Pre booking with dining package, it's about time.

[RCIfan1912]

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/11/01/royal-caribbean-will-make-specialty-restaurants-reservable-pre-cruise-if-you-have-dining

 

I just never understood why if you bought a dining package like we always get the 3 night dining package that you were at a disadvantage to booking restaurants. This is an awesome change that is way long overdue. It's always a pain to do it on the ship when you first board and if you forget then you might be locked out of times and dates. Can't wait till this is implemented to all ships. 

[Xaa]

It will be nice for sure.  I don't worry about the 3 night people, but I do worry about the UDP group making a bunch of reservations, blocking out the restaurant and then changing their plans leaving empty seats in prime time slots.  I think this will have to come with some kind of cancellation threshold so we don't get what we see on the entertainment side.

Will absolutely make it better on boarding day for cruisers and crew.

[Kathleen]

The only down side I see is when the price drops on the UDP and you want to cancel and rebook for a savings. I’m thinking if you’ve already booked your reservations you are less likely to cancel and reprice UDP if price falls.

[WAAAYTOOO]

If this actually comes to pass, it will be one of the GOOD changes that Royal has made.  Fingers crossed that they follow through without any "cruise enhancement" fees.

[RCIfan1912]

10 minutes ago, Xaa said:

It will be nice for sure.  I don't worry about the 3 night people, but I do worry about the UDP group making a bunch of reservations, blocking out the restaurant and then changing their plans leaving empty seats in prime time slots.  I think this will have to come with some kind of cancellation threshold so we don't get what we see on the entertainment side.

Will absolutely make it better on boarding day for cruisers and crew.

Yes, you are correct. I didn't think of that till after reading the article. There is definitely a downside to this. There will be people who book an entire week of restaurants with the UDP and then change everything. 

[smokeybandit]

I'll be curious to see how many reserve nights then forget and no show, clogging up those slots for others trying to book.

[Jolly Ogre]

Aww... I a already bought the 3 day at much lower than it is now. So if I want to reserve the times I will pay a lot more. Sail away is in 31 days.

[Ampurp85]

I wouldn't worry about people with UDP being able to book up. CP and the app block out times. So, a person cannot book at 6/7/8 because the CP would block out two hours for each dinner. I think what this will do is ensure the restaurant and staff are set up better. On my last Allure sailing so many specialty restaurants sat empty during periods, despite a lot of folk's impulse buying reservations, because of the cumbersomeness of the UDP and boarding day app issues. Lately the packages have not been selling out, this will help with that. It's a win in Royal's favor. 

[Rackham]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and anticipate Royal not releasing all prime time dining slots for dining package purchasers (all dining slots could be available for off-peak dining). Maybe 30% for dining package holders to 70% for individual bookings to start, then shift the percentages as the sail date draws near depending on number of tables still available (along with holding a percentage back for people paying the full rate aboard the ship). I would also not be surprised if Royal does something about people booking a dining package and a separate reservation for hibachi, only to request a refund once aboard for hibachi while keeping the reservation. Maybe lock out purchases of individual reservations once a dining plan has been purchased? As far as people pre-booking all available times, Royal might make the change to the UDP so that only one lunch and one dinner per day can be reserved in advance. They could also redefine "Unlimited" to mean 1 dinner per night of the cruise and 1 lunch when the specialty dining restaurants are open.

Edit: Concerning no shows. Assuming they don't limit people to one reservation per night, they could always implement what they're already doing with select activities. In other words, charge a fee for people who don't appear and don't cancel their reservation early enough for it to be resold. As an example, "Due to the popularity of Ripcord by iFLY, appointments not cancelled 12 hours in advance will be subject to a $25 no show fee."

[Sea Squirrel]

11 hours ago, Rackham said:

 

I'm going to go out on a limb here and anticipate Royal not releasing all prime time dining slots for dining package purchas

 

I'm cautiously optimistic but I believe this will be how it works. I've noticed this with Hibachi already even when reserving individually through the CP. YMMV but on our last Oasis, we started checking months out, never saw a 7 or 8 slot. Not one. After boarding, Genie moved our 530 to 8 with no problem. Told us most prime slots are held back and never hit the pre-boarding reservation system (for hibachi). We've noticed the same on our Harmony in March. 

[OCSC Mike]

On 11/1/2023 at 10:46 AM, Ampurp85 said:

On my last Allure sailing so many specialty restaurants sat empty during periods, despite a lot of folk's impulse buying reservations, because of the cumbersomeness of the UDP and boarding day app issues.

Think I posted this somewhere, maybe in someone's live blog, but whatever, I'll post it again...

On Allure last week, the app was (unsurprisingly) horribly inaccurate as far as reservation openings. We wanted to push back a Sabor dinner from 6:00 to a bit later. The app showed only 8:45 available. Obviously I know not to trust the app so we went to Sabor at lunch time and the hostess offered us any time slot we wanted except 7:00. We showed up to dinner and it was a ghost town. We talked to our super nice server about it and without going overboard, we could tell she was pissed. How many people checked the app and figured they couldn't book? It cost her tips, cost Royal revenue, and some guests probably didn't get to eat at Sabor who wanted to.

