Thread: Dinner the first night of your cruise?

We supposedly had fixed seating on our last cruise but with several mixups happening, we did not get our table filled until the last night of the five day cruise. It was still interesting and everyone the last night was there for at least three of the nights.

Originally Posted by nealberk

We supposedly had fixed seating on our last cruise but with several mixups happening, we did not get our table filled until the last night of the five day cruise. It was still interesting and everyone the last night was there for at least three of the nights.

Neal .... This is one of the main reasons we don't book Tradition (fixed) dining any longer. With so many other options now available ... there are too many who often don't have dinner in the MDR at their assigned tables - picking a Speciality restaurant or elsewhere instead. Eating alone at a table for 8 is not something we enjoy. Doing the Anytime thing solves this problem and works for us.

Oh, we never ate alone. The first night we were at the table with four women who wanted to sit with their friends. The second night we had two other couples. The next night we lost one of the couples (they took a nap and did not wake up until late) but had the couple from the previous night and gained one other couple who had signed up for anytime but who were put at our 1/2 empty table. The next night we had all three couples although one arrived late (they did not understand fixed seating). The final night we had all of us!

Since I sail primarily on Cunard which is traditional seating, then it is the dining room and remains that way for the whole trip.
Twice on Princess I've been given Anytime dining because traditional was full so I eat in the buffet and then afterward see the maitre d' about a seat in traditional. It's never been a problem because the 2nd night there are usually a lot of changes because people don't like that time slot, the table, the waiter, etc.

It used to be that we had dinner in the main dining room so that we could introduce ourselves to our wait staff.

But now HAL has changed the rules concerning our free dinner from AMEX PLat. We can no longer choose what night we want to go -- it has to be the first night.

Originally Posted by Krazy Kruizers

It used to be that we had dinner in the main dining room so that we could introduce ourselves to our wait staff.

But now HAL has changed the rules concerning our free dinner from AMEX PLat. We can no longer choose what night we want to go -- it has to be the first night.

Yonnie, now that you've been doing a speciality restaurant the first night for a while, do you & Joe actually like and look forward to being there the first night?

We do! At one time we didn't think we would. Now, we almost always book the first night ... great way to just relax!
On some cruise lines the free AMEX Platinum can be used on any Port day.

We don't like going to the Pinnacle on the first night. We have to rush through dinner as the Suite Welcome Aboard cocktail party is from 7:15 to 8 PM.

Good reason, Yonnie! Much better to go to a Speciality Restaurant when you can relax and enjoy without feeling rushed!

And one time we were not able to get a reservation for our free dinner on the first night and the manager asked for the "AMEX Plat free dinner" card back. I wouldn't give it back to him knowing that once you turn it in, they submit it the AMEX to get re-imbursed for that free dinner.

When we got home I wrote a letter to AMEX -- included the card -- and explained what happened. They sent us a gift card to use anywhere.

I don't understand the "free Amex Platinum" part. Don't you use a cabin door key to pay for your dinner at Pinnacle Grill?