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Cruise Ship Dining Room Advice |
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What time do I eat, what table number? Open seating dinner Vs 1st and 2nd seating Alternate dining options (specialty restaurants)
Advice on how to change your table When you book your cruise, the travel agent should ask you for your dining preferences, either early or late seating? If they didn't, call them and tell them what your preference is. This is a request and not a guarantee, regardless of what the travel agent says. Advice When on board, check your dining info first, I would recommend it as soon as you put down your luggage, and if you have been assigned incorrectly according to your pre-cruise requests, you will have to go to the request area to make changes. First, get your copy of the ships embarkation daily programme, found in your cabin (probably on the bed). Check the last couple of pages, you will see highlighted "Dining room requests and inquiries", normally next to the meal timings. It will also show you the dinner times, and when the Maitre D' or his assistant are on duty. Advice Make sure you get to the request area for the table changes half an hour before boat drill. The staff there, just like you, as well as the rest of the crew, will also have to join the boat drill, so you want to catch them before they pack up, which they will, regardless of any queues. Know your cabin number when you're there. If you give them the wrong number, someone else will be moved and you won't.Be specific with what type of table you want, for example;- -a large 8 top (8 chairs) -a small, 2 top or 4 top -a round 4, 6, or 8 top -a rectangular 4, 6, 8 top, and of course your time preference. Advice If you are prone to motion sickness, request to stay away from the windows. Seeing, even unconsciously, the motion in the ocean is known to provoke seasickness in sensitive people. If the ship is cruising with a low passenger count, then the changes can be made there and then upon requesting. You will now receive a new card with your dinner time and table number on it from the Maitre D'. Even if it is different from that on your cabin key, what the Maitre D' has given you is final, so go with that one. If the ship is full however, he will have to take your request with your details and add them to his dining changes list. More requests always come in during dinner, so be patient here, people always want to move, therefore all of the actual changes will most likely be made after the second seating, around 22.30hrs that night. In the morning they are checked again, and the new cards will be delivered to the respective cabins, notifying you at the latest by 13.00hrs. You will be asked to bear with them for the first dinner and dine as per the info you have. If you are on the list of dining changes, and after your first dinner you decide to stay put and opt against moving, make sure that on the way out, after dinner, you inform a manager, or get a waiter to find a manager and explain it. Again I stress: give your cabin number so that he can cross you off his list. In the morning, all the changes will have been made and the new cards delivered under all the doors.If you change your mind too late, for instance the next morning, your change will have been made, and you'll have to make a new request. In that case, call reception and they will pass on the relevant information. A new card will then be delivered before dinner. Return to top Advice on ships dining room types of seating. (All ships will have one or the other in the main dining room. I will explain the main differences for dinner). Open seating Allows you to come in when you want between the meal hours. E.g. 6.30pm till 9pm. The host at the door will ask you what size table would you like for that night. You inform. He will then either bring you straight to that requested table if he has it, or he will ask you to bear with him until one frees up and ask you to take a seat in the bar or lounge adjacent while you wait. You will be called when a table is free. Basically it's like a restaurant in town that you did not make bookings for: you might be lucky and get a table right away or you might have to wait. If the dining room opens at 6.30pm until 9.00pm AdviceTo avoid rush hour, either go in before or after the following times, 7.45pm until 8.45pm. If you walk in and would like a specific table at 8 30pm the chances are much greater that you will have to wait. Come in a little later, 8.50pm or earlier, 7.00pm. 1st and 2nd seating You have a set table, a set time and waiter for the duration of the cruise. Please note that during breakfast and lunch hours, the open seating system will apply and time might change due to arrival into port. Return to top Advice for families in dining room Most certainly I would recommend the early seating as, by rule of thumb, the Maitre D' has probably paired you up with another family of the same age group. We always try to avoid having people of different age groups seated at the same table. This