Annoyed by Anytime Dining taking reservations and wait times once seated

[dtb55]

But if it is swiped and noted in the computer system then repeat offenders could be identified and should be sternly spoken to by the Maitre d' or even the Hotel Manager.

 

 

 

I wonder if the medallion would make it easier to identify TD diners in ADT.

 

 

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[wrongwaywatson]

I wonder if the medallion would make it easier to identify TD diners in ADT.

 

 

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That is a possibility! It will be interesting to see, that's for sure

[stevenr597]

We recently sailed on the Coral Princess and took anytime dining. Between 6:00 and 7:30 there was usually a long wait, but before and after that no problem. We liked to take in the show first, and then eat, made for a great evening. In regards to reservations, yes, they will take reservations, but only a set number. When one takes anytime dining they trade the convenience of eating at a set time, on a set table for the convenience of a more flexible dining time which may result in a wait. Had similar waits on both Royal Caribbean as well as Holland America.

[Hlitner]

We have done anytime dining on numerous Princess cruises with mixed results. It is not helpful that they might be seating Anytime in two different restaurants (on different decks) and one never knows which has the shortest queue. The reservation situation is simply awful (and its also done on some other lines) and creates more problems then not! But DW and I usually have few problems since we often ask to be seated at a large table (share) which generally gets us to a table with no delay. If you want to be specific, such as asking for a table for 6 for your party, then you may well find yourself waiting a long time. The two basic solutions are to use Fixed Dining or dine later (after 8) when there are fewer issues.

 

Hank

[GRAYTech]

I'm sure TD diners do crash ATD but I would like to stick up for us late TD diners that have never crashed ATD. If we are hungry before 8:00PM a trip through the buffet, sushi and a wine at Vines, a treat from the IC. Never crashed ATD. If we wanted the frustration of ATD we would have selected it when we booked.

 

As other posters have noted there are lots of ways to solve the ATD wait time. I also don't get it. If you have to wait at 6:00PM why not select early TD dining? Same is true if you are troubled by waiting at 7:30PM for a table. Late TD dining solves the problem with zero wait time. If you are there to share a table to meet people then pick a non prime time to go.

 

I do agree however, why allow ATD reservations? If someone reserves a table every night at the same time what's the point of "anytime"? What's wrong with eating early or late TD in that case?

[frugaltravel]

I might eat at 6pm sometimes or 7.30pm sometimes. But the main reason I pick ATD is to have flexibility especially on port days. I have no desire to rush back to the ship if we have a later port time. Food is not the priority for me in those cases; the port is.

 

Reservations for ATD dont have to be made for the same time every night :-)

[GRAYTech]

Yes I agree, if you want the flexibility to eat at 6:00PM or 7:30PM ATD is the way to go but with it the potential wait times etc. To me don't choose it and then complain about it, not that you are. By choosing late TD (8PM) we are always back on board in time to clean up for dinner. Really works for us. Catch an early show on a sea day and enjoy a late show after dinner. Again, this is just what works for us. Never an hour wait, always prompt service, favorite beverage is on the table when we sit down, food is always hot. I think the waiters have too many tables on Princess but that is a topic for another thread.

 

I was referring to those that make a "standing" ATD reservation for the length of the cruise. I guess those too could be at different times but the implication was it was for the same number at the table at the same time each night of the cruise. If so, why not TD dinning for them.

 

So I'm not bashing ATD, more defending TD diners that do not crash ATD and shouldn't be grouped together as the cause of many of the issues with ATD.

[PrincessLuver]

I guess I really don't understand all of the fuss about reservations and Anytime Dining. It allows you the FREEDOM to choose when you want to dine and you aren't locked into the same time every night, unless you WANT to be. It CLEARLY states in the description that YOU CHOOSE. It also clearly states that reservations are accepted. You choose if you want to make a reservation or if you want to just show up. It is your choice. Now, if the website said "no reservations are accepted, it is first come-first served" and a ship was taking reservations, then YES, absolutely be upset about it

 

The problem is that Princess does not allow everyone to make reservations who have ATD.....they really allow very few and people usually have to call first thing in the morning when the Dine Line opens (which is for reservations at all their restaurants) and it is very time consuming and frustrating trying to get through (if you even can?)...their description does not meet the reality of the situation nor the expectations of most passengers who signed up for ATD.....some MD's run a tighter ship then others too when it come to ATD.....but usually it is a hot mess .....:(

[the mistral wind]

I do have to say though, that on the Navigator of the seas they always had our table for 2 ready at the designated time rccl . Never had a problem they just escorted us to our table with no problems. Really was happy with this. We always had the same table and they actually knew us when we came to the dinning room kudos to the staff on rccl Navigator.

