Club class maitre d

[Letacraig]

Is it acceptable to tip the maitre d on the first night for a preferred and the same table in club class dining for the entire week.?

 

just asking .

[cheeseclan]

You cannot reserve a table in club class.  It is first come first serve.  That is how they have no wait times.

We were on the Crown last month and had asked about a set table and they said no.  We understood after they explained the policy.

 

As far as tipping:  we tipped the waiters that waited on us and the head waiter that did all the table side cooking.  The head waiter on this ship was useless.  He only came by once when we had a problem and tried to pawn it off on someone else.  Shocking actually.

 

 

Edited February 20, 2019 by cheeseclan

[Colo Cruiser]

It may vary by ship however we have not had an issue with getting the same table for the cruise..........they actually asked us if we wanted the same table.

It would be the CC Head Waiter not the actual MD. He/She will go out of his/her way to let you dine at the same table for the cruise.

Just make your wishes known when you arrive. A good time might be embarkation lunch in CC.

[Ep010835]

Purely ship by ship/head waiter by head waiter has been my experience. 

Last cruise on the CB we had the same waitstaff each and every night and generally the same table.  All by request. 

Current cruise, some nights a 15+ minute wait just to secure a general location in CC dining. This bunch is a real challenge to work with. The HW borders on obnoxious and aggressive. 

 

[justafem]

double post

Edited February 20, 2019 by justafem

[justafem]

Our first experience with CC was outstanding.  The same window table and the same staff every meal.  It was wonderful!

 

Our second time, not quite the same, we had any table, but the same wait staff.  They knew who we were and our preferences by the second night.

 

Our third time was chaos.  I'm not sure if it's because they added the extra rooms without increasing the waitstaff or size of CC, but we had random servers, some pulled from the MDR, not CC trained or up to the standard we had grown to expect.  Several times, CC was made bigger by roping off some of the MDR, which is acceptable.  We were promised no wait and we were always immediately seated.

 

Maybe we were overly spoiled the first time, or maybe we've gotten too used to cruising.  We've done the same itinerary 2 times every year, so maybe we're getting burnt out. Or maybe, just maybe, the quality has fallen. Food don't taste as decedent, waitstaff doesn't seem to be as attentive, even the stewards don't seem as friendly.  

 

We took our grown daughter with us on the last cruise, her first time, so she was a blue card, BUT we were in a suite.  They turned her away for the suites and elites drink service the first day.  I had to create a stink when we got there and forced them to read her card, which (of course) had suite on it.  She was never questioned again.  

 

It seemed like every single wine by the glass was out.  The choices they did have were disappointing and the cheapest.  Not what we expected when paying over $1000 per person for the beverage package.  

 

Little tings do add up.  Don't get me wrong, we leave for our next cruise tomorrow. I'm going to be on the ship and I'm going to have a good time.  Any bad cruise is better than being home!

Edited February 20, 2019 by justafem

[HaveDogWillTravel]

No you should not tip the Maitre D’hotel for a table assignment. 

 

We let them sit us where ever the first night. If we like the server we ask to be in that station every night. If we didn’t care for the server we ask for another station.   We have always been accommodated and we’ve only had to wait once for a seat (5 minutes) out of 48 nights over 7 different sailings in CC. 

We leave the auto grats on and only tip at the end of the cruise if someone has gone beyond their basic job description.  

[jondfk]

I'd agree that the CC experience can be a bit variable.  A few things I think we've learned:

 

The default assumption is, when you arrive, you'd like to be seated and served.  So, available table / available staff seems to have highest priority.

If we like the service the first night we indicate this to the Maitre D' and are generally seated with the same service team on subsequent occasions.  We've even had staff assignments changed on the fly to have an available table taken by 'our' staff.

If we don't gel with the service team the first day we simply mention a desire to mix it up upon next arrival.  The clue has always been taken without a word of objection.  No big deal, happy to accommodate.  

Occasionally, mainly for breakfast, we've been asked to either wait or accept an available service team, we always do the latter.  

 

Other points.  The CC Maitre D' gets to select at least some of their staff.  They know their strengths and weaknesses.  The best of the Maitre D' enforce teamwork to deal with surges passengers - when this works it works really well.  It should be the norm, of course it isn't.  

 

Finally, if you find yourself being attended to by Maitre D' JALENA you are in for a genuine treat.  She is the very best we've experienced on any Princess ship.  She loves Ruby and ofter works her though we also encountered her on CB.  She is something very special.  Believe it or not she remembered us over a gap of nearly a year between cruises - addressed us by name on first sight.  Now it's true CC hosts have a manifest with names so she may have picked up our booking.  Still, knowing us by sight, remembering our small preferences (breadsticks please) was above and beyond.  

[Cruiserkenn]

9 hours ago, justafem said:

Our first experience with CC was outstanding.  The same window table and the same staff every meal.  It was wonderful!

 

Our second time, not quite the same, we had any table, but the same wait staff.  They knew who we were and our preferences by the second night.

 

Our third time was chaos.  I'm not sure if it's because they added the extra rooms without increasing the waitstaff or size of CC, but we had random servers, some pulled from the MDR, not CC trained or up to the standard we had grown to expect.  Several times, CC was made bigger by roping off some of the MDR, which is acceptable.  We were promised no wait and we were always immediately seated.

 

Maybe we were overly spoiled the first time, or maybe we've gotten too used to cruising.  We've done the same itinerary 2 times every year, so maybe we're getting burnt out. Or maybe, just maybe, the quality has fallen. Food don't taste as decedent, waitstaff doesn't seem to be as attentive, even the stewards don't seem as friendly.  

 

We took our grown daughter with us on the last cruise, her first time, so she was a blue card, BUT we were in a suite.  They turned her away for the suites and elites drink service the first day.  I had to create a stink when we got there and forced them to read her card, which (of course) had suite on it.  She was never questioned again.  

