dinner time request
 

DH and I just booked a New Year's week cruise on the Carnival Holiday (the only ship available at this late date). We requested a late sitting for dinner, but of course this is not guaranteed till boarding. Any ideas on how to make it more likely to happen? Should I contact Carnival directly at some point before the sailing? <BR><BR>Also, do you know if this ship has tables for two, and if so how to get one? We're not shy, nerds, rich nor boring (see related thread), we just don't travel to mingle with others. <BR><BR>Thanks for the info!<BR><BR>PS: I AM going on a Carnival ship and don't want to hear how declasse, lowbrow and mass market Carnival is :-)

Ha ha - you crack me up. yes, you do have to watch out for the people that like to bash Carnival. Anyway, my advice is to call your TA a week before departure and remind him/her that you want late seating and whether it can be confirmed. if not, then when you get on the ship, ask again & if it is too late, no problem, you can still change it immediately visit the matre d and get it switched the first hour or two on the ship.

Late seating on Carnival? Is that like showing up at Wendy's after 10 p.m. and having to use the drive thru?<BR>

There have been times we have requested late seating and been given the first seating. Go directly to the matre'd and ask to be switched. They might tell you second seating is full. If so, go AGAIN the next day and try . People do all kinds of switching of meal times. Keep trying.

Thanks for the info, Snorkelman & Gail. I'll keep trying till I can get to eat late! :-)

Hi Carmen,<BR><BR>Carnival has 4 seatings for dinner.<BR>Nothing is guaranteed. If you request early you may get 5:45PM or 6PM. Late will get you either 8PM or 8:45PM.<BR><BR>As soon as you board the ship look at your sail and sign card. The time will be listed. Call the information office and ask where the maitre 'd is located. Go see him immediately (only one in party need go) and request a different time or a table for two if you like.<BR><BR>There have been many complaints on the 8:45PM seating and this may change in the future.<BR><BR>Paul

Hi, Paul. What kinds of complaints do pepole have on the 8:45 seating? Is it that people find it to be too late (I don't -- what would hate is to have to rush back on board, shower, do makeup, dress, to get to an early dinner). Or is it that the service or food worse are at that seating than at others? Thanks!<BR><BR>Carmen

Hi Carmen,<BR><BR>Talking to cruisers that are on the 8:45PM seating I was told ..... if the passengers show up later than 8:45 and they talk over cocktails before ordering the galley will not honor some items ordered. They must start the cleaning process for breakfast. No problem with service or food presentation. Food still arrives hot. I tried the later seating 3 times and never had a problem with receiving rare beef. Always delicious.<BR><BR>If you are at a table where passengers are not seated within minutes and the waiter asks if you wish to wait ..... say no.<BR><BR>Paul

Good tip, thanks Paul!<BR>Carmen