What do you think is the biggest misconception about Freestyle Cruising?

[newmexicoNita]

I don't UNDERSTAND this because: (a) I was bad at math or (b)I believe the slogan is "whenever o'clock". NOT late, NOT early.

In my mind, its one or the other. We have been on several cruises with fixed dinning and thought that "whenever o'clock" meant just that. Not get on the ship......run like mad to the restaurauant..... and book next Thursdays dinner time.(not to mention Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays etc.)

A lot of people here say that's what they do. How is that freestyle? To me if you HAVE to book your time and space for eating for the entire cruise the minute you board, wouldn't you be much better off selecting early or late seating on another line?

I don't think anyone is saying that: In referance to specialty restaurants some suggest you book those the first day just like any other line. On Celebrity we couldn't even book the specialty restaurant; it was sold out the afternoon we arrived. This is another misconception. BTW, if you do choose to book the specailty restaurants you don't go from restaurant to restaurant you can either call them or book in the main reception area. The main dining rooms you decide when you want to eat. For some of us, 6:15 which is the normal early dining on other lines is too early and 8:15 is too late. With freestyle you can eat as early as 5:30 or as late as 9:30. It is amazing to me, how so many that have never tried flex dining just know they hate it. Well, I hope everyone gets over this because it appears this is the wave of the future and not the distant future. NMNita

[newmexicoNita]

I don't UNDERSTAND this because: (a) I was bad at math or (b)I believe the slogan is "whenever o'clock". NOT late, NOT early.

In my mind, its one or the other. We have been on several cruises with fixed dinning and thought that "whenever o'clock" meant just that. Not get on the ship......run like mad to the restaurauant..... and book next Thursdays dinner time.(not to mention Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays etc.)

A lot of people here say that's what they do. How is that freestyle? To me if you HAVE to book your time and space for eating for the entire cruise the minute you board, wouldn't you be much better off selecting early or late seating on another line?

I don't think anyone is saying that: In referance to specialty restaurants some suggest you book those the first day just like any other line. On Celebrity we couldn't even book the specialty restaurant; it was sold out the afternoon we arrived. This is another misconception. BTW, if you do choose to book the specailty restaurants you don't go from restaurant to restaurant you can either call them or book in the main reception area. The main dining rooms you decide when you want to eat. For some of us, 6:15 which is the normal early dining on other lines is too early and 8:15 is too late. With freestyle you can eat as early as 5:30 or as late as 9:30. It is amazing to me, how so many that have never tried flex dining just know they hate it. Well, I hope everyone gets over this because it appears this is the wave of the future and not the distant future. NMNita

[Don Haynes]

To me if you HAVE to book your time and space for eating for the entire cruise the minute you board, wouldn't you be much better off selecting early or late seating on another line?

 

Why would I want to cruise on another line when I like the flexibility of NCL? You don't have to book reservations for the entire cruise for any of the main dining rooms..... You should book reservations to a speciality restaurant if you wish to dine there, the sooner the better because they will sell out.....

 

The main dining rooms have seats for over 1000 passengers, each speciality restaurant has only at best 100 or so seats. Limited seating results in reservations. Period. How can 2000 diners dine in a speciality restaurant the same night?

 

One of the best and most expensive restaurants in Dallas is called Dovies. This restaurant is booked months in advance. One does not drive up to this very small restaurant and expect to be seated.

 

The problem with traditional dining is that I did ask for early dining once, and recieved late dining. So you don't always get what you want, do you?

 

We usually arrive at NCL's main dining rooms before 6. On my last cruise I dined at 7 and at 8 a couple of days, because we took long shore excursions. We weren't force to dine at 6.

 

30 minutes. You can't dine in any of the dining rooms in less than 30 minutes. Simple math. You won't make the first show at 7:30 if you dine at 7..... All you have to do is walk up before 6 and you will most llkely see the first show.

 

Flexibility is the key. There is no flexibility with traditional seating is there?

 

You have it backwards. Start thinking forward, and you will love freestyle.

[sjbdtz]

I don't UNDERSTAND this because: (a) I was bad at math or (b)I believe the slogan is "whenever o'clock". NOT late, NOT early.

 

In my mind, its one or the other. We have been on several cruises with fixed dinning and thought that "whenever o'clock" meant just that. Not get on the ship......run like mad to the restaurauant..... and book next Thursdays dinner time.(not to mention Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays etc.)

 

A lot of people here say that's what they do. How is that freestyle? To me if you HAVE to book your time and space for eating for the entire cruise the minute you board, wouldn't you be much better off selecting early or late seating on another line?

