Query about Open Dining

[Stevesan]

I booked Zaandam for April 2011. The cruise is more than eight months out and I'm WAITLISTED for "Main" dining!

 

Is that typical, and does anyone have a clue what the odds are I'll get my druthers?

 

This will be my first HAL cruise with open dining. Since sailing solo I have experienced "Anytime" dining on Princess and have found the experience very uneven. I'm occasionally seated immediately, sometimes after a short wait and always extremely long waits formal nights. I've subsequently returned to late traditional because of the upredictability of Anytime.

 

Anytime is not a deal breaker, but I do get a bit tired of reintroducing myself every night. There is, however, one a positive aspect: You can repeat your best stories and jokes.

[3rdGenCunarder]

We booked our Veendam cruise a year out and got waitlisted for fixed dining. I don't have enough experience with waitlisting on HAL, but I'm inclined to believe it's what they tell you to placate a disappointed passenger. I doubt they really do much about it.

 

Your best bet is to go to the restaurant manager as soon as you board and ask to be moved. The daily program will say where he will be, taking requests and making reservations. We did that and got moved to early fixed, which is what we prefer. I hope you're lucky, too.

[uppitycats]

I booked Zaandam for April 2011. The cruise is more than eight months out and I'm WAITLISTED for "Main" dining!

 

Is that typical, and does anyone have a clue what the odds are I'll get my druthers?

 

This will be my first HAL cruise with open dining. Since sailing solo I have experienced "Anytime" dining on Princess and have found the experience very uneven. I'm occasionally seated immediately, sometimes after a short wait and always extremely long waits formal nights. I've subsequently returned to late traditional because of the upredictability of Anytime.

 

Anytime is not a deal breaker, but I do get a bit tired of reintroducing myself every night. There is, however, one a positive aspect: You can repeat your best stories and jokes.

 

With anytime dining are you waiting to be seated at a table with others?

 

Many of us who choose anytime dining choose that for a reason: we don't want to be seated with others, unless we've chosen those others to eat with us.

 

Are you willing to eat by yourself? Have you asked for a table for just yourself? Are you having to wait because they're trying to find a table of anytime diners willing to accommodate you?

[Stevesan]

With anytime dining are you waiting to be seated at a table with others?

 

Many of us who choose anytime dining choose that for a reason: we don't want to be seated with others, unless we've chosen those others to eat with us.

 

Are you willing to eat by yourself? Have you asked for a table for just yourself? Are you having to wait because they're trying to find a table of anytime diners willing to accommodate you?

 

I should have included that I always ask to be seated at a large table.

[uppitycats]

I should have included that I always ask to be seated at a large table.

 

Well, that's a problem. Many large tables already are filled, sometimes filled with a group that don't want someone "new" to sit with them. So the server is going from table to table, asking if they're willing to include someone new. Or is waiting to collect a group of people -- with you included -- who don't mind eating with strangers.

 

Perhaps you can meet folks on board and invite them to dinner with you..and see if that works better.

[NMLady]

Well, that's a problem. Many large tables already are filled, sometimes filled with a group that don't want someone "new" to sit with them. So the server is going from table to table, asking if they're willing to include someone new. Or is waiting to collect a group of people -- with you included -- who don't mind eating with strangers.

 

Perhaps you can meet folks on board and invite them to dinner with you..and see if that works better.

 

In May when we were aboard the Amsterdam for two weeks we had chosen Anytime Dining and we would always ask for a 'shared' table. We never had any problem being seated with others who also wanted a shared table, and we never had a wait either. We were promptly seated with others. That was usually around 6pm or a little after.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Anytime dining is ALL the dining venues offered on a ship.

 

It is Open Seating that you all are talking about.

 

OP is sailing solo -- thus a bigger problem expecially on formal nights. It is true that many of the larger tables already have their group formed before getting on the ship.

 

OP should have their TA keep calling HAL and find out how far down the list they are waitlisted -- and TA should keep calling HAL once a month.

[Opinions]

Anytime dining is ALL the dining venues offered on a ship.

 

It is Open Seating that you all are talking about.

 

 

"AS You Wish" is all the dining offered on HAL not "Anytime" I believe...Anytime dining is open dining.

[Krazy Kruizers]

As You Wish Dining is all the different venues.

