B2B, Anytime Dining and Platinum question

[NCTribeFan]

Let's see if I can put this in a way that makes sense and whether anyone has any experience with this.

 

I have a B2B booked in November. On Leg 1, I'm solo and I'm also Platinum. On Leg 2, DD and her new DH are joining me as well as my cruising buddy. DD will be Platinum on that sailing, too.

 

I switched from early to late dining way back on Miracle 12/2007 and love it. I usually have some sushi at around 6 as my pre-appetizer snack. You know, just because I'd hate to go more than 3 hours between meals on a cruise! ;)

 

But my cruising buddy is recovering from her 2nd round of breast cancer and I think she's not going to want to wait that long to eat and take her meds. She also goes to bed early. She'd probably rather have early dining, go to a show, then to bed. Me, I like late dining, don't do shows, but head to the casino.

 

But I can be flexible!

 

I don't particularly want to switch to early dining, but I don't know if I'd like ATD, either. I really enjoy meeting tablemates and having the same waitstaff every evening.

 

What I'm thinking is this - what if decide to try ATD on Leg 1 to see how I like it. Do I need to switch now prior to cruising? Or, since I'm Platinum, can I wait and switch once onboard if I decide I want to give it a try?

 

If I do enjoy it and want to switch Leg 2 over to ATD, can I do it while onboard Leg 1 for all of us for Leg 2?

 

Does the Platinum dining-time guarantee apply to making changes once onboard or just prior to cruising? And does it allow me to change my mind in the middle of a cruise? What if I try ATD and hate it and want to go back to late?

 

Being solo, it probably wouldn't be an issue. But there will be 4 of us on Leg 2 (possibly more).

[crusinpsychRN]

My understanding is once on board changes are harder to make. The line to change is usually long.

 

I'm wondering if the tables are so close together it's like you have tablemates with ATD.

[NCTribeFan]

I think I could even request to be seated with others. And I know I've read reviews where people said they liked a particular server in ATD and requested that wait team for the other nights.

 

If you do find a server you like, can you then request/reserve that table for future nights? I mean, if you arrived and his/her section was full, you might have to wait all night. OK, I doubt everyone would've arrived at the same time, but if they had just been seated, you'd probably be out-of-luck.

 

What I'm really trying to determine is if the "guaranteed" dining times for Platinum folks applies to changes once onboard (or for that 2nd leg), or if it is just for when booking?

[KenMo]

What I'm really trying to determine is if the "guaranteed" dining times for Platinum folks applies to changes once onboard (or for that 2nd leg), or if it is just for when booking?

 

I'm Plat and have changed my dining time after boarding...no problem. Don't know if that would always happen.

 

You can't switch back and forth with the dining times though. You have to pick one and stick with it.

 

If you do ATD, you can ask to be seated with others.

[NCTribeFan]

As I stated in the current Solo thread, I'm pretty much an introvert, but I love solo travel.

 

I always read these posts where people ask "why would I want to sit with a bunch of strangers" and just sort of shake my head.

 

The ability to make small talk with strangers is actually a VERY useful skill!

 

Since I tend to NOT talk to strangers very much, sitting at a large table as a solo cruiser is actually GOOD for me!

 

I may just talk to my Leg 2 travel companions and try to get a concensus on what they'd prefer. Given the itinerary, I doubt that we'll have any plans when in port that would prevent us from having plenty of time to get ready (yes, we dress for dinner, even on casual nights), even if we switch to early.

[golfadj]

I think that if they can they will switch you and you would get priority as platinum.

[NCTribeFan]

I think so, too.

 

I think I'll try the ATD for my solo leg and take a poll to see what the others want to do on Leg 2.

 

If I absolutely hate it (doubtful), and that's what they want for Leg 2, I'll see if I can convince them to change once they board.

 

Next (stupid) question - if I need to see the Maitre d' to change, do I stand not-so-patiently in line with everyone else or do I not-so-subtlely wave my Platinum card and go to the front of the line?

 

I hate standing in lines, and if that's also a perk, I'll use it, if needed. But I don't want to be too obnoxious! Well, at least not in this instance! :p

 

Or is it possible to call and have it changed?

[KenMo]

Next (stupid) question - if I need to see the Maitre d' to change, do I stand not-so-patiently in line with everyone else or do I not-so-subtlely wave my Platinum card and go to the front of the line?

 

I hate standing in lines, and if that's also a perk, I'll use it, if needed. But I don't want to be too obnoxious! Well, at least not in this instance! :p

 

Or is it possible to call and have it changed?

 

It's not a Platinum perk to move to the front of the MD line. No Platinum card waving...lol!!

 

Since you're Platinum, you'll be among the first on the ship (assuming you don't plan on arriving at the port later). The time to see the MD is usually 1-1:30ish. The time/place is listed in the FunTimes.

 

I go to the MD a few minutes before the posted time and if there's a line, it's only about 5 or fewer people.

 

As far as I know, it's not possible to call for changes.

 

The other option is to bother JH with it. But even he has said that's no guarantee.

[NCTribeFan]

I'll already be on board since I'm talking about changing the 2nd leg of the B2B, if necessary.

 

I'm sure that I'm making a lot more out of it than needed.

 

I really don't anticipate having any issues regardless of what I end up deciding to do.

 

I just wasn't sure about the logistics of it all.

 

I have my favorite menu items. With the repeat on Leg 2, this will give me a chance to try some of the new items that I haven't gotten to, yet.

[KroozFoolz]

Or is it possible to call and have it changed?

 

There is an edit option on the "my cruise manager" next to your dining time on the Carnival website - so maybe you can change it there.

I guess if that doesn't work, call and see what they can do for you.

[NCTribeFan]

Yes, if my poll shows people on Leg 2 want ATD or early, I'll change it online.

 

Just wondered if anyone had changed their dining for the 2nd leg of a B2B while onboard Leg 1.

 

Not a big deal. Again, I obsess over things.

[jmcancruise]

While we didn't change our dining time we did go to the Maitride?? during the first leg and requested a particular table assignment. Being b2b seemed to make him more than accomodating

[NCTribeFan]

That's an idea, too.

 

I swear, every single cruise, I/we've been seated at the rear of the dining room. Every. Single. One.

 

Except the first on Miracle. That time, we were at the 2nd table by the window on the 2nd floor, which was pretty much the same as being in a corner.

 

Second time on Miracle, we were even in the auxiliary dining room, again, all the way in the back. Tablemates never appeared, so DD & I sat next to each other facing out toward the rest of the room.

 

Maybe I can scope the dining room(s) during Leg 1, find a table I think looks good, and ask for it for Leg 2. :D

 

But knowing me, I'll end up selecting the table with the worst waitstaff in the place. :o

[dotheyes]

on one of our b2b we asked the MDee on the last night of the first cruise if we could sit at a certain table. His reply was "I wish you had asked me a few days ago, because I have already made seat assignments" So my suggestion is to ask him about the 3rd day what seats and time you would like. be sure to have the booking numbers of the others that will be joining you so he can link you together

[CWcruisers]

Joan ATD actually starts earlier than Early Seating, 5:45 if I remember correctly. If you deceided to do Early, you could still do ATD, go in early and have no wait. I have seen that up until 6:30ish, you usually don't get the wait beeper, the magic hour when everyone wants to eat is 7-8:00. You can switch easily on leg one but it gets more difficult on leg 2. I have lots of friends that sail solo and always pick fixed dining because of the social aspect. But with the family on leg 2, you'll want a firm decision.

 

Chris and I love ATD. We had stopped going to dinner until it started. We have gotten tables for 2 and shared and had great service.