Carribean Princess "Personal Dining"

[mtk]

I am considering the Carribean Princess for a cruise in June 2004. I am also considering the Carnival Conquest as an alternate since I went on the Carnival Glory last year and was impressed by the alternative dining and the quality (much better than before) on Carnival.
My question:
If you book late are you guarenteed a table in the regualar traditional dining room each night or do you need to "make Reservations" for the traditional as well as the alternative dining. I understand that "anytime dining" probalby results in lines at the peak times. The steak restaurant has good reviews for the $25 surcharge. Do they accept reservations as soon as you board or in advance of the cruise. Is it hard to get reservations for the different dining areas?

Last question- does Princess charge a "fee" up front the first day for gratuities in contrast to the usual gratuities the last night of the cruise usually given to the staff. They did this on Carnival upfront when I gave them my cc for the incidental charges.

Thanks for any information you can provide. I was on the Grand Princess a few years ago and "Personal Dining" was not an option.

Days remaining until Carnival Glory 08/16/2003
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2003;8;16;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400

[spongerob]

You can request the traditional dining room (early or late seating) but if you book late you'll likely be placed in Anytime. There are two Anytime dining rooms and one Traditional. If you want to get into the traditional dining room, you'll have to check with the maitre'd and see if there is an opening if you aren't confirmed prior to sailing.

There have been a lot of complaints about Anytime on the Caribbean Princess, even more than what you usually hear on a Grand-class ship. This seems to be the one place where the effect of the extra passengers is most apparent. Most of those complaints involve waits at the peak dining time of 7-8 PM, and the inability to get tables for two.

You can often get into the Anytime dining room even at peak times if you are willing to be seated at a partially-full table. (Assuming it's just two of you.) If you absolutely insist on dining alone, try the traditional dining room where there are many tables for two.

It is wise to make reservations for Sabatini's and the Sterling Steakhouse early. The steakhouse was very popular, and there was even a buzz around the ship as to how much people enjoyed it. It's a $15pp added charge, not $25. Drinks of course are extra.

Tips are added automatically on a daily basis. You'll see a $6.50 charge for the dining staff and $3.50 for the cabin steward for each passenger. You can have these removed if you wish. If you decide to remove the tips and hand out tip envelopes at the end of the cruise, the crewmember has to turn the envelope in and the equivalent auto-tip amount is added to the common pool. If you leave the auto-tips in place and give a crewmember an additional cash tip, they get to keep the entire amount in the envelope.

HTH,

Just completed:
Caribbean Princess Apr 3/04
Golden Princess Apr 10/04
Coming up:
Tahitian Princess Oct 14/04