Bistro?

[Dena]

DH and I have cruised with Princess because they offer Anytime Dining and it is important for us the have dinner together at a table for two each night. Not that we are antisocial - but we both have demanding jobs and we want to spend our precious vacation time with each other. Nonetheless, Princess does not offer this option on every ship - on the ships without Anytime Dining our option for ensuring a table for 2 (if our request for it in the formal dining room is not honored) would be to eat at the buffet. If we want table service, we'd need to eat at one of the two specialty restaurants (and pay extra). One of these specialty restaurants has a menu that is not appealing - the other is a steak house - okay, but not every night.

I understand that HAL has something new; a Bistro that has table service and allows people to sit with whom they want and order from the same menu as in the formal dining room. If this is true, it sounds perfect. Has anyone tried it?


HAL has other features that we have heard surpass Princess (larger rooms, flat screen TV, some very interesting itineraries, better service, better bedding). I'd like to try this line, but need some info on the dining options. Also, can we order anything that is served in the restaurant as room service - Princess has a very,very limited room service menu unless one is in a suite.

[sail7seas]

It isn't exactly Bistro.

HAL offers guests the choice to dine in Lido for dinner. (Lido on HAL ships is the buffet area.) You pick from the buffet line your own salad and appetizers and a steward serves your entrees. You may sit with whomever you choose and can dine between certain (limited) hours. The tables are set with nice clothes and it is quite comfortable.

We have never dined in Lido in the evening but many people really like it. Most (but I don't think all) of the offerings from the dining room menu are available in Lido.

[bruce-r]

While Princess may have a very limited room service menu, what you might not have been told is that you could have ordered anything from the main dining room menu during the hours diner is being service and room service will deliver it to your cabin. I think the same holds true for HAL room service as well, although if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will politely set me straight. You just have to be sure to write down everything you want. You can't assume that butter will be included if you order rolls. You have to write down butter if you want that too. You get the idea.

[Krazy Kruizers]

On our last couple of cruises, the Lido was completely self serve for dinner - just like at breakfast and lunch. No one brought your entree to the table - and there weren't any table clothes on the tables. All the items offered in the dining room are not always on the Lido menu. For example, if there are 7 entrees on the main menu, there may be only 5 or 6 in the Lido. Also the Lido will be closed down on the evening of the BBQ. The hours are not the same as the dining room. On our last couple of cruises, the times were from 6 - 7:30.

[peaches from georgia]

On our last couple of cruises, the Lido was completely self serve for dinner - just like at breakfast and lunch. No one brought your entree to the table - and there weren't any table clothes on the tables. All the items offered in the dining room are not always on the Lido menu. For example, if there are 7 entrees on the main menu, there may be only 5 or 6 in the Lido. Also the Lido will be closed down on the evening of the BBQ. The hours are not the same as the dining room. On our last couple of cruises, the times were from 6 - 7:30.

I know on our Volendam cruise there were no lobster tails in the Lido for dinner on a formal night, so anyone counting on having them in the Lido might better check the Lido evening menu before deciding between the DR or Lido. It's posted by the elevators every day.

LOL. Table 'clothes'? I get it, but where have I been to have missed this expression before? :rolleyes:

[dakrewser]

It's extremely rare to get both Anytime dining as well as a guaranteed table for two. So rare, that I don't know of any line that offers it.

One alternative is to book a suite on either HAL or Celebrity and have dinner served in your cabin, course by course.

[mickeyfitz]

If you book a suite you get 1st choice on table assignment and we have always been able to get a table for 2 when requested. Also, at least one of the couples gift packages sold by HAL also includes a guarantee of a table for 2 along with various amenities. Lastly, on our recent cruises on both the Zaandam and Ryndam, the Lido was set for dinner every night with tablecloths etc and looked very nice. The only exception seemed to be the night of the barbecue. We never used it for dinner, but passed by most nights and noted the transformation.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Peaches is right (I agree with her) - lobster tails are never offered in the Lido on the last formal night.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We always book suites and always request certain tables. Only had a problem one time. Our TA faxed Seattle our requested table number but when we got to the ship and saw the table assigned to us, we asked the maitre'd what happened to our request. He showed us the form that he got from Seattle and all it indicated was time and table size - no number. We showed him the copy of the fax that our TA sent HAL. Within a couple of minutes we got our request.

