~~Doing the DOC dance, BUT, I have 8:30 dinner, should I try to change or just go

[FlorenceItaly]

with the flow. At home, we are early eaters. 8:30 is really late, but on the other hand these are ALASKA ports, which are later....I typically like 6ish dinner times when cruising. Yes, I know I can go to the Maitre D and see if I can change, but I walked by the room on the Maasdam while that was happening, and it was a ZOO. I am curious as to whether I am seated with other solo cruisers, as that would be more important to me. Maybe I will just go with the flow..keep it, if it ends up being too late or my tablemates are not a good fit, see what I can do the next day to have it changed...is that possible??? I am only one person, so I am thinking any change shouldn't be too difficult..is that correct thinking.

Thanks for listening to my rambling, LOL :).

Marie

[etrainer1]

you can always change, especially with one person involved.n when we cruise, we change tables sometimes, and there is never a problem.

[Orcrone]

Marie,

Congrats on the docs. If you're used to, and prefer to eat around 6, then 8:30 may be too late. Also, do you like to stay up late, because now you have the late show which I would guess doesn't start until 10 or 10:30.

Either way, enjoy yet another cruise.:D :)

[FlorenceItaly]

Yes, I will play it by ear...if I happen to be on board while the Maitre D is available I may go by and see what it looks like...if it's not too crazy, I may have him tell me a little about my tablemates...would love at least one other solo cruiser. If he is not available, I will go the first night at 8:30, and see how it goes. I am typically not a late night person, but maybe this would force me to be one, LOL...and as far as the shows, they weren't that great on the Maasdam...not really into that type of entertainment...I enjoy the piano bar and lounges more.

Marie

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Marie, I would call HAL directly and see if they can change you or put you on a wait list now. With being a Mariner and just you I would think it will be easy to do. I am with you, we could never do 8pm seating. I am a fairly early riser with doing my exercise routine and we are not exactly late night partiers so early is definitely for us.

[FlorenceItaly]

Lisa - Thanks to your suggestion, I just got off the phone with HAL, and I am wait listed for 6:15. Hopefully, when I board I will have a card in my room saying my dining time is 6:15 :).

Marie

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

The shows on our Maasdam cruise for those that had the 8 and *;30 dinner times was 10:30. A lot of people complained that service was so slow in some sections of the 8:30 dinner time that they didn't get to go to the shows.

:)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Marie, not to confuse you, but bear in mind how light it stays into the night. My friends are just back from Alaska (July) and were happy they ate late because it stayed light so late that it got their body clocks all out of whack. My friend, who usually goes to bed very early, found herself staying up until all hours. So it's just another thing to consider:D .

No matter when you eat, have a fabulous trip. The pictures I've seen posted here are absolutely awesome.

[npeters]

Marie, do you have shore activities planned? When we went to Alaska last year June, we were very glad we had late sitting. There are so much food available pre-dinner, we could enjoy late (or even second) lunches, then appetizers. Also, it's true with the long days, it feels early although it may be later. We got done with our activities (shore or on-ship: spa, bingo, relaxing), got a few snacks, then got ready for dinner at a leisurely pace.

[FlorenceItaly]

Heather - good point..thanks! That is so interesting that your friend who is normally early to bed was up at all hours. It will be interesting to see if that happens to me.

npeter - Yes, I do have shore excursions planned in each port. In fact, I am taking tours with independent tour operators. I did consider all that you mentioned, and I think I will just go with what I am given once on board. If it doesn't work out, I am sure they will do their best to accomodate. I am pretty go with the flow :).

Marie

[Ziggy7]

Congrats on your docs !!! We are dancing with you!!!

[JoAnne B]

On a port intensive cruise, you may find yourself really rushed to make a 6:30 dinner. Plus, HAL doesn't always stick to the 6:30 time. I once found myself on a cruise where early seating was 6:00 pm. I had booked it because my elderly mother likes to eat early...but even she admitted that late seating would have been better.

And if you don't mesh with your dining companions, don't hesitate to change. It's your cruise, why let anything put a damper on it!