How are tables assigned in Club Class Dining?

[JudithLynne]

I have read all the threads on the new CC plan and can’t find the answer to my question. I am inferring that when you show up for CC dining you are lead to a table that is open much like ATD. Can passengers get a table size of their choice for the entire cruise or is it first come, first served?

[St Paul Girl]

I have read all the threads on the new CC plan and can’t find the answer to my question. I am inferring that when you show up for CC dining you are lead to a table that is open much like ATD. Can passengers get a table size of their choice for the entire cruise or is it first come, first served?

You are guaranteed the table size of your choice. Will it be the same table every night, probably not. Will you be allowed to join other people, if it's mutual, why not. We have to wait for more reviews until all of our questions are answered.

[Colo Cruiser]

Nobody knows yet.

[f-mattox]

. . . .and what if you are eligible for Club Class because you have a suite, but have requested a Traditional seating time :confused:

[shredie]

. . . .and what if you are eligible for Club Class because you have a suite, but have requested a Traditional seating time :confused:

 

TD is in a different dining room. You will have to choose: CC or TD.

[critterchick]

. . . .and what if you are eligible for Club Class because you have a suite, but have requested a Traditional seating time :confused:

 

We had confirmed late traditional and, upon boarding, noticed that our cards said, "Anytime Dining." So we went to the dining room where they said we'd been changed because of Club Class dining. They also did say that we could have a table for 2 in late seating if we wanted it.

 

We decided to give CC a try and loved it, so decided not to move back. But then a note was slipped under our door with a table assignment in the traditional MDR. We told the CC hostess that we didn't want it, and she said we could do either one. I didn't want to tie up a table that we aren't going to use, so asked her to cancel it. I don't know if she did. As I said in another post, Ruby is one of the first ships to implement CC and they are still working it out.

 

We never had to wait for a table for two with the servers we had the first night and really liked. It was always a different table, though. I don't know if they would have held one for us but, other than the couple of window tables, here isn't enough of a location difference that we cared about.

[f-mattox]

Thanks, Jean. I'd like to try Club Class but I don't want Anytime to do it. I'll stick with Traditional.

[southwestgal]

Hi Critterchick,

 

Thanks for posting your experience with Club Class. We'll be in a suite on an Alaska cruise this summer and was wondering about the special suite breakfast perk and the Club Class impact. Since you were in a suite, were you offered breakfast in one of the specialty restaurants limited to suites or was the suite breakfast part of the club class offerings in the dining room? If it was in the dining room, were the breakfast hours extended for the club class folks?

 

Thanks!!!!

[f-mattox]

The breakfast for suite passengers is still in Sabatini's on the ships that still have them or in the Crown Grill.

[caribill]

Thanks, Jean. I'd like to try Club Class but I don't want Anytime to do it. I'll stick with Traditional.

 

Not sure why you would not want it.

 

Although in an Anytime dining room, it is in a special area for Club Class passengers and you will always be immediately seated no matter when you arrive.

 

You can likely request and get the same waitstaff every time if you wish.

 

Of course if you are traveling with others who are not in Club Class and you do wish to dine with them, then you would want to be in Traditional.

[Safe77]

So, I'm a bit confused about this CC dining thing. My wife and I booked and paid for our March 2017 Regal Princess cruise before there was even any talk of Club Class. We're in a full suite. We've always preferred traditional dining at a larger table because it's fun to meet people and make new friends. Also, we don't don't know anyone else on the ship, so dining with others, especially the same table mates each night, means we can have conversations with other people, not just each other. So, we requested and have been assigned traditional dining at a table of 8.

 

But it's sounding like our prediction is correct: We will have to choose between TD and CC dining, and we will have to base that choice on access to the expanded CC menu (which, thus far, doesn't sound greatly expanded!) and dining with the same or even multiple people each night (doesn't sound like either is likely in CC).

 

We weren't too thrilled with the idea of being segregated in the MDR to begin with, as, in our minds, it promotes the sort of class structure we abhor. (I won't even get into the whole MDR embarkation lunch issue. This is the first I've heard of that and I don't blame people for being unhappy about it.) We have paid a premium for a larger cabin and some additional perks. But it seems unfair for Princess to be granting some of those perks by taking what was standard-level services away from others.

[St Paul Girl]

So, I'm a bit confused about this CC dining thing. My wife and I booked and paid for our March 2017 Regal Princess cruise before there was even any talk of Club Class. We're in a full suite. We've always preferred traditional dining at a larger table because it's fun to meet people and make new friends. Also, we don't don't know anyone else on the ship, so dining with others, especially the same table mates each night, means we can have conversations with other people, not just each other. So, we requested and have been assigned traditional dining at a table of 8.

 

But it's sounding like our prediction is correct: We will have to choose between TD and CC dining, and we will have to base that choice on access to the expanded CC menu (which, thus far, doesn't sound greatly expanded!) and dining with the same or even multiple people each night (doesn't sound like either is likely in CC).

