Club class impact

[OCruisers]

"seafish", thanks so much for your very informative report!

We're really looking forward to trying CC! :D

[cflutist]

"seafish", thanks so much for your very informative report!

We're really looking forward to trying CC! :D

 

 

Yes, "seafish" thank you for your review. We are Elite sailing in an Owner's Suite so CC is a new benefit for us as well (at the expense of the corsage on the first formal night). I could understand the attraction of CC if someone is relatively new to Princess. We look forwards to CC on the Pacific Princess this summer (no ATD on this ship).

[lstone19]

Recent did Regal B2B in Club Class. ...

 

On Regal CC dining entrance was on deck 6 Concerto MDR starboard side - the same entrance used for Anytime Dining. There was no fancy curtains or CC wall emblem - as previously reported on some ships - just a simple floor stand sign Club Class Dining with an arrow to the right - so the Anytime line was on the left & CC Dining on the right.

 

 

You're facing the rear of the ship when you enter the MDRs on Regal. I'm interpreting this as saying the CC area is to the right when you enter which would be the port side of the ship since you're facing rear. Is that correct?

[sptrout]

You're facing the rear of the ship when you enter the MDRs on Regal. I'm interpreting this as saying the CC area is to the right when you enter which would be the port side of the ship since you're facing rear. Is that correct?

 

 

Yes, you are correct. No big signs for CC on the Regal, not yet at least. Very easy to miss if you are not looking for it, or get in the wrong line if not familiar with the CC dining concept. During our cruise on the Regal three weeks ago, before the doors opened the line kind of spread out to the point that there was only one line. But, that quickly disappeared when the doors opened.

[seafish]

You're facing the rear of the ship when you enter the MDRs on Regal. I'm interpreting this as saying the CC area is to the right when you enter which would be the port side of the ship since you're facing rear. Is that correct?

 

 

Yea ... another senior moment - YES it is Port Side - sorry.

[seafish]

Yes, "seafish" thank you for your review. We are Elite sailing in an Owner's Suite so CC is a new benefit for us as well (at the expense of the corsage on the first formal night). I could understand the attraction of CC if someone is relatively new to Princess. We look forwards to CC on the Pacific Princess this summer (no ATD on this ship).

 

 

OCruisers & cflutist - you are most welcome!

[senior lady]

on the Ruby a couple of weeks ago you couldn't miss it.

They had a large sign on the wall saying CC dinning, also a designated person standing there.

There were sheer white curtains on the door and also a sign at the bottom of the stairs with arrow pointing to the door.

 

It sure impacted the dinning room service. It was empty most nights, and yet the service in AT dinning was awful. We gave up after 2 nights and just ate elsewhere. I sure hope they get it figured out soon.

[St Paul Girl]

on the Ruby a couple of weeks ago you couldn't miss it.

They had a large sign on the wall saying CC dinning, also a designated person standing there.

There were sheer white curtains on the door and also a sign at the bottom of the stairs with arrow pointing to the door.

 

"It sure impacted the dinning room service". It was empty most nights, and yet the service in AT dinning was awful. We gave up after 2 nights and just ate elsewhere. I sure hope they get it figured out soon.

Not sure how you can make that statement. Were there less waiters in ATD than normal?

Anyway, We are glad that Princess has stepped into the 21st century with CC features. We do not wait in lines at home and do NOT want to do that on vacation ever! Thanks Princess!:)

 

.

[senior lady]

Yes there were less waiters in the dinning room, as some had been moved to the CC section. They also weren't very busy.

The staff aren't very happy about it either. I also had a chat with the Maître d and she mentioned that there had been some problems. She apologized for our bad service and we did go the last formal night and it was much better, but we shouldn't have to complain to get better service.

 

I had friends that were on the ship for 3 wks and they even were concerned about the lack of service and the slowness

[Pasha]

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[Colo Cruiser]

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I agree?

[KruzeKrazy!]

I agree?

I must disagree... [emoji6]

[ccruzer123]

We did a cruise in February on the Emerald Princess and had ATD, we had no problems being seated. Sometimes I called and made early reservations for dinner and other times just stood in line for no more than 5 minutes. The reservation lines are usually busy at 8 am so I called later in the morning and even in the afternoon. Never had a problem getting a reservation for the time we requested. They even gave us the option of a table for two in the ships TD room which we took advantage of a couple of times. The only time I saw somewhat of a long line at ATD it ended up being a very large group who had reserved several large table and they all moved in at one time when called.

We did not see any difference in table service in ATD than on previous cruises. In fact near the end of the cruise we couldn't believe how quickly they took our ordered and when our food arrived. Had no problem making the early shows. No complains with ATD on the Emerald Princess, CC did not affect seating or service on this cruise.

[Selion]

We were on the Regal a few weeks ago (3/12 to 3/19) and had CC dining. We are late diners (around 8 pm), so we never witnessed any lines at Concerto. In fact, the rest of Concerto wasn't nearly full when we were seated in the CC area. At the most it was about 2/3 to 3/4 full. The ATD diners who came around the same time as we did were seated immediately as well. I don't understand the complaints about the lines at peak dining hours. That's like complaining your hottest local restaurant has a line at 6:30 pm on a Friday evening. I mean... Really?

