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

[RocknRoll22]

I've seen a lot written about the MDRs and the SD restaurants, but I'm wondering about the other options. We are going soon on the Carribbean Princess, and wondering about the Marketplace for meals. We're simple eaters, and many times on past cruises, we might eat once in the MDR, but go to the buffet for the majority of meals. We like to eat and get it over with, then go out and play. Sitting for hours during dinner doesn't really interest us.

 

So, what have people experienced with the buffet. On the CP, I think it's called the Marketplace. How has the food been there? I know they also have the pizzeria and the grill as other options. Sometimes just a burger and a beer works fine for us.... LOL...

 

Last question, regarding beverages, we're probably going to go with the Plus package, so this question might be moot. But what actual beverages are available with the standard package? On other cruises we've been on (not Princess), there was coffee, ice tea, apple juice and I think lemonaid. Are any of these part of the standard package? Just wondering... I know soda and alcohol is always extra.

[JF - retired RRT]

On 12/31/2023 at 12:57 PM, RocknRoll22 said:

So, what have people experienced with the buffet. On the CP, I think it's called the Marketplace. How has the food been there? I know they also have the pizzeria and the grill as other options. Sometimes just a burger and a beer works fine for us.... LOL...

The buffets usually have a wide selection of food that changes daily. Some of the dishes will also be on the menu in the MDR. The buffets are any easy way to overindulge OR carefully restrict what you eat (depending on you).

I like the buffets, but the hot food is never hot...lukewarm at best.

It's still a nice way to be able to sample a variety of different foods all during one meal.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Will be on Discovery in a PH suite with the Premier pkg. I can book the 2 nights Specialty dining that comes with Premier but don't see a way to book the 1st night Specialty dining that comes with booking a Suite. TIA for suggestions on how to do this. 

[memoak]

12 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

Will be on Discovery in a PH suite with the Premier pkg. I can book the 2 nights Specialty dining that comes with Premier but don't see a way to book the 1st night Specialty dining that comes with booking a Suite. TIA for suggestions on how to do this. 

You never have to book embarkation night dinner in advance. Just call the dine line or go to the venue you want on boarding. They hold out tables for us. We have never had an issue

[57eric]

Is Anytime Dining gone?  If not, can someone point me to a mention of it on the Princess website?  All I can see, on the website as well as the app, is that you can reserve where and when you want.  All three MDRs are open for reservations for my upcoming voyage, but only up to 6:20 and after 7:40.

[highloyo]

3 hours ago, 57eric said:

Is Anytime Dining gone?  If not, can someone point me to a mention of it on the Princess website?  All I can see, on the website as well as the app, is that you can reserve where and when you want.  All three MDRs are open for reservations for my upcoming voyage, but only up to 6:20 and after 7:40.

This is anytime dining vs. traditional dining where you were either a early or late seating. You can reserve a different dining time for each day or the same time. Or you can walk in anytime and ask for a table, although like regular restaurant, you might have to wait without a reservation.

Edited January 9 by highloyo
Typo

[57eric]

On 1/8/2024 at 4:22 PM, 57eric said:

Is Anytime Dining gone?  If not, can someone point me to a mention of it on the Princess website?  All I can see, on the website as well as the app, is that you can reserve where and when you want.  All three MDRs are open for reservations for my upcoming voyage, but only up to 6:20 and after 7:40.

I'm guessing that, after 48+ hours with no posts citing a Princess website mention of Anytime Dining, there isn't one.

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, 57eric said:

I'm guessing that, after 48+ hours with no posts citing a Princess website mention of Anytime Dining, there isn't one.

I believe you did have an answer in post #2381.  There is still the ATD concept, but PCL doesn't use the terminology anymore.  You can interpret ATD as booking for whatever time suits you based on availability.  You can be a "walk up" as well and be seated as requested table type comes available.  This is how the old AT worked.

 

There is still the possibility of TD experience - at least in terms of a private table with same waiters.  DMW cannot do this alone - the guest must request a table be blocked for them for the entire voyage in same location with same waiters. 

 

As far as TD at a shared table goes, this is virtually impossible if you are expecting the shared table to have the same group of guests each night.  You can certainly book same time and have same table, but your tablemates are likely to change each night unless the group decides they want to stick together and all ask the DR Mgmt to block them in.

