dining preference question

[MrandMrsCoz]

Hi,

My mother-in-law booked our cruise through a local travel agent who were rubbish so she wasn't told of the different options for dining during the booking. Had she been told, she would've picked the option where we could all select our dining time - This has left us with the type of option where it says in our cruise personaliser that we will be informed once boarded what time we will dine. We have put our preference in the cruise personaliser but due to being on the saver option, have been told it depends on what is available. As our son is only 9, we are now worrying about the fact we may get a later dining time of 8.30 if that's all that's left. (our favoured option would be freedom or 6.30 as this would mean it not being too late to eat as a family with our son) I know there is an option for children to have an early tea but this isn't how we envisaged our holiday as we like to eat together as much as possible. Are P&O sensible enough to realise when a booking has been made with a child to know it's best to give an earlier dining time? If we are allocated a later 8.30 time, will they be open to a possible change due to us having a child with us or will they refuse to budge? thanks in advance 🙂

[Harry Peterson]

I suppose this emphasises the need to use a specialist travel agent for cruises, and these aren't normally found on the High Street.

 

You've discovered already that Saver fares allow you no choice of dining times, and I certainly wouldn't rely on P&O to make any kind of 'sensible' choice - though to be fair that might vary from customer to customer.

 

You have expressed a preference, but your two preferred options are the most popular.  All is not lost, though. If you're unlucky, have a quiet word with the restaurant manager and he or she will do the best he/she can to help.

[happy v]

You could upgrade to select fare. Then you will be able to choose your dining time.

[wowzz]

Although its not ideal, you do of course have the option of eating as a family in the buffet whenever you like, but I appreciate that this is nothing  like the MDR  experience.

[the english lady]

Agree, this is the problem of using a TA who doesn't specialise in cruises . However it is not really P and O who is at fault.

You have not stated which ship, but if it is one of the larger ones they are 2 freedom to one club dining. So you would stand slightly more chance of getting freedom on them (Ventura/Azura/Britannia)

Freedom dining is the most popular, followed by 1st set dining, followed by 2nd set dining.

If you do not get what you want you can try asking on board, however :-

Pando state that select fare payers will get their choice of dining, so if a lot of select fare payers have said they want freedom , you may not be able to switch to that ,if it is full up. Same as 1st sitting , if a lot of those are select fare payers and have chosen 1st sitting, you may not get that one either.

It will not be a case of Pando being sensible or not, they cannot allocate where they do not have space.

I fear you will just have to bind your time until you get on board and see what the situation is then. You may be worrying needlessly, and find you have been allocated what you desire. You have done all you can do prior to boarding.

However if you haven't you can try and change , but there is no guarantee you will be able to. You may just have to accept it and work around it.

One of the downsides of any time type of saver fare  is that those who pay select get their choices first.

[jeanlyon]

The Travel Agent wouldn't have mentioned dining times if you chose a Saver Fare, because that is not an option, so not really the TA's fault.

[Harry Peterson]

7 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

The Travel Agent wouldn't have mentioned dining times if you chose a Saver Fare, because that is not an option, so not really the TA's fault.

A good agent would, though, have made very clear what the differences are between the different booking options, and that's quite an important one.

 

There are probably only around half a dozen real specialist agencies across the UK - I use one, and they're faultless.

[jeanlyon]

Yes I probably agree.  Mine is wonderful. 

[Rupert2251]

2 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

A good agent would, though, have made very clear what the differences are between the different booking options, and that's quite an important one.

 

There are probably only around half a dozen real specialist agencies across the UK - I use one, and they're faultless.

So is my high street TA!

[the english lady]

I hate to say it Harry I am agreeing with you again. I must stop that!!!

Someone decent would have explained the different options.

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, MrandMrsCoz said:

Hi,

My mother-in-law booked our cruise through a local travel agent who were rubbish so she wasn't told of the different options for dining during the booking. Had she been told, she would've picked the option where we could all select our dining time - This has left us with the type of option where it says in our cruise personaliser that we will be informed once boarded what time we will dine. We have put our preference in the cruise personaliser but due to being on the saver option, have been told it depends on what is available. As our son is only 9, we are now worrying about the fact we may get a later dining time of 8.30 if that's all that's left. (our favoured option would be freedom or 6.30 as this would mean it not being too late to eat as a family with our son) I know there is an option for children to have an early tea but this isn't how we envisaged our holiday as we like to eat together as much as possible. Are P&O sensible enough to realise when a booking has been made with a child to know it's best to give an earlier dining time? If we are allocated a later 8.30 time, will they be open to a possible change due to us having a child with us or will they refuse to budge? thanks in advance 🙂

We always book select fares because we can choose our dining,our cabin,free shuttles plus we get a decent amount of on board credit.

