Dynamic Dining postponed for Oasis & Allure

[SherriZ366]

DD seems like a lot of work and stress

 

 

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[SherriZ366]

I was wondering if they reduced crew cabins on Quantum because they were planning on the reduction of dining crew. If that is the case then they may not be able to add many new crew to fix the issue without reducing somewhere else, such as fewer cabin stewards, which would create a whole other issue.

 

 

 

I'm wondering if they might have been better off, when they came up with the idea for dynamic dining to start slowly by picking one of their existing ships and piloting my time dining only. That way they could have tried various reservation methods/testing IT, staffing, etc., using a dining type that was already in place. It also would have helped them to see exactly what the impact would be to eliminating traditional set seating dining. Once they got that worked out then move to Dynamic Dining, which is really an extreme version of MTD with different restaurants instead of one dining room.

 

 

 

Anyway I will be giving it a try on the Anthem in 2016 and all that I hope is that they will allow sharing as a solo traveller I really don't want to be stuck eating by myself every night, which is my main concern regarding DD.

 

 

Hope they can figure out a way to add space for Assistant Waiters and bus boys. Sound like from suggestions on this thread, RCI should go back to drawing board and get ideas from subsidies and competition.

 

 

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[kassimer1]

It never ceases to amaze me how the big cruise groups apparently fail to learn from the different brands within the same group. On Carnival you can see Carnival Cruise lines failed attempt to introduce things to its newest ships which were properly done on the Aida sub-brand.

 

 

 

Incidentally I do feel that Dynamic Dining on Oasis and Allure has more chance of success by simple virtue of the higher capacity of the overall inclusive venues. If nothing else, that ought to make waiting less likely.

 

I believe it will be worse on oasis and allure- there is one less complmentry venue. so you have 2000 more people and one less choice.

[Mattsudds]

I believe it will be worse on oasis and allure- there is one less complmentry venue. so you have 2000 more people and one less choice.

 

Apologies for not being clear. What I meant was that the Dynamic dining venues in Oasis seem to be taking more or less the same amount of space as the current main dining room. That dining room could seat half the passengers. Collectively the Quantum's Dynamic venues can only seat about 1/3rd of the passengers. The proportionate higher capacity of the spaces on Oasis should at least mean that there is more chance of getting a sets quickly.

[spazzyjanet]

Any thoughts on when I'll be able to book dining and entertainment for our New Year's cruise next year? We were supposed to be able to start today, but I went in this morning and still cannot book anything. I'm guessing because they still don't know whether we'll have dynamic dining on our cruise?

 

What is "my time" dining- if that is the default? My last cruise was on Freedom in 2010 and it had traditional dining.

[Clarea]

Any thoughts on when I'll be able to book dining and entertainment for our New Year's cruise next year? We were supposed to be able to start today, but I went in this morning and still cannot book anything. I'm guessing because they still don't know whether we'll have dynamic dining on our cruise?

 

What is "my time" dining- if that is the default? My last cruise was on Freedom in 2010 and it had traditional dining.

My Time Dining is the ability to eat at other than the two traditional dining times. You can make reservations or just show up. You eat in the MDR and have the same menus as traditional.

[spazzyjanet]

My Time Dining is the ability to eat at other than the two traditional dining times. You can make reservations or just show up. You eat in the MDR and have the same menus as traditional.

 

Okay thanks! Honestly not sure what I prefer at this point, I'd just like to know what to expect. Traditional dining is sounding more and more appealing because at least you knew what to expect. I always skipped at least one formal night, though. Dressing to the nines when you feel bloated, relaxed and have been in the ocean all day? No thanks.

[LuCruise]

I'm finding this thread interesting and can't believe that it is up to 22 pages as of now. For us, we prefer the traditional of My Time, but if it's Dynamic Dining when we travel, then so be it (unless they cancel it all together, then it will be DD by Spring of 2016). It's still the Main Dining Room...or one of the three offered...and so we will have an awesome trip no matter what. The shows have to be booked on this ship so I don't see a big deal booking the evening meals as well. I would be furious if they got rid of included dining where you had to book specialty dining. That would make me think twice about booking on the Allure or other ships, but not for tradition / my time vs dynamic.

