dsegel Posted September 8, 2019 #1 Share Posted September 8, 2019 We are just back from an Oceania cruise--they are top notch, as usual. BUT we had made our specialty restaurant reservations in advance. Supposedly, once you are aboard, you can make more reservations on a first come, first serve basis. When I went to make the additional reservation, the first thing they ask is, "what is your stateroom?" Then, "What restaurant do you want?" Then they look on their computer and say there is nothing--this happened two times on different days. This person has been sitting in front of the computer all day and should know if there are openings. It makes it seem as though only "certain people" get the openings. We were in Consierge level balcony cabin and are Silver card. Does anyone know how this truly works? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob the Cruiser Posted September 8, 2019 #2 Share Posted September 8, 2019 We haven't had a problem getting additional specialty restaurant reservations once aboard. We made them with the same procedure that you described. This was while we were in a standard veranda or Concierge cabin, table for two (no share), 6:30-7:00PM. (Sirena and Marina) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted September 8, 2019 #3 Share Posted September 8, 2019 It's very possible that the majority of passengers on your cruise ALL wanted extra reservations. I agree that he probably should have been aware of general availability before going through the questions, but at the same time there are lots of possible slots on each day for each restaurant. While that person might be aware of some that are already "unavailable", it may be asking too much for him or her to know every single detail. Availability for extras does depend on how many of the passengers want them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanandJim Posted September 8, 2019 #4 Share Posted September 8, 2019 3 hours ago, dsegel said: Does anyone know how this truly works? The way that it works is that every passenger on the ship is guaranteed at least their allotted reservations. Until everyone aboard has booked at least those, and please keep in mind that a large segment is unaware that pre-booking is even a thing, the cruise line needs to be cautious about granting additional visits. Their caution is generally exercised by monitoring the number of "extra" reservation requests made by each cabin, with an eye to how many unclaimed reservations remain outstanding. In other words, additional Reservations are granted on a first come first served basis, AFTER it has been determined that the passenger is operating within those "Give everyone a chance" guidelines, hence the request for your cabin number. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 8, 2019 #5 Share Posted September 8, 2019 Maybe they should just ask what day & restaurant before asking for you cabin Number We book some of our allotted reservations but not all & usually no longer try to go again The menus are the same for past few years so for me it is not really a priority Does not or should not matter what colour card you have unless you are in the top suites then I think you get priority As Mura said everyone wants extra reservations They used to maintain a waitlist for that day in case people cancel then you might find a card in your door before dinner not sure if they still do this or not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ORV Posted September 8, 2019 #6 Share Posted September 8, 2019 While some really don't like to believe it there is a system in place where those that are in upper suites or high in the loyalty program can usually get extras. It's certainly not an in your face type set up like the Mass Market lines have, where the "perks" are an advertised benefit of the higher suites, but there is some favoritism there. This is why so many people mention their butler being able to get extra reservations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs f. Posted September 8, 2019 #7 Share Posted September 8, 2019 We were on the Nautica this past winter. Second Oceania cruise. Concierge level. We asked for extra on non sea days. No problem getting extra reservations. Might not be the exact time slot you wanted. Sea days seem to fill up first. What I did notice and puzzled about was several times we were in Polo at a large table with empty seats at our table. Did nobody want them? 7:30 slot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsegel Posted September 8, 2019 Author #8 Share Posted September 8, 2019 3 minutes ago, Mrs f. said: What I did notice and puzzled about was several times we were in Polo at a large table with empty seats at our table. Did nobody want them? 7:30 slot. There were empty tables at all the specialty restaurants we were in. I think they have to limit it depending on servers available. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanandJim Posted September 8, 2019 #9 Share Posted September 8, 2019 4 minutes ago, Mrs f. said: What I did notice and puzzled about was several times we were in Polo at a large table with empty seats at our table. Did nobody want them? 7:30 slot. People have differing opinions about the desirability of sharing tables. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsegel Posted September 8, 2019 Author #10 Share Posted September 8, 2019 18 minutes ago, ORV said: This is why so many people mention their butler being able to get extra reservations. That's interesting. Do they "tip" them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ORV Posted September 8, 2019 #11 Share Posted September 8, 2019 3 minutes ago, dsegel said: That's interesting. Do they "tip" them? Most people in suites do tip their butlers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs f. Posted September 8, 2019 #12 Share Posted September 8, 2019 Just now, StanandJim said: People have differing opinions about the desirability of sharing tables. I guess. Personally I love sharing with others.....except when we got stuck with a couple first night who spent the entire meal telling us how much they hate Oceania and are going back to Princess. First night! Got stuck with them again another night. Oy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 8, 2019 #13 Share Posted September 8, 2019 5 minutes ago, dsegel said: There were empty tables at all the specialty restaurants we were in. I think they have to limit it depending on servers available. They rarely fill all the tables in the Specialties Some tables are turned over faster than others We usually have a 2 top & are in/out in 90 mins if the staff are paying attention 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ORV Posted September 8, 2019 #14 Share Posted September 8, 2019 5 minutes ago, dsegel said: There were empty tables at all the specialty restaurants we were in. I think they have to limit it depending on servers available. It's not just the servers available, it's the reservation timing. If I go in at 6:30 odds are I won't be leaving until at least 8-8:30. There are people reserved for 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 8:30 etc. If they filled all tables when the restaurant opens then the people reserved at those times would not have a table to be seated at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted September 8, 2019 #15 Share Posted September 8, 2019 1 hour ago, ORV said: While some really don't like to believe it there is a system in place where those that are in upper suites or high in the loyalty program can usually get extras. I don’t see a problem with that as long as everyone gets their allotted number of reservations. I think that the one who pays the fare of an owner suite should get the EXTRA reservation over the one that has paid for an inside; likewise someone who has spent money with O for 30 cruises should get that extra reservation over the one on their first O cruise (who may or may not return). Do you want that little extra attention or a little special treatment? Get an upper suite or sail enough with the line to have high loyalty level - it’s common sense and it makes sense to the companies (cruise lines, airlines, hotels, etc). Loyalty should be rewarded in all business models. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clo Posted September 8, 2019 #16 Share Posted September 8, 2019 1 hour ago, Mrs f. said: We asked for extra on non sea days. No problem getting extra reservations. That's interesting and encouraging. Our Oceania cruise in December has departures between 6 and 8 PM. Thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs f. Posted September 8, 2019 #17 Share Posted September 8, 2019 17 minutes ago, clo said: That's interesting and encouraging. Our Oceania cruise in December has departures between 6 and 8 PM. Thanks for the info. Clo...are you on the Marina? What are seating times? We make our reservations just after midnight tonight. We are on the Barcelona to Rio segment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs f. Posted September 8, 2019 #18 Share Posted September 8, 2019 19 minutes ago, clo said: That's interesting and encouraging. Our Oceania cruise in December has departures between 6 and 8 PM. Thanks for the info. Btw....on our last cruise I got 3 extra Toscana and 3 extra Polo reservations. Superb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clo Posted September 8, 2019 #19 Share Posted September 8, 2019 6 minutes ago, Mrs f. said: Clo...are you on the Marina? What are seating times? We make our reservations just after midnight tonight. We are on the Barcelona to Rio segment. I can't book for another month. We're doing Rio to Buenos Aires and, yes, on the Marina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs f. Posted September 8, 2019 #20 Share Posted September 8, 2019 3 minutes ago, clo said: I can't book for another month. We're doing Rio to Buenos Aires and, yes, on the Marina. We have not yet been on marina....do you know the seating times? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 8, 2019 #21 Share Posted September 8, 2019 5 minutes ago, Mrs f. said: We have not yet been on marina....do you know the seating times? Same as the other ships Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs f. Posted September 8, 2019 #22 Share Posted September 8, 2019 Just now, LHT28 said: Same as the other ships Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clo Posted September 8, 2019 #23 Share Posted September 8, 2019 8 minutes ago, LHT28 said: Same as the other ships And that would be what please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsegel Posted September 8, 2019 Author #24 Share Posted September 8, 2019 We just got back from the Marina. I believe seating times were 6:30 - 9:30 on the half hour. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsegel Posted September 8, 2019 Author #25 Share Posted September 8, 2019 2 hours ago, ORV said: Most people in suites do tip their butlers. Ha, ha, I know we always do. What i mean is do they give their butler an extra tip for getting them a reservation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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