 

 

Okay...that's another misconception.

 

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO RESERVE THE MAIN DINING ROOMS!

 

People are hurrying to reserve the very small, intimate, surcharge dining venues.

 

Not decided when you might like to eat on Thursday will not prevent you from walking up to the door & being seated, on Thursday.

 

Yes...it's first-come, first-served....(i.e. no reservations), and sometimes that means a wait....but which would you prefer? Reserved main dining?

[discjoker]

Okay...that's another misconception.

 

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO RESERVE THE MAIN DINING ROOMS!

 

People are hurrying to reserve the very small, intimate, surcharge dining venues.

 

Not decided when you might like to eat on Thursday will not prevent you from walking up to the door & being seated, on Thursday.

 

Yes...it's first-come, first-served....(i.e. no reservations), and sometimes that means a wait....but which would you prefer? Reserved main dining?

 

Ya know, I think that is the BIGGEST misconception. Freestyle cruising is great and is very low stress, however some people are stressing themselves out trying to make reservations the second they step onboard. People just need to chill, take a deep breath, and remember they are on vacation.

[cod]

To me, another misconception is having to book specialty restaurants ASAP! On the two freestyle cruises we've been on (our first NCL cruise wasn't) we've waited a couple of days, checked the DR menu's to see what night appealed least to us there and then had no trouble booking that night in the restaurant we wanted. Why are people lining up to book these on day one?!

 

Maybe some ships/departure ports have more people interested the specialty restaurants is all I can figure based on my experience.

[discjoker]

To me, another misconception is having to book specialty restaurants ASAP! On the two freestyle cruises we've been on (our first NCL cruise wasn't) we've waited a couple of days, checked the DR menu's to see what night appealed least to us there and then had no trouble booking that night in the restaurant we wanted. Why are people lining up to book these on day one?!

 

Maybe some ships/departure ports have more people interested the specialty restaurants is all I can figure based on my experience.

 

I have found this as well. No problem getting into specialty restaurants when booking a couple days into the cruise. People are just tripping over themselves stressing themselves out to book the moment they get onboard for no reason, IMHO.

[jimswims]

Another misconception about Freestyle is that everyone in your party has to eat together at the same time.

 

Lately we have cruised with our kids (now 12 and 8). Freestyle dining allows us to eat together as a family, with a choice of restaurants, early or late depending on activities and whether or not we are hungry. We are not always hungry at 6:15 or 8:30 pm.

 

Freestyle also allows us to feed the kids early when they want to go to Kids Crew, and then my wife and I can have dinner for 2 at a main dining room or a speciality restaurant. This is a HUGE selling point for us and our kids when we book a cruise!

 

We are looking forward to our next 2 NCL cruises this year on the Dawn. Freestyle works for us, no stress, plenty of flexibility, lots of fun!

[SailAways]

We felt absolutely none of the stress which some seem to go through for dining.

 

On NCL Spirit, we would decide the actual day what we wanted to do, after checking the menu's. We would accept a time which was available, and go do whatever.

 

Windows, Garden Room, or Raffles or any number of options were always available if the Specialty restaurants did not have openings which suited us. No big deal at all.

 

Freestyle seemed very simple and straight forward to us.

 

We didn't miss a single meal!;) :D

 

We love Freestyle - from Dress Code to Meals - It is a beautiful way to vacation!

[waterduo]

:) :)

I need to change my prospective on cruising.

The biggest misconception of freestyle cruising is it is all about food and dining. Sorry there is more to life and cruising on NCL than that. ;)

 

Quite agree.What is the rush?

A wait of 30 mins is no big deal!

Relax and enjoy the priviledge of being able to experience such an occasion.

[nimbex1970]

If I came across the situation when there are long lines entering a restaurant at 7 PM, I would choose to dine later or earlier the rest of the week. Its doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out many people beat me to the tables and filled up the restaurant. Just like at home, I would dine an hour later or an hour earlier. Why do you wish to show up during the rush? There aren't any 7-8 PM dining times with traditional dining either. Its either early or late table seatings.

 

Unfortunately there is limited space in the speciality restaurants. The only way you will see a full speciality restaurant all night is if they implemented the dreaded unfreestyle early and late seating arrangements. Since they do book these restaurants a few at a time, every 15 minutes or so, you recieve better service. Of course, it takes about two hours for the restaurant to fill. They can't accept walk ins because the empty table you see will be filled in 30 minutes. The catch is, you can't eat your dinner in 30 minutes, thus the party that did book would be very upset when there isn't a table for them when they arrive. SIMPLE MATH FOLKS, WHY DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND THIS!

