MDR lunch on embarkation day?

[ocmach]

Happy new year to all!

 

We will be sailing on Crown Princess to Mexico in March'16 and was wondering if anyone knows which MDR serves lunch on embarkation day? Also, what are the timings, i read its from Noon-1.30pm on a older thread from 2012.

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited January 12, 2016 by ocmach

[moki'smommy]

It is 12-1:30 and will be in one of the midship dining rooms. At least that's how it was on our recent cruise.

[OCruisers]

Da Vinci (Deck 6 Mid-ship) Noon - 1:30.

[ocmach]

Thanks!

[shredie]

If they try to turn you away, insist to be seated and show them a copy of the Patter you will find in your cabin. They seem to like to discourage people from using the dining room for some reason.

[Colo Cruiser]

And demand the salmon sans EF.

Edited January 12, 2016 by Colo Cruiser

[Coveguy4]

And demand the salmon sans EF.

 

Now thats funny!

[Astro Flyer]

If they try to turn you away, insist to be seated and show them a copy of the Patter you will find in your cabin. They seem to like to discourage people from using the dining room for some reason.

It's also stated on their Dining FAQs under the "1st Day Dining" option...I thought the denial of a MDR lunch had been fixed but recently reading about it happening again more frequently. :eek:

 

"Shortly after we welcome you onboard your spectacular Princess ship, you're invited to relax and dine at the Horizon Court or in one of the ship’s multiple dining rooms.

 

Open from 5 am to 11 pm (12 am on select itineraries), the Horizon Court offers a wide selection of buffet meals or snacks. A primary feature of Princess ships, the top-of-the-ship restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning sea views as a backdrop.

 

Or join us in one of our main dining rooms for lunch served up by a staff -- from chefs to waiters -- dedicated to making your dining experience something special.

 

Together, Princess' unique combination of gracious dining staff, fine continental cuisine and new friends make every meal onboard a memorable occasion".

http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/onboard/dining_nightlife.jsp

 

It shouldn't be an issue...Princess invites us to a MDR lunch on embarkation day; some shipboard crew attempts to deny it. :rolleyes:

Edited January 12, 2016 by Astro Flyer

[AKman2495]

The times I had lunch in the MDR on embarkation day I had no problem getting in.

 

Certainly the MDR workers have no problem -if you are there on time.

 

One other thing. Princess allows you to go to your stateroom when you board so you can drop off your bags. One time, we saw a family in the MDR and they hd their bags all around the table.

 

Leave the bags, enjoy the lunch.

[victory2020]

I've done embarkation lunch 3 times on the Crown in the last year or so with no problem.

[Nancyquilts]

And demand the salmon sans EF.

 

Okay, I give up. We always have the salmon, but what should it be without?:o

[Astro Flyer]

Okay, I give up. We always have the salmon, but what should it be without?:o

EF...Endive Foam which some Curtis Stone dishes have on top of it & has become a running joke on CC. ;)

[Kingofcool1947]

Happy new year to all!

 

We will be sailing on Crown Princess to Mexico in March'16 and was wondering if anyone knows which MDR serves lunch on embarkation day? Also, what are the timings, i read its from Noon-1.30pm on a older thread from 2012.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

MDR open with limited menu. Get there early. So, for some reason it seems there is always a cattle rush to the MDR on embarkation days. I don't know why that is. Can someone explain?

Edited January 13, 2016 by Kingofcool1947

[Kingofcool1947]

And demand the salmon sans EF.

 

 

Just curious, what's EF?

Edited January 13, 2016 by Kingofcool1947

[cr8tiv1]

MDR open with limited menu. Get there early. So, for some reason it seems there is always a cattle rush to the MDR on embarkation days. I don't know why that is. Can someone explain?

 

I had lunch in the Da Vinci Dining Room on a recent October cruise. I did not see a "cattle rush" to the dining room (maybe to get on the ship). The MDR (Deck 6) was pretty empty.

 

On another thread, I mentioned that this was the fastest embarkation I've every experienced. From drop off to in my cabin...maybe 40 minutes. Never had time to sit around and wait. And the ship was sold out.

[shredie]

MDR open with limited menu. Get there early. So, for some reason it seems there is always a cattle rush to the MDR on embarkation days. I don't know why that is. Can someone explain?

 

It's much nicer to start the cruise with a relaxing lunch in the dining room rather than a cattle call at the buffet. The food (limited though it is) is also better than the stuff in the buffet on embarkation day. IMO, of course.

