Anytime dining question

[browneyedwoman]

Is the wait shorter for a table for four than it is for a table for two in anytime dining? I would rather not have to sit at a table of eight. We're trying to decide between traditional dining and anytime.

[Nan_Sea]

My husband and I request to share a table for 6 and we have never had to wait. We usually eat early and that may be one reason. You can call each morning for a reservation if you like.

[Kamloops50]

We almost always get a table for 2 . We arrive as they open and don't have any wait. You could also make a standing reservation for time and table size.

[caribill]

Is the wait shorter for a table for four than it is for a table for two in anytime dining? I would rather not have to sit at a table of eight.

 

The answer can vary from, curise to cruise and also depend on whjat time you want to eat.

 

This is because the desires of the passengers may charge from one cruise to the next

[EddieCruzer]

We share, but always request a table no larger than 6. Never had to wait.

[Pam in CA]

It all depends. If you get there when the dining room opens, there won't be a wait other than a line to check in. If you get there later, there could be a wait, sometimes a long wait, particularly on formal nights.

 

I've done Anytime three times now. The first two times we had waits every night of 20-60 minutes by getting in line by 8pm, even when we were willing to share or had a standing reservation. The last time was in January and we went at about 7pm. It took 5-10 minutes in the line to check in and another 10-15 minutes to be seated.

[Zoolou]

Depending on the ports and scheduling we will usually call and reserve a table prior to leaving the ship in the morning if we have a set time in mind and in keeping with evening entertainment that we may wish to see

[Pam in CA]

Depending on the ports and scheduling we will usually call and reserve a table prior to leaving the ship in the morning if we have a set time in mind and in keeping with evening entertainment that we may wish to see

Being able to make reservations isn't consistent. Some ships you can, some you can't. When I was on the Sapphire last January, the answer every morning (before 7:30am) was that no reservations were available. Spoke to the Maitre d' at night and was told no reservations. :( Edited April 21, 2014 by Pam in CA

[wineforhealth]

Being able to make reservations isn't consistent. Some ships you can, some you can't. When I was on the Sapphire last January, the answer every morning (before 7:30am) was that no reservations were available. Spoke to the Maitre d' at night and was told no reservations. :(

 

This has been my experiance also as Pam has stated.

 

Why have anytime dining if you can make reservations

[Tedferg]

Just of Island on Panama full transit. When I called early am reservations were available 5:00 through 5:45 or after 8:00. Nothing in the middle which we were looking for. After two days we started going to early show and then dining around 7:30. Only two waits, one on formal night but not more than 15 minutes. We just said we'd share, actually prefer to share.

[Zoolou]

This has been my experiance also as Pam has stated.

 

Why have anytime dining if you can make reservations

 

Sorry to hear that....didnt say i make reservations every night ...we may do that once or maybe twice a cruise then just go with the flow later in the evening...

[wineforhealth]

Sorry to hear that....didnt say i make reservations every night ...we may do that once or maybe twice a cruise then just go with the flow later in the evening...

 

Sorry not aimed at you or any other passenger , its the Maitre d that allows it.

[Treven]

I'm single. As such I always get a table for two (Anytime). I'm in line before the doors open and I've never had to wait. I'll head up to the buffet around 8 or so for a snack. No waiting there either.:p

[MauiLvrs]

I always get a table for two (Anytime). I'm in line before the doors open and I've never had to wait.

 

Well ... not really not waiting ....

Your are at the door waiting before the other waiting starts....

But still waiting :rolleyes:

Edited April 22, 2014 by MauiLvrs

[dorisis]

The only Princess ship on which I really liked ATD was the Sapphire. They have 4 themed dining rooms and if there was a wait for one we just went to one of the others. Royal was the worst. They seemed totally disorganized.

[Potstech]

Being able to make reservations isn't consistent. Some ships you can, some you can't. When I was on the Sapphire last January, the answer every morning (before 7:30am) was that no reservations were available. Spoke to the Maitre d' at night and was told no reservations. :(

 

Good for him. I personally think it defeats the purpose of Anytime Dining is reservations are allowed. I also think those who select Traditional Dining should be made to go to the buffet or other venues if they do not go to their selected dining times.

Edited April 22, 2014 by Potstech

[gkny]

Anyone, Does the buffet have the same menu as the main dining room. We're at anytime dining and will probably go after the first show for dinner.

[caribill]

Anyone, Does the buffet have the same menu as the main dining room.

 

Some of the items on the MDR menu are at the buiffet, but not all.

 

And on formal nights, the best MDR entrees are not at the buffet.

[Pam in CA]

Some of the items on the MDR menu are at the buiffet, but not all.

 

And on formal nights, the best MDR entrees are not at the buffet.

You're right in that not all items on the dining room menu are in the buffet, but quite a few are. As for the "best" entrees, that's subjective. I had a delicious beef Wellington on a formal night in the buffet along with vegetables and potatoes. I don't normally have it in the dining room because I don't like big slabs of beef but it was great in the buffet because I could get a couple of thin slices.

[chrysalis]

 

And on formal nights, the best MDR entrees are not at the buffet.

 

What do you consider "the best"?

[SadieN]

We were on the Sapphire in March.

One night we were seated with one-half of a foursome that had a standing reservation (time and table) in one of the MDRs.

Maybe it depends on who is in charge of that particular restaurant?

 

We were always asked if we wanted be by ourselves or share a table.

[petlady7]

If you are willing to share you get to sit faster but have to wait for the table to fill up before you are served and have to wait for others at the table to finish their courses before going onto the next course

[caribill]

What do you consider "the best"?

 

My reference was really to items many others consider best such as lobster and other items I never eat

[Treven]

Well ... not really not waiting ....

Your are at the door waiting before the other waiting starts....

But still waiting :rolleyes:

Well..., ok, guilty as charged :-(. Don't punish me too harshly.

[custompcsys]

Well ... not really not waiting ....

Your are at the door waiting before the other waiting starts....

But still waiting :rolleyes:

 

Does that mean he was waiting to wait?