[steamboats]

Funny thing is that for my Allure cruise in May I was on Main Seating - until today! Now it say Dynamic Dining!! But anyway, I can´t do anything - no reservations yet. And I can´t even update my online check-in data - says it´s available starting 90 days prior to departure... I already did the online check-in but was waiting for a new credit card as the old one was expiring.

 

steamboats

[Clarea]

Okay thanks! Honestly not sure what I prefer at this point, I'd just like to know what to expect. Traditional dining is sounding more and more appealing because at least you knew what to expect. I always skipped at least one formal night, though. Dressing to the nines when you feel bloated, relaxed and have been in the ocean all day? No thanks.

Just to clarify, the dress code is the same for traditional and My Time.

 

Many times we will have dinner in Windjammer if we don't feel like going to the dining room. Windjammer is surprisingly peaceful for dinner, nothing like breakfast or lunch.

[Debde]

It seems many here are trying to post themselves int DD going away. The more they post they hate it or suggestions to corporate, they think they can make it go away.

 

I really think, as they say, it is postponed. The old two time seating is probably going to be a thing of old and DD is here to stay with adjustments to be made for its return. In theory, once these glitches work themselves out, its a pretty good concept and they can probably make the majority of cruisers very happy and corporate happy with lots of for a fee dining!!

 

Now-I hate those posters that tell people if you don't like it you can find another cruise line. That being said, if traditional RCCL dining is what you like, does any other cruise line offer this service?? I ask a question and not dismiss you and send you to another line!!;) Sometimes you have to give and take to find the perfect vacation. What means the world to one vacationer, means squat to another. Maybe a better option is out there with traditional dining if that is your be all and end all top of your want list for your vacation.:confused:

[dani negreanu]

my Allure cruise in May ... my online check-in data - says it´s available starting 90 days prior to departure... steamboats

 

I too tried to do my online check-in for my Allure cruise in June -- it´s available starting 90 days prior to departure... :confused:

BUT, for the Anthem in September (!) I was able to do the online check-in weeks ago. STRANGE.

BTW, "my Allure" states MTD (my TA had prepaid grats for me).

[SamFritz]

My hope is that DD will end up as a choice only on the Quantum Class. People who like that idea can sail on those ships.

 

With the "retro fitting" of existing MDRs being little more than a cosmetic change in furniture and decor, the idea is tacky. I have no interest in dressing up for a formal dinner in Grande only to look across the dining room to see Bubba in his "casual attire" slamming down a burger and fries in the American Icon.

 

If Royal wants DD they should put it on ships that are designed for it rather than forcing their fancy new square peg into their existing and well designed round holes.

 

 

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[Debde]

 

With the "retro fitting" of existing MDRs being little more than a cosmetic change in furniture and decor, the idea is tacky. I have no interest in dressing up for a formal dinner in Grande only to look across the dining room to see Bubba in his "casual attire" slamming down a burger and fries in the American Icon.

 

I see your point but it may be much easier to give the 'bubbas', and formal wear folks of the world a choice then trying to change the entire ship. This might very well be the concept we may have to accept as to what they are trying to create....maybe??? Because I have never experienced DD can you really see the people eating in the other dining rooms?? I thought they were separate rooms and not just sections??? :eek:

[LoneStarJeffe]

I've heard that there have been so many upset people on the online message board at Cruise Critic that they are selling the Quantum & Anthem to Carnival and cancelling the 3rd and 4th ship orders.

 

The sheer power that 150 or so people on this forum wield over the financial decisions of a multi-billion dollar company is outstanding.

 

DD is over.

The entire fleet is going to formal wear for EVERYTHING (including the pools) 24 HOURS A DAY.

Smoking is allowed everywhere.

The casinos have guaranteed minimum winnings.

All the tanzanite you can carry off the ship is free.

BINGO is mandatory.

Everyone who has ever taken a dance class at Arthur Murray Studios is granted full privileges on the ship. Carte Blanche.

A $20 tip is required upon stepping a foot on the ship.

 

Also, robes will have RFID sensors and if you ever attempt to wear them outside your cabin, you will be caught and put ashore at the nearest port.

 

Embarkation will include a spelling and grammar competency check. Why board if you cannot write a grammatically correct review on Cruise Critic with proper spelling?

 

:) :) :)

Edited January 1, 2015 by LoneStarJeffe

[Ocean Boy]

[quote name='RocketMan275']If you read the article that was linked, you'll see the author lists three problems with dynamic dining all of which he attributes to overworked wait staff. Seems RCI was trying to cut staffing and it hasn't worked as well as some thought it would.

