lildawgscottFL

I concur with jti. In the "old days" you used to be able to order anything off the specialty restaurant menus for the same "modest charge". There were no upcharged offerings on the already upcharged restaurants. Now, I recognize that quantity does not always make up for lack of quality, and most people aren't going to gorge themselves in the specialty restaurants like they might be tempted to do at the Windjammer, but just the idea that I cannot have whatever I want on the menu at Chops without having to pay extra is a little bit of a problem for me. ...not to mention that the upcharge is no longer a "modest" charge. At $40 PP you might as well be going to a moderately-high end restaurant in town ! I also recognize that almost NOBODY pays $40 PP at Chops with all of the discounts and packages and what-not, but that is, still, the base price for eating at Chops these days.

 

I have not eaten at Chops in a number of years except for the suites breakfast which just coincidentally happens to be at Chops. It's a bit of a boycott on my part. I think the food is reasonably good. I won't argue that. I just find that it no longer provides the incentive that it once did....and I am much more satisfied with the reasonably good FREE food (although we all know there is no such thing...just food I have already paid for) in the MDR than I am with the reasonably good food that I have to pay twice...or more...for.

 

It's never about the money for me, when it comes to cruising. If we all get really real about the VALUE we all get from cruising, there's nothing anyone should complain about ever. Try to get the same value on land. Perhaps if you stay at a La Quinta and eat at Denny's, you could come close to the PRICE, but then you're staying at La Quinta and eating at Denny's - and you're not getting any of the other value add-ons that come with a Royal cruise. Up to a point, Royal can charge me whatever they want, as long as they keep delivering on their promise of a great product and excellent service. After all, they need to earn a profit too. Otherwise, all of these awe-inspiring innovations that we all love so much won't keep happening. Doing business with Royal is definitely a win-win for the consumer and company alike.

 

Where are you dining for $40 per person at a steakhouse on land? Outback? Longhorn? Texas Roadhouse? That's possible. But Outback, et al, do not compare with Chops, or so I've been told. A true comparable steakhouse experience would cost more like $100 per person. Sabor, for example, costs $30 per person. A comparable Mexican experience on land would cost 50% more. It's not Taco Bell, after all. But, you might say, we are already paying for the MDR. Yes, technically, but not really. We're paying $60 a day (if you get a normal cruise fare - I usually like to pay $40-$50) for EVERYTHING. I have not gotten a hotel room alone for $60 a day in years. The all-inclusive nature of our beloved cruise is unbeatable.

 

I am happy to hear, though, that even if you do not find value in Chops any longer, you do still think the quality is there, and that is the information I was after.

Oh Matt, I was just busting your Chops! Lol

 

I'm convinced. I'll give it a shot. After all, you were absolutely right about Sabor. You're clearly a fat man living in a skinny man's body. You know your food!

April 2017 Navigator (but we're also about to book February 2016 Enchantment - I'll let you know; and maybe something in July for our anniversary)

Well, then, I shall never go on a first night, regardless of the discount. Thank you, sir!

Do they charge extra for the filet? Either size?

Are you being objective or biased by your love? ;-) After all, we listen to your podcast, you know. Your passionate love affair with food is well known.

I've noticed a difference, ship to ship, in the quality of the specialty restaurants, particularly Giovanni's and Johnny Rockets. We have never tried Chops, but I want to get the best impression of it. Is there a ship where Chops really shines? Conversely, is there a ship where it falls short?

Yes, the Concierge Lounge! With the stairs! Yes, that was it. I remember now. And it was certainly remarkable! And we got the cookbook too. Never used it, but it's nice nostalgia.

We dipped out on our 150 reservation on Oasis. It seemed too uppity for our tastes. Someday, we may take another look at it. We will definitely book the Chef's Table again, but I'm afraid of which ships to do it on, after seeing the Freedom spin on it. Maybe Oasis class or higher only?

Never follow instructions! :P We were sitting in the hot tub, sipping on pina coladas, and it wasn't even 11 am yet. :D Others were just getting on their shuttles, heading to the port. Suckas! ;) Better to ask forgiveness than permission! We plowed on and even knocked over a few old ladies in wheelchairs! Nothing was keeping my wife from the Windjammer for another second more! It's cruise time! All bets are off! :lol:

Allow me to clarify - even if it is "Taco Bell at sea," I'd still be somewhat happy. I love TB!!! But, after experiencing Sabor, how can Rita's expect to impress? So, with a lowered bar, I might still be content. However, the Windjammer nachos are a great alternative, and they're free! Yum! Yum!

