Dine My Way & all new Dining questions since cruising restart!!

[Steelers36]

11 minutes ago, Cruzbw said:

My question is in line with the topic description: Questions about DMW, but not related to the hot topic of late.  I have made reservations on the app at 6 pm, same DR, same time every night on the Discovery, Ketchikan DR, shared table. But I read that we may have to wait in line for those who sat at 5:00 to be done. I'm trying to minimize crowding for the sake of my SIL. Is this likely to happen?

All I can say is, if you have a reservation, they should not be giving away all the tables before 6pm as you won't be the only ones.  I would also think that for a sharing table, you will have no issues.  Understand, however, that you won't be sharing with the same group of guests each night, nor be with same wait staff.  You may be able to get the latter if you ask DR Host or Mgmt on first day.

[Sun Queen II]

On 7/27/2023 at 3:50 PM, Steelers36 said:

I tried it again and it is clear if you click on it and use browser magnification tool:

 

Quick question and I’m not sure if anyone knows the answer. If we booked our cruise with Princess and the Premium package was part of the promotion, will we need to pay more now to get the new perks?

[Steelers36]

39 minutes ago, Sun Queen II said:

Quick question and I’m not sure if anyone knows the answer. If we booked our cruise with Princess and the Premium package was part of the promotion, will we need to pay more now to get the new perks?

When did you book and what did you pay for adding on Premier?  If it was on/after Dec 14 and you paid $80/pp/day, you are good to go.  If not, you are missing out on the new additions and need to decide if it worth upgrading to the new.  Most folks have posted not worth it to them.

[Sun Queen II]

We booked in February and it was a promotion. Not sure how much it was daily because it doesn’t show up that way on our invoice. 

[Steelers36]

35 minutes ago, Sun Queen II said:

We booked in February and it was a promotion. Not sure how much it was daily because it doesn’t show up that way on our invoice. 

In that case, you are on the "new" Premier at $80 rate and will have all the new baubles to enjoy.

[Normanville]

Does anyone know why I couldn’t book Symphony dining room on our March cruise on Royal? I tried on the app but it is not offered.

Juls

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, Normanville said:

Does anyone know why I couldn’t book Symphony dining room on our March cruise on Royal? I tried on the app but it is not offered.

Juls

I have posted several times that I believe - for the most part - that Princess has been keeping one DR out of DMW.  IDK why as they never explain what they are doing.  It could be to help the ships manage walk-ups better.  It could be to help the DR Mgmt set guests up with same table/waiters who want that (because DMW cannot do it).  I am not certain if the third DR comes available for booking once you are on board, or if it is kept for what I suggested.  I am not sure if the same for all ships, but the one the keep out could typically be the same one they setup the Reserve Dining in, while the remainder of the room is for regular dining.  I have seen this behavior myself back in 2022, but I have no inside info as to the rhyme or reason for it.

 

ETA:  Forgot to mention, but you are not alone and many members have posted here about seeing the same thing in DMW.

Edited August 10, 2023 by Steelers36

[Thrak]

Oddly enough all 3 dining rooms are available for me to book on Grand Princess this fall. Booked the same time in Michelangelo every night for 63 nights. Of course, it wouldn't really surprise me to get onboard and discover I have been moved to Botticelli all the way aft. Likely to "enhance my dining pleasure" or some other bogus reason.

[dixiejen]

Since Reserve Dining supposedly requires no reservations, I’m wondering what kind of experience those with RD are experiencing on board.  Are you able to get the table you want — 2-top, shared, window, same wait staff, etc? Are you experiencing any wait times? I can’t help but think that the cluster I’m reading about for those WITH reservations doesn’t bode well for those just walking up to the door… RD or otherwise!😖

[memoak]

22 minutes ago, dixiejen said:

Since Reserve Dining supposedly requires no reservations, I’m wondering what kind of experience those with RD are experiencing on board.  Are you able to get the table you want — 2-top, shared, window, same wait staff, etc? Are you experiencing any wait times? I can’t help but think that the cluster I’m reading about for those WITH reservations doesn’t bode well for those just walking up to the door… RD or otherwise!😖

With reserve dining I have never had more than a few minutes wait. No you cannot make reservations. 

