Dynamic dining nightmare

[blingbbb222]

We are having the worst nightmare trying to book our restaurants. Every single time we request just comes up with the statement 'we are sorry, this restaurant is not available,'

We are beyond frustrated. The only restaurants available are the ones you pay for. This is not what we expected. It's becoming something we are dreading. We just want to be able eat, where we want, when we want. We've paid for it!!!!

Can anyone help before I smash my computer and divorce my husband

[Biker19]

Step away from the computer for a day.

 

If you are close to sailing the popular slots available online are gone - if you are really far out nothing might be available for booking.

 

If you find the online experience frustrating you may consider calling instead.

 

Or skip it altogether and do it once you board.

 

Don't stress, you'll get into the venues you want - tho the time at which you get in and the time you have to wait will vary.

[blingbbb222]

We had no idea we had to book this way, we've only ever sailed with Princess and have had anytime dining. Really easy, no bookings, eat when you want, where you want. No problem. Travel agents didn't mention we had to book this way so basically there are only very late times available. Going first two weeks in August so ship is at its complete capacity. So dissapointed. Having to eat at nearly 10 every night is not what we paid for. Had we any idea this is what we had to do we would have reserved earlier. We booked the cruise a year ago and were advised dynamic dining choice meant eat when and where you want anytime!

[blingbbb222]

We had no idea we had to book this way, we've only ever sailed with Princess and have had anytime dining. Really easy, no bookings, eat when you want, where you want. No problem. Travel agents didn't mention we had to book this way so basically there are only very late times available. Going first two weeks in August so ship is at its complete capacity. So dissapointed. Having to eat at nearly 10 every night is not what we paid for. Had we any idea this is what we had to do we would have reserved earlier. We booked the cruise a year ago and were advised dynamic dining choice meant eat when and where you want anytime!

[barneymag]

We had no idea we had to book this way, we've only ever sailed with Princess and have had anytime dining. Really easy, no bookings, eat when you want, where you want. No problem. Travel agents didn't mention we had to book this way so basically there are only very late times available. Going first two weeks in August so ship is at its complete capacity. So dissapointed. Having to eat at nearly 10 every night is not what we paid for. Had we any idea this is what we had to do we would have reserved earlier. We booked the cruise a year ago and were advised dynamic dining choice meant eat when and where you want anytime!

 

Don't stress about it

 

Not all tables are reserved for pre booking and you should still be able to dine like freedom, anytime dining on other lines

 

There are two queues at the restaurants for pre-booked and those that turn up when they want - like most cruise lines inc P&O, Celebrity and RCI if you turn up without a reservation at peak times .... say 7.30 to 8.00pm you'll probably have a wait .... turn up at 6.30 or 8.45 and you'll probably get straight in or wait 5mins.

 

I think the only difference with Dynamic Dining is you have 4 different complimentary dining options and can pre book online before you cruise (if you're early enough) but if you don't pre-book you'll still get to eat where you want, when you want .... but you might have to wait 5 mins or 30 mins sometimes.

[Thetrail]

We had no idea we had to book this way, we've only ever sailed with Princess and have had anytime dining. Really easy, no bookings, eat when you want, where you want. No problem. Travel agents didn't mention we had to book this way so basically there are only very late times available. Going first two weeks in August so ship is at its complete capacity. So dissapointed. Having to eat at nearly 10 every night is not what we paid for. Had we any idea this is what we had to do we would have reserved earlier. We booked the cruise a year ago and were advised dynamic dining choice meant eat when and where you want anytime!

They know this and certainly should have conveyed this info to you....

[Suzieanna]

Even when you have "booked" its quite stressful.... We had all our restaurants booked way in advance, they showed up on printed lists, they showed up on the screens in our staterooms yet when we turned up a few minutes before our allotted time we were told "we can seat you in 40 minutes" !!! or "we have no trace of you on our system", or "we can seat you now but you will have to share a table"

 

Not quite what I expected.

[dst87]

Even when you have "booked" its quite stressful.... We had all our restaurants booked way in advance, they showed up on printed lists, they showed up on the screens in our staterooms yet when we turned up a few minutes before our allotted time we were told "we can seat you in 40 minutes" !!! or "we have no trace of you on our system", or "we can seat you now but you will have to share a table"

 

Not quite what I expected.

 

I will be EXCEPTIONALLY pissed off if this happens to Alex and I.

 

We have booked tables for the majority of our 2-week cruise, one table at every restaurant (inc. speciality venues). If we turn up at our booked time and are told we have to share with someone else on our honeymoon then Royal will have a very angry customer on their hands.

 

Back to OP... your TA should have made this very clear. The way Anthem's dining works has been known from day 1 so there's no excuse. Might be time to find a better / more informed TA!

 

For now, though, I'd echo what others have said. In theory you should be able to just turn up and get seated as and when you want (with a possible wait at peak times). That said, on Splendour I tried this and was basically told we'd have to join another group. This was OK for my friend and I on that cruise, so it depends how willing you are to dine with strangers (aka 'friends you haven't met yet' ;))

[rjrpar]

We were on the Quantum in February and really didn't enjoy all the scheduling. Never again on this type of ship, going on Celebrity next year. Maybe fine for many people, especially new cruisers but not ok with many on last cruise. Feel the same way about the new Disney wrist bands, although have not tried them yet

[blingbbb222]

Thanks everyone. Do feel really let down by Thomsons TA. Too late now, just so annoyed as we've had this booked for over a year! Up to now it's been so stressful, can not believe all the pre-planning involved. Just wanted a holiday to relax. Eating so late is not what we wanted. Neither is waiting ( for long periods ) to be seated or being seated with others. It's the unknown now that's spoiling things. The ship is completely full so I can imagine it won't be as straight forward as it has been for others. Thank you for all your advice

[dst87]

Thanks everyone. Do feel really let down by Thomsons TA. Too late now, just so annoyed as we've had this booked for over a year! Up to now it's been so stressful, can not believe all the pre-planning involved. Just wanted a holiday to relax. Eating so late is not what we wanted. Neither is waiting ( for long periods ) to be seated or being seated with others. It's the unknown now that's spoiling things. The ship is completely full so I can imagine it won't be as straight forward as it has been for others. Thank you for all your advice

 

I assume you're in the UK and booked with the high-street TA Thomson? I know it doesn't help THIS situation, but I'd highly recommend switching to a cruise specialist TA for future cruises, as they'll take much more time with you and get to know your like/dislikes over time and be able to recommend things to you.

 

I booked my first cruise with a specialist then shopped around for the second. I ended up back at the specialist because the lack of knowledge (to the point of being WRONG about stuff) and the poor service weren't worth it.

 

I don't know what the rules are on CC about mentioning TAs by name, but if you want a recommendation (I have a couple) PM me.

 

As for your situation, there's not much that can be done at this stage, so you'll be best placed to have an open attitude and try and enjoy the situation you're in. Hopefully there won't be a massive wait, especially if you want to eat REALLY early.

 

Don't get stressed about it, and just enjoy it! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful cruise if you go with the belief that you'll have a wonderful cruise. :)

[swoopy2110]

I will be EXCEPTIONALLY pissed off if this happens to Alex and I.

 

We have booked tables for the majority of our 2-week cruise, one table at every restaurant (inc. speciality venues). If we turn up at our booked time and are told we have to share with someone else on our honeymoon then Royal will have a very angry customer on their hands.

 

Back to OP... your TA should have made this very clear. The way Anthem's dining works has been known from day 1 so there's no excuse. Might be time to find a better / more informed TA!

 

For now, though, I'd echo what others have said. In theory you should be able to just turn up and get seated as and when you want (with a possible wait at peak times). That said, on Splendour I tried this and was basically told we'd have to join another group. This was OK for my friend and I on that cruise, so it depends how willing you are to dine with strangers (aka 'friends you haven't met yet' ;))

 

Don't worry .. we were a 2 on the Anthem in May. Maximum wait where we had reservations (at 7.30pm each night, so busy time) was about 1 - 2 mins max. Most of the time taken straight in and seated..

[Yorkvillain]

We are having the worst nightmare trying to book our restaurants. Every single time we request just comes up with the statement 'we are sorry, this restaurant is not available,'

We are beyond frustrated. The only restaurants available are the ones you pay for. This is not what we expected. It's becoming something we are dreading. We just want to be able eat, where we want, when we want. We've paid for it!!!!

