Johnny Rockets and $40 for anything else. And I only pay for those extras that I think are worth it to me.

 

It seems like a contradiction to me for someone to say that they've already paid so much, why would they pay more for food, when there are included options, then say that they pay more for Johnny Rockets, because it's worth it to them. That's pretty much why anybody pays for any extra, because it's worth it to them.

 

Well, whatever. I don't pay for any of it, and I don't really care if other people do or don't. The poster asked if other people do or not and everyone is answering that question. The nit-picking question started when someone said they don't feel specialty restaurants are worth the extra cost but that they do enjoy Johnny rockets, and then someone (you?) jumped on them about being a hypocrite or whatever. That person's point was that they don't see the point for spending money for dining room food they could get for free but admitted they don't mind paying for Johnny rockets. I didn't see why someone needed to jump on them for that and start a stupid argument so I was simply supporting that poster in that their thought process might be that they don't put the two in the same category because of the cost. People are always getting so defensive and confrontational on here, I can't imagine what life is like when not hiding behind a computer screen, because being so confrontational and picking at people just for the sake of trying to make people feel badly or feel stupid is mean. So, I was standing up for the person that was getting picked on and playing devil's advocate for why they may have seen the two as different categories.

 

Anyway, I see your point, but my point was, who cares? The person was simply answering the original question but admitted that for them, it isn't a hard and fast boycott because they do pay for Johnny rockets. I didn't see the need for you to nit pick at them as though they aren't allowed to make an exception to the rule, especially if it's because their reason is because it's a lot cheaper to take 4 people to Johnny rockets than Giovanni's or whatever. Your response was purely to be confrontational.

Edited May 11, 2015 by ColoradoGurl

[LuCruise]

The quality definitely has gone down, but IMO, not to the point that some of the posters on here make it sound. Maybe they notice a bigger difference if they've been cruising since the early 90s, but personally, I don't think the MDR food in the early 2000's was that much better than it is now. For example, we cruised Royal in 03, 05, 06, 07, and 14; and I was just as happy with the food in 2014 as I was in 2003. I guess maybe we just aren't picky eaters and don't require extra-special food to please us.

 

To answer your original question, I'm one that doesn't go to specialty restaurants for dinner. I will however, go to them for lunch sometimes. I'm perfectly happy with the MDR food and like having the same waitstaff every night, so I feel no need to pay extra for the specialties. An exception to that will be on our upcoming Oasis cruise, where we are planning to go to 150 Central Park, but that is for a special occasion.

 

 

 

This is good to hear. I've only been on RCL twice....once in 1997 and once in 2001, and had no complaints. So good that should still be similar.

 

 

 

Enjoy central park for your celebration.

 

 

 

Guess I should add that although not planning on specialty restaurants, I am considering the character breakfast (which unfortunately now has a small fee), but that's more as our kids would enjoy it.

[trogmd]

Well, whatever. I don't pay for any of it, and I don't really care if other people do or don't. The poster asked if other people do or not and everyone is answering that question. The nit-picking question started when someone said they don't feel specialty restaurants are worth the extra cost but that they do enjoy Johnny rockets, and then someone (you?) jumped on them about being a hypocrite or whatever. That person's point was that they don't see the point for spending money for dining room food they could get for free but admitted they don't mind paying for Johnny rockets. I didn't see why someone needed to jump on them for that and start a stupid argument so I was simply supporting that poster in that their thought process might be that they don't put the two in the same category because of the cost. People are always getting so defensive and confrontational on here, I can't imagine what life is like when not hiding behind a computer screen, because being so confrontational and picking at people just for the sake of trying to make people feel badly or feel stupid is mean. So, I was standing up for the person that was getting picked on and playing devil's advocate for why they may have seen the two as different categories.

 

Anyway, I see your point, but my point was, who cares? The person was simply answering the original question but admitted that for them, it isn't a hard and fast boycott because they do pay for Johnny rockets. I didn't see the need for you to nit pick at them as though they aren't allowed to make an exception to the rule, especially if it's because their reason is because it's a lot cheaper to take 4 people to Johnny rockets than Giovanni's or whatever. Your response was purely to be confrontational.

 

 

I totally agree. There are far too many negative posters on CC and there is no need for it.

 

Now to answer the OP`s question, we usually go to the MDR or WJ but have been known to try something new if we did not like the menu in MDR on a given day. On our upcoming Anthem cruise we are considering going to Jamie`s as there have been very positive reviews of the food served there. :)

[depplep]

We've done them in the past but now for me they are not worth the increased price. I am picky, don't like meat or fish. I hate the 2-3hr length of time to eat in the MDR. I enjoy the service and presentation of a good meal, but on the last few cruises I was just as happy to eat at Johnny Rockets or just get a croissant sandwich in Sorrento's and call it dinner in the pub. However, I'm the kind of person that can call a bag of chips and beer dinner, so don't go by me.:rolleyes:

[Paul65]

I totally agree. There are far too many negative posters on CC and there is no need for it.

