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My Experience With My Time Dining Onboard the Adventure of the Seas

Written by T.I. Cruiser on March 26, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Initially we booked the early seating but a few days before embarkation I changed it to “My Time Dining”, since I never know what I might get into onboard a cruise ship. There is a section of the dining room located on deck 5 set aside for “My Time Dining”, we had a table for two. Initally I thought I would miss the opportunity to have the same waiter everyday but this fear was never realized as we had Tyrone G each the four times we decided to use the dining room. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was great. On three occasions we ended up with the best seats in the house (hint: arrive early for your choice of tables). Upon the conclusion of your dinner as you are leaving the Mozart dining room you will be asked what time you would like to eat the following night. I usually left it the same time but you can change if you so desire. If you get back to your room later on in the evening and see an activity in the next day’s Compass that you would like to attend you can also call the “My Time Dining” number to change your reservation. We did this on one occasion and we also called to inform them if we weren’t coming to dinner that night (not required but polite).

All in all I really enjoyed the “My Time Dining” experience and would gladly do it again. However, I will say Royal Caribbean could polish the experience a bit more. At times it seemed as if the head waiter had no idea what was going on for the night. On one occasion there was a line of guests with standing reservations waiting outside of the dining room for 15 minutes or longer. When I use anytime dining on Princess I usually just show up and ask for a table and have never waited 15 minutes. Also, some of the tables are arranged extremely close. This isn’t necessarily horrible but can be annoying if you are trying to have a romantic dinner and the person seated 18 inches to your left insists on telling you about their day in port. My last complaint is when dinner is running a little long they seem to rush you through the last portion of your meal. I would have no problem with this if we were the cause of the long dinner but if it is because of service the guests shouldn’t have to suffer. I understand that you have to get the next group of passengers seated but the time needs to be recouped in efficiency of service not my cheapening the guests dining experience. This only happened one time on my cruise but it was possibly one time too many. None of those minor annoyances are “deal breakers” nor would they keep me from continuing to use “My Time Dining”.

Fanmail Friday: February 20th Edition

Written by T.I. Cruiser on February 20, 2009 · Leave a Comment

I have never been on a back-to-back cruise, but was thinking about booking one. What kind of discount do you get for booking a back-to-back cruise?

To be completely honest you may not receive any discount. So much of what cruise lines are willing to do depends on how well the cruise is selling. What I would recommend is using a travel agent and asking what they can do for you. Once again, it may not be anything but it could result in receiving a nice on board credit. At the very least you will save on airfare, which could amount to several hundred dollars depending on the port of embarkation.

I am going on my first cruise this April and have a question about hygiene. Is it safe to swim in the pools on my cruise ship? Do they change the water every night? With thousands of people onboard a cruise ship I want to know that my health will not be comprised.

I have swum in the pool on every cruise I have been on, and have encountered no problems. Whether or not the pools are emptied every night depends on if the pool is salt or fresh water. Salt-water pools are emptied and refilled every day, while fresh water pools aren’t emptied but instead treated with chemicals like most pools we are used to using. The CDC (center for disease control) has strict guidelines on how pools are to be maintained on cruise ships. These guidelines are there to ensure that hygiene is not a concern. However, if you are a germaphobe you may want to stay away from the whirlpools.

We are traveling with friends, but each of us booked our cruise at different times. We would like to be able to have dinner together, how can we make sure we are seated at the same table?

If you both used the same travel agent, I would get on the phone with them so you can have your reservations linked. If you booked through the cruise line, give them a call. If you end up boarding without having taken care of this situation, go visit the maitre ‘d as soon as you board the ship. He will be able to switch the seating assignments so that you get can enjoy dinner with your friends.

Royal Caribbean ‘s Controversial New Menu Item

Written by T.I. Cruiser on February 18, 2009 · 4 Comments

Last month I wrote a blog entry detailing Royal Caribbean’s plan to charge for room service ordered during certain hours. This month they have decided to step up efforts to nickel and dime passengers even further by charging 14.95 for a “Chops Grill” (one of Royal Caribbean’s alternative dining restaurants) steak in dining rooms across their entire fleet of ships.

According to a Royal Caribbean spokesperson, beginning February 22 passengers will be able to order a 10-ounce filet mignon in the main dining room on all of their 20 ships. Royal Caribbean has stated that no menu items will be replaced or eliminated from the menu. Passengers will still have a selection of ten complimentary entrees, the 10 ounce filet mignon will simply be an eleventh choice.

There is no doubt this filet is a higher quality of beef than what is normally offered in Royal Caribbean’s main dining rooms. While I have not sampled this offering in the main dining room, I have forked out the 25 dollars for Chops and can attest to its quality. However, I am not sure if I would want to order the filet in the main dining room.

Some of you may ask what is the difference between ordering in Chops or the main dining room. My answer to this question would be, service and quality. In Chops, there are a limited number of passengers dining, the service is top notch and food is generally delivered as ordered. The main dining room on the other hand is usually very hectic and the food is brought from much further away. These logistical problems will undoubtedly lead to complications resulting in a drop in quality.

Pros and Cons of the Additional Charge Steak

Pros
This is a great option for families traveling with children where paying 25 dollars for the whole Chops Grill experience is cost prohibitive.

The 14.95 steak is an option but passengers can still enjoy the standard sirloin steak at no additional cost. No one is forced to spend extra on food.

This will possibly keep families with children out of the specialty restaurants where I dine as much for atmosphere as I do for the cuisine.

Cons
Since no one is being forced to buy this steak, I can only think of one big con. What kind of precedent is being set? Today it may only be a specialty steak but tomorrow, will we be charged for other menu items. It has always been my belief that meals were included in the cost of my cruise. How long before I am presented with a check at the end of my meal?

While this newest initiative by Royal Caribbean has both Pros and Cons, it is clear this is a sign of things to come. How do you feel about additional price menu options being served in the main dining room?