Thread: Carnival Cruise Lines Testing Fee for Steak

Carnival Cruise Lines Testing Fee for Steak

by Fran GoldenPosted Oct 6th 2010 11:49 AM


want a big fat juicy steak on a Carnival cruise you're going to have to pay for it.

The Big Kahuna of cruise lines is experimenting with charging $18 for what it calls "steakhouse entrees" in its main dining rooms on three ships, the Carnival Paradise, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Inspiration.

The fee applies to four added menu items: An 18-ounce grilled prime chop rib, a nine-ounce filet mignon, broiled Maine lobster tail and surf and turf (with lobster and a petit filet mignon), the line says on its blog.

The testing period for the fee-based specialty menu items is about three months.

"After that, we will evaluate it from there," Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen tells AOL Travel News.

Other items in the dining rooms are still free -- including an always available flat-iron steak, the line says.

In doing its test, Carnival matches competitor Royal Caribbean, which started offering extra-charge items in its dining rooms two years ago – drawing strong criticism at the time from cruise fans.

Carnival already has classic steakhouses on many of its ships, fancy alternative dining venues for a fee of $30 per person.

On the blog, Carnival says the steakhouses have proven "hugely popular" with guests and that the fee-based test is an effort to bring the experience to those cruising on ships that do not have the steakhouse offering.

"The beef is USDA prime, dry aged, the same beef that is served in Carnival's steakhouses," the line says.

Interesting! Thanks for posting this, Sue!

Wish they were doing this test on my upcoming Thanksgiving cruise on Fantasy! There's no speciality restaurant on Fantasy so it would be an nice option.

They do this on RC also. $14.95 extra for the Fiilet Mignon

Originally Posted by sue miller

They do this on RC also. $14.95 extra for the Fiilet Mignon

Which is not even USDA aged Prime. Who would buy that?

Maybe it will stop some people ordering several!!

I think John hit the nail on the head. Some people order 4 lobster dinners at once! Carnival is looking at ways to keep the initial price of a cruise down and still not lose money.

Originally Posted by MCcruiser

I think John hit the nail on the head. Some people order 4 lobster dinners at once! Carnival is looking at ways to keep the initial price of a cruise down and still not lose money.

Then to be fair to the non pigs, the first lobster dinner should be free and charge for the second, easy enough to do. I already object to charging for specialty restaurants on my all inclusive vacation and nothing in the MDR should be extra.

Originally Posted by kirkz

Then to be fair to the non pigs, the first lobster dinner should be free and charge for the second, easy enough to do. I already object to charging for specialty restaurants on my all inclusive vacation and nothing in the MDR should be extra.

I will agree charge for the second and third dinners

Wonder how many pax will be willing to pay the $18.00 for something in the MDR?

Lulu, Carnival will tell you that they are doing this to find out. I bet there will be enough people who will pay to make this worthwhile. In places where you do not have to pay immediately, (such as when you only have to charge it to your room) people spend more in general.