"Dynamic dining is going fleetwide"

[DKNYC]

Let's hope it is better organized than their website...:rolleyes:

 

Amen to that!!

That app on the site where you go to book excursions, dining etc. is a mess. It will cost Royal Caribbean lots of revenue if they don't fix it. I am still "afraid" to go try to book my Dynamic dining for my Quantum and Anthem cruises, and one is in January. :eek:

 

Not crazy about DD as I prefer the traditional setup .I am a solo cruiser mostly so I don't generally come with tablemates. I am willing to try it though, not once but twice. Yes I am a glutton for punishment. :D

The bright spot about DD is the formal restaurant. Now everyone can chose whether they want to do formal or not ( and when), and nobody should get offended or feel self conscious or have to eat in the WJ.

 

Denise

[TM38Rob]

Definitely a sign. You need a new play list.:D

 

jc

 

But maybe now I will actually consider booking Carnival :eek: (Just to sail to Grand Turk, to start).

 

Edit: Carnival by Natalie Merchant just began to randomly play from my iTunes. Maybe its a sign, Maybe ;).

You're right jc, I need a new play list. :cool:

That song would not be found in any of my playlists, just playing songs randomly from my library of over 4,000 songs. Now Carnival World by Jimmy Buffet is playing randomly.

 

But if the rumors are true about Oasis (and Freedom), then Carnival here I come (for better or worse).:(

[TM38Rob]

It will be interesting for me to see what, if anything, happens to the Oasis in drydock. I am cruising November 15th, and I already have a combination of MTD and specialty reservations -- carefully scheduled around my entertainment reservations.

 

Hopefully if they decide to test this on the Oasis, they will find a way to accommodate people who already have dining reservations without making them redo everything. Maybe it will be like CATS, where they just slid Hairspray reservations over to the new show. Oh, wait...:p;):p

 

I'm not adverse to trying something new. In addition to MTD, we already paid to go to Chef's Table, 150 Central Park, GT, and Chops on this cruise. It is a little frustrating, however, to work on a schedule and get everything to fit, then have the cruise line make changes to available shows or dining.

I'm booked on the first one out of Port Everglades when Oasis arrives back in the US after drydock. Just doubled check my reservation online a few minutes ago: "Dinner Seating: Traditional Dining 06:00 PM , No Waitlists".

Sure hope they don't test it on Oasis, unless it includes the American Icon restaurant and table assignments remain (no reservations). At least it's only a 5 night for me if they try to pull a fast one with DD.

[Cindy]

I'm booked on the first one out of Port Everglades when Oasis arrives back in the US after drydock. Just doubled check my reservation online a few minutes ago: "Dinner Seating: Traditional Dining 06:00 PM , No Waitlists".

Sure hope they don't test it on Oasis, unless it includes the American Icon restaurant and table assignments remain (no reservations). At least it's only a 5 night for me if they try to pull a fast one with DD.

 

Off topic -- I was just looking at your signature, and saw the Scotia Prince. That was our "seasickness test cruise" the year before we took our first real cruise. I remember thinking how big the Scotia Prince was...:rolleyes:

[RCLcruiser2012]

Disappointing to hear. We enjoy the social aspect of cruising and sitting down to dinner with 3-4 other couple for dinner is a big part of that. We keep in touch with many of the couples we have cruised with. While we enjoyed the speciality restaurants onboard Allure we missed some of the camaraderie that developed with our dinner mates from smaller ships.

 

That's exactly how I feel!!! I think we are one of the few left that enjoy the social aspect of the cruise... I enjoy meeting new people and hearing stories of what they did for the day during dinner! I understand though that some would rather spend time as a couple/family... I like a combo of both! :) We've cruised NCL and it was a totally different experience all together....

Edited August 16, 2014 by RCLcruiser2012

[DKNYC]

I hate to burst your bubble (or the bubble of those on your roll call), but RC is already backing off its claim/description of "formal every night".

 

Does this sound like required formal dress to you?

 

From RC's website for The Grande:

 

What to Wear

 

Cocktail dresses, gowns or dressy pantsuits are appropriate for women.

 

A jacket is required for men, along with pants (with no holes, rips or tears) and a sports shirt (must have sleeves) or sweater.

 

Swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurants or specialty restaurants at any time.