 

We weren't too thrilled with the idea of being segregated in the MDR to begin with, as, in our minds, it promotes the sort of class structure we abhor. (I won't even get into the whole MDR embarkation lunch issue. This is the first I've heard of that and I don't blame people for being unhappy about it.) We have paid a premium for a larger cabin and some additional perks. But it seems unfair for Princess to be granting some of those perks by taking what was standard-level services away from others.

Good comment. I equate this CC dining/class to the new "premium" economy class that most airlines have implemented. You get more legroom, preferential boarding, on international flights, an upgraded meal and seat,etc.

Is this a "class" system, YES! People are willing to pay for it like paying for anything other than "coach" when flying.

Let's wait and see some more reviews. We are booked in CC class for a 14 night South America cruise in next january, lots of time to make it work, so do something else!

[Candycrusher]

We booked an owners suite on the Regal 1-22 sailing and chose that date for the CC amenity. Wanted to wait a few weeks for Princess to get acclimated to it. As I understand it, there is a separate entrance to the DR, etc. we will share our experience either during the cruise depending if we get wifi or when we return.

 

 

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[critterchick]

Hi Critterchick,

 

Thanks for posting your experience with Club Class. We'll be in a suite on an Alaska cruise this summer and was wondering about the special suite breakfast perk and the Club Class impact. Since you were in a suite, were you offered breakfast in one of the specialty restaurants limited to suites or was the suite breakfast part of the club class offerings in the dining room? If it was in the dining room, were the breakfast hours extended for the club class folks?

 

Thanks!!!!

 

We had the option of CC or Crown Grill (suites only) for breakfast. We never went to CC. The hours were same as in the rest of the dining room. Lunch was available on sea days only. We only went once and it was good, but there was no special item (that I can recall, anyway).

[Lanwood]

We ended up eating in the Club Class dining most nights as we enjoyed it so much (on the Emerald last 2 weeks, we were full suite passengers).

 

On the Emerald, Club class was set up in the Davinci Dining room. Special entrance was the smaller starboard side entrance. Special area (not roped) is the immediate quarter to the left as you walk in.

 

The remainder of Davinci Dining room was Traditional dining 1st seating, and anytime time 2nd seating.

 

You were pretty much treated like royalty. We were warmly greeted by one of the staff at the door each night, who escorted us to the MaitreD, who again greats you and escorts you to a table while talking up the special club class dish for the night (he cooks it). At the table the MaitreD hands you over to your 2 waiters. The process is the same on each visit. There is never any waiting. And is very impressive how smooth it flows. Everyone proffesional and friendly without exception. They made it look so easy....

 

The menu is the same as the rest of the restaurant with the exception of the special dish that is prepared by the MaitreD in a table side type seat up in the middle of the Clubclass area. Sometimes is a main dish, sometimes a special desert. One night he made his own Osso-bucco, and was the best we have tasted (ps not as nice as the Osso-Bucco on the standard menu when offered).

 

We tried breakfast in there a couple of times to compare with the suite breakfast in the Crown Grill (no Sabitini's on the Emerald anymore). As the menu is the same as the main restaurant the offerings are not as good as the suite breakfast, however we felt the service was much better and nicer, so we flipped between the two depending on how "complicated" our breakfast choice was on any given morning.

 

Had lunch their a couple of times (offered at sea days only). Service same as dinner explination.

 

Overall, we found the Club Class on the Emerald to be the best run restaurant and organised team of any Princess restaurant we've done to date (11 cruises with Princess).

 

and yes, they are absolute strict no policy for passengers not in club class or suites (so no guests - even if they are travelling with you in different cabins).

[dianef]

Curious what part of the dining room was reserved for club class.We always have early traditional dining in there,at 5:30.Was wondering if they put you in the middle of the dining room or a private back or side area. Going on the Ruby this Sat.

[Woobstr112G]

We ended up eating in the Club Class dining most nights as we enjoyed it so much (on the Emerald last 2 weeks, we were full suite passengers).

 

On the Emerald, Club class was set up in the Davinci Dining room. Special entrance was the smaller starboard side entrance. Special area (not roped) is the immediate quarter to the left as you walk in.

 

The remainder of Davinci Dining room was Traditional dining 1st seating, and anytime time 2nd seating.

 

You were pretty much treated like royalty. We were warmly greeted by one of the staff at the door each night, who escorted us to the MaitreD, who again greats you and escorts you to a table while talking up the special club class dish for the night (he cooks it). At the table the MaitreD hands you over to your 2 waiters. The process is the same on each visit. There is never any waiting. And is very impressive how smooth it flows. Everyone proffesional and friendly without exception. They made it look so easy....

 

The menu is the same as the rest of the restaurant with the exception of the special dish that is prepared by the MaitreD in a table side type seat up in the middle of the Clubclass area. Sometimes is a main dish, sometimes a special desert. One night he made his own Osso-bucco, and was the best we have tasted (ps not as nice as the Osso-Bucco on the standard menu when offered).

