Questions about YTD ticket or buzzer on the Sunshine.

[Cruise life]

I have heard there is a ticket pick-up on deck 5 for YTD to get into the entrance in the MDR on 3 when there is a wait. Is this a ticket or a buzzer? Where does this take place? How far is the range if it's a buzzer and do you return the buzzer to deck 3 at the MDR entrance or back at the deck 5 location?

 

We had a buzzer once on another ship, but we have never been given a dining time ticket on any ship. Can someone share how this works and the best way to navigate this area- do you use the far aft stairs or the ones that let out by the casino (I want to avoid the casino with our kids). Also, what are the best waiting areas? TIA

 

 

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[JJInc]

You get the buzzer on deck 5 at the Ocean Plaza, across from the taste bar, and yes you then turn it in at the hostess station at the Sunrise MDR on deck 3, I don't know about the range because the one time we had a wait we just sat in the chairs at the Ocean Plaza, there is usually something going on at Ocean Plaza like music or trivia, it is also a good spot for people watching to kill the time. You do not have to go in the casino, you can just use the aft stairs to get to deck 3.

[Cruise life]

You get the buzzer on deck 5 at the Ocean Plaza, across from the taste bar, and yes you then turn it in at the hostess station at the Sunrise MDR on deck 3, I don't know about the range because the one time we had a wait we just sat in the chairs at the Ocean Plaza, there is usually something going on at Ocean Plaza like music or trivia, it is also a good spot for people watching to kill the time. You do not have to go in the casino, you can just use the aft stairs to get to deck 3.

 

 

Thank you!! I have been studying the deck plans since the layout of the Sunshine seems to be one of the biggest complaints by people. Good to know in advance where to go for dinner;) especially with hungry growing boys....

 

 

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[JJInc]

 

Since you mentioned growing boys, here's a lil tip, the taste bar will have snacks to sample tell your boys not to over indulge like I did on the snacks right before dinner :D One day they had these tiny grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, I lost count on how many I ate:eek:

[thephillykid]

 

Since you mentioned growing boys, here's a lil tip, the taste bar will have snacks to sample tell your boys not to over indulge like I did on the snacks right before dinner :D One day they had these tiny grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, I lost count on how many I ate:eek:

 

Wasn't this the sushi bar that is now converted?

[bar1068]

Wasn't this the sushi bar that is now converted?

 

Pretty much..

[iowagirl411]

What is the reason for going to deck 5 instead of the dining room entrance like on other ships? I haven't been on the Sunshine yet, but am planning on next year.

[JJInc]

What is the reason for going to deck 5 instead of the dining room entrance like on other ships? I haven't been on the Sunshine yet, but am planning on next year.

 

This is how Your Time Dining is setup on The Sunshine, you have to check in on deck 5 first and then you go to the dining room on deck 3.

[luckey1]

The reason you go to deck 5 is the small area by the dining room on 3. Just the elevator area and people are lined up on the stairs too. Be wise to wait about 15 minutes and not go in just as it opens.

[iowagirl411]

The reason you go to deck 5 is the small area by the dining room on 3. Just the elevator area and people are lined up on the stairs too. Be wise to wait about 15 minutes and not go in just as it opens.

 

Thanks! Makes sense. I had guessed that might be the reason.

[keywest1]

We never had a wait for YTD. Instead of a buzzer, we received a slip similar to a cash register tape with our table assignment to immediately take down to the dining room. I like the process. If there had been a wait, there would have been seating areas and entertainment instead of being lined up down the hall in front of the dining room.

The Sunshine is a little confusing to navigate, but if you study the deck plans it's easy to find your way around.

[Cruise life]

We never had a wait for YTD. Instead of a buzzer, we received a slip similar to a cash register tape with our table assignment to immediately take down to the dining room. I like the process. If there had been a wait, there would have been seating areas and entertainment instead of being lined up down the hall in front of the dining room.

The Sunshine is a little confusing to navigate, but if you study the deck plans it's easy to find your way around.

 

 

So, if I usually go early to YTD with my children do I still need to get a table assignment from the OP bar every night? Will people that go directly to 3 be required to go up to 5 to get their assignment?

 

 

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[keywest1]

So, if I usually go early to YTD with my children do I still need to get a table assignment from the OP bar every night? Will people that go directly to 3 be required to go up to 5 to get their assignment?

 

 

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Yes, you'll still have to go to 5. You have to have your slip of paper with table assignment to be seated and you can only get that on Deck 5. Honestly, I didn't find it to be any more hassle than going straight to the MDR and waiting in line. The only time we noticed lines were right after shows, etc--the times when everyone decides to go at once. We went early and never had a wait.

Enjoy the Sunshine--we sure did :)

Edited November 14, 2014 by keywest1
add info

[kelkel2]

So if we wanted to go to the dining room one night right when it opened, we would first want to go to deck 5 pick up a ticket and then go to deck 3? Just making sure I understand this concept. They do this all the time, and not just when there is a long wait?

[bar1068]

So if we wanted to go to the dining room one night right when it opened, we would first want to go to deck 5 pick up a ticket and then go to deck 3? Just making sure I understand this concept. They do this all the time, and not just when there is a long wait?

 

Hmmmm....not that it matters, but when did Carnival start this silly process? We sailed the Sunshine back in April with ATD, we had the "old fashioned" process..went to host's on deck 3...some nights went right to table..couple other nights we were given a pager and went up to the Alchemy bar...waited just long enough to get a drink...then pager went off...back up to MDR...no tickies....

[keywest1]

Hmmmm....not that it matters, but when did Carnival start this silly process? We sailed the Sunshine back in April with ATD, we had the "old fashioned" process..went to host's on deck 3...some nights went right to table..couple other nights we were given a pager and went up to the Alchemy bar...waited just long enough to get a drink...then pager went off...back up to MDR...no tickies....

 

Not sure when it started, but it was that way for our cruise in September, and I had been reading about it for at least a few weeks before we sailed.

 

Kelkel, you are correct on the process.

[bar1068]

Guess it sorta makes sense..this new process.....the elevator lobby got pretty jammed up with folks waiting for table with ATD....especially on format nights

[mosaic_mom]

When we have had ATD before, we have had to show our S&S card at the door to get in. Do you have to do that now on deck 5?

 

I am asking because we are going with my parents and both me and my mom are disabled and it would be easiest for me and her to wait near the dining room and send dad and DH up to deck 5. Can we do that or do we all need to present to deck 5 ?

[NHWILDCATCRUISERS]

Nancy,

 

Just off the Sunshine in October. As previous posters have noted it's fairly easy depending on your request.

 

When you check in on Deck 5 all they ask is for your cabin # to verify you are ATD. If there is a table available to meet your request, (# of people or if you want a certain dining staff), they will issue a ticket and you proceed to the dining room where they take the ticket and seat you. If your requests means a delay they will issue a beeper and when your table is ready they will beep you and then you go back to the Deck 5 location and pick up your ticket and proceed to the dining room.

 

Hope this answers all your questions.

 

Dave

[mosaic_mom]

Nancy,

 

Just off the Sunshine in October. As previous posters have noted it's fairly easy depending on your request.

 

When you check in on Deck 5 all they ask is for your cabin # to verify you are ATD. If there is a table available to meet your request, (# of people or if you want a certain dining staff), they will issue a ticket and you proceed to the dining room where they take the ticket and seat you. If your requests means a delay they will issue a beeper and when your table is ready they will beep you and then you go back to the Deck 5 location and pick up your ticket and proceed to the dining room.

 

 

Hope this answers all your questions.

 

Dave

 

Thanks, Dave. That answers part of what I need to know. I was just wondering if we decided to have mom go directly to deck 3 and have dad check in for her if they would allow that. Or does she have to be present at deck 5 too?

[keywest1]

Nancy, I don't think you would have a problem having your Dad check in for your Mom. Check with the maitre'd after you board and explain your concerns. We met a couple traveling with their disabled son on the Sunshine. They were telling us how great and accommodating the dining staff was. After their first evening, the maitre d' had a specific table waiting for them every evening in an area that best met their need for additional space.

[mosaic_mom]

Nancy, I don't think you would have a problem having your Dad check in for your Mom. Check with the maitre'd after you board and explain your concerns. We met a couple traveling with their disabled son on the Sunshine. They were telling us how great and accommodating the dining staff was. After their first evening, the maitre d' had a specific table waiting for them every evening in an area that best met their need for additional space.

 

Thank you. I am disabled and used to traveling with my husband but not with my parents and my mom's needs. It's great that they are so accommodating in the dining room for special needs.

[keywest1]

Thank you. I am disabled and used to traveling with my husband but not with my parents and my mom's needs. It's great that they are so accommodating in the dining room for special needs.

You're welcome :) I forgot to clarify that this couple also had YTD.