So what do you think of the new a la carte menus? (links inside)

[Vortech]

I was surprised to see the cornets gone from the le Bistro menu. I thought that was one of their signature items.

[aztekpm]

I agree about the sides being sub-par and no better than almost any chain. You now are paying for pretty much the same items that are free in the MDR or on the buffet.

 

I was not impressed with the sides whatsoever my last trip to Cagneys, dry warm limp coleslaw and a small cold baked potato, so cold the butter wouldn't even melt. My dessert, Oreo cheesecake was bordering on warm, so much so I didn't eat it, it tasted off. I was extremely disappointed based on what we paid.

 

IMHO, the steaks were not as tender, nor as flavourful as our dinners at the Texas Roadhouse on the way home and that cost us less than Cagneys. Granted we didn't get dessert, but in comparison, Texas Roadhouse came way out on top!

Edited October 27, 2015 by aztekpm

[kpjb]

Jealous of that beer menu. I wish they'd have just a few of those craft brews fleet-wide.

[pink317]

Is this fleet wide? On the epic in 3 weeks and see cover/flat rates for specialty restaurants... this is the first I'm hearing of a la carte pricing. Thx

[dijid]

Is this fleet wide? On the epic in 3 weeks and see cover/flat rates for specialty restaurants... this is the first I'm hearing of a la carte pricing. Thx

 

They won't be fleet wide until next year. You'll have the flat cover charge pricing on your cruise in three weeks.

[sparks1093]

This started out as a discussion about the new menu items. It has turned into rehashing the same exact posts that were made months ago when this was first announced. I'm disappointed in the posters. So what do people think about the new food choices?

 

The question was rather open ended and I didn't read it as it was limited to a discussion of the new menu items. The difference between then and now was then we were all speculating about whether or not the a la carte menu would result in a higher cost and now we have the answer. As for the menu items some of the choices look interesting.

[NLH Arizona]

Is this fleet wide? On the epic in 3 weeks and see cover/flat rates for specialty restaurants... this is the first I'm hearing of a la carte pricing. Thx

Starts fleet wide on January 1st.

[perditax]

Bottom line for me is that while I will likely sail NCL again, I won't be dining in any a la carte venue. The point of travel for me is to feel like I'm in a different environment than back home, and this just screams "shopping mall chain dining".

[Epic_Bear]

I was surprised to see the cornets gone from the le Bistro menu. I thought that was one of their signature items.

 

I loved those cornets. I'm glad I had them one more time back in August! I'll also miss that yummy truffle chicken at Cagney's, as I don't eat red meat.

 

I will look forward to making a meal out of appetizers, bring on the calamari, crab cake, baked potato soup, shrimp cocktail and that intriguing stuffed artichoke!

Edited October 27, 2015 by Epic_Bear

[TardisDance]

Sad that there's no pizza at La Cucina anymore. No pizza at an Italian restaurant :what:

[Gregor4500]

Having to look at the right side of the menu ruins it for me. I can't help now but be influenced by price.

 

Gone are the days of ordering something just because I've never tried it before. Except in the MDR.

 

I realize there will always be some where price doesn't matter, but that's not me.

 

I'll stick to the MDR for other than platinum perks.

[jaja]

Having to look at the right side of the menu ruins it for me. I can't help now but be influenced by price.

 

Gone are the days of ordering something just because I've never tried it before. Except in the MDR.

 

I realize there will always be some where price doesn't matter, but that's not me.

 

I'll stick to the MDR for other than platinum perks.

 

Kind of like how I feel..;)

[srlafleur]

Having to look at the right side of the menu ruins it for me. I can't help now but be influenced by price.

 

Gone are the days of ordering something just because I've never tried it before. Except in the MDR.

 

I realize there will always be some where price doesn't matter, but that's not me.

 

I'll stick to the MDR for other than platinum perks.

 

Old habits die hard. I think I could win the lottery and I'd still be looking at the price.

But, it's not even so much about the cost, which, as I said in a previous post, will likely be a wash for my husband and me. It's about how it FEELS. One of the lovely things about cruising is not thinking about normal day-to-day stuff. Having prices on the menu just makes it more "normal".