 

Sorry that you and ColoradoGurl took it as negative. I only pointed out what I thought came across as a contradiction to make a point that we all make choices based on what we value. There was no intent to be negative.

 

No, I'm pretty sure that ColoradoGurl intended to be negative, when she accused me of "nit picking" and "jumping on" someone and making a "stupid argument", etc., etc.

[depplep]

I think you're really nit picking this statement. It's not contradictory as the person isn't being a hypocrite, they're simply saying they don't personally see value in the specialty restaurants higher prices. Johnny Rockets can hardly be seen as a specialty restaurant; it costs only $6 to go there which is less than an alcoholic mixed drink and doesn't require a reservation. That being said, some people wouldn't even pay the $6 for Johnny Rockets because you can get free burgers in the windjammer, so if you want to nit pick that contradiction I suppose you could, but it would be a silly thing to point out since, again, Johnny Rockets isn't a $40 meal, but a $6 meal and isn't quite the same topic.

 

With that being said, to some people, the $40 meal is pocket change just like the $6 meal is pocket change to others. But the point remains...

 

I don't consider Johnny Rockets specialty either. I'm not going to get into semantics but sitting in a diner booth eating a burger isn't "specialty" to me. And truth be told, it should really be included in the cruise fare as it really isn't all that special.

[MichaelCMTX]

Are we the only ones that stick to the MDR and do not book specialty dinners?

 

Maybe we're in the desperately narrow and rare minority but we're never got less-than-stellar food at a Specialty Restaurant and there was always plenty of it. For my taste, a little too much at Giovanni's. Maybe they're picking our Chops steaks from a different bovine, but these tales of inedible Golden Corral reject steaks at Chops ... there are those that'll find something to complain about anywhere. :rolleyes:

 

Though I will caution that service has been hit and miss and we've had a couple times in Chops you thought they were waiting for a pilot boat to bring in the steaks. Also, on the last trip on Indy we got a server in Giovanni's who had a little 'tude and some trouble with the changes to the Corking Fee for bring-your-own-wine. In fairness though, our MDR Waiter on that last one gave me cause to appreciate the good waiters we've had all the more. I made sure in my survey to suggest this wasn't his best possible career path with RCL.

 

Now to get back to the OP: we're certainly not going to do Specialty every night of the Cruise like some do, but nor are we gutsy enough to book Specialty dining now for a cruise we'll be on in 6 months. Our plan for November is just keep an eye on the menu and, fear not, there is just going to be a day or two where the MDR selection is a little... not you. That's when we plan to hit Chops and Sabor - we usually have late seating so reservations that late never seem to be trouble. Not planning on Giovanni's, and we're on the fence about Izumi. Some folks have said they offer a sushi-making class during an afternoon where you get to eat your creations so we might try that.

 

However, not being a meat eater makes a difference. Definitely study your menus carefully to see if there's really anything worth trying. Basically everything I personally have done in Specialty Dining anywhere is probably not on your shopping list.

 

And I believe the Specialty dining is a little cheaper on Embarkation day, if that suits you.

 

There's always happy ground between "I won't eat that same mundane stuff in the MDR" and "No way am I paying extra for Specialty." You just have to find where your spot is.

 

I don't consider Johnny Rockets specialty either. I'm not going to get into semantics but sitting in a diner booth eating a burger isn't "specialty" to me. And truth be told, it should really be included in the cruise fare as it really isn't all that special.

Agree completely here.

Edited May 11, 2015 by MichaelCMTX

[wolfcathorse]

Never have yet. So much food already included in the price, why pay extra.

 

ditto for us too

[BigB0882]

I have never done a specialty restaurant but I have only sailed on Carnival thus far. I just can't justify paying the $30 or $35 pp for their steakhouse. That is a pretty expensive meal as it is but it is even more expensive when you factor in that you have already paid for food.

 

Now, on our 12 night Baltic cruise next year we may try a specialty restaurant at some point since we may get tired of the MDR after so many nights. But I think we would only do that if we win something in the casino one night or what not. As it is now, I am worried about saving up enough money to enjoy the ports, much less eat specialty restaurants.

[Paul65]

I don't consider Johnny Rockets specialty either. I'm not going to get into semantics but sitting in a diner booth eating a burger isn't "specialty" to me. And truth be told, it should really be included in the cruise fare as it really isn't all that special.

