Topic: Seating

Like one other member on here, we always ask for a table for 2 got 8 last time! and decided to use the buffet, we aren't antisocial but when you are sitting waiting for the other 5 to turn up! i prefer to eat at my own speed and not have to hang around in between courses.

QUOTE:

In response to the second part of your comments, I quite agree. It is such a shame that with many people now using the buffet or speciality restaurants you end up with a half empty dining room. I cannot see any reason why if some one is not seated at their allocated table after 15 to 20 minutes that this table could not be given to someone else.
Its particularly frustrating when you have been allocated to a sitting which you dont want and they tell you there is no room to move you.

We booked late with P&O and were allocated 2nd sitting. We prefer 1st sitting. We asked for a change but there was a long waiting list. On the nights when they had the special Buffets in the Lido the MD said to come down at 1845h (15 mins after opening time) and he would find us a table. Although this only happened on 3 or 4 nights, on reflection I think it might have been possible most of the time.

If you find your table allocation is not OK prior to leaving for the ship or on arrival on the ship and then you won't normally know until you go for dinner that night. What quite a few do as soon as they get on the ship go to the main restaurant area and look for the Matire'd and try to find where you are and what table size and if a problem then try to convince him to do his best to find you something better, now if you do it this early you are in with a chance, they may say we can't resolve this for tonight but come back and see him the following evening and see what they offer.

QUOTE:

If you find your table allocation is not OK prior to leaving for the ship or on arrival on the ship and then you won't normally know until you go for dinner that night. What quite a few do as soon as they get on the ship go to the main restaurant area and look for the Matire'd and try to find where you are and what table size and if a problem then try to convince him to do his best to find you something better, now if you do it this early you are in with a chance, they may say we can't resolve this for tonight but come back and see him the following evening and see what they offer.

That's an excellent answer Bill and almost word for word to what I posted when an earlier question asked 'What is the first thing you do on getting onboard'.

Hi Pat, You will be fine on formal nights, we too dress up, and you will find that is the main theme for most of the guests. The ones who wish to dress casually on these formal night tend to eat in the buffet area rather than the main dining rooms.The formal nights are just the same on anytime dining and you can request a table for 2 or join others at a larger table.On formal nights we tended to dine at larger table and everyone we sat with was dressed appropriately for the dress code, so dont worry.

Hi, just got back from 12 days on Grand Princess in the Med. About 90% american, but no problems with our "anytime" dining. We had a great Head waiter in the Davinci,who worked really hard to meet all the diners requirements we had 3 nights on tables for six, 1 night on a romantic table for 2,6 nights on table for 4, 1 night room service( no extra charge) and a table for 8 some odd night, the diningroom was always busy and we didnt mind having a buzzer on couple of nights ( at peak times between the theatre shows) OH and the food and service was great

Again, many thanks everyone. Glad to hear that we won't feel out of place on formal evenings in our evening clothes. Like a lot of other cruisers, we don't get much opportunity to "glam up" at home, so really enjoy the chance to do so. Incidentally, we have just booked another cruise, this time with Holland America, and because of all the favourable comments about anytime dining, we have chosen this option again. We have found that 5.45 is too early and 8 or 8.30 too late to eat.

Pat, anytime dining on Princess is generally very good. If you are willing to wait (at the end of a pager) you can have a table for 2 with little difficulty. Our only bad experience was one night on the Diamond Princess earlier this year when we were given a table at 8.45pm - no problem for us but a major problem for the 2 staff waiting on our table - we had poor service and food past its best - however, we worked on the pair, won them over and the next nights we were on a table served by them we had absolutely perfect service. I would always opt for anytime dining when it is on offer.