Passengers who travelled on Royal Caribbean‘s Quantum of the Seas received an email from the cruise line’s President and CEO, Michael Bayley, yesterday offering a $100 shipboard credit per stateroom if those travellers book a cruise on Quantum‘s sister ship, Anthem of the Seas.
Why?
According to Bayley the line’s roll-out of Dynamic Dining on Quantum of the Seas “had some room to improve.” Dynamic Dining was introduced on Quantum and allowed passengers to make dinner reservations at any one of the ship’s restaurants via the RoyalIQ smartphone app, onboard kiosks, or in person at each venue. Gone was the main dining room, and gone was set seating times.
The concept was met with mixed reviews during the cruise I was on, with most loyal-to-Royal passengers very unhappy with the lack of a main dining room and set seatings. While I didn’t have any issues with it, I seem to be in the minority. Complaints were loud enough that top brass at the cruise line are introducing two versions of Dynamic Dining on Anthem of the Seas:
“Dynamic Dining Choice gives you the freedom to pick and choose your restaurants and dining times each day and night. Our unique venues feature menus that change throughout the cruise, with guest favorites and new specialty dishes to ensure everyone at the table will find something they love.
Dynamic Dining Classic is a new option for those who prefer the traditional main dining style with the same dining time each night, with the same wait staff and dining companions throughout the cruise. Dynamic Dining Classic is available on a first come, first serve basis.”
It should only be a short time before the reviews are in on the newly revised Dynamic Dining program. Stay tuned!
Here is the text of the email from Michael Bayley:
Dear Scott,
Thank you for being one of the first to sail onboard Quantum of the Seas. As the newest ship in our fleet, Quantum introduced many new concepts—which, I’m sure, is part of the reason you wanted to be among the first to experience it all. I know that things were not perfect, especially in the first few months of the inaugural season as we worked to refine the experience we set out to deliver. We listened to your feedback and it was clear we had some room to improve, especially with Dynamic Dining.
Many of you liked the flexibility of Dynamic Dining, but encountered issues with making reservations. Others simply wanted the more traditional dining experience to which they were accustomed on other ships. I assure you that we learn more with every sailing and with every comment we receive, and I’m pleased to announce that we’ve come up with a way to satisfy diners in either camp. Now, our more traditional diners can choose Dynamic Dining Classic, a new option that gives you the familiarity of traditional main dining by having the same dining times nightly, same waiters and same table companions throughout the cruise. And those of you who liked Dynamic Dining can enjoy even more flexibility and improved service throughout the experience, with Dynamic Dining Choice. We’ve already received a lot of positive feedback about these new options, and I can’t wait to hear how you like it once you experience it for yourself.
As a gesture of goodwill and a thank you for your loyalty to Royal Caribbean, I invite you to come back and try the new and improved Dynamic Dining on our newest ship, Anthem of the Seas, and enjoy a gift of $100 in onboard credit per stateroom when you secure your booking in May.
Again, thank you for being our guest. We hope to welcome you aboard soon.
Sincerely,
President Signature
Michael Bayley
President and CEO
Royal Caribbean International®
