Royal Caribbean just increased some of their specialty dining prices:
- Playmakers: Entrees increased 33% to $11.99 from $9 while the price of wings went up 40% to $13.99 a dozen from $10. Appetizer prices were all raised by at least $1.99 while the Poke Nachos saw a $4.99, or 63%, increase to $12.99 from $8.
- Portside Barbecue: A restaurant unique to Oasis of the Seas, Portside Barbecue, raised prices across the board as well. "The Signature combo went from 2 cuts for $12.49 and 3 cuts for $15.39 to $16.99 and $21.99, respectively," Royal Caribbean Blog reported. Those increases are 36% and 43%. "The Pitmaster Special price was changed from $9.99 to $14.99." That's up 50%. Prices were also raised on single cuts, sides, and desserts.
- Mason Jar: This new restaurant, which is on Wonder of the Seas, offers a fixed-price menu. It has not raised its dinner prices, but brunch increased 40% to $34.99 from $24.99.
- Izumi Sushi: The price of all appetizers went up by $1 while signature rolls went from $13 or $14 to $15. Prices aside from dessert were increased across the entire menu.
Princess announced they are now charging for Alfredo's and Gigi's pizza. These are very casual pizza restaurants. When we cruised with Lexie in March, we ate four lunches out of seven at the Gigi's! She loves the place. It was free in March, now it's US$14.99 per person plus tips. It would have added $212.16 extra for our spring break trip! It's regular pizza, not fancy, nothing special! You can get pizza at the pool bar or at the buffet for free.
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| No tablecloths, not fancy, just a pizza place |
If you think that is ridiculous, this one wins:
I just got off the Celebrity Eclipse and I never had a cookie on the cruise. I don't know if they were charging US$2.40 a cookie, but really!!!!
One thing I liked about cruising is it was all inclusive. When I started cruising in the early 1980's there was no specialty dining. 90 days before your cruise you paid for the entire vacation. You took cash for tips and handed an envelope with a thank you to your waiter, assistant waiter, room steward and the Maitre d if he was helpful. Now tips are automatically charged to your credit card and you give them another cash tip if they deserve it, which is usually happens. I often wonder what happens with my tips and how much actually goes to the people I want it to.
The new upcharges on cruises are really making cruising not all-inclusive and a lot of cruisers are complaining.
