Will a suite help with Open Dining Option

[Cruise Arizona]

If someone is booked in Open dining and it is too late to move them to fixed seating pre-cruise, will the fact that they have a suite help them get a table for two at a fixed time everynight?

 

It is my understanding that they should take advantage of early boarding and then go see the maitre'de right away when boarding and he should be able to assign her something either same table every night in open dining, or move her to fixed dining.

 

Please let me know if I am missing something.

[SadieN]

Suites only get priority embarkation and a bigger cabin on Carnival.

 

For ATD you can request a table for your party when you show up for dinner, no reservations.

 

You can change your dining assignment online. Check with the MD onboard about the table assignment.

[NCTribeFan]

The maitre d isn't usually available right when boarding begins, so early boarding isn't really an issue. Not sure when suite passengers board (before of after FTTF?).

 

Why not email and request the change now? Email addresses have been posted many times in many threads. The 2-letter abbreviation of your ship's name then maitred@carnival.com

 

ie: Fantasy maitre d's email: famaitred@carnival.com

[riffatsea]

I don't really understand your question?

IF you have Your Time Dining you can go to the dining room at any time and get a table for 2.

That's exactly what we do on a cruise these days.

If we like the wait staff the first night, then we continue to use the same staff every night.

On our last cruise the people who seat you from the podium knew which was "our table" and it was ours for the whole cruise! They did not seat others there even if we came later than our usual time!

[asalligo]

I booked a suite on the Paradise and wanted a dining change. My Request was not granted to change and I do not feel my request was taken any more seriously due to the fact that I was booked in a suite.

[WendyVF]

Suites only get priority embarkation and a bigger cabin on Carnival.

 

 

And this is why we still cruise Carnival instead of other cruise lines...hate feeling like a second class citizen because we don't care what type of cabin we have!

[S.S.Oceanlover]

If someone is booked in Open dining and it is too late to move them to fixed seating pre-cruise, will the fact that they have a suite help them get a table for two at a fixed time everynight?

 

It is my understanding that they should take advantage of early boarding and then go see the maitre'de right away when boarding and he should be able to assign her something either same table every night in open dining, or move her to fixed dining.

 

Please let me know if I am missing something.

 

Just a heads up about tables for 2. Most are about a foot away from the table next to you. Most times your neighbors will start a conversation but not always.

 

Bill

[CruzVinnieCruz]

The maitre d isn't usually available right when boarding begins, so early boarding isn't really an issue. Not sure when suite passengers board (before of after FTTF?).

 

Why not email and request the change now? Email addresses have been posted many times in many threads. The 2-letter abbreviation of your ship's name then maitred@carnival.com

 

ie: Fantasy maitre d's email: famaitred@carnival.com

 

Suite passengers board with Milestone, Diamond and Platinum passengers.

 

Boarding the Ship

 

On most occasions, guests board the ship in the following order:

 

Special functions

VIFP Platinum, Diamond, Milestone and Suite guests

Faster to the Fun guests

Premier Casino guests

Special Assistance guests

Assigned Zones

General Boarding (straight from check-in to boarding)

 

Take care,

Vinnie

[cb at sea]

If you really want a 2-top, I'd stick with what you have....on the 1st night, make a standing reservation for your table and time.....

[okgirl]

If you really want a 2-top, I'd stick with what you have....on the 1st night, make a standing reservation for your table and time.....

 

They say that you can't officially reserve a specific table for a specific time, but it does often work out that way. If you want it to work out that way more often than not then I would suggest going as soon as the dining room is open.

 

A person can't really expect them to hold a specific table open if you aren't wanting to dine until 7pm.

[TXFATGUY]

Last year we had one in our party that was a diamond. We were assigned late seating but requested early seating. Our Diamond Member went to change and the maitreD said that early was full. She went to guest services and they put us in ATD dining room. They held a table for the 4 of us to come anytime we wanted as the table was reserved for us. The wait team that we got moved to was the best I ever had in 18 cruises.

Diamonds are the only group that get guaranteed dining time.

[sanmarcosman]

If you really want a 2-top, I'd stick with what you have....on the 1st night, make a standing reservation for your table and time.....

It doesn't work this way on Carnival, regardless of cabin category.

[riffatsea]

I repeat, you can get a 2 top any time.

We didn't "officially" make a reservation for a table .

We came at the same time most nights and had the same wait team and kind of made a joke of the fact that it was "our" table.

[Cruise Arizona]

I don't really understand your question?

IF you have Your Time Dining you can go to the dining room at any time and get a table for 2.

That's exactly what we do on a cruise these days.

If we like the wait staff the first night, then we continue to use the same staff every night.

On our last cruise the people who seat you from the podium knew which was "our table" and it was ours for the whole cruise! They did not seat others there even if we came later than our usual time!

 

They spoke with a neighbor who had concerns about the hassle of ATD, and are now second guessing that decisions.

 

I wrote the maitre'd, so hopefully that will help, Thanks for the email.

[sanmarcosman]

I repeat, you can get a 2 top any time.

We didn't "officially" make a reservation for a table .

We came at the same time most nights and had the same wait team and kind of made a joke of the fact that it was "our" table.

So you're saying that the ability to make a "standing reservation" as mentioned earlier by a poster is incorrect?

[DebJ14]

Being in a suite does not get you much other than the priority embarkation and debarkation. Diamond guests are guaranteed the dining of their choice, Platinum guests get priority if there is availability and then whatever is leftover goes to everyone else.

[riffatsea]

@sanmarcosman,

If staff sort of gave us "our table" without being diamond and only because we sort of joked about it , I imagine that others could make a similar arrangement but it is not typical!

I don't know what Diamond folks are able to do on board? I do know that each ship and their staff gets to know some of the cruisers better than others and that it may be possible for some to get better service than others. I don't think you can say as a general rule that you can make a "standing reservation" but some may manage it.

[coevan]

They say that you can't officially reserve a specific table for a specific time, but it does often work out that way. If you want it to work out that way more often than not then I would suggest going as soon as the dining room is open.

 

A person can't really expect them to hold a specific table open if you aren't wanting to dine until 7pm.

 

What if you eat at 9 pm? Friends of ours said they ate at 9 every night and had the same table and server.

[sanmarcosman]

@sanmarcosman,

If staff sort of gave us "our table" without being diamond and only because we sort of joked about it , I imagine that others could make a similar arrangement but it is not typical!

I don't know what Diamond folks are able to do on board? I do know that each ship and their staff gets to know some of the cruisers better than others and that it may be possible for some to get better service than others. I don't think you can say as a general rule that you can make a "standing reservation" but some may manage it.

Thank you very much, I've never tried and doubt I will ask but having the information is always good :)

Edited November 20, 2015 by sanmarcosman

[sanmarcosman]

What if you eat at 9 pm? Friends of ours said they ate at 9 every night and had the same table and server.

In my experience dining that late often results in the staff recognizing/remembering you and it has been the case that we were seated wherever we wanted.