Open seating vs Fixed seating: pros and cons

[GadgetNeil]

Will be on my first cruise, on the Zuiderdam, to Alaska this july.

 

I've been reading lots of posts about the advantages and disadvantages of fixed vs open seating, and now I feel confused!:eek:

 

My DW and I don't want to eat at 530, as that would be awfully early for us. On the other hand, 8 pm is a bit late. Of course open seating would give us the most flexibility, but here is my summary of what I've read, re: the advantages of fixed seating:

 

1. You get the same wait staff each night, so they get to know you, which can enhance the experience.

2. Since the same tablemates will be there each night, you can get to know them over time (although this would be a disadvantage if you end up not getting along)

3. Some people complain that with open seating they can't get a time they want, or have to wait

 

Are there any other advantages to fixed dining times? I'm more an introvert that an extrovert, so I'm not necessarily looking to socialize a lot, but then again having nice tablemates, and making new friends could be really nice.

 

If you go to the dining room (with open seating) and have to wait, is it true you get a pager? Does this mean you can go relax anywhere on the ship until you are called?

 

If we are with fixed dining times, what happens if some nights we just want the Lido, or room service, or what if we go to the Pinnacle? Are the tables at fixed dining times often only partly filled (when the others choose some of these alternative options)? Are you expected to notify someone if you plan to not be there that night?

 

If we start the cruise with fixed dining (late seating), can we switch easily to open seating after a day or two if we change our minds?

 

Thanks for any input:)

[dandro]

We just got off the Westerdam, and we had open seating, which suited us perfectly as we got to choose when to eat. Some nights we ate around 6, some nights around 8. We only had to wait once when we wanted a specific table size, were given a pager, so we could be free to wander around or have a drink in the nearby lounge. Otherwise, we were seated promptly and really liked meeting other people. We got very lucky the first formal night and were seated with 2 other couples that we became friends with during the cruise and dined with them again on the 2nd formal night.

 

I don't care that we had a different waiter every night, the service was excellent every time, as was the food.

 

Yes, you should notify the maitre d' in advance that you will not be dining that evening if you have fixed dining and choose to eat elsewhere.

[RuthC]

If we are with fixed dining times, what happens if some nights we just want the Lido, or room service, or what if we go to the Pinnacle? Are the tables at fixed dining times often only partly filled (when the others choose some of these alternative options)? Are you expected to notify someone if you plan to not be there that night?

Long before the introduction of open seating there have been alternatives to going to your table in the dining room. There have been late port nights where people dined in town, room service, the Lido, and the Pinnacle Grill (and it's predecessors).

 

It's always been considered good form to let your tablemates know the night before if you knew you weren't going to be at the table the next night. If you didn't know until the next day, you let a tablemate know when you ran into them, or told the Maitre d', and he informed the steward, who then told the tablemates.

[simplelife]

Another advantage of fixed seating is that on evenings that tablemates choose other venues, you get the benefit of more personalized service without an upcharge:)

[brucory]

 

If you go to the dining room (with open seating) and have to wait, is it true you get a pager? Does this mean you can go relax anywhere on the ship until you are called?

 

Thanks for any input:)

 

We have never had a pager for open seating. It is possible to make a reservation, turn up at that time, and your assigned table should be ready.

 

With fixed dining, in theory, most people do things at the same time - show up, orders, starters, main course, dessert etc.

 

Open seating is more like a normal restaurant where everyone is eating courses at different times.

 

It is possible to eat in the same section in open seating, with the same staff each night if you make that request as part of your reservation through the dining room manager. You can also change sections, or request a table if you like the look of it.

 

If you have no reservation, then they will try to put you on your requested table size, which may involve a wait.

 

There are those that prefer either and will fight you to the death if you try to tell them the other is better - :p

 

Enjoy your cruise...

 

:D:D:D

[oldengine]

My DW and I don't want to eat at 530, as that would be awfully early for us.

Don't overlook that 5:30 Alaska is 9:30 Toronto. :)

[Mary Ellen]

When we had our fiasco of our "confirmed" main upper seating being 'open' seating when we checked in at the pier, we did end up at a fixed table/time (without having the hassle of making reservations every other day - thanks to some of those in our group being in S suites and the Neptune concierge there) - but we were on the lower 'open seating' level. We found that we had to enter through the upper level due to the HUGE crowds on the lower level (backed up to the stairs past the elevators) waiting to get their pagers (we heard over 45-min waits at 8:00).