The TA should have advised the select benefits.

As soon as you board the ship go to the main restaurant and speak to the Restaurant Manager.

On Freedom dining we want a table for 2 and they give us a buzzer when a table is ready which can be 10-60 minutes.

If you don't mind sharing a table or there are several in your party usually you get seated straight away.

[majortom10]

Go back to your TA complain that you were not given the right information when booking and if known in advance would have booked Select, as long as you are prepared to pay the higher fee, ask them to change you to Select and ask them what they are going to do to stop you making a formal complaint. If you dont want to pay extra for Select then I am afraid that is the gamble you take. Personally would never use a high street national TA as majority have very limited cruise knowledge even those that call themselves the branch cruise specialist. Perhaps they have had a 2-3 hr visit to a ship in Southampton to make them a "specialist".

[Rupert2251]

2 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Go back to your TA complain that you were not given the right information when booking and if known in advance would have booked Select, as long as you are prepared to pay the higher fee, ask them to change you to Select and ask them what they are going to do to stop you making a formal complaint. If you dont want to pay extra for Select then I am afraid that is the gamble you take. Personally would never use a high street national TA as majority have very limited cruise knowledge even those that call themselves the branch cruise specialist. Perhaps they have had a 2-3 hr visit to a ship in Southampton to make them a "specialist".

Sorry Tom don't agree with everything you have said. Yes go back and complain but don't tar all agents with the same brush. My high street agent is brilliant, knows his stuff inside and out and has also cruised many, many times himself.

[majortom10]

Just now, Rupert2251 said:

Sorry Tom don't agree with everything you have said. Yes go back and complain but don't tar all agents with the same brush. My high street agent is brilliant, knows his stuff inside and out and has also cruised many, many times himself.

When you say "High Street" TA is it a national one or independent.

 

[grapau27]

4 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Go back to your TA complain that you were not given the right information when booking and if known in advance would have booked Select, as long as you are prepared to pay the higher fee, ask them to change you to Select and ask them what they are going to do to stop you making a formal complaint. If you dont want to pay extra for Select then I am afraid that is the gamble you take. Personally would never use a high street national TA as majority have very limited cruise knowledge even those that call themselves the branch cruise specialist. Perhaps they have had a 2-3 hr visit to a ship in Southampton to make them a "specialist".

I agree with your comments on the TAs.

After 50 cruises I am experienced and prepare what I need before I ring a specialist cruise TA or go to my local TA who follow my instructions.

I print all the documents needed myself and the only reason I use the TA is to get extra discount for us and a sale for my local TA.

[Rupert2251]

3 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

When you say "High Street" TA is it a national one or independent.

 

National most definitely not independent (some of them anyway)

[majortom10]

Just now, grapau27 said:

I agree with your comments on the TAs.

After 50 cruises I am experienced and prepare what I need before I ring a specialist cruise TA or go to my local TA who follow my instructions.

I print all the documents needed myself and the only reason I use the TA is to get extra discount for us and a sale for my local TA.

I do similar knowing cruise, cabin grade and rough idea of price to pay having also done nearly 50 cruises. But unfortunately many who cruise for the first time havent got a clue and walk into a High Street TA and think they are very knowledgeable when they are often not. I worked with somebody whose wife worked in High Street TA and to become the branch "cruise specialist" she was sent to Southampton with others from branches around the country for a lunch and look around the ship whilst on turnaround in Southampton. Many times if she had queries in branch or something she didnt know she used to phone me 🤣 for advice. 

[dgs1956]

2 hours ago, MrandMrsCoz said:

Hi,

My mother-in-law booked our cruise through a local travel agent who were rubbish so she wasn't told of the different options for dining during the booking. Had she been told, she would've picked the option where we could all select our dining time - This has left us with the type of option where it says in our cruise personaliser that we will be informed once boarded what time we will dine. We have put our preference in the cruise personaliser but due to being on the saver option, have been told it depends on what is available. 

The TA wasn't rubbish in this case as with a Saver Fare you can't shoose your Dining Option. It is always allocated on board. The few reasons for booking a Select Fare is cabon choice and dining option.  However, Britannia, Azura and Ventura have 2 Freedom Restaurants and 1 Club Dining so its 2:1 you'll get your choice. 