is a good way, especially for the children, to make new friends and go off with their newfound table buddies after dinner.Take advantage of some free time for yourselves. For your children, there are plenty of fun things to do on board the ship, such as animated activities, reading, painting and crafts, and so on. All these activities are supervised by professional staff, so do not worry about your kids, they are safe and they are having fun, so why not relax and do the same? Don’t forget, you're on board a cruise ship, safety is a priority and there are always members of staff everywhere onboard, aware of their surroundings. No one can go anywhere they shouldn't, so take this time to enjoy yourself and each other. This is your holiday as well! Return to top Advice on how not to miss you're ship Some people want to get off the ship, hit the port towns and find the local bars. You might like to lay on the beach and visit the resorts. There are places to go dancing and drink margueritas, mojito's, tequila’s, and party! If this is you, then I would suggest you choose the late dining option. This gives you time when you’re back on board to grab a snack, have a nap and sober up before dining. This way you won't miss a good dinner because of unconsciousness! Dining later will give you more time to de-tox and wash the sand out from between you ears your before dining. Advice If you are planning to turn up the party heat in the day, make sure you get on the right bus or tender (Small shuttle ships that ferry you to and from your cruise ship to the port). There will probably be many cruise ships lined up docked together, so at least try to remember the name of yours and the name of the port. You don't want to miss your cruise ship!It will cost you the hassle of flying to the next port. I've been there, seen it, done it.Advice Take your daily programme with you, fold it up in your beach bag or pocket: they come in very handy in case you can't remember your way home. Return to top Advice on compromising with dinner timings and tours Normally the larger cruise ships sail around 6pm, so all the tour buses need to be back by around 5.30pm to get everybody on board.If however your tour gets back at 6pm and you're dining time is 6.30pm, call reception or the dining room directly (see daily program for the numbers), when you get to your cabin. Explain the situation, tell them you will be a little late (20 mins or so after the dining room opens) or ask if you can eat on the late sitting tonight. There are normally spare seats available on either seating,(on non formal nights),as more and more ships are built with alternate dining options, thus freeing up seats in the main dining room. The Maitre D' can quickly check the reservation list for those and advise you. Otherwise... if you can't be bothered, or are too tired, go straight up to the buffet, dressed as you are, or order free room service. Some cruise ships offer all-day and overnight expedition tours, such as a visit to the pyramids, late-night ballet in St. Petersburg etc. Your tour will probably arrive back at the ship after your dinner time. In those cases, there will always be alternative dining options arranged for those who have joined the excursion. Return to top Advice on tables for 2 A Maitre D’s real challenge is to organize and assign these tables fairly, as many couple cruisers request one, especially when on board. Most of the older cruise vessels have very few of these tables in proportion to the guest count, 8 double tables between 650 passengers. These are very hard to acquire, especially if the ship is full. If the guest count is low, and you would like to move to one of them, then I am sure the Maitre D' can assign you to a four top table (4 chairs), and set it up just for the two of you. The Maitre D' normally assigns the tables for two mostly as follows: giving them to the guests who booked the cruise up to a year or so ago, and who have the more expensive cabins/suites. (This might vary from Maitre D' to Maitre D'). Leave your request with the Maitre D' on the embarkation day, (see seating needs changing?), and he will do his best to arrange it for you. Failing that, before dinner on your third day, (this is normally the time when all requests have been made and people moved), if still there is no positive feedback from the Maitre D' and he's told you that it won’t be possible, ask him if you can hop tables nightly and take the place of the guests eating in the alternate restaurants. You won't have your own regular waiter for the cruise, who will get to know your needs, but you will have your privacy. Return to top Advice on deciding what time should you eat This all depends on what you are going to want out of your on board cruise experience. This is the first decision to make. Then the time of your dinner should fall into place. If you choose to stay on board, relax, swim, sleep, read and quietly use the ships' facilities, then you might want to opt for the earlier seating and let the more lively and energetic guests take the late option. If you