CGTLH Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 This beauty just showed up in my cruise planner. This was on Harmony, 7 days. Fine print RestingBird and Lionessk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 Wow - that's a GREAT deal! Thanks for sharing that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 I saw this on our Ovation cruise. It is $470 NZ (about $322US) for a 14 night cruise. It works out at about $33nzd per person but you can also dine at the speciality restaurants for lunch on sea days as part of this package so seems like great value. The only issue I have are there are so many restaurants to try on Ovation, many complementary including the Coastal Kitchen. So we would not get full value for the cruise. When you look there are not that many pay restaurants on Ovation. Isumi, Chops, Winter Wonderland, Jamie's Italian off the top of my head. Ultimately I think the 5 night dining package will still be best for us on our next cruise. Part of me still wants to book this but with six complimentary restaurants (and some of these look pretty cool from the menus), plus faithful old windjammer it feels like it would be underused. I don't have an American appetite so small portions do me. KLA and MikeK 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 1 minute ago, F1guynz said: I saw this on our Ovation cruise. It is $470 NZ (about $322US) for a 14 night cruise. It works out at about $33nzd per person but you can also dine at the speciality restaurants for lunch on sea days as part of this package so seems like great value. The only issue I have are there are so many restaurants to try on Ovation, many complementary including the Coastal Kitchen. So we would not get full value for the cruise. When you look there are not that many pay restaurants on Ovation. Isumi, Chops, Winter Wonderland, Jamie's Italian off the top of my head. Ultimately I think the 5 night dining package will still be best for us on our next cruise. Part of me still wants to book this but with six complimentary restaurants (and some of these look pretty cool from the menus), plus faithful old windjammer it feels like it would be underused. I don't have an American appetite so small portions do me. I feel like for a 14 day cruise that'd be immediate food fatigue after the first few days ... that's why we spread all of our specialty dining out over 2 weeks on Allure. DocLC and mom2mybugs 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 Especially as the first 6 days are sea days. Resistance is they key! I don't normally have something sweet at breakfast, lunch and dinner time at home. Why on a ship do I suddenly feel the need a sweet after each meal.Maybe that isn't just hand sanitiser when you enter the windjammer of restaurant. It is a subliminal spray to make you eat more, WAAAYTOOO, coneyraven, Floski and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 2 hours ago, CGTLH said: This beauty just showed up in my cruise planner. This was on Harmony, 7 days. Fine print That's a great deal if you are someone who always eats in the specialty restaurants. Being this is our first cruise , we opted to go with Chops, Izumi, just for variety. s and Giovanni's and then do the MDR the rest of the nights. Maybe through in a Windjammer dinner, for variety. That way, we get to experience a little bit of everything. Maybe on our next cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 Our last cruise was on Harmony as Star Class suite guests. Part of the Star Class program includes unlimited specialty dining. It was during this cruise that I learned that you CAN get too much of a good thing. No matter how hard I tried I could not manage to eat 3 meals a day. I can honestly say that we completely underutilized the free specialty restaurant perk. I wanted DESPERATELY to eat and eat and eat but I just couldn't. Now I will admit that part of the problem was that we didn't eat b'fast until at least 9:00 (having closed down the casino most nights) so lunch was almost always missed leaving dinner as the only time to try the specialty restaurant. I think the single exception was a lunch at Johnny Rockets one sea day. We only had the beef on weck at the Park Cafe once during the whole cruise, which is unheard of for us ! ....and there is almost always at least 1 night that we want what they are serving in the MDR - usually that is lamb shank night since that is Dan's VERY favorite onboard meal....so that's one night that we will usually either go to the MDR or, in the case of our last cruise, have the meal brought to our suite. So for us, I think a big specialty dining package would not be cost effective. Are the upgrade options (aged steak and lobster) included ? I imagine not. They are in the Star Class program. tonyfsu21 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 47 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: Our last cruise was on Harmony as Star Class suite guests. Part of the Star Class program includes unlimited specialty dining. It was during this cruise that I learned that you CAN get too much of a good thing. No matter how hard I tried I could not manage to eat 3 meals a day. I can honestly say that we completely underutilized the free specialty restaurant perk. I wanted DESPERATELY to eat and eat and eat but I just couldn't. Now I will admit that part of the problem was that we didn't eat b'fast until at least 9:00 (having closed down the casino most nights) so lunch was almost always missed leaving dinner as the only time to try the specialty restaurant. I think the single exception was a lunch at Johnny Rockets one sea day. We only had the beef on weck at the Park Cafe once during the whole cruise, which is unheard of for us ! ....and there is almost always at least 1 night that we want what they are serving in the MDR - usually that is lamb shank night since that is Dan's VERY favorite onboard meal....so that's one night that we will usually either go to the MDR or, in the case of our last cruise, have the meal brought to our suite. So for us, I think a big specialty dining package would not be cost effective. Are the upgrade options (aged steak and