Tracking additional charges at Remy, Palo etc

[PrincessShmoo]

In fact, when we were in Europe many moons ago we would just ask for water without gas and always be given free tap water.

Our recent river cruise "still" water meant tap (on the boat). The only water that had a charge was sparkling water. Now, that was on the boat, can't speak to what terms were used in the land restaurants. Those tours we had (through the cruise) that included meals, water was automatically served (poured from pitchers) at no extra cost.

 

[over50visits]

In fact, when we were in Europe many moons ago we would just ask for water without gas and always be given free tap water. If things have changed and we always need to assume there's an up charge--even for WATER!--then it's good to know!

Ah, the delights of European dining. The price you see on the menu is what you pay, full stop, for example!

Water: with/without, still/frizzy, avec/sons. Loved it. I'm a with person and my better half is a without.

 

[texas disney mom]

Used to be a waiter in upmarket US restaurant and we were instructed to offer still or sparkling in order to charge people for water. We were only supposed to give customers tap if they asked. If there was a lot of tap on your tables management would comment. So yes, I suspect they know that many people will feel uncomfortable asking for tap so they are doing this on purpose to add whatever amount it is- almost all profit (what is it $8 for a bottle they get at $1 ) times however many people eat at Remy. Its a lot of easy money for them.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Used to be a waiter in upmarket US restaurant and we were instructed to offer still or sparkling in order to charge people for water. We were only supposed to give customers tap if they asked. If there was a lot of tap on your tables management would comment. So yes, I suspect they know that many people will feel uncomfortable asking for tap so they are doing this on purpose to add whatever amount it is- almost all profit (what is it $8 for a bottle they get at $1 ) times however many people eat at Remy. Its a lot of easy money for them.

Good to know. Perhaps next time I can carry my own bottle of water into Remy and when asked I can say, "Nope. Brought mine so there's no surprises."

 

[holula]

This actually isn't anything new, My wife always makes a point of saying tap water and we do not get charged. They ever since we started cruising have pushed still or sparkling water and we knew it had a charge.

Anyone who cruises regularly or goes out for a meal, knows to say tap water for no charge and if you say still water you get a charge.

Yeah, we have had this in Palo AND Remy before. The water thing isn't new. The water menu might be depending what's on the menu.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Yeah, we have had this in Palo AND Remy before. The water thing isn't new. The water menu might be depending what's on the menu.

Agree.

Seems this is all a bit of a storm in a tea cup or a case of..

"The Emperor's New Clothes" (Danish: Kejserens nye Klæder) is a short tale by Hans Christian Andersen about two weavers who promise an emperor a new suit of clothes that is invisible to those who are unfit for their positions, stupid, or incompetent. When the Emperor parades before his subjects in his new clothes, no one dares to say that he doesn't see any suit of clothes until a child cries out, "But he isn't wearing anything at all!" The tale has been translated into over a hundred languages.[1]

So

Some say they are surprised about a charge for water, others agree, until someone speaks up, but it's always been that way.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Used to be a waiter in upmarket US restaurant and we were instructed to offer still or sparkling in order to charge people for water. We were only supposed to give customers tap if they asked. If there was a lot of tap on your tables management would comment. So yes, I suspect they know that many people will feel uncomfortable asking for tap so they are doing this on purpose to add whatever amount it is- almost all profit (what is it $8 for a bottle they get at $1 ) times however many people eat at Remy. Its a lot of easy money for them.

Agree, it's nothing new at all. An old ploy, re used, maybe by certain servers to boost orders.

Same as McDonalds when you order and thry say, is that large / supersize, or offered bread/rolls in a restaurant before ordering and it's charged.

 

[professorandmom]

Agree.

Seems this is all a bit of a storm in a tea cup or a case of..

Some say they are surprised about a charge for water, others agree, until someone speaks up, but it's always been that way.

As the OP of this thread I didn't intend to "whip up" anything, didn't mean to complain or create a "storm"
I have never been offered special water in Palo or MDR (yes, in land-based restaurants) (although I have only been on three cruises)
I was simply looking for advice on what other charges should I be aware of

Sorry if this thread seemed to track in a different direction

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

As the OP of this thread I didn't intend to "whip up" anything, didn't mean to complain or create a "storm"
I have never been offered special water in Palo or MDR (yes, in land-based restaurants) (although I have only been on three cruises)
I was simply looking for advice on what other charges should I be aware of

Sorry if this thread seemed to track in a different direction

No need to apologise, it took on a life of its own, sorry it went off topic.

When offered a " water menu" prices are quoted on that, for it to be then said that someone is surprised they were charged $5.50, leads you to think, why didn't they read that menu? Prices are quoted, if they want tap water ask for it. Any seasoned cruiser would know it.

 

[Quellman]

Good to know. Perhaps next time I can carry my own bottle of water into Remy and when asked I can say, "Nope. Brought mine so there's no surprises."

$5 corkage fee on the way!

 

[jahber]

No need to apologise, it took on a life of its own, sorry it went off topic.

