Chops - a few questions

[JosieCat-MN]

For my solo trip in October (3 nights on EOS), and through my M Life status, I get a free dinner at Chops. When me and my sister went in July, we hadn't really brought anything dressy so we didn't take advantage of it. So here are my questions:

 

I'm not big on dining solo (I'm OK at Windjammer), but I'm going to give it a try. I'm assuming if I make a reservation through my host, that I would be seated by myself. Would it be rude to bring a book with me? Will I be the only solo one? I guess my other alternative would be to do the My Time dining that evening - so I wouldn't be eating alone.

 

On our last cruise we only did Windjammer and the Park Cafe. I have no experience with the My Time dining. This will only be my second cruise.

 

I am not planning on doing this on formal night, which I believe is Saturday night - I will probably go on Sunday. Would wearing black capris, a nice blouse and black sandals be dressy enough.

 

Thanks all!

[BillOh]

Good question, I have never seen anyone eat alone in Chops. I wouldn't be offended if you had a book, so other passengers shouldn't.Whether it would bother the wait staff?

[bouhunter]

Not rude at all to bring a book. I eat out often alone for lunch when travelling for work, wouldn't think of doing it without a newspaper or book!:D

[macruisefan]

I eat solo in the specialty restaurants every night. I love it. I get great service and never feel at all uncomfortable. I bring a book and have never felt out of place.

[rednancy1]

If I were to dine solo I would definitely take a book with me. :) No problem with that at all.

[tserface]

You could bring a book or iPad to Chops and do just fine sitting alone. No one should mind.

 

With MTD you could meet different people every night and you'd never be alone. You could eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the dining room and you'd always be at tables with others and you could meet people that you'd end up hanging out with on the cruise. In any case, you'd have fun people to talk to for meals.

 

You could do both since you likely would only spend one night at Chops :)

 

Tom

 

For my solo trip in October (3 nights on EOS), and through my M Life status, I get a free dinner at Chops. When me and my sister went in July, we hadn't really brought anything dressy so we didn't take advantage of it. So here are my questions:

 

I'm not big on dining solo (I'm OK at Windjammer), but I'm going to give it a try. I'm assuming if I make a reservation through my host, that I would be seated by myself. Would it be rude to bring a book with me? Will I be the only solo one? I guess my other alternative would be to do the My Time dining that evening - so I wouldn't be eating alone.

 

On our last cruise we only did Windjammer and the Park Cafe. I have no experience with the My Time dining. This will only be my second cruise.

 

I am not planning on doing this on formal night, which I believe is Saturday night - I will probably go on Sunday. Would wearing black capris, a nice blouse and black sandals be dressy enough.

 

Thanks all!

[JosieCat-MN]

Thanks all. You guys are the best!

 

I'm only going to bring one dressy outfit. I'm not a big foodie, and I like the convenience of eating at the Windjammer and Park Cafe. But I figured, what the heck. I might as well have a nice dinner one night. And it's free.

 

So no one said. Is wearing black capris and a nice blouse dressy enough for a specialty restaurant.

[curiouscat]

Thanks all. You guys are the best!

 

I'm only going to bring one dressy outfit. I'm not a big foodie, and I like the convenience of eating at the Windjammer and Park Cafe. But I figured, what the heck. I might as well have a nice dinner one night. And it's free.

 

So no one said. Is wearing black capris and a nice blouse dressy enough for a specialty restaurant.

 

As long as they are not shorts your fine...I Prefer a nice pair of black slacks or a summer dress...but you'll be fine :p

 

CC

[Summer99611]

Can I ask what "M life status" is?

[JosieCat-MN]

Can I ask what "M life status" is?

 

M Life is a casino player's club - through MGM Grand. I am Platinum with M Life, which entitles me to one free cruise a year - which I took in July. But even if you aren't on your free cruise, you still get some of the perks, 10 free drinks, a free dinner a Chops, the SeaPass cash advance fee is waived, etc.

 

I did have to choose between my M Life perks or my RC perks - which as it's only my second cruise - was just a $25 certificate. 10 free drinks outweighs that :)

[macruisefan]

Can I ask what "M life status" is?

 

It never ceases to amaze me how difficult some people find google to be....:confused:

[Summer99611]

It never ceases to amaze me how difficult some people find google to be....:confused:

 

And it never cease to amaze me how rude and snobby some people on CC can be...

[dreamer976]

Thanks all. You guys are the best!

 

I'm only going to bring one dressy outfit. I'm not a big foodie, and I like the convenience of eating at the Windjammer and Park Cafe. But I figured, what the heck. I might as well have a nice dinner one night. And it's free.

 

So no one said. Is wearing black capris and a nice blouse dressy enough for a specialty restaurant.

 

With a few exceptions (like Giovanni's Table available on some ships) most specialty restaurants on RCCL are always "Smart Casual", even on formal nights. Chops Grille is one of these and while showing up on a formal night dressed in formal clothes is perfectly acceptable, I'm not sure that capris would be in most cases, unless your capri outfit is "dressy". I, myself have usually gone in dress pants and a very nice top, even on formal nights, my late husband always wore a shirt and tie or a suit with a fun tie to Chops.

 

Enjoy your cruise!:)

[JosieCat-MN]

With a few exceptions (like Giovanni's Table available on some ships) most specialty restaurants on RCCL are always "Smart Casual", even on formal nights. Chops Grille is one of these and while showing up on a formal night dressed in formal clothes is perfectly acceptable, I'm not sure that capris would be in most cases, unless your capri outfit is "dressy". I, myself have usually gone in dress pants and a very nice top, even on formal nights, my late husband always wore a shirt and tie or a suit with a fun tie to Chops.