 

[Thrak]

15 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

There is still the possibility of TD experience - at least in terms of a private table with same waiters.  DMW cannot do this alone - the guest must request a table be blocked for them for the entire voyage in same location with same waiters. 

 

DMW definitely can do this. On two prior cruises I booked a table for 4 every night at the same time. On the first cruise, after the first nigh,t we had the same table and wait staff every night. We just arrived at the door and they escorted us to our table. If one couple arrived before the other it didn't matter - each couple was immediately escorted to our table. On the second cruise we had the same table and staff starting with day one.

[Thrak]

On 12/31/2023 at 12:57 PM, RocknRoll22 said:

So, what have people experienced with the buffet. On the CP, I think it's called the Marketplace. How has the food been there? I know they also have the pizzeria and the grill as other options. Sometimes just a burger and a beer works fine for us.... LOL...

 

Nit Picking Time:

CP was the old Sea Princess. Caribbean Princess is CB.

 

The proper abbreviation for each ship is included in the Princess URL for that ship:

https://www.princess.com/en-us/ships-and-experience/ships/cb-caribbean-princess

[RocknRoll22]

14 minutes ago, Thrak said:

Nit Picking Time:

CP was the old Sea Princess. Caribbean Princess is CB.

Sorry Captain.

 

As a Newbie, I'll try to do better next time.

 

[Steelers36]

8 hours ago, Thrak said:

 

DMW definitely can do this. On two prior cruises I booked a table for 4 every night at the same time. On the first cruise, after the first nigh,t we had the same table and wait staff every night. We just arrived at the door and they escorted us to our table. If one couple arrived before the other it didn't matter - each couple was immediately escorted to our table. On the second cruise we had the same table and staff starting with day one.

Terrific, but I am quite certain someone intervened in the ship system on your behalf 

[terrierjohn]

On 1/11/2024 at 3:20 AM, Steelers36 said:

I believe you did have an answer in post #2381.  There is still the ATD concept, but PCL doesn't use the terminology anymore.  You can interpret ATD as booking for whatever time suits you based on availability.  You can be a "walk up" as well and be seated as requested table type comes available.  This is how the old AT worked.

 

There is still the possibility of TD experience - at least in terms of a private table with same waiters.  DMW cannot do this alone - the guest must request a table be blocked for them for the entire voyage in same location with same waiters. 

 

As far as TD at a shared table goes, this is virtually impossible if you are expecting the shared table to have the same group of guests each night.  You can certainly book same time and have same table, but your tablemates are likely to change each night unless the group decides they want to stick together and all ask the DR Mgmt to block them in.

 

You do realise that the more pre booked tables are being held for passengers, the less flexibility there is for the old ATD concept for walk ups to be seated promptly. PCL have made this worse by operating this system on all 3 MDRs. Again, IMO,  it would make more sense to make at least one MDR only for walk ups, and the other(s) for pre booking.

For those who prefer spontaneity in their dining arrangements this would at least help them to enjoy Dining their way.

[leck57]

1 hour ago, terrierjohn said:

You do realise that the more pre booked tables are being held for passengers, the less flexibility there is for the old ATD concept for walk ups to be seated promptly. PCL have made this worse by operating this system on all 3 MDRs. Again, IMO,  it would make more sense to make at least one MDR only for walk ups, and the other(s) for pre booking.

For those who prefer spontaneity in their dining arrangements this would at least help them to enjoy Dining their way.

 

Absolutely spot on. I've been banging on about this for ages and suggested along the same lines as you have done. It irritates the hell out of me that you walk up to a Dining Room and you can't get a table yet most of the tables are sitting there empty, supposedly booked. Having so many tables sitting there, when there would also be many no shows, limits their ability to get people in and out.

I'm used to it now, I just take a pager head to the nearest bar and drown my sorrows while I wait. I really don't want to reach the 15 drinks allowed in the Plus package but Princess are driving me to hit the limit.

[Steelers36]

4 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

You do realise that the more pre booked tables are being held for passengers, the less flexibility there is for the old ATD concept for walk ups to be seated promptly. PCL have made this worse by operating this system on all 3 MDRs. Again, IMO,  it would make more sense to make at least one MDR only for walk ups, and the other(s) for pre booking.

For those who prefer spontaneity in their dining arrangements this would at least help them to enjoy Dining their way.

