is it hopeless?

[bermuda triangle]

We are #335 on dining waiting list......:eek: ........

 

short of bribing the maitre 'd once aboard, is it reasonably safe to say we will not be having traditional 2nd seating?

 

Thanks,

Laura

[Seal]

since yo will proably not have late seating--try to enjoy anytime dining--just go to the dining room at the time you desire--surprisingly--you may really like it--now when on a small ship we find we must eat at the given time early or late--it's so much nicer to gowhenever you wish between 5:30 and 10pm--if you feel it's important to get to know your waiter and assistant--find one you like and make a reservation for his/her table nightly.

 

Worse than not getting late seating--you could have early seating--can't even imagine--5:45 or about then

 

good luc k and safe travels

 

Nancy:D

[NSWP]

It amazes me why so many pax are desperate to get early dinner seatings. e.g. 6pm rather than 8pm. 2nd seating is so much better, i.e.

1. You do not have to rush back from shore tours,

 

2. More empty seats at the late show.

 

3. You do not miss the sailaways on deck with a cool drink in hand.

 

4. Service is often better at second seating as there is no big rush to get you out to make way for another load of diners.

 

Yes..I have heard that saying..'Americans like to eat early', but then so do a lot of Aussies, particularly the 'senior ' ones on Cruise ships, but surely one can change ones eating habits on a cruise?

 

Cheers..Les:confused:

[Teetype]

It amazes me why so many pax are desperate to get early dinner seatings. e.g. 6pm rather than 8pm. 2nd seating is so much better, i.e.

1. You do not have to rush back from shore tours,

 

2. More empty seats at the late show.

 

3. You do not miss the sailaways on deck with a cool drink in hand.

 

4. Service is often better at second seating as there is no big rush to get you out to make way for another load of diners.

 

Yes..I have heard that saying..'Americans like to eat early', but then so do a lot of Aussies, particularly the 'senior ' ones on Cruise ships, but surely one can change ones eating habits on a cruise?

 

Cheers..Les:confused:

 

 

I really don't get it either. Late seating is terrific! It's so easy to meet the obligation of being on time. If one gets hungry earlier, a little snack at 6 won't ruin dinner at 8:15.

 

Conversely, dinner at 6 means hunger at 10.

 

Cheers!

Tee

[Teetype]

We are #335 on dining waiting list......:eek: ........

 

short of bribing the maitre 'd once aboard, is it reasonably safe to say we will not be having traditional 2nd seating?

 

Thanks,

Laura

 

I've heard that some people will go ahead and show up for late seating the first night and talk to the head waiter about getting a spot no-shows have left open. I would certainly give it a shot.

 

Tee

[chasetf]

I really don't get it either. Late seating is terrific! It's so easy to meet the obligation of being on time. If one gets hungry earlier, a little snack at 6 won't ruin dinner at 8:15.

We like the late traditional and only failed to get it once. We then made a standing reservation for 8pm in the anytime dining room.

 

We like being leisure and enjoy being up top for the sailaway instead of getting ready or being in the dining room. The buffet always gives us a chance to stave off hunger for a little while.

Conversely, dinner at 6 means hunger at 10. Cheers! Tee

Which means snack at 10:30

[Cruzman]

We are #335 on dining waiting list......:eek: ........

 

short of bribing the maitre 'd once aboard, is it reasonably safe to say we will not be having traditional 2nd seating?

 

Thanks,

Laura

 

Unfortunately, you will almost certainly be FORCED to accept "personal choice" dining, which is NOT a choice when one chooses traditional dining. By setting aside two of the three dining rooms on most of their ships for "personal choice", they seem to be attempting to force this on too many of us who would prefer traditional dining.

[3GR8Sons]

It amazes me why so many pax are desperate to get early dinner seatings. e.g. 6pm rather than 8pm. 2nd seating is so much better, i.e.

1. You do not have to rush back from shore tours,

 

2. More empty seats at the late show.

 

3. You do not miss the sailaways on deck with a cool drink in hand.

 

4. Service is often better at second seating as there is no big rush to get you out to make way for another load of diners.

 

Yes..I have heard that saying..'Americans like to eat early', but then so do a lot of Aussies, particularly the 'senior ' ones on Cruise ships, but surely one can change ones eating habits on a cruise?

 

Cheers..Les:confused:

 

It isn't that we (the adults) like to eat early but we are traveling with a bunch of kids who cannot wait until after 8 PM. We also don't want to be handed a pager and told to wait until a table becomes available. It's not so bad when you only have adults, but when you have all the kids clean and ready to eat you really don't want to wait.

 

You would think that since SO MANY PREFER TRADITIONAL DINING that Princess would get the message and convert one of the other dining rooms to a traditional seating.

[Toto2Kansas]

The strange thing about traditional dining that we have run into is that on a resort casual night, usually half the dining room is empty (at least it has been on our cruises). The only time if fills up is on formal nights. So, these tables are sitting unused for most of the cruise, only to hold spots for those on formal nights when they wish to visit the dining room for assigned seating.

 

If Princess would stop those that reserved traditional dining from venturing into the anytime dining rooms, it would help to solve this problem. But as long as they continue to allow those that booked traditional to come and go as they please, and visit other regular anytime dining rooms if they decide the time just doesn't fit their schedule that evening for traditional, there will remain this problem.

 

We often talk with passengers that say that they just were too rushed that evening, or were hungry earlier that expected, so they just go to the anytime dining rooms and skip their traditional as it just didn't work out with what they planned that night.

 

It bogs down the lines for anytime, and leaves those that prefer traditional without any space available, when they really would prefer tradtional dining.

 

So, I feel that Princess is also part of the problem with not enough available space in traditional because of how this situation is being handled allowing passengers to switch back and forth.

[Colo Cruiser]

We are #335 on dining waiting list......:eek: ........

 

short of bribing the maitre 'd once aboard, is it reasonably safe to say we will not be having traditional 2nd seating?

 

Thanks,

Laura

 

It is not hopeless at all, talk with the MD at the set time/location on embarkation day. :)

No bribe necessary.

[cmalibu1]

It amazes me why so many pax are desperate to get early dinner seatings. e.g. 6pm rather than 8pm. 2nd seating is so much better, i.e.

1. You do not have to rush back from shore tours,

 

2. More empty seats at the late show.

 

3. You do not miss the sailaways on deck with a cool drink in hand.

 

4. Service is often better at second seating as there is no big rush to get you out to make way for another load of diners.

 

Yes..I have heard that saying..'Americans like to eat early', but then so do a lot of Aussies, particularly the 'senior ' ones on Cruise ships, but surely one can change ones eating habits on a cruise?

 

Cheers..Les:confused:

 

Personally, I completely agree with everthing you have just said. We LOVE the 2nd seating. Often we would come back aboard from an island watch the sailaway, and even take a short nap before being out half the night!

[cacy6893076]

Traditional dining fills up first, both early and late, if you wait until 6 months prior to sailing to book it is probably going to be full at both seatings already. It amazes me that people book so late and then decide that their vacation will be "ruined "if they don't have a particular seating. The job I would least want to have on a ship could very well be Maitre'd on the 1st day of a sailing, that poor guy/gal must absolutely dread it. For people who Must have a traditional seating, book early, these cruises come out over a year in advance, Not to sound rude, but that is the reality, if you are 335 on the waitlist think what that number means, 334 booking ahead of you that booked after that seating was full. The 9 day carribeans out of NYC are already available to book. Otherwise, if you do not book early for whatever reason,there is no reason to feel slighted, it is on a 1st come/first served basis, Remember, no matter how early you book, everyone's final payment is due on the same day!

[3GR8Sons]

Traditional dining fills up first, both early and late, if you wait until 6 months prior to sailing to book it is probably going to be full at both seatings already. It amazes me that people book so late and then decide that their vacation will be "ruined "if they don't have a particular seating. The job I would least want to have on a ship could very well be Maitre'd on the 1st day of a sailing, that poor guy/gal must absolutely dread it. For people who Must have a traditional seating, book early, these cruises come out over a year in advance, Not to sound rude, but that is the reality, if you are 335 on the waitlist think what that number means, 334 booking ahead of you that booked after that seating was full. The 9 day carribeans out of NYC are already available to book. Otherwise, if you do not book early for whatever reason,there is no reason to feel slighted, it is on a 1st come/first served basis, Remember, no matter how early you book, everyone's final payment is due on the same day!

 

Booking a vacation 6 months in advance is not LATE. Not everyone has enough money to book a cruise a year in advance. We have to wait until we know the kids school schedule AND until we know that we have the money to pay for the cruise. When you travel with 5 people it gets expensive. Consider yourself lucky that you always know a year in advance that you will have money for a cruise AND that you know your schedule will permit a particular cruise one year in advance.

