Advice on Upper Level Dining

[charlemj]

My wife and I are sailing on the Noordam March 21, 2007. This is our first on HAL.

 

We have sailed on 12 cruises todate and always dined on the main floor of the dining room on all our past cruises. However on this particular cruise we are seated at a table on the upper level.

 

We were wondering if there are any negatives or advantages to the upper level dining vs. the main level dining?

 

Your opinion is appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Charles

 

Previously on RCL, Celebrity, Carnival, Princess, NCL, Renaissance, Costa, United States Cruises.

[peaches from georgia]

We love the Upper Level. The main advantage for us is that it is on the same deck as the Ocean Bar and you can walk directly to the dining room without having to go down the stairs to the Lower Level. If we have a table for 2 we like to sit around the railing in the center and look downstairs. It also is a smaller room than downstairs. We always request Upper.

 

The one and only disadvantage is on the Vista ships, of which Noordam is one. For obvious reasons the cruiseline decided to have you walk through the Photo Shop to and from the Upper Level and there is a very narrow walkway. Pax tend to want to stop and find their latest photos and traffic really backs up. It is a design that we find terribly annoying. We learned to not leave the cocktail lounge until at least 5 to 10 minutes after the dinner chimes ring.

[sail7seas]

Upper level of the dining room is our preference, as well. We like dining at 8 P.M. (on Noordam, Main seating guests can arrive between 8 and 9 P.M.) and, like Peach, like being able to walk from Ocean Bar to the dining room without going down a deck.

 

[DFD1]

We always request the upper level. It seats fewer people and has a somewhat more intimate feel, but not small by any means.

 

HAL dining rooms are some of the most beautiful at sea in my opinion. The upper level is very nice, especially with a table along the balcony rail where you can see over the first level...or near the windows.

 

Hope you have a wonderful cruise. Check back after you return. It will interesting to get your take on HAL after having cruised many of the other major cruise lines.

[twinkletoes4445]

When we were on the Zuiderdam, we started in the lower level, but ended up moving to the upper level. We much preferred the upper level. We were at a table for four (with Hapifeet and Mr. Hapifeet) next to the railing. Although it was a bit busy where we were, we enjoyed the location. We were pretty much across from the piano and on the second formal night, they also added strings. It was really nice.

[hammybee]

18 cruises and I could not tell you what level we were assigned to on any of them. Heck, most of the time, I could not tell you, while we were aboard. I am known for finding the table, sitting down and placing my napkin and occasionally engaging in conversation before I realize I am on the wrong level. When this happens I am not even sure which level I am on or if I have to go up or down. And I rarely have more than a glass of wine before dinner.

 

I am oblivious, while onboard.

[onthegogirl]

On our cruises we have chosen a table for two on the lower level, late seating. We enjoy time to rest before dinner and also take time for tasties and drinks in the Ocean Bar. We were lucky to have our table close to the wait station and I really enjoy the location although some might not think it's desirable. We are able to ask for service easily and not have to flag someone down (not that we need to do it very often). We seem to establish a connection with our servers. Truth be told we are just happy to be enjoying delicious food in elegant surroundings and not have to cook and wash up.

[anley]

Hi Charlemj,

We were on Noordam March 21,2006 and had early upper dining. We didn't

find anything that would make a difference to us. Especially after reading the new dining letter which said everyone on 3/21 early has to be in by 6 P.M.

The waiters on our last cruise did mention that they had to bring the food

from the kitchen which is on the main level. Why don't you stop in at the board we have going on for this cruise and get info on the cruise critic get together.Stan:cool::cool:

[charlemj]

Peaches, thank you for your positive response. A “Roger” on the Photo shop prior to the start of the early time. We have learned to always give a good 10 minutes after the dining room as opened on any cruise to avoid the crush. Several of the Celebrity ships have limited waiting space in front of the dining room and people are actually waiting on the stairs prior to the dinging room opening.

Sail7Seas, that makes for positive response number two. We also prefer the late seating. We show back up on the ship at the last possible moment after a day in port. So making early dining can be a problem. Plus we usually are casino people and don’t make a lot of the shows. So late makes for an unrushed evening and an unrushed dinner.

DFD1, well that makes for positive response number three. I promise to post a review on your behalf upon our return rating my first HAL cruise. Though I will tell you that ten years ago I would have been very opinionated as to my preference to a cruise line but that has changed a bit. With the buyouts of the various lines, and the delivery of so many new ships the cruise industry is trending towards generic. Of course there are still some big differences. We look for the newest ship on the itinerary we want at the best price. With the exception of Celebrity (thought we may have reversed that opinion) we try to sail on a ship at least 4 years new.

Twinkeltoes4445 you are positive response number 4. I like the idea of music at dinner if it is light and classical.

Hammybee, I appreciate your response, personally I would rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!

Onthegogirl, interesting take on sitting by the server station. Kind of makes sense, if you are sitting with others the level of ambient noise from the dinner conversation probably neutralizes the distraction.

Stan, will do, do you know if there going to be a roll call party planned for the 3/21 cruise?

Thank you every one for your input, upper dining it is!!!!!!!

[anley]

Log onto the 3-21 Noordam site and there is in formation in detail. The party

is the first sea day (Thurs) from 10:30 to Noon in the crows nest.See you there.

Stan:cool::cool: