Dining on the Pearl- new to NCL

[Voyagers]

Hello, we will be cruising to Alaska on the Pearl in June. We have not cruised on NCL before. Previously we have been on Carnival and Royal Caribbean. I am confused about the dining options. With Freestyle dining are there no set dinner times or tables? For which dining areas would that apply? For the specialty restaurants, are reservations taken? When do you make the reservations? For the specialty restaurants, is there a set charge or does it vary depending on what you order?

 

Thanks very much for your help!

[Siora7777]

Reservations are open right now for all restaurants. Indigo and Summer Palace are complimentary, reservations are optional. Specialty restaurants are set price with other options you can purchase at an extra charge for more expensive dishes. You can make your reservations now or when you get on the ship. A lot of people have the unlimited dining package for the specialty restaurants so I'd do that online or as soon as you get on the ship. No set times or set dinner tables. No sitting with strangers.

Edited May 27, 2015 by Siora7777

[Demonyte]

For speciality restaurant cover charges, see NCL's Dining Guide: http://www.ncl.com/diningguide

[newmexicoNita]

In the basic MDRs reservations are not needed but there are some hours, just like land restaurants that can be busier than others. When this happens and there is a wait time you will get a voucher for a glass of champange while you are waiting to have your name called. Rarely will the wait be more than 10 minutes or so. Sometimes they will tell you longer, but our experience has been it is never as long as they say.

 

As for specialty dining, we always make reservations. In fact we decide on the first day, when we want to dine in the specialty dining rooms and make reservations almost as soon as we are aboard. The prices vary depending on what restaurant you choose.

[quercus alba]

In the basic MDRs reservations are not needed but there are some hours, just like land restaurants that can be busier than others. When this happens and there is a wait time you will get a voucher for a glass of champange while you are waiting to have your name called. Rarely will the wait be more than 10 minutes or so. Sometimes they will tell you longer, but our experience has been it is never as long as they say.

 

As for specialty dining, we always make reservations. In fact we decide on the first day, when we want to dine in the specialty dining rooms and make reservations almost as soon as we are aboard. The prices vary depending on what restaurant you choose.

 

They also have a pager system (like many land-based restaurants), so you can put your party on the list and it will buzz when you can be seated.

[Manbo]

Reservations are open right now for all restaurants. Indigo and Summer Palace are complimentary, reservations are optional. Specialty restaurants are set price with other options you can purchase at an extra charge for more expensive dishes. You can make your reservations now or when you get on the ship. A lot of people have the unlimited dining package for the specialty restaurants so I'd do that online or as soon as you get on the ship. No set times or set dinner tables. No sitting with strangers.

 

In addition, the Orchid Garden (I think that is the name) the Asian place, is complimentary. If you will be running on east coast time, and going early, you will not need a reservation.

We just sailed the Pearl and always just walked in for immediate seating.