Can anyone help before I smash my computer and divorce my husband

 

I booked all my dinner reservations in one 10-15 minute phone call. I had the rep email my reservations to me while I was on the phone so I could check them out to make sure they were right.

 

I printed the email out and took it on the ship with me in case there were any problems but thankfully there were no issues.

[Patsfan3]

How far in advance should we book our dinners?

[Yorkvillain]

How far in advance should we book our dinners?

 

If I remember correctly, we did ours about two months before sailing and we had no problem finding a time slot around the time we like to eat (8-9pm range).

[dst87]

Don't worry .. we were a 2 on the Anthem in May. Maximum wait where we had reservations (at 7.30pm each night, so busy time) was about 1 - 2 mins max. Most of the time taken straight in and seated..

 

That's good. I actually don't mind waiting a little bit (maybe up to 10 minutes) but I don't want to be seated with other people. I wouldn't normally mind this, but as it's out honeymoon I think we'd rather dine alone!

 

What I found strange about the Anthem reservations system is that they say something like "We'll endeavour to seat your party at a private table, but this is depending on availability". There's no option to say you'd RATHER have a shared table, which I know a lot of people prefer. So it seems like there could be times when a sociable group will be seated alone, and a group that wants to dine alone will be seated with others. How will they know, if they don't know our preferences?

[Biker19]

So it seems like there could be times when a sociable group will be seated alone, and a group that wants to dine alone will be seated with others. How will they know, if they don't know our preferences?

They sort it when you arrive at the hostess desk at the venue - just like they would at a land based restaurant.:cool:

[dst87]

They sort it when you arrive at the hostess desk at the venue - just like they would at a land based restaurant.:cool:

 

Hmmm... I don't like that at all. If I make a reservation for 2 at a land based restaurant I KNOW I'll get a table for two when I turn up.

 

It sounds like this isn't a certainty on Royal, even for those with a reservation. I'd expect them to know that a party of 2 has booked for 8:30pm and have a table for two ready and waiting for their arrival. That's how it works on land.

[Biker19]

Hmmm... I don't like that at all. If I make a reservation for 2 at a land based restaurant I KNOW I'll get a table for two when I turn up.

 

 

....not if the restaurant's IT system loses your reservation....;)

[dst87]

....not if the restaurant's IT system loses your reservation....;)

 

Well there is that! :p But then that would be a failure of the system, whereas Royal's system appears to just work like that!

 

I won't complain until I actually experience the problem (or, hopefully, not) in September :)

[Biker19]

Well there is that! :p But then that would be a failure of the system, whereas Royal's system appears to just work like that!

 

I won't complain until I actually experience the problem (or, hopefully, not) in September :)

Yes, RCI's IT system seems to be like that; lose the picture you took the time to upload to shorten your checkin time, lose the reservations you made to eliminate that onboard chore, etc.

[Sascol]

How far in advance should we book our dinners?

 

The sooner the better. Our cruise is in November and we booked the dining in Early May I think. Even at that time it was a challenge to get some of the times we wanted.

[CaptData]

I have a couple of suggestions. One show up 5 to 10 mins before you want to eat and get in the line for those who don't have ressies or two wait until you board then book it on the TV or IQ app on your phone. They do not book all restaurants up on line as not everyone has a computer.

 

I have done the second one a couple of times with MY Time Dining and it work well.

 

Are you in a suite? If so the Concierge can get you in at your time. Suites have priority.

[Baron Barracuda]

Sailed on Quantum 12 day in March. We had gone through the agony of booking our reservations online well ahead only to have to re-book them once the entertainment schedule was released. Once aboard we found that all the complimentary restaurants were no more than 1/4 full until about 7pm. No reservation - no problem. After we experienced all 4 and learned what we liked best we changed a few reservations - no problem. The only major glitch at that point was when you changed a reservation the system added the new one but never dropped the old one. This made the restaurants appear to be more fully booked than they actually were. Hopefully this has been corrected by now. We'll be aboard Anthem next June and I'm not too worried about dinner reservations. We eat early and don't expect any lines. What is more important is to book your entertainment as early as possible (most shows fully book) so that you can schedule dinner around your shows.

[papcx]

The only major glitch at that point was when you changed a reservation the system added the new one but never dropped the old one.

 

 

I found that as well. I just used the app to delete the old reservation.