New menus look good to me. I like the theme nights! As far as lobster, it is crazy expensive now and I certainly understand the need to set limits. My cruise experience isn’t ruined because I can only have one lobster tail!
@@MPPG663 yeah I had two and my server kept asking if I wanted more! Frankly they weren’t spectacular lol. I’m originally from New England and grew up eating lobster 🦞
@@MPPG663 we have seen that in the past, we definitely noticed on our Oasis Of The Seas Cruise in December, no one was pushing extra food. Looks like Royal is serious about saving some money!
I second that! Lobster is so expensive and/or rare in most places on land that I am happy to have a complimentary lobster during a cruise....at all! Not sure how many places on land offer it for only U.S.$17 + 18% = roughly U.S.$20. So people who want more CAN have more than one, as long as they appreciate the value for the extra money that that will cost them and the cruiseline.
My wife and I were on Symphony mid Nov. with the test menu. We were both very pleased and happy with the choices / variety, as well as the quality of the meals.
Matt, let me start off by saying you, your blog and your TH-cam channel are the best resources for everything Royal Caribbean. As for this report on the New Menus, I completely love it as it will reduce the amount of time sitting in the MDR. Not only that, but by not having the same items available each night it makes the dining experience more interesting and you don't get bored as you do with having the same options each night. Thank you again Matt for a fabulous video.
Going on a cruise in 2024 and I'm sure there will be more changes by then, but I love having an idea of what is going to be served in the Main Dining to see if we will go every night or just a couple. Thank you, Matt!
I hope that they will continue to accommodate those of us with autoimmune disorders. I cannot eat carbs at all so some of these changes seems to limit my choices.
It all looks so good. I tried going to the website to take a closer look at the menu, and it says the page is no longer available. Do you know where else I could look at it more closely Thanks
I am so very picky and was nervous about losing the classics. But there is only two nights they would be a challenge. But like Matt says we can always order chicken tenders. And we had planned on the 2 nights for dinner at specialty restaurants as we love Izumi and Giovanni’s
The previous menu is not responsible for the lengthy MDR dinner experience. The dining room staff has been greatly reduced and each waiter and assistant has several additional tables to serve simultaneously. Busboys have been eliminated, dedicated bar staff eliminated, and fewer functional head waiters. Mix in the anytime dining variable and a decrease in passenger punctuality and the slim staff are now stretched to a lesser degree of efficiency.
Very astute observations and analysis. It also reminds us that the after-effects of the pandemic years include a decline in the workforce, as many more people have retired or left the workforce, and fewer persons have entered the available pool of talent. So cruiselines, like airlines, hotels, restaurants, and hospitals, are generally struggling a lot more than usual just to get and to KEEP good employees....or any new employees.
It looks interesting. That exec is clearly correct, though, it's not supposed to be an "all you can eat lobster" on the ship, it is just costing them a mountain of money. And if you don't like what's there, you can just go to the Windjammer (or get chicken tenders) :)
Was on a sailing last Oct 2022 with my extended family. All of them first time RC cruisers. After seeing that the MDR had the same menu each night majority of the fam wanted to just hit the other options. This will be a welcome change IMO.
Just came off a Royal Caribbean cruise and the new menu in the main dining room is fantastic! Getting ready to book another cruise on Royal Caribbean and get more of their wonderful food - especially the desserts!!!
I just recently cruised on the Symphony of the Seas (31 Dec~7 Jan), and experienced the new menus. I found the themed nights still offered enough choices to satisfy multiple tastes and I was happy to see that my go-to favorites were still available most nights. I chose a mixture of Chef-recommended and regular menu items each night. While it is a change, I don't think the majority of cruisers will be disappointed. As far as the length of dining, there was plenty of time to enjoy the experience and each other. While dinner is a time to catch up on the day's adventures we must remember that if one has chosen the early seating, the wait staff must reset the area for another group coming in after us.
I have absolutely no issues with these changes. That being said, I'll be on the Anthem for an 11 night cruise on January 24th and will hopefully be available to try them out.
If I remember correctly I’m sure my first three cruise back 70s. We’re themed night menus 🇦🇺 just came of Quantum last week , no lobster tail at main dining , it one of the lunch windjammer did have prawns mussels and. Small Lobster tails it was great and plenty of it , 🇦🇺🇦🇺
On my cruise on Jewel (Durring Christmas), They gave me 2 lobsters (1 to start and 1 that our waiter had on a separate plate with plenty of lobster on it).
I think the theme nights sound fun but I wonder if RC will let us know which nights will be for each theme so I can better plan for my reservations at some of the other restaurants on board. Looking forward to our Odyssey cruise in March!
They do, you can check the app before your sailing, just go to the dining section and then choose main dining room menu, it says the theme of each night of your cruise. I’m sailing in February and we already checked what’s the theme of each night!
The new menus look great to me! There's been so many rumors flying. That the entrees are tiny, that you can only order one. 75 min is fine. I'm looking forward to Caribbean night , I hear the coconut shrimp is very good!
I am looking forward to the change on my Upcoming Wonder of the seas sailing in March 2023. I am NOT a picky eater and I like trying new things. I can find something i would like on each menu.
My husband and I are going in May in Freedom of the Seas for 4 days, in the app I already get the themed dinner for each day. The first night Welcome Aboard, the second Caribbean night, the third French night and the fourth Italian night.
