PC Dining or Traditional? Pros and Cons

[sue222]

We are going on the Caribbean Princess Sep 25.Due to the fact that I like to eat early I picked PC dining. I have read a few reviews from people complaining about PC. Personally I don't care if I sit on a table for 2 or 10. There are 2 things that worry me 1> Is the food as good in PC as in traditional? 2> Think we have to wait every night for a table?

I welcome any comments Thanks....[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[srphnx]

Food is identical, comes from the same galley, and no you don't have to wait, all you do is make a reservation which you can do for as many days in advance as you wish, complaints about PC are coming mostly from people who chose not to make reservations but held on to the expectation that they would get seated immediately. If you make the rezzies or if you don't expect instant seating at rush times... you will be fine.

[B] Life is at it's best when your address floats [/B]
[B]<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>[/B]
Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
[B]<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>[/B]
Diamond Princess 12/04
Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02[B]<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>[/B]
Ecstacy 09/01
[B]<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>[/B]
Century 12/97
[B]<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>[/B]
Century 9/96

[Mom3Boys]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] We have done both traditional and pc. The only difference that I saw food wise was on the night that the waiters do the parade with the baked alaska (I believe this was the dessert) is not offered if you do pc. My husband was disappointed that he missed this but the pc had its advantages as well. We asked about the baked alaska and was told that since people are eating at different times there was no way to do the waiters march. We have just booked another cruise and was told that traditional has a waitlist of 70+ people in front of us for first seating. I guess we will do pc again. PC does allow you to be more flexible with your time. I do suggest reservations for pc (if you know a time) and also if you find a waiter you really like - request his/her table each night! Whatever you choose you will not go hungry!!! Linda

[GottoCruise]

This is a decision problem for sure - it was easier when we had no choice! LOL!!
Here is my thoughts (ramblings & experiences)-
We have been on 25 Princess cruises - and too many to count with other lines - We are not "youngsters" - but very active senior citzens - and I think we are friendly and personable.
We tried PC on the Star during last Xmas/New Years cruise to Australia/New Zealand - 14 days - It was our first time w/PC. We were travelling with a couple from home - we met another CC couple through these message boards onboard, and they asked to dine with us. The ship was very full - we had no problem booking the time we wanted & we reserved the same time for ea. eve. for the 6 of us, with the same waiter and table.
However, some eves. we wanted to change our dining time, and we wanted to dine with "others" we met on board ....This became somewhat of a problem - we had to notify reservations, tell our CC tablemates,(If they were "left out" of the "party" they were very annoyed - ( after all, it is our "vacation" - I don't think we had to be "tied to the hip" with those that were "new found" cruise acquaintances??)
At times when we changed dinning times and amount of tablemates, we were seated in a different (PC) DR, (the Star has 2) and of course had new waiters (and a different Table Captain) - our meal preferences were not available - and also some "special requests" could not be had. (ie. We request to view the next night's menu - if there is nothing we like - we "special request".) Perhaps this was because the ship was so full???? But as this was our first time with PC - I have no comparison.
All in all - I think I prefer Traditional - (problem of course, is first seating is too early, and second seating is too late!!)
My thoughts - Request a large table - 8 or 10 -If you get nice tablemates, I think it is a plus for the cruise experience - if you cruise alone - it's a way to meet a nice "group" that you can share Port experiences etc.... Of course, you can also be seated with a group that is sailing together - and you will feel "left out" or as another "thread" alluded too - you can be seated with the tablemates from H--l! - then it's a sticky problem and you have to decide whether or not to request a table change ...
One solution we have tried, if we are cruising alone, - we request a table for 2 - (we can meet others during Breakfast and/or Lunch or Teatime as we prefer the Dining room to the Buffets.)
Of course there is a (lonely) downside to this - but you do get through and out of the dining room much faster, and can get to the eve. shows.
If we have a lot of sea days - we request Early seating --If we are mostly at Port - we request late seating, if the ship is not full - you always can request a change in times or tablemates.
Another thought - all the above really applies to the longer cruises and if/when you are travelling alone. ...for 7 days to the Carribbean or Alaska ..I think I'd take a chance on meeting some nice tablemates and request late seating...JMHO
Renee aka GotToCruise

