Yet another question on AYW Dining

[mrszuhwiggins]

Hi -
Last sailed the Noordam when AYW was not an option... I have read quite a number of threads on AYW Dining, and I'm a bit confused (to say the least!). Here's my situation - would like to have the same waitstaff each night, however the standard seating times do not usually work for us - early is too early, late is too late.... Soo, could I book a reservation around say, 6:45 - 7PM every night with the same waitstaff in AYW dining? And if so, do you think I would be able to get some recommendations from others recently off Noordam regarding who they might recommend I request as a waiter? Also, while I'm not opposed to sitting with others, is it possible to request a "private" table in AYW? We are a family of four (Mom, Dad, daughter 11 and son 10) sailing on the Oct 28 Southern Carribean itinerary.
Thanks very much.

[RuthC]

The reservations for the open seating option of As You Wish are either early or late; they don't take reservations for the 6:45 and 7:00 periods. You may walk in at those times, and be seated as a table becomes available. You may request, and wait for (id necessary), a table for four. Or you may make a reservation for a table for four at the available times.

As of now there is officially no such thing as a standing reservation for the length of the cruise; you have to call anew every day. If you find a steward you want again, he may take the info and set you up with a standing reservation. There have been reports that this has been done.

[garydm]

On our recent Oosterdam cruise, we were seated in the same general area each night. I think it is on the computer. We had a couple different waiters but the same wine steward (Jenny was great) each night. It was our first experience with AYWD and we liked it alot.

Gary

[hammybee]

I have read posts of those sailing in Deluxe Suites who were able to get standing reservations in Open Seating because they are paying a premium for priority dining. These can be secured through the Neptune Longe.

I have also read accounts where some passengers have been able to work this out on their own. So much depends on how many people what the same thing, at the same time. Chances are there will be 2000 other people on your cruise and this means that at some point intime, compromise will be necessary.

The waitstaff is rotated between dining rooms, ships and contracts. Who might have been there last week may not be in the same place by the time you board.

[kalliekae]

When we boarded the Noordam in May, we immediately went to the Dining Room and spoke to the staff. We got the reservation time we wanted and picked the table we wanted. After 2 nights, we found the tablemates boring. Since we were in an SA suite, we spoke to the Neptune Lounge staff who graciously arranged something different for us. If you are in an SA suite, you should speak to the Neptune staff immediately and get your reservations set up that way. There is no need to go through the dining room reservations. If you don't have access to the Neptune Lounge, then your first stop after boarding should be the dining room. You can get a table for 4 but you might not get the same wait staff each night. Good luck!

[NYGirl1002]

I just cruised on the Oosterdam last week and we had AYW dining. We were able to have the same table and wait staff every night at any time we wanted to have dinner. We just called the dining room (Ext. 88) in the morning and told them the table number and time. One night it was 5 pm, another was 6:45, another at 7:30.

[mrszuhwiggins]

I just cruised on the Oosterdam last week and we had AYW dining. We were able to have the same table and wait staff every night at any time we wanted to have dinner. We just called the dining room (Ext. 88) in the morning and told them the table number and time. One night it was 5 pm, another was 6:45, another at 7:30.

Thanks everyone for the info.

NYGirl - your arrangement sounds like exactly what we would like. Did you go to the dining room at boarding and speak with them about the arrangement? I'm wondering how you knew your table number if it was AYW - or did you get seated at a random table the first night, and then request that same table each morning, just at a different time each night?
Thanks!!

[Lilac]

Is it possible to change to AYW after the first night if you don't like your table mates? If yes what is the easier way to do it?

[RuthC]

Is it possible to change to AYW after the first night if you don't like your table mates? If yes what is the easier way to do it?
You can ask; if there's room, you will be accommodated. Usually there's enough moving about after the first night that switching to open seating (which is what I presume you mean) is probable.
Ask at the Maitre d's station.

But why not expect that your table-mates will be interesting, charming people who you will enjoy getting to know? Just like you want them to feel about you? ;)

[NYGirl1002]

Thanks everyone for the info.

NYGirl - your arrangement sounds like exactly what we would like. Did you go to the dining room at boarding and speak with them about the arrangement? I'm wondering how you knew your table number if it was AYW - or did you get seated at a random table the first night, and then request that same table each morning, just at a different time each night?
Thanks!!

The first night my husband made a reservation outside the Lido when we boarded. We had a beautiful spot in the aft by a big window. My husband was feeling queasy already and we couldn't sit there again. The next day we had made friends with a waiter in the Lido who told us the table numbers he served and to request that specific table. So we called in that afternoon and requested that specific table for that night. We did the same thing thereafter. Try and call in the morning. Our ship was at full capacity too. I was extremely happy with this because as soon as we'd get to the dining room they'd seat us, the waiters knew us and our likes and dislikes, the steward would have our wine ready as soon as he saw us.


We had the best of both worlds AYWD.

[JYGresham]

The first night my husband made a reservation outside the Lido when we boarded. We had a beautiful spot in the aft by a big window. My husband was feeling queasy already and we couldn't sit there again. The next day we had made friends with a waiter in the Lido who told us the table numbers he served and to request that specific table. So we called in that afternoon and requested that specific table for that night. We did the same thing thereafter. Try and call in the morning. Our ship was at full capacity too. I was extremely happy with this because as soon as we'd get to the dining room they'd seat us, the waiters knew us and our likes and dislikes, the steward would have our wine ready as soon as he saw us.


We had the best of both worlds AYWD.

Are you saying that you ate every meal in the Lido?

[mrszuhwiggins]

Was wondering the same thing, or if the reservation was just made outside of the Lido. I think that's probably it, because I don't recall there being table numbers in the Lido, but after a number of different cruise lines, my memory may be failing me....

NYGirl - can you clarify? Thanks!

[NYGirl1002]

No.. we only had breakfast and lunch in the Lido. It turns out some of the wait staff works both restaurants. This waiter worked in the Lido at lunch time and was a waiter in the dining room.

The point is that we were able to get the same table in the dining room every night at different times.

[mrszuhwiggins]

No.. we only had breakfast and lunch in the Lido. It turns out some of the wait staff works both restaurants. This waiter worked in the Lido at lunch time and was a waiter in the dining room.

The point is that we were able to get the same table in the dining room every night at different times.

Yep, you are exactly right. That IS the point! That's what I was hoping to hear and what I am hoping will happen with us. The waitstaff is so wonderful on the Noordam, I don't think I'll have any problems befriending someone!!
Thanks for the input and advice.

[Himself]

I wnt kind of early in Alaska last June and I got the same table and the same waiter each night. It was great!!!!!!!! On the Amsterdam it was on the lower level of the dining room each nite. I think it began about 5:30 or 5:45 PM