New to select dining.

[Lindsaycruiser]

We have never done Select dining before and could use some inside information from cruisers who have used this method of dining. Is there a special way to start the first night? Is there any tips we could use to help us along? We have always used traditional dining but decided to use select dining on our 10 day Caribbean cruise on the Reflection Nov. 17th.

Thanks for any info you can pass on.

[orange-sox]

We've just come of Eclipse where we did Select Dining.

 

You have two options really, you can make reservations for each night if you want to plan ahead, or if like us you're happy to go with the flow then you just walk up, ask for a table.... sometimes they have one immediately, sometimes you're sent away with a buzzer to get a drink, we've never waited longer than 20 minutes or so, which is more than acceptable with a glass of wine in my hand and live music in the grand foyer. If you're happy to occasionally be seated with another group then you may get a table sooner.

 

 

We went to dinner at a variety of times, usually after the first show (which we found much easier to get a seat at) or a later. We're not really early eaters if I'm honest!

[Bo1953]

I trust this means you have signed up for Select Dining already as on some sailings it is difficult to get.

 

You may want to consider making a reservation for your first night of dining, then decide from there is you want to dine at the same time each night and let the M 'd know.

 

Inside Tip: If you really enjoy your waiter and sommelier request their station, always.

 

bon voyage

[SFCAcruiser]

We have only done Select dining. This dining choice work similarly to land-based restaurants.The biggest decision you have is: do you want to make a reservation, or do you want to be a ":walk-in"?. We have never made a reservation, but that is a personal choice. However, we tend to dine a little later than most - generally after 8:00pm and frequently 8:30- 9:00 pm so we have always been seated immediately. We prefer the freedom to dine when we want and not have to adhere to a reserved time. Others have a different perspective.

Earlier poster (Bo1953) brought up a good point - if you find a server you particularly like, you can request to be seated in that section on subsequent nights. This may involve a wait for a table, or not.

[SargassoPirate]

After several assigned tables at traditional dining time situations, we always do Select or My Time, or whatever it is called. We drop by the maitre d station on the first day and introduce ourselves and ask for a small table (hearing issues) in a quiet area. If we click with the waiter and asst waiter, we book the same table/waiter for the next night at our desired time on the way out. A smile and thanks to the maitre d go a long way. A plus is if you find yourself next to a big table of people who shout and cackle the entire meal, you can always move.

 

Wouldn't ever go back to assigned time and table