Fix Anytime Dining

[GUT2407]

There isn't anywhere that can seat every person at the same time. You have to realize that if enough people show up to eat by 6:00, they're not going to be able to seat anyone else until the first people who showed up are done at around 7:30. That's not Princess' fault, that's math. Just like at a land-based restaurant.

 

There is another issue.

 

With Trad, they have two seatings and know how long each one is, with ATD it seems they actually try to push through more than 2 seatings, maybe 2 1/2 and if a few PAC take longer....?

 

If eating at the same time, no waiting is an issue book Traditional.

[floridalover5623]

Yep they always checked on Diamond last year, not sure why everyone is convinced that Trad using ATD is the cause.

 

Exactly. Everyone is making the assumption that traditional diners are the ones causing the problem. The OP didn't state at what time they showed up for dinner or what size table they requested.

Arriving at 7 PM & expecting a table for 2 is bound to have a long wait on any ship.

[Rosefloater]

We've been on 9 (ranging from 3 to 11 days) Princess cruises and always choose ATD and never ask for a certain table size. We always ask for first available. We have heard and seen people in front of us in line say they are traditional dining be able to eat in the ATD dining rooms.

 

Taking reservations defeats the purpose of ANYTIME dining. We have arrived at 6:15, only to be told there would be an hour wait.

 

Until Princess implements a system where the maitre d's enforce the dining times of the passengers, nothing can be done.

 

On our last and next cruise we plan on eating in the buffet almost every night and not go to the dining room.

[PrincessLuver]

It's very easy to control, require a cabin card which states your dining assignment and refuse to allow those that are traditional into anytime.

 

I agree and it would help if Princess allowed NO reservations for ATD either or it just becomes "Anything Goes Dining" and usually a mess when they do not monitor cards!!!

[paul929207]

Just got off the Ruby Princess. Since it was only a 3 night cruise we took anytime dining. We waited 65 minutes the first night and comparable the other nights. Princess does not check your cruise card or ask your cabin number to verifiy you belong in anytime. They also encourage making a reservation which defeats the purpose of anytime.

 

Here's the what the Princess site states

 

"*Anytime Dining offers a flexible dining experience – just like a restaurant would – and gives you the freedom to dine with whomever you wish, at your convenience between 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. in elegant, upscale venues."

 

My convenience?

Note that the quote includes a reference to nice restaurants at home. For many you need to make reservations. For many a 65 minute wait is not unreasonable.

[paul929207]

I've been to many elegant, upscale restaurants on shore where one arrives, and is encouraged to use the bar while waiting for a table. Even in Texas.

 

What I object to is making the playing field uneven for Anytime dining by allowing reservations.

Would they not allow you to make a reservation? If they do, how is the playing field not level.

[Coral]

Did they allocate more space to the Anytime dining rooms when they added 500 more additional passengers to those ships? I didn't think they did. When speaking to Matride on Crown, he blamed the cruise line for not making the dining rooms larger. He said they expected more people to eat at the buffet/Cafe Caribe and International cafe.

He did say they did add more seating by pushing some tables closer together (the ones for 2) but not enough to accommodate that many more people.

Edited September 25, 2016 by Coral

[PrincessLuver]

Would they not allow you to make a reservation? If they do, how is the playing field not level.

 

If people need a reservation then do TD otherwise leave ATD.....Anytime!!!

[diane.in.ny]

Wow, I am finding it interesting to read how strong people feel about ATD. And very possessive.

 

On the other hand, if we are on a late ending Princess tour and we miss our TD time, why should we be forced to eat at the buffet? For one, my husband has some mobility issues and eating at the buffet is difficult for us. (Don't tell me there is always someone to help with his tray. It is more than that.)

 

And, yes, if I know we won't be at our table, I always tell our table mates and waiter so no one waits for us.

 

ATD is an option for us that we take rare advantage of but when we do, it is wonderful. So sorry if you feel we are just another TD couple taking your place in line!

Edited September 25, 2016 by diane.in.ny

[waltd]

Lets face it the older ships were never designed with Anytime Dining in mind. There will always be a problem on those ships. I think the staff on board does the best they can with the layout. Seems they try to be flexible and it changes hour to hour and probably day to day. If they offer reservations take it. They will never please everyone.

[san diego sue]

A problem that hasn't been addressed here with anytime dining.

People select anytime but really want fixed. Don't know why they do it but know many people who do this.