[grapau27]

48 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

I do similar knowing cruise, cabin grade and rough idea of price to pay having also done nearly 50 cruises. But unfortunately many who cruise for the first time havent got a clue and walk into a High Street TA and think they are very knowledgeable when they are often not. I worked with somebody whose wife worked in High Street TA and to become the branch "cruise specialist" she was sent to Southampton with others from branches around the country for a lunch and look around the ship whilst on turnaround in Southampton. Many times if she had queries in branch or something she didnt know she used to phone me 🤣 for advice. 

Again I totally agree their knowledge of cruising  is absolute minimal at best and my advice has been asked too.

 

Edited August 10, 2019 by grapau27

[majortom10]

41 minutes ago, dgs1956 said:

The TA wasn't rubbish in this case as with a Saver Fare you can't shoose your Dining Option. It is always allocated on board. The few reasons for booking a Select Fare is cabon choice and dining option.  However, Britannia, Azura and Ventura have 2 Freedom Restaurants and 1 Club Dining so its 2:1 you'll get your choice. 

You might know this like myself and so many others but those that are new to cruising will not know that so therefore  different fares should have been explained like a decent TA would they obviously didnt so I am sorry but they are a rubbish TA. 

[dgs1956]

6 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

You might know this like myself and so many others but those that are new to cruising will not know that so therefore  different fares should have been explained like a decent TA would they obviously didnt so I am sorry but they are a rubbish TA. 

You do like a disagreement don't you?

How did the OP know the had booked a Saver fare if they weren't told the options?

Edited August 10, 2019 by dgs1956

[majortom10]

2 minutes ago, dgs1956 said:

You do like a disagreement don't you?

How did the OP know the had booked a Saver fare if they weren't told the options?

No I dont like an argument but like I said if they werent a rubbish TA then they would have been told on enquiring before booking the available fares Select, Early Saver and Saver like any decent TA would. They were obviously were not told this and not knowing any different went ahead and booked. It is you that is saying they werent rubbish but now contradicting yourself by saying how would they know if they werent told the options i.e. a rubbish TA.

 

[MrandMrsCoz]

it seems my question has started a debate - I'm sorry that this has caused this. Thank you to 'majortom10' and several others who helped and gave advice and courteous responses. 

In response to 'dgs1956' - we have never been on a cruise before and so this is all very new to us which is why I've been reading this board for months to try to assist us. The travel agent was rubbish which we have found out more-so as time has gone on and didn't explain anything to my mother-in-law at the time of booking. The reason we found out the type of dining we had was when we were given our log ins for the cruise personaliser. Over the last few weeks we have logged in and found out that our dining preference will be confirmed onboard due to the type of booking my mother-in-law booked. This is when we assumed (by the information I have read on this normally helpful page) that we were booked on a Saver fare. 

thanks again to all those who have been so kind as to spare time to give advice without being condescending 🙂

[grapau27]

25 minutes ago, dgs1956 said:

You do like a disagreement don't you?

How did the OP know the had booked a Saver fare if they weren't told the options?

Just reading the P&O brochure first is a massive help to newbies and experienced cruisers too.

 

Edited August 10, 2019 by grapau27

[grapau27]

15 minutes ago, MrandMrsCoz said:

it seems my question has started a debate - I'm sorry that this has caused this. Thank you to 'majortom10' and several others who helped and gave advice and courteous responses. 

In response to 'dgs1956' - we have never been on a cruise before and so this is all very new to us which is why I've been reading this board for months to try to assist us. The travel agent was rubbish which we have found out more-so as time has gone on and didn't explain anything to my mother-in-law at the time of booking. The reason we found out the type of dining we had was when we were given our log ins for the cruise personaliser. Over the last few weeks we have logged in and found out that our dining preference will be confirmed onboard due to the type of booking my mother-in-law booked. This is when we assumed (by the information I have read on this normally helpful page) that we were booked on a Saver fare. 

thanks again to all those who have been so kind as to spare time to give advice without being condescending 🙂

You are welcome and most people on here just want to help.

Since working in a TA for a year after leaving school 45 years ago I have always read holiday brochures and gleaned lots of information from them.

I would recommend everyone get a P&O or any other cruise company brochure they are interested in first before booking.

I sincerely hope you can get your dining option and nice cabins.

Regards Graham.