LuvTheSea14 Posted June 19, 2013 #1 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Last time I went on RCCL I had a hard time getting a table assignment. They wanted us to do a free style type sitting for dinner. We like having an assigned table. Are they still pushing the free style? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reallyitsmema Posted June 19, 2013 #2 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Last time I went on RCCL I had a hard time getting a table assignment. They wanted us to do a free style type sitting for dinner. We like having an assigned table. Are they still pushing the free style? You can choose either main seating, late seating or my time dining when you book your cruise. If one fills up, you can be put on a waitlist. I don't see them pushing MTD, it is just an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted June 19, 2013 #3 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Yeah, they do seem to push MTD. So, if they tell you that's all that's available, get on the waitlist for traditional! We prefer a table with others, so that's what we aim for! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DragonOfTheSeas Posted June 19, 2013 #4 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Our last three cruises we have noticed they put us on the waitlist for Late seating. In one case we booked the cruise almost a year in advance. [hard to believe late dining was full] Each cruise we were able to get the traditional seating. In fact, the dining room always looks half empty for late seating. Just wait it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDaddyCVO Posted June 19, 2013 #5 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Just sign up or be wait listed for your preference. Chances are you'll get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snookum Posted June 19, 2013 #6 Share Posted June 19, 2013 We are Diamond members and in past never had to wait list. However for our upcoming Bermuda cruise on Grandeur we were on wait list when first booked but within a month we were put in late dining like we requested. I emailed the dining coordinator and asked for a table for 6 only near window if possible and received confirmation with a diagram showing where we would be sitting. So far RCC has always tried to accomodate us in the dining room. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWManiac Posted June 19, 2013 #7 Share Posted June 19, 2013 We are Diamond members and in past never had to wait list. However for our upcoming Bermuda cruise on Grandeur we were on wait list when first booked but within a month we were put in late dining like we requested. I emailed the dining coordinator and asked for a table for 6 only near window if possible and received confirmation with a diagram showing where we would be sitting. So far RCC has always tried to accomodate us in the dining room. :) What email did you send your request too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted June 19, 2013 #8 Share Posted June 19, 2013 What email did you send your request too? I always use rcldining@rccl.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mcatmcat Posted June 19, 2013 #9 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Yes that's the email address that I have used before and always work. I'm really proud of what royal do when we request a table. I just booked my next cruise this Monday and we are sailing on Monday, I requested a table for 4 and as in today my request has been confirmed. I can't ask for more Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWManiac Posted June 19, 2013 #10 Share Posted June 19, 2013 I always use rcldining@rccl.com. Thank you Bob!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starry Eyes Posted June 19, 2013 #11 Share Posted June 19, 2013 I have also had success with that email method. I even tried it before our last Celebrity cruise, and we got a lovely table by the window. Coincidence? maybe, but I was happy regardless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamer976 Posted June 20, 2013 #12 Share Posted June 20, 2013 When first booking my December cruise months ago, was told that MTD was all that was available. Since I will be cruising this week solo, I definitely didn't want MTD, so I wait listed for Traditional dining, late seating, which is my preference. When I noticed weeks later that the rez had been switched to show that I now had Traditional late seating, I just called RCI and requested that I be seated at a large table (hopefully with lots of smiling fun people!). I've had some great experiences with tablemates on previous cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phish tales Posted June 20, 2013 #13 Share Posted June 20, 2013 We are Diamond members and in past never had to wait list. However for our upcoming Bermuda cruise on Grandeur we were on wait list when first booked but within a month we were put in late dining like we requested. I emailed the dining coordinator and asked for a table for 6 only near window if possible and received confirmation with a diagram showing where we would be sitting. So far RCC has always tried to accomodate us in the dining room. :) as diamond members they sure gave you special treatment. consider yourself very lucky.................