Extra charge for ordering two entrees

[CamColt]

No problem. I will merge the 2 threads now.

 

[Adventurelawyer]

Funny I just saw this article on line this morning and talked about it with the Mrs.

In all my years of cruising this was always one of the selling points of a cruise. No not the wasteful trend of ordering one of everything and taking Instagram pictures of the food. By trying out other types of food, or when two entrees were excellent, getting both. Our past Nov cruise we had a great Indian waiter (Jeffrey) and he let us try some Indian dishes that I thought were quite good, the kids though did not. Would I have ever ordered them?, no. Were they on the menu, nope. So I don't know remember how that happened. But even the head waiter came over and asked us how we like the "off the menu" offering. So I am glad for the "extra" taste testing. And at the table next to us a gentleman loved Lobster. He easily ate 3. No sides, no appetizers, just lobster.

I remember in the 90's we sailed Celebrity. One of our table mates did not like 3 main courses. The waiter has no problem with returning them and letting her try other dishes.

I could see this $10 policy backfiring not towards the Cruise line, but towards the server. "Sorry I can't get you another main course unless you pay $10." Being in the retail industry I usually get grief for a management decision that I have to carry out on their behalf.

Joe

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.

 

[DisneYE]

I know the food waste on cruise ships is absolutely ridiculous.

Food waste on cruise ships is bad but its the 'best' waste to have as its almost 100% recyclable. We were told once by hour head server that nearly 100% of the food waste goes to either pig farms or compost yards when the ship returns, even liquids like that aren't water (ice cream, soup. wine, etc) make it to the recycling bin.
So although its a bad habit to have, I don't get as mad when I see wasted food as before knowing that some pigs will get to enjoy the salad ppl barely touched combined with the merlot that I didn't like.

 

[truck1]

Wife and I were talking about this. what happens to the rest of the foods that are cooked but not eaten? Theres sure to be extra vegetables, sides etc not counting the rest of say a pork loin that was cooked but not served. What's the difference between there and say someone who orders a steak dinner, then orders a grilled chicken salad? But only eats half the salad? Or half and half? I can see lines like posted above selling or donating foods to farms etc. But I cant see charging whatever for a 2nd portion that may or may not get eaten.

Just my guess but I'm going to guess that this will never leave the test phase. With a resounding thud.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Wife and I were talking about this. what happens to the rest of the foods that are cooked but not eaten? Theres sure to be extra vegetables, sides etc not counting the rest of say a pork loin that was cooked but not served. What's the difference between there and say someone who orders a steak dinner, then orders a grilled chicken salad? But only eats half the salad? Or half and half? I can see lines like posted above selling or donating foods to farms etc. But I cant see charging whatever for a 2nd portion that may or may not get eaten.

Just my guess but I'm going to guess that this will never leave the test phase. With a resounding thud.

The sad thing is, those of us on one of the test ships during the test period, won't get the extra we may have paid back if, on the rare chance, they DON'T implement the policy fleet wide.

 

[HuskyGal]

I can't see DCL doing this. Apart from anything else, one of the key points that the dining staff keep mentioning is that if you don't like your entrée, you can change your mind and pick a different one. That is part of their "we'll do whatever we can to keep you happy" mantra.

For myself, I'm not an adventurous eater so I do use cruises as an opportunity to be a bit braver sometimes, safe in the knowledge that if I don't like what I've ordered, I *can* ask for something else.

How long does it take when you re-order? Do they cook another entree or does it seem like they have a lot of extra ready to go?

 

[RedSox68]

When there are two entrees I can't decide between, I order one dinner, and then the extra entree only - with no sides. I hope they don't start charging for that now -- its bad enough cruise lines have started charging for room service!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How long does it take when you re-order? Do they cook another entree or does it seem like they have a lot of extra ready to go?

They plate up XX% of each entree based on past history on how many orders of each have been ordered. If they start running low on a specific entree, they will do new setups so that, basically, there's one available at any time. Now, the real question is, how long will it take your server to actually get back into the kitchen and pick up that order and deliver it to you?

