Just need to vent!

[Darlzee]

We are a party of six going on the Liberty April 30,2017. Another couple decided to join our group and while making their reservations, they noticed they could not get early dining. This being their first cruise, they wanted to be with their friends. They called Royal Caribbean and asked to have their reservations changed to early dining so they could be with the rest of their six friends. Nine months out and RCCL said they could not give them the 5:30 dining, they had to be on a waiting list till Feb 2017. Knowing this couple were going to cancel their reservation if they couldn't be with their friends for dinner, RCCL still would not budge. I have never heard of such a policy nine months out, we could see if it was closer to the cruise but this is ridiculous. Very disappointed in RCCL. Needless to say they have lost a new customer and six other disgruntled people.

[Clarea]

I would have at least stayed on the wait list until final payment date. Our experience has been that we clear the wait list sometime before final payment date.

[DonnaK]

If you link the reservations, and have them get on the waitlist, they will surely clear it before final payment date. We've had good luck calling back every couple of weeks, and just politely asking if we've cleared the waiting list (they often put us on hold, and come back to say that they were able to get us in). There is also an email address for dining that I'm sure someone will post.

 

Don't give up or get upset. They do not split up parties and will do what they need to in order to keep you all together.

 

We once went from a quad cabin to putting our daughters into their own cabin. Because the second cabin was considered a "new reservation", they had to go on the wait list for early dining even though they were kids at the time and obviously couldn't dine alone. It all worked out just fine - I called back, and got the kids cleared from the waiting list.

Edited July 19, 2016 by DonnaK

[setsail]

there are several other places to eat, the windjammer-included or the specialty restaurants$.

 

You booked through a 3rd party for a poker cruise. In the info from the ta it appears all of this group are assigned early seating. It says the poker rooms open right after your early seating in the mdr. Rci must be holding early seating for this group. Are your friends booking through this TA or directly with the cruise line?

Edited July 19, 2016 by setsail

[Grandma Dazzles]

I agree to link the reservations and keep checking. Also, worst case scenario, when you board immediately check with the dining room - they are always very helpful and can usually make changes.

[swoopy2110]

If early dining is full then there's nothing they can do to add them. It's not a 'policy'. If you have 100 tables, and 100 tables are reserved, how do you expect to add them to early dining?

 

They could have been waitlisted and odds are they'd get sorted when people cancel between now and sail date

[cruisenfever]

Having Traditional Dining Times booked so far in advance is not unusual at all and happens a lot even when you book 9-12 months in advance.

 

Link your reservations and use the wait list method. You will be surprised at how early those dining slots will open up.

[brenderlou]

Wow!!! You have plenty of time and you all cancelled? If there's a wait list, there's a wait list. People will cancel and change dining options this far out.

Edited July 19, 2016 by brenderlou

[cruiseiniah]

They will be fine and should have no problem. You need to keep in mind when groups are booked you have to choose the dining time for that group. I am sure there is a lot of groups on this sailing and are taking up all the space for 530. When that space is returned or not sold that frees up the dining chosen, this happens 90 days before sailing now with Royal.

[cruisinfanatic]

We are a party of six going on the Liberty April 30,2017. Another couple decided to join our group and while making their reservations, they noticed they could not get early dining. This being their first cruise, they wanted to be with their friends. They called Royal Caribbean and asked to have their reservations changed to early dining so they could be with the rest of their six friends. Nine months out and RCCL said they could not give them the 5:30 dining, they had to be on a waiting list till Feb 2017. Knowing this couple were going to cancel their reservation if they couldn't be with their friends for dinner, RCCL still would not budge. I have never heard of such a policy nine months out, we could see if it was closer to the cruise but this is ridiculous. Very disappointed in RCCL. Needless to say they have lost a new customer and six other disgruntled people.

Out of all the problems that there could be, this is one of the most minor. Being cross referenced with the rest of the group and being wait listed would have resolved long before final payment.

[mintypixie]

That seems a rather silly reason to cancel, why not all change to My Time dining, either make reservations or all show up together at 5.30pm (or whenever is most convenient), MTD is usually quiet that early so they should seat you together no problem.

[mom4mom]

Lately whenever we make a reservation and request early dining, it is not available so we get put on the wait list. We usually clear that wait list within a month or two of booking. Tell them to be patient. It should happen pretty soon.

[troykahack]

 

You booked through a 3rd party for a poker cruise. In the info from the ta it appears all of this group are assigned early seating. It says the poker rooms open right after your early seating in the mdr. Rci must be holding early seating for this group. Are your friends booking through this TA or directly with the cruise line?

 

Interested in how you found out this info about OP cruise??

[setsail]

Interested in how you found out this info about OP cruise??