 

I want you to think about some numbers. If the OP is #335 on the wait list that means there are a minimum of 670, perhaps as many as 1,000 passengers who want the late seating and cannot get it. That's ALOT of unhappy customers. Let's assume there is also a wait list for the early seating. It's quite possible that as many as 2/3 of the customers on board are not getting what they would like. That is something the cruiseline should fix.

[coiran]

Look at it this way. If you bribed the Maitr de and he accepted it, in order to put you in 1st someone who was just behind you would be deprived of a seating. If you were the next guy in line how would you feel??

If I were the Maitr de I would take your $20 and tell you " I will see what I can do" and do nothing.

Ron

[RickT]

My guess is that at this late date it is unlikely that you will make it to 2nd seating before departure. That being said, definitely speak to the Maitre'd the first night (and the second and possibly the 3rd). On the Grand last year we had late dining and saw many empty seats. At our table for 6, two of the people didn't show up all week. If someone had wanted those seats I'm sure the Maitre'd would have contacted the passengers who were supposed to be sitting there and arranged for others to take their seats. I've been told that many TAs assign late dining because it is so popular and many people choose to do other things and never let anyone know.

 

Good luck and don't give up.

[bermuda triangle]

I am a traditional person. For the people who have said they don't understand early traditional dining. People are used to eating around the same time everyday. It is a preference obviously, some do it for medical reasons.

I prefer the second seating as I mentioned in my original post. I detested anytime dining, hence I chose a cruiseline offering both, so at least I had a chance of eating when I wanted to. I like the repoire of having the same waiter, tablemates, etc. I do not like anytime dining for these reasons.

If I am stuck, and that is how I feel, with anytime dining I will deal with it, it won't ruin my cruise. I will speak to the maitre 'd however.

I too don't understand why if there are so many requests for traditional dining times, that so many pepole are not receiving the dining situation they request.

 

Thank you to those who offered your experiences and suggestions,

Laura

[Casshew]

Bleh, I can't eat at 8-9pm at night, I'd feel like a beached whale at bed time.

 

I like the early dinner and then to walk around the ship, have a drink, do the casino thing or see a show.

 

You couldn't pay me to take a late seated dinner.

[EmpressofPurple]

As Colo Cruiser stated, just see the Maitre D on embarcation day (they announce his/her hours in the dining room in the first patter).

 

I was advised by my travel agent to offer a, er, bribe... but the Maitre D politely declined my offer, and took my information. The first night we had to eat in Anytime... but the second day, we had a note in our "mailbox" providing us with a set, late dining time. We enjoyed our waiters and our tablemates (still in touch with them to this day!) -- and they all had to make a special request, too.

 

Be forewarned: your "traditional" late dining table may be located in the "anytime" dining room... which could affect service speed and quality (we often closed the dining room, and had to miss shows as we couldn't get a seat by the time we finished eating). But -- we did have "traditional" late dining, with set tablemates and waiters!

 

Just ask the maitre D, it can be arranged.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!

 

-D

 

PS - I prefer late dining myself... but I do believe this thread was about how to get traditional dining when way down the waitlist, not whether one should prefer main, late or anytime!!!

[Cruiser-66]

We are also waitlisted for Traditional Dining. I was under the understanding that people in traditional have only one night in which they can change their mind, and decide to go to any time dining. Do they not check people that just show up and decide they want to eat in the anytime dining room for a certain night, because maybe it fits their schedule better that night? If I'm waitlisted and found out the people that got it were not even using it every night I would not be happy! Don't you have to show something that says you have anytime dining?

[Seal]

We are also waitlisted for Traditional Dining. I was under the understanding that people in traditional have only one night in which they can change their mind, and decide to go to any time dining. Do they not check people that just show up and decide they want to eat in the anytime dining room for a certain night, because maybe it fits their schedule better that night? If I'm waitlisted and found out the people that got it were not even using it every night I would not be happy! Don't you have to show something that says you have anytime dining?

 

I SURELY wish that they would check the cards--we can't go to traditional dining--it's ot fair that traditional diners are taking our space--about a year ago and the Sun or Sea--can't remember which one--the C D on his morning show would encourage Tradional Diners to go to anytime dining if it would work out better for the shows

 

We did enough complaining that the CED quit encouraging the Traditional Diners to take our space--we went to the Traditional Dining room during this time and the Maitre D asked us to eat up there since close to 1/2 of the diners weren't showing up for Late Traditional--

 

Finally got them to look at the cards--then everyone got to have dinner--what a concept--we only take Traditional if we must--such as the TA where there is only one dining room.

