Solo Dining on HAL

[RickB56]

Greetings, I'm a NCL veteran and enjoy the informality and lack of schedule (I'm on vacation after all) that NCL offers. I also enjoy dining on my own. What are my options on HAL? I understand that non scheduled dining is offered but would I be able to eat alone if I wished?

 

Also, what are the hours of the dining room and buffet? Is it true that the sidewalks roll up very early on Holland American?

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Open Seating dining on the lower level of the dining room is open from 5:15 - 9 PM. There are tables for 2 -- so you may be lucky to get one of those tables for yourself.

The Lido is also open for dinner -- buffet style -- from 5:30 - 8. There are tables for 2 where you can sit by yourself.

[travelnap]

Greetings, I'm a NCL veteran and enjoy the informality and lack of schedule (I'm on vacation after all) that NCL offers. I also enjoy dining on my own. What are my options on HAL? I understand that non scheduled dining is offered but would I be able to eat alone if I wished?

 

Also, what are the hours of the dining room and buffet? Is it true that the sidewalks roll up very early on Holland American?

RickB56, I have sailed quite a few solo's on NCL and have also sailed HAL solo. Most of the time that I went to MDR on HAL I was seated with other guests, as that is what I asked for. You can ask for a solo table and if one is available they will seat you in the MDR. What I found as a nice option is that most nights the LIDO was serving the same fare as the MDR so you could just opt out for that and although the ambience is different the food was very good. As far as the rolling up the sidewalks, if you are looking for a party all night ship, then HAL is probably not the best choice as they are more of the classic cruise line than NCL is. The casino is open late but the clubs and bars are not real active late like some other lines. I enjoyed NCL and I also enjoy HAL. I booked a TA on HAL that leaves in November and I am looking forward to it. If you go with a good attitude I think you will enjoy your trip, no matter which cruise line you take. I have sailed on most of the mass market lines and have not had a bad trip on any of them, after all I am on vacation, so what more could I ask for. Happy sailing.

[rkacruiser]

There is also the option of dining at Canaletto, the Italian venue that is part of the Lido Restaurant. If you wish to try the Pinnacle Grill, which is an extra cost, but worth it, that would be another option. In either of those restaurants, you would be able to have a table for one.

[RickB56]

Thanks! I may give Holland American a shot!

[GeriatricNurse]

The Open Seating dining on the lower level of the dining room is open from 5:15 - 9 PM. There are tables for 2 -- so you may be lucky to get one of those tables for yourself.

 

The Lido is also open for dinner -- buffet style -- from 5:30 - 8. There are tables for 2 where you can sit by yourself.

KK, you forgot to name both the Canaletto and the Pinnacle Grill, as well! :D:)

[luvcruisn']

The tables for two are usually available through open seating if you eat later in the evening in the MDR. I ate alone one evening in the Canaletto, and had a lovely meal, and had no problem getting a table. You can reserve ahead of time for the Canaletto also.

[GeriatricNurse]

The tables for two are usually available through open seating if you eat later in the evening in the MDR. I ate alone one evening in the Canaletto' date=' and had a lovely meal, and had no problem getting a table[/size']. You can reserve ahead of time for the Canaletto also.

 

Have you ever been asked, (as I have), if you would "prefer" to dine with other people in the Canaletto, (presumeably so that the tables for two could be filled with "couples" rather than by "solos"?

[luvcruisn']

Have you ever been asked, (as I have), if you would "prefer" to dine with other people in the Canaletto, (presumeably so that the tables for two could be filled with "couples" rather than by "solos"?

 

There were some empty tables as it was after 9:00pm when I dined there, so I wasn't asked to join others. However, being on my own, I wasn't given a window table, as they were set for several people, rather than just one or two.

[marco]

We've been on many HAL cruises and always dine 2nd sitting. On all of the ships we've been on there are a good number of tables for two. I'd say at least a third were always unoccupied, so I don't think you'd have any problem getting one solo.