specialty dining curiosity

[Lonedaddy]

Just book specialty dining for the explorer on our Auckland - Bali - two segment cruise.  No issues 3 nights in each segment and even got our time on Chinese New Year at Pac Rim (thanks @daetchief for the suggestion).  I did notice that on one night each segment (Melbourne and Cairns) there was zero availability at any of the specialty restaurants.    Why is that?  Do they give the staff a night off and if so I'm surprised they would do that at all three specialty locations on the same night.  It didn't impact our choices but curious.

[DeepFreeze63]

My guess is that there is a on-deck special dinner those nights.

[2012_Alaska_bound]

1 minute ago, DeepFreeze63 said:

My guess is that there is a on-deck special dinner those nights.

 

Good thought DeepFreeze! Usually on deck bbq on nights when you are in port late or overnight.

[Lonedaddy]

Wow didn't know they did that but makes sense as Melbourne is late night 2am and cairns is overnight!  Thanks for the information that is good to know and a pleasant surprise.

[2012_Alaska_bound]

51 minutes ago, Lonedaddy said:

Thanks for the information that is good to know and a pleasant surprise.

One of my favorite things is the deck bbq!

 

[Lonedaddy]

19 minutes ago, 2012_Alaska_bound said:

One of my favorite things is the deck bbq!

 

What is the Dress code for on deck - I assume it will be warm in Cairns and even Melbourne in January

[Jimmcdaniel]

A scheduled deck BBQ is a likely reason for the black-out on restaurant reservations. We had this situation on a recent Splendor cruise. Turned out the weather didn't cooperate and the deck event had to be cancelled. It was super easy to get reservations for any time at any of the restaurants on that evening after the cancellation. If you are interested in reservation for those nights keep your ears open for schedule changes and talk to the maitre d' at the restaurant. 

[irishwitchy]

We are on from Auckland to Bali, but couldn’t book it as one trip, so I could only do the reservations for the first half.   Doesn’t seem quite fair, but than again we have added multiple visits in the past without issues.  Can’t wait! I will finally retire before, I step on the ship.  

[turtlemichael]

14 hours ago, Lonedaddy said:

What is the Dress code for on deck - I assume it will be warm in Cairns and even Melbourne in January

You can guarantee Cairns in January will be hot and humid with a strong possibility of rain. Melbourne is much less predictable - it could be hot or cool (and even both on the same day). 

[Lonedaddy]

19 hours ago, irishwitchy said:

We are on from Auckland to Bali, but couldn’t book it as one trip, so I could only do the reservations for the first half.   Doesn’t seem quite fair, but than again we have added multiple visits in the past without issues.  Can’t wait! I will finally retire before, I step on the ship.  

A quick check of the second half SYD- BALI is showing prime 7 available just about every day in all time slots.  Shouldn't be an issue for you