Rare david,Mississauga Posted February 16, 2021 #1 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Perhaps this is just a change in terminology, but recently the booking site is indicating that the Grills and Britannia Club offer "freedom dining." Other lines that use that term offer no table assignment. One of the best things about the Grills and the Club is being able to dine at all meals when you wish, but you have the same table. On a Holland America cruise we booked traditional dining (second sitting at dinner) on the upper level of the restaurant. The lower level was freedom dining and every time I looked there was a long queue to get in. I am hoping Cunard doesn't do away with table assignments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare david,Mississauga Posted February 16, 2021 Author #2 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Although the booking system isn't working properly right now, I notice a change from yesterday. The term "freedom dining" is gone and the usual descriptions have been restored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare carlmm Posted February 16, 2021 #3 Share Posted February 16, 2021 42 minutes ago, david,Mississauga said: Although the booking system isn't working properly right now, I notice a change from yesterday. The term "freedom dining" is gone and the usual descriptions have been restored. Cunard, do not mess around with assigned tables! 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExArkie Posted February 16, 2021 #4 Share Posted February 16, 2021 2 hours ago, carlmm said: Cunard, do not mess around with assigned tables! I agree completely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare foodsvcmgr Posted February 17, 2021 #5 Share Posted February 17, 2021 IMO this is the optimal dining system - no need to tinker around with it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tv24 Posted February 17, 2021 #6 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Totally agree. And we too had the experience of long lines on HAL to wait for a "freedom table." We switched to a set dining time and the same table each evening. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare david,Mississauga Posted February 17, 2021 Author #7 Share Posted February 17, 2021 I have again checked a voyage that I have booked and another one that I am thinking of booking. One of them mentions a reserved table in the Grills and Britannia Club and the other one says freedom dining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudhen Posted February 17, 2021 #8 Share Posted February 17, 2021 One of the reasons we spend the extra for a Grill cabin is the fixed table and arrival at our discretion. We love seeing the same wait staff and nearby table neighbors. We'd be EXTREMEMLY disappointed if they changed this and could be a deal breaker for us down the road. Please don't mess with a good thing, Cunard! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Victoria2 Posted February 17, 2021 #9 Share Posted February 17, 2021 32 minutes ago, Mudhen said: One of the reasons we spend the extra for a Grill cabin is the fixed table and arrival at our discretion. We love seeing the same wait staff and nearby table neighbors. We'd be EXTREMEMLY disappointed if they changed this and could be a deal breaker for us down the road. Please don't mess with a good thing, Cunard! Our bookings, all QG all say Dining type Your dining time will be between 6pm - 9pm so I wouldn't get too worried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExArkie Posted February 17, 2021 #10 Share Posted February 17, 2021 1 hour ago, Victoria2 said: Our bookings, all QG all say Dining type Your dining time will be between 6pm - 9pm so I wouldn't get too worried. As does ours for PG. Of course, it also says that we are in the "Main Dining Room." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BlueRiband Posted February 17, 2021 #11 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Elimination of assigned tables would be a deal breaker for me as well. (It's also why I'll never sail NCL.) Some of my best memories came from the camaraderie of a shared table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 57eric Posted February 17, 2021 #12 Share Posted February 17, 2021 How do shared tables work when there is no assigned seating time? Obviously you could make an agreement with your tablemates, but that sort of undercuts the concept of no assigned time. Conversely, isn't it a bit awkward if one couple is seated as another is having their entrees cleared? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Colin_Cameron Posted February 17, 2021 #13 Share Posted February 17, 2021 My feeling is that this is likely to be an error. BUT... I wonder if it could be a way to allow the staff to space people out during the current social distancing restrictions? Rather than having groups seated close together while other areas of the restaurant are empty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Victoria2 Posted February 17, 2021 #14 Share Posted February 17, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, ExArkie said: As does ours for PG. Of course, it also says that we are in the "Main Dining Room." It does, but delve into your account and it does say 'Besides reservations in your main restaurant, ' which I take to mean your assigned restaurant. The site blurb still mentions 'fine dining in our Queens Grill restaurant each evening' and as that is a huge part of the price paid to cruise Queens Grill, I will expect it to remain. Edit There is in the general blurb a paragraph which which says we might be asked to pre reserve tables in the restaurants but that's no bother to us. Edited February 17, 2021 by Victoria2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Victoria2 Posted February 17, 2021 #15 Share Posted February 17, 2021 1 hour ago, 57eric