Maybe it would be better if NO reservations were allowed?

I was thinking about the Freeestyle concept, and the posts that basically state that if you want to eat in any of the specialty restaurants you have to book reservations as son as you get on the ship. While I want to eat at the specialty restaurants, I HATE the idea of having to make reservations for an entire week on the first day. That just seems wrong, especially if you are going on an NCL cruise because of the Freestyle concept. One idea that I was thinking about was if NCL stopped taking ALL reservations for ANY restaurant on the ship. Maybe then, it would actually become a Freestyle experience? If NO ONE could make reservations, then the restaurants would truly become first come, first service, which in my mind is what the Freestyle concept is all about. What do you all think?

Michelle

Without reservations, I would then have to stand in line :mad: to eat at Le Bistro, or Cagney's, which would defeat the purpose of freestyle.

What is the big deal about making a couple of reservations for the week? Plan your sea days and your shore excursions, research the menus and decide before you board the ship what days work well for you. Now that's freestyle.

To eat at a fine dining establishment in my home town, I have to make reservations. Not any different than on the ship.

Beats having assigned fixed seating anyday.

Not all of the specialty restaurants book up on the first day. In fact, we have walked up to a specialty restaurant, asked to book a reservation 15 minutes from then and have been immediately seated.:D

I don't really see it as an issue for us. Maybe other people are dissatisfied with the way it is organized. Getting rid of the reservation system, IMHO, is not really an option.

I was thinking about the Freeestyle concept, and the posts that basically state that if you want to eat in any of the specialty restaurants you have to book reservations as son as you get on the ship. While I want to eat at the specialty restaurants, I HATE the idea of having to make reservations for an entire week on the first day. That just seems wrong, especially if you are going on an NCL cruise because of the Freestyle concept. One idea that I was thinking about was if NCL stopped taking ALL reservations for ANY restaurant on the ship. Maybe then, it would actually become a Freestyle experience? If NO ONE could make reservations, then the restaurants would truly become first come, first service, which in my mind is what the Freestyle concept is all about. What do you all think?

 

Michelle

Yippee, hooray, AMEN !!! Wishful thinking, I'm afraid. First, "suite people" would get preference, then double-diamond frequent cruisers, then honeymooners, then.... Pretty soon, it would be right back where it is now. I guess we can dream.

I love the idea but I don`t know how it would work. I still think that reservations have to be made for the "pay" restaurants.

I see a trend here where people are making reservations........FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK:eek: .......in all of the restaurants. To me this negates Freestyle. I would be concerned that Freestyle won`t be "free" in the future:o

On Shoreguy's blog there was a blurb regarding something to the effect that in the future they may potentially allow reservations to be made pre-cruise at NCL.com Can you imagine how it will be then?

The last time I experienced Freestyle dining was on the Dream when only Le Bistro took reservations.

Freestyle dining sounds stressing to me these days.

How about a limit of two reservations on the books at a time. If you have a special occasion then you would reserve that date and location first. You could have another reservation on the books for another date, but you have to use one of them before you are able to book again ???

I liked it better when you could only make a reservation 24 hours ahead. That allowed everyone equal opportunity to book. I know that if you are cruising on a ship that does alternating itineraries, many speciality venues have already been booked by people who are doing B2B (like my upcoming cruise) when they boarded the first cruise. That happened to us last year when we sailed the Jewel. We couldn't get some days and times because we were told they had already been booked by the folks who were on the first of their 2 cruises the week before.

How about a limit of two reservations on the books at a time. If you have a special occasion then you would reserve that date and location first. You could have another reservation on the books for another date, but you have to use one of them before you are able to book again ???

Maybe take reservations that morning, or a day or two in advance. Out of 6 or 7 times going to specialty restaurants, we had trouble only once.

I don't like the way they're doing it now where you can make reservations for every night of the week. Count me in the group who thinks that this option totally negates the aspect of "freestyle dining" where you can dine whenever and with whomever you want.

