Did anyone else find the line for MTD annoying?

[Morecruisesplz]

Recently back from a 5 night Bernumda cruise. Unlike most of our cruises this was a larger group of 5 couples, all family. My wifes 2 sisters and their husbands + her Mom & Stepfather and her Aunt & Uncle (who had never cruised.) We had the first table entering the dining room on the top floor and thought it was going to be wonderful until we realized the check in for My Time Dining was right beside us. What a pain! There was a constant line of short-fused people wanting to eat NOW. As it seems with any situation on a cruise there were those who did not much care who else they bothered with their ranting and raving because they would have to wait. We also could not believe it when they would "wander" over to the railing beside us while waiting pretending to look downstairs but really trying to see what we were eating and how it looked! (This happended at least once each evening during our dinner.) If they are going to continue the MTD the entire area should be set aside for it so that the constant in and out of people of coming and going doesn't disturb those who still enjoy the more traditional cruise dinner schedules.

 

Anyone agree?

[teddie]

Recently back from a 5 night Bernumda cruise. Unlike most of our cruises this was a larger group of 5 couples, all family. My wifes 2 sisters and their husbands + her Mom & Stepfather and her Aunt & Uncle (who had never cruised.) We had the first table entering the dining room on the top floor and thought it was going to be wonderful until we realized the check in for My Time Dining was right beside us. What a pain! There was a constant line of short-fused people wanting to eat NOW. As it seems with any situation on a cruise there were those who did not much care who else they bothered with their ranting and raving because they would have to wait. We also could not believe it when they would "wander" over to the railing beside us while waiting pretending to look downstairs but really trying to see what we were eating and how it looked! (This happended at least once each evening during our dinner.) If they are going to continue the MTD the entire area should be set aside for it so that the constant in and out of people of coming and going doesn't disturb those who still enjoy the more traditional cruise dinner schedules.

 

Anyone agree?

 

Wow, what a nuisance! Do they have a MTD line on each level of the dining room? I am sailing on the Explorer on Sept 26, and as usual, I will be checking my dining table assignment first thing after we get on board. Thanks for the heads-up. Did your party consider asking to be moved? I would not wish to be aggravated by that with every dinner!

 

teddie

[travelteam]

Wow, what a nuisance! Do they have a MTD line on each level of the dining room? I am sailing on the Explorer on Sept 26, and as usual, I will be checking my dining table assignment first thing after we get on board. Thanks for the heads-up. Did your party consider asking to be moved? I would not wish to be aggravated by that with every dinner!

 

teddie

 

we were on the same cruise. MTD was really their time dining

Remember the flyer we received while boarding? it recommended making reservations for MTD. The first night we ate in Portifions, so no line, great food and great servce. Day two we go to dinner at 7:45 with a reservation I make by telephone, Well the line was verrrrrrry long. I asked the head waiter what the problem. He says only 500 seats set aside for MTD, and with the staff available they can't manage. Well I sure saw that. But we like a table for 2 each night, to enjoy eachother and also to avoid the 2 hour dinner issue. Well, what really happended was reservations were given to 10 tables worth of folks, so that the wait staff could handle it like another traditional dining time. Once we figured it out we just showed up for dinner at 8:30 - 8:45 and usually got a table right away, or with a short wait.

 

We also found if we were given a table in the main walkway, people brushed against us, kids ran into our table, and yes, other folks checked out what we were eating on their way in. We settled that by changing tables to one on the railing far to the left of where you were sitting (back to the dining room entrance). Here I thought your table was cool. I tried to get the table for 2 at the rail near your table. was always booked. Now I know they did me a favor.

 

We're still going with MTD on our next trip. Now we sort of know the ropes, unless the change the rules again.

[Liltx31]

That is crazy rude of those MTD people both the guests and RC. I would be a little upset too if I had a reservation and had a line as you describe. Why even have it? But it doesn't give the guests the right to act that way! I wonder if they all had reservations. They almost insisted on the voyager that everyone have reservations.

 

We had a reservation at 8:30 every night. We always walked right in. But this was very late for most people. We loved it though! We could have the sushi rolls when the windjammer opened for the evening and then go out by the pool before showering etc. for dinner.

[The Big Booper]

So all these people reporting problems with MTD on the Explorer eventually wound up going in at 8:30 PM when there were no lines.

 

Guess we stick with late TD and avoid a table near the MTD mess.

[travelteam]

We had a reservation at 8:30 every night. We always walked right in. But this was very late for most people. We loved it though! We could have the sushi rolls when the windjammer opened for the evening and then go out by the pool before showering etc. for dinner.

 

Hey we did that too, sushi and a drink for cocktail hour, then down to MTD for a table for two.........not bad once we figured it out.