I don't disagree with that suggestion and at least some ships have been doing just that by having one DR not appear in DMW pre-cruise.  They may direct walk-ups there as well.  I don't know all for a fact, but evidence and reports suggest this has been in practice by at least some DRO's (Director Restaurant Operations).  IDK if it is an HQ thing or coordinated, but for a long time there would often only be 2 of 3 DR's offered in DMW.

[lstone19]

2 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

I don't disagree with that suggestion and at least some ships have been doing just that by having one DR not appear in DMW pre-cruise.  They may direct walk-ups there as well.  I don't know all for a fact, but evidence and reports suggest this has been in practice by at least some DRO's (Director Restaurant Operations).  IDK if it is an HQ thing or coordinated, but for a long time there would often only be 2 of 3 DR's offered in DMW.

 

I am also bothered by the inconsistency. The purpose of having a brand (Princess) is so that the experience is the same throughout the brand., When each DRO makes up their own process, the value that a brand brings is lost. Every Princess ship should have the same processes and procedures; if they don't, they shouldn't have the Princess name on them.

[Tedferg]

5 hours ago, leck57 said:

I just take a pager head to the nearest bar and drown my sorrows while I wait.

Did not know they still have pagers.

[KarlK]

On 12/31/2023 at 2:57 PM, RocknRoll22 said:

we might eat once in the MDR, but go to the buffet for the majority of meals.

same here, simple, quick and easy and no formal night.

[leck57]

4 hours ago, Tedferg said:

Did not know they still have pagers.

 

Perhaps they don't any more. I'm referring to our last cruise about 12 months ago but we have two cruises in the next 4 months so I'll see if they still have them.  Personally I'd rather be sent away with a pager than stand around for however long it takes.

[Tedferg]

3 hours ago, leck57 said:

 

Perhaps they don't any more. I'm referring to our last cruise about 12 months ago but we have two cruises in the next 4 months so I'll see if they still have them.  Personally I'd rather be sent away with a pager than stand around for however long it takes.

Agree with you, I was disappointed not to get a buzzer, hence my comment.

[lahlah57]

On 1/12/2024 at 1:29 PM, leck57 said:

 

Perhaps they don't any more. I'm referring to our last cruise about 12 months ago but we have two cruises in the next 4 months so I'll see if they still have them.  Personally I'd rather be sent away with a pager than stand around for however long it takes.

We were on Discovery this past november and got a buzzer once for one of the dining rooms when it was particularly busy. We only waited for maybe 20 minutes. 

For just the 2 of us we just walked up no reservations and were always seated no problems. 

[TrixieBel]

On 1/8/2024 at 3:56 AM, suzyluvs2cruise said:

I can book the 2 nights Specialty dining that comes with Premier

In the app do you just follow the pathway and hit “reserve” for these? Wasn’t sure if it would then charge me if I did it that way… 

 

thanks for any advice, JennT

[suzyluvs2cruise]

4 hours ago, TrixieBel said:

In the app do you just follow the pathway and hit “reserve” for these? Wasn’t sure if it would then charge me if I did it that way… 

 

thanks for any advice, JennT

I could see a $0 amount when I went through the reservation process. After I saw that I hit the final button. 

[TrixieBel]

4 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

I could see a $0 amount when I went through the reservation process. After I saw that I hit the final button. 

Thanks. Must be a glitch in mine as it shows a dollar amount and my credit details in both apps and the website when I try. Maybe we are too far out from our cruise (2025). I’ll try again in a few weeks/months.

[MississippiMom]

On 10/25/2023 at 12:35 PM, fun_one said:

My husband and I are not traveling with anyone and would like to eat in one of the main dining rooms at a shared table most nights.  Without knowing when the shows are, I am confused how to make that kind of reservation.  When I get on the medallion app, the only times available are 8:00 pm for a "private" reservation.  Can I just go at an earlier time and say I want to share a table and be seated in a reasonable time frame?  I am used to having a set time each day to eat but am flexible since we are alone.

My sentiments, exactly.  How do we know "when" we would like to eat, when we have never sailed Princess nor have seen their evening schedules? 

 

It's been a VERY long time ago, but we loved the way it worked with NCL, especially with young children, because you never knew what time was going to be best to eat as a family.