Option to opt out of mdr

[Ashland]

How many of you would like to be able to OPT out of the MDR ? This would free up more space and times for those who prefer to dine there. We usually eat in the WJ or one of the specialty restaurants. On the occasion we have been in the MDR when we were traveling with family, we have noticed some empty tables or large tables with only two people sitting at them. We have no problem telling the MDR in advance when it's just my DH and myself that we will not be using the MDR so this space and time can be used for someone else. We would like to see this as an option when booking our cruise...How about you ? Just an aside not interested in MTD either...

[steponboard]

You don't have to opt out of the MDR, no one cares if you use it or not. It would be polite to tell the Maitre 'D so he can give your table to someone else if you're not going to use the MDR at all for dinner.

[temple1]

DS and I will be on Monarch next month and plan to be casual for the week. We signed up for MTD so we don't have to worry about tipping the WJ staff and we don't take a spot from one of the main dining room waiters.

 

We really noticed on our Majesty cruise - on 4 of the 8 people were at our table for the entire cruise. Kind of strange.

 

I don't know if the no shows prepaid or not - I hope so, cause at our table the waiter had no way to recoup the missing diners like in a land based restaurant.

[cb at sea]

Actually, if you KNOW you won't ever be there, let the dining room know when you board...they may have someone on a wait list.

[ShuswapCruisers]

How many of you would like to be able to OPT out of the MDR ? This would free up more space and times for those who prefer to dine there. We usually eat in the WJ or one of the specialty restaurants. On the occasion we have been in the MDR when we were traveling with family, we have noticed some empty tables or large tables with only two people sitting at them. We have no problem telling the MDR in advance when it's just my DH and myself that we will not be using the MDR so this space and time can be used for someone else. We would like to see this as an option when booking our cruise...How about you ? Just an aside not interested in MTD either...

 

YES! I totally agree.

We eat in Portofino every nite and on day 1 we tell the mtd of our dining plans. I do not feel obligated to tip while in the MDR as we do not use it for lunch or dinner and we tip extremely well while in Portafino. There should be an option to pre-advise that the space in the MDR is not required so that they can fill the table immediately.

Pass this post on the the people incharge. You brought up a VERY valid point of view.

Ciao:)

[JanineM]

Just an aside not interested in MTD either...

 

We signed up for MTD so we don't have to worry about tipping the WJ staff and we don't take a spot from one of the main dining room waiters.

 

Temple ... I'm with you. If Ashland isn't interested in the main dining room then they should sign up for My Time Dining. That's probably the best way to ensure that the servers get some sort of a tip from them.

 

Ashland ... I don't understand the reticence to sign up for MTD? You can take it or leave it, but it does allow for your hard-working servers in Windjammer to be tipped.

 

We had MTD on Monarch last weekend and we really happy with the service we received. It was better than the MTD service on Freedom on September! In fact, we were so happy with our servers that we had the Maitre d' book us with the same waiter next month. :)

[Ashland]

WOW :eek: steponboard...cbatsea....waterbaby....Your quick criticism of my post suggests that none of you cared to understand anything I wrote.... "No one cares" !!... Maybe one of you would if I had the dinner seating or the table that you may have wanted...We always let the MDR know as soon as we get onboard so they can use our space for someone else. Hmmm :rolleyes: maybe it was you...We always make sure everyone involved with wherever we dine is always generously tipped.... Any more criticisms you want to make I will be happy to respond.....

[mariefisher]

Twice I have waited in that long line on embarkation day to let them know we would not eat in the MDR during our cruise. Both times they just more or less shrugged their shoulders and never made note of it. So I just stopped making the effort. I am not sure if that is one of the reasons they started MTD. Yes you do tip up front and I don't like being told how to tip but there really is no other way. I guess the alternative is to charge everyone on their seapass like NCL does. I just don't think this one has a perfect solution.

[John Henry on CC]

YES! I totally agree.

We eat in Portofino every nite and on day 1 we tell the mtd of our dining plans. I do not feel obligated to tip while in the MDR as we do not use it for lunch or dinner and we tip extremely well while in Portafino. There should be an option to pre-advise that the space in the MDR is not required so that they can fill the table immediately.

Pass this post on the the people incharge. You brought up a VERY valid point of view.

Ciao:)

 

Buona sera, ShuswapCruisers.

 

Royal Caribbean has developed the MDR-based method of distributing gratuities to the servers. Unless you do not eat lunch or breakfast or any snacks anywhere on the ship at any time, you should simply pay the minimum gratuities that RC recommends. RC will see that it is distributed to the ship's servers.

[boaterette]

I too wish we could just opt out of it. I like to just eat when I want and not when it is scheduled. On those few occasions when I eat dinner I eat at the WJ. We typically eat our main meal at lunch and skip dinner.

[JanineM]

WOW :eek: steponboard...cbatsea....waterbaby....Your quick criticism of my post suggests that none of you cared to understand anything I wrote.... "No one cares" !!... Maybe one of you would if I had the dinner seating or the table that you may have wanted...We always let the MDR know as soon as we get onboard so they can use our space for someone else. Hmmm :rolleyes: maybe it was you...We always make sure everyone involved with wherever we dine is always generously tipped.... Any more criticisms you want to make I will be happy to respond.....

 

Just asking a question - no need to get your knickers in a knot!

 

Perhaps some of us who have posted here for a long time have seen too many posts where people are being creative so they don't have to tip. No offense intended. :)

[pjlee3333]

I'm another one that would like a formal way to opt out of the main dining room. I've gone the route of asking the loyalty ambassedor to make note of it, asking the travel agent, to let the line know, if the reservation was transferred to a travel agent, sent an email to the line, stood in the line and gotten the same shrugged shoulder. I was talking to the loyalty ambassedor the the cruise we just got off of yesterday and mentioned this same thing. She was shocked that they didn't want to know about it because things happen and while thaere may be empty tables, our seats may be needed. Her comment was "they" tend to be protective about the main dining room.

 

I think its only polite to let them know we're not coming but after trying to do it for 10 times and theim not bothering to take the info, I get tired of wasting my vacation time (my vent, I know).

[temple1]

I'm another one that would like a formal way to opt out of the main dining room. I've gone the route of asking the loyalty ambassedor to make note of it, asking the travel agent, to let the line know, if the reservation was transferred to a travel agent, sent an email to the line, stood in the line and gotten the same shrugged shoulder. I was talking to the loyalty ambassedor the the cruise we just got off of yesterday and mentioned this same thing. She was shocked that they didn't want to know about it because things happen and while thaere may be empty tables, our seats may be needed. Her comment was "they" tend to be protective about the main dining room.

 

I think its only polite to let them know we're not coming but after trying to do it for 10 times and theim not bothering to take the info, I get tired of wasting my vacation time (my vent, I know).

 

The best way to not waste your time is to sign up for MTD. Gratuities are all taken care of in advance and you don't have to worry about stopping by and informing anyone you won't need their services. Many of the MDR waiters and assistant waiters work shifts in the WJ so your $4 - $5 a day per person in tips is not being wasted on a stranger.

[steponboard]

WOW :eek: steponboard...cbatsea....waterbaby....Your quick criticism of my post suggests that none of you cared to understand anything I wrote.... "No one cares" !!... Maybe one of you would if I had the dinner seating or the table that you may have wanted...We always let the MDR know as soon as we get onboard so they can use our space for someone else. Hmmm :rolleyes: maybe it was you...We always make sure everyone involved with wherever we dine is always generously tipped.... Any more criticisms you want to make I will be happy to respond.....

YEs, I have one, why did you start a post when you knew exactly what you were doing? If you read my post I clearly stated it would be polite to release your seats with the MTD so what's your point again? What you consider a generous tip someone else might think as cheap , or over the top and a show off, it's highly subjective

[unccruzer]

Aschland, I think your idea and post reflect significant courtesy. It seems to be a suggestion to help others without personal gain.

[pjlee3333]

The best way to not waste your time is to sign up for MTD. Gratuities are all taken care of in advance and you don't have to worry about stopping by and informing anyone you won't need their services. Many of the MDR waiters and assistant waiters work shifts in the WJ so your $4 - $5 a day per person in tips is not being wasted on a stranger.

 

I've thought of that and it would be my personal preference. I've also read here, though, about it getting more popular. I wouldn't want to take a seat in mtd from someone who would actually eat in the dining room. There are also other ways to pay the tips, ie prepay, to ensure that someone gets paid. For me, mtd would also mean that a stranger, for dinner, would be getting the tip.

 

I know this is an aside, but the last three cruises we've been on "our' windjammer team in the evening has been the one (amoung others) in the windjammer when we've been there for breakfast and a late lunch so they are the ones usually getting us anything we need. For us, why prepaid tips, or a daily service charge work.

[BroncosFan2010]

Why do you guys continue to cruise with RCCL? If you want a true "free style" cruising, try NCL. I am guessing that they would offer everything you could want in a dining experience.

[pjlee3333]

Because dining is just part of a cruise. Enjoying the buffet and wanting to eat there doesn't mean I don't enjoy the rest of what a Royal Caribbean ship has to offer. I love the size and layout of a vision class ship - Grandeur in particular. That doesn't mean the whole fleet should be this size. There are freedom and voyagler class ships and now Oasis and Allure there for this reason. Dining is the same thing. Some people like the dining room, some like the specialty restaurants every night, and some like me, like the buffet. That makes us all different, not wrong.

[sas80]

How many of you would like to be able to OPT out of the MDR ? This would free up more space and times for those who prefer to dine there. We usually eat in the WJ or one of the specialty restaurants. On the occasion we have been in the MDR when we were traveling with family, we have noticed some empty tables or large tables with only two people sitting at them. We have no problem telling the MDR in advance when it's just my DH and myself that we will not be using the MDR so this space and time can be used for someone else. We would like to see this as an option when booking our cruise...How about you ? Just an aside not interested in MTD either...

 

We would also like this option. We are planning on not eating in MDR when we sail on the Voyager in March. I have spoken to RCCL and they have advised me there there is no way to opt out in their system without selecting either MDR or MTD. If you dont select one or the other their system wont let you complete the booking. I hate the fact that I already know that we wont be in the MDR at all yet they are going to allocate servers and tablemates for us. It feels like I am being wasteful. But there is nothing I can do as I have already explored alternative solutions.

 

The fact that we will not be tipping our MDR staff make me unhappy too because I am sure that they depend on tips as income. But I dont feel we should be obligated to tip if we dont use the service, especially when I tried to opt out. We will be tipping in the other venues that we eat in.

 

It's not that we will never be interested in MDR dining ever again, it's just that we have small children. We always arrange babysitting for 3 hours every night and have decided that we would rather have 3 hours to explore and do whatever (movie, hot tub, casino, etc) than spend it in the MDR.

 

Anyways, a change like this would involve a redesign to their booking software. It's actually not that big of a deal to change the actual code, but testing the changes and then rolling them out make the idea unattractive to RCCL, I am sure.

[beastiemom]

We would also like this option. We are planning on not eating in MDR when we sail on the Voyager in March. I have spoken to RCCL and they have advised me there there is no way to opt out in their system without selecting either MDR or MTD. If you dont select one or the other their system wont let you complete the booking. I hate the fact that I already know that we wont be in the MDR at all yet they are going to allocate servers and tablemates for us. It feels like I am being wasteful. But there is nothing I can do as I have already explored alternative solutions.