The Chef's Table isn't as much about the menu as it is about the experience. I will say, though, that the Oasis experience was probably better than the Freedom one would have been, because they set us up in some private lounge/dining area (like the diamond club or something - I forget where), as opposed to the Windjammer. We saw that and were like, "What? The Windjammer for the Chef's Table? Are they kidding?" And the people you have with you are so integral. Of course I mean the other guests, but I also mean the Chef and the Sommelier. Our Chef was satisfactory, but our Sommelier made the night! So wonderful! Tah-dah!

Here are some images and videos from our experience on the Oasis.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B41VaJKWq_l0Mjhha3Y5SkFpTTA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B41VaJKWq_l0bTJIdGtNUXB1Vlk/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B41VaJKWq_l0TFc5WTZVanYySms/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sWS59CrKWUFmf9jRQ_DcxJb75BqzDQpBPQ/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1leaZXiA90OPZX2LD-ZAo2ifnO9AFLviAlA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/187F1IfYMNKw_k2QgrPG0YETRIBQbfloHGQ/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZkinqP_F4uoOTIh2gzkFKCoOF24j3ekwdg/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iQcz6vCJwxyfcW8q1LqSuLo-Jp3K-gPE-g/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WmEfrRivRZzEm4Yj4Wh1Q6b0iKrd3_UMRw/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UrbIqK59O6fMJ22WWAF9iM4JP_Z2iQ7o1w/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ukx9E1_H44dkNH5kqPiwWa2xN7YP4gTdag/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lTc6p6OknSZdtIPHSzh4qkwCSC9GIQwIuw/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xaTRk1On_Kn_vFfmm_GSHGutIJcaHFlzgA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SVRU-1GC76eDGxJw2_2D4QehjPyawrfBLA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YBPx919Wgii-zoQxqH6FyPDbWDON2bGmTA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1re6VLn2rnfMHxNvr977d5dRLOP7pxKiLHw/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11FnJ6jHLyWvxAzMXp4-Cj1wQfmQXqKoWIw/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13_LjGQuaOCYtsKaecLpQj_0fjpVvS-r7cw/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/198iMLun1eLM5_msxCUm88JDGZ9sp-1ltxw/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aRkSMMOhuS-bOmR1Mzcp6IZZlsP5kZBVZw/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/102q-ogZO9nZJnv03bX36Pn_pdKLfXsCsxQ/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mhXGLm5oVubMF_WmBCtxfjmwhZbLUuVPFw/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gVvmZF0XM8XWipzIfXrF-Up_YhE7QCy7xA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hWjKDtDOKJpL5bHeaQUFQsrlNqwgawGQUg/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1whO2-RDJcgZQeQVa1z8epUCm5WiJ2tWP6Q/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/131el24ieFmDOqbNvZxb1GJmMUfKm9k1Lww/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MglxBXYAfZvlHTdnFRLlnz5f0zLCGDbRvw/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b9WJT0CAyjPql4d_BckIseG51IKzGkvT0Q/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yLbxMwoueCLGzUvG2lTwt37c0ctsnv3nCA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BA8HNwFhzESgyZaVfdWAdfgxh0AROSkH9Q/view?usp=sharing

If they put Les Mis on a cruise ship, I'd have a hard time sailing on any other ship. Unless, they put Phantom somewhere else. Then I'd be torn. My two favorite! With all that WOWs me on Royal, that would SUPER WOW me!

I was on the Brilliance in Northern Europe in July/August. While you correct that there's no Sabor, there is the Chef's Table, Izumi, Chops, Giovanni's Table, Rita's Cantina, and Park Cafe. I would kill to see Rita's turned into Sabor or at least a casual version of Sabor. I think we may have been the only people there in 12 nights and left with a tab of under $3. We also didn't go back as it didn't do much for us.

I love Chef's Table, but due to the price, it's not an every cruise sort of thing for us. The one we did on Oasis was, to answer Matt's traditional podcast question, our "favorite dining experience on a Royal Caribbean Cruise." While we're at it, the song on my Android at any given time is usually Matt's podcast (I'm still catching up). I'm probably the only guy riding down the highway on his Harley-Davidson listening to a cruise podcast. :lol:

 

Rita's Cantina used to excite me, but the more I hear about it, the more I fear it's Taco Bell at sea. That would bite the big one. <_< Then again, I was not impressed by the Seafood Shack, so I'd not be surprised if Rita's was underwhelming. :(

monctonguy/Matt - Sorry, my mistake. :unsure:  I guess I'm bad at research. Or maybe I'm just getting old and remembered it all wrong.

monctonguy -
 

"Not sure what you are looking for or enjoy as these are 3 pretty different ships...but for me the appeal of Majesty would be to get on her one time before the refurb as she is the oldest style ship in the fleet right now...not to mention there are usually some very good pricing to be had on her, especially in Jan/Feb!"

