Dining Room Displeasure

[temple1]

We have not experienced the problem you brought up, but we do let our tablemates and servers know we will not be dining with them on a particular night. Not a big deal for us and a courtesy towards the others. I think the only problem you will get from the waitstaff about skipping the main dining room is when you don't let them know and they hold up service for the rest of the table waiting for you to arrive. That is part of the assigned seating that goes with the traditional dining experience. Look at it as being part of a tour group.

 

As Spanner and a couple of others suggested your best option is MTD. It works quite well when I cruise with my sister. It is more relaxed and if you do end up sharing a table, which we never have, it is for one night only, not a big deal.

[orville99]

MTD = My Terms Dining.

 

It's your cruise, do it the way that makes it the most enjoyable for you. Remember, it's the nation of "Why Not" not the nation of "Why didn't you":D

[LilLeebird]

MTD = My Terms Dining.

 

It's your cruise, do it the way that makes it the most enjoyable for you. Remember, it's the nation of "Why Not" not the nation of "Why didn't you":D

 

LOL....that's awesome...thanks for putting it into perspective for me! :D

[MikeNJ1109]

Just our two cents, based on previous experience ...

 

When it comes to he MDR, while we enjoy eating there it's neither an end all or be all of our cruise experience. On *MOST* of our cruises on RCL, we have -- upon boarding the ship on the first day -- gone to the matre'd and ask that he/she release our seating assignments in the MDR. This relieves us of having to 1) leave a shore excursion / spa / pool early just to eat, and 2) allows us to relax and enjoy ourselves on OUR schedule. We love being dressed down, watching the crowd (all dressed to the 9's) get their pictures taken ... and it frees us up to have a relaxing meal in one of the specialty restaurants or the WJ on OUR schedule. We get great service, too, without any stress or pressure -- which is why *we* are cruising to begin with.

 

Michael & Silke

[Kteacher]

We've only had an issue with service in the MDR once.I forget which ship we were on, but we were seated with a very nice couple and their adult children.The entire table was completely ignored by our waiter and asst. waiter.-we had to ask for everything multiple times,water,bread,menus,dessert,coffee...after the second evening of this I'd had enough,so I sought out the head waiter.We had added up the combined # of Royal Caribbean cruises among those sitting at our table,and the number was quite high.I asked the head waiter why repeat cruisers were being completely ignored (not that any passenger should be ignored).Our service completely changed for the remainder of the cruise.I am not by nature a complainer,but there is a certain level of service to be expected in the dining room,and if you're not receiving it-speak up.

[BroncosFan2010]

I am so sorry you feel harassed. I would feel the same way, and given your situation, I don't blame you for not wanting to eat in the MDR. These days, LOTS of people are skipping the MDR. Don't worry about it, and ignore the harassment. If you need to, speak to someone at the Concierge Desk, and be sure to use NAMES on the comment cards. In fact, I would TELL the people who harass you that you are putting their names down for negative service on the comment cards. I bet that will stop the harassment.

[Cuizer2]

Okay, I have hesitated to bring this discussion up because I am sure I am setting myself up for all kinds of comments. But here goes....

My cruising experience is still very limited - 3 cruises (2 Carnival, 1 RCCL). Based on my experience thus far I hate the dining room. There, I said it. Don't shoot me. :( And really it's probably more the dining room staff that is the issue - not the dining room itself.

 

I am a business professional who gets the opportunity to eat nice meals in nice restaurants and settings frequently. So with that said, I don't want to spend my vacation getting dressed up after a hot day on the beach to go to the dining room. The menu offered there isn't that important to me. I'd rather get a shower, throw on a pair of shorts/t-shirt and head for the WJ. I also don't want to be forced to sit with strangers. It's my family vacation and I want to enjoy dinner with my family and have that one-on-one time.

 

I have been absolutely harassed now on 3 cruises by the dining room staff because I skip a night or two and eat in the WJ. I don't get it. They still get their tips - I don't jip them from that. When I say harassed, I really mean harassed...like rude comments, over and over and over, threatening to call my room to ask where I am and more. It's ridiculous. Has anyone else experienced this and are you as frustrated as me?

 

Wow, I have never reduced tips (been on fourteen cruises) but if that happened to me, I would reduce the tips.

 

Normally if I know I will not be at the table one night I inform everyone. That said there is no requirement that you eat in the dining room. If you want to eat at the buffet every night (or half the nights - or whatever) that is your choice and your right.

[madforcruising]

...Oasis must have many empty tables at dinner with all those options!!!:eek:

 

 

Only one week out of 52 and only 1.5 hours a night on one deck of the MDR, but my observation was - it was packed all the time, no empty tables / seats at all.

[goinmobile68]

Wow, I have never reduced tips (been on fourteen cruises) but if that happened to me, I would reduce the tips.

 

You can reduce prepaid tips? I wish I'd have known THAT! First time cruisers & this was our experience w/Cascades on Radience last week. Night one-table for 2 as requested, food ok, service a bit difficult due to language issues & very loud speaker above my head, Disappointing wine selection-dozens of bottles surrounding us & a choice of 1 red & 1 white by the glass-I really expected a wine list, but there wasn't one. Still, not what I expected, but not a BAD experience. Day two-at sea, so we returned for lunch. Instead of the requested table for 2, we were led to a table with 6 other people. My husband politely requested a table for 2-this felt really awkward in front of strangers, but as has been noted-it's YOUR vacation-spend it with who you wish. (If those diners are reading-please don't take our rejection personally-no offense was intended!) We then were led to another steff member-they conversed in a language that I don't speak-rude under any circumstances, but judging from the extremely dirty looks we were recieving, I believe they might have talking about us! We were seated at an empty table for 4 (did I mention that the room was half empty?) wedged between a serving station & a wall next to the kitchen. Judging from the screaming & crashing noises, it wasn't a good day in the kitchen! One look at the dirty tablecloth was the breaking point-we walked out. Then the gentleman at the door told us that we just got there & I explained that the service was NOT acceptable and we were leaving-prepaid gratuities or not! He then chased us down the hall badgering us for our room number! For some crazy reason I didn't want to let this person chasing me down the hall know where I live when I have no where else to go! For the rest of the week we ate on shore or at the Windjammer if there was anywhere indoors to sit. I'm sorry that others have had issues with the MDR also, but it helps to know that we weren't singled out for poor treatment!

[orville99]

My understanding has always been that breakfast and lunch in the MDR are open seating. The assigned table (whether for 2 or for 12) is only for the dinner seatings. I presume you didn't ask for a specific table size when you went up to the host station, otherwise they would have seated you at a two-top without any question. Remember, they have been conditioned to believe that guests prefer to sit with total strangers for meals (talk about a culture gap), so if you don't say anything, they're going to do just that.

[ginger2000]

By going with MTD you will be pre-paying your gratuities and you will still be dressing up each night. It is too bad that on RC you have to book a dining time - either with early/late seating or MTD. My parents for their next cruise (as like you did not want to dress up for dinner and only ate there 2 times their last cruise) has booked late seating (because they have to pick one option) and have all intention of going to the dining room the first day and simply telling them that they will be giving up their table and not going to the dining room at all. They do understand that they will NOT have a table and will NOT be able to go even once. They loved eating in the WJ and that's where they will go

[Langley Cruisers]

...Oasis must have many empty tables at dinner with all those options!!!

 

The opposite was my observation. Every table in the MDR was filled. The options for "included" (no extra charge) dining are not as vast as you think: the popular Park Cafe is not open past 6 pm. What you are left with for a full sit down meal are MTD and the WJ. The other restaurants are considered "specialty" and a charge applies.

[Cuizer2]

Wow, I have never reduced tips (been on fourteen cruises) but if that happened to me, I would reduce the tips.

 

You can reduce prepaid tips?

 

I don't know if you can reduce prepaid tips. This is one reason I don't prepay tips. I always tip after the service is rendered (tipping before the service is rendered is called "bribe"), and I tip based on the level of that service. Unfortunately my crystal ball is not able to predict what level of service I'm going to get ahead of time.

[Ocean Boy]

My understanding has always been that breakfast and lunch in the MDR are open seating. The assigned table (whether for 2 or for 12) is only for the dinner seatings. I presume you didn't ask for a specific table size when you went up to the host station, otherwise they would have seated you at a two-top without any question. Remember, they have been conditioned to believe that guests prefer to sit with total strangers for meals (talk about a culture gap), so if you don't say anything, they're going to do just that.

 

Maybe their "conditioning" is the reason for how they seat people. I tend to suspect they do it in a way to try to dirty as few tables as possible so there will be less tables to have to prep for dinner.

[goinmobile68]

We asked for a table for 2 when we walked in

[bachsbabygirl]

I had a CD chastise me for not eating in the MDR. He was absolutely rude and was incensed that I would go on a cruise and not set foot in the MDR, except to clear customs.

 

Apparently he didn't get the memo that it was MY cruise, and I can eat when...where...and with whom I choose.

 

Yikes. That is making me a bit nervous. My mother and I were only planning on heading to the dining room on one of the formal nights. We are still going to tip though, I thought that was all that mattered.

[madforcruising]

You can reduce prepaid tips? I wish I'd have known THAT! First time cruisers & this was our experience w/Cascades on Radience last week. Night one-table for 2 as requested, food ok, service a bit difficult due to language issues & very loud speaker above my head, Disappointing wine selection-dozens of bottles surrounding us & a choice of 1 red & 1 white by the glass-I really expected a wine list, but there wasn't one. Still, not what I expected, but not a BAD experience. Day two-at sea, so we returned for lunch. Instead of the requested table for 2, we were led to a table with 6 other people. My husband politely requested a table for 2-this felt really awkward in front of strangers, but as has been noted-it's YOUR vacation-spend it with who you wish. (If those diners are reading-please don't take our rejection personally-no offense was intended!) We then were led to another steff member-they conversed in a language that I don't speak-rude under any circumstances, but judging from the extremely dirty looks we were recieving, I believe they might have talking about us! We were seated at an empty table for 4 (did I mention that the room was half empty?) wedged between a serving station & a wall next to the kitchen. Judging from the screaming & crashing noises, it wasn't a good day in the kitchen! One look at the dirty tablecloth was the breaking point-we walked out. Then the gentleman at the door told us that we just got there & I explained that the service was NOT acceptable and we were leaving-prepaid gratuities or not! He then chased us down the hall badgering us for our room number! For some crazy reason I didn't want to let this person chasing me down the hall know where I live when I have no where else to go! For the rest of the week we ate on shore or at the Windjammer if there was anywhere indoors to sit. I'm sorry that others have had issues with the MDR also, but it helps to know that we weren't singled out for poor treatment!

 

 

It´s unfortunate you had such a rough dining experience on your first cruise, but I´d like to comment on a couple of points as I hope they might help you in the future. The wine selection might have been disappointing, but of course nothing the waiters have a pull on. Telling the head waiter when exiting the dining room about your displeasure was the right thing to do, but when filing a complaint you really need to give them some information like our cabin number to follow up with the complaint. Just complaining and walking away won´t help the situation.

[aqhacruiser]

We usually went to the DR the first night only because we were usually meeting up with others we are cruising with that first night but we made it clear to the waiters and friends at our table if we are not here by 830 we are not coming so never wait for us as we rarely eat in the DR at all anymore other then the first night. Primarily we dine in Portifino and the WJ and most of our friends do the same thing too now. It seems to me more people are skipping the DR altogether the past couple of years and just enjoy the flexibility of dining in other areas when they feel like it instead of choosing early or late seating and limited selections on the menu in the DR. Even with MTD you are still limited on the selections in the DR and there are so many other selections to be found in the WJ in the evening or at Portifino. Some people like to eat at JR's or the Cafe or have room service, etc. Just dine where you want to and I wouldn't worry about any comments from the waiters in the DR. It probably comes down to a tipping issue more then anything and we tip in Portifino of course and gave the tips to dining room staff the last night, just walk in and hand the envelopes to them and leave in the past. We did it that way because we know the wait staff rotates between dining room and WJ however a lot of people are giving tips to wait staff in the WJ also or instead. It's a tough call and the last couple of cruises we did have a great waiter at night in the WJ and we gave him all the tips instead of the DR waiter, asst. waiter and headwaiter as we did not go to the DR at all on those cruises so he got it all. It was the first time we did it that way on that B to B but we wanted to tip the waiter who was so good to us each time we ate in the WJ at night. I think RCCL is the last cruiseline that allows you to tip what and who you want, I suppose it's only a matter of time before they just make everyone prepay tips like the other cruiselines. Maybe it would be a fairer way to do it with all the dining flexibility on the big ships now.

[aqhacruiser]

MTD = My Terms Dining.

 

It's your cruise, do it the way that makes it the most enjoyable for you. Remember, it's the nation of "Why Not" not the nation of "Why didn't you":D

 

Perfect response! :D

[purescottish]

We have had this problem the last two years... first on Mariner, then last year on Freedom

Usually when you board you go to the DR to sort out your seating etc... I go to tell them I won't be using the DR and to let others use the table or whatever, but we have had the head waiter phone our room to ask why we were not there, and messages asking if there was a problem , which really annoys me as I had already informed them when we boarded, so it was no tip for the head waiter last time, which I felt bad about but hey.... it's my choice... though I did feel guilty for the week when I shouldn't have ! We did complain to guest services and got a bowl of chocolate strawberries in our room, I would have been happy with nothing, but I suppose that was thier way of apology.

 

Off on Oasis in 3 weeks and I will also inform them upon boarding that I will not be using the DR, let's hope this time we are left alone !

 

wendy

x

[brfan]

We have had this problem the last two years... first on Mariner, then last year on Freedom

Usually when you board you go to the DR to sort out your seating etc... I go to tell them I won't be using the DR and to let others use the table or whatever, but we have had the head waiter phone our room to ask why we were not there, and messages asking if there was a problem , which really annoys me as I had already informed them when we boarded, so it was no tip for the head waiter last time, which I felt bad about but hey.... it's my choice... though I did feel guilty for the week when I shouldn't have ! We did complain to guest services and got a bowl of chocolate strawberries in our room, I would have been happy with nothing, but I suppose that was thier way of apology.

 

Off on Oasis in 3 weeks and I will also inform them upon boarding that I will not be using the DR, let's hope this time we are left alone !

 

wendy

x

 

Sounds like some kind of corporate policy. Maybe the Restaurant Manager's yearly bonus is based on how full the MDR is and if it doesn't exceed a certain percentage he/she gets reduced or no bonus? If that is the case then he/she may push the Head Waiters/Wait staff to try to get the people not showing up to go to the MDR. Just speculating here as I really don't see why they would care.

 

I think choosing My Time dining would be a great fit for those who don't want to go the MDR. Then they can go where ever they want and not have anyone in the MDR trying to guilt them into going to the dining room since they have no set schedule/table.

[Garyorient]

I have never experienced a problem although recognise that people might do, as I have been very lucky on every RCI cruise I've been on we have had a full table through the entire cruis.

I always commit to Late Dining, Large table, as I like to socialise over my meal (which I view as the centrepiece of my evening).

I have never yet regretted the decision...........

However.............

 

A slight change of policy for us in November.

Going on 2 x 5 night B2B in Europe.

First cruise, late dining large table. 1 of the 5 nights will be in WJ (the night of the ice show)

Second week opted for MTD. Simple reason. As an agent, in order to sell a product, I think I should experience all the different types of dining so that prospective clients can be given an accurate heads up. The only way I can do this is to actually go on MTD and then give an honest opinion.

[Debde]

MTD = My Terms Dining.

 

It's your cruise, do it the way that makes it the most enjoyable for you. Remember, it's the nation of "Why Not" not the nation of "Why didn't you":D

 

Question

Don't you still have to book a time???

and-dress codes apply.

 

Thay's why the WJ is possibly the only my time-my term and casual dress friendly-yes, no??:confused:

[temple1]

it has been our experience that with MTD the dress in more relaxed than traditional.

 

I've heard different reports about making reservations. On the ships we've been on that has not been the case.

 

My advice to anyone who is planning to keep traditional dining for whatever reason - to take a few minutes to stop by and meet your waiter or head waiter and let them know you will not be joining them that night or for the entire cruise.

 

The first day of the cruise is a little hectic - so I can understand how a note about someone not utilizing the dining room for the week could be lost if you just tell them at the host stand.

 

But for those who are of the - it's my cruise - etc, etc group - just take about 5 minutes out of your cruise and be considerate of the others at your table who will be fruitlessly waiting for you to join them. I don't think that is too much to ask, even in today's culture.

[calmpets]

Out of curiosity, I wonder if the people who felt stalked were in early or late seating? Since early seating seems to be more in demand, I wonder if the scheduled dinner time has anything to do with the follow-up. Personally I always go to the MDR - I just like the the experience - but I can certainly understand people's right to choose wherever they'd like to eat!