Now, I can dig it if they have an up-charge for certain items over and above the "all-inclusive" cost; say, one extra-special item in each category. That wouldn't bother me a bit. Even limit it to say you can select X number of items: an appetizer, a soup or salad, an entree and a dessert and additional items will have extra charge. That would be okay, too.

Another issue I just thought of with the individual charges is how it could affect the availability of seating for people wanting a whole meal when some just want to pop in for an appetizer or a dessert?

Edited October 27, 2015 by srlafleur

[bjlaac]

I knew this day was coming, and quite honestly, sad to say the least. The NCL customers have finally bought into the "new cruise" industry. Gone are the days of yesteryear when meals, service, accommodations were all included.

 

Just look at the replies in this thread! I only eat in the specialties or its still cheaper than Ruth Chris, I like the service better in the specialties, or I have to eat there to get the food I want even though I paid for a "free" meal in the MDR. This is not what cruising is suppose to be all about.

 

NCL took a great product and broke it into too many components that I can't even figure out what's a good deal or not anymore because of all the fees, charges and gratuities. Listen to what people are writing, Oh, I can go and have just a sample of the main specialty menu. What? The specialties are already over crowded because of all the free giveaways. And, if NCL stops these giveaways, do they really think more people will try the specialties at higher a la carte prices?

 

I'm a dying breed, I get that, but when the cruise industry starts to look like, walk like and talk like a land based "duck", then it is that duck and what's the benefit? It takes days to get to places that an airline can do in hours and offers not that much different a product.

 

I like the seas, love to cruise, but I'm starting to look elsewhere, as I'm sure others are too. Will it effect NCL negatively? Only time will tell.

[snorkelmom19]

I knew this day was coming, and quite honestly, sad to say the least. The NCL customers have finally bought into the "new cruise" industry. Gone are the days of yesteryear when meals, service, accommodations were all included.

 

Just look at the replies in this thread! I only eat in the specialties or its still cheaper than Ruth Chris, I like the service better in the specialties, or I have to eat there to get the food I want even though I paid for a "free" meal in the MDR. This is not what cruising is suppose to be all about.

 

NCL took a great product and broke it into too many components that I can't even figure out what's a good deal or not anymore because of all the fees, charges and gratuities. Listen to what people are writing, Oh, I can go and have just a sample of the main specialty menu. What? The specialties are already over crowded because of all the free giveaways. And, if NCL stops these giveaways, do they really think more people will try the specialties at higher a la carte prices?

 

I'm a dying breed, I get that, but when the cruise industry starts to look like, walk like and talk like a land based "duck", then it is that duck and what's the benefit? It takes days to get to places that an airline can do in hours and offers not that much different a product.

 

I like the seas, love to cruise, but I'm starting to look elsewhere, as I'm sure others are too. Will it effect NCL negatively? Only time will tell.

 

 

I am of the same feeling as you, but you put it so eloquently. Great post.

[NLH Arizona]

 

Just look at the replies in this thread! I only eat in the specialties or its still cheaper than Ruth Chris, I like the service better in the specialties, or I have to eat there to get the food I want even though I paid for a "free" meal in the MDR. This is not what cruising is suppose to be all about.

 

It is not what cruising is suppose to be all about for you, but not for others. What cruising is all about for me on NCL, is about having choices. I don't enjoy the MDR (food wasn't great, service wasn't good and it was way to noisy with some children running around unsupervised) the couple of times I went to the MDRs on NCl and am really glad that I have other choices for my dining. I don't mind that I paid for a "free" meal, I'm not willing to try the MDR ever again, but that is my choice and that is why I like NCL.

 

I didn't cruise NCL when they first went "freestyle", because I was use to a fixed dining time and table, but now that I've cruised with them, I love being able to eat when I want and where I want. Some people don't like "freestyle" and some people love it, just like some will like the a la carte pricing and some won't. No cruise line can make everyone happy, but the great thing about cruising is that there are so many of cruise lines, that there are a certainly a number of them that will be exactly what every cruiser wants.

