specialty dining

[jjcjfl]

Hi!

 

We have only done specialty dining on the Disney Cruise and I know that you need to make reservations before sailing. I see that this is not an option on Princess. Is there a mad rush to make reservations on embarkation day? We are coming off the train and will not be to the ship until at least 6:30. Will we miss out?

 

Thanks!

 

Jill

[mii]

I truly do not think you will miss out. when you get to your cabin just call the DINE line on your phone and make reservations for whatever day you want.

 

Marilyn

[pokey's mom]

Hi!

 

We have only done specialty dining on the Disney Cruise and I know that you need to make reservations before sailing. I see that this is not an option on Princess. Is there a mad rush to make reservations on embarkation day? We are coming off the train and will not be to the ship until at least 6:30. Will we miss out?

 

Thanks!

 

Jill

 

I really don't think that you will have a problem getting into one of the specialty dining rooms. We have made reservations the day before we wanted to try one. The only problem I can see you have is with the chef's table. That is $75.00 pp and they only do 10 people at a time. If you are intereted in doing that I would suggest you try to make a reservation for that as soon as you get settled on the ship. Call down and see if there is room left. Otherwise you should not have a problem. Have a great cruise!

[Bruin Steve]

What is the extra service charge for the specialty restaurants?

[ellbon]

The price is around $25 or $30. keeps going up.

 

for chef's table book as as soon as you walk into your cabin. it goes fast.

[Pam in CA]

What is the extra service charge for the specialty restaurants?

It used to be $15-20; it's now $25-30. We paid $25/pp for the Crown Grill a couple of weeks ago. The food was incredible and the Chocolate Obsession dessert was worth the extra charge.

[skf]

You can phone for reservations, or there are waiters/hostesses around the Horizon Court buffet who take reservations.

[Sissy Ruth]

The price is around $25 or $30. keeps going up.

 

for chef's table book as as soon as you walk into your cabin. it goes fast.

 

Hi Robin,

We've been on a number of cruises, but I am unfamiliar with "chef's table".

Please enlighten me.

 

Cindy:confused:

[caribill]

Hi Robin,

We've been on a number of cruises, but I am unfamiliar with "chef's table".

Please enlighten me.

 

Those who have posted their experience on Cruise Critic about this have all said it was a fantastic dining experience.

 

Per Princess press release:

 

Currently available on Emerald Princess, Crown Princess and Caribbean Princess, the Chef's Table is scheduled to debut aboard most vessels in the fleet in early 2008. The line's smaller ships, Tahitian Princess, Pacific Princess and Royal Princess are not part of the initial roll-out but may offer the program at a later date.

 

Designed as a unique treat for "foodies," Chef's Table experience offers a select group of gourmets the rare opportunity to be welcomed into the inner sanctum of the ship's galley to enjoy a full evening of memorable sights, tastes and conversation hosted by the executive chef. While many passengers are able to enjoy galley tours during the quiet off-hours, the Chef's Table experience takes interested diners behind the scenes during the height of dinner preparation where they'll also enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a special multi-course tasting dinner paired with selected wines in the dining room.

 

The Chef's Table begins when the Maitre d' personally escorts the passengers to the galley where they can observe the bustle of dinner-hour preparations and meet the executive chef, plus enjoy French champagne with appetizers. The chef previews the details of the menu he created for that evening, and the group is welcomed to their special table in the dining room. The multi-course menu is specially created by the chef, and is not offered anywhere else on the ship. The fare might include anything from a focus on regional cuisine to a showcase of indigenous ingredients from a recent port. Each course is accompanied by a detailed explanation of special features, preparation methods, and tasting suggestions. Specially selected wines complement the meal. During the dessert course, the chef rejoins the group at their private table to participate in a discussion about the evening's meal, answer questions, and share culinary secrets perfected during many years of experience at sea and on land.

 

Additionally, each couple at the Chef's Table will receive a personalized autographed copy of Princess' best-selling cookbook, Courses, A Culinary Journey, which has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide and is available on amazon.com. Guests will also enjoy a complimentary photo taken at the private table with the chef.

The Chef's Table experience can be reserved by up to 10 passengers per night, at a cost of $75 per person. Reservations are made onboard through the ship's DINE telephone line or in person at the dining reservations table set up on the first day of the cruise.

[mehitabel]

Does anyone know if it's possible to do the Chef's Table and request no alcohol whatsoever? My husband and I have to avoid alcohol in all forms--obviously we don't drink, but we also can't have foods that are soaked or doused in alcohol, as many of the Chef's Table specialties seem to be. Would it even be worth it to try and request an alcohol-free experience?

[Guest summersbreeze]

We just came off the Grand Princess.

 

The Captain's table was in use twice that we noticed. The cost is $75/person and you will be surrounded by staff so it's not a quiet type dinner but more an "experience" with candles on the table and a beautiful floral centerpiece. Wine will be set out to decant before your arrival and champagne or white wine on ice awaiting your arrival. We didn't try it but were at a table adjacent to it one evening.

 

Sabatini's (specialty Restaurant) was $20/person and came well recommended to us. We opted to go there on one of the formal nights and were not let down. We went early which was nice as the staff was relaxed and had time to talk to us and explain everything. The menu is two pages. All you do is order from the right side of the page - a main course item and they bring you the rest... samples of everything. It was wonderful. Plan on spending several hours over dinner.

 

We didn't make it to the other restaurant but it too looked really nice.

 

With airline restrictions on luggage we'd prefer to avoid the formal nights, wear upscale casual wear and go to one of the specialty restaurants. We don't have to shake hands with the Captain and wear formal clothes to enjoy a wonderful evening.

 

I will add that having been on Princess a year ago on an Alaskan cruise we thought we'd never bother with them again but were on this recent cruise because of the itinerary and were notably impressed with the food this time. An improvement over past years.

[dforeigner]

Does anyone know if it's possible to do the Chef's Table and request no alcohol whatsoever? My husband and I have to avoid alcohol in all forms--obviously we don't drink, but we also can't have foods that are soaked or doused in alcohol, as many of the Chef's Table specialties seem to be. Would it even be worth it to try and request an alcohol-free experience?

 

Being that some of the food they served is flambéed or marinated with alcohol, I doubt it but it does not hurt to ask.