Now my agent has informed me that HAL will be adding a surcharge to certain items on the dining room menu, such as shrimp.

What is going on?

The Day will come, when they must see to fill their Ships.

Not all Cruisegoers are stupid Sheeps, more and more of them will vote BY THEIR FEET.

In a recent post some cruisetalkers were singing the praises of the speciality dining rooms onboard Celebrity etc. They obviously though it was well worth the additional expense.

These charges will only hold if people pay them, and some do!

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Originally posted by seagoingJLW:
We were disappointed to find that the Statendam is chargin $15 per person per meal in the Pinnaclw Restaurant when the Rotterdam does not charge in the Odyssey. Furthermore, the menu selection is extremely limited with the good steaks and seafood being served in the Pinnacle rather than the dining room.

Now my agent has informed me that HAL will be adding a surcharge to certain items on the dining room menu, such as shrimp.

What is going on?

Joan

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is right! jeffrossatsea said it -

quote:

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Carnival

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First timer cruisers may accept the add-ons, take them or leave them - seasoned cruisers (anxious for a 'good deal') will complain, conveniently forgetting that the 'deal' was 'too good to pass up' ....YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! ....... personally I'm not in favour of reducing everything to the lowest common denominator.......

I realize that my statement harks back to the 'class system' - so be it - we travel as our budget allows and, hopefully, get what we contracted for. 'All Inclusive' land resorts have their place (we've tried them) and were not impressed with fellow travellers who ate and drank themselves silly (on inferior local brew) because 'we paid for it!'.

If HAL (Carnivalized) continues to nickle and dime with add-ons, I believe many devotees will turn to other Lines.

Steak and Shrimp is always expensive !!!

I don't think anybody here is telling people where they should/shouldn't eat or what they should/shouldn't pay for.

"This is only when people want to order these items outside the menu selection". Now that's from the "horse's mouth".

I think he knows more than seagoingJLW's travel agent. She has posted this same Topic on 2 other message boards, has gotten everyone riled up, but has never come back to give us proof of what she said or answered one of the posts. Rumour, rumour, rumour - back it up, please.

To me the other boards have always had alot of pot stirrers (rumor starters) and false info. One reason I have not posted and just read those boards. I now am seeing that this board has been infected by the same type and in some cases the same people. Starting rumors without backing them up, giving wrong information not bad advice but wrong information and some who post just to see their name or see how many posts they can make in a given time. This is just my opinion but I ask everyone that some of the questions asked might effect a persons decision. So please think before you post.

I feel better now thanks!
Kevin

[ 01-15-2003: Message edited by: K&K ]

It will be interesting to see if these are the result of normal "breaking in" of a new ship or really a sign of bigger problems.

Most of the feedback from folks who have cruised on other HAL ships seems to be positive.

I didn't participate in any activities on either of the cruises and I never did participate in the Fitness program. I was there for a holiday and a rest, not to work out!

The night we had lobster tails for dinner, one of our table mates had about 5 of them and no charge. I always have 2 shrimp cocktails (large shrimp) when they are offered on the menu, and have never been charged. Maybe if I had wanted them on nights that they weren't offered, I would have been charged and gladly paid. Tell me, here in the world can you get a shrimp cocktail for $3.00 - not here in Toronto.!

I really don't know why everyone is complaining - they spend thousands of dollars to go on a cruise and then crab about the price of a beer, drink, soda, $15.00-$20.00 for the Pinnacle Restaurant, etc. Everyone wants cheap, cheap fares, but still expect the high quality of food and service. Just doesn't happen people - HAL is there to make money, not lose it.