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No Dynamic Dining for Ovation of the Seas

fairywren

By fairywren,
in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

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curry767

curry767

Posted
Posted (edited)
We are sorry that the Dynamic Dining modifications remain a concern. However, we have confirmed that when Ovation of the Seas repositions to Australia it will revert back to Dynamic Dining Choice and Dynamic Dining Classic. We believe listening to our guests is the key to continued success. Please accept our apologies for the disappointment our previous response may have caused.

 

After your response I emailed the person in the executive office I had been conversing with about the removal of Dynamic Dining indicating someone from RCI had advised it would be reinstated. I asked has the removal decision been reversed, this is the response I received:

 

"Good morning Mr. xxxx,

 

Thank you for taking the time to follow-up with me.

 

Our decision regarding Dynamic Dining has not been changed for any of our markets. I am sorry for any misunderstanding.

 

Best regards,

 

xxxx xxxx

Executive Office

xxxxx@rccl.com

Phone:1.800.256.xxxx, ext.xxxx"

 

Remember this is the Executive Office, which is Mr Bayley's (President & CEO) offices.

 

Read in to this what you will, but I suspected this all along. I am now 100% certain Dynamic Dining will not be on any Ovation cruise this Australian Season. I initially queried to this so called change because it is 100% opposite to what was announced previously and I wondered if the person who wrote the response to Avalon had their dining terminology mixed up. RCI previously indicated that DD would remain for the Chinese market and it would change to My Time Dining during the cruise to Australia from Singapore.

 

By the way, I removed all the contact details this time, as last I time I posted something from this person in the Executive Office my post was deleted by the moderators.

Edited by curry767
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retyredgreynomad

retyredgreynomad

Posted
Posted (edited)

Facebook Chat to Royal Caribbean International (xxxx)....Friday 14th November 2016

 

Hi, I have a booking on Ovation that is 'locked' into MyTime dining that I have not been able to change back to Dynamic Dining as first requested when I made the booking, can someone help me please? Thanks Anthony xxxx

Hi Anthony,

If you are on an Australian sailing, Dynamic Dining will no longer be available. All guests will now be offered My Time Dining on their cruise.

Regards,

xxxx

Thank you, I am now very confused...if I book a new booking for Ovation cruise in January 23rd 2017 to Tasmania, I can still book Dynamic Dining. Why is this so if you know it has been cancelled? Plenty of people will be booking this cruise EXPECTING Dynamic Dining. ..a brand new concept ib dining. They will be as disappointed as we are missing out on one of the key attractions to a new ship. Very disappointed RCI have decided to purposely mislead people. We cannot cancel our booked cruise without penalty and are not getting what was advertised and paid for.

Hope you can explain to me what is really happening...thanks again Anthony xxxx

 

 

Our sincerest apologies for the confusion Anthony. I've checked in with our Online Team about this. They are currently working with our Miami Team and it's a difficult change to make as it impacts on certain regions and not others. They are working on this as priority and we hope to have it removed asap. Again, we're extremely sorry and we thank you for your understanding while we work to amend it.

Regards,

xxxx/B]

Edited by retyredgreynomad
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qak

qak

Posted
Posted

Do we know what people actually complained about re DD? I would guess that it was related to wait times or an inability to access to the desired venue?

 

If you have been disappointed by the removal of DD, perhaps you should ask for compensation?

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The_Big_M

The_Big_M

Posted
Posted
Do we know what people actually complained about re DD? I would guess that it was related to wait times or an inability to access to the desired venue?

 

One part was that it made dining more of a hassle; couldn't get bookings for desired venue, had to book and plan in advance without knowing entertainment times; or make conflicting bookings later and missing out. There were also issues with service - and you were forced to try different venues to get a different menu, which the menu may not appeal. Basically it got significantly lower ratings for the dining experience.

 

Having tried it, I was okay with it - but I won't miss it either.

