How do you like 4 dining times?

[localady]

How do you like 4 dining times? In a totally unscientific poll, I wanted to see how CC folks felt about the new times. Thanks for your participation!:cool:

[sail7seas]

As long as we are assigned to 8:00 seating, then it is fine with me. If we were assigned to any other dining time, it definitely would NOT be fine with me.


Actually, I like the four seatings as we always had 8:15 (traditionally the late seating time on HAL) and going the 15 minutes earlier is nice. I think 8:00 perfect.

[SharonN]

Maybe I'll change my mind after my Jan Westerdam cruise when we should have the 8:00 seating. However, we really didn't like the 8:30 time on the Veendam last March. Besides being a bit too late (I know how can 15 mins make that much difference but it did) everyone was a bit confused about the times and the schedules for other events didn't work as well. I know that was shortly after they started the 4 times so I'm hoping they've worked out some of those kinks by now. And at least we had a choice on which of the 2 late seatings this time where that time they just assigned them at random.

[iamirish]

I had the second seating, on the late dinner and I think I would next time, take the early seating, of the late dinner.

I found the cold appetizers and salads to be a "little wilted" (the kitchen must prepare those items earlier in the day) and the main courses "over cooked" (sitting around keeping warm) . . . enough said.

The key is good food!!!!!!!

Tom

[Nasmas]

Maybe we should forward this to HAL

[Krazy Kruizers]

HATE the new dining times. I explained why on a couple of other threads.

[olderpilot]

We haven't been on HAL since the switch, however I think the 8:00 time will be fine. We have been given that time for our next cruise. The disruption of people coming and going sounds to be a negative.

I agree with Sail, anything other than the 8:00 time would not be good ,especially the early early and the late late.

[GrammyPL]

We are with Krazy Kruizers. We HATE the 4 seatings and wish they would go back to two. Penny

[bookworm0911]

As long as we are assigned to 8:00 seating, then it is fine with me. If we were assigned to any other dining time, it definitely would NOT be fine with me.
I agree! I sure wouldn't want 5:45 or even 6:15. BUT, what to do if you get assigned early, ship is full and after you get on the ship maitre d' can't do a thing to change your time. What would you do? I can't see anything but just accepting it and hoping you love your dinning partners. :eek:

[gizmo]

I hate the four dining times.

[etrainer1]

never sailed on Hal, so, i cant really give an honest opinion, but we traditionally prefer the latest seating. we like being outdoors til 6 or so, go to the fitness center for 30-45 minutes, relax in the cabin, get ready, and meet for drinks at 7:45. therefore, for us, the 8:30 couldn't be more perfect! however, based upon what i am reading, i wouldnt want to be rushed, or have my food sitting around for hours! i would assume the four seatings would make the flow of cooking and serving easier. i will surely find out in january on my first sail with hal. :)

[Roadwork]

We also dislike the 4 dining times and would like Hal to change it back.

I noticed than many people like the 8:00 seating but along with that preference also like to sit in a certain area.
Let us say Hal gets over whelmed with 8:00 dining requests and they switch dining areas for both early and main, since lower has more tables than upper and more people could be accomodated. Would it make a difference?

[RuthC]

I had the dinner time I preferred so I was poised to see how much more smoothly the dining room ran. Had I not been on my preferred time I may have seen things much differently.
Except for the Baked Alaska parade and the final farewell the four times seem to work very well when you look at the impact in the dining room.

It's the impact outside the dining room where I don't like it.
Music and dancing either cuts off too late for the earlier time, or too early for the later---on each sitting. This causes some people to stay too long at the fair and arrive at the dining room late. And that has a ripple effect at every table of the same steward.

Games that are played at 7:45 are too early for 6:15 diners and too late for the 8:00 crowd.

Every night there were some late-comers to the second show. I'm sure most didn't mean to be disruptive, but they couldn't help but walk in front of some of those already seated.

It appears that by solving one problem HAL has created another.

[sail7seas]

Yes. To me, it would make a very large difference.


I commented in the past about table choices.......I'll not go through that boxing match again.

[sail7seas]

Maybe we should forward this to HAL

:) Not necessary. Some in Seattle read this (and other) Boards. A number of HAL people have identified themselves as HAL employees here on the Board when they have posted from time to time.

[peaches from georgia]

I noticed than many people like the 8:00 seating but along with that preference also like to sit in a certain area.
Let us say Hal gets over whelmed with 8:00 dining requests and they switch dining areas for both early and main, since lower has more tables than upper and more people could be accomodated. Would it make a difference?
Interesting comment, Roadwork, and one I really hadn't considered before nor do I remember it being mentioned here. Lower level has more tables than Upper and therefore would accomodate many more pax for the preferred seating.

What would CC posters do if they preferred Upper at 8 and HAL changed it to Lower at 8, Upper 8:30. Would you change to Lower Level or to 8:30 ?

