Time: Main Lower Dining?

[npeters]

Hi,

My Zuiderdam docs state that we are confirmed for the Main Lower Dining. What time is that?

[doone]

I believe this will be 6:15 pm seating.

[jazzsea]

Main Lower is 8:30 PM. Main Upper is 8:00 PM
Early Lower is 6:15 PM & Early upper is 5:45 PM

Ask to be waitlisted if this is not the seating time that you want to have. Waitlist now and then check when you board the ship. You can board as early as 11:30 AM.

[doone]

Jazzsea, thanks for the correction. I still always go by early and late seating, not main.

[npeters]

Main Lower is 8:30 PM. Main Upper is 8:00 PM
Early Lower is 6:15 PM & Early upper is 5:45 PM

Ask to be waitlisted if this is not the seating time that you want to have. Waitlist now and then check when you board the ship. You can board as early as 11:30 AM.

Thanks for the info Jazzsea! The main dining is fine, but which is better, lower or upper?

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

With the cutbacks on HAL, a lot of people have been liking the upper level dining room better as there are few people to serve on this level. When HAL first began these new dining times, those on the lower level for the 8:30 seating complained that service was slow and some of them missed the 10:30 shows. From reading various reviews lately, the problem seems to have been corrected on some of the ships.

:)

[npeters]

I think I would prefer the 8:00 sitting (main upper), but I gather, this is the more popular time. How do I go about getting waitlisted? Can I contact HAL directly?

[doone]

Contact your TA at this point.

[Tatka]

I think I would prefer the 8:00 sitting (main upper), but I gather, this is the more popular time. How do I go about getting waitlisted? Can I contact HAL directly?
I read all opinions here and while booking (on-line) I've put request for main upper(8:00) and then I also send an e-mail to HAL (just to make sure they know). Well, at first I was wait-listed but then I got my docs and found my assignment was for this time. ;) ( I booked in early June for late August)

Try to send an e-mail. (I wrote something about me being X customer who decided to try HAL, and hope it will become my favourite line in the future! ;) ) I got response in a week which stated that they will try to accomodate us but can't guarantee this. Oh well, they did accomodate us.

[jazzsea]

I make the dining request directly with Holland America. I also reconfirm the waitlist when I call ship services to order wine or Pinnacle Grill.

I find dealing with ship services is really easy. Their toll free number is on the gift form that is in your document package.

[npeters]

Thanks for the excellent suggestions! I just emailed HAL and will follow up with a call to ship services. I want to reserve the specialty restaurant anyway.

[kruzkeen]

Main Lower is 8:30 PM. Main Upper is 8:00 PM
Early Lower is 6:15 PM & Early upper is 5:45 PM



I have been told by friends who have just sailed on the Volendam that early is 5:30 and 6:00 and that late is 7:45 and 8:15.

We prefer late, so these times are a little more favorable. I wonder if there is a little variation on other ships.

[sail7seas]

It seems the ships vary slightly in their dining times.


Massdam has 5:45; 6:15; 8:00 and 8:30.

[Esme]

I have been told by friends who have just sailed on the Volendam that early is 5:30 and 6:00 and that late is 7:45 and 8:15.

We prefer late, so these times are a little more favorable. I wonder if there is a little variation on other ships.

As the Volendam is presently in Alaska these could be the times for those cruises as I know on previous cruises to Alaska they were usually set 15 minutes earlier.

When we were on the Rotterdam in the Caribbean in May, they were
5:45 and 5:15pm for Early and 8 and 8:30pm for Late

[peaches from georgia]

Did you mean 5:45 and 6:15 for Early, Esme? ;)

[Esme]

Did you mean 5:45 and 6:15 for Early, Esme? ;)

Yes, many thanks Peaches for bringing it to my attention. I checked those times twice and didn't see my mistake. Now I know I definitely need new glasses. Or I can put it down to a "Senior Moment" :D ;)