She was doubly pissed b/c she told us they sent her to Sabor from Samba Grill and was very candid about some of the things she wasn't exactly happy about since, like many crew members, she was working onboard to support her family back home. She didn't ask us to give her a good score in the survey (which we did anyway of course), she asked us to please mention how the app is screwed up and leaving restaurants empty.

[smokeybandit]

Like the drink package, I wonder how many actually get their money's worth from a dining package. Probably quite few, or they'd jack up the prices more.

[Ampurp85]

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

Like the drink package, I wonder how many actually get their money's worth from a dining package. Probably quite few, or they'd jack up the prices more.

I am sure a lot of people do not.

On Allure I stood in line for 25min to make my reservations because the app wouldn't allow me to. Then it took almost 20min for the crew member to book me. They made a mess and even then, some restaurants weren't showing available. I had to go to individual restaurants and book, which had availability despite what the app said. Sabor was often a ghost town and at 8:15/8:30 most of the other restaurants were empty.

I think the pre-book is going to really work out, but I have long feared the UDP is going up in price anyway. 

[SweetPea]

5 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Think I posted this somewhere, maybe in someone's live blog, but whatever, I'll post it again...

On Allure last week, the app was (unsurprisingly) horribly inaccurate as far as reservation openings. We wanted to push back a Sabor dinner from 6:00 to a bit later. The app showed only 8:45 available. Obviously I know not to trust the app so we went to Sabor at lunch time and the hostess offered us any time slot we wanted except 7:00. We showed up to dinner and it was a ghost town. We talked to our super nice server about it and without going overboard, we could tell she was pissed. How many people checked the app and figured they couldn't book? It cost her tips, cost Royal revenue, and some guests probably didn't get to eat at Sabor who wanted to.

She was doubly pissed b/c she told us they sent her to Sabor from Samba Grill and was very candid about some of the things she wasn't exactly happy about since, like many crew members, she was working onboard to support her family back home. She didn't ask us to give her a good score in the survey (which we did anyway of course), she asked us to please mention how the app is screwed up and leaving restaurants empty.

Good info and thank you, but I'm still eagerly awaiting your REASONABLY PLEASANT FRUGAL GENIUSES DELIGHT YOU WITH FOOD PORN blog.

[OCSC Mike]

25 minutes ago, SweetPea said:

Good info and thank you, but I'm still eagerly awaiting your REASONABLY PLEASANT FRUGAL GENIUSES DELIGHT YOU WITH FOOD PORN blog.

Sorry to disappoint but I'm not sure I'll ever get beyond the title (as proud of it as I am). I was thinking about it on Allure last week and I'm not sure I can see myself live blogging when it's just me and my wife.

First, I take no pictures... ever (and my wife doesn't take a ton either). I already knew that but when I thought about it I realized forcing myself to start would feel like work. I think I mentioned virtually all those pics from Wonder in June were from my MIL or SIL. Yes, I realize I could go text-only but that's not really what I want to keep doing.

Second, I realized the time I spent recapping the previous day on Wonder with the fam wasn't as much done during relaxing time... but more like when I was bored because they just camp out on the suite sun deck for several hours/day. My wife and I do relax in the Solarium for a few hours on certain mornings when we don't have plans, so it's possible I could do it then, but somehow it's different.

I think I need to come up with a shorter style with more quick anecdotes/descriptions (which could maybe include 2-3 pics) rather than one long recap per day. The long daily recaps are what my brain defaults to for whatever reason and that again feels like work.

Never say never... a quick visit to my account told me I have 136 days to figure it out. Maybe I'll feel differently by then.

[SweetPea]

52 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Sorry to disappoint but I'm not sure I'll ever get beyond the title (as proud of it as I am). I was thinking about it on Allure last week and I'm not sure I can see myself live blogging when it's just me and my wife.

First, I take no pictures... ever (and my wife doesn't take a ton either). I already knew that but when I thought about it I realized forcing myself to start would feel like work. I think I mentioned virtually all those pics from Wonder in June were from my MIL or SIL. Yes, I realize I could go text-only but that's not really what I want to keep doing.

Second, I realized the time I spent recapping the previous day on Wonder with the fam wasn't as much done during relaxing time... but more like when I was bored because they just camp out on the suite sun deck for several hours/day. My wife and I do relax in the Solarium for a few hours on certain mornings when we don't have plans, so it's possible I could do it then, but somehow it's different.

I think I need to come up with a shorter style with more quick anecdotes/descriptions (which could maybe include 2-3 pics) rather than one long recap per day. The long daily recaps are what my brain defaults to for whatever reason and that again feels like work.

Never say never... a quick visit to my account told me I have 136 days to figure it out. Maybe I'll feel differently by then.

