Prinsendam dining

[emckeeve]

Does the Prinsendam have "as you wish" dining? Is it a problem?

[catl331]

Yes, they have it, but I don't know how well it works. CLICK HERE (http://www.wa70.com/hal/dining/PrdmAYWdseating-New052708.jpg) and see the tables marked in yellow. You can click on the image to zoom in to see table numbers.

[KirkNC]

I hope they have it as we are signed up for it next summer.

Kirk

[kazu]

Yes, they definitely have it. Tables are in the aft portion of the dining room and a lot of them at window:) I did a bit of research for our own upcoming cruise and reports are that the as you wish dining works well.:)

Enjoy:)

[Aruba]

It's been a couple of years since we were on Prinsendam but we did the open-seating dining and it worked well. We always made a reservation one day in advance because there was a waiter ("Yudi" if anyone remembers him) who we adored and we wanted to be in his station.

I just remembered, we were on Prinsendam before its re-do when it had cabins added without increasing the size of the dining room. So my experience may no longer be valid...

[Mary Ellen]

Everyone on each and every HAL ship has "As You Wish Dining". That is the term HAL uses for all of their dining options. It would be more appropriately described "As HAL Wishes You To Dine", but that is another thread. I suspect you are asking about the open seating aspect of "As You Wish Dining". On the Prinsendam the tables set aside for that are in the larger, aft dining room.

[RuthC]

Does the Prinsendam have "as you wish" dining? Is it a problem?
:confused: Every passenger on every ship has "As You Wish" dining.

The only difference on the Prinsendam is that (last I knew) there's no Canaletto restaurant.
The lido, Pinnacle, fixed, and open seatings are all there.

Fixed seating is in the smaller, forward dining room, as well as the center, raised portion of the aft dining room. Open seating, as noted by others, is in the outer circle of the aft dining room.

[onthegogirl]

:confused: Every passenger on every ship has "As You Wish" dining.

The only difference on the Prinsendam is that (last I knew) there's no Canaletto restaurant.
The lido, Pinnacle, fixed, and open seatings are all there.

Fixed seating is in the smaller, forward dining room, as well as the center, raised portion of the aft dining room. Open seating, as noted by others, is in the outer circle of the aft dining room.

That kind of sounds that the best tables are reserved for open seating. Doesn't seem right to me. Oh well, the food is the same even if the ambiance isn't.

[kazu]

That kind of sounds that the best tables are reserved for open seating. Doesn't seem right to me. Oh well, the food is the same even if the ambiance isn't.

Sort of, I suspect the idea is that the open seating doesn't disturb the fixed. The more forward portion is all fixed seating and looks like it is nice there too. I'll let you know when I get back :D The Prinsendam dining room is only one floor unlike all the other ships that have two floors.

[catl331]

Sort of, I suspect the idea is that the open seating doesn't disturb the fixed.But then you have those four tables, 301 to 304, smack down the middle! (see diagram link in post #2) That looks like a lot of disturbing to me.

[SeaShoreX2]

Yes, they definitely give the best seating to open dining on the Prinsendam.
the tables by the window in fixed dining are under the lifeboats and visibility is not that great - also, the area is very crowded with the tables very close together.

We had table 11 which was a nice location but does have a leak over the window that streamed down all through the meal and clouded the view. Other than that it was a great location and we had wonderful staff.

Would love to sail on the Prinsendam again - we don't get the explorer lounge music on the other ships that we had on her - it was outstanding, and the atmosphere on the ship was very warm and friendly.

[RuthC]

Sort of, I suspect the idea is that the open seating doesn't disturb the fixed. The more forward portion is all fixed seating and looks like it is nice there too.
I would expect the open seating diners constantly traipsing through the smaller dining room, on their way to the larger room, certainly would be disturbing to those diners at least.
That's the only route from the Ocean Bar, the best route from the Crow's Nest, and a possible route from the Explorer's Lounge.

[KirkNC]

That kind of sounds that the best tables are reserved for open seating. Doesn't seem right to me. Oh well, the food is the same even if the ambiance isn't.

I was thinking the same thing but I believe it has more to do with table size. The large tables are at the center which lends itself more to fixed seating.

Kirk

[Ray in NH]

We were on the Prinsendam last November and had fixed Late Seating -- in the smaller forward Dining Room. As has been noted the "Any-time Dining" was concentrated in the larger aft Dining Room, mostly around the perimiter of the raised section. Depending upon how many pax choose that option, some tables in the raised section may also be in play.

