Lunch In Dining Room On Embarkation Day?

[petesweet]

(Wonder why the search feature always seems to be down?)

 

There are posts on the NCL boards about lunch being served in the main dining room on embarkation day. That seems to be a much nicer option than being herded into the cafeteria. The comments reveal that cruisers, however, are sort of discouraged from going to the dining room and instead are directed to the cafeteria by cruiseline staff, but they say the dining room IS OPEN for service and the option is very enjoyable.

 

Can anyone tell me what the procedure is on RCCL ships? We had never before heard that a dining room is open on embarkation day, and the idea is very appealing to us.

 

Thanks.

[RhondaC]

No, the dining rooms are not open during Embarkation day. That would be nice though! But, on the ships I've been on, it's just the Windjammer that's open.

[TravelerThom]

(Wonder why the search feature always seems to be down?)

 

There are posts on the NCL boards about lunch being served in the main dining room on embarkation day. That seems to be a much nicer option than being herded into the cafeteria. The comments reveal that cruisers, however, are sort of discouraged from going to the dining room and instead are directed to the cafeteria by cruiseline staff, but they say the dining room IS OPEN for service and the option is very enjoyable.

 

Can anyone tell me what the procedure is on RCCL ships? We had never before heard that a dining room is open on embarkation day, and the idea is very appealing to us.

 

Thanks.

The main dining room does serve on embarkation day, but not for you:mad: Last year I [and 19 others] won a newspaper contest for a port day tour of an RCI ship, and we and a separate bunch of day tour Travel Agents ate in the dining room. I have heard, but cannot confirm, that on some ships B2Bers can also eat in the dining room.

[pmfan]

I have never found the dining room to be open for lunch on the first day.

[cb at sea]

Eat a late breakfast and you can avoid the buffet altogether! Head for the pool, instead!

[RNSANE]

Only the Windjammer is open for lunch on embarkation day.

[negc]

I'm not sure that I would agree with the OPs description of being "herded" into the Windjammer for lunch on embarkation day. I have seen special groups, usually travel agents or VIPs, being served lunch in the dining room on that first day, as part of their ship's tour but it is generally not open for other guests. I personally, enjoy going to the Windjammer for lunch shortly after we board. It is usually not very crowded until later in the afternoon and that honey stung chicken is not to be missed.:D

[stlrboo]

We are never the first on the ship, but we are usually aboard by 1230/1PM.. :) I enjoy walking around the food options in the Windjammer, then getting a salad while I decide what I want to eat! :p

 

It is far from being a 'cafeteria' atmosphere.. I actually think its GREAT!:D

[gmabcd]

is there a pool bar open during embarktation,, to sell hamburgers and hot dogs?

[Brad1185]

Princess has announced that all ships have the dining room open for lunch on embarkation day as does NCL. Those are the only two that I know for the main cruise lines.

 

RCI's trend is closing the dining room for lunch. Its only open on sea days.

[katiel53]

We look forward to going to the WJ the first day of the cruise. We board early and feel the cruise starts when we get to the WJ. Then, we get to wander all over the ship.

 

We don't feel herded into the WJ, and they usually have good roast beef on the first day. It's a great way to start our vacation.

 

Enjoy!

[PhoenixCruiser]

is there a pool bar open during embarktation,, to sell hamburgers and hot dogs?

 

No, your only option is the Windjammer. When they do offer hamburgers and hot dogs they are included in your cruise fare. When you get a burger in Johnny Rockets, if available, the charge is $3.95 per person.

 

###

[aqhacruiser]

The main dining room does serve on embarkation day, but not for you:mad: Last year I [and 19 others] won a newspaper contest for a port day tour of an RCI ship, and we and a separate bunch of day tour Travel Agents ate in the dining room. I have heard, but cannot confirm, that on some ships B2Bers can also eat in the dining room.

 

The dining room is never open on embarkation day including if you are on for B to B's on the Explorer. You can go to the Windjammer or the Cafe Promanade. They may use the dining room for special events such as you described and for weddings but it is not open for the general public.

[nccruiser24]

What do they serve at Cafe Promenade and is it included or extra charge?