 

It's still the same concept, though. If you choose Johnny Rockets, you're paying for something you could otherwise get for free (or no extra fee). There are other places to eat a burger without paying extra. The burgers aren't quite the same as what you might see in the included dining areas, but you can still get a burger without paying extra.

 

The specialty restaurants are the same, in that you can get steak or Italian food other places, or perhaps Jade sushi, but it's not quite the same as what you'd get at Chops or Giovanni's or Izumi and the restaurant has a different ambiance.

 

So, in respect to the "why would I pay more" comments, I think it's the same concept, just a different price point. I didn't mind $20 for Giovanni's, because it was a different venue that had a more date-night feel to it, and the food was a step above the MDR. And I am one who agrees with those who think the food in the MDR is just fine, and most nights, that's where we dine.

Edited May 12, 2015 by Paul65

[dplusd]

We like to take a break from the MDR so we will go to a specialty restaurant one night and the Windjammer a night or two. The Windjammer is surprisingly nice and relaxed in the evening and we can wear shorts or whatever we feel like.

 

We used to go to the specialty restaurants on RCCL more frequently but find the service and food not consistently good anymore.

[cruizers]

We have tried the specialty dining, too. We are very happy to stay with the MDR or head to the Windjammer.

[depplep]

It's still the same concept, though. If you choose Johnny Rockets, you're paying for something you could otherwise get for free (or no extra fee). There are other places to eat a burger without paying extra. The burgers aren't quite the same as what you might see in the included dining areas, but you can still get a burger without paying extra.

 

The specialty restaurants are the same, in that you can get steak or Italian food other places, or perhaps Jade sushi, but it's not quite the same as what you'd get at Chops or Giovanni's or Izumi and the restaurant has a different ambiance.

 

So, in respect to the "why would I pay more" comments, I think it's the same concept, just a different price point. I didn't mind $20 for Giovanni's, because it was a different venue that had a more date-night feel to it, and the food was a step above the MDR. And I am one who agrees with those who think the food in the MDR is just fine, and most nights, that's where we dine.

 

I hear what you're saying. To me, cost, ambiance and food quality make a specialty restaurant, and like some have said, a date night feel. Therefore, I do not think of Johnny Rockets as such.

[Paul65]

I hear what you're saying. To me, cost, ambiance and food quality make a specialty restaurant, and like some have said, a date night feel. Therefore, I do not think of Johnny Rockets as such.

Agreed. I'm not suggesting it's the same ambiance, but you're paying for food and ambiance different from the included venues.

[RocketMan275]

Wife and I are probably in the minority in that we do not like the MDR. We will do a couple of specialty restaurants on each cruise and will go to the buffet the rest of the time. We like the casual atmosphere of the buffet, the choices are excellent, and we do not have to spend hours making small talk. It just fits our lifestyle much better. We haven't been in the MDR a single time on our last two cruises.

 

We also prefer the dress code for the MDR.

Edited May 12, 2015 by RocketMan275

[setsail]

With the introduction of coastal kitchen, included in cruise cost, and a few SR's, we never went to the MDR or windjammer our last cruise.

[Michylicious]

On most cruises, I will usually do 1-2 nights but when we went on Norwegian last year we did 5 out of 7 nights because the main dining room was so awful.

[frito58]

I hear what you're saying. To me, cost, ambiance and food quality make a specialty restaurant, and like some have said, a date night feel. Therefore, I do not think of Johnny Rockets as such.

 

Well I guess after 33 years of marriage JR is just as fun as " Date Night " for us as those $40 places and they sing to you there :D:D Who doesn't love have Stayin Alive being sang to them and danced to them by all the Ships crew with their accents LOL

[OCruisers]

On most cruises, I will usually do 1-2 nights but when we went on Norwegian last year we did 5 out of 7 nights because the main dining room was so awful.

 

True ... You almost have to book specialty restaurants on NCL and just consider it as a part of your cruise cost when you book. No big problem ... just book a specialty restaurant for dinner. :)

 

LuLu

[Michylicious]

True ... You almost have to book specialty restaurants on NCL and just consider it as a part of your cruise cost when you book. No big problem ... just book a specialty restaurant for dinner. :)

 

 

 

LuLu

 

 

The food in the specialty restaurants was pretty fantastic so it wasn't all bad. Luckily we drove to the port so the fact that we didn't have to pay airfare was a plus!!!

 

I think we are going to try Chops on our upcoming Oasis for my dad's 60th birthday and DH and I will probably give 150 CP a shot.