Traditional dining questions..

[fishmaniac]

Hi all,

 

This will be our first cruise so I've got lotz of questions!

 

- Will we still be able take our seats if we are late for traditional dining?

- Is it similar to a hotel wedding reception where everyones seated and then the waiters start bringing the food out table by table?

- Do we get a menu with choices or is it "Would you like chicken or fish sir?" like on a plane? Or worse, no choice?

- If I'm still hungry afterwards, can I have more of whatever item?

- If the waiter is sub-par, can I get another table/waiter?

- Do we sit next to each other or across from each other?

 

Thanks for the help.

[chrysalis]

Hi all,

 

This will be our first cruise so I've got lotz of questions!

 

- Will we still be able take our seats if we are late for traditional dining?

- Is it similar to a hotel wedding reception where everyones seated and then the waiters start bringing the food out table by table?

- Do we get a menu with choices or is it "Would you like chicken or fish sir?" like on a plane? Or worse, no choice?

- If I'm still hungry afterwards, can I have more of whatever item?

- If the waiter is sub-par, can I get another table/waiter?

- Do we sit next to each other or across from each other?

 

Thanks for the help.

 

first, what size of table have you asked for, since a number of answers are dependent on that?

[espmass]

*I can't really answer your first question. They usually close the doors after 10-15 minutes but I don't know that they would turn anyone away if they are late. It's disruptive to come in late of course.

*The waiters usually wait until everyone at the table is seated and then start passing out menus and taking orders.

*The menus have numerous choices including a section of items that they offer every day.

*Any good waiter will bring you seconds or even thirds and will allow you to order a different item if you aren't happy with what you ordered. My husband is a big eater and often orderes two entrees.

*You can always request to be seated at a different table but since table assignments are made ahead of time you cannot be guaranteed a change. They alwasy try to please customers though.

*They have square, round and rectangular tables so where you sit depends on your table. You take a seat at your table on a first come first served basis.

[Spikesgirl]

Will we still be able take our seats if we are late for traditional dining?

 

That will depend upon the matre d'. We've had folks seated a half an hour into the dinner, but on our last cruise, he wouldn't let anyone into the dining room after they passed the 15 minute mark.

 

- Is it similar to a hotel wedding reception where everyones seated and then the waiters start bringing the food out table by table?

 

When you are seated, you will be given an menu to peruse while the waiter gets your drink order. When he returns with that, he will ask for your selection.

 

- Do we get a menu with choices or is it "Would you like chicken or fish sir?" like on a plane? Or worse, no choice?

 

There are lots of choices, usually four appetizers, two or three soups, salads and about six entrees, plus the 'favorites' selections

 

- If I'm still hungry afterwards, can I have more of whatever item? Absolutely - just ask.

 

 

- If the waiter is sub-par, can I get another table/waiter?

 

This one may be dicey. You can always put in a request, but depending upon how crowded the dining room is, unless you ask the first night, you might not be able to move.

 

- Do we sit next to each other or across from each other?

 

Usually you seat yourself at the table, so the arrangement is up to you. My DH always sits on my right as that is my bad ear and I can count on him to talk loudly enough for me to hear him clearly.

 

Hope this helps a little.

 

Charlie

[eh2zed]

1/ within reason; possibly up to 20 minutes but that makes it quite difficult for your table partners. If you know you are going to be late due to a shore excursion that might be a good night to do the specialty restaurant or the Lido or room service

2/no, your waiter and assistant will have 3 or 4 tables they serve for the entire cruise

3/a menu with multiple choices of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and then a separate multichoice dessert menu

4/you can order as many items as you wish. I often get 2 appetizers. Some may get even 2 entrees but in any event you would normally order these all at the same time.

5/you can request a table change but it would be very unlikely that it was because of your waiter

6/you can sit as you wish. there are no rules. We usually try to change from night to night in order to sit beside each guest for more personal conversation.

You will have lots to eat. Not to worry. Have a great cruise.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Hi all,

 

This will be our first cruise so I've got lotz of questions!

 

- Will we still be able take our seats if we are late for traditional dining?

usually the doors are closed around 15 or 20 minutes into the start time. If you need to leave to use the restroom, make sure the maitre'd is aware you're returning.

 

 

- Is it similar to a hotel wedding reception where everyones seated and then the waiters start bringing the food out table by table?

As soon as you arrive and take a seat, the waiter assigned to your table will usually arrive, place your napkin on your lap and hand you a menu. Then he'll start taking orders when it seems everyone has arrived at your table.

 

- Do we get a menu with choices or is it "Would you like chicken or fish sir?" like on a plane? Or worse, no choice?

Each course will be broken down by the choices. When it's your turn to order, you'll go through the menu and order whatever appetizers, salad/soups, main course that you want. If you're unsure, often they'll offer to bring you more than one. You can skip any course you prefer. There are symbols next to the more healthier (lower in fat, etc.) for those watching their weight or have health issues. There are also regular items (steak, herb chicken, etc.) that are offered every night.

 

When your table is finished with dinner, the waiter will hand you back the menus so you can pick your desserts.

- If I'm still hungry afterwards, can I have more of whatever item?

I'm not a big eater so I usually don't have that problem. And I want to save room for dessert.

 

- If the waiter is sub-par, can I get another table/waiter?

You can speak to the maitre'd. Not sure what happens, but from time to time there have been changes.

- Do we sit next to each other or across from each other?

You'll find that sometimes people will take the same seat each night. Sometimes, people will take different seats so they can seat next to other people at the table. The beauty of traditional dining is that you will get to know the people at your table and every night the topics usually includes what everyone did that day.

 

Thanks for the help.