I'm afraid that the poster who said that the problem comes with the suite passengers and higher-ranking latitudes members has hit the problem right on the head. With their availability to concierge service, they just depend on the concierge to make their reservations. Now, I'm sure the passengers who have this availability think its one of their perks for paying suite prices or being long-time loyal NCL customers, but for the beginning cruiser who can't afford that option, it's really leading to a class-system on board. By the time that new cruiser settles onto the ship, learns his way around, and decides by Tuesday or Wednesday that they'd like to try Le Bistro, they can't get a reservation. We did hear several complaints like that on our recent Jewel cruise, so I do think it's a real problem.

I'd prefer to see them have either a time limit -- say 24 to 48 hours in advance -- or a number of reservations that any cabin can have at one time -- either 1 or 2. With the new restaurant monitors that are available on the newer ships, I'd also like to see them implement some kind of interactive TV reservations system. What about the option of half the restaurant being reservation only, and the other half being first come, first serve?

We prefer to dine in the main dining rooms, and from the descriptions available on the new menus, we'll continue to do so, so luckily it's not much of a problem for me personally. I just felt bad on our cruise to hear the numerous complaints from people who were expecting to be able to call that morning and get a spot at a specialty restaurant and couldn't. I did write an email to NCL, suggesting that they need to look at this. I received a very cordial reply from one of Colin Veitch's assistants, telling me that my concerns were being forwarded on to the appropriate department. If enough more of us address this issue, maybe they'll rethink the policy.

Without reservations, I would then have to stand in line :mad: to eat at Le Bistro, or Cagney's, which would defeat the purpose of freestyle.

 

What is the big deal about making a couple of reservations for the week? Plan your sea days and your shore excursions, research the menus and decide before you board the ship what days work well for you. Now that's freestyle.

 

To eat at a fine dining establishment in my home town, I have to make reservations. Not any different than on the ship.

 

Beats having assigned fixed seating anyday.

I agree with everything you said. I can imagine people lining up a long time before they open each day! NO THANKS

-Monte

I don't like the way they're doing it now where you can make reservations for every night of the week. Count me in the group who thinks that this option totally negates the aspect of "freestyle dining" where you can dine whenever and with whomever you want.

 

I'm afraid that the poster who said that the problem comes with the suite passengers and higher-ranking latitudes members has hit the problem right on the head. With their availability to concierge service, they just depend on the concierge to make their reservations. Now, I'm sure the passengers who have this availability think its one of their perks for paying suite prices or being long-time loyal NCL customers, but for the beginning cruiser who can't afford that option, it's really leading to a class-system on board. By the time that new cruiser settles onto the ship, learns his way around, and decides by Tuesday or Wednesday that they'd like to try Le Bistro, they can't get a reservation. We did hear several complaints like that on our recent Jewel cruise, so I do think it's a real problem.

 

I'd prefer to see them have either a time limit -- say 24 to 48 hours in advance -- or a number of reservations that any cabin can have at one time -- either 1 or 2. With the new restaurant monitors that are available on the newer ships, I'd also like to see them implement some kind of interactive TV reservations system. What about the option of half the restaurant being reservation only, and the other half being first come, first serve?

 

We prefer to dine in the main dining rooms, and from the descriptions available on the new menus, we'll continue to do so, so luckily it's not much of a problem for me personally. I just felt bad on our cruise to hear the numerous complaints from people who were expecting to be able to call that morning and get a spot at a specialty restaurant and couldn't. I did write an email to NCL, suggesting that they need to look at this. I received a very cordial reply from one of Colin Veitch's assistants, telling me that my concerns were being forwarded on to the appropriate department. If enough more of us address this issue, maybe they'll rethink the policy.

Very good points. As a suite passenger I NEVER made reservations a head of time, nor did I want to;) The only time I asked Alex he gave me a time......... it was a time that I could get myself:rolleyes: and this was the Tex/Mex rest.

