Freestyle becoming not so "free"?

[Aquahound]

Not "... in any way shape or form."? Dining when and how and with whom you want sure is "freestyle" in several ways; which is precisely what Celebrity offers.

 

NCL does not offer the option of an assigned table at an assigned time in a main dining room. To the extent that is an option one might want, their "Freestyle" really isn't all that freestyle --- it is simply NCL style.

 

Exactly. Choosing the anytime option on any of the other lines is no different than Freestyle on NCL. The only difference I've seen is, other lines have better service....especially Celebrity. And since someone asked, no, Celebrity does not have formal nights.

[punkincc]

Not "... in any way shape or form."? Dining when and how and with whom you want sure is "freestyle" in several ways; which is precisely what Celebrity offers.

 

NCL does not offer the option of an assigned table at an assigned time in a main dining room. To the extent that is an option one might want, their "Freestyle" really isn't all that freestyle --- it is simply NCL style.

 

We have done more than one version of "my time" dining on more than one cruiseline. It has been a few years, but as I recall, the system was far from ideal. For one thing, it is not available to everyone who might choose it. You can request it precruise, but if the quota is met, you are given assigned dining.

 

Even with "my time" dining, one one ship, regardless of what time we showed up in the MDR, we were escorted every night to the same table, right next to the same people dining at "their" tables. If we had wanted that, we could have just stayed with Traditional and requested a table for two. We would like to see different areas of the MDR, even meet new waiters. We never made it down to the main floor, but were relegated to the upper level far corner like second class citizens.

 

Even the ship that would give a table at random in the MDR would make it very uncomfortable for us every night as soon as we said "table for two". We would immediately be asked if we wouldn't like to join another table. After pleading, cajoling, pouting and virtually insinuating that we must surely be antisocial and not team players, we would eventually be given our table for two.

 

And one ship wanted us to let them know in advance what time we were coming with My Time. That's hardly like true Freestyle if I have to decide and notify them in advance of my dining time.

 

I can hardly believe people are actually upset because someone is not telling them when to show up to eat and where and 'hope you like your table mates cause they are yours for the week'. No, NCL does not offer this. But if you will campaign with the other cruise lines to start offering a "real" Freestyle experience, rather than just one in name only, then I will campaign with NCL to start offering a "real" assigned table, assigned time, assigned companions option for you. ;)

[zqvol]

For a party of 2 you don't need to make reservations for anything. You might have to wait a bit, just like on land but you won't have any trouble getting what you want.

[Love my butler]

For a party of 2 you don't need to make reservations for anything. You might have to wait a bit, just like on land but you won't have any trouble getting what you want.

 

As a general statement, this could not be more incorrect.

[mafig]

As a general statement, this could not be more incorrect.

 

Are we still talking about Celebrity?

 

Never had a problem just showing up for a table for two. We eat early, so we never waited or made a reservation.

[navybankerteacher]

 

...

 

But if you will campaign with the other cruise lines to start offering a "real" Freestyle experience, rather than just one in name only, then I will campaign with NCL to start offering a "real" assigned table, assigned time, assigned companions option for you. ;)

 

Please do not bother - one NCL is more than enough.

[hladygirl]

On our cruise on the Dawn last November (14 night repo) we bought the 8 night meal plan and booked pre cruise online. The 1 st night at cagneys was no problem. The 2nd night we were told we had no further reservations booked. Thank goodness I printed out all of our reservations. Most of the time we wanted to dine were already full. They honored our original reservations because I had proof. This was the first time pre booking specialty restaurants an I didn't think I would like this but it was nice to just look in the am and say we are dining tonight at cagneys at 6 pm. We will book all our restaurants again this October.

[NutsAboutGolf]

Just have to move on..Great they evolved into Freestyling but they evolved out of it...If you want to wing it, NCL is no longer an option, but that's not a bad thing...Perfect chance to try another cruise line! :)

[asubaru]

The Escape is a good ship for winging it. It's hard to imagine that you couldn't find a restaurant, show or entertainment to suit your desires. I really liked having so many options available. I am returning to experience some I didn't have time for.

 

No question, you'll often have a hard time getting a res'v, but there are standby lines and walk-in options. If you're not successful for one thing, there likely will be good options available. Food Republic and Pincho's don't take res'v and we walked in at both and were seated immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

I remember when NCL came up with the Freestyle concept. My DH loved the idea of going to dinner at whatever time we wanted to and not having to dress for formal night. With our upcoming Escape cruise, my TA suggested, and from what I have been reading here on CC, we should make reservations in advance for dinner and entertainment BEFORE we even get on the ship. It seems like this defeats point of being flexible and free while on vacation. I don't want to pre-plan every night in advance, just not my style. We like to be more flexible. We like to see what's on the MDR menu for dinner and then decide where to eat that night. Same with the entertainment. So if we don't pre-plan in advance does that mean we are going to miss out on having dinner in some of the restaurants or missing the entertainment we want to see? Are there any others out there that just like to "wing it" with success? :D

[Cruzaholic41]

Please do not bother - one NCL is more than enough.

 

You're certainly not alone there. A lot of people feel that way.

[punkincc]

Please do not bother - one NCL is more than enough.

 

If NCL is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of cruiselines out there who probably do things more to your likeing. Just book those. We like Freestyle and NCL, and that is why we no longer subject ourselves to Celebrity.

[Beaver1975]

Please do not bother - one NCL is more than enough.

 

Yet you supposedly did 6? :confused:

[Beaver1975]

For a party of 2 you don't need to make reservations for anything. You might have to wait a bit, just like on land but you won't have any trouble getting what you want.

 

As a general statement, this could not be more incorrect.

 

 

I agree completely with zqvol. We have not had problems getting tables for two with a little patience.

 

Maybe you have a target on your back for all of your campaigns against tipping and the removal of service charges? :rolleyes: