Anytime Dining vs. Scheduled Dining

[Kurbanfan]

If you have EVER dined out at a decent restaurant on land, and I'm sure you have. Then you already know everything there is to know about anytime dining. You make a res. or you wait for a table, just like on land. I'll keep traditional, why have any cruise experience duplicate a land experience if you can avoid it?[/quote]

 

Preference I would guess.......for us why would we want to be on a dining schedule while on vacation......when we can avoid it:D

[tina257]

I was really tempted to try the anytime dining even though we like eating late anyway. Maybe next time. I like knowing my table is ready when I get there and I don't have to rush or wait. (I know some people feel you wait anyway but if you get there 5 minutes after seating instead of early when they're still trying to set up then you won't be in a line)

 

The last time we cruised with Carnival out of NY we met two people that we liked so much that we became good friends and we still see them since they don't live far from us. That would not have happened had we not been at the same table together more than once. That could go either way I suppose....you meet people you like and it's fun to run into them on the ship, or you wind up dining with people you don't like. But, for now, we're keeping a confirmed late seating. I want to see what happens as more and more people choose anytime seating. I would imagine that the most popular times might not be quite so convenient as more people choose this option but time will tell and people share their experiences.

[Tigger15]

Hey everybody,

 

My GF and I are going on our 2nd cruise in September on the Miracle. On our first cruise, we did the late seating for dinner. We have decided this time to try anytime dining. With that said, I have heard both some good and bad about anytime dining (i.e. people getting rushed out, not getting to know your waiters, etc...)

 

I am curious, which do you prefer and why? What are the pros and cons of anytime dining? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

We loved they anytime dining

we never waited more than 5 minutes for a table ( always ate between 730 and 800 each night) and we requested our same waiter and section each time, with no problems, Helena on the Sensation was the best hostess we've ever dealt with. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS OPTION

[Collcoll]

If you have EVER dined out at a decent restaurant on land, and I'm sure you have. Then you already know everything there is to know about anytime dining. You make a res. or you wait for a table, just like on land. I'll keep traditional, why have any cruise experience duplicate a land experience if you can avoid it?[/quote]

 

I'm sorry. I don't follow this logic at all. That is like saying you sleep in a bed when doing a land vacation so why would you sleep in a bed during your cruise. Or you drink from a glass on land so don't do that on a cruise...?

 

I think the reasons for chosing anytime dining have been really, clearly, outlined here in this thread.

 

1. You aren't on a schedule. You can eat when you feel that it fits into your day. And you aren't relegated to the buffet. You can have the dining room experience at your convience. Now, I don't know about others... But I prefer, when I'm on vacation, to follow my own schedule. I spend enough time on land having to follow the schedules others have set for me. So why would I want to do on a cruise what I have to do on land?

 

2. You don't have to sit with strangers. I realize that many of you have met friends who you will treasure for a lifetime by eating diner with them everynight. But I'm also willing to bet the higher percentage of people do not maintain these relationships that they were, technically, forced to develop on their vacation. I work on land and I spend a lot of time dealing with the public. My job requires me to "make nice" with perfect strangers all day, everyday. Why would I want to do on my cruise what I am required to do on land? Doesn't it make sense that it will be more relaxing for me to have only the people I am very comfortable with at my table?

 

3. I've seen posted again and again that there is relatively no wait for the anytime dining. No rush to finish for the next group or for clean up or for show times.

 

4. My understanding with assigned dining (and I may have the wrong impression here, I'll admit it) is that approximately half the ship shows up sometime between 15 minutes before the assigned dining time to about 10 minutes past. That is a lot of people to herd into the dining room and have starting at one time. I understand also that if you are a bit late you might tick off those at your table. (souds stressful to me.)

 

What I don't get... is why do those diners who love assigned dining begrudge those of us who want to have our vacation the way we like to vacation? What changes for those who like assigned dining? You still have this don't you? So why would you care if anyone else chose something different. (By the way I'm not referring to the person who posted this quote. I understand that is not what you are saying. I've seen some pretty bitter responses from other threads. That is what I'm referring to on this comment)

 

I've done AI resorts as my vacations in the past. We dine at different resturants and have different wait staff each night. Now almost every vacation we have met folks at the pool or casino who were very nice people and we have decided based on our chemistry that we'd like to dine together and so some of the nights we would all get together for diner. However, this did not mean that we were obligated to spend every diner with them. Just when we wanted to do so.

 

So my comment becomes circular... why wouldn't I want to have my preferances while I'm on vacation, be it land based or sea based? It's my vacation. Why would I want to do things according to a set schedule. I can do that on land.

[manhar]

This a is a good thread. It seems to be answering a difficult decision one has to take. I am on my first ever cruise and find this a perplexing decision to take. Keep your views coming folks.

[dan40]

If you have EVER dined out at a decent restaurant on land, and I'm sure you have. Then you already know everything there is to know about anytime dining. You make a res. or you wait for a table, just like on land. I'll keep traditional, why have any cruise experience duplicate a land experience if you can avoid it?[/quote]

 

I'm sorry. I don't follow this logic at all. That is like saying you sleep in a bed when doing a land vacation so why would you sleep in a bed during your cruise. Or you drink from a glass on land so don't do that on a cruise...?

 

I think the reasons for chosing anytime dining have been really, clearly, outlined here in this thread.

 

1. You aren't on a schedule. You can eat when you feel that it fits into your day. And you aren't relegated to the buffet. You can have the dining room experience at your convience. Now, I don't know about others... But I prefer, when I'm on vacation, to follow my own schedule. I spend enough time on land having to follow the schedules others have set for me. So why would I want to do on a cruise what I have to do on land?

 

2. You don't have to sit with strangers. I realize that many of you have met friends who you will treasure for a lifetime by eating diner with them everynight. But I'm also willing to bet the higher percentage of people do not maintain these relationships that they were, technically, forced to develop on their vacation. I work on land and I spend a lot of time dealing with the public. My job requires me to "make nice" with perfect strangers all day, everyday. Why would I want to do on my cruise what I am required to do on land? Doesn't it make sense that it will be more relaxing for me to have only the people I am very comfortable with at my table?

 

3. I've seen posted again and again that there is relatively no wait for the anytime dining. No rush to finish for the next group or for clean up or for show times.

 

4. My understanding with assigned dining (and I may have the wrong impression here, I'll admit it) is that approximately half the ship shows up sometime between 15 minutes before the assigned dining time to about 10 minutes past. That is a lot of people to herd into the dining room and have starting at one time. I understand also that if you are a bit late you might tick off those at your table. (souds stressful to me.)

 

What I don't get... is why do those diners who love assigned dining begrudge those of us who want to have our vacation the way we like to vacation? What changes for those who like assigned dining? You still have this don't you? So why would you care if anyone else chose something different. (By the way I'm not referring to the person who posted this quote. I understand that is not what you are saying. I've seen some pretty bitter responses from other threads. That is what I'm referring to on this comment)

 

I've done AI resorts as my vacations in the past. We dine at different resturants and have different wait staff each night. Now almost every vacation we have met folks at the pool or casino who were very nice people and we have decided based on our chemistry that we'd like to dine together and so some of the nights we would all get together for diner. However, this did not mean that we were obligated to spend every diner with them. Just when we wanted to do so.

 

So my comment becomes circular... why wouldn't I want to have my preferances while I'm on vacation, be it land based or sea based? It's my vacation. Why would I want to do things according to a set schedule. I can do that on land.

 

First, READ ALL the words, not just the ones you recognize. The missed words were "IF YOU CAN AVOID IT."

 

Some things like your water glass and bed are UNAVOIDABLY the same.