"Theme nights" are interesting and there are still a lot of selections on the menus. My family has been on two cruises, and we have yet to experience a lobster night! We've had fresh Maine lobster in Boston and Maine at fantastic prices, so $16.99+18% for an additional tail seems a lot, but we'll see. It will be interesting to see the size of the tails. As to time invested on a dinner: When my family goes to any restaurant (and more so on cruises), part of the enjoyment is spending time together to talk and catch up. If dinner is just a "rush" stop on the way to a show, we make sure to go to a "quicker" restaurant, or to schedule the show for a later time, but to each their own. One thing we have always thought and STILL think is that staff of all the RCCL kitchens are AMAZING and truly the prep and behind the scenes to each MDR meal must be incredible!!! Looking forward to our next cruise on Wonder in May!
Thanks for this video and the downloadable PDFs! We just came off a cruise out of Sydney and we found that our kids were much happier if they could see menus a bit ahead of time so that they could take their time making choices - some days they felt adventurous and some days they were a bit more fussy. This will allow us to get a good headstart on our first two RCI cruises in October!
I still say allowing people to pre order dinner in the morning for the evening would cut expenses so much. They mass cook stuff because they don’t know what people will order. So if they fix lots of chicken dinners and most order beef they have lots of wasted chicken and same thing with other dishes. If people had to pre order they would know what they needed to cook.
I love the themes! Reminds me of when I took my first Royal cruise back in the 90s. Each night had a theme (and a special after dinner shot too which looks like it is still gone). My wife will not like the one lobster, but I guess I will have to order two main courses that night, so she can have my lobster. 🙂
I love Creme Brulee. When I sail, I eat in the MDR so when it comes to dessert, I eat the NY Cheesecake AND Creme Brulee. I love it. And yes, I eat it all. I am NOT about having it only on certain nights now.
So far am impressed. I like the idea of the shorter times for dining so YOU can get out and enjoy the rest of the evening on board. I always felt sorta rushed through dinner in order to get to the first showing in the theater. Looking forward to my February cruise!!
We have actually only had diner in the MDR one time and it was on our last cruise. Compared to the specialty dining, we actually found it was one of the best experiences as far as time goes .
My next cruise will be in May so by that time, the new menus will be well established. I am personally looking forward to the new revamp of the menus in MDR. The new lobster served (Maine) is intriguing and I was never really able to eat more than one anyway so no problem with limits. Hopefully the savings can affect the cost of cruising overall going forward and less waste of food. The variety of the food is great. Looking forward to trying it out. There is no shortage of dining choices on Royal Caribbean ships so the MDR is competing with the others and with variety, choices and good quality, the new menus will make it more interesting.
I agree with their limitation on lobster tails. The choices of other entrees unlimited should allow people to not leave hungry. I also agree with a faster dining experience.
I like the theme night plan, fewer menu options streamlines the service time but shouldn’t shortcut quality. It need to speed up a bit to turn the tables on the first seating.
Great info Matt, Thanks. I will be interested in the comments received in March, if the new menus go live in February. We cruise 4-6 weeks a year and have never had dinner in the windjammer, always in the MDR. I think, as with most changes any company makes, cost savings or more profit is the goal. Less menu items is less food cooked, saving money. The other side is it could increase demand for specialty restaurants, more profit. We cruise again in April and will be open minded about the menus. I think we can look at the daily menus ahead of time and plan to hit the buffet if the choices don't look appealing .
I just don't get removing the classics. That's really my only issue and I am very sad that things I would get every night of the cruise are just no longer available every night.
The New York strip steak is a repeating item on the main entree menu every night, and the Caesar salad is always one of the appetizer options. Other than that, the classic six are gone
Just got off Symphony of the Seas this past Saturday and i must say the food was really good and I loved the new menu. Carne Asada was our favorite meal of the week.
Glad that you had a great experience! To an English ear, Asada sounds 'kind of sad'. [wink] "I had a sad uh dinner last night...." If you are Hispanic, can you explain what it means in Spanish? What is the background to this kind of dish?
@@brentshuffler1234 well, carne asada translates to grilled or roasted meat, it is marinated flank or skirt steak that is cut into thin slices. You can eat it by itself or how it was served on the ship with a base of Mexican-styled rice and black beans. You can also eat it in tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. I believe in some parts of México, “carne asada” is a gathering or get together, much like how we Americans call it a “barbecue”. As for the plate on the ship, it had great flavor and the meat was super tender it would literally come apart. The rice and beans were really good and the rice was cooked to perfection. It came with a little (steamed?) spinach which was also really good.
I second that! The buffet on the high Lido deck is a perfect choice for mornings and for afternoons, but I highly recommend the complimentary fine-dining experience in the Main Dining Room. Good service, excellent food-quality, wide variety every day and from day to day, and a relaxing change from the usual fast-food pace of life.
Thank you Matt for bringing out this news.because my wife and I just booked our first cruise on the oasis .and where taking our two daughters in there first cruise. My wife and I sailed on the Mardi Gras and we went to there main dining room.we got to order anything and as much as we wanted. But where looking forward to sail on the oasis this fall!!
@@ethelkelson3232 Congratulations! At 12-plus cruises a year, you must be very close to Pinnacle status? Do you normally do 7-night cruises or shorter?
I don't know if I buy the reasoning behind the change being a time issue. I always felt the service in the main dining room was great and relatively fast. That being said... The amount of food wasted onboard is absurd, so I am fine with these changes and having to pay a little more if I want an extra lobster tail.