 

Enjoy your cruise!:)

 

Sorry, but now I'm really confused. I'm NOT going on formal night. So you are saying that nice black capris and a nice blouse would not be acceptable at Chops on a non-formal night. Because if that's the case, then I won't be going :)

[RevSmith]

For my solo trip in October (3 nights on EOS), and through my M Life status, I get a free dinner at Chops. When me and my sister went in July, we hadn't really brought anything dressy so we didn't take advantage of it. So here are my questions:

 

I'm not big on dining solo (I'm OK at Windjammer), but I'm going to give it a try. I'm assuming if I make a reservation through my host, that I would be seated by myself. Would it be rude to bring a book with me? Will I be the only solo one? I guess my other alternative would be to do the My Time dining that evening - so I wouldn't be eating alone.

 

On our last cruise we only did Windjammer and the Park Cafe. I have no experience with the My Time dining. This will only be my second cruise.

 

I am not planning on doing this on formal night, which I believe is Saturday night - I will probably go on Sunday. Would wearing black capris, a nice blouse and black sandals be dressy enough.

 

Thanks all!

I travel solo a lot and eat in Chops a lot. Many times I have eaten alone in various restaurants on board ships. When I first started doing this it was a little awkward, but now it's like second nature. Many times I meet people who will dine with me, or I with them. It's really no big deal. I feel you don't need a book. But if you want to or would feel better, bring one along. A lot of times the people at the next table start talking to you. Go for Chops, you will love it.

[jcc1025]

We live by the information received from one of our cruise directors at the opening night show many years ago. When asked about things like this he said "don't worry, your never going to see these people again". Cracked us up and when ever we wonder what someone might think we go back to those instructions. Eating alone with a book is fine, wearing an outfit as you describe is fine. If someone has a problem with that, then that is their problem and not yours. Have a wonderful time, make friends, that is what cruising is all about. Who knows you might find a nice dinner companion.

[ryano]

Sorry, but now I'm really confused. I'm NOT going on formal night. So you are saying that nice black capris and a nice blouse would not be acceptable at Chops on a non-formal night. Because if that's the case, then I won't be going :)

 

You will be fine! NO worries! Enjoy Chops! :)

[dreamer976]

Sorry, but now I'm really confused. I'm NOT going on formal night. So you are saying that nice black capris and a nice blouse would not be acceptable at Chops on a non-formal night. Because if that's the case, then I won't be going :)

 

I only mentioned formal night to emphasize that at Chops, "smart casual" is the suggested attire, even on a formal night. I would myself wear a nice pair of capris in the MDR on a casual night, but I personally wouldn't do capris in Chops, unless they are a "dressier" style, which I do not have. While I would still be wearing long dress pants, your capri outfit may be totally appropriate.

 

Don't miss Chops Grille. It's awesome!:)

[bouhunter]

And it never cease to amaze me how rude and snobby some people on CC can be...

 

 

I agree. Maybe it's an example of the east coast reputation of people being snobs and rude.

[HeartCruzs]

I've worn a nice pair of jeans and a dressy top to Chops many times. No one has ever said anything to me about my outfit.

 

Capris and a blouse would be fine, in my opinion.

[JosieCat-MN]

No worries. I forgot I had bought a pair of black slacks for a funeral earlier this year. I'll just bring those instead. (I work at a nursery - as long as I don't show up in my jammies - they don't care. Actually they probably wouldn't care if I did show up in my jammies :) I don't have a lot of dressy clothes.

 

Thanks for all the good information everyone!

[cjdixon4]

Thanks all. You guys are the best!

 

I'm only going to bring one dressy outfit. I'm not a big foodie, and I like the convenience of eating at the Windjammer and Park Cafe. But I figured, what the heck. I might as well have a nice dinner one night. And it's free.

 

So no one said. Is wearing black capris and a nice blouse dressy enough for a specialty restaurant.

 

Your black capri pants and blouse are just fine!

[kimberleyb1961]

Before I retired, I traveled all over the world, all by my little old lonesome self. Everywhere I went, I bought a book and I would then take myself out to some very nice, upscale restaurants, after all, my husband prefers casual dining and I like to linger over a fine meal. I always brought a book to read. Having one really put a stop to the questions of well meaning individuals thinking how sad it was that I was dining alone. I didn't want to give anyone a clue as to the logistics of my single travel and didn't want to seem rude about not answering their questions of joining in on the conversation they wanted to start. The book and reading it was the perfect answer. Nobody bothered me and I had some nice meals and a great time getting lost in the book. Enjoy. And if they don't like it, just throw the book at them-lol!

[cjdixon4]

Sorry, but now I'm really confused. I'm NOT going on formal night. So you are saying that nice black capris and a nice blouse would not be acceptable at Chops on a non-formal night. Because if that's the case, then I won't be going :)

PLEASE don't worry about it. If you think that the capris and a nice blouse are comfortable wear, they won't turn you away. It's quite suitable!

[hawlcruiser]

We often dine at Chops on the first night of our cruise. Many times I wear just what I was wearing when I board the ship. Often that is a very casual pant and top. Mostly warm stuff since we tend to cruise in the winter months. Never had a problem! Never even gave it a second thought. Just enjoy, Chops is great.