Will Dynamic Dining Make a Comeback

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, gerard43 said:

 I guess what disappoints me now is that they have 4 great venues on Anthem and when we go in January we will only see two of them as My Time Dining Guests, and we don't get to try the different styles each restaurant used to reflect. 

If they are really busy in MTD venues, you may get put into one of the traditional venues (Grande/Chic). I suppose you can even ask for it.

 

Biker, who didn't care for the beads on the bottom of the chairs in Chic.

Edited November 18, 2018 by Biker19

[barbeyg]

We talked to a Wonderland waiter on Anthem this year. He said that it was a nice concept on paper, but implementation for the crew was a nightmare...all those different menus each night, all the different foods to cook up. His opinion was that it just led to below average food because of spreading the crew so thin every night.  All of them (especially the cooking staff) had to work harder and longer to make it happen, and with less decent results, food-wise.

 

Just his opinion, but he said the staff was relieved when it was done away with. 

[Biker19]

^ that makes no sense - every venue had a set menu that didn't change.

[John&LaLa]

23 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Virgin may have something worth noting - no real "MDR" nor a buffet - in terms of a dining concept it's way out there but it could prove successful (though for a different demographic - no former customer/whiners to appease). 

 

Biker, who was on the Quantum maiden and marveled at the tablets being used to try to take orders but noted their failure within a few days. Change is hard.

 

Change is hard could apply to CC as well. 😉

[John&LaLa]

21 hours ago, boscobeans said:

 

14 or so different menus along with the usual always available standards are more than most restaurants offer at decent restaurants at home. 

 

We enjoy having the same waiters and table each night and have almost NEVER had a problem finding menu choices that pleased us. 

Just our opinion and personal preference. There are plenty of passengers that loved DD and sang its praises, but it just isn't our cup of tea.

 

20 hours ago, kochleffel said:

 

On the other hand, at home most people wouldn't go to the same restaurant for 14 consecutive nights.

 

And on the third hand, even with 14 different menus, there are similarities from night to night. There are only so many main ingredients that it's feasible to offer, and only so many cooking techniques that are adaptable to the setting.

 

Pretty sure I have 14 or 15 of the old spice menus.  Many were awful.  IMHO.

[John&LaLa]

17 hours ago, CapeGal said:

Gosh I hope not! I never saw such loud chaos both in the entrances to the dining rooms and IN the dining rooms from cruisers and waitstaff.  NOT fun!

 

Kind of like trying to read this post on a phone.  Not Fun.  😉

 

In case you weren't aware, the font you chose turns to cursive script on most phones.

[CapeGal]

Don’t know why. Didn’t use it. And I was on my computer. NOW I am on my phone😊

[barbeyg]

31 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

^ that makes no sense - every venue had a set menu that didn't change.

 

What he said was that every night they were cooking/prepping 4 menus instead of one. 🙂

 

We we just asked about dynamic dining and that was his answer. Of course, as I mentioned, it was his opinion. We didn’t discuss it with any other staff. 

Edited November 18, 2018 by barbeyg

[TeeRick]

There was a very popular thread here a couple of years ago when the canceled DD on Anthem. We were booked on the very first Anthem cruise without DD.  The gist of it was that Whiners ruined DD.  Let's see if some of those same Whiners will sail on Edge and come back out in force!  Hopefully not.  We sail on Edge Jan 20th.

[Georgeny]

27 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

There was a very popular thread here a couple of years ago when the canceled DD on Anthem. We were booked on the very first Anthem cruise without DD.  The gist of it was that Whiners ruined DD.  Let's see if some of those same Whiners will sail on Edge and come back out in force!  Hopefully not.  We sail on Edge Jan 20th.

 

Do  you really think RCL did away with Dynamic Dining and the followup concept because of whiners? RCL does little if anything based on any one group for or against. Their basis is one concept, makes money or doesn't, by either increase or decrease margins or increased or decreased bookings.

 

I would be one that thoroughly disliked DD after sailing Quantum inaugural year. I disliked it due to reservation system that failed to do anything but create long lines. Cold food, service by overworked and disgruntled staff. If you recall the Oasis of The Seas was scheduled to be converted to the DD concept on a dry dock which was cancelled by RCL after continued implementation of DD.

 

And frankly calling those opposed to DD " whiners " is ridiculous. So what are you a " whiner " about on ships, smoking, walking through casino's, design of a buffet area? If you have thoughts about any subject in he world I guess you are a whiner, join the club.

 

George in NY 

[gaylemh]

4 hours ago, CRUISEFAN0001 said:

Dynamic Dining was a totally flop.   Passengers - many passengers - complained repeatedly, and Royal finally succumbed to admitting it was a mistake and terminated the program. Many won't miss it either.