There was some noticable foot-traffic through the forward Dining Room, but since it is in a defined walk-way, rather that amongst tables, it was not bothersome to us. We did not find the tables too close together.

Other pax that we spoke with said they were happy with the "Any-time Dining" option. I guess if you want something to be a "problem" you can convince yourself it is a problem.

As mentioned, the forward Dining Room window views are somewhat obsucred by the lifeboats, but in November, at Late Seating, that is not an issue. For the Arctic cruises, I think I would choose the "Any-time Dining" option (think mid-night sun views).

Ray in NH

[kazu]

But then you have those four tables, 301 to 304, smack down the middle! (see diagram link in post #2) That looks like a lot of disturbing to me.

true enough. I don't know if it's true but i heard that it changes a bit depending upon how many what open and fixed.

We'll find out when we get there - and I'll let you all know:D

[emckeeve]

Sorry about the double post, folks. I got interrupted and didn't think the first one went through. Thanks for all the answers.

[pearliemae]

We have done both fixed and as HAL wishes. Have been at tables 47,37,17,138,142,120,163,and 121 on different cruises over the years.
Window location does not matter at dinner on second seating, it is usually dark and you cannot see out.
The tables for two that are three in a row might as well be a table for six as they are very close together.
The starboard dining area has low walls separating most of the tables from the walkway that connects the Ocean Bar and the aft dining room, which negates any issues with passersby.
We never make reservations when we have open seating, we show up and we are in very quickly. When we had late fixed seating in the starboard dining area, I would watch and everyone on open seating would be seated rapidly--have never seen anyone wait more than 5 minutes. This was both before and after the refit.
The Lido, on the other hand, is a different story. Evening is fine, but lunch since the refit seems much more crowded, especially on sea days. Port days are better, except when a couple of tours return at the same time.
That is a good day to have lunch in the MDR.
Regardless of where and when you eat, you are going to love this ship!

[RuthC]

Window location does not matter at dinner on second seating, it is usually dark and you cannot see out.
Unless you're on a summer itinerary to the far north. Then it will be daylight late into the night (at least).

[emckeeve]

From OP: We are considering the North Cape cruise for 2012 so yes, dining by an unobstructed window would be very nice. :-) We enjoy the flexibility of anytime dining, and in this case, it sounds like the best option anyway. Thanks again for your responses.

[Storylady]

:confused: Every passenger on every ship has "As You Wish" dining.

The only difference on the Prinsendam is that (last I knew) there's no Canaletto restaurant.
The lido, Pinnacle, fixed, and open seatings are all there.

Fixed seating is in the smaller, forward dining room, as well as the center, raised portion of the aft dining room. Open seating, as noted by others, is in the outer circle of the aft dining room.

They had the Canaletto restaurant on the Grand Voyage South America. It must have just been added. We didn't go, but several from our table went several times.

[Ray in NH]

They had the Canaletto restaurant on the Grand Voyage South America. It must have just been added. We didn't go, but several from our table went several times.

Sharon,

Was that the Grand Voyage at the beginning of this year? We were on-board for the Amazon Expedition and did not see Canaletto. It would seem very strange if they installed during the Holiday Cruise. Perhaps your friends were confused between Canaletto and Pinnacle?

Ray in NH -- for ONLY seven more "Wake-Ups" :cool:

[RuthC]

Now here I was, going to thank Sharon for letting us all know that the Prinsendam has a Canaletto, and here ya go, Ray, and confuse me again. Thanks a heap to you, too. ;)

I'll be aboard in a little over a week, so will check it out myself.
My understanding had been that the Prinsendam was too small, and the Lido did not lend itself to setting off an area for Canaletto.
I'll know soon enough.

[kazu]

Now here I was, going to thank Sharon for letting us all know that the Prinsendam has a Canaletto, and here ya go, Ray, and confuse me again. Thanks a heap to you, too. ;)

I'll be aboard in a little over a week, so will check it out myself.
My understanding had been that the Prinsendam was too small, and the Lido did not lend itself to setting off an area for Canaletto.
I'll know soon enough.

My understanding was they didn't have one too Ruth. We'll just wait for your report:D Have a great cruise:) You don't have long to go:)

[I_r_a]

Hi em,

We chose open seating on our cruise in Oct, 2010.

It worked very well.

We met new people most nights and renewed acquaintances 4-6 times.

You can call ahead and reserve seats should you wish.

Enjoy your cruise.