 

There is no "anytime" dining on HAL -- Open seating just means that you can go to the lower level of the dining room any time you want to eat dinner between the hours of 5:15 and 9 PM. HAL doesn't use the word "anytime" -- other cruise lines do.

[Jemima]

Well, that's a problem. Many large tables already are filled, sometimes filled with a group that don't want someone "new" to sit with them. So the server is going from table to table, asking if they're willing to include someone new. Or is waiting to collect a group of people -- with you included -- who don't mind eating with strangers.

 

Not correct. You are seated more quickly if you are willing to sit with others. Servers are not going from table to table asking if someone can be seated there. We've have never seen that happen and have had open dining on our last several HAL cruises. Nor are they "collecting a group of people" to sit together. They fill tables with people who will sit with others. This is done in a fairly short time, they then take orders from the whole table and serve courses the same as they do in fixed seating. If a table doesn't fill completely in a short time, they generally leave the other seat(s) empty so everyone will be on the same course at the same time.

We enjoy open dining, but we do make reservations each day. We like having different tablemates. That way we get to know more fellow passengers.

[Opinions]

There is no "anytime" dining on HAL -- Open seating just means that you can go to the lower level of the dining room any time you want to eat dinner between the hours of 5:15 and 9 PM. .

 

Yes! "any time"

[Himself]

Personally, I like 'any-time dining' because you can make your reservation at any time and you can get seated at a large table with others or at a smaller table.

[Deac1966]

Just got off the Veendam - As you wish or anytime doesn't work - even with a reservation. They are so backed up and didn't handle the crowds well that people were skipping the lines and just seating themselves.

We switched to fixed - but it was not easy. HAL needs to make up it's mind just who it wants to be. It can not please everyone - especially with the older ships that have limited alternate choices. In the end - it all worked out. Had a great cruise.

[catl331]

Just got off the Veendam - As you wish or anytime doesn't work - even with a reservation. They are so backed up and didn't handle the crowds well that people were skipping the lines and just seating themselves.

:eek::eek: Are you sure these people didn't have a specific table reserved? I find it hard to believe that people were just choosing their own tables! :confused:

[Deac1966]

That's what the staff told us was why our reservation was not honored on time.

[PaulaW]

I am booked on the Aug. 19 sailing of the Noordam. Since I often cruise solo, I request fixed/traditional dining as well. I was also waitlisted for my Noordam sailing-- but I wasn't surprised since it was a last minute booking. But, I was very pleased when just a few days ago, I was confirmed for main fixed dining! So there is hope that you will get your request eventually!

[jtl513]

That's what the staff told us was why our reservation was not honored on time.

What happened when somebody was assigned and escorted to a table that was already occupied by a squatter?

[liketraveling]

I was on the Zaandam in March for 15 nights and had anytime dining.

 

we asked or a large table and do anytime dining. I you don't mind dining with other they will escort you to a table. we sat at a table o 4 up to a table o 10. Since most of us ate at the same time, we often sat with some people two or three time. There was also a Solo lady that ate with us about 3 times.

 

I thought it would be weird the first time I did it, but found out I loved it and I could work around my own schedule.

 

 

Gail

[Stevesan]

Thanks for the replies. Apparently HAL's AYW seating is a bit of a mixed bag, too.

 

I must say I enjoyed an occasional dinner in the Lido buffet when I was on Maasdam. It was very much like restaurant service. Went through the line for appetizers and salad and ordered the entree. It was then freshly prepared and delivered to table. Excellent concept! The main course was freshly prepared and always served hot. That was better than the MDR.

If the wait time is too lengthy, I'll just hie myself to the Lido.:D

[Stevesan]

Anytime dining is ALL the dining venues offered on a ship.

 

It is Open Seating that you all are talking about.

 

OP is sailing solo -- thus a bigger problem expecially on formal nights. It is true that many of the larger tables already have their group formed before getting on the ship.

 

OP should have their TA keep calling HAL and find out how far down the list they are waitlisted -- and TA should keep calling HAL once a month.

 

Thank you.

OP, That's me :p, did what you suggested and got this encouraging reply:

 

 

Good Morning!

 

They don't give out an exact number for the waitlist, but the agent I spoke to said it's a very short list at this time, and you should clear.

I will keep you informed as soon as I know...