Oldrunner1959 Posted September 1, 2015 #1 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Sailing on 9/20 and have made reservations at one specialty restaurant ... but since I'm not sure about which others I'll want to eat in, would like to wait until we board. I've heard mixed reviews on the ability to walk in to both complementary and specialty restaurants ... and would love to hear specifics from past cruisers. We do not have a dining package so plan on eating mostly complementary. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby0215 Posted September 1, 2015 #2 Share Posted September 1, 2015 We will be sailing on the same cruise! So cheers! I have never had a problem doing my specialty restaurant reservations on board. For the complementary dining rooms we just walked up whenever we wanted to eat. We never waited more than a few minutes. I don't think our cruises have ever been 100% full so that could be a factor as well as if you were to go when school is not in session. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffd64 Posted September 1, 2015 #3 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Sailing on 9/20 and have made reservations at one specialty restaurant ... but since I'm not sure about which others I'll want to eat in, would like to wait until we board. I've heard mixed reviews on the ability to walk in to both complementary and specialty restaurants ... and would love to hear specifics from past cruisers. We do not have a dining package so plan on eating mostly complementary. Thanks. Even at the most peak times, you will not have any problem walking into Taste and/or Savor for dinner. You might have a short wait if there is a line, but it's not a big deal. Relax and have a cocktail at the bar right outside. You will never need a reservation depending upon the size of your party of course. Larger parties (8 or more) may require a wait or a standing reservation. The Manhattan may incur some delays at peak time, but nothing substantial. O'Sheehan's is not usually a problem either. For specialty restaurants, the situation is different. Most of them hold only 200 people or less at any one time, and there are up to 4500 passengers... so do the math. This means reservations are required. Cagneys and Le Bistro will be difficult and Teppanyaki will be impossible without reservations. I suggest strongly you make some reservations now since they are available online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worktocruise610 Posted September 1, 2015 #4 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Sailing on 9/20 and have made reservations at one specialty restaurant ... but since I'm not sure about which others I'll want to eat in, would like to wait until we board. I've heard mixed reviews on the ability to walk in to both complementary and specialty restaurants ... and would love to hear specifics from past cruisers. We do not have a dining package so plan on eating mostly complementary. Thanks. I think you should book them now so you have them, but then cancel if you decide you don't want to go. Do you have the UDP? If so, may as well make the reservations since you're not getting charged. I think (not entirely sure but I know someone one here will correct me if need be) you have 24 hrs before reservation to cancel with no penalty. Have a great cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SultanofSwing Posted September 1, 2015 #5 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Just off the Breakaway 2 weeks ago. By far our favorite specialty restaurant was "Teppanyaki" without question. Definitely make reservations as soon as possible. We were not at all thrilled with Cagney's or Moderno and it's too dark inside those two. You will not be disappointed in Teppanyaki. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldrunner1959 Posted September 2, 2015 Author #6 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Thanks all for this information. We've always sailed Carnival in the past and had our set dining table/time so this is new to us. Looking forward to trying Norwegian! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly99 Posted September 2, 2015 #7 Share Posted September 2, 2015 You should not have a problem making the reservation once you are on the ship. They only make about 15% of the reservations pre boarding and save another 15% for the day of. If you do decide to do them before your cruise be aware that you are paying for the reservation in advance even if you have a dining package. The charge will remain on your account until the last day and then credited back to you. It is like your floating the ship the money for that whole time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LrgPizza Posted September 2, 2015 #8 Share Posted September 2, 2015 If you think you might eat in 3 specialty restaurants, you should consider buying a 3 day Specialty Dining Package, which would save you money on those dinners. It can be purchased in advance or on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtscruiser Posted September 2, 2015 #9 Share Posted September 2, 2015 If you do decide to do them before your cruise be aware that you are paying for the reservation in advance even if you have a dining package. The charge will remain on your account until the last day and then credited back to you. It is like your floating the ship the money for that whole time. I booked all my specialty dining reservations (four restaurants) in advance on-line. I have the dining package (UDP) and was not charged for any of them, even when I made reservations for four people. I presumed the system recognized the package I had and let me reserve without paying. I'm on the Breakaway on November 8th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpcello Posted September 2, 2015 #10 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Just off the Breakaway last week. I had the UDP and I made all my reservations ahead of time. Once on board, I did cancel one or two, and re-booked another. I was glad I booked reservations ahead of time. This way I got the times I wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzygirl1 Posted September 3, 2015 #11 Share Posted September 3, 2015 i Agree, we just returned about two weeks ago too, Teppanyaki was our FAVORITE specialty , we too experienced the same, not impressed with Cagney's nor Moderno's. So, our suggestion also is that folks DO make the reservations ahead for Teppanyaki since seating is limited. our next cruise booked next August, we plan to do Teppanyaki, maybe even twice that week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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