Dining Confirmed 12 Day Before Sailing

[eroller]

My request for main sitting, upper level has been waitlisted ever since I made my booking months ago. I was confirmed on the open sitting.

Just today I received an email from HAL stated my booking had changed. Well just 12 days before sailing, when I figured everything would be pretty much set, I have been confirmed for main dining, upper level.

It's good to know that HAL works these waitlists right up to the end. The open sitting would have been fine with me, but it's nice to know that now I will have a dedicated table at the main sitting.

Ernie

[Mary Ellen]

I wish you well. Twice now our docs have had our desired "confirmed" dining, only to get our room keys at the pier with other arrangements. Once we found ourselves in open seating and the other time we were still in fixed, but at a different seating time. Confirmed seems to mean something different to HAL than it does to us. Good luck -

[eroller]

I wish you well. Twice now our docs have had our desired "confirmed" dining, only to get our room keys at the pier with other arrangements. Once we found ourselves in open seating and the other time we were still in fixed, but at a different seating time. Confirmed seems to mean something different to HAL than it does to us. Good luck -


Thanks for the heads-up. I will be sure to take along documentation to prove the dining confirmation if necessary.

Ernie

[foodsvcmgr]

Question for Mary Ellen:

When you did not get what was confirmed and printed on your documents,
what did you do and what did HAL do for you?

I certainly would not take "No" for an answer, particularly if I had
booked far ahead and been confirmed with my request from the onset.

[Mary Ellen]

Ernie - Having docs in hand that said "confirmed" meant nothing. I'd started to type what we had to deal with, but it is just too frustrating. It is over, done with, that ship has sailed... Not a good way to start a vacation.

Both times we'd booked over a year in advance - one time we (and our friends dining with us) were the first and second cabins booked on the cruise. I just hope no one else has to contend with HAL's definition of confirmed.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Congratulations!! Hope it works out for you.

We also had a problem one time. We had booked a cruis 1 1/2 years in advanced. We had documents that indicated that we were assigned fixed dining at a certain time. When we got to the pier -- our ID cards didn't indicate that. So we ended up having to meet with the dining manager (then it was the maitre-d). We showed him our confirmation -- we got what we wanted.

[peaches from georgia]

Large groups and Deluxe Suites/Penthouse requests are going to take priority for fixed dining no matter what has been "confirmed" for other pax.

[eroller]

Large groups and Deluxe Suites/Penthouse requests are going to take priority for fixed dining no matter what has been "confirmed" for other pax.


"Confirmed" to me means just that. I've never had a problem with my confirmed dining on any other line.

If for some reason my confirmed dining request is not actually confirmed, trust me it will be when all is said and done.

Of course my hope and expectation is that my confirmed request will be printed on my cruise card and all will be fine.

Bottom line, don't "confirm" something unless it's truly confirmed.

Ernie

[Mary Ellen]

Large groups and Deluxe Suites/Penthouse requests are going to take priority for fixed dining no matter what has been "confirmed" for other pax.Oddly, some of those in our group the first time this occurred to us, who also had their "confirmed" dining changed, were in deluxe suites. So much for their priority.

[peaches from georgia]

Oddly, some of those in our group the first time this occurred to us, who also had their "confirmed" dining changed, were in deluxe suites. So much for their priority.
That is unusual for sure. And 'confirmed' should mean 'confirmed' for any category of pax.

[DRWhit]

Does anyone know the number of fixed diners to anytime diners? We booked what I think is pretty far ahead (not going till March 2011) and we were wait-listed for late fixed dining. Early fixed was not an option either.

I find it hard to believe that all the fixed dining is already booked.

[RuthC]

We booked what I think is pretty far ahead (not going till March 2011) and we were wait-listed for late fixed dining.
"Pretty far ahead" is in the eyes of the beholder. When did you book?

For many of us, booking at least one year, and more likely 15-18 months out, is customary. That should be "pretty far ahead" most of the time. I would never call six months before sailing "pretty far ahead" as there are a lot of people who book in that 6-12 months before period.

