Dawn - Is it True About Dinner Reservartions

[plcruiser]

Is it true that you can no longer make dinner reservations for the full week on the first day?:confused:

[Don Haynes]

I was under the impression you could on the first day, the sooner the better.

[Maxima81]

On our 5/20 Dawn cruise, the ladies at the main reservation counter (in the Atrium) told us they were only accepting for that first evening and reservations for the remainder of the week would be taken starting the next day. Right after the Muster drill (which took place right outside of Le Bistro), I caught the hostess who was preparing for that evening's reservations and asked her to make a reservation for later in the week with no problems. So I assume you can simply head directly to the specialty restaurants and make your reservations there if the main desk won't accept them.

[bjm1271]

Just returned from the Dawn. We made reservations for the entire week on the 1st day. Book the 1st day's reservations at the main reservation counter in the Atrium. Then proceed to each restaurant and make your reservations for the rest of the week. We did it without a problem.

[nyzil]

We just returned from the Dawn & on the first day we went to the desk in the atrium and were told reservations were being taken only for day one - they told us to come back tomorrow. Then we found out later in the week you could make reservations right at the specialty restaurants. The problem w/the desk on the 7 floor was they are not always open. Many passengers were complaining on how they handle making reservations - it felt like a big gimick.

[yuckylucky]

Just returned from the Dawn. We made reservations for the entire week on the 1st day. Book the 1st day's reservations at the main reservation counter in the Atrium. Then proceed to each restaurant and make your reservations for the rest of the week. We did it without a problem.

 

Thanks so much for the heads-up on doing the 1st night at the main desk and then just booking directly at the various restaurants! This is very helpful!

 

We're sailing on the Dawn on 6/24...first time on NCL. I keep reading so many different things about this freestyle dining that I'm thinking already this will be last time on NCL. I do want to stress that we're still keeping an open mind about the cruise and look forward to it! :)

 

NYZIL & BJM1271 & MAXIMA81: On a related note: Did you receive any coupons from NCL about 2 for 1 dining in a specialty restaurant or did the Dawn offer 50% off the first night of the cruise at specialty restaurants? We already received our docs and there was no coupon for 2 for 1 dining in there. I've seen posts about people having such a coupon but I wonder if it is only for Latitudes members or only given out on certain cruises. I've also seen posts that they aren't offering the 50% off day one dinners either. Just curious if I'm missing out on something!

 

Thanks again!

[nyzil]

Sorry, no coupons for 1/2 off specialty restaurants. I read on another thread NCL stopped the 1/2 off. The only special we found out about on like Thursday was in the casino they have 2 for 1 drinks from midnight to 2:00 a.m. - Unfortuantely we found out about this too late. Had already spent a fortune on drinks. :eek:

[yuckylucky]

Sorry, no coupons for 1/2 off specialty restaurants. I read on another thread NCL stopped the 1/2 off. The only special we found out about on like Thursday was in the casino they have 2 for 1 drinks from midnight to 2:00 a.m. - Unfortuantely we found out about this too late. Had already spent a fortune on drinks. :eek:

 

Thanks nyzil! The only coupon we received with our docs was something about a raffle for artwork...just what I need...LOL! I won't knock it; some people like to buy art on the ships. If we can stay up late enough, we will take advantage of a 2-fer when they have it! :)

[LindaLa]

We sailed on the Dawn last week. Since we paid for the cruise with a MasterCard credit card, we were entitled to a coupon book (which we picked up at Reception Desk on the first day - the information came with our tix). There was a coupon in the book for a buy one get one free dinner at the specialty restaurant - good only for the first day of the cruise. There were no other offers available for these restaurants as there had been in the past. We went to LeBistro and had a wonderful meal. We were only able to make reservations at the main reservation desk in the Atrium for the first night only. After that we booked our reservations directly at the restaurant.

[ladyrizza]

yuckyluckly I believe the coupon book they are talking about is the one you get if you paid for your cruise using a MasterCard charge card. I wish I knew this before I booked my cruise which I paid off using my checkbook.

[bjm1271]

YuckyLucky,

 

I heard the same as nyzil. I believe the Casino also had a gimmick if you buy a certain amount in chips you get an additional $5.00? I spent so much in the casino I would have no idea if they gave me an extra $5.00

[Maxima81]

I actually paid with a MasterCard and called NCL and the TA I went thru to see if I could get a coupon book. Both told me no, so I never bothered following up when I sailed two wks ago. As for the casino $5 bonus, I think you're referring to a matchplay coupon good on certain tables or for even pay bets only (red/black or odd/even on roulette) that you have to put up your $5 with. You could have received these coupons by attending their gaming lessons seminars. I think I even received one for taking that free slots spin (for a free cruise or specialty dinner) on the first day.

[yuckylucky]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I paid with MC so maybe there will be a coupon book waiting for me! If not, no biggie...but anything they throw at you is always worth a look-see!

 

Thanks for all of the info! I'll be sure to return the favor when I get back from the 6/24 sailing!

[cruiserssandr]

We paid for our Norwegian Majesty cruise with MC. When we got our tickets there was a coupon to bring to reception where they had 2 coupon booklets. Used the one for the Bistro. One service charge for free. Only good on the first night. Also used the one for a free drink when you buy 2, only good at embarkation.

[yuckylucky]

We paid for our Norwegian Majesty cruise with MC. When we got our tickets there was a coupon to bring to reception where they had 2 coupon booklets. Used the one for the Bistro. One service charge for free. Only good on the first night. Also used the one for a free drink when you buy 2, only good at embarkation.

 

Cruisersandr: how long ago did you cruise? I checked my docs and I paid with MC and I didn't get a coupon stating I'd need to bring it to reception. Or, by tickets, do you mean when you checked in at the pier? Maybe the coupon book and MC promo is for certain ships? Maxima81 sailed the Dawn and paid with MC and didn't get a coupon.

 

While it would be nice to get a coupon book for drink and dinner discounts, I have bigger fish to fry...like what to do in Bermuda and what to pack for the cruise! :)

 

I heard the same as nyzil. I believe the Casino also had a gimmick if you buy a certain amount in chips you get an additional $5.00? I spent so much in the casino I would have no idea if they gave me an extra $5.00

 

bjm1271: I have something in my docs all on one page for:

 

1. pay $10 & receive $15 in Table Game Chips

2. Take a turn at the free Spin Slot for a change for a 7-night domestic cruise

3. Free instructional gaming cards

4. Bring the Lucky Ace from your cabin to the casino as your first card for a play in Blackjack.

 

Not really a coupon, more like an advertisement for available promos, I guess.

[ouqtinvu]

We just returned from the Dawn & on the first day we went to the desk in the atrium and were told reservations were being taken only for day one - they told us to come back tomorrow. Then we found out later in the week you could make reservations right at the specialty restaurants. The problem w/the desk on the 7 floor was they are not always open. Many passengers were complaining on how they handle making reservations - it felt like a big gimick.

We were told the same thing. Made reservations at the desk for the 1st night. Easily made the rest of them by telephone when we got to the cabin. Pick up the black leather information book they have in each cabin - go to dining section and they have each phone number for each restaurant listed. Had a short busy signal for Cagney's but all others picked up right away. You do not need to go to the restaurants, you can relax in the cabin and do it by phone as soon as you arrive!

[yuckylucky]

You do not need to go to the restaurants, you can relax in the cabin and do it by phone as soon as you arrive!

 

Thanks for the advice! :)