Fixed Dining Closed For Next January??

[Saphire]

We are planning a cruise for January 31 or February 7 on ms Eurodam. On the HAL site when you put in dining preference, it says that most fixed dining options are closed. Just one seating is available, and that says 'wait listed'. Could this be possible, 10 months out?
Also, when I type it my desired cabin numbers (I tried 10 of them on each cruise) it said 'unavailable'. Am I trying to book too early, or too late, or what? Ack, I am frustrated and confused.

[jhannah]

That seems to be the case for many sailings.

[Jen&Joe]

We booked 10 months out for our next cruise and all the fixed dining was waitlisted. I was wondering if potentially TA who are holding blocks of rooms can also hold blocks of tables for dinner?

[hammybee]

We booked 10 months out for our next cruise and all the fixed dining was waitlisted. I was wondering if potentially TA who are holding blocks of rooms can also hold blocks of tables for dinner?

BINGO.

[localady]

We booked 10 months out for our next cruise and all the fixed dining was waitlisted. I was wondering if potentially TA who are holding blocks of rooms can also hold blocks of tables for dinner?

If that is happening, that sucks rotten eggs!! :eek:

Another cherished illusion squished like a bug........;) :D

[Mary Ellen]

We booked 10 months out for our next cruise and all the fixed dining was waitlisted. I was wondering if potentially TA who are holding blocks of rooms can also hold blocks of tables for dinner?IMHO HAL just has a very limited number of slots for the fixed dining. We booked our next cruise over 12 mo. in advance. We're waitlisted for the main (8:15) seating. :mad:

When I read the following in the Eurodam Debuts New Dining Choices (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-20-2008/0004778054&EDATE=) press release, I just said "yeah, right"
As You Wish dining on Eurodam allows guests to choose [emphasis mine] from the best of both worlds -- either traditional pre-set seating and dining times, or a completely flexible dining schedule.

You can 'choose' all you want, but that doesn't mean you're going to get it. :rolleyes:

[CAKruises]

We booked our cruise on the Nordam for next February last November, 15 months ahead. Our TA said her computer showed only waitlisting for the main seating so she called HAL directly and we were confirmed for the 8:15 seating.

[RuthC]

Unfortunately, it's very possible. :( There was a recent report on this board of a cruise where both fixed sittings were absolutely CLOSED 16 months before sailing.

[rochelle_s]

I booked six months out for an Alaskan cruise on the Zaandam in May and was confirmed main seating traditional. Booked less than two months out for a Mexican/ Pacific Coastal cruise on the Ryndam for April and only open seating was available. Cruise documents have arrived for both cruises and both said open seating. I had both travel agents call Hal to either get me the confirmation for the Alaskan cruise that I was told I had and in the case of Mexico ask to be waitlisted regardless of how long the list. Lo and behold I got confirmed for main traditonal dining for both cruises! Imagine that !! :) :) :) Have requested to receive a written confirmation for both as my documents state otherwise.

There is hope!!

Rochelle

[Saphire]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I am going to call a local TA and see if I get the same answer about the closed dining. We really wanted to 'choose' fixed seating, and I'm pretty disappointed that I can't even get wait listed for late seating a full ten months out.

[nik953]

You might be better off doing the open dining then. From what I have been told about it, you can go into the lower dining room fron 5:15-9 and be seated.

In my opinion, if you need to eat early and the early dining is closed, this is perfect.

[lorekauf]

You can 'choose' all you want, but that doesn't mean you're going to get it. :rolleyes:

Funny but oh so true.:D

[Cruzman]

You might be better off doing the open dining then. From what I have been told about it, you can go into the lower dining room fron 5:15-9 and be seated.

In my opinion, if you need to eat early and the early dining is closed, this is perfect.

Nope, not perfect! Traditional dining is not about what time one dines; it is about dining with the same table mates at the same time with the same wait staff for the duration of the cruise!!!!!

[kryos]

If that is happening, that sucks rotten eggs!! :eek:

Another cherished illusion squished like a bug........;) :D
When TA's hold group space, that doesn't mean it's for an actual group. Rather, it means that they simply have a block of cabins that they can sell at group rates (probably making a slightly higher commission) and offer group ammenities for.

All you have to do is go to a large TA and see if they have a group booking on that sailing. If so, if they are reserving traditional dining, you can be one of the people they are holding it for.

As I've said before, I don't think this "waitlisted" means anything as far as dining plans. I think HAL is just hesitating to make commitments on the fixed dining until much closer to sailing when they know what the passenger complement for that cruise will be. Are there any actual groups (say an affinity sailing like my GalactiCruise sailing in September) that are planning dining room events (such as speeches, etc.) and will need everyone seated at the same time in the same section? And, what are the suite passengers requesting in terms of dining times? Only after those people are taken care of can HAL afford to commit to a specific dining time/table for others.

Not saying this is fair, but it's the reason why you can't lock in a fixed dining time. Chances are closer to sailing you'll have no problem, and even if you're unsuccessful, once onboard you'll be able to switch to fixed seating.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[nik953]

Nope, not perfect! Traditional dining is not about what time one dines; it is about dining with the same table mates at the same time with the same wait staff for the duration of the cruise!!!!!

I like the option of being able to go in at whatever time I choose to and if I am on a shore excursion that runs late, I can still have dinner in the dining room. Or think about some people taking extra time to look even more stunning on formal night. Like I said, in my opinion. :)

[docksider21]

Saphire,


You are a victim of the new AYW debacle.

It's fine for HAl to give the option of open seating.
Just get the balance right so that
the choice of traditional is available.

Good Luck

[sklja]

I booked 1 year in advance with HAL and signed up for late seating. TA said I could call and change to early or AYWD if I wanted. One month later I called to change to early seating and my TA called and said he was on the other line with HAL and their were no openings for the early time and no wait list....
So, I hear you loud and clear.
I am just going to wait till we board and see if we can get switched. I much prefer assigned times than anytime, so I'll take the late seating if needed.
I too think "someone, somewhere" is holding seats that are available to us early bookers. After all, isn't that one of the reasons to book early, to get just what you want as far as cabin choice, dinner assignment etc?
Hopefully all will be smooth sailing and I am going to have fun either way.
sklja