[DRWhit]

"Pretty far ahead" is in the eyes of the beholder. When did you book?

For many of us, booking at least one year, and more likely 15-18 months out, is customary. That should be "pretty far ahead" most of the time. I would never call six months before sailing "pretty far ahead" as there are a lot of people who book in that 6-12 months before period. I booked at the beginning of October. To me, that's pretty far ahead. But I get your point.

I think a big part of it seeming so far ahead to me is the fact that its going to happen next year, not this year. But you made me look at the calendar, and its only 4 months and so many odd days out. So, yeah, its closer than I was thinking. But hey, that's good news!

So do you think the ship is pretty well booked up at 4 months out?

[RuthC]

So do you think the ship is pretty well booked up at 4 months out?
I wouldn't hazard a guess. If prices are going up, it's well-booked; if they're going down, there's room on the ship. If you check HAL's website and there's lots of closed categories, it's well-booked. If it's wide open, you can't tell how booked up it is, as there could be just a few cabins (or less) in each category.

[bepsf]

Ernie - Having docs in hand that said "confirmed" meant nothing. I'd started to type what we had to deal with, but it is just too frustrating. It is over, done with, that ship has sailed... Not a good way to start a vacation.

Both times we'd booked over a year in advance - one time we (and our friends dining with us) were the first and second cabins booked on the cruise. I just hope no one else has to contend with HAL's definition of confirmed.

ME--
I'll do it for you...
;)

Ernie--


We were aboard the Eurodam Prelude (the 3-day cruise from Rotterdam before the Inaugural from Copenhagen) - The Inaugural had been booked the day it came available @ 18 months out and the Prelude was booked as soon as it opened @ 9 months out, IIRC.
My TA had confirmed our entire group (a dozen or so folks) w/ Seattle for Fixed/Upper seating and all our documents clearly stated the same.
When we arrived at the pier in Rotterdam, we were given shipboard cards that said Open Seating, Deck 2. (My family and I were in a Deluxe and the adjacent Verandah Stateroom on the stern: This was a $20,000+ 13-day cruise in fares alone for the 4 of us due to the premium paid for the privilidge of sailing on the Inaugural and Prelude)
We went to the Maitre'd that afternoon and were informed that all paying passengers on the vessel were moved to Lower/Open Dining in favor of HAL President Stein Kruse and his Non-Paying TA's and Guests.
The 12 of us were shown to a pair of 6-top tables in the middle of the lower dining room next to the pantry beneath the central platform - This was all that was available, so we confirmed w/ the Maitre'd that these would be our 2 tables for all 3 nights.
The night the ship was in Hamburg, my family and I were ashore and the others in our group who remained aboard ship for dinner (Mary Ellen, her DH and others) went to the reserved tables and were accosted by waitstaff for not checking in and being shown to a random table - apparently there was a bit of a scene of which I was not personally aware until later that evening when my family and I returned to the ship.


Needless to say, it didn't leave a nice taste in folk's mouths...

[Mary Ellen]

The night the ship was in Hamburg, my family and I were ashore and the others in our group who remained aboard ship for dinner (Mary Ellen, her DH and others) went to the reserved tables and were accosted by waitstaff for not checking in and being shown to a random table - apparently there was a bit of a scene of which I was not personally aware until later that evening when my family and I returned to the ship.Thanks B - We had to enter through the upper level each night - the lower level was packed back the to stairs. It never occurred to us to change our room keys and the Front Desk always had looooooooong lines (that was a place to be avoided at all costs). Thankfully, the concierge had given new room keys to Grumpy and Slinky. Once we figured out what the server was getting so hot and bothered about, Grumpy pulled out his room key - with our assigned table number printed on it (where we were sitting) - things did settle down. This was just one example of how the paying passengers were treated as inconveniences on that cruise.

Bottom line - IF seating isn't confirmed, don't tell us, our TA, nor have it print in our docs.