 

One thing that I wasn't expecting was the 'busy-ness' of the open seating. There was constant traffic by the table. With our usual fixed seating, passengers come in, get seated, then it is just the staff walking through the area. Then at the end of the meal passengers start trickling out.

 

In the 'open' area everyone was escorted to their table by staff each night (not just the first night), staff returns to entrance, in addition to the waitstaff constantly needing trips to the kitchen (this seemed much more so than the usual amount to which we're accustomed). There was just constant traffic, this added to the noise and detracted from the relaxing 'dining experience'.

[jer_l]

but we were on the lower 'open seating' level.

We had just the opposite last summer when we had open seating. The majority of the time we were escorted up the stairs to the fixed seating level which surprised us.

The only night we waited was the first night when we had a reservation. After that, we just showed up without a reservation and were seated within a couple of minutes each night.

While we feel there are advantages to both fixed and open seating we chose open for our Alaska cruise because of the flexibility when in ports late. We also felt that open seating worked better with the show times on HAL. The second week our DD and SIL are with us so we will have the same table mates every night that week (unless they get tired of us and choose to eat without us.)

[Candy]

On Zuiderdam, we always had fixed seating (usually on the lower level over the wake - our FAVORITE location). In November we were assigned AYW and were greatly surprised at how well it works out. On the first night (if there is only one show) you may experience a delay in seating, but after that the wait should be no more than 5 minutes. We came at a different time each night (sometimes with friends, sometimes alone) and were always seated immediately.

 

We liked it so much we requested AYW for our October Zuidy cruise.

 

Candy <-- thinks the Zuiderdam is the finest ship afloat

[CowPrincess]

It is possible to eat in the same section in open seating, with the same staff each night if you make that request as part of your reservation through the dining room manager. You can also change sections, or request a table if you like the look of it.

 

From what I understand, one can only make reservations on the "shoulder" dinner times -- before 6 pm, and after 8 pm.

 

We never had to wait for a table this May in "open" dining, as long as we were prepared to sit with others. We didn't especially care for it, but that's just us.

 

We found the service terribly uneven, with the dining stewards and assistants having to clear tables, re-set tables, and trying to juggle taking orders and deliver the courses. The wine stewards were "challenged" every evening except one -- it seemed to us that every newly full table was a surprise to them, and sometimes the "newly" filled tables were overlooked until well after we'd been seated. And the delivery of wine could take a l-o-n-g time.

 

On the "up" side, as mentioned we never had to wait for a table, and it did give us the flexibility we needed for this cruise.

[kryos]

My DW and I don't want to eat at 530, as that would be awfully early for us. On the other hand, 8 pm is a bit late. Of course open seating would give us the most flexibility, but here is my summary of what I've read, re: the advantages of fixed seating:

 

1. You get the same wait staff each night, so they get to know you, which can enhance the experience.

So? I don't necessarily see any big particular advantage to that. They get to know you? Well, what does that mean? You get your ice tea a few minutes before you would if you had to ask for it when you sat down?

 

 

2. Since the same tablemates will be there each night, you can get to know them over time (although this would be a disadvantage if you end up not getting along)

 

As you say, this can be a double-edged sword. Also, since you are traveling with your spouse, you can enjoy the same sort of thing in open seating, plus have the option of asking for a table for two on any night when you may prefer to dine alone. Seems like the best of both worlds to me ... plus you get to meet more people in open seating when you choose group tables. And, as you say, if you find you don't like somebody, at least you're not stuck with them for every dinner for the rest of the cruise. And, if you really do hit it off with another couple, you can always make arrangements to dine together on subsequent nights in open seating. Just set up a time to meet outside the dining room and then request a table for four just for your party.

 

3. Some people complain that with open seating they can't get a time they want, or have to wait.

You may not get your specific time if you want a "coveted" table, like a table for two. They only seat people at certain times at those tables in order to be able to turn them over so many times in a night. But if you are asking to be seated at a group table, you can walk it whenever it suits you.

 

Are there any other advantages to fixed dining times? I'm more an introvert that an extrovert, so I'm not necessarily looking to socialize a lot, but then again having nice tablemates, and making new friends could be really nice.

