A Question about Dining

[tubeamps]

We are booked on the 7/9 Midnight Sun out of London and have a general question about dining.

 

It's a bit premature, but I'm trying to plan/decide which nights to book at the specialty restaurants. If Viking does a nice welcome aboard dinner I would like to be in the Restaurant.

 

We have 6 nights out of 14 where we can book specialty dining and simply put I don't want to book a reservation if there is some sort of specialty menu in the MDR.

 

Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

[Not a Georgia Peach]

We were on the Viking Homelands cruise in July, there was no "Welcome OnBoard" Dinner that we ever saw. Daily menus for the restaurants are only posted on the electronic information boards on the day, and the menus posted were not always accurate as to what was available. The scheduled themes for Chef's Table during your cruise will be available when you are on the ship, and if the menu for the day you have a reservation is not one you would enjoy, you can change your reservation if seats are available.

[tubeamps]

Thanks for the response.

[Jtm1979]

I learned, reading thru another post, that Viking served full lobster in the MDR during their cruise..believe 3rd evening and 2nd to last evening. DH and I didn't make it to the MDR on our Med Ody cruise last year (the buffet was sooo good) but will definitely check the menu's during our cruise in Feb'17 :D

[Peregrina651]

Actually, you are limited to the advance reservations that you can make for the specialty restaurants but once you are on board you can make as many reservation as are available. Of course, for me, that's a tough decision now because there wasn't a single night in the MDR when I looked at the menu that I wished I was eating in Manfred it's instead; there was always at least one very appealing choice on the menu if not more.

[Vineyard View]

I agree with Peregrina. MDR was a very good restaurant with a good range of options! We spent a good number of evenings (as well as a few breakfast and lunches) there during our 29 day journey....and won't hesitate on our next trip.

That said, we also totally loved Manifredi's! And the Cafe - well, it is the ONLY buffet type food I have ever enjoyed.....and much of it is being made right there rather than sitting under heat lamps for an eternity! Viking does an impressive food service throughout IMHO.

[Alicomp]

We will be on the Sea, our first Viking Ocean cruise, in December.

 

Are there tables for 2 in the dining room? I did see what looked like tables for 2 in photos on CC - there were a row of tables along the wall, with chairs on one side and a "bench" on the other side. Are these the tables for 2?

 

What is the timing of dinner? Does everyone go to the dining room at the same time?

 

Are we assigned tables?

 

Thank you.

Alice

Edited September 24, 2016 by Alicomp

[Peregrina651]

Hi, Alice. Yes, most of the 2 tops are lined up against the center banquet but there are a few along the other walls. The banquet walls are a mix of 2 and 4 tops. It is open seating but you are escorted to your table. No assigned tables but if you find a serving team you like, you can ask to be seated there. Except for very large parties traveling together, there are no reserved tables in The Restaurant. If you have very specific desires for seating, it is better to be there when the doors open; after that it will be hired to accommodate your wishes.

 

When we cruised in June (and I think that each cruise kind of develops it's own mealtime rhythm), there was a long line when the dining room opened. BTW, even the head of the company stands in line to be seated. We tended to show up for dinner around 7pm. Dinner is a leisurely affair. There is no rush to turn over the tables for the next paying customers.

[Vineyard View]

Just to add to Perigrina.....the MDR 2 tops, for the most part, were positioned very close to neighboring 2-4 top tables.....and the center room tables all shared one side of long cushioned seating. Two tops that were closer to the outside were almost all very close to neighboring 2-4+ tops, but provided individual seating for just that table on both sides - if that makes sense.

[Peregrina651]

Just to add to Perigrina.....the MDR 2 tops, for the most part, were positioned very close to neighboring 2-4 top tables.....and the center room tables all shared one side of long cushioned seating. Two tops that were closer to the outside were almost all very close to neighboring 2-4+ tops, but provided individual seating for just that table on both sides - if that makes sense.

