No more All Hands on Deck :(

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

But as the person you quoted said, it wasn't hidden. It's not a secret. It was there for anyone who looked at the menu. There's no reason to not talk about it.

I don't disagree with you but that doesn't mean it wasn't happening. People, lots of people, talked about it. It's like a viral video taking off and no one understands why at times but once it's shared over and over or talked about constantly it can happen. This is just one side, my opinion and doesn't mean I agree with what they did - just talking about it. And again to be clear, I don't blame anyone and I'm not saying anyone abused it. It was there for people to order from and so they did and MANY loved it and again I'm sad for those, really I am. I have friends gutted by this (they know who they are).

Heather

 

[Saamh]

But as the person you quoted said, it wasn't hidden. It's not a secret. It was there for anyone who looked at the menu. There's no reason to not talk about it.

But it was so talked about on blogs, trip reports, social media, etc. that everyone had to try this AHOD platter to experience the special moment. Maybe if they offered plated, cheese and fruit plates in the cafes, buffet or at the quick service locations to grab and go this wouldn't be so painful to so many.

I've never ordered the AHOD. I've only used room service once (during the peak AHOD time apparently) and it took over an hour to get a bowl of soup delivered.

The DCL defenders have reached a whole new level when ordering cheese off of the printed room service menu has become taking advantage of DCL. This is getting pretty ridiculous. My kids and I LOVED the AHOD. It was a simple snack that made my kids feel "fancy" (cheese and crackers, but whatever) and that I enjoyed on the verandah with a glass of wine. I just don't even know what to say at this point when making a cheap cheese tray for someone who paid thousands of dollars (and more every year) to be on your ship is suddenly too much of a burden.

When something begins to negatively impact service level, I don't see a problem in changing it. I think targeting a couple items that may be stressing the system is a better solution than imposing a charge on all room service items.

 

[Hundredacre]

I don't disagree with you but that doesn't mean it wasn't happening. People, lots of people, talked about it. It's like a viral video taking off and no one understands why at times but once it's shared over and over or talked about constantly it can happen. This is just one side, my opinion and doesn't mean I agree with what they did - just talking about it. And again to be clear, I don't blame anyone and I'm not saying anyone abused it. It was there for people to order from and so they did and MANY loved it and again I'm sad for those, really I am. I have friends gutted by this (they know who they are).

Heather

Who cAres? Its cheese and crackers? Not exactly a big secret!

 

[luvugoofy]

When we were leaving our room on the Wonder yesterday morning I noticed all the books being removed from the rooms. I guess I know the reason why now. Another reason to find a different company to cruise with!

 

[jahber]

Seriously. How many plates of cheese do you guys REALLY think were being prepared? And how much longer than, say, making a turkey sandwich would it take? What if the cookies got really popular? Or the "free" ice cream? Anyway, really, my point is that a company that takes away everything that isn't strictly profitable had better not charge 50% or more for its product. Imagine walking into Walmart and seeing Neiman Marcus prices. Or more to the point, imagine sailing Carnival, but paying DCL prices. Because that's the direction this is heading (once again, industry standards!). People keep saying it's the little things that make DCL better--and I agree. I so fully agree. But as these little things disappear, we need to speak up or they will keep disappearing. And then what do we have? If you don't care about cheese, that's fine. You maybe didn't care about the alcohol or pool/hot tub hours or whatever, but some of us do. For some of us, it's what makes DCL different from the rest.

 

[rhinodadz]

Based on the photo from CruiseCritic referenced in a prior post it appears that the room service menu is now focused on being a meal replacement (i.e. salads, burgers, sandwiches) rather than snacks (AHOD, wings). Yes, we'll miss AHOD but it's not the end of the world.

 

[jetskigrl]

It's like fight club - some things you shouldn't share a gazillion times

Heather

I could understand that if this was not on the menu (like the Mickey Bars - which I predict will be next to become a charged item). But it was written on the menu for anyone to order so I don't understand why people should be expected to keep a listed menu item a secret. By that logic, everyone that likes the Chocolate Soufflé at Palo had better stop talking about that too or it will become an up-charge item (although I had better stop giving DCL any more ideas)

What bothers me about the change is that it is one more negative in a series of negative changes for DCL guests. Back when the Alcohol policy change was going on, people that didn't drink could not understand what the big deal was. But like that situation, I'm sure people can make it through the cruise without cheese and crackers. The actual item is not as much of an issue. What is actually the issue is that something else is being changed that affects a lot of people. Another popular free item removed. I have never ordered the AHOD platter but I can sure understand why people that liked it are disappointed that it is gone now and the other option is a $38 charge

 

[tinkerone]

I feel it's more about the CM's and being able to maintain this just like it was for the signing of the character autographs at Guest Services - they were clearly inundated and had to change their policy. They still allow the character autograph and personalizations but imposed a few limits and guidelines.