In general, I'm not a nostalgic guy. I'm big on progress and technology. I like cutting-edge and fresh. So, getting on Majesty before her refurb does nothing for me. I'd much rather wait and see what new and wondrous things await me! Besides, I was on Sovereign back in the day. Do I remember her at all? Heck no! ;) But, I've been there, done that. As for pricing, you're definitely right. However, living in Orlando, I get my pick of the litter. I've got three ports and three different ships, always ready and waiting for me to jump on, and they're all within our "quickie vacay" budget.

For my big bucks, I'm Oasis or Quantum class all the way. Well, actually, I'm just assuming I'll love Quantum, as I've never actually been on one. Oasis is still my fav! I cannot wait for Harmony! But, the good news is, Matt said that when his Patreon pledges (https://www.patreon.com/RoyalCaribbeanBlog?ty=c) reach 10,000 patrons or $1,000,000 per month, whichever comes first, he'd be taking us all on Harmony for a group cruise on his dime! Woo hoo! Matt's the best! :lol: :wub:  :P 

Matt - I should have known you'd have a blog post ready to go! Thank you! According to your post though, there is no Sabor on Brilliance. :( Total bummer! But, there is an R Bar! :D Winner! I just listened to your podcasts on the Radiance class in general and the Brilliance specifically. I'm all about it!

By "refurbishments fairly recently," do you mean Oasis- and Quantum-inspired upgrades? Because I thought I saw something, somewhere, that said they had upgrades in the mid-2000s. That's ten years ago. Pre-Oasis and Quantum.

I was trying to decide between the Enchantment, the Brilliance, and the Majesty for a quickie in late Jan/early Feb 2016, but I think this helps my decision. Unless, of course, Enchantment and/or Brilliance will be due for the same refurb? Anyone know?

Oops! The Majesty refurb won't be done in time for my plans. I've gotta learn to read better. :huh: :unsure: But still, what's the word about the other two?

I was trying to decide between the Enchantment, the Brilliance, and the Majesty for a quickie in late Jan/early Feb 2016, but I think this helps my decision. Unless, of course, Enchantment and/or Brilliance will be due for the same refurb? Anyone know?

Welcome Susie! If you've never been on Oasis, you're gonna love it! Right now, it's our favorite ship. Of course, we've only been on four (Legend, Sovereign, Oasis, and Freedom). Legend will always hold a special place in our hearts though, being our first. Soon we'll be on Matt's favorite - the Navigator. We'll see. Holding you to it, Matthew! ;) We're also looking at booking a quickie on Majesty, Enchantment, or Brilliance - which ship depends on which dates work best. It's a nice luxury living in Orlando and having our pick of three super convenient ports.

Anyway, congratulations on everything! Look forward to seeing you out there!

We did the Chukka Horseback Ride and Swim Tour. All we remember was a very long, cramped bus ride and horses that felt like they were not cared for properly. We consider that excursion as one of the worst we've done. But, I would caution not to base all of Chukka's tours on one tour.

Out of respect, I do what is traditional. But as that is changing, I'm becoming happier. If I had my way, I'd be in full bum attire everyday, everywhere. In the meantime, however, that has not yet changed. So I wish the eye sore folks would find their way to Carnival.

Sometimes you should just play the game the way it is already set up, and not force your game on everyone else. Don't bring a basketball to a tennis match.

So wear a suit and a nice dress on formal night. Don't wear a tank top and flip flops to the MDR or the theater on any night. And so on. It's not always about you. Sometimes it's about respect for others. If you want it to be all about you, buy your own ship. Shy of that, conform a bit.

Confession time. I wore jeans and a button down shirt to the MDR for the first time ever on my cruise last week. I felt totally dressed down and little uncomfortable. That said, people were wearing shorts and tees, so, by comparison, I was fine. Didn't make it right though. I think if times are changing, it should be officially changed. And when it is, I'll be the happiest man in the room.

Maybe I'm just old fashioned.

Welcome Jay!

Like the good doctor said, we go from our dinner to the show, so we're wearing the same attire. Then, we immediately change back to shorts and tees. However, I've definitely seen shorts and tees in the theater. It's pretty much "anything goes" onboard.

What does that mean, investing so much in Miami? Are there Port Canaveral style plans?

done

You're like the great and powerful Oz! ;) Thank you, kind sir. I'll upload now. Where do you want them? Edit the original post and attach them there?

This is what I see. And now that I've uploaded that screenshot, I only have 211KB available.