Johnny Rockets was pretty darn empty!

[Ocean Boy]

pfleer...

Yes you are correct in that you did mix us up. I have sailed RCI and on a Voyager ship... Explorer to be exact. As for the food in Cafe Prominade being good, we all know food quality is a very personal thing. I thought there was nothing good to eat in there. And it is hard to equate cookies with eating a burger and onion rings. It is a good place to grab some ice tea or lemonade.

You asked OceanCruise how he/she can comment on the food if not having sailed RCI. Is your assessment of the Cafe Prominade food only from what you have read on the boards or have you experienced an Voyager class ship and the food in there?

[SF]

xpcdoojk:

Find another poster to as you say "debate" with. Happy cruising!!

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Navigator of the Seas 7/17/2004

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Jewel of the Seas 12/26/2004

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Caribbean Princess 2/26/2005


[img]http://www.alcodesigns.net/cruiseshipani.gif[/img]

[lalefty]

I agree with SF and others that think RCCL is not fair when they advertise one thing and then do another. We booked when Johnny Rockett's did not have a fee to walk in. Last week we cruised on the Mariner and found out different. We did not enter as did many on board. Every time we passed by, the workers looked bored, sometimes even standing outside the bar doing nothing. I asked them if they were ever crowded since since the surcharge was added. They said no. I also asked them if they realized RCCL will eventually move them to another assignment or lay them off. IMO, 10 guys standing around doing nothing is not productive and RCCL will definately reduce employees in this cafe soon.

Also I noticed the "Screening Room" theatre that shows recent movies only opens when most the passengers are doing shore excursions. Not on days the ship is at sea. I asked the staff and the first excuse was the theatre was too small and would not hold everyone that wanted to see the movie. I shot that theory telling them the ice skating rink and climbing wall can only handle a few people at a time but is open to the public when the ship is at sea, not just to people that never leave the ship when docked. Then they said it could not be staffed sufficiently which I questioned. How many does it take to turn on the switch and stand by the door during entry?

Having first rate movies shown throughout the day would help disperse the people 3500 + passengers even more and shorten the lines for other events. It boils down to they do not want to do it.

[xpcdoojk]

Sure SF, I will let you fillabuster all you want, enjoy! Wouldn't want anyone to disagree with you, that might be unpleasant.

jc

[Desertbelle]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lalefty:
..... Every time we passed by, the workers looked bored, sometimes even standing outside the bar doing nothing. I asked them if they were ever crowded since since the surcharge was added. They said no. I also asked them if they realized RCCL will eventually move them to another assignment or lay them off. IMO, 10 guys standing around doing nothing is not productive and RCCL will definately reduce employees in this cafe soon....
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

WOW!! You actually told people who are not your employees that their jobs are in jeopardy??? Pretty cheeky there, poking your nose into someone elses business!!

Margie

Celebrating Our Parents 60th Anniversary - Legend of the Seas to Mexico 9/5/04!!
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Windjammer-Flying Cloud 1991
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NCL Sun 2002
Star Princess 2003
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[SF]

xpcdoojk:

Find another poster to as you say "debate" with. Happy cruising!!

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Navigator of the Seas 7/17/2004

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Jewel of the Seas 12/26/2004

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Caribbean Princess 2/26/2005


[img]http://www.alcodesigns.net/cruiseshipani.gif[/img]

[ComputerGeek]

RE: JR<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> "minors not allowed" or "no children without adults allowed" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Great Idea, but I'll believe it when I see it [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

As far as ship security keeping an eye on wild kids and hunting down the parents - ho hum - another "I'll believe it when I see it" [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] Ship security is designed to secure the ship - not baby to sit.

Whatever the solution - something should be done.

ComputerGeek - the original

Monarch 11/2002
Sovereign 8/2003 - Pictures [url="http://community.webshots.com/album/93239539AJYjQl"]http://community.webshots.com/album/93239539AJYjQl[/url]
Explorer 12/2003
Sovereign 5/2004

[F5Loar]

To Cutekatcar: RCL is still an all inclusive cruise. You pay your ticket price and everything is inlcuded except tips, unless you want extras. You don't have eat at JRs, Chops,etc. They have free ice cream so leave the Ben&Jerry's alone. Don't buy any photos, drink any mixed drinks or bottled water and you whould be able to walk off that ship in one week with a zero balance. I call that all inclusive since you won't go away hungry. These extras that RCL offers and all the other lines are just that, extras. You pay for extras. The question is how much do you pay for these extras and that's up to you. I think $20 for an 8X10 or $7.95 for a watered down mixed drink is a bit much or $4 for a scoop of brand name ice cream is overkill but $4 for a $12 meal at JR's is a deal anyway you cut it.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2003;07;19;13;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Till we sail on the Zuiderdam

Til we sail on the Mariner of The Seas RCL
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until we sail on the Disney Wonder
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til we sail the ms Maasdam
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[JohnSax]

This has been an interesting post to read, to say the least, and I know what I'm about to say will not win me any friends with a certain segment, BUT, here goes: Almost ALL of the complaints that go on and on here on these boards can be attributed to ONE thing: The cruise lines, in their overcapacity, have had to fill berths and to do this, have lowered prices to previously unheard of levels. Therefore, a new type of customer came into the equation: those that can now afford to cruise--but just barely. Think about it, try and be objective, I'm not saying this is wrong but it does seem to be the truth.

