TM38Rob

Change is good.Let it happen and experience it first hand and then pass judgement.I really think this will be better.Time will tell.Same ole same ole gets stale after a while.Jmo

Depends on the change.

The change in muster drill without wearing life jackets to the drill is a good change, as the life jackets collected alot of peoples sweat.

Getting change back for a $20 when you paid with a $50 is bad change.

Not all change is good.

Are DD venues going to have 8,10,12 seater tables so that couples who are booking "Chic" for examples night 1 will sit with other couples? And then meet other cruisers the next night in another venue. I thought this was the case so I may be totally wrong... I'm travelling solo on Q in Dec so really interested in this topic.

From the Dynamic Dining Quantum Q & A:

Q: What is the difference between traditional dining and Dynamic Dining on Quantum-class Ships?

A: ... There are no set dining times, no strict dress codes, no assigned seats.

Q: What if I want to dine with other guests under a different booking ID number?

A: We will continue to accommodate multiple guest reservations. Guest will be able to do this through a new planning and reservations tool available on May 15th, 2014.

Based on these answers and other factors, it looks like passengers will have their own table for all the people in their party (up to 16). Maybe you can request to be seated with another party, but they will all probably already know each other as opposed to 3 separate couples and a solo or two at a table for 8 that you may currently experience in the traditional MDR.

RCCL has overlooked the fact that people who sail solo without other guests in another stateroom may actually enjoy dining with other guests they just met at their assigned table at dinner instead of dining alone.

The interior studio staterooms are designed to be part of a larger cluster of rooms to be converted to a multi-room suite and the interior studio becomes a bedroom for a single person part of a larger party. For example, a single adult in college in the interior studio with their parents in one of the adjacent balcony rooms and one set of grandparents in the other connecting balcony room.

Here's the restaurants and their menus on Quantum.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/quantumoftheseas/dining/

I think one of the reasons this topic has become so volatile is the face that there are no real answers or conflicting answers to questions and people are basing their opinions on rumors. It does not help that some posters are saying that they will leave RCI if they implement Dynamic Dining, they know they will hate it without giving it a try or even getting all the facts. I have an open mind and will give it a try. I do have questions because I am frequently a solo cruiser and like to dine with a large group. I may like it and I may hate, but I will judge for myself. It is very hard to form an opinion on a form of dining that has not even rolled out yet and RCI is not much help clarifying the issue.

From the link above provided by OfTheSeasCruiser earlier in the thread, there's another link from Royal Caribbean that provides some answers: http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Quantum/14037847_QN_Class_Culinary_FAQs.pdf.

Plenty of "facts" from Royal Caribbean for someone to make an informed decision as to whether or not this will or will not work for them. From the link in this post in another thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=43880792&postcount=19, even more information from Royal Caribbean to help explain the Dynamic Dining concept.

Many land based restaurants have their menus online and/or outside the restaurant. People will read the menu and decide if they will spend their money there or not depending on their tastes. They don't have to go inside and try it to know if they will like it or not. Same applies here, too.

Some people like change for the sake of change, and don't care about collateral damage (how this will affect other people).

As a solo/single cruiser, I didn't have to wait for DD to know I don't like dining alone on the ship. I've already had this experience this year, twice! The first time was on a one night Norwegian cruise. I was sat at a table for two. When the Maitre'd came over and pointed to the empty chair, I thought he was going to ask if someone could join me. No, he asked to take the chair away to another table. The other time was on my last cruise while docked overnight. The people I was dining with at an assigned table were still in port during dinner. The waitstaff was busy and didn't get a chance to talk with me until after the meal. Up until then, I was thinking I should have eaten dinner at a restaurant in port instead. With DD, I won't be able to get beyond the introductory "Where are you from?" type of conversation with the waitstaff if they change nightly.

I voted No for Dynamic Dining for the following reasons:

-Dining Alone (for solos with no assigned tablemates)

-Different Waitstaff (The MDR waitstaff are not happy with the DD concept)

-Need to make nightly reservations and/or have to wait in line, then wait

for a table. No more walking right in to your table on your SeaPass card.