 

My next door neighbor for 30 years always chooses Late Traditional and goes wherever she wants--can't understand why I would sign up for ASnytime Dining when could choose Late Traditonal and go to either --she is one of our problems!!!!

 

Nancy:D

 

There's something wonderful about knowing that dinner is anytime between 5:45 and 10pm

 

Yes I know that this won't work with a large group

[cacy6893076]

Booking a vacation 6 months in advance is not LATE. Not everyone has enough money to book a cruise a year in advance. We have to wait until we know the kids school schedule AND until we know that we have the money to pay for the cruise. When you travel with 5 people it gets expensive. Consider yourself lucky that you always know a year in advance that you will have money for a cruise AND that you know your schedule will permit a particular cruise one year in advance.

 

I want you to think about some numbers. If the OP is #335 on the wait list that means there are a minimum of 670, perhaps as many as 1,000 passengers who want the late seating and cannot get it. That's ALOT of unhappy customers. Let's assume there is also a wait list for the early seating. It's quite possible that as many as 2/3 of the customers on board are not getting what they would like. That is something the cruiseline should fix.

I think you misunderstand, I am not lucky enough to book a year in advance, but if I book and the seating is full, I , for one am willing to accept whatever dining is available, be it room service, buffet, etc..... if the line is too long in anytime, the buffet is ok too. If princess takes an "anytime" dining room and devotes it to traditional seating then what? I think the real problem is folks who sign up for a seating without knowing what they really want and then abandoning their tablemates/waiter and dining in the anytime dining rooms. If you remove one anytime dining room imagine what the wait would be with all the peole who feel it's ok to switch on a whim. Princess is trying to offer a variety of dining options, it would help if folks would understand the logistsics of feeding up to 3100 passengers in 4.5 hours and honor their commitments as much as possible. Maybe 6 months ahead is not late in your mind or mine, but when the cruise has been selling for 6-8 months already, it is indeed late for dining choices. Again, I was not trying to brag that I can book a year ahead and so it's great for me, I was being logical.

[DonnaK]

Bleh, I can't eat at 8-9pm at night, I'd feel like a beached whale at bed time.

 

I like the early dinner and then to walk around the ship, have a drink, do the casino thing or see a show.

 

You couldn't pay me to take a late seated dinner.

 

It's the same for us. We don't sleep well on such a full stomach. Sicne we are earlybirds, and often the first off the ship, we also find that we cannot stay awake for the later show, so we end up missing it. We've never felt rushed for dinner because of the early start we get in the morning ..

 

We prefer early, but that waitlist was over 600 long the last time I checked, so we are "stuck" with late. As diehard traditionalists, we would never be happy with Anytime Dining, and it's one reason we have only sailed on "traditional only" ships to date.

[tvaud]

Traditional dining fills up first, both early and late, if you wait until 6 months prior to sailing to book it is probably going to be full at both seatings already. It amazes me that people book so late and then decide that their vacation will be "ruined "if they don't have a particular seating. The job I would least want to have on a ship could very well be Maitre'd on the 1st day of a sailing, that poor guy/gal must absolutely dread it. For people who Must have a traditional seating, book early, these cruises come out over a year in advance, Not to sound rude, but that is the reality, if you are 335 on the waitlist think what that number means, 334 booking ahead of you that booked after that seating was full. The 9 day carribeans out of NYC are already available to book. Otherwise, if you do not book early for whatever reason,there is no reason to feel slighted, it is on a 1st come/first served basis, Remember, no matter how early you book, everyone's final payment is due on the same day!

 

Some people do not have the luxury of knowing what their vacation schedule will be the next year. Luckily, we've always been able to get our first dining choice...late seating.

[cruise kitty]

I'm a fan of late seating also. My DH and I also prefer a table for two. ( we sail on x) I have no problem with tipping the maitre'd to get the seating assignment we want. In life, the most desirable things usually go to the highest bidder.

[NSWP]

Fair comments folks re dining preferences, I can understand about having to eat early with children, been there done that.!

 

Just to advise any folk intending to cruise on Sun Princess out of Australia, (I got off it on 14 July) there is NO anytime dining..just the two traditional fixed seatings, 5.45pm and 8pm in the Regency/Marquis Dining Rooms. Other options are the Horizons Buffet and the Steakhouse wihich is a curtained area of the Horizons Buffet and of course Verdes Pizzeria which is around the atrium.

 

Cheers..Les:cool: