Platinum-I'm a fan. Anytime Dining-jury's still out

[sewut]

We just got back from our 10th Carnival cruise, first time Platinum and first time trying Anytime Dining.

LOVE platinum. We sailed out of Galveston on the Conquest. Platinum doesn't split off until you're upstairs and this time we had to snake through a whole other room. Once we got to the document check, we were escorted to the VIP room. We went right to the desk and sat down to check in. Then we were escorted to the ship. They were going to bypass the boarding picture, but we always buy that pic for a special album, so we stopped the line and held up our cards with big smiles for that pic. I'm sure all the people waiting in the dreaded chairs appreciated that.

The LAUNDRY I love it! We got muddy in Coz on a 4 wheeler excursion, and I just had to put our clothes in the bag. We did one or two every day and came home with clean clothes.

We got the little notepad for our gift and two nights there were canapes and some little dessert type things, they called them petit fours, but they weren't what I considered petit fours, but they were good.

We had Anytime Dining for the first time. The first night, the line was out into the lobby to the bottom of the stairs. The next night, which was elegant night, the line went past the stairs, past the Shore Excursion Desk and almost to the restrooms outside the main lounge. We finally figured out the time to go was after 7. We sat with others two nights and by ourselves the rest of the time. I really missed the comaraderie with tablemates and the wait team. We can't decide if we'll do it again.

Overall the cruise was great and a nice break from winter weather.

[gidget12]

Sounds like you guys had a great time.

We tried the any time dining on the Fascination and it was lovely. We never had to wait..and had the same group of wait staff each night. I agree if you arrive a little later the transition is easier. One thing I liked about it was this.........I could come in a little later from excursions and didn't have to rush to get dressed.

I would not have enjoyed it if I had to wait each night.

[Karshrimp]

We also tried ATD for the first time on the last cruise a couple of weeks ago. You are right about those long lines! Went the first night, but the second night the line was so long again we just went to the buffet the rest of the cruise.

[SANDYJABS]

Congrats on Platinum!! Did you also get the cooler that others are getting? I won't be Platinum until May :D

[snowskier]

Tried Anytime dining last week on Spirit. First night wait was 45 minutes, second night over an was over an hour and we went after 8:00. The theory that going later means less waiting didn't hold up!

 

We changed to late seating after 2 night of waiting so have no idea how it went after that.

[scperk]

Tried Anytime dining last week on Spirit. First night wait was 45 minutes, second night over an was over an hour and we went after 8:00. The theory that going later means less waiting didn't hold up!

 

We changed to late seating after 2 night of waiting so have no idea how it went after that.

Was on same cruise as OP and saw long lines every time i went past the lobby....I hate ATD on any ship and will take traditional dining as long as they offer it....We were on NCL last October and made reservations in their dining room every night with the same waiter...Dennis

[sewut]

Congrats on Platinum!! Did you also get the cooler that others are getting? I won't be Platinum until May :D

 

No cooler, just the little notepads and pens. They are small, but handy to put in a shirt pocket or purse.

[Lady Arwen]

We recently had Your Choice Dining on the Miracle and we never had to wait in line. As a matter of fact, we were very lucky to be seated in Alexandar's section every evening. We always arrived between 7:00 and 7:15 and, Seema, the hostess, had us escorted to our table immediately.

[okgirl]

Congrats on the Platinum, did you take advantage of the free slots or blackjack tournament?

 

I've enjoyed my Platinum perks and I'm glad that they changed the gift, I have so many unopened picture frames it's not even funny.

 

I've permanently changed our profile to YTD. We have done it on the last 4 cruises and love it. We usually arrive in the DR around 7:30 and have only had to wait on a couple of occasions and then only for a few minutes.

 

We also have requested the same table or waitstaff every night. A little trick that I've been useing lately is to go to the DR before service on the 1st night and find a 2 top at the very back of the DR by the galley door. Some would say that it's not a very desirable location but the tables are spaced further apart and the waiter staging station is right there, so they are near by all the time.

 

We ask for the same table every night.

[golfadj]

Congrats on platinum isnt the laundry outstanding.

 

We prefer having the same table each night and no big deal to us to be ready for dinner at 6. On a cruise not going to wait around for a table.

[jpg1747]

I just tried anytime dining for the first time on my 4-day Destiny cruise. As a solo it was a very interesting experience, but one I will not do again. First night I asked to be seated with others, got a pager and waited about 10 minutes. Sat at a table with 2 groups of 2. Very nice. Second night I dined with 2 folks from my roll call. Very nice. Third night I was put at a 2-top alone in between 2 other 2-tops with couples. They took away the other place setting and chair to use elsewhere. Strange, but both couples were both friendly and we all chatted. Both nights I was alone the hostesses were very friendly and tried to acommodate me.

 

Last night was not so nice. Along with the hostesses there was a man standing at the podium. When I approached and asked to share, he interrupted and stated that it could not be done; that everyone there did not want to sit with strangers and that my only option was to sit alone. The hostesses didn't say anything but looked very uncomfortable. I said no problem. I went back to my cabin to get my Nook and returned. I was then seated alone but ended up chatting with others nearby who wanted to talk about the Nook. I was in the same section 3 of the 4 nights so the wait staff knew me and were very nice. I asked the hostesses who the rude man was. He was Leslie, the maitre d' for anytime dining. A horrible man with a horrible attitude.

[riffatsea]

Hmm? I wonder what time you guys had the long waits on the Spirit?? We had Your Time Dining last year on the Spirit and went early . We waited maybe a few minutes each time and had the same waitstaff each night.

We LIKE having a table for 2.IF we meet folks we like we'd be happy to share a table with them but we prefer choosing our own dining partners.

I wonder if they have allowed more folks to choose Your Time this year??

[sewut]

Congrats on the Platinum, did you take advantage of the free slots or blackjack tournament?

 

 

No, we don't gamble.

[sewut]

Congrats on platinum isnt the laundry outstanding.

 

We prefer having the same table each night and no big deal to us to be ready for dinner at 6. On a cruise not going to wait around for a table.

 

 

Thank you, yes I love that free laundry, wish I had it last year when we did two cruises b2b.

 

Sewut

[serene56]

Hmm? I wonder what time you guys had the long waits on the Spirit?? We had Your Time Dining last year on the Spirit and went early . We waited maybe a few minutes each time and had the same waitstaff each night.

 

Not on the Spirt but the Freedom- We tried your time and went about 6:45 for a table for 2- wait times were always 30 minutes or more.

I think what happens is too many people are requesting the same table/dining staff for the same time the rest of the week. Which throws the dining room off some what- We didnt understand the wait when we were taken to a table and there were many tables. (kind ticked us off as we were there first--- so they had to wait to see how many did not show up for their tables-- gave them like a 15 minute grace period then gave it away.

 

Sorry- I think the anytime dining should NOT be reserved. First come first serve

[serene56]

arghhh