Tray Dining
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I want to start with the dining room experience, firstly because it is what I have done for the past 14 years, worked on board in ships' restaurants, and secondly, I know everyone loves the dining room areas and spends at least 4 to 5 hours a day in them munching through the delights prepared by 1 of the 90 or so chefs on the big vessels.
Lets go through and clarify a few points.
1. You will be assigned a table and a dining time for the duration of the cruise. For the dinner session. There are always 2 dinner sessions on most larger vessels simply for logistics. 3500 passengers sat down at the same time ain't gonna work.
a) You will be given the option to change seating times on the first day by the maitre D, (restaurant manager).
This is done on embarkation day, prior to the ships boat drill, this you will need to attend regardless of where you are and what you are eating. If the ship is full, you will have to wait until the following night before being moved time and table.
b) Dinner times are normally 6:30pm and 8:30pm. There will be an announcement to remind you that the dining room is now open and that they have started serving.
c) Don't be fashionably late, it will just upset your dining partners as the waiter will make them wait until you've arrived before they take the order.
d) ALL FOOD off the buffet lines and in the dining room is free. You will pay your alcohol or specialist coffee's.
e) Yes you can eat as much as you want off the menu. Note.. some ships have a policy that they will not pile 3 portions on the one plate. You will have to have one plate after the other. eg, lobster prime rib, make your choice, what one do you want to eat first. Hard I know.
f) Some ships will have an alternative dining option for dinner known as a 'supper club'. Here you will more than likely have to pay per cover around 15 dollars and will need to book in advance. I recommend it though, the food here is at another level and the service much more relaxed. Tell the waiter if you need to leave quick for what ever reason, as dining will normally take between 2 and 2 half hours. Great for honeymooners and special occasions.(lovers of the whole dining room experience). Don't waste your time if that's not your thing.
g) If you are like me and love your wines, most ships these days have a great wine cellar so no need to worry here. Wines ranging for all tastes and budgets,from your Zinfandel's to your chateau lafit's, New world, old-world and all in between. Carnival has a great Robert Mondavi collection (RIP) when I was on board. In fact they were biggest purchaser of his wines.
h) You will have the same waiter for dinner for the whole cruise.
i) Breakfast and Lunch seatings are often now-a-days free style, so your waiters here will be different. You walk to the door of the dining room.
You will either be greeted by a hostess, or a waiter, who will probably ask you the good ole words 'HOW MANY'. What they mean is good morning.
You will then be taken to a table sharing. BE SPECIFIC ON ENTERING THE DINING ROOM. If you just say 2 of us the staff will think that you require 2 seats. If you want to sit alone say 2 private table.
j) Any concerns you might have with the service ask to see the maitre D', complaints to the reception only slow down the process of resolving the problems as all they do is send an e mail back to the maitre D who wont receive it until after dinner.
k) You will have approx 2 hours to dine. After that expect the lights to be turned up which is a pretty good signal that it is time to leave. On the early seating mainly.
l) Many ships still have the old a la carte table set up.
So if you are used to a tray and a fork, it can be daunting. Start from the outside and work in. Appetizer, soup, salad, main course, dessert, coffee. The set up on the table will be there for you.
2 FREE STYLE DINING.
In a nut shell, the dining room opens say at 6 30 pm until, 9.00pm.
You can come in any time between opening and closing.
You will be greeted at the door by the assistant maitre'D who will then ask what table requirements you need.
If he has one available, you will be taken straight to that table.
If you ask, say for a table for 2 by the window, indeed you might need to wait until one frees up, the guest finishes, the waiter turns the table (re-sets it) before you can be taken to it. In the mean time, there should be a bar directly in front of the restaurant so you can wait there to be called.
Every night you will have a different waiter, unless you are willing to wait for the same one to have a free table in his section. Also every night you will have different dining partners unless you choose to come in together with guests you want to dine with.
To avoid long waits, my advice is to come in at opening time or at 7 45pm. 8 until 8 30 tends to be the rush hour and turn around period so avoid these times.
If you come in late, bang on closing, I can tell you from experience, don't expect the service to be the same. i.e don't expect the same smiley face or food presentation.
For more dining room advice http://www.cruise-with-stu.com/diningonboardcruiseship.html
For more to the point on board cruise advice
http://www.cruise-with-stu.com/singles-cruises.html
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