Dining times

"LeeNY" wrote:


RichC wrote:
That's strange because on our last NCL cruise there were no problems in
getting seated unless you wanted to eat at around 7 PM. When we left the
dining room at that time there was a small line waiting to go in.

Not so strange. Sounds like you went into the dining room at about 5:00
or 5:30 (if you were leaving by 7:00). That's waaaaaaay too early for
me (and I'm sure other cruisers who pick late seating on traditional
dining cruises) to eat dinner, especially on port days, which is what
this NCL Hawaii cruise is all about. I probably wouldn't be getting
back to the ship until daylight was waning or the ship was leaving port
whichever came first). Then nap, shower, dress for dinner. I wouldn't
be showing up at the dining room until 8:00 or 8:30 the earliest. What
were the lines like at that time in the evening???


I'm not the OP, but we usually went about 5:45, and were always seated
immediately. There was sometimes a short line at 6-6:30. I didn't
observe at 8 because we don't ever eat that late, but I would not
think there would be a line then. We didn't eat that late because we
would have missed the late show or other things that started at 9.

Rosalie B. wrote:

I didn't
observe at 8 because we don't ever eat that late, but I would not
think there would be a line then. We didn't eat that late because we
would have missed the late show or other things that started at 9.

On HAL, the show for the late seating guests starts at 10:00 or 10:30,
so there's still plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely day on shore,
relax for a few hours before dinner once back on board, eat a relaxing
meal in the dining room, and still see the show. The shows are only,
like 45 minutes long. So, you're out of the show by 11:00-11:30. Still
plenty early for some gambling, dancing, etc. Carnival ran the shows
before dinner, for the late seating. Didn't like that at all, and as a
result, didn't see many of their shows. For me, the whole point of late
seating is to slow down the pace of my day...having to rush back to the
ship to get ready to see the show is no different than having to rush
back to get ready for dinner.

Lee

"LeeNY" wrote:

Rosalie B. wrote:

I didn't
observe at 8 because we don't ever eat that late, but I would not
think there would be a line then. We didn't eat that late because we
would have missed the late show or other things that started at 9.

On HAL, the show for the late seating guests starts at 10:00 or 10:30,
so there's still plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely day on shore,
relax for a few hours before dinner once back on board, eat a relaxing
meal in the dining room, and still see the show. The shows are only,
like 45 minutes long. So, you're out of the show by 11:00-11:30. Still
plenty early for some gambling, dancing, etc. Carnival ran the shows
before dinner, for the late seating. Didn't like that at all, and as a
result, didn't see many of their shows. For me, the whole point of late
seating is to slow down the pace of my day...having to rush back to the
ship to get ready to see the show is no different than having to rush
back to get ready for dinner.

But that's not a fault of Freestyle. And actually I would think that
it would be better for you, because you would not have to schedule
your pace to meet the dining time. So if you wanted to see the show
and didn't think you would have time without rushing back to the ship,
you could decide to eat in the buffet, and if you didn't care about
the show, you could eat in the dining room at your leisure and then go
dancing or do some gambling. Even withOUT Freestyle, you still have
to go with the ship schedule for shows.

We are incurably early to bed people. Bob is rarely awake past 10:30
and we are usually up by 6:45. When we are on our boat, we like to
see the sunrise. This is even though we are retired and don't have
any schedule to keep - it is just the natural schedule for us. Not
everyone likes to sleep in. When we are home is that I have to get
out to meet my personal trainer at 9 instead of having to be at work
at 8 like before, so it is a little more relaxed.

We normally eat dinner while watching the 6:00 news when we are home,
and when we eat out, we try to arrive at restaurants before the 6:00
rush and also in time to get Early Bird Specials if there are any.
We HATE waiting to be seated, and will leave a restaurant rather than
wait. So going to dinner at 5:45 to avoid the rush is not any
different from normal for us and doesn't require rushing. We don't
dance (Bob because he doesn't and me because of back problems) and we
don't gamble, and it has only been with great persuasion from Bob that
I will even GO to a show. YMWV.

..

