I read something in a magazine which confused me. Sounds like on HAL that guest are automatically assumed to be open seating unless they request traditional dining. Then they are put on a waiting list for a traditional dining time? Sounds kooky to me .
When I sailed 3 times with HAL I requested an assigned dining time at booking. Now that requires being put on a waiting list?
If I desired open seating, I would have gone with Norwiegn !
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PAST TRIPS= Enchanted Capri
Carnival: Inspiration, Legend, Valor, Destiny, Holiday, Triumph, Splendor, Fantasy
HAL: Maasdam twice, Statendam, Oosterdam
There still is tradional seating with fixed times. But that is now only for a part of the diningroom.
Also in case you cannot get fixed diner, always try to change it once you are on board.
Upper Level is for fixed dining and Lower Level is for open seating or AYWD (as you wish dining), but with open seating you still have to make a reservation each day for that evening.
So far we haven't tried the open seating, but next time we might just do that.
I am so out of the mainstream. I love traditonal style cruising: fixed time dining, formal nights and being civil to your fellow passengers.
Yes, on my upcoming cruise we are the late seating.
That makes two of us ! However, I'm now an early seating kind of guy. If the show's good I can go twice. Also early dining makes going to bed earlier easier so one can get up for those early shore excursions.
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PAST TRIPS= Enchanted Capri
Carnival: Inspiration, Legend, Valor, Destiny, Holiday, Triumph, Splendor, Fantasy
HAL: Maasdam twice, Statendam, Oosterdam
We only go to Traditonal 'Main Upper' Dining. We always have assigned 8 P.M. dinner. We confirm this at the time we book. It is one of the amenities that "S" and "PS" category cabins get..... Dining time/style of choice.
We did anytime seating on our cruise to Alaska this year. We found it very good as we could eat and make the early show.
We never made a reservation for dinner , were seated promptly.
We meet some very interesting people and also some duds.
With fixed dining tables you could be stuck with these duds every night , not just one night.
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Ships Sailed:
SS Ithaca , Volendam , Mariner of the Seas (x2) , Veendam , Coral Princess , Island Princess (x3) , Emerald ,Sapphire (x3)
I actually like being forced together with strangers. Even the bad people have their uses. They provide a source of conversation when you switch to another table or on your next cruise; "remember those annoying people from Chicago...". One cruise we had were seated at the 10 seat "swing" table. It was the table for people who wanted to squeeze into the late seating at the last minute or try it for the night. We had our assigned seat at the table but about half the table was new each evening. It was a lot of fun.
We did the 'assigned dining partners' type tables for many of our early cruises. We met some fabulous people and very much enjoyed their company. Then we had a few 'duds' as you call them. One was so bad we found ourselves avoiding the dining room. That did it!
From then on, we requested and have always been assigned to a table for ourselves.
We can meet all the folks we want when we are out and about.... in lounges, at the pools, at private cocktails parties etc
Speaking of dining times...anyone know the current early/main times for Alaska cruises? also, on 7 day RT vancouver itinerary, are show times before/after dinner for main seating.
Speaking of dining times...anyone know the current early/main times for Alaska cruises? also, on 7 day RT vancouver itinerary, are show times before/after dinner for main seating.
Don't know what time early seating was but in Alaska it's usually 15 minutes prior to what it is in Carib. Our late seating was at 7:45pm
Didn't go to the shows, so just check your daily program. They seem to change all the time.
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what happened to asigned seating dinner ?
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