When something begins to negatively impact service level, I don't see a problem in changing it. I think targeting a couple items that may be stressing the system is a better solution than imposing a charge on all room service items.

Heather

the problem with both of these statements is that your assuming that the problem is that the request was so overwhelming that they had to cut it out. we don't know this. we will never know this. no one knows how many have been ordered every day. while you are hearing lots from people who like to order it everyday you are not giving credence to people who are not ordering everyday. i didn't order everyday, maybe a few times a week when it was a nice cheese plate. just because its posted on lots of social medias doesn't mean each of the people order it several times a day, once a day or even once a week. plus, you are leaving out the fact that pretty much most times a cm delivers this cheese tray they are walking away with a tip, which i know for sure they enjoy. they are not going to look at it and say 'cheese plate? why would i want to waste my time on a cheese plate'. they are more apt to say '$$ in my pocket'.
the kitchens prepare thousands of meals everyday. tossing a few pieces of cheese on a plate is not going to have them so much as bat an eye.
i will repeat that my thought, and certainly not anything but my thought as we can't know, is that it is so popular they want to make a dollar from it. it has nothing to do with being overwhelmed.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I could understand that if this was not on the menu (like the Mickey Bars - which I predict will be next to become a charged item). But it was written on the menu for anyone to order so I don't understand why people should be expected to keep a listed menu item a secret. By that logic, everyone that likes the Chocolate Soufflé at Palo had better stop talking about that too or it will become an up-charge item (although I had better stop giving DCL any more ideas)

What bothers me about the change is that it is one more negative in a series of negative changes for DCL guests. Back when the Alcohol policy change was going on, people that didn't drink could not understand what the big deal was. But like that situation, I'm sure people can make it through the cruise without cheese and crackers. The actual item is not as much of an issue. What is actually the issue is that something else is being changed that affects a lot of people. Another popular free item removed. I have never ordered the AHOD platter but I can sure understand why people that liked it are disappointed that it is gone now and the other option is a $38 charge

I know this was posted before too, but I didn't say it was a secret or should remain a secret. I was merely trying to explain (as others have as well but clearly we are in the minority) WHY this might have happened. I'm not agreeing with the decision, just discussing it.

the problem with both of these statements is that your assuming that the problem is that the request was so overwhelming that they had to cut it out. we don't know this. we will never know this. no one knows how many have been ordered every day. while you are hearing lots from people who like to order it everyday you are not giving credence to people who are not ordering everyday. i didn't order everyday, maybe a few times a week when it was a nice cheese plate. just because its posted on lots of social medias doesn't mean each of the people order it several times a day, once a day or even once a week. plus, you are leaving out the fact that pretty much most times a cm delivers this cheese tray they are walking away with a tip, which i know for sure they enjoy. they are not going to look at it and say 'cheese plate? why would i want to waste my time on a cheese plate'. they are more apt to say '$$ in my pocket'.
the kitchens prepare thousands of meals everyday. tossing a few pieces of cheese on a plate is not going to have them so much as bat an eye.
i will repeat that my thought, and certainly not anything but my thought as we can't know, is that it is so popular they want to make a dollar from it. it has nothing to do with being overwhelmed.

Right - I'm not saying it's a fact as we don't know and likely none of us will find out the true decision. I just offered it as a thought as I know it's discussed A LOT - just as others have mentioned as well. And yes, if I was a betting person, Mickey bars could be next. This isn't directed at you but clearly everyone is entitled to their opinion and thoughts and what they will do in the future. I'm happy to voice the opinion for the others that felt strongly about this although it doesn't directly impact me. I've ordered from room service a total of two times (AHOD and a breakfast delivery) so it's not a make or break for me, but I fully understand why it impacts others. I don't want to see these things go either. I'm happy to email DCL, sign a petition, lol - whatever it takes.

I sensed and sort of felt I shouldn't add my feelings to such a "passionate topic" but clearly I didn't listen to my gut. I know for many this is just another punch in the gut so to speak but we should all be able to talk about it, offer ideas/suggestions/thoughts, etc. It doesn't make any of us right or wrong.

