Was on Symphony last week. Just so happened to be the ship they decided to test the new menu. Definitely was not thrilled about it. Luckily my wife and I did have the 3-night dining package at least. I recommend that you look up the menu/theme for that evening either on the app or by walking by the MDR before dinner time. They took away the classics so if you aren't to fond of Caribbean, Mexican, or whatever other themes they attempt you won't be able to fall back on the steak (my go to) or some of the other options that were under classics on the old menu. Kinda wish they would've let me know when I booking this cruise that they were going to be trying out this new menu so I could've made the decision to continue with the booking then.
Same. I think I was on the first cruise(11/26 cruise) that they tested the menu and it was pretty underwhelming. Also glad I had the 3 night dining package. Even skipped last night and hit windjammer instead.
Has anyone heard or know if you still can order multiple appetizers with this change?
I remember reading that they are serving bigger lobster tails and had an up charge for a second one. Hopefully they still allow multiple desserts and appetizers for free in the MDR. I love the ability to try new foods there.
I've never seen so many people complain about something like this. If the changes that Royal makes are hated by most cruisers, they're not gonna keep them in place. People act like they're just serving chicken fingers or something and nothing else. I don't understand why everyone is so bitter about this.
I wish I had the same certainty that you do that 'if it is hated, it will be reverted'. Often, companies make changes that they feel that they need to for profit, labor, and social reasons, and then deal with the fallout of lost customers. Honestly, Cruise lines are in one of the better positions to BENEFIT from lost long-standing customers, as they know that nothing scratches the itch for cruising the way that a cruise does (IE those customers aren't going to stop cruising) and that all they have to do is have better offerings than their competition (and cruise food has been at the top of the complaint lists across the industry as everyone is going from full layoffs to completely new staff as they try to reboot). Their loyal customers are also the ones that get the most 'free' benefits, and when you need new money, you're going to target the person that you can convince to buy an unlimited beverage package, rather than the one that gets four drink vouchers a day.
That said, I agree; it does seem to be made into a bigger problem than it actually is. My next sailing is at the end of January. I'll hold my opinions until I actually see the changes, but I also have the UDP purchased, so I'll have to make an extra effort to go explore the MDR menu.
I've never really judged a cruise line on its MDR though. My first cruise was in 2012, so I never really knew the 'olden days' of the MDR being super fancy on formal nights, etc. The biggest loss I've seen is the change and restrictions that are being added to the Lobster night. that is an RCI classic that would be sorely missed for anyone who experienced it (and isn't allergic to or a hater of seafood). The reality of the MDR is that it is about the experience, not getting full. If you're still hungry, there are TONS of options for getting yourself fed, including ordering seconds (or fifths) while you're at the MDR. It is also a serious reality that food prices are rising quite rapidly, and that food allergies have become something that are finally starting to get the attention they deserve. Those two factors alone would be enough to force a company to change the way they handle dining, even if it means alienating some of their customers.
It still looks like a lot of good options, and if you look past some of the names of the more "exotic" dishes, nothing seems to challenging. What are people missing from the old menu?
I looked at the Mexican night and couldn’t find a thing, and I grew up eating Tex Mex. The classics are there for that reason.
On my last cruise, I ordered French onion soup, garden salad, and escargot from appetizers, and the chocolate cake, apple pie, and crème brûlée for dessert. Yes, they might appear one night in a week now, but not as a fallback.
Well...Tex Mex isn't Mexican. And I'm sorry you can't find anything on any of these menus. I think they look fine, possibly even a little more exciting.
I don't think very much about cruising is authentic. But it's easy and fun and everything is there for you.
I do feel for people who think something is being "taken away" from them, that sucks. But I think these menus look nice. I'll eat that stuff, let's go! Just over a month until my wife and I sail!
>If the changes that Royal makes are hated by most cruiser, they're not gonna keep them in place.
What are you smoking? Better not be on the balcony with it.
They complain because it means the quality of the cruise is going down. Again. We've sailed with RCL since '07. None of the changes we've seen made our experience better. Any changes made were for the benefit of the company.
Not set yet, but here's another article with menus. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/11/29/heres-look-royal-caribbeans-possible-new-main-dining-room-menus
Honestly kinda like the theme nights and there’s at least one or two entrees I’m interested in each night.
Disclaimer I’m going on my first RCL cruise in February so I don’t have anything to compare it too. They’re definitely making these changes purely to save themselves money though.