[Langley Cruisers]

^ The Café Promenade serves small sandwiches, pastries, amazing cookies, desserts, and pizza, all included - fairly light fare, but tasty. Look around (depends which ship you are on) but there is also coffee, tea, and hot chocolate available (these are not the specialty coffees you have to pay for, but coffee in thermoses which is included in your fare). This (IMO) is the best coffee on the ship. Others may disagree. ;)

 

We have never, ever felt "herded" into the Windjammer. For us, it's all part of Embarkation Day and the excitment we feel. Besides, there is a fruit tartlet that is to die for, and you can only get it the first day. It is exquisite. :D

[Alexis]

The main dining room does serve on embarkation day, but not for you:mad: Last year I [and 19 others] won a newspaper contest for a port day tour of an RCI ship, and we and a separate bunch of day tour Travel Agents ate in the dining room. I have heard, but cannot confirm, that on some ships B2Bers can also eat in the dining room.

 

I have done several B2B's on RCCL and I have never been invited to have lunch in the dining room on turn around day or any other day that any other guest can't eat there. In fact, we have never eaten lunch in the dining room on any RCCL cruise. ;)

There is nothing wrong with the Windjammer in my opinion. :) That is how we start our cruises. :D

[petesweet]

Looks like I gave the wrong impression by using the word "herded." We, too, love the Windjammer. It's just that on our upcoming NCL cruise, the thought of a QUIET lunch where we are waited on was so appealing after an overnight flight with little sleep and then a long transfer to port that I just wondered if RCCL had the same policy. With a party of 8, it is sometimes hard to get a table at rush times, and embarkation day is certainly a rush time.

 

As for the idea of eating breakfast late and going directly to the pool - sorry, food trumps sun and water any day with us.:D Good idea for some though.

 

We love every aspect of cruising, and we especially love RCCL. To the Windjammer we go!! Thanks for all your input.

[biomedbob]

We have always had lunch in the dining room on turn-around day.

 

Sometimes a very special menu with all the wine you want, sometimes a limited menu, and occasionally a nice buffet. :cool:

[Alexis]

We have always had lunch in the dining room on turn-around day.

 

Sometimes a very special menu with all the wine you want, sometimes a limited menu, and occasionally a nice buffet. :cool:

 

Could you tell me what RCCL ships have done that for you? And were they here or across the "Pond"? I have never had the pleasure on any on my B2B's on RCCL. :confused:

EDIT:Thanks. ;) I see by your signature you did B2B's on the Grandeur. That is one I have never sailed. ;)

[Brad1185]

the WJ is a mad house the first day. Lots and lots of confused looking people looking like they have never been to a buffet before wandering aimlessly with plate in hand. The dining room would be a wonderful alternative.

[Alexis]

the WJ is a mad house the first day. Lots and lots of confused looking people looking like they have never been to a buffet before wandering aimlessly with plate in hand. The dining room would be a wonderful alternative.

 

What you are describing sounds like the people who forget where their tables are in our giant buffets here in Las Vegas. :D

[kingsgirl]

the WJ is a mad house the first day. Lots and lots of confused looking people looking like they have never been to a buffet before wandering aimlessly with plate in hand. The dining room would be a wonderful alternative.

 

I know it's not nice to take up a table when it gets busy in there but it sure is a good place to ppl watch on the first day!!

 

That said, on our Alaskan cruise last year, there were some REALLY rude people in there.

 

Mom and I were sitting at a two person table on the inside of the rail near the buffet. On the otherside of the rail there were bigger 6-8 person tables. A lady comes up to the middle edge of our little table and starts talking VERY loudly across to the people sitting at the table. I didn't want to be rude and say "can you please walk 5 feet and not yell over our food?" and she kept it up for like 2-3 minutes!

 

That said, a very quiet couple from Malaysia asked if they could sit with us - the nicest people ever.

 

Some quirky ppl in every bunch I suppose!!

[negc]

the WJ is a mad house the first day. Lots and lots of confused looking people looking like they have never been to a buffet before wandering aimlessly with plate in hand. The dining room would be a wonderful alternative.

Your assuming, of course, that those "confused looking people" would have sense enough to follow the waiter escorting them to a table.:D

I guess that the fact that we usually board the ship quite early and are at the Windjammer pretty much right after it opens for lunch on sailing day, when there is a wide selection of tables to choose from, we have never encountered the madhouse scene you describe. By the time that the masses have arrived we are probably in our room unpacking or checking out the rest of the ship and enjoying our first drink of the cruise in one of the bars or lounges.:)

[cruisnpat]

Go to the windjammer and have a nice lunch and then later go to the dr for dinner.