Room Service

[david63]

Just picked this up from FB.

From May 2017 please note that room service charges will apply on selected items.

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/fleet/room_service

This seems somewhat strange as "selected items" have been chargeable for quite a few years. Only thing that I can think of is that either the prices are going up or they are starting to charge for more items.

[Happydays]

Your probably right. I don't think I've noticed the prices for room service changing for a while, maybe more people are using it.

[towny44]

Saw a comment the other day that RCI are starting to apply a room service charge of $7.75 for all room service deliveries.
That's what happens when accountants are given too much power.

[CaroleF]

When we were on Aurora in December and went to the Caribbean Lunch we were sat with Cathy Jones - the Executive Purser, or whatever new title they have, and we were chatting about the new menus in the MDR that had been introduced. She mentioned to us that the Room Service Menu was the next thing that was being redone. As has been said there have always been items on the menu that have attracted an extra charge - like smoked salmon, and one thing that we quite liked, the Chicken and Bacon Baguette. The Room Service Menu could certainly do with being up-dated.

[Boris+]

When we 'ate in' on Cunard, we could select from the Grills menu, but on Celeb, if we wanted to have dinner in our suite, we couldn't select from the Luminae menu - which we found a bit strange. However what was delivered was superb, and the service was just a bit better than Cunard or P&O.

[david63]

Just had an email about this:

... we wish to make you aware of the introduction of a new room service menu, which will be available to you on board.

Designed to bring you greater flexibility and more options for casual dining, the new menu features both British and global classics plus a range of healthy options, snacks and desserts. While the majority of items are chargeable, room service will continue to offer excellent value with small plates from just £1.25 and large plates (main meals) at £4.75 – all delivered to your door for no additional service charge. Continental breakfast (plus an additional hot breakfast option*) is still included in your holiday price – great for that long lie in you’ve been promising yourself.

The new menu will be introduced across the fleet* between May and July 2017 so you could be amongst the first to try our new dishes.

*Please note that while Oriana’s menu will be similarly enhanced, the dishes on offer will vary as her galley operations allow for provision of cold dishes only

So this looks as if there are going to be more "chargeable" items on the room service menu - in fact the way that I read it, it sounds as if almost everything (except breakfast) will be chargeable.

The bean counters have been at work again - this time literally!

[towny44]

Yes the new menu only has chargeable items, except for breakfast which is still free and now has a warm Sausage, Bacon & Tomato Panini option.

This is the link to it on the website:-
file:///C:/Users/John/Downloads/AU_AZ_BR_OC_VE_service%20(1).pdf

[qbman1]

Just had an email about this:

... we wish to make you aware of the introduction of a new room service menu, which will be available to you on board.

Designed to bring you greater flexibility and more options for casual dining, the new menu features both British and global classics plus a range of healthy options, snacks and desserts. While the majority of items are chargeable, room service will continue to offer excellent value with small plates from just £1.25 and large plates (main meals) at £4.75 – all delivered to your door for no additional service charge. Continental breakfast (plus an additional hot breakfast option*) is still included in your holiday price – great for that long lie in you’ve been promising yourself.

The new menu will be introduced across the fleet* between May and July 2017 so you could be amongst the first to try our new dishes.

*Please note that while Oriana’s menu will be similarly enhanced, the dishes on offer will vary as her galley operations allow for provision of cold dishes only

So this looks as if there are going to be more "chargeable" items on the room service menu - in fact the way that I read it, it sounds as if almost everything (except breakfast) will be chargeable.

The bean counters have been at work again - this time literally!

Do we take it the ovens on Oriana are broken ?! Should we chip in for a microwave ?

[CaroleF]

Just had a look at the new Room Service Menu and yes all items apart from breakfast have a charge. There is certainly much more variety in what is offered and I would have thought that those who like to use Room Service will like the new offerings, allowing for the fact that they will have to pay which they won't have to do if they go to the buffet or main restaurant. We have often used Room Service for lunch, especially if we were back late from a morning excursion and were too late for the main restaurant and didn't fancy what was on offer in the buffet (never go to the buffet if I can help it) so for us I'm pleased to see that there is much more choice. I wonder if they've allowed for the fact that they might need more Room Service Stewards - if the new menu is popular of course.

[david63]

I wonder if they've allowed for the fact that they might need more Room Service Stewards - if the new menu is popular of course.

My guess would be that they will need less as there will be many who will refuse to pay extra.

Of course one way around this is to have a suite where your butler will bring you anything off the MDR menu

[screwy]

I wonder if they've allowed for the fact that they might need more Room Service Stewards - if the new menu is popular of course.

My guess would be that they will need less as there will be many who will refuse to pay extra.

Of course one way around this is to have a suite where your butler will bring you anything off the MDR menu

But then that makes it a costly room service..?

[Stephen]

Never have room service, nor breakfast in the main dining room. I like to pick and choose what goes on my plate at breakfast even if it is a bit of a scrum at times, not have someone just serve up fatty undercooked bacon, anaemic looking sausages and a snotty egg.

[Suekersh]

We often use room service for lunch on a hot sea day whilst sat on our balcony. I object to paying extra for food we have already paid for in the cruise cost. Maybe I will put less weight on on our next cruise as I won't use the buffet and only use the MDR at lunchtime if in cold weather.

I can understand them putting a 'tray charge' on for delivery but it is very cheeky to charge for food we have already paid for.

Sue

[Whynd1]

I totally agree with Sue.

Lindsey

[daib GC]

We often use room service for lunch on a hot sea day whilst sat on our balcony. I object to paying extra for food we have already paid for in the cruise cost. Maybe I will put less weight on on our next cruise as I won't use the buffet and only use the MDR at lunchtime if in cold weather.

I can understand them putting a 'tray charge' on for delivery but it is very cheeky to charge for food we have already paid for.

Sue

As we don't eat lunch, apart from the Baltic one and then no breakfast on that day, we don't eat all the food we have paid for anyway.

[towny44]

As we don't eat lunch, apart from the Baltic one and then no breakfast on that day, we don't eat all the food we have paid for anyway.

Sounds like a good case for some compo Dai.

[Manoverboard]

Many room service items have to be prepared separately and that takes space and person time ... there cannot be any argument about making a payment. For those who believe that they have already paid then the MDR or the buffet is for them.

American ships require a ' tip ' for the person who delivers one's room service order so why should P&O do it for free, albeit at extra cost to them.

[barney]

I'm in agreement with suekersh.
We often have lunch on our balcony on nice days.
We always tip the waiter for bringing it up but always felt that as it was 'paid for' as part of the cost, as is all other food, excluding the supplement venues.
Now it's down to choice of paying extra or not, I expect I'll ask Mrs Barney to go up to the grab and go to get me something.
Thinking about it, I don't think we have ever had lunch in the MDR so theoretically P&O owe me a fortune.

I'd guess that this will backfire and it will become a very under used service.

[david63]

I'd guess that this will backfire and it will become a very under used service.

That is probably what they are aiming for.