1st time Freestyler questions about dining

[flashdog_1]

I read as much on Cruise Critic as I can, and pick something up (information I mean!) almost every session, either in a review or on the boards.

 

 

I've gathered, and correct me if I'm wrong because what I read may have pertained only to a ship that was having a noro attack) that NCL does not supply trays in the buffet? That was question #1

 

#2 In the dining rooms, do you walk up to a table that is not already set (just a tablecloth) and wait for service to begin with setting the table? The reason I ask is because of a beverage problem I read about on another thread. Will there be a glass for water that will be filled when orders are taken?

 

#3 Is there automatically a basket of bread/rolls and butter brought, or do you have to ask for every single thing you might want?

 

I'm serious! I want to know how similar/different this Freestyle concept is from set, assigned dining times/tables on other lines. Thanks!

[Nickymjw1]

You will be lead to a table by a hostess just like in a restaurant. Table is already set. Bread will be brought out.

 

In some restaurants they might ask you if you want to join a big table or if you want a table on your own.

 

On our last 2 cruises though that was not asked. I missed sitting with a bigger group as I enjoy meeting new people.

 

We never had problem with service or having to wait for refills etc.

 

Honestly everything is he same as set dinning times besides same table/waiter. YOu can always ask to sit with a specific waiter that you like if he/she is working that night.

[greywillow]

Freestyle in the main dining rooms works just like in a nice restaurant. You walk up to a pedestal with a hostess who will ask if you want to dine alone or at a table with others (this part is different from the typical restaurant). You express your preference and are then given a table and escorted to the table which is already set for you. Your server will pour water for you and ask if you'd like any other beverage. Then he or she will come back and take your order after giving you time to look over the menu.

[Toyz711]

no trays in the buffet, if you need one...ask one of the staff.

for the dining rooms, you will be seated by a hostess. the table will be set. someone will be by to ask about beverages, if you want regular water (not bottled) just say. after that it's refilled normally. we had a person come by with a ice water and asked, when we said yes..he filled. once bread came before they took our order, the next time bread came just after.

they will ask if you want bottled water, remember there is a charge for that. besides the main waiter, you may have a couple of assitants and a busboy. any one them can help get you more water or bread.

[flashdog_1]

no trays in the buffet, if you need one...ask one of the staff.

 

I'm sure you just get used to that but it is new to me so I have a question I'd like answered (so I don't hear any grumbling from my husband his first time in the buffet!). I don't want to delay lunch (or a line) by asking for a tray if that is considered "out of the way."

 

Do you, for instance, get, on your first time up, just salad and in the other hand brea?. Then do you go back for the entree or sandwich? Go back for dessert? Gosh, if you were sitting alone you might lose your table!! ha

 

Logistically, is one member of the party assigned to getting the drinks from the dispenser, and picking up the tableware and napkins while someone else will get two plates of salad?

 

Do you get a table first and then go get the food or after you get the food?

 

Forgive my ancientness but I am accustomed to a steward stepping up at the end of the line and carrying my tray and finding a table for me (sometimes so quickly that my husband who is still deciding on dessert does not know where I've gotten to). I've learned to decline this service unless my tray is really heavy, so I can wait for DH.

 

I've solved that problem on occasion by leaving "things" at a table so we'll both know where we'll be sitting, but I'm reading on these boards that tables are sometimes scarce at busy times, and that would not be a polite thing to do (feels sort of like reserving of a chair at the pool by putting down that towel, except that I WILL be back, unlike the owner of the towel).

 

Please take me seriously. I've never done it before without a tray. Thanks

[Toyz711]

we ate at the buffet a lot, last cruise on the spirit. for one, we were so busy and it was so easy...but we liked the food and got to relax and talk about our day.

usually, one of us will get a table...since there is only 2 of us, if a smaller table is not available, we find seats at a table and ask if they will share. (they always do) if i save the table, he brings me some soup or a starter. we work well together and have our system.

whoever saves the table, get the drinks...we just put something down on the table. the buffets are NOT a stand-in-line type. if you do that, you are going to miss most of the great stuff and take FOREVER behind someone slow.

the buffet is broken down to sections..walking around 1st and seeing what is offered, makes it much easier. check both sides, they may have different items. like the carved meat station is only on one side, same with the made-to-order pasta station. (try the dessert crepes, next to the pasta station) to keep the food hot, we use one plate at a time...plus it keeps us from over eating so much.

if you find a table, ask one of the staff for a tray...before you go and get your food. you get your plates at tables set up in front of the buffet..someone willhand you the plate and silverware.

any of your condiments will be over on either side, by the self-serve drinks. the mayo or ketchup will be in those pump-thingies.

 

at breakfast, they will have scrambled eggs on the buffet, made some premade omelet or other egg dishes. BUT for fresh, hot omelets, go to the omelet stations...fresh, made-to-order..plus they will do other eggs, like over easy. don't let the line bother you, it moves fast.

i haven't see a tray at a buffet for years..except at golden corral.

[garycarla]

We always would walk around the buffet to "survey" the options. We usually would get a salad (using larger plates) and maybe something to go with it and then find a table. After that, we normally would go back for more food one at a time to insure we still had our table.

 

No trays. That argument goes back and forth on here from time to time. Not worth the time to argue. It is, what it is.

 

Someone mentioned having a steward at the end of the line to take your tray. I am guessing that was either many years ago, or on a higher priced cruiseline. Yes?

[LBS1]

The reason that trays are not provided is that people tend to load too much stuff on them. And stuff happens...

 

Imagine carrying a glass of juice, a plate of salad, a plate of roast beast, and your dessert, and yes some people try to cram that much on a tray. Then when they are bumped or the ship moves, which they are known to do, everything ends up on the floor. A mess, a hazard, and a waste.

