Carnival's new flexible dining

Ace · #1 (**permalink**) July 28th, 2008, 11:06 AM

Has anyone tried the new flexible dining on the Carnival Legend?

skymaster · #2 (**permalink**) July 28th, 2008, 11:26 AM

Nope, not yet, but I'm booked aboard "Legend" for Halloween, and I'll let you know how it goes.

Ken
"SkyMaster"

colorcrazie · #3 (**permalink**) July 28th, 2008, 01:23 PM

Looks like we are going 11/9. Will try to give an update soon after!
Marty

Ace · #4 (**permalink**) July 28th, 2008, 01:47 PM

We are also going on 11-9. Unless we hear a lot of negatives on it, we will select it and try it. Hope someone out there has tride it.

skymaster · #5 (**permalink**) July 28th, 2008, 02:44 PM

Ace, we're sailing 10/26. I wouldn't worry too much about it, if I were you. You do have the option of traditional dining if you prefer, so if that's what you like, it shouldn't make a bit of difference. I think I read, however, if you elect the new personal choice dining (or whatever Carnival elects to call it) you can't go back to traditional dining. We prefer traditional early seating anyway, so I'm certainly not worried. "Legend" is a GREAT ship.

Ken
"Sky"

P.S. We'll try to leave the ship in good shape for you! 8)

Floridanamaw · #6 (**permalink**) July 28th, 2008, 04:07 PM

What is the flexible dining on the Legend? We have a cruise booked for next year.

Ace · #7 (**permalink**) July 29th, 2008, 11:12 AM

flexible dining is being tried out on the Legend. You do not have an assigned time for dinner(main or late), you can eat anytime between 5:30-9:30.

Floridanamaw · #8 (**permalink**) July 29th, 2008, 11:18 AM

Thanks, that sounds great to me. I prefer that over a "fixed" dining time.

BrwnEyedGirl · #9 (**permalink**) July 29th, 2008, 12:21 PM

If the flex dining is anything like Princess, you either make a reservation for a the set time you want to eat or drop by and wait for a table. Like going to a restaurant that doesn't take reservations. It works out nice if you want to eat earlier than the traditional dining times. On Princess, if you go the 1st day and set your times, we were even able to get the same table every night. I think the flex time works out great for port days.

Floridanamaw · #10 (**permalink**) July 29th, 2008, 12:35 PM

Can you request a small table or do they just sit you wherever there is a place to sit? We like to watch the sunsets from on deck so I would be happy eating after that. I hope they still have this when we go next year.

skymaster · #11 (**permalink**) July 29th, 2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floridanamaw

Can you request a small table or do they just sit you wherever there is a place to sit? We like to watch the sunsets from on deck so I would be happy eating after that. I hope they still have this when we go next year.

Once again, if it's run like "Princess" does it, yes, you can request a table for two if you prefer, however if you do that, you may have a longer wait. We did try it on Princess, and of course, have done it on NCL, and it's O.K., but we still prefer traditional dining.

Ken
"Sky"

erikhag · #12 (**permalink**) July 29th, 2008, 02:23 PM

Since I cruise with NCL, obviously I prefer to decide by myself when I shall eat. One thing to think about when both flexible diningtime and fixed seatings are offered on the same ship is, how many will choose flexible diningtime?

If almost everyone prefer fixed seatings, the restaurants might be almost empty on other times and some people (for example me) might think that eating in an empty restaurant is boring!

Floridanamaw · #13 (**permalink**) July 29th, 2008, 03:59 PM

Honesty, we are just as happy eating at the buffet (I know, we are strange) and one reason is we can decide to eat when we want , not at a certain time. Our last cruise we only ate in the dining room 3 times on our 7 night cruise, mainly because we both would prefer to be on deck at sunset and our dining time was early. I know we could have changed it, but it just wasn't that important to us. With the flex time, we might eat in the dining room more if we can pick our dining time, say after the sunset. If that doesn't work out, then we will be happy with the buffet or pizza or burger or two or three ice cream cones

Who knows, by the time our cruise comes around next year things may have changed again.

Thoth · #14 (**permalink**) July 29th, 2008, 08:06 PM

keep fixed dining ! As a solo traveler I don't think "flexible" anytime" open dining is in my best interest. Most weeks of the year I must say "table for one please"

Just one week a year it's so nice to have a table of friends awaiting my arrival.
Hopefully the cruise-lines understand that I for one select cruise vacations based on the social factor. The people I meet on cruises are very important to me and they can help make the trip. If I must say "table for one" then I just won't go next time.