They took away the classic six options for financial reasons pure and simple. They're trying to save money. And they will by doing that. I just got back three weeks ago from Symphony. So I tried all these menus. My advice, check the app for the menu that evening and then decide if you still want to go. That's what I did. At least you know what you're getting into that way. Just showing up, and knowing the classic six are always there if you don't like what they have to offer that evening, sadly, is no longer an option
While I can see some benefit to customers this is change 11:16 primarily aimed at cost reduction. The strategy of RC is to move more customers from MDR to premium dining venues or to pay for premium products in the MDR! It’s slightly naive of some not to acknowledge that
Right now Wonder of the Seas is offering Unlimited Dining Package for only $226 plus 18% per person for a May cruise. We purchased it so as not to have to deal with the Main Dining Room or Mexican night. We want to relax and enjoy our diner without the crowds.😀
We just sailed on the Odyssey Jan 28th and honestly I dreaded the thought of a new menu, however we enjoyed most nights of our 8 day sailing in the MDR. We were able to eat at the Coastal Kitchen and they still offer the classic's which I think could still be implemented on the regular MDR menu. With the new menu, we were forced to try new items which I would not have otherwise. All in all we enjoyed the food from the new menu.
I have only been on Royal once and one of the things I did like was that classics section on the menu. I am going back on Harmony of the Seas in a few weeks and was wondering what the menu choices would be. I am a picky eater so was wondering if that would mean I ate less in the main dining room as a result of the change. It looks to me like they kept some of the classic but just incorporated them into the main menu more rather than having their own section, so each night there looks to be at least one item from the old classics menu. Based on this video there is only one night I would skip the main dining room just because of the choices and that would be Mediterranean night. I wish they would update the appetizers some, that is the most difficult part of the menu for me to find something I like.
If it's hard to find an appetizer, you can always ask for fruit bowl. That's what I do when I not enthused about, or can't eat, that days choices. You can also always order more bread for the table, and tell your waiter what kinds of the bread rolls you like, they'll bring you extra.
I think the new menus and theme nights are a great idea. I never even considered the classics before, I can have spaghetti and baked chicken at home! Not why I went on a cruise
We were on Radiance and on 2nd formal night night received a good size lobster tail. I was able to order a strip steak as well so did not even ask about more lobster. Some will really miss the daily classic options, especially the Salmon. If the next cruise is anything like Radiance, will love it. Thank you Matt!
One thing I learned on our 4-night Freedom sailing this week is lobster is not available for free on formal night. Seems I recall previously it was on shorter sailings but now it is only free on 7+ nights
I only had lobster tail a couple of years ago on Liberty of the Seas. They were small tails and definitely not a meal. Have the increased the size of the tails along with the new menus?
No, because the supply is much less in the world, the shipping is more expensive, and the environmentally friendly and sustainable suppliers are even fewer, but the global population, the cruising population, and the overall demand for these items continues to grow. E.g., in one restaurant that I know on land, the price of lobster tail was E.C.$65 (about U.S.$24) for the past few years . . . suddenly, I am seeing that the price is E.C.$85! And the Seafood Bowl, which was E.C.$75, is now E.C.$110 (U.S.$40)!
@@brentshuffler1234 Go to Boston Lobster Feast in Orlando -- all you can eat lobster and crab legs etc for $60 a person -- now tell me how they do that
Personally, my wife and I get the UDP. We enjoy the upcharge restaurants more since we like the food selection better and it's a more intimate experience for us. With the UDP, every night was like date on our last two cruises. We'll skip the MDR, thanks.
Hi Matt, I read about this on your blog too and was amazed at how many people were not happy in the comments section. I've only sailed on Royal twice and that was in 2022. I didn't get attached to the menu like most, so I'm totally fine with what I see for the new one. I know it should be fleetwide by Feb, but I wonder if it will make it to my Jan 27th sailing on Navigator? As of now, I think the app still lists the old menu.
As someone who LOVES the lobster, it’s not that big of a deal. I do like that they switched to the bigger lobster tails before making this change. The bottom line is we still get it and no one is going hungry on a cruise ship 😂. Thanks Matt!
Thanks for that tip. If indeed the average size will be larger, versus the small portion that was typical of cruise-ships for the past thirty years in my experience, then this is very good news. I still think that they could have allowed guests at least one extra lobster serving on that solitary special night per cruise . . . and let the limit apply to those who were going to ridiculous extremes with more than 3 lobster-orders.....on top of all the other food available each night.
They didn’t just go bigger, they also swapped out warm water lobsters for cold water Maine lobsters. That’s a very significant upgrade even if they were the same size
Great video!! Thanks I guess I'll be asking the others sitting at our table who are not having lobster to order a tail anyways to pass it on to my plate later 🦞
I think it is time for a new menu. Just hope that there are tasty recipe's for these menu's. One thing that comes to mind, I cruise RC almost exclusively. The first night always has battered fish filet. And the last 2 times I got it, it had a ton of batter, and the fish filet was so small, and some of the batter raw. When this happens on the first night, 2 cruises in one year, you know that's a problem. But I look forward to the new menu's and I have 3 cruises booked over the next 12 months.
Best dishes on the new menus hands down are the Indian food options. Not even close!!! Given how small my lobster was last week on Symphony they might as well do away with it completely and put the extra budgets the deserts which continue to be quite bad. Lobster was less than 2 bites, no joke. I have had larger shrimp. Our dinner service was consistently 90-100 mins.