They go to Anytime and then say they want the same table (usually for two)every night, at same time. And they get it. Don't know how many do this on each cruise but that changes the odds for Anytime diners to get in

when they show up.Talking about deck 5 dining room that is always anytime.

[Bruin Steve]

I cruise a lot...and on various cruise lines...And, the last several years, I've always taken the anytime option...

 

I have NEVER had to wait for a table on Celebrity...and we ALWAYS show up to the MDR around 7:00-7:15 pm...Celebrity has a computer at anytime check-in and they verify your cabin number and seating assignment.

 

Princess is quite another story. The last time we had traditional dining on Princess, a few years back, our assigned dining room was always two-thirds empty. Ship was "sold out", but dining two-thirds empty? We had every meal at a table by ourselves...our assigned tablemates NEVER showed...Two tables adjacent to us were always completely empty...The table just past that had two people at a table for six or eight--every night!

 

Where was everyone? Pretty clear...they'd book traditional as a fall-back reservation but always just show up to anytime...All of those people assigned to traditional were just overcrowding anytime for their own selfish convenience...

 

Either Princess has to actually ENFORCE seating assignments like Celebrity does...or go to ALL anytime (like Oceania, for example). Cruise ships were designed, originally, to seat the entire capacity of passengers in two assigned seatings. When they all started the anytime thing, they still left exactly enough seats in traditional to accommodate those assigned to traditional...The seating assigned to "Anytime" is really only enough to accommodate two seatings of guests...Of course, since Anytime guests show up at random hours, they have to speed up some dining experiences to adjust for the uneven flow...but, if they are only accommodating those assigned to anytime, it's fairly easy to make it work...Problem is that if you are trying to accommodate half of your traditional guests in this pool of seating as well, suddenly you have half the dining room seats trying to fit in three quarters of the passengers. It does NOT work...What you end up with is rushed service, long waits, etc.

 

Reservations are not necessarily a problem--if you manage them well. First, ONLY take reservations from guests actually assigned to Anytime. Second, channel most of those reservations into those less desired time slots (as restaurants do)--"No, we can't take you at 7:30, but we have reservations available at 5:30, 6:00, 6:15 and 9:00"...this actually helps even out that flow since, normally, you'd expect some sort of bell curve with most people showing up between 7:00 and 8:00...

 

I've actually discussed this issue at length with a couple of friends who are former Princess execs (Yeah, I know people there since the headquarters is near me in Santa Clarita, CA). They know all about it...they are just unwilling to change...In many ways, they really don't get it. They think it's not good to tick off those traditional diners who show up at Anytime. BUT, people would understand this far more than they know...I've never seen it be a problem on Celebrity. Traditional diners on that line KNOW they are not getting in to anytime and don't bother. If you have a late shore excursion and miss your early seating, well, there is always the buffet or specialty restaurants.

 

Anytime diners on Princess really need to start making a stand. COMPLAIN to the powers that be at Princess about the long waits, the beepers and the assigned traditional diners overcrowding the anytime rooms...Eventually, perhaps, they will get the point...Until enough complain, Princess will just assume that everyone's okay with waiting for a table...

 

BTW, I don't usually mind waiting for a table in a restaurant back home...If eating out is my entire planned evening, the time I am seated does not matter. If I have tickets to a show or something, I'll just leave and head to another reataurant. But, on the ship, when I show up to anytime dining at 7:00, it's because I want to see the show at 9:00...If I have to wait 45 minutes for a table, it doesn't work...and I don't have a lot of choices for other restaurants. Just not fair to turn me away so they can take someone with a traditional assignment who has a completely empty table waiting for them in one of the traditional rooms...

[Bruin Steve]

Wow, I am finding it interesting to read how strong people feel about ATD. And very possessive.

 

On the other hand, if we are on a late ending Princess tour and we miss our TD time, why should we be forced to eat at the buffet? For one, my husband has some mobility issues and eating at the buffet is difficult for us. (Don't tell me there is always someone to help with his tray. It is more than that.)

 

And, yes, if I know we won't be at our table, I always tell our table mates and waiter so no one waits for us.

 

ATD is an option for us that we take rare advantage of but when we do, it is wonderful. So sorry if you feel we are just another TD couple taking your place in line!

 

Diane,

You ARE taking up our space. Just because you are being thoughtful to your traditional tablemates and letting them know so they don't wait, doesn't help us. YOU are actually taking up TWO tables while WE are standing around with a buzzer. Why should YOU have options at dinner while we don't?

