Royal Caribbean postpones restaurant rollouts

Gene Sloan | USA TODAY

Looking forward to more restaurant choices on Royal Caribbean ships? As they say in the New York area where the line just deployed its latest vessel, fuhgeddaboudit -- at least for now.

Royal Caribbean says it is postponing the expansion of the multi-restaurant "dynamic dining" concept that it just unveiled on Quantum of the Seas to additional ships while it gives the idea more study.

Launched in October on Quantum, the dynamic dining concept replaces the traditional main dining room that has been a hallmark of Royal Caribbean ships for decades with multiple smaller eateries serving a variety of cuisines from American to Asian. Quantum offers four separate restaurants in the place of one giant dining room -- all available at no extra charge. There also is a separate alternative eatery available for passengers in suites.

The concept had been scheduled to roll out on Royal Caribbean's two biggest ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, starting in March. The line already had made changes to Oasis' main dining room during a recent dry dock to accommodate the shift from one big restaurant to three smaller ones.

Royal Caribbean hasn't said if the rollout of dynamic dining on Quantum hit a snag, but in a statement sent to USA TODAY it said the postponement occurred so it could "continue to collect guests' feedback and put the finishing touches" on the idea.

Bionic Bar mixes perfect, precise drinks Cruisers aboard Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas are flocking to the Bionic Bar -- where robots perfectly mix custom drinks with precision.

The line says there no longer is a target date for implementing dynamic dining on Oasis and Allure.

USA TODAY Cruise reported live from Quantum's maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. Click on the carousel at the top of the story for our "first look" tour of the ship or the carousel below for a glimpse at its swankiest suites. For more of our coverage of the ship's debut, including a dozen videos, follow the links at the bottom of this page.

Live from Quantum of the Seas

New giant cruise ship begins sailings from New York

Actress Kristin Chenoweth christens Quantum in New York

New giant cruise ship arrives in New York

Five things to love about the new Quantum of the Seas

Video: First look at Quantum's two70 lounge

Love craft beers? This new ship is for you

Video: Michael's Genuine Pub brings artisanal flavors to sea

Bumper cars on a cruise ship? This one has them

Video: Bumper car fun on a cruise ship

Latest gee-whiz cruise attraction: skydiving

New giant cruise ship sets sail on maiden voyage

Living large: New cruise ship's swanky mega-suites

Video: The coolness of 'virtual balconies' on Quantum of the Seas

Video: The epic mega-suites of Quantum of the Seas

Photos: Inside the super suites on Quantum of the Seas

First look: Inside the year's hottest new cruise ship

Photos: Inside our exclusive first ride on North Star

Video: Jamie Oliver brings 'neighborhood Italian' to Quantum

Robot bartenders? This cruise ship has them

Video: Quantum's Bionic Bar mixes perfect drinks

Video: Time-lapse view as Quantum of the Sea sets sail

Video: Soaring on Quantum's skydiving ride

Video: Watch Quantum's Bionic Bar mix a drink

Photos: First look at Quantum of the Seas

Video: Experience Quantum's North Star in 60 seconds

Exclusive: Inside the hottest new ride at sea

Video: Quantum's North Star gives sky-high views