I REALLY want to try Royal but just one thing holding me back..

[ohioNCLcruiser]

Hey everyone,

I have always been a fan of Royal's ships. They look terrific and just being in port a few days with Radiance I really want to take my first Royal cruise (my friend has a deposit).

 

My one concern is the set dining times and table mates. Is Royal still trying NCL's Freestyle type concept of eating at anytime? I think I remember something about them testing it out but maybe just on one ship?

 

What would happen if you hated your table mates, can you change or would you be stuck to the buffet?

 

This is seriously the only concern I have towards giving Royal a try.

 

Thanks!

James

[PantherFan]

Royal has been trialing what they call "My time dining" on a variety of ships. I think you can go to their website to find out more about it as well as other threads on these boards.

 

You can change your table by simpling talking with the headwaiter or maitre'd in the dining room.

[ccxnola]

James,

Please do not be concerned about your possible table mates. Just select early or late seating. (We select early, but that's just our preference so we have time at the show and then some dancing before bedtime.)

 

Dinner is not only a meal, but also a fun opportunity to meet some other folks. They will usually be interesting, have stories to share and sometimes become future sailing friends.

 

But then again, you may not prefer their company or they yours - so it is VERY easy to approach the Maitre D' after dinner and ask for a different seating for the subsequent evening. And even if later in the cruise, you wish to meet some new folks, you can do it again - but usually you will want to extend your sharing with your new friends and the last evening is a time to share email adress and future cruise possibilities.

 

So - try it!! I feel confident you will enjoy it. AND Radiance is a wonderful ship. DO NOT fail to enjoy the GREAT clam chowder and french fries in the Seaview Cafe (it's 'hidden away' on deck 12)!!

[emilygrace]

Some of the ships do have My Time Dining. You might check the RCCL website to see if they list which ones.

 

And if the ship you sail on doesn't have it and you end up with dreadful tablemates you can ask to be moved. I have been on 14 cruises and have yet to ask to be moved. I'll admit we've had some STRANGE tablemates, but I just look at it as dinner entertainment. We've never encountered rude or drunk people, and these are the two things I could not tolerate. I hope I haven't jinxed myself by saying this!

[Cruising89143]

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithHero.do?pagename=open_seating&topic=email&subTopic=openseat&requestor=arn

[bbrad8]

ohioNCLcruiser: Yes, MyTime dining is available on 'some' ships at this time. It has been extended thru 12/09 as I recall. Unfortunately I am not sure which ships are currently doing the MyTime 'pilot', but know Jewel (Radiance sister ship) is among the group. Should you book a ship that is not in the pilot program, you are still free to request a new table assignment if you are not comfortable w/ your table mates.

 

Bruce

[JanineM]

We have generally had good tablemates. Of course, there have been who gave us a lot to talk about AFTER dinner when we've parted ways. But as others have mentioned, we've never encountered rude or nasty people.

 

On our first cruise we were originally seated with a couple who were Russian and apparently spoke little English. Our table assignment was changed before we even got to dinner the first night without us even asking. They do a pretty good job of matching people of the same ages, from the same part of the world, etc. As a couple if our 40s, we are always seated with other couples in their 40s.

[VASOXFANN]

Hey everyone,

I have always been a fan of Royal's ships. They look terrific and just being in port a few days with Radiance I really want to take my first Royal cruise (my friend has a deposit).

 

My one concern is the set dining times and table mates. Is Royal still trying NCL's Freestyle type concept of eating at anytime? I think I remember something about them testing it out but maybe just on one ship?

 

What would happen if you hated your table mates, can you change or would you be stuck to the buffet?

 

This is seriously the only concern I have towards giving Royal a try.

 

Thanks!

James

 

Radiance is one of the ships that offers My Time Dining, so you're good for the foreseeable future.

 

DH and I did MTD on the JOS, and we loved it. All you have to do is prepay your gratuities, and you can even sign up for it when you book.

 

Interestingly enough, the Freestyle Dining concept was the only thing we liked about NCL.

[lovemylab]

You could always request a really large table - there will be more people to chat with so you don't feel as though you have to carry on a conversation if you don't want to.

 

On our first cruise we had a table for four and hated it since we had nothing in common with the other couple. On our second cruise we asked for a large table and were seated at a table with 3 other couples. It worked out perfectly as there was lots of conversation.

[ohioNCLcruiser]

You could always request a really large table - there will be more people to chat with so you don't feel as though you have to carry on a conversation if you don't want to.

 

On our first cruise we had a table for four and hated it since we had nothing in common with the other couple. On our second cruise we asked for a large table and were seated at a table with 3 other couples. It worked out perfectly as there was lots of conversation.

 

Thanks everyone!

 

The large table sounds good. I have zero problems with starting a conversation and keeping one going (worst comes to worst I say I work for a cruise line and they can ask a million questions for a few hours) I'm just worried about others who can't! On the Norwegian Wind we had a table of 5, 3 of us and these two other women who wouldn't talk and it was just pure awkwardness.

[digital_curator]

One thing I like about set dining times is that you are more or less guaranteed not to miss the shows. We really like RCI's entertainment, especially if you are on a Voyager or Freedom class ships with the ice shows!

 

We also tend to request a table for 2, so we don't have to worry about table mates.

 

We like RCI so much, we haven't tried another line yet!

 

Cheers,

[ohioNCLcruiser]

We also tend to request a table for 2, so we don't have to worry about table mates.

 

I did not know they had this! Thanks!

[cruiserssandr]

We are considering a cruise on AOS and the dining was something I was a little concerned with. We have been on 17 cruises all on NCL (all since 2002) so have only experienced free style. On the older ships that are not really set up for free style we usually say we will take a sharing table. It was fun to meet new people. Just wonder how do they decide who to put at each table. I plan to request the late seating. I had a couple of questions that I hope someone can answer. If we decide we just want the buffet on any given night do we tell someone so they don't wait for us to arrive? How does breakfast and lunch work? If we don't want to do formal night do we have to eat in the buffet? I want to dress correctly but I wonder if what I usually where to dinner is OK. I work at a bank so my clothes are fairly dressy but my husband is a blue collar worker (public utility company) so he wears a uniform everyday. He owns one dark grey suit (has no need for anymore) which I understand he can use for formal. Does he have to wear a sports jacket on the other nights? Hate to feel either of us is under dressed

[Pumbaamd]

OH NCL Cruiser:

On most of our RCCL cruises we've been seated at tables with complete strangers. Never have had a problem. We have met many who we continue to keep in touch with, and plan future cruises together. I don't know how the dining room staff does it, but they continue to seat us with guests that have been great table mates.

Enjoy your Radiance cruise, you'll have a wonderful time!!!

Rick and Deirdra

[Pumbaamd]

Your current clothing plans are fine. You and hubby have the right outfits and no worries. Have a great cruise!!!

Rick and Deirdra

[138east]

If you're not sure about the fixed table seatings, contact Royal Caribbean to be sure you are at the biggest table possible. That will ensure that you have a variety of people to get to know over the evening meals. You never know who you will meet. Just remembering everyone's name will take a meal or two. You can always chat about how you got to the ship, families, excursions, good shopping deals, ship activities, etc. etc. I always learn something from our tablemates.

 

The only cruise we had a problem on was a Celebrity cruise. I've been traveling with my mother who will be 90. We got seated at a table for 6 that was older mothers traveling with their daughters. Two folks decided not to eat in the dining room so we were left with 4 people at a table for 6. I got along fine with the daughter, but my mom, who is a really social person and good conversationalist, had a tough time with the other mom, who didn't seem to have any conversation beyond her ailments. I figure we got profiled by Celebrity on that one. However, we have had wonderful tables on Royal and have met wonderful and interesting tablemates. Of course I didn't tell mom that one of our most charming male tablemates had been in the pornographic film business, but..... that's another story.

[critterchick]

I had a couple of questions that I hope someone can answer. If we decide we just want the buffet on any given night do we tell someone so they don't wait for us to arrive? How does breakfast and lunch work?

 

We tell our waitstaff not to hold dinner for us - if we aren't there on time we've made other plans. If you know the night before that you're going to eat in a specialty restaurant or at the buffet, let your waitstaff know.

 

If we don't want to do formal night do we have to eat in the buffet? I want to dress correctly but I wonder if what I usually where to dinner is OK. I work at a bank so my clothes are fairly dressy but my husband is a blue collar worker (public utility company) so he wears a uniform everyday. He owns one dark grey suit (has no need for anymore) which I understand he can use for formal. Does he have to wear a sports jacket on the other nights? Hate to feel either of us is under dressed

 

The grey suit will be fine for formal night - I haven't sailed on AOS, but on most RCI ships we don't see a lot of tuxes or even suits. As for the not formal nights, no jacket is necessary. And even if you decide that you don't want to dress for formal night, don't feel banished to the buffet. On several of our cruises in 2008, our headwaiter announced that formal attire was "suggested" but that people would be welcome in any attire other than shorts.

 

Book it and have a wonderful time!:)

[land lover]

Re: table mates.......I have been on over 20+ cruises and have yet encounter table mates that we have not enjoyed.

 

On our last cruise in OCT. to the Med. we were celebrating our 25 anniversary and were seated with 2 Swedish couples both going on 40 years of marriage. When we came back the second night they were surprised to see us as they though we would want to change tables.

 

We had such an enjoyable time with them that we joined them for appetizers and drinks the evenings we went to the specialty restaurants.

 

Enjoy

[bruce-r]

If we decide we just want the buffet on any given night do we tell someone so they don't wait for us to arrive?

If you are seated with other people at a table, it is nice to let them know that you won't be there so they won't wait for you. I'm not sure how you'd let them know unless you called their cabin or told them the night before.

 

How does breakfast and lunch work?

Breakfast and lunch are open seating.