Bottom line, if it's a staffing problem, that can be solved. But that won't satisfy the group here on CC that wants DD to be scrapped because the prefer the classic dining experience. That's fine of course and they should be providing RCI their feedback. I just don't think they will succeed in convincing RCI to cancel DD.[/QUOTE]

And increasing staffing won't satisfy RCI's accountants who are looking for ways to save money. I'm not so sure that anyone will succeed in getting RCI to increase the staffing levels.

[LetsGetWet!]

[quote name='Debde']It seems many here are trying to post themselves int DD going away. The more they post they hate it or suggestions to corporate, they think they can make it go away.[/QUOTE]
To be fair, there are just as many here trying to post themselves into DD quickly expanding to the whole fleet and make traditional & MTD a thing of the past.
[quote name='Debde']I really think, as they say, it is [B]postponed[/B]. The old two time seating is probably going to be a thing of old and DD is here to stay with adjustments to be made for its return.[/QUOTE]
Gee, looks like you're one of those! So far there's no talk from corporate about "the old two time seating is probably going to be a thing of old" on the large majority of the fleet.
[quote name='Debde']Now-I hate those posters that tell people if you don't like it you can find another cruise line. That being said, if traditional RCCL dining is what you like, does any other cruise line offer this service?? I ask a question and not dismiss you and send you to another line!!;) Sometimes you have to give and take to find the perfect vacation. What means the world to one vacationer, means squat to another. Maybe a better option is out there with traditional dining if that is your be all and end all top of your want list for your vacation.:confused:[/QUOTE]
Yeah, how about the other 90% of the RCI fleet? No need for you to suggest that those who don't like DD and prefer "traditional RCCL dining" look for another cruise line when the huge majority of RCI ships still offer it and will continue to for at least as long as you can currently book a cruise for.

[SamFritz]

[quote name='Debde']I see your point but it may be much easier to give the 'bubbas', and formal wear folks of the world a choice then trying to change the entire ship. This might very well be the concept we may have to accept as to what they are trying to create....maybe??? Because I have never experienced DD can you really see the people eating in the other dining rooms?? I thought they were separate rooms and not just sections??? :eek:[/QUOTE]


Someone posted earlier in this thread that the retro fitted Oasis had no walls or floors added. The main dining room is exactly as it was except for changes in signage, furnishings, and decor.


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[steamboats]

I´m a little confused by David Kriso´s article. He says on the other RCI ships each waiter has an assisstant and sommelier. I think that´s not completely correct. First of all RCI did get rid of the sommeliers quite a while ago. For some time the waiters had to take over as "sommelier". Then the bar stewards returned but they are no sommeliers. Both, assisstant waiter and bar steward are assigned to certain tables but they do have much more tables to care for than the waiter. Especially the bar steward is not only "assigned" to one waiter. And I saw assisstants working at tables of another waiter than "mine" too.

This sentence "Instead of working one (1) table, they are working five (5) tables at the most." I do not quite understand. Usually waiters do have 6 to 8 tables to work on. I´ve never seen a waiter just caring for a single table.

So all in all I´m not sure whether there is less staff in the dining rooms of the Quantum. Each waiter has a runner (aka assisstant). The waiter does not go to the galley and place the orders or pick up the food. That´s now the runners job. Sure the waiter now also has to care for bread and beverages (at least ice water, iced tea, coffee, tea). Actually I don´t remember whether there were still bar stewards taking other beverage orders. I remember the waiter took the orders for the special cocktails on the menu (I have only been to Silk on that 2 nighter).

I think the main problem is that on the other ships waiter/assisstant do know what you want by the second day (but remember first nights are always a mess and dinner takes much longer than on the other nights). On the Quantum you have a different waiter each night who doesn´t know your preferences although the idea was that they do save the preferences via their tablets (let´s say that I prefer iced tea each night) so the next waiter will know about it. But obviously that part still doesn´t work.

I totally agree on David Kriso´s other two points he made (lacking of choice and poor schedule synchonization).

steamboats

[Debde]

[quote name='LetsGetWet!']To be fair, there are just as many here trying to post themselves into DD quickly expanding to the whole fleet and make traditional & MTD a thing of the past.

