Ithikan Posted November 23, 2023 #1 Share Posted November 23, 2023 Interesting email from Azamara today. "Experience a Memorable Culinary Adventure" invites us to pre-purchase the dining packages before boarding. And the fine print at the bottom suggests that one meal out of the package is to be enjoyed on Day 1 or Day 2 of the cruise. And if the voyage is sailing full or close to full, will it be a fraught experience to find reservation times during those days? The email: "One night of dining in Prime C or Aqualina must take place on night 1 or 2 of the voyage for dining packages." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgg Posted November 23, 2023 #2 Share Posted November 23, 2023 I wonder what would happen if, instead of creating more complicated packages, Azamara fixed the existing product problems and restored travel agents' confidence in the brand. 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisiamc Posted November 24, 2023 #3 Share Posted November 24, 2023 I never have any trouble getting a booking on the first night for Prime C or Aqualina. I think they like to do that for packages because those two nights are pretty quiet. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinaro44 Posted November 24, 2023 #4 Share Posted November 24, 2023 49 minutes ago, lisiamc said: I never have any trouble getting a booking on the first night for Prime C or Aqualina. I think they like to do that for packages because those two nights are pretty quiet. Exactly right. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted November 24, 2023 #5 Share Posted November 24, 2023 1 hour ago, lisiamc said: I never have any trouble getting a booking on the first night for Prime C or Aqualina. I think they like to do that for packages because those two nights are pretty quiet. And I can think of more than one cruise where we've been led to one of the Specialties and comped on the first night to save waiting in the MDR queue. I've never had an issue either. I won't be booking ahead. Phil 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted November 24, 2023 #6 Share Posted November 24, 2023 38 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said: And I can think of more than one cruise where we've been led to one of the Specialties and comped on the first night to save waiting in the MDR queue. I've never had an issue either. I won't be booking ahead. Phil Trouble is when they do that you end up eating with some right riff raff 😂😂 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
read2learn Posted November 25, 2023 #7 Share Posted November 25, 2023 I am trying to book dining package for my trip on Dec12th but cannot find a place to do it. Excursions no appear under Manage my Reservation. It says coming soon. I think a little Gremlin gets into their website just to frustrate us! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted November 25, 2023 #8 Share Posted November 25, 2023 41 minutes ago, read2learn said: I am trying to book dining package for my trip on Dec12th but cannot find a place to do it. Excursions no appear under Manage my Reservation. It says coming soon. I think a little Gremlin gets into their website just to frustrate us! Call 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lahore Posted November 25, 2023 #9 Share Posted November 25, 2023 8 hours ago, read2learn said: I am trying to book dining package for my trip on Dec12th but cannot find a place to do it. Excursions no appear under Manage my Reservation. It says coming soon. I think a little Gremlin gets into their website just to frustrate us! Same, I received that email and considered booking it, but the link took me to the website with nowhere to make said booking and no sign of even any mention of the dining packages. It's a strange way to run a business. I'm certainly not going to phone them about it. #notthatdesperate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riocca Posted November 25, 2023 #10 Share Posted November 25, 2023 52 minutes ago, lahore said: Same, I received that email and considered booking it, but the link took me to the website with nowhere to make said booking and no sign of even any mention of the dining packages. It's a strange way to run a business. I'm certainly not going to phone them about it. #notthatdesperate When you’re in the booking go to Add ons, then choose available you should be able to scroll through all the available packages. In our bookings I can see all the Chefs Table options but as we’re in a suite no speciality restaurant packages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mj_holiday Posted November 25, 2023 #11 Share Posted November 25, 2023 So now there is a way to book specialty restaurant reservations on line before you board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisiamc Posted November 25, 2023 #12 Share Posted November 25, 2023 (edited) 44 minutes ago, mj_holiday said: So now there is a way to book specialty restaurant reservations on line before you board? I believe there is only the ability to book the packages themselves, not the actual dates. Edited November 25, 2023 by lisiamc 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurieb Posted November 25, 2023 #13 Share Posted November 25, 2023 17 minutes ago, lisiamc said: I believe there is only the ability to book the packages themselves, not the actual dates. This is correct. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lahore Posted November 26, 2023 #14 Share Posted November 26, 2023 19 hours ago, Riocca said: When you’re in the booking go to Add ons, then choose available you should be able to scroll through all the available packages. In our bookings I can see all the Chefs Table options but as we’re in a suite no speciality restaurant packages. Thank you, I just managed to do that. My FCC was showing in a large text box under Add ons and I didn't notice that you could click on 'add ons' as well. Booked four speciality restaurants. We don't usually pay in advance but I know we love the speciality restaurants on Azamara so....FOMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Traveling Fools Posted December 4, 2023 #15 Share Posted December 4, 2023 You can pre-book, but must wait until aboard to make reservations. Contrary what others told me, it isn't the breeze they suggested! We were some of the first to board and were told the only place to book reservations was on Deck 10 at Aquilina. I dumped my bag in the suite and hustled up to Deck 10 where there was one couple in front of me. I pulled up a chair and waited my turn and could sense other shipmates lining up behind me. When I finished making the reservations and turned around to leave, the line extended out to the elevator. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2travel90266 Posted December 4, 2023 #16 Share Posted December 4, 2023 It is a 1st come, 1st serve which makes late boarding a disadvantage. You are also competing for reservations made by B2B cruisers who stayed on from the previous cruise as reservations can be made at the B2B meeting held the day before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorothysFriend Posted December 4, 2023 #17 Share Posted December 4, 2023 For suites, can your butter book things for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted December 4, 2023 #18 Share Posted December 4, 2023 44 minutes ago, DorothysFriend said: For suites, can your butter book things for you? Yes. They must hold out some tables for this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted December 4, 2023 #19 Share Posted December 4, 2023 9 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said: Yes. They must hold out some tables for this. Not in my experience. The butler likes to make you think that (to look important) but they have no greater access to tables. Even in a suite you need to be flexible in the days and times you want 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combine Posted December 4, 2023 #20 Share Posted December 4, 2023 14 hours ago, luv2travel90266 said: It is a 1st come, 1st serve which makes late boarding a disadvantage. You are also competing for reservations made by B2B cruisers who stayed on from the previous cruise as reservations can be made at the B2B meeting held the day before. There is often a lot of movement with the bookings and you can sometimes pick up a booking on the day. Last year on our 11 nighter in a Continental Suite we booked all 11 nights on embarkation, alternating between the two Speciality restaurants. By the time we left, we had cancelled 5 of those ( giving plenty of notice) and dined in a selection of Discoveries, Windows and Patio. We enjoyed the mixing of the other venues as the two Speciality restaurants can get a little repetitive. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinaro44 Posted December 4, 2023 #21 Share Posted December 4, 2023 23 minutes ago, combine said: We enjoyed the mixing of the other venues as the two Speciality restaurants can get a little repetitive. Then why book every night upon boarding? Takes slots away from others who then walk away from the reservation table frustrated and unhappy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combine Posted December 4, 2023 #22 Share Posted December 4, 2023 (edited) 50 minutes ago, marinaro44 said: Then why book every night upon boarding? Takes slots away from others who then walk away from the reservation table frustrated and unhappy. Because the Discoveries Menus were not available on the TV screen prior to booking the Speciality and the Patio evening we changed to was weather dependent . My initial comment was to highlight that people change plans for whatever reason so there may be choices of dates and times that become available during the cruise. Edited December 4, 2023 by combine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinaro44 Posted December 4, 2023 #23 Share Posted December 4, 2023 41 minutes ago, combine said: Because the Discoveries Menus were not available on the TV screen prior to booking the Speciality and the Patio evening we changed to was weather dependent . My initial comment was to highlight that people change plans for whatever reason so there may be choices of dates and times that become available during the cruise. Postings like this may yet convince me there should be a limit on how many specialty restaurant reservations a stateroom can make, although my gut dislikes that idea. If enough early reservers book every night 'just in case' to give themselves unfettered flexibility to choose later, this board will be inundated with justified complaints about access to the specialties. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combine Posted December 4, 2023 #24 Share Posted December 4, 2023 17 minutes ago, marinaro44 said: Postings like this may yet convince me there should be a limit on how many specialty restaurant reservations a stateroom can make, although my gut dislikes that idea. If enough early reservers book every night 'just in case' to give themselves unfettered flexibility to choose later, this board will be inundated with justified complaints about access to the specialties. Ok this is my last post on this particular subject, having tried at least to let people know that there may be availability to book tables throughout the cruise. This was our first Continental Suite and as is widely publicised, the Speciality dining is complementary for the cabin for the whole cruise. We had every intention of attending each evening, however a few excellent evening menus caught our attention in Discoveries and we cancelled and someone else picked up our table. We never set out to book ‘just in case’. When and if Azamara change the parameters we will deal with it . 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mackdogmolly Posted December 4, 2023 #25 Share Posted December 4, 2023 Viking guarantees everyone at least one reservation to their (included) specialty restaurant and their (included) chef’s table restaurant. Then, the higher your cabin category, the more reservations you can make. All before you board. Once on the ship, you can make as many reservations as are available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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