Traditional dining seating

[oceanseagle12]

Hey all! Experienced cruiser here laughing at myself for what probably seems like an obvious question. Booked for December on Allure with a group of 8. We decided to try late traditional dining this time, as we have never sailed with this many and decided it would be easier than hassling with the lines for MTD. Usually people are on here asking how MTD works, but it just occurred to me that this is our first doing traditional, and I’m not entirely sure how it works.

As I understand it, the table will be listed on our cards. So do we just walk in and sit down at our table, or do we need to check in with someone?

 

 

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[Clarea]

Just walk in and sit at your table. You may find there are crewmembers at the entrance on the first night who will guide you to your table.

[1025cruise]

That's pretty much it. Show up at the assigned time, head to your table, and your waiter will be right over.

[oceanseagle12]

Thank you! Since the whole dining room has the same time, is there usually a line to get in the door?

[markbach]

Thank you! Since the whole dining room has the same time, is there usually a line to get in the door?

 

Only on the first night, and even then it's only a few minutes wait at most. Unlike the MTD line, there's enough tables for everyone to sit at once, so it's just a matter of escorting people to the correct tables. Once people know where they are going after the first night, people just walk right in and sit down.

[Clarea]

Thank you! Since the whole dining room has the same time, is there usually a line to get in the door?

There's a nightly crush, but it's gone in about 5 minutes.

[Biker19]

Thank you! Since the whole dining room has the same time, is there usually a line to get in the door?

Line, no, crowds, sometimes. The doors to the dining room are typically closed until seating time so a crowd can gather while waiting for the doors to open.

[Grandma Dazzles]

When you first board and you are exploring the ship, stop by the dining room and check out your table placement. That way you can walk straight in - there might be a bit of a crush on the first night, and they do have staff waiting to show you to your table, but it's much easier if you know where you are going.

 

Also, if you don't like the table placement they might be able to move you if you check ahead of time. Had tablemates join our table on the Serenade who had done that. They had checked and found their original table was in the back corner, which they didn't object to, except the gentleman was handicapped and used a large scooter. Our table was much closer to the front door and off to one side - much more accommodating - they had requested a move and found our table could accommodate two more people and hence move.

[oceanseagle12]

Thanks so much. One more follow up. With a group of 8, am I right to guess that we will be at our own table for 8?

[steveru621]

Thanks so much. One more follow up. With a group of 8, am I right to guess that we will be at our own table for 8?

 

Probably. Just make sure your reservations are linked in RCI's system.

[cb at sea]

Yes...you will in ALL probability be at your own table. It would be uncomfortable for another couple to be seated with a "group"!

[Grandma Dazzles]

Thanks so much. One more follow up. With a group of 8, am I right to guess that we will be at our own table for 8?

 

Probably. You need to make sure that all your reservation numbers are linked and ask for a table for 8. There are tables for 10-12.

[oceanseagle12]

Thanks again all! I’ve always preferred MTD but am actually looking forward to the traditional option. It will be nice to just walk in and sit down. Also think it will be nice when people in our group do different things, we can just plan to meet up at dinner without having to coordinate times etc.

 

 

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[otterden]

Hey all! Experienced cruiser here laughing at myself for what probably seems like an obvious question.

 

From an inexperienced cruiser, many thanks for this thread! Still learning how all this works on RCI, so appreciate the info (and lack of sarcastic responses from folks actually willing to help!). We've got a smaller group, only four of us, but all the info here has been helpful as we definitely want to dine with others and get to know more people.

[poncho1973]

When you first board and you are exploring the ship, stop by the dining room and check out your table placement. That way you can walk straight in - there might be a bit of a crush on the first night, and they do have staff waiting to show you to your table, but it's much easier if you know where you are going.

 

I'd second this in a big way. It's super easy, especially when you are mainly killing time until the ship leaves. They are really cool about it and I've had staff call out across the room "Which table number?" and I yelled it back and they pointed me in the right direction from whatever table they are setting up.

[Merion_Mom]

Thanks again all! I’ve always preferred MTD but am actually looking forward to the traditional option. It will be nice to just walk in and sit down. Also think it will be nice when people in our group do different things, we can just plan to meet up at dinner without having to coordinate times etc.

 

 

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You hit the nail on the head for the advantages of having fixed seating for a "large" group. Bon Voyage!

[cruiseguy1016]

Thanks again all! I’ve always preferred MTD but am actually looking forward to the traditional option. It will be nice to just walk in and sit down. Also think it will be nice when people in our group do different things, we can just plan to meet up at dinner without having to coordinate times etc.

 

 

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And don't worry about switching up the seating arrangements every night. Contrary to some peoples' belief, it does not bother the wait staff. It will allow you to talk to different members of your group each night.

[kdnurs]

Thanks again all! I’ve always preferred MTD but am actually looking forward to the traditional option. It will be nice to just walk in and sit down. Also think it will be nice when people in our group do different things, we can just plan to meet up at dinner without having to coordinate times etc.

 

 

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That is what my family do every cruise. We do our own thing and all meet for dinner and discuss our day. The most important thing is, if you all want to sit at the same table,...call Royal and have all the reservation numbers linked to one person. That way they will see you are infact a group dining together instead of separately ...EnJoY!!!

[molsonschooner]

And don't worry about switching up the seating arrangements every night. Contrary to some peoples' belief, it does not bother the wait staff. It will allow you to talk to different members of your group each night.

 

we had a group of 12 people last year on Harmony. We made a point of switching places every night. Our waitress was awesome. She told us on the second night that we could not fool her, she would know who we were. Not once did she mess up our names.