Thread: Do you like the CONCEPT of having Speciality (extra cost) Restaurants on ships?

I guess I do not mind the concept of specialty dinning but I do not care for the evolution of cruising that created the need for it. When we started cruising over 30 years ago there were not a lot of choices in where to dine. There were not buffets, except at midnight. The MDR's had very good food and excellent service. For many years, this was the norm. Buffets for breakfast and lunch started to appear in the early 80's when cruise line started building ships designed for cruising rather than the traditional ocean liners. About that time they started adding them to older ships during dry-docks. They were usually not open for dinner.

I am not sure when it happened but I would say maybe 10 years ago, they started cutting corners in the MDR. In 2001 Royal Caribbean even tried to eliminate the Head Waiters. That experiment lasted about 1/2 of a Panama Canal Cruise on the maiden voyage of the Radiance Of the Seas. (they flew in head waiters in the middle of the cruise) On most cruises now the MDR is OK but just not the experience it once was. We are now able to dine on a cruise the way it was in the old days by paying an extra fee.

On the other hand, the price of cruising is actually less than it was in those old days. So I will spent a little more for night or 2 in Chops during our next cruise.

I have mixed emotions on this subject. If the super clubs were gone maybe the food and service in the MDR would improve and be the way it use to be and should be. I doubt if that will ever happen. When you offer discount cruises, you have to cut back on something. I know cruisers who ONLY eat on lido deck and never even stepped inside the mdr, and STILL have a great cruise. I also know cruisers who ONLY dine in the super clubs and others who have all three meals in the MDR and love it.

Gene, like you ... many of us have mixed feeling and do feel sort of forced into using them.

Do you go to the extra cost restaurants?

Originally Posted by LuLu

Gene, like you ... many of us have mixed feeling and do feel sort of forced into using them.

Do you go to the extra cost restaurants?

I have but while dinning in them I really didn't feel like I was on the cruise ship. It felt more like I was in a land based supper club, and that wasn't what I wanted.

I was more than pleased with the way the MDR's were 10 years ago or more. The quality and presentation has suffered since then and to get a decent steak on RCCL you have to pay extra, period. It's $14.95 in the MDR or $25 at Chops. I choose to spend the extra $10 amd get the who;e Chops experience.

Reggie

I voted YES. I like the idea.

I am a real 'foodie' and I love it when a chef creates something jaw dropping wonderful in the kitchen. I have had good food in main dining rooms, but never anything as good as what I have gotten in some specialty restaurants. I will happily pay extra for the better dining experience.

The argument might be made that this level of cuisine should be the norm for the main dining room. But I don't think it's possible. I am sure as hard as they might try and as good as they might be, it's just logistically impossible for the chefs to do the same level of culinary magic when they're feeding such a huge crowd.

I like it. I'm not that big on buffets and when the menu in the dining room for dinner isn't to my liking, I'll see if I can get into one of the Specialty Restaurants.

I have always used the MDR, I figured the meals have already been paid for so why buy a meal. We may try it on the Century in March.

I answered no, I guess I don't mind them being available, but since my meals are already 'paid' for, I will be using the DR or buffets, if I want something a little better than buffet offerings I'm sure the DR would be fine...I'd rather spend the extra money at the bar ...although I was a little upset to realize that Johnny Rockets wasn't on the Radiance...now THAT to me would be worth it....best burgers I'd had in forever...and loved the 'fun' of the place...

Definite Yes! It is great to have a nice quiet dinner for the two of you and not be rushed. We love RCL Portifino,s. We go to the specialty rest. at least once on every cruise.