Dining Time Mess Up: What To Do?

[stefhef]

We booked in March for a Feb. '05 cruise. When we booked, there were only two dining times on Zui, early and late. We chose late. Now they have us at 8:30pm when we want 8:00. Also, we are going with another couple, who booked much later than us, and they got 8:00. So right now, we are waitlisted for 8:00 pm. How can we move this along and get 8:00 so we can know that this is resolved? Our TA has not been able to do this with HAL, despite two phone calls and advising HAL that we are all travelling together. Any advice? Thanks!

[cktravels]

You need to make sure your bookig is cross referenced with your freinds. If this is the case your chance of moving to the 8pm sailing will increase, but there are guarantees.

[Himself]

Good Luck!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Get the booking number of the other couple you are going with and have your TA call HAL and let them know that you are traveling with this other couple and for them to link the two booking numbers. I had a simliar situation but it was with some friends that just booked the same cruise we did. We had booked several months ago, they were able to link out 2 booking numbers so that they can make sure we are seated together. I have even requested a specific table and with HAL it now show the same info.

[peaches from georgia]

BOTH couples need to give their TA the other couple's booking number and both TAs need to notify HAL that they want to be at the same table, same seating. If only one couple notifies HAL it is not considered a request by the other couple. After all, somebody might want to sit with you, but you do not reciprocate the feeling. So both couples have to make the request, with booking #'s.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Peaches I have to disaggree but it would probably be a good idea just to confirm by the other party. I called my TA to give them my friends booking number to be linked. They put me on hold while they made the arrangements. They got back on line and told me all was linked with no notice from the other party. Then a few days later my friends called their TA who called HAL to confirm and they got back to them and said it had already been linked. There had been no notification by the other party prior. But I do agree it would be a good idea for both to call.

[TedC]

Zui has had four dinner times long before March. We were on her in Nov,-Dec. of 2003 and there were four dining times. A good TA should have known this. Our TA did and we asked for, and got, the 8 p.m. seating.

[peaches from georgia]

LnV- I only know what my TA has told me. It may be that he likes to be sure his clients' wishes are met and knows having both parties confirm the request ensures that. Or possibly some other cruiselines require it and he just does it as standard practice. Whatever, I like the policy because I would hate to sit down on the first night of a cruise and be seated with people we know who requested it, but we didn't care to sit with them. Hard to change tables if you know the people.

[Cruiseoften]

LnV- I only know what my TA has told me. It may be that he likes to be sure his clients' wishes are met and knows having both parties confirm the request ensures that. Or possibly some other cruiselines require it and he just does it as standard practice. Whatever, I like the policy because I would hate to sit down on the first night of a cruise and be seated with people we know who requested it, but we didn't care to sit with them. Hard to change tables if you know the people.

Agree with you peaches - had it happen to us! The people who requested us were the last people we wanted to have dinner with each evening. We skipped the first night and talked with the Maitre'd - we ended up with a table for 2 (the concerned people assumed we'd requested a table for 2 - we didn't argue!). Having nothing really against them, we occasionally joined them for drinks etc. - just sharing dinner each evening was a bit too much.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Agree with you peaches - had it happen to us! The people who requested us were the last people we wanted to have dinner with each evening. We skipped the first night and talked with the Maitre'd - we ended up with a table for 2 (the concerned people assumed we'd requested a table for 2 - we didn't argue!). Having nothing really against them, we occasionally joined them for drinks etc. - just sharing dinner each evening was a bit too much.
I am just curious how did they request being seated with you without having your booking number? They will not link or seat you together unless you have both Booking numbers. Our friends originally tried to get them to link us so we could be seated together but they would not give them any info even our Dining Time unless they had our HAL Booking Number.

[stefhef]

Well, thanks for the advice. We have linked our booking numbers. We always take late seating and if asked, we would have taken 8:00 pm. I am totally annoyed by this, both with the TA and with HAL for not immediately remedying it.

[jollycruiser]

Have an extra cocktail before dinner and chill. You will have a wonderful cruise!

[jazzsea]

stefhef...

You already have your friends booking number, right?
Okay. Call ship services (1-800-541-1576) and book the Pinnacle Grill for the first nightof your cruise for yourselves and your friends. After booking ask the ship services agent to double check that you and your friends are seated together in the dining room.

The Pinnacle Grill is only $10 per person on the first night of your cruise. It really is a bargain and booking it with ship services gives you the opportunity to discuss your dining room question with someone that can actually help you.

Be sure to cancel the Pinnacle Grill reservation if you don't plan to use it.