[Thrak]

2 hours ago, memoak said:

With reserve dining I have never had more than a few minutes wait. No you cannot make reservations. 

☝️ This.

Reserve dining is in a separate part of the dining room. Simply show up and you will be seated either immediately or very shortly. This is why you paid so much extra. You will have no issues being seated or being waited on attentively. Enjoy.

[1cruiselvr]

So if you are in a suite, you still have to pay $5 per room service order? Has Princess lost their minds. Room service is one of the luxuries we enjoy when crusing. I’m going to have to rethink our Jan 24 cruise. A suite is expensive enough without additional nickel and diming. 

[Steelers36]

22 minutes ago, 1cruiselvr said:

So if you are in a suite, you still have to pay $5 per room service order? Has Princess lost their minds. Room service is one of the luxuries we enjoy when cruising. I’m going to have to rethink our Jan 24 cruise. A suite is expensive enough without additional nickel and diming. 

Okaayyy.  $5 going to chase you out of a cruise in a Suite?  I don't think we have seen the final word on this, but if I had the funds to cruise in a Suite, I am sure I'd be going Premier fare all the way.

 

It doesn't seem at all right for the charge, so let's wait until we see 2 or 3 guests in a Suite post having to pay without any discussion with GS.

[1cruiselvr]

21 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Okaayyy.  $5 going to chase you out of a cruise in a Suite?  I don't think we have seen the final word on this, but if I had the funds to cruise in a Suite, I am sure I'd be going Premier fare all the way.

 

It doesn't seem at all right for the charge, so let's wait until we see 2 or 3 guests in a Suite post having to pay without any discussion with GS.

It's $5 every delivery. We are on a 15 day cruise. We use room service probably 2x a day. It's the principle that counts. 

We already had plus but it was booked b4 the new policy. Now they want us to pay $10 a day pp to upgrade to their new plus program. I'm not a happy cruiser.

Edited August 14, 2023 by 1cruiselvr

[damiross]

13 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

...., but if I had the funds to cruise in a Suite, ...

Again, just because someone is in a suite doesn't mean he is Mr. Rockerfeller. Some people could be saving for years for a true cruise of a lifetime.  Then Princess, changing course in midstream (no pun intended), decides getting the last dime out of passengers is the only way to go.

 

I am just hoping that I am not making a mistake by not cancelling my January cruise before the final payment date.  Who knows how many more changes will be made in the next few months, even to those of us with premier packages.  (Normally, I wouldn't have gotten the premier package but i was given a good casino package that included premier).

[memoak]

39 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Okaayyy.  $5 going to chase you out of a cruise in a Suite?  I don't think we have seen the final word on this, but if I had the funds to cruise in a Suite, I am sure I'd be going Premier fare all the way.

 

It doesn't seem at all right for the charge, so let's wait until we see 2 or 3 guests in a Suite post having to pay without any discussion with GS.

We usually travel in suite with the Plus package. I see no reason to pay for premier since all of needs are taken care of   We get a free specialty dinner on embarkation and most our drinks fall into the $15 limit   I have really only used room service when isolated for Covid 

[chamima]

1 hour ago, 1cruiselvr said:

It's $5 every delivery. We are on a 15 day cruise. We use room service probably 2x a day. It's the principle that counts. 

We already had plus but it was booked b4 the new policy. Now they want us to pay $10 a day pp to upgrade to their new plus program. I'm not a happy cruiser.

  
 

We don’t usually travel in suites but I definitely think that room service should be included for that category. 
It’s just tacky to charge for delivery to a suite!!!

[1cruiselvr]

4 minutes ago, chamima said:

  
 

We don’t usually travel in suites but I definitely think that room service should be included for that category. 
It’s just tacky to charge for delivery to a suite!!!

I totally agree. For the amount we are paying to be in a Suite, it's insulting that we have to pay for room service if we dont pay $20 per day more. This will probably be our last cruise on Princess. 