-Limited menus at the 4 "complimentary" restaurants.

-Jackets required at The Grand, now only 3 "complimentary" restaurants

for me.

Dynamic Dining goes beyond Norwegian by totally eliminating the MDR with a rotating menu. DD is designed to remove all passengers from the comfort of the MDR and force them to eat at a different restaurant each night and hoping more will eat at the extra charge restaurants.

The Explorer looked in better shape this past May than she did 2 years ago. There was a broken glass step with caution tape in the Chamber nightclub March/April 2012 that was replaced or repaired by my last trip.

Other than that, didn't notice any other issues.

Now if it was a chocolate/peanut butter combination I will be wanting to try:)

 

Pat

That sounds so much better than a S'mores milkshake.

The major problem with Dynamic Dining is the elimination of the MDR. It seems like most of the people looking forward to DD currently do My Time Dining. Royal should have included a Traditional MDR option for those who enjoy it and offer the complimentary new restaurants to those with MTD.

I like having a standing reservation for the same time every night at the same table in the same MDR with the same waitstaff and tablemates. Not looking forward to Dynamic Dining in regard to the elimination of tablemates for solos and fewer menu choices. The Grand menu looks good, however, I don't bring a jacket and tie with me. The American Icon menu is the only one I'll be able to eat of the 4.

If DD goes fleetwide and no more MDR, then short 3 or 4 night cruises only and save the longer ones for another cruiseline or consider land based only vacations in the future. Perhaps I should use my Diamond C&A reciprocal MLife benefit and go to Las Vegas for my next "cruise".:rolleyes:

Currently the soda cups with the soda package contain a RFID chip for the Coke Freestyle machines. It would be great if you could use your SeaPass card or crappy wristband to active the Coke Freestyle and use a clean glass at Windjammer or Sorrentos instead of reusing the same dirty cup with the chip.

I wear a watch on one wrist only. Don't want wristbands on BOTH wrists. They should have designed the wristband to also be a wristwatch, a display with a clock that shows the SHIP's Time. Especially for ships with time zone changes (regardless if the ship time changes with the local time zone in port). If All Aboard is 6:30PM for a ship from Florida docked in Cozumel where the local time is 5:00PM (6:00PM EST) and the watch says 6:00PM, then you know you better get back to the ship ASAP. If the ship time was 5:00PM for this example, the time on the watch would have automatically changed at the time listed in the Cruise Compass.

This is where the long range RFID could come into play. For those running late back to the ship, the crew and port officials could use the RFID scanners to see if anyone is in the port area (still trying to get through security, etc.) and get you back on the ship instead of watching the ship sail away while running aside it along the pier.

Me personally, I keep the SeaPass Card following the cruise with all the other ones, if only to have a "hard copy" as proof in the future in case there's a problem with my Crown & Anchor Cruise History and Cruise Points.:eek:

Since the 3rd night of my first Royal Caribbean cruise, I have eaten dinner every night in the MDR Traditional 1st seating. The first night was a stormy sailaway. Ate diner at Johnny Rockets as I was drenched and didn't have time to get ready for dinner. The second night was formal night and didn't have any formal wear. My Stateroom Attendant told me that I could still dine in the MDR without formal wear, just wear a nice shirt and pants. Wish I had gone to dinner that night, but I had had a late lunch and ate dinner ashore in Nassau instead as we were in port until midnight. The 3rd night I finally ran out of excuses and went to the MDR. I met some great people and enjoyed some good food. I wished I had met them on the first night.

I enjoy meeting new people and getting to know them over the course of the cruise, from fellow passengers to the waitstaff. Gives me something to look forward to each night.

While the menus have changed recently, I do enjoy knowing I can get beef sliders and steak fries if nothing else looks good to me on the new menus on any night. From the old menu, I miss the cream of pumpkin soup.

This poll is to see how many people eat dinner from the Main Dining Room Menu, and when they dine. Please pick the choice that usually applies to you on Royal Caribbean ships with a MDR. In addition to the main 3 choices (1st seating, 2nd seating, & My Time Dining), I've added one for guest who may dine in the CL and/or have a suite and eat meals from the MDR menu delivered to the suite. There's another choice for those who don't eat in the MDR, and don't pay attention or remember which seating they were assigned.