[bobbyd6363]

WOW! What a thread! This has been the most interesting thread I have seen here in a LONG time!

Yeah the Norway had the "le Bistro" and it was an alternative resturaunt that had a surcharge.

WOO HOO! Welcome to the Martian Yacht Club!
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SS Viking Serenade 92
SS Nordic Empress 93
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SS Norewgian Sea 99
SS Carnival Destiny 2000
SS Carnival Destiny 2001
Voyager of the Seas 26Oct03
Adventure of the Seas 14Nov04

[cruisecrasy]

Hi All & esp. JohnSax: - Agree with u - it's a 'if u can't stand the heat' routine. Sorry but if your budget won't stand the extra fees u are on the wrong vacation - sad but reality!! If the cruiselines don't make $ with the 'extras' they will raise the fares and those on a budget will be out of luck anyway. Go to a ballpark for a game and see if the souveniers, hotdogs, popcorn or soda are included with your ticket!!! This is a simple fact - not hard to understand - so go forth & purchase if u want or don't & plse let's all have happy - cheap fares - cruisin'!

[RDeagazio]

On the Mariner on 3/21.. JR's was full every day..all day-- the only thing the service fee did was eliminate visits from those who have nothing to do but complain and think a boycott will change policy. It was very nice to be able to walk up and get a seat whenever you wanted without having to wait in a mile long line.

Bob

NCL Sunward II / Emerald Seas
HAL Veendam (old and new)
HAL Zaandam
HAL Volendam (old and new)
HAL Maasdam / HAL Statendam
RCI Song of Norway
RCI Nordic Prince
RCI Sun Viking
RCI Song of America
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Home Lines Homeric
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RCI Majesty of the Seas
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RCI Grandeur (2x)
RCI Enchantment (4x)
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RCI Radiance 12/28/03
Cunard QM2 1/30/04
RCI Mariner 3/21/04
HAL Oosterdam 5/2/04
RCI Serenade 7/18/04
And more to come.....

[FlorenceItaly]

Let me preface this by saying my next statement is not directed toward anyone in particular.

I am VERY surprised this thread is still alive. I think this horse is dead!

Marie

HAL - MAASDAM - June 2004/Canada/New England
RCI - Mariner of the Seas,
Sept 2004(CC Group Cruise)

Carnival Miracle -February 2005
RCI Majesty of the Seas - Spring Break, March 2005
Celebrity Mercury, April 2005

[Ocean Boy]

Well, since no one had posted to this thread for two days maybe it was on its way to dying until you reserected it.

[FlorenceItaly]

Ocean Boy - I did not realize that as I just received a thread response in my email as late as this afternoon, and have been daily before that. Perhaps my email is not working properly. My apologies.

Marie

HAL - MAASDAM - June 2004/Canada/New England
RCI - Mariner of the Seas,
Sept 2004(CC Group Cruise)

Carnival Miracle -February 2005
RCI Majesty of the Seas - Spring Break, March 2005
Celebrity Mercury, April 2005

[pcur]

I've been quietly following these JR posts for several weeks. Interesting reading, too.

Personally, the surcharge doesn't affect DH and I. We are low-to-no-carb eaters due to DH's type 2 diabetes diagnosis last September. So, fries and hamburger buns are out of the picture for us, along with the onion rings.

However, it bothers me that the folks hardest hit by this surcharge are not the couples cruising, but the FAMILIES cruising on the Voyager class ships. This is a big draw for someone with kids: the ships are pretty much designed to give people of all ages a good activity-packed vacation. The surcharge does affect the group that sails on these ships; the people that would use JRs more frequently, and that's families who have to pay multiple surcharges per DAY!! These may be the same folks who have saved for a long time to afford even taking the trip with multiple cruise and air fares to pay.

I just wish RCI could come up with a small fee that evens out the paying/playing field a little more. It hits hardest the pasengers that I think can afford it the least.

I would prefer to see them adjust it down. $3.95 seems steep to me. With the popularity of JRs, they could make a bundle with the $1 or $2 pp surcharge.