 

The fact that we will not be tipping our MDR staff make me unhappy too because I am sure that they depend on tips as income. But I dont feel we should be obligated to tip if we dont use the service, especially when I tried to opt out. We will be tipping in the other venues that we eat in.

 

It's not that we will never be interested in MDR dining ever again, it's just that we have small children. We always arrange babysitting for 3 hours every night and have decided that we would rather have 3 hours to explore and do whatever (movie, hot tub, casino, etc) than spend it in the MDR.

 

Anyways, a change like this would involve a redesign to their booking software. It's actually not that big of a deal to change the actual code, but testing the changes and then rolling them out make the idea unattractive to RCCL, I am sure.

 

Then why don't you sign up for MTD? The tips are taken care of ahead of time, so the servers in whatever venue you choose to eat in will be taken care of and you won't have to tip any additional at all. MTD even has an expediated option for families (MTfamilydining) so you don't waste all that time eating. As a bonus you don't have to feel guilty about a server who is missing people at his/her table in the MDR, or the other people seated at your table that were looking forward to dinner companions. Just a thought.

[Ashland]

YEs, I have one, why did you start a post when you knew exactly what you were doing? If you read my post I clearly stated it would be polite to release your seats with the MTD so what's your point again? What you consider a generous tip someone else might think as cheap , or over the top and a show off, it's highly subjective

:confused: steponboard....Perhaps I was wrong to think that the CC message board was a forum in which a question "COULD" be asked about a subject that I had't seen discussed, and thought it might answer some questions and thoughts about this subject...Your "RUDE" replys and insinuations are insulting..:mad:....I will take note, and I guess all others should also, that since you feel the need to be the "POST POLICE" all posts should be run by you first for "APPROVAL".. Since I'm not asking you a question or for an approval...there will be no need for you to reply....;)

[boaterette]

Then why don't you sign up for MTD? The tips are taken care of ahead of time, so the servers in whatever venue you choose to eat in will be taken care of and you won't have to tip any additional at all. MTD even has an expediated option for families (MTfamilydining) so you don't waste all that time eating. As a bonus you don't have to feel guilty about a server who is missing people at his/her table in the MDR, or the other people seated at your table that were looking forward to dinner companions. Just a thought.

 

It is my understanding that only so many can sign up for MTD. So why would you want someone to tie it up when they have no plans to use it. That just takes it away from those that actually want to use it. That doesn't seem fair.

[sas80]

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Then why don't you sign up for MTD? The tips are taken care of ahead of time, so the servers in whatever venue you choose to eat in will be taken care of and you won't have to tip any additional at all. MTD even has an expediated option for families (MTfamilydining) so you don't waste all that time eating. As a bonus you don't have to feel guilty about a server who is missing people at his/her table in the MDR, or the other people seated at your table that were looking forward to dinner companions. Just a thought.

 

A) you are incorrect if you think that MDR tips are shared with WJ service people. They are not.

B) MTD requires you to prepay your tips. Why do we want to tip people in the MDR that are not going to provide us any service?

 

Like I said, it's a flaw in the RCCL system that people cant opt out of dining completely. I'm not going to feel obligated to tip people because of a flaw in their booking system. We will just tip in the venue that we eat in on a nightly basis.

[sas80]

It is my understanding that only so many can sign up for MTD. So why would you want someone to tie it up when they have no plans to use it. That just takes it away from those that actually want to use it. That doesn't seem fair.

 

That is true, only so many spots are allocated for MTD so why do we want to tie a spot up when we know we are not going to use it?

[buckirj1]

Not having sailed on RCCL in awhile...

 

I like to divide my time between the MDR and the WJ for the evening meal. So, if I choose MTD I can prepay the service charge, eat wherever I want, and not have to worry about stiffing waitstaff in either the MDR or the WJ. Right?

 

The above is how it works on CCL and NCL, and it works great! Nice to see RCCL is getting away from the old tipping system, which was complicated and ...just stupid.