i think they may lose some bussiness .however some will see it as only a small charge and forgo the steak.

Posted By Willie E. Ferrell Jr. on October 20, 2008, 3:46 PM

There's been a lot of press about the steak surcharge, but it seems skewed toward highlighting it as Royal Caribbean nickel-and-dining its passengers. The largely unreported truth is that cruisers can still get the same steak the main dining room always served at no additional cost. If they want to UPGRADE to the premium cuts served in the upscale steak restaurant onboard, they can do so at a price that is less than that which would be charged if they got reservations at that other restaurant in the first place. Sounds like a decent compromise to me...

Posted By J. Condie on October 20, 2008, 4:46 PM

Obviously, over the years all mass market cruise lines have discovered the ability to sell everything to their guests while on a cruise. (A la Cart). The surcharge for premium beef should not be an issue since most items that are premium to enhance the experience come with a price.

Posted By Captain Kyle on October 21, 2008, 1:08 PM

The comments made above are not entirely accurate on this new concept offered by RCCL. Royal Caribbean does not offer "alternate dining restaurants" on their ships. Unlike Princess which offers the Italian restaurant Sabatini's and Sterling's Steakhouse, and Holland America's Pinnocle Grill, with posted surcharges and reservation required dining experiences. The concept RCCL is trying out is served in the main dining room, along with the regular menu items, as a "surcharge" for a particular cut of meat (and number of ounces) on that specific menu. As a travel agent, I have not fielded any negative comments for this new policy. Dining in the Pinnocle Grill, for instance, is considered by many to be a meal compared to Ruth Chris or Morton's steakhouse quality beef. And for those who have cruised regularly, that is not what you can expect in the main dining room on a typical menu. Even all-inclusive resorts with all the meals and alcohol included in the rates offer higher end restaurants for an additional dining fee. That's been the norm for at least a decade - the cruise lines are simply following what land vacation resorts have offered to their guests.

Posted By Rebecca Bliefernich on October 21, 2008, 2:18 PM

Stop nickel and diming people to death, just raise the price of the cruise and advertise the upgrades. People already complain about their final bills. That is what is keeping people as non repeat cruisers. They hate when their on board bill is higher than the cost of their cruise. Stop being a McDonalds and relying on mass market. Build a reputation for the best and they will come to you !! Leave the sub par quality to Carnival and NCL.

Posted By Joanne on October 21, 2008, 2:29 PM

Rebecca, doesn't Royal Caribbean have the Portofino restaurant as an alternate dining option?

Posted By Hayley on October 21, 2008, 2:37 PM

Actually, Rebecca, RCI does have alternate restaurants on most of their ships. They have either Chops Grille or Portofino or both, with an extra charge. You might want to take a refresher look at a brochure some time. I have had clients complaining about the charge as cruises are marketed on an "all meals in the dining room included" basis. Which makes the added charge close to false advertising. Most have said that if they want a special cut or size they will go to Chops where they get other special services and items too. I, for one, don't like the idea of paying extra for anything in the main dining room.
Premium items should come with premium service and ambiance. That isn't the dining room on any mass market ship these days.

Posted By Kathy on October 21, 2008, 3:19 PM

Just to set the record straight from one Travel Agent to another. This new concept does hold true for the main dining room, however, most of the newer RCCL ships do have specialty dining venues for a fee, namely Chops Grille and Portofino. Whenever I sail I always sample the alternative dining venues. Well worth it in my book to pay a small fee for a much nicer, more relaxing ambiance, better quality meals and better service than you typically receive in the main dining rooms.

Posted By Sandi on October 21, 2008, 3:50 PM

RCCL is not a budget cruise line. If it wants to keep their reputation as quality they need to stop nickle and diming customers.Raise the cruise fare. The biggest turn off to cruising is all the little add ons i.e dining,pilates,etc.

Posted By nina on October 21, 2008, 4:31 PM

I just returned from our first cruise on RCI ( Jewel Of The Seas), and after the total dining experience, will never return to RCI. I have been on 20+ Cruises starting in 1972 and this was the worst cruise ( Perhaps being equaled by NCL in 1980) I have ever taken as to overall quality of food.

