Canaletto closed first night of cruise?

[3rdGenCunarder]

55 minutes ago, Ichiban Nekko said:

On the Sept. 30-Oct 10 Zuiderdam sailing, there was no Canaletto on Embarkation night. We had made our HIA reservations months earlier in oder to avoid the MDR First Night Circus. We were informed by phone only after boarding. The person calling (Guest Relations?) made a new booking for us at the Pinnacle Grill.

 

Yet another cut to add to The Thousand Little Cuts that Seattle seems to enjoy making.

 

I don't know that I'd call this a cut. Considering how the line outside the MDR backs up on the first night, having "steak night" encourages people to consider an alternative and makes things easier for passengers and staff. 

 

What I don't like about what happened to you and @seagarsmoker is that you didn't get advance notification of the change. 

 

[mawvkysc]

It’s not really a cut as they make money on specialty dining. They really must need to space out the MDR rush 

[crystalspin]

2 hours ago, mawvkysc said:

It’s not really a cut as they make money on specialty dining. They really must need to space out the MDR rush 

Oh yeah, they do, at least on the K'dam last Dec/Jan. After first night, all the people with "anytime" realize they need reservations, doing away with it being "anytime"!

[Crew News]

1 minute ago, crystalspin said:

Oh yeah, they do, at least on the K'dam last Dec/Jan. After first night, all the people with "anytime" realize they need reservations, doing away with it being "anytime"!

I watched passengers being denied reservations at the MDR podium as the limit for reservations on NA is 50% of available tables.  I will investigate further.

[crystalspin]

2 hours ago, Crew News said:

I watched passengers being denied reservations at the MDR podium as the limit for reservations on NA is 50% of available tables.  I will investigate further.

Interesting! On our K'dam B2B I tried to make reservation for the one night of Lamb shank (Dr'Spin's favorite) and was told the only available seating was nine PM at a shared table. So maybe we could have just showed up and gotten our pager earlier?

[Crew News]

1 hour ago, crystalspin said:

Interesting! On our K'dam B2B I tried to make reservation for the one night of Lamb shank (Dr'Spin's favorite) and was told the only available seating was nine PM at a shared table. So maybe we could have just showed up and gotten our pager earlier?

That sounds like the case.  The LIdo does serve the same items plus a few more desserts and salad.

[seagarsmoker]

22 hours ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

Check to be sure that reservations can still be made. If not, I would call HAL's dining reservations (800) 541-1576 or (206) 626-8602. I know no slots are available the first night on my November (same itinerary as you are on) and February cruises.

On the phone with HAL and I have talked with a HAL dining reservation specialist and a HAL manager and they have no idea what I am talking about. In order to switch nights, I would have to pay the difference between what I paid for 3 people and the current rate since they have no notice of Canaletto's being closed the first night. 

Edited October 16, 2023 by seagarsmoker

[Crew News]

1 hour ago, seagarsmoker said:

On the phone with HAL and I have talked with a HAL dining reservation specialist and a HAL manager and they have no idea what I am talking about. In order to switch nights, I would have to pay the difference between what I paid for 3 people and the current rate since they have no notice of Canaletto's being closed the first night. 

This would not be the first time that Seattle is in the dark.  If you keep your reservations, the ship should switch them at the old rate.  Since the Canaletto has yet to be more than 2/3d filled on this cruise, there may not be a problem moving to another Canaletto date on yours.

[Crew News]

14 hours ago, crystalspin said:

Interesting! On our K'dam B2B I tried to make reservation for the one night of Lamb shank (Dr'Spin's favorite) and was told the only available seating was nine PM at a shared table. So maybe we could have just showed up and gotten our pager earlier?

I posed your question to the current Deck 2 Asst Maitre'd and he confirmed the max 50% capacity reservations availability.  Your walk-in would have been seated in the order of your appearance at the MDR podium.

 

Researching your issue was enlightening and the answer will be added to my growing list of HAL Travel Tips.