New bar menu on Dream

[phinz]

I welcome a nice quiet place we can go and grab some non-Buffet food. I dont mind paying a bit extra to do so.

O'Gills isn one of the *last* places I would call nice or quiet. I avoid it like the plague because of sportsball and loud sportsball acolytes. If it's not sportsball on the televisions and loud people shouting at people playing games, it's overly loud live cover music in the corner.

 

[jetskigrl]

So you are defending a policy that USED to be free food. So.... Disneys prices arent high enough for you, its fine for them to start adding fees for CERTAIN food?

When will they star charging for room service, or more likely really reducing the menu to basically nothing.

Aren't they already adding fees for certain food with Palo and Remy? If people want that food, they go there. If not, they don't (plenty of other free food). Many people love having the option to pay more for the upscale offerings. Those that don't want to pay more, just don't dine there.

And as far as I know, they have always charged for some items from room service (prepackaged popcorn, etc).

Other than the chips, was any of this Pub food offered before? I think the only thing I have seen is chips and salsa in the buffets (don't recall seeing guacamole or queso, but of course I have only personally caught the buffet offerings a few times so that is a question that I am really wondering about).

To me this seems like an upscale Bar menu (stuff you wouldn't normally see in the mass produced bar buffet). So if this is in addition to the free food already being offered then I see no problem with it.
I don't think we have heard for sure one way or another if they are removing the existing free items. If they do, then that changes my opinion completely.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Aren't they already adding fees for certain food with Palo and Remy? If people want that food, they go there. If not, they don't (plenty of other free food). Many people love having the option to pay more for the upscale offerings. Those that don't want to pay more, just don't dine there.

And as far as I know, they have always charged for some items from room service (prepackaged popcorn, etc).

Other than the chips, was any of this Pub food offered before? I think the only thing I have seen is chips and salsa in the buffets (don't recall seeing guacamole or queso, but of course I have only personally caught the buffet offerings a few times so that is a question that I am really wondering about).

To me this seems like an upscale Bar menu (stuff you wouldn't normally see in the mass produced bar buffet). So if this is in addition to the free food already being offered then I see no problem with it.
I don't think we have heard for sure one way or another if they are removing the existing free items. If they do, then that changes my opinion completely.

Or recent Wonder cruise the "free" buffet had hot dogs, chicken wings, chips, salsa, blue cheese, celery, carrots, olives, and some sort of small (spicy) chili peppers. This is pretty much what it always was on the Wonder cruises we've done.

Now, on the Fantasy last year, there was a veggie tray (carrots, celery, broccoli, and something else) with dip, chicken wings, chicken tenders, popcorn chicken, hot dogs, and some sort of wrap. I don't recall any chips/dip. But they certainly had more/different options than our Wonder cruises have.

 

[over50visits]

So you are defending a policy that USED to be free food. So.... Disneys prices arent high enough for you, its fine for them to start adding fees for CERTAIN food?

When will they star charging for room service, or more likely really reducing the menu to basically nothing.

Maybe an additional charge for some menu items in MDR? You want sirloin steak instead of hamburger? Sure - just a small upcharge. Perhaps a fine vinegar salad dressing, or gourmet chocolate ice cream? And all the defenses posted here will apply. Maybe an extra large beach towel, or reserved hammock? Room service every day? Your private table at dinner? Box seats in the theater? So many opportunities here for DCL to attain industry standards!

 

[smilezlie]

As someone that has cruised on NCL (NiCkLe and dime you to death) I am no stranger to an up-charge.

A few dollars for a premium coffee drink or fresh juice drink? Sure. A small fee for gelato, icecream sundae, or bulk candy? Fine. $35 for a fine dining romantic adults only dinner... not my thing, but sure. All of these items are considered "premium" compared to their free alternative. You can get drip coffee, soft serve icecream, or restaurant quality meal options all included in the price of your cruise.

My issue with the pub menu is not the excess fee. It is the fact that I can get similar quality items in the main dining room, included in my fare. The prices do not match up to the value. I would not consider these items "premium". $18 for shrimp tempura? That is more than a bit extreme, even at Disney prices. I feel that dividing each of the prices in half ($9 for tempura, $7 for sliders, $4 for chips & dip, etc) would be acceptable.

The fee would be high enough to deter people from being wasteful yet low enough for people to justify it for the convenience alone.

I will be sailing on the Dream in January. Will be spending a lot of time at this bar, but will make sure I do not arrive hungry. Curious to see how many cruisers take advantage of this bar menu while I am there.

 

[MUN]

As someone that has cruised on NCL (NiCkLe and dime you to death) I am no stranger to an up-charge.

A few dollars for a premium coffee drink or fresh juice drink? Sure. A small fee for gelato, icecream sundae, or bulk candy? Fine. $35 for a fine dining romantic adults only dinner... not my thing, but sure. All of these items are considered "premium" compared to their free alternative. You can get drip coffee, soft serve icecream, or restaurant quality meal options all included in the price of your cruise.

My issue with the pub menu is not the excess fee. It is the fact that I can get similar quality items in the main dining room, included in my fare. The prices do not match up to the value. I would not consider these items "premium". $18 for shrimp tempura? That is more than a bit extreme, even at Disney prices. I feel that dividing each of the prices in half ($9 for tempura, $7 for sliders, $4 for chips & dip, etc) would be acceptable.

The fee would be high enough to deter people from being wasteful yet low enough for people to justify it for the convenience alone.

I will be sailing on the Dream in January. Will be spending a lot of time at this bar, but will make sure I do not arrive hungry. Curious to see how many cruisers take advantage of this bar menu while I am there.

If you think it is too expensive, don't order it.