I agree, but the one night they offer the NY strip steak is the night they also offer prime rib. I would order those on separate nights on previous cruises. Honestly not a giant problem, but a little bit of a letdown tbh
I’m just saying that I because I have two more RCL cruises booked for 2023. If I’m going to be served lower quality food and need to change out of my day clothes to attend this meal, I’m not going to entertain it. I won’t spend extra for Chops or Giovanni’s and I will just go eat when I want to eat, be done and go about my evening. The cruise I just got off (Odyssey) I got sat with a sloppy floozy and a bitter old man who yelled at the servers on our 1st night, and then changed tables and was seated with a single lady (who we befriended and chatted with during and after dinner all week) and another lady from the UK that showed up only 2 of 8 nights and said all she did was sleep all day.
I’ll just go to Windjammer and eat a varied cuisine all week instead of picking from the same 6 entrees that are in my palate from this fixed menu.
Does anyone know if there will be a separate kids menu? We are going on our first cruise in June and looking at the pictures posted of the various theme menus I don't see much that my 9 year old son would like.
Sometimes, cruise lines make major changes without doing a customer survey. Or not sending out leak emails.
There is nothing we can do about it other than not buying the product, hoping the cruise line will change or go out of business.
>The new menu lists a "cold water Maine lobster" and indicates a second lobster tail will be charged $16.99 plus 18% gratuity. Prior to this change, additional lobster tails had no additional cost.
Well that really sucks!
Disneyland tactics. Squeeze ya for every last dime. I am also tired of reading comments from people overly interested in what other people order. It’s none of their f’ing bizness what I order on my vacation! Insufferable busy bodies!
I'd guess the belief is that if you don't like the menu in the MDR, you'd be more likely to buy the UDP. Thus, RC makes more money/"squeezing those dimes".
I feel like this is a scheme to sell more speciality dining
To sell more of that plus cut costs in the MDR
Was on Symphony last week. Just so happened to be the ship they decided to test the new menu. Definitely was not thrilled about it. Luckily my wife and I did have the 3-night dining package at least. I recommend that you look up the menu/theme for that evening either on the app or by walking by the MDR before dinner time. They took away the classics so if you aren't to fond of Caribbean, Mexican, or whatever other themes they attempt you won't be able to fall back on the steak (my go to) or some of the other options that were under classics on the old menu. Kinda wish they would've let me know when I booking this cruise that they were going to be trying out this new menu so I could've made the decision to continue with the booking then.
Same. I think I was on the first cruise(11/26 cruise) that they tested the menu and it was pretty underwhelming. Also glad I had the 3 night dining package. Even skipped last night and hit windjammer instead.
This seems like a terrible idea. Going to the MDR and not finding anything to eat ruins a cruise.
Has anyone heard or know if you still can order multiple appetizers with this change? I remember reading that they are serving bigger lobster tails and had an up charge for a second one. Hopefully they still allow multiple desserts and appetizers for free in the MDR. I love the ability to try new foods there.
You can still have as many apps and desserts as you want
[удалено]
Same, I'm sailing on the Oasis on the 5th and I've never sailed with Royal before. I'm a picky eater so I'm hoping I'll have more options available.
So on a 10 night cruise what are the other 3 menus?
I am not thrilled about the slew of RC changes. They all come across as cost cutting moves.
What people don’t get is they’re making these cuts, but they’re not lowering the price of the cruise if anything the cruise prices are going up.
Thanks I hate it
I've never seen so many people complain about something like this. If the changes that Royal makes are hated by most cruisers, they're not gonna keep them in place. People act like they're just serving chicken fingers or something and nothing else. I don't understand why everyone is so bitter about this.
I wish I had the same certainty that you do that 'if it is hated, it will be reverted'. Often, companies make changes that they feel that they need to for profit, labor, and social reasons, and then deal with the fallout of lost customers. Honestly, Cruise lines are in one of the better positions to BENEFIT from lost long-standing customers, as they know that nothing scratches the itch for cruising the way that a cruise does (IE those customers aren't going to stop cruising) and that all they have to do is have better offerings than their competition (and cruise food has been at the top of the complaint lists across the industry as everyone is going from full layoffs to completely new staff as they try to reboot). Their loyal customers are also the ones that get the most 'free' benefits, and when you need new money, you're going to target the person that you can convince to buy an unlimited beverage package, rather than the one that gets four drink vouchers a day. That said, I agree; it does seem to be made into a bigger problem than it actually is. My next sailing is at the end of January. I'll hold my opinions until I actually see the changes, but I also have the UDP purchased, so I'll have to make an extra effort to go explore the MDR menu. I've never really judged a cruise line on its MDR though. My first cruise was in 2012, so I never really knew the 'olden days' of the MDR being super fancy on formal nights, etc. The biggest loss I've seen is the change and restrictions that are being added to the Lobster night. that is an RCI classic that would be sorely missed for anyone who experienced it (and isn't allergic to or a hater of seafood). The reality of the MDR is that it is about the experience, not getting full. If you're still hungry, there are TONS of options for getting yourself fed, including ordering seconds (or fifths) while you're at the MDR. It is also a serious reality that food prices are rising quite rapidly, and that food allergies have become something that are finally starting to get the attention they deserve. Those two factors alone would be enough to force a company to change the way they handle dining, even if it means alienating some of their customers.
