New A La Carte Specialty Dining

[Partyatsea]

On the Breakaway in Dec we were celebrating a very special occasion We treated our group of 9, all close family, to LeBistro ($225+) and had a terrific meal and time.

I would never consider this under this new pricing as not knowing the final cost or making the other family members feel the need to order less knowing we were footing the bill would totally change the dynamic. As it was 2 members ordered the $10 lobster tail and I was fine with that but trying to watch the final bill I wouldn't order one for myself :eek:

Edited July 14, 2015 by P&Lcruising

[Tutankhamen]

I'm with you, if they keep the UDP in place, then everything is A-Okay with me. If they don't, then that would be where I might have an issue.

 

As long as they aren't "booked up" do to all the "A la carte" patrons. Pushing the people who purchased UDP to the free troughs...((cough, cough))venues.

:)

[Partyatsea]

I don't expect the quality to suddenly leap upwards, nor do I expect service to become somehow better; so it is just paying more for less.

 

Totally agree!

[sjbdtz]

Wonder how this will affect free dinners from CAS or harrahs?

 

 

According to Andy, it won't:

 

"My view is that if we wish to offer a dinner at your favorite restaurant as part of our casino package we can still do that regardless of the a la carte pricing. We offer dining packages that will still include the restaurants with a la carte pricing. I have looked at the pricing and felt that for the most part the pricing will be similar to the current cover charge. I thought people would like it. My wife and I are different. I generally only have a main course – she likes to have no main course and 2 appetizers (always watching her weight). People are different and this offers more flexibility."

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

[Demonyte]

it's basically a price increase.

just like the 18% tipping on udp/ubp now charged to you where as before NCL included it in the price.

 

(I read that post wrong at first, UDP/UBP portition is at the end.)

 

You have that wrong. Gratuities have never been included in the special restaurant cover charge - all restaurant waiters regardless of the venue were covered by the DSC. That is natural as one wouldn't be using the services in MDR when they eat at a speciality restaurant.

 

In March NCL at the same time raised DSC, and supposedly cut some people (speciality restaurant waiters) off from it.

 

---

 

About UDP/UBP - gratuities have never been included in the package prices either. Only recent change (besides the speciality restaurant service change change described above) is that when you get the package as a promo, currently you need to pay the gratuities yourself (unless in a suite) - just like when you bought the package.

Edited July 14, 2015 by Demonyte

[PaulMCO]

UDP is no longer available. It is now call SDP.

 

FAQ -- https://www.ncl.com/specialty-dining-package/faq

[$hip$hape]

Wonder how this will affect free dinners from CAS or harrahs?

 

I'm still waiting for NCL to offer the UCP (Ultimate Casino Package) !:D

[Demonyte]

UDP is no longer available.

 

Sure it is, see here for example: http://www.ncl.com/termsandconditions/wavejune15

 

You can't purchase it anymore but it is still available (and will exist for a very long time because of all the promos since December, current one included).

[NLH Arizona]

As long as they aren't "booked up" do to all the "A la carte" patrons. Pushing the people who purchased UDP to the free troughs...((cough, cough))venues.

:)

I don't think they will get booked up. I'm sure if they get too many folks just ordering appetizers that they can't accommodate those with UDPs, they will come up with a solution, so I'm not to worried.

[Dr. Cocktail]

As I just posted on the HAL board, NCL is NOT pioneering A La Carte dining on a mainstream ship.

 

The new Koningsdam will have an A La Carte dining room and Izumi on Royal Caribbean has been A La Carte for a while.

 

People have to realize that all of the cruise lines watch each other like hawks .. if a revenue generating amenity works at best or at worst is sort-of tolerated, it will soon be adapted by everyone else.

 

Every single board is full of people saying: "I will never sail with _____ again, I'm taking by business over to _______".

[Sand and Seas]

Wondering what will happen for the Platinum dinner benefit. Will it still be for Le Bistro but with some sort of $$ limit??

 

As for Cagney's, if my husband and I went there under this new plan I would only order something like an appetizer and soup. I can never finish a steak so that would just be a waste. If we choose to go to a steak house on land, I can always take the remainder of my meal home and enjoy it there.

[spidybabe]

I don't think they will get booked up. I'm sure if they get too many folks just ordering appetizers that they can't accommodate those with UDPs, they will come up with a solution, so I'm not to worried.

