Ratdoggie Posted December 15, 2008 #1 Share Posted December 15, 2008 There have been recent posts regarding Anytime vs. Traditional dining for groups of 6 or 12. Responses were quite specific based on the large group size, so I would like opinions on what might be best for a small group of 3. The facts: We are traveling on the Sapphire in March with a pre-teen. We tend to eat earlier...like 5:30 or 6:00. We are fine with sharing a table with other people. I don't like feeling crowded by the tables around me (which I read can happen in the anytime DR's). We don't mind waiting to be seated...but anything over 30 minutes might get old night after night. We have cruised only once (with Princess) before the anytime option was available, so we have experienced Traditional Dining and enjoyed it. I know this topic has gone around and around, but would still appreciate any advice! Thanks :):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvTheGoodLife Posted December 15, 2008 #2 Share Posted December 15, 2008 We came back from the Crown a few weeks ago and did Anytime as is our preference. We were a group of 2 and tended to dine between 7:30 pm and 8:00 pm (peak times) with no reservations. We never waited even 1 minute - we just presented ourselves and said 2 - willing to share and they always escorted us right to a large table. Worked out well for us and we met some very nice table mates. For 3, I do not think Anytime will be a problem... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malindac Posted December 15, 2008 #3 Share Posted December 15, 2008 We just sailed on the Sapphire Princess. For the three of us, we never had to wait. Once they did put us at a larger table, but no one opted to join us. Also, my DD is a picky eater and only ordered off the kids menu. The nice thing is the waiter always asked if we would like her food to be brought as soon as possible versus waiting for us to get our main courses. This worked out great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gertz Posted December 15, 2008 #4 Share Posted December 15, 2008 We have always liked first seating. It fits with our time schedule. We like a large table to meet new friends. Same waiters each night. Gets us to the show in time. We also get out of the show in time for Crooners where they make a mean banana something for kids as well as adult beverages. You will get the same for anytime dining. It is all what fits your lifestyle. For breakfast and lunch we still like the dining room where we get to meet new friends each day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quacker Posted December 16, 2008 #5 Share Posted December 16, 2008 We took our 14 year old grandson on a cruise. Did anytime and went early. Ask for a table for just the 3 of us. Had such a great waiter team we went back to the same table every night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cynbar Posted December 16, 2008 #6 Share Posted December 16, 2008 We have done anytime several times for 3 when we have had our daughter with us. It's never been a problem. We usually ask for or are just given a table for 4 with one seat vacant. You can certainly ask to be seated with others, but sometimes you have to wait a few minutes for the table to fill up. We have done both traditional and anytime, and I don't feel the anytime dining rooms have the tables any more crowded together. Also, I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this, but there are usually a couple of nights where the kids club programs offer group dinners for the kids -- if your preteen is interested, this would give you and your spouse time to eat alone or try the specialty restaurants, where the meals are often too lengthy to hold the interest of young people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratdoggie Posted December 16, 2008 Author #7 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Thanks for your responses. We initially requested Anytime but I've read some stories of long waits, but that seems to be for bigger groups. It sounds like it's much easier with 2 or 3 people. And yes, we will be signing my daughter up for the kid's club, so maybe hubby and I will enjoy a couple of intimiate dinners on our own! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatka Posted December 16, 2008 #8 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I don't think there will be any wait time at 5:30.. It's definitely not a peak time. Now at 7:00 you might experience a problem. We are also party of 3, but only two of us actually ate in DR, and at 5:30 there were plenty of tables available. There are plenty of tables for four where you can be seated if you wish to dine alone. Plus I am not sure about Sapphire, but on sister ships (Ruby, Caribbean) there are many "couch" seats with several tables for two adjacent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tovin Posted December 16, 2008 #9 Share Posted December 16, 2008 We did the Golden Mexican Riviera in April '08 and we had 30 minute waits between 5 and 6:30pm most nights for 4 people. We were willing to sit at any size table with anyone at all. Next time, we're definitely doing traditional dining room, we couldn't get out of dinner fast enough to get the seats we wanted for the shows most nights! I guess it all depends on what you're looking for, and what others on your cruise are doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ModelDoc Posted December 16, 2008 #10 Share Posted December 16, 2008 As stated earlier, do whatever suits your lifestyle, wants, needs, etc. You shouldn't encounter issues with either dining choice, especially since you're willing to be seated with others. Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grego Posted December 16, 2008 #11 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Shouldn't be any more of a problem than a party of 4. They will either put you at a 4 top if you state you don't want to join others or if you do then it's a 6 top and you be with a twosome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.