[eroller]

ME--
I'll do it for you...
;)

Ernie--


We were aboard the Eurodam Prelude (the 3-day cruise from Rotterdam before the Inaugural from Copenhagen) - The Inaugural had been booked the day it came available @ 18 months out and the Prelude was booked as soon as it opened @ 9 months out, IIRC.
My TA had confirmed our entire group (a dozen or so folks) w/ Seattle for Fixed/Upper seating and all our documents clearly stated the same.
When we arrived at the pier in Rotterdam, we were given shipboard cards that said Open Seating, Deck 2. (My family and I were in a Deluxe and the adjacent Verandah Stateroom on the stern: This was a $20,000+ 13-day cruise in fares alone for the 4 of us due to the premium paid for the privilidge of sailing on the Inaugural and Prelude)
We went to the Maitre'd that afternoon and were informed that all paying passengers on the vessel were moved to Lower/Open Dining in favor of HAL President Stein Kruse and his Non-Paying TA's and Guests.
The 12 of us were shown to a pair of 6-top tables in the middle of the lower dining room next to the pantry beneath the central platform - This was all that was available, so we confirmed w/ the Maitre'd that these would be our 2 tables for all 3 nights.
The night the ship was in Hamburg, my family and I were ashore and the others in our group who remained aboard ship for dinner (Mary Ellen, her DH and others) went to the reserved tables and were accosted by waitstaff for not checking in and being shown to a random table - apparently there was a bit of a scene of which I was not personally aware until later that evening when my family and I returned to the ship.


Needless to say, it didn't leave a nice taste in folk's mouths...


Interesting story Brian. I would not be amused and chances are it would be a LONG time before HAL received my business again. Treating the paying passengers, the bread and butter of the line, like second class is something I would not expect from the CEO of a company. Very disappointing.

I've sailed on a lot of cruises on a lot of different cruise lines, and rarely have I had any issues with dining. I'm actually pretty easy going, but if my documents state I'm confirmed for fixed main sitting, and HAL went to the trouble of sending me an email to advise this, then that is what I expect. As I mentioned earlier, I would be ok with open sitting if the fixed was not confirmed, but since it is confirmed this is my expectation, and I fully expect HAL to stand behind their own documentation.

Ernie

[bepsf]

Thanks B - We had to enter through the upper level each night - the lower level was packed back the to stairs. It never occurred to us to change our room keys and the Front Desk always had looooooooong lines (that was a place to be avoided at all costs). Thankfully, the concierge had given new room keys to Grumpy and Slinky. Once we figured out what the server was getting so hot and bothered about, Grumpy pulled out his room key - with our assigned table number printed on it (where we were sitting) - things did settle down. This was just one example of how the paying passengers were treated as inconveniences on that cruise.

Ah yes, I remember now those mobs at the doors every night...
...wasn't it the First Night that we were informed at the doors that we were obligated to enter on the lower level rather than take the cnetral stairs from the Upper? It was such a crowd that we ended up trooping back up the aft staricase to the Upper entrance? (or was that another cruise I'm remembering?)

Either way, it was a Royal Mess, wasn't it?

[Mary Ellen]

Ah yes, I remember now those mobs at the doors every night...
...wasn't it the First Night that we were informed at the doors that we were obligated to enter on the lower level rather than take the cnetral stairs from the Upper? It was such a crowd that we ended up trooping back up the aft staricase to the Upper entrance? (or was that another cruise I'm remembering?)

Either way, it was a Royal Mess, wasn't it?I don't remember that, but that doesn't mean anything. :o We really had to use the upper level to enter - otherwise we'd have to allow at least an hour extra to get to the doors. No one said anything to us when we used the upper level entry that I can remember. I know that first night we'd been in line for about half an hour and had only barely made it to the elevators. There was no way we'd be seated at our table within the time allowed - before they gave it away. The CD kept making announcements each day pleading with passengers to dine before 7 to avoid lines.

[Rotterdam]

My partner & I were on the Noordam for a 10 day carib sailing out of NYC its first year out...well the corporate suits were onboard & despite the miserable service all around the ship & food that was frozen or never showed up the suits were in the DR with so much staff they were tripping over each other.

So they are consistant.....we stayed away from HAL for a few years - we recently returned - only to say never again!!!!


Why can't these management teams learn customer service?????





ME--
I'll do it for you...
;)

Ernie--


We were aboard the Eurodam Prelude (the 3-day cruise from Rotterdam before the Inaugural from Copenhagen) - The Inaugural had been booked the day it came available @ 18 months out and the Prelude was booked as soon as it opened @ 9 months out, IIRC.
My TA had confirmed our entire group (a dozen or so folks) w/ Seattle for Fixed/Upper seating and all our documents clearly stated the same.
When we arrived at the pier in Rotterdam, we were given shipboard cards that said Open Seating, Deck 2. (My family and I were in a Deluxe and the adjacent Verandah Stateroom on the stern: This was a $20,000+ 13-day cruise in fares alone for the 4 of us due to the premium paid for the privilidge of sailing on the Inaugural and Prelude)
We went to the Maitre'd that afternoon and were informed that all paying passengers on the vessel were moved to Lower/Open Dining in favor of HAL President Stein Kruse and his Non-Paying TA's and Guests.
The 12 of us were shown to a pair of 6-top tables in the middle of the lower dining room next to the pantry beneath the central platform - This was all that was available, so we confirmed w/ the Maitre'd that these would be our 2 tables for all 3 nights.
The night the ship was in Hamburg, my family and I were ashore and the others in our group who remained aboard ship for dinner (Mary Ellen, her DH and others) went to the reserved tables and were accosted by waitstaff for not checking in and being shown to a random table - apparently there was a bit of a scene of which I was not personally aware until later that evening when my family and I returned to the ship.


Needless to say, it didn't leave a nice taste in folk's mouths...

[ksc1984]

I booked a cruise for Jan 2012 in May this year. We asked for open seating since that has worked well for us in the past. However we recently decided to give fixed seating a try, so I called HAL to change our seating. We were told that early fixed was waitlisted but he felt sure we would get our choice. When I asked for a table for two, I was told they were for special requests only. I guess my request was not special. Oh well, we're not going to sweat it either way.

[bepsf]

My partner & I were on the Noordam for a 10 day carib sailing out of NYC its first year out...well the corporate suits were onboard & despite the miserable service all around the ship & food that was frozen or never showed up the suits were in the DR with so much staff they were tripping over each other.

So they are consistant.....we stayed away from HAL for a few years - we recently returned - only to say never again!!!!


Why can't these management teams learn customer service?????

Well Rottie - Believe you me, I certainly won't knowingly book a cruise that has any HAL/CCL bigwigs aboard again...
...considering Kruse and Arison both came trooping through the Neptune Lounge on the morning of embarcation in Rotterdam and neither took a moment's care to walk across the room and introduce themselves or say "Hello" to their paying passengers.

On the other hand there's Oceania - I've heard that their Upper Management are VERY client-service conscious, even so far as to post on the CC Boards in the past when there have been controversies and shoo staff away aboard ship in favor of their passengers needs!

[debsjc]

Well Rottie - Believe you me, I certainly won't knowingly book a cruise that has any HAL/CCL bigwigs aboard again...
...considering Kruse and Arison both came trooping through the Neptune Lounge on the morning of embarcation in Rotterdam and neither took a moment's care to walk across the room and introduce themselves or say "Hello" to their paying passengers.

On the other hand there's Oceania - I've heard that their Upper Management are VERY client-service conscious, even so far as to post on the CC Boards in the past when there have been controversies and shoo staff away aboard ship in favor of their passengers needs!


I can personally confirm that Oceania management are amazing. I had a problem which I mentioned on the board, as part of a review of my cruise, and Frank Del Rio contacted me personally and was very generous.