Traditional or Anytime Dining...

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Solos I need your help. Would you choose Traditional or Anytime Dining and why? Thanks!

[buggystuff]

Originally Posted by MsSoCalCruiser

Solos I need your help. Would you choose Traditional or Anytime Dining and why? Thanks!

I always choose anytime dining.
I usually meet new folks, and if we hit it off, then we plan to dine together again, if not, then the next night is another opportunity to meet someone else.

Traditional would be advantageous as you would know your tablemates for the rest of the cruise.

It would depend on your personality. If you are quite outgoing, I would opt for the anytime.

TIP: inform the MTD that you prefer a large "sharing" table, otherwise you may be seated alone, and that just feels awkward.

[Faith77]

I like anytime dining best because I don't like to go to the MDR every night for dinner. Some nights a 2 1/2 hour dinner just feels like too much. For my last two cruises on HAL I did not do the formal dining. Seems like if I do a late afternoon tea I'm not in the mood for a big dinner.

On my last cruise (over the Christmas/New Years holiday) I went to the MDR about half the time for my meals in the evening. I liked meeting new people each time. I thought HAL did a really good job with us solos in the MDR. Also I really like being able to plan my dinner around my evening activities then the other way around. Faith

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Originally Posted by buggystuff

I always choose anytime dining.
I usually meet new folks, and if we hit it off, then we plan to dine together again, if not, then the next night is another opportunity to meet someone else.

Traditional would be advantageous as you would know your tablemates for the rest of the cruise.

It would depend on your personality. If you are quite outgoing, I would opt for the anytime.

TIP: inform the MTD that you prefer a large "sharing" table, otherwise you may be seated alone, and that just feels awkward.

Thanks for your reply. I actually tend to be a bit shy until you get to know me, after that, not so much. I'm assigned to Early Traditional Dining but after reading your post, I think I'm going to change to Anytime. I didn't know that I could sit with others if I went with Anytime Dining. On my only other solo cruise, the only thing available was Traditional and that didn't go so well because I was the only one at the table who spoke english.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Originally Posted by Faith77

I like anytime dining best because I don't like to go to the MDR every night for dinner. Some nights a 2 1/2 hour dinner just feels like too much. For my last two cruises on HAL I did not do the formal dining. Seems like if I do a late afternoon tea I'm not in the mood for a big dinner.

On my last cruise (over the Christmas/New Years holiday) I went to the MDR about half the time for my meals in the evening. I liked meeting new people each time. I thought HAL did a really good job with us solos in the MDR. Also I really like being able to plan my dinner around my evening activities then the other way around. Faith

Thank you Faith. I'm going to change to Anytime dining. I hope this 7 day cruise goes well so I will want to cruise solo again. This will be the longest that I have ever been alone. Usually I have family or friends with me but they don't want to do this initerary and I do.

[calliopecruiser]

I would either choose Traditional dining and/or not use the MDR very much (depending on the ship and the other options).

[buggystuff]

Originally Posted by MsSoCalCruiser

Thanks for your reply. I actually tend to be a bit shy until you get to know me, after that, not so much. I'm assigned to Early Traditional Dining but after reading your post, I think I'm going to change to Anytime. I didn't know that I could sit with others if I went with Anytime Dining. On my only other solo cruise, the only thing available was Traditional and that didn't go so well because I was the only one at the table who spoke english.

If that would happen, one would be well advised to speak to the MTD, they will understand and try to accomodate

I was seated once on the first night with a family, 3 kids, so politely told them no offense, but would seek a different table.
They all were very gracious and understanding so it wasn't awkward at all
Had a great group at my new table, but that was near the last of my traditional seatings...

My name is Brad, and I'm a cruiseaholic. It's been 36 days since my last cruise...

[buggystuff]

Originally Posted by MsSoCalCruiser

Solos I need your help. Would you choose Traditional or Anytime Dining and why? Thanks!

I see you are chasing platinum on Carnival, good for you!

You ever consider cabin sharing? It appears that you have indeed caught the cruise bug! That's a great $$ saver.
I've had really good luck with mine cabinmates, but then again, I'm very easy to get along with

I found out that Princess interiors are only 150% surcharge for solo, whereas CCL is 200%
Wanting to do a long cruise for my 25th (25% oonboard credit)

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Originally Posted by buggystuff

If that would happen, one would be well advised to speak to the MTD, they will understand and try to accomodate

I was seated once on the first night with a family, 3 kids, so politely told them no offense, but would seek a different table.
They all were very gracious and understanding so it wasn't awkward at all
Had a great group at my new table, but that was near the last of my traditional seatings...

My name is Brad, and I'm a cruiseaholic. It's been 36 days since my last cruise...

Hi Brad, my name is Linda and I'm also a cruiseaholic. It's been a lot more days than you since my last cruise. Actually, my last two cruises were last October. Thats enough to make a girl cry.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Originally Posted by buggystuff

I see you are chasing platinum on Carnival, good for you!

You ever consider cabin sharing? It appears that you have indeed caught the cruise bug! That's a great $$ saver.
I've had really good luck with mine cabinmates, but then again, I'm very easy to get along with

I found out that Princess interiors are only 150% surcharge for solo, whereas CCL is 200%
Wanting to do a long cruise for my 25th (25% oonboard credit)

I was chasing platinum with Carnival but now they are going to change their rules, so, it doesn't look like I'm going to reach platinum status. Plus, Carnival will not be doing year round 7 day cruises from CA after they move the Splendor to NY. Yes, my heart is broken.

