Noordam Dining Options other than PG and Vista

[caviargal]

I just booked the Noordam to Alaska on 5/27. Main dining is waitlisted which is a problem as we will not dine at 5:30 or 6pm, period.

Other than the PG, which we will book 2-3 nights anyway, and having dinner in Victoria on the last night we are unsure what to do, as we have never had this problem? Is the Lido table service in the evenings and are the hours really limited?

While we prefer the formal dining room all the way around, we would have room service if we had to settle for early.

Just looking for options in case the waitlist does not clear.

[hammybee]

The "waitlisting" deal is HAL's way of say , we'll see. It gives them maximum flexibility to accommodate the majority of pax requests and manage expectations.

If more than half of the pax want one seating over another, some of them are going to be dissappointed, no matter what HAL does. Unless a large group trumps a seating, more than likely the crunch is going to be with early seating. More than likely you will get your requested late seating.

[caviargal]

I understand how waitlists work and why they used, but still would like to know my options in case it does not clear.

The crunch is now obviouly with late dining, not early, otherwise HAL would have confirmed us. I work with groups and our dining seating is negotiated as part of the contract; this could indeed be the problem combined with the fact that this itinerary really calls out for late dining due to port times.

Anyone??

[hammybee]

HAL is increasingly not confirming dining arrangements until you board to give themselves maximum opportunity to satisfy the majority of dining requests.


Should you get stuck in a seating not to your liking, your options are Room Service, the Pinnacle Grill and the Lido which closes rather early.

[caviargal]

Just received an email from HAL that Anytime Dining is offered on this sailing so that is a perfect solution. We can show up anytime between 5:30 and 9 as we wish and request our table of 2.

[hammybee]

Just received an email from HAL that Anytime Dining is offered on this sailing so that is a perfect solution. We can show up anytime between 5:30 and 9 as we wish and request our table of 2.

What's going to happen if the majority of pax show up when you do and all of them want a table for two? A waitlist by any other name is still a waitlist.

[sailor5552]

We received the "anytime dining" letter in our cruise docs for our upcoming Noordam cruise, but I thought that it was still the case where you are still assigned early or late (main), but the times to arrive at those were more flexible, ie; 5:30 to 6:30, and the main seating with arrival anytime between 8 and 9PM. perhaps I misunderstand. We are still waitlisted for Main.

[madelinerose]

YAY!!! :D


Just received an email from HAL that Anytime Dining is offered on this sailing so that is a perfect solution. We can show up anytime between 5:30 and 9 as we wish and request our table of 2.

[caviargal]

It is NOT a waitlist. Per HAL, one can either confirm early or main dining as has always been offered. I can choose to stay on the waitlist for traditional or take the new dining option being offered on the Noordam.

On this particular sailing, one can AT THE TIME OF BOOKING, confirm Anytime Dining and show up on the lower level between 5 and 9pm. Per HAL, this option must be selected at time of booking and cannot be changed once on the ship. It has nothing to do with being on a waitlist.

Here is a quote direct from HAL:

"Guests will be able to choose fixed seating times of 5:45 or 8 p.m., or choose to come to the dining room at their leisure anytime between 5:00 and 9 p.m. Guests will be able to make their dining selections for fixed seating or As You Wish™ dining when they book their cruise. As You Wish dining is in the Lower dining room only."

Does not sound like a waitlist to me...

While a table for 2 is not guaranteed, I have no problem waiting for one as that is what we prefer, should none be available. We dine late so I doubt we will have a problem.

For us, it is far better than being stuck in early dining.

[hammybee]

Hey Hey Caviargal. Be aware that there are limited tables for two and if push comes to shove, have a cocktail or share a table. That you got your preferred time is great news.

[Seago2]

Your other options, besides Vista and PG, are Lido and room service.

[SakeDad]

Wonder how this will effect those of us already booked but not assigned? Will we get to take advantage of anytime dining before the trip or hope for the best when on-board? I asked for late dining but there is nothing on the reservation as of yet and I've heard nothing from HAL. Not until May so we see how it plays out.

[caviargal]

Be aware that there are limited tables for two and if push comes to shove, have a cocktail or share a table. That you got your preferred time is great news.

I have seen the dining room diagram and, like on many ships these days, tables for 2 are in short supply. Not a problem as a martini before dinner is a fine option as well.:)

I imagine it is harder to confirm dining preferences when there is only one level being used for traditional.

Since this is another experiment in dining, I also expect it perhaps will be a bit messy.

I'll report back with a review after we experience it first hand. I have no problem with open sitting if the implementation is good.

SakeDad, the quote I included previously is straight from HAL and seems clear that Anytime Dining must be requested ahead of time. I think that this new plan might cause even more change requests once onboard so that might be a real crapshoot.

Hope it works out the way you want it to!

[mamaofami]

Caviargirl,

We request early dining and most of the time we don't get it. We've gone to see the maitre'd when we board the ship, and there are an equal number of people assigned to late or main dining who don't want that. We've always been able to switch.

Also, because of the people who go to the Pinnacle, eat in the Lido, or have room service, we've always been able to get a table for 2, although it might be a different table each night.

So, in case you decide not to do the any time dining, try switching your seating when you board the ship.

On our last cruise, we got our preferred time and a table for two. I will say, however, that the early seating from 5:30 to 6 which is what we had, is really very early.

In any case, happy cruising!

[caviargal]

Thanks, Carol, but I like a sure thing and I could not stand having to dine so early. They were pretty clear that it must be requested prior to sailing.

I may give it a shot when on board but Anytime is really fine for us and I do think they will have a lot of people wanting to change and really do not like to start off my cruise standing in line. I have better things to do with my time, like sipping champagne on the balcony:D.

I thought that since we booked a suite we would get our request confirmed and that is disappointing:(. Most lines do that as a courtesy.

[SakeDad]

OK....I had my TA call and I have "anytime dining". This will be best for us as I prefer to eat late but if mom wants to eat early because she's tired or something we'll have the option. I have heard many good experiences about people getting a change once they get onboard and talk to the Maitre'd so I think it's really just HQ saying you "must" do this before you leave, as it's ultimately up to the Maitre'd as to how the room is sat.

[caviargal]

SakeDad, good choice to keep everyone happy and your options open.

I have sat with the dining room managers as they do their dining assignments. And yes, they leave some wiggle room. But wiggling was a whole lot easier when they had two dining rooms and two seatings to work with, which is not the case on Noordam.

I have dining times and tables assigned for my upcoming Oosterdam sailing as I am escorting a large group. Groups will take away some of the space on most sailings so, as much as they do try to accomodate everyone's desires, it is simply not possible to do so.

Have a great cruise:)