[sail7seas]

I always have disliked hypotheticals. :)

Won't worry about it until and unless there is a need to.
Enough real 'stuff' to worry about without dealing with the maybe stuff. ;)

[rosemike]

dont matter to me as long as i can eat at 6

[Roadwork]

What would CC posters do if they preferred Upper at 8 and HAL changed it to Lower at 8, Upper 8:30. Would you change to Lower Level or to 8:30 ?
Exactly. Which is more important, location or time?

[olderpilot]

Time.

[localady]

The problem I see with the new times is more customer dissatisfaction. We booked our Alaska cruise at Christmas last year and were unable to get either acceptable time for our July Ryndam cruise! One week we were assigned to 5:45 and once to 8:30, and I disliked both. Luckily as we were on the ship 2 weeks we were able to switch to 8:00 the 2nd week, although we both prefer the 6:30 seating more. Part of the problem was that HAL announced this program after we booked and my TA from *********** would never respond to request the times of our choice. As we have booked our next 3 cruises very early and directly with HAL, hopefully we will actually get the times we have requested!!

I was actually surprised at the amount of folks that dislike the 4 dining times. :eek: I appreciate the fact that it helps the staff, but frankly I thought they were here to make us happy and it appears there are more than a few that are not!:cool:

[Esme]

Exactly. Which is more important, location or time?

Time!

[jazzsea]

I wish they would go back to two dining times. As much as I understand that HAL has staffing problems, I hate the idea of four dinner seatings.

Open seating or FreeStyle seating is not for me, either.

Is HAL getting us used to four seatings only to go for "open seating" next year or the year after? Who knows. I hope not. Too many changes......

[doone]

The dinner time is more important to me as well. I don't care if I sit upstairs or down, as long as its not 8:30 pm dining, way too late for me. I love to eat at 8:15 pm and that's what I have always taken for dining times with HAL, but that 8:30 pm one was awful. I didn't really think 15 minutes could make that much of a difference, but it sure does.

[Lois R]

Good morning:) I didn't vote either.....as this will be my first time on HAL. I did get upstairs 8:00, perfect time in my opinion:D

[ron46936]

Having more options is better. I voted for Freestyle because I done both ways and found I prefer to choose my own dining time on a day to day basis. One of the problems with fixed dining times is that a fair number of people are forced to accept a time they don't like. On our Noordam cruise all of my table mates at late seating preferred early.

[CLapple]

HATE the new dining times. I explained why on a couple of other threads.


I'm with you!

[elmorejj]

Time is most important to me. I prefer upper, but if they changed late upper to 8.30pm then I would have to go lower. ....jean :cool:

[ekerr19]

As long as we are assigned to 8:00 seating, then it is fine with me. If we were assigned to any other dining time, it definitely would NOT be fine with me.


Actually, I like the four seatings as we always had 8:15 (traditionally the late seating time on HAL) and going the 15 minutes earlier is nice. I think 8:00 perfect.

If we don't get 8:00 pm I will be a bit disappointed as well. To me, 8:30 just seems so late, especially for eating a large, rich meal. The early times, 5:45 and 6:15 are just too early for us - so 8:00 is the only one that seems reasonable.

If they'd left it alone, there would be more tables to accomodate those preferring a specific table.

As it is, the only reason I can see for justifying the split times is in order to reduce dining room staff - not the best message they could be sending, IMO.

[karensj]

5:45 is way too early. Would prefer later. Dad needs early dinner but that really early.

Karen

[CrabbyHarper]

Time is really important to our little group - we have diabetics and acid reflux disease sufferers, so eating in the early sitting is a real medical necessity. For our next two cruises we are on the 5:45 sitting and that is great. I would have preferred the 6: 15 but will make do - anything past 6:15 would be much too late for us.

I would not like the "freestyle" option. One of the joys of cruising is the same table, the same time, with those wonderful waiters to cater to our every need! We don't want to stand in line on a vacation!

[HeatherInFlorida]

I like the new times simply because we like 8:00 upstairs. If they change the 8 to downstairs and tell us then it is up to us to decide whether we want the latest sitting. I book so far in advance that there is very little chance we won't get our requested time.

I think half the problem with everyone getting all crazy about having 4 times is that none of us like change of any kind. I know you'll all probably jump all over me for that, but sometimes I just can't believe how people carry on about the tiniest things.

I'm thrilled that we have the opportunity to cruise at all. When we eat really shouldn't be all that big a deal in the scheme of things.

[localady]

That is the problem as I see it, everyone wants either 6:15 or 8:00:eek: So that you already have 1/2 the customers that are not happy. It seems like a nightmare to me, and caused us to eat in the Lido more than once! (As 5:45 was too early and we hadn't enough time to get to dinner). I do hope someone from HAL reads this, as you have almost 60% of our readers that prefer the 2 seatings scheme better!:cool:

[RuthC]

Right, localady. And you can't try to please more people by making the 6:15 and 8:00 both downstairs as then there wouldn't be enough time between sittings.

So now the question becomes how do you choose which guests to make happy, and which to displease.
Do you make the assignments based on when booked? Certainly "first come, first served (in a sense)" is one fair method. Or, giving preference based on number of HAL days (loyalty gets rewarded) could also be considered fair.
But the problem is these two methods could be at odds with each other. Now factor in other "fair" methods and the difficulties can grow like Topsie.