[Captain Jake]

So the consensus is the BEST TIME for MTD is 8:30 pm which is the start time for late seating

:cj

[Morecruisesplz]

we were on the same cruise. MTD was really their time dining

 

No, not the same cruise. The Grandeur has no Portifino.

[alexkrn46]

Just off the AOS, had MYD and it was great, we really enjoyed it. Never a wait.

[Maddle]

That is an impossibly rude and difficult situation - for you, for the staff, and for the MTD guests....But....why on earth would they let the MTD guests into the dining area before their table was ready? This was the fault of the head waiters that allowed them to disturb the seated TD guests.

 

Maddle

[Jeka]

Recently back from a 5 night Bernumda cruise. Unlike most of our cruises this was a larger group of 5 couples, all family. My wifes 2 sisters and their husbands + her Mom & Stepfather and her Aunt & Uncle (who had never cruised.) We had the first table entering the dining room on the top floor and thought it was going to be wonderful until we realized the check in for My Time Dining was right beside us. What a pain! There was a constant line of short-fused people wanting to eat NOW. As it seems with any situation on a cruise there were those who did not much care who else they bothered with their ranting and raving because they would have to wait. We also could not believe it when they would "wander" over to the railing beside us while waiting pretending to look downstairs but really trying to see what we were eating and how it looked! (This happended at least once each evening during our dinner.) If they are going to continue the MTD the entire area should be set aside for it so that the constant in and out of people of coming and going doesn't disturb those who still enjoy the more traditional cruise dinner schedules.

 

Anyone agree?

 

Were you by any chance on the Explorer?;)

[Jeka]

So the consensus is the BEST TIME for MTD is 8:30 pm which is the start time for late seating

:cj

 

HUH!!!!!!!! There can't be a worse time for MTD. You have to fight your way through the hoards waiting for second seating to open to get to the My Time desk. Oh, that also happens anytime after 8:00. Not sure why people line up at 8:00 when the door opens at 8:30.

[Jeka]

Wow, what a nuisance! Do they have a MTD line on each level of the dining room? I am sailing on the Explorer on Sept 26, and as usual, I will be checking my dining table assignment first thing after we get on board. Thanks for the heads-up. Did your party consider asking to be moved? I would not wish to be aggravated by that with every dinner!

 

teddie

 

No, it's only in one place.

[dougp26364]

The more I read about MTD, the more I'm thinking we'll stick with the traditional dining times. We prefer the early seating so we have the rest of our evening free to relax and do what we want to do. If we're on shore to late to make the MDR we'll either dine in Portifino's, Chops or the Windjammer. We've found any of these options to be accaptable rather than trying to rush back for dinner.

[livylotte]

I was on Indy recently and felt very sorry for the people sitting anywhere near the queue for MTD and also for the people sitting anywhere near the entrance to the dining room (although I think some of those tables were for MTD). The nature of MTD means that people are coming and going at all times, and it would have spoilt it for me to have people walking past my table all night. I'm sticking to traditional dining :p

[psupa]

Recently back from a 5 night Bernumda cruise. Unlike most of our cruises this was a larger group of 5 couples, all family. My wifes 2 sisters and their husbands + her Mom & Stepfather and her Aunt & Uncle (who had never cruised.) We had the first table entering the dining room on the top floor and thought it was going to be wonderful until we realized the check in for My Time Dining was right beside us. What a pain! There was a constant line of short-fused people wanting to eat NOW. As it seems with any situation on a cruise there were those who did not much care who else they bothered with their ranting and raving because they would have to wait. We also could not believe it when they would "wander" over to the railing beside us while waiting pretending to look downstairs but really trying to see what we were eating and how it looked! (This happended at least once each evening during our dinner.) If they are going to continue the MTD the entire area should be set aside for it so that the constant in and out of people of coming and going doesn't disturb those who still enjoy the more traditional cruise dinner schedules.

 

Anyone agree?

 

Were you on early seating and why didn't you complain to the head waiter about the people standing near the railing by your dinner table. That should not be allowed. Why would people be wondering about the dining room if they don't have a table. My take on MTD is it is for people who cannot get the first seating so they use MTD and that's the problem for those who have reservations and have to wait.

[sidari]

Once again i find myself putting this on a MTD thread! .... if only the other ships in the RCI fleet ran the MTD as they did on the Brilliance there would be no problems with people wandering around .... MTD is Not turn up whenever you want as some on these boards appear to think! and appears to have happened to the people in the the opening post of the thread.

 

MTD means that as on Brilliance you choose a time that suits you to eat! (not anytime dining as on Princess) and you turn up at your chosen time and are seated whether it be a table you chose for 2 or to sit with other passengers, the Main Man in our case on the Brilliance did not allow anyone into the MTD area unless they had a booking and for those that just turned up he told them to sit on the sofa provided and they would be accomadated as soon as he could.