[cruisequeen10]

Try NCL, they have freestyle dining. You can go to one of the dining rooms anywhere between 5:30 and 10 p.m.. No specific times.

[Dena]

Try NCL, they have freestyle dining. You can go to one of the dining rooms anywhere between 5:30 and 10 p.m.. No specific times.

We've considered this but after researching on these boards, I don't think NCL is the best choice. First, and most important, DH has celiac disease and can't eat wheat or any food additive derived from wheat (mono and diglycerides, modified food starch, grain vinegar, etc). While I know for sure that Princess will modify dishes for DH and I have heard that HAL is also fantastic about this, it seems from these boards that NCL is so-so on this point. This could have devastating consequences. Second, most of the restaurants on NCL have and additional charge, the ones that are included seem to have food that is either substandard compared to what is included in the price on other lines and/or heavily weighted toward cheap carbs rather than high quality meats and fish and fresh fruit and vegetables. ON the other hand, the extra charge food is reported to be quite good. I don't really want to reward the cruise industry for this business model or soon we may all be paying extra for the quality of food that was once included. Of course if the baseline cruise fare goes down, maybe it's a wash.

[Dena]

While Princess may have a very limited room service menu, what you might not have been told is that you could have ordered anything from the main dining room menu during the hours diner is being service and room service will deliver it to your cabin.

I tried this, but it was hit-or-miss. Maybe HAL is more reliable on this issue.

[bepsf]

While Princess may have a very limited room service menu, what you might not have been told is that you could have ordered anything from the main dining room menu during the hours diner is being service and room service will deliver it to your cabin. I think the same holds true for HAL room service as well, although if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will politely set me straight. You just have to be sure to write down everything you want. You can't assume that butter will be included if you order rolls. You have to write down butter if you want that too. You get the idea.

On HAL, only Deluxe Suite and PH passengers may order from the Main Dining Menu for room service, in which case everything is handled for you - no need to specify every little thing.
None of the other categories may do so - they are limited to the short room service menu and breakfast cards for the door.

[RuthC]

On HAL, only Deluxe Suite and PH passengers may order from the Main Dining Menu for room service, ...None of the other categories may do so - they are limited to the short room service menu and breakfast cards for the door.
Are you sure? :confused: Are you positive? :confused: Are you sure you're positive? ;)
This wasn't my understanding, Brian. I was under the impression that even those of us in the cheap seats could order full dinner to our little nests.

[bepsf]

Are you sure? :confused: Are you positive? :confused: Are you sure you're positive? ;)
This wasn't my understanding, Brian. I was under the impression that even those of us in the cheap seats could order full dinner to our little nests.

I'm pretty sure - Isn't that the reason they deliver the dinner menu only to suites? I think it's one of their little perks...

...unless you're a VIP like Ruth, of course, then you get whatever you want! :D

[Tricia724]

Unless something has changed in the last year or so, I have ordered from the dining room menu in the past when I was not in a suite. We called room service during the hours the dining room was serving and ordered straight off the dining room menu. They asked whether we wanted it delivered all at once or by courses.

They don't deliver menus to all the rooms, for sure, but it's a small task to stop by the dining room during the day and take a look at the menu and get an idea of what you'd like. It simplifies the process if you know what you want in advance or if you happen to get someone on the line who has a more pronounced accent.

[waterbug1]

In researching the room service menu, I found a copy of the standard room service menu, that is available to all the cabins, on-line. It states that the "Dining Room menu is available from Room Service during its opening hours only." Apparently, Trica 724 is absolutely correct.:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

You have to make certain that you order from 5:45 to about 6:15 to be able to order from the main dining room menu. This does not mean that you have to eat at that time as you will be asked at what time you want your dinner delivered to the cabin (like around 8 or 8:30, etc).

[dakrewser]

I'm pretty sure - Isn't that the reason they deliver the dinner menu only to suites? I think it's one of their little perks...

...unless you're a VIP like Ruth, of course, then you get whatever you want! :D

The difference is that PH & S suites get course-by-course service, while the lesser breeds get it all at once...:rolleyes:

[gizmo]

On HAL, only Deluxe Suite and PH passengers may order from the Main Dining Menu for room service, in which case everything is handled for you - no need to specify every little thing.
None of the other categories may do so - they are limited to the short room service menu and breakfast cards for the door.