Going to four dining times simply shifted the problem HAL faced.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Only fair way would be first come first served. Otherwise, they'd have to be switching constantly as the number of people signing up who have more HAL days sign up for a cruise. It would be a constant juggle. I've always believed in first come first served for anything like this. After all, if you plan ahead and give them all that extra time with your deposit, you deserve to get your first choice. Can't imagine any other fair arrangement.

[Orcrone]

Only fair way would be first come first served. Otherwise, they'd have to be switching constantly as the number of people signing up who have more HAL days sign up for a cruise. It would be a constant juggle. I've always believed in first come first served for anything like this. After all, if you plan ahead and give them all that extra time with your deposit, you deserve to get your first choice. Can't imagine any other fair arrangement.It also gives PAX another reason to book early instead of waiting for a last minute deal.

[Gypsy025]

Heard a rumor that HAL are going to eight (8) dining times.

5.0pm (upper port side); 5.30pm (upper starboard side); 5.45pm (lower port side); 6.15pm (lower starboard side); 7.15pm (upper port side); 745pm (upper starboard side); 8.0pm (lower port side) & 8.30pm (lower starboard side).

That would really reduce the conjestion in the kitchen! And...

...Just think of all the options we will have? ? ? ?

[RuthC]

Heard a rumor that HAL are going to eight (8) dining times.

5.0pm (upper port side); 5.30pm (upper starboard side); 5.45pm (lower port side); 6.15pm (lower starboard side); 7.15pm (upper port side); 745pm (upper starboard side); 8.0pm (lower port side) & 8.30pm (lower starboard side).

That would really reduce the conjestion in the kitchen! And...

...Just think of all the options we will have? ? ? ?
And when you heard this rumor, Gypsy, were you talking to yourself again? ;)
Or is this for real. Speak! pray tell.

[lipoppop]

As I understand it HAL did not switch to the four seatings because of staff issues. Rather it was done so that the kitchen could stagger the meals and hence their work during the early and late sittings. That is, for example, in the early sitting they could get the food upstairs before there was a demand downstairs. It was supposed to keep the food moving more orderly and more important to get it to the tables warm. If both floors had to be served at the same time some food would have to be prepared ahead of time and set out to wait.

Am I wrong?

Maybe I should listen to the advise they give lawyers. "Don't ask a question unless you know the answer."

Maybe I should follow Abe Lincoln's advise. "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than speak out loud and remove all doubt."

[Gypsy025]

Ruth C,

Hi Ruth,

I heard the rumor from someone trying to sell me a bridge (not the one we bought from the Brits!

[peaches from georgia]

As I understand it HAL did not switch to the four seatings because of staff issues. Rather it was done so that the kitchen could stagger the meals and hence their work during the early and late sittings. That is, for example, in the early sitting they could get the food upstairs before there was a demand downstairs. It was supposed to keep the food moving more orderly and more important to get it to the tables warm. If both floors had to be served at the same time some food would have to be prepared ahead of time and set out to wait.

Am I wrong?

We were told that that is exactly the reason for the 4 dining times. It shortens the lines of asst. stewards waiting in the kitchen to pick up each course at any one time. Right after dinner orders are taken the asst. stewards will be on line in the kitchen to pick up the appetizer orders and so on through the various courses. BUT with the staggered times there will be a 30 minute or so time difference between the upper and lower level stewards picking up orders for each course, making their job faster and easier for them and for the kitchen staff.

Consequently pax should be served faster if the stewards do not have to wait on line in the kitchen as long and the food should be hotter (or colder as the case may be) if it is not sitting out as long. So everybody should be benefiting from the staggered times and we were told on the Maasdam HAL is very pleased with the results of the change.

[localady]

Our 8:00 pm dinner dragged on till nearly 10:30 each night. I found our service that week to be far slower that we'd previously experienced. :o Maybe the concept is working better on some ships than others.:cool:

[elmorejj]

I also found the 8pm time to drag on, sometimes we would be in the DR for 30 mins. before we were served any food at all. We never stayed for dessert, as that would have kept us in the DR way past 10pm. We would go to the Explorers lounge, have a specialty coffee and some chocolates. :cool:

[gizmo]

I also found the 8pm time to drag on, sometimes we would be in the DR for 30 mins. before we were served any food at all. We never stayed for dessert, as that would have kept us in the DR way past 10pm. We would go to the Explorers lounge, have a specialty coffee and some chocolates. :cool:
Same with us on the Rotterdam. One night it took 25 minutes before our order was even taken.

I don't know why they switched to 4 times. Maybe it is just a "marketing thing" to make people believe they have choices like Princess or NCL. I was told the change was to make things more efficient. It might be more efficient in the kitchen but not in the dining room. Serving stations have been removed and they have more tables to wait on, which slows things down.

Localady and elmorejj,
You both may have been at the end of the line like we were. After a couple of nights of this slow service we spoke to the maitre'd. We then had our order taken first, not last, and everything was fine. The table across from us were just getting their salads when we were ready for coffee. They were not late arriving, since we all met in the Ocean Bar and arrived in the dining room at the same time.

Lots of people have posted their service was fine. I think this was because they were at the beginning of the line and we were at the end.

[richkat]

We voted for "freestyle" because we have enjoyed that on NCL and Princess. However, we also see the downside to that and the plus of having an assigned table and are looking forward to returning to HAL this November. When we could choose our dining time, we found ourselves eating around 8 so we are looking forward to this new dining time on HAL. It should work well for us.

Also, we are looking forward to dining upstairs. We've always had downstairs and weren't too fond of that and looked longingly upstairs. :)

-- R&K

[localady]

Localady and elmorejj,
You both may have been at the end of the line like we were. After a couple of nights of this slow service we spoke to the maitre'd. We then had our order taken first, not last, and everything was fine. The table across from us were just getting their salads when we were ready for coffee. They were not late arriving, since we all met in the Ocean Bar and arrived in the dining room at the same time.

Lots of people have posted their service was fine. I think this was because they were at the beginning of the line and we were at the end.

Gizmo- We found that too. Our first week we were at a table for 2, and it was wonderful. Our meal was served promptly and it was superb!! The 2nd week we were at a table for 8 and although the company was wonderful, dinner dragged on as the smaller tables around us were served first.:cool:

[HeatherInFlorida]

I'm just wondering what you all consider "slow service". Maybe we're weird, but we've always enjoyed dawdling over dinner. We sit, we eat, we talk ... I find it one of the best parts of the cruise. We go to the 8:15 or 8:30 (depending on the cruiseline) and often don't leave the table until 10:15. But we never felt it was the service that was slow; it was us:D .

Are we unusual?:confused:

[gizmo]

Slow service:

Waiting 25 minutes to have your order taken.

Two parties arrive at the same time. One table is getting served salad when the other table is ordering dessert and coffee.

[localady]

Yep we had that happen to us too Gizmo. After a few nights we ended up eatting in the Pinnacle or in the Lido because the scenery was far too beautiful through the Inside Passage in the evening hours to wait for our meal.:cool:

[trubey]

[QUOTE=CrabbyHarper]Time is really important to our little group - we have diabetics and acid reflux disease sufferers, so eating in the early sitting is a real medical necessity.QUOTE]

Doesn't seem to be necessary for me --- I'm a type 2 diabetic and like to have 'tea' about 4:30 or 5:00, then dinner around 9:30 or 10:00. For the early (!) dining time, 8:30, I'll just make a little adjustment. No problems.

Doc says eat a little, often. Any thoughts contrary?

Lane

[richkat]

When we travel with others, we don't mind dawdling over dinner because we're visiting, catching up on news, etc. But when it's just the two of us, we're anxious to eat our meal and move on to other activities.

--R&K

[taszmom]

I'm just wondering what you all consider "slow service". Maybe we're weird, but we've always enjoyed dawdling over dinner. We sit, we eat, we talk ... I find it one of the best parts of the cruise. We go to the 8:15 or 8:30 (depending on the cruiseline) and often don't leave the table until 10:15. But we never felt it was the service that was slow; it was us:D .

Are we unusual?:confused:
You're not weird...I'm with you! We always take the later seating and I like the fact that I have 2 choices even for late now. I hate being rushed through each course. If I make the show great, if not, oh well. I don't want to be on a time schedule when I'm on vacation. Geez I do that at home. We always tell our waiter on the first night, no need to rush us, we like each course to be on a nice easy timed pace. I hate when they bring out 2 courses at the same time.

Speaking of courses...Question...does HAL do a cheese course?

[dakrewser]

Speaking of courses...Question...does HAL do a cheese course?
THe cheese plate is normally listed on the dessert menu, but I almost always treat it as a seperate course. The assortment will change just about every evening, but the crackers can be a bit mundane. I always request a bread basket with my cheese plate.

Don't confuse this with the cheese plate on the room service menu, which (I think) is intended for someone with a queasy tummy. If calling room serice, order the dessert cheese plate (and bread, of course).

[HeatherInFlorida]

THe cheese plate is normally listed on the dessert menu, but I almost always treat it as a seperate course. The assortment will change just about every evening, but the crackers can be a bit mundane. I always request a bread basket with my cheese plate.

Don't confuse this with the cheese plate on the room service menu, which (I think) is intended for someone with a queasy tummy. If calling room serice, order the dessert cheese plate (and bread, of course).
I have never ordered the cheese plate and would love to, but I don't want to miss dessert! ;) So do you order it between the entree and dessert? And does that hold up dessert for everyone? Or do you simply get it all at once?

