Carnival Adds Steak in Dining Room (For A Fee)

[JohnG]

TRAVELPULSE September 25, 2014 By Theresa Norton Masek

Carnival Cruise Lines is rolling out new for-fee “Steakhouse Selections” in its main dining rooms fleetwide.

The roll-out began in late August after a “successful pilot program” on four ships starting in May, the cruise line said.

The new steak and lobster entrées will be available for $20 each in the main dining rooms on all the ships. Currently, 13 Carnival ships have separate steak restaurants that levy a $35 service charge.

Offered nightly, the “Steakhouse Selections” include a 1½-pound Maine lobster, 9-ounce filet mignon, 14-ounce New York strip steak, and surf-and-turf of broiled Maine lobster tail and filet mignon. The steak offerings are prime aged beef.

The “Steakhouse Selections” seem to be aimed at those who want a premium beef or lobster dinner but don’t want to pay the $35 cover charge, prefer to stick to the main restaurant and their dining companions, or aren’t inclined to bring their kids to the steakhouse. (The $35 fee applies to children too).

Royal Caribbean International has offered for-fee steak entrées in the main dining rooms for years. The selections from the Chops Grille specialty restaurant are a 10-ounce filet mignon for $14.95; a whole 1¼- to 1½-pound Maine lobster, served broiled, grilled or steamed, for $29.95; and both those selections in a surf-and-turf entrée for $37.50. A 15 percent gratuity is added.

Royal Caribbean points out that guests can choose from 10 complimentary entrees every night in the main dining room, including a Black Angus top sirloin steak. Also, Maine lobster tail is a featured complimentary entrée item on select evenings on all seven-night or longer itineraries and five- and six-night itineraries sailing from Boston, New York and Baltimore.

“Guests sailing aboard a Royal Caribbean ship that does not offer particular specialty restaurants or with family members and young children who do not wish to dine in a specialty restaurant have responded positively to having the option to enjoy a premium selection in the main dining room,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement.

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What are you thoughts, CruiseCrazies?

[DebbieandJerry]

I forgot to add that this was on their menu on our August Alaska cruise. One man ordered the "fee" steak. Sent it back 3 separate times and then insisted that he wasn't going to pay for it.

What really struck me as "odd" was the fact that filet or prime rib was on the menu at least 6 out of the 7 meals.

I think there was pay for crab legs, but I don't remember lobster tail. Lobster tail was on the menu the first formal night.