I absconded to the restroom when i didn't even have to go to continue live blogging, for crying out loud! I question your commitment to this forum!! 

[OCSC Mike]

5 minutes ago, SweetPea said:

I absconded to the restroom when i didn't even have to go to continue live blogging, for crying out loud! I question your commitment to this forum!! 

I'm committed to the forum... just not necessarily to the live blog section.

I do have a new idea for one though... "Stalking Matt on Wonder" (He's on my spring break cruise, lol).

 

[BigKarl]

1 hour ago, SweetPea said:

Good info and thank you, but I'm still eagerly awaiting your REASONABLY PLEASANT FRUGAL GENIUSES DELIGHT YOU WITH FOOD PORN blog.

"FOOD PORN!"  I may install a mirror over my dining room Table!

[ScottD]

19 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Sorry to disappoint but I'm not sure I'll ever get beyond the title (as proud of it as I am). I was thinking about it on Allure last week and I'm not sure I can see myself live blogging when it's just me and my wife.

First, I take no pictures... ever (and my wife doesn't take a ton either). I already knew that but when I thought about it I realized forcing myself to start would feel like work. I think I mentioned virtually all those pics from Wonder in June were from my MIL or SIL. Yes, I realize I could go text-only but that's not really what I want to keep doing.

Second, I realized the time I spent recapping the previous day on Wonder with the fam wasn't as much done during relaxing time... but more like when I was bored because they just camp out on the suite sun deck for several hours/day. My wife and I do relax in the Solarium for a few hours on certain mornings when we don't have plans, so it's possible I could do it then, but somehow it's different.

I think I need to come up with a shorter style with more quick anecdotes/descriptions (which could maybe include 2-3 pics) rather than one long recap per day. The long daily recaps are what my brain defaults to for whatever reason and that again feels like work.

Never say never... a quick visit to my account told me I have 136 days to figure it out. Maybe I'll feel differently by then.

I'll admit, that's why mine was a big mish-mash of info every day. It was hard to find time to just sit and do it without seeming like I was ignoring my family or sneaking away,lol. I would just sit in the bed in between activities or meals and just type everything I could remember since the previous post.

[jpb]

Has anyone been able to pre-book on Wonder yet?

[MarcBerger]

3 hours ago, jpb said:

Has anyone been able to pre-book on Wonder yet?

It's likely starting in January, around when ICON launches....

 

EDIT: Sorry, didn't realize that WONDER is testing it out now!  On some cruises...not all....

[Robert Cole]

This is fantastic.  We always do the UDP.  Normally we have our desired times and restaurants printed out on a piece of paper and just hand it to the crew member.  They type them in and we are done.  We have to stand in a short line sometimes, but having it all computer printed and ready to go makes it very painless for everyone.

[RCIfan1912]

Can I ask a maybe stupid question about the UDP? Does that literally mean you can go anywhere anytime? Meaning can you go to Jamie's or Chops for lunch every day of the cruise and then go to a specialty dining restaurant for dinner too? Is it truly unlimited in the way that I'm thinking? Those with the UDP never go to the MDR I guess? 

[Ampurp85]

2 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Can I ask a maybe stupid question about the UDP? Does that literally mean you can go anywhere anytime? Meaning can you go to Jamie's or Chops for lunch every day of the cruise and then go to a specialty dining restaurant for dinner too? Is it truly unlimited in the way that I'm thinking? Those with the UDP never go to the MDR I guess? 

I do not go to the MDR when I have the UDP. But you can only go as long as they are open and have a reservation. Usually, Jamie's and Chops are only open for lunch on sea days, on port days you can go to Playmakers or JR. Then you can go to a specialty restaurant for dinner. 

[Ampurp85]

Also I thought Wonder will begin testing it out in early January?? I sail in Jan and was hoping it would be available for my sailing.

[BrianB]

I always get the early dining in the MDR every cruise. I like eating early and at the same table with the same waiters. 

In the past, I always purchased a three night dining package on the Cruise Planner and had to rush onboard to make sure I would get my preferred reservations in before they booked up. So, I like the idea of having the ability to make my reservations before boarding. The way it is now, if I really want a specific date and time at a specialty restaurant, especially with a group, it’s always best to pay the more expensive price online and be able to make the reservation. It was worth the extra cost to lock in the reservation and not have to worry about missing out.

But…the thing I don’t like about purchasing the dining package on the Cruise Planner…it seems every time I do, the ship defaults my Early Seating dining in the MDR to My Time Dining. If I call Royal as soon as I notice I was changed to My Time, I’m always waitlisted. Then, when I get onboard…not only do I have to rush to make my specialty restaurant reservations, but I also have to get into the line for the MDR host and hope he can switch me back to Early Seating.

It became so annoying and pressured that I don’t buy dining packages anymore. I’ll pay more by booking a specialty after I board if I really want it. Plus, I’m one of those who really like the new menus in the MDR.