 

Funny, my brochure states "Dine when you want, where you want with whomever you want, wear what you want". The brochure does not say... um... booked up, no specialty restaurant if you choose a popular time.... be prepared to wait at the Italian restaurant because it's popular today-here's a pager no special treatment here wait like you do at home -and you're hungry now, expecting to be seated.. "it's simple math folks-why can't you understand this." is your response:confused:

 

I'm not being ugly.... I'm learning alot from these boards to ensure this FITS our cruising style,(Really wanting to try NCL- family balking). But the brochures, website and commercials simply don't warn the general public and we know based upon many unhappy first timers that they had NO idea going in.... and were very unhappy to find this otherwise... Now you're all dressed for a specialty restaurant for a special occasion you've taken an hour to get ready and you're starving; it's booked for an hour (or worst booked up)... you move on and NOW you're restaurant shopping, overdressed, hungry and frustrated because "anytime-freestyle dinning" is what you booked .. this is NOT freestyle... and you know and I know based on reviews this happens. Not everyone has found this great site prior to cruising, or thinks that any time dinnig means- SIMPLE MATH FOLKS!

 

this is MY point.... the advertised freestyle is incorrect.... it should be appropriately labeled ALTERNATIVE dinning options... and mention the need to book reservations so that people KNOW what to expect and therefore don't go in with unrealistic expectations.....

 

Just read the brochure, because you're experienced- and I appreciate you clarifying these issues, does not mean that others have your understanding. This to me, IMHO is not dine anytime where you want- it's take a number-same as being at home. Nothing to see here folks carry on.

 

So don't suggest this isn't for us, it very well can be- if we're well informed as to HOW the process works and go in with realistic expecations... which NCL does NOT provide. I do thank you all for the great info, you're the greatest, just disagree with the poster and the 'tude that I should be so silly to think otherwise when my math skills are adequate.

 

carol

[kdzgon]

I've been reading dozens of reviews lately for NCL and other lines that have some type of Freestyle concept worked into their style. I've seen many comments, especially about NCL, that just don't ring true or are flat out wrong. What do you think is the biggest misconception about Freestyle Cruising?

 

I think the biggest misconception about Freestyle Cruising is that because the tips are added as a convenience to the consumer, the staff doesn't try as hard. I think nothing is farther from the truth. Having the tips added automatically is a convenience and the staff still has to try because their portion of the tip pool is dictated by guest comments and seniority. If they don't perform, they'll lose their job. I also think that someone that enjoys their job will do a good job no matter what. Tips won't affect that.

 

This thread isn't meant to start fights about dress codes, etc. It's a place to try and debunk the myths and help out new cruisers. :)

 

I totally disagree that this is a myth. We just returned from the Jewel, and I can state unequivocally that wait service has suffered terribly as compared to our prior cruises. Interestingly, cabin service was as good or better than most of our prior cruises (we had 4 cabins, ranging from CC (oceanview), BA (balcony) and a penthouse - all cabin service was very good to excellent).

[shoreguy]

Funny, my brochure states "Dine when you want, where you want with whomever you want, wear what you want".

this is MY point.... the advertised freestyle is incorrect....

 

You can do exactly that and the advertising is correct. Just like at home you can eat where,when, with whomever, and wear what you want within reason but just like home you are responsible to do a little planning.

 

Want to eat in popular resturant call and make a reservation so you can eat when you want or just like home be prepared to show up on Saturday night to find a long wait or only late seatings.

 

Doing basic planning or rolling the dice should be a simple concept for passengers to grasp. It is just like eating out at home in most areas of the world. If that concept is to difficult book a traditional cruise you will know every night where, when, and with whom you will dine. They can even tell a passenger what to wear like thier mommy." Just make sure you are back in time for dinner":D

 

Freestyle is not for everyone nor is traditional cruising.

[Retired not Expired]

I totally disagree that this is a myth. We just returned from the Jewel, and I can state unequivocally that wait service has suffered terribly as compared to our prior cruises. Interestingly, cabin service was as good or better than most of our prior cruises (we had 4 cabins, ranging from CC (oceanview), BA (balcony) and a penthouse - all cabin service was very good to excellent).

 

So, based on one cruise on one ship, you know beyond a doubt that autotip means worse service. This sounds more like how myths begin.

 

We were on the Sun last month and service was as good, if not better than my last cruise on RCCL which has no autotip.

[SailAways]

Funny, my brochure states "Dine when you want, where you want with whomever you want, wear what you want".

