Dining options

[pshrynk]

This is probably a FAQ somewhere, but...:o

 

I have signed up for the Anytime option on the Star Princess. If we want to eat at the buffet, is that on the plan, or are we limited to the dining room, only?

[Amtrack Springfield]

You have alot of choices for dinner. You can eat in one of the buffets or in the dining rooms. It is up to you.

[LARGIN]

You can eat anywhere on the ship except in the traditional dining room.. But don't worry as the menus in the traditional dining room and anytime dining room are identical.

[FredS]

You can eat at the pizzeria, the bistro, buffet 24 hours a day, and the special lunches they have on deck besides the Anytime dining room.

[want2cruiseagain]

I was on the Princess website looking at the dining options for the Dawn, and it stated that Anytime dining for the main dining room was 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. for dinner, and they also listed breakfast and lunch for Anytime.

[Pia1913]

I was on the Princess website looking at the dining options for the Dawn, and it stated that Anytime dining for the main dining room was 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. for dinner, and they also listed breakfast and lunch for Anytime.

 

Breakfast and lunch in the diningrooms are usually referred to as "open seating." If you are on traditional dining, the only time you report to your regular assigned table is at dinner. I can't remember the time we have gone to the diningroom for breakfast and it's been years since we've even gone there for lunch. We definitely do not want to "Dine" for those meals. :)

 

Pia

[want2cruiseagain]

Breakfast and lunch in the diningrooms are usually referred to as "open seating." If you are on traditional dining, the only time you report to your regular assigned table is at dinner. I can't remember the time we have gone to the diningroom for breakfast and it's been years since we've even gone there for lunch. We definitely do not want to "Dine" for those meals. :)

 

Pia

 

So, if we signed up for Anytime, and wish to dine in the main dining room one evening, we would have to make reservation, right? We usually don't eat at 6 p.m. and we didn't want to wait until 8 p.m., wanted to experience the main dining room though, and thought 7 p.m. would be a good choice.

[RoofingPrincess]

There will be a "main" or "formal" dining room for Anytime diners.

There will be another one for those who have chosen Traditional (fixed dining time, the 6 pm and 8 pm you mentioned)

I haven't sailed Princess yet (less than two months to go!) so I don't know what their procedures are regarding reservations.

[RSWBADGER]

Star Princess Personal Choice Dining

Our Princess chefs are true culinary artists who insist on serving the very finest cuisine - and it shows. Our entire fleet has been inducted into the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs gastronomic society. Each chef's menu is creative and the selections change every day. Pair that with impeccable service and you're in for an unforgettable gourmet experience.

Traditional

 

This ship offers several formal dining rooms in the cruise tradition, with Traditional Dining at the same times for each meal, with attentive service provided by your own waiter throughout the cruise.

• Amalfi Dining Room

 

Anytime

 

Anytime Dining means you aren't limited to eating at a fixed time or place on the ship. Instead, the choice of when and where you want to eat is flexible, based only on your stomach's whim.

• Portofino Dining Room
  
• Capri Dining Room

 

Specialty

 

Our ships' restaurants are always in big demand and this ship's options are no exception, serving up exquisite local specialties and gourmet favorites. Reservations recommended. Cover charge applies.

• Sabatini's (Italian restaurant)
  
• Sterling Steakhouse at Tequila's
  
• Ultimate Balcony DiningSM

 

 

Casual

 

Want to maximize your pool time and minimize your mealtime? Get a quick and satisfying bite whenever you like at our Casual Dining eateries, or get take-out and dine by the pool.

• 24-hour dining in the Horizon Court
  
• Wine bar
  
• Lobby bar & patisserie
  
• Scoops ice cream bar
  
• Prego Pizzeria
  
• Trident Grill (burgers & hot dogs) Virtual View
  
• Afternoon tea
  
• 24-hour room service

http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/tp/amenities_publicrooms/personal_choice_dining/index.html

[LuvTheGoodLife]

You usually can make reservations for the Anytime Dining Rooms though some ships may not accept reservations for the peak dining times between 6 pm and 8 pm. You will have to check with the Maitre D at the Anytime Dining room on your cruise to be sure.

 

We love Anytime dining and usually just show up and offer to join others at a larger table and we have never waited more than 2 minutes on any of the last 5 Princess cruises. I know some who post on these boards have reported problems with lengthy waits for Anytime seating but that has never been a problem for us...

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[Pia1913]

So, if we signed up for Anytime, and wish to dine in the main dining room one evening, we would have to make reservation, right? We usually don't eat at 6 p.m. and we didn't want to wait until 8 p.m., wanted to experience the main dining room though, and thought 7 p.m. would be a good choice.

 

You will never dine in the Traditional diningroom, only in the anytime diningroom(s), but all have the same menu. If you want to dine at 7:00, go at 6:45, get your name on the list, and wait. Sometimes seating will be immediate, other times you'll wait; just like your neighborhood restaurants. This is what the flexibility of anytime dining is all about. Sometimes we prefer to do the buffet at night and not even go to the diningroom at all. It's all about personal choice.

 

Pia

[addicted to cruising]

So, if we signed up for Anytime, and wish to dine in the main dining room one evening, we would have to make reservation, right? We usually don't eat at 6 p.m. and we didn't want to wait until 8 p.m., wanted to experience the main dining room though, and thought 7 p.m. would be a good choice.

 

The reason it is called "Anytime" dining is you go when you want to the designated "Anytime" diningrooms. So if your feeling 7pm then go then.

Pending the ship I believe there are usually 2 "Anytime" diningrooms for you to choose. Now Ive heard that certain times it can get busy, so Im not sure if folks have had to wait.

 

Traditional is the set time 6 or 8 in the "traditional" dining room with no waiting as you have an assigned seat for the same time every night.

 

You will need to choose one of the 2, however you dont have to eat at what you choose everynight if you dont want to. Remember the buffet is set up along with other food choices pending the ship. There is also the specialty restarants that you may book when you board the ship for addl' cost. So you may choose to add that one/two nights but regardless you need to pick either Anytime or Traditional dining as you cant go back and forth between the two

[want2cruiseagain]

The reason it is called "Anytime" dining is you go when you want to the designated "Anytime" diningrooms. So if your feeling 7pm then go then.

Pending the ship I believe there are usually 2 "Anytime" diningrooms for you to choose. Now Ive heard that certain times it can get busy, so Im not sure if folks have had to wait.

 

Traditional is the set time 6 or 8 in the "traditional" dining room with no waiting as you have an assigned seat for the same time every night.

 

You will need to choose one of the 2, however you dont have to eat at what you choose everynight if you dont want to. Remember the buffet is set up along with other food choices pending the ship. There is also the specialty restarants that you may book when you board the ship for addl' cost. So you may choose to add that one/two nights but regardless you need to pick either Anytime or Traditional dining as you cant go back and forth between the two

 

Thank you for the clarification. We never ate at the main dining room on NCL. We always chose one of the specialty restaurants. We do want to try the main dining room on this cruise, however. We just didn't wan to be pinned down to a specific time.