 

No problem....unless you are on the cruise BEFORE the solution.

Safe sailing

[NLH Arizona]

No problem....unless you are on the cruise BEFORE the solution.

Safe sailing

I never worry about things I can't control, but I do make my reservations for the specialty restaurants 100 days prior to my cruise, to make sure I get the times I'm looking for.

 

Safe sailing to you as well.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

I have a feeling that those dining on the UDP will see more uncharged items on the menu - many items will continue to be included in the plan (probably fewer than today's offerings), but "select" items will carry a "small" supplement ...... Just my gut instinct at work

[rochelle_s]

The à la carte pricing for the specialty restaurants should be a big hit for families with children. They no longer have to worry about paying full fare for their children but can just order an inexpensive something for them from the menu.

 

Not sure if this will mean more children in the specialties, which if so, might make some other folks less than pleased.

 

Aside from the benefit for families, this should mean that people will be able to make reservation for the restaurants pre cruise without having their credit card charged and the added plus of then being able to use OBC to pay for the dining as it is charged based on what has been ordered.

 

Personally I do not like the idea of à la carte pricing in the restaurants. It is likely to take away from the experience for those who choose to treat themselves just once on a cruise. Also, others might feel as if they now have to choose a minimum 3 day dining plan in order to get any value out of the Specialty restaurants.

 

All in all, in my opinion, this just takes away from the whole freestyle concept and no matter what spin they like to put on it, it's all about making more money.

 

 

Rochelle

[Sizzlechest]

The à la carte pricing for the specialty restaurants should be a big hit for families with children. They no longer have to worry about paying full fare for their children but can just order an inexpensive something for them from the menu.

 

As opposed to the old policy of just charging them half of a flat rate fee that was very reasonably priced? How soon we forget what was lost.

[hpecorari]

As opposed to the old policy of just charging them half of a flat rate fee that was very reasonably priced? How soon we forget what was lost.

 

I actually never thought that was right. The child pays 1/2 price but gets the same exact meal I have, same portions, etc. but pays less simply due to their age? Portions are the same.....not smaller so price should be the same for all.

 

Harriet

[socsthecat]

^

We've had the UDP on our last 2 NCL cruises and I don't think our 6 year old was ever charged in a specialty restaurant (we didn't get her the UDP). She eats the regular adult meals, all though not all of it of course. We do tip well.

 

I won't patronize NCL without the UDP or equivalent. The MDR is a horror show. No UDP (or similar) = no customer.

[rochelle_s]

As opposed to the old policy of just charging them half of a flat rate fee that was very reasonably priced? How soon we forget what was lost.

 

I'm sure families with children have not forgotten but for them at least this is a more appealing option, financially speaking.

 

I do agree with you that with so many changes happening which involve costs going up how easy it seems to be for the company to make changes that would lead people to believe they are getting some sort of a 'deal' and that we should be thankful for it.

 

 

Rochelle

[Sizzlechest]

I actually never thought that was right. The child pays 1/2 price but gets the same exact meal I have, same portions, etc. but pays less simply due to their age? Portions are the same.....not smaller so price should be the same for all.

 

Harriet

 

So the obvious solution would be to cut back on the portion size. Oh wait. That didn't happen. I wonder why?

 

I'm sure families with children have not forgotten but for them at least this is a more appealing option, financially speaking.

 

Yeah, like getting a kick in the shin is "more appealing" than a poke in the eye.

Edited July 15, 2015 by Sizzlechest

[LMaxwell]

Yeah, like getting a kick in the shin is "more appealing" than a poke in the eye.

Precisely.

[bangzoom6877]

I actually never thought that was right. The child pays 1/2 price but gets the same exact meal I have, same portions, etc. but pays less simply due to their age? Portions are the same.....not smaller so price should be the same for all.

 

Harriet

 

I agree with this, and I have kids!

[bangzoom6877]

We will have to wait and see what the future holds, as usual. Business and NCL profit will dictate that. Perhaps in order to please a broader group, maybe eventually NCL will have their new a la carte menu, and add a price-fixed option as well, with certain selections available as a 3-course meal at a set price. In my opinion, that would please most people, as there would be more options and it allows for more accurate budget planning.

[perditax]

Nope nope nope.

[figment9999]

Step-by-step NCL is re-branding itself as the line that nickel & dimes you.

Not much of a marketing strategy in my book.