 

And, if you read further........

 

My brochure also states:

 

Quote: "Reserve a table for two in an intimate bistro.......All of our restaurants are nonsmoking. Most specialty restaurants require a per person cover charge or offer a' la carte pricing.

Reservations are recommended and can be made on board......Unquote"

[nimbex1970]

Thank you sailaways and shoreguy, but to not beat a dead horse, I don't know what documentation that you both have that I don't but even i the fine print "we've got answers" it states; "what time do I have to dine, - whenever you like, Really. Sleep 'til noon and order room sevice. Skip breakfast and have a grill burger by the pool. Have dinner at 5:30 pm or 10:30pm or anytime inbetween. That's the beauty of Freestyle Cruising- it's all on your own schedule."

 

We obviously have two different 2007-2008 NCL packets. don't know what else to say, no intention of arguing, just providing advertising facts. Which are different from what I read in these boards (the boards I believe).

 

Please clarify and tell me what I'm not reading correctly.

 

thanks

carol

[SailAways]

Thank you sailaways and shoreguy, but to not beat a dead horse, I don't know what documentation that you both have that I don't but even i the fine print "we've got answers" it states; "what time do I have to dine, - whenever you like, Really. Sleep 'til noon and order room sevice. Skip breakfast and have a grill burger by the pool. Have dinner at 5:30 pm or 10:30pm or anytime inbetween. That's the beauty of Freestyle Cruising- it's all on your own schedule."

We obviously have two different 2007-2008 NCL packets. don't know what else to say, no intention of arguing, just providing advertising facts. Which are different from what I read in these boards (the boards I believe).

Please clarify and tell me what I'm not reading correctly.

thanks

carol

 

The information which I have quoted is not included in a packet - it is in the NCL Brochures. You are referring to something entirely different than the brochure, I do believe.

 

In the back section of all of my brochures (5 of them) from NCL - there is a section "What You Need To Know". Within this section, there is a "What Time Is Dinner" - and within is the quote which I have dissected to include the Reservations, and such. If you have a different brochure, then perhaps it is time for me to update.:confused:

 

It seems pretty well defined within all of my brochures. Sorry you are having difficulty in this area.

 

Good luck, and I do hope that you give Freestyle a try, at least.

It may not be your cup of tea, but it is the only way for us - and perhaps Princess Anytime...........;) We will not intentionally go with traditional for many of the reasons expressed within this thread.

Aren't choices wonderful!

[Toyz711]

never saw a packet. only know what i did..

7 days.. dined at the 2 main dining rooms.. 3x, endless summer 1x (waited 15 mins since we didn't have reservations), 1x cagney's (reservations for party of 7 made the day before for 1/2 $$ specials). 2x at buffets, because we want to eat at the buffet (some of us LIKED the lighter fare of salads and such). chili @ 2pm, great cheeseburgers with very hot fries @ 10pm, great cookies and pound cake all the time from blue lagoon.

service was excellent everywhere, outstanding one night at aqua (better then excellent). i just don't see how we are ever going to be able to go back to set dining hours or this many choices for food?

i have no idea what any packet says.

i should say we made 1 reservations for our party, just to make sure we ate early for FIL to get his lobster. we just walked in on the other nights.

[mbisson]

Well at least the topic is "misconception" about freestyle, and we're seeing one of the biggies yet again :eek: ;)

 

-Monte

[johnql]

I totally disagree that this is a myth. We just returned from the Jewel, and I can state unequivocally that wait service has suffered terribly as compared to our prior cruises. Interestingly, cabin service was as good or better than most of our prior cruises (we had 4 cabins, ranging from CC (oceanview), BA (balcony) and a penthouse - all cabin service was very good to excellent).

Your own statement and experience belie your argument that auto-tipping has caused service quality to decline. You yourself received "good to excellent" service from your stewards. Why didn't auto-tipping cause their service to worsen? I'll tell you why - it's because excellent and bad service have always existed and will always exist regardless of how tips are distributed. It's human nature. People are not automatons with buttons that can prompt predictable behavior. Tips are but a small factor in the overall motivation for service quality. First of all, at the risk of being repetitive, the tip pool is NOT automatically divided into equal shares. The service staff receives different amounts based on performance, which is determined through a variety of ways (supervisor assessment, comments from peers, comments from passengers and most importantly, written evaluations from passengers). Furthermore, motivation is affected by the desire for better work assignments, more time off, promotions, and the all-important desire to keep one's job. Last, but certainly not least, is personal pride. Many people will do a good job regardless of the recognition they receive (financial or otherwise) simply because it's in their nature to do the best job that they're capable of. Conversely, there are some people who will perform poorly regardless of the incentives.