[floridalover5623]

We did a cruise in February on the Emerald Princess and had ATD, we had no problems being seated. Sometimes I called and made early reservations for dinner and other times just stood in line for no more than 5 minutes. The reservation lines are usually busy at 8 am so I called later in the morning and even in the afternoon. Never had a problem getting a reservation for the time we requested. They even gave us the option of a table for two in the ships TD room which we took advantage of a couple of times. The only time I saw somewhat of a long line at ATD it ended up being a very large group who had reserved several large table and they all moved in at one time when called.

We did not see any difference in table service in ATD than on previous cruises. In fact near the end of the cruise we couldn't believe how quickly they took our ordered and when our food arrived. Had no problem making the early shows. No complains with ATD on the Emerald Princess, CC did not affect seating or service on this cruise.

What times did you eat dinner?

Also, what size table did you request?

It makes a big difference.

[ccruzer123]

We usually dined around 5:45 pm to 6:30 pm, depended on our tours that day. We asked for a table of 6 (you can hear people talk at your talk) or 2 (if we want to dine alone).

[odisalbert]

Just returned from a 15 day cruise on Grand Princess. Had Club Class Dining and it was a nice perk. Food no different than anytime dining except for one special each night. Yes there are lines during early dining hours, but that has always existed. Most nights tables in Club Class were in use for two servings. There were a couple of nights with empty tables but that was usually a long port day. Personally find it a nice advantage and YES we do pay more for the privilege.

[RDC1]

Recent did Regal B2B in Club Class. Being Elite the CC amenities were not that important to us but the added wine set-up was a nice touch - however for other cruisers the total CC package may be very attractive despite the cost. For us the new Club Class dining venue was in a word Fantastic! On Regal CC dining entrance was on deck 6 Concerto MDR starboard side - the same entrance used for Anytime Dining. There was no fancy curtains or CC wall emblem - as previously reported on some ships - just a simple floor stand sign Club Class Dining with an arrow to the right - so the Anytime line was on the left & CC Dining on the right. It appears Princess corporate was right about this program being rolled-out on a ship-by-ship basis.The CC dining area was immediately to the right when entering and consisted of seating for about 50 - with about 16 bench/seat (well spaced apart) tables for two, a few chair tables for two and some tables for 4 and 6 that of course be re-arranged as needed. At no time did we observe the CC (anytime) dining area more than 1/2 full. The CC hostess and wait staff were outstandingly friendly attentive professionals - not so much the head waiter. As previously mentioned the menus were the same as the MDR but did offer special breakfast & dinner preparations. Fortunately we were seated for dinner at the same corner window table for two the entire B2B with the same excellent wait staff & never a wait - perfect! Breakfast & most days lunch was also available - not just on sea days - but on embarkation/turnaround days Club Class breakfast & lunch was in Allegro. About the Concerto Anytime lines - mostly long sometimes reaching back to the Photo Shop area - but the line usually moved quickly. In our opinion despite being Elite with most all of the CC amenities - the Club Class experience was fantastic and well worth the extra bucks - so much so that we just changed over to CC for future cruises. Any questions - be glad to help best I can.

 

Seafish,

 

When I was on the Regal a few weeks ago the deck 6 Concerto dining room was early traditional, late anytime. So I assume when you are talking about anytime lines, that would either be the deck 5 dining room, or the during the late dining period. You do have people lining up for early tradition just before the doors open but that is just waiting to walk in. When did you see the lines for anytime for Deck 6?

[jangor]

We just left the Royal.  We chose CC not because of the dining, but because we wanted a larger balcony.  CC was being offered with mid-ship under the Sea Walk mini-suites.  We got a great deal price-wise because my husband had been a casino winner on our last cruise (I guess they wanted to win back some of their money, which they did).  We went to CC for breakfast and rarely saw more than one other couple.  It seemed like a waste of space, but the rest of the dining room was almost as empty.  We did not go to CC for lunch, since we were either on excursions or exploring other food options.  We did like CC dining at about 6 p.m. We are retired and usually have our "big meal" at 2p.m. when at home.  With a light lunch each day, we were ready to eat at 6 and then go on to shows, games, after-dinner cocktails, etc.  I do not know that I would select CC again if the cabin selection did not also offer an advantage.

 

[PoohUnderstands]

On 3/29/2017 at 10:11 PM, RDC1 said:

 

Seafish,

 

When I was on the Regal a few weeks ago the deck 6 Concerto dining room was early traditional, late anytime. So I assume when you are talking about anytime lines, that would either be the deck 5 dining room, or the during the late dining period. You do have people lining up for early tradition just before the doors open but that is just waiting to walk in. When did you see the lines for anytime for Deck 6?

When we were on the Royal/Regal, if there were lines, it was around 7:30 when the Concerto dining room opened to ATD.  Before that it is just open to CC diners and traditional 5:30.

 

Pooh