Question about entry at Colonnade

[Pop-I]

I recall seeing a post a couple of months back about the Maitre'D at the Colonnade taking guest names and suite numbers, and spitting out a number from a machine for the guest to take to the table. Is that happening? Headed out on another cruise soon and wondering if I'll be seeing that.

Thanks in advance for letting me know.

[markham]

That is nonsense. The Colonnade tables don't even have numbers.

 

Must have been on a mass market cruise ship with crowd control issues.

 

Happy sailing!

[galeforce9]

Just back from odyssey. That happens in the main restaurant. Not on spirit though last year.

 

 

 

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[markham]

Galeforce9,

 

I am sorry but I am not so sure. I was on Quest 3 weeks ago and there were no paper slips handed out. And if there were paper slips on Odyssey what did you do with them? You wouldn't take them to locate your table by the slips's number since you are escorted to your table by waiters who know what's where.

 

For a few months now Quest maitres d'hotel have asked about cabin numbers so in turn they can advise waiters about any allergies that passengers report at registration. That's the extent of it- to my knowledge on the 3 larger ships.

 

Any other opinions, please?

 

Happy sailing!

[Bostonactor]

Last Nov. on the Quest, in the main restaurant, they took our room number, which had not happened before. I don't know the purpose. Maybe somebody does. There is certainly no machine dispensing tickets and there was no wait for a table at any time, beyond the few people who might be in front of you. This is ridiculous…it's what happens at the meat department at Whole Foods on the weekend.

[galeforce9]

The way it is ...you give your room number, the ticket is dispensed, you are led to your table. Works well. May be it just tells the waiters your names on the larger ships. Excellent service and tables as ever. No problem!

 

 

 

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[markham]

As I said, the question of matching you with your cabin is to support the management of allergy, preferences and related information. It's smart

on Seabourn's part to administer such important and useful data for the benefit of their customers. Nothing to do with your supermarket.

 

Happy sailing!

[galeforce9]

The slips are internal. Not handed to the passenger

 

 

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[oregon50]

I've seen room numbers asked for in every dining venue. It's their (not so)new computer toy. Other companies do the same. To their credit, I have never been asked.

[lincslady]

As I said, the question of matching you with your cabin is to support the management of allergy, preferences and related information. It's smart

on Seabourn's part to administer such important and useful data for the benefit of their customers. Nothing to do with your supermarket.

 

Happy sailing!

 

This is the case plus if you have made a special order it is also on the slip. I have actually been shown one, and there is nothing sinister about them.

 

I suspect also it helps to stop people sneaking in at the back of the dining room and grabbing a table - we have been sent to a table by a Maitre'd in the past, to find someone else already there. Slight embarrassment, though not on their part! I am sure they are not used in the Colonnade; not sure whether they have the facility on the small ships, but would guess not.

[markham]

Lincslady,

 

About people sneaking in the MDR and seating themselves by by-passing the maitre d', I remember a recent episode on the Quest.

 

I think the foursome were either Mexican or Spanish and they did just that. They entered at the forward end of the MDR, sat near to us and so were within earshot. When the wine waiter appeared they asked for wait staff, both for wine and food, who speak Spanish. So the assistant maitre d' explained that they could be seated across the room where there were Spanish speaking staff, naming them. That did not work and this foursome stayed and grumbled away, unable to make sense of the menus.

 

This wasn't the first day of the cruise. Too bad that they didn't take cues from everyone else. Also, I have wondered whether a sign at that entrance about checking with the maitre d' at his desk would have made any difference. Probably not as some people don't read signage, even in their own language.

 

Happy sailing!

[Pop-I]

Thanks for the mixed and varied responses. After too many cruises on Seabourn to count, I don't ever recall being asked my suite number, and am relieved to know it will not happen now and there will be no tickets.

[LEESRE]

We have sailed on Seabourn quite a few times and every time we enter the MDR we have been asked for our suite number, but not in the Colannade. This does not bother me at all, because as people have said this can flag up any things you have put on your tour personaliser, ie food allergies etc.

 

We have also seen that a slip and given to the waiter that escorts you to your table. This slip has your name and suite number on, it also means that your server will know your name.

I cannot see a problem with this so why should it be a relief not to have this done.

Edited August 19, 2014 by LEESRE

[Bostonactor]

The OP created the image of a machine that spits out numbers, which, to me, is pretty funny, not "Seabourn-like" and not at all what happens. The manager took our room number in the main ding room only and and wrote it down on a large seating chart on the stand in front of him. I do not recall that he handed a slip of paper to the waiter who seated us, but I could be wrong. It was such a non-issue, it barely registered. My sense, at the time, was that he was keeping track of where we sat and the number of people in our party, perhaps as an aid to future planning and the logistics of handling hundreds of people on a busy night.

[Pop-I]

We have sailed on Seabourn quite a few times and every time we enter the MDR we have been asked for our suite number, but not in the Colannade. This does not bother me at all, because as people have said this can flag up any things you have put on your tour personaliser, ie food allergies etc.