 

[HuskyGal]

They plate up XX% of each entree based on past history on how many orders of each have been ordered. If they start running low on a specific entree, they will do new setups so that, basically, there's one available at any time. Now, the real question is, how long will it take your server to actually get back into the kitchen and pick up that order and deliver it to you?

Thank you. Good info. So could it take long enough that everyone at your table is done by the time your 2nd entree arrives?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you. Good info. So could it take long enough that everyone at your table is done by the time your 2nd entree arrives?

Could be. Or not. Depends on the server.

 

[RedSox68]

Could be. Or not. Depends on the server.

This sure would make a lot of unnecessary extra work for these servers, not to mention being the recipient of some very unhappy passengers' comments!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This sure would make a lot of unnecessary extra work for these servers, not to mention being the recipient of some very unhappy passengers' comments!

Unnecessary? If someone wants more food, isn't that what servers are supposed to be doing?

Oh, wait, you were addressing the $10 surcharge thing? Yeah, I agree a LOT of unhappy passengers.

 

[HuskyGal]

Could be. Or not. Depends on the server.

Ok. I’m thinking this may not be my style to order a 2nd entree but just trying to be semi informed on whether or not this could be a good idea. Thank you!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ok. I’m thinking this may not be my style to order a 2nd entree but just trying to be semi informed on whether or not this could be a good idea. Thank you!

You could always just order up the 2 entrees at the same time, and ask that they bring them separately, not together. Or together, if you want.

 

[HuskyGal]

You could always just order up the 2 entrees at the same time, and ask that they bring them separately, not together. Or together, if you want.

Thank you for the suggestions.

 

[lilsonicfan]

this would cause my DH to revolt. He orders two entrees every dinner, and consumes none of the bread, and often no dessert (and sometimes no appy!) He is a main course guy, and I've seen him down three entrees before. I feel like there is a lot that can be done between allowing super wasteful ordering, and charging people for a second entree.

 

[starvenger]

I have wondered how much less waste there would be if cruising were a la carte. Pay a lower rate for the cruise and then pay for food/drinks separately. It's unbelievable how much food I see left on plates! I bet if they charged for food, the reduced amount of waste would be substantial.

Probably. And I’m not against less waste. But would they truly reduce the cruise prices for a la carte, or would it stay the same but with less mains included? Don’t forget, we’ve seen something similar with airlines, and those prices didn’t get reduced simply because they weren’t serving meals.

Curious, but are there any cruise lines currently offering only a la carte priced meals? I know easyCruise tried that model, but it was intended to be a no frills operation, so I don’t think the comparison really works.

 

[RedSox68]

Unnecessary? If someone wants more food, isn't that what servers are supposed to be doing?

Oh, wait, you were addressing the $10 surcharge thing? Yeah, I agree a LOT of unhappy passengers.

yeah -- having them have to "ring it up" and having to put up with the adverse reaction of passengers. I hope Disney never starts this.

I will say though it is embarrassing to see how much food is wasted at both dinner and at the buffets! We'd rather go back up for seconds of something we really liked, then fill up our plates (just because we can) and then leave a bunch of uneaten food.

 

[dclpluto]

The servers will like this if it comes to dc

this would cause my DH to revolt. He orders two entrees every dinner, and consumes none of the bread, and often no dessert (and sometimes no appy!) He is a main course guy, and I've seen him down three entrees before. I feel like there is a lot that can be done between allowing super wasteful ordering, and charging people for a second entree.

I order two also sometimes since the main course is very small on a lot of things

 

[gotomu212]

Wife and I were talking about this. what happens to the rest of the foods that are cooked but not eaten? Theres sure to be extra vegetables, sides etc not counting the rest of say a pork loin that was cooked but not served. What's the difference between there and say someone who orders a steak dinner, then orders a grilled chicken salad? But only eats half the salad? Or half and half? I can see lines like posted above selling or donating foods to farms etc. But I cant see charging whatever for a 2nd portion that may or may not get eaten.

Just my guess but I'm going to guess that this will never leave the test phase. With a resounding thud.

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.