Quit Bothering Me!

[Pitcruiser]

Hadn't cruised in a few years and really noticed the constant selling that seems to be the rule now. The thing I really objected to were the phone calls to the cabin selling stuff - spa and Chops. Just think they have jacked the price of some of the specialties like Chopped to the point where they can't sell it anymore.

[LMaxwell]

The thing I really objected to were the phone calls to the cabin selling stuff

 

They do this? Seriously? That's really a bad judgement call from someone at RCI. I've turned off the home phone ringer because all I get are sales calls.

[squadron]

Yes subjective, I will say the rise in cost has been alarming for the specialty restaurants, that being ssid I still use them. K.O.:o

 

A modest family chain type restaurant with three courses (not counting unlimited apps) would cost more than speciality dining on board. You aren't forced to buy special dining so it shouldn't be an issue. I have always found MDR to be good so I don't think you need to buy in a special venue - it is a choice.

[KansasK]

On our cruise on the Navigator last March, we were approached at least six times about specialty restaurants while in the Windjammer and sitting at a bar on the Promenade. This was embarkation day. So many one after the other interrupted our conversation in both places. I wished I had a sign I could put on the table saying "We've been asked - no thank you!

 

In the Windjammer later in the week we got asked about Sabor, but we again said no thank you.

 

I never cared about the Spa offers or the jewelry raffles being pushed because we were walking and it did not feel like we were being interrupted like it did when we were eating or at a bar.

 

This is something new, for us, anyway, and it is done too much. :confused:

[Merion_Mom]

I agree it's too expensive and if you want dry aged steak at Chops for example, you have to pay even more. So that plus what you already pay plus the fact that meals are included in the MDR it is a little steep. I realize it's inline with what you'd pay on land but on land, you don't have the option of free food in a MDR. If they made it more reasonable, they'd have a lot more interest for sure.

 

Gretchen, I would love to know what search term you were using that yielded "QUIT BOTHERING ME" ?!?!?!?

 

;) :D

[pspercy]

We were on Liberty last December, first time on Royal since two years prior. Noticed the increased selling right away and it seemed lots more "sales" on the Promenade blocking traffic.

 

We went to Chops one night and it was not good, poor quality steak, couple at next table had upcharge steaks, they also weren't happy at all.

Sabor was great.

 

MDR was OK , servers excellent but run off their feet, food decent.

 

Recent reports suggest considerable improvement in MDR and 'jammer, I hope that's true:)

[katiel53]

We sailed on Allure last month and there were sales people out in full force. Even when having lunch in the Windjammer, someone approached us regarding dining at Giovanni's. I really felt sorry for those having to try to drum up business for the specialty restaurants.

 

We had purchased the 5 night dining package and, to us, it was worth every penny. We bought it online before the cruise so we had dinner only 2 nights in the dining room. Our service in the dining room the second formal night, (our first night in there) was horrible and the last night of the cruise, it was far better as we had different servers.

 

All of us loved the service and food in Chops so much that we ended up going there 3 nights. Our waiter the first night was so great that we asked for him the two other nights we went there. The last night we were there he had a table of star guests, but still made time for us. He also suggested to my son that he try the rib eye and he did. He loved it so much that the last night there 3 of the 4 of us ordered it.

 

I love the food in the specialty restaurants and would go there on every cruise. I didn't enjoy the food in the main dining room and I didn't feel that I would eat it just because I paid for it.

 

The other two restaurants we went to were Giovanni's, which was ok, but the hostess was nasty, and Sabor. I wouldn't go there again as I didn't think it was worth any upcharge.

 

When I go on Allure again, I plan to have the 5 night package again and then we also have an offer from our travel agent for a free night specialty restaurant, so we will end up with 1 night in the dining room at the most. It will most likely be the last night again, but who knows?

[gliles]

Gretchen, I would love to know what search term you were using that yielded "QUIT BOTHERING ME" ?!?!?!?

 

;) :D

Haha, I think I was looking for comments about Chops.

 

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[geduffer]

LMAO !! OK now THAT takes the tacky award.

 

 

 

"FAT FEET" ??! :p Hahahaha!

 

 

 

I think some joker wiped out the “l” in flat.

 

 

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[momofmab]

After reading all the complaints about this on CC, I was worried about our cruise on Oasis last month. Luckily, we were never approached, no phone calls to the cabin, nothing said by our MDR wait staff. The only evidence of "selling" that I witnessed were staff standing on the Promenade, holding menus. They would mention "specials" as we walked by but we simply told them we'd already booked the restaurant and they waved us by. I was glad because my husband, who already isn't a big cruise fan, wouldn't have been thrilled with sales harassment.

[Iamcruzin]

I won't dispute the OP's findings and yours, but I don't like the trend wither. I first noticed the BS hype for over priced arch support pushed as a class on Jewel in 2012. My most recent cruise on Majesty they were hyping that crap in the atrium as well.

 

 

 

The photo mentions the gym on deck 9, but they did have someone stationed her frequently.

 

Anyone who suffers from any of those ailments has probably seen a specialist at home where the visit is covered by medical insurance. If they haven't, what are the chances that they will take time out of their vacation to take care of the problem? Also a cruise ship is no place to start a weight loss program or a digestive cleansing system which I have also seen being pushed on other cruise lines.

[lazydayz]

Anyone who suffers from any of those ailments has probably seen a specialist at home where the visit is covered by medical insurance. If they haven't, what are the chances that they will take time out of their vacation to take care of the problem? Also a cruise ship is no place to start a weight loss program or a digestive cleansing system which I have also seen being pushed on other cruise lines.

 

It is amazing to me that people actually go. I learned early on that each of Royal’s “seminars” were sales opportunities. I fell for it once, a shopping seminar. Never again. I am pretty experienced shopper. Not sure why I thought I needed a seminar for that. LOL

[Iamcruzin]

It is amazing to me that people actually go. I learned early on that each of Royal’s “seminars” were sales opportunities. I fell for it once, a shopping seminar. Never again. I am pretty experienced shopper. Not sure why I thought I needed a seminar for that. LOL

My very first cruise on Carnival 1986 I feel for the shopping seminar as well. I even bought the coupon book. To make matters worse I was an assistant buyer for Lord and Taylor at the time. Talk about not needing a shopping lesson. I was young and dumb. Never been to any seminar since.

[gatour]

I agree I would never consider having some type of "consultant" on a cruise ship taking a look at a medical condition of these types and some of the others that are pushed on board ship. I had foot issues, went to see a podiatrist and shoe inserts were determined the way to go. It wasn't a one visit process.

 

Anyone who suffers from any of those ailments has probably seen a specialist at home where the visit is covered by medical insurance. If they haven't, what are the chances that they will take time out of their vacation to take care of the problem? Also a cruise ship is no place to start a weight loss program or a digestive cleansing system which I have also seen being pushed on other cruise lines.

[ABoatNerd]

Considering the oft reported decline in the quality of the product offering in the specialities combined with the reduced selection and increased price - this represents a significant price increase overall.

 

On my last Celebrity cruise, my husband and I came to the rescue of an elderly couple having lunch on the Sunset cafe back deck. They were being strongly arm twisted into a speciality package. The person was hovering between them with their face almost in their lunch.

 

We got up and told him to get away, he refused, and we step right up to him and he left. We went immediately to the food manager and reported him, including his name.

 

The elderly couple were so relieved, she had tears in her eyes.

 

This high pressure sales philosophy is the new model on the mass lines and it was one of the reasons we left for Oceania.

[crazyfrazee]

I used to be a CCL customer but switched to RC and went on the Oasis in January. The only thing I hated about RC is all the pushy selling. Not just restaurants but every department on the ship that had something to sell sent advertisements or voicemails to our room. I felt as if they were hungry beggers begging for money.

[Clarea]

I used to be a CCL customer but switched to RC and went on the Oasis in January. The only thing I hated about RC is all the pushy selling. Not just restaurants but every department on the ship that had something to sell sent advertisements or voicemails to our room. I felt as if they were hungry beggers begging for money.

That's too bad because this all-encompassing, continuous, interrupting sales pitch is a relatively recent thing for RC. Just a few years ago, you would see them selling specialy restaurants in the Centrum or on the Royal Promenade, but that was about it.

[grapau27]

That's too bad because this all-encompassing, continuous, interrupting sales pitch is a relatively recent thing for RC. Just a few years ago, you would see them selling specialy restaurants in the Centrum or on the Royal Promenade, but that was about it.

Personally i don't mind because we have negotiated some good speciality restaurant deals and i would rather be told about other special offers than miss out.

A simple no thanks if we don't want the deal will suffice.

 

 

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[Clarea]

Personally i don't mind because we have negotiated some good speciality restaurant deals and i would rather be told about other special offers than miss out.

A simple no thanks if we don't want the deal will suffice.

That's fine, but when they are interrupting dinner 2 or 3 times (different people), it starts to get irritating.

[BillOh]

That's too bad because this all-encompassing, continuous, interrupting sales pitch is a relatively recent thing for RC. Just a few years ago, you would see them selling specialy restaurants in the Centrum or on the Royal Promenade, but that was about it.

 

 

 

Just got off Jewel, my review is coming! One theme I had from this cruise is ROYAL IS LISTENING. That doesn't mean they will change, but they are listening. We had just sat down at the outdoor area of the Windjamer with Roll call friends. A Royal employee walked up and made a significant effort to sound engaging and interested in us before the pitch. Unfortunately for her, more and more roll call people came up to us and kept the conversations going. Later she came pack with her dining package offer and since everyone at the table was in our roll call, we already had all the bookings we wanted. My point is, I think they are still pushing, but tying not to be pushy?

[grapau27]

That's fine, but when they are interrupting dinner 2 or 3 times (different people), it starts to get irritating.

Never experienced it in MTD but did in WJ at lunchtime on Freedom last June and pool area on Vision in February.

I acknowledge your point though at Dinner when if it happened a few times i might not be so polite and understanding with them.

 

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[theSHAH]

It gets to the point that you are already a paying customer. You have paid good money to be on this VACATION, but it almost feels like they are giving you the trip for free in exchange for sales pitching you. You are supposed to be allowed to be calm and relax, not constantly on edge being sold something.

[griffy116]

I thought we were the only ones that didn't feel paying for meals at the Specialty Restaurants. I don't have a problem with the food in the MDR and I'd rather spend my money on a restaurant pre or post cruise than while I have a perfectly good meal waiting on me in the MDR.

[Eslader]

I've noticed an uptick in trying to sell galley tours in all of the no-upcharge restaurants. I was rarely approached for specialty restaurants on our cruise a couple months ago - but then we were approaching them to make reservations on the package we had so that might have something to do with it.

 

Not to dispute anyone's claims, but I'm pretty surprised at the comments saying they're charging as much as an on-land restaurant for the specialty restaurants now. Maybe we got a great deal, but there's no way we could eat the quality of food in our city that we got in Chops/Giovanni's/Sabor last trip for the price that we paid. We can easily find food that's as good, and even better, but we're also gonna pay a good deal more for it. Around here a steakhouse with filet as good as they had in Chops would be $100 per person.

[RedSails1968]

Or leaving voicemails on the phone. How annoying!