lobster) included ? I imagine not. They are in the Star Class program. I agree. Disney has the same sort of dining package and if you don't want to spend all your time eating, planning on where to eat or getting to your dining place, usually two meals a day and a snack thrown in works out well. That is a lot of planning when you are supposed to be relaxing. Good in concept, not so good in practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted May 3, 2017 Report Share Posted May 3, 2017 Just booked the ultimate dining package for research purposes! DocLC, monctonguy, RobWhatley and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted May 8, 2017 Report Share Posted May 8, 2017 Well, it's a tough job, research that is , but someone has to do it. RestingBird 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob_KY Posted July 30, 2017 Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 Matt. You jumped on it and so did we (Oasis OTS, January 2018). Please let us know if there are any lessons learned and your assessment. We looked at the wine discounts and sea days' lunches as great selling points. Windjammer visits are at risk.. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted July 30, 2017 Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 1 hour ago, Bob_KY said: Matt. You jumped on it and so did we (Oasis OTS, January 2018). Please let us know if there are any lessons learned and your assessment. We looked at the wine discounts and sea days' lunches as great selling points. Windjammer visits are at risk.. ? He did a blog post about it here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/07/11/royal-caribbean-ultimate-dining-package-costs-and-review Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob_KY Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 11 hours ago, DocLC said: He did a blog post about it here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/07/11/royal-caribbean-ultimate-dining-package-costs-and-review Thanks DocLC! Matt's post was very helpful. DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 The quick and dirty review is it's a tremendous value, but it's a lot of food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 1 hour ago, Matt said: The quick and dirty review is it's a tremendous value, but it's a lot of food. Your blog post was quite a bit longer and more detailed than this. ;) WAAAYTOOO and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 8 hours ago, Matt said: The quick and dirty review is it's a tremendous value, but it's a lot of food. Short and to the point...I like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2mybugs Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 I think on a 7 night where there are many costly restaurants (harmony comes to mind), I could see it but would really have to compare it to a smaller pkg. I'm not even considering it for the 6 much freedom cruise... it's just too much of the same food, and savor is normally cheaper anyway. Plus I want to do chefs table and that totally kills the uktimate pkg. And sea day lunches are a waste because I'm usually running to the windjammer so im not hogging a seat. Jane DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 I wont book that for my up coming cruise..but I may take a plunge and book a specialty restaurant....10 cruises and never done one yet!!! Heck, last cruise I didn't even make it to the MDR for a meal..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2mybugs Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 5 hours ago, monctonguy said: I wont book that for my up coming cruise..but I may take a plunge and book a specialty restaurant....10 cruises and never done one yet!!! Heck, last cruise I didn't even make it to the MDR for a meal..... I have to say I really enjoyed my specialty meals. Your cruise can definitely be wonderful without, and I've read before with your flight costs you like to stay low budget. But if you can swing it, i have yet to be disappointed in the service or food. I know food is subjective, but i have really been pleased. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 I am for sure..its my first 7 day cruise so I will defn plan on one meal... I have done Johnny Rockets before...but I don't think that's what people mean when they say specialty restaurant.....haha DocLC and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 I had booked the Ultimate Dining Package for the GC. However, I was able upgrade (pay) to a suite, so I dropped it and switched to a three-night package. I wanted to be able to enjoy Coastal Kitchen. Thanks for the recommendation, @Matt. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 @BrianAlt Some suite classes include specialty dining. I'm assuming you checked your perks before booking the three night package! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 Yep! I have Sky class. Specialty restaurants are included in Star class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 Just now, BrianAlt said: Yep! I have Sky class. Specialty restaurants are included in Star class. Hey, it's still a sweet suite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 Just now, DocLC said: Hey, it's still a sweet suite! No complaints here! DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamabdw Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 Just checked my cruise planner and the price for a 7-night on Harmony in Feb 2018 is now $203/person versus the old pricing of $168. Now I'm wishing I had already booked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 2 minutes ago, mamabdw said: Just checked my cruise planner and the price for a 7-night on Harmony in Feb 2018 is now $203/person versus the old pricing of $168. Now I'm wishing I had already booked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 16 minutes ago, mamabdw said: Just checked my cruise planner and the price for a 7-night on Harmony in Feb 2018 is now $203/person versus the old pricing of $168. Now I'm wishing I had already booked it. Hmmm...it is showing $203 PP on my Harmony 2-2019 cruise as well but I will admit that I don't know if there was a lower price previously or not. I never looked at it. Interesting that they are still declaring a $29 PP/PD overall cost. I guess that is b/c there are more options for lunches on the O class ships than on the smaller classes ? Not sure how they can increase the price but not increase the PP/PD cost... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 3 hours ago, mamabdw said: Just checked my cruise planner and the price for a 7-night on Harmony in Feb 2018 is now $203/person versus the old pricing of $168. Now I'm wishing I had already booked it. Same for our Harmony cruise in September. It was $168. I paid $168 on Harmony for my July cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 9 minutes ago, Matt said: Same for our Harmony cruise in September. It was $168. I paid $168 on Harmony for my July cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmersonNZ Posted August 6, 2017 Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 Looks like they realised it was too much of a good thing... and made it not so much of an average thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted August 6, 2017 Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 The ultimate dining package on our Ovation cruise has come down from $487 to $450. Must be the exchange rate improving. $900 is still pretty expensive for 2 people so we won't be taking advantage of it. Plus there are a number of complementary restaurants that look good so we probably wouldn't get full value from it anyway. At the moment there are no 3-5 night dining packages showing on the cruise planner. Hopefully they will show up soon and we will book a 5 night dining package. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewPunch Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Dec. 2017 sailing, Harmony 7 day sailing, I booked it at $168 when it was released and now the planner is showing $203. Love how Royal plays with its pricing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 4 hours ago, AndrewPunch said: Dec. 2017 sailing, Harmony 7 day sailing, I booked it at $168 when it was released and now the planner is showing $203. Love how Royal plays with its pricing $29 a day still is a great deal, but I don't think I'd do it at the higher price given that specialty dining is only available at dinner on sea days on most ships. Also, I'm sure I'd end up in a food coma near the end of the cruise. While I could justify skipping a specialty meal at the lower price, it would be harder to justify at the higher price. FManke and tiny260 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Still LOLing at Kayla with the scrong PotC gifs all over the blog from Friday!!! DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 1 hour ago, DocLC said: $29 a day still is a great deal, but I don't think I'd do it at the higher price given that specialty dining is only available at dinner on sea days on most ships. Also, I'm sure I'd end up in a food coma near the end of the cruise. While I could justify skipping a specialty meal at the lower price, it would be harder to justify at the higher price. There's a fine balance between trying to get your money's worth and overindulging. It's probably like the drink package where near the end of the cruise you are just tired of drinking or in this case eating. DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmersonNZ Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 On 8/6/2017 at 9:42 PM, F1guynz said: The ultimate dining package on our Ovation cruise has come down from $487 to $450. Must be the exchange rate improving. $900 is still pretty expensive for 2 people so we won't be taking advantage of it. Plus there are a number of complementary restaurants that look good so we probably wouldn't get full value from it anyway. At the moment there are no 3-5 night dining packages showing on the cruise planner. Hopefully they will show up soon and we will book a 5 night dining package. Yep I noticed all prices have dropped on Australia sailing which as you said I would guess is due to the NZ$ increasing against the US (Though dropped 2c in the last week but still 4c better for the month). We rebooked our Alcohol + Internet & Non Alcohol package and saved about $250 which was nice. I also noticed the arcade deal was made available on our Voyager sailing (Dec 30). I am still hoping to see the Non Alcoholic + internet package turn up on the Australian site which i haven't seen yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themillennialcruiser Posted August 16, 2017 Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 We bought this package for our sailing on Oasis of the Seas next week however does anyone know if the lobster that is included in the MDR for the second formal night is available in any of the specialty restaurants that night? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 16, 2017 Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 29 minutes ago, l9dance said: We bought this package for our sailing on Oasis of the Seas next week however does anyone know if the lobster that is included in the MDR for the second formal night is available in any of the specialty restaurants that night? Totally stealing @WAAAYTOOO awesome answer... Lobster is always available in Chops on Caribbean sailings but there is an upcharge so I don't think it would be included in the Ultimate Dining Package. The MDR usually has lobster on the second formal night (Fisherman's Platter) at no extra charge but it is not cold water lobster. Still, not bad. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted August 16, 2017 Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 43 minutes ago, l9dance said: We bought this package for our sailing on Oasis of the Seas next week however does anyone know if the lobster that is included in the MDR for the second formal night is available in any of the specialty restaurants that night? Not that I'm aware of. However, you could go to the MDR just for the entree before or after dinner in the specialty restaurant if you wanted the included lobster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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