New A La Carte Specialty Dining

[ktcat cruz]

Not a fan of this change. We just returned from the Norwegian Breakaway, and we felt nickel & died to death. With this policy, we will NOT be sailing on Norwegian again.

 

I haven't left yet- leaving in 2 weeks- and I ALREADY feel nickel and dimed!

 

UGH

[IWORK2CRUISE]

We sail on NCL Gem on a 10 night cruise in October and are both Platinum.

 

We anticipated that with our Platinum Benefit we would dine twice at Le Bistro and then might elect to pay the surcharge to dine at Cagney's and or La Cucina. Actually, we used to be able to eat once at Le Bistro and once at Cagney's by paying a nominal ($10?) upcharge.

 

It would not have entered our thoughts to purchase the UDP as we would have the 2 free nights already.

 

If anyone obtains updated information regarding the Platinum Benefit, I would appreciate hearing about it!

 

Anyone?????

[camscuba2]

I have 5 weeks booked within the next 9 months and am waiting to see how this falls out. Like most of you, I'm very unhappy with the change. I surely hope that I'm NOT charged the 18% gratuity for my platinum benefit dinners.

 

I've shared my feelings with my platinum consultant and urge others to do the same.

 

Cynthia

[Sand and Seas]

I have 5 weeks booked within the next 9 months and am waiting to see how this falls out. Like most of you, I'm very unhappy with the change. I surely hope that I'm NOT charged the 18% gratuity for my platinum benefit dinners.

 

I've shared my feelings with my platinum consultant and urge others to do the same.

 

Cynthia

 

Platinum consultant??? We have been platinum for a couple of years and I haven't heard of a consultant. Is this someone we should have access to:confused:

 

Like you, I'm wondering what changes are coming for Platinum.

[FireEater]

I will stick to the MDR. For $200-$300pp per night for a cabin, depending on the cruise line, I will still continue to use the MDR and get meals all inclusive with the price.

 

As I float from cruise line to cruise, the ones I go on all seem to be testing the market on what will stick, and what will not as it relates to changes.

 

One is meals, one is drinks, one is club perks.

 

I think all the CEO's meet quarterly in a back room somewhere out in Kansas, filled with smoke, toking on cigars, discussing ways to make more money for the shareholders saying "ohhh noo, the passengers will not notice a thing"....:rolleyes:

[mking8288]

Platinum consultant??? We have been platinum for a couple of years and I haven't heard of a consultant. Is this someone we should have access to:confused: Like you, I'm wondering what changes are coming for Platinum.

 

I'm guessing it was meant to say her/his/their PCC that they've been working with. We aren't in a hurry to see what changes NCL is going to drop on our Platinum perks, BIL/SIL & one niece are still Gold and the rest aren't going to move past Bronze - the way things are going forward.

 

Looking backward, we called the right shots 4 months ago right after our early Spring sailing on the BA when these changes started floating - to cancel our Fall cruise. Our land-based TA got us a great escorted packaged air & land tour deal abroad. Still got time to cancel our bookings being held with our FCC's before final payment this Fall - and, I have a funny feeling about going or not. There are plenty of off-season cruise deals & specials for us to consider while NCL looked to be raising prices again on the non-holiday sailings we are tracking. Two of our friends are planning to do another CAS booking on NCL but we already told them to count us all - there are other offers that are just as good.

 

Our Platinum status will stay status quo - unlike when one stopped flying the airlines of choice and get downgraded on FF status very shortly thereafter.

 

That's our wait-n-see, and if those perks continued its downward spiral - we aren't going to miss much, if any.

Edited July 17, 2015 by mking8288

[LrgPizza]

So Moderno.....This will work how? 2.95 a slice of meat, they keep a tally

 

Silly statement, sorry, but Modernos is not part of the plan.

 

It makes you wonder how many others have joined in with the mass hysteria without even bothering to take a few seconds to actually read what the change is.