 

Read the op's post and then a quick Google search for the ta/cruise

[drhall]

I couldn't change my dining time before my sailing on Independence (ironically, it was a WPT poker cruise). I got on the ship on the first day, went to the dining room and politely asked if our time could be changed so we could eat with friends. They said they weren't sure if there was room, but would see if there was an opening and would give me a call.

 

An hour later, I had a message saying it was confirmed.

 

Patience, and humility is key. Not assuming anybody got angry, but human nature is to empathize with people we can relate to. People threatening to cancel or being standoff'ish make it hard to fight for. Just FYI.

 

Good luck, and happy cruising!

[troykahack]

Read the op's post and then a quick Google search for the ta/cruise

 

I'm not trying to insult or question you in anyway... I just want to know how you knew they booked through a TA and it was a "poker" cruise.

 

I have no reason not to believe you. I would just like to know what phrase you used to google with or how you found out this information. I would like to do this myself... maybe i'm a little slow at times...

 

Thanks

[setsail]

I'm not trying to insult or question you in anyway... I just want to know how you knew they booked through a TA and it was a "poker" cruise.

 

I have no reason not to believe you. I would just like to know what phrase you used to google with or how you found out this information. I would like to do this myself... maybe i'm a little slow at times...

 

Thanks

 

Ha, I did leave out a word in my post, it should have said read the op's post "history", the info to Google is there

[troykahack]

Ha, I did leave out a word in my post, it should have said read the op's post "history", the info to Google is there

 

Ok, makes more sense now... didn't know OP's history of cruising, that would make a difference. I'm on Brilliance Dec 2017, can you find the Charter Group for this cruise?

 

Now where is John and his dog Bella to explain how to find OP's thread history?

 

John? Bella?

Edited July 19, 2016 by troykahack

[setsail]

Ok, makes more sense now... didn't know OP's history of cruising, that would make a difference. I'm on Brilliance Dec 2017, can you find the Charter Group for this cruise?

 

Now where is John and his dog Bella to explain how to find OP's thread history?

 

John? Bella?

 

Click on the name, then find all post

[George C]

I'm not trying to insult or question you in anyway... I just want to know how you knew they booked through a TA and it was a "poker" cruise.

 

I have no reason not to believe you. I would just like to know what phrase you used to google with or how you found out this information. I would like to do this myself... maybe i'm a little slow at times...

 

Thanks

 

We are also on this cruise, and some people on our roll call have been talking about the poker cruise, apparently its run by a 3rd party and would not be in the casino

[TC1957]

I always find some of the comments and suggestions amazing. Like...just switch to MTD...or use the wait list, you should be fine.

 

None of us know what the important factors are for the OP to enjoy their vacation. I know my wife and I really enjoy traditional dining and sharing a table with other passengers. For us, it is a MAJOR factor...so much so that we have decided we simply will not book a cruise if that is not an option.

 

If the OP is like us, why should they risk not getting what they want on THEIR vacation? For the vast majority of people, vacation dollars and vacation time is precious. I know I do not want to waste it and am not real fond of the idea of having to settle for something I don't like when I have other options.

 

Hopefully, by all cancelling they will be able to find another vacation option where they can get what they want...or at least have a better chance of it.

[Brigbound]

We are sailing July 2017 with one other couple. They couldn't register for our dining time. They went on the list and now after months, they are with us. It takes patience.

Edited July 19, 2016 by Brigbound

[troykahack]

We are also on this cruise, and some people on our roll call have been talking about the poker cruise, apparently its run by a 3rd party and would not be in the casino

 

This information makes even more sense... I was just trying to figure out how one could find all that info from just the OP's post.... I wanted to do it too... LOL

[tlatrice]

I always find some of the comments and suggestions amazing. Like...just switch to MTD...or use the wait list, you should be fine.

 

None of us know what the important factors are for the OP to enjoy their vacation. I know my wife and I really enjoy traditional dining and sharing a table with other passengers. For us, it is a MAJOR factor...so much so that we have decided we simply will not book a cruise if that is not an option.

 

If the OP is like us, why should they risk not getting what they want on THEIR vacation? For the vast majority of people, vacation dollars and vacation time is precious. I know I do not want to waste it and am not real fond of the idea of having to settle for something I don't like when I have other options.

 

Hopefully, by all cancelling they will be able to find another vacation option where they can get what they want...or at least have a better chance of it.

 

No one said that it wasn't important. They offered VIABLE (highly probable to work) solutions.

 

If they switch to MTD, they can all make a standing reservation and then all dine together every night

 

Also, the waitlist does usually go open up closer to the sail date, so, again, wait it out, is actually a viable solution.

[cyndepet]

I'm on Brilliance Dec 2017, can you find the Charter Group for this cruise?

 

 

Can I find it if I look at your signature :p