"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
"LeeNY" wrote:

Rosalie B. wrote:

I didn't
observe at 8 because we don't ever eat that late, but I would not
think there would be a line then. We didn't eat that late because we
would have missed the late show or other things that started at 9.

On HAL, the show for the late seating guests starts at 10:00 or 10:30,
so there's still plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely day on shore,
relax for a few hours before dinner once back on board, eat a relaxing
meal in the dining room, and still see the show. The shows are only,
like 45 minutes long. So, you're out of the show by 11:00-11:30. Still
plenty early for some gambling, dancing, etc. Carnival ran the shows
before dinner, for the late seating. Didn't like that at all, and as a
result, didn't see many of their shows. For me, the whole point of late
seating is to slow down the pace of my day...having to rush back to the
ship to get ready to see the show is no different than having to rush
back to get ready for dinner.

But that's not a fault of Freestyle. And actually I would think that
it would be better for you, because you would not have to schedule
your pace to meet the dining time. So if you wanted to see the show
and didn't think you would have time without rushing back to the ship,
you could decide to eat in the buffet, and if you didn't care about
the show, you could eat in the dining room at your leisure and then go
dancing or do some gambling. Even withOUT Freestyle, you still have
to go with the ship schedule for shows.

We are incurably early to bed people. Bob is rarely awake past 10:30
and we are usually up by 6:45. When we are on our boat, we like to
see the sunrise. This is even though we are retired and don't have
any schedule to keep - it is just the natural schedule for us. Not
everyone likes to sleep in. When we are home is that I have to get
out to meet my personal trainer at 9 instead of having to be at work
at 8 like before, so it is a little more relaxed.

We normally eat dinner while watching the 6:00 news when we are home,
and when we eat out, we try to arrive at restaurants before the 6:00
rush and also in time to get Early Bird Specials if there are any.
We HATE waiting to be seated, and will leave a restaurant rather than
wait. So going to dinner at 5:45 to avoid the rush is not any
different from normal for us and doesn't require rushing. We don't
dance (Bob because he doesn't and me because of back problems) and we
don't gamble, and it has only been with great persuasion from Bob that
I will even GO to a show. YMWV.



Your schedule sounds like a typical retired persons schedule. We also enjoy
an early meal & then the show followed by possibly a movie if being shown.
Sure you can spend a little more time ashore & hang at the beach or shop,
but just how much time can a person spend on the beach in one day or shop
for that matter? It seems to us that no matter when you choose to eat diner,
the shows, movies & other things are scheduled for either an early of late
schedule. If you choose to dine on your own time you'll be out of sync &
miss out on something for sure.

Rosalie B. wrote:

So if you wanted to see the show
and didn't think you would have time without rushing back to the ship,
you could decide to eat in the buffet,

I don't like eating in the buffet. I've found the food to be inferior,
and I prefer to be served. It's okay for a few breakfasts and lunches,
but I'd just rather not walk around holding a tray.


Even withOUT Freestyle, you still have
to go with the ship schedule for shows.

Very true. That's one of the reasons I like HAL so much...their late
seating schedule accomodates those of us who prefer a later night on
the cruise...meal AND show.

We are incurably early to bed people. Bob is rarely awake past 10:30
and we are usually up by 6:45.

That's me, when I'm not on vacation. But, it's more like up at 5:30 for
me. These past few weeks, I'm at my office by 7-7:30. Otherwise, I'm
still up at 5:30, early enough to walk a few miles before heading to
work. Even on the weekends, when the alarm clock isn't set, I naturally
wake up at about 6:00. But, then I have the luxury of rolling over and
going back to sleep..that is, unless the dogs start bugging me.

Not
everyone likes to sleep in.

Believe me, just because I stay up late on a cruise does not mean I
sleep in. Sea days, I'm out on deck by 8-8:30. Port days, I'm off the
ship as early as they'll let me (I can always "finish" sleeping once
I'm on the beach).

We normally eat dinner while watching the 6:00 news when we are home,

I don't get home from work/gym until close to 8:00. Hubby tries to have
dinner on the table when I walk in the door, but he's usually running
a little behind. 8:30 evening meal is more often.

