stanc3 Posted January 3, 2019 #1 Share Posted January 3, 2019 At midnight I went on the website to make reservations for our February cruise to Cuba. I am a diabetic and need the earlier reservations. There were no reservations available in any restaurants until 8:30 or 9:00 which is too late for me to eat. When I called Oceania, the representative told me there was nothing she could do. Also border line rude. This cruise is the 2nd week of a 3 week cruise and it looks like the 1st week passengers booked up the earlier times. Unfortunately our travel agent is on vacation and that is why we called Oceania. Any suggestions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted January 3, 2019 #2 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Once onboard go to the reservations desk & ask if they have any early seatings open You may have to try daily each morning if that fails there is always the Terrace where you could grab something to tide you over or room service Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanandJim Posted January 3, 2019 #3 Share Posted January 3, 2019 34 minutes ago, stanc3 said: This cruise is the 2nd week of a 3 week cruise and it looks like the 1st week passengers booked up the earlier times The passengers who have earlier choices of Specialty Restaurant Reservations are those who paid for more expensive cabins: For All Vessels:-Owner's, Vista and Oceania Suites may make reservations at 90 days out until 7 days prior to embarkation.Penthouse Suites may make reservations at 75 days out until 7 days prior to embarkation.Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms may make reservations at 60 days out until 7 days prior to embarkation.Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms may make reservations at 45 days out until 7 days prior to embarkation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arima22 Posted January 3, 2019 #4 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Were you trying for a table for just 2 people, or did you try the "share" feature as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare pinotlover Posted January 3, 2019 #5 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Absolutely try the sharing mode! if you explain your condition once aboard they will probably accommodate you in a sharing mode. Probably not on a non sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanc3 Posted January 3, 2019 Author #6 Share Posted January 3, 2019 24 minutes ago, arima22 said: Were you trying for a table for just 2 people, or did you try the "share" feature as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanc3 Posted January 3, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted January 3, 2019 We tried to do just shared tables, not tables for 2. We have been on Oceania before and never had a problem. I know there are other dining options, but I was under the impression that every guest is guaranteed a reservation in a specialty restaurant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare pinotlover Posted January 3, 2019 #8 Share Posted January 3, 2019 One is guaranteed a reservation, but not at 6:30! You said tables were available later on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammiedawg Posted January 3, 2019 #9 Share Posted January 3, 2019 The only time I’ve heard of this was on a back to back 17 day, port intensive cruise, people on the seven day segment had limited choice of times. Just too many people looking for early times. Every sailing is different, passenger preferences vary. We’ve always had good luck with early times, especially if we choose port days. Go to the restaurant deck the day you board. They hold back a few reservations and will likely accommodate your need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare WNcruiser Posted January 3, 2019 #10 Share Posted January 3, 2019 4 hours ago, stanc3 said: At midnight I went on the website to make reservations for our February cruise to Cuba. I am a diabetic and need the earlier reservations. There were no reservations available in any restaurants until 8:30 or 9:00 which is too late for me to eat. When I called Oceania, the representative told me there was nothing she could do. Also border line rude. This cruise is the 2nd week of a 3 week cruise and it looks like the 1st week passengers booked up the earlier times. Unfortunately our travel agent is on vacation and that is why we called Oceania. Any suggestions! I had the exact same experience for our Riviera cruise this month. Nothing except 830 or 9 and Jacques was completely full every night except one, and that was sharing a table! Definitely not my world, my way 🙄 I will let you know how it goes trying to get early times onboard after I return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted January 3, 2019 #11 Share Posted January 3, 2019 3 hours ago, pinotlover said: if you explain your condition once aboard they will probably accommodate you in a sharing mode. Probably not on a non sharing. This - I am pretty sure that they will try their very best to accommodate you b/o your medical need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted January 4, 2019 #12 Share Posted January 4, 2019 I agree that emphasizing your medical condition and need should give you extra consideration. Do you have a TA? That person could certainly assist you if so. I read through all the earlier answers and saw where people suggested trying to book on board, but I didn't see anyone mentioning that they don't completely sell out with online bookings. They hold back a certain number (I have no idea of what the percentage is) for people who don't book online. My guess is that most passengers don't, but I certainly could be wrong with that assumption. Older passengers (who seem to be in the majority on Oceania) often are not computer savvy. Younger passengers, of course, are. But just because you can't book online for the time you need does NOT mean you won't be able to get a table once you board. And if you are willing to share, even easier. Don't assume because you couldn't get your time when booking online that you will NOT be able to get it. Good luck. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minirottie Posted January 4, 2019 #13 Share Posted January 4, 2019 I was surprised also, today, to see everything booked except one 8:30 table at Polo. (We're on the Feb 17 Riviera cruise) I am in a Suite, so was able to do 2 6:30 tables a few weeks back, but to see nothing available, was surprising. We were able to get reservations on our June cruise, within the 45 day window. Absolutely will see what we can do on board as Toscana is a MUST for me..I need the oil and vinegars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare WNcruiser Posted January 4, 2019 #14 Share Posted January 4, 2019 13 hours ago, Mura said: I agree that emphasizing your medical condition and need should give you extra consideration. Do you have a TA? That person could certainly assist you if so. I read through all the earlier answers and saw where people suggested trying to book on board, but I didn't see anyone mentioning that they don't completely sell out with online bookings. They hold back a certain number (I have no idea of what the percentage is) for people who don't book online. My guess is that most passengers don't, but I certainly could be wrong with that assumption. Older passengers (who seem to be in the majority on Oceania) often are not computer savvy. Younger passengers, of course, are. But just because you can't book online for the time you need does NOT mean you won't be able to get a table once you board. And if you are willing to share, even easier. Don't assume because you couldn't get your time when booking online that you will NOT be able to get it. Good luck. Mura Thanks Myra, that is encouraging! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanandJim Posted January 4, 2019 #15 Share Posted January 4, 2019 11 minutes ago, WNcruiser said: Thanks Myra, that is encouraging! +1 Way to go Millicent! 😄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebslcc Posted January 8, 2019 #16 Share Posted January 8, 2019 On 1/3/2019 at 7:00 PM, Mura said: I agree that emphasizing your medical condition and need should give you extra consideration. Do you have a TA? That person could certainly assist you if so. I read through all the earlier answers and saw where people suggested trying to book on board, but I didn't see anyone mentioning that they don't completely sell out with online bookings. They hold back a certain number (I have no idea of what the percentage is) for people who don't book online. My guess is that most passengers don't, but I certainly could be wrong with that assumption. Older passengers (who seem to be in the majority on Oceania) often are not computer savvy. Younger passengers, of course, are. But just because you can't book online for the time you need does NOT mean you won't be able to get a table once you board. And if you are willing to share, even easier. Don't assume because you couldn't get your time when booking online that you will NOT be able to get it. Good luck. Mura Excellent advice! For our recent cruise the 6:30 PM reservations were all booked when we went online within an hour after the reservation window opened. TA can't help the next day when all the available spots are taken. I went to the reservation desk on Deck 5 around 1 PM once on board. From what I saw there were at least 10-20% free reservation slots for high demand Sea Days. For non Sea Days there were even more unreserved spots. If the date and time you want are fully booked you can also ask to be wait listed. Cancellation happens. I am pretty sure you will be able to get the reservation you want. Good luck Laurence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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