Heather

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

 

[tinkerone]

Right - I'm not saying it's a fact as we don't know and likely none of us will find out the true decision. I just offered it as a thought as I know it's discussed A LOT - just as others have mentioned as well. And yes, if I was a betting person, Mickey bars could be next. This isn't directed at you but clearly everyone is entitled to their opinion and thoughts and what they will do in the future. I'm happy to voice the opinion for the others that felt strongly about this although it doesn't directly impact me. I've ordered from room service a total of two times (AHOD and a breakfast delivery) so it's not a make or break for me, but I fully understand why it impacts others. I don't want to see these things go either. I'm happy to email DCL, sign a petition, lol - whatever it takes.

I sensed and sort of felt I shouldn't add my feelings to such a "passionate topic" but clearly I didn't listen to my gut. I know for many this is just another punch in the gut so to speak but we should all be able to talk about it, offer ideas/suggestions/thoughts, etc. It doesn't make any of us right or wrong.

Heather

that would be sad. it is something we ordered everyday, sometimes twice. i can see it coming, they have to cost more than a cheese tray and i would bet the next pay check that they deliver more of those than anything.

 

[MUN]

When we were leaving our room on the Wonder yesterday morning I noticed all the books being removed from the rooms. I guess I know the reason why now. Another reason to find a different company to cruise with!

I think they are putting out updated books for the new year. We were on the same cruise and our stateroom hostess told us we could keep ours. I noticed the book was dated 2015 on the cover.

MUN

 

[jetskigrl]

I know this was posted before too, but I didn't say it was a secret or should remain a secret. I was merely trying to explain (as others have as well but clearly we are in the minority) WHY this might have happened. I'm not agreeing with the decision, just discussing it.

Sorry, I didn't mean for that to sound personal to what you said. I was just thinking out loud too. A generic "why should we have to worry about discussing items we like" rather than me questioning why you in particular posted that (if that makes sense). Pretty sad if we have to start censoring the good things on DCL for fear that they will be taken away

 

[Racer X]

Ok so here's my take on this... its just a menu revamp. No more no less... When was the last time anyone went out to a big box restaurant and the menu hasn't changed? Would some items be nice sure - but i don't think its a big conspiracy. There's so much to eat on the ship it seems the room service menu is just as someone else said, for someone who wants to eat it for the night. Surmising that the thinking here is that there is a plethora of snack items on board available. And yes you can get some healthy ones too.

 

[Hundredacre]

Ok so here's my take on this... its just a menu revamp. No more no less... When was the last time anyone went out to a big box restaurant and the menu hasn't changed? Would some items be nice sure - but i don't think its a big conspiracy. There's so much to eat on the ship it seems the room service menu is just as someone else said, for someone who wants to eat it for the night. Surmising that the thinking here is that there is a plethora of snack items on board available. And yes you can get some healthy ones too.

That's a decent argument, except chefs remove the duds off the menu, not the favorites. I worked in a restaurant for many years, and the favorites always remain on the menu. Also, dcl will generally get you want you want even off menu. Not this item apparently.

 

[Racer X]

Agreed - but doesnt it seem like they trimmed the choices down? (from above example). It's not just this item, but some others too. You know i'd pay $5 for a cheese/fruit plate if they decided to do that, but its gone - so just makes you think that it was time to move on.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Agreed - but doesnt it seem like the trimmed the choices down? (from above example). It's not just this item, but some others too. You know i'd pay $5 for a cheese/fruit plate if they decided to do that, but its gone - so just makes you think that it was time to move on.

But it's not completely gone. There's now a $38 option. Granted, not exactly the same item, but somewhat comparable. This isn't DCL just wanting to freshen up their offerings.

 

[Racer X]

IMHO - The $38 option is more of a "gift" or special occasion item... It has always been available and would be a stretch to think that anyone would order it over the "free" option.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

IMHO - The $38 option is more of a "gift" or special occasion item... It has always been available and would be a stretch to think that anyone would order it over the "free" option.

Which is precisely my point. They didn't take the AHOD plate off the menu just to revamp offerings. They did it to try to sell more of the option that was under the "in-room gifts & amenities". This is entirely a money decision on DCL's part.

 

[cmash95]

the fruit baskets and cheese platter have always been available as welcome gifts they have just made them available for the whole cruise now and btw they are much nicer than the AHOD. we got one of the cheese platters on a five night cruise and it lasted the entire cruise and that was for four people. and btw the wings arent there but chicken tenders are and frankly i like those better. you may not know this but DCL reviews and revises menus anually. they dont always change them but if they are going to be changed, it will happen during jan-march.