Ira

[RevNeal]

I would expect the open seating diners constantly traipsing through the smaller dining room, on their way to the larger room, certainly would be disturbing to those diners at least.
That's the only route from the Ocean Bar, the best route from the Crow's Nest, and a possible route from the Explorer's Lounge.

Actually, last summer on the "top of the world" cruise it wasn't too bad. I was at a fixed late-seating table in the forward dining room (a LOVELY place to be, by the way, with a beautiful view out the windows). People would and did come "traipsing through" the smaller forward dining room during the first 20-25 minutes of the late seating ... but then the flow more or less dried up. I don't know why. It may be that, given the late time of the second seating most of the people will have already traveled through for dinner. On the other hand, we found out that a lot of people found ways to by-pass that forward dining room -- either by going outside and aft along the promenade, up and aft through the Explorer's Lounge or Casino, or or down and aft through passenger quarters corridors. The longer the cruise went on (and it was a 23 day cruise) the fewer people seemed to treat the forward dining room like a high-way beyond the 15-minute entrance window of second seating.

[Ray in NH]

Now here I was, going to thank Sharon for letting us all know that the Prinsendam has a Canaletto, and here ya go, Ray, and confuse me again. Thanks a heap to you, too. ;)

I'll be aboard in a little over a week, so will check it out myself.
My understanding had been that the Prinsendam was too small, and the Lido did not lend itself to setting off an area for Canaletto.
I'll know soon enough.

Ruth,

My apologies. I would never want to confuse you :o Perhaps we can consider it "expanding intellectual curiosity" :)

Of course, I am now confused as to how I may have missed Canaletto if indeed it is in the Lido area. :confused:

Ray in NH -- for ONLY six more "Wake-Ups" :cool:

[Storylady]

Sharon,

Was that the Grand Voyage at the beginning of this year? We were on-board for the Amazon Expedition and did not see Canaletto. It would seem very strange if they installed during the Holiday Cruise. Perhaps your friends were confused between Canaletto and Pinnacle?

Ray in NH -- for ONLY seven more "Wake-Ups" :cool:

I was sure that they said Canaletto, but I checked the daily programs and you and Ruth are correct. There isn't a Canaletto on the Prinsendam.

[voorn]

We just came off the Africa & Med Grand Voyage, and there was no Canaletto on the ship. Having said that, Firman the Hotel Manager did have the port side of the Lido set up in the evenings as greek cuisine restaurant for 4 days while we were around Greece and an Italian cuisine restaurant twice for 7 & 5 days each. These events we called Greek Evenings in the Lido and an Italian night in the Lido.

[Storylady]

We just came off the Africa & Med Grand Voyage, and there was no Canaletto on the ship. Having said that, Firman the Hotel Manager did have the port side of the Lido set up in the evenings as greek cuisine restaurant for 4 days while we were around Greece and an Italian cuisine restaurant twice for 7 & 5 days each. These events we called Greek Evenings in the Lido and an Italian night in the Lido.

That is probably why we thought there was a Canaletto. Since we were on a Grand Voyage, they probably set up the Lido similar to your trip and most of our table went for several nights in a row since they weren't having it during the whole cruise. And to confuse things, they probably called it Canaletto.

[RuthC]

People would and did come "traipsing through" the smaller forward dining room during the first 20-25 minutes of the late seating ... but then the flow more or less dried up. I don't know why. It may be that, given the late time of the second seating most of the people will have already traveled through for dinner.
I suspect that's it exactly. By 8:15-8:30 most of the people who intend to head to open seating have already done so.
Had you been assigned to the early fixed seating you were confirmed for, I think you would have seen more people heading past.

Maybe I'll station myself in the Ocean Bar, near the smaller dining room, during early seating and do a traffic count. :D

[rafinmd]

Ruth, have a great cruise. I'll be delighted to hear your impressions of the Elegant Explorer when you return.

[RuthC]

Ruth, have a great cruise. I'll be delighted to hear your impressions of the Elegant Explorer when you return.
Thank you.
Report? I have homework??? ;)

I was on the Prinsendam to this area of the world four years ago. That cruise was a real "Top of the World" to the polar ice cap. What a thrill! Some of the Norway ports are repeats (and repeats of repeats), but a few are new to me. I love the scenery in Norway and can't seem to get enough of it. And it's cool there, too! :D

[kazu]

Thank you.
Report? I have homework??? ;)

! :D

Well,not a report per se or homework, but we are all hoping you would share;)