360 invite?

[BOBBON]

How does princess cruise line decide who will get an invite to the 360 dining if you are not a full suite guest?

[leaveitallbehind]

31 minutes ago, BOBBON said:

How does princess cruise line decide who will get an invite to the 360 dining if you are not a full suite guest?

My understanding is it available only to suite guests and then by invitation only.  I don't believe non suite guests will be invited.  I am not sure how the invitation process works but it may be by highest suites first on down until capacity is reached.

Edited August 27, 2023 by leaveitallbehind

[jsn55]

Just ask politely ... I had dinner seated next to the Captain because my husband requested it from the Cruise Director.  My travel agent and her husband joined us on the ship for lunch in Charleston because I requested permission from the Captain.  Both were small ships, but it never hurts to ask for what you'd like.

[leaveitallbehind]

1 hour ago, jsn55 said:

Just ask politely ... I had dinner seated next to the Captain because my husband requested it from the Cruise Director.  My travel agent and her husband joined us on the ship for lunch in Charleston because I requested permission from the Captain.  Both were small ships, but it never hurts to ask for what you'd like.

As I understand the question of this thread, the OP is asking about a certain perk associated with suite guests only. As such, why would non suite guests be entitled to it?  Asking politely would seem, IMO, to be of little value as you would be asking for something you are otherwise (by the cruise fare paid) not entitled to.

 

Dinners with the Captain are one thing.  A perk associated with a certain level of booking is another altogether.

Edited August 27, 2023 by leaveitallbehind

[pompeii]

I was not in a suite this past March on the Enchanted but called and was extended an invitation. Someone on our roll call posted the phone number from a message they received inviting them, and I figured the worst they could say was no.  I was pretty surprised when she said yes. We enjoyed it immensely. And no, sorry, I no longer have the phone number. 

[chrysalis]

2 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

My understanding is it available only to suite guests and then by invitation only.  I don't believe non suite guests will be invited.  I am not sure how the invitation process works but it may be by highest suites first on down until capacity is reached.

not quite accurate.....we certainly were not suite guests, and yet were invited (and attended) twice earlier this year on the Enchanted.

[memoak]

There are 2 sitting with 20 people per dinner so over 200 people per 7 day cruise. There ate not that many suite guests. All full suites are guaranteed 360 invite. After that it seems to be a combo of reserve class mini suites, casino guests and maybe most traveled. No one really knows

[BlerkOne]

For those who begged for an invitation, was it once on the ship or before the cruise? I'm not too proud to beg. 🙂

 

 

[XBGuy]

I am aware of one couple who had booked a standard balcony with a casino offer who received an invitation to the 360 dining event prior to embarkation.  They declined because of some pretty serious dietary restrictions.

 

I agree with the sentiment that once the suite passengers are accommodated, then invitations are extended to other passengers.  I don't know that we on Cruise Critic will ever be privy to that decision making process.  However, the various ideas I have read in the above posts all seem reasonable.

[pompeii]

31 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

For those who begged for an invitation, was it once on the ship or before the cruise? I'm not too proud to beg. 🙂

 

 

I called and got the invitation prior to boarding. 

[triple7tahoe]

We have been invited and attended 5 times. We were not in a suite. Our first invitation came from Magdalana on the Discovery when the experience was just starting. Magdalana was second in charge manager of one of the MDRs and recognized my wife from previous cruises. Within minutes of her seeing my wife we received an invitation. Next on the Enchanted we received THE phone call and instantly accepted. We were meeting an old friend on that cruise who had lost his partner of 40 years, the previous summer. Since we were B2B2B with invitations to 360 for all three cruise, we started asking if our friend could attend. That is when we found out the ED is part of the management and that ED (Ron Goodman) happened to be one we and our friend knew from previous cruises. Ron made sure we were all invited. I believe (and was indirectly told) that Casino status can play a part.

 

[cheetosrevil]

I'm a solo traveler who stays in inside cabins and none of that mattered or was even known. I made a wonderful connection with a Princess steward who took it upon themselves to get me invited, which I gladly accepted and loved the entire experience.

 

IMO the bottom line is anyone can be invited so for those not in suites don't think it might preclude you.

Edited August 27, 2023 by cheetosrevil

[leaveitallbehind]

2 hours ago, chrysalis said:

not quite accurate.....we certainly were not suite guests, and yet were invited (and attended) twice earlier this year on the Enchanted.