As a true Freestyle cruiser.......I don`t want to be tied down to a time any day.........I never had to wait much in 5 cruises........if I went to a particular rest. and there was a wait I went and had a drink after putting my name in and it was never longer then 10 min. To me that is not a "wait".........or I went to another rest. They would call the other rest. and see if there was a wait and I put my name in:)

I really do think that some people stress too much about this dinner thing and make a big deal where there should be none.....IMO:)

There surely needs to be a change. The current system is broken unless you are in those handful of cabins that always get in.

On our recent 15 day cruise we often tried to get into Mama's or Cagney's, even days ahead. Never any openings. And when you walk by, there seems to be lots of room. I am sure part of this if for tables coming in shortly, etc.

Making reservations for the whole week is so NOT FREESTYLE that it makes my head spin. At the same time, there are situation where somebody would like to be assured they have a table at a certain time.

Maybe a shorter period before dinner - say 24 hours. Maybe a certain number of tables can be reserved ahead. The rest are on a first come, first served like a normal restaurant.

I have no idea how often and if they really do charge for no-shows, but a serious effort there might help to clear those empty tables.

Again, something is wrong when they say you can pick from a dozen restaurants, but half are not available all week.

 

I have no idea how often and if they really do charge for no-shows, but a serious effort there might help to clear those empty tables.

 

Again, something is wrong when they say you can pick from a dozen restaurants, but half are not available all week.

They were charging $5.00 for no shows. Don`t know the present situation.

IMO if you are allowed to book for the week....then there will be nothing available:eek: then people forget or change their minds, then what do you have..........empty tables:rolleyes:

I'm not sure I see a problem with the current set-up; as a suite passenger, we can (and usually do) arrange all of our dining choices the first day on-board. We usually eat in the specialty restaurants 4-5 times on a 7 day cruise and in our cabin twice.

I bothers me that suite passengers seem to take alot of heat because we can book an entire week in advance - other non-suite passengers can do the same as well so why single suite passengers out?

For us, Freestyle enables us to handle all dining arrangements first day and then not have to think about it again.............

The first thing I did once onboard the ship was make reservations for the entire week. We had no problem with being seated at the time requested, 6:30 PM.. But the BIG issue I saw was passingers being turned away with empty tables in the resturants. To resolve this I suggested that tables with reservations only be held for 10-15 minutes, if the party is a no show then give the table out on a first come first serve basis. We ate in some resturants with several no shows while patrons were told to come back in 1 or 2 hours. All the time the tables sat empty. What a shame....

Later all....

We just got off the 11 night sailing of the Wind and only booked one dinner at Le Bistro in advance. The other time we ate at Le Bistro, we booked it about 90 minutes ahead of time. The other days we stood in line at the various restaurants and it was never more than 10 minutes wait, except on Thaksgiving Day I think we waited about 25 minutes. Maybe some of the other ships are worse but the system seemed to work okay for us.

From what I understand....now correct me if I am wrong but, suite passengers do not get preference over the rest of the passengers in getting a reservation. Suite passengers have to get in line with the rest of the ship. Their only perks is to get the concierge to book the resssies for them which is not all that big a deal....and they can't over-ride other peoples reservations. Another words if I am a suite passenger and I failed to book Cagney's for the 3rd night and it's already all booked up....then too bad for me. Suite passengers have to get their reservations all booked on the first day the same as everyone else....no preferences there.

If you can't afford a suite to have the perk of a concierge then you have to go make the ressies yourself. I dont' see that as being unfair. Concierge service is available in many fine hotels and resorts and it is a perk you pay for so you don't have to be bothered with the details of reservations and getting tickets for things. And, it in no way gets you reservations before someone else can get them.

Then y call it freestyle, when you have to make a reservation and show up at a specific time every day. Thats called making reservations to have dinner.

On our last cruise on the Jewel, a couple from our roll-call wanted to eat in one of the specialty restaurants -- I think it was Teppanyaki. They called about Wednesday to make the reservations and were told it was totally booked up for the week.

