Dining Al Fresco

[happy cruzer]

Hi,

 

We were just discussing how we might dine al fresco. We will be on the Volemdam in the Carribbean. I thought that we could dine outside of the Lido one night. Has anyone done this?

 

Do you think it will be a problem getting food in the Lido and taking it outside? Will tables be set up?

 

Yes, a balcony would solve this. But I prefer inside cabins.

[the2ofus]

There won't be any problem at all with taking your tray outside on the Lido deck. There are a number of tables on the aft Lido deck. Many people take their breakfast and lunch trays out there.

 

I haven't tried it at dinner, but I suspect the waiters do not provide table service there as they would for the people dining inside. You might have to walk inside to get your entree.

[Namvet4]

I used to dine with Al Fresco.. we wuz doin a stretch upstate..err...No dat was wit "No Nose" Nuggliano ..We's were dropping a nickle in the Joisey Big House...err . . .or was dat whens me and what's his name....... :rolleyes: ;)

 

 

That sounds like a great idea when we get to the warmer clime of the Caribbean..... Something I could definitely enjoy! Thanks Happy_Cruzer for starting this thread :)

[bepsf]

There won't be any problem at all with taking your tray outside on the Lido deck. There are a number of tables on the aft Lido deck. Many people take their breakfast and lunch trays out there.

 

I haven't tried it at dinner, but I suspect the waiters do not provide table service there as they would for the people dining inside. You might have to walk inside to get your entree.

 

Somehow, I have the feeling that if the weather is warm and you speak to the steward nicely, he'll happily bring your dinner poolside

:)

[ger_77]

When we were on the Prinsendam, June/04 on the Mediterranean, we dined al fresco on formal night because we still had not received our luggage. The servers in the Lido were ever so accommodating, placing tablecloths and table settings on the outdoor table for us, making sure we had everything, bringing our meals to us, and even bringing a dessert / cheese tray around to choose from after dinner. They couldn't have been nicer to us - that's the kind of service that keep bringing us back to Holland America's Dam ships.

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[happy cruzer]

Thanks, it helps to know that you guys don't think this is a weird idea and that some lucky cruisers have experienced this pleasure.

 

I don't mind if they are busy or not not allowed to carry the food outside for us. And I don't mind if the dinner takes along time; I was planning to try to still do it in courses and I don't mind going into the Lido to get each course. I just want to enjoy eating outdoors in the sea breeze under the moon and the stars. We probably will start by going out and making sure it's not too windy and that it's fairly quiet; I was leaning toward the aft Lido and starting our dinner at about 8:00.

 

Cheers.

[serendipity1499]

We probably will start by going out and making sure it's not too windy and that it's fairly quiet; I was leaning toward the aft Lido and starting our dinner at about 8:00.Cheers.

 

It's lovely on deck at night, but can get windy in some areas..They do have covered areas on the Aft Lido deck..

 

However I would double check on your time..:confused: It seems to me that I've heard that the Lido is not open for dinner after 7:30, but I could be wrong..We've never eaten in the Lido for dinner, but enjoy our lunches there..

 

Have a wonderful cruise:) Betty

[happy cruzer]

Interesting so the Lido may close at 7:30. hmmmm on some lines it doesn't open til 7:00.

 

I'll be sure to check early in the cruise and adjust accordingly.

 

Anyone else try dining al fresco in the evening?

[SDHALFAN]

Interesting so the Lido may close at 7:30. hmmmm on some lines it doesn't open til 7:00.

 

I'll be sure to check early in the cruise and adjust accordingly.

 

Anyone else try dining al fresco in the evening?

 

 

The Lido does indeed have very limited hours for dinner, and the food is actually good - service is excellent and if you eat inside it really has a nice ambience - not Dining Room, not Pinnacle Grill, but just fine, with white linen tablecloths, candles and fresh flowers on the tables, and plenty of attentive Stewards willing to assist you.

 

I have never actually tried to dine al fresco in the evening, although I think it's a wonderful idea and not strange at all.

 

That said, it has been my experience (and these have all been west coast cruises) that they have a tendency to close the roof over the swimming pool at night and it can get very hot and humid on the outside Lido deck and the lighting is not very good. This from someone who has just eaten (first seating in the Dining Room) and probably stopped by the Casino, losing her budget for the day, and is on her way to bed, only stopping by to get a decaf before retiring for the night - meaning that I am probably not up there before maybe 8:30 - 9:00 p.m. If you choose to eat earlier, and since you will be in the Caribbean and not the Mexican Riviera, then it may well be that you will have a wonderful al fresco experience.

 

I truly wish you luck. Dining al fresco (without a balcony/verandah, and I never have one of these either) sounds like a ton of fun.

 

I am not sure just what it would be like outside on the Lido Deck an hour or two earlier. I would urge you to at least try it, as a matter of fact I'm thinking about doing just that on one of my upcoming cruises.

 

Have a wonderful cruise and I sincerely hope that you get to dine, comfortably, al fresco.

 

Valerie:)