This past cruise on Emerald Princess we went to anytime dining and we thoroughly enjoyed it because we felt that we were truly on vacation – not having to act like Pavlov’s dog – hurrying to make cocktails, hurrying to get to dinner on time. Anytime dining let us tour as long as we wanted, shower when we wanted, nap if we wanted. We met lovely people the first night and we agreed that we were compatible and we discussed meeting at the same time each evening. We opted out of this as we also enjoy meeting a variety of people. We felt less stress than we’ve ever had before. After all, isn’t this what vacation is supposed to be.

Unless we are travelling with a group of friends and/or relatives that make up a table, we will gravitate to anytime seating in the future.

I do have to say that it is noticeable that
the service is not quite the same in the anytime dining because the servers do not have the opportunity to get to know you and I miss that.
Love to “thingy”
Auntie Joan

I have experienced it on other cruise lines, including Princess, and it works quite well. I love it.

As you know, on some cruises with extended stops in some ports (St Petersburg and Warnemunde come to mind), the dining rooms in effect do have anytime dining. There is no rushing after shore excursions or missing dinner all together. In addition, if, on the first night, you are seated with a bunch of losers, you know it is only for one night.

What does the staff think? If they are stuck with a table of chronic complainers, they know it is probably only for one night, not the entire cruise.

I think it is a win-win to offer anytime. It works.

Change happens. You can embrace it or get run over by it.

Planning on Christmas 2009 on Carnival Triumph out of (where else) New Orleans !!!

Hopefully it will be an option fleet wide by then.

Choice is good and change happens.

It was so nice to hear from Heidi. And also so nice to hear she’s doing well. I’m sorry I won’t get to meet you on the Blogger’s Cruise Heidi, but I’m so happy for the reason why not.

I agree with the “fixed dining” people. We tried “anytime dining” twice on Princess this year. Unfortunately, I have to agree with a fellow passenger on the ship who said, “Anytime dining is not any time.” Whenever I tried to get a reservation for 7 or 7:30, I was told 6 or 6:30 – or 8:30. Since the main showroom only seats 800 on a ship that holds 3100 passengers, we ate at 6 every night in order to get finished in time to get seats for the main show. We normally ask for 2nd seating, and walk from the dining room to the theater after dinner. Even if we dawdle, we can always be sure to get a seat – somewhere. I was an only child until I was 11. I hate the thought that I might miss something good. And in my opinion, 90% of the time, the show is good, if not excellent.
I really enjoyed the Cunard interview and pictures.
About internet access – it should be free.
See you in Feb,
Cheryl D.

Best Megaship – Carnival Freedom

Best Value for the Money

Best Short Duration Cruises

Best Shore Excursions

Best Children’s Program

Best Entertainment

Best Mexican Riviera Itineraries

Best Web Site

BEST MAIN DINING ROOM CUISINE

So with that last one I rest my case. If it’s not broke don’t fix it. Assigned seating is a big part of CUISINE.

There were 48 total awards and our CARNIVAL received 9 of them. CARNIVAL Corp. Family of ships received over half of the total.

BIG ED

I think that there needs to be an option for set seating, at least for dinner. We are a family with 3 kids. We spend many days on the run, and as a result wind up having to wait for tables at restaurants.

Of course, this continues while aboard — for breakfast & lunch. This is OK, as it fits with the way we cruise. However, it is nice to have the set dining time and table at dinner. No waiting, no wondering where you will sit, no having to re-introduce yourselves to wait staff and table mates every day. Rather, it provides for some continuity and stability in our daily schedule. Are there times we have to hustle to get ready for dinner? Of course! And soon enough, the kids are off & running to Camp Carnival activities again! But the fixed dinner arrangements provide for some set family time each day.

An added bonus — the same table mates. Over the years, this has provided great entertainment for us. One cruise we were seated with a family who came to the table with 2 drinks each (even the teenagers), ate minimally, then they all went to the disco until closing time each night. Another year, we were entertained by Earl from “Venzewaler” (he said he had lived in Venezuela for many years; the Southern accent made you wonder…)

Lately, we have had the opportunity to cruise with friends and family. Take it from one who’s been there — it’s a lot easier to seat 19 people (including 8 children) when there is a routine. And if you think it’s nice having the wait staff know your preferences, let me be the first to tell you it’s even better when they know the preferences of your children! ‘Nuff said!

Thanks for sharing your adventures, as well as the farewell from Peter and Jaime’s continued reports.

Best to you, Heidi, Thingy (“Splendor”?), Stephanie, and all the others that help make this blog thingy happen.