When the Celebrity Reflection was introduced to North America in December, we heard a comment on the ship from the new boss, Michael Bayley, after he'd experienced the specialty restaurant known as Qsine. His comment had to do with the fee ($40) for dining at Qsine?
"Is that all we charge?" he asked.
It should have been the tipoff, that it was only a matter of time until Celebrity raised its cover charge for Qsine? That, plus the fact Bayley and his executives made it clear to 
travel agents on the Reflection that Celebrity was moving to become more upscale than it already was…the catch-phrase was "modern luxury."
As of this month, it costs $45 to eat at Qsine.
And $35 at the Tuscan Grille (Italian), $45 at Murano (French) and $30 at Silk Harvest (Asian), all of them an increase of $5 per person.
Celebrity explained to Cruise Critic that the increases were "due to increased demand during peak dining times."
In other words, supply and demand.
For passengers who have paid to eat at these specialty restaurants, the question will be: "Does another five dollars make it too much?"
The answer is: The market will decide. If there's no demand at the new prices, the market will fall and Celebrity may reconsider. Passengers who are now complaining about the increases aren't forced to go. If they don't like it, take a pass.
For passengers who haven't eaten at these (or other speciality restaurants on cruise ships), the question is always: "Are they worth a cover charge when you can eat at the dining room?"
The answer is: This is always subjective. Obviously Mr. Bayley felt $40 made Qsine a good deal for diners. We have eaten at Qsine. We paid $40. It didn't leave a bad taste in our mouths.
But hey, that's just one opinion.
Norwegian Pearl
14 nights
April 21, 2013
Miami, Cartagena, Panama Canal, Puntarenas, Puerto Chiapas, Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Los Angeles
Inside: $899
Cost per day: $64
www.ncl.com