Peggy - RCI since 1973

[mafig]

Peggy - A very thoughtful and thought-provoking post from you. Royal Caribbean apparently felt they could get the most money from the families they are so eagerly courting by implementing this test charge just when many families were cruising (spring break).
Anyway, isn't this "test period" about over?

What does everyone think will happen?
Will they just keep the charge without notification?
Will they spread it to the other Voyager-class ships?
Will they , if the charge is officially implemented, keep giving C&A members a free one-time coupon? Will they raise the price?

I guess we'll find out pretty soon.

[wallie5446]

Good food, no wait, and we dont have to cook it.
``````````That works for us too`````````

If this is such a big issue there are other choices one can make as what line to cruise on.

WE LOVE THE WATER AS LONG AS WE ARE ON A CRUISE

[Diane&4girls]

That's weird... we just got off the 4/10 sailing and had to wait both times for a table for more than an hour. Each sailing is different, though.

Diane
Check out our cruise pictures:
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Again!


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Explorer of the Seas 10/19/2002
Navigator of the Seas 12/10/2002 (Inaugural)
Explorer of the Seas 12/14/2002
Navigator of the Seas 5/03/2003
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Serenade of the Seas 8/23/2003 (Inaugural)
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Mariner of the Seas 12/14/2003 (Golden Anchor Cruise!)
Navigator of the Seas 4/10/2004
Caribbean Princess 5/22/2004
Star Princess 11/21/2004

[FunshineBear]

I've been on the Voyager and the Adventurer of the Seas. Johnny Rockets was free both times. It was nice, and during those deck parties it was fun to get a snack before heading back to the room. It was also completely empty to the point of the staff sitting and staring at one another, ecstatic that a family walked in so they had SOMETHING to do.

It is in this case, when the place is completely empty, that there should be NO CHARGE. That's right, I said no cover charge.

Because no one's coming in anyway. Its not peak time. There's NO ONE waiting for a table. Or waiting for anything.

Just my 2 cents. I can deal without Johnny Rockets, but it was something that made the ship special.

Oceanic,Carnival Holiday, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Ecstatcy,Carnival Imagination
Carnival Destiny, Royal Carribean Voyager, Royal Carribean Adventurerer, Celebrity Horizon, Celebrity Zenith, NCL Dawn....for now [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[lvcruiser]

This test was originally on two ships for two cruises. Then, it was extended to eight weeks. Then, word came down that it would spread to all ships in the fleet that have JR's. If you ask me, I think the charge is here to stay.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;10;23;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until NOS Sailing 10/23/04

Several cruises, but why list them when no one cares?

[ComputerGeek]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> However, it bothers me that the folks hardest hit by this surcharge are not the couples cruising, but the FAMILIES cruising on the Voyager class ships. This is a big draw for someone with kids: <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yup - those would be the loud, pushy, wild, unsupervised, food fight kids like the ones on our last cruise! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> If you ask me, I think the charge is here to stay.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Good! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img]

ComputerGeek - the original

Monarch 11/2002
Sovereign 8/2003 - Pictures [url="http://community.webshots.com/album/93239539AJYjQl"]http://community.webshots.com/album/93239539AJYjQl[/url]
Explorer 12/2003
Sovereign 5/2004

[birdyhunter]

Originally posted by: LVCRUISER

This test was originally on two ships for two cruises. Then, it was extended to eight weeks. Then, word came down that it would spread to all ships in the fleet that have JR's. If you ask me, I think the charge is here to stay.
-----------------------------------------------

When did it go to all of the ships? I never heard of this. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

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RCL Adventure of the Seas July 4, 2004
Till we leave :
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Carnival Destiny 7/01
Carnival Pride 7/02

[img]http://www.nhlfanstore.com/det38.gif[/img] Stanley Cup 2004!
Win Wings 4 Predators 2 On to round 2

[PhoenixCruiser]

LOL ComputerGeek [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Completely agree with you!

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Navigator of the Seas 6/26/04


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[klove613]

My family and I (5 of us total) are just off the 4/11 sailing on Mariner. I walked by Johnny Rockets during the day 3 or 4 times and never really saw any crowds.

When we booked the cruise, I was very excited about the JRs on board and I was also ticked when the whole fee came about. However, I never had a need or a desire to eat there. The food in the dining room and the Windjammer was so plentiful and good that I refused to pay extra for anything else. We ate the free burgers, the free ice cream, and the free french fries. I did allow my teenage son to get one malt there and he said it was very good, but too small for the price!

I do agree that food during the late night hours is scarce. The food on the promanade is not that great for someone who is really hungry. Room service is fine, but limited and you may have a long wait. On our last night my kids were really hungry and we all had pjs on, so I ordered room service at 11:00pm and it did not come until 12:30! Needless to say, we were exhausted by that point.

I am disappointed by the charge, but it really did not negatively impact our enjoyment of the cruise one bit.

Kim