BklynBoy8

Once again, it depends on the particular ship and MDR you and others are speaking about specifically. One can not accuse all ships and MDR's under this subject. This subject is reflecting what one has experienced and the decision one makes for a quiet dinner on embarkation evening. Again, enjoy your meal wherever you wish.

Agree want to enjoy a cruise especially a first time or first time on a particular ship, you still want a good experience that inexpensive will not affect it. We too live 12 minutes from my Terminal.

First, I honestly think it depends on the Ship and Line you select that first matters. Our choice is Cunard and we sail on the QM2 if it matters to the subject. We honestly never see this activity on board at anytime. Our first cruise on her was short 5 days to see if we would like her. Yes previous QE2 or HAL were longer cruises but we were looking at what she offered in food, activities and atmosphere. We knew longer days would also be different. I remember the then Cruise Director on the First Night Intro in the theater stated this short sailing was used by many to see if they would like in the future for longer. He also stated it would be a party type cruise since it was on 4th of July week but other sailings were more routine. But still without that crazy pushy atmosphere. PARTY AND MEGA SHIPS...are not for us.

Trying to understand your point related to the original subject

We hope you enjoy your experience of possibly trying a specialized restaurant on the first evening. But granted I am attempting to understand everyone on this board with not approaching the Main Dining Room on the first evening. Yes every first night will be crowded with the restaurants settling in to a normal routine by the second evening. But isn't the excitement of returning to cruising or experiencing your first sailing part of the first evening in the Main Dinings Rooms. Sure it will be crowded with passengers and staff settling in on the first evening but aren't there going to be other evenings a needed quiet dinner will be available. Seeing the crowds on the Pier excited and anticipating the boarding a ship (again or first time) and seeing their awl is part of cruising. We always settle in and enjoy the MDR and look forward to when to enjoy something special down the line. Excitement is part of cruising. Aren't getting away from the everyday to on board activities to enjoy. Well it boils down to whatever people like to do that will make them happy. Bon Voyage....in the future.

We are sailing on the QM2 on June 30th and our shore excursions are posted. Maybe more maybe added but quite a number at this time. Typical 6 months before.

We were happy with whatever bar served the PG Restaurant

I like when they add a extra treat in the bag and said "Don't Worry About"...... That's a treat I enjoy even more...... Ask for extra bread......not little......you're treated to MORE BREAD.....

Lois, Remember a Good Sandwich can have a Good Side (Soup, Salad).....

Remember...... You don't have to Jewish to Love LEVY's............. or Jewish Food.......CB, Past, Pickles, Cole Slaw, Broth w MB, Stuffed Cabbage, Derma, Yummy......Jewish Food.....

In Mill Basin Brooklyn. we love when they make a Deli Sandwich (1/2 lb) on Rye. But before presenting it to me, the dip the top of slice in the gravy. And I always ask for a side cup of gravy tableside. Anything going home, cup gravy comes home too!

Again all this conversation about food, seating, assignments, dining room troubles, etc..... We make our assignments, we go to the ship, we board, we have lunch and wander, se e the ship out and head for dinner. No worries, no troubles, seating as requested, enjoy the meals, rest, entertainment etc.... No problems occur and we enjoy the voyage...We're we on the same ship?

WOW.....this is a new one I never heard.... Nerve......WOW.......

There are pan fried, pan sauteed, there are shredded, chopped, quartered, sliced..... Not to be confused with Potatoes O'Brien which is very different. Can't stand the rectangle or triangle fried like Mc D's.

As said on our ship, Speciality is a mainly a certain cuisine and Alternative is a mix of cuisines on alternate days.

Ditto....... Some attraction but happy with the MDR or other Class Booked In.

Like on the QM2 the Speciality Restaurant is the Steakhouse. The Alternative is a certain cuisine that changes each night in one of the buffet sections set aside. Like India, Asian, Steakhouse (other) and Italian. Speciality charged. Alternative small surcharge - takes the place of the evening meal.

Cruising does contain a mix of styles of passengers from all around. Maybe the R&R is the rest passengers are looking for from the daily grind.

WOW............ On the ships we sail on we are not obligated to sit with a group of passengers and do get the requested table for 2 as booking reflexes. And unfortunately I do not understand your someone's home to a shipboard restaurant theory. I just know that if asked for a requested table and servers are ready to show their dedication to passengers wanting to enjoy their ship and restaurant, common courtesy is to show up with a pleasure attitude of appreciation. Granted I may not understand you circumstances of travel being only 12 minutes from my terminal to board, but after all the preparation we have gone thru, we look forward to a proper meal and not something I could get at a local set price buffet restaurant. And common courtesy is what I would expect to receive from fellow passengers as I will for whatever amount of time we will be sailing together to share on my behave. I know cruise ships will contain many varieties of people from all around. But no excuse on board, on tour buses, restaurants, casino etc... I still would say hello to you and wish you a Bon Voyage....

Another reason for those we call "Newbies" they are not familiar with the operation of the ship with attending the restaurant upon boarding.

We are also talking about the style that are made.

IMHO.....Can't believe you were on the same ships as us. Cunard has very good quality and I think you are more attracted to other lines with their quality.

We do dine in Speciality Restaurants but after we settle in and enjoy the regular dining room. And thru Loyalty we do get lunches or dinners thru the line on the house.