I'm pretty sure - Isn't that the reason they deliver the dinner menu only to suites? I think it's one of their little perks...




Like some others have said, anyone, in any cabin category , can order dinner from the dinner menu.

The menus are delivered to suites, S and PS, but it is only to see what is going to be served that night.

[elmorejj]

Yup, gotta agree, whether you are in the Royal Box, or the peanut gallery, you can order from the DR menu for dinner. Make sure you get your order in within the first 30 minutes of the first seating...........jean:cool:

[REXTER]

Really what are the true facts ?

What I'm gathering from this thread is....

1. All cabins can order from the dinner menu but will have it delivered
all at once.

2. Penthouse & Suite pax's will be served course by course.

Sound right ???

[Krazy Kruizers]

Penthouse suites and suites can have the dinner served either all at once or course by course.

[momK]

Like some others have said, anyone, in any cabin category , can order dinner from the dinner menu.

Is there an extra cost for this (other than a tip), or is it included in the cruise payment?

Thanks!

[REXTER]

Thanks for the clarification. I was beginning a state of mental confusion. We booked a Sa on the Westerdam for Dec., our first HAL cruise. We have been on Carnival, Royal Carib and Princess. After studying the threads here, and all the wonderful things said about HAL and perks we had to give it a try. Thanks to all for all the wonderful information.

[gizmo]

Is there an extra cost for this (other than a tip), or is it included in the cruise payment?

Thanks!

There is no extra cost. :)

[MumsTheWord*]

It's NO secret that one of our VERY favorite things about being on a cruise is Room Service!!! Remember, I'm a mother of 3 children, so it is a rarity to have a quiet meal with my sweet spouse. While we do enjoy many evenings and other meals in the dining room, we often take advantage of dining in our white fluffy HAL provided bathrobes in our stateroom. (especially on evenings when we've had a long excursion day and we're just too tired to get all fancy.)

On our March Noordam cruise, we had several evening meals served either on our balcony or just in our stateroom. We were not in the PH or in an S-Suite...Each evening that we wished to dine in our room, we simply went to entrance of the dining room (where they post the evening's menu) and make note of our selections. During the first 30 minutes of the first dining time (generally between 5:45-6:15), we called Room Service and let them know of our selection and what time we would like it delivered. The entire meal was brought at one time (covered and on hot plates) with the exception of dessert. If the dessert choice includes ice cream, it will be brought toward the end of the meal as not to melt):)

There is NO additional cost, but we tip the steward that brings the tray at the time he delivers.

For those of you that have not tried this form of dining- I say "Go For It"... It is the most wonderful Leisure Dining there is!

[momK]

It's NO secret that one of our VERY favorite things about being on a cruise is Room Service!!! Remember, I'm a mother of 3 children, so it is a rarity to have a quiet meal with my sweet spouse.







:) Being a mom of 6, it is nice to know this! I, too, look forward to being served and babied -- after all, isn't that what a mom's vacation should be? Thanks for the info, and we will DEFINITELY do this on our 12/2 cruise!

[MumsTheWord*]

MomK-
Wow- 6 children!
You deserve to be hand fed, while receiving a massage and pedicure all at the same time!
Have a wonderful cruise!

[thomasale]

This will be our first HAL cruise. It is also our 30th annivesary cruise. We have never tried room service but after reading this may have to give it a shot.

We had this cruise booked with Celebrity on the Constellation. After reading Bepsf thread about his "Winning isn't everything" and the problems Celebrity has been experiencing (Pods, bleach cruise, etc.)we decided now might be the time to try HAL. (Brian make sure you get your commission! :) )

Looking forward to this big event and the trip!

[momK]

This will be our first HAL cruise. It is also our 30th annivesary cruise. Looking forward to this big event and the trip!

Congrats! We'll be celebrating our 25th on our first HAL cruise in December. We've gone on Celebrity once (20th ann. to Alaska) and Carnival once (11/04 to the southern Caribbean with 5 of our 6 dc). We're looking forward to our trip on Prisendam, and have heard great things about it.