And, remember, you are not the "exception" because you have the excuse of "mobility issues"...Every one of the assigned traditional diners who overcrowd the anytime rooms thinks THEY have some rationale which legitimizes what they do...And, it's not just the "rare" time you take advantage, it's the effect of hundreds of traditional diners taking that "rare" (and in many cases constant) advantage.

Sorry, but that's just the way I see it.

[cruzsnooze]

Comparing land based restaurants isn't appropriate. Land based restaurants have X amounts of seats and NO control of the number of diners that walk in. The ship has total control of the number of diners. They know how many passengers are on board, how many have first seating, how many have second seating, approx how many will use the use the buffet, how many have reservations at specialty restaurants, how many ordered balcony dining and how many use the IC, leaving them with an excellent idea of how many will show up for anytime.

 

I always stated I'd share so asking for a 2 top wasn't the issue. I have sailed on Azamara which is 100% open dining and never waited more then 5 minutes. I also sailed NCL earlier this year and there was always seating at some of their dining rooms although I never ate in a MDR since I had all nights in a specialty restaurant included with my suite. I prefer Princess to NCL but find Celebrity and Princess equal and Azamara superior. My next cruise is on Princess and the one after that is on Celebrity.

Princess may think they don't want to offend passengers in TD who show up for anytime but are over looking the fact they are offending the anytime passengers. If anyone is to be offended it should be those that are not following their dining choice.

[floridalover5623]

Wow, I am finding it interesting to read how strong people feel about ATD. And very possessive.

 

On the other hand, if we are on a late ending Princess tour and we miss our TD time, why should we be forced to eat at the buffet? For one, my husband has some mobility issues and eating at the buffet is difficult for us. (Don't tell me there is always someone to help with his tray. It is more than that.)

And, yes, if I know we won't be at our table, I always tell our table mates and waiter so no one waits for us.

 

ATD is an option for us that we take rare advantage of but when we do, it is wonderful. So sorry if you feel we are just another TD couple taking your place in line!

 

Since you asked.....you always have the option of not taking a tour that comes back so late. Why should others be inconvenienced because your late to dinner?

[UK Cruiser2]

Princess should issue some kind of proof of dining choice maybe on the room card then this could be checked on arrival at the dining room. We are on anytime dining and it isn't fair that traditional diners use the anytime tables.It leads to empty seats/tables in traditional and overcrowding in anytime :mad:

[greenie082756]

IMHO, traditional diners that have to dine in the anytime slot should be given a buzzer (if there is a line for dinner) and after all the anytime people are seated, then start with the traditional diners for seating.

It rubs me the wrong way when I read on here how its okay in anytime dining to call and make reservations for dinner. Now if its a special situation (table of 6 -8 group) I understand. However if you go down early enough and talk to the host, they can set up a table for 8 in anytime I'm sure. To me, anytime means exactly that. Yes we have waited for a table but not frequently. I'm okay waiting if its because that a lot of anytime all chose the same time to go down for dinner.

One of my first jobs was a hostess and people do get upset watching others go ahead of them for whatever reason it is.

[myfuzzy]

For the past few years, we have opted for anytime dining. However, upon arrival to the dining room, most times, we have been directed to another dining room for seating. If I show up at the allocated dining room for dinner, I should have no problem being seated. Last year I was really PO'd, on the Regal, we went to the dining room, the person at the desk, said this dining room was full, but, they had seating at another dining room. Other times, we had been escorted to the dining room above, inconvenient, due to mobility issues, but we went with it. This time, we are taken through the Piazza, past the TV studio, all the way AFT, to the Traditional dining room. HUH? ITS EMPTY. Its between dining times and we are taken in and seated at a table not to far from the kitchen. It was so dang COLD in there I was shivering. I had to get up, leave my DH, go back to my cabin and retrieve my heavy sweater. I sat with my hands holding onto my hot coffee. When the desert portion of our meal came, they opened the doors to the second dining. I felt like I was traveling steerage, not to mingle with the others. So, lately we have been opting for the Buffet, have what we want, how much we want of it.

