Thread: Rude to book fixed dining if planning to do room service some nights?

I was just wondering what the consensus was on having a fixed main dining table for two reserved if one was planning on doing room service for a couple of nights on a 7 day cruise. What do you think, rudeness or not?

We are planning on doing this and I really would like to have a fixed dining time, but don't know if it would be awful of us to not go a couple of nights and just stay in and have room service. Maybe we could call ahead and let them know on those nights?

*Not Sure What to Do*

I wouldn't say it would be rude, but might add a tad of confusion. Things would get sorted out though. I know people who don't do room service, but go to the Lido Buffet some nights with Fixed. They were perfectly fine.

Not a problem! Standard procedure would be to let your tablemates and or waiter know that you won't be at dinner that night. Normally, the waiter doesn't put the order in for the table until everyone has arrived so if they know you aren't coming they won't be waiting for you. It's just common courtesy.

Originally Posted by Char

Not a problem! Standard procedure would be to let your tablemates and or waiter know that you won't be at dinner that night. Normally, the waiter doesn't put the order in for the table until everyone has arrived so if they know you aren't coming they won't be waiting for you. It's just common courtesy.

Same as Char.

Also, if we make a last minute decision, we call the dining room and ask them to tell our waiter.

As it not a speciality restaurant, I can't see any problem. If you suddenly took ill you would not go dining. Same as if you decide to dine in speciality restaurant its just the same thing. Your meal is in the price of the cruise, its up to you whether you attend and have it.

Have never done it ourselves, but people have been absent at our table many times, some decide to use the Buffet or Cabin Service.

As has been said, just let tablemates or waiter know, if possible the night before.

On our 15-day cruise, we ate in the dining room 14 nights. The one exception was when our daughter felt iffy. So we went to the buffet for dinner. We were more focused on her and it was last minute, so we forgot to notify anyone (I guess we could have checked the phone directory for the head waiter there).

One trio at our table did say ahead of time that they were going to the Bayou Cafe (once or twice) and Sabinitinis. One guy at our table often missed dinner, but it was usually to catch one of the bowl games if the satellite reception was working.

This time we were waitlisted for traditional since we've booked so late. We ended up eating in the buffet about half of the dinners. I think if we had traditional, we would have made the effort to go to the dining room more.

No -- it is not rude.

Some cruises we end up eating more at the speciality restaurants than we do in the dining room.

Not if you let the waiters know you will not be there. I have done that and left the tips in place.

Ditto for all the above comments. You do need a table of some sort, so go ahead and specify your preferences. Then alert the waitstaff if you do not plan on being there. (Some people eat every night but one in the buffet)