 

Second, you ARE on a schedule. The shows are still timed to early and late seatings. The ship sails at a particular time and you must be on it or face considerable expense.

And I learned in the military to NOT take schedules personally.

 

Third, You don't have to sit with strangers in traditional OR anytime. In traditional, if you have your table for 4 or 5, whatever your number. You HAVE it the entire cruise. In anytime, one or more nites, there COULD be a wait for the table size you must have. My job involved wining and dining a local rep, his wife, and 2, 3, or 4, of his best clients and their wives. On average 3 times a week for DECADES. I loved it then, still do today.

 

You state:

"My job requires me to "make nice" with perfect strangers all day, everyday. Why would I want to do on my cruise what I am required to do on land? Doesn't it make sense that it will be more relaxing for me to have only the people I am very comfortable with at my table?"

 

Traditional or anytime is not your answer. Finding a job that you enjoy would be a better plan.

 

Your idea of traditional dining is a misconception. The dining room doors DO NOT open until the assigned time. And some dam fools DO show up early, nite after nite [you can't fix stupid!] We show up about 3 or 4 minutes after opening time and walk right in. The DR doors are double doors and after the first nite people know where their table is so it takes only a minute or 2 for the sillies to disburse.

Your wait at anytime WILL be as long [30 to 45 seconds] or longer, it will not be less.

 

Last, Telling people a FACT that anytime is exactly the same as dining out at home is not begrudging them anything. Now you jumping on my case for simply telling people that anytime is not anything special is begrudging somebody, somehow!

 

And in my cruise experience, I HAVE done both traditional and anytime. I stick with traditional. Decided by my own experience, not hearsay!

[Collcoll]

 

First, READ ALL the words, not just the ones you recognize. The missed words were "IF YOU CAN AVOID IT."

 

Some things like your water glass and bed are UNAVOIDABLY the same.

 

Second, you ARE on a schedule. The shows are still timed to early and late seatings. The ship sails at a particular time and you must be on it or face considerable expense.

And I learned in the military to NOT take schedules personally.

 

Third, You don't have to sit with strangers in traditional OR anytime. In traditional, if you have your table for 4 or 5, whatever your number. You HAVE it the entire cruise. In anytime, one or more nites, there COULD be a wait for the table size you must have. My job involved wining and dining a local rep, his wife, and 2, 3, or 4, of his best clients and their wives. On average 3 times a week for DECADES. I loved it then, still do today.

 

You state:

"My job requires me to "make nice" with perfect strangers all day, everyday. Why would I want to do on my cruise what I am required to do on land? Doesn't it make sense that it will be more relaxing for me to have only the people I am very comfortable with at my table?"

 

Traditional or anytime is not your answer. Finding a job that you enjoy would be a better plan.

 

Your idea of traditional dining is a misconception. The dining room doors DO NOT open until the assigned time. And some dam fools DO show up early, nite after nite [you can't fix stupid!] We show up about 3 or 4 minutes after opening time and walk right in. The DR doors are double doors and after the first nite people know where their table is so it takes only a minute or 2 for the sillies to disburse.

Your wait at anytime WILL be as long [30 to 45 seconds] or longer, it will not be less.

 

Last, Telling people a FACT that anytime is exactly the same as dining out at home is not begrudging them anything. Now you jumping on my case for simply telling people that anytime is not anything special is begrudging somebody, somehow![/quote

 

So sorry. I don't think you read all the words. Because I specifically said that it was not you who said this but that I've read it on other threads. Buy when one strikes out in hositlity, they rarely get the facts straight. As you clearly did not. But since you were offended I will offer my apology and tell you that I'm sorry you thought I was referring to you when I said that you were begrudging anyone anything. I was not. Sorry you thought I was.

 

Secondly, I understand that there are always schedules not matter what situation. However, I have the option of going to a late show or early show and maybe not even going to a show. There is enough enteratinment that I do not have to go to a show via schedule. However, one must eat and if I do not want to be relegated to buffet fare, anytime dining is just right for me.

