Restaurant Booking Rules on Marina & Riviera

[Paulchili]

We are currently on the Marina LIS- CPT (25 days). The ship is only 3/4 full with a large number of first time O cruisers and non N.A. cruisers.

Whether either of these facts is the reason why specialty resturants are "empty" I do not know. The fact is that staff almost begs us to book reservations in the specialties which are unusually sparsly occupied, especially on early seatings.

One could literally eat in one the specialties on virtually all 25 days if desired - a truly unique situation in our experience. On this cruise reservations can be booked far in advance (not only for the same day as it often is the case)

Everything (food, staff, service, etc) is as good as ever.

Edited November 8, 2015 by Paulchili

[dundeene]

We saw a bit more variety and innovation in the Terrace this trip. Some very interesting new offerings. And the lambchops off the grill were great! When you begin the crossing portion and people are more willing to spend the two hours dining in the specialties, they may fill up. We also saw a younger crowd opting for long days on shore and returning tired and grabbing a bite in the Terrace.

We had the same experience with more first timers on our cruise and I think they did not understand how "special" the specialty restaurants are.

[bitob]

Some people just don't want to change for dinner.

[pinotlover]

On our most recent Marina cruise, if one had already booked all four of their speciality reservations, they could not book another for the first night upon boarding, unless they were willing to cancel one of their bookings. The ship wanted to wait until all guests had an opportunity to book their 4 nights before allowing others to book additional nights. I believe that for that first evening, if one was PH and above they would take your name and call you (after 5 pm) if any late openings appeared. No one was able to go directly to the restaurant and get an opening from the concierge there. Everything went through central reservations for the entire trip.

 

As has been pointed out, for additional (above the guaranteed 4) one could go to the 5th floor and get in line to make a reservation for that evening. It was not FCF service. Priority was first for those not having made all 4 reservations, second to those in PH and above by pecking order, and third for everyone else depending upon how many additional nights they had received. Therefore, a cruiser, not PH and above, that had not received additional nights would get priority over other requesters (not PH and above) that had received additional nights. This was regardless on when you stood in line. They typically cut off requests at around 4 pm and would notify people of their successful reservations around 5 pm.

 

The restaurants are set up for X number of guests per wait staff. Therefore, empty tables can often be seen, but that does not mean one can obtain those tables because based on the above ratio, the max number of guests are already in that restaurant.

[Iamthesea]

It may depend on the restaurant but in my limited experience the times were

6:30, 7:00, 7:30 8:00 8:30 & 9 pm

not all will be available for each restaurant or each day

 

Can I assume that the 7:30 and 8:00 O"CLOCK times are the most requested times?

 

We will be on an 10 night Caribbean cruise on the Riviera in February. Does it matter which nights we should book the specialty restaurants and which night we should remain in the main dining room?

Edited November 9, 2015 by Iamthesea

[StanandJim]

Can I assume that the 7:30 and 8:00 O"CLOCK times are the most requested times?

 

We will be on an 10 night Caribbean cruise on the Riviera in February. Does it matter which nights we should book the specialty restaurants and which night we should remain in the main dining room?

 

You may not assume that.

Dining popularity fluctuates greatly due to such unpredictable variants as the age of the passengers, how many children are aboard, how many repeat passengers are aboard, and even something as esoteric as how pleasant late afternoons on the pool deck "feel".

The largest difference between the Specialty Restaurants and the GDR (aside from the size of the room) is that the menus in the Specialties are static, while the the selections in the Dining Room change nightly.

Unfortunately, dining room menus are not released until after luncheon each day, which is a bit late to ask for a Specialty reservation. That said, the food is uniformly wonderful, with none of the "Captains Dinner" nonsense favored by the mass market lines.

Make your restaurant reservations based on other issues, and hope for the best. ;)

Edited November 9, 2015 by StanandJim

[pinotlover]

Stan and Jim are correct. Don't underestimate the number of senior passengers that eat as early as possible and disappear to bed, or at least their cabin, never to be seen that evening again. Since most meals are around 2-2:30 hours, many will push for an early meal so to make the evening show on time.

 

My biggest tip, never show up at the Terrace, or the GDR, within 30 minutes of opening unless you like lines and being ran over by walkers. Have a drink, and have some patience, and come in after 7:15 or so! The wait is worth it!:D

[Mura]

While I pretty much agree with Pinotlover, because we prefer to dine somewhat later -- usually 7:30 to 8:00 -- we also like to share with others.

 

I'm talking specifically about the GDR, not the specialty restaurants in this connection.

 

More often than we have liked we have ended up dining at a table for 2 whereas, as I said, we like to share. If you want to share with other passengers, just bear in mind that it can depend on how many are showing up when you do. The staff will book tables so that people arrive pretty much at the same time.

 

That said, we don't mind dining alone ... except that's what we do at home every night, so on a cruise we like to meet others. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't.

 

Another option is to make friends in advance and arrange to dine together...

 

Others who post here are concerned that they will NOT be able to get a table for two ... that definitely has not been our experience!

 

Mura

[Iamthesea]

Stan and Jim are correct. Don't underestimate the number of senior passengers that eat as early as possible and disappear to bed, or at least their cabin, never to be seen that evening again. Since most meals are around 2-2:30 hours, many will push for an early meal so to make the evening show on time.

 

My biggest tip, never show up at the Terrace, or the GDR, within 30 minutes of opening unless you like lines and being ran over by walkers. Have a drink, and have some patience, and come in after 7:15 or so! The wait is worth it!:D

 

We prefer to eat between 7:30 and 8:30. We were use to the traditional dining on Celebrity up until recently and the late dining was 8:30-8:45. As we have aged, and started booking suites, we have experience eating in separate dining rooms away from the MDR. Because of that, we could show up at any time. On our most recent cruise, we had standard reservations at 8:00 in Luminae. That time suited us well. ;) We would hope to do the same on the Riviera.

 

While I pretty much agree with Pinotlover, because we prefer to dine somewhat later -- usually 7:30 to 8:00 -- we also like to share with others.

 

I'm talking specifically about the GDR, not the specialty restaurants in this connection.

 

More often than we have liked we have ended up dining at a table for 2 whereas, as I said, we like to share. If you want to share with other passengers, just bear in mind that it can depend on how many are showing up when you do. The staff will book tables so that people arrive pretty much at the same time.

 

That said, we don't mind dining alone ... except that's what we do at home every night, so on a cruise we like to meet others. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't.

 

Another option is to make friends in advance and arrange to dine together...

 

Others who post here are concerned that they will NOT be able to get a table for two ... that definitely has not been our experience!

 

Mura

 

Never occurred to us what type of dining the Riviera had or that we may end up eating with others at our table. Do we show up in the GDR or make a reservation? Can a table for two be requested ahead of time? It would not be the end of the world if we did have to share, but we find we enjoy our food more when not trying to carry on small talk with those we have just met. Better for the digestion, as well. :D

 

What time are the shows typically shown? Is it one a night or at two different times...like on Celebrity? Since we do enjoy an occasional show, this would play a big part in when we dine.

[LHT28]

 

Never occurred to us what type of dining the Riviera had or that we may end up eating with others at our table. Do we show up in the GDR or make a reservation? Can a table for two be requested ahead of time? It would not be the end of the world if we did have to share, but we find we enjoy our food more when not trying to carry on small talk with those we have just met. Better for the digestion, as well. :D

 

What time are the shows typically shown? Is it one a night or at two different times...like on Celebrity? Since we do enjoy an occasional show, this would play a big part in when we dine.

 

There are no reservations for the GDR just show up when you want to eat

you ask for a table for 2

There are no special dining areas for different cabin categories you have to eat in the same dining areas as the rest of passengers

 

The shows are usually 9:30 or 9:45 pm check the daily schedule for exact times ..can be subject to change

[harryw]

On one Riviera cruise, we took a chance and went to a specialty restaurant without a reservation, and though it was technically fully booked, there was a no show so we were seated. So that may be worth trying.

 

Harry

[Mura]

Iamthesea,

 

As has been said, don't worry if you don't want to share. The default is NOT to share (in the GDR at least). For people who like us who want to share, we say so to the maitre d' as we are checking in.

 

It's really the same in the specialties as well. You should not have a problem.

 

We just find sharing a good way to meet our fellow passengers, but you are never forced to do so. (At least, I have NEVER heard of a couple having to join others when they did not want to do so!)

 

Mura

[StanandJim]

Any suite on Oceania will provide an earlier pre-cruise reservation window, which would increase the likelihood of being able to get a "prime time" table, and booking above Penthouse level provides early reservations AND a significantly greater number of guaranteed visits to the Specialties.

[ohmark]

Any suite on Oceania will provide an earlier pre-cruise reservation window, which would increase the likelihood of being able to get a "prime time" table, and booking above Penthouse level provides early reservations AND a significantly greater number of guaranteed visits to the Specialties.

