I have just had a brilliant idea what do you think?

[riclop]

Lousy idea.

[geoherb]

Once when we took back-to-back cruises, we were allowed to make reservations for the Crown Grill and Sabatini's on the last evening of the first cruise. Now, of course, they let people make reservations ahead of time. On the second cruise, though, a lot of people were ticked off that they couldn't get reservations. That was a 4-day cruise that included New Year's Eve. We ate at the Crown Grill that night, Sabatini's the night before, the Crab Shack the following night, and an Ultimate Balcony Dinner the last night (DH's birthday).

 

On another cruise, we waited until after lunch to sign up for the Ultimate Ship's Tour. We missed the cutoff and were put on a waitlist. Fortunately, they had enough people to sign up to have a second tour the morning they did it.

[Potstech]

32 minutes ago, shepp said:

 

I will say that if you've never done the Chef's Table, you're missing out.

 

Knowing what the programs are, we are not missing a single thing. How can one be misding out if there is no interest in that type of program.

[hikergirl100]

We have never been unable to make a reservation at the specialities while onboard.  I'm surprised this is an issue.

Have done the Chef's table twice and it was incredible. 

Janice

[Pam in CA]

Everyone has an equal chance whether you live near the port or fly in. If you fly, it’s always recommended that you fly in the day before which puts you in the port area at the same time as those living nearby. 

 

Boarding time, over which you have no control, depends on your Captain’s Circle level. Otherwise, it’s up to the individual what time they arrive at the port and check in. 

[capriccio]

I don't think advance reservations would work for the Sanctuary for a number of reasons:

• Location is extremely important since you chose specific lounges.  I need to see the location before making my choice.  For example, if my only choice was a lounge in the full sun I would pass on the Sanctuary that cruise. 
• When choosing on embarkation day, you at least have an idea of the weather predictions for your cruise and that helps in the determination of which day(s) you want to reserve a lounge.  If Princess allowed reservations well in advance of the cruise, what happens if the weather is predicted right before the cruise to be crappy?  What kind of cancellation policy would work (for example, before or on embarkation day or later)?
• Would B2B cruisers have to reserve all their days in advance of the first cruise?  Again, what would be the cancellation policy?

[jagoffee]

Standing in line waiting while the ship is leaving port to make a reservation is a very bad idea IMO.  What a way to spoil the start of a cruise vacation.  

I would certainly not title that idea as Brilliant.

 

Kruisey, you must have really been disappointed by not getting a reservation to suggest that idea.

[ldubs]

If I were a cruise line rep reading this thread, I would be seriously considering a price increase for these special features.  

 

I've not done any of these special things, but can understand how frustrating it must be to have to rush around on embarkation day trying to reserve a spot.   A system favoring Captain Circle status kind of makes sense.  

[Seadog & Sea Hag]

5 hours ago, shepp said:

 

I will say that if you've never done the Chef's Table, you're missing out.

I disagree 

[Lucky TGO]

8 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

If we put everything into a lottery, I’ll never win!   

 

 Neverbeenhere,

Most of the time I will that’s why my friends call me Lucky TGO. 

I’m sorry I couldn’t help myself...😀😀😀😀

The Captain of The Rowboat,

Tony

[ONT-CA]

15 hours ago, 1emerald1 said:

Those who are Platinum and Elite passengers are rewarded for their loyalty and one of the perks is priority boarding.  If your socialist theory were enacted the benefits of early boarding would be eliminated.  I suggest you cruise more and then you can line up and be the first onboard and race around making your reservations.

 

The Platinum and Elite passengers have most probably "been there done that", so little contest.  When on a cruise and awaking in the morning, I make a mental list of all the things I do not have to do today... running about making reservations is on the top of the list.

[CineGraphic]

Dear OP,

 

Life is not fair, the sooner you learn that, the better.

[billco]

13 hours ago, shepp said:

 

I will say that if you've never done the Chef's Table, you're missing out.

I wish they had a vegetarian Chef's Table, so we wouldn't keep missing out.

[Sea Hag]

What do I think? I don't think this is a brilliant idea.

[VacTimeAllways]

Hi was wondering how? or where? do you get on line for the chef table going on the Golden next may in Alaska. Celebrating my Mom 70’s and would love to surprise her with that if I can. Also if anyone has any tips other then getting on early we will be on the land tour part first so kinda limited on when can get on the boat. Any tips would be greatly appreciated 😊

[kruisey]

7 minutes ago, VacTimeAllways said:

Hi was wondering how? or where? do you get on line for the chef table going on the Golden next may in Alaska. Celebrating my Mom 70’s and would love to surprise her with that if I can. Also if anyone has any tips other then getting on early we will be on the land tour part first so kinda limited on when can get on the boat. Any tips would be greatly appreciated 😊

If you have some friends  already onboard they could book for you.Mention to Princess it is your moms 70 and wish to celebrate.Princess I think, has these special areas in dining room a large circular table with drapes on outside for celebration dinners.

[Colo Cruiser]

14 minutes ago, VacTimeAllways said:

Hi was wondering how? or where? do you get on line for the chef table going on the Golden next may in Alaska. Celebrating my Mom 70’s and would love to surprise her with that if I can. Also if anyone has any tips other then getting on early we will be on the land tour part first so kinda limited on when can get on the boat. Any tips would be greatly appreciated 😊

We usually grab a Head Waiter at the door of one of the restaurants and request though them. There is no line.

[1emerald1]

3 hours ago, ONT-CA said:

 

The Platinum and Elite passengers have most probably "been there done that", so little contest.  When on a cruise and awaking in the morning, I make a mental list of all the things I do not have to do today... running about making reservations is on the top of the list.

And I totally agree.  I was being sarcastic in my post to the OP regarding "the brilliant" idea that Princess should change the rules to accommodate his personal situation.

[Thrak]

17 hours ago, shepp said:

 

I will say that if you've never done the Chef's Table, you're missing out.

 

16 hours ago, Potstech said:

 

Knowing what the programs are, we are not missing a single thing. How can one be misding out if there is no interest in that type of program.

 

Count us as more folks with no interest. I'm sure the Chef's Table is snazzy and all but we simply can't eat anywhere near that amount of food! I can't see paying for the experience and then eating a bite of each item. It would be a total waste for us to book the Chef's Table and it would also deprive someone else of the experience who might truly enjoy it which seems quite selfish to me. We will leave this for others to enjoy.

[kruisey]

I would not mind trying out.One can always ask for very small helping and I think with the experience   and comradery would be an entertaining nite.😊.

 

[Potstech]

5 hours ago, billco said:

I wish they had a vegetarian Chef's Table, so we wouldn't keep missing out.

 

See post 37.

[rockdoctor]

People at the embarkation port cannot get on the ship before everyone else. It’s first come first on board. We’ve never had a problem getting whatever services are not available on My Princess. Fake News.

[VacTimeAllways]

On 10/30/2018 at 1:27 PM, Colo Cruiser said:

We usually grab a Head Waiter at the door of one of the restaurants and request though them. There is no line.

 

Thanks all for the tips. Haven’t cruised that much so don’t know anyone on board. I’ll deff make a b-line for a head waiter. Thanks for the explanation. Really wasn’t sure how that worked exactly. Good to know so I don’t waste time.