First time cruiser-On wait list for 1st dinner seating
 

Our 1st cruise, going to Alaska with Dawn Princess. Found out we are 60th on wait list for 1st dinner seating. We have 2 preteens with us who don't eat late usually. What should we do?? Does this normally happen?

We prefer 2nd seating in order to optimize our port time. 1st seating often cuts excursion time short. There will be plenty of snack options for the kids to tide them over till dinner. <BR><BR>You also maybe on a different "body clock" than Alaska time. <BR><BR>Hope you have a wonderful time. Our first cruise was to Alaska on Princess. It remains one of our favorites!<BR><BR>

Choose the personal choice dining instead. You basically just show up at one of the designated dining rooms when you're hungry (between 5 and 10pm?) and they'll seat you on a first come first serve basis. We did this last time and usually were seated within 5-10 minutes, if not immediately. On one of the formal nights the wait was considerably longer, but that was just one night out of seven. The menu is identical to traditional dining.

If by the time you board it has not been changed. RUN do not walk when you board nad beg them to change it.<BR>$20 would help

Forget the nagging and money--call the desk as soon as you arrive in your cabin, and ask where the maitre d' can be found. Immediately go speak to him politely (yes, tell him you have 2 children to consider)and ask for an earlier seating.<BR> I have had to change from early seating on 3-4 cruises to late and they have always been able to accommodate me without using a tip or forcefulness.<BR> The tip can come at the end of your cruise if your wishes were met.<BR> If nothing can be done, the previous posters had very good suggestions. You will NOT starve!! Enjoy your family cruise.<BR><BR>

Maybe Alaskan cruises are different, but the times I have had to change from late to early (we always have early) there were dozens wanting early to late and a handfull like me. Changing it the way you want shouldn't be a problem - they'll probably thank you.

xxx - <BR><BR>I agree that it never hurts to ask, but are you suggesting that ccc should get bumped ahead of almost 60 other people who have been on the waiting list longer simply because they have 2 preteens with them? If so, why? (Yes, I have kids)

CCC== when you get on the ship, ask the purser's desk where the maitre d is located-- Usually he is at a table in front of the auditorium or dining room with a LONG table and a LINE in front of him....<BR><BR>It should Not be trouble to change LATE into Early seating---- Most people want LATE seating as they have longer time in the ports for excursions and shopping---<BR><BR>Also Princess has 24 hr room service, so if your kids get hungry at 4pm, order up Club Sandwiches for them to tide them over til dinner--There is NO CHARGE for ROOM SERIVCE except for COKES/PEPSIS--Food is FREE....Just tip your delivery person.....<BR><BR>And Enjoy your cruise!

response to Wondering concerning previous response to CCC:<BR>1. The reason I suggest calling the desk---it is generally VERY busy there with a long line,by using the phone one generally gets through faster with a quick question such as where the maitre d' is. Forward?aft? which dining room? These ships are large and it can take several minutes find him/her.<BR>2. Showing up in person does show that you are still interested in a change of time (they can make note of it and let you know later). Some of those other 56 people may have changed their minds already and you are moved up on the list already(one less problem for a 1st time cruiser to worry about).<BR>3. And YES kids can make a difference. Finish eating at 10-10:30 then attending the 1 hr. show until 11:30 may put the kids way past their bedtime and therefore making them more cranky then I would like to deal with at my favorite 2nd seating for dinner. It appears that more families eat at the early seating probably for this and many other reasons. Hope you get your early seating!! Let your wishes be known!

Since it is your first time in Alaska you probssbly do not know that the sun does not set until midnight in July and August. Therefore if you wish optimum time in port the later seating is better.<BR><BR>You also can snack before dinner and you do not have to rush getting dressed after your tour.<BR><BR>If this does not suffice, you can do what others have suggested and either see the maitre d' or request the Personal Choice Dining and eat when you like.<BR><BR>Strange that there is no availability for first seating. The cruise must be a senior's convention.<BR><BR>Paul

Paul, ccc has two preteens and she wants first seating. She said nothing about wanting to maximize her time in the ports. What in the world does the sun not setting in Alaska in the summer until midnight have to do with her question/dillema? And the way you put it, I would have taken it as an insult! - like the only way she would know about this is if she had taken an Alaskan cruise before! There was a post here a few days ago that talked about how some of us intimidate brand new posters with our sarcasm and your reply fits the bill.

Thanks to all for replying. If we switch to Personal Choice Dining, how likely is it we will experience a long wait to be seated? I like the idea of eating when you want, but I don't want to have to worry about making reservations each night. My travel agent recommended traditional dining. We are travelling north to south on Dawn in August. Also, Alaska is in an earlier time zone, so 6:00 pm there will be 7:00 pm for us.

Just because she didn't ask about wanting to maximize time in ports doesn't mean it doesn't bear consideration, Peter. I thought I'd always want an early seating, but, because of the port stops in Alaska, I wished we'd taken the later one. When the sun sets does make a difference.

Hi ccc,<BR><BR>I will take a chance and reply to you again, and this time under my cloak to protect myself from Peter's dagger.<BR><BR>Apparently you have spent some time with your travel agent and he/she considered your lifestyle concerning dining. I was just making a blanket statement concerning dining since I do not personally know you.<BR><BR>As far as waiting for a table, I have spoken to many, many passengers who have chosen Personal Choice ( I do not care for it since I like to get to know my tablemates) and and they state that the waits are the longest on formal nights and when passengers are all coming back from their onshore ship's tours. There was no real serious resentment. <BR><BR>I have never experienced anyone being 60th on the waitlist. Are you sure you are not 6th?<BR><BR>Paul

Hey Paul it's time you were told. P.A.P. Stands for: "People Against Paul". Bunch of us are just sick and tired or your inaccuracies, half truths, feeble attempts at sarcasm, and self promotions.<BR><BR>And no we do not subscribe to Peter's methodology, but we do believe you should get your own web site, and that Fodor's should have registration.<BR><BR>Until you get a web site or they have registration you will have to deal with us in one form or another.

You didn`t say when your cruise is. We were number 198 to get first seating on the Regal princess and we worried too. Well, we called back a couple of weeks later and we were number 49. The next time I called, we were on first seating. Keep calling princess and see where you are on the list.

Stop bickering. Paul's suggestion for a lst time cruiser that 2nd seating gives you more time in port is accurate. My opinion is: Preteens would rather have more time in port and less time on the ship. They will want to have food while in port, they will not go hungry.

Princess just started this nonsense of assigning numbers to their waitlists. I have never seen them so high but I guess it's true since it is being stated here. Interesting. <BR><BR>Paul