Royal Caribbean International is testing a number of principal eating room menu modifications in addition to new value will increase and costs onboard one ship, Symphony of the Seas.
These modifications are designed to check whether or not or not kitchen effectivity, serving occasions, and wait occasions might be improved for a greater visitor expertise, however there could also be different causes as nicely.
Several modifications have been made to the ship’s menu choices, slimming down choices and eradicating basic staples that had beforehand been out there each night time.
The eliminated objects embody entrees with extensive attraction, corresponding to strip steak, grilled hen breast, salmon, and spaghetti bolognese.
These objects have typically been consolation meals for cruisers who might not have adventurous tastes, or who could also be overwhelmed by all of the choices out there onboard.
Another change to the menu is fewer general choices, with regional specialties now restricted to a single appetizer, entrée, and dessert providing quite than a number of decisions.
There are nonetheless numerous objects out there, nonetheless, and every night time continues to characteristic a beef, hen, fish, and vegetable entrée choice to suite completely different eating tastes and dietary necessities.
The smaller menus are additionally extra carefully themed with French, Italian, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and different general tastes guiding the total choice. These themes are sometimes, although not at all times, tied to locations to present company a style of the area they’re visiting.
It have to be famous that these modifications solely apply to the ship’s principal eating rooms, as menus within the fashionable specialty eating places are unchanged, and the buffet continues to supply a various array of dishes for extra informal eating.
Charging for Lobster
In addition to the choice modifications, company aboard Symphony of the Seas have additionally seen a brand new cost listed on the principle eating room menu.
Now, ordering a number of broiled lobster tails on the formal night of a cruise can have a price of $16.99 (USD) plus an 18% gratuity per tail, although the primary lobster tail stays freed from cost.
No direct rationalization has been given for this new surcharge, however it’s probably to assist mitigate rising prices of such luxurious meals, in addition to to cut back meals waste from over-ordering.
Why the Changes?
The general menu modifications ought to make kitchen operations extra environment friendly as there are fewer dishes to prep and put together when serving 1000’s of company every night.
In the principle eating room aboard a big cruise ship – and the Oasis-class Symphony of the Seas is likely one of the largest within the Royal Caribbean fleet, internet hosting as many as 6,680 company when absolutely booked – dinner can routinely take 1.5-2 hours or longer.
This could make it difficult for company to take pleasure in all of the night actions out there, together with manufacturing reveals, comedy acts, and extra, if dinner service runs lengthy.
Many company get annoyed in the event that they’ve needed to make reservations for the once-in-a-sailing occasions, solely to overlook out or must abandon dinner earlier than service is accomplished.
Now, the shorter menu ought to assist pace up the kitchen, which will even pace up service in bringing dishes to company’ tables.
No company are being rushed by dinner service, nonetheless, and everyone seems to be welcome to linger and luxuriate in a leisurely meal if they like.
Royal Caribbean is gathering suggestions from company aboard Symphony of the Seas in an effort to proceed refining these modifications.
No bulletins have been made as as to if the modifications might be rolled out to the remainder of the fleet, but when profitable and positively obtained, different Royal Caribbean ships are more likely to see comparable eating modifications.