[SadieN]

..............more defending TD diners that do not crash ATD and shouldn't be grouped together as the cause of many of the issues with ATD.

 

 

Victim of stereotyping.

 

Traditional Diners who follow the rules are being lumped in with the few that don't. All human groups suffer this from other groups.

[wrongwaywatson]

The problem is that Princess does not allow everyone to make reservations who have ATD.....they really allow very few and people usually have to call first thing in the morning when the Dine Line opens (which is for reservations at all their restaurants) and it is very time consuming and frustrating trying to get through (if you even can?)...their description does not meet the reality of the situation nor the expectations of most passengers who signed up for ATD.....some MD's run a tighter ship then others too when it come to ATD.....but usually it is a hot mess .....:(

 

 

You say they don't allow everyone to make reservations who have ATD and I'm a bit confused. Who don't they allow? We've been ATD on our last 8 cruises and I have made reservations for the nights we wanted to eat in the dining room without any problems that I can remember. I'm sometimes not the most patient person, so I would definitely remember if I had trouble getting through. Have I just been lucky? If so, maybe I should hit the casinos ;p I'm not trying to be contrary, I just haven't experienced this on any of the cruises and I'm curious about that. I usually try to get reservations as early as can be accepted, as we prefer to eat early - gives me time to digest the food and make room for a dessert and coffee from the IC before bed! We also don't eat in the dining room on formal nights, so that may make a difference. We do the buffet or the Crown Grill instead.

[caribill]

You say they don't allow everyone to make reservations who have ATD and I'm a bit confused. Who don't they allow?

 

Once the allowed number of reservations have been set up for an evening, everyone who calls in after that is not allowed to make a reservation.

[frugaltravel]

Once the allowed number of reservations have been set up for an evening, everyone who calls in after that is not allowed to make a reservation.

 

Have you personally been locked out from making a reservation? The poster with 8 cruises never has. Me with 5 cruises never have. At least once I even called in the afternoon and was able to make reservations.

[casofilia]

I still want to know how to make a reservation if I have a shorex that starts at 7.30, posters state that reservations are taken at 8am, and doesn't return to the ship till 2pm or even later.

[floridalover5623]

The problem is that Princess does not allow everyone to make reservations who have ATD.....they really allow very few and people usually have to call first thing in the morning when the Dine Line opens (which is for reservations at all their restaurants) and it is very time consuming and frustrating trying to get through (if you even can?)...their description does not meet the reality of the situation nor the expectations of most passengers who signed up for ATD.....some MD's run a tighter ship then others too when it come to ATD.....but usually it is a hot mess .....:(

 

You are correct. They only take a "certain percentage" of seating for reservations then it cuts off. Especially for a table for 2. If you're not an early caller when the desk first opens up you might as well forget about it.

It sometimes means starting to call at 8 sharp & hanging in there for a while and if you're wanting to get off in a port -ASAP, it can be frustrating.

[wrongwaywatson]

Once the allowed number of reservations have been set up for an evening, everyone who calls in after that is not allowed to make a reservation.

 

I guess you could always ask Princess when you were onboard how you are supposed to make a reservation on a port day that you have an early excursion? Other than that, I don't know.

[lolane1]

I'm sure TD diners do crash ATD but I would like to stick up for us late TD diners that have never crashed ATD. If we are hungry before 8:00PM a trip through the buffet, sushi and a wine at Vines, a treat from the IC. Never crashed ATD. If we wanted the frustration of ATD we would have selected it when we booked.

 

As other posters have noted there are lots of ways to solve the ATD wait time. I also don't get it. If you have to wait at 6:00PM why not select early TD dining? Same is true if you are troubled by waiting at 7:30PM for a table. Late TD dining solves the problem with zero wait time. If you are there to share a table to meet people then pick a non prime time to go.

 

I do agree however, why allow ATD reservations? If someone reserves a table every night at the same time what's the point of "anytime"? What's wrong with eating early or late TD in that case?

 

Exactly! We too have never crashed ATD. Love late traditional. No wait. And if hungry after returning from a shore excursion, a trip to the buffet, wine and appetizers (from buffet) on the balcony, or platinum/elite cocktail party. How about a snack or sandwich at the IC. There may always be something going on that interferes with dinner with TD. But one can usually plan around it, like dinner in a specialty restaurant or a trip to the buffet. Bottom line is that you will be sort of inconvenienced at some point over various issues with dining on the ship whether you are TD or ATD,

 

Personally, I've done AT dining once. Never again. The wait time was excessive in most cases. That's not the way I want to spend my time on the ship.