Gee, looks like you're one of those! So far there's no talk from corporate about "the old two time seating is probably going to be a thing of old" on the large majority of the fleet.

Yeah, how about the other 90% of the RCI fleet? No need for you to suggest that those who don't like DD and prefer "traditional RCCL dining" look for another cruise line when the huge majority of RCI ships still offer it and will continue to for at least as long as you can currently book a cruise for.[/quote]

Wow-OK:rolleyes:

First-it came from Royal that they are planning on expanding DD to as many ships as they can. That's from them.

Second-they used the word postponed-not me.

Third-Yes-bingo-why all the griping when there are so many other ships to choose from at this time??? You can still have traditional and still use the same cruise line.

[Debde]

[quote name='SamFritz']Someone posted earlier in this thread that the retro fitted Oasis had no walls or floors added. The main dining room is exactly as it was except for changes in signage, furnishings, and decor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/quote]

So what you are saying is-all these restaurants are not separated by walls? You can have one table eating one menu and dressing one way and another table right next to you eating from another menu and dressing another??

I just don't comprehend the formal dining venue having non-formal all in the same room. It should have walls, no??? If you can see someone eating a burger while you are dining in a formal setting-then something is really wrong. Sorry-I am trying to grasp what you are saying but I am really confused now.:o I really thought these dining venues were completely separated by walls and not like a huge banquet hall. :confused: Edited January 1, 2015 by Debde

[Ocean Boy]

[quote name='Debde']So what you are saying is-all these restaurants are not separated by walls? You can have one table eating one menu and dressing one way and another table right next to you eating from another menu and dressing another??

I just don't comprehend the formal dining venue having non-formal all in the same room. It should have walls, no???[COLOR="Red"] If you can see someone eating a burger while you are dining in a formal setting-then something is really wrong[/COLOR]. Sorry-I am trying to grasp what you are saying but I am really confused now.:o I really thought these dining venues were completely separated by walls and not like a huge banquet hall. :confused:[/QUOTE]

Now the fashion police who have their noses in everyone elses business will not only be complaining about having to see people who are not dressed up ruining their special evening but they can complain about the food those people are eating too.

[Yorkvillain]

[quote name='Debde']So what you are saying is-all these restaurants are not separated by walls? You can have one table eating one menu and dressing one way and another table right next to you eating from another menu and dressing another??

I just don't comprehend the formal dining venue having non-formal all in the same room. It should have walls, no??? If you can see someone eating a burger while you are dining in a formal setting-then something is really wrong. Sorry-I am trying to grasp what you are saying but I am really confused now.:o I really thought these dining venues were completely separated by walls and not like a huge banquet hall. :confused:[/QUOTE]

Each restaurant is on a different deck.

Deck 3 - American Icon
Deck 4 - Grande (formal)
Deck 5 - Silk Edited January 1, 2015 by Yorkvillain

[LetsGetWet!]

[quote name='Debde']Wow-OK:rolleyes:

First-it came from Royal that they are planning on expanding DD to as many ships as they can. That's from them.[/QUOTE]
Have a link for that? I keep hearing that here, but haven't seen that from RCI directly.
[quote name='Debde']Second-they used the word postponed-not me.[/QUOTE]
No argument - its been postponed - on Oasis/Allure.
[quote name='Debde']Third-Yes-bingo-why all the griping when there are so many other ships to choose from at this time??? [b]You can still have traditional and still use the same cruise line.[/b][/QUOTE]
You're the one who asked if there isn't another cruise line they can find for "the traditional RCCL dining experience." Just pointing out that probably the best place to look for the traditional RCCL dining experience is still on RCCL itself.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

[quote name='Debde']So what you are saying is-all these restaurants are not separated by walls? You can have one table eating one menu and dressing one way and another table right next to you eating from another menu and dressing another??

I just don't comprehend the formal dining venue having non-formal all in the same room. It should have walls, no??? If you can see someone eating a burger while you are dining in a formal setting-then something is really wrong. Sorry-I am trying to grasp what you are saying but I am really confused now.:o I really thought these dining venues were completely separated by walls and not like a huge banquet hall. :confused:[/QUOTE]

The Oasis dining room has three tiers with a large opening in the center. With DD, each floor is a different restaurant, but the large opening still remains. So everyone on the same floor as you will be in the same restaurant, eating the same food and dressing the same way, but you can still easily see up or down to the other two restaurants.