I really like the themes, and understand about the lobster. Only real disappointment for me is losing the classics. I like having a known backup if I don’t like the rotating menu and love crème brûlée and am sad I can only get it 1-2 nights now.
Perhaps you could make a special request for it even when it’s not on your menu if you speak to your server at the beginning of your trip. It seems as though they try to be very accommodating within reason.
Our next cruise with the new menu is coming up in March on Independence of the Seas. We are looking forward to the new menu and a shorter dinner experience. Thanks for this video and for all of your videos. You are always a wealth of information!!
Though I haven’t sailed on RC yet, these menus are certainly intriguing. I’d recommend keeping the “standard” or “classic” choices available. Some nights a guest just might not want a French, Mexican, etc experience. Though I’ve never been a big fan of lobster, I know there are those who indulge on Lobster Night. I think two complimentary tails is not out of line.
Shorter dinner is best but I don’t want rushed service. My last dinner was so rushed and it wasn’t great. I usually love the experience in MDR so maybe streamlining will help. I don’t need lobster at all. I like the idea of themed nights and I’ve never had a complaint about the food on the ship.
Agree with below post that chefs recommendation should just be in the correct section with a little chefs hat or anchor or something denoting chef's rec. My one worry with themed nights is when there just isn't an option for a pickier eater. I guess they just have an appetizer, or dessert and go eat pizza or the buffet after? Disney Cruise line has the rotational dining which is themed to the room you're in, but you can always order from the other rooms if you ask nicely. So if you don't see anything you like, you can always us the on-board app, check the menu and order from somewhere else. This feels a little more constrictive with less/limited choices and only a few premium charge standards at the bottom.
I hate theme nights in buffets so having them in main dining room is not for me, but if you like different food then that is great. Maybe now they will do more basic choices in the buffet instead. One can only hope as not everyone likes different foods.
I would like to know exact nights that each menu will be featured on my sailing. I can use than info to decide if I want to book speciality dining on a night that the main dining room menu is my least favorite.
I will only be disappointed if I can no longer get the Baked French Onion Soup every night as a starter. I didn't see it on every menu, but hope it will still be available by request.
Thank you for this! I'm a MDR super fan and expect this will be what's offered in February when I cruise Brilliance. Hedging my bets on my B2B by getting UDP for one of the legs, lol!
I like the look of it ! When announced, I had concerns as I can be picky…. But on each of these menus I have found a Starter and a Main I would order. Also… it’s so easy now to view menus on the app earlier in the day and decide if maybe that night would be better at the Jammer, and dinner at the Jammer is a good experience with a great variety including the featured theme and not crowded like breakfast/Lunch. I’m on Ovation Back2Back for 18 nights in February and am looking forward to the MDR tweaks.
The problem with themed nights is ....... if you dont feel like that style of food on a particular night - your stuck and have to head to Windjammers. I liked the variety of different foods each night with the "staples" to fall back on if I didn't see something I wanted. Just seems another way of increasing profit and reducing service.
New menus look good to me. I like the theme nights! As far as lobster, it is crazy expensive now and I certainly understand the need to set limits. My cruise experience isn’t ruined because I can only have one lobster tail!
My last cruise,but they were trying to force me to have more than one lol.
@@MPPG663 yeah I had two and my server kept asking if I wanted more! Frankly they weren’t spectacular lol. I’m originally from New England and grew up eating lobster 🦞
Agreed all around.
@@MPPG663 we have seen that in the past, we definitely noticed on our Oasis Of The Seas Cruise in December, no one was pushing extra food. Looks like Royal is serious about saving some money!
I second that! Lobster is so expensive and/or rare in most places on land that I am happy to have a complimentary lobster during a cruise....at all! Not sure how many places on land offer it for only U.S.$17 + 18% = roughly U.S.$20. So people who want more CAN have more than one, as long as they appreciate the value for the extra money that that will cost them and the cruiseline.
My wife and I were on Symphony mid Nov. with the test menu. We were both very pleased and happy with the choices / variety, as well as the quality of the meals.
Matt, let me start off by saying you, your blog and your TH-cam channel are the best resources for everything Royal Caribbean.
As for this report on the New Menus, I completely love it as it will reduce the amount of time sitting in the MDR. Not only that, but by not having the same items available each night it makes the dining experience more interesting and you don't get bored as you do with having the same options each night.
Thank you again Matt for a fabulous video.
Love it!
Going on a cruise in 2024 and I'm sure there will be more changes by then, but I love having an idea of what is going to be served in the Main Dining to see if we will go every night or just a couple. Thank you, Matt!
After 20 years of cruising with RC with virtually the same menu, I’m excited!
I hope that they will continue to accommodate those of us with autoimmune disorders. I cannot eat carbs at all so some of these changes seems to limit my choices.
It all looks so good. I tried going to the website to take a closer look at the menu, and it says the page is no longer available. Do you know where else I could look at it more closely Thanks
I am so very picky and was nervous about losing the classics. But there is only two nights they would be a challenge. But like Matt says we can always order chicken tenders. And we had planned on the 2 nights for dinner at specialty restaurants as we love Izumi and Giovanni’s
Can't wait to eat on Wonder of the seas! I love new choices.
The previous menu is not responsible for the lengthy MDR dinner experience. The dining room staff has been greatly reduced and each waiter and assistant has several additional tables to serve simultaneously. Busboys have been eliminated, dedicated bar staff eliminated, and fewer functional head waiters. Mix in the anytime dining variable and a decrease in passenger punctuality and the slim staff are now stretched to a lesser degree of efficiency.
