Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (NYSE:RCL)
The cruise line is taking steps to improve its passengers’ overall dining experience, and one of those steps is updating the menus in its main dining room.
The core main dining room experience on Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL) ships is undergoing a significant transformation that is almost finished being rolled out.
This was not a minor adjustment; rather, it was a comprehensive revision of the daily menus for the main dining room, and there was a possibility that it would irritate regular customers.
There Were Two Significant Alterations Made
To begin, there was a different theme for each night, such as “Welcome Aboard,” “Italian,” “Mexican,” or “French.” There are a few dishes on the new menu that do not adhere to the theme, but the majority of them do, and there are also some options that people can choose from in case they are unhappy with the cuisine that is featured.
Although this is a significant adjustment, it is not the one that will most likely infuriate people. Royal Caribbean has eliminated the section of its menu known as “classics,” in addition to changing the items that are featured on the rotating menus that are featured in the main dining rooms. This section catered to picky eaters by providing dishes such as New York strip steak and spaghetti bolognese, two of the restaurant’s most popular dishes.
Due to the removal of the classics section from the menu, certain fan-favorite appetizers, such as shrimp cocktail, escargot, and French onion soup, which were previously available each and every night, are now only available on the menu on a select number of evenings. It was a significant adjustment that would have an effect on the majority of passengers.
Izumi Sushi, which is one of the cruise line’s most popular premium restaurants, has recently undergone some renovations. Although it is not immediately clear (nor is it advertised), the change is likely to irritate a number of passengers.
Royal Caribbean Is Making Some Adjustments to Their Premium Dining Experience
Your basic cruise fare on a ship operated by Royal Caribbean includes your meals in the main dining room, the Windjammer buffet, and certain meals at other onboard eateries of your choosing.
Additionally, for an additional cost, the cruise line makes available onboard each of its ships a selection of upscale dining establishments. Either individually or as part of a pre-purchased meal package, passengers have the option of dining at any of these establishments.
The majority of the restaurants onboard only charge a single price for the entire meal. For example, at Chops steakhouse, a single payment gets you an appetizer, soup, salad, main entree, side dishes, and dessert (and you can typically order as many appetizers, soups, and salads as you want). This is how the vast majority of the restaurants onboard operate, with the notable exception of Izumi’s sushi and Japanese menu.
Izumi can be thought of as having two distinct personalities. The first category consists of hibachi tables, which offer a set price for a meal that is prepared in front of the customer by a chef. Sushi and other hot Japanese specialties like ramen, teriyaki, gyoza, and more can be found in the ship’s second dining area, which varies from ship to ship and can be as small as a sushi counter or as large as an entire dining room.
There are two different pricing options available for the sushi menu at Izumi. You have the option of paying for things on an à la carte basis or going with a fixed price option that costs $34.99. And here is where Royal Caribbean has made a sneaky change that has the potential to anger loyal customers or parties in which some people get the fixed-price option while others order a la carte.
The Izumi of Royal Caribbean has undergone the following changes
Customers who choose to order from the menu with a fixed price can choose between one small plate, two large plates, and a dessert. Since they order off the same menu as people who dine a la carte, you might assume that every dish they order is the same. When it comes to sushi rolls, however, this no longer holds true. Previously, that was the case.
The sushi rolls used to come with eight pieces regardless of whether you ordered it a la carte or as part of the fixed-price menu. This is because the large-plate menu, which also includes a sushi sampler, various bowls, and some hearty ramen options, features sushi rolls as a key component.
This is no longer the case, despite the fact that it is not mentioned anywhere on the menu. People who order rolls as part of the fixed-price menu will now receive a portion of four pieces, while those who order rolls a la carte will continue to receive eight pieces. In most cases, as a result of this change, the fixed-price option is no longer worthwhile when compared to ordering a la carte based on the amount of food consumed.
This results in some intriguing mathematics for the customers. The person who orders a la carte will get twice as much sushi for the same price as the person who orders from the fixed-price menu, which may end up costing less than ordering the same items from the a la carte menu.
The fixed-price menu continues to be a good value if you choose options that are not rolled for your large plates; however, if you prefer rolls, the a la carte menu may be a better value for you.
Featured Image: Unsplash @ Stephanie Klepacki
