Oosterdam- Dining Questions

[Bilyeu5]

Early seating is sold out (but waitlisted) for our preferred cruise in May.
Husband needs to eat several hours before bedtime for medical reasons.
Would like to know:

1. Do we have a decent chance of getting an earlier time if we explain
his gastro problems?

2. If not, what kind of dinner menu options are there from room service
and/or the Lido Cafe?

We enjoy traditional cruise dining, but are somewhat limited in the dates we are able to cruise. Not sure if we should consider changing to different ship and/or cruise line. Thanks!

Barbara (and Tony)

[user8]

Barbara ( and Tony ),

I am in exactly the same situation for our upcoming cruise to Hawaii on Nov 5. Like you, I have no idea on how to secure early seating. In my case, I have decided I will eat in the Lido if I can not get an early table.

We were on the Rotterdam last week and ate in the Lido one night. It was very convenient and had essentially the same menu as the main dining room. We liked being able to go when we wanted and being able to get finished quicker than in the dining room. We also ordered room service one evening but it had a more restricted menu. As all we ordered was a sandwich, I don't remember what else was on the menu. I do remember though that room service is available 24 hours a day.

I hope you are able to get an early seating but if not, I hope this helps.

Lee

[dakrewser]

Get your travel agent working on it. The Lido does have a full dinner menu. You can also order from the dining room menu with room service - but you'll need to have your cabin steward bring a copy of the menu, and you'll have to order during the first half hour the DR is open (but can schedule delivery any time).

[doone]

Unfotunately, early seating seems to be more popular than later seatings. This is one of the reasons I try to book my cruises early to insure I get my dining times and my cabins I like. Hopefully your TA can help you out, but the Lido is also a very nice place to have dinner and also think about the Pinnacle Grill, even at $20 per person, its a bargain.

[LizB1]

My suggestion would be to have your doctor write a letter stating that your husband needs to eat at a certain time for medical reasons and then have your TA fax that letter to Ship Services. They will forward the letter to the ship(s) and you would have priority. I believe that even if your TA just writes the letter and explains the situation they would honor your request. Good luck!

[Himself]

The Lido offer Alternative Dining from 6PM until 8:00 PM and perhaps you could consider this option. That would satisfy your husband's medical needs to eat X amount of hours before going to bed. The menu is pretty much the same as in the Main Dining Room.

Himself

[wyplum]

Is the dress code in Lido always casual?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

My suggestion would be to have your doctor write a letter stating that your husband needs to eat at a certain time for medical reasons and then have your TA fax that letter to Ship Services. They will forward the letter to the ship(s) and you would have priority. I believe that even if your TA just writes the letter and explains the situation they would honor your request. Good luck!
Liz, that is a great idea. At least they then know they are serious.

[gliles]

Early seating is sold out (but waitlisted) for our preferred cruise in May.
Husband needs to eat several hours before bedtime for medical reasons.
Would like to know:

1. Do we have a decent chance of getting an earlier time if we explain
his gastro problems?

2. If not, what kind of dinner menu options are there from room service
and/or the Lido Cafe?

We enjoy traditional cruise dining, but are somewhat limited in the dates we are able to cruise. Not sure if we should consider changing to different ship and/or cruise line. Thanks!

Barbara (and Tony)
This is a very general question I suppose but how early do you have to book to get your preferred seating? I would think that booking now for May would do but I guess not!

[RuthC]

Is the dress code in Lido always casual?The dress code, and the dining style, in the Lido is casual, but that doesn't preclude you from dressing up if you wish. Since it is the evening that has a dress code you can feel free to gussie-up all you want on informal and formal nights.
Flash those diamonds! :D

[doone]

I generally book 10 - 12 months ahead, this way I get the cabin I prefer and the seating for dinner I prefer. I plan things in advance so I am not disappointed. Although if I were ever to book a cruise on short notice, well I would take whatever they had and if I didn't get the dinner seating I prefer, then the Lido Buffet is an excellent option, along with the Pinnacle Grill, love that place.

[Bilyeu5]

OP here. Appreciate all the great responses. Greatly puts my mind at ease to know that we can get good meals in the Lido. I did email Ship's Services, and they said we could get high priority for early seating if we FAX doctor's note.
Barbara

[Bill S]

Barbara: which sailing are you on next May?

DW & I are booked for the May 7 sailing on the Oosterdam. How about you?

[Bilyeu5]

Bill S:
Yes, May 7 is our intended sailing, also. We don't our room booked yet, though. First I was indecisive about Diamond Princess vs HAL Oosterdam. Now that I've decided on a ship, I keep waffling about catagory. Need to check with my agent tomorrow as I don't like most of the available cabins showing on-line. I WANT an SS, but probably will go for a verandah. Or maybe just an outside double and plan to stay in the public areas most of the day.
Gads! See what I mean? It's selling fast, so I'd better decide. What cabin type did you go for?
Barbara

[Bill S]

Barbara: First, welcome aboard! Hope to meet you on the Oosterdam next May!

Lets see, I am not sure of the Category, I think it is a VE, but recall it is on Deck 5, on the port side, with a verandah. We booked it about 3 weeks ago and asked for early seating but I do not know which early seating time we have (or will be assigned). I am really surprised that early seating is already wait-listed. We have been wait listed before, but got early seating anyway. I hope you get it. But, the Lido is always an option as well as the Pinnacle Grill.

This will be our first time on a Vista-class ship and our 3rd Alaska cruise. We have been up there in August 1998 and again last year, in May, and we had such a great experience last May that we decided if we were to ever go back, it would be in May: great fares, still lots of snow on the mountains, fewer crowds and the merchants are REALLY happy to see you! :D

Let us know what you decide regarding a cabin!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

You will love the Oosterdam. Like Bill we really liked Alaska in May. We were on the 2nd week of the Oosterdam Alaska Season this year. The Oosterdam was great and Alaska was beautiful in May. I would not of wanted to go another time. We hope to return to Alaska May of 2006

[carenleggett]

My Husband Is Diabetic And Needs To Eat At Set Times, When I Explained This To My Agent She Faxed Me A Paper Requesting Early Dining For Medical Reasons And All You Have To Is Fill It Out And Fax It Back And You Will Be Moved To The Early Dining. I Hope This Helps.

Caren
Oosterdam
Nov. 14/04