Very astute observations and analysis. It also reminds us that the after-effects of the pandemic years include a decline in the workforce, as many more people have retired or left the workforce, and fewer persons have entered the available pool of talent. So cruiselines, like airlines, hotels, restaurants, and hospitals, are generally struggling a lot more than usual just to get and to KEEP good employees....or any new employees.
It looks interesting. That exec is clearly correct, though, it's not supposed to be an "all you can eat lobster" on the ship, it is just costing them a mountain of money.
And if you don't like what's there, you can just go to the Windjammer (or get chicken tenders) :)
Was on a sailing last Oct 2022 with my extended family. All of them first time RC cruisers. After seeing that the MDR had the same menu each night majority of the fam wanted to just hit the other options. This will be a welcome change IMO.
Just came off a Royal Caribbean cruise and the new menu in the main dining room is fantastic! Getting ready to book another cruise on Royal Caribbean and get more of their wonderful food - especially the desserts!!!
Anyone know if we can still get a cheese plate? That was a favorite when I wasn't feeling something sweet for dessert. Thanks.
i just got off navigator this past monday. i was a bit disappointed in the new menu. it wasnt terrible, but it wasnt great like it used to be.
I just recently cruised on the Symphony of the Seas (31 Dec~7 Jan), and experienced the new menus. I found the themed nights still offered enough choices to satisfy multiple tastes and I was happy to see that my go-to favorites were still available most nights. I chose a mixture of Chef-recommended and regular menu items each night. While it is a change, I don't think the majority of cruisers will be disappointed. As far as the length of dining, there was plenty of time to enjoy the experience and each other. While dinner is a time to catch up on the day's adventures we must remember that if one has chosen the early seating, the wait staff must reset the area for another group coming in after us.
Love the dinning room! Lovely ! Look forward to going again!❤
Like the defined Indian Options each night… I know they were previously available as a ‘secret’ but it nice to see them out in the open…
Love Royal I appreciate the variety.
Best dining review I’ve seen! Thank you 😊
This is such a good intro to the new menu. I’m cruising Feb 19, Anthem and I’m HOPING it has been launched in time for my cruise.
I have absolutely no issues with these changes. That being said, I'll be on the Anthem for an 11 night cruise on January 24th and will hopefully be available to try them out.
I'm be on Anthem in May & looking forward to seeing the menu for the Transatlantic
We leave Feb 4th!!!!
i’m on wonder on June 4th
Hi there!! Can you let us know if the new menu was featured on your cruise when you return?
If I remember correctly I’m sure my first three cruise back 70s. We’re themed night menus 🇦🇺 just came of Quantum last week , no lobster tail at main dining , it one of the lunch windjammer did have prawns mussels and. Small Lobster tails it was great and plenty of it , 🇦🇺🇦🇺
On my cruise on Jewel (Durring Christmas), They gave me 2 lobsters (1 to start and 1 that our waiter had on a separate plate with plenty of lobster on it).
I think the theme nights sound fun but I wonder if RC will let us know which nights will be for each theme so I can better plan for my reservations at some of the other restaurants on board. Looking forward to our Odyssey cruise in March!
They do, you can check the app before your sailing, just go to the dining section and then choose main dining room menu, it says the theme of each night of your cruise. I’m sailing in February and we already checked what’s the theme of each night!
More limited choices for cost cutting
Thanks!
The new menus look great to me! There's been so many rumors flying. That the entrees are tiny, that you can only order one. 75 min is fine. I'm looking forward to Caribbean night , I hear the coconut shrimp is very good!
Thank you for posting this! I'll be on RCI Brilliance, the end of the February. I'm just glad that they will still have escargot !!!!
I am looking forward to the change on my Upcoming Wonder of the seas sailing in March 2023. I am NOT a picky eater and I like trying new things. I can find something i would like on each menu.
Currently on Wonder of The Seas and noticed the menu changes but I must admit they are just as great if not better.
After you finish your meal, can a passenger take desert to go.
My husband and I are going in May in Freedom of the Seas for 4 days, in the app I already get the themed dinner for each day. The first night Welcome Aboard, the second Caribbean night, the third French night and the fourth Italian night.
"Theme nights" are interesting and there are still a lot of selections on the menus. My family has been on two cruises, and we have yet to experience a lobster night! We've had fresh Maine lobster in Boston and Maine at fantastic prices, so $16.99+18% for an additional tail seems a lot, but we'll see. It will be interesting to see the size of the tails. As to time invested on a dinner: When my family goes to any restaurant (and more so on cruises), part of the enjoyment is spending time together to talk and catch up. If dinner is just a "rush" stop on the way to a show, we make sure to go to a "quicker" restaurant, or to schedule the show for a later time, but to each their own. One thing we have always thought and STILL think is that staff of all the RCCL kitchens are AMAZING and truly the prep and behind the scenes to each MDR meal must be incredible!!! Looking forward to our next cruise on Wonder in May!
New menu looks really good. Can't wait to try it on our cruise in April.
Thanks for this video and the downloadable PDFs! We just came off a cruise out of Sydney and we found that our kids were much happier if they could see menus a bit ahead of time so that they could take their time making choices - some days they felt adventurous and some days they were a bit more fussy. This will allow us to get a good headstart on our first two RCI cruises in October!
