Can Main Dining Go to Anytime Dining?

[Kinkacruiser]

I like it on holland America that they won't allow this.

 

Smart move!

 

If we are tired/late after a long excursion, we generally just go to the buffet or order a pizza. It's much less hassle.

[Redwing55]

If that were the case, as an Anytime diner, I should be able to show up at the Traditional Dining Room and say "There is a long wait at Anytime Dining. Please seat me here instead." I don't think that would work.

I totally agree. And for those that mention that it's only for the day it conflicts with an excursion, those are the days that ATD would likely be even more crowded as others may be in the same situation.

 

I've read many a time that Princess has allowed TD to take an ATD spot, but honestly, if there is a wait at all, it is impacting the ATD's.

 

For us ATD, please consider other dining options when one can't make the TD time.

[moki'smommy]

For us ATD, please consider other dining options when one can't make the TD time.

 

The problem is not that they CAN'T make their dining assignment, it is that they have chosen to not make it...in this case because there is an excursion that they wish to do and it runs later than their dining time. They either feel that they don't have time to "freshen up" before dinner or didn't get back to the ship on time. In either case, it was a choice. Part of that choice should be that if you miss your dining time, you choose one of the other options (not you take someone else's space). If you plan to do late excursions, you can choose anytime dining or late traditional dining...or eat at one of the other food outlets on the day of that excursion.

 

The only time I might have some sympathy is if a Princess excursion runs late and gets the entire bus load of people back later than planned. There is some room to make that not the guest's fault, but then the excursion staff should be able to coordinate with the dining room to allow these people to be seated a little late.

 

It is impossible to do everything on a cruise ship. We all have to make choices. The choice is that if an excursion interferes with your traditional dining time, you eat elsewhere (not barge into dining that is not scheduled for you.) If your traditional dining is more important, you don't book a late excursion.

 

Unfortunately, Princess doesn't see it this way and allows people to increase the wait in Anytime Dining.

[pablo222]

No they won't but since people standing in line at the AT dining room don't know who the TD diners are they'll never really know, will they.

 

There are posters here who KNOW.

 

I don't think they actually eat in any dining room, but

rather stand at the door, and note the assignment printed

on everyone's card who is entering -- so they can report here.

[shredie]

There are posters here who KNOW.

 

I don't think they actually eat in any dining room, but

rather stand at the door, and note the assignment printed

on everyone's card who is entering -- so they can report here.

 

Gosh! :eek: You found me out! LOL. I think maybe the ATD people have a point when they say the errant TDers are crowding them. What isn't clear is why Princess has the system in the first place if they don't intend to enforce the rule.

[Colo Cruiser]

Gosh! :eek: You found me out! LOL. I think maybe the ATD people have a point when they say the errant TDers are crowding them. What isn't clear is why Princess has the system in the first place if they don't intend to enforce the rule.

 

 

Yeah I stand there and check cards too. :rolleyes:

[donaldsc]

This is going to sound harsh but I mean it. You picked traditional dining. I picked anytime dining. If you can't get to the dining room that you picked on time, stay out of mine and go the buffet. Otherwise, I am going to insist on being able to go to traditional any time I want and take your seat and I really do not think that you would like that. If you can get away with it, why can't I.

 

DON

[rockdoctor]

I always tell my regular waiter that I won't be present so he knows what's going on and go to anytime. Never had a problem.

[gemz]

Thank you for all the great information. Now I have a better understanding of how the two dining systems work and it makes sense. We'll head to the buffet if we're late due to a late excursion. I heard the dinner buffet on the Royal Princess is actually better than the dining room so all the more reason to try it.

Thanks!

[sonomaphil]

There is no "technically" or "possibly" about it. No, it is not allowed. That being said Princess never enforces it.

[eandj]

Huh???? The only "suggestion" Princess makes in policy is if one wants to change from one to another type of dining, one should see the maitre d at boarding. That's it. There is absolutely NO policy or rule that addresses a cruiser who would like to eat in anytime dining due to running late one night.

 

We cruised 3 times in the last 18 months. On every one, when we let our waiter know we'd be missing a dinner due to timing, we were told to head to the anytime dining room. We chose the buffet to avoid the wait. Our choice.

 

Yes, cruisers can complain and come here trying to change the nonexistent "policy." But Princess chooses to not see dining seating a problem.

So.....when a newbie asks if they could eat in the AT dining room one night when they are running late, it is unfair to make them believe they cant. And certainly not true.

It's more helpful to just suggest they ask the maitre d, the real authority. And we all know the answer will be "Of course and welcome".

 

Cruise on Celebrity to see a system that works the way many here would like. Much more rigid.

Edited December 20, 2015 by eandj

[Colo Cruiser]

Thank you for all the great information. Now I have a better understanding of how the two dining systems work and it makes sense. We'll head to the buffet if we're late due to a late excursion. I heard the dinner buffet on the Royal Princess is actually better than the dining room so all the more reason to try it.

Thanks!

 

 

Yes the Royal/Regal HC buffet is excellent!

Edited December 20, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[DebJ14]

We always choose late seating because when we get back from an excursion, we don't want to have to rush to dinner after a long day in port.

We shower and have a drink on the balcony before dinner.

It's a nice way to end the day ashore.

 

Same with us and sometimes there is even time for a nap!

[iceleven]

The point is, that your seat in TD sets empty while you compete with me for mine. There are lots of other options.

 

Perhaps they will also be handed a pager like the rest of us when the line for ATD has become too long. :rolleyes:

[donaldsc]

Perhaps they will also be handed a pager like the rest of us when the line for ATD has become too long. :rolleyes:

 

What good does a pager do to differentiate between the true ATD people and the fake ATD people?

 

DON

Edited December 20, 2015 by donaldsc

[Once Upon A Time]

On really long port days, we often just eat in our room and call it a day.. I know some cruisers in that situation do the same.. Many times the dining rooms at all times have tables available..A big meal after a tiring day can sometimes be a bit much.. A nice cocktail or glass of wine, however, is not to be missed.. and we do anytime dining..

 

If you are hungry, ask at the door and I don't believe anyone would turn you away..

[Hawka]

If you are in a port with late departure they sometimes have open seating that night so the answer would be yes. If it is not open seating that night then you can try ATD after 8:00pm. By then the bulk of the dinner crowd will be gone. We had ATD at 7:30 on our last cruise and the dining room was pretty empty. It really isn't fair to the folks that have signed up for ATD for someone from Traditional to go during peak hours.

 

i was on Golden and Auckland they were leaving at 8pm i was a tad worried for this too then thought i would do a speciality but they were shut that night [not sure if all but one i wanted to go to was] and i mentioned it to my waiter they said it was open and did not matter for that night , one lass that was on my table went anytime after first night did not seem to have a problem doing so maybe she asked to be changed ??

[Hawka]

If that were the case, as an Anytime diner, I should be able to show up at the Traditional Dining Room and say "There is a long wait at Anytime Dining. Please seat me here instead." I don't think that would work.

 

there was a table behind mine and i reckon you could have done that they were there for a short time then we realised that they stopped going to td as that table i know was empty for the last few days at least of my cruise not sure how many they did not turn up to

[pablo222]

Yeah I stand there and check cards too. :rolleyes:

 

I believe you.

 

I don't know any other way I could believe the reports of traditional diners creating

extra delays...

Edited December 20, 2015 by pablo222

[notentirelynormal]

We had tablemates that went to the Anytime for dinner one night. They were told they could eat there but they would have to continue AT and not return to the MDR.

[AKman2495]

If that were the case, as an Anytime diner, I should be able to show up at the Traditional Dining Room and say "There is a long wait at Anytime Dining. Please seat me here instead." I don't think that would work.

 

Actually, I've had something like that happen twice! We got to the ATD room and they asked who wanted to share. They quickly gathered up 8 people and led us upstairs to the TD dining room, where several tables were empty. We sat down there and had dinner.

 

That sort of messed up the waiters because they had to start over with us from the beginning, which they did just fine. But you know it had to be a disruption.....

[daletabu]

Hmmmm after reading everyone's comments, my comment is directed to the person who has TRD and wants to jump into ATD. My comment - why in the world if this is going to happen perhaps 1 -2 x during your cruise wouldn't you just utilize the Horizon Court/Buffet or international cafe, or specialty restaurant? It's not likely that you will miss out on the dining room every night or you wouldn't be booking TRD. Seems like a simple solution to utilize the other options that Princess provides, shouldn't be a hardship. Ourselves, we enjoy ATD but use the buffet, international cafe, and specialty dining for a change of pace and don't see it as a hardship but rather an opportunity to have a different experience. Just MHO. :)

[Jasperdo]

Actually, I've had something like that happen twice! We got to the ATD room and they asked who wanted to share. They quickly gathered up 8 people and led us upstairs to the TD dining room, where several tables were empty. We sat down there and had dinner.

 

That sort of messed up the waiters because they had to start over with us from the beginning, which they did just fine. But you know it had to be a disruption.....

This happened to us once, too. We were escorted to the Traditional Dining Room by an assistant of the Maitre'd. I wish more ATD's were co-ordinated like that. The point I was making in my earlier post, though, was that an ATD passenger couldn't just walk up to the TD dining room and expect to be seated. Which is what the TD passengers are able to do in ATD.

[eandj]

So few people that cruise Princess actually come to Cruise Critic to read everyone's opinion. I hope that those of you that look down upon "fake AT diners"...(now that's a new term I haven't read before:)) do include notes in your post cruise critiques that express your feelings towards their non policy.

To blame cruisers for taking their maître d's suggestion and welcome to switch for a night or two isn't being fair to them. Put the blame of your irritation on the responsible party... Princess.

 

No, I don't like to see TD folks spending more time in AT than in their chosen TD. We lost our assistant waiter almost every night mid-dinner due to staff needs in AT dining rooms. And he wasn't a happy camper having to give up his regular tables.

But...if it is allowed, I'm not going to shake my finger or shame those that are taking advantage of what is certainly allowed and apparently expected.

[sonomaphil]

I think I'm going to switch my next cruise to Traditional dining, the 6:00 seating. Now I have no intention of every actually going at 6:00 to the Traditional dining room, I'll still go to eat in Anytime around 7:30 or so.

 

Since as everyone says it doesn't matter and you are allowed to do this I figure why not join the crowd. I just want the option of doing Traditional or going to Anytime like so many of you already have.