First or Second that is the question a newbie question( but not really I lie)...LOL

[LUV THE SEA]

I can say I usually in most things like to be first,,,but when it comes to dinner we always like to go second seating. If we are at the sail away we do not like to rush to dinner but rather enjoy the first sunset, we like to wait for dinner and then go to the activities, the night seems to go by quicker for us ..and at home we usually eat later but not usually 8 but by 7 pm...but we do tend to eat later. So 2nd seating falls into what we normally do. However, having said all of that I just booked my first HAL cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam for March 24th and I just read somewhere that if you eat at 8PM you miss the shows. I am assuming they are talking about the show in the theater. Do they only give 1 performance??? Should I consider a change to early seating???

 

We have sailed on many different cruise lines and some offer 2 shows, some only one and there are benefits to eat early I just need a bit of guidance to how it works on HAL...you see I am not really a newbie to HAL either and I kind of lied I have been on HAL but that was 39 years ago on our honeymoon cruise and a few things have changed along the way:)

 

If you have any tips or any other suggestions I would gladly listen to them...I love to learn from those that would love to share.

[kazu]

I can say I usually in most things like to be first,,,but when it comes to dinner we always like to go second seating. If we are at the sail away we do not like to rush to dinner but rather enjoy the first sunset, we like to wait for dinner and then go to the activities, the night seems to go by quicker for us ..and at home we usually eat later but not usually 8 but by 7 pm...but we do tend to eat later. So 2nd seating falls into what we normally do. However, having said all of that I just booked my first HAL cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam for March 24th and I just read somewhere that if you eat at 8PM you miss the shows. I am assuming they are talking about the show in the theater. Do they only give 1 performance??? Should I consider a change to early seating???

 

We have sailed on many different cruise lines and some offer 2 shows, some only one and there are benefits to eat early I just need a bit of guidance to how it works on HAL...you see I am not really a newbie to HAL either and I kind of lied I have been on HAL but that was 39 years ago on our honeymoon cruise and a few things have changed along the way:)

 

If you have any tips or any other suggestions I would gladly listen to them...I love to learn from those that would love to share.

 

You won't miss the show if you do fixed dining.

 

There are definitely 2 shows except for a couple of ones (like the Captain's toast) which is timed between the first and 2nd seating.

 

I'm not sure where you got the idea of missing the shows. But, you should be fine.

 

If you are a table top for two, you will be out in around an hour or an hour and 1/4.

 

If you are a at a larger table, the meal does take longer but you should be out in enough time to catch the shows. If you have someone that likes to linger (I've seen those) and keep the waiters from cleaning up, all you have to do is excuse yourself and say you are off to the show ;)

[ski ww]

We always eat late seating, that way we're never rushed, we get to see the sun set The second show starts at 10:00. Enjoy.

Allan

[LUV THE SEA]

Thank you!!! One other quick question I used miles for this trip...and when I booked the trip the agent never asked me size of table--- if I call HAL will they add that on or will I have to go though the United agent. I usually go through the cruise line directly so I am not sure...or if a table size was not requested do they usually put you at a larger table?

 

Donna

[Krazy Kruizers]

Your United TA will have to call HAL and request the size of table you want.

If you don't request a table size, they will probably sit you at either a 6 or 8 table.

[TAD2005]

We always pick late fixed seating for dinner. We like to return to the ship from a shore excursion around 4:00, then relax, take a shower, dress, and head down to the Ocean or Pinnacle bar for pre-dinner cocktails. Then, we eat at 8:00, and we are finished by 9:15 or 9:30. we head to BB-King, the piano bar, or the casino until the 10:00 pm show, if it sounds like a show we would enjoy. We have never missed a late show due to late seating dinner.

[LUV THE SEA]

Thank you for the replies..it helps so much when you don't know the ship at all. I have tried reading everything about it because it is different than the others we have sailed. Do they offer discounts for first night dining or drink packages after boarding there is nothing online.

[TAD2005]

Depending on the level of pre-cruise booking, they may offer discounts for the specialty restaurants, but if offered, they are usually for the first night out. The main beverage packages (SBP and EBP) are never discounted. Actually, HAL charges a $5 per day premium on the signature beverage package (SBP) if you purchase it onboard instead of online before the cruise. HAL wants you to spend your own money to buy the SBP and not the non-refundable HAL provided onboard credit. The Elite Beverage Package ($15 drink price limit) does not carry that $5 penalty.