Star specialty dining after 1-10-16

[bschmitt]

Anyone on the star for the dining changeover for Cagney's, La Cucina & La Bistro. It said

" the per person price is $$ for sailings before 1-10-16. After this date, items on the menu will be individually priced and charges will be incurred onboard."

 

Any idea how this might affect the UDP. These restaurants would be covered before 1-10-16. Wondering how they will handle this now. Package was perk for cruise purchased in April 2015. Cruising 1-24-16.

[KeithJenner]

At the moment we have no information other than the experience on the Escape, whereby those restaurants are included in the dining packages, with the exception being if you order multiple entrees.

[bschmitt]

Thanks. This is getting confusing.

[casofilia]

If someone on the STAR is reading this are you able to get Specialty Restaurant menus, scan them and put them online please. When you get home will do nicely.

 

Thanks

 

Mike

[Visigoth]

The new A La Carte pricing does not apply to the UDP guests. As before you may order what you like from the menu.

[Mom2B&Z]

We are on the Star 31/1/16 sailing and I would have really appreciated an email from NCL stating this change was happening and how exactly it would affect our UDP. With all the changes in packages offered lately, I have little faith that this will roll out smoothly.

If no one scans menus before we leave, I will come back with menu information!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Visigoth]

Anyone on the star for the dining changeover for Cagney's, La Cucina & La Bistro. It said

" the per person price is $$ for sailings before 1-10-16. After this date, items on the menu will be individually priced and charges will be incurred onboard."

 

Any idea how this might affect the UDP. These restaurants would be covered before 1-10-16. Wondering how they will handle this now. Package was perk for cruise purchased in April 2015. Cruising 1-24-16.

The information on the Norwegian Ultimate Dining Packages e is fairly straight forward. Here is a copy of their policy as stated on their website:

 

SPECIALTY DINING PACKAGE

You may purchase it online under our "Dining" section by logging into ncl.com/myncl or through any Norwegian Reservations Team Member. You may also purchase it onboard on the first or second day of your cruise. For three and four day cruises, this package may only be purchased on the first day of your cruise. Please call or visit any restaurant reservations podium.

IS THERE A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF MEALS I HAVE TO PURCHASE

Yes, a minimum of 3 meals is required.

IS THERE A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF MEALS I CAN PURCHASE?

Yes, the number of meals purchased cannot exceed the length of the cruise.

IN WHICH VENUES WILL MY SPECIALTY DINING PACKAGE BE HONORED?

Specialty dining packages are honored in Cagney's Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria, Teppanyaki and our French and Italian restaurants across the fleet, as well as Margaritaville on board Norwegian Escape. Guests who have purchased the package may also choose to dine in other select à la carte priced restaurants, entertainment-based restaurants, Bayamo, Pincho Tapas Bar, and Ocean Blue restaurants, for the following per person upcharges:

• The Supper Club - $15

• Ocean Blue - $15

• Bayamo - $15

• Cirque Dreams/Illusionarium - $10 regular seats/$15 premium seats/$35 VIP seating on Breakaway

• Sushi -$7

• Raw Bar - $7 (does not include Seafood Plateau. If ordered, the upcharge is to be waived)

• Pincho Tapas Bar - $7

[Logbog]

We are on the Star this week and got a surprise in La Cuchina last night - the menu was all ala carte - prices for every item on the menu - no more flat fee for specialty restaurants.

 

While we understand NCL's insatiable appetite for profits, ours was diminishe with this surprise. When we questioned it, we were told it came down from headquarters either one or two weeks ago (depending on who you asked) and applied to all or just some of the specialty restaurants. (All are ala carte now)

 

REally left a bad taste in our mouth - literally and figuratively. Coupled with the $7.95 room service fees, and really poor service in Sheehans, the casino, waiting lines for dinner everywhere, and growing disappointment particularly that they didn't notify customers in advance - at least TELL YOUR LATITUDES MEMBERS IN ADVANCE. REMEMBER US. YOUR MOST LOYAL CUSTOMERS?

 

That was the last straw...or bale of hay. we asked to reduce the daily service fees and guess what, NCL headquarters changed that policy too. You must complete a new form and email it to NCL requesting a refund, but not before they have charged you the full service fee and you have to wait 2+ weeks to get your credit card refund. WOW.

 

We've been NCL patrons for over 15 years, but we finally have to say ADIOS to NCL and it's ongoing quest for profits over and above customer service. So disappointed in you NCL.

[Logbog]

We are on the Star this week and got a surprise in La Cuchina last night - the menu was all ala carte - prices for every item on the menu - no more flat fee for specialty restaurants.

 

While we understand NCL's insatiable appetite for profits, ours was diminishe with this surprise. When we questioned it, we were told it came down from headquarters either one or two weeks ago (depending on who you asked) and applied to all or just some of the specialty restaurants. (All are ala carte now)

 

REally left a bad taste in our mouth - literally and figuratively. Coupled with the $7.95 room service fees, and really poor service in Sheehans, the casino, waiting lines for dinner everywhere, and growing disappointment particularly that they didn't notify customers in advance - at least TELL YOUR LATITUDES MEMBERS IN ADVANCE. REMEMBER US. YOUR MOST LOYAL CUSTOMERS?