 

We tried breakfast in there a couple of times to compare with the suite breakfast in the Crown Grill (no Sabitini's on the Emerald anymore). As the menu is the same as the main restaurant the offerings are not as good as the suite breakfast, however we felt the service was much better and nicer, so we flipped between the two depending on how "complicated" our breakfast choice was on any given morning.

 

Had lunch their a couple of times (offered at sea days only). Service same as dinner explination.

 

Overall, we found the Club Class on the Emerald to be the best run restaurant and organised team of any Princess restaurant we've done to date (11 cruises with Princess).

 

and yes, they are absolute strict no policy for passengers not in club class or suites (so no guests - even if they are travelling with you in different cabins).

 

Thanks for posting your comments.....:):):)

 

Bob

[caribill]

 

You were pretty much treated like royalty. We were warmly greeted by one of the staff at the door each night, who escorted us to the MaitreD, who again greats you and escorts you to a table while talking up the special club class dish for the night (he cooks it). At the table the MaitreD hands you over to your 2 waiters. The process is the same on each visit. There is never any waiting. And is very impressive how smooth it flows. Everyone proffesional and friendly without exception. They made it look so easy....

 

The menu is the same as the rest of the restaurant with the exception of the special dish that is prepared by the MaitreD in a table side type seat up in the middle of the Clubclass area. Sometimes is a main dish, sometimes a special desert. One night he made his own Osso-bucco, and was the best we have tasted (ps not as nice as the Osso-Bucco on the standard menu when offered).

 

 

Is it really the Maitre d' or is it a headwaiter?

 

The Maitre d' is supposed to be supervising the three main dining rooms, and I would be surprised if he is now devoting full meal times to a small section of just one dining room.

[shredie]

Is it really the Maitre d' or is it a headwaiter?

 

The Maitre d' is supposed to be supervising the three main dining rooms, and I would be surprised if he is now devoting full meal times to a small section of just one dining room.

 

It had to be the Head Waiter. Was he wearing a white jacket? You're right that they won't take the head guy in charge of everything and put him to work in one little section cooking pasta.

[pablo222]

TD is in a different dining room. You will have to choose: CC or TD.

 

Can not one simply go to CC at an absolute time, and simulate

the 'convenience' of traditional?

 

Perhaps go at 5:30, so one can complain that early seating

is too early.

[LewiLewi]

Do you have to sit at tables for two in CC dining? Are there larger tables for six to eight and can you join these tables at random? We enjoy dinner with other people and find it boring to dine alone every night.

[shredie]

Can not one simply go to CC at an absolute time, and simulate

the 'convenience' of traditional?

 

Perhaps go at 5:30, so one can complain that early seating

is too early.

Yes, that would be an option, but the poster I was answering spoke of having the same table mates every night.

Do you have to sit at tables for two in CC dining? Are there larger tables for six to eight and can you join these tables at random? We enjoy dinner with other people and find it boring to dine alone every night.

 

This option might work if the same people can be counted on to show up at the same time every evening and choose the same table every night.

[Lanwood]

It had to be the Head Waiter. Was he wearing a white jacket? You're right that they won't take the head guy in charge of everything and put him to work in one little section cooking pasta.

 

Yep. Head waiter. He was a white coat....:o

[PattyBY]

Lots of speculation from those who haven't enjoyed CC! In my opinion, CC dining is for people who want to eat as they would at a restaurant. If you want to sit with other people, sign up for TD...I'm sure they will accommodate you. We eat early, we were in the CC dining room between 5;30 and 6:00pm every night, and we always had one of two tables. I'm sure if we had picked another table for 2, we could have had it...but I wasn't there to tell the wait staff how to manage their dining room. Again, I will say that we totally enjoyed CC dining, it is the only way we will travel on a big ship, the food was very good, the staff was very pleasant and helpful...NO complaints. And if it doesn't appeal to you, or you think it is too expensive, don't do it. There are those of us who have experienced it and enjoyed it. I haven't seen a complaint from anyone who has partaken.

[Lanwood]

Do you have to sit at tables for two in CC dining?

No

 

Are there larger tables for six to eight and can you join these tables at random?

Yes and Yes

 

We enjoy dinner with other people and find it boring to dine alone every night.

We dined after the 7pm show each night. At that time, we noticed about 4 couples who regularly migrated between sharing tables between them after getting to know each other. We noticed a table for 6 shared once, but generally we noticed that they kept a table for 4 free for couples who wanted to share with another couple. They are quite adaptable to the preferences of their diners, and learn what you like within a night or two to offer you your choices accordingly...

 

to give you an example, on one night the table for 4 that always was shared by passengers wanting to share was full when a couple walked in. The head waiter knowing that they like company asked them if they would like to sit at a larger table and someone may join them soon, or would they like a table for 2 by the window for a change, or would they like the table for 2 next to the couple they were dining with the previous night (the one they chose). To be perfectly honest, most of the table for 2 are they long row of 8 across the back booth. So you end up talking with the tables next to you as though they are all one table anyway. They are cleaver to seat those that like segregation away from others, or on the other side against the wall. All part of the service....