We don't
dance (Bob because he doesn't and me because of back problems) and we
don't gamble

These were just examples. I don't really dance either (but I do spend
lots of time in the casino). I was just trying to point out some of the
activities that are still available for those of us who prefer a later
"schedule" on the ship. Listening to music, enjoying a beverage with
some new acquaintances, strolling on deck, etc.

One day, I'll try freestyle, but traditional really suits me. I like
sharing a table with the same people each evening (I've only had a dud
of a table once), I like having the same waitstaff each evening, I like
knowing that my table is there for me each evening, at the same time.
Just one less thing to have to plan, while on vacation.

Lee

RichC wrote:

but just how much time can a person spend on the beach in one day

I'm laughing...I could spend a lifetime on the beach. You have to drag
me away, at the end of each day. I've yet to reach my limit. On private
island days, you'll find me on the last possible tender back to the
ship. On other port days, get me to shore as early as possible, and get
me back to the ship with cushion enough, but not too much extra time
before the ship sails.

or shop
for that matter?

I can agree about shopping. I'm good for about 10 minutes. On my last
cruise, this past March, I didn't shop AT ALL. Bought nothing the whole
week. Lovely.

If you choose to dine on your own time you'll be out of sync &
miss out on something for sure.

Agreed. Just wish more cruiselines followed the HAL model, with the
show for late seating being after dinner, not before. Movies never seem
to be at convenient times, though.

But, really, there have been few shows on ships that have impressed me.
It's not a huge loss if I miss them. Last year, on the Oosterdam, we
had such a great table in the dining room, that we often missed the
late show, because we were having such a great time with these new
friends, that no one wanted to leave the table. That was a perfect
traditional dining scenario.

Lee

Since I started this conversation I may as well add my 2 cents worth . We
have been on 9 cruises as I said in my original post and have always chosen
either a late sitting or an early sitting . We enjoy having a designated
table and meeting everyone at our table. On the Hawaii cruise I did not
understand the concept of FREESTYLE dining I guess. If you did not rush to
the various restaurants to book a reservation at boarding they were totally
booked and you were forced to eat in the cafeteria buffet . How does this
give you freedom of choice as to where to eat . At least with a set sitting
you know you will have a seat where you like to eat.
Because the various places were booked we often missed the show because the
only opening to eat was show time.
On a cruise we took on RCL there were times when we could not get a seat in
the showroom . We had early sitting dinner and tried to go to the show
afterward. The seats were filled with people who had late sitting but
decided to eat at the buffet and take in the early show instead of going to
there assigned show. I do believe they should control the seating in the
showroom a little better to be fair .



"Fran & Ray" wrote in message
...
We have taken about 9 cruises but the last cruise to Hawaii was our first
with Freestyle Dining . I must say neither my husband nor I liked this form
of Dining . We enjoy the company of 8or 10 others at our table at set times
.. Also we had a very hard time being able to get to dine in any of the
dining rooms . The cruise lines say eat when you want but you need to
reserve and many times were full. Can anyone tell me if there are any cruise
lines that still offer set dining times with choice of table size

--
Fran

Fran,

Just to let you know you aren't alone in your observations, we experienced
the same dining difficulties when we did the NCL Star in Hawaii. It took way
too much work to eat! I know folks have said they haven't had the same
experience with NCL's Freestyle Dining on other ships in other places, but
we're not likely to give NCL a try just to make the comparison. We much
prefer the traditional dining options on all of the other lines.

Diana Ball
near Houston, TX

D Ball wrote:
Fran,

Just to let you know you aren't alone in your observations, we experienced
the same dining difficulties when we did the NCL Star in Hawaii. It took way
too much work to eat! I know folks have said they haven't had the same
experience with NCL's Freestyle Dining on other ships in other places, but
we're not likely to give NCL a try just to make the comparison. We much
prefer the traditional dining options on all of the other lines.

I am wondering if Freestyle is worse on the Hawaiian cruises then
other itins. Not only are they port intensive, the cost of eating off
the ship is very high in Hawaii. People may be waiting to eat dinner
once they are back on the ship and that adds to the dinner time
congestion.

sue

Fran, I have never had a problem with NCL. Every cruise they sit me
almost right away to eat, and I have been on 14 cruises with them.