What time is dinner served in Compass and Italian Restaurant on Navigator

[stuNYC]

I just received my doc and since it is open seating I guess they didn't think that it was necessary to indicate the dinner hours for the restaurants. We are used to eating early and I am just curious. Also around what time are the shows. Since again, open seating, is there only one performance a night or two.

[Jamie]

Hi again Stu,

Dinner in both Compass Rose and Portofino Grill is from 7 - 9. There is only one performance of the evening's show and that's at 9:45.

 

Jamie

[stuNYC]

Since you have been so helpful, perhaps I can indulge on you to answer some more questions

 

 

1. Sending and receiving of emails seems to be very steep. Does RSSC offer a "package"

 

2. In reading the docs it appears all charges can be charged to my credit card

"except casino transaction. On all other ship you could take $200/day advance in the casino and it would be charged to my credit card. No need to carry that much extra money. Do you know RSSC's policy

 

3. How crazy does the booking for spa and hair salon get. I understand it is very small on Navigator. On other ships you have to book on day 1 to get an appoint for my DW to get her hair done for formal night or mid-cruise

 

4. How early in the day can I, do I, have to make a reservation in the Italian Restaurant

 

5. Do you have any special "do's and "don't" so I can be prepared to make the most out of this special cruiseline and avoid things that will really annoy me

 

6. My wife loves afternoon tea and we will need it if dinner doesn't start until 7PM. Is is nice and where is best to enjoy it, in your cabin or in the room that it is served

 

Thanks for you help

[Jamie]

Hey Stu,

I'm probably not going to be a great help on most of these, but let me try. There are internet packages. We did 1 hr. for $6, which I thought was a very good price. I know there were other packages for longer durations.

We did the Italian restaurant the first night onboard. Unfortunately I can't now remember if we called or went over in person. I know we made the reservation at about 5:00 for seating at 7:30. We went the second night too, but at the invitation of friends. Afternoon tea is from 4 - 5 p.m. The Galileo lounge is a beautiful room and they set the tables with linen and china. There is a wonderful assortment of little pastries and sweets (I don't remember tea sandwiches here, but might have been), and there is piano music. Downstairs in the Navigator lounge, they set out a help-yourself plate of tea sandwiches to enjoy. I would usually just grab one and go. Another option for eating around that time is the Pool Grill, which was open 11 - 4.

I'm sorry I can't help with your casino and spa questions, but you're right, the spa/hair salon area seemed pretty small.

I can't say I have any do's or dont's, except DO eat at Portofino Grill, and I know you are already planning on that. Otherwise, just relax and be pampered!

 

Jamie

[dougburns]

You can get cash on your account. It will be billed to your credit card and your ship account. It seems that everyone wants to rush to make reservations for the alternate restaurants. We have never found getting a reservation to be a problem after the first couple of days, as long as you're flexible on times. The hair issue with the spa could be a problem. I would make the reservation for that as soon as you get aboard. Enjoy!

[WesW]

We just got off the Navigator Tuesday after ten days--loved it.

 

You can get internet packages (e.g. 6 hours for $25, 20 hours for $75--if memory

serves)

 

As doug says, make your portifino reservations at the time of boarding (wife went to unpack, I did reservations)...you are entitled to one per cruise generally, but on our cruise the first 5 days was an Italian Steak House theme (good for one rsvn) the next 5 days was Italian Family Style theme (good for one rsvn)..we actually ate there

three times because we ate with friends (another couple)...tho another trick is to be asked to be put on the wait list--we did--and they actually called us the night off--but we had commited to dinner w/friends that night.

 

For SPA, I would also recommend doing reservations early (when you board) as formal night generally is the second night out (i.e., first seaday)..thos friends booked massages at liesure throughout the cruise.

 

Special do's (found no don'ts) would be if you really like one of the red or white wines

they poured from the complimentary list earlier in your cruise week, you can ask

for that wine to be poured at your dinner meal that night. Sommelier John is a great

wine steward and will take care of you.

 

What we did as a group of four couples our last night onboard was to agree to

meet at the outside deck on Galileos and bring all of our left over premium alcohol

(e.g. grey goose, bombay, etc.,) we also ordered pizzas, cheese tray, shrimp cocktails

and met at 6:30 pm...What a blast and beautiful sunset to boot..then we all went

to a wonderful dinner of Chateubriand (sp?) and Lobster...the Compass Room is

as good or better than the Italian Restaurant.

 

Finally, do enjoy breakfast room service or as an appetizer (see above) before

dinner...e.g. I ordered Lobster Egg Benedict and the waiter said they probably don't have it--I asked him to challenge the chef..20 min later, piping hot and delicious they

arrived...

 

Have a blast

 

r/wes

 

Do have a fa

[JanMD]

Wes,

Shall be getting on board on Sat. I will be following everything that you have said in regards to the making the reservations. Great idea about the last night doing what you guys did do.

Jan

[Jamie]

Yes, the last night "use up your booze" party is super. We did that on Mercury where we had a Sky Suite with a large balcony. Had a fabulous time with our CC friends.

[stuNYC]

I appreciate ALL your comments. You have answered all my questions. I wonder why the docs aren't as clear as you guys. We newbies ALL thank you for your input and help. Three weeks to go and can't wait to experience what you all have grown to appparently love. I'm sure that I will be hooked

and want to go again real soon. Any thoughts about booking onboard.

 

Advantages/Disadvantages

[WesW]

Stu, if you like it, I would suggest booking onboard...we did so we could get

the 5% discount you get for booking onboard even tho we did not have

any 2005 itineraries in mind (we leave for b2b on the PG in March) but want

to visit South America in 2006...so we booked a 7 day cruise in November to

act as a holding cruise for when the 2006 itineraries pop (first of the year)

then we will just transfer the booking and earn the 5% on board booking discount,

the 5% Repeaters discount, and our T/A's 5% discount...r/wes

[Marylis]

I have a question about booking onboard. When you do that are you booking at a price RSSC has quoted you? It sounds like you can use your travel agent and get a discount, but how, exactly do you handle the logistics of that?

 

Thanks

 

Lis

[Fogmalkin]

You are simply asked if you wish to use the same TA as you did for the cruise you're on. Then your onboard booking info is transfered to them. You will then deal directly with your TA and get whatever discount that TA offers. It is important to do a "real" onboard booking as opposed to an open booking (one you will decide upon at a later date). You can change your "real" booking in the future and keep the discount.

 

I have heard the rules are changing this month, so stay tuned, but this is the deal as of now.

[Marylis]

Thanks for the info Suzanne.

 

 

Lis

[bettywh]

It is my understanding that RSSC no longer does open booking on board. You must pick a cruise, but I assume you can always cancel the booked one later 7 book the one you want. I can't keet their rule changes straight.

Suzanne - did you follow me over here???