Matt Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 So far I've made reservations for Izumi, Sabor, Chops and Giovannis on my Navigator of the Seas cruise. Hi, my name is Matt and I'm addicted to specialty restaurants! Don, Tylor, Shawn and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Did they have a dining package for Navigator like they do on Oasis and Allure, or did you have to reserve each restaurant separately? I really liked the dining package we had on Allure of the Seas. It was nice to get 4 restaurants in a package, saving 20%. Don 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 So far I've made reservations for Izumi, Sabor, Chops and Giovannis on my Navigator of the Seas cruise. Hi, my name is Matt and I'm addicted to specialty restaurants! I share your addiction. We have eaten at all except Sabor. Enjoy the dining experiences! Izumi is unique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Did they have a dining package for Navigator like they do on Oasis and Allure, or did you have to reserve each restaurant separately? I really liked the dining package we had on Allure of the Seas. It was nice to get 4 restaurants in a package, saving 20%. They also had the savings package on Rhapsody this Spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Did they have a dining package for Navigator like they do on Oasis and Allure, or did you have to reserve each restaurant separately? I really liked the dining package we had on Allure of the Seas. It was nice to get 4 restaurants in a package, saving 20%. Unless I'm not seeing it, there appears to be no package aside from the Set Sail Dining Deal (day 1 only for groups of 8+) and the Celebration Dining Deal (Day 1 or 2 for 4+ people). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 That's too bad. I wonder whether a multi-restaurant package isn't available because the ship is new out of drydock and they're expecting that more people will be eating in the specialty restaurants anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 We had not seen the Rhapsody package available on-line before cruise--not sure if we even looked?. It was offered on boarding date for purchase, and could be used any day of the cruise. As I recall Chops, Izumi, & Giovani's was $59 per person, $99 if you added Chefs Table. Possibly they offered it because it was a 13 day repositioning cruise? Specially dining purchase is not yet available for our Serenade trip in May but will definity be looking for the package. If not offered prior to sailing we will wait & purchase on-board so if they offer the package we can take advantage of it. If not we'll buy anyway -- have never had problem getting reservations when we want to dine. Chops tends to be most difficult if you want formal night so we always purchase package & book it at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 We had not seen the Rhapsody package available on-line before cruise--not sure if we even looked?. It was offered on boarding date for purchase, and could be used any day of the cruise. As I recall Chops, Izumi, & Giovani's was $59 per person, $99 if you added Chefs Table. Possibly they offered it because it was a 13 day repositioning cruise? Hmm, if that's the case I am probably out of luck. I don't think my reservations are refundable but always worth asking if that is the case. Right now I have one reservation for Izumi but I'm working on letting my wife go another 6 or 7 times :lol: Shawn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tylor Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Matt what stateroom are you staying in? A new virtual balcony or a panorama window stateroom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Matt what stateroom are you staying in? A new virtual balcony or a panorama window stateroom? Actually we have a family oceanview stateroom. I wanted to get a virtual balcony but because we are a group of 3, we can't fit in there (per Royal Caribbean). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tylor Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Actually we have a family oceanview stateroom. I wanted to get a virtual balcony but because we are a group of 3, we can't fit in there (per Royal Caribbean). Interesting! So the new virtual balcony staterooms only sleep 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Interesting! So the new virtual balcony staterooms only sleep 2. Or at least the ones still available now. In fact, I could book a virtual balcony right now but only for up to 2 people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I am going through the compasses for Allure Western saling to figure out which nights may be good to skip MDR. Anyone know if the pattern tends to stay the same? I am looking at the august 2013 allure western compasses on the blog. There was one menu on Enchantment rotation I wish I would have realized and skipped for Chops! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Can't help, never had the luxury of the mega ships. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Thanks Don! Coming up with the bucket list to share and make sure it's complete of all the things to try! Hopefully including flow rider. ;) I can't imagine they change the order of the menus much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tylor Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I am going through the compasses for Allure Western saling to figure out which nights may be good to skip MDR. Anyone know if the pattern tends to stay the same? I am looking at the august 2013 allure western compasses on the blog. There was one menu on Enchantment rotation I wish I would have realized and skipped for Chops! :) Shawn, I was on Oasis in 2012, I can tell you there is a set different menu each night (each nights menu has a different name), however, they are not always in the same order. So planning ahead of time which nights to skip MDR might be problematic. My suggestion to you would be to wait and make the decision to skip after you've seen the nights menu. You can view it on your stateroom tv. Don't worry about the specialty restaurants booking up, they usually do, but staff is good about squeezing people in. Don't stress yourself out too much about what you're going to do, it's your vacation so enjoy! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I am going through the compasses for Allure Western saling to figure out which nights may be good to skip MDR. Anyone know if the pattern tends to stay the same? I am looking at the august 2013 allure western compasses on the blog. There was one menu on Enchantment rotation I wish I would have realized and skipped for Chops! :) Pattern in terms of the menu? Or pattern in terms of which nights are formal nights and which are casual nights? My wife and I try to skip "lobster night" in MDR since neither of us eat lobster (I know, this must be shocking to many of you) and eat at a specialty restaurant. As a personal rule that is based on nothing but my absurd idiosyncrasies, I never skip first or last night in MDR because I want to be able to meet wait staff and then say goodbye. markinct 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tylor Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Pattern in terms of the menu? Or pattern in terms of which nights are formal nights and which are casual nights? My wife and I try to skip "lobster night" in MDR since neither of us eat lobster (I know, this must be shocking to many of you) and eat at a specialty restaurant. As a personal rule that is based on nothing but my absurd idiosyncrasies, I never skip first or last night in MDR because I want to be able to meet wait staff and then say goodbye. Not shocking, lobster is not kosher. My wife and I don't eat it either. ;) Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 But lobster is so delicious! ... said by someone who grew up in Maine where we could get lobsters for a dollar per pound and didn't need to keep kosher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Yeah I want to go the MDR first and last night. Yeah the rotation of the menus themselves. I don't mind the dressing up. I was trying to think ahead of the nights for babysitting/specialty restaurant. We can always fall back to the lovely idea of "windjamèr" before camp for the girls if babysitting doesn't work. I don't crave lobster but my wife loves it (not kosher), but I did win the kosher brisket cook off! ;) No stressing here. Just planning the invasion! ;) jk creating the bucket list for allure. :) Don 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 It wont help you all that much now, but each day the menus are posted outside the restaurant so you could make a game-time decision. As much as I preach about booking specialty restaurants in advance, you usually can get a walk up table, especially if you're flexible with times. Shawn and Tylor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tylor Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 It wont help you all that much now, but each day the menus are posted outside the restaurant so you could make a game-time decision. As much as I preach about booking specialty restaurants in advance, you usually can get a walk up table, especially if you're flexible with times. This is true. I say exactly the same thing. Play it by day. I would even say there are 2 menus during a 7 night cruise that I don't particularly care for anything on the menu, so I tend to skip those nights and opt for a specialty restaurant. Don 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tylor Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 Here is a great link to dining menu's from Allure of the Seas courtesy of Gambee. http://cruisewithgambee.com/royal-caribbean-menu/ Drink menu's are also shown. Dining room menu's are fleet wide, however you might see some substitutions. There are variations in the menus. Matt and Shawn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Thank you for the link and information. :) just can't wait. Five more days until show reservations! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce G. Posted February 13, 2014 Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 Also of note, some people like to be in the MDR (or NOT be in the MDR) on formal night. Formal night IS known ahead of time, so once on-board, just ask Guest Services or any Restaurant staff. Now, I'm planning on booking the Central Park Dining Package on Allure OTS ahead of time. THEN, once on-board, I'll book both Samba Grill and Izumi. This is the cheapest option to visit all 5 restaurants, depending on how much you plan to spend at Izumi. Additionally, it allows me to take advantage IF they happen to be offering the 2-for-1 deal on embarkation day (for the two restaurants NOT included in the Central Park Dining Package). Yes, there is a science to my addiction. Show reservations for my sailing are posted, but Chicago is the only show NOT bookable yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rekkie Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 I share your addiction. We have eaten at all except Sabor. Enjoy the dining experiences! Izumi is unique. OMG I love Izumi.....on our last cruise we ate there 6 times hahahaha Addicted very, but you're hard pressed to find anything comparable on land. trainer.stan and Don 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 OMG I love Izumi.....on our last cruise we ate there 6 times hahahaha Addicted very, but you're hard pressed to find anything comparable on land. We're planning 6 of 11 nights in specialty next month on Serenad, 2 in each -- at least! Shawn and rekkie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcarney Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 My wife and I canceled reservations for specialty restaurants on next weeks cruise after the Quantum announcement of the elimination of the MDR. We figure it's a last hurrah for us of this grand old tradition, and will definitely be spending our meals in the MDR.I watched the Google+ hangout video, and it's clear that they thought this change out well; I get it, I understand where they're coming from, but for this one last cruise we will do the old-fashioned way for old times sake. Shawn and Don 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 I am going to miss the MDR but always willing to try something new. The quantum restaurants look really cool and cover so many great types of cuisine. Too bad sabor is not on board to try as well. Just a good reason to try a different ship too! For Izumi, is there a good selection of non sushi, such as cooked salmon or teriyaki chicken ? Was the hot rock cooking good? Thinking of taking my older daughter there for her to try it. Jealous Don!!!! 6?!?! ;) Don 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce G. Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 For Izumi, is there a good selection of non sushi, such as cooked salmon or teriyaki chicken ? Was the hot rock cooking good? Thinking of taking my older daughter there for her to try it. Yes. I don't eat sushi, and I got a hot rock with chicken (and beef, I think). There were plenty of non-fish options for me. :-) michelle 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 On Navigator Izumi only serves non-sushi items at dinner. For lunch, it's only sushi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 I am going to miss the MDR but always willing to try something new. The quantum restaurants look really cool and cover so many great types of cuisine. Too bad sabor is not on board to try as well. Just a good reason to try a different ship too! For Izumi, is there a good selection of non sushi, such as cooked salmon or teriyaki chicken ? Was the hot rock cooking good? Thinking of taking my older daughter there for her to try it. Jealous Don!!!! 6?!?! ;) She will love it, probably cool to hot rock cook her own. Yes lots of choices other than sushi, which I don't do. Don't recall entire menu but for sure chicken & steak for hot rock, they will probably let you try anything in reason, ie fish, shrimp, maybe even veggies? What ever she chooses will be great if she can cok her own! Waiter would probably help her as well. Take lots of photos -- what a show & tell opportunity. Don 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted April 3, 2014 Report Share Posted April 3, 2014 Great, I can't wait to take her to check it out! Definitely taking lots of photos of the whole cruise! Plan on sharing with everyone on the blog. :) Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandya Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 I was trying to find out the restaurants at the Explorer of the Seas, so I can make some reservations since everyone's is talking about those awesome places....but I can only find 1 restaurant (besides the MDR) does anyone know if there is more than one or just Portofino is available at the Explorer??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 I was trying to find out the restaurants at the Explorer of the Seas, so I can make some reservations since everyone's is talking about those awesome places....but I can only find 1 restaurant (besides the MDR) does anyone know if there is more than one or just Portofino is available at the Explorer??? Portofino & Johnny Rockets are the specialty restaurants onboard Explorer of the Seas currently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 Wow! Not event Chops!? It's been a long time. I forgot that they only had those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandya Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 Wow, what a shame... I just hope that the MDR are ok then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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