Traditonal Dining

[Ahhh]

Does HAL offer any "Non Traditional" dining options (for dinner) other than the buffet, cafes, room service or Special Dining Rooms (for an additional fee)? I know that Princess has dining rooms on some ships set aside for "anythime dining". What about HAL?

[jhannah]

No, they don't. Traditional fixed seating times unless you go to the Lido. In the evening the Lido does offer bistro service. But it isn't like anytime dining in the dining room.

[arzz]

I do not understand what the big attraction is of anytime dining -- I consider one of the perks of cruise ship travel is always having a place in the dining room and always knowing when and where we will eat as well as who we will eat with -- if something unusual happens there is always the lido or room service. By weeks end table mates who are strangers are friends and there is always wonderful sharing of the day's events.

On the Grand Princess we had anytime dining -- as often as not we arrived at the dining room, wait in line and then be given a beeper that would go off to let us know when a table was ready. Service and food were wonderful but the service staff was VERY rushed and I got tired very quickly of all of the introductions around the table and the first night awkwardness of the social situation EVERY night. I love meeting new people at breakfast and lunch but to also do that at dinner was a downer and often ruined what would otherwise have been a wonderful meal. (let's face it -- some people can be very trying)

[RuthC]

I agree with you, arzz. Some people like the choices, and there are cruiselines to accommodate. Others like the traditional time/place/tablemates way, and HAL is there for us.

Isn't it nice that there are cruiselines for all of us? When every cruiseline tries to become all things to all people all the time they all lose their identity.

[lawyersinlove]

I do not understand what the big attraction is of anytime dining -- I consider one of the perks of cruise ship travel is always having a place in the dining room and always knowing when and where we will eat as well as who we will eat with -- if something unusual happens there is always the lido or room service. By weeks end table mates who are strangers are friends and there is always wonderful sharing of the day's events.

On the Grand Princess we had anytime dining -- as often as not we arrived at the dining room, wait in line and then be given a beeper that would go off to let us know when a table was ready. Service and food were wonderful but the service staff was VERY rushed and I got tired very quickly of all of the introductions around the table and the first night awkwardness of the social situation EVERY night. I love meeting new people at breakfast and lunch but to also do that at dinner was a downer and often ruined what would otherwise have been a wonderful meal. (let's face it -- some people can be very trying)

There are positives and negatives with almost everything. What if you didn't like your tablemates, they complain about everything and loudly. Or they are big drinkers and you are not. Sometimes you want to eat late, sometimes early, but in both cases want a traditional sit down dining experience.

On long journeys, traditional dinner hours are appropriate. But for a weeks cruise, where some people are on real vacations from work, they might not want to be regemented into dining timings.

No one should have to rush back from a shore excursion to make a 6:30 dining room meal, or risk missing eating in the main dining room.

Then again, maybe HAL is for the kind of person who likes a fixed dining time with familiar dining companions.

[MaryEllen1952]

I agree with you Lawyers regarding if you don't care for others at your table; also I think it is nice to rotate around so you can meet more people. Several of the adventure cruises I took had a regular seating time but you just sat where a spot was available. However I think probably the typical cruiser is probably older (50+) and like more regimentation than a younger crowd.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I don't remember the exact years when NCL went to "free style" crusing and Princess went to "personal choice" but that was when we stopped crusing them.

I can't immagine us being all dressed up and having a couple sit down at our table wearing jeans or whatever. And it did happen to some friends of ours.

That's one of the reasons why we sail HAL.

[peaches from georgia]

Don't get me wrong, KK, but that could happen on a cruise with traditional dining also. Traditional tablemates could easily show up not dressed appropriately, too, same as if you met them freestyle. :(

[Krazy Kruizers]

Now you know why we have requested tables for 2 the last couple of years.

We have seen bermudas and etc., in the dining room at dinner time on HAL ships - and nothing was said to those passengers.

[AmyinVail]

I don't think the OP was interested in what everyone thought was better; traditional or freestyle, they were simply asking IF it was available on HAL. I think JHannah answered the question right away.

[peaches from georgia]

We're going back to a table for 6 on our next cruise for a change from a 2, so will cross our fingers (and go to the Pinnacle every night if necessary).

Cruise after that we are going with friends who we will send back to their cabin with no dinner if they come into the dining room in jeans! :D

[MaryEllen1952]

Well...single I am solo cruising I hope I don't get stuck at a table with people who are more interested in my clothes rather than my personality. Otherwise I will be moving from the table.

[Roz]

Mary Ellen,

I've cruised solo on HAL, and if you dress appropriately - casual, informal, or formal according to the dress code for that day - you won't get any stares. The problem comes in when people do things like wear jeans with holes in them in the DR in the evening. I saw this with my own eyes on my last cruise in December. IMO, if someone can afford to cruise, they can afford decent clothing. No need to spend a lot of money. Look in your closets or go to a discount place like Stein Mart, Marshall's, or Kohl's.