Posted By Lee on October 21, 2008, 4:58 PM

I just returned from our first cruise on RCI ( Jewel Of The Seas), and after the total dining experience, will never return to RCI. I have been on 20+ Cruises starting in 1972 and this was the worst cruise ( Perhaps being equaled by NCL in 1980) I have ever taken as to overall quality of food.

Posted By Lee on October 21, 2008, 7:46 PM

In my experience (22 cruises so far, most of them since 2000) since RCL acquired Celebrity, the two lines are diverging.

Celebrity is getting increasingly expensive and upscale, and Royal is getting more and more Carnival-esque.

It's a pretty consistent distinction, I think - from the quality of food, the elegance of the decor, the formality of the service (calling me "Dave" vs. "Mr Smith"), the content of the Captain's messages, and the activities at the pool. For example, there isn't a "Men's Hairy Chest" content on Celebrity; there has been on RCL.

So, in that context, the food change isn't a surprise. It gives folks more choice, and lets RCL deliver a lower price point for the basic cruise, which gets more people on board.

I feel sorry for the waiters, though, who were already overworked - needing to track payments and cruise cards for those upgrades.

Posted By David on October 23, 2008, 12:27 PM

Most folks I talk to are shocked when the "added"charges are put into the final, final cruise price. It's bad enough when the Govt, port, fuel, tips, booze, coke, and the other fees are paid. True some of these costs are not the fault of the cruise line, but when all is done and you pay your bill at the end it is WAY more than the "advertised special" that lured you in! A cruise at less than 2 or 3 hundred dollars turns out to be 2 or 3 times that price, even if you are careful. And "offering" upgrades in the Main Dining does not help the image. Next year is going to be rough for all travel so be honest with the traveler. And as for the customer, be smart and always ask more questions! And always ask what is the "all in" price?

Posted By j travelers on October 23, 2008, 12:28 PM

My wife and I have been on 22 cruises beginning in 1980 on Sitmar lines. Service was EXCEPTIONAL and we felt special. At that time mainly alcohol was additional and pictures. Paying an additional amount in the normal dinning room I feel is going overboard. If they want the additional chg. for premium dinning then add a premium dining room on board. Our last visit to Sterling on princess was not a wonderful experience---out of 4 meals only one was served as ordered.

Posted By B. Nilmeier on October 23, 2008, 1:17 PM

As most lines want to keep actual fares down, then insert add on cost, we simply don't buy them, there are always acceptable alternatives

Posted By John Marler on October 23, 2008, 2:00 PM

Used to be we all went on cruise ships partially because you could look forward to gourmet type wonderful meals at dinnertime.  Are these cruise lines now telling us that if we order steak at dinnertime in the regular dining room it will be an inferior cut unless we pay extra? I think I'll just stay home and cook my own steak...and save a LOT of $$.  Most cruisers are average folks who just might want to cut back during these hard financial times,,,,the cruise lines better offer me a LOT of extra perks if they want my $$!!!!!

Posted By Sus I tink I'll stayan on October 23, 2008, 2:14 PM

About 3 years ago I took a cruise on Oceana Lines. I was very impressed with the food. Previously I had been on RCCL (2 cruises) and Costa Cruise Lines (once). The food on the Oceana was far superior to any other cruise. They even had two specialty restaurants (one Italian, and one steak/pub place) THAT DIDN'T CHARGE EXTRA FOR THE FOOD! I am not certain that Oceana still works that way, but it was wonderful.

Posted By Paula on October 23, 2008, 2:18 PM

Meals in the main dining room should be free of "premium" charges. I can just see the next step...a "premium" for a baked potato instead of mashed, or for a Caesar over a green salad, or for creme brulee over jello, etc.etc. This kind of nickel and dimeing is an awful trend. The alternative restaurants provide better quality food and service, and therefore one should pay the extra charges to dine there.
By the way, Celebrity advertises itself as a premium line. But my wife and I just completed a 16 day trip on the Infinity
(our 18th on this line in 10 years) and experienced a noticeable decline in the quality of their meals, especially the meats and desserts. (The breads and pastries were happily not compromised.) Heard the same comment from many others on the trip who have previously sailed on Celebrity. An indicator of the decline....steak is not on the optional menu at dinner like on previous trips or on other lines, eg Holland, Princess.
Maybe this is precursor to adopting the practice of the parent company - Royal Caribbean.
I have always had high praise for Celebrity's food . But if our next cruise is the same , I wont be doing that anymore.

Posted By peter on October 23, 2008, 2:50 PM

My two cents is that with the down turn in the Economy....and some canceling their vacations...This should be a no charge bonus on a night......and then offered at a premium another time.......I and My wife and I feel there are way too many up-sells with the cost of pop to drinks to variety of Premium Restaurants....

Posted By Ron B on October 23, 2008, 4:46 PM

Just came back from a cruise on the RCCL Majesty of the Seas and was appalled at the additional charge for steak; needlesstosay, I didn't order it. I have been on five cruises and this is the worst food of any.

Not only do I object to paying extra for steak in the regular dining room, but the added on "port, govt taxes, etc." more than DOUBLED the "advertised" price. This was no bargain after the add ons.

I object to being suckered in on the promise of a low price, only to find out when you are ready to confirm your trip that it is more than twice the quoted amount -- THIS IS CONSUMER FRAUD and should be stopped.

Posted By Anna D on October 23, 2008, 9:20 PM

We are Diamond on RCCL and Elite on Celebrity and have also sailed with Holland America, Princess, and Carnival. The quality of food on Carnival has greatly improved. You already pay extra for wine, etc. in the dining room, so what's the big deal if someone pays more for a premium steak. I don't like the add-ons either, especially paying for ice cream, but it does keep cruises more affordable. Somebody has to pay the higher fuel costs. I am able to estimate my additional expenses before signing on, so the final bill is not a surprise. If it looks to be too expensive, I don't go on that particular cruise. I have no complaints about the food.

Posted By Clifton D Alexander on October 24, 2008, 10:27 AM

I wouldn't mind if the steak offered in the dining room on RCCL was decent but sadly it is not. Simply what they are saying is that if you want good food you must pay for it. I don't understand why people knock Carnival. I presume it is just people who have never sailed Carnival repeating what others say. Carnival has great prime rib, steak, lobster, excargot and even weiner snitzel. I wish that someday RCCL will go back to serving the best cruise line fare.

Posted By Paul Therault on October 26, 2008, 8:11 AM

SAD, but cruising is not what it was at one time. One fare covers all but alcohol.Now the lines don't want you to do your own tipping, they believe they can spend your money better than you can!After all your hard work.Next it will be, if you want a better blanket if will cost you a premium. But Oh well we do not have to cruise, we can spend our money elsewhere.

Posted By yvonne on October 27, 2008, 8:36 AM

I think they have crossed the line. Passengers have the option of dining in one of the specialty dining rooms. I think they should pull that from the menu and make it available to those who want to "special order" it in one of those dining rooms.
After all, hasn't one of the selling points of a cruise is "all inclusive". Lets not nickel and dime the passengers to death like the airlines. Keep cruising special.

Posted By JoAnn on October 27, 2008, 6:03 PM

I have been on least 10+ cruises over the years, and yes, I have seen a massive deterioration in both service, food quality, and amenities. However, price levels have come down noticeably as well. I find it reprehensible that cruises are not quoted all in with port taxes, taxes, fuel charges, etc. It certainly borders on fraud.

Cruises used to be elegant, higher class vacations, but now they have appealed to the lowest common denominator. Ragged jeans and t shirts are easily allowed in the dining room. sigh.

I also find it disturbing to be nickel-and-dimed for everything the cruise line can possibly charge for. And, one more complaint, their frequent cruiser programs are totally worthless. Even after 6+ long cruises on one cruise line, the major benefit is an invitation to the captain's party. Thank you but I can buy my own cocktails.

Posted By Leonard on October 29, 2008, 10:50 AM