When offered a " water menu" prices are quoted on that, for it to be then said that someone is surprised they were charged $5.50, leads you to think, why didn't they read that menu? Prices are quoted, if they want tap water ask for it. Any seasoned cruiser would know it.

Well, yes, if someone is offered a water menu, then of course they shouldn't be surprised that they are charged for water if they don't ask for free water. But the people in *this thread* who were surprised were NOT offered a water menu. That's why this thread exists.

 

[SuperDry]

The concept of a water menu boggles my mind. I would just ask for "regular ice water." Sounds better than tap.

When I'm faced with that situation in a Las Vegas restaurant, I always ask for "Lake Mead still, on the rocks." That usually generates about a half-second of confusion on the waitperson's face, then laughter and I get my free tap water.

And BTW, the reason that certain restaurants have "water menus" is not just to generate more revenue (that certainly is one reason) - there are also certain customers that are very particular about such things. For example, at Palo, they want Pellegrino, as the Tuscan meal just wouldn't be the same without water from Italy. And of course I understand how some people like sparkling water and it doesn't come out of the tap that way. Not my kind of thing, but then again, I don't order off the caviar menu either.

This does remind me of the last time I was on the Fantasy. I ordered a 6-pack of water from room service to stock the mini-fridge. They list it is Evian on the menu. Shortly after placing the order, they called back and informed me that they were out of Evian, and would it be okay if they substituted another brand of the same size and price? I told her that I was pretty sure that God made the water the same everywhere, so I didn't really care. But I'm sure there are some guests that would be upset and complain if room service brought other than Evian.

 

[Expatriat]

This does remind me of the last time I was on the Fantasy. I ordered a 6-pack of water from room service to stock the mini-fridge. They list it is Evian on the menu. Shortly after placing the order, they called back and informed me that they were out of Evian, and would it be okay if they substituted another brand of the same size and price? I told her that I was pretty sure that God made the water the same everywhere, so I didn't really care. But I'm sure there are some guests that would be upset and complain if room service brought other than Evian.

In stores, Evian is usually priced considerably higher than the purified, minerals-added water they try to substitute for it. I'm sure they made more money from your willingness to accept the substitute. When I order Evian, that is what I specifically want and I won't settle for the other stuff that I don't even like the taste of. I drink a lot of water to stay hydrated, but I don't like "added" minerals.

In the dining rooms and Palo or Remy I am fine with their tap water because I only take a few sips anyway and am not drinking due to real thirst or dehydration when dining.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

$5 corkage fee on the way!

I would in no way be surprised.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

No need to apologise, it took on a life of its own, sorry it went off topic.

When offered a " water menu" prices are quoted on that, for it to be then said that someone is surprised they were charged $5.50, leads you to think, why didn't they read that menu? Prices are quoted, if they want tap water ask for it. Any seasoned cruiser would know it.

But that's just the thing here. I was not offered a water menu. I was asked a question: sparkling or still water? not a word more. In an environment where I've always been informed when things are an additional cost (ie. Would you like the champagne pairings? It would be an additional _ dollars." Having upcharge water slid onto my tab with no clarification was surprising. You may think that's crazy. I expect the courtesy of clarity. If that makes me unreasonable, well, I'll be unreasonable all day every day and twice on Sunday. Simple.

 

[jahber]

But that's just the thing here. I was not offered a water menu. I was asked a question: sparkling or still water? not a word more. In an environment where I've always been informed when things are an additional cost (ie. Would you like the champagne pairings? It would be an additional _ dollars." Having upcharge water slid onto my tab with no clarification was surprising. You may think that's crazy. I expect the courtesy of clarity. If that makes me unreasonable, well, I'll be unreasonable all day every day and twice on Sunday. Simple.

But WHY didn't you read the menu? You should have read the menu. Oh. Right. There was no menu. I can't believe people are still arguing with you about this. Sigh.

 

[lillygator]

Agree, it's nothing new at all. An old ploy, re used, maybe by certain servers to boost orders.

Same as McDonalds when you order and thry say, is that large / supersize, or offered bread/rolls in a restaurant before ordering and it's charged.

I have NEVER been to a restaurant where we were charged for bread.rolls.

 

[holula]

I have NEVER been to a restaurant where we were charged for bread.rolls.

Some places in Europe will, especially in prime tourist areas. I've never been charged in the States for bread rolls.

 

[TimeAndTide]

I'm probably in the minority because I always want my "still" water (very sensitive to smell and taste) - regardless of upcharge - and I'm ever so slightly surprised (at mid range restaurants) when it's not offered and ice water is splashed unceremoniously into my glass. It does impact my impression of the restaurant. I do think a water menu is the way to go on the ships since many folks may not be accustomed to the upcharge.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'm probably in the minority because I always want my "still" water (very sensitive to smell and taste) - regardless of upcharge - and I'm ever so slightly surprised (at mid range restaurants) when it's not offered and ice water is splashed unceremoniously into my glass. It does impact my impression of the restaurant. I do think a water menu is the way to go on the ships since many folks may not be accustomed to the upcharge.

I'd like to have seen this fabled water menu, actually. It would've been nice to know what I paid for.