sjde Posted June 16, 2013 #1 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Do most people reserve ahead of the cruise? Or is the first night of the cruise a good time to do it? Problem is, I like to see the MDR menu before deciding whether to go or which night. Which of the restaurants do you prefer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 16, 2013 #2 Share Posted June 16, 2013 If you wait to see the GDR menu it may be too late to get in that night You could always book ahead of time & if something on the GDR menu strikes your fancy call & cancel the specialty reservation We usually book the day our time slot opens up ( time frame depends on the cabin Cat) Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caviargal Posted June 16, 2013 #3 Share Posted June 16, 2013 We will be booking the day we are allowed to make advance reservations and will base those decisions on our itinerary. For late days in port, we will stick with MDR or Terraces for maximum flexibility and for days that have us back aboard by 6PM, we plan to try the specialty restaurants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Caroldoll Posted June 16, 2013 #4 Share Posted June 16, 2013 go right on and book. You can always cancel if you see something in the MDR that you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypercafe Posted June 16, 2013 #5 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I did my reservations on line as soon as I could based on the other things I had pre planed for the day. We had a OV cabin so I was afraid of not getting the times I wanted however I had no problem. There was so much great food I never felt I wanted something I could not find. We were on a 11 day trip and only used the MDR once, we found the buffet to be great for dinner and used it often. We were on the Rivera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbr Posted June 16, 2013 #6 Share Posted June 16, 2013 And don't be afraid to try new things in the GDR! We had some great meals that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warburg Posted June 20, 2013 #7 Share Posted June 20, 2013 We dined in Jacques on the first night of our 14 day March 2013 Caribbean cruise. We made our reservations on the first day for PH's using the itinerary to pick times. Our documents listed the day. There is usually no problem cancelling or picking up reservations. We have never been unhappy with any venue on O ships. It's just fun to dine in different settings. Enjoy ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorisis Posted June 21, 2013 #8 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Book as soon as posible online. Depending on times you could find they fill up very early. Late dining works best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreedomSeeker Posted June 21, 2013 #9 Share Posted June 21, 2013 I was advised by my TA to make the reservations on the first day I could because, in her words, "that's what her sales rep at Oceania says to do". So as soon as I made final payment (which I did ahead of the final payment date), I checked the website and I was able to reserve right there and then. I think that it's better to have the choice to cancel (by reserving early) than to not have the choice to book, simply because of waiting. Of course, this could be considered as antisocial, because it's maybe preventing others from booking on nights when you have a reservation that you are "holding" rather than being 100% committed to. At the same time, the early bird and all that;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted June 21, 2013 #10 Share Posted June 21, 2013 I was advised by my TA to make the reservations on the first day I could because, in her words, "that's what her sales rep at Oceania says to do". So as soon as I made final payment (which I did ahead of the final payment date), I checked the website and I was able to reserve right there and then. I think that it's better to have the choice to cancel (by reserving early) than to not have the choice to book, simply because of waiting. Of course, this could be considered as antisocial, because it's maybe preventing others from booking on nights when you have a reservation that you are "holding" rather than being 100% committed to. At the same time, the early bird and all that;) The only time that we have ever regretted making the Reservations in advance, was when we met people on the ship with whom we wanted to Dine on that evening. Adding to an existing reservation is not as easy as it may seem. For one thing, you need to know the other people's cabin number when the request is made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wripro Posted June 21, 2013 #11 Share Posted June 21, 2013 So what's more important, dining in the specialty restaurant or with new friends in the open seating GDR? Tough choice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ronrick1943 Posted June 21, 2013 #12 Share Posted June 21, 2013 We've never had a problem adding to are table, the butler took care of it. We may had to go in a little later but not much. It all worked out. And we do cancel a few reservations near the end of the cruise because we just get tried of eating that much food. Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caviargal Posted June 21, 2013 #13 Share Posted June 21, 2013 So as soon as I made final payment (which I did ahead of the final payment date), I checked the website and I was able to reserve right there and then. I am paid in full and unable to reserve at this time so there must be a timing factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 21, 2013 #14 Share Posted June 21, 2013 I am paid in full and unable to reserve at this time so there must be a timing factor. It is dependent on your cabin Cat Suites get to book 90 days out PH 75 days out Concierge 60 days out B to G 45 days out Online reservations close 7 days from the sailing date Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caviargal Posted June 21, 2013 #15 Share Posted June 21, 2013 It is dependent on your cabin Cat Suites get to book 90 days out PH 75 days out Concierge 60 days out B to G 45 days out Online reservations close 7 days from the sailing date That was my understanding. FreedomSeeker had a different experience so I thought I would give it a try.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 21, 2013 #16 Share Posted June 21, 2013 That was my understanding. FreedomSeeker had a different experience so I thought I would give it a try.:) Well I guess they are in a suite or got lucky :confused: We have never been able to book earlier than the rules allow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreedomSeeker Posted June 21, 2013 #17 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Well I guess they are in a suite or got lucky :confused: We have never been able to book earlier than the rules allow I must have been lucky. According to the rules, even though I am paid in full, I ought not to have been able to reserve until 90 days out (for our cabin category).....but the system let me book, and they are on my invoice. Wow. Weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted June 21, 2013 #18 Share Posted June 21, 2013 I must have been lucky. According to the rules, even though I am paid in full, I ought not to have been able to reserve until 90 days out (for our cabin category).....but the system let me book, and they are on my invoice. Wow. Weird. As long as you're booked in a Suite which qualifies for the earliest reservation deadlines, their system will allow you to make reservations as soon as Final Payment is made, even several months ahead, should that be the case. It has been that way for as long as the online system has been in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreedomSeeker Posted June 21, 2013 #19 Share Posted June 21, 2013 As long as you're booked in a Suite which qualifies for the earliest reservation deadlines, their system will allow you to make reservations as soon as Final Payment is made, even several months ahead, should that be the case. It has been that way for as long as the online system has been in place. Thanks for the clarification! If someone was going to know, it was going to be JimandStan....you guys are the source of so much incredible information and photos. I am especially fond of the story of the loudspeakers on the balcony on Marina, with the frustration of not realizing that the volume control was controlling outside and not inside the suite....to the surprise of everyone including your butler! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.