 

I remember all the things from yesteryear and I'll take the "new cruise" industry over that of the past in a heart beat. Do I miss being escorted to my cabin or the white gloved servers or the fine china, no. Do I miss that my cruises of yesteryear were much more expensive than those today, a huge no.

[InTheWASide]

This might make it easier:

 

Cagney's:

 

Le Bistro Page 1:

and Page 2:

 

La Cucina 1:

and 2:

 

There are other for-fee dining menus posted, but these are the ones that are supposed to be fleet-wide.

 

RE: Cagney's which is the one I care the most about...

 

Prices seem ALRIGHT for the most part... however $2 for sides like a friggin baked potato and $4 for a caesar salad?! What in the actual hell NCL?? I can go to the buffet and make a caesar for free but if I want one with nothing special about it at all because I like some kind of salad before a slab of beef it's $4? That's a really petty move.

 

Appetizers and the entrees have a lot of creativity and interest but the salads and sides are so basic there is no reason to charge for them. Have a rule like buy an appetizer and entree and you get a soup or salad and choice of side for free.

[Lumee23]

I have been anxiously waiting for the Cagney's a la carte menu because we promised to treat our group of 20 adults to Cagney's after our wedding on St Thomas back when it was $30/pp gratuity included.

 

The prices were lower than I feared but I was disappointed that the sides are an additional up charge even if it is only $2. The cost of the shrimp seems a bit crazy to me as well.

 

I am a very picky eater and am generally happy with just my entree and sides so for me personally my cost has gone down. I would get the ribeye or filet with a side of Cagney fries so I am at $21-23 plus gratuity. My in-laws on the other hand love to get the full course meal plus multiple appetizers so their price will be much higher than before.

 

Eating at Le Bistro has gone up even for me. The food at La Cucina seems more upscale than I remember it being but the prices are higher than I would have expected. Having never eaten at the NCL MDR or specialty I cannot say whether or not the different experience will be worth the added cost to me. I think the SDP represents a good value if it continues to cover costs at Cagney's, Le Bistro and La Cucina and we would most likely only go to speciality restaurants if we purchased the plan.

 

My question is how will this all work with groups that have a mix of people with the SDP and paying a la carte. Is there a limit to how many appetizers/sides/desserts you can get with the SDP? About half of our group has the SDP. Figuring out the bill for this dinner seems like it is going to be complicated.

[Moby0215]

RE: Cagney's which is the one I care the most about...

 

 

 

Prices seem ALRIGHT for the most part... however $2 for sides like a friggin baked potato and $4 for a caesar salad?! What in the actual hell NCL?? I can go to the buffet and make a caesar for free but if I want one with nothing special about it at all because I like some kind of salad before a slab of beef it's $4? That's a really petty move.

 

 

 

Appetizers and the entrees have a lot of creativity and interest but the salads and sides are so basic there is no reason to charge for them. Have a rule like buy an appetizer and entree and you get a soup or salad and choice of side for free.

 

 

It's called a la carts for a reason. Many restaurants do this. It allows a fully customizable meal and cost. Sure they could do the standard include 2 sides with an entree (then they would just up the price of the entree by $4). Either way you would pay the same amount. This way if someone only wants one side then they save $2 and no food goes to waste. I find it funny that some people are so concerned over a $2 side and they don't realize that if it is included or not they will be paying for it somehow. It's just in the way that it is presented.

 

 

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[Moby0215]

I have been anxiously waiting for the Cagney's a la carte menu because we promised to treat our group of 20 adults to Cagney's after our wedding on St Thomas back when it was $30/pp gratuity included.

 

 

 

The prices were lower than I feared but I was disappointed that the sides are an additional up charge even if it is only $2. The cost of the shrimp seems a bit crazy to me as well.

 

 

 

I am a very picky eater and am generally happy with just my entree and sides so for me personally my cost has gone down. I would get the ribeye or filet with a side of Cagney fries so I am at $21-23 plus gratuity. My in-laws on the other hand love to get the full course meal plus multiple appetizers so their price will be much higher than before.