They had many more complaints than praise for DD.  People will voice their opinion many times more when they don't like something, than someone that is happy.  That is why there seemed to be so many complaints, and why it was changed.  Anyone that I ever talked to on the ship, that sailed with the original DD,  not the rotational, wish it would come back, and all agree the food was much better.  I've sailed on Quantum and Anthem 24 times, so I've talked to many people.

[gaylemh]

2 hours ago, barbeyg said:

We talked to a Wonderland waiter on Anthem this year. He said that it was a nice concept on paper, but implementation for the crew was a nightmare...all those different menus each night, all the different foods to cook up. His opinion was that it just led to below average food because of spreading the crew so thin every night.  All of them (especially the cooking staff) had to work harder and longer to make it happen, and with less decent results, food-wise.

 

Just his opinion, but he said the staff was relieved when it was done away with. 

The staff didn't like it because they were missing out on their tips.  When people are going to different restaurants,, with different waiters each night, most don't tip like they do if they have the same waiter every night.
I sailed on many cruises with DD, over 50 nights, and only had a problem with waiting a long time for my food on one night.  (We were sent over a bottle of wine as an apology)  The food was always very good.  

[Georgeny]

10 minutes ago, gaylemh said:

They had many more complaints than praise for DD.  People will voice their opinion many times more when they don't like something, than someone that is happy.  That is why there seemed to be so many complaints, and why it was changed.  Anyone that I ever talked to on the ship, that sailed with the original DD,  not the rotational, wish it would come back, and all agree the food was much better.  I've sailed on Quantum and Anthem 24 times, so I've talked to many people.

 

I certainly agree that in general that people unhappy about an issue will post more than those happy, all areas of life. But I must say the sailing of the Quantum we were on there were a lot of unhappy people. The lines at the customer service desks resembled the lines at the dining venues. Waiter were very unhappy with tablet ordering system yet another issue. The courtesy wrist thingee to use in place of the ship pass cards were failing constantly. There were so many issues we swore that we would never sail Quantum class again. Proving myself a liar 🙂 we sail Dec 21st on the Anthem with fingers crossed that we will enjoy a different experience than last Quantum class cruise. Admittedly sailing the Anthem for simple location, easy access for us from Westchester County NY. Last two holiday sailings we drove leisurely to Florida and sailed from Tampa. We just returned from Princess Fort Lauderdale sailing. Didn't want to drive or fly for this Xmas so elected Anthem.

 

Again I must say that I am confident that DD was changed based upon passenger and staff problems with it. We spent so much time on lines I took photo's, had nothing else to do. And this despite having reservations.

 

Obviously you are very happy with Quantum and Anthem I am hopeful we too will be happy with it. Our favorite class remains the Voyager class.

 

George in NY

[gaylemh]

I've never seen lines like that at guest services.  I see people with their belongings. Were they first getting on the ship or was it the last day?  Lines are longer on those 2 days, but I've never seen it like that.  Personally I only had to go to guest services twice, once to get a voucher when staff spilled wine on my dress to get it cleaned, and once to cancel an excursion.
 

I have been in a dining line like in the last picture, but it moved fast, and I never waited more than 10 minutes.  A lot shorter than when I have reservations at local restaurants by me.  

 

I agree with you about the tablets, none of the staff new how to use them.  

 

I have sailed on Anthem 20 times, over 170 nights, and boarding again in another week.  I think you will find a lot has changed for the better when you board in December, although I have never sailed during a holiday with lots of kids. Most of my cruises are 9-12 nights when most kids are in school.

 

I guess I've been very lucky on my sailing.

[nelblu]

1 hour ago, Georgeny said:

 

I would be one that thoroughly disliked DD after sailing Quantum inaugural year. I disliked it due to reservation system that failed to do anything but create long lines. Cold food, service by overworked and disgruntled staff. If you recall the Oasis of The Seas was scheduled to be converted to the DD concept on a dry dock which was cancelled by RCL after continued implementation of DD.

 

 

 

My experience is that I explore the location of the table # assigned when boarding and never had to wait as I simply walk to my table without any assistance from the Maitre D's.  Do the same on Oasis class.  Once I know where my table # is I go the back way (side restaurant of the MDR) table assigned without any help.  Easy peasy and no wait.

 

Ps,  I ask for table for 2 and traditional early dining.  Advantage with a table for 2 is quicker service as the waiter does not have to wait for others before taking orders.

[Georgeny]

18 hours ago, gaylemh said:

I've never seen lines like that at guest services.  I see people with their belongings. Were they first getting on the ship or was it the last day?  Lines are longer on those 2 days, but I've never seen it like that.  Personally I only had to go to guest services twice, once to get a voucher when staff spilled wine on my dress to get it cleaned, and once to cancel an excursion.
 

I have been in a dining line like in the last picture, but it moved fast, and I never waited more than 10 minutes.  A lot shorter than when I have reservations at local restaurants by me.  