said: How do shared tables work when there is no assigned seating time? Obviously you could make an agreement with your tablemates, but that sort of undercuts the concept of no assigned time. Conversely, isn't it a bit awkward if one couple is seated as another is having their entrees cleared? We have sat down to dine as a whole table and also dined at different times. At no time is it awkward if fellow diners are at different stages of the meal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majortom10 Posted February 17, 2021 #16 Share Posted February 17, 2021 2 hours ago, 57eric said: How do shared tables work when there is no assigned seating time? Obviously you could make an agreement with your tablemates, but that sort of undercuts the concept of no assigned time. Conversely, isn't it a bit awkward if one couple is seated as another is having their entrees cleared? I agree we have only cruised in QG once and booked very early requesting a table for 2. I wouldn't have been very happy if I had to share a table as the whole point of QG is to go for dinner when it suits you and might vary day by day. Certainly wouldn't want to agree a set time with the rest of the table and would feel uncomfortable personally walking in for dinner and some on same table already on their main course. Not for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMac1953 Posted February 17, 2021 #17 Share Posted February 17, 2021 We've travelled QG a couple of dozen times, but always had a table for 2. However, I know some people who enjoy socialising at large tables, of which there are only 3 or 4 in QG. Those on the large tables usually make an informal agreement to have dinner together at a certain time and perhaps meet in the lounge beforehand. For breakfast and lunch, they seem to turn up at random times. I very much doubt anything is going to change, it doesn't need to as there are enough tables to cater for all QG pax. What good would shuffling them about do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 57eric Posted February 17, 2021 #18 Share Posted February 17, 2021 One of the least satisfactory cruise dining experiences I've had was on MSC YC, where my wife and I were assigned to a table for two. (English speakers were a small minority.) With difficulty, we were able to make some adjustments, but it wasn't fun. For me, making new friends at dinner is one of the greatest joys of cruising. Regarding my original post, I agree that arriving mid-meal is not so awkward. I struggle more with the concept of leaving while others are eating (although probably preferable to sitting around an extra 45 minutes while they finish). But if coming and going is standard procedure in these circumstances, I'm sure I can make the adjustment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Relaxing Rita Posted February 18, 2021 #19 Share Posted February 18, 2021 We have just booked PG for November 2021 We were advised that we will be assigned our own 2 person table and dine at any time. If however we were cruising with friends we would all be able to sit at the one table. New Covid regulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majortom10 Posted February 18, 2021 #20 Share Posted February 18, 2021 13 hours ago, Relaxing Rita said: We have just booked PG for November 2021 We were advised that we will be assigned our own 2 person table and dine at any time. If however we were cruising with friends we would all be able to sit at the one table. New Covid regulations. Whoever told you that were assigned a table for 2 was wrong as on booking they are classed as "not confirmed" if you look on your Cunard invoice. You will only know you are guaranteed a table for 2 when you get onboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMac1953 Posted February 18, 2021 #21 Share Posted February 18, 2021 If you ask for a table of 2 in the Grills, you will get one. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Colin_Cameron Posted February 18, 2021 #22 Share Posted February 18, 2021 At the moment everyone (booking as a couple) gets a table for two. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resistk Posted February 22, 2021 #23 Share Posted February 22, 2021 No telling what grills will be like post COVID. But given the price charged any attempt economization should right be a deal breaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resistk Posted February 22, 2021 #24 Share Posted February 22, 2021 On 2/18/2021 at 9:28 AM, majortom10 said: Whoever told you that were assigned a table for 2 was wrong as on booking they are classed as "not confirmed" if you look on your Cunard invoice. You will only know you are guaranteed a table for 2 when you get onboard. The assistant maitre will usually accomodate requests. They will try sometimes to squeeze tables too close in the Princess Grill but usually will back down if you protest the arrangement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resistk Posted February 22, 2021 #25 Share Posted February 22, 2021 (edited) On 2/17/2021 at 3:56 PM, 57eric said: One of the least satisfactory cruise dining experiences I've had was on MSC YC, where my wife and I were assigned to a table for two. (English speakers were a small minority.) With difficulty, we were able to make some adjustments, but it wasn't fun. For me, making new friends at dinner is one of the greatest joys of cruising. Regarding my original post, I agree that arriving mid-meal is not so awkward. I struggle more with the concept of leaving while others are eating (although probably preferable to sitting around an extra 45 minutes while they finish). But if coming and going is standard procedure in these circumstances, I'm sure I can make the adjustment MSC has one of the least consistent products out there, caveat emptor. Edited February 22, 2021 by resistk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now