 

LOL, seating was cozy no matter where you sat in the MDR. I did notice that 2 tops tended to become ad hoc 4 tops as conversations sprung up between the tables.

[Vineyard View]

That they did!! I was thinking that as well!!

[Host Jazzbeau]

LOL, seating was cozy no matter where you sat in the MDR. I did notice that 2 tops tended to become ad hoc 4 tops as conversations sprung up between the tables.

 

We enjoy that! There is a sense of choice: you can ask the earlier-dining couple what they liked, and maybe a conversation will develop – but it isn't like sharing a larger table where you have to engage all dinner long.

[Dauntless]

We are booked on the 7/9 Midnight Sun out of London and have a general question about dining.

 

 

 

We have 6 nights out of 14 where we can book specialty dining and simply put I don't want to book a reservation if there is some sort of specialty menu in the MDR.

 

Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

 

Just got off the Star. Booked in the lowest cost cabin, we were unable to prebook any reservations before we boarded the ship. We had planned to celebrate a birthday with a fellow passenger at Manfredi's on the sea day but could join the party until we boarded. Since we arrived in Stockholm 3 days ahead, we were able to be on the ship early after they started boarding at 11:00. Our results for this were fulfilled. We tried the Chef's Table on the third night, a decision made that day and showed up when they opened. No problem with being seated. The menus changed the next day so we gave it a try and were hooked. We then made a reservations for one time during each menu. One night was a late arrival from a shore excursion and I was told to drop by when we got in and there would be a table. There was. Our first trip to Manfredi's was in one of the party rooms, since it was a birthday group. Four days out from disembarking we thought about it and figured we really hadn't it experienced it and we wanted to try it again. Word was out that the restaurant was booked but I went by with my request and was told that we would not be able to make official reservations through the system, but if we came by on a particular night at a particular time, something might be available. We did and there was. At the specialty restaurants there seem to be vacant tables when we dined so I would say don't be discouraged, go with flexibility and you probably can achieve what you want. A good attitude goes a long way. Boarded with no reservations but ate at specialty restaurants 7 times.

[comcox]

I'm curious in learning what folks tend to wear to the various restaurants at dinner time.

 

My husband absolutely hates to dress up but I can usually get him into a polo shirt and slacks, say, in the evening. On some cruise lines this would only be appropriate in the buffet and in the MDR on smart casual nights; but often folks would dress up in the specialty restaurants. What tends to be the custom on Viking?

[Dauntless]

I'm curious in learning what folks tend to wear to the various restaurants at dinner time.

 

My husband absolutely hates to dress up but I can usually get him into a polo shirt and slacks, say, in the evening.

Just got off the Star in September and from what you say, he's good to go.

[Peregrina651]

What tends to be the custom on Viking?

 

The truth is that you will find all kinds on Viking. There are some who like to "dress" for dinner and they do. Then there are others, like us, who like to pack very light and don't plan on two outfits a day, whatever works for day has to work for dinner as well.

 

..

[micruiser12]

what are the costs for the Specialty Restaurants?

[huntersyaya]

There is NO additional cost for Specialty restaurants!

[Peregrina651]

There is NO additional cost for Specialty restaurants!

 

Unless you want to upgrade the wine pairings at The Chef's Table.

[micruiser12]

There is NO additional cost for Specialty restaurants!

 

Thanks!

[1stimecruiser]

The truth is that you will find all kinds on Viking. There are some who like to "dress" for dinner and they do. Then there are others, like us, who like to pack very light and don't plan on two outfits a day, whatever works for day has to work for dinner as well.

 

..

 

Glad to hear others don't change for dinner. We enjoyed our Viking River Cruise because we didn't take two outfits a day, cut down the bags for us. One checked and one carry-on for the both of us. We are going to try to only take a carry-on bag each for our cruise in January. I think we can do it with the washing machines on board.

[Peregrina651]

Glad to hear others don't change for dinner. We enjoyed our Viking River Cruise because we didn't take two outfits a day, cut down the bags for us. One checked and one carry-on for the both of us. We are going to try to only take a carry-on bag each for our cruise in January. I think we can do it with the washing machines on board.

