Reservations in main dining rooms?

[KeithJenner]

You clearly meant to say "except for those without reservations." Because if all reservations are taken, you would have to wait until the next available reservation time. Who knows how long that might be.

 

 

 

Come on NCL let's just leave it the way it was. Free Style means Free Style!

 

 

Only if they allow all of the tables in the MDRs to be reserved, which isn't going to be the case. The majority of tables will still be available for people walking up. The fact that some people will be reserving times may make it easier for staff planning, which could benefit everyone.

 

 

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[janpo]

Free style is what really attracted me to NCL. I hope they don't go the other way now.

[wasiii]

Free style is what really attracted me to NCL. I hope they don't go the other way now.

 

I don't think they would ever go back totally. That is not what they are all about. This is probably to appease some people who like traditional dining times.

 

Of course this is my opinion.

 

wasiii

 

 

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[rhelms]

Only if they allow all of the tables in the MDRs to be reserved, which isn't going to be the case. The majority of tables will still be available for people walking up. The fact that some people will be reserving times may make it easier for staff planning, which could benefit everyone.

 

 

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And I say again. If you can walk up an get a table, you don't need a reservation! Therefore reservations a pointless.

[KeithJenner]

And I say again. If you can walk up an get a table, you don't need a reservation! Therefore reservations a pointless.

 

 

Yes, but some people seem to need that reassurance. NCL is just allowing them that. I don't think it will make and difference to the rest of us.

 

Just look at all the people fretting about booking speciality restaurants 45 (and now 90) days out when we all know you can just walk up most of the time, or at least just reserve that day.

Edited July 2, 2014 by KeithJenner

[punkincc]

I think this might help eliminate some of the long waits, even for those without reservations. It might help spread out the crowd a bit.

 

What "long waits" are there? Have never experienced this in 6 NCL cruises on 6 different ships, and eating at a variety of times both late and early. On only 1 occasion have I had any wait whatsoever and that was minimal.

 

I doubt few except for some loyal Royal or other traditional cruisers will want the "security blanket" of a reservation. I don't believe the system will allow someone to book multiple venues/times for the same night ( hopefully ), so a few reservations at the limited time slots that are being offered should not affect the rest of us who choose to wing it.

[punkincc]

And I say again. If you can walk up an get a table, you don't need a reservation! Therefore reservations a pointless.

 

You are right, a reservation most of the time on NCL is usually pointless, and those folks may dine at their "reserved table" in a room where only 3 other tables are occupied. But they want reservations, so let them have a reservation and be happy.

[LrgPizza]

You clearly meant to say "except for those without reservations." Because if all reservations are taken, you would have to wait until the next available reservation time. Who knows how long that might be.

 

Come on NCL let's just leave it the way it was. Free Style means Free Style!

No, I meant to say what I said.

[LrgPizza]

What "long waits" are there? Have never experienced this in 6 NCL cruises on 6 different ships, and eating at a variety of times both late and early. On only 1 occasion have I had any wait whatsoever and that was minimal.

 

I doubt few except for some loyal Royal or other traditional cruisers will want the "security blanket" of a reservation. I don't believe the system will allow someone to book multiple venues/times for the same night ( hopefully ), so a few reservations at the limited time slots that are being offered should not affect the rest of us who choose to wing it.

I've never had a wait longer than 20 minutes, and I couldn't care less. I was trying to make a positive post about this, since several seem to be getting their granny panties in a bunch, but I guess it's just freaked people out even more.

 

What I was really saying for those who need Cliff's notes or baby talk is that I honestly don't see this as being a big deal.

[Hikini]

I don't mind another option. My only "fear" is that the tables held for reservations are not all of the "good" (window) tables.

 

We usually eat in the specialty restaurants, but now and then enjoy just walking in to the MDR and possibly getting lucky enough to be seated by a window.

[punkincc]

I've never had a wait longer than 20 minutes, and I couldn't care less. I was trying to make a positive post about this, since several seem to be getting their granny panties in a bunch, but I guess it's just freaked people out even more.

 

What I was really saying for those who need Cliff's notes or baby talk is that I honestly don't see this as being a big deal.

 

I really don't see it as a big deal either, except that NCL newbies may see that it is possible to make MDR reservations and assume that they are necessary, especially when they read posts like yours which state that the new MDR reservation option "might help eliminate some of the long waits". Everything they read on this board some take as gospel. So they assume that waits without res must be long and very common. If you've never had a long wait, why would you make the statement?:confused: The Freestyle concept is confusing enough for some. The option for MDR ressies may just add to the confusion.

[I&J Cruisers]

Seems to me that free style is way too much work

 

 

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[negc]

Hi,

Just got off the Gem Last week. Ate in the main dining room 4 times (between 5:30 - 7pm) just walked in. Maybe had to wait a couple minutes (2 people). The specialty restaurants have limited seating and do fill up. They do have digital signage throughout the ship that shows you how booked they are. Cagneys and Tappayaki seem to be the busiest. If you like to go to shows you may want to wait till you get onboard to pre-book dinners so you can play around the entertainment.