Roz

[MaryEllen1952]

Thanks for the info, Roz. I already have appropriate clothes to wear however I don't plan to be dressed to the nines on this cruise - or any other cruise I take. After living in San Francisco for many years, you become oblivious to judging someone by what they wear; you can't ever tell who has money or who doesn't. Unfortunately when you return to the South, many like to impress everyone with their dress.

[dakrewser]

Thanks for the info, Roz. I already have appropriate clothes to wear however I don't plan to be dressed to the nines on this cruise - or any other cruise I take. After living in San Francisco for many years, you become oblivious to judging someone by what they wear; you can't ever tell who has money or who doesn't. Unfortunately when you return to the South, many like to impress everyone with their dress.

Just as dress codes are different in Fremont and San Francisco (and San Francisco and Atlanta), so too are they different amohg cruise lines. There's no need, though, to appear insensitive to others as long as you remember to dress appropriately to your venue...

[richnorto]

Question! Dressing to code is not an issue for my DH or myself, but how strict should we be with our 9-13 year olds? They aren't crazy about "dressing up", and although I bought some semi -casual/casual pants and shirts for my 13 boy...Can kids slide by dressed less formally? They are already talking about ditching us to eat earlier by the pool! This is a family vacation and I will force them to grin and bear it:D but I'd prefer they were comfortable on semi and formal nights. They don't have to be dressed as adults do they?:confused:

[wblynch]

Question! Dressing to code is not an issue for my DH or myself, but how strict should we be with our 9-13 year olds? They aren't crazy about "dressing up", and although I bought some semi -casual/casual pants and shirts for my 13 boy...Can kids slide by dressed less formally? They are already talking about ditching us to eat earlier by the pool! This is a family vacation and I will force them to grin and bear it:D but I'd prefer they were comfortable on semi and formal nights. They don't have to be dressed as adults do they?:confused:

If you took your kids to a wedding, or (sorry to say) a funeral, or a company Christmas party, you would expect them to dress accordingly and behave accordingly wouldn't you?

They need to learn some social graces and many times in their lives they will need to dress up even if they don't want to. Job interviews comes to mind.

A vacation cruise seems like a perfect time to let them start to learn how and when to dress up a little. They don't have to be in tuxedos, but what's wrong with a pair of slacks, dress shoes and a tie? Even a blazer to complete the look?

They might change their minds if they catch a smile from one of the little girls in her formal wear.

And the family photos will sit on the piano or hang on the wall for years, even after they're married with their own children.

[wblynch]

After living in San Francisco for many years, you become oblivious to judging someone by what they wear; you can't ever tell who has money or who doesn't.



I grew up in the East Bay and lived and worked in San Francisco for many years before moving to Southern California. Yes, I was there for the famous Summer of Love and the Hippie years after that.

This is not to mention my time in Berkeley.

The first thing I noticed in Southern California was how nice the girls and women looked because they cared enough to fix their hair a little bit and put on some makeup and dress a little nicer. It was very refreshing.

So I don't think it's about "money" or judging people. I think it's about respect. Respect for one's self and respect for the community around them.

Sure I don't dress up every day, not many people do. But I do take pride in my appearance and I enjoy dressing up for special occasions.

I guess everything doesn't have to be a political statement or a challenge to a socialogical "street fight".

I may miss the "love generation" -- (where are they now that we need them?) -- but I sure don't miss that Berkely "Natural Woman" look.

[Ahhh]

Thank you JHannah and AmyinVail! :) Good points, LawyersinLove! ;)

[emsachs]

Is it true that you can get the same menu for Dinner in the Lido??

Is there a dress code there??
What hours do they serve??

Also, do you have to make reservations??

We do lots of business dinners, so not having to "dress" for dinner will seem like a vacation to us, as well as eating when we "feel like" eating.

[Kate-AHF]

Had an interesting conversation on the Zaandam last week with a nice guy from Glasgow. He was late 30's, early 40's. He and his wife have cruised a lot - and he said he never wants to do a freestyle cruise again. He said part of the charm of a cruise are the conversations with your tablemates every night, and with freestyle cruising you have the same conversation every single night. 'Where are you from, how many kids, what do you do, etc." It never got below the surface.

[dakrewser]

Is it true that you can get the same menu for Dinner in the Lido??

Is there a dress code there??
What hours do they serve??

Also, do you have to make reservations??

We do lots of business dinners, so not having to "dress" for dinner will seem like a vacation to us, as well as eating when we "feel like" eating.

You can get some of the same items in the Lido. No reservations needed. Casual dress. But, the evening's dress code is recommended in all other public areas (lounges, bars, casino, etc.). Service until 7:30.