 

If we don't want to do formal night do we have to eat in the buffet?

That, or order room service.

 

I want to dress correctly but I wonder if what I usually wear to dinner is OK. I work at a bank so my clothes are fairly dressy but my husband is a blue collar worker (public utility company) so he wears a uniform everyday. He owns one dark gray suit (has no need for anymore) which I understand he can use for formal.

Dark gray suit with a tie sounds fine to me for formal.

 

Does he have to wear a sports jacket on the other nights? Hate to feel either of us is under dressed

I don't plan on a jacket for other nights, so I think he'd be fine in slacks and a polo shirt as well.

 

 

[iheartbda]

James,

I think it's the same for anyone who hasn't tried freestyle dining, you're concern is based on something you're just not used to.

 

As you can see, you DO have options. We, like many others, have never been stuck with tablemates that were unbearable. ALL people are not like those in the NCL commercials.;):D;)

[kyriecat]

My husband and I have had problems with tablemates twice. We always request a large table when we are traveling as a couple so we get a wide range of dining companions. Once we ended up at a table for 6 with a couple and their 12 and 8 yr. olds. After realizing that the couple's entire dining conversation consisted of the accomplishments of their darlings, we asked the maitre d' for another table, which worked out nicely. The other time we had a problem was when we were seated at a table for 8 with 6 women from New York who were on a ladies' holiday. My husband was the only man at the table and those women really beat up on their husbands/boyfriends/exes. Hubby was very uncomfortable with the situation. The ship was full so we were denied a request to switch tables. Fortunately it was a 3 night cruise so we ate at the buffet the next night and dinner with the women for the last. Otherwise, we have had charming companions (OK, some did give us some laughing moments later in the privacy of our cabin ;)).

 

For dinner my husband usually wears polo shirts with dockers for the casual nights. He'll throw in a Hawaiian style shirt or two for Caribbean cruises. On formal nights, he'll wear a suit and tie if we drove or rent a tux if we didn't.

[Cincy-David]

Hi There

 

First of all, the Radiance is a beautful ship and is my Wifes favorite ship of the ones we have been on.

 

I woudl defintely recommend the cruise and as all of the posters have said, you will have options.

 

My one suggestion, if the cruise you book has a strong Cruise Critic Thread, simply make friends there who you share common likes with then have yourself linked together with them for dinner.

 

If you communicate your booking numbers to each other you can have just one of your Travel Agents make the links with RCI so that you can share the table with the great folks from CC.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

Dave

[Sky Sweet]

Hey everyone,

I have always been a fan of Royal's ships. They look terrific and just being in port a few days with Radiance I really want to take my first Royal cruise (my friend has a deposit).

 

My one concern is the set dining times and table mates. Is Royal still trying NCL's Freestyle type concept of eating at anytime? I think I remember something about them testing it out but maybe just on one ship?

 

What would happen if you hated your table mates, can you change or would you be stuck to the buffet?

 

This is seriously the only concern I have towards giving Royal a try.

 

Thanks!

James

 

Hi James :)

 

Some Royal Caribbean Ships now give you the option of anytime dining or fixed seating. We tried anytime dining on our Mediterranean Cruise on RCCL's "Brilliance of the Seas" in June and loved it.

[satxdiver]

We are considering a cruise on AOS and the dining was something I was a little concerned with. We have been on 17 cruises all on NCL (all since 2002) so have only experienced free style. On the older ships that are not really set up for free style we usually say we will take a sharing table. It was fun to meet new people. Just wonder how do they decide who to put at each table. I plan to request the late seating. I had a couple of questions that I hope someone can answer. If we decide we just want the buffet on any given night do we tell someone so they don't wait for us to arrive? How does breakfast and lunch work? If we don't want to do formal night do we have to eat in the buffet? I want to dress correctly but I wonder if what I usually where to dinner is OK. I work at a bank so my clothes are fairly dressy but my husband is a blue collar worker (public utility company) so he wears a uniform everyday. He owns one dark grey suit (has no need for anymore) which I understand he can use for formal. Does he have to wear a sports jacket on the other nights? Hate to feel either of us is under dressed

 

I was on the AOS the end of September and had a great time. The ship not surprisingly had a large number of Puerto Ricans aboard. Announcements on the ship were first in English and then Spanish BTW. Since they live in the Caribbean, they tend to dress in a more comfortable and cooler style. I did not see that many tux or even suits on men on formal night. I did see a lot of pants, shirts and ties without a coat on men. I had brought a sport coat but never wore it. I even saw jeans on formal night and shorts on adults on other nights. These were not singular observations! This cruise was the most informal formal night I have seen on a cruise ship not to mention the number of shorts worn on other nights.

 

Your DH will be fine with a nice pair of pants, sport coat and dress shirt with or without a tie on formal night. Pants such as khakis and a polo shirt or even Hawaiian shirt for informal nights will be fine. It is the southern Caribbean and it is warm year round. Dress comfortably and have a great time.