 

I agree with you about the tablets, none of the staff new how to use them.  

 

I have sailed on Anthem 20 times, over 170 nights, and boarding again in another week.  I think you will find a lot has changed for the better when you board in December, although I have never sailed during a holiday with lots of kids. Most of my cruises are 9-12 nights when most kids are in school.

 

I guess I've been very lucky on my sailing.

That was first day, I have seen last day lines like that never first day. The last day lines are generally account errors or luggage tags, time off etc situations. In Quantum first day was primarily people couldn't get into their cabins with their keys or wrist bands. RCL brings hi-tech to ships, okay now all they have to do is get it to work.

 

Yes I too have had longer waits at local restaurants. Never used to have a dining wait until recent years with new dining systems such as anytime dining etc. Recent Princess sailing we had anytime dining. They had what I call Outback beepers though never had to use them for us. What they were doing is escorting small groups between floors and dining rooms to try to seat people. Simply not enough dining staff.

 

My complaint with dining and other areas of modern cruising is that we have replaced comfort and relaxation of cruising with  what we have at home. Recent Adventure of Seas cruise traditional seating, never waited to be seated but service extremely slow, simply not enough staff to man tables.

 

Then when they do bring something like Johnny Rockets onboard it goes from shore model to latest ship model, ala-carte charging self service. Nothing the same but the name.

 

George in NY

[TeeRick]

21 hours ago, Georgeny said:

 

Do  you really think RCL did away with Dynamic Dining and the followup concept because of whiners? RCL does little if anything based on any one group for or against. Their basis is one concept, makes money or doesn't, by either increase or decrease margins or increased or decreased bookings.

 

I would be one that thoroughly disliked DD after sailing Quantum inaugural year. I disliked it due to reservation system that failed to do anything but create long lines. Cold food, service by overworked and disgruntled staff. If you recall the Oasis of The Seas was scheduled to be converted to the DD concept on a dry dock which was cancelled by RCL after continued implementation of DD.

 

And frankly calling those opposed to DD " whiners " is ridiculous. So what are you a " whiner " about on ships, smoking, walking through casino's, design of a buffet area? If you have thoughts about any subject in he world I guess you are a whiner, join the club.

 

George in NY 

 

George- I simply wanted to point out the controversy and the older thread of near 600 posts (below) on this topic.  I did not call you a whiner.  There were valid arguments for and against DD.  The very last post on the old thread is a nice cartoon of somebody beating a dead horse.  

 

 

[Georgeny]

28 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

 

George- I simply wanted to point out the controversy and the older thread of near 600 posts (below) on this topic.  I did not call you a whiner.  There were valid arguments for and against DD.  The very last post on the old thread is a nice cartoon of somebody beating a dead horse.  

 

 

 

TeeRick, Duly noted, I must have mis-interpreted, lot of that going around as I get older 🙂

 

One thing that is very true, it is beating a dead horse! Have a great day and an even better next cruise.

 

George in NY

 

[Biker19]

Did someone mention.....

 

[Mikew0805]

On 11/18/2018 at 8:58 AM, John&LaLa said:

 

 

Pretty sure I have 14 or 15 of the old spice menus.  Many were awful.  IMHO.

A few were awful, but I really REALLY liked some of them. Do you have them posted anywhere to view?

[Trixie21]

If Celebrity Edge makes a success of the dining arrangements ( and it is definitely a version of dynamic dining) I wouldn't be surprised to see it replicated on Icon class. 

[HBE4]

I never had a chance to experience DD but it sure sounds like an interesting concept.  Since Royal has a large variety if ships, why not designate a few to have dedicated DD?  Maybe one ship from each class? That way, people will have a choice.

 

Like anything else that is radical and new, it will take some time for people to get used to it....and for Royal to work the kinks in the system.

[Biker19]

15 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 Since Royal has a large variety if ships, why not designate a few to have dedicated DD?  Maybe one ship from each class? That way, people will have a choice.

A bit of that is happening on Quantum and probably will on Spectrum as well.

 

DD, was really only on one ship at a time, it was still killed off.

 

Biker, who thinks MTD will morph into what DD was supposed to be and traditional will become a minority.

Edited November 19, 2018 by Biker19

[HBE4]

33 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Biker, who thinks MTD will morph into what DD was supposed to be and traditional will become a minority.

 

That is my thinking as well. Change is usually slow and incremental.  I remember hearing horror stories about MTD but now it's a smooth running ,well-oiled experience, probably more popular than the traditional (just a guess, I have no hard numbers to back that up).

[Biker19]

4 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 I remember hearing horror stories about MTD but now it's a smooth running ,well-oiled experience, probably more popular than the traditional (just a guess, I have no hard numbers to back that up).

Around the time of DD's cancellation I seem to remember Bayley mentioning that MTD is at 40% and climbing.