| Specialty dining restaurants, also known as | | | | birthday. And when the kids are occupied at a |
| premium or alternative dining, began in 2000 with | | | | pirate party, you can have a well-deserved quiet |
| Norwegian Cruise Line's Le Bistro. It started as an | | | | dinner for two. |
| experiment on one ship and its success soon led | | | | Travel authority Author Frommer, however, |
| to Le Bistro restaurants on all NCL ships and their | | | | noted this in a recent blog post: |
| claim that they "revolutionized the dining | | | | "I have the impression that all the major, |
| experience for the cruise industry." | | | | popularly-priced cruise lines have cut back on the |
| Practically every cruise line has followed suite. In | | | | preparation of the meals served in their main, |
| fact, if a cruise line doesn't offer specialty dining | | | | no-extra-charge dining rooms, in order to send |
| options, it is at a competitive disadvantage in the | | | | passengers to the profit-making 'specialty' |
| experienced cruiser market. Cruise lines now offer | | | | restaurants on board ship." |
| one or more specialty restaurants on every ship | | | | To get a cruise line's response to this accusation |
| in their fleet with everything from Texas-style | | | | Ralph Grizzle-The Avid Cruiser- interviewed |
| steak houses, New York steakhouse-style supper | | | | Jacques Van Staden, vice president of culinary |
| clubs and Tuscan steakhouses to gourmet French | | | | operations for Celebrity Cruises, in August 2010. |
| bistros, Italian trattorias, Asian-fusion, | | | | The cornerstone of Celebrity brand is the dining |
| wine-themed restaurants, Champagne brunch, etc. | | | | experience. Van Staten says that while their |
| These specialty restaurants all require | | | | guests appreciate the fine dining experience of |
| reservations and a cover charge from $5 to $35 | | | | the specialty restaurants, cruise lines are not |
| per guest. Some restaurants have a la carte | | | | often rated by their specialty dining. Rather, it's |
| pricing for certain menu items. Some do and | | | | the main dining room and lido deck buffet that's |
| some don't allow children. Some have brunch and | | | | their main focus. |
| lunch on sea days, others are only open for | | | | Van Staten counters the assertion that the |
| dinner. | | | | specialty dining is the new profit center on board |
| We make it a point on every cruise to dine at | | | | with this eye-opening remark: "The specialty |
| least once at a specialty restaurant; and every | | | | restaurants weren't designed to drive up revenue. |
| one has been a wonderful dining experience. | | | | What people don't realize is that the service |
| I'm often asked by people new to cruising, "Why | | | | charge goes 100 percent to our staff. That's their |
| would I want to spend extra money for specialty | | | | gratuities." |
| dining when all my meals are already included? | | | | An employee for another cruise line, which shall |
| Simply put, compared to the main dining room: | | | | remain nameless, told me that they charge the |
| the cuisine is gourmet, the service is impeccable, | | | | additional fee just to make it more exclusive as |
| the ambiance is more intimate, and the overall | | | | not everyone wants to spend the additional |
| dining experience is well worth the money. You will | | | | charge. |
| get a lot more value for your money than you | | | | Like most restaurants on land, specialty |
| would on a restaurant ashore. | | | | restaurants on board cruise ships generate |
| At Royal Caribbean's Chops Grille steakhouse, for | | | | revenue from the alcohol purchased before, |
| example, the four-course meals last two hours. | | | | during and after dinner. When you're dining at this |
| It's open only for dinner and you don't have to | | | | type of restaurant you tend to splurge for adult |
| dress formal. Smart casual is the suggested attire. | | | | beverages more than you would in the main dining |
| Teens are "welcome." The additional charge is $25 | | | | room. |
| and includes gratuities. You can make your | | | | Chances are the specialty restaurants on your |
| reservations on board or online up to 4 days | | | | cruise will be very popular. To avoid |
| before your cruise begins. | | | | disappointment make sure you know your options |
| Specialty restaurants are a great venue for a | | | | and, by all means, reserve as early as possible. It |
| special occasion such as an anniversary or | | | | will truly enhance your overall cruise experience. |