I still say allowing people to pre order dinner in the morning for the evening would cut expenses so much. They mass cook stuff because they don’t know what people will order. So if they fix lots of chicken dinners and most order beef they have lots of wasted chicken and same thing with other dishes. If people had to pre order they would know what they needed to cook.
I love the themes! Reminds me of when I took my first Royal cruise back in the 90s. Each night had a theme (and a special after dinner shot too which looks like it is still gone). My wife will not like the one lobster, but I guess I will have to order two main courses that night, so she can have my lobster. 🙂
Loved the specialty shots. I remember that on our honeymoon cruise back in 97. One of myfavorite parts of the evening
Or she can stop being cheap and pay $20 for a second one
@@jd0879 Pff why stop there, if it bothers you so much that they want to share, stop being so cheap yourself and *you* buy one for her.🤗
I know Giovionnis had a lemocillo shot after dinner on Freedom so maybe it is more in the special restaurant only
You are too kind. I’m not sharing mine lobster.
I love Creme Brulee. When I sail, I eat in the MDR so when it comes to dessert, I eat the NY Cheesecake AND Creme Brulee. I love it. And yes, I eat it all. I am NOT about having it only on certain nights now.
Had a months cruise in the early 70s, the food and everything was amazing. Had my 12th birthdatmy on the ship
So far am impressed. I like the idea of the shorter times for dining so YOU can get out and enjoy the rest of the evening on board. I always felt sorta rushed through dinner in order to get to the first showing in the theater. Looking forward to my February cruise!!
I’m cruising next month too. Lol
We have actually only had diner in the MDR one time and it was on our last cruise. Compared to the specialty dining, we actually found it was one of the best experiences as far as time goes .
You are cute love the comment ordered off the kids menu thanks humor is Great!😊❤
My next cruise will be in May so by that time, the new menus will be well established. I am personally looking forward to the new revamp of the menus in MDR. The new lobster served (Maine) is intriguing and I was never really able to eat more than one anyway so no problem with limits. Hopefully the savings can affect the cost of cruising overall going forward and less waste of food. The variety of the food is great. Looking forward to trying it out. There is no shortage of dining choices on Royal Caribbean ships so the MDR is competing with the others and with variety, choices and good quality, the new menus will make it more interesting.
I'm sailing in May too
I agree with their limitation on lobster tails. The choices of other entrees unlimited should allow people to not leave hungry. I also agree with a faster dining experience.
I like the theme night plan, fewer menu options streamlines the service time but shouldn’t shortcut quality. It need to speed up a bit to turn the tables on the first seating.
Great info Matt, Thanks. I will be interested in the comments received in March, if the new menus go live in February. We cruise 4-6 weeks a year and have never had dinner in the windjammer, always in the MDR. I think, as with most changes any company makes, cost savings or more profit is the goal. Less menu items is less food cooked, saving money. The other side is it could increase demand for specialty restaurants, more profit. We cruise again in April and will be open minded about the menus. I think we can look at the daily menus ahead of time and plan to hit the buffet if the choices don't look appealing .
I just don't get removing the classics. That's really my only issue and I am very sad that things I would get every night of the cruise are just no longer available every night.
The New York strip steak is a repeating item on the main entree menu every night, and the Caesar salad is always one of the appetizer options. Other than that, the classic six are gone
Just got off Symphony of the Seas this past Saturday and i must say the food was really good and I loved the new menu. Carne Asada was our favorite meal of the week.
Glad that you had a great experience! To an English ear, Asada sounds 'kind of sad'. [wink] "I had a sad uh dinner last night...." If you are Hispanic, can you explain what it means in Spanish? What is the background to this kind of dish?
@@brentshuffler1234 well, carne asada translates to grilled or roasted meat, it is marinated flank or skirt steak that is cut into thin slices. You can eat it by itself or how it was served on the ship with a base of Mexican-styled rice and black beans. You can also eat it in tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. I believe in some parts of México, “carne asada” is a gathering or get together, much like how we Americans call it a “barbecue”. As for the plate on the ship, it had great flavor and the meat was super tender it would literally come apart. The rice and beans were really good and the rice was cooked to perfection. It came with a little (steamed?) spinach which was also really good.
@@brentshuffler1234 also the meat is normally cooked on wood or charcoal, which kind of give a smoky taste to it.
Love this. Sounds refreshing🙋♀️
I’m a windjammer person, but with these changes I’ll be much more inclined to go to the main dinning room. I think these changes are great!!
I second that! The buffet on the high Lido deck is a perfect choice for mornings and for afternoons, but I highly recommend the complimentary fine-dining experience in the Main Dining Room. Good service, excellent food-quality, wide variety every day and from day to day, and a relaxing change from the usual fast-food pace of life.
Thank you Matt for bringing out this news.because my wife and I just booked our first cruise on the oasis .and where taking our two daughters in there first cruise. My wife and I sailed on the Mardi Gras and we went to there main dining room.we got to order anything and as much as we wanted. But where looking forward to sail on the oasis this fall!!
I’m diamond plus and cruise at least 12 times a year. I will keep an open mind about these changes but I really like the old menus
Are you retired lol?
@@MPPG663 Happily
@@ethelkelson3232 Congratulations! At 12-plus cruises a year, you must be very close to Pinnacle status? Do you normally do 7-night cruises or shorter?
@@brentshuffler1234 I sail anywhere from 6 to14. I live in Fl. so it’s easy to get to the ports.
Excited for my cruise in March! Menus look great to me!