 

I still do not follow your logic that because you are on a ship you should not arrange for the same kind of diner you get a land based resturant. Although, I am not out to dinner with clients 3-4 times per week and I consider dining at the resturant a rare treat. So it's something I like having interwoven into my vacation experience.

 

Finally -- How dare you allege that I don't like my career. I LOVE MY WORK. I get fed by what I do. I am the luckiest person in the world because I get paid to do what I love. You are twisting my words and leaping to conclusions because I had the nerve to admit that sometimes making nice to unreasonable people can be depleating. So next time you want to leap down someone's throat have the facts first. Grow up and be a gentleman.

 

And please... get over yourself.

[Joy2Day]

Anyone have experience with Anytime dining and a special dietary need (low sodium in my case)? When doing traditional, I preorder the night before and they prepare my meal specially. This time, we are booking on fairly short notice, so I suspect we'll end up with Anytime.

 

How does that work when you don't have the same table/waiter ... or dining time every night? I assume that the maitre'd helps match the order to the table, but do I risk having warmed-over food?

[petro772]

 

First, READ ALL the words, not just the ones you recognize. The missed words were "IF YOU CAN AVOID IT."

 

Some things like your water glass and bed are UNAVOIDABLY the same.

 

Second, you ARE on a schedule. The shows are still timed to early and late seatings. The ship sails at a particular time and you must be on it or face considerable expense.

And I learned in the military to NOT take schedules personally.

 

Third, You don't have to sit with strangers in traditional OR anytime. In traditional, if you have your table for 4 or 5, whatever your number. You HAVE it the entire cruise. In anytime, one or more nites, there COULD be a wait for the table size you must have. My job involved wining and dining a local rep, his wife, and 2, 3, or 4, of his best clients and their wives. On average 3 times a week for DECADES. I loved it then, still do today.

 

You state:

"My job requires me to "make nice" with perfect strangers all day, everyday. Why would I want to do on my cruise what I am required to do on land? Doesn't it make sense that it will be more relaxing for me to have only the people I am very comfortable with at my table?"

 

Traditional or anytime is not your answer. Finding a job that you enjoy would be a better plan.

 

Your idea of traditional dining is a misconception. The dining room doors DO NOT open until the assigned time. And some dam fools DO show up early, nite after nite [you can't fix stupid!] We show up about 3 or 4 minutes after opening time and walk right in. The DR doors are double doors and after the first nite people know where their table is so it takes only a minute or 2 for the sillies to disburse.

Your wait at anytime WILL be as long [30 to 45 seconds] or longer, it will not be less.

 

Last, Telling people a FACT that anytime is exactly the same as dining out at home is not begrudging them anything. Now you jumping on my case for simply telling people that anytime is not anything special is begrudging somebody, somehow![/quote

 

So sorry. I don't think you read all the words. Because I specifically said that it was not you who said this but that I've read it on other threads. Buy when one strikes out in hositlity, they rarely get the facts straight. As you clearly did not. But since you were offended I will offer my apology and tell you that I'm sorry you thought I was referring to you when I said that you were begrudging anyone anything. I was not. Sorry you thought I was.

 

Secondly, I understand that there are always schedules not matter what situation. However, I have the option of going to a late show or early show and maybe not even going to a show. There is enough enteratinment that I do not have to go to a show via schedule. However, one must eat and if I do not want to be relegated to buffet fare, anytime dining is just right for me.

 

I still do not follow your logic that because you are on a ship you should not arrange for the same kind of diner you get a land based resturant. Although, I am not out to dinner with clients 3-4 times per week and I consider dining at the resturant a rare treat. So it's something I like having interwoven into my vacation experience.

 

Finally -- How dare you allege that I don't like my career. I LOVE MY WORK. I get fed by what I do. I am the luckiest person in the world because I get paid to do what I love. You are twisting my words and leaping to conclusions because I had the nerve to admit that sometimes making nice to unreasonable people can be depleating. So next time you want to leap down someone's throat have the facts first. Grow up and be a gentleman.