[iceleven]

I might eat at 6pm sometimes or 7.30pm sometimes. But the main reason I pick ATD is to have flexibility especially on port days. I have no desire to rush back to the ship if we have a later port time. Food is not the priority for me in those cases; the port is.

 

Reservations for ATD dont have to be made for the same time every night :-)

 

Best answer.

[wrongwaywatson]

Truthfully, if this is the worst problem that we have, our lives are pretty good!

[GlamorousGirl]

I copied/pasted this from Princess's site, describing Anytime Dining:

 

Fresh and Flexible, Dine Any Time

 

"Just like a restaurant at home, Anytime Dining enables guests the freedom to dine when and with whom they wish, at any time between 5:30 PM and 10 PM. Reservations are available through an onboard dining hotline, but not required, and diners may choose to eat only with their own group, or be seated with other guests. The choice is yours."

 

Me: So, essentially is means you can eat at ANYTIME you choose to go to the restaurant. You may make reservations and you are NOT locked into a certain time every single night.

 

Thank you for posting this. It is a relief to learn that we can make a reservation and how. I don't mind so much eating later, but if there's entertainment we don't want to miss I want the option of going earlier without waiting an hour!

[GlamorousGirl]

You do know that you can book traditional dining just for your own table. You do not have to share with strangers. You can get a table for 2, 4, 6, or whatever you need.

 

Maybe I had heard faulty information? I was told by a travel agent that table choice for TD is limited, and that higher level loyalty club members get dibs while new customers will probably be stuck sharing with strangers since the "tables for 2" are in higher demand. That's why we booked AD. I figured we'd have to "level up" to have our preferred table choice.

[Colo Cruiser]

Maybe I had heard faulty information? I was told by a travel agent that table choice for TD is limited, and that higher level loyalty club members get dibs while new customers will probably be stuck sharing with strangers since the "tables for 2" are in higher demand. That's why we booked AD. I figured we'd have to "level up" to have our preferred table choice.

 

Never heard that before,

IMO it's first come first served.

[floridalover5623]

Maybe I had heard faulty information? I was told by a travel agent that table choice for TD is limited, and that higher level loyalty club members get dibs while new customers will probably be stuck sharing with strangers since the "tables for 2" are in higher demand. That's why we booked AD. I figured we'd have to "level up" to have our preferred table choice.

That's a new one for me. Maybe I'll have to pull rank next cruise & see where it gets me. :D

[NavyVeteran]

Maybe I had heard faulty information? I was told by a travel agent that table choice for TD is limited, and that higher level loyalty club members get dibs while new customers will probably be stuck sharing with strangers since the "tables for 2" are in higher demand. That's why we booked AD. I figured we'd have to "level up" to have our preferred table choice.

 

Priority traditional and anytime dining reservations was a perk for suites - not for elite. I don't believe there are enough suite passengers to make a large difference in availability for others. This priority is no longer listed on the suite amenities list - probably because it is replaced by Club Class dining.

[hllwdcruiser]

I like the fact that reservations are an option. If you think that obtaining a reservation gives people an advantage, then guess what? Make a reservation! We almost always dine at the transitional MDR and make our reservation as close to the transition time as possible. Typically, the person on the phone offers us 7:30 as an option and we accept. And we usually head to the dining room around 7:15 and are seated upon arrival. On our last cruise, after two consecutive days of making a reservation and arriving at 7:15, the maitre'd approached us as we left and offered to keep that table available for us at the same time for the rest of the cruise and we accepted. It is not the same as Traditional Dining, because there is no such thing as a Traditional seating at 7:15-7:30. If there were, I would take it. But the transitional MDR has to, by definition, clear out around 7:00 which means that every table in the place is re-set and ready to go by 7:15. Somebody has to get one of those tables. Might as well be me. And if you want one too, then ask. And for the record, on our sold-out cruise, every person, (and I stress EVERY) who arrived at the transitional MDR after 7:20 was seated immediately. No wait. No buzzers. Indeed, the MDR was never more than one third full between 7:15 and 8:00. Anyone could have gotten in had they simply walked up to the podium.

Thank you so much for this information. We are sailing in two weeks on the Regal and will be putting your theory to the test! Normally we eat around 8 to avoid the lines but then we miss some of the games in Princess Live that we like. Same as you, if Traditional was offered at 7:15, we would take it in a heartbeat.