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

Posted
Posted (edited)
One part was that it made dining more of a hassle; couldn't get bookings for desired venue, had to book and plan in advance without knowing entertainment times; or make conflicting bookings later and missing out. There were also issues with service - and you were forced to try different venues to get a different menu, which the menu may not appeal. Basically it got significantly lower ratings for the dining experience.

 

Having tried it, I was okay with it - but I won't miss it either.

 

It sounds great if you are easily pleased with eating in whatever variety of restaurant, but if you are more specialised then getting into that particular restaurant may have been a headache.

Edited by MicCanberra
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Embl

Embl

Posted
Posted
Sale now extended until 16 September.

Could this perhaps have something to do with the removal of DD?

Just a thought (or not)

 

Grief! Just realized what I wrote. I wonder if they meant November but it does say September on their site. :confused:

 

They might be remembering pre DD removal outcry times :D

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blu33yes

blu33yes

Posted
Posted
Do we know what people actually complained about re DD? I would guess that it was related to wait times or an inability to access to the desired venue?

 

If you have been disappointed by the removal of DD, perhaps you should ask for compensation?

 

We don't remember anyone complaining about DD while on board. Everyone seemed to enjoy the different venues and food. Some actually would comment on 'looking forward' to what they were going to try the next time OR having the same main meal again.

 

We had the classic DD which meant we had the same time, table number, and wait staff every night. We never saw long queues - maybe 4 to 6 people in the line as we walked straight in. We enjoyed the dining experience and it is going to be strange eating in one location only.

 

I did see complaints on CC after the entertainment was released for booking because it clashed with the dining times already booked. A lot of people booked on board without any issues, some mentioned that they asked for certain dishes to be provided in a different restaurant - as long as it was done 24 hours before, they were happy to comply.

 

About two weeks ago we saw someone at an event who worked on the Ovation and now works in the Sydney Office. The discussion of DD came up - seems that a lot of people complained but now sure if it was about the 'Ovation' or another ship/s.

 

Verona

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blu33yes

blu33yes

Posted
Posted
Grief! Just realized what I wrote. I wonder if they meant November but it does say September on their site. :confused:

 

They might be remembering pre DD removal outcry times :D

 

Is this for the chartered cruises (Singapore to Sydney)?

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christycruiser

christycruiser

Posted
Posted (edited)

Oops, sorry about the facebook thing. Wasn't aware and just being friendly.

 

Very confused about the conflicting emails. I thought Avalon's was very clear about DD choice and DD classic being available on Australian cruises. Then a clear statement from the same department saying no DD.

Edited by christycruiser
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blu33yes

blu33yes

Posted
Posted
OK. So now we've missed out on DD.

I'm hoping that we don't miss out on activities, shows etc because of the lateness of our booking numbers. :(

 

 

 

Hi, do you have your booking numbers yet? Shows just opened for the 15 December 2016 cruise.

 

Verona

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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NSWP

NSWP

Posted
Posted (edited)

Pray tell a devoted Princess Cruiser, what the heck is 'Dynamic Dining?' on RCI. Does one have to sprint to the MDR and devour ones dinner in 15 minutes to permit others on 'Dynamic Dining' a pew? It sounds rather uncivilised.

Edited by NSWP
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The_Big_M

The_Big_M

Posted
Posted
Pray tell a devoted Princess Cruiser, what the heck is 'Dynamic Dining?' on RCI. Does one have to sprint to the MDR and devour ones dinner in 15 minutes to permit others on 'Dynamic Dining' a pew? It sounds rather uncivilised.

 

It's multiple dining rooms (4), which have a fixed menu, and you choose which dining room/menu you're going to. Best to make bookings in advance given the necessarily smaller size.

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NSWP

NSWP

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Posted
It's multiple dining rooms (4), which have a fixed menu, and you choose which dining room/menu you're going to. Best to make bookings in advance given the necessarily smaller size.

Gotcha, understand now. Muchas Gracias.

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