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aloha of the seas Posted June 20, 2013 #14 Share Posted June 20, 2013 I recently booked an Oasis cruise for October next year. When I booked I asked for late seating table for six. They told me there was only MTD available. I told them I found it hard to believe that both seatings were sold out over a year in advance and as a D+ member I should be able to get my seating preference. Five minutes later I had my dining preference. The point is, sometimes you need to ask and just push the issue. Good Sailing, Murf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted June 20, 2013 #15 Share Posted June 20, 2013 This is all very funny to me. The ONLY time that I have had trouble with dining room arrangements is when I WANTED MTD and they told me that it was full! :eek: :o :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plut0 Posted June 20, 2013 #16 Share Posted June 20, 2013 I always use rcldining@rccl.com. How far in advance of a cruise do you email with your request? Thanks for your help. Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dall Posted June 20, 2013 #17 Share Posted June 20, 2013 so using rcldining@rccl.com - you don't obviously specify what ship in the address, just in the body of the request? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted June 20, 2013 #18 Share Posted June 20, 2013 How far in advance of a cruise do you email with your request? Thanks for your help. Mary Usually 3 or 4 weeks before the cruise. so using rcldining@rccl.com - you don't obviously specify what ship in the address, just in the body of the request? Yes, the email goes to a shore side person first, who then forwards the request to your specific ship. Also include full guest names, stateroom numbers, and booking numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaveitallbehind Posted June 20, 2013 #19 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Yeah, they do seem to push MTD. So, if they tell you that's all that's available, get on the waitlist for traditional! We prefer a table with others, so that's what we aim for! Never seen this in our experience. We've not had trouble getting the traditional seating times we've requested nor ever experienced an RCI "push" to MTD. We have been able to choose MTD when we've wanted it. We also have been waitlisted with a traditional time where the open option was MTD, but typically several weeks before the cruise were given the waitlisted time we wanted. To the OP, as suggested email RCI with your request through the email provided. You can also talk with the maître de once you board if there are any remaining issues. They will do their best to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dall Posted June 20, 2013 #20 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Usually 3 or 4 weeks before the cruise. Yes, the email goes to a shore side person first, who then forwards the request to your specific ship. Also include full guest names, stateroom numbers, and booking numbers. Very helpful!! Thanks:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jermaine1509 Posted June 20, 2013 #21 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Found all of this very helpful, I'm going to drop them an email now with a request:) Thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KansasK Posted June 20, 2013 #22 Share Posted June 20, 2013 We booked our Independence of the Seas cruise 11 months out and were told that the early dining time was full and were put in MTD. I also thought this was early to have the dining room full. We were waitlisted. My brother was booked on this cruise, too, and had trouble even getting waitlisted. He was told when he called that travel agencies are giving blocks of cabins to sell and they block off the main dining room for them. About 2 months or so later, our account on the web showed the early dining time, no waitlist, so they must take back the space in the dining room from the travel agences at some point. I thought at first it was to make us pay the gratuities in advance for MTD and then they have the money, but I think it was more the priority the travel agencies were given that put us on MTD so far out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvBNatC Posted June 20, 2013 #23 Share Posted June 20, 2013 When I booked my upcoming cruise 6 months in advance, I was waitlisted (for the first time ever) for late seating. REALLY? There isn't ONE seat left in the MDR? (I'm traveling alone.) :confused: My sense is that they are phasing out traditional dining. Instead of jerking everybody around, they'd do well to just implement the change instead of trying to go all NCL under our noses like we won't notice. (Tried Freestyle once as a solo and hated it. Dumbed-down place settings and menus, poorer quality in food and service, and they seated me alone on formal night like a leper. Never again.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snookum Posted June 24, 2013 #24 Share Posted June 24, 2013 Sent my request to BR_RestaurantOperationsCoordinator@rccl.com, however they came back and said they forwarded my email directly to the grandeur which was the ship we were going on and I have the email to directly contact him for dining if anyone wants it. He contacted me and we finalized our seating in main dining room.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BillOh Posted June 24, 2013 #25 Share Posted June 24, 2013 REALLY? There isn't ONE seat left in the MDR? (I'm traveling alone.) :confused: I would think the waitlist would be a high probability of success for you. In general terms most planners can easily find space for one person much easier than larger groups. From talking to lots of people, availability seems to vary from ship to ship, sailing to sailing depending on many factors. I suspect, from people I have talked to they keep a certain number of any particular seating set aside till right before a cruise to allow themselves some flexability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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