Dining times

[Belfast Taxman]

Generally we like to eat dinner around 8pm or later on a cruise, especially if we have been on a full day shore excursion and wifey wants a bit of freshen up time ( as well as that all important aperitif)

we have heard that many cruisers are happy to eat earlier than this, if only to catch the theatre entertainment, which is of lesser importance for us.

is it likely that this might mean we have a greater chance at extra nights in the speciality restaurants (do they have double sittings there, say 6.30 and 8.30pm?), or might it mean we have a better chance of simply walking into Compass Rose, or Sette Mari and getting a table for two?. 

[JMARINER]

There are no set dining time in the MDR or upstairs at Sette Mari or the Pool grill.

 

The Specialty restaurants, Prime 7 and Chartreuse have set time that are staggered in half hour windows. This staggered time seating is more a function of service flow rather than an attempt  to mimic a double seating. Although there are a few deuces that are used two time in the night, especially in P7.

 

For the MDR, depending on how many courses you order, you can easily seat at 8:000pm and still make the 9:30pm showtime, particularly if you are alone. You can always ask the waiter/ress to speed up the the service  of the courses. 

 

J

 

 

[BBWC]

We usually eat at 8 pm or a little later. Definitely easier to get into specialty restaurants if you are willing to do 8:30 pm. Compass Rose we find it best to have no wait if we arrive around 8:15 (but we always ask for a window table).

[BBWC]

Forgot to add that we can usually make the show (if we want to) even when eating late. Service is faster when there are no longer so many people ordering.

[Travelcat2]

Pacific Rim on Explorer (and soon to be on Splendor) also have reservations available every half hour.  Whether or not you get more than one reservation may depend upon the length of your cruise.  Since all passengers are guaranteed one reservation in each dining venue, on 7 night itineraries, it is more difficult to get additional reservations.  However, on longer itineraries, it is quite easy.

[ronrick1943]

I agree the longer the cruise you have more openings---a few of us get tired of eating out every night, night after night.  Sometimes we'll order soup and a light bite for dinner in the suite.

[Belfast Taxman]

Supplemental question

 

can you pre-book specific tables in the speciality restaurants? For example, a window table for two.

Edited October 6, 2019 by Belfast Taxman

[UUNetBill]

5 hours ago, Belfast Taxman said:

Supplemental question

 

can you pre-book specific tables in the speciality restaurants? For example, a window table for two.

We’ve never pre-booked but we’ll sometimes pop in to speak with the maitre d before our reservation to ask for a two-top and/or a window table.

 

Also, for additional reservations, you greatly increase your chances of getting additional nights if you request a shared table.  Although this isn’t guaranteed to seat you with interesting people, we’re running about 98% positive.   😄👍

[Belfast Taxman]

Now that is a great reply, had not occurred to me, cheers 

[Travelcat2]

Regent was asked specifically about reserving tables and the answer was a resounding "no"!  We do ask if there is availability in a particular section (the section where the server that we like is in) and that is not a problem.  Can you imagine if everyone tried to save window tables?  It would be a mess.  Actually, I prefer the tables where you can look directly out of the windows rather than looking at it sideways.  Also, window seats can be very hot and, during the winter, it is dark outside anyway so there is no reason to want a window seat.

[Belfast Taxman]

Travelcat2

thanks for your reply. I thought that would be the answer, but if you don’t ask...

our cruise is a 12 nighter, so let's hope we get a second night in one of those wonderful looking speciality restaurants.

[JMARINER]

9 hours ago, Belfast Taxman said:

Supplemental question

 

can you pre-book specific tables in the speciality restaurants? For example, a window table for two.

Can you book a specific table in the "Specialty Restaurants?". No. But you can always make the request and often it will be granted. But no guarantee.

 

J

[Travelcat2]

1 hour ago, JMARINER said:

Can you book a specific table in the "Specialty Restaurants?". No. But you can always make the request and often it will be granted. But no guarantee.

 

J

 

And if Regent headquarters hears about it, they will not be happy.  Regent's policy regarding this was posted last year (by a Regent executive).  He was very clear.  In my opinion, we should not be looking for ways around the system.

Edited October 6, 2019 by Travelcat2

[2012_Alaska_bound]

23 hours ago, Belfast Taxman said:

Travelcat2

thanks for your reply. I thought that would be the answer, but if you don’t ask...

our cruise is a 12 nighter, so let's hope we get a second night in one of those wonderful looking speciality restaurants.

 

If possible book your on line reservation early in the cruise.  Once you have used that, you can go to the dining reservation desk and ask for additional reservations. 

