Our experience with Anytime Dining

[swedish weave]

I'm always amazed at the number of people who assume that because they have never had a problem with AD that no one else should... if they are just flexible. It's rather insulting. There are a lot of factors whether AD works for a cruise. On our Hawaii trip last spring it was terrible. The combination of the following made for a perfect storm.

 

1) only three DRs, and only one for AD before 7:30

2) two week cruise so many elderly cruisers ...most wanting to eat early

3) shows only at 8 and 10

4) all reservations were booked up before 8 by people with standing reservations

5) many days at sea, so people are ready to eat earlier those days

 

This created a huge demand for early eating and led to long lines and waits. Basically there was a long line to fill the one dining room when it opened and everyone else had to wait until those people finished their meals. So you could say it was AD after 7:45 only.

 

So although AD has worked well for you, don't criticize those who have had a problem with it.

 

You forgot to include the Horizon Court which can accomodate a large number of people if they choose to use it. The food there is very good and you can adjust your eating to fit the show schedule if you desire.

 

That would eliminate the problem with the show schedules, and possibly alleviate the congestion at the MDR's

[PeteC22]

I'm always amazed at the number of people who assume that because they have never had a problem with AD that no one else should... if they are just flexible. It's rather insulting. There are a lot of factors whether AD works for a cruise. On our Hawaii trip last spring it was terrible. The combination of the following made for a perfect storm.

 

1) only three DRs, and only one for AD before 7:30

2) two week cruise so many elderly cruisers ...most wanting to eat early

3) shows only at 8 and 10

4) all reservations were booked up before 8 by people with standing reservations

5) many days at sea, so people are ready to eat earlier those days

 

This created a huge demand for early eating and led to long lines and waits. Basically there was a long line to fill the one dining room when it opened and everyone else had to wait until those people finished their meals. So you could say it was AD after 7:45 only.

 

So although AD has worked well for you, don't criticize those who have had a problem with it.

 

 

All the reasons you listed are 100 % true and are the main causes of people having a rough time with the AT dining room although it make me laugh when I read some posts saying that they couldn't eat at 7 PM because it "their choice". If you're not a little flexible on a cruise ship the only choice left is booking a full suite so you can have it your way.

[SoBaycruiser]

You forgot to include the Horizon Court which can accomodate a large number of people if they choose to use it. The food there is very good and you can adjust your eating to fit the show schedule if you desire.

 

That would eliminate the problem with the show schedules, and possibly alleviate the congestion at the MDR's

 

The Horizon Court is available to both AD and TD. I was attempting to discuss crowding for AD in the MDR.

[swedish weave]

The Horizon Court is available to both AD and TD. I was attempting to discuss crowding for AD in the MDR.

 

That is true -- I assume you didn't understand my post. Those who don't like to wait can use the Horizon Court to ease the congestion plus finish their meal in time for the shows. It is a win win situation.

[AKman2495]

I'm always amazed at the number of people who assume that because they have never had a problem with AD that no one else should...

So although AD has worked well for you, don't criticize those who have had a problem with it.

 

No one is criticizing you for having difficulties. We are simply pointing out that AD dining is not always terrible. There are those who hate AD and would never do it again. That is their prerogative. As for me, and apparently many others AD dining has not been a problem.

 

There are two sides to every story. You have yours and I have mine.

 

People wanting to know about AD now have a much better picture of how it works and they can decide for themselves based on all of this information.

 

:)

[caribill]

Did you question why there were vacant tables in the traditional dining room ?

 

I believe the problem lies with those who are assigned using the anytime dining room when they choose, thereby creating a backlog at anytime dining rooms.

 

The reason there could be vacant tables in traditional could simply be that not enough people signed up for traditional to utilize all the tables.

 

Some cruiselines limit the number of people in anytime and force the overflow into traditional.

 

Princess does not limit the number of people who can choose anytime.

[CraftyEC]

But surely if traditional dining is under-utilised, then the MaitreD should allocate a portion of the TD dining room (with the 'unbooked' tables) to anytime dining, rather than having random ATD tables scattered amongst the timed TD.

[swedish weave]

But surely if traditional dining is under-utilised, then the MaitreD should allocate a portion of the TD dining room (with the 'unbooked' tables) to anytime dining, rather than having random ATD tables scattered amongst the timed TD.

 

We were escorted to the assigned dining room one night on the Coral because the anytime dining room was full. We had no wait, and did notice a few empty tables after we were seated. I thought it was handled very well.

[Coolmama_1]

To those of you who waited in long lines for anytime dining, did you check out both anytime dining rooms or only one? When we see a line at Davinci, we head to Michaelangelo. We never wait.

 

We have done the same with much success. We really have never had to wait for a table.