Magic YTD did not work last week

[vettecruiser1]

I notice that ytd poster went for supper basically at the same time every night - around 6PM - within 25 minute range. Why on earth would you just not sign up for the early seating - your table is always ready and you do not have to wait in line. I thought ytd was for those who one night would go at 6 next night at 7:30 next night at 6:30 next night at 8. I have seen on other threads where they always go at a certain time every night. I know it is not possible but it is too bad that they couldn't have 3 sittings instead of 2 and shorten dining time to 1 1/2 hours instead of 2 - do 5:30 - 7:00 - 8:30. Just my opinion. I love ytd and never had issues and only every waited once and got a pager.

 

 

Could not choose early sitting as it was full.

 

That is a good suggestion on how Carnival could fix the problem with 3 dinning times. RCCL has 4. 5:45, 6:15, 8:00 and 8:30. At least that is what is was on Oasis.

[TampaCouplePDB]

How interesting. We were on Legend the same week with YTD, and never waited in line longer than 10 minutes when we went to dinner at 6 pm.

 

When we opted to go to dinner around 6:15, we had no wait.

[vettecruiser1]

I think the main point here was the excuses that where given. I have heard of given an excuse and trying to fix it. I have never heard of given and excuse then when I rebut it they give another and another. They have other ways to handle this and they did not even try. That is what leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I will surely be put on wait list if I can not get early sitting next time on Magic. Any other ship I'm staying with YTD as those extra 30 minutes gives us with a little one that needed time so we are not rushing to have everyone ready or so no one is waiting on us to eat at assigned time dinning.

 

This post is simply our observation for this Ship on this week, but I do recall from previous reviews this has been an issue for this Ship.

[vettecruiser1]

How interesting. We were on Legend the same week with YTD, and never waited in line longer than 10 minutes when we went to dinner at 6 pm.

 

When we opted to go to dinner around 6:15, we had no wait.

 

 

Exactly that was my prior experience on 4 other ships using YTD.

[CENTEX CRUISER]

We were there with you , and had your time dining, and it was horrible. I hope they fix it by 3-16-2014 when we are back on it.

We were on the Magic for the 1st. sailing out of Galveston 11-14-11. We had early dining and the service was the slowest we have had on any ship. I kinda blew it off that it was a new ship and they were still getting the kinks out. Hopefully they will get the problem corrected.

 

Doug

[cruise_girl2002]

we had YTD on the magic and never had to wait. we always ate around 6pm. sometimes even at 545 when it first opened. never had any problem with ytd. not all royal ships have the 4 seatings. freedom of the seas had 6:15 pm and 8:30 and dinner always took the 2 hours (i dont mind the 2 hour time for dinning). if you did ytd on RCL you had to prepay all gratuities and couldnt take them off. that would suck if (like us) you had crappy service on board

[DebJ14]

You are not alone - there are complaints on the Princess board of problems with anytime dining on a Thanksgiving sailing.

Perhaps the problem on the Magic is that they moved Elvis to another ship. Things seemed very organized when he was Maitre'd in August. The ship was full with lots of kids as it was before school started. There were no lines and minimal waiting according to people we met onboard.

We always book traditional late seating. We order some room service in the late afternoon or go to the Red Frog Pub for some coconut shrimp, get a shower, have a nap, maybe see the show if it is before dinner and then eat. If I can't get confirmed late seating we will choose another sailing. We found the night is too long and too much $$$ spent in the casino and the music venues are usually way too loud. If we had early seating we would end up back in the cabin watching TV.

[Brenna's Mom1]

With food being available by room service, the grill, several Lido stops, and several bars we all "eat" as a group when we get back on the ship....nothing heavy just appetizers, maybe some pasta, etc. Then when our late dining rolls around we are hungry again and we've had time to shower and change and "relax" after a sun-filled day. The kids like it too...invariably we have to wake them from their "nap" (I'm talking about tweens and teens). They enjoy eating late and then hitting their "night clubs". They are even taking dancing lessons for this next cruise (and they are guys). Even if we ended up with YTD we would choose to eat late.

[okgirl]

We've never had a problem with YTD....we usually arrive around 7:15 and only a couple of times have been in line behind 10 or so people and twice have been given a pager...we've done YTD on the Magic, Triumph, Conquest and Ecstasy....

 

Dinner has always taken about 1.5 hours, even with traditional dining, so I don't think that is impacting the experience. I'm actually impressed with how quickly the tables are cleared and reset....even the MD gets in on the action.

 

I wouldn't change back to traditional dining.

[Stilles]

This is why I always book the late seating and get to the MDR 15 minutes before dinner, Theres a bar right across from the MDR on most ships so I get there a bit early get a cocktail and small talk with the other people who are first in line for dinner. Never had a problem with service and getting meals in a timely manner

[okwriter]

I will be choosing Early Seating next time I cruise Magic.

 

If you're going to eat that close to 6 every evening, then that would be the logical thing to do.

I've never had to wait for a table on any Carnival ship with YTD. I'd also never ever go back to assigned seating. Different experiences, I guess. :)

[Mulege]

Deleted

[laughatyourself]

Not a big fan of Carnival Cruises, but I have to say that we were on a cruise in September with my 18 month old Granddaughter. The "dine when you want" worked wonderfully for us.

In fact, most night we had the same table and wait staff. It was as if they reserved the table for us. Perhaps it was not good for you because of the time of year you went.

[peachcrek]

Norwegian has anytime they were one of the firsts that started it did not like it then do not like it now we waited in line for 25 min every nite for dinner hated it, We always book a set dinner time this way I know we have our time and our table ready need to do away with ATD as it causes mass chaos and tempers seem to fly!! and dinner turns out to be no fun with all the unhappy pax.

[IntelGuy]

Tried it on the Spirit in June 2011 and on the Breeze in June 2012. Only waited one night for 5 minutes. Other times I walked right in. We usually ate before the late Dinner people. When we arrived late from shore excursions, people with assigned dining were turned away when they came back late from their trip, but we were seated.

[JaniceB]

I don't like the fact that they made excuses and it doesn't sound like they tried to fix the problem the entire cruise. I hope this doesn't ever happen to me. I have tried YTD twice and only received a pager once. Meals took the same amount of time except on the Pride for the 2 day it was very slow. We are booked YTD on the Breeze. I just don't like to feel rushed and never want to be turned away because I am late. If I can't make it during the YTD hours something is wrong.

[Bigtex1622]

Was thinking of MTD, but after this, I am glad I didn't.

Do not think Mom would like standing in line for 5 minutes, let alone 20.

 

 

 

:rolleyes:

[Holders3]

We did YTD dining on the Magic in Oct. we always went just before 6 and walked right in. However, we found we preferred the buffet over the MDR. We just found it more flexible for how,we like things to go. Not a fan of the singing waiter nonsense, which interrupts getting the job of serving done. There was of course a line when we finished up.

 

We would probably choose YTD again but I bet we find ourselves at the buffet again. Love choosing my own seat at the window too.