 

 

 

Eating at Le Bistro has gone up even for me. The food at La Cucina seems more upscale than I remember it being but the prices are higher than I would have expected. Having never eaten at the NCL MDR or specialty I cannot say whether or not the different experience will be worth the added cost to me. I think the SDP represents a good value if it continues to cover costs at Cagney's, Le Bistro and La Cucina and we would most likely only go to speciality restaurants if we purchased the plan.

 

 

 

My question is how will this all work with groups that have a mix of people with the SDP and paying a la carte. Is there a limit to how many appetizers/sides/desserts you can get with the SDP? About half of our group has the SDP. Figuring out the bill for this dinner seems like it is going to be complicated.

 

 

I wouldn't think the bill would be any more complicated than any other normal restaurant. Just add up the totals and swipe a card. If your card has SDP then it would zero out. Now if you are asking if your SDP could possibly order apps and then share them among non SDPers? Well that's just an ethical question you will have to deal with as well of the possibility of embarrassment of/when you get caught.

 

 

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[dna529]

I knew this day was coming, and quite honestly, sad to say the least. The NCL customers have finally bought into the "new cruise" industry. Gone are the days of yesteryear when meals, service, accommodations were all included.

 

Just look at the replies in this thread! I only eat in the specialties or its still cheaper than Ruth Chris, I like the service better in the specialties, or I have to eat there to get the food I want even though I paid for a "free" meal in the MDR. This is not what cruising is suppose to be all about.

 

NCL took a great product and broke it into too many components that I can't even figure out what's a good deal or not anymore because of all the fees, charges and gratuities. Listen to what people are writing, Oh, I can go and have just a sample of the main specialty menu. What? The specialties are already over crowded because of all the free giveaways. And, if NCL stops these giveaways, do they really think more people will try the specialties at higher a la carte prices?

 

I'm a dying breed, I get that, but when the cruise industry starts to look like, walk like and talk like a land based "duck", then it is that duck and what's the benefit? It takes days to get to places that an airline can do in hours and offers not that much different a product.

 

I like the seas, love to cruise, but I'm starting to look elsewhere, as I'm sure others are too. Will it effect NCL negatively? Only time will tell.

 

Well said.

[Lumee23]

I wouldn't think the bill would be any more complicated than any other normal restaurant. Just add up the totals and swipe a card. If your card has SDP then it would zero out. Now if you are asking if your SDP could possibly order apps and then share them among non SDPers? Well that's just an ethical question you will have to deal with as well of the possibility of embarrassment of/when you get caught.

 

 

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I am not suggesting that one person buy the SDP and get multiple appetizers for multiple people.

 

If under the SDP someone is entitled to 1 appetizer, 1 dessert, etc and we want to order say 5 appetizers for the table and there are 5 people with SDP is that automatically going to be credited towards the SDP? I suppose it will depend on who is ordering or perhaps sharing will not be allowed. I can only go off of my experiences with land restaurants and my limited experience with RCCL MDR.

 

Anyway, I don't want to derail the thread. We will figure out when we get there.

Edited October 27, 2015 by Lumee23

[Moby0215]

I am not suggesting that one person buy the SDP and get multiple appetizers for multiple people.

 

 

 

If under the SDP someone is entitled to 1 appetizer, 1 dessert, etc and we want to order say 5 appetizers for the table and there are 5 people with SDP is that automatically going to be credited towards the SDP? I suppose it will depend on who is ordering or perhaps sharing will not be allowed. I can only go off of my experiences with land restaurants and my limited experience with RCCL MDR.

 

 

 

Anyway, I don't want to derail the thread. We will figure out when we get there.

 

 

I think you are making much more complicated than it needs to be. If I have SDP then whatever I order will go on to my check and when my card is swiped it will zero out. Same will apply to the other 4 people at your table.

 

 

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[kirsty_r]

I also wonder how this works with pre-booked reservations who have already paid the cover charge? I guess we order one of each course and pay for any extras?

[pink317]

They won't be fleet wide until next year. You'll have the flat cover charge pricing on your cruise in three weeks.

 

 

Whew, ok. Thank you for this information. I dont think I'll be a repeat NCL cruiser (too many changes since I booked in Feb) but good to know. :)