I don't know if I buy the reasoning behind the change being a time issue. I always felt the service in the main dining room was great and relatively fast. That being said... The amount of food wasted onboard is absurd, so I am fine with these changes and having to pay a little more if I want an extra lobster tail.
They took away the classic six options for financial reasons pure and simple. They're trying to save money. And they will by doing that.
I just got back three weeks ago from Symphony. So I tried all these menus. My advice, check the app for the menu that evening and then decide if you still want to go. That's what I did. At least you know what you're getting into that way. Just showing up, and knowing the classic six are always there if you don't like what they have to offer that evening, sadly, is no longer an option
so does this change formal night? is that no longer a main thing now?
While I can see some benefit to customers this is change 11:16 primarily aimed at cost reduction. The strategy of RC is to move more customers from MDR to premium dining venues or to pay for premium products in the MDR!
It’s slightly naive of some not to acknowledge that
Right now Wonder of the Seas is offering Unlimited Dining Package for only $226 plus 18% per person for a May cruise. We purchased it so as not to have to deal with the Main Dining Room or Mexican night. We want to relax and enjoy our diner without the crowds.😀
We just sailed on the Odyssey Jan 28th and honestly I dreaded the thought of a new menu, however we enjoyed most nights of our 8 day sailing in the MDR. We were able to eat at the Coastal Kitchen and they still offer the classic's which I think could still be implemented on the regular MDR menu. With the new menu, we were forced to try new items which I would not have otherwise. All in all we enjoyed the food from the new menu.
Excited to taste test the new menu in may
Great and informative as always. I saw New York Strip Stake so I'm good. 🙂
When you are trying to plan out what nights you want to do specialty vs MDR, when can you see what theme is which night in the MDR?
i love this actually ! looking forward to our symphony cruise in march
I have only been on Royal once and one of the things I did like was that classics section on the menu. I am going back on Harmony of the Seas in a few weeks and was wondering what the menu choices would be. I am a picky eater so was wondering if that would mean I ate less in the main dining room as a result of the change. It looks to me like they kept some of the classic but just incorporated them into the main menu more rather than having their own section, so each night there looks to be at least one item from the old classics menu. Based on this video there is only one night I would skip the main dining room just because of the choices and that would be Mediterranean night. I wish they would update the appetizers some, that is the most difficult part of the menu for me to find something I like.
this is what i've been saying generally they have 2 items from the classic menu a night..
If it's hard to find an appetizer, you can always ask for fruit bowl. That's what I do when I not enthused about, or can't eat, that days choices.
You can also always order more bread for the table, and tell your waiter what kinds of the bread rolls you like, they'll bring you extra.
I think the new menus and theme nights are a great idea. I never even considered the classics before, I can have spaghetti and baked chicken at home! Not why I went on a cruise
Penny, I couldn't agree more!
We were on Radiance and on 2nd formal night night received a good size lobster tail. I was able to order a strip steak as well so did not even ask about more lobster. Some will really miss the daily classic options, especially the Salmon. If the next cruise is anything like Radiance, will love it. Thank you Matt!
One thing I learned on our 4-night Freedom sailing this week is lobster is not available for free on formal night. Seems I recall previously it was on shorter sailings but now it is only free on 7+ nights
They’ve never offered “lobster night” on short sailings. Always been with 6+ night cruise that have a second formal night
I only had lobster tail a couple of years ago on Liberty of the Seas. They were small tails and definitely not a meal. Have the increased the size of the tails along with the new menus?
No, because the supply is much less in the world, the shipping is more expensive, and the environmentally friendly and sustainable suppliers are even fewer, but the global population, the cruising population, and the overall demand for these items continues to grow. E.g., in one restaurant that I know on land, the price of lobster tail was E.C.$65 (about U.S.$24) for the past few years . . . suddenly, I am seeing that the price is E.C.$85! And the Seafood Bowl, which was E.C.$75, is now E.C.$110 (U.S.$40)!
@@brentshuffler1234 Go to Boston Lobster Feast in Orlando -- all you can eat lobster and crab legs etc for $60 a person -- now tell me how they do that
Personally, my wife and I get the UDP. We enjoy the upcharge restaurants more since we like the food selection better and it's a more intimate experience for us. With the UDP, every night was like date on our last two cruises. We'll skip the MDR, thanks.
Hi Matt, I read about this on your blog too and was amazed at how many people were not happy in the comments section. I've only sailed on Royal twice and that was in 2022. I didn't get attached to the menu like most, so I'm totally fine with what I see for the new one. I know it should be fleetwide by Feb, but I wonder if it will make it to my Jan 27th sailing on Navigator? As of now, I think the app still lists the old menu.
As someone who LOVES the lobster, it’s not that big of a deal. I do like that they switched to the bigger lobster tails before making this change. The bottom line is we still get it and no one is going hungry on a cruise ship 😂. Thanks Matt!
Thanks for that tip. If indeed the average size will be larger, versus the small portion that was typical of cruise-ships for the past thirty years in my experience, then this is very good news. I still think that they could have allowed guests at least one extra lobster serving on that solitary special night per cruise . . . and let the limit apply to those who were going to ridiculous extremes with more than 3 lobster-orders.....on top of all the other food available each night.
They didn’t just go bigger, they also swapped out warm water lobsters for cold water Maine lobsters. That’s a very significant upgrade even if they were the same size
This is good content....thanks Matt
Thank you for watching!
