Oesterdam Dining questions

[niborHS]

I hear they are experimenting with 2 seatings, then some kind of flex seating. The sailing that we are planning to book says that all is wait listed. If we take the flex seating, does that me we get a table during the 1 hour time period, and keep it for the week, or do we have to come down each evening and see where we are seated? Depending on the answers, we may try to get a set time at late seating, and hopefully something will open up.

[barbon2]

Hi,

We just returned from the Oosterdam in Dec. and they had flex dining where you had a window of 1 hr. to arrive at your assigned table. HOWEVER, we just booked the Noordam for Alaska and they have a new dining option they are trying. You either get an assigned table (which we wanted, we even selected another sailing date to get this option), or freestyle dining where you show up within about a 4 hr. window. With this option you get assigned to a different table each night and do not have the same server.

Barbara

[cruznon]

Well, at least HAL is trying different configurations to see which options work best.

[niborHS]

Not sure if I would like the idea of having a 1 hour window to show up. If you are at a table with others, how can they possibly serve you properly? Maybe I will try the roll call board and see if I can get someone who is going soon to tell me what happens. My husband thinks that he investigated this, and he is not complaining now. Hopefully he will not complain while we are on board. I am more easy going about these things, unless I find the service painfully slow.

[barbon2]

Robinsilver,

Actually what I was trying to explain is that, for example, if you have 8pm seating you can arrive at your designated table anywhere between 8 and 9 pm. We had a table for 4 with the couple we were traveling with so we did not have to deal with others at the table. We just experienced this type of seating on the Oosterdam at the beginning of Dec. HOWEVER, HAL, on some ships is now starting freestyle dining along with a set dining time. For example, we are confirmed for the 8pm upper dining on the Noordam, every night we will have same dining time same wait staff. The lower dining room will be freestyle where you show up between (approximately) 5:30 and 9:00 pm and are seated at a table when you arrive, but not with the same people or wait staff every night. Of course if you arrive with others who you wish to dine with you will be seated together. Depending on which ship and when you are traveling your dining will be determined.

[niborHS]

Thanks. That sounds OK. I will see what my TA will come up with today. I am willing to wing it. We might meet some interesting people that way. It will be an interesting week, if nothing else. My husband likes the casino, and I will probably try to catch some of the shows, so hopefully it will not be too lonely.