Extra charge for ordering two entrees

[jdb in AZ]

When we were in Palo and wanted to try more than one entre, the waiter offered to bring a half portion of the 2nd entre. That worked out great.

 

[dclpluto]

Someone who used to be a CM and would sometimes post wrote about “2nd dinner” in the crew mess. I think it’s around 11:30 or midnight. The extra food (that hasn’t been served but was prepared based on estimated need) is set out for the crew. Apparently the steaks are the hot item that everyone rushes to get.

Some of the steaks are good some other ones are not good. I guess it’s better than they normally get.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

When we were in Palo and wanted to try more than one entre, the waiter offered to bring a half portion of the 2nd entre. That worked out great.

I did the same thing one time...and they brought me a full serving of the mushroom risotto. I felt so bad I ate the entire thing. And waddled back to the room

 

[apathetic]

If it's only about saving money, why don't they only charge those who order but don't eat the 2nd entree? Would DCL do this? Who knows, I guess it's possible. Sometimes we'll order an extra entree to try, but definitely wouldn't pay $10. However, I do see times when servers are bringing back nearly full plates to throw away. I wonder what they think of Americans (I know, not everyone is an American) that we would waste so much food. Though, to be fair, sometimes people just don't eat everything on their first entree.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

If it's only about saving money, why don't they only charge those who order but don't eat the 2nd entree? Would DCL do this? Who knows, I guess it's possible. Sometimes we'll order an extra entree to try, but definitely wouldn't pay $10. However, I do see times when servers are bringing back nearly full plates to throw away. I wonder what they think of Americans (I know, not everyone is an American) that we would waste so much food. Though, to be fair, sometimes people just don't eat everything on their first entree.

There's a Japanese/Chinese restaurant near us (they serve both) that is fixed price AYCE with servers, not a buffet. But, if you have leftovers, they charge you extra. The servings are all pretty small, so you order 2-3 at a time. Just make sure you finish what you order!

I think the charge was $5-$6 per uneaten item.

 

[RedSox68]

Someone who used to be a CM and would sometimes post wrote about “2nd dinner” in the crew mess. I think it’s around 11:30 or midnight. The extra food (that hasn’t been served but was prepared based on estimated need) is set out for the crew. Apparently the steaks are the hot item that everyone rushes to get.

Read "Cruise Confidential" -- a whole new insight on crew life! They mention about the leftover food.

 

[Lilsia]

On one of our cruises we were seated near a family of three, mom, dad and 6 or 7 year old. They ordered a meal for themselves and then one of everything on the menu. That was for every course. The waste was obvious and extreme. This happened three nights in a row and on the fourth night the head waiter came over and spoke with them. The serving team were there as well but stood to the side. Not sure what was said, it was discreet, but they didn't show up for dinner the following nights.
I get ordering extra, wanting to try a few new things, but they seemed the type who 'were going to get their monies worth'. If your going to eat it fine, if your going to look at it then just don't order.

Oh wow, why order everything if you are not going to eat it? I cruise with my girls and it is a great way to try something new. So we will order our meals plus maybe 1 other item on the menu for us to share. Many of these were items that the kids have never tried. They found so many items that they actually liked while on our cruises. Our next cruise is coming up and my oldest is already talking about how she wants to try new things. She just turned 18 and her and I are going to Palo brunch. They have had pickled octopus in the past and she is hoping they have it so she can try it for the fist time.

 

[DCLDVC1]

This exactly. When I first started sailing DCL, way back in the inaugural season, Lobster was served on every cruise in MDR and they would bring you two or three plates. You paid more for DCL, and in return you got fantastic service, high quality food, and they were the only line to really avoid the nickel and dime gotcha game. Times have changed. Food quality has gone down, no more lobster on a 3 day trip, increases in surcharge for Palo, etc, and we still pay more. But that's the thing, WE continue to willingly PAY MORE. Unless or until we refuse, the price will continue to creep (or in the case of Palo, they discontinue Platinum gratis trips to Palo, I think they are getting eaten out of house and home by Platinum level Cat 11 cruisers, but that's another subject).

I agree. It would be interesting to know how many cruisers hit Platinum status by doing 3-4 night cruises on FL rates.

 

[Coss]

the food waste makes me sick, should definitely charge them more.

 

[lds0191]

This exactly. When I first started sailing DCL, way back in the inaugural season, Lobster was served on every cruise in MDR and they would bring you two or three plates. You paid more for DCL, and in return you got fantastic service, high quality food, and they were the only line to really avoid the nickel and dime gotcha game. Times have changed. Food quality has gone down, no more lobster on a 3 day trip, increases in surcharge for Palo, etc, and we still pay more. But that's the thing, WE continue to willingly PAY MORE. Unless or until we refuse, the price will continue to creep (or in the case of Palo, they discontinue Platinum gratis trips to Palo, I think they are getting eaten out of house and home by Platinum level Cat 11 cruisers, but that's another subject).

I see cast members cringing at this and doing whatever they can to make tips. I don't see them being happy with it. Not mutiny unhappy, but their happiness directly relates to our experience and, I see that becoming a problem and unintentionally having an effect on our experience. $10 doesn't seem like much, and I am not a double entree person, however I don't want to cheapen my experience or feel nickel and dimed and I am sure I am not alone. I think I might go back to the high end all inclusives on shore, where premium drinks and food are already included. I'd save money in all honesty.

I am a Cat 11 Platinum cruiser.

 

[mevelandry]

When I heard about it, it reminded me of some vlogs where people would order pretty much every entree just for one bite (total waste of food!)... Maybe it's not such a bad thing.

 

[Lilsia]

the food waste makes me sick, should definitely charge them more.

I can see charging if you are ordering several item and not even touching them. But if you order something to try new and do not like it, you should not be charged for a second entree that you eat. I see more waste from kid's plates that they barely touch. Probably because these kids are sick of chicken nuggets and mac and cheese.

 

[Adventurelawyer]

I agree. It would be interesting to know how many cruisers hit Platinum status by doing 3-4 night cruises on FL rates.

I agree. It would be interesting to know how many cruisers hit Platinum status by doing 3-4 night cruises on FL rates.

Im willing to bet it is not a small number.

If DCL really wanted to save money, they would shift their loyalty program away from the current one cruise one point basis and toward a dollar for dollar tier program like some of the other lines. Cat 11s and FL rates are already reduced to entice repeate visits and loyalty, and it costs the same to service a Cat 11 passenger/stateroom as it does a Cat 5. DCL would save more by changing systems than charging for a second meal in the MDR (or discontuing plastic bags, straws, etc) because those higher rates would pay for the (limited yet exploited) perks being gobbled up by the current Cat11 Platinums. Same with Concierge. More perks could be available IF the concierge travelers weren’t also paying for low spending platinums to enjoy brunch at Palo. As a side benefit to Silvers, fewer free platinum meals in Palo means increased exposure for Silvers to premium services, which is likely to increase their loyalty and reault in more revenue for DCL on the whole.