Topic: Al Fresco Dining

Does anyone know on which ships we can have a buffet breakfast or lunch outside on deck in the sun? We used to love doing this on Ocean Village and Island Escape/Star at the back of the ship. More recently we've been on larger ships such as Ventura and Independence of the Seas and, apart from burgers and pizzas round the pool, we seem to be 'kept indoors' for buffet dining. Is this a trend on the new ships now that balconies are more numerous? We hear that you can sit out in the sun for buffet breakfast/lunch on Equinox and Eclipse. Is this true and does anyone know of any other largish ships where you can do this?

Celebrity Solstice Class and Century Class, RCI Radiance Class and Vision Class all have outside tables, although the RCI ships I've mentioned are at the side as opposed to the rear.

All of NCL's 'Jewel' class do. It's called "the great outdoors" and is deck space at the stern with doors leading from the Lido buffet.

I seem to remember that Brilliance of Seas had an outdoor rear dining area to Windjammer and also one deck above a rear outdoor Cafe?

David

Here is a copy of my reply when you raised this question a couple of days ago on another thread. here is a link to that thread with further replies.

http://www.cruises.co.uk/674-questions_answers/7767-al_fresco_dining_large_ships.html#post88669

Al Fresco on Thomson Spirit Why none of these were eating, they were all waiting to disembark to go home.

Slightly puzzled, as we returned from Ventura last Sat, and had most of our meals outside the buffet, on deck 15 aft. There was plenty of room, as most people seemed to stay indoors or carry trays through to the pool with the megradome. Never saw anyone appear and have to hunt for a table out there.
Jo.

On Grand Princess there are tables and chairs aft and poolside near the Horizon Buffet for anyone that wants to eat al fresco.

Hi, on Eclipse there is a large area outside the buffet area, at the back of the ship where you can take your breakfast, lunch or dinner. It was never full, had a lovely bar and very comfy tables / chairs, we used it many evening and sometimes were the only ones there, I think most people didnt realise it as you have to walk right through the Oceanview Cafe and out the back....Enjoy, we did....also I though on Ventura the Marco Pierre White resturant has outside dining???

QUOTE:

Hi, on Eclipse there is a large area outside the buffet area, at the back of the ship where you can take your breakfast, lunch or dinner. It was never full, had a lovely bar and very comfy tables / chairs, we used it many evening and sometimes were the only ones there, I think most people didnt realise it as you have to walk right through the Oceanview Cafe and out the back....Enjoy, we did....also I though on Ventura the Marco Pierre White resturant has outside dining???

Thanks for the information about Eclipse. I think we might try the ship this year as we've heard good things about it. Regarding Ventura, we were on it twice last year and to use the Marco Pierre outside dining I thought you had to have an upgraded status, such as a suite. That's for breakfast and I think there is a charge for lunch and dinner. Can anyone confirm this?