[dakrewser]

I have never ordered the cheese plate and would love to, but I don't want to miss dessert! ;) So do you order it between the entree and dessert? And does that hold up dessert for everyone? Or do you simply get it all at once?
One of the major benefits of a table for two is that my wife and I do tend to eat at the same pace. On nights I would have both the cheese and the dessert, I'd order the cheese first to be followed by dessert. We'd share the cheese while finishing our wine and waiting for dessert. But other nights I'll have either one or the other. Just as some nights I'll have soup and salad, some nights only one and some nights neither (but maybe 2 appetizers). It does seem complicated to explain, but in practice it seems to work out OK. :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Aaaaaah.....I seeeee! Okay. But I have to tell you I think it's a shame you don't share your amusing, yet intelligent, banter with more people at your table! Not that I don't understand that you enjoy it; it's simply our loss:o .

[dakrewser]

Aaaaaah.....I seeeee! Okay. But I have to tell you I think it's a shame you don't share your amusing, yet intelligent, banter with more people at your table! Not that I don't understand that you enjoy it; it's simply our loss:o .
Catch me in the Crow's Nest before diner, then :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Catch me in the Crow's Nest before diner, then :)
Hehehe. Well, we just might do that!:D However, it will mean we have to hide away on the Oosterdam from mid November until you embark in January;) . Sounds good to me and thanks for the invite!

[Lisa63]

We found 5:45 to be a bit early. Some nights, we felt a little rushed when dressing for dinner -- the extra half hour would have made a difference -- plus it was too close to the afternoon tea I enjoyed so much. :) Fortunately, being on the upper level of the dining room gave us wonderful sunset views during dinner, so no major complaints.

Regarding the cheese plate -- I ordered it for dessert nearly every night. Each plate contained 3 or 4 varieties, and they changed nightly. The varieties that would be served that evening were shown on the menu, unlike most other lines I've been on.

[grannynurse]

There were many empty tables at 8:30 on this last trip (June 6-July 10) on the Rotterdam. The salads suffered as was mentioned, and food was just not as good; I don't really know if the time was the primary reason for the poor showing and presentation of the meals, but
I agree, 8:30 is too late, and I prefer the 2 seatings.
GN

[Searanger]

I also hate the new dinning times...I have had them all. (The only one I really liked was the 8pm seating.....However, not everyone can be booked at the same time!!!) If memory serves.....don't you still only have the choice of early or late when booking. So 545p - 630p or 8pm - 830pm is the luck of the draw?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I also hate the new dinning times...I have had them all. (The only one I really liked was the 8pm seating.....However, not everyone can be booked at the same time!!!) If memory serves.....don't you still only have the choice of early or late when booking. So 545p - 630p or 8pm - 830pm is the luck of the draw?
I believe if you are using a TA they can specify exactly which one you want if you book early. We have been fortuate so far to get what we requested and also table location.

[Tinknock50]

I am wondering if Alaska cruises are different. I had 7:45 (3rd seating ?)on the Veendam in September.
It was perfect because that is about the time it got dark and I could stay out later and watch for whales before coming in to dinner.

[perrys]

Which time is now considered "main"? My docs say confirmed main upper.
No idea which time this would be, but glad about the upper. Thank You!!

[luvstocruz62]

I have never sailed with HAL before, going in November on the Zuiderdam. My TA put us in the 8:00 seating, I emailed HAL asked if they would change our dinner time to 8:30. They gladly did this. I think that the 4 choices for eating times are great. We typically eat late so this is right up our alley. I just hope that it does not push us to to eat quickly just so that we can make the shows. Or, do they have the shows prior to dinner for the late seating? :o

[RuthC]

Perry, "main, upper" has been at 8:00; Alaska times might have been a few minutes earlier. There was an indication in a recent post that upper and lower dining times might be switched. Lower has been 8:30.


cmccauley, typically, there are two evening shows--- the later being at 10:30. Unless you are at an unusually slow table there should be time to get there on time.
Once in a while the show will be held before dinner---if there is a special event later on (like the Black & White Ball) the change in show time will be in the daily program, and announced shortly before the show.

[luvstocruz62]

Thanks Ruth for the info. Can't wait to try out HAL, from what I have read, this will be the best cruise that I have ever been on!! :D

[Celestia]

How do I like four dining times?

Liked them fine on recent Circle Hawaii on the Statendam, because we got Upper Dining Room. *Hate* lower dining room as it is cramped and tables too close together (this and the slow service/cold cooked food made us skip all breakfasts there after the first one, and they *will not* seat you alone and we really are not morning people and don't want to make conversation at breakfast).

My companion insists on Early Seating and 6:15 Upper Early was fine. I personally would prefer Main Seating but I'm willing for Early as long as it's not before 6pm. Anything earlier and I'm rushing round the cabin trying to get cleaned up for dinner as it is my usual preference to shower before dinner especially if I've been into port or on the weather decks. He's ready to dress for dinner the minute bridge ends at 4:00 then head upstairs to the lounge straightaway but that is too early for me.

As for freestyle dining I'll never go on another cruise with it, detested every aspect of it completely.

FW&FS,

C

[dakrewser]

*Hate* lower dining room as it is cramped and tables too close together (this and the slow service/cold cooked food made us skip all breakfasts there after the first one, and they *will not* seat you alone and we really are not morning people and don't want to make conversation at breakfast).
Fascinating, as a couple of other cruisers (on different HAL ships) reported that even though they wished to be seated with other for breakfast & lunch, they were consistently seated alone. It must be a "personal preference" of each individual maitre'd!