 

It seemed like every single wine by the glass was out.  The choices they did have were disappointing and the cheapest.  Not what we expected when paying over $1000 per person for the beverage package.  

 

Little tings do add up.  Don't get me wrong, we leave for our next cruise tomorrow. I'm going to be on the ship and I'm going to have a good time.  Any bad cruise is better than being home!

You mentioned that the drink package was $1000 per person?  Yikes!  What do you get for that?

 

Sorry to hear about the chaos in CC, your 3rd time.  I had such a bad experience in CC, as a suite passenger, that I just never go to CC, ever again.  I like the suite room service and the complimentary specialty restaurant, in a suite.

[Letacraig]

All good comments. Thank you

[Tak8]

We were always put with the same wait staff.  We didn't always have the same table, because it is first come first served.  I like tables by the window, but can't always get one.  No real benefit to tip.  

[Colo Cruiser]

2 hours ago, Cruiserkenn said:

You mentioned that the drink package was $1000 per person?  Yikes!  What do you get for that?

 

 

Premier Beverage Package
Our Premier Beverage Package is a great value! Enjoy a wide array of cocktails, wine, beer, bottled water, specialty coffee, smoothies, fountain sodas and more for just $59.99 USD^ per day ($68.99 per day with a 15% service charge included). There are also non-alcoholic and coffee packages available. View Premier Beverage Package full terms & conditions.	Item #0531	$59.99 per person/ per day* $68.99 with service charge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE PREMIER BEVERAGE PACKAGE

Terms & Conditions 2019

What is Included

• The package includes all beer, wine by the glass and cocktails $12.00 USD and under as listed on our menu(s), or $16.00 AUD and under for voyages departing from and returning to Australia and New Zealand.
• The package includes all bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, Gong Cha items, Frappés at Coffee & Cones, milk shakes (if available) and Red Bull energy drinks.
• The package provides a 25% discount on the following excluded items: all bottles of wine, one liter bottles of water, canned soda and bottled juices.
• The package may be used on our private islands, all food and beverage venues, and other areas such as the theater or public spaces that offer beverage service. Selections and service are limited to each venue’s menu offerings and operating hours.
• If dining at a specialty dining venue, a large bottle of water (one liter) of still or sparkling is covered by the package.

Package Details and Qualifications

• Age restrictions apply for purchases of the Premier Beverage Package.
• The Premier Beverage Package is US $59.99 per day plus 15% service charge (totaling $68.99 per day) for all itineraries except Australia. For all Australian-based vessels, the package is AUD $86.99 per day which includes a service charge. You will be charged the full amount for the complete voyage at the time of purchase. The package is not available for pre-purchase for voyages departing from and returning to Australia and New Zealand.
• The Premier Beverage Package must be purchased for every day a passenger is sailing. Partial / pro-rated packages or purchase for segments of a guest’s voyage are NOT accepted.
• The package may be pre-purchased up to four days prior to boarding the vessel.
• The package is offered onboard on embarkation day, and is NOT sold after embarkation day.
• The package is NOT available for pre-purchase within three days of sailing.
• The package is NOT available for voyages under seven nights for Australian-based itineraries, or voyages two nights or under for all other itineraries.
• The package is NOT refundable or transferable once purchased onboard, and for advance purchased packages, NOT refundable or transferable within three days of sailing.

Exclusions and Limitations

• Does NOT apply to bottled spirits or bottled wine or any items offered in retail venues or shops onboard.
• Can NOT be used for Room Service or Mini-Bar items. Additionally, the package cannot offset the cost of, or be a substitution for, special or private events such as cocktail parties, wedding receptions or similar. Please contact Group Onboard Services for additional details or clarification.
• Souvenir Glassware is excluded but is available for the additional charge of the glass only.
• Excludes beverages offered via self-service or vending machines.
• Excludes and is not combinable with other Programs, Promotions, Onboard Specials, or Events such as Wine Tastings, Chef’s Table, Buckets of Beer, Buy One Get One type Offers, Specialty Dining cover charges, or food items for sale such as ice cream, etc.
• Not all exclusions or limitations can be foreseen or published here and may exist or be implemented without notice.
• Pricing is subject to change without notice and for vessels designated in a foreign currency, packages purchased in advance may vary from onboard pricing due to timing and currency fluctuations. Guests will NOT incur additional charges, nor be issued any credits or refunds for such currency variances.

Terms and Conditions

• Alcoholic drinks are limited to 15 beverages per 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.). Alcoholic drinks requested above the daily limits are at the discretion of the shipboard management and crew and charged at regular menu prices.
• Non-alcoholic drinks do NOT have this limitation nor do they count toward this maximum.
• Only one beverage is allowed per passenger per order (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).
• Items selected that exceed the $12.00 USD or $16 .00 AUD price are charged at full menu price.
• Packages may NOT be shared, are NON-transferable and NON-refundable.
• Shipboard management reserves the right to add additional restrictions and revoke or cancel the Premier Beverage Package at any point during a guest’s voyage for any reason with or without a prorated refund. Additional actions may be taken if guests: 
  • Become intoxicated
  • Provide beverages to other guests or do NOT comply with the terms, conditions and limitations of the package
  • Exhibit behavior that is inappropriate, a safety risk to themselves or others, or become offensive or disruptive to other cruise guests or staff
  • Exceed, or attempt to circumvent, the daily limits and service limitations outlined
  Princess Cruises may modify, amend or update the terms and conditions of our beverage packages at any time with or without notice to guests. The terms and conditions as published on princess.com on the date of sailing will apply.

[OCruisers]

We've had CC Dining on our last two cruises and were quite pleased both times.

Almost always we were seated in the same wait station.