[SquishTheWhale]

Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki will remain at a cover charge of $19.95 and $29.95 respectively, as will entertainment dining including Wine Lovers The Musical and For The Record™: The Brat Pack.

 

Not sure if this has been mentioned already (don't want to trawl through 7 pages to look), but on NCL's website Moderno is now listed as costing 29.95, the same as Teppanyaki or Cagneys. So either the NCl website is wrong or their press release was wrong!

[hpecorari]

Not sure if this has been mentioned already (don't want to trawl through 7 pages to look), but on NCL's website Moderno is now listed as costing 29.95, the same as Teppanyaki or Cagneys. So either the NCl website is wrong or their press release was wrong!

 

I believe Moderno is $19.95 and Teppanyaki and Cagneys is $29.95.

 

Harriet

[SquishTheWhale]

I believe Moderno is $19.95 and Teppanyaki and Cagneys is $29.95.

 

Harriet

 

Not according to the website...

 

 

(Sorry if the pic doesn't work- I'm at work and most image sharing websites are blocked. If you click on the image it should work)

[wildeklave]

I will hesitate judgement until full details are released. Right now we just have an announcement.

 

Form my experience on the Pride of America Cagney's and the Bistro both were able to get me items offered at other restaurants. I was able to get Cheesecake offered from one of the other restaurants and they all have a no sugar added dessert that they can get from the main dining room.

 

It does not mention if the Ultimate Dining Plan will be changing. Maybe they just increase the cost of the UDP to cover the new pricing. If they remove 3 restaurants from the UDP and only offer 3 or so restaurants on the plan then the plan may not be worth it.

 

As for those discussing getting an app from 1 restaurant and dessert from another I can guess they may set up a minimum spend to dine at the restaurants to prevent this.

 

Also, having 1-2 ala carte restaurants is not bad. There are some cruisers with money that like to feel special by going to a nicer restaurant. This will set up 3 tiers. Tier 1 is those who won't pay for anything additional and will eat at the buffet or main dining room each night. These may be the same people who at port will come back onto the ship for lunch and then go back out to port after. Tier 2 will be the UDP people that like the specialty restaurants, pay for a soda package, or other packages. These people probably won't care if they are at port and need to spend money for lunch at a local place. Tier 3 are those who don't mind spending at an ala carte restaurant. They may also be paying for the most expensive excursions (ie. helicopter siteseeing or similar).

[hpecorari]

Not according to the website...

 

 

(Sorry if the pic doesn't work- I'm at work and most image sharing websites are blocked. If you click on the image it should work)

 

I just checked my upcoming cruise in October and it says:

 

Moderno

 

Looking for a unique experience? Our authentic Brazilian steakhouse is a must. Start with an impressive salad bar, but save room for skewers of slow-roasted meats carved tableside by our Pasadores.

PER PERSON$19

(Per Child pricing done on the ship)

An 18% gratuity and specialty service charge will be added at checkout for Specialty Dining.

 

Harriet

[SquishTheWhale]

I just checked my upcoming cruise in October and it says:

 

Moderno

 

Looking for a unique experience? Our authentic Brazilian steakhouse is a must. Start with an impressive salad bar, but save room for skewers of slow-roasted meats carved tableside by our Pasadores.

PER PERSON$19

(Per Child pricing done on the ship)

An 18% gratuity and specialty service charge will be added at checkout for Specialty Dining.

 

Harriet

 

I wasn't looking at a specific cruise- just on NCL.co.uk- under 'freestyle cruising' and then 'dining'. Maybe the website is wrong then? I'd be interested if the US site shows the same.

[thiswillbefunnj]

I love the idea of a la carte dining. Rather than pay a set price for some things I don't wish to eat -I can choose exactly what I want & how much of it I want.

 

Just like the increase in gratuities, I'm on vacation -I don't worry about some extra costs.

 

Restaurants at home cost more, grocery shopping costs more, movies, etc.

 

I think paying for each item you order will mean a lot less waste.

 

Hoping it does begin on Breakaway in October.