Since you like to eat late, I would think you would have a very good chance of getting additional reservations. 

As Bill mentioned, being willing to share a table definitely will increase the chances!  All of our shared tables have been 6 tops, so the likelihood of having two sets of difficult guests is very small.  Only once have we been seated with someone we didn't care for, but the other couple was lovely!

[JMARINER]

19 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

And if Regent headquarters hears about it, they will not be happy.  Regent's policy regarding this was posted last year (by a Regent executive).  He was very clear.  In my opinion, we should not be looking for ways around the system.

Absolute nonsense.

 

There is no problem in asking. If the restaurant manger can accommodate you he/she will.  How do you figure that asking for a particular table  is a violation on any rule? Where is that post you refer to.

 

Are you missing reading some of my words?

 

Ans as far as your statement "not be looking for ways around the system."  Didn't YOU work the system to get a free invite to the Explorer christening cruise? Gees..........

 

J

[Travelcat2]

40 minutes ago, JMARINER said:

Absolute nonsense.

 

There is no problem in asking. If the restaurant manger can accommodate you he/she will.  How do you figure that asking for a particular table  is a violation on any rule? Where is that post you refer to.

 

Are you missing reading some of my words?

 

Ans as far as your statement "not be looking for ways around the system."  Didn't YOU work the system to get a free invite to the Explorer christening cruise? Gees..........

 

J

 

The post was last year.  I urge you to contact Jason O'Keefe about the policy.  In fact, in that thread, it was asked if tables could be reserved for disabled passengers and the answer was still "no".  There is certainly no problem asking for a particular table when it is available and you are ready to be seated.  Tables cannot be held until people are ready to go to dinner.

 

Working the system to be invited to the Explorer christening cruise?  Nothing could be further from the truth.  We were invited by a friend at corporate that we have known for several years.  I definitely do not try to "work the system" - I abide by all policies and encourage people new to Regent do the same.  

 

 

[flossie009]

On 10/6/2019 at 11:07 AM, Belfast Taxman said:

Supplemental question

 

can you pre-book specific tables in the speciality restaurants? For example, a window table for two.

As others have said it is not possible to reserve specific tables in the Speciality restaurants; you simply choose a time that is available and state whether you are willing to share a table or not. If the latter you will be given a table for two, many of which are window tables; although since you prefer dining later there will not be much to see 😉

Best option to obtain your preferred table location is to arrive 5 minutes early for your reservation and let the Maître d' know your preference; if alternatives are available, he/she will be responsive.

 

Other posts have quoted Regent's "policy". I assume that the post referenced is the one about reserving tables in Compass Rose (Aug 2017 thread, page 3, post #67). You were enquiring about the speciality restaurants rather than Compass Rose.

Edited October 7, 2019 by flossie009

[JMARINER]

1 hour ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

The post was last year.  I urge you to contact Jason O'Keefe about the policy.  In fact, in that thread, it was asked if tables could be reserved for disabled passengers and the answer was still "no".  There is certainly no problem asking for a particular table when it is available and you are ready to be seated.  Tables cannot be held until people are ready to go to dinner.

 

Working the system to be invited to the ?  Nothing could be further from the truth.  We were invited by a friend at corporate that we have known for several years.  I definitely do not try to "work the system" - I abide by all policies and encourage people new to Regent do the same.  

 

 

So you can not find (or link) to the post you said was there?

 

I never said that you could reserve a table. I said you can request a table, but there were no guarantees. Go back and re-read my post before responding.

 

"Working the system?"  You made it well known to the CC community that you were invited to the Explorer christening cruise for free by Frank Del Rio. Yet I know of no one else on the Cruise Critic board or otherwise that got that benefit. I don't begrudge you, in fact I admire that you were able to pull it off.

 

J

[Travelcat2]

2 hours ago, JMARINER said:

So you can not find (or link) to the post you said was there?

 

I never said that you could reserve a table. I said you can request a table, but there were no guarantees. Go back and re-read my post before responding.

 

"Working the system?"  You made it well known to the CC community that you were invited to the Explorer christening cruise for free by Frank Del Rio. Yet I know of no one else on the Cruise Critic board or otherwise that got that benefit. I don't begrudge you, in fact I admire that you were able to pull it off.