 

And please... get over yourself.

Really good response. Congrats on something new vice the same old rehash. ;)

[SDPadreFan]

Anyone have experience with Anytime dining and a special dietary need (low sodium in my case)? When doing traditional, I preorder the night before and they prepare my meal specially. This time, we are booking on fairly short notice, so I suspect we'll end up with Anytime.

 

How does that work when you don't have the same table/waiter ... or dining time every night? I assume that the maitre'd helps match the order to the table, but do I risk having warmed-over food?

 

You ask a very valid question but I'm afraid I don't have any experience with that issue. I hope someone else will be able to answer it. In any case, please report back to this board what you experienced or learned about this subject upon completion of your cruise. Undoubtedly, it will assist someone in the future.

[Casino Player]

Hey everybody,

 

My GF and I are going on our 2nd cruise in September on the Miracle. On our first cruise, we did the late seating for dinner. We have decided this time to try anytime dining. With that said, I have heard both some good and bad about anytime dining (i.e. people getting rushed out, not getting to know your waiters, etc...)

 

I am curious, which do you prefer and why? What are the pros and cons of anytime dining? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

My wife and I prefer to have our time and place along with the same waiter and assisiant waiter. You get better service, or at least you did before auto tipping. In the past I would have my drink waiting on my table where I was sitting when I got there. Now I have to ask for it every night.

We had anytime dining on one cruise on our NCL cruise. Here is what we found. You had the privledge of waiting on line to get into the dining room, even if you eat early. Different waiters every night. No one knows or cares about what you like as is the case with the same servers. When we left, because we like to eat early, we saw long lines going up stairs and on the deck.

No thank you.

[marilole]

If you have EVER dined out at a decent restaurant on land, and I'm sure you have. Then you already know everything there is to know about anytime dining. You make a res. or you wait for a table, just like on land. I'll keep traditional, why have any cruise experience duplicate a land experience if you can avoid it?[/quote]

 

I'm sorry. I don't follow this logic at all. That is like saying you sleep in a bed when doing a land vacation so why would you sleep in a bed during your cruise. Or you drink from a glass on land so don't do that on a cruise...?

 

I think the reasons for chosing anytime dining have been really, clearly, outlined here in this thread.

 

1. You aren't on a schedule. You can eat when you feel that it fits into your day. And you aren't relegated to the buffet. You can have the dining room experience at your convience. Now, I don't know about others... But I prefer, when I'm on vacation, to follow my own schedule. I spend enough time on land having to follow the schedules others have set for me. So why would I want to do on a cruise what I have to do on land?

 

2. You don't have to sit with strangers. I realize that many of you have met friends who you will treasure for a lifetime by eating diner with them everynight. But I'm also willing to bet the higher percentage of people do not maintain these relationships that they were, technically, forced to develop on their vacation. I work on land and I spend a lot of time dealing with the public. My job requires me to "make nice" with perfect strangers all day, everyday. Why would I want to do on my cruise what I am required to do on land? Doesn't it make sense that it will be more relaxing for me to have only the people I am very comfortable with at my table?

 

3. I've seen posted again and again that there is relatively no wait for the anytime dining. No rush to finish for the next group or for clean up or for show times.

 

4. My understanding with assigned dining (and I may have the wrong impression here, I'll admit it) is that approximately half the ship shows up sometime between 15 minutes before the assigned dining time to about 10 minutes past. That is a lot of people to herd into the dining room and have starting at one time. I understand also that if you are a bit late you might tick off those at your table. (souds stressful to me.)