 

Watch the weather reports for January. While I have only ever experienced cold weather in Spain, France and Italy in January (low 30s to low 40s), I've also heard of warmer temps. Heavier clothing makes it more challenging to do carry-on only--and I'm beginning to wonder if we are going to have to check a bag this trip. :( On the other hand, the ship has complimentary self-serve laundry.

[Lottie A]

I'm exactly at the other end of the spectrum! I take everything but the kitchen sink. I could not imagine wearing my day clothes to dinner and take far more than the clothes I require because I like to have a choice about what I wear. It's probably a British thing to change for dinner, although having said that my American partner does it too. As to the Laundry.....well that is a place you would never see me on a cruise! :D Each to his own, as we say in the UK. :)

 

As to Winter Med temperatures, well Peregrina651 and I had this discussion on another thread. Of course like anywhere, the weather in The Med can be variable in January, but I cruise here practically every year and the daytime temps can be around a warm (for the UK! ) 18-21c degrees. It gets cold in the evenings and you can get some rain of course. Last January I spent the whole cruise in T Shirts and linen trousers in the day and never wore a jacket or coat once. So layers are the way to go, with a light rain jacket and brolly, rather than heavy coats, hats and gloves.

Let's hope we get some great weather for our January 2017 Viking Sea cruise.

 

I am so happy that I can now cruise on a quality cruise line like Viking for my Winter Med cruises and I can see me booking every year with them from now on. It's a lovely time of year to be in The Med, with no queues, no overcrowding, Xmas Sales and much better weather than the UK

[Peregrina651]

 

 

I am so happy that I can now cruise on a quality cruise line like Viking for my Winter Med cruises and I can see me booking every year with them from now on. It's a lovely time of year to be in The Med, with no queues, no overcrowding, Xmas Sales and much better weather than the UK

 

Okay, there is one thing that Lottie and I can agree on!

 

Looks like Star will be in the Med for winter 2017-18 with no special extended Christmas and NYE cruises:(. They will be offering 8 day western Med cruises between Rome and Barcelona in alternating northern and southern routes (in other words, sailing in circles). Nothing new and exciting in spite of some port changes, so I don't think that I will be able to get my husband to agree to go. "Been there, done that. What's next?"

 

As for the weather, I do hope you are right BUT I'm still bringing my overcoat, hat, gloves and fur boots--because I can't get to and from the airport without them. Well, at least I don't have to worry about packing them in the suitcase.

 

BTW, for those who think in Fahrenheit, for temps above freezing, take the Centigrade temp and double it, then add 30 for a quick approximation. It's not perfectly accurate but it is enough to figure out what to wear.

Save

[Lottie A]

Okay, there is one thing that Lottie and I can agree on!

 

Looks like Star will be in the Med for winter 2017-18 with no special extended Christmas and NYE cruises:(. They will be offering 8 day western Med cruises between Rome and Barcelona in alternating northern and southern routes (in other words, sailing in circles). Nothing new and exciting in spite of some port changes, so I don't think that I will be able to get my husband to agree to go. "Been there, done that. What's next?"

 

As for the weather, I do hope you are right BUT I'm still bringing my overcoat, hat, gloves and fur boots--because I can't get to and from the airport without them. Well, at least I don't have to worry about packing them in the suitcase.

 

 

Well, that's good news for us about Star sailing between Rome and Barcelona in winter 2017/18. Of course, it's less than a two hour flight from the UK for both of those destinations....And we love both of them, despite having been there many times.....I think I have been to Barcelona over 60 times....lost count now.

It's a much longer journey from The States of course and maybe not worth it if the itinerary doesn't excite you.

 

Peregrina, I lived in Boston for 18 months and well remember that biting winter cold. I would wear a coat, hat and gloves to the airport if I was you too! It's also freezing in the UK in January...And always raining of course, but it's not as bad as Boston for sure.