Where and what nights to choose dining options

[jodith2]

I will be sailing on the Regatta to Alaska in June.  I will be making dinner reservations soon and I was just wondering what restaurants to choose and what is the best night to go.  Should I book the Grand dining room on the first night or wait a few days, or does it matter?  I just don't want to go when  there would be huge crowds and waiting.  

[StanandJim]

Only the Specialty Restaurants require reservations on Oceania.  The Grand Dining Room is always first come first served.  

With 650 people on the whole ship, crowds are unknown.  Relax!

[Rob the Cruiser]

We just returned from our 34-day Miami to Buenos Aires cruise aboard Sirena.

 

The first 2 nights in the GDR were packed. Service was s-l-o-w and we were unable to order wine until halfway through our main course even though I requested a sommelier several times. (We saw only 3 sommeliers.) Lesson learned - do specialty restaurants the first night and possibly the second night. 

[LHT28]

it will depend on the sailing

sometimes the GDR is busy the first night sometimes not

we have had both experiences

to me the Terrace always seems like a zoo on the first night

 

if you know you will be ashore all day I would not book a Specialty  that night

unless you eat late

JMO