 

What I don't get... is why do those diners who love assigned dining begrudge those of us who want to have our vacation the way we like to vacation? What changes for those who like assigned dining? You still have this don't you? So why would you care if anyone else chose something different. (By the way I'm not referring to the person who posted this quote. I understand that is not what you are saying. I've seen some pretty bitter responses from other threads. That is what I'm referring to on this comment)

 

I've done AI resorts as my vacations in the past. We dine at different resturants and have different wait staff each night. Now almost every vacation we have met folks at the pool or casino who were very nice people and we have decided based on our chemistry that we'd like to dine together and so some of the nights we would all get together for diner. However, this did not mean that we were obligated to spend every diner with them. Just when we wanted to do so.

 

So my comment becomes circular... why wouldn't I want to have my preferances while I'm on vacation, be it land based or sea based? It's my vacation. Why would I want to do things according to a set schedule. I can do that on land.

 

I SOOOOO agree with you!

[madre2]

OK..I think some of you are misinformed. The reason some people are choosing "Anytime Dining" is to be seated with just people you WANT to sit with. Traditional dining does not always guarantee that. My family has had to sit with others on a cruise, and though they are sometimes nice people, you still don't get to interact with the rest of your family like you would if you were sitting alone with them. Just wanted to make it clear...traditional dining does sometimes mean sitting with other families.

[Perfect Stranger]

I will get the opportunity to try anytime dining on my next cruise. Our beverages have never been on the table when we arrived for traditional dinner and I don't expect the waiter to be a mind reader. Just because I order iced tea the first night doesn't mean I want it every night. And some people don't even show up for dinner every night so it's kind of silly for them to 'assume' what you want and have it sitting there. Anyway, hope we like the anytime dining.

[Kurbanfan]

My wife and I prefer to have our time and place along with the same waiter and assisiant waiter. You get better service, or at least you did before auto tipping. In the past I would have my drink waiting on my table where I was sitting when I got there. Now I have to ask for it every night.

 

We had anytime dining on one cruise on our NCL cruise. Here is what we found. You had the privledge of waiting on line to get into the dining room, even if you eat early. Different waiters every night. No one knows or cares about what you like as is the case with the same servers. When we left, because we like to eat early, we saw long lines going up stairs and on the deck.

 

No thank you.

 

 

 

You get the same or better service with anytime not worse..........

 

I have expereinced "anytime" not "freestyle" which is what NCL offers.

From what I heard "freestyle" is different?

[Casino Player]

You get the same or better service with anytime not worse..........

 

I have expereinced "anytime" not "freestyle" which is what NCL offers.

From what I heard "freestyle" is different?

 

Freestyle, anytime dining, two different names for the same concept. That is my experience with it and the service is worse. You don't get the same service as you do with traditional dining. If you get better service then bully for you. Not in my experience.

[dznymom]

You get the same or better service with anytime not worse..........

 

I have expereinced "anytime" not "freestyle" which is what NCL offers.

From what I heard "freestyle" is different?

 

I LOVE Freestyle :) The main reason Freestyle is different is because there are so many different dining options on the newer ships that NCL built for Freestyle. There are a number of free venues and several with an upcharge. You can reserve tables in the specialty restaurants, but not the free ones unless you have a large party. I have never encountered lines like the previous poster saw. We once waited 15 minutes for a table (at peak time) but were given a pager with a 2 for 1 martini offer on it. We happily waited in a lounge :) I know Freestyle doesn't work quite as well on the older ships that were built for traditional dining and modified for Freestyle, but we still prefer it to traditional.

 

We are getting ready to book a cruise for August, and are seriously considering the Conquest as we will be in Texas dropping my baby off for college :( Does anyone know if anytime dining is offered on her?

[Kurbanfan]

Freestyle, anytime dining, two different names for the same concept. That is my experience with it and the service is worse. You don't get the same service as you do with traditional dining. If you get better service then bully for you. Not in my experience.

 

Sorry you had a horrible experience.....could maybe have been that ncl ship you were on.......Our worst experience in dining was traditional dining on Carnival Spirit.......but we never had a problem after that.......I just chalked it up to that one particular cruise;)

But we all have the option for one or the other now.......so it is all good.