How accurate did you find that digital signage to be? Last time we sailed with NCL it was pretty much worthless and showed dining room to be nearly full when, in fact, you could walk in and even get a table by the window. Other times it showed the dining rooms practically empty but when we arrived we were told there would be a thirty minute wait (for two people:rolleyes:

We are sailing on the Dawn next month and hope that the accuracy of the signage has improved.

[ColinIllinois]

Seems to me that free style is way too much work

 

 

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It's not. Not in the least.

[KeithJenner]

Seems to me that free style is way too much work

 

 

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Freestyle doesn't need to be any work at all, and for most people it isn't.

 

However, some people just end up creating work for themselves.

[meatball_nyc]

I have to agree with Keith's statement 100%. We will know for sure tomorrow.

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

[negc]

Seems to me that free style is way too much work

 

 

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Not sure why you consider free style to be "too much work". Perhaps you would like to elaborate.

[I&J Cruisers]

Don't want to start any arguments here. We've been cruising since 1983. I remember thinking of a cruise as a choreographed vacation. I chose a ship. Picked a cabin. Paid my money. Went and had a great time. To get the same kind of vacation today you have look at very expensive cruises. I'm not complaining but now on mass market lines we do all the work coordinating dining venues with entertainment etc. it is what it is. I still love cruising.

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

Don't want to start any arguments here. We've been cruising since 1983. I remember thinking of a cruise as a choreographed vacation. I chose a ship. Picked a cabin. Paid my money. Went and had a great time. To get the same kind of vacation today you have look at very expensive cruises. I'm not complaining but now on mass market lines we do all the work coordinating dining venues with entertainment etc. it is what it is. I still love cruising.

 

 

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You don't have to do much work.

 

Before we go on a cruise we consider whether there are any days we specifically want to eat somewhere and would be disappointed if we missed it (ie it was our wedding anniversary on a recent cruise). If so we may prebook that, but otherwise we wait.

 

If on a ship like the Epic, we decide whether we need to prebook any entertainment (ie we usually go to see the Blue Men on the second day) and book if necessary.

 

The time taken to do that is about 5 minutes.

 

Then, when onboard, we take a couple of minutes usually late morning on a sea day, or when we return from port, to decide what we fancy doing that evening. That is usually the end of the planning. If we fancy a speciality restaurant we book it using iconcierge/TV if available or I wander along to a dining booking place (we could phone, but i usually take a stroll instead-my choice).

 

It really is no problem at all. Unfortunately, some people worry too much about it. They fret about reservations 90 days out, or worry about whether they will get in somewhere. They try to have everything planned out weeks in advance. That's what causes the work for them and it is almost never necessary.

 

 

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Edited July 5, 2014 by KeithJenner

[I&J Cruisers]

I'm glad you've cracked the code on this. I tend to be a bit more compulsive about it. As I said it is what it is and you just have to go with the flow. I just miss the old days. Must be getting old. Happy cruising.

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

I suppose it's what you are used to, but I really don't see how it is any different to other holidays.

 

If we are on a non cruise holiday, we decide beforehand if there is anything we want to prebook (ie special occasions where we want to go somewhere in particular). Other than that, we take a few minutes during the day to decide what we want to do in the evening and book anything we need to.

 

It's exactly the same. I always struggle to understand why people think it will be so much harder because you are on a ship.

 

You, and other people prefer it to be all set out for you to take away the need to make these decisions. That is absolutely your choice and I would have no criticism of it. It probably is slightly easier, but that doesn't mean that freestyle is actually in any way hard.

[SteveH2508]

Freestyle to us means choice of dining (of time, of place, perhaps of company). Several times we have been enjoying a martini or three :D and got chatting with others. We did not need to say, "Sorry, must dash - we have to make our dining slot." We could continue socialising until we wanted to go and, sometimes, we would go to dinner with our new found friends.

 

Try doing that with traditional dining.

 

We have never reserved a time in the MDR and, on many occasions, just showed up at a speciality restaurant and been seated immediately (particularly at the Sushi bar).

[jertom]

I like the direction this thread is going in. If you want to make plans, make plans. If you want to wing it, wing it.

To each his own !! :)

[KeithJenner]

I like the direction this thread is going in. If you want to make plans, make plans. If you want to wing it, wing it.

To each his own !! :)

 

Absolutely, that's the way it should be.

[I&J Cruisers]

I suppose it's what you are used to, but I really don't see how it is any different to other holidays.

 

If we are on a non cruise holiday, we decide beforehand if there is anything we want to prebook (ie special occasions where we want to go somewhere in particular). Other than that, we take a few minutes during the day to decide what we want to do in the evening and book anything we need to.

 

It's exactly the same. I always struggle to understand why people think it will be so much harder because you are on a ship.

 

You, and other people prefer it to be all set out for you to take away the need to make these decisions. That is absolutely your choice and I would have no criticism of it. It probably is slightly easier, but that doesn't mean that freestyle is actually in any way hard.

 

 

That is exactly my point. Cruising is now like any other vacation. It used to be something very different and very special.

 

 

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