http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201008311636/dining-dilemma/ Blogging the cruising world Mon, 20 May 2013 22:21:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201008311636/dining-dilemma/comment-page-1/#comment-2747 Alternate Restaurants Onboard Cruise Ships Wed, 09 Feb 2011 07:02:49 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=1636#comment-2747 [...] What’s In a Name – The Dining Dilemma&#32&#98&#121 Jan Shaughnessy – In 1981 when I took my… [...] [...] What’s In a Name – The Dining Dilemma&#32&#98&#121 Jan Shaughnessy – In 1981 when I took my… [...]

]]> http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201008311636/dining-dilemma/comment-page-1/#comment-2315 John Sun, 26 Sep 2010 17:55:18 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=1636#comment-2315 After taking two 12 night NCL cruises on the Sun this year we have never had to wait for seating at the MDR. You just have to be smart about when you go. The only time I have seen a line was immediately after the early show got out or those people waiting for the restaurant to open for dinner. As for the specialty restaurants, they act like you need a reservation to create an appearance of exclusivity but we have been able to walk up to all of these (with the exception of the one table Teppanyaki) and get a table on demand. After taking two 12 night NCL cruises on the Sun this year we have never had to wait for seating at the MDR. You just have to be smart about when you go. The only time I have seen a line was immediately after the early show got out or those people waiting for the restaurant to open for dinner. As for the specialty restaurants, they act like you need a reservation to create an appearance of exclusivity but we have been able to walk up to all of these (with the exception of the one table Teppanyaki) and get a table on demand.

]]> http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/201008311636/dining-dilemma/comment-page-1/#comment-2249 Odds711 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:15:18 +0000 http://www.cruisemates.com/blog/?p=1636#comment-2249 We consistently cruise with NCL, mainly because of the Freestyle dining and no requirement for formal wear. Of the 12-13 specialty restaurants, reservations are only necessary for the 3-4 most popular, and we've even gotten away with just showing up for those. You missed one important aspect: the two main dining rooms. They are run like fine restaurants. Elegant decor and settings. A host greets you at the door and escorts you to your seat. Tables for two line the walls next to the windows. Moving in towards the center are rows of tables for four, then six, and then a few large tables in the middle of the room. No reservations, no up-charges, and you order excellent selections off of menus. Drop in anytime between 5-10 for dinner, similar time spans for breakfast and lunch. We like it. We consistently cruise with NCL, mainly because of the Freestyle dining and no requirement for formal wear. Of the 12-13 specialty restaurants, reservations are only necessary for the 3-4 most popular, and we’ve even gotten away with just showing up for those. You missed one important aspect: the two main dining rooms. They are run like fine restaurants. Elegant decor and settings. A host greets you at the door and escorts you to your seat. Tables for two line the walls next to the windows. Moving in towards the center are rows of tables for four, then six, and then a few large tables in the middle of the room. No reservations, no up-charges, and you order excellent selections off of menus. Drop in anytime between 5-10 for dinner, similar time spans for breakfast and lunch. We like it.

]]>