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Away time do they release the Specialist Dining bookings


hillsprint
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Folks

 

At what time of day does the option to book the Specialist Dining become available? Is it at midnight Miami time?

 

 

 

Sorry thread title should say At what time.......

Edited by hillsprint
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It has been my experience one must log into O’s system after the proper hour. Meaning, one cannot be sitting logged on looking at the reservations page 10 minutes early and then miraculously start making reservations at the top of the hour. Just a hint.

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We have never had a problem with booking Speciality Restaurants at a sensible time of the day in the UK without setting the alarm for 5 am. You have to be a bit flexible regarding time, but surely, you are on holiday and can sit down to a meal at a reasonable time without having to be too rigid about it.

I have never understood why it is so important to be ready to book your restaurant place the minute the booking slot opens. You need to go with the flow. Relax everyone J

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Really depends on when your cabin level booking opens up and what one considers a "reasonable" time (IMO, not 8 pm or later). While I enjoy meeting new folks at shared tables, I do want to have an occasional "table for two" and have it arranged before boarding. So, I will continue to be ready to book at 9:01 PST the day before Miami midnight.

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We have never had a problem with booking Speciality Restaurants at a sensible time of the day in the UK without setting the alarm for 5 am. You have to be a bit flexible regarding time, but surely, you are on holiday and can sit down to a meal at a reasonable time without having to be too rigid about it.

I have never understood why it is so important to be ready to book your restaurant place the minute the booking slot opens. You need to go with the flow. Relax everyone J

 

Isn’t it a bit presumptuous of you to assume that what works best for you should also work for everyone else? :D

If, for example, people want to book tables for 2 for early seating and on certain days (depending on their tours, ship’s sailing time, etc) then the earlier they book the better chance of getting exactly what they want.

As always, YMMV

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Yes we are in an A grade stateroom, so all the suites have had their pick, plus the cruise is the latter half of a longer preceding cruise, so all those folk will also have had their bookings registered.

 

As it is our first time on O, we would like to try all these fabulous restaurants we’ve been reading about :)

 

Anyway, whatever we get, we get and I’m sure it will all be enjoyable

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Yes we are in an A grade stateroom, so all the suites have had their pick, plus the cruise is the latter half of a longer preceding cruise, so all those folk will also have had their bookings registered.

 

As it is our first time on O, we would like to try all these fabulous restaurants we’ve been reading about :)

 

Anyway, whatever we get, we get and I’m sure it will all be enjoyable

 

Generally speaking, if you are flexible with table size (sharing is easier than table for 2) and with time (later is easier than early) then you should have little trouble.

Also, remember that not all reservations are awarded online - saving some for those that did not book ahead.

Thus, if you wish to change some reservations after boarding, give it a shot.

In addition, you can try for extra reservations at no cost once onboard provided that there is availability.

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Our first cruise with Oceania is coming up, on Nautica, and soon we can book restaurants, so I want to understand what to do at the "magic hour."

With our oceanview cabin, we should/can have "1 reservation at each restaurant."

This means one night at Toscana and one at Polo Grill, right?

Just want to make sure I am not missing something!

Also, what does this statement on the booking page mean:

"If you have been invited by another guest and would like to make changes, please contact the individual that created the reservation. You may only edit reservations that you completed."

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This means one night at Toscana and one at Polo Grill, right? CORRECT once on the ship however you may go to the reservations stand in the Terrace in the mornings & ask if there are any seats available that night

Just want to make sure I am not missing something!

Also, what does this statement on the booking page mean:

"If you have been invited by another guest and would like to make changes, please contact the individual that created the reservation. You may only edit reservations that you completed."

It means if someone asks you to dine with them & makes the reservation & you want to cancel or change anything then you must contact the person that booked the table

 

If you did not prearrange the dining reservation with anyone then no worries

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Lyn;

 

My last two times on the Nautica, last July and this February, They had a desk set up, in the mornings, on either Deck 4 or 5 to make dining reservations. It was not being done in the Terrace Cafe.

good to know

 

On Regatta 2 yrs ago it was still in the Terrace so maybe things have changed

 

In any case look for the reservations desk & see if you can get extra reservations if you want them

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We are two couples, 4 people. One couple is in a PH3 the other in an A4. Can the PH 3 couple reserve a table for 4. Or do they first reserve a table for 2 and change to 4 when the A4 couple can book?

 

I believe that you can reserve a table for 4 when you book yours - add their names and booking number.

That reservation will count towards their allotment.

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Lyn;

 

My last two times on the Nautica, last July and this February, They had a desk set up, in the mornings, on either Deck 4 or 5 to make dining reservations. It was not being done in the Terrace Cafe.

 

We were on the Nautica this past March/April and I am 99% sure that the reservation place was still at the Terrace Cafe entrance (starboard).

On O class ships there is a desk on deck 5.

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Lyn;

 

My last two times on the Nautica, last July and this February, They had a desk set up, in the mornings, on either Deck 4 or 5 to make dining reservations. It was not being done in the Terrace Cafe.

 

Depends on the ship...I always have used the Terrace. It is reall no big deal to get more reservations on board, in my experience if on a 14 day or longer cruise. Too if the ship begins to move a bit, head directly to the restaurant of your choice... many never show for their reservation..... Many openings

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