I understood that.  Just wondering why that occurred.  But good for you!

[leaveitallbehind]

15 minutes ago, cheetosrevil said:

I'm a solo traveler who stays in inside cabins and none of that mattered or was even known. I made a wonderful connection with a Princess steward who took it upon themselves to get me invited, which I gladly accepted and loved the entire experience.

 

IMO the bottom line is anyone can be invited so for those not in suites don't think it might preclude you.

Guess their "Suites Only" program isn't quite so. Good to know for those who cruise Princess.

[cheetosrevil]

3 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Guess their "Suites Only" program isn't quite so. Good to know for those who cruise Princess.

Maybe it was an exception, but one that I thoroughly appreciated even though I'm not in the "Suites Only" program. There are probably special circumstances all the time.

[donswife]

59 minutes ago, triple7tahoe said:

We have been invited and attended 5 times. We were not in a suite. Our first invitation came from Magdalana on the Discovery when the experience was just starting. Magdalana was second in charge manager of one of the MDRs and recognized my wife from previous cruises. Within minutes of her seeing my wife we received an invitation. Next on the Enchanted we received THE phone call and instantly accepted. We were meeting an old friend on that cruise who had lost his partner of 40 years, the previous summer. Since we were B2B2B with invitations to 360 for all three cruise, we started asking if our friend could attend. That is when we found out the ED is part of the management and that ED (Ron Goodman) happened to be one we and our friend knew from previous cruises. Ron made sure we were all invited. I believe (and was indirectly told) that Casino status can play a part.

 

It's sounds like you still enjoyed it even without the elements of surprise that come with attending the first time.  We are going on Discovery in a suite again 1 year after our first time.we were discussing whether it would be worth attending again. 

[cheetosrevil]

2 minutes ago, donswife said:

It's sounds like you still enjoyed it even without the elements of surprise that come with attending the first time.  We are going on Discovery in a suite again 1 year after our first time.we were discussing whether it would be worth attending again. 

Curious on your take about the dinner, specifically the wine...I did not like any of the wines or the pulpo course, although loved everything else. Did you and others like the wine pairing? I like wine, don't get me wrong, but those wines...

[marden1970]

We have cruised 3 times in the last year, July/Aug 2022 B2B Ruby/Alaska 20 days, Dec/Jan Panama Canal B2B, 30 days and 28 days South Pacific Mar/April this year in full suites and have never been invited to 360.  Doing Mexico/Hawaii B2B 26 days,in Dec/Jan coming up, so maybe then.

[BlerkOne]

As I understand it, 360 is only on Discovery and Enchanted, and is a benefit to suites.

[memoak]

15 minutes ago, marden1970 said:

We have cruised 3 times in the last year, July/Aug 2022 B2B Ruby/Alaska 20 days, Dec/Jan Panama Canal B2B, 30 days and 28 days South Pacific Mar/April this year in full suites and have never been invited to 360.  Doing Mexico/Hawaii B2B 26 days,in Dec/Jan coming up, so maybe then.

It is only on the Discovery and the Enchanted. They are the only ships that had the facility built into Sabatini’s when they were built. Other ships do not have the area built into them

[memoak]

1 hour ago, cheetosrevil said:

Curious on your take about the dinner, specifically the wine...I did not like any of the wines or the pulpo course, although loved everything else. Did you and others like the wine pairing? I like wine, don't get me wrong, but those wines...

I thought the wines were excellent and most courses were except for the main course which was over cooked for my taste. You do not get to specify how you want things cooked

[marden1970]

Just now, memoak said:

It is only on the Discovery and the Enchanted. They are the only ships that had the facility built into Sabatini’s when they were built. Other ships do not have the area built into them

Oh. ok, now it makes sense and I don't feel so bad.  Thanks 

[cheetosrevil]

6 minutes ago, memoak said:

I thought the wines were excellent and most courses were except for the main course which was over cooked for my taste. You do not get to specify how you want things cooked

To each his own. Agree with no preferences, but the dinner was delicious.

[mellon1]

What do they serve at this dinner?  

[donswife]

1 hour ago, cheetosrevil said:

Curious on your take about the dinner, specifically the wine...I did not like any of the wines or the pulpo course, although loved everything else. Did you and others like the wine pairing? I like wine, don't get me wrong, but those wines...

Overall the food was excellent.  I didn't care for that dish either,  and if we go again I will tell them I don't eat it. I don't like red wine,  but the white and champagne were fine with me.