Some Positive (!) Perspectives on Dynamic Dining

[OceanCruise]

Just off Quantum. We have taken about 16 cruises (mostly RCCL and Celebrity) and have always enjoyed traditional dining and having the same waiter and tablemates throughout the cruise. Had never even considered MTD. On our Quantum cruise we were surprised at how much we liked DD. For us, traditional dining at 6 was always too early and late seating at 8:30 was too late.In the past we always sat at a large table in the MDR so meals took 2 hours with the synchronous scheduling of courses and we were often rushing to the evening activities. With DD we could book at all the various times we wanted. We could tell the waiter if we were in a rush or instead, wanted to linger and continue talking to the people around us. Unlike we have sometimes experienced with traditional dining, there was never the impression they wanted us to leave so they could get the table ready for the next seating. Also, if we were ready for dinner 15-20 minutes before our reservation time we would take our chances and go to the DD restaurant and were always accommodated as there was never a waiting line. We sure didn't miss waiting in the stampeding herd of people at the traditional MDR for the doors to open promptly at 6. With DD some nights we opted for a large table and other nights we only felt like a table for 2 so that was easy to decide spur of the moment. We really liked the variety of the different restaurants. Some nights we looked forward to Chinese food (Silk) and other nights we wanted a more upscale atmosphere or a specific menu item (loved the flatbread and antipasto salad at Coastal Kitchen). RCCL has been good about adding new menu items and having daily specials. The menu was even much improved by the end of our cruise. Of course not everything was perfect but it never has been on a cruise. Food was always hot and fresh except for the "warm skillet cookie" (weird, huh) and the coffee. The wait staff was mostly terrific and friendly. The waiters and maitre'ds were always asking if everything was OK and were eager to please. The chefs were even visiting tables. At the beginning of the cruise we missed having a consistent waiter who knew our preferences but, then realized it was never difficult to order the everyday Diet Coke or to request different style potatoes or items without the sauce. IMO, Cafe 270 is an absolutely wonderful addition and a great alternative to the Windjammer which we have never been very fond of, particularly on crowded seas days. Divinely Decandence was also great for a really quiet sit down buffet breakfast with special types of food not available in the Windjammer (i.e. cinnamon rolls, breakfast enchiladas, whole grain blueberry pancakes and egg casserole). Also, with traditional dining we always felt a little bit out of place on formal nights after changing into casual clothes after dinner. With DD, there is an entire spectrum of clothes throughout the ship each evening (it did seem most number of people adhered to the dress code in Grande). In our experience talking to people on the ship, we found that it was mostly the elderly people who just wanted things to be "the old way" where they could be served for breakfast and lunch and have their early seating with the same waiter. I suppose their TA could just book them in one restaurant for 6 pm every night and that would mostly solve the problem. At the Captain's Q and A, one person even expressed disappointment that there were no "traditional" production shows. We were thrilled RCCL replaced those cheesy production shows with Mamma Mia and Sonic Odyssey! Already booked Anthem for next year.

[LuCruise]

Good to hear a positive review about Dynamic Dining for a change :p

[MMOMOM]

Just off Quantum. We have taken about 16 cruises (mostly RCCL and Celebrity) and have always enjoyed traditional dining and having the same waiter and tablemates throughout the cruise. Had never even considered MTD. On our Quantum cruise we were surprised at how much we liked DD. For us, traditional dining at 6 was always too early and late seating at 8:30 was too late.In the past we always sat at a large table in the MDR so meals took 2 hours with the synchronous scheduling of courses and we were often rushing to the evening activities. With DD we could book at all the various times we wanted. We could tell the waiter if we were in a rush or instead, wanted to linger and continue talking to the people around us. Unlike we have sometimes experienced with traditional dining, there was never the impression they wanted us to leave so they could get the table ready for the next seating. Also, if we were ready for dinner 15-20 minutes before our reservation time we would take our chances and go to the DD restaurant and were always accommodated as there was never a waiting line. We sure didn't miss waiting in the stampeding herd of people at the traditional MDR for the doors to open promptly at 6. With DD some nights we opted for a large table and other nights we only felt like a table for 2 so that was easy to decide spur of the moment. We really liked the variety of the different restaurants. Some nights we looked forward to Chinese food (Silk) and other nights we wanted a more upscale atmosphere or a specific menu item (loved the flatbread and antipasto salad at Coastal Kitchen). RCCL has been good about adding new menu items and having daily specials. The menu was even much improved by the end of our cruise. Of course not everything was perfect but it never has been on a cruise. Food was always hot and fresh except for the "warm skillet cookie" (weird, huh) and the coffee. The wait staff was mostly terrific and friendly. The waiters and maitre'ds were always asking if everything was OK and were eager to please. The chefs were even visiting tables. At the beginning of the cruise we missed having a consistent waiter who knew our preferences but, then realized it was never difficult to order the everyday Diet Coke or to request different style potatoes or items without the sauce. IMO, Cafe 270 is an absolutely wonderful addition and a great alternative to the Windjammer which we have never been very fond of, particularly on crowded seas days. Divinely Decandence was also great for a really quiet sit down buffet breakfast with special types of food not available in the Windjammer (i.e. cinnamon rolls, breakfast enchiladas, whole grain blueberry pancakes and egg casserole). Also, with traditional dining we always felt a little bit out of place on formal nights after changing into casual clothes after dinner. With DD, there is an entire spectrum of clothes throughout the ship each evening (it did seem most number of people adhered to the dress code in Grande). In our experience talking to people on the ship, we found that it was mostly the elderly people who just wanted things to be "the old way" where they could be served for breakfast and lunch and have their early seating with the same waiter. I suppose their TA could just book them in one restaurant for 6 pm every night and that would mostly solve the problem. At the Captain's Q and A, one person even expressed disappointment that there were no "traditional" production shows. We were thrilled RCCL replaced those cheesy production shows with Mamma Mia and Sonic Odyssey! Already booked Anthem for next year.

 

This is very interestingly positive .... especially considering all the negative aspects I've been hearing about. It actually seems a little like MTD. We always felt that the 6:00 time was too early for us and because of that always chose the later seating, which really was too late! Once we started using MTD it worked much better for us. Also, the aspect of not having to worry about 'how long' dinner would last with a lot of people at the table, being able to be seated alone or even maybe with just another couple certainly helps if you have plans for the rest of the evening. Right now we're booked for Allure in May, but they have put off the DD for this ship at this point, so we'll have MTD which works for us. However, after reading this I am a little more anxious to actually experience the DD. Thank you for our input! :)

[Jimmers]

As a couple or very small group I think we would actually prefer it. But for the large groups we sail with the mdr works better for us. We are happy that it's been postponed on the oasis. Trying to schedule 25 people would be a nightmare. I hope both systems remain available in the fleet to accomodate the different preferences.

[OceanCruise]

Also, the Diamond hostess had a computer and was available to make reservations for people during the Diamond breakfast and evening lounge hours--she was quite busy! You can also just walk up and ask the hostesses at the different restaurants to make changes which is what we did (sometimes a few days ahead and sometimes the day of). The Royal IQ app for our cruise planner never actually listed those changes though so we did have to remember them. We had various reservation times that began between 6-7 pm with no waits so maybe we just lucked out during that time period. We also saw a lot of empty tables in the restaurants then.

[Jimmers]

Also, the Diamond hostess had aNever computer and was available to make reservations for people during the Diamond breakfast and evening lounge hours--she was quite busy! You can also just walk up and ask the hostesses at the different restaurants to make changes which is what we did (sometimes a few days ahead and sometimes the day of). The Royal IQ app for our cruise planner never actually listed those changes though so we did have to remember them. We had various reservation times that began between 6-7 pm with no waits so maybe we just lucked out during that time period. We also saw a lot of empty tables in the restaurants then.

 

The earlier times seemed to work best on our cruise also. Never had to wait in a line.

[SherriZ366]

Sounds like some of the changes RCI has been making -- adding menu items, adding Assitant Waiters have helped the experience.

[sj25]

So good to hear some positive response. :) I don't think I will have it until next year on the Allure. Unless they change it fleet wide to the Dynamic Dining.