 

Not overly worried but after seeing this MerionMom, I have to wonder what the other "non formal" venues will look like as far as attire. Could be entertaining as I stand in the "Pick a solo cruiser to eat with" line. :)

 

Will it be torn , sleeveless sports shirt guy or will it be the "Dud"? Remember that game? :eek:

 

Denise

[jules815]

Will it be torn , sleeveless sports shirt guy or will it be the "Dud"? Remember that game? :eek:

 

Denise

 

Mystery Date! :D

[rrrrall]

As much as I don't like the idea of dynamic dining, I would like to say that we met a lot of couples while on the MTD our last cruise. There was a 2 seater table right beside us and we met many wonderful couples, chatted, and continued to run in to them throughout our cruise and stay in touch! It was fun.

Us having a 2 seater table didn't actually cut down on meeting others.

 

We would also invite a couple to our table when windjammer was too full for them to find seats, etc.

 

There are still opportunities and we never met someone who didn't want to or enjoy chatting it up at food time with us.

 

Sent from my SM-N900V using Forums mobile app

[Thetrail]

It's stupid. I don't want to eat at 5 PM or 7PM or whatever time when on a cruise. I don't wear a watch and don't give a hoot what time I eat. I like to eat when I feel hungry. People ruin everything, cruising, vacation, even going up in the mountains to relax with watches and computers. This will be my 1st and only time on RCL.

Bye thanks for that wonderful post!....:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[SaintL]

I see no point of traditional dining; open seating and many restaurants is the norm on any land vacation, no one really cares to sit with people or be told to sit down at 6 or 8 to eat in a limited restaurants.

 

Every traditionalist that complained when ncl went freestyle dining that they would fail is eating their words. Every major cruise has introduced a version of this and by now it should just be the norm.

 

Now ncl couldn't go freestyle fleet wide really until it got rid of it's older ships, by the time the majesty is gone and vision class out too I would assume the whole fleet will be dynamic.

[DonnaK]

I see no point of traditional dining; open seating and many restaurants is the norm on any land vacation, no one really cares to sit with people or be told to sit down at 6 or 8 to eat in a limited restaurants.

 

Every traditionalist that complained when ncl went freestyle dining that they would fail is eating their words. Every major cruise has introduced a version of this and by now it should just be the norm.

 

Now ncl couldn't go freestyle fleet wide really until it got rid of it's older ships, by the time the majesty is gone and vision class out too I would assume the whole fleet will be dynamic.

 

Um....I absolutely do, and so do many others.

[celebrity]

I see no point of traditional dining; open seating and many restaurants is the norm on any land vacation, no one really cares to sit with people or be told to sit down at 6 or 8 to eat in a limited restaurants.

 

Every traditionalist that complained when ncl went freestyle dining that they would fail is eating their words. Every major cruise has introduced a version of this and by now it should just be the norm.

 

Now ncl couldn't go freestyle fleet wide really until it got rid of it's older ships, by the time the majesty is gone and vision class out too I would assume the whole fleet will be dynamic.

 

YOU see no point in it and that is fine. However, many cruisers do like traditional dining. In our case, we generally cruise with our 2 adult sons and others. Everyone is free to do their own thing during the day and we meet at a set time in the dining room to discuss our day and possibly go to shows or other venues after dinner.

There have been many posters that have tried the freestyle concept and posted that they are going back to ships with a traditional dining program.

I'm glad you like the concept but it should not be the norm because YOU like it.

Ideally, a balance between the two would be ideal.

Time will tell. If Royal insists on switching over to DD dining fleetwide, I'll find a line that fits my requirements.

[red devil]

I want traditional dining.

[Thetrail]

Thats what a CVP just told me when I called to book my Freedom cruise.

 

Of course we all know how sometimes they dont always have the correct information. I dont see how they can make it work on the older, smaller ships.

 

She said the next two ships to roll it out will be Oasis and Allure.

 

Most here may know that. Just relaying what I was told. Dont shoot the messenger :)

Always enjoy your reviews and photos, but have to say your heading is more than a bit misleading. Have read through a few posts and although I believe RC will never go fleetwide with the DD, only based on Adams comments, you never know. As far as don't kill the messenger, I think your safe! Now with that being said I"ll be sailing on Quantum in April 2015, and Anthem in March 2016. Have a feeling you will have a review and photos before then, happy cruising....K.O.:)

[Thetrail]

Um....I absolutely do, and so do many others.

I also would truly miss traditional dining with friends and family. That being said am booked for both Quantum and Anthem....KO.....:)

[setsail]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2015524

[caribbean sailor]

Unlike previous Royal Caribbean ships, Quantum-class ships will not have a main dining room, nor will they have an option for traditional cruise dinners where passengers have the same table and servers each night.[25] Instead, these ships will use a Dynamic Dining concept similar to the Freestyle concept used on Norwegian Cruise Line, with guests being required to make reservations for their choice of restaurant for each night in advance.[26] Each venue will maintain the same menu and staff throughout the cruise.[27]

 

That will be a deal breaker for us.No way do i want to be required to make diner reservations every night.also no ROYAL PROMENADE on the amusement parks of the seas.They can send them all to China. :p

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I see no point of traditional dining; open seating and many restaurants is the norm on any land vacation, no one really cares to sit with people or be told to sit down at 6 or 8 to eat in a limited restaurants.

 

That's part of the reason I DON'T take land vacations. We enjoy the set time where you can have the personalized service from your waitstaff who get to know you over the vacation.

Edited August 16, 2014 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[TM38Rob]

Off topic -- I was just looking at your signature, and saw the Scotia Prince. That was our "seasickness test cruise" the year before we took our first real cruise. I remember thinking how big the Scotia Prince was...:rolleyes:

Glad you mentioned the Scotia Prince. As big as that ship felt, I always thought it needed a pool up on the sun deck. My first time on the ship, we ate at Cadillac Jack's and then took a Dramamine before boarding. The car came with us on the ship and spent the week around Nova Scotia with my family.

 

Years later when I graduated high school, I wanted to sail Royal Caribbean (still have the 1995-1996 brochure), but could only afford the Scotia Prince. This time it was just my Dad and I. We stayed on the ship for the full round trip.

[TCBFlash]

I'm booked on the first one out of Port Everglades when Oasis arrives back in the US after drydock. Just doubled check my reservation online a few minutes ago: "Dinner Seating: Traditional Dining 06:00 PM , No Waitlists".

Sure hope they don't test it on Oasis, unless it includes the American Icon restaurant and table assignments remain (no reservations). At least it's only a 5 night for me if they try to pull a fast one with DD.

 

We just got off of the Oasis, and the Head Waiter told us that when Oasis returns from dry dock, there will be no more traditional dining times. The entire MDR will be My Time Dining. (He didn't say Dynamic Dining) I was kind of surprised that they wouldn't leave at least one level for traditional dining for the people who prefer it. My sister sails in April 2015 on Oasis, and also still has the 6:00 time confirmed on her reservation. I guess we will have to wait and see.

[SherriZ366]

We are on the Freedom now and last night at the top tier event, the Hotel Director and Captain said its coming to the Freedom during its drydock in January. Three separate restaurants on the three levels. One is Silk, one is Grand, and they did not mention the third. Also indicated it is coming to Oasis and Explorer. Some executives from Miami are coming on board on Sunday to discuss it with the Captain and Hotel director.

 

I'm not a fan, but they did not ask me.

 

My guess is it will go fleetwide -- and much quicker than we thought.

 

mac_tlc

This makes no sense to do it so quickly before it has been tested on Quantum. We are booked on FR on 2-22-2015 and also for 3 more FR cruises. From what I can tell, QU's bookings for dining have been open for awhile and people are having trouble with the reservation system. It would be a nightmare for passengers on February, 2015 cruises to book DD reservations in a short time period. Edited August 16, 2014 by SherriZ366

[SherriZ366]

That will be a deal breaker for us.No way do i want to be required to make diner reservations every night.also no ROYAL PROMENADE on the amusement parks of the seas.They can send them all to China. :p

Totally agree.

[SherriZ366]

This makes no sense to do it so quickly before it has been tested on Quantum. We are booked on FR on 2-22-2015 and also for 3 more FR cruises. From what I can tell, QU's bookings for dining have been open for awhile and people are having trouble with the reservation system. It would be a nightmare for passengers on February, 2015 cruises to book DD reservations in a short time period.

Right now, we have confirmed 8 PM late seating on all of our upcoming FR cruises through 2016.

[dacsmom]

When the Freedom goes into drydock it will be converted to dynamic dining. This news from a family member on the Freedom now. It was confirmed during a Q&A session with members of the crew.

[SherriZ366]

When the Freedom goes into drydock it will be converted to dynamic dining. This news from a family member on the Freedom now. It was confirmed during a Q&A session with members of the crew.

Bad news -- too bad they are not waiting for Quantum tryouts. If we keep our reservations for 4 future cruises, it will be a nightmare to book dining. Edited August 16, 2014 by SherriZ366