 

I personally think you have more chance to meet people in open seating than fixed. True, for a single cruiser, there could definitely be advantages to fixed seating, but for a couple, you can have the exact same experience in both formats of dining, plus you get your flexibility as for time.

 

I can well understand why flexible dining has become overwhelmingly popular across many cruise lines. While it's not necessarily the best option for singles (depending on the person) very few cruisers are singles ... and for couples or groups it's great because you can change the time you dine based on your activities that day.

 

Just my opinion, but I'd opt for flexible if I were in your shoes and the fixed seating times didn't work for me.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

From what I understand, one can only make reservations on the "shoulder" dinner times -- before 6 pm, and after 8 pm.

 

We never had to wait for a table this May in "open" dining, as long as we were prepared to sit with others. We didn't especially care for it, but that's just us.

 

Chances are in fixed dining you'd be sharing too. Those tables for two are very difficult to snag, and first dibs goes to suite passengers. Personally, I think you have a better chance of getting a table for two on some nights in open seating than you do of snagging a permanently assigned one in fixed.

 

Now, of course, if you generally take the luxury suites when you cruise, I would overwhelmingly recommend fixed seating if a table for just your party is important to you. You'd definitely be able to get it and then why eat with others if you'd prefer not to?

 

But for people in regular accommodations, I honestly think you're gonna wind up having at least one other couple assigned at your table, so you're gonna run into the same problem in fixed as you have in open. You'd be eating with others.

 

As for waiting and slow service ... I have spent 2.5 hours dining in fixed. I think this problem of waiting for service is uniform regardless of whether you eat in open or fixed dining. The problem, in my opinion, is staffing. HAL has obviously cut waitstaff and on my past several cruises in fixed dining, it has been obvious. Long waits between courses because the stewards are not going to go back to the galley and get the next course until everyone on the prior course is finished. That saves them some steps and lets them serve maybe five tables instead of four. I remember being assigned to a large table on the Veendam a few years back. Dinners were taking so long that we would routinely skip our coffee and dessert so that we could leave after eating the main course. And, even then ... we were spending over two hours having dinner and routinely missed the show.

 

As for being short-staffed too ... remember, the fewer stewards, the bigger the share of the auto-tip that is available for the remaining ones. It's probably in their best interests not to complain too loudly about being short-staffed.

 

Same with the wine stewards. If they only have say three wine stewards working the whole dining room, each one is going to have more tables to serve, and naturally getting to those tables is going to take a bit longer.

 

I don't think the problem with slow service would have anything to do with open versus fixed seating. Both formats are short-staffed and both will involve waiting.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[CowPrincess]

Chances are in fixed dining you'd be sharing too. Those tables for two are very difficult to snag, and first dibs goes to suite passengers. Personally, I think you have a better chance of getting a table for two on some nights in open seating than you do of snagging a permanently assigned one in fixed.

 

 

I phrased the 2 sentences poorly. I didn't care for "open dining" -- I'm absolutely fine with sharing a table :)

 

We didn't experience any of the "waiting" issues on the same ship in Nov/Dec. Open dining works for some people, not others. Fixed is my preference. I wouldn't say that one is superior to the other for anyone except me. If you notice, I did say that open dining gave us the flexibility we required on this particular cruise.

[Jemima]

We have found service faster in open seating. Some tables, especially 2-person ones, are used three times. Our service has been as good as it was in fixed seating. While the servers don't know preferences such as ice tea, they also don't waste time pushing for tips.

[Mary Ellen]

... they also don't waste time pushing for tips.

We've NEVER had this occur on HAL - and we've been sailing on HAL since 1980.

[Pettifogger]

GadgetNeil: If you are as you say more an introvert than an extrovert, I'd recommend fixed dining , if you can get it.

 

My experience has been that flexible diners tend to be outgoing, talkative and cheerful, while fixed diners tend to be more reserved, less talkative and more tranquil than cheerful.

 

Flexible diners often perceive the more extreme fixed diner types as morose and fixed diners often perceive the more extreme flexible diner types as verbose, so it's better for everyone if they can all enjoy dinner among their own kind.

 

Very few flexible diners find their way into fixed dining, but some fixed diners fail to convince some dining room managers that they should be able to "dine as they wish." I wish you luck.