 

Just to add: the first night, when you get to the dining room, there will usually be a line outside the door. That's because each party will be escorted to their table. Make sure you have your cabin card ready to show as that will have your table assignment listed. We usually wait until five minutes after the start time before heading to the dining room that night.

[Pam in CA]

Cruisin' Chick answered your questions as I would have. :) To add to what she said, you will have the same waiters every night and they will quickly get to know your tastes and preferences. Often, they'll bring extra "goodies" to the table such as antipasto, extra desserts, etc. If you don't like what you ordered (whether it's appetizer, soup, salad, entree or dessert), you can always ask for something else. You can also ask for a baked potato at any time if you'd rather not have rice or whatever is supposed to be served with the entree. If you like iced tea with dinner, they'll have iced tea ready to serve you as soon as you sit down after the first night. Your waitstaff is there to make sure you're happy and you have what you want.

 

As has been said, your waitstaff is assigned to three or four tables, usually a large table (8 - 10) and two small tables or a table for 6 and three tables of four. He has an assistant to help get you settled, serve you water, bring the dishes, etc.

 

If you don't like what's on the regular menu for appetizer, soup, salad or entree, there are "always available" items such as shrimp cocktail, caesar salad, fettucini alfredo, grilled chicken, New York sirloin or tenderloin, and a fish. Overall, you'll have about 9 - 10 choices of entree including the always available items every night.

 

If you've requested a table for two, you'll be seated opposite each other. If you've requested a table for four or more, you can sit together or sit in different places so you can get to know the others at the table better.

 

Most people arrive in the dining room for Traditional dining within 5 - 10 minutes of the assigned time. A few straggle in late and if you're later than 20 minutes, the dining room will be closed since then the timing of the food preparation and delivery is thrown off. People eat at different paces but generally, at least through the entree, there isn't more than a 15 - 20 minute difference between the faster and slower eaters.

 

Hope this helps!

[CrystalWater]

We enjoyed Princess very much, but found we liked our table and a certain dining room and wait staff so we just asked if we could have that same time and everything every night and they did it for us so we ended up having traditional seating after all.

[Pam in CA]

We enjoyed Princess very much, but found we liked our table and a certain dining room and wait staff so we just asked if we could have that same time and everything every night and they did it for us so we ended up having traditional seating after all.

Actually, not the same. Traditional dining isn't just about having the same table and waitstaff every night.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I get amazed when a waiter remembers that I like lemon slices instead of dressing on my salad. On some cruises, after that first night's request, the bowl of slices is automatically delivered to the table with the bread rolls. On the other cruises, I don't make a fuss about it.

[CrystalWater]

Actually, not the same. Traditional dining isn't just about having the same table and waitstaff every night.

 

I think you missed my point. I shall word it better for you. We turned anytime dining on Princess into as close to traditional dining as one could make it. Does that make more sense to you?

[Ando]

- If the waiter is sub-par, can I get another table/waiter?

 

If the waiter is not serving you as you would like firstly ask them to do things how you would prefer. If that doesn't help speak to the maitre'd about your waiter and you'll almost certainly see an immediate improvement. We had to do this once and the service for the remainder of the cruise was excellent - from both the waiter and the maitre'd, who made a point of stopping by every night to check that we were happy. Remember - happy guests = good tips = happy staff = happy guests :D Everybody wins!

 

Enjoy your cruise :)

[fishmaniac]

Thank you all for the replies. I have read each one and have taken in all the info...I mean ALL of it!

 

Don't get there later than 15mins. We go to our table, find a spot and mingle with our tablemates. Look at the menu, order whatever we want and however much we want of it!

 

Sounds simple enough to me!!

 

Thanks all! Can't wait! 2.4 days left!

[Hoyaheel]

The menu will be posted in the morning outside the dining room, so if you're like me and you like to plan your meal in advance:o you can stop by and check it out. Sometimes the breakfast and lunch menus cover the dinner menu, but by late afternoon those should be removed so you can read the dinner menu:p

[FredS]

Another item you may run into is ordering wine or drinks. Sometimes one of your tablemates may order a bottle of wine and share it with the table. On another night it may be expected that YOU order the wine and share with the table. This is usually unspoken. If you don't wnat to buy wine and share it then I do not have any from the bottle that someone else has bought. I have bought a bottle of wine and NOT shared it as I did not want to go through the share and share alike routine.

 

Some pople will take a glass of wine that some one else has bought and not buy any later in the cruise. This does not bother me but it does some others. I have share a bottle of wine and sometimes I don't share a bottle of wine.

 

If you buy a bottle of wine and some is left over your waiter will take you cabin number and save the bottle for the next night. since you are in traditional and will sit at the same table every night with the same waiters, they will bring out your bottle or ask you if you want it when you come to dinner the next night.

 

Like every think else you buy on the ship you give the waiter your cruise card and they fill out a slip which you sign and the charge showns up on your stateroom bill. Depending on the length of crusise check this once or twice during the cruise at the Purser's Desk.

 

I have been at a table where one guy ordered a main entree and then always got a steak by itself on another plate.

[paul929207]

If you are at a table for two, it is fine to be late, as long as the doors are not closed. It is rude to your tables mates to be more than a couple of minutes late if you are at a table with others. It is also polite to tell your table mates or waiter if you will not be coming to dinner one evening.

[Hoyaheel]

Meant to add earlier you can order entrees as appetizers or 2 appetizers instead of an entree, etc. Basically, we've ordered (always in a polite way, asking if it is possible to get XYZ) in all sorts of configurations and it never seems to bother the wait staff or the kitchen crew.

[MPowder]

Is drink during the dinner complimentary? I know alcohol beverage is not, but how about others like pops, coffee, juice?

Also, what other choices of drinks do they have for dinner is complimenatry?