Specialty dining: a la carte/cover charge

[speedyjane]

We are sailing on the Breakaway in September and have 3 specialty meals coming to us. We know we should reserve ahead of time, but we have some question regarding the terms a la carte and cover charge in relation to these specialty dinners. If we reserve a dinner in one of these restaurants do we pay extra for anything on the menu or is everything we want included in the dining package?

Is there a difference between the two designations?

This is our first time sailing on NCL.

Thanks.

[ggTexasGal]

19 minutes ago, speedyjane said:

We are sailing on the Breakaway in September and have 3 specialty meals coming to us. We know we should reserve ahead of time, but we have some question regarding the terms a la carte and cover charge in relation to these specialty dinners. If we reserve a dinner in one of these restaurants do we pay extra for anything on the menu or is everything we want included in the dining package?

Is there a difference between the two designations?

This is our first time sailing on NCL.

Thanks.

You would only pay extra IF you order items that have an upcharge, or if you order more than the items included in the Free at Sea meals.

There have been recent reports that the FAS meals include the following: 1 Appetizer, or Soup, or Salad, and one Entrée, choice of two sides, and 1 Dessert.  Others have reported being able to receive fewer choices.  And others have been allowed more choices.  However, below are NCL Terms and Conditions:

• Applicable to guests 1-2 on the reservation
• Dining package is applicable to guest ages 2 and older
• Package prices are subject to change
• Guest is responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Specialty Dining Package prior to cruise
• 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Specialty Dining Package are included when booking through the Australia office
• For Casino booked reservations – promotion code CASFAS will be added under referral code CASUPALL on sail lengths 7 nights or longer for Balcony and above staterooms
• Packages are based on a per meal basis
• Any Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues, The Bake Shop, Ice Cream Bar, Gelato, specialty items in the Asian restaurant, Special Occasion/Holiday menus (New Year's, Christmas, etc.),
• Jazz Brunch, Wine Lovers and Murder Mystery lunches, and beverages are not included as part of the Specialty Dining Packages
• Guests are permitted to pre-reserve specialty dining with entertainment included However, the guest is responsible to pay the full retail value
• If the guest chooses to use the reservation as part of their specialty dining package, they will need to make these arrangements once onboard
• Specialty Dining Packages include one main course per person at Cagney's and Le Bistro
• Additional main courses will be charged at the a la carte price listed on the menu
• There is no minimum or maximum to the number of meals that can be redeemed in a day, however each meal is counted towards the package

Edited July 14, 2023 by ggTexasGal
correction

[Liljo22]

The difference between a la carte and cover charge is more for guests not using dining credits.  Cover charge restaurants allow the guest to pay a set price and choose what they want off the menu.  An example of this is the teppanyaki restaurant where you pay $59 and there is no difference between choosing the steak option vs the chicken option.  A la carte has pricing for each item and your bill is based on how much you order.  

 

When using dining credits, you will not pay anything additional at either restaurant unless you select items at a la carte restaurants that are labeled with a dining package supplement charge or if you order more than allowed which someone posted above.  The supplement charge is only for 1 or 2 items on the menu and its usually higher end items like the Surf and Turf in Cagney's.  See below for labeling.  If you choose the Surf and Turf, you will be charged $25 extra.  

 

Edited July 14, 2023 by Liljo22

[Liljo22]

Also, when you are booking restaurants, book the cover charge restaurants first as the system will notice you have the dining package and not charge you for it.  If you book a la carte restaurants first and then book cover charge above the credits you have, the system will charge you now for the cover charge.  

[scooter6139]

Just ask the waiter/server what the current options are to use a voucher.  We did that every time we sat down for dinner.

[speedyjane]

2 hours ago, Liljo22 said:

Also, when you are booking restaurants, book the cover charge restaurants first as the system will notice you have the dining package and not charge you for it.  If you book a la carte restaurants first and then book cover charge above the credits you have, the system will charge you now for the cover charge.  

Liljo,

so the a la carte restaurants don’t recognize that you have dining credits. Suppose I wanted to book Cagney’s for each meal? The system doesn’t accept my credits?

[KeithJenner]

11 minutes ago, speedyjane said:

Liljo,

so the a la carte restaurants don’t recognize that you have dining credits. Suppose I wanted to book Cagney’s for each meal? The system doesn’t accept my credits?

Yes it does.

 

When you book a restaurant (before the cruise) you are charged at the time of booking, unless you have a dining credit which covers it. The amount you are charged is the cover charge for fixed price places or $0 for a la carte places.

 

So, when pre booking do the cover charge places first as you won’t be charged anything because of your dining plan. Then book any others.

 

This is only relevant if you are booking more restaurants than you have dining credits for. This may be because you are buying an additional dining plan (the system only recognises your original plan at this point) or that you have included meals from elsewhere (latitudes platinum for example).

 

The link in my signature, whilst out of date) covers this and this part is still relevant.

[speedyjane]

Thank you all for the explanations. It all seems more clear now.

[BirdTravels]

7 hours ago, speedyjane said:

We are sailing on the Breakaway in September and have 3 specialty meals coming to us. We know we should reserve ahead of time, but we have some question regarding the terms a la carte and cover charge in relation to these specialty dinners. If we reserve a dinner in one of these restaurants do we pay extra for anything on the menu or is everything we want included in the dining package?

Is there a difference between the two designations?

This is our first time sailing on NCL.

Thanks.

At this point, you have probably waited too long to book dinners pre-cruise. Reservations opened in April or May and popular restaurants, like Cagney's will sell out. Some tables are held for onboard booking. When you embark, head to Teppanyaki, Deck 6 mid-ship to make your dining reservations. .