They were friends with one of the other roll-call members, who did happen to have a suite, and they mentioned it to him. He was able to get them reservations with no problem through the concierge. Obviously, the concierge was able to pull strings that a normal passenger wasn't.

On our last cruise on the Jewel, a couple from our roll-call wanted to eat in one of the specialty restaurants -- I think it was Teppanyaki. They called about Wednesday to make the reservations and were told it was totally booked up for the week.

 

They were friends with one of the other roll-call members, who did happen to have a suite, and they mentioned it to him. He was able to get them reservations with no problem through the concierge. Obviously, the concierge was able to pull strings that a normal passenger wasn't.

I don't think that is standard or normal proceedure. Not saying it never happens but I don't think it's the rule. First of all....if a restaurant is all booked up then how can they make room for anyone else? They don't bump people out of their reservation. The only way this could happen is if they hold back a few tables every night for VIP's or suite passengers which seems more likely.

All I know it is not freestyle to have to book everything the first day. They should go back to 24 hour rule reservation or limit how many you can make. I dont care really about suite people get a little priority over me, they did pay a whole lot. I just want to be able to have a little flexablity and not be roped into make all my reservations on the first day just to be able to eat in a speciality resturant. Lets make NCL really Freestlye!!

I liked it better when you could only make a reservation 24 hours ahead. That allowed everyone equal opportunity to book. I know that if you are cruising on a ship that does alternating itineraries' date=' many speciality venues have already been booked by people who are doing B2B (like my upcoming cruise) when they boarded the first cruise. That happened to us last year when we sailed the Jewel. We couldn't get some days and times because we were told they had already been booked by the folks who were on the first of their 2 cruises the week before.[/quote']

 

My wife and I did BacktoBack on the Sun in Feb (East & West itineraries). We were suite passengers for both legs (same suite) and they would not let me book any reservations for the second week until embarkation had started for the second cruise.

 

Maybe on the Jewel you can, but not the Sun. Besides all BacktoBack passengers were escorted as a single group, off the ship in Miami, through customs and then back on the ship again. There were nine of us in total (in four suites) which would not have had much of an impact on reservations, had we in fact been able to make them. I never used the Concierge for any of our reservations so maybe that may have made a difference.

I don't know how the whole concierge thing is supposed to work, but my guess is that they're holding back spaces that are only available through the concierge. This wasn't the only occurance on our sailing.

Like I said, we overheard several complaints from diners around us in the main dining room about their inability to book specialty restaurants. Even later in the week, after everything had been supposedly booked, our friends from the roll-call were still using the concierge to book their reservations. One couple dined in Le Bistro on Thursday night -- making the reservations that morning -- after we'd specifically heard a complaint from someone that they weren't able to get in at all. The above comment from someone who was able to get into Teppanyaki at the request of someone else. It definitely wasn't an isolated example.

Now, I guess it's possible, that the concierge is taking requests and being notified by the restaurant if they have a cancellation, but even so, that is something that the normal passenger isn't necessarily going to be able to. Now, do I know if there were walk-up spaces available? No -- we didn't try. I can't even figure out why this subject irritates me as much as it does when we don't even want to eat in the specialty restaurants very often -- in 4 cruises, we've eaten at one once. For some reason, it just seems totally unfair to the "normal passenger" and totally against NCL's freestyle concept to me.

All I know it is not freestyle to have to book everything the first day. They should go back to 24 hour rule reservation or limit how many you can make. I dont care really about suite people get a little priority over me, they did pay a whole lot. I just want to be able to have a little flexablity and not be roped into make all my reservations on the first day just to be able to eat in a speciality resturant. Lets make NCL really Freestlye!!

I like the 24 hour reservation policy. This would work.

Hey Susan!!!

Ute-fan is referring to me a couple of posts earlier (except the restaurant was Mama Mia's). I called on Monday and was advised it was booked for the rest of the week. I mentioned it to PE who asked if he could increase his reservation by two. His concierge was able to get it done! Then, there were at least 4 tables available while we were there.

And...it's not like I asked for reservations at a particular time...I asked for any time during the night!