Freedom dining wait list

[yoj13]

We are currently wait listed for Ventura, sailing date 20th May, 2012 for freeedom dining otherwise its second sitting for us which is really too late for my husband. Has anyone done this successfully once on board or are our chances bodering on the impossible?

[LEESRE]

As soon as you board have a look what time the Maitre'd will be on Duty. Go straight down to the dining room and reqest that you are put onto Freedom Dining. You sometimes have a card in your cabin stating which sitting they have put you on.

We have managed to get our changed in the past.

 

Good luck. Enjoy your cruise.

[tartanexile81]

We were the other way as we wanted second sitting and got Freedom on Oceana. We contacted P&O before we sailed and they just said it would be dealt with onboard. We did as Leesre said, and went down to see the maitre d' shortly after we boarded. I have to say that there was a very long queue, so be prepared! We put our case politely and he made a note of our request. He explained that if places became available they were offered to those on the waiting list in the order in which they had booked. We were lucky enough to be about twelfth on the VERY long waiting list and although we were on Freedom the first night, we went down to see him again the next day and he said he thought he'd be able to help. During the afternoon, we got a card in our cabin giving us our table number!! The moral of the story is be polite, look sad :( and persevere. :D

[yoj13]

Thank you both for your very factual answers. Been booked quite a while now so might stand a chance. Don't really want to miss the MDR experience, but 8.30 (which can be getting on for 9 ish( if table mates turn up a bit after time) before 1st course is delivered is too late for my husband to eat. Don't think theres much chance of us starving as plenty of other venues. Always polite and will have to practise the sad look:(Thanks again

[mickatkirkby]

Last 7 times on Oceana Ventura and Azura have had Freedom Dining even with late bookings. We are on Azura in July A210 and Oceana September E223 this year but couldn't get Freedom so went for 1st sitting. (Daughter managed Freedom though - they have our 2 year old granddaughter which may have swung it)

Question: If we decide to eat 'upstairs' do need to tell restaurant? does anyone else? would seem bad manners to have the waiters and other guests waiting for us.......

[Thejuggler]

If you are in club and are going to a different venue you need to let either your fellow diners know the evening before, or if you decide later than that the restaurant manager.