weisla Posted June 10 #1 Share Posted June 10 We’re currently on the Joy and decided to add more specialty dining meals. I’m trying to book but there is little availability. Will they seat us if we walk up and wait for a no show? Last night we couldn’t get anything until 8:45, but when we walked by restaurants earlier in the evening some were practically empty. I’m wondering if NCL is understaffing the specialty venues and not opening reservations for open tables or are people booking and not bothering to call and cancel? I’d appreciate any advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiseny4life Posted June 10 #2 Share Posted June 10 13 minutes ago, weisla said: We’re currently on the Joy and decided to add more specialty dining meals. I’m trying to book but there is little availability. Will they seat us if we walk up and wait for a no show? Last night we couldn’t get anything until 8:45, but when we walked by restaurants earlier in the evening some were practically empty. I’m wondering if NCL is understaffing the specialty venues and not opening reservations for open tables or are people booking and not bothering to call and cancel? I’d appreciate any advice! Try going right at opening. Generally that's 5:30. Unless you're a large group, most places will probably be able to fit you in...probably. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted June 10 #3 Share Posted June 10 20 minutes ago, weisla said: We’re currently on the Joy and decided to add more specialty dining meals. I’m trying to book but there is little availability. Will they seat us if we walk up and wait for a no show? Last night we couldn’t get anything until 8:45, but when we walked by restaurants earlier in the evening some were practically empty. I’m wondering if NCL is understaffing the specialty venues and not opening reservations for open tables or are people booking and not bothering to call and cancel? I’d appreciate any advice! Why would NCL not seat walkups if there is availability? That would cost them money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weisla Posted June 10 Author #4 Share Posted June 10 6 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said: Why would NCL not seat walkups if there is availability? That would cost them money. I know, that’s what I thought! I called the reservation line and asked and was told “no, you need to have a reservation.” That seems ridiculous, especially since we saw tons of empty tables at places that supposedly had no reservations available. That’s why I wondered if they were purposely understaffing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted June 10 #5 Share Posted June 10 2 minutes ago, weisla said: I know, that’s what I thought! I called the reservation line and asked and was told “no, you need to have a reservation.” That seems ridiculous, especially since we saw tons of empty tables at places that supposedly had no reservations available. That’s why I wondered if they were purposely understaffing. A table might be empty at 6 PM because someone has reserved it for 6:30. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoloAlaska Posted June 10 #6 Share Posted June 10 An empty table doesn’t mean availability. They can move staff around based on needs aka reservation numbers. It doesn’t hurt to ask kindly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weisla Posted June 10 Author #7 Share Posted June 10 1 minute ago, RocketMan275 said: A table might be empty at 6 PM because someone has reserved it for 6:30. Of course, but last between 6:30-7 there were dozens of empty tables - every inside table in La Cucina was vacant and Food Republic was so empty I actually thought it must be closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weisla Posted June 10 Author #8 Share Posted June 10 Just now, SoloAlaska said: An empty table doesn’t mean availability. They can move staff around based on needs aka reservation numbers. It doesn’t hurt to ask kindly. Yes, that’s what we’ll try tonight, go early and ask nicely 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLAHAM Posted June 10 #9 Share Posted June 10 Better availability late (after 8:00) than early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizard13 Posted June 10 #10 Share Posted June 10 Is there a central desk to book dining reservations or are they made at each restaurant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted June 10 #11 Share Posted June 10 19 minutes ago, weisla said: Food Republic was so empty I actually thought it must be closed. I don't believe that Food Republic takes reservations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weisla Posted June 10 Author #12 Share Posted June 10 31 minutes ago, Lizard13 said: Is there a central desk to book dining reservations or are they made at each restaurant? Only on day 1, then it is by phone or at the host desk at each restaurant after 5pm 30 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said: I don't believe that Food Republic takes reservations. They are offering reservations right now on the Joy. We booked one last night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weisla Posted June 10 Author #13 Share Posted June 10 50 minutes ago, weisla said: Only on day 1, then it is by phone or at the host desk at each restaurant after 5pm I’m wrong about this, a desk is open in today in Teppanyaki 7:30-5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
complawyer Posted June 10 #14 Share Posted June 10 i'm sure i'll get blasted for this post, but if you walk up, ask for the maitre'd, introduce your self with a hand shake, but make sure there's a $10. bill folded in your hand. usually works for me 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted June 10 #15 Share Posted June 10 9 minutes ago, complawyer said: i'm sure i'll get blasted for this post, but if you walk up, ask for the maitre'd, introduce your self with a hand shake, but make sure there's a $10. bill folded in your hand. usually works for me I just make a reservation and pocket the ten bucks.😎 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted June 10 #16 Share Posted June 10 2 hours ago, weisla said: They are offering reservations right now on the Joy. We booked one last night. Interesting. This is what had me confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weisla Posted June 10 Author #17 Share Posted June 10 14 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said: Interesting. This is what had me confused: IIRC it was not available pre-boarding, but they are allowing reservations for dinner. Lunch is still first come, first served. Unless you try the @complawyer $10 bill strategy 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted June 10 #18 Share Posted June 10 12 minutes ago, weisla said: IIRC it was not available pre-boarding, but they are allowing reservations for dinner. Lunch is still first come, first served. Unless you try the @complawyer $10 bill strategy 😉 Thanks. I'm too cheap to use my buddy @complawyer's strategy. Do that ten times and I'm down around a hundred bucks.🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted June 10 #19 Share Posted June 10 40 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said: Thanks. I'm too cheap to use my buddy @complawyer's strategy. Do that ten times and I'm down around a hundred bucks.🤣 But up ten pounds.. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted June 10 #20 Share Posted June 10 59 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said: But up ten pounds.. That's okay!! My doctor has been telling me that I really should put on a few pounds..... disclaimer: I really can't back that up.🤣 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted June 10 #21 Share Posted June 10 2 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said: Interesting. This is what had me confused: Are you within your 120-day booking window. Our cruise is a 2 months away and we can book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted June 10 #22 Share Posted June 10 6 hours ago, weisla said: We’re currently on the Joy and decided to add more specialty dining meals. I’m trying to book but there is little availability. Will they seat us if we walk up and wait for a no show? Last night we couldn’t get anything until 8:45, but when we walked by restaurants earlier in the evening some were practically empty. I’m wondering if NCL is understaffing the specialty venues and not opening reservations for open tables or are people booking and not bothering to call and cancel? I’d appreciate any advice! Walk up and try to get a seat. Open table does not mean available table. Any reservation from 5:30-7:00ish would hold a table until the party shows up. IF the weather is nice AND people are sitting outside, that opens up more tables for seating. That opens up space for walk-ins. But many days folks are not sitting outside (too cold, too hot, too windy, rainy). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted June 10 #23 Share Posted June 10 (edited) 22 minutes ago, BirdTravels said: Are you within your 120-day booking window. Yes. (actually, 125) I see the same on one less than two months out. Edited June 10 by ChiefMateJRK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted June 11 #24 Share Posted June 11 42 minutes ago, BirdTravels said: Walk up and try to get a seat. Open table does not mean available table. Any reservation from 5:30-7:00ish would hold a table until the party shows up. IF the weather is nice AND people are sitting outside, that opens up more tables for seating. That opens up space for walk-ins. But many days folks are not sitting outside (too cold, too hot, too windy, rainy). We requested outside seating at Onda on Prima due to noise level inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
complawyer Posted June 11 #25 Share Posted June 11 hey chief, you dont need to do it 10 times, just a couple will do, as long as the maitre ' d gets to know you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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