[uppitycats]

You get the same or better service with anytime not worse..........

 

I have expereinced "anytime" not "freestyle" which is what NCL offers.

From what I heard "freestyle" is different?

 

NCL "freestyle" is the same as "anytime dining". I've cruised on Princess, Carnival and NCL, gotten "freestyle" or "anytime" and it works exactly the same. You show up, you're seated with those who came with you, you eat. You don't "make friends" with your waiter and maybe you DO have to order iced tea every night if that is your preference, rather than having a glass waiting there for you, as might happen with traditional dining.

[Kurbanfan]

NCL "freestyle" is the same as "anytime dining". I've cruised on Princess, Carnival and NCL, gotten "freestyle" or "anytime" and it works exactly the same. You show up, you're seated with those who came with you, you eat. You don't "make friends" with your waiter and maybe you DO have to order iced tea every night if that is your preference, rather than having a glass waiting there for you, as might happen with traditional dining.

 

 

Well we enjoyed it on Princess so I know we will enjoy it on NCL;) As for the drink at your table every night with traditional......we are platinum with Carnival and that happened on only one of our cruises.....which I thought was kinda silly since I don't order the same drink every night:D

[cruisinwitdagang]

Does the Pride have anytime dining? And what exactly is anytime dining? where do you eat?

[momofzeke]

Does the Pride have anytime dining? And what exactly is anytime dining? where do you eat?

 

Yes, the Pride has the Anytime Dining option. You still eat in the main dining room.....the Pride only has one formal dining room. The anytime dining is in the upper level.

 

You go to the dining room anytime between 5:45 PM to 9:30 PM and ask for a table and they will seat you. You can ask to be seated with only your party, or at a larger table with other people.

 

With Traditional Dining, you are assigned a table and dining time, which will be the same each night. You will have either early (6 PM) or late (8 PM).

 

You have to choose either Anytime or Traditional before your cruise. You can't switch back and forth between the two.

[WhansaMi]

This was a hard one for us, because, on one hand, we don't really like having to be anywhere at any given time, on a vacation. On the other hand, we like the "perks" of traditional dining. For us, the deciding factor was the company -- we really getting to know our tablemates over the course of the week.

[kjunea]

This was a hard choice for us too. We've done early and late seating. But with a 6 year old and a 73 year old with us on this trip, it just seemed it would be a better fit to do the "anytime" dining. Last summer, DS just wanted to eat with Camp Carnival.

[Collcoll]

I enjoy a glass of wine with my dinner. The type of wine that I choose to go with my meal very much depends on what I'm going to order. Fish, Beef, Pasta....

 

I would not like to have a waiter try to anticipate what wine I'd like and have it waiting for me when I arrived.

 

My DH will drink beer some nights. Especially with beef. He likes tea most nights. But occasionally he will order a mixed drink or a diet soda. So I am fairly certain that if he showed up and his drink was sitting there waiting that it would only be about 75% of the time the waiter would have it correct. He's a sweetie and would just accept the drink placed there for him. But he'd be unhappy about it in the long run. Especially if it happened more than once. Although I'm sure he'd tell them please do not continue to do that for him.

 

My sister's children will change drinks throughout the meal. I've seen them start with coke, move to sprite, have some tea and top it off with a non-alcoholic margaretta. So good luck anticipating this for them.

 

I think that I am making the same points over and over. (so sorry :()

 

Bottom line for me and mine is that we don't really want to have someone decide for us that we have to sit at a certain table, with certain passengers and fixed wait staff, to drink what they put down night after night. That does not sound vacation friendly to me.

 

Now.... don't even get me started on how disruptive I think the singing and dancing during my meal will be for us. I love seeing shows. Just not while I'm trying to eat. But I know that many of you find this to be entertaining and I'll just grin and bare it.... :)