Considering Oceania - Dining Questions

[57eric]

1. I think I understand the advance and on board reservation practices for specialty dining.  I've seen a couple of mentions that all passengers are guaranteed a dinner in each specialty restaurant and one that said that all concierge and up passengers are guaranteed.  What is the true story, and how does the guarantee work?   

2. How are cocktails provided in the dining rooms?  Is it via sommeliers, bar waiters or the regular wait staff?  Is it efficient?

 

Thanks.

[AMHuntFerry]

Q1: There is some relevant info on O's FAQ (not easily found on the website): https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/360000489993-Before-You-Go

Click on Managing Reservations.

Q2: I don't usually drink alcohol with dinner so I'll leave this to others. Wine has a specific waiter/som, but I can't remember if beer/cocktails is the same person. That said, our table has rarely needed to "flag down" someone for drinks (with or without alcohol) in the dining rooms (Terrace can be another story), but maybe we were lucky.

[1985rz1]

39 minutes ago, 57eric said:

1. I think I understand the advance and on board reservation practices for specialty dining.  I've seen a couple of mentions that all passengers are guaranteed a dinner in each specialty restaurant and one that said that all concierge and up passengers are guaranteed.  What is the true story, and how does the guarantee work?   

2. How are cocktails provided in the dining rooms?  Is it via sommeliers, bar waiters or the regular wait staff?  Is it efficient?

 

Thanks.

@AMHuntFerry provided the details on the advance guaranteed specialty reservations, but everyone has a least one per specialty restaurant.  Psuedo-sommeliers  (dedicated drink staff in the restaurants) provide the bar service.  When you are seated, your server will get the sommelier for you if you want an alcoholic drink; after that it's flagging him/her down or having the server get him/her.

[AMHuntFerry]

6 minutes ago, 1985rz1 said:

@AMHuntFerry provided the details on the advance guaranteed specialty reservations, but everyone has a least one per specialty restaurant.  Psuedo-sommeliers  (dedicated drink staff in the restaurants) provide the bar service.  When you are seated, your server will get the sommelier for you if you want an alcoholic drink; after that it's flagging him/her down or having the server get him/her.

We don't usually drink with meals, but with SM we gave it a try...the glasses kept filling before they were empty but maybe that's Regatta. The som-ish-people must think we're fun drunks 😉