Specialty dining reservations

[kona_wahine]

I’ve only cruised a couple times with NCL and we have a group cruising Alaska in July.  Specialty dining opened up 5 minutes ago and everything is just about gone except super late. Is that the norm? We have 5 cabins booked so I’ll try calling that department tomorrow and hopefully they can help us, as we we want to dine together as it’s a family vacation. There are 9 passengers so I couldn’t do it online anyway, I had to call tomorrow when the group NCL people are open.  I was just checking to see what was available.

 

I guess i don’t understand why they advertise the cruise with the free at sea and then you don’t end up getting the specialty dining????

[julig22]

They only release a small % of available reservations prior to the cruise. You can make reservations once onboard. And keep in mind that some people have earlier access to making reservations.

[IAcruising]

1 hour ago, kona_wahine said:

Specialty dining opened up 5 minutes ago and everything is just about gone except super late

 

That seems strange. More details on restaurants you've tried? In your case, I would book tables for 8, and show up with 9. They will make it work.

 

[Two Wheels Only]

8 hours ago, kona_wahine said:

Specialty dining opened up 5 minutes ago and everything is just about gone except super late. Is that the norm?

 

Booking opens earlier for Haven/suite guests and for Club Balcony Suite guests.

[shof515]

10 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Booking opens earlier for Haven/suite guests and for Club Balcony Suite guests.

booking also opens earlier based on your latitude status

[Liljo22]

Once onboard, there will be more spots available.  Either go to the restaurant reservations desk once onboard or check the app when you get on the ships Wi-Fi.  

[G-DawgMN]

9 hours ago, kona_wahine said:

I’ve only cruised a couple times with NCL and we have a group cruising Alaska in July.  Specialty dining opened up 5 minutes ago and everything is just about gone except super late. Is that the norm? We have 5 cabins booked so I’ll try calling that department tomorrow and hopefully they can help us, as we we want to dine together as it’s a family vacation. There are 9 passengers so I couldn’t do it online anyway, I had to call tomorrow when the group NCL people are open.  I was just checking to see what was available.

 

I guess i don’t understand why they advertise the cruise with the free at sea and then you don’t end up getting the specialty dining????

 Part of your problem is probably because you’re trying to book 9. I’m sure there aren’t a lot of tables if any built into the reservation system. As you said, calling in should have more success. 
 You will be able to get something booked if you wait until you are onboard, but if you’re not early you will probably get less than ideal times. 
  If you would be more flexible and break the group into smaller ones you’d probably have more success now. 

[JandC_Cruising]

9 hours ago, kona_wahine said:

I’ve only cruised a couple times with NCL and we have a group cruising Alaska in July.  Specialty dining opened up 5 minutes ago and everything is just about gone except super late. Is that the norm? We have 5 cabins booked so I’ll try calling that department tomorrow and hopefully they can help us, as we we want to dine together as it’s a family vacation. There are 9 passengers so I couldn’t do it online anyway, I had to call tomorrow when the group NCL people are open.  I was just checking to see what was available.

 

I guess i don’t understand why they advertise the cruise with the free at sea and then you don’t end up getting the specialty dining????

Call your group specialist and they will assist.  Given they work specifically with larger groups, I would hope they are given a bit more "access" to the dinner reservation system.  (full disclosure:  I don't know that for sure)

 

As others have said, they only release a % of the reservations to the pre-booking.   We've had to make changes to plans upon boarding in the past and have done some on embarkation day without issues.   There is a staffed central table to make any dining arrangements when you board.  It is usually at Teppanyaki or near Guest Services.  

 

 

[BirdTravels]

11 hours ago, kona_wahine said:

I’ve only cruised a couple times with NCL and we have a group cruising Alaska in July.  Specialty dining opened up 5 minutes ago and everything is just about gone except super late. Is that the norm? We have 5 cabins booked so I’ll try calling that department tomorrow and hopefully they can help us, as we we want to dine together as it’s a family vacation. There are 9 passengers so I couldn’t do it online anyway, I had to call tomorrow when the group NCL people are open.  I was just checking to see what was available.

 

I guess i don’t understand why they advertise the cruise with the free at sea and then you don’t end up getting the specialty dining????

There may be one table for a large group and they may only book it as a large table (versus multiple small tables) later. 
 

Also, if you are booking at 120 days, Haven guest have a 10 days before you st 130 days. All club balcony suites started booking at 125 days. And all top tier Latitudes members started booking at 125 days. 

[kona_wahine]

Thanks everyone. I called the group specialists this morning and spoke to a different person who seemed to know more and was more helpful. He checked and of course there was nothing left. He said to keep checking in case something opens up, but I’m not counting on that. He did explain to me to have one reservation book a 4 top and another book a 5 top and they will combine them. I wish the first person had told me that. We will just book as soon as we are on the ship and hope for the best.