[Aus Traveller]

If they try to turn you away, insist to be seated and show them a copy of the Patter you will find in your cabin. They seem to like to discourage people from using the dining room for some reason.

I tried that on a recent cruise, but the answer from the staff member outside the dining room was "It's a special event." I commented "But it's shown in the Princess Patter". Same answer. We went to the buffet for the first time for many years for an embarkation lunch.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I tried that on a recent cruise, but the answer from the staff member outside the dining room was "It's a special event." I commented "But it's shown in the Princess Patter". Same answer. We went to the buffet for the first time for many years for an embarkation lunch.

 

Did you ask to speak with the Maitre d?

[long cruiser]

The limited menu is not great.You are better off at the horizon or the international cafe.

long cruiser

[victory2020]

I tried that on a recent cruise, but the answer from the staff member outside the dining room was "It's a special event." I commented "But it's shown in the Princess Patter". Same answer. We went to the buffet for the first time for many years for an embarkation lunch.

 

What ship was it? someone posted that the Star was doing that.

[Stevesan]

The times I had lunch in the MDR on embarkation day I had no problem getting in.

 

Certainly the MDR workers have no problem -if you are there on time.

 

One other thing. Princess allows you to go to your stateroom when you board so you can drop off your bags. One time, we saw a family in the MDR and they hd their bags all around the table.

 

Leave the bags, enjoy the lunch.

 

Leave the gun, take the cunnoly ;)

[Cruise Raider]

We've always been deterred from the staff from the MDR on the day of boarding but have always gotten in. Last year, on the Crown, the were holding the employee appreciation luncheon onboard around the holidays and it was the best luncheon ever!! We had a very special menu ... so glad we didn't miss that one even though they always have a look on their face like 'what are you doing here?'.

A few weeks ago on the Grand, we were escorted right in ... first time ever without them acting like it wasn't allowed or it was an imposition. They were also fully staffed, so may have been expecting a larger than normal crowd. In November, we boarded too late to get in on the first day luncheon so not sure if they were actually turning people away or what? That was one of the only times I have missed it. It has become a tradition ... especially if boarding is not delayed.

BTW -- the salmon for lunch on the Grand was very good!

 

PS -- the event they were referring to might just be the BVE -- although we've been able to eat in the MDR anyway. Sometimes you just have to be a little more insistent ... in a polite way.

[raz455]

On our December 20th cruise on the Royal, we boarded at 11:30, dropped off our two carry-ons in our cabin, made a few dining reservations via the phone, and began our walk to the dining room. On the way, I asked one of the cabin stewards which dining room was open for lunch. He said the dining room was not opened. So, I thanked him and we proceeded to the MDR. Sure enough, it was opened with junior waiters waiting in a line just for us to arrive. :D We were welcomed and seated. I always love the feeling I get when the napkin is placed in my lap for the first time, I see no prices on the menu, and I actually order desert for the first time in a long, long time. Yes, that first lunch in the MDR means my cruise has officially begun. . . .

 

No crowds, no rush. So, shhhhhhh, don't tell anyone.

 

(and the salmon was delicious!)

 

Happy sailing!

[Kingofcool1947]

On our December 20th cruise on the Royal, we boarded at 11:30, dropped off our two carry-ons in our cabin, made a few dining reservations via the phone, and began our walk to the dining room. On the way, I asked one of the cabin stewards which dining room was open for lunch. He said the dining room was not opened. So, I thanked him and we proceeded to the MDR. Sure enough, it was opened with junior waiters waiting in a line just for us to arrive. :D We were welcomed and seated. I always love the feeling I get when the napkin is placed in my lap for the first time, I see no prices on the menu, and I actually order desert for the first time in a long, long time. Yes, that first lunch in the MDR means my cruise has officially begun. . . .

 

No crowds, no rush. So, shhhhhhh, don't tell anyone.

 

(and the salmon was delicious!)

 

Happy sailing!

 

Do you know what species of salmon is served on Princess?

King/Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink, or Chum?

Is it fresh or frozen salmon?

 

May you cruise and live in interesting times.

Edited January 13, 2016 by Kingofcool1947

[moki'smommy]

Do you know what species of salmon is served on Princess?

King/Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink, or Chum?

Is it fresh or frozen salmon?

 

May you cruise and live in interesting times.

 

The only time I've had salmon that might have been fresh on a ship was in Alaska. I don't know what kind it was, but it was the best salmon I've ever tasted. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure it has all been frozen.