IkeEsq

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I recently returned from the Zuiderdam (12/13-12/23) and thought I would share my thoughts on dining. You can also check out my journal if you like.

We booked about 45 days out and Open Seating was the only option, but the one we would have selected anyway. It seemed that the flexibility would be nice.

On the first night we headed down to the MDR at 6:00 and there were a few people ahead of us. We said we were willing to sit with others. Within a couple minutes of our arrival we were the first to be seated at a table for ten. The rest of the table was filled within a couple more minutes. Due to the noise in the MDR and the size of the table, it was difficult to hear people on the far side of the table, so we chatted with a couple next to us. Dinner took two hours.

On the second night we headed down to the MDR at 7:00 and there was a long line. We were told that a table for 2 would be 45 minutes and any other table would be 30 minutes. It was suggested that we return in 45 minutes. We returned in 45 minutes and said that we were told to come back in order to get a table for 2. We were seated on the Upper Level at a table for 2 in about 5 minutes. Dinner took about an hour.

On the third day, we met up with other CC-ers at the M+G, including a couple in the Penthouse (and another in an aft SC). The six of us ended up dining on Room Service in the Penthouse that night and the other two formal nights. In addition, they told us we could use their table (2 person Early Seating) whenever we wanted as they planned to do Pinnacle Grill or Room Service.

On the fourth day, we tried to make reservations in the morning but were told that there were no two-person tables available for reservations. Due to being sick and barely able to speak, it seemed like eating with others would be a chore. Instead, we made use of the table for two at the early seating as our Penthouse Pals weren't using it.

After this, we generally ate at the early seating table, the Penthouse (Not-so-Formal nights), or the Terrace Grill.

I can't say that our experience with Open Seating was particularly good. Of course, we only really tried twice to go in without reservations and once to make a reservation. Part of the problem appears to be that a disproportionate number of people like tables for 2-4 in both fixed and open seating. If not for meeting up with people who lent us their table, there was no real possibility of us getting one when we wanted it. There was not an overabundance of information on the ship about making reservations, when, how far in advance, what times were more crowded, etc. I think that people with suites tend to get their pick of tables and it leaves a pretty small number for the rest of the ship, but I don't know for sure.

- Ike