[songanddance]

Vacation Luvver,

That is very odd because the first words out of the hostess mouth EVERY TIME we have gone to the dining room has been would you like to share a table?

Even when we have had a standing reservation for a specific table booked, she always asks even before she looks up the reservation.

 

Sorry but I have to go with Vacation Luvver on this one. While on the majesty for a 15 day repositioning cruise I nenevr had a problem with getting a sharing atbel and I found the folks to all be charming and intelligent conversationialists. On my other NCL cruises which were all seven day events, Crown and Dawn, I had only three sharing tables out of a total of 21 days cruising. The hostesses never asked and when I asked they were unable to even understand the convept, even when I complained to the Maitre d' I got no where and sorry to say out of the three sharing tables I found the shares to have zero to share in the way of conversation. Even though I tried to bring the conversation down to therir level of daily experience (hard sometimes with third shift folk) but the best I could get was one or two word replies. Evidently they were not thrilled to be at shared tables.

 

That is why, I say, I love NCL's ships, the fares, the food ,the decor, the service, the only thing I find objectionable is the passenger consist but I understand that is what one gets with the Mass market lines. So today taking many poster's advise I have rebooked the QE2 for a 2008 cruise. And I am already looking forward to the 95% formal nights and the sintilating conversation with my peers.

[shoreguy]

Thank you sailaways and shoreguy, but to not beat a dead horse, I don't know what documentation that you both have that I don't but even i the fine print "we've got answers" it states; "what time do I have to dine, - whenever you like, Really. Sleep 'til noon and order room sevice. Skip breakfast and have a grill burger by the pool. Have dinner at 5:30 pm or 10:30pm or anytime inbetween. That's the beauty of Freestyle Cruising- it's all on your own schedule."

 

We obviously have two different 2007-2008 NCL packets. don't know what else to say, no intention of arguing, just providing advertising facts. Which are different from what I read in these boards (the boards I believe).

 

Please clarify and tell me what I'm not reading correctly.

 

thanks

carol

 

We can agree to disagree - I believe from 20 Freestyle cruises that the ads are factual and you can in fact eat where and when you want with a little planning. You believe it is not true. Fine, that is what message boards are for - different points of view.

[kdzgon]

... Well, I hope everyone gets over this because it appears this is the wave of the future and not the distant future. NMNita

 

I certainly hope this is not the "wave of the future" meaning I will no longer have a choice about what style of cruising I can book. If that is the case, I personally see less cruises in my future. Ultimately it is always about choices of one type or another - for us, if every cruise line chooses to switch to this, our choice would be less cruising.

 

What I don't understand is why so many proponents of "freestyle" seem to belittle those that don't care for it as much (while I quoted your post, this is a general observation, NMNita, not a specific statement to you).

[Retired not Expired]

Sorry but I have to go with Vacation Luvver on this one. While on the majesty for a 15 day repositioning cruise I nenevr had a problem with getting a sharing atbel and I found the folks to all be charming and intelligent conversationialists. On my other NCL cruises which were all seven day events, Crown and Dawn, I had only three sharing tables out of a total of 21 days cruising. The hostesses never asked and when I asked they were unable to even understand the convept, even when I complained to the Maitre d' I got no where and sorry to say out of the three sharing tables I found the shares to have zero to share in the way of conversation. Even though I tried to bring the conversation down to therir level of daily experience (hard sometimes with third shift folk) but the best I could get was one or two word replies. Evidently they were not thrilled to be at shared tables.

 

That is why, I say, I love NCL's ships, the fares, the food ,the decor, the service, the only thing I find objectionable is the passenger consist but I understand that is what one gets with the Mass market lines. So today taking many poster's advise I have rebooked the QE2 for a 2008 cruise. And I am already looking forward to the 95% formal nights and the sintilating conversation with my peers.

 

Thank you for giving us this great example of class.

 

Let me see, we should dress nice and both talk down to and look down on others. Got it.

[Host CMLA]

I totally disagree that this is a myth. We just returned from the Jewel, and I can state unequivocally that wait service has suffered terribly as compared to our prior cruises. Interestingly, cabin service was as good or better than most of our prior cruises (we had 4 cabins, ranging from CC (oceanview), BA (balcony) and a penthouse - all cabin service was very good to excellent).

I'm sorry but I fail to see how you've proven that you received bad service because your tips were added to your ship board bill as a convenience to you.