Specialty Dining Questions - Booking prior to and on Embarkation Day

[SonomaMist]

I'm fairly new to Holland America and have the following questions on Specialty dining:
 

1. HAL will offer a 1 specialty dinner as a perk - if you do not reserve ahead of time, will HAL assign a dining time and restaurant?

2. If you reserve ahead of time, and do not like the time or date, is there an opportunity to change? 

3. Are all dining times preserved prior to the cruise or does HAL set aside a number of days/times to book once on board?

4. On embarkation day, does HAL have a central location to book and reserve dining times?

5. Can you request to get on a waiting list prior to the cruise?

Thank you for your responses. 

Kathy
 

Edited November 3, 2022 by SonomaMist

[Cruise Suzy]

1. Yes, HAL will assign you a date and time if you don't pre-book.

2. You can cancel and change to any available time.

3. I've seen several times unavailable as it gets close to sailing, but I've never seen all times for a particular date reserved before embarkation.

4. Yes, the location will be listed in the When & Where. You can also call the onboard dining reservation number.

2. I have always been able to find a time that worked for me, so I don't know if there is a waitlist.