Dining on the New Ships

[Seabourn Pearls]

If one were inclined to avoid the crush (no pun intended) at the Martini Bar what times would you advise? 6:10? 8:40?

 

Curt said "Another bonus if ship went full select dining, no fixed seating, is the Martini Bar would be able to provide better service, in that there won't be the giant crush of guests for the 30 minutes prior to each seating, the visitors would be staggered out and easier to manage. Last cruise, I took a couple nights to avoid MDR just to enjoy Martini during the quiet time while people were dining. No wait at all for a drink then!"

Edited December 22, 2014 by Seabourn Pearls

[need2bespoiled]

If one were inclined to avoid the crush (no pun intended) at the Martini Bar what times would you advise? 6:10? 8:40?

 

Curt said "Another bonus if ship went full select dining, no fixed seating, is the Martini Bar would be able to provide better service, in that there won't be the giant crush of guests for the 30 minutes prior to each seating, the visitors would be staggered out and easier to manage. Last cruise, I took a couple nights to avoid MDR just to enjoy Martini during the quiet time while people were dining. No wait at all for a drink then!"

 

Instead of gg 30 min before late seating, if we visit about and hour, while first seating is still going on, and late seating is still at the early show, there is generally plenty of space and good service at the Marrini Bar, though even when we show up later, it doesn't get bad until the early show folks get there, usually about 15 min before late seating. On longer port intensive cruises it is less of an issue.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Edited December 22, 2014 by need2bespoiled

[hawk/hornfan]

Can some one please explain to me in plain English what being a "professional" (of what I do not know) has to do with anything regarding dining on cruise ships!!

 

My wife, (post graduate degree and library director), and I, (3 time college drop out and factory worker) and in our late 50's (but does it really matter)prefer select dining, only because it gives us a chance to meet people from across the country and world. We generally like to eat between 6-7 and like the flexibility. We liked traditional dining until a cruise on Princess due do to the people we were set with who were friends and excluded us from the conversations.

 

We eat by ourselves every day of the week, this gives us a chance to socialize.

 

And from my observations, in most restaurants today, is that the "targeted demographic" can not put their phone down long enough to enjoy their meal or surroundings. Oh to be so important. LOL

 

As always JMHO!

[Scott2.0]

Can some one please explain to me in plain English what being a "professional" (of what I do not know) has to do with anything regarding dining on cruise ships!!

 

My wife, (post graduate degree and library director), and I, (3 time college drop out and factory worker) and in our late 50's (but does it really matter)prefer select dining, only because it gives us a chance to meet people from across the country and world. We generally like to eat between 6-7 and like the flexibility. We liked traditional dining until a cruise on Princess due do to the people we were set with who were friends and excluded us from the conversations.

 

We eat by ourselves every day of the week, this gives us a chance to socialize.

 

And from my observations, in most restaurants today, is that the "targeted demographic" can not put their phone down long enough to enjoy their meal or surroundings. Oh to be so important. LOL

 

As always JMHO!

 

White collar. Disposable income. Supposedly the new target demo of X and their whole "modern luxury" positioning.

[jamiebytes]

On our recent Celebrity Eclipse sailing, my husband and I went to specialty restaurants for dinner 5 out of 14 nights. Would have went to more if there were more options we liked. (Don't like Murano; Bistro on 5 service was too lackluster to try dinner there.) I definitely like variety. Sometimes I struggle in the MDR to find things I like at the time, so it would be great to have more options to choose from every night without resorting to the buffet. No need to deal with one menu that tries to please 3000 people at once every night.

 

So yeah, I'm a big fan of dynamic dining!! I think Celebrity would execute it well.

[hawk/hornfan]

White collar. Disposable income. Supposedly the new target demo of X and their whole "modern luxury" positioning.

 

Oh, thank you. However, I understood what was being said before I posted my comments.

 

My point being, was who really cares who they, "X" , are "marketing" to. If you got the cash they do not care what your demographics are. Granted I am sure they would like if everyone booked their excursions, ate in the specialty dining venues, purchased in the shops, gambled in the casino's, and etc. because that is where they make their money. But not every one does, and that is why the have so many things to do to appeal to a broader spectrum of the cruising market.

 

What is great about cruising, is meeting so many different people from different walks of life.

[lovemylab]

If one reads the comments about Dynamic Dining on the Royal board, they will read complaints that this new dining system requires advanced reservations for the most popular times and restaurants. People are finding that they have to make reservations weeks to months in advance. If you don't, they will have to settle for less desirable times and restaurants, or dine in the buffet. They now not only have to plan their excursions months in advance, but also when and where they will eat each night. How does that equate to an improvement? Who in their right mind would want that hassle?

 

 

This is my concern with dynamic dining. I have no desire to make all my dinner reservations weeks to months in advance for a cruise vacation.

 

I do love that it would provide additional options for dining. If Celebrity decides to go with it I hope they offer a better system then what Royal Caribbean is currently doing with theirs.

Edited December 23, 2014 by lovemylab

[MikeC1610]

And from my observations, in most restaurants today, is that the "targeted demographic" can not put their phone down long enough to enjoy their meal or surroundings. Oh to be so important. LOL

 

As always JMHO!

 

That is one of the things I love so much about cruising. You do not have to listen or see people constantly on their mobile phones, particularly whilst you are trying to enjoy a meal.

 

I hope the cruise lines leave it this way and do not provide cheap access so people can access their mobile phones at sea as they would on land. That is why you go on vacation so you can get away from all that stuff.

[hawk/hornfan]

That is one of the things I love so much about cruising. You do not have to listen or see people constantly on their mobile phones, particularly whilst you are trying to enjoy a meal.

 

I hope the cruise lines leave it this way and do not provide cheap access so people can access their mobile phones at sea as they would on land. That is why you go on vacation so you can get away from all that stuff.

 

Totally agree!