 

Also by not providing trays, less food is taken, resulting in less waste. If you really want more you'll go get another plateful.

[flashdog_1]

No trays. That argument goes back and forth on here from time to time. Not worth the time to argue. It is, what it is.

 

Someone mentioned having a steward at the end of the line to take your tray. I am guessing that was either many years ago, or on a higher priced cruiseline. Yes?

 

I mentioned the steward. It was on Celebrity. Last time I sailed X was in 2005. But I think they did it on HAL, too. I was last with them in 2006. Those cruises did not cost any more than what I'm paying on NCL for my 3 booked cruises within the next 12 months! And they didn't offer it every single meal. Maybe you have to have white hair like I do. I certainly don't look as if I need any help, though! There were times when I saw a line of stewards standing attentively and not escorting anyone to a table, so it's hit or miss.

 

I am not at all trying to be argumentative. I am not saying I insist upon having a tray. If you will read my post again, I just want information so I'll know it's done! I just need to know the rules and not look like a ninny! I'll have to learn to balance my silverware with the plate, maybe get my drink first so my food doesn't get cold, that kind of thing. Those are the kinds of suggestions I was looking for. Thank you all for responding.

[Toyz711]

on the spirit, the crew was watching...if they did need someone who needed help, they were there in a minute. most of the staff was women, they were helpful to some of the families we saw.

this buffet is different, since there is no line. people are walking back and forth in every direction. i remember some of the old buffets used to have one line, with staffers at the end to help with trays and such....NLC buffets are different.

[Toyz711]

i should say, don't miss out on the main dining rooms...i haven't looked to see which ship you are on...but don't spend all your time in the buffets:D

ok, we did....BUT

[jdfloyd]

Just curious....what beverages are included with meals free of charge in the main dining rooms?

[Toyz711]

milk, hot tea, ice tea, coffee, tap water (make sure they know you don't want bottle water)...

for breakfast they have juices. i hope they add a fruit punch or lemonaide for the upgrades to freestyle 2.0

[aprilwaters]

We always would walk around the buffet to "survey" the options. We usually would get a salad (using larger plates) and maybe something to go with it and then find a table. After that, we normally would go back for more food one at a time to insure we still had our table.

 

No trays. That argument goes back and forth on here from time to time. Not worth the time to argue. It is, what it is.

 

Someone mentioned having a steward at the end of the line to take your tray. I am guessing that was either many years ago, or on a higher priced cruiseline. Yes?

 

The Nordam had trays as of last April. Really came in handy. Gonna miss that on this cruise. oh well, that won't make or break it for me.

[flashdog_1]

that you can have cappucino after dinner?

[flashdog_1]

that you can get free capuccino after dinner?

[Toyz711]

that's what they say. i don't drink coffee(s) ...i forget to put that down.

[Katya4]

no trays in the buffet, if you need one...ask one of the staff.

for the dining rooms, you will be seated by a hostess. the table will be set. someone will be by to ask about beverages, if you want regular water (not bottled) just say. after that it's refilled normally. we had a person come by with a ice water and asked, when we said yes..he filled. once bread came before they took our order, the next time bread came just after.

they will ask if you want bottled water, remember there is a charge for that. besides the main waiter, you may have a couple of assitants and a busboy. any one them can help get you more water or bread.

 

I was on the Dawn 2/8/07 & had a tray in the buffet.....I have distinct memories of having them....perhaps since then they have gotten rid of them?? I can remember the staff coming around and asking for our trays once we were seated as well.

[Toyz711]

some ships may have had them, if you do a "search" of the NCL board, you will find many pages of discussion on this. there wasn't any on the star, sept 2006 and none of the spirit , dec 2007. many have said they didn't have them....about a month ago there was a rather heated discussion about trays/buffet.

[Toyz711]

here's the last discussion on trays, you can't post on it...it's been locked.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=675362&highlight=trays

but rather then everyone discussing it again, people can just read what has been said.

[chrisbd1]

I "borrowed" the room service tray to bring breakfast back to my cabin. I also had a nice coupe watch my tray while I got a plate. I wasn't sure if trays were vertoten for passengers and I wasn't taking any chances :eek: .

[Lowie]

what we do with the kids is have one adult (my dh) sit with our son, who is too young to easily carry plates, etc. then i take dd and we get food for all 4 of us.

 

what we did when it was just the 2 of us was one course at a time and a few times someone would take our table.. no big deal though, it wasn't too crowded so we found another.

 

i actually prefer the lack of trays, i always fear something sliding off the edge!

 

another thing we do is put a clean plate below the full plate so we can divide the food instead of carrying 2 full plates. it also helps from taking too much and being wasteful.

[Katya4]

some ships may have had them, if you do a "search" of the NCL board, you will find many pages of discussion on this. there wasn't any on the star, sept 2006 and none of the spirit , dec 2007. many have said they didn't have them....about a month ago there was a rather heated discussion about trays/buffet.

 

I believe it.....

 

Thank goodness for this group. I have found more information about every aspect of life on board.....it made it a more pleasurable vacation to have all the facts. Thanks for the info!

[flashdog_1]

And I just read re Freestyle 2.0 that one of the improvements to the food service is that available stewards will assist with carrying trays.

[mahealani]

I wondered why there weren't any trays, and now I can see why.

You and your husband will find your routine--eat your salads first, or grab all your food, find a table, then one gets the drinks, etc. It looked like it was a little difficult for the people with walking canes but they still managed.

 

What you do NOT want to do is to take your used cups or plates for refills. The staff was very good about clearing tables. There were always plenty of clean plates and cups.

 

We found the buffet our least favorite place to eat so we only went there when there were no other dining options.