If you eat at the windjammer or any restaurant outside the MDR for 1 or 2 nights, please choose the seating you like to be assigned from the 3 main choices.

Also, for those who don't dine in the MDR (or only 1 or 2 meals for a certain items like lobster tails or whatever reason), please choose No MDR and the seating you are usually assigned.

With Dynamic Dining on the horizon, just curious to see what most passengers currently do for dinner (and/or have done in the past). Please feel free to post comments about eating all dinners in MDR, most dinners in MDR, take it back to room, avoid MDR whenever possible, etc. If you are looking forward to Dynamic Dining or not, please post those comments in the other thread. Thanks.

i think Celebrity may have visited Grand Turk on occasion in the past.

Off topic -- I was just looking at your signature, and saw the Scotia Prince. That was our "seasickness test cruise" the year before we took our first real cruise. I remember thinking how big the Scotia Prince was...:rolleyes:

Glad you mentioned the Scotia Prince. As big as that ship felt, I always thought it needed a pool up on the sun deck. My first time on the ship, we ate at Cadillac Jack's and then took a Dramamine before boarding. The car came with us on the ship and spent the week around Nova Scotia with my family.

Years later when I graduated high school, I wanted to sail Royal Caribbean (still have the 1995-1996 brochure), but could only afford the Scotia Prince. This time it was just my Dad and I. We stayed on the ship for the full round trip.

It will be interesting for me to see what, if anything, happens to the Oasis in drydock. I am cruising November 15th, and I already have a combination of MTD and specialty reservations -- carefully scheduled around my entertainment reservations.

 

Hopefully if they decide to test this on the Oasis, they will find a way to accommodate people who already have dining reservations without making them redo everything. Maybe it will be like CATS, where they just slid Hairspray reservations over to the new show. Oh, wait...:p;):p

 

I'm not adverse to trying something new. In addition to MTD, we already paid to go to Chef's Table, 150 Central Park, GT, and Chops on this cruise. It is a little frustrating, however, to work on a schedule and get everything to fit, then have the cruise line make changes to available shows or dining.

I'm booked on the first one out of Port Everglades when Oasis arrives back in the US after drydock. Just doubled check my reservation online a few minutes ago: "Dinner Seating: Traditional Dining 06:00 PM , No Waitlists".

Sure hope they don't test it on Oasis, unless it includes the American Icon restaurant and table assignments remain (no reservations). At least it's only a 5 night for me if they try to pull a fast one with DD.

Definitely a sign. You need a new play list.:D

 

jc

But maybe now I will actually consider booking Carnival :eek: (Just to sail to Grand Turk, to start).

 

Edit: Carnival by Natalie Merchant just began to randomly play from my iTunes. Maybe its a sign, Maybe ;).

You're right jc, I need a new play list. :cool:

That song would not be found in any of my playlists, just playing songs randomly from my library of over 4,000 songs. Now Carnival World by Jimmy Buffet is playing randomly.

But if the rumors are true about Oasis (and Freedom), then Carnival here I come (for better or worse).:(

If you are in favor of Dynamic Dining, great. Please explain how it works for you. If you are not in favor of Dynamic Dining, you are welcome to explain how it doesn't work for you. But there's no need for those who are in favor to bash those who are opposed (and vise versa for future posts).

I don't need to get arrested to know I'm not going to like jail. I also don't need to experience Dynamic Dining to know I'm not going to like it.

In addition to my post about sailing solo, DD wouldn't work for me if I did have someone sailing with me. With four "complimentary" restaurants, its gets narrowed down to three for me as I don't bring a jacket with me and its required for men in the "formal" restaurant. Of the three remaining, only the American Icon restaurant appeals to my tastes. I've seen the menu, and there are 3 choices I'd like to try. This would be great on a short 3 or 4 night cruise, but not on a longer cruise.

The whole reason for Dynamic Dining and eliminating the MDR is to try to force people who normally wouldn't eat at an upcharge specialty restaurant to do so with limited "complimentary" options for dinner. The problem with that, though, is that none of the specialty restaurant menus appeal to me. Norwegian, on the other hand, has specialty restaurants with menus that do appeal to me. I would have eaten at Cagney's Steakhouse or La Cucina, however, I did not have a reservation and wait times were in the red on the restaurant wait list screen.

I'm only saying I'd try to avoid any ship with Dynamic Dining (or at least ones without the MDR option), otherwise, I'll continue to sail on other Royal Caribbean ships (if only to go to CocoCay). I'll also sail Norwegian again, if only to see what Great Stirrup Cay is like (so close to CocoCay, yet so far away). But maybe now I will actually consider booking Carnival :eek: (Just to sail to Grand Turk, to start).

Edit: Carnival by Natalie Merchant just began to randomly play from my iTunes. Maybe its a sign, Maybe ;).

How weird will this be for solo cruisers? I'm not sure I will like it at all.

I agree. The one thing I've enjoyed about cruising is that I'm at least guaranteed to have people the eat with at dinner. It was THE one thing I can't get from a land based vacation.

I sailed a one night cruise from NYC on Norwegian. They actually have a host for their single/solo meet event, whereas Royal Caribbean just puts an inconvenient meeting time in the Cruise Compass. I've never met any singles/solos at the RCI unhosted event. Had I known more about Norwegian, freestyle dining, and that they actually provide a host, I could have been able to eat dinner with a couple ladies I met at the event. They were going to dinner after the event, however, I had eaten a "snack" a couple hours earlier.

By 9pm I was getting hungry, so I went to the Norwegian MDR. The ladies I had met finished dinner when I arrived. I didn't have a reservation, so I had to wait in line while people in a larger party argued with the Maitre'D about a long empty table being held for another larger party with an 8:30pm reservation and wanted their party to sit together as the other party was looking like a no show. I their party got split up to table near one another, but got resolved to their satisfaction. I really don't care or remember, just that it created alot of unnecessary stress for everyone involved, including ME, who just wants to sit at any table NOW.

Once it was my turn, I was quickly seated at a table for two. After I placed my order, a Maitre'D or host came over and pointed to the empty. I thought they were going to ask if I would someone else to join me. No. He wanted to take the chair to another table, but at least he asked before taking the chair. Now I'm alone at a table for one, listening to other peoples conversations around me.

While I didn't enjoy that one dinner experience, I would sail Norwegian again because at least they have a way of meeting other people to find dining companions whereas with Royal's Dynamic Dining and their track record with solos means I would be eating alone each night.

The Menus for the 5 Night Bermuda cruise on Explorer of the Seas (May 3. 2104) was:

Day 1: Mojo

Day 2: Saffron

Day 3: Pimiento

Day 4: Jasmine

Day 5: Pomodoro

http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-kit/9/culinary-press-kit/

Download the ROYAL CARIBBEAN MAIN DINING ROOM MENU from the link above. This PDF will contain 7 menus, including all 5 above.

Was just shopping the 8/18/14 EN cruise, and the itin shows a stop at Grand Bahama. This is a very recent development as I've been shopping the itinerary near daily for a few weeks.

Thanks for the update MJonTravel.

Looks like RCI just added Grand Bahama to the sailing the week before as well for the 8/11/14 EN cruise.

Amazing, a year since this thread was started and Enchantment has two calls to Grand Bahama coming up. Not sure if RCI is just doing this as a test, or if the ship might need some minor repairs as the Dry Dock is nearby.

I've heard that RCI sends ships to call there just prior to Dry Dock (like Explorer) so the engineers can take measurements and other preparations. Enchantment recently had a dry dock to get her "enhancements". I sure hope they're not going to send her back to dry dock early like Freedom to re-enhancement the "enhancements".

The two main differences between Crown & Anchor Gold and Crown & Anchor Platinum are Priority Check-in and a Balcony & Suite Discount. There should also be a "Top Tier Event" for Platinum and higher by invitation only (delivered to stateroom), Robes for use in your stateroom, and a Signature Lapel Pin on your next cruise (1st one officially as Platinum). There are a couple more benefits that I haven't used, but are available.