Until PACIFIC PRINCESS
7/25/04
ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC THEATER
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SRC="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;07;25;12;00;00&timezone=GMT

Until GOLDEN PRINCESS B2B
7/31/05 & 8/10/05
EUROPEAN CAPITALS & BRITISH ISLES
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[BJS]

[B]GottoCruise [/B] Think you said it very well. Isn't it WONDERFUL that we have the choice and each of us can decide what and when is best for us! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Future cruises:
5/04 HAL-Amsterdam-Alaska
9/04 Star Princess-Med.x2 Venice to Barcelona/ Barcelona to Rome
11/04 Dawn Princess-Southern Caribbean
Jan. 05 Diamond Princess-Mexican Riviera
July 05 Star Princess-Baltics
Aug. 05 Star Princess-Baltics
Past cruises:
04 Dawn Princess- Southern Caribbean x2
03 Grand Princess-W.Caribbean
03 Sun Princess -Mexico
03-Tahitian Princess-Tahiti/ Cook Islands
03 Royal Princess-x2 British Isles & Norwegian Fjords/ Iceland
03 Island Princess-Panama Canal
01 HAL Ryndam x 2-S. America San Diego to Valpariso/ & around Cape Horn to Rio
00 Sky Princess-China/Orient
79 Sitmar's Fairwind- Caribbean/Panama Canal

[Richard Stein]

I will stick with tradional and know when I'm dining and with whom. They all have same menu. If I see something in one of the other rooms I like and don't like the menu in the main dining room I will switch for that night. Make your reservations as soon as you get on ship if you want a certain time in the PC rooms. The give reservations in the main dining room based on previous history with line. My 6/13 cruise on the Sapphire Princess is my 15th with the line and I'll stick with tradional and bring my tux.

Horizon, 9/5/04, Sapphire Princess, 6/13/004 ?
Zuiderdam-2003, Constellation -2003, Infinity-2002, Vision of the Seas-2002,
Mercury-2001, Norwegian Sky-2000, Horizon-2000, Ryndam-1999, Grand Princess-1999, Westerdam-1998, Grand Princess-1998, Oriania-1997
1985-1996-3-HAL, 1-RCCL, 2-NCL, 11-Princess, 1-Royal, 1-Cunard

[CruiseFever]

I think all the Pros and Cons were touched on so I'll make but a general comment on PC Dining.

We experienced it for the first time on our Golden cruise earlier this year and thought it worked out just fine.

The above have expertly addressed your concerns about the quality- not a problem

I know we did as suggested above, made reservations for the entire journey, and had no wait at all....they were very prompt in seating us

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Diamond Princess 12/22/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[srphnx]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Richard Stein:
I will stick with tradional and know when I'm dining and with whom. They all have same menu. If I see something in one of the other rooms I like and don't like the menu in the main dining room I will switch for that night. [B]That is NOT an option, you can not go back and forth from traditional to PC and back, it is one way if you leave traditional. You could wait till that specialty menu is offered in traditonal, they will each be offered once during the week.[/B] Make your reservations as soon as you get on ship if you want a certain time in the PC rooms. The give reservations in the main dining room based on previous history with line. My 6/13 cruise on the Sapphire Princess is my 15th with the line and I'll stick with tradional and bring my tux.

Horizon, 9/5/04, Sapphire Princess, 6/13/004 ?
Zuiderdam-2003, Constellation -2003, Infinity-2002, Vision of the Seas-2002,
Mercury-2001, Norwegian Sky-2000, Horizon-2000, Ryndam-1999, Grand Princess-1999, Westerdam-1998, Grand Princess-1998, Oriania-1997
1985-1996-3-HAL, 1-RCCL, 2-NCL, 11-Princess, 1-Royal, 1-Cunard<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[B] Life is at it's best when your address floats [/B]
[B]<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>[/B]
Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
[B]<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>[/B]
Diamond Princess 12/04
Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02[B]<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>[/B]
Ecstacy 09/01
[B]<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>[/B]
Century 12/97
[B]<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>[/B]
Century 9/96