 

Its not hard or difficult to understand the logic of MTD .... we chose a different time each night and sorted it out as we left the Dining room.

[Liltx31]

HUH!!!!!!!! There can't be a worse time for MTD. You have to fight your way through the hoards waiting for second seating to open to get to the My Time desk. Oh, that also happens anytime after 8:00. Not sure why people line up at 8:00 when the door opens at 8:30.

 

When we used MTD late seating was at 8:00 so by 8:30 they were all seated. We still finished before they (late seating) were done with the main course which is really why I liked MTD. My dh cannot stand to sit for more than an hour or so. Regular dining would push him over the edge. I only get him to sit for longer on our anniversaries. If late seating was at 8:30 I would have made a res. at 9:00. I will say though that one night they were running low on some appetizers and our waiter said he had to check if the one I wanted was left. I guess it sounded good to all of the late seating people too. So eating late with MTD could possibly have some issues with course choices?

[Bakincakes]

The OPs situation is why MTD needs to be segregated from traditional. And that would also make those who are bothered by traditional diners lining up too early to suit those who choose MTD.:rolleyes:

 

The waitstaff has more than enough to do without having to dodge those in MTD who are constantly coming and going.

 

I would have complained as well and made them move me to a new location.

[capnlars]

Assuming the OP is talking about Grandeur, the My Time was not well executed on this ship. When we got on board we made reservations for 7pm for every night, table for 2. As soon as he finished entering it, he said (exact quote here) "I hope we have a table for you when you arrive". I then questioned him thinking why make the reservation then? There was really no good answer.

 

Every night, it didn't seem to matter if you had a reservation or not, you got in line and might have to wait. He said we're best off coming at 6:00 or 8:30 if we want to make sure a table would be available.

[sidari]

Capnlars ..... I forgot to mention that there was no line on the Brilliance! ...thats how well run it was on there .... at the most we only ever saw 6 peole and they all had booked beforehand so were taken to their tables. Seems like the rest of the RCI fleet could do well to mirror the Brilliance.

[newbiecruiser09]

The nature of MTD means that people are coming and going at all times, and it would have spoilt it for me to have people walking past my table all night. I'm sticking to traditional dining :p

 

I guess if you are used to the traditional cruise dining experience (vs any other restaurant in the world with "people walking past my table all night") MTD may not be for you. We did not find it a problem even when we were seated in a "high traffic area"

 

 

Capnlars ..... I forgot to mention that there was no line on the Brilliance! ...thats how well run it was on there .... at the most we only ever saw 6 peole and they all had booked beforehand so were taken to their tables. Seems like the rest of the RCI fleet could do well to mirror the Brilliance.

 

We were on the Monarch and they handled the MTD very well. We even got a call on embarkation afternoon asking what time we would like to dine that evening. We made the ressie for the next evening when we left and did so each night (or the next morning). The MTD desk was outside the dining room and no one seemed to be waiting very long (no lines, complaining etc) and folks did not go into the dining room til they were escorted to their tables. Maybe because she is a smaller ship but they handled it greatly.

[vavasmom]

Assuming the OP is talking about Grandeur, the My Time was not well executed on this ship. When we got on board we made reservations for 7pm for every night, table for 2. As soon as he finished entering it, he said (exact quote here) "I hope we have a table for you when you arrive". I then questioned him thinking why make the reservation then? There was really no good answer.

 

Every night, it didn't seem to matter if you had a reservation or not, you got in line and might have to wait. He said we're best off coming at 6:00 or 8:30 if we want to make sure a table would be available.

 

I want to agree about how poorly MTD was do on Grandeur during the 30 July cruise. We did MTD on Freedom in April - unlike Brilliance - you did not need a reservation - but you make one if you wished. I belive the failure was 100% the responsibility of the person doing the seating - I know his name but will not mention it. He tried so hard the first 1 or 2 days of the 9 night cruise to force everyone into 5:30 -6; 7:30 -8 or 9pm that he doomed it from the start. He encouraged encouraged what became the large line-up of people every night. I don't think he gets how well it could work. Also, on Grandeur there was no pint to the reservation it was just the big line.

 

I spoke with both the head waiter and matre'd about this.

[RetireeWannabee]

The more I read about MTD, the more I'm thinking we'll stick with the traditional dining times. We prefer the early seating so we have the rest of our evening free to relax and do what we want to do. If we're on shore to late to make the MDR we'll either dine in Portifino's, Chops or the Windjammer. We've found any of these options to be accaptable rather than trying to rush back for dinner.

Don't Chops and Porto's require a ressie?

[marielco]

Sounds as if Brilliance are doing it the right way. If everyone had to make a reservation and the staff implemented this to the letter then there should not be lines at any time!