[MarilouR]

We had open dining on our recent Alaska cruise on the Zuiderdam. On our last cruise we had fixed seating, so this was new to us and we were a little unsure going in.

 

But for us, open seating worked really well. We loved having the flexibility of planning our dinner time around our activites, rather than the other way around. I know that the Lido is always an option, but I prefer having dinner in the dining room. The other thing we really enjoyed was the opportunity to meet so many different and interesting people from all around the world. Except for one night, we were always willing to share a table. Overall, it was a really good experience. On our next HAL cruise, we will definitely choose open dining again.

 

ETA: During this cruise, we never had to wait for a table more than a few minutes.

[JimVrhovac]

We have switched to open seating on all our crises and make reservations for 7 pm meals.

It allows us to eat a little later as we do not like early meals and late time is too late for us.

 

If we want to do something else, Lido or Cannalot or innacle we simple cancel ou 7 pm reservations. I has worked well for us. It is difficult to see the 8 pm show though

 

Ruth & Jim

[Jemima]

We've NEVER had this occur on HAL - and we've been sailing on HAL since 1980.

 

We have over 100 days on HAL and have seen this several times. By "pushing for tips" I mean giving extra attention/time to tables the steward thinks will tip higher, comments that indirectly encourage tipping &/or positives on the comment cards, etc. We've only seen this type of behavior once in open dining. That was with a dining steward who tried to get us and others to request him daily. We didn't do so.

[jer_l]

GadgetNeil: If you are as you say more an introvert than an extrovert, I'd recommend fixed dining , if you can get it.

 

My experience has been that flexible diners tend to be outgoing, talkative and cheerful, while fixed diners tend to be more reserved, less talkative and more tranquil than cheerful.

 

Flexible diners often perceive the more extreme fixed diner types as morose and fixed diners often perceive the more extreme flexible diner types as verbose, so it's better for everyone if they can all enjoy dinner among their own kind.

 

Very few flexible diners find their way into fixed dining, but some fixed diners fail to convince some dining room managers that they should be able to "dine as they wish." I wish you luck.

I don't think this is accurate. My observation is that there is very little difference on a HAL ship between those in fixed seating as opposed to open seating. We've actually had more talkative dinner companions at fixed seating than those who joined us in open seating, We had fixed dining on our last cruise. open the cruise before that and fixed the cruise before that. For us it all depends on the itinerary and the ship.

[Mary Ellen]

We have over 100 days on HAL and have seen this several times. By "pushing for tips" I mean giving extra attention/time to tables the steward thinks will tip higher, comments that indirectly encourage tipping &/or positives on the comment cards, etc. We've only seen this type of behavior once in open dining. That was with a dining steward who tried to get us and others to request him daily. We didn't do so.

Yes, we each have over 100 days also. We still have NEVER seen this occur. But then we aren't watching other tables to see if they are getting more attention and timing the waiters to compare any perceived differences. We are just enjoying our dinner and tablemates. :rolleyes:

[tokyo]

and have decided on flexible dining. My cruise in August will be my first with HAL, all my other cruises have been with my partner on PandO. As she will not do the long flight from the UK to Vancouver I will be all on my own for the cruise. I am not sure what to expect from flexible dining, but feel it is a way of meeting people. As a couple we found fixed dining was ok and if we did not get on with our fellow diners at least there was the two of us.

 

Am I right to assume that I can make a reservation for a time that I want or do I just turn up ?

[dandro]

and have decided on flexible dining. My cruise in August will be my first with HAL, all my other cruises have been with my partner on PandO. As she will not do the long flight from the UK to Vancouver I will be all on my own for the cruise. I am not sure what to expect from flexible dining, but feel it is a way of meeting people. As a couple we found fixed dining was ok and if we did not get on with our fellow diners at least there was the two of us.

 

Am I right to assume that I can make a reservation for a time that I want or do I just turn up ?

 

We found that just showing up is fine as long as you don't specify a table size or location. We always said "just put us wherever you have an opening for 2", and we were seated promptly, usually at a table for 6 with 4 other people, which always went well.

[tokyo]

I'm a easy going type of person and if I have to wait to be seated it will be no big deal. As long as I get my food I will be happy. :D

[razor_baks]

We have early assigned dining - how do I get changed to open seating?