Advanced reservations for cooking classes?

[vjw1218]

Forgive me if this has been asked an answered a hundred times, but is it possible to book a reservation for the cooking classes in advance - as you can with a shore excursion?


We were thinking of giving a cooking class as a gift and would like to pre-book it if possible.

Thanks for any and all input!

[Krazy Kruizers]

The cooking classes can not be booked until you get on the ship.

Some of the classes fill up quickly.

[PEPALR]

On the first day of the cruise, there will be an 'cooking orientation' where they tell you about all the cooking classes, food carving demonstrations etc. Usually held in the culinary center (On the Eurodam it was also the Queen's Lounge). During that lecture, they will annnouce when the cooking classes will be and what they will be making. Each class usually had a theme. Once that class is over, you can go to the front desk to sign up for the class. We went to the front desk before the class to sign up and they didn't have any idea when the classes would be. However, this was the inaugural NY cruise for the Eurodam, so they might have just been unprepared. Because even after the class they didn't know anything about it until the culinrary coordinator came up to the front desk to tell them about it.

Usually the classes are small (10-12 people) and they have a small charge pp. But you get to eat what you make and you get the recipes at the end as well as some other gifts (apron, charms, a book etc etc). It's a lot of fun!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sometimes in your package that you get at the pier when you check in, there will be a list of the dates of the free cooking demonstrationas and a list of the dates of the cooking classes.

If you don't get one there -- go to the front desk on embarkation day and ask them for the dates and what the cooking classes will be making. If you see something that you are interested in -- sign up then -- $29 per person. Don't wait to hear what is offered doing the free demos. You may be too late to sign up for a class.

[MightyQuinn]

Unfortunately you won't be able to gift this in advance for a friend. And I agree that they should check with the Front Office as soon as possible after boarding & not leave it until after the first complementary demo.

I was very impressed with how the Amsterdam handled this recently. As part of “tree mail” on Day 1 of our cruise, we received a schedule of events for the Culinary Arts Center covering the entire cruise. It gave dates/times/menus for all events, including complementary cooking demos, “The Heat Is On” competitions and cooking classes. This made planning & reserving very easy. I signed up for 2 cooking classes presented by the PG chef. Each class was small – 8 & 12 participants respectively. There was little by way of instruction, although the chef was happy to answer questions. We drank wine as we cooked (4 bottles per class) & then ate our meal standing at the CAC counter, not in the PG as others have reported. But after all that wine, we didn’t care! It was a ton of fun & I would definitely sign up for more! :D:D

[Beachnut53]

When are the classes normally held - Sea days? Time? Are they held on the Prinsendam?:confused:

[MightyQuinn]

When are the classes normally held - Sea days? Time? Are they held on the Prinsendam?:confused:
Beachnut, I believe each ship will schedule their cooking classes & other culinary events around the itinerary. On our recent Amsterdam cruise in South America, the cooking classes were from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm on sea days. When we sailed the Prinsendam in the Baltics last year, they held complementary cooking demos at 11:00 am on sea days. Because the PG chef had to leave the ship mid-cruise, there were no paid cooking classes on our segments. YMMV. ;);)

[Tess111]

Forgive me if this has been asked an answered a hundred times, but is it possible to book a reservation for the cooking classes in advance - as you can with a shore excursion?


We were thinking of giving a cooking class as a gift and would like to pre-book it if possible.

Thanks for any and all input!

You can reserve a spot in "a" cooking class with prepayment and there will be a card with instructions on how to redeem it in your stateroom. Then you take the card and select which class you want and sign up for it. However, a spot is reserved for you in "a" class. Call ship services. I did this today because I had questions about how to book the cooking class and was told I could reserve a spot in a cooking class with prepayment.

[jetstorm]

Do you have the phone number to contact the ship's services or is this done once on board? Also, is there an age limit? My Dd loves to cook and would love taking a class, but she's only 13.

[Randyk47]

Do you have the phone number to contact the ship's services or is this done once on board? Also, is there an age limit? My Dd loves to cook and would love taking a class, but she's only 13.

You can only book the classes once on the ship. You have to do it at the Front Desk and I'd suggest you go there as soon as you can. On some cruises the classes fill up very quickly. I know of no age limit but there's never been a young adult in any of our classes.

[VermeulT]

Just an FYI - I have the HAL Visa card and one of my Reward options is to redeem points for cooking class(es). I assume this will work like the gifting you're mentioning - you have "A" spot reserved - but still have to pick which date... I will make a bee line for the CAC as soon as we board.

[jtl513]

I will make a bee line for the CAC as soon as we board.Make that the front desk or Neptune Lounge.

[middle-aged mom]

HAL now offers cooking classes for kids/teens. Check with the "party planner" in the Culinary Arts Center once you're onboard.

Edited to add: There's no fee involved, and you don't need to make advance reservations. At least, this was the case on my latest HAL cruise this past summer.

[VermeulT]

Make that the front desk or Neptune Lounge.
Thought in another thread someone said there was someone at the Culinary Arts Center too - and given the stories of Front Desk people being confused about the process... I want to make sure the right people are taking my info!