want to go out every day on tours, exploring the sights and sounds of the ports, I would opt for late seating. This gives you more time to get ready for dinner after you arrive back off the bus after visiting the beach or the museums, knowing that you probably will want to freshen up before dinner.If you opt for a specific time to eat but then feel you have got the wrong time for your activities, change times. Go to the Maitre D' during meal hours, during lunch is the easiest time to catch him. Tell the Maitre D', or the supervisor on duty, you want to change, he will probably tell you there and then at his desk what’s on offer, and write you out a new dining card. Return to top Advice on ships formal nights These are the glamour nights of the cruise. Normally two, a welcome on board dinner and a farewell dinner with a cocktail party before hand, hosted by the Captain and cruise director. These tend to be the most popular nights of the cruise and there's normally 2 per week or 3 in a longer itinerary. The evenings will normally be held on the first sea day after you embark, and the last sea day before debarking. Longer cruises hold another in the middle of the cruise for good measure. The sea days gives the Captain more time to get ready rather then if he is busy navigating through a canal or out of a port. Its a chance to dress up, sparkle and enjoy watching people. A dance with free cocktails and a superb dinner follows with lobster and Filet mignon and other arrays of foods.These nights are often where you get to meet the Captain in person, albeit briefly, as he will often host a pre-dinner party where you can get to meet him and have a picture taken together (I suggest bringing your own camera). Afterwards, go into the theatre hosting the event, take a seat, have a dance and a cocktail, (on the house) but don’t eat to many snacks as dinner will follow shortly. You don’t want to ruin your appetite. The Captain will give his speech, wish you bon voyage and introduce the senior officers on stage. Its fun and makes for good pictures, as everyone will be looking sharp. The on board photographers will be on hand to snap away, but I recommend you use your camera, since paying around ten dollars for a picture might be more than you want. Advice. The Gentlemen mostly wear a tuxedo regardless of the cruise destination. Black jacket, white shirt, cumberbund or waist coat, bow tie, black socks, black shoes and black trousers. In essence you end up looking similar to a Maitre D'. I recommend, if you want to look a little sharper, and stand out from the other hundreds or thousands of fellow cruisers, add a little color into the attire: Wear a hand printed bow tie, a colorful pocket square, and a pair of funky braces. It looks vibrant and will have heads turning. Ladies. Well, I don’t need to explain, I am sure you know how to look elegant, but don’t fill up your luggage with to many items, especially if you are going to be in the tropics or Caribbean. Don’t forget, normally there are only two formal nights a week and the rest of the time you'll want to be in casuals especially in warmer climes. Return to top Advice on on board dinner dress codes What Not To Wear, it's easier to explain ShortsBaseball caps Tank tops Bare Chested Sweat drenched clothes Bikini's There will normally be 3 dining dress code nights in the main dining rooms: Formal: Men - Jacket, tie, bow tie, the rest is normally up to you how you want to display your elegance. Women, go for it. This is your chance to shine. Competition will be strong! Casual: As you are, though none of the above listed no-no's. Informal: Men - Shirt, slacks, smart casual, essentially with either a jacket and open collar shirt, or simply a shirt. (this depends on the ship) Women - a dress, or skirt and blouse is normally a great way to show off that new tan and look elegant. As a rule of thumb, if you are approaching the $3000 per head for a cruise, then the informal nights will be a combination of a jacket and open collar. Country house casual I think they are calling it. My advice would be, for the gents, bring with you on board chino style slacks for dinner. They can be used for all of the nights, are light wait, easy to fold and wash. Also, they do not hurt as much when rubbing on newly suntanned skin of your legs. Also bring a pair of black trousers for the formal nights, to be worn with a jacket. Don’t forget, for the day time, shorts are the best item, especially if cruising to the warmer climates. Jeans are great to roll up and pack if in Europe or in colder climates. If you would rather rent a tux whilst on board, do so, but bear in mind they might not have your size, and it is a little embarrassing asking the Maitre D' if he has a spare jacket you can borrow. Check with your travel agents, you should be able to arrange on board rentals through them. Otherwise if you don’t care what you wear and want to bring 2 pairs of shorts with you for the entire trip, use the buffet and room service options daily. Easy: in that case you won’t be using the dining room at dinner at all, so tell the Maitre D'. He will be able to use your seats for other guests. Return to top Advice on daytime attire In the day time, the indoor dining attire is a little more laid back and easier than during the evening code. Shorts, baseball caps, Panama hats etc, are permitted, as are tank tops. Though I will stress: Dry your self off if you are thinking of swimming out of the pool into the dining room, and put a top on over that bikini or cover up those Speedo’s!! For humanity's sake, not just for appropriate attire. I remember years ago, a female model from Mexico, who was wearing a very slight piece of cloth, approached me to ask if she was looking appropriate to go inside for the lunch buffet and get a bite to eat. As a cocky young waiter, With my eyes still heavily fixed on her assets, I said: "Of course!". 1 minute later she ran out of the dining area in tears as they had told her to put a top on and cover up. The manager on duty at the time obviously didn’t share my opinion about letting her in regardless of what she was or was not wearing. So as a rule of thumb, when you go to the poolside area to relax before a meal, bring a T-shirt or towel to cover up if you will be going inside to line up or dine. If the buffet food line is outside, you will be ok dripping wet from the pool, here covering up is normally not required. Return to top Advice on how to hold it in Sorry if you suffer from this whilst you are on board. It happened to me once in the China sea when we hit a typhoon, and it was not pleasant. My advice would be to take a seasickness tablet before you sail on to your next port. It will make you a little drowsy, but it will get you off to sleep much easier. Avoid alcohol and sodas when feeling sick.Don’t eat, though if you feel you must, consume only dry toast or water crackers. No butter. Advice. Sliced green apple has a soothing affect on the stomach, and I have always recommended it on many occasions, with guests coming back to me commenting on its good effects. Don’t ask why or how it works, just try it, trust me. Get some fresh air for an hour taking in deep gulps of sea air. Then find a seating location onboard that is on one of the lower decks and at the center of the ship. The movement will not be as intense, if you are closer to the center of the ship and the lower the deck you are on inside the ship. If you are cruising for many weeks and you have many more sea days coming up, and you have an upper deck cabin, change cabins. Ask to see the Chief Purser and change or you will be sleeping and vomiting your way around the globe.If your favorite dish is on the menu the night you are feeling bad, and there is no way you are going any where near the dining room, but you would like to eat it one day of the cruise, simply call the dining room, ask for the Assistant Maitre D', explain what dish you would like them to hold back for you, giving your name, table/cabin number and seating time- early or late. They should be able to confirm to you on the phone if they can hold back that dish for you for another occasion. Return to top Advice on avoiding the queues!! These are the most popular daytime dining events. It is an area which tends to be close to the sun decks, water slides and bars and they are very casual areas.They will always be open for breakfast, lunch and on some vessels for dinner, sometimes used also for the midnight snacks. Advice Always check your daily program for details of all the meal timings, as the opening and closing times might vary depending upon the arrival of the ship into port. On sea days, there should be one fixed, standard buffet meal time for the cruise. (see meal timings)The food display will be arranged in sections along the buffet line, for example, there will always be a center point where to get your table silver and napkins, accompanied by a waiter handing out trays or silverware to you. Moving along one side of the buffet, firstly there will probably be the salads, cold cuts and cheeses, followed by the hot food section and finally the desserts. Don’t forget bread that are normally on display discreetly along the buffet. Avoid actually taking a display ornament off the buffet line, as they often look like the very foods you are about to consume. You don’t want to loose a tooth whilst digging into a slice of painted, rock solid, apple-looking-styrofoam, or get your tongue stuck to a piece of colored ice. I've seen it happen. You might also be lucky enough to have a separate deli and pizza counter on board, often these are open for 24 hours a day and make for good alternative to the regular late night snacks. on board Ice cream dispensers (self-service), or manned waiter ice cream counters, should also be available. Either as 24 hour self service or uniquely open during lunch times. Coffee machines will be scattered around up on the lido. They will contain all you need to make your own brew. E.g. regular coffee fountain plus decaf, hot water and creamers. Tea bags with an array of sweeteners to choose from, and of course the Stirrers. If there is not