Great video!! Thanks
I guess I'll be asking the others sitting at our table who are not having lobster to order a tail anyways to pass it on to my plate later 🦞
my thoughts exactly! ;)
I think it is time for a new menu. Just hope that there are tasty recipe's for these menu's. One thing that comes to mind, I cruise RC almost exclusively. The first night always has battered fish filet. And the last 2 times I got it, it had a ton of batter, and the fish filet was so small, and some of the batter raw. When this happens on the first night, 2 cruises in one year, you know that's a problem. But I look forward to the new menu's and I have 3 cruises booked over the next 12 months.
Best dishes on the new menus hands down are the Indian food options. Not even close!!! Given how small my lobster was last week on Symphony they might as well do away with it completely and put the extra budgets the deserts which continue to be quite bad. Lobster was less than 2 bites, no joke. I have had larger shrimp. Our dinner service was consistently 90-100 mins.
No one who “takes their lobster seriously” expects these lobster tails to be anything more than mediocre at best.
Absolutely. I had 1 and have not had another.
I really like the themes, and understand about the lobster. Only real disappointment for me is losing the classics. I like having a known backup if I don’t like the rotating menu and love crème brûlée and am sad I can only get it 1-2 nights now.
I think the desserts on the new menus look boring. I’m not tempted at all.
When cruise, I have creme brûlée every night. It is my favorite. I am so sad I won't be able to have it every night on my next cruise. 😢
Perhaps you could make a special request for it even when it’s not on your menu if you speak to your server at the beginning of your trip. It seems as though they try to be very accommodating within reason.
I'm one of those that love to try new stuff. So this would be interesting to try in March when I go one Wonder.
Our next cruise with the new menu is coming up in March on Independence of the Seas. We are looking forward to the new menu and a shorter dinner experience. Thanks for this video and for all of your videos. You are always a wealth of information!!
Though I haven’t sailed on RC yet, these menus are certainly intriguing.
I’d recommend keeping the “standard” or “classic” choices available. Some nights a guest just might not want a French, Mexican, etc experience.
Though I’ve never been a big fan of lobster, I know there are those who indulge on Lobster Night. I think two complimentary tails is not out of line.
Shorter dinner is best but I don’t want rushed service. My last dinner was so rushed and it wasn’t great. I usually love the experience in MDR so maybe streamlining will help. I don’t need lobster at all. I like the idea of themed nights and I’ve never had a complaint about the food on the ship.
I’ll find out if these menus are good when I get on board Oasis in March.
Does premium on the menu mean not included and is an extra espense?
Agree with below post that chefs recommendation should just be in the correct section with a little chefs hat or anchor or something denoting chef's rec.
My one worry with themed nights is when there just isn't an option for a pickier eater. I guess they just have an appetizer, or dessert and go eat pizza or the buffet after? Disney Cruise line has the rotational dining which is themed to the room you're in, but you can always order from the other rooms if you ask nicely. So if you don't see anything you like, you can always us the on-board app, check the menu and order from somewhere else. This feels a little more constrictive with less/limited choices and only a few premium charge standards at the bottom.
Can we see the extra menus for 10 day cruises please
Have they rolled out the new menu to Oasis yet? Leaving Jan 29th!
Question: I don’t eat shellfish but love onion soup and baked Alaska. So could I sub a main course from the regular menu?
Will we know in advance or at least once we get on board which nights are which so we can plan specialty dining around it?
I hate theme nights in buffets so having them in main dining room is not for me, but if you like different food then that is great. Maybe now they will do more basic choices in the buffet instead. One can only hope as not everyone likes different foods.
For the lobster thing, I went on ovation a week ago from syd, they were selling a whole Maine lobster for 32usd I believe
I would like to know exact nights that each menu will be featured on my sailing. I can use than info to decide if I want to book speciality dining on a night that the main dining room menu is my least favorite.
I will only be disappointed if I can no longer get the Baked French Onion Soup every night as a starter. I didn't see it on every menu, but hope it will still be available by request.
Thank you for this! I'm a MDR super fan and expect this will be what's offered in February when I cruise Brilliance. Hedging my bets on my B2B by getting UDP for one of the legs, lol!
Will these be in play for February 2023 cruises anthem of the seas?
How can you find out what menu is being served each night in order to better make specialty dining reservations??
These look great! But what about dietary restrictions? I am gluten and dairy free...is that something that can be requested?
I like the look of it !
When announced, I had concerns as I can be picky…. But on each of these menus I have found a Starter and a Main I would order.
Also… it’s so easy now to view menus on the app earlier in the day and decide if maybe that night would be better at the Jammer, and dinner at the Jammer is a good experience with a great variety including the featured theme and not crowded like breakfast/Lunch.
I’m on Ovation Back2Back for 18 nights in February and am looking forward to the MDR tweaks.
We checked nenus on the app before we even ser sail. Ended up canceling specialty dining as the 4 of us couldn't decide which night to skip the MDR.
The problem with themed nights is ....... if you dont feel like that style of food on a particular night - your stuck and have to head to Windjammers. I liked the variety of different foods each night with the "staples" to fall back on if I didn't see something I wanted. Just seems another way of increasing profit and reducing service.
How do you know what night is what theme? I want to plan my speciality dining accordingly!
We select the MDR only for a few nights, how do we know which order the themes are in? Is it standard every sailing or random?
I’m excited to try the new menu this MY when we are on Wonder. I really like the themed menus and refreshed options.