Anytime Dining Procedure

[cruisingguy007]

11 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

With the old pagers they couldn't guarantee they would work on another deck or any further than the lobby bar and seating area between the MDR and theater (except for Spirit class which only has aft MDRs).  Now you can wait for your table for instance while playing in the casino, in the comfort of your own room, or a lounge not as crowded as the lobby area.  Big improvement IMO.

 

Exactly this, those were merely an extension of the crowded doorways, it led to crowded areas just outside the doorways, hardly a solution, the new way is an actual improvement and leaves you free to do what you want.   

[dallasdan]

On 9/16/2022 at 1:37 PM, mrpayroll said:

No wi fi needed to use the app.

Just a quick clarification.  You don't have to pay for a internet package, but you do have to connect to carnivals wifi to use the app.  It is free.  A side note, on our Panorama cruise in May I was also able to send Imessages (text messages) to others on the ship or at home.  Not sure if this is a change or a fluke.

[Top_of_the_Cube]

Several have mentioned that they received pressure while on board to use the app.  Sorry to hear that.  We have experienced complete choice on our cruises.  I love the convenience of my phone, but I just prefer a physical menu, whatever that says about me.

 

We had set time dining, but used the app to check in for brunch in the MDR.  It was nice to get the notice that our table was ready, and sometimes kind of a squeeze to get through the crowd waiting around the entrance, but it did not seem that any were pressured to "use the app" as they came in-person to check in at the host/hostess desk.

 

Our wait staff automatically handed out menu boards to those who didn't have their phones or devices in hand.  They seemed just as friendly and helpful no matter your app / no-app status.

 

Can't think of anything you couldn't accomplish without the app, although the app sure made most things easier.  Except the odd times that it didn't work or wasn't updated with current information.

[southbayer]

On 9/17/2022 at 1:46 PM, Crusin Karen said:

Thank you for asking this!  

Neanderthals will be ok

[LuckiePuris]

On 9/19/2022 at 1:54 AM, bguppies said:

I can see where some of the things you can do with the phones are improvements, like watching the muster drill, checking in for dinner, etc.

 

But the scan a QR code for menus and info in your room is just bad. 

 

Like you said super impersonal.

I actually like the digital menu option, especially in light of covid and less touching would help stop the spread of illnesses (not just covid but gastro, bugs). Once you’re seated at the table, it’s hard to keep sanitised if you’re passing menus back and forth within passengers. Atleast this way you can safely eat if you touch your food (etc finger food, breads) while limiting the transmission of illnesses.

[CruizinSusan70]

On 9/16/2022 at 2:11 PM, 51st FMS said:

 I use a scooter full time and will need to go into the MDR riding it.  Is there a way to be sure they know this?  Also, do you have to sign up for wifi in order to use the app?

 

If you can walk, you can park your scooter outside of the MDR entrance and then go to your assigned table.  If you will be sitting in your scooter to eat, they will seat you at a four top which will give you more space.  It may be a different table than the one they assigned to you, but the decision will be made on the fly to seat you at a  four top near the entrance that would be available.  Much easier to happen if you avoid the 630-730 jam.

[cruisinqt]

In July on our Mardi Gras cruise we tried to walk up to Chibang and make reservations at the desk. They said we had to use the app. There was no list there at the desk to put us on and they were very busy. We were able to walk right into Emeril’s whenever we wanted and get a seat right away without reservations but they aren’t free. So from my experiences the restaurants that were free needed reservations ahead of time through the app. But the paid for restaurants (that didn’t require reservations like the sushi place or Emeril’s) you could just walk right in and get seated. That’s not to be confused with the paid for restaurants like the steak house or Bonsai Teppanyaki which require reservations days in advance. But what I’m trying to say is that it might be difficult doing your time dining without a phone. 

[CruizinSusan70]

9 minutes ago, cruisinqt said:

 But what I’m trying to say is that it might be difficult doing your time dining without a phone. 

You can do your time dining without a phone when you wish to eat at the MDR or Pig & Anchor by just walking up.  If you wish to go to Chibang or Cucina del Capitano, you need to utilize your smart phone, even on sea days when those two venues are open for lunch, which is a hidden gem.  The broth bowl 🍜 at Chibang was great.

[cruisinqt]

8 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

You can do your time dining without a phone when you wish to eat at the MDR or Pig & Anchor by just walking up.  If you wish to go to Chibang or Cucina del Capitano, you need to utilize your smart phone, even on sea days when those two venues are open for lunch, which is a hidden gem.  The broth bowl 🍜 at Chibang was great.

The MDR for your time dining has always welcomed walk ins and Pig & Anchor has always been a first come first serve type place just like Guys burgers. So I figured they didn’t need to be mentioned and it was just a given that you could walk right into those places.I was mainly addressing the variety of special restaurants which operate differently. But thanks for the clarification. You are correct. And I’ll definitely be checking out the broth bowl on our upcoming Celebration cruise. Sounds yummy 

[TexasJohn82]

On 9/16/2022 at 1:37 PM, mrpayroll said:

No wi fi needed to use the app.

No internet plan needed; you still need to connect to the ship WIFI you just don't need an Internet plan

[Sigyn]

On 9/18/2022 at 10:59 AM, bguppies said:

 

I just hate all companies assuming that everyone wants to use a cellphone for everything or can afford to.

I'm still debating taking mine on my cruise this Thursday.

Perhaps just think of it as a tool. In this instance, a tool to book a dinner reservation. Pick up the tool to book reservation, go to dinner, place tool back in the drawer until the next time the tool is needed for its intended sole use.

 

Phones have been used as a tool to book dinner reservations for decades, so this is just a different type of phone. 

[windsor26]

Please advise  is there still traditional dining at the same time and table every night if we want it and if so how do we book it - before we leave home on the computer app for instance  (dont use a phone and dont have wifi facilities other than at home)

[DallasGuy75219]

41 minutes ago, windsor26 said:

Please advise  is there still traditional dining at the same time and table every night if we want it and if so how do we book it - before we leave home on the computer app for instance  (dont use a phone and dont have wifi facilities other than at home)

Yes. When you make your reservation you choose early or late assigned time or anytime dining. 

[windsor26]

Just now, DallasGuy75219 said:

Yes. When you make your reservation you choose early or late assigned time or anytime dining. 

Thank you I am soooooo pleased  love Traditional dining

[bguppies]

On 9/16/2022 at 8:18 AM, RoePost said:

We havent sailed Carnival in quite some time.  Can someone tell me the procedure

for anytime dining.   I understand you now have to make a reservation on the app

when you are ready to have dinner?  Please explain.  Thank you....

It' super simple. About 15 minutes before the dining room opens they open table requests.

 

When we went to dinner this past Thursday on the Sunshine, 4 of the group of 6 were new cruisers to Carnival and all 4 got lost (even though we had warned them and explained about the weird layouts of Carnival's ships on those decks) and they were late finding their way to the Sunshine dining room.

 

They only hold your table for 10 minutes after they notify you it is ready.

They won't let anyone from the reservation in until the full group is there and they will cancel the table they saved for you if anyone in your group is more than 10 minutes late.

 

So if you have someone unreliable or not understanding directions, be carefull.

Edited September 26, 2022 by bguppies