For more information: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do

Crown & Anchor Society Benefits page.

Cell service is via Digicell in Bermuda. I used my T-Mobile cell phone to call home and reception was good.

The roaming charges for Bermuda are listed as "Jamaica (Digicel)".

I have the Select Value UNL Talk 20.

 

"Unlimited international web and text while roaming in 100+ countries with a flat rate of $0.20 per min for voice" included in this plan.

 

The calls I made earlier in the week while in Bermuda have not yet appeared on my account, but looks like I'll be paying 20 cents per minute.

 

Not sure about the Simple Choice Plan. I just logged into my account and clicked the "Plan" tab to more details.

Just got my bill. So nice only paying 20 cents a minute.:) My bill was only an extra $5 (for 25 minutes) instead of an extra $50 back in October (Bahamas) before they changed the rate plan.

Earlier this month I was on the Explorer for the 5 Night Bermuda. I didn't notice anyone in a Tux, and there were only a few people wearing Jackets/Suits in the MDR. Most men wore collared shirts with or without a tie.

I wore a nice black shirt (no tie) and black pants on formal night.

If your DH is comfortable wearing a Tux, go for it. If he'd prefer to wear a collared shirt with no tie and nice pants, that'll work too.

It's your vacation, dress as you feel comfortable.

I'm new to T-Mobile and would like to know if there is a charge for phone calls to the U S from Bermuda on the Simple Choice Plan.

 

From what I understand there is no charge for texting and data.

I have the Select Value UNL Talk 20.

"Unlimited international web and text while roaming in 100+ countries with a flat rate of $0.20 per min for voice" included in this plan.

The calls I made earlier in the week while in Bermuda have not yet appeared on my account, but looks like I'll be paying 20 cents per minute.

Not sure about the Simple Choice Plan. I just logged into my account and clicked the "Plan" tab to more details.

Aquarium & Zoo Sightseeing Cruise:

Maximize your time on this fun-filled sightseeing cruise and get the best of Bermuda’s history, eco-attractions and nautical

heritage both from the land and sea. Begin with views of Bermuda’s coastline as your experienced Captain provides informative

commentary of the island as you cruise from your ship into the quiet inlet of Flats Village. Arriving at the Bermuda Aquarium,

Museum and Zoo you’ll see the 140,000 gallon North Rock Exhibit, the first living coral exhibit of this scale in the world! Trace

Bermuda’s geological formation at the Natural History Museum. And explore the newly opened Madagascar Exhibit. You will complete your journey with one of the most scenic cruises in Bermuda

across the pristine waterways to your ship’s pier.

 

Duration: 3 hr(s)

Departure Times: 9:30 am

I enjoyed this shore excursion. Walked right off the Explorer over to the boat Excellence. A nice guided tour over to Flats Village. Learned alot about Bermuda. Walked across to BAMZ. Much easier than taking the ferry or bus to Hamiliton and transferring to a bus to BAMZ.

We had about 2 hours when we arrived @ BAMZ. Plenty of time to view the Aquarium and Zoo exhibits. Entrance via the Aquarium, then outside past the Seals to the Zoo. There's an American Alligator, Hispaniola Slider, Parma Wallaby, Galapagos Tortoise, Flamingos, Peacock, and more.

On the way back, there were drinks available for purchase. I think alcoholic drinks were $5 and soda was $2. Most people bought small bottles of Poland Spring water for $1.

Arrived back in Dockyard in time to buy a ferry/bus pass and board the next ferry to Hamilton.

Next day took ferry to St. Georges and watched the ducking stool reenactment. It ended as the ferry left for Dockyard, so I waited for the bus. The bus went by BAMZ and stopped. The bus filled up and a woman who works at BAMZ had to keep getting off the bus at each stop to let other people on and/or off the bus until her stop.

I would definitely do this excursion again, especially if traveling with someone interested in going who's never been.

Yes, the Casinos are now open at night.

Explorer of the Seas Casino Royale

-Mon 5/5 9:00PM - late

-Tue 5/6 5:15PM - late (Departed Bermuda @ 5:00PM)