[Sizzlechest]

I love the idea of a la carte dining. Rather than pay a set price for some things I don't wish to eat -I can choose exactly what I want & how much of it I want.

 

Just like the increase in gratuities, I'm on vacation -I don't worry about some extra costs.

 

Restaurants at home cost more, grocery shopping costs more, movies, etc.

 

I think paying for each item you order will mean a lot less waste.

 

Hoping it does begin on Breakaway in October.

 

Yes. They should take it a step further and have the washy-washy folks monitor the buffet to ensure only one of each item is taken. Perhaps they can convert the buffet to an automat where passengers have to swipe their card to get food. They could implement a timer to ensure each person doesn't take too much food. Cards with shorter delay times could be sold for $19.95 or an a la carte option that charges $1.95 for each dessert taken.

[maywell]

Yes. They should take it a step further and have the washy-washy folks monitor the buffet to ensure only one of each item is taken. Perhaps they can convert the buffet to an automat where passengers have to swipe their card to get food. They could implement a timer to ensure each person doesn't take too much food. Cards with shorter delay times could be sold for $19.95 or an a la carte option that charges $1.95 for each dessert taken.

But that would screw over the DSC-removers since the buffet workers are covered by DSC - they'll lose one of their excuses if NCL ever implemented card readers at the buffet.

 

Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk

[LMaxwell]

But that would screw over the DSC-removers since the buffet workers are covered by DSC - they'll lose one of their excuses if NCL ever implemented card readers at the buffet.

 

Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk

 

They can lose 10K excuses, it does not make any difference. It still won't change the policy.

[perditax]

Today's Cruise Radio podcast ripped NCL a new one for this. They usually seem uniformly supportive of the cruise industry, including price hikes, so I was surprised.

Edited July 17, 2015 by perditax

[legion3]

Today's Cruise Radio podcast ripped NCL a new one for this. They usually seem uniformly supportive of the cruise industry, including price hikes, so I was surprised.

 

Do you have a link?

[perditax]

Do you have a link?

 

 

If you're reading this today / July 17, it'll be the one at the top with Majesty of the Seas. It's in the first segment, the general industry news stuff.

 

http://cruiseradio.net/podcasts/

Edited July 17, 2015 by perditax

[legion3]

Cool thanks

[Cruise4Real]

I just checked my upcoming cruise in October and it says:

 

Moderno

 

Looking for a unique experience? Our authentic Brazilian steakhouse is a must. Start with an impressive salad bar, but save room for skewers of slow-roasted meats carved tableside by our Pasadores.

PER PERSON$19

(Per Child pricing done on the ship)

An 18% gratuity and specialty service charge will be added at checkout for Specialty Dining.

 

Harriet

 

So to sum up, Moderno will set you back $19.00, $19.95, or $29.95.

 

I'm gratified to see that NCL has limited the price to just three options, that does make it a bit easier to figure out.

[Mekamax]

WOW for us tiny people who would love to just go in and split a plate - this would be awesome. I haven't ever eaten at a pay restaurant in 36 cruises as for someone my size it is a complete waste of money. This way I could go in and split a plate with hubby and not have to pay the per person price. Love the idea. :)

[hpecorari]

If you're reading this today / July 17, it'll be the one at the top with Majesty of the Seas. It's in the first segment, the general industry news stuff.

 

http://cruiseradio.net/podcasts/

 

When did Anne Campbell do this? She states that daily gratuities are added to your onboard account of about $10.00 per person per day.

 

She also states that there is 'NO' reservations available for the MDR's.

 

She either has old information....or this interview is old.

 

Harriet

[perditax]

When did Anne Campbell do this? She states that daily gratuities are added to your onboard account of about $10.00 per person per day.

 

 

 

She also states that there is 'NO' reservations available for the MDR's.

 

 

 

She either has old information....or this interview is old.

 

 

 

Harriet

 

 

Don't know who that is, the segment I'm referring to had a guy named Stuart something talking, and they were discussing the new a la carte announcement.