[BJS]

Since topic did not specify which Princess ship I will shed some light on <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>we did as suggested above, made reservations for the entire journey <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This does not work on ALL Princess ships. We ran into an experience where reservations had to be made each day and no standing reservations were allowed. We tried 2 nights on the 10 day cruise. In our case the third day we called late - no table for two- told only a table for 8 at the time we wanted. That was fine so we took it. After 15 min. sitting at the table and no one showing up we asked the waiter if we please could not order and be served immediately. This request brought the head waiter and from that day on he had a daily card in our box for a table for two at the time we wanted. Same table and same wait staff. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Future cruises:
5/04 HAL-Amsterdam-Alaska
9/04 Star Princess-Med.x2 Venice to Barcelona/ Barcelona to Rome
11/04 Dawn Princess-Southern Caribbean
Jan. 05 Diamond Princess-Mexican Riviera
July 05 Star Princess-Baltics
Aug. 05 Star Princess-Baltics
Past cruises:
04 Dawn Princess- Southern Caribbean x2
03 Grand Princess-W.Caribbean
03 Sun Princess -Mexico
03-Tahitian Princess-Tahiti/ Cook Islands
03 Royal Princess-x2 British Isles & Norwegian Fjords/ Iceland
03 Island Princess-Panama Canal
01 HAL Ryndam x 2-S. America San Diego to Valpariso/ & around Cape Horn to Rio
00 Sky Princess-China/Orient
79 Sitmar's Fairwind- Caribbean/Panama Canal

[sue222]

I thank everyone for the great suggestions. I am on meds and have to eat on time. I will take the tip and try to reserve a certain time for this 7day cruise. It is my husband and I plus my MIL. Eating late is not poss for me at all.I will see how it goes and will report back [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Thanks again [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[rucruizin]

I experienced the PC dining once and cruising with Princess just once...it has taken us 2 years to even consider cruising with Princess again. Much of it had to do with the PC dining experience. I thought it was a nightmare and will never choose it again if I have the option.

The first night on the cruise we had a fabulous wait team, we were thrilled with the service. We tried to make reservations at that table for the same time the next night. I was told we had to call the next day when the dining room opened for dinner. I called, they told me they didn't accept reservations the same day and that we would have to come down and hope the table was available, or wait for it. We arrived at the dining room and requested that table and were told that it was full for the evening and we should have made reservations....UUUUUGGGHHH!

This type of thing continued throughout the cruise and not once did we get to sit at that table again. Except for the last night...we finally got the whole reservation thing squared away and invited a few other couples to join us at hte table with the fabulous wait team. We waited for almost an hour and when they finally called us to be seated...they sat us at the table next to the one we requested...with a totally different wait staff.

I was totally out of happiness at this point with the PC experience.

The other things I missed were the service issues. I like knowing that the second night I can expect to find lemons on the table waiting for me, I like brie with my bread instead of butter, My asst waiter always brings the hot tea and cream without asking, and by the end of the cruise I have had my fill of fresh strwberries and chocolate desserts...All brought to my table by an attentive wait staff who magically seems to remember every litle detail of my likes and dislikes. Now that's my idea of personal choice!

Robert & Janet
Paradise 3/99 11/99 12/00
Jubilee 3/00
Inspiration 4/8/01
Grand Princess 3/24/02
Carnival Spirit 3/03 & 1/04
Carnival Glory 3/20/04
Sun Princess 3/29/05

[srphnx]

PC is not for all, but does make for an excellent option to traditional, I personally like PC but hope everyone who wants traditional gets it, more room for me in the PC venues.

[B] Life is at it's best when your address floats [/B]
[B]<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>[/B]
Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
[B]<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>[/B]
Diamond Princess 12/04
Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02[B]<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>[/B]
Ecstacy 09/01
[B]<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>[/B]
Century 12/97
[B]<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>[/B]
Century 9/96