[Roz]

I chose 8 pm on my Zaandam cruise last December. A big consideration for me was getting a seat for the late show in the Lounge. I read posts here where people said they couldn't find a seat in the show lounge if they had the 8:30 pm dinner seating.

I attended all but 1 of the shows, and I had my pick of seats. It was kind of strange, since there was a wide range of ages on the ship. The only thing I can think of is that we had a convention group onboard, and I think maybe they had events in the evening, so they weren't in the lounge.

I could live with 6:15, but 5:45 would be way too early for me. That's one of the reasons the ice cream bar was invented...to tide over the late diners.

Roz

[weluvcruisin']

I HATE the new times 5;45 too early 8;30 to late . 6;00 and 8;00 were much better. I will not be going on HA if i am assigned the early or the late times.

[Silverfox]

Last year we had the 8:30 sitting for dinner (downstairs). I would prefer they go back to the traditional 2 sittings for dinner.

It was particularly disruptive on the night the Baked Alaska was served. Just as our main entree was being served, the lights dimmed and the festivities for the Baked Alaska Parade began. Of course even our waiters had to join the parade so there was no further waiter assistance for us. You hated to eat and ignore the festive atmosphere, yet your main course was getting cold.

Then our Baked Alaska was delivered to the Waiter's area for us and, by time we finished our main course, it was melted and useless to try to eat. Really spoiled a nice dessert.

I understand there is no other way to do it as the music and celebration can be heard downstairs as well.

And I do agree with another poster -- it interfers with pre-dinner drinks and dancing and the 8:30 diners get the left-over seats in the theatre.

[southern_yarddog]

we have only sailed on Zaandam. but all 3 times have had the same dining times. I didn't know of any change. The first time was 8 pm and I really didn't like it that well. Last 2 times have been the 6:15 lower seating which to us works perfect. I like to eat then go to all the shows.:D full belly then:rolleyes:

[CDRMark]

We had an 8:00 dining time and thought it perfect for us. What is so wrong with expanding options from two to four?

Cheers
MarkB

[weluvcruisin']

Nothing........However most want 6;15 8:30 is to late when you dont have a choice.We just got off the Westerdamn,had 8:30 was empty and there was a waiting list of over 100 for 6:15 What does that tell you????????

[scopewest]

One comment on breakfast dining: The one time we did it, when they tried to seat us I asked for our table by number (we had a table for 2), and although our table was in a section of the dining room not really being used, they sat us there without protest.

For the record, we prefer early dining. Too bad HAL can't accommodate everyone in one dining room so you can show up when you want to for the same table/waiters.

[AlexandNessa]

We find 8 o'clock to be the perfect time to eat and have requested it for our past cruise and again for our upcoming cruise. So, I voted to keep the 4 dining times.

[cruznon]

Problem is MANY of us think 8:00 is perfectt!

5:45 is ridiculously early and 8:30 is too late!

I DO NOT like four dining times! It's the ONLY thing I've found I don't like about HAL.:(

Right now we have 8:30 for our July Zuiderdam cruise --yuck! The only option? You got it--5:45--or the Lido or Pinnacle Grill. (And we made the reservations in March!)

[sail7seas]

We really think 8:00 Perfect. I picked up our documents today and thankfully, we've been assigned to that seating.

[gizmo]

Problem is MANY of us think 8:00 is perfectt!

5:45 is ridiculously early and 8:30 is too late!

I DO NOT like four dining times! It's the ONLY thing I've found I don't like about HAL.:(

Right now we have 8:30 for our July Zuiderdam cruise --yuck! The only option? You got it--5:45--or the Lido or Pinnacle Grill. (And we made the reservations in March!)

Agree ! I think the majority like 8:00 and the early birds 6:15. The other times are horrible.

[peaches from georgia]

I think it's outrageous that anyone should be assigned 5:45 unless they specifically request it- medical reasons, small children. The Dining Room is one of the real attractions of cruising, but c'mon, 5:45 is a time you feed the kids when they are little to get them into bed early. It is NOT an adult dining time.

We are very easy-going people, but would scream holy he!! if we were assigned 5:45. If we couldn't get it changed we would eat at the Pinnacle.

They should go back to the 2 times.

[cruznon]

Maybe.....just maybe, someone from HAL might be paying attention to this. Four dining times might be helpful to dining room staff , but NOT very popular with passengers.:(

Sail, I'm happy for you. Glad you got 8:00 seating.:)

[sail7seas]

Thanks, Cruznon. We would be VERY unhappy if we were told we were dining at 5:45 P.M. I agree that no one should be forced to dine at 5:45 P.M. That is a time one requests but should not have foisted on them.

[Classynfun1]

On my B2B, I was assigned the 5:45 dining for the first leg and 8:30 for the second. I quickly put myself on the waitlist to get off of the 5:45 time. For the Med, it really makes no sense, as most of the excursions offered (at least for these specific ports) put you in port until at least 4:00pm. All the ones I'm scheduled on have me getting back 6:00pm or later! I'm hoping I get off the waitlist, or I'll be in the Lido or the Pinnacle most nights...

[grannynurse]

I can't imagine that some people are randomly assigned to 5:45 dining. Many cruisers request early seatings and those times are usually waitlisted.
Every cruise we've been on on HAL ships have had many empty tables at the 8:30 seating.
IMO the 8:00 pm and the 6:15 seatings are the most requested among the 4 choices. When they had 2 seatings, the early was always booked first.

I agree 5:45 is way too early to eat.
GN

[peaches from georgia]

....IMO the 8:00 pm and the 6:15 seatings are the most requested among the 4 choices. When they had 2 seatings, the early was always booked first...
GN
I agree, grannynurse, that is always what it seemed to me, too, but on the Dining Preferences Poll thread here the 8 PM Main Upper seating is far and away the most popular- over 46% of the posters responding preferred that seating with the rest scattered among the other 3 choices. The 6:15 seating was only preferred by 19%. That's strange if the early seating was always booked first. :confused:

[mr green]

I have just joined these boards, and have not read many replies. However I think that I see the reasoning behind the move. It would be to ease congestion, and speed up service in the galley. Only time will tell as to if it is a good idea or not. john

[gizmo]

I have just joined these boards, and have not read many replies. However I think that I see the reasoning behind the move. It would be to ease congestion, and speed up service in the galley. Only time will tell as to if it is a good idea or not. john

Welcome Mr Green.

I have to agree with you. When I asked about it on the Rotterdam I was told the change was to make things run more efficient especially in the galley.

On my cruise, things may have been more efficient in the galley, but for some it was not efficient in the dining room.

I still hate the 4 dining times. :mad:

[cruisecrasy]

Instead of set dining times the cruiselines chld simply open it up to whenever people wish to dine and then folks can simply reserve or just show up and even better also, have several different places to dine - something similar to what NCL has or perhaps Princess. One might have to wait during 'peak' times but don't we now when we go out to a restaurant? The solution is to vary your eating times if u don't wish to wait. I mainly object to having to have an assigned seat with the same people nite after nite. U simply run out of things to talk about or even if u don't u do not have the opportunity to meet new people and experience new situations not to mention what if u can't get another seat and have nothing in common? Then the dining experience becomes tedious and boring - gee - not what I am paying for. I especially like open seating if not hrs and am glad that most cruiselines including HAL are now doing this for breakfast and lunch at least. What do u folks think?

[calm_seas]

I mainly object to having to have an assigned seat with the same people nite after nite.
cruisecrasy---- Strangely, this is one of the reasons that I truly enjoy cruising, as I feel you get to know people more than just casually AND the waitstaff learns your preferences, too.

Maybe.....just maybe, someone from HAL might be paying attention to this. Four dining times might be helpful to dining room staff , but NOT very popular with passengers.
cruznon---- Is this possibly WHY the new Noordam has posted only TWO dining times? IMO, can't see any other reason as she is the same footprint as Oosterdam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam :confused:

[gizmo]

Instead of set dining times the cruiselines chld simply open it up to whenever people wish to dine and then folks can simply reserve or just show up and even better also, have several different places to dine - something similar to what NCL has or perhaps Princess. One might have to wait during 'peak' times but don't we now when we go out to a restaurant?
One of the reasons we cruise is to avoid lines in restaurants. I have read they are now giving out beepers. I don't what to feel like I am at OutBack on a weekend night. :rolleyes:
I have no interest in Personal Choice or Freestyle. I have not read much on the NCL board about Freestyle, but I have had my fill of negative stories on the Princess board.
The only way I could except open seating is IF there were always a table available. There are premium cruise line that do this but you pay $$$$ to cruise on these line. Princess and NCL do not fit into this category.

The solution is to vary your eating times if u don't wish to wait.
Then it is no longer a "Personal Choice". [/quote]


I mainly object to having to have an assigned seat with the same people nite after nite. U simply run out of things to talk about or even if u don't u do not have the opportunity to meet new people and experience new situations not to mention what if u can't get another seat and have nothing in common? Then the dining experience becomes tedious and boring - gee - not what I am paying for.
Like calm seas this is another reason we like to cruise.
To be honest I would not like to be seated with different people every night. The introductions, how many cruises have you been on etc. would get very boring night after night.
I don't think you have to have things in common with your table mates. We enjoy a good mix of people and really don't need to have anything in common. There are stories about "The Table Mates from H***" , but I believe if you try hard enough you can get your table changed.

You can always ask for a table for 2.

I especially like open seating if not hrs and am glad that most cruiselines including HAL are now doing this for breakfast and lunch at least. What do u folks think?
I am curious. When was the last time a cruise line did not have open seating for breakfast and lunch?

[Cuttle]

We appear to be in the minority here as we LIKE the 5.45 dining time. Several reasons why we do - main one being health though. We like to be first in - first out.

[RuthC]

Instead of set dining times the cruiselines.... What do u folks think?
I think this is why there are different lines serving different desires. I want to go to the same table, at the same time, and dine with the same people every night.
I'm glad HAL provides what I want in this, and so many other, areas. It matters enough to me that if they didn't I would choose a line that does.

[Esme]

cruisecrasy "I especially like open seating if not hrs and am glad that most cruiselines including HAL are now doing this for breakfast and lunch at least."


What do you mean "HAL are now doing this"? In the 24 years that we have sailed with HAL they have always had open seating for breakfast and lunch in the dining room. :confused:


We have no desire to have open seating and like being assigned to a particular table and a set time. Maybe that is why we like HAL.

[Cameron-by-the-Sea]

I do not like the four dining times. Unfortunately, a large group is scheduled on our cruise and they have taken over the 8pm slot, so we are relegated to either the early or 8:30 dining. :mad: We will stick with 8:30, but I would definitely prefer 8 pm. This would not be a problem if there were just two dining times rather than four.


If I sound grumpy I apologize. I just found out yesterday that we were bumped to 8:30 even though we had booked this cruise last fall. I guess the larger groups rule and we are given the left overs.

Thanks for letting me vent. Phyllis

Zuiderdam 7/9/05 (2nd Z cruise--had so much fun the first time we had to go back!)

[HAL92]

I like having four dining times better than the traditional two, but I wish that we could dine at any time.

[cruznon]

Phyllis,
I understand completely. We asked for 8:00 but were assigned 8:30 and waitlisted for 6:15. My DH's dr sent a note asking that we have an earlier time that 8:30. SO we were given 5:45! I called Ship Services this week.I also was told a large group requested 8:00 seating and that 200+ were on the waitlist.
Trying to salvage SOMETHING form this, I asked if I might request a specific table--so at least I might see the port float away while I'm in the dining room! I was told that WHEN I get on board I could speak to someone in the dining room about a specific table--yeah, RIGHT!!!! I wasn't even given the option of asking for a specific table.

I have visions of a dining room fiiled with children...
We love dressing up for dinner in elegant, lovely surroundings. But at 5:45???
I feel that at 5:45, things will be much more casual in the dining room-- like the "Early Bird Special."
I am very disppointed.
So I guess we'll have dinner one night in the Pinnacle Grill, then the Lido or have dinner served on our balcony.
The up side? Won't have to pack formal clothes--even though that's one of the things I love about cruising!
When we select our next cruise, HAL's dinner seating times will be a factor when we book.

[Dog Mommie]

Just got off the phone w/ ship services about our 9/24 cruise...the ONLY time they could give us for dinner was 5:45...and that was on a waitlist, still! We are #20, whereas if I had really wanted 6:45, we would be #240!!!! 8 and later were not available, either. So our only option is to be waitlisted. How is it possible that passengers aren't guarenteed seating in the dining room??:confused:

We don't have children, are not accustomed to eating, ever, before 7:30 so I guess we'll be eating in the other venues. Not exactly the perfect way to start a cruise, HAL.:mad:

[calm_seas]

....So our only option is to be waitlisted. How is it possible that passengers aren't guarenteed seating in the dining room??:confused:

In all my years of cruising, this is a new one!!! Are you working with a TA? If not, my next call would be back to HAL customer services and speak with a SUPERVISOR and ask for a dining time CONFIRMATION in writing. :eek:

[KAJOKG]

In all my years of cruising, this is a new one!!! Are you working with a TA? If not, my next call would be back to HAL customer services and speak with a SUPERVISOR and ask for a dining time CONFIRMATION in writing. :eek:
We were wait listed on our last Volendam cruise. We booked a week before we sailed, so I really understood why. We were fortunate enough to be able to get the seating we wanted after we boarded and spoke with the maitre 'd. We don't particularly enjoy traditional dining and that's why we choose to sail Princess more often. But last cruise the Volendam used the Lido for an open seating type of thing. The tables were set for fine dining, you chose your appetizer and soup from the buffet, and ordered entree from the menu. A waiter took you to your table, and then delivered the dinner when it was ready. We really, really enjoy that. And you do not have a set table. We only go to one formal dinner, so the Lido is great when we skip the other. We don't go super casual, but there is no need to go formal....that's why they started this practice. It really suited a lot of passengers.

[cruisecrasy]

cruisecrasy "I especially like open seating if not hrs and am glad that most cruiselines including HAL are now doing this for breakfast and lunch at least."


What do you mean "HAL are now doing this"? In the 24 years that we have sailed with HAL they have always had open seating for breakfast and lunch in the dining room. :confused:


We have no desire to have open seating and like being assigned to a particular table and a set time. Maybe that is why we like HAL.
I simply (to answer your question) included HAL in my statement -I didn't mean they hadn't been doing it before. Yes I agree with u - I also have cruised HAL for yrs. Seems that there are lots who like the 4 dining times and lots who don't. Whatever u prefer - ain't being on the 'high seas' and visiting all those super ports wonderful??? Happy cruisin' all!