your choice of tea ask a waiter close by to get it for you from the main dining room, if at all it is onboard. The water and coffee will be hot so if your vessel is a bit rocky be extra careful. Juice machines will be available on the lido, often set up next to the coffee machines. They will serve a free choice of normally 3 to 4 vitality juices during the breakfast meal times, and will then be re-filled with a different content for lunch. For example at breakfast, they will often contain orange, apple and grapefruit juice, and mid-morning it will then be replaced by punch or ice-tea. If at lunch you would prefer an orange or any juice not on display, you will probably have to pay for it through the bartenders on duty, though it will be better quality than what is in the dispenser. Obviously if you have paid for an all inclusive package cruise where wine and spirits are on the house this won’t apply. The buffet queues. There will be queues ladies and gentleman. Avoiding them is an art form in itself. My suggestion for breakfast if you are going on a tour, is to opt for the dining room instead of the buffet, if they are open. If your chosen tour is popular, you along with over 400 other hungry guests will end up alongside each other waiting for their eggs. Order the express breakfast in the dining room and stock up on the Danish and fruit whilst you wait. If there is a drama in the kitchen (galley), at least you will have your stash to last you through till lunch time, which you can pop into your bag. Bananas are somehow always popular for a between-meal snack so grab a few as they might run out if you are in some far off destination. Regular Sea day breakfasts will often be busiest from after 8.30am until closing time, which should be extended for a further 10 minutes if busy. At lunch time, the same principle as breakfast applies with dining arrangements if you opt for an early afternoon tour. On the sea days, usually from 12.45 till 2.00pm is when the majority of guests tend to wonder in and the queues start to form around the buffet.Advice Getting there early is one way of avoiding the mad dash and the food tends to be fresher as it has just been cooked and put out on display. If you arrive towards the end of the service period, it is no secret that food will not be as fresh once it has been kept under the buffet heating lamps, therefore I would suggest going early to get the freshest possible product. It will also ensure that you get what’s on offer, as it is not that uncommon that the buffet might actually run out of a certain item, probably the one you wanted.Save your self some time and familiarize your self with the buffets and the locations of the various food and drinks outlets by wondering around on a quiet afternoon when it is not being used so much. If that is too much work, simply ask a waiter as they will be in abundance during meal times and there will always be a handful of them present in-between. The last thing you want to be doing is getting to the back of a line, waiting 15 minutes for your coffee, while at the other end is a chef slicing pizza. Return to top Advice on alternative dinner dining options Most new ships will have this as an extra dining facility. You will need to book this venue, either through the main dining room during meal times or phoning directly to the hostess on duty during the day. See Daily program for info concerning bookings and location. Normally there is a cover charge of between $20-45 dollars per head, but not everywhere; some are free. The dress code here is often informal as a rule, with a jacket for the gentlemen and equivalent attire for the ladies. The food standard should be higher here than that of the main dining room, purely because it will accommodate 100 or less guests and not the masses down in the main dining room. Expect a slightly slower pace of service. The foods are prepared a la minute (when you order), and not prepared en-mass as is the case in the main dining rooms on larger vessels. If you need to rush, as you have to be somewhere shortly, simply tell the waiter or hostess at the door. But as a rule of thumb there should be space between courses. The menu will be set for the cruise or will change according to the length of the cruise. A separate wine list will also be available with some more exclusive wines and vintages. Normally, these are more expensive options than those of the main dining room. Advice if you are a connaisseur of wines, whilst back in the main dining room, ask for the specialty restaurants' wine list, or have a bottle sent down from upstairs.If the venue is free, don’t expect to be able to eat there every night. The Maitre D' will control and limit the seating capacity and try to have all his guests spend at least one night there on board before taking a second booking from someone.Advice Booking early will avoid disappointment, especially if you would like to reserve on a specific day to avoid clashing with a tour you have booked, or a sail away from an exotic port with great views. Again, book early. Return to top |