 

[TheHippie524]

My issue with the pub menu is not the excess fee. It is the fact that I can get similar quality items in the main dining room, included in my fare. The prices do not match up to the value. I would not consider these items "premium". $18 for shrimp tempura? That is more than a bit extreme, even at Disney prices. I feel that dividing each of the prices in half ($9 for tempura, $7 for sliders, $4 for chips & dip, etc) would be acceptable.
QUOTE]

But you can't get those things from the MDR at 10:30 at night. SO to say oh well you can get these in the MDRs may be true, but only to an extent.

Personally, I'm excited to try a couple of the "expensive" bar foods. And the prices are fair. Just go to a decently upscale bar in Chicago, and you'll know.

 

[smilezlie]

If you think it is too expensive, don't order it.

Oh, I have no intentions of ordering off of it since it is not at a price point I am willing to pay. I would rather spend my money on an extra drink or two and come to the bar with a full stomach. Priorities, right?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Nothing has been taken away, it's an " additional service" if you want it, if you do not want it, do not order it, if you think it's expensive it's a non issue, no one is forcing you to buy it and you have lost nothing.

Some people will be interested, like expensive room service in a hotel, some will want it and pay for it, I do not look at a hotel room service menu and complain it, or the mini bar is expensive, as I do not use it.

Food is fail able 24/7 bar past midnight mass night, so if you want something and do not want to pay, it's there.

This is an extra additional service, if you did want to use it, the same as upgrades on candy, and boutique, you are not forced to buy them.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Nothing has been taken away, it's an " additional service" if you want it, if you do not want it, do not order it, if you think it's expensive it's a non issue, no one is forcing you to buy it and you have lost nothing.

Some people will be interested, like expensive room service in a hotel, some will want it and pay for it, I do not look at a hotel room service menu and complain it, or the mini bar is expensive, as I do not use it.

Food is fail able 24/7 bar past midnight mass night, so if you want something and do not want to pay, it's there.

This is an extra additional service, if you did want to use it, the same as upgrades on candy, and boutique, you are not forced to buy them.

Exactly. And these nickel & dime labels people want to put on other cruise lines really need to stop because, really, it's the same thing.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Exactly. And these nickel & dime labels people want to put on other cruise lines really need to stop because, really, it's the same thing.

Yes- it's an " enhanced" service, nothing taken away, you do not have to use it, it's optional, and there are alternatives.

Someone will use it, that's their choice.

 

[dcassetta]

Yes- it's an " enhanced" service, nothing taken away, you do not have to use it, it's optional, and there are alternatives.

Someone will use it, that's their choice.

I would agree, as long as this is just an enhanced service and not a replacement for something that was previously included in the cruise fare. In the past we have enjoyed the bar offerings similar to what are in PrincessShmoo's pictures above. If those were gone, and the only things available in the bars were the upcharge menu items, I would be disappointed.

 

[sullivnq]

Love old awesome

 

[over50visits]

In the past couple of days I've had to add two new items to the list of things you spend money on above your cruise fare and tips. The list is now 53 items long.

Just added:

52. Sparkling or still water with your meal
53. Upcharge food items at the adult clubs

 

[Flossbolna]

In the past couple of days I've had to add two new items to the list of things you spend money on above your cruise fare and tips. The list is now 53 items long.

Just added:

52. Sparkling or still water with your meal
53. Upcharge food items at the adult clubs

54. Candy and ice cream from Vabeloppee's on the Dream

55. Smoothies from the bar in Senses Spa on the Dream

 

[over50visits]

54. Candy and ice cream from Vabeloppee's on the Dream

55. Smoothies from the bar in Senses Spa on the Dream

Added!

 

[steves100]

Maybe an additional charge for some menu items in MDR? You want sirloin steak instead of hamburger? Sure - just a small upcharge. Perhaps a fine vinegar salad dressing, or gourmet chocolate ice cream? And all the defenses posted here will apply. Maybe an extra large beach towel, or reserved hammock? Room service every day? Your private table at dinner? Box seats in the theater? So many opportunities here for DCL to attain industry standards!

This is EXACTLY the problem unless you were being facesious. Disney is WAY more expensive then Carnival and RC! They should know better than nickel and dime their loyal customers.

 

[steves100]

If you think it is too expensive, don't order it.

THAT'S EXACTLY THE WRONG ATTITUDE!!!!!

Disney will start doing this for everything w this ridicules attitude, just let them nickel and dime us!!!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

DCL for a long time has had boutique, Palo Remy, Cabanas, no one forces anyone to purchase these. When a Cabana came in, no one was forced off a beach, we have free soda with meals and the self service station, but a charge at bars.

They have " added" services, nothing is taken away.

They have added options, similar to a mini bar in a hotel room, or hotel room service. Some will pay, most will not.

Some here post emotive posts well I wouldn't pay that for some fries, well you do not have to, some will not pay $590 for a cabana or $600 for a princess package, but some do. Concierge costs more, no one is forced to pay for it.

DCL is looking at increasing non fare income, that may keep fare costs down but give greater return for them. If they biked more net income they may get sign off, for more new ships.

So additional services that are optional are put down with some posts, it has not changed what you get in return for your cruise fare.

This is a storm in a tea cup whipped up by a few, like paying for water, that's been with DCL fir ever, unless you say tap water which remains free.

If you do not agree, cruise RCI then get nickel and dimed in fact fined is a better word.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

If you do not agree, cruise RCI then get nickel and dimed in fact fined is a better word.

How can you saying it's nickel and diming on RCI but not on DCL. You can go on RCI and not spend anything over and above your cruise fare and gratuities - just like DCL. They offer lots of additional choices, but it doesn't mean you have to buy them to have a good cruise.