[Userclown]

On 8/9/2023 at 9:48 PM, Steelers36 said:

I have posted several times that I believe - for the most part - that Princess has been keeping one DR out of DMW.  IDK why as they never explain what they are doing.  It could be to help the ships manage walk-ups better.  It could be to help the DR Mgmt set guests up with same table/waiters who want that (because DMW cannot do it).  I am not certain if the third DR comes available for booking once you are on board, or if it is kept for what I suggested.  I am not sure if the same for all ships, but the one the keep out could typically be the same one they setup the Reserve Dining in, while the remainder of the room is for regular dining.  I have seen this behavior myself back in 2022, but I have no inside info as to the rhyme or reason for it.

 

ETA:  Forgot to mention, but you are not alone and many members have posted here about seeing the same thing in DMW.

I know this is the wrong place to ask you a question but I’m gonna do it anyway! What is considered casual dining? The new charge doesn’t apply to the main dining room does it?

[Thrak]

5 minutes ago, Userclown said:

I know this is the wrong place to ask you a question but I’m gonna do it anyway! What is considered casual dining? The new charge doesn’t apply to the main dining room does it?

 

There is no charge associated with the Main Dining Rooms unless you decide to do an "add on" from Crown Grill. Those items - Lobster and Steak - are clearly listed as extra charges. This does not apply to the lobster or steak on the regular portion of the MDR menus.

 

Also the buffet, burgers/tacos/pizza/soft serve on Lido deck don't have any charges. The main change to "casual dining" is Alfredo's and Gigi's which are sit down to order pizza venues. On some ships Alfredo's has always been pizza only and on other ships it has a much expanded menu much like that at Gigi's.

Edited August 15, 2023 by Thrak

[memoak]

2 minutes ago, Userclown said:

I know this is the wrong place to ask you a question but I’m gonna do it anyway! What is considered casual dining? The new charge doesn’t apply to the main dining room does it?

Of course not. The only sit down casual dining venue that is going to incur a price which it did not have before are the pizza restaurants Alfredo’s and Gigi’s. MDR Buffet IC and Lido burgers and pizza slices are still free. All the venues like Salty Dog Gastropub Sushi restaurant etc already had a charge of some kind

[PacnGoNow]

59 minutes ago, Userclown said:

I know this is the wrong place to ask you a question but I’m gonna do it anyway! What is considered casual dining? The new charge doesn’t apply to the main dining room does it?

No, it does not apply to the MDR.

 

Casual dining would be a fee for casual dining like: Alfredo’s/Gigi’s, Planks, Steamers, O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Sushi, and other similar ones, depending which ship your on.

 

No fees at the MDR, Buffet, International Cafe, Lido pizza or Lido Grill burgers/hot dogs.

 

You can see these described on the website.  Look at your ship to see which ones your ship may have.  

 

 

[PacnGoNow]

59 minutes ago, memoak said:

Of course not. The only sit down casual dining venue that is going to incur a price which it did not have before are the pizza restaurants Alfredo’s and Gigi’s. MDR Buffet IC and Lido burgers and pizza slices are still free. All the venues like Salty Dog Gastropub Sushi restaurant etc already had a charge of some kind

You typed faster than me.😂

[Scotmay]

Can I reserve 2 seats every night at a table for 8, but with different people every night?  

[Steelers36]

2 hours ago, Scotmay said:

Can I reserve 2 seats every night at a table for 8, but with different people every night?  

Not using the App.  All you can do is request a Sharing table, which could be any size (most likely 6 or 8).  Table Size is not an option.  However, you are in luck because the App cannot and does not keep a Sharing table group of random guests together for the entire voyage.  Not only that, it doesn't block you into the same table each night. 

 

If you are happy sharing with random folks and in random locations, go ahead and book in DMW.  You can also be a Walk-Up and get the same thing.  An advantage of this option is you can request an 8-top each night which you won't necessarily get in DMW App.

 

Enjoy!

Edited August 17, 2023 by Steelers36