[Potstech]

So if you are signed up for Traditional dining and miss your assigned time you should be required to go to the Traditional Dining Room and wait until seating is available for you. That way you are not taking seats away from those who selected Anytime dining. Same thing for reservations they should be sent to the empty seats in the Traditional Dining room to fill in for all those who have decided they do not want traditional dining but want daily reserved seating in the Anytime Dining Rooms. I have also witnessed many empty seats in the Traditional Dining rooms when we have been sent there because of the wait for Anytime seating or a group of Traditional diners knows there will be empty seats at their table, One cruise had a table for 8 that only two diners showed up for the entire cruise.

 

If you select Traditional Dining and can not make your assigned time for what ever reasons there are many other venues you can use along with the Horizon Court. Many more.

[JF - retired RRT]

Princess should issue some kind of proof of dining choice maybe on the room card then this could be checked on arrival at the dining room. We are on anytime dining and it isn't fair that traditional diners use the anytime tables.It leads to empty seats/tables in traditional and overcrowding in anytime :mad:

 

It is on the card. If you choose TD, it will have the time and the table assignment.

[shredie]

Wow, I am finding it interesting to read how strong people feel about ATD. And very possessive.

 

On the other hand, if we are on a late ending Princess tour and we miss our TD time, why should we be forced to eat at the buffet? For one, my husband has some mobility issues and eating at the buffet is difficult for us. (Don't tell me there is always someone to help with his tray. It is more than that.)

 

And, yes, if I know we won't be at our table, I always tell our table mates and waiter so no one waits for us.

 

ATD is an option for us that we take rare advantage of but when we do, it is wonderful. So sorry if you feel we are just another TD couple taking your place in line!

You are perpetuating the myth that traditional diners are the problem. Thanks a lot. :rolleyes: Yes, you are taking someone's place in ATD that you are not entitled to. Yes, you are making people have to wait longer for a table. You have a choice when you sign up. If you think your husband will be in need of assistance and know that will be given in ATD, then choose that. When you occupy two tables for dinner (that includes the empty one you left in TD) you are causing more problems than just for the people standing in line. Because you have taken a TD table, you have forced someone else onto a TD waiting list. This happens ALL THE TIME for early TD seating. Those who can't clear the waiting list are automatically assigned to ATD, which is not what they wanted. So these people add to the long line instead of taking the TD table they wanted because you insist on taking up twice the space you are entitled to. Perfect word: entitled. It's that attitude of entitlement, one's own importance over other people, even when it means blatantly breaking the rules, that's what gives those of us in TD a bad name. If I were to do what you do, I would be ashamed of myself. I have never gone to ATD instead of my assigned

TD, and I never would. I certainly wouldn't brag about how selfish I am.

Edited September 25, 2016 by shredie

[floridalover5623]

 

If you select Traditional Dining and can not make your assigned time for what ever reasons there are many other venues you can use along with the Horizon Court. Many more.

 

There's hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, IC food and room service. No waiting for any of them. :D

[4x4bob]

A few years ago we booked just before the Cruise departure date so ATD was all that was left for us. The first night when we arrived we were given a beeper and was told 30-45 minute wait. one drinks later, about 50 minutes, the beeper went off.

 

The second night as we sat down Over heard a man at the next table state in a loud voice "My bottle of wine is being held for me the TD room and I expect you to go get it because I want it with my Meal"

 

Prefect example of an Entitled Person on the loose on a Cruise ship.

 

A lady at our table in an equally loud voice stated "did you hear that Jerk"?

"he just made everyone at that table wait until his bottle of wine can be fetched"

 

After that if we are not issued a slot in the TD room we will eat else where on the ship.

 

Bob

[GRAYTech]

We have always sat 2nd seating traditional. Assigned table, get to know the wait staff, if you tell them they even have your wine/cocktail choice on the table when you first sit down. To me anyway, it seems like a lot of fuss over something ATD folks can control.

 

- Use traditional dining if you don't ever want to wait

- Eat at the buffet, there are gems there often overlooked

- Make a reservation at a specialty venue, Crown Grill is my favorite

- Go early or late to ATD to avoid the rush of both ATD's and the "hundreds" of deadbeat TD's

- Go at prime time and expect to wait 15+ min, then sit have a drink and enjoy yourself!

 

 

Work with the system, not against it - go with the flow. You understand what's happening, you should be able to find a way to get what you want.

[Hlitner]

So, guess we are the exception to the rule since DW and I love Select Dining. But we have often felt sorry for those doing Select who want to dine at prime times (between 6 and 7:30). For those of us who prefer to dine after 8, and enjoy sharing large tables...there is seldom much of a line or wait.

 

Hank