Any chance of getting dining choice change once on board?

[pbnjrockette]

Was wondering if anyone ever got their dining choice changed once onboard and how to do it? (guest services or maitre' D). We have "open dining" but really wanted Early Seating with a set table of 6 or 8 to meet others.

[Padraic]

On three occasions we were assigned "open dining" when we really wanted fixed late dining. Each time we visited the Maitre' D when we boarded the ship and it was changed to late fixed. Your chances are very good in changing it.

[gregdude]

If you really want to meet people stay with open seating! Each night you will sit with 6-8-10 new friends, much better than 6 people you for 7 days who you really don't like.

[dpm321]

Was wondering if anyone ever got their dining choice changed once onboard and how to do it? (guest services or maitre' D). We have "open dining" but really wanted Early Seating with a set table of 6 or 8 to meet others.

On our last few trips there were so many people moving from fixed to open that the maitre'd came around to the tables during open seating asking for people to move to fixed seating. You won't thave any problems switching once on board, but the open seating really is a great way to meet new people. Also, if you are willing to take a table for 6 to 8, you will usually have no wait for dinner.

[3rdGenCunarder]

If you really want to meet people stay with open seating! Each night you will sit with 6-8-10 new friends, much better than 6 people you for 7 days who you really don't like.


Why do you assume you will make friends with people on open seating, but dislike those you will meet at an assigned table?

With only two exceptions that I can recall, we have had an assigned table, usually for 6 or 8. (Open seating on two cruises) And in all the cruises we've taken we have met one person who wasn't pleasant. She may have improved on aquaintance, but we didn't find out because she got herself moved to an officer's table. The remaining 6 of us had a great time together. I have found that if you go to a large table expecting to like your tablemates, you probably will. If you go with a negative attitude, you won't like them--and they may not like you, either.

To the OP, we like the assigned table so that we have the same waiter each night. On Veendam last year, we got Open seating and went to the Maitre D' right away to ask for a change to Early. He could not accommodate us for that night, but said he would be making changes after the first night's dinner. We got a note the next day with our new Early dining table.

So go to the Maitre D' and ask for the change. Because you're looking for a large table, I'd say the chances are good you'll get what you want.

[Cruz'n Couple]

We changed from fixed to open on our last cruise, and I am sure it could have been done the other way also. But, the ship was NOT full, and there were vacant tables everywhere during all seatings--fixed and open.

HAL is very good about trying to work with you, or at least that is my impression. Good Luck, and enjoy your dining whenever it is.

[martinimadam]

During the boarding process you will be given a copy of the daily schedule. The dining room manager's location (last trip it was in the Explorer's Lounge) will be noted there.

If I'm not happy with my dining room assignment, I usually make a bee lline for him. I've always been accomodated, though, I'm a solo traveler and like a table for 6 - 8, so it's pretty easy for him to fit me in somewhere.:)

You shouldn't have any problems....

[kazu]

Why do you assume you will make friends with people on open seating, but dislike those you will meet at an assigned table?

With only two exceptions that I can recall, we have had an assigned table, usually for 6 or 8. (Open seating on two cruises) And in all the cruises we've taken we have met one person who wasn't pleasant. She may have improved on aquaintance, but we didn't find out because she got herself moved to an officer's table. The remaining 6 of us had a great time together. I have found that if you go to a large table expecting to like your tablemates, you probably will. If you go with a negative attitude, you won't like them--and they may not like you, either.

To the OP, we like the assigned table so that we have the same waiter each night. On Veendam last year, we got Open seating and went to the Maitre D' right away to ask for a change to Early. He could not accommodate us for that night, but said he would be making changes after the first night's dinner. We got a note the next day with our new Early dining table.

So go to the Maitre D' and ask for the change. Because you're looking for a large table, I'd say the chances are good you'll get what you want.

Have to agree with some comments here. We've done both and of course, each to their own. For ourselves, how many times do you want to go through the standard questions? You can have a great group at fixed dining and if you do you are flying.

We really enjoy having the same waiters every night and the rapport you develop. JMO:) I would definitely go see the dining room manager or assistant on day one and see what can be done:D

[mauiedin87]

It's usually possible to change even a fixed early seating after the first night if you don't like the people at your table. We have been stuck with some nouveau-riche blowhards for an entire week! You can always change from fixed to "open", but sometimes, depending on how fully booked the ship is, it might be harder to go from "open" to fixed.

We usually book early fixed because we like to have the same waiters and Maitre D' so we get to know them and so they can make dietary suggestions.

[Taz]

We had open dining on our just completed Alaskan cruise on the Zaandam. The first evening we were seated with some folks that we prefered to not dine with again. We chanced a larger table the next night and met 4 wonderful people that we dined with the rest of the cruise. Our waiter was able to book the table for us for the same time each night (max of 3 nights at a time), so we did indeed switch from open to fixed.

[pbnjrockette]

Thanks for all the replies. We are sailing next week on the Veendam, first trip to Bermuda and the ship is very full (may be "overbooked"). We prefer early dining and don't want the hassle of having to make a 'reservation' each night. We like getting to know the same folks over a weeks time as well.

Looking forward to our anniversary cruise!!

[BumperII]

Suite passengers have access to concierge service. They are usually able to have any reasonable request accomadated.

[lenquixote66]

Thanks for all the replies. We are sailing next week on the Veendam, first trip to Bermuda and the ship is very full (may be "overbooked"). We prefer early dining and don't want the hassle of having to make a 'reservation' each night. We like getting to know the same folks over a weeks time as well.

Looking forward to our anniversary cruise!!

If you have Open Seating ,must you request a dining time each eving or can you just come to the dining room and ask for a table ?

[sparklplenty]

So after reading this thread, I'm panicking a little here. DH and I are sailing with 6 other family members. The in-laws insisted on the early seating. DH and I love a leisurely happy hour and later dinner, but we figured we could eat with the family some nights, and drop in to As You Wish on nights when we needed some "us" time. Were we wrong in hoping this? Are we stuck with 5:30 seating every night?:confused:

[luvcruisn']

So after reading this thread, I'm panicking a little here. DH and I are sailing with 6 other family members. The in-laws insisted on the early seating. DH and I love a leisurely happy hour and later dinner, but we figured we could eat with the family some nights, and drop in to As You Wish on nights when we needed some "us" time. Were we wrong in hoping this? Are we stuck with 5:30 seating every night?:confused:

You can't switch back and forth from "fixed early" to open dining in the Main Dining Room, but there are alternatives. Many ships now have the Canaletto restaurant, no extra charge, just need to reserve, and all of them have the Pinnacle Grill, which does have an extra charge. There is also the Lido for the evening meal, which can be quite nice - there are tablecloths on the tables, and the menu can closely resemble that of the main dining room. There is also room service in your cabin. If you order when the dining room opens, you can get the same dishes that are on the menu in the dining room.

[luvcruisn']

If you have Open Seating ,must you request a dining time each eving or can you just come to the dining room and ask for a table ?

You can come to the dining room and ask for a table. However, if you request a dining time and a certain table, you can do that too, although you can only do that for a few evenings in a row. We kept doing that every few days so that we got the same table, dining time and wait staff for the whole cruise. It was easier for us that way, as we were a group of nine. The first evening the staff tried to separate us into two tables, which we didn't want. By reserving, we avoided that experience, although the only time we could consistently get to seat our group together was 7:45pm.

If you are a small group, and want to sit with others, you should have no problems coming to the dining room anytime between the 5-9pm open seating times. If you wish a table for two, you may have to wait a little, depending upon how many others also requested a table for two.

[lenquixote66]

We want to sit with others .