 

J

 

There were three categories of guests on the ship:  1). Investors; 2) Travel Agents and 3) Friends and Family (no one paid for the christening cruise).  I was definitely not the only friend onboard the ship for the christening - there were many. I do not recall stating who invited us.  However, if you are speaking of regulars on CC, we may have been the only ones as there are so few people on CC (at least on the Regent board).  I do not like to discuss specifically whom we are friends with at Regent because, like friends that we have off of the ship, it is not based just on us sailing on Regent (which is not generally part of our conversations).  Sometimes people just click and become friends - nothing more - nothing less.

 

Flossie was able to find the thread that I was referring to (thank you).  Below is the post that I was referring to (scroll down - it didn't "paste" too well). I was incorrect about not saving tables for disabled person - it depends upon the situation and the seats are likely ones that can accommodate a wheelchair rather than a table by the window:

 

Jason OKeefe

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises ~Verified Account
•  
• February 9, 2017
•  
• 90 posts

• Report post
•  
•  
•  
•  #67

Posted August 24, 2017

To add clarity to this thread, I can confirm we do not allow dining tables to be reserved. This has been our longstanding policy and it has not changed. Groups are also not permitted to reserve tables and are encouraged to arrive early in effort to be seated close together. Select physical conditions or limitations often require additional consideration otherwise and we will accommodate appropriately. 

 

Many guests do arrive early to Compass Rose to be seated by the windows and when they are available.

 

Additionally, our dining room team attempts to seat guests in the same area or within the same wait staff's area when possible in order to allow a more consistent level of personal experience. When the dining room is busier, sometimes this not always possible.

Edited October 7, 2019 by Travelcat2

[flossie009]

Of course the previous thread (to which @Jason OKeefe contributed) is largely irrelevant to the present discussion as it was about not being able to reserve tables in Compass Rose.

The OP, @Belfast Taxman, asked about pre-booking specific tables in the speciality restaurants.

 

 

To avoid further confusion, perhaps a summary of procedures for Dinner in the various restaurants would be useful; especially for cruisers new to Regent:

 

Speciality Restaurants

Dining reservations should be made in advance.

Before the cruise, guests may pre-book one dinner reservation in Prime 7 on all ships, one dinner reservation in Chartreuse on Voyager, Mariner, Explorer & Splendor and one dinner reservation in Pacific Rim on Explorer & Splendor. Multiple pre-booked reservations in each restaurant are permitted on longer voyages with multiple segments; one reservation per restaurant being allotted per voyage segment.

Once on board, guests may request additional reservations, subject to availability.

Guests occupying the top suite grades are guaranteed a reservation each night in a specialty restaurant of their choice.

When making a reservation guests can choose the time and are also offered the option of whether they wish to share a table with others. Specific tables cannot be stipulated.

Walk-ups can usually only be accommodated in the event of late cancellations.

 

 

Compass Rose, Sette Mari & Pool Grill

These restaurants do not require or accept reservations.

Guests simply go to their chosen restaurant at a time that suits them, where they will be greeted by a member of the dining room team. The guests will be asked if they have any preferences (location, sharing etc). If their preference can be accommodated they will be escorted to a suitable table; if not they will be offered an alternative or the option of waiting until their preference comes available. The dining room team may not be able to fulfil guests' preferences at peak times.

 

 

I hope this is a) correct and b) helpful. I am sure someone will step in if not 😉

 

[Travelcat2]

Irrelevant?  Really?  Does Jason O'Keefe have to say - there is no reserving of seats in Compass Rose, there is no reserving of seats in Chartreuse, there is no reserving of seats in Prime 7 and there is no reserving of seats in Pacific Rim?  Jason's post encompassed all dining venues ("....... I can confirm we do not allow dining tables to be reserved".  

 

In my opinion, there is no room for further discussion as Jason's on-topic post answered the TS' (Thread Starters) questions.

Edited October 8, 2019 by Travelcat2

[Belfast Taxman]

Flossie

Thank you for your thorough summary. 

Travelcat

I get the message about reserving specific tables, or rather not reserving specific tables.

[flossie009]

1 hour ago, Travelcat2 said:

there is no reserving of seats in Compass Rose, there is no reserving of seats in Chartreuse, there is no reserving of seats in Prime 7 and there is no reserving of seats in Pacific Rim

 

I am sorry, but your post is very confusing.

Guests do have to make reservations in each of the speciality restaurants; they do not (and cannot) in Compass Rose.

Edited October 8, 2019 by flossie009

[flossie009]

2 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

Irrelevant?  Really?

IMHO, Yes.

The whole thread (initiated by you), including the useful post by @Jason OKeefe, was focussed on guests attempting to reserve tables in Compass Rose, where reservations are neither required or accepted.

Edited October 8, 2019 by flossie009

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Now children, don't make me turn the car around!