I thought about cabin sharing but I'm not sure if I could go that route.

Congrats on your soon to be 25th!!!

[buggystuff]

Originally Posted by MsSoCalCruiser

Hi Brad, my name is Linda and I'm also a cruiseaholic. It's been a lot more days than you since my last cruise. Actually, my last two cruises were last October. Thats enough to make a girl cry.

That's enough to make a boy cry! LOL

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Originally Posted by buggystuff

I always choose anytime dining.
I usually meet new folks, and if we hit it off, then we plan to dine together again, if not, then the next night is another opportunity to meet someone else.

Traditional would be advantageous as you would know your tablemates for the rest of the cruise.

It would depend on your personality. If you are quite outgoing, I would opt for the anytime.

TIP: inform the MTD that you prefer a large "sharing" table, otherwise you may be seated alone, and that just feels awkward.

I just called my person at Princess to change to the anytime dining and she is out of the office until tomorrow. The cruise isn't until October so it should be ok.

Was your one and only Princess cruise a solo? How did you like Princess? I think my inside stateroom was around 150ish%, i need to do the math. The price was very close to what it would have cost to go to Mexico on the Splendor. Also on the plus side, I'm looking forward to this itinerary.

Don't laugh but I wish your signature listed which cruises you have sailed on. You have so many cruises, in such a short time. I would love to read your cruise history. LOL, I am addicted! Is there no cure???

Time to go to work. Have a great day.

[buggystuff]

Originally Posted by MsSoCalCruiser

I just called my person at Princess to change to the anytime dining and she is out of the office until tomorrow. The cruise isn't until October so it should be ok.

Was your one and only Princess cruise a solo? How did you like Princess? I think my inside stateroom was around 150ish%, i need to do the math. The price was very close to what it would have cost to go to Mexico on the Splendor. Also on the plus side, I'm looking forward to this itinerary.

Don't laugh but I wish your signature listed which cruises you have sailed on. You have so many cruises, in such a short time. I would love to read your cruise history. LOL, I am addicted! Is there no cure???

Time to go to work. Have a great day.

I actually had a cabinmate (very good one, we were quite compatible) on my Princess Crown.
Hopefully we will cruise again, we've both cruised alone and with others since. Maybe next winter, although she likes the longer cruises.
Had I went on Princess first, it is a very good chance that I would have sailed more with them.
I really enjoyed Princess, but felt there wasn't as much to do.
Food was better and more choices, although I have always been satisfied with Carnival too.
Actually have a back to back booked with Princess next Feb in addition to our annual Dreamers cruise in Jan. That is a super fun group!
We have group rates if you'd like to check into it, hit me up on facebook if you like.

I thought my signature would be annoying if I put all the cruises in there

[filbo132]

I prefer Anytime, I got used to NCL's Freestyle and I enjoyed dining whenever I felt like it.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Originally Posted by filbo132

I prefer Anytime, I got used to NCL's Freestyle and I enjoyed dining whenever I felt like it.

Thank you. I'm going to switch to Anytime dining. I will have to give NCL a try.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Originally Posted by buggystuff

I actually had a cabinmate (very good one, we were quite compatible) on my Princess Crown.
Hopefully we will cruise again, we've both cruised alone and with others since. Maybe next winter, although she likes the longer cruises.
Had I went on Princess first, it is a very good chance that I would have sailed more with them.
I really enjoyed Princess, but felt there wasn't as much to do.
Food was better and more choices, although I have always been satisfied with Carnival too.
Actually have a back to back booked with Princess next Feb in addition to our annual Dreamers cruise in Jan. That is a super fun group!
We have group rates if you'd like to check into it, hit me up on facebook if you like.

I thought my signature would be annoying if I put all the cruises in there

I was going to say that I was worried about Princess but it can't be that boring if you are going to go on a B2B. Am I reading this right? Three Princess cruises in two months? I wish!

Are the Dreamers a CC group? Where are you going this year?

Those that are annoyed by signatures usually turn them off.

[calliopecruiser]

Originally Posted by MsSoCalCruiser

Those that are annoyed by signatures usually turn them off.

I didn't realize you could do that. Done. Thanks!

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Originally Posted by calliopecruiser

I didn't realize you could do that. Done. Thanks!

You're welcome.

[buggystuff]

Originally Posted by MsSoCalCruiser

I was going to say that I was worried about Princess but it can't be that boring if you are going to go on a B2B. Am I reading this right? Three Princess cruises in two months? I wish!

Are the Dreamers a CC group? Where are you going this year?

Those that are annoyed by signatures usually turn them off.

Not officially, just a group of folks I've met that we all get along well and like the same things.
We decided to cruise together once a year until one of us dies, then we'll cruise together twice a year.
This will be our third, and we keep adding folks each year.

It's the CCL Dream Jan 19, 2013
You can look us up on fb

[ILoveScotland]

Originally Posted by buggystuff

Not officially, just a group of folks I've met that we all get along well and like the same things.
We decided to cruise together once a year until one of us dies, then we'll cruise together twice a year.
This will be our third, and we keep adding folks each year.

It's the CCL Dream Jan 19, 2013
You can look us up on fb

I tried looking you up on fb but wasn't sure what to look for. Is this group young, old, middle or a mixture?

Beth