 

In certain situations, PH also provides a significantly greater number of guaranteed reservations for the specialties. (Over 17 days, doubles the reservations.)

[fb0075]

So on the Riviera --is it 1 resv for each restaurant or 4 reservations that could be used in 1-2 restaurants?

thanks FRANK

[Cruseforme]

So on the Riviera --is it 1 resv for each restaurant or 4 reservations that could be used in 1-2 restaurants?

thanks FRANK

 

In your example of 4, it would be 1 reservation for each restaurant. Again, with addl possible onboard ship during your cruise. Prior to your cruise, you will be able to book the specialty restaurants (or your TA will, with your input). Your reservation information online or provided by your TA, will tell you the earliest time you can reserve for your cabin designation (suites, PH, Concierge..etc).

[rallydave]

So on the Riviera --is it 1 resv for each restaurant or 4 reservations that could be used in 1-2 restaurants?

thanks FRANK

 

It's per restaurant so 1 for each restaurant.

[Iamthesea]

Thank you to all that answered questions for me. Looking forward to trying the Oceania brand. We enjoy meeting new people, but prefer to do so without a full mouth. :D;)

[ohmark]

Can you book specialty restaurant reservations for yourself when your cabin class first opens reservations, and include another guest whose cabin class reservations opens at a later date?

[PhD-iva]

4 hours ago, ohmark said:

Can you book specialty restaurant reservations for yourself when your cabin class first opens reservations, and include another guest whose cabin class reservations opens at a later date?

Yes. You will need their booking number. Should be no problem.

[Pizzasteve]

23 minutes ago, PhD-iva said:

Yes. You will need their booking number. Should be no problem.

Thats interesting.  On a recent RSS cruise, my parents in a Butler level Suite were not allowed to book a table for 4 until our veranda level suite was eligible.  I would think the policies would be similar across lines with same ownership/similar luxury levels.

Edited January 27, 2022 by Pizzasteve

[LHT28]

4 minutes ago, Pizzasteve said:

Thats interesting.  On a recent RSS cruise, my parents in a Butler level Suite were not allowed to book a table for 4 until our veranda level suite was eligible.  I would think the policies would be similar across lines with same ownership/similar luxury levels.

They usually are  but some have managed to get reservations for people in the lower cat  but does not always happen

 

[mauibabes]

Specialty dining reservation bookings and the number of them are tied to your booking level. Currently with ships sailing with significantly fewer passengers, you can get numerous opportunities to dine in your favorites. In R class ships you get to book two reservations before sailing and on the O ships, you get four reservations and once on board you can get additional reservations based on availability. If you have favorites, there is a good chance you will be able to dine there more often.  
Booking on line normally opens 75 or 60 days before sailing, and you can select the date and time of your reservation. You can book on line, the Oceania Rep can book and your TA can get them booked for you.  If you happen to be in a PH or higher Suite, your Butler can take over and book whatever you want whenever you want based on availability. On one recent 10 day cruise segment on Riviera we had reservations 9 nights out of 10 due to the availability. We have another Marina cruise coming up in March and we expect the reservation availability will be the same, dine where and when you please. 🤪. If you are sailing into the Summer season bookings should build up so the availability will diminish. 
 

Also for new O cruisers, if you are in a PH, remember your Room Service dinners are from the Specialty Restaurants. 
Wherever you eat, the dining is excellent so test every dining venue and ENJOY! Oh, and definitely drink your coffee from Baristas. 
 

Ciao,

Mauibabes

[mauibabes]

When we have been in a PH, we have no trouble getting reservations 75 days in advance and including our friends. On an upcoming cruise, two of us have PH’s and were able to include our other friends in our reservations. 
Ciao, Mauibabes

[pinotlover]

Last paragraph of post #48 above is incorrect . If your are in a PH or above, one can indeed work with their butler and do en suite dining from one of the Specialty restaurants.
 

This option is ONLY available during the normal kitchen hours of those restaurants. 

 

I’ll type this again because in the past I’ve meet numerous passengers confused about this. So here goes: This option is only available during the normal kitchen hours  of those restaurants. 
 

One can NOT order enSuite from a Specialty at 5:30 because they like to eat early? The same goes for ordering from the GDR. When ordering room service when those restaurants are closed, one must order from the room service menu. Really simple concept actually, but surprisingly some don’t grasp that before boarding.

Edited January 27, 2022 by pinotlover