 

We have also seen that a slip and given to the waiter that escorts you to your table. This slip has your name and suite number on, it also means that your server will know your name.

I cannot see a problem with this so why should it be a relief not to have this done.

 

Because I like to think of myself as a name, not a suite number.

[Pop-I]

The OP created the image of a machine that spits out numbers, which, to me, is pretty funny, not "Seabourn-like" and not at all what happens. The manager took our room number in the main ding room only and and wrote it down on a large seating chart on the stand in front of him. I do not recall that he handed a slip of paper to the waiter who seated us, but I could be wrong. It was such a non-issue, it barely registered. My sense, at the time, was that he was keeping track of where we sat and the number of people in our party, perhaps as an aid to future planning and the logistics of handling hundreds of people on a busy night.

 

You would not have seen that years ago, just as you do not see a seating chart at fine restaurants.

[whirldcruzrs]

Because I like to think of myself as a name, not a suite number.

 

The days of calling us by our names is the exception rather than the rule. Used to be that I could not pass any staff member in the hall without them greeting me by my name.

[jenidallas]

As someone with food allergies/sensitivities, I'd rather they not gamble in remembering who I am. Something I look forward to on Seabourn is this being handled smoothly and with grace.

 

I like that they know exactly who I am when I sit down but also that they have my suite number written down. Then they can match it with the large whiteboard in the galley where they will also have my suite number and food issues written out - because there is nothing luxurious about anaphylaxis at dinner!!!

Edited August 20, 2014 by jenidallas

[Patti22]

Very true, Jenidallas,

Before we even boarded last year in Copenhagen, as we were headed to the ship from the tent, cruise director Bruce introduced me to the chef and said my name and told me that they were aware of my food allergy. I still checked daily as I, too, did not need to have a severe medical issue. I have never been asked for my suite number on entering the restaurant, but certainly would not object.

[nolatravelgirl]

All large corporations are interested in data about their patrons. In a perfect world all the crew would know all 450 by sight on the first day, but unfortunately that just isn't realistic. The tickets aren't something like what you would see at the deli counter at the market. It is to help with flow of the dining room, allergies and other preferences. I noticed on our last cruise that by the 2nd night they remembered the white wine that I liked and we were seated with the same waiter. Perhaps you always asked for a window table on your last cruise, I woudn't be surprised if that patron data was noted in your perm file and now everytime you are seated it is at a window table. They also note things on your file like birthdays, anniversaries, sections of the dining preference, etc.

 

I don't mind them tracking information about me if it means a better overall experience for me. Your grocery store tracks you by your shoppers card and spits out coupons based on your past purchases of things you may want to try. For instance I have no kids so the magic coupon machine doesn't spit out diapers and wipes coupons, but does give me coupons for cheeses and such since I buy a lot wine.

 

Same thing at Macys. I am a frequent Macy's online shopper and they have learned that I buy a lot from a designers. They serve up lots of custom emails when these designers go on sale.

 

Knowing who and when people are eating lets them better allocate staff and resources. I guess I find all this fascinating as I am a "data" girl and love to analyze.

 

I doubt Seabourn would ever be like the Disney parks where they are now handing out "magic bands" that look like a fitbit band and they can track guests all over the parks which gives a huge amount of information that can quickly be used. For example if there is a long queue waiting to get into a show, then maybe they send over some roving entertainers or maybe they send over the guy selling bottled water.

 

Tracking customers goes on in many forms. I go to my dentist twice a year and I am sure he sees hundreds of patients a month, yet every time I go in he brings up conversation points from last time. Do I think he really remembers? No, but I bet when I leave he adds a few personal notes to my file so my next visit seems more personal.

[jenidallas]

This is why everyone should balk at an incentive cruise full of management consultants. We'd all be busy trying to optimize everything on board. ;)

[Martita B.]

On the 'lit Sisters Staff & Crew had secret books with passengers names, their pictures and suite #s at every ship station on each sailing. Very handy for all crew members to take quick peeks at the book ~

Of course, no longer used.

MB

[Patti22]

Marita B, I think those books are still used. We were on Sojourn last July and saw the books at the restaurants. The waiters would look and then call us by name on the next table visit. They use the pics taken at check-in and learned our names very quickly.

[Laylam]

Marita B, I think those books are still used. We were on Sojourn last July and saw the books at the restaurants. The waiters would look and then call us by name on the next table visit. They use the pics taken at check-in and learned our names very quickly.

 

You have to marvel at how the crew put names to faces given the quality of those check-in pictures. I'd like to think I looked nothing like mine.

[Mr Luxury]

Marita B, I think those books are still used. We were on Sojourn last July and saw the books at the restaurants. The waiters would look and then call us by name on the next table visit. They use the pics taken at check-in and learned our names very quickly.

 

That list is only for the trouble makers:D

 

I know as I am at the top of the list;)

 

Every member of crew that we have encountered on the Legend at the moment has addressed us by our name.

 

The food on this trip has been exceptional.

Edited August 21, 2014 by Mr Luxury