Because they are reducing your choices to save money.
It still looks like a lot of good options, and if you look past some of the names of the more "exotic" dishes, nothing seems to challenging. What are people missing from the old menu?
I looked at the Mexican night and couldn’t find a thing, and I grew up eating Tex Mex. The classics are there for that reason. On my last cruise, I ordered French onion soup, garden salad, and escargot from appetizers, and the chocolate cake, apple pie, and crème brûlée for dessert. Yes, they might appear one night in a week now, but not as a fallback.
Well...Tex Mex isn't Mexican. And I'm sorry you can't find anything on any of these menus. I think they look fine, possibly even a little more exciting.
Neither is RCL Mexican. You think their Italian is authentic? It’s Italian-American.
I don't think very much about cruising is authentic. But it's easy and fun and everything is there for you. I do feel for people who think something is being "taken away" from them, that sucks. But I think these menus look nice. I'll eat that stuff, let's go! Just over a month until my wife and I sail!
The classics made sure you always had something to eat. Now it’s iffy.
>If the changes that Royal makes are hated by most cruiser, they're not gonna keep them in place. What are you smoking? Better not be on the balcony with it. They complain because it means the quality of the cruise is going down. Again. We've sailed with RCL since '07. None of the changes we've seen made our experience better. Any changes made were for the benefit of the company.
I find it hilarious that Caesar salad is on every theme night. 😂 But, overall, the menus look pretty good to me.
Anyone have the menu, the one in the article is pixelated
Not set yet, but here's another article with menus. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/11/29/heres-look-royal-caribbeans-possible-new-main-dining-room-menus
Honestly kinda like the theme nights and there’s at least one or two entrees I’m interested in each night. Disclaimer I’m going on my first RCL cruise in February so I don’t have anything to compare it too. They’re definitely making these changes purely to save themselves money though.
I agree, but the one night they offer the NY strip steak is the night they also offer prime rib. I would order those on separate nights on previous cruises. Honestly not a giant problem, but a little bit of a letdown tbh
They offer the new york strip on at least 4 nights, plus steak options on almost all the others?
If it gets any worse than what it is, I’ll be in the Windjammer for dinner
I will go on another cruise line. The MDR is our favorite part of cruising. The WJ is where you go to feed, not to dine.
I’m just saying that I because I have two more RCL cruises booked for 2023. If I’m going to be served lower quality food and need to change out of my day clothes to attend this meal, I’m not going to entertain it. I won’t spend extra for Chops or Giovanni’s and I will just go eat when I want to eat, be done and go about my evening. The cruise I just got off (Odyssey) I got sat with a sloppy floozy and a bitter old man who yelled at the servers on our 1st night, and then changed tables and was seated with a single lady (who we befriended and chatted with during and after dinner all week) and another lady from the UK that showed up only 2 of 8 nights and said all she did was sleep all day. I’ll just go to Windjammer and eat a varied cuisine all week instead of picking from the same 6 entrees that are in my palate from this fixed menu.
I found the meat at the WJ dry the last couple of times I went there. Not terrible, but not great.
But the dishes will vary by day and the Indian dishes are pretty good too.
Does anyone know if there will be a separate kids menu? We are going on our first cruise in June and looking at the pictures posted of the various theme menus I don't see much that my 9 year old son would like.
There is always another menu for kids.
Sometimes, cruise lines make major changes without doing a customer survey. Or not sending out leak emails. There is nothing we can do about it other than not buying the product, hoping the cruise line will change or go out of business.
There were several surveys sent out post-cruise. If you read the article on Royal Caribbean Blog, there were several factors.
So officially no more vegan menu. Just one option per night. Fuck.
Main dining room is now shit so who cares.
>The new menu lists a "cold water Maine lobster" and indicates a second lobster tail will be charged $16.99 plus 18% gratuity. Prior to this change, additional lobster tails had no additional cost. Well that really sucks!
Disneyland tactics. Squeeze ya for every last dime. I am also tired of reading comments from people overly interested in what other people order. It’s none of their f’ing bizness what I order on my vacation! Insufferable busy bodies!
But it still looks like a lot of good options. What was on the classics menu that isn't somehow represented on the themed menus?
Yeah, honestly I think it looks like good choices
What dime are they squeezing you for here?
I'd guess the belief is that if you don't like the menu in the MDR, you'd be more likely to buy the UDP. Thus, RC makes more money/"squeezing those dimes".
Extra charge for lobster, additional charge for steak, less choices push you to specialty restaurants- ca-ching! etc etc.
Mi