Roz

Lorekauf,

We didn't get a letter saying we could switch. However, I didn't ask, so that may have been a possibility.

Roz

David,

I had traditional dining on my recent cruise, but was very interested in how AYW was going. I went out of my way to talk to passengers in AYW to get their impressions. Honestly, I was surprised to hear the positive responses I got. At least on the cruise I was on (Oosterdam March 8-15), passengers did not, to use your words, have to "constantly fight" each night for a table. It seems like the process developed its own rythm.

My traditonal dining mates left a lot to be desired (worst table I've had), and at times I wistfully wished I had chosen AYW so that I could dine alone without being subjected to biting remarks and insults. I considered just opting for the Lido.

Roz

On my recent Oosterdam cruise, there were tons of empty tables and seats at the 8 pm seating. Don't know if they were empty, or the folks got re-assigned to AYW or they opted for the Lido or Pinnacle.

Roz

Tip,

I dress up to look good and feel good. I'm sorry, but I look a darn sight better in my evening wear, heels, and good jewelry than I do in my jeans, flannel shirt, and Keds. :D

I truly enjoy dressing for dinner, and cruising is one of the last venues where this is still a part of the experience, at least on HAL.

For those who want a more casual dining experience, there are lines that provide that. Nothing wrong with casual, just not my "thang" (as we say in the South).

Roz

Thanks for the confirmation! I was starting to get a little apprehensive. AYW wouldn't be the end of the world, but close to it. :D

Roz

The more I read the posts in this thread, the more confused I become. :confused: I'm confirmed for "Main Upper Dining". What is this? My understanding is that it's traditional dining at 8 pm. Is this correct?

Roz

I agree that the HAL website is VERY misleading when it comes to dining availability. When doing my recent booking, the HAL website would seem to indicate that 3 fixed dining times were open, 1 was closed, and AYW was available. In reality, my options were 1 fixed time slot (Main Upper) and AYW.

Roz

Caribbean Girl,

That's interesting. I just booked a cruise Jan. 8 (only 60 days in advance), and for the first time I did the booking entirely online, without speaking to a real live TA. The computer prompted me to select a dining time/option. AYW wasn't the only option available to me.

Roz

Agreed, Odd Ball. A big appeal of cruising, for me at least, is not having to think about when and where I'm going to eat every evening, and not having to make arrangements every day. Unless, of course, I want to eat in the Pinnacle.

I want to be able to get dressed for the evening and walk into the dining room and go to my assigned table. No muss, no fuss. I walk out of land-based restaurants when I'm told the wait will be 30-60 minutes.

Let's hope the situation improves.

Roz

Not having to carry around money with me (and a purse or wallet to put it in) is one of the pluses to cruising. It wouldn't keep me from tipping someone, but I would find it annoying.

Another minus for AYWD.

Roz

I don't know whether this has been discussed or not. If it has, please excuse the repetition, but I don't feel like going back over 55 pages :eek: of posts.

I'm wondering if AYWD will result in less tips for the servers. Assuming I get good to excellent dining room service, I give my servers something extra on the last night in addition to the auto tips.

If I get AYWD dining and have different servers every night, I don't think I'm going to carry money with me every night to the dining room, nor am I am going to run around the DR on the last night trying to track down everyone who waited on me.

Roz

I couldn't afford the single fare. I take that back, I couldn't even afford the double occupancy fare. :eek:

I'd love to visit the Galapagos, but it's not within my budget at this time. Go for it, if you have the resources.

Roz

Pmatch,

That's unusual for a group to book a 14-day cruise. Have you tried doing an online search of the date and ship? Sometimes that turns up something. Here, I have it - a ballroom dance group called "Let's Dance". I'm imagining they'll take over public areas like the show lounge, Crow's Nest, and Ocean Bar, so you would probably rather not be on board with them.

At least you have a year to book something else.

Roz

Hi Suzanne,

I'm not going on either cruise...just posting for informational purposes.

IUP will always be the Indians to me; don't like this Crimson Hawks stuff. :(

Roz

Alumni and Friends of the PA State System of Higher Education (representing the 14 universities in the state system) will be on the following 2 cruises:

Maasdam - Canada/NE - June 28, 2008

Rotterdam - Black Sea - September 29, 2008

Roz (proud alumna of Indiana University of Pennsylvania)

Frick & Frack,

Thanks for posting your parents' experience with AYWD. Quite frankly, I could not be bothered with having to make sure I called for reservations every day, let along at 8 am. :eek:

Another reason why I want traditional. I know I'll have a standing reservation every night.

Roz

Rita,

Thanks for your thoughts. Do you care to speculate as to what will be the "off" hours? I know on cruises with a lot of people of retirement age, there's a preference for the earlier dining times.

Another thing I thought of was the evening shows. With the set dining times, HAL could accomodate passengers pretty well. Now I'm guessing we'll have to get to the show lounge early in order to get a seat.

It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

Heather, I'm sorry you've been subjected to unwarranted criticism.

Roz

I don't know if this has been discussed in the 47 preceeding pages :D , and if it has, just beat me over the head with a stick and I'll pretend I never mentioned it.

What do you think will be the effect (if any) on food prep and service with the introduction of AYW dining? I know when HAL went to 4 dining times instead of 2, one of the reasons given was to take some of the load off the galley staff. Is it easier or more difficult for the staff to accomodate traditional and AYW dining? I would guess that with AYW, the kitchen has to sort of guess when guests will arrive and how many, much like an on land restaurant.

Discuss this among yourselves while I go off and visit another forum.

Roz

Rita,

Guess we'll just have to take a wait and see attitude and see how this whole thing shakes out.

Roz

Bob,

Crystal cruises are much more expensive to start with, so even with single supplements of 125% - 130%, they end up being more than HAL.

Roz

Rita,

I agree with everything you said in your last 3 posts. Although there are some loyal singles and solos that sail HAL, we don't add much to the corporate bottom line in the whole scheme of things.

I can get reasonable solo rates on Carnival and don't mind sailing with them from time to time, but prefer the more upscale feel of HAL.

Celebrity and RCI charge solos 200% as a matter of course, unless you stumble across a last minute deal, but I have to plan cruises a minimum of 6 months in advance due to work constraints.

I don't relish the thought of wasting precious cruise time trying to arrange dining times with other passengers.

I'm not booked for 2008 yet, and was fooling around on the HAL website to ascertain cabin prices and availability. I was amazed at the number of cruises I'm interested in for next year that are already waitlisted for traditional dining. It doesn't bode well for us.

Roz

Bills41,

Welcome to Cruise Critic. Is this your first cruise?

You will still have a dress code if you pick As You Wish dining. If you want to dress casually for dinner on formal night, you have the option of eating in the Lido or ordering room service. Suitcase space and room storage aren't really a problem. You can wear the same thing for both formal nights. This is just my opinion, but you miss part of the cruise experience if you don't take part in formal night in the dining room. Of course, not everyone agrees with this.

HAL is a great cruise line. The only major cruise line I know of that does Alaska and has casual dress every night in the DR is Norwegian.

If you have any questions, please post them and we'll help you out. It makes me sad :( that thinking about your cruise gives you a sick feeling.

Roz

Ruth and Greg,

Thank you for putting my own thoughts into words. You've both stated the perspective of many single and solo cruisers very eloquently. I consider my dining table my "home base" for the duration of the cruise. Just like I don't want a different waiter each evening, I don't want a different set of dining companions.

Roz

Fred,

Maybe someday Ruth or I will find ourselves dining with you and your wife. :D

I'm just hoping that since I tend to book early, my dining request will be honored.

Roz

Bicker,

You do like to bicker, don't you? :D

No one said "Solo people are crazy to want to cruise." But several posters did say they don't see what the problem is, and AYW was no big deal and would work for everyone. When others tried to explain their situation and tried to point out that no, it doesn't work for everyone, they were blasted.

Roz