 

That was the last straw...or bale of hay. we asked to reduce the daily service fees and guess what, NCL headquarters changed that policy too. You must complete a new form and email it to NCL requesting a refund, but not before they have charged you the full service fee and you have to wait 2+ weeks to get your credit card refund. WOW.

 

We've been NCL patrons for over 15 years, but we finally have to say ADIOS to NCL and it's ongoing quest for profits over and above customer service. So disappointed in you NCL.

[NJGeorge]

What if your platinum latitudes, is the dinner free?

[Tantsee]

The information on the Norwegian Ultimate Dining Packages e is fairly straight forward.

 

This is great information, but I'm not sure it answers the OP's question, as I believe it's the same question I have. We got UDP as a promo when we booked our cruise last year. At that time, the conditions were that UDP applied to all specialty restaurants except for the a la carte restaurants. We are leaving on our cruise on Sunday and now most or all of the specialty dining venues are a la carte. Does that mean that the UDP is useless now? My understanding is that for those of us who were given the UDP when booking, the old rules apply. I guess I will find out next week! I will report back if the question hasn't already been answered definitely.

[OC SeaPA]

Just off the Jan 10th Jewel, where the new pricing went into effect. A lot of confusion among the waiters and maître de's, but with the UDP it should be all inclusive- 1 item from each category. No extra charges for lobsters, etc. However, when we added up the ala carte pricing- watch out! Way more expensive. GET THE PACKAGE IF YOU WANT SPECIALTY DINING! We will probably do a 3 or 4 meal package on our Oct TA just to try them all.

 

Example- (from memory, so please excuse me)- salads, soups ($6-8), entrees ($18-30), sides ($4 or so), deserts ($6-8)! This is for Bistro and Cagneys. Moderno and Teppanyaki are still 1 price ($25 & $30)

[KeithJenner]

What if your platinum latitudes, is the dinner free?

 

 

You get one app, one entree and one dessert free. If you want anything extra then you pay for it.

[KeithJenner]

This is great information, but I'm not sure it answers the OP's question, as I believe it's the same question I have. We got UDP as a promo when we booked our cruise last year. At that time, the conditions were that UDP applied to all specialty restaurants except for the a la carte restaurants. We are leaving on our cruise on Sunday and now most or all of the specialty dining venues are a la carte. Does that mean that the UDP is useless now? My understanding is that for those of us who were given the UDP when booking, the old rules apply. I guess I will find out next week! I will report back if the question hasn't already been answered definitely.

 

 

Cagneys, le Bistro and La Cucina are included in the dining package no matter how and when you got it.

[Visigoth]

The following statement is directly (and currently) from the Norwegian website:

 

"With our Specialty Dining Packages, you can savor an array of tastes and unique experiences at our specialty restaurants for one set price. Enjoy the package your entire cruise or tailor it to your schedule by selecting the number of meals that you want. Go medium-rare at Cagney’s Steakhouse. Make it al dente at our Italian restaurant. Savor the délicieuse French cuisine at Le Bistro, or try flavors from south of the equator at Moderno Churrascaria, where succulent Brazilian barbeque and other meats are served rodizio-style by Norwegian’s own passadores. The choice is yours and the flavors endless! Specialty Dining Packages include Cagney's Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria, Teppanyaki and our French and Italian restaurants.

You may choose to dine in entertainment-based and à la carte priced restaurants for an additional charge. Dining options vary by ship. Read the Terms & Conditions and FAQs for more info.

Have Questions About Your Dining Reservations? We're here to answer them. Call us at the number below to speak with our customer care:

1.866.234.7350"

 

The statement "other entertainment based and and a la carte restaurants" refers to a few high end fleet wide restaurants that are specified in my earlier post. Those being:

• The Supper Club - $15

• Ocean Blue - $15

• Bayamo - $15

• Cirque Dreams/Illusionarium - $10 regular seats/$15 premium seats/$35 VIP seating on Breakaway

• Sushi -$7

• Raw Bar - $7 (does not include Seafood Plateau. If ordered, the upcharge is to be waived)

• Pincho Tapas Bar - $7

 

Logbog is correct in stating that the a la carte restaurants such as La Cuchina are no longer a flat rate if you simply make reservations and charge them individually to your on-board account. But they are flat rate if you buy them (or receive them as a perk) as part of a dining package.

[Logbog]

The UPD packages should not be affected by this price increase. We took our cruise the week after they are in place - this is how we found out about the changes.

This was our 4th NCL cruise in under 2 years, but believe the experience and value of our dollar has declined. This specialty restaurant pricing change was a total surprise. We were online about our cruise booking every week for months and more frequently as we got close to Jan 17. We waited to board booked 2 specialty restaurants at the reservation desk - LaCucina and Cagney's - the flat fee was $25 and $40/pp in October. When we were seated at La Cucina and given the menus, our jaws dropped. Every item has prices. The waiter and head waiter said that NCL Headquarters switched a couple of restaurants to 'ala carte pricing'. When? A week ago. We never got a notice about it, saw it posted online, got a message on our resevation, and the Reservation agent never mentioned it when we reserved. We asked that agent who really couldn't be bothered (not typical staff reaction)... "We had nothing to do with the ala carte pricing. It came down from NCL Headquarters and is in ALL the specialty restaurants and started after Jan 10." Our La Cucina dinner was double what we expected when it was a flat fee. We cancelled our Cagney's reservation. Can't understand why NCL would not let their passengers know before embarkation, online, or when we made the reservations onboard. At least notify your Latitudes Members.... remember us? What does it take to send an email... a Head's Up to our loyal customers? This change along with the gratuity increase last summer, poor service in Sheehan's and a $7.95 room service fee just left a bad taste in our mouth. So disappointed in NCL. I posted my disappointment on their FBook page - not one response. NCL has put profits over customers more and more in just the past year. Pity, but this may be the end of our NCL patronage.

[Visigoth]

We are on the Star this week and got a surprise in La Cuchina last night - the menu was all ala carte - prices for every item on the menu - no more flat fee for specialty restaurants.

 

While we understand NCL's insatiable appetite for profits, ours was diminishe with this surprise. When we questioned it, we were told it came down from headquarters either one or two weeks ago (depending on who you asked) and applied to all or just some of the specialty restaurants. (All are ala carte now)

 

REally left a bad taste in our mouth - literally and figuratively. Coupled with the $7.95 room service fees, and really poor service in Sheehans, the casino, waiting lines for dinner everywhere, and growing disappointment particularly that they didn't notify customers in advance - at least TELL YOUR LATITUDES MEMBERS IN ADVANCE. REMEMBER US. YOUR MOST LOYAL CUSTOMERS?

 

That was the last straw...or bale of hay. we asked to reduce the daily service fees and guess what, NCL headquarters changed that policy too. You must complete a new form and email it to NCL requesting a refund, but not before they have charged you the full service fee and you have to wait 2+ weeks to get your credit card refund. WOW.

 

We've been NCL patrons for over 15 years, but we finally have to say ADIOS to NCL and it's ongoing quest for profits over and above customer service. So disappointed in you NCL.

While I appreciate your outrage at the new A La Carte specialty restaurant policy, I am puzzled that you didn't know about it ahead of time. It was first announced on the Norwegian Website on July 14th and the announcement was also carried on Cruise critic the same day. It was "reaffirmed on July 30th. Both announcements have been widely discussed on the Cruise Critic boards as well. In December it was one of the hotest topics on the NCL boards. I also don't understand why you didn't just buy a 2 meal specialty package for $58 when you boarded instead of paying the A La Carte pricing at the restaurant. With the dining packages the A La Carte rate is waived and you pay a flat rate...just like the old days.

[gmasters]

While I appreciate your outrage at the new A La Carte specialty restaurant policy, I am puzzled that you didn't know about it ahead of time. It was first announced on the Norwegian Website on July 14th and the announcement was also carried on Cruise critic the same day. It was "reaffirmed on July 30th. Both announcements have been widely discussed on the Cruise Critic boards as well. In December it was one of the hotest topics on the NCL boards. I also don't understand why you didn't just buy a 2 meal specialty package for $58 when you boarded instead of paying the A La Carte pricing at the restaurant. With the dining packages the A La Carte rate is waived and you pay a flat rate...just like the old days.

 

its food people, one of the last items I thank about when my DH says , "I booked another cruise for next month"

I like specialty restaurants during the trip but its not end all if we don't.

 

DH says as long as he can get ice cream after any dinner he is one happy man!!

[Moobaby214]

To those that were sailing in February and were going to share the new menus, can you? We will be on the Star in a couple weeks and I am an over planner haha.;)

[crapking]

We booked the Garden Villa on the NCL Star 3/13 sailing, and were told by our travel agent that the UDP only applied to the first 2 (of 6) in the Villa. To our astonishment (pleasure) all 6 of us enjoyed free dining all week:

LaCucina on day 1, and the only charge was for an extra entree my son ordered.

Moderno, - again no charge, and an awesome meal - must get the Baked Pineapple!

Le Bistro. - also included, - very quiet / elegant

We also ordered Le Bistro for room service in our our villa - all 6 (plus two guests who also had UDP + the ships doctor) ate for no additonal charge

As a GV guest, we were also treated to another meal (Cagney's) - also no charge (unless you want to consider the 'charge' for the GV itself).

 

We did tip at each restaurant, and any extra entree's would be additional, but I must say the value of the UDP as a suite guest (Villa actually) proved to be well worth it - 5 specialty meals, one meal at Versailles, one Aqua meal in our villa, all for tips. Since the UDP was offered as a booking 'perk', we didn't even pay for it, and the guests travelling with us took the UDP as a booking perk for their room, and they enjoyed it right along side us all week.