My daughter just back from the Freedom told me they now have an upgraded steak available on the main menu for 14.95 .She said they no longer had the the steak alternetive on the main menu.I have been a long time Loyal to Royal cruiser but please someone tell me she was wrong.If this is the case I assume lobster will be making a comeback but at what price?

I know on my June cruise they didn't want to give out the lobster like they use to. They wanted 1 per person. Our waiter gave us whatever we wanted though. I hope they won't be charging for this.

even if they were charging for steak, $14.95 seems pretty high....for $20, you could go to Chops and get a full upgraded meal, instead of just the steak

Apparently this is true. The steak is one from the Chops menu, and they no longer offer the "free" steak alternative - at least on the Freedom. I don't know if this is a test or being rolled out fleet-wide. It wasn't on the Sovereign last week.

I do know I don't like it. I'll be damned if I am going to use my cruise card as the only way to get a steak in the dining room. Obviously, removing the normal steak option is a way to force people into buying one if they don't like the other menu options. I hope this plan fails miserably.

As Mike said, why pay $15 for the steak when for $20 I can get the full meal at Chops?

This really torques me, a new diamond C&A member at that.

My husband will be very disappointed. He always ordered the steak as an alternative.
I agree with Dave, I hope this is a test, and does not become policy.
Give me the good old days of crusing!!!

The one thing I admit is the steak I had last time I sailed from chops was probably the best dinner I've ever had at sea. That said I just don't like the direction this is headed.I still remember when Coke was free at dinner.Do you know if they add gradtuities?

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Do you know if they add gradtuities?

I don't know. That would be adding insult to injury!

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I still remember when Coke was free at dinner.

I still remember when Coke was "free" all of the time on RCI unless you wanted it at a bar.

I don't like the implications of this either. What's next?

Increased fares and charges for buffets.

This is really annoying. It isn't that it is the steak as much as it is the further creeping of the nickel-and-diming, and now into the main dining room. This is akin to the trojan horse getting rolled through the main gate.

At the end of the day the cruise industry can still bandy about that they are the best vacation value going (I still think this is true even with all the extras) and base this assertion solely on ticket prices. I am weary of being nickle and dimed also. I am wondering how long I can get an iced tea, lemonaide, or water in the windjammer without charge. I have been waiting to see bottled water make its debut in this venue with an attached charge. I will be a diamond member in one more cruise and really have a lot of brand loyalty. My parents are wedded to Princess and I am wondering if we should give them a try . . .

I'm sure the waiters are going to love handling all those key cards and payment slips.

Could you see a table for 12 with each ordering the steak but wanting them on individual cards?

This is also the kind of thing that at least some guests will take out their anger on the wait staff, and it will impact their tips.

I wonder if your steak isn't cooked right if you get a refund?

Dwayne

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I wonder if your steak isn't cooked right if you get a refund?

That will be tried, as will the person who will want another one cooked claiming the first was not right. Frankly if I have to pay extra for it I will be less forgiving on the doneness and meat quality than I usually am. I normally give them some leeway in the dining room since I realize they are cooking for so many people.

spoheat, it isin't any better over at Princess. They haven't gotten around to "extra charge" dinners in the main dining rooms yet; but then we don't really have confirmation that RCI is doing that either.

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but then we don't really have confirmation that RCI is doing that either.

True. So far it is anecdotal evidence from people posting on various websites. It is more than one person claiming it though, so the credence leans to it being true.

I also agree that when it comes to nickel-and-diming, Princess was on the vanguard. They were charging for ice cream over 10 years ago. I remember griping about it.

Oh no I have steak most every night..And I was annoyed about being charged extra for gas lol

I don't like it either....I also have ordered steak an alternative at times. This really toasts me.......
I remember when we could order a steak in the Windjammer and it was excellent!

We will be on Liberty of the Seas in 30 days, and will let you know if they charge for steaks in the dining room.