Holland America has announced a new flexi dining plan. One level of the two level dining room will be designated as a dine any time from 5:15-9pm. The other level of the dining room will still be assigned dining. The new dining plan has been in place on the Noordam. The other ships will have the plan in the months to follow.

That's good news. When we tried the Anytime dining on Princess, I wasn't sure we'd like it. It is absolutely great, not having to rush to get to a table at a specific time. We might have to wait 15-20 minutes, but we just go have a drink and wait. You get to meet more people, which I like. I do miss getting to know my tablemates well and the waiters, but it has turned out to be a great experience. I'm sure more mainstream lines will be implementing it.

It will be interesting to see how they work "The Parade of the Baked Alaska" and the "Master Chefs Dinner" into that format; while it is two levels, it is essentially one large dining room. I guess those in the anytime level can just enjoy the spectacle even though they won't participate.

At least that's the way I would hope they go, and not eliminate these two very special events.

For those that may not know, the "Master Chefs Dinner" is a very special event, with each course punctuated with short entertainments provided by the dining room staff--a really wonderful event.

I wonder if the table staff gets less in extra tips? I always tip a little extra for the service I receive during the week. I guess I could always tip nightly...but not sure I would.

Most likely they will go to pre-paid tipping for those that choose open seating. Royal Caribbean is testing an open sitting on the Freedom of The Seas. In order to take advantage of the open seating tips must be pre-paid.

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Most likely they will go to pre-paid tipping for those that choose open seating.

If you mean the $10. a day that is standard on most lines, that is not what I am talking about. I mean the "extra" many of us give in cash at the end of the cruise. It looks like the server would miss out on that.

On Zuiderdam last fall, I was told by the purser's office that any tipping over and above the $10pp/pd is also required to go into the "tipping pot" that is split between everyone. We still extra tipped our waiter, assistant waiter and cabin steward - and felt kinda sad that there wasn't a way we could actually give them more. The best thing to do now is to make sure you give them a great review on your comment card. As I mentioned in the RCCL forum - what I most disliked about "Freestyle Dining" was the constant rush and manic activity in the dining room - bussing and setting up tables for the next set of diners. And while no-one actually pushed us out the door, you definitely feel the need to open up the table for the next folks.

I like to know when I am going to be fed and I like to know the exact time my table is ready. That is why assigned dining works for me – first seating, then off to the show with a full belly.
I also love to get to know the lives of my table mates. When you sit at a table of 8 or 10 you change seats every night so that you can have more intimate one-on-one conversations with each person. And everyone gets to share sitting next to the boring person or the one with halitosis.
Also, the final night pictures with those you have spent the last 7 or more evenings with is memorable.

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Originally posted by gdjoslin:

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Most likely they will go to pre-paid tipping for those that choose open seating.

If you mean the $10. a day that is standard on most lines, that is not what I am talking about. I mean the "extra" many of us give in cash at the end of the cruise. It looks like the server would miss out on that.

Yes, the $10 is standard on most lines. That's automatic tipping. However; Pre-paid usually means paid in advance with your final payment before you sail. The ship can't adjust pre-paid tips.

With assinged seating I always give the waiter $20 the first night. I tell him if the service is good he will get more through out the trip. Also with the cabin steward the same thing.And most of the time my service is great!That has worked for me for years, even before auto tipping began,which I still do not like..

F-Mattox, you are so right about the Master Chefs Signature dinner, it was so much fun. We really enjoyed it. The parade of baked Alaska was also cool, made for great pictures.

Maybe just for that one night they could have two seatings for dinner and no "anytime". Since it's new to the Holland America crowd there might not be too much resistance.

I'd be interested to see how this plays out in the months following implementation. My feeling is that this concept might work on the newer, larger ships, but may need to be rethought on the "S-class" and possibly the "R-class" ships that attract pax seeking a more traditional experience overall. We recently booked a cruise for next summer in Alaska, and noted that many of the "S-class" ships were already waitlisting the early and main dining room seatings...10 to 11 months out.

Lisa, I'm curious, what are S-class and R-class ships?

We're booked on a 30 day HAL cruise this January and I'd like one week fixed seating, changing each week. That way we'd meet a good variety of people and still look forward to meeting a new set the second week. Bet that's too much flexibility to request.

We tired of our four table mates on a 14 day cruise -- and they probably tired of us too. We exhausted most neutral topics of conversation and were ready for a switch after the first week. Does that make us shallow conversationalists in 'deep waters'?

Ruth

My apologies, Ruth. I tend to write in acronyms or nicknames every once in a while, without thinking.

The so-called S-class ships are Statendam and her sisters (or very near sisters), which are all approximately 55K tons with passenger capacity between 1200-1300. These are Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam, and Veendam.

R-class includes the slightly larger Rotterdam, Volendam, Zaandam, and Amsterdam -- approximately 60K and 1300-1400 pax.

As an aside, HAL also has a Vista class, consisting of Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Noordam, and Westerdam, which are about 80K tons and hold about 1900. These are the ones that tend to attract more families, from what I hear.

I can't imagine anyone tiring of your company. But, I do know what you mean. You may be able to request table changes, particularly if your cruise is one that is offered in segments.

Ours is round trip from San Diego -- so we'll have to decide whether or not to request fixed dining. If we go that route we'll ask to be seated at the largest table possible with the idea of sitting at different ends from time to time.

We have enjoyed meeting different people at breakfast and lunch in the dining room and often would have like to continue real conversations. We also loved the more international mix we encountered at these meals.

Ruth

Ruth

That's an interesting idea--changing places at the table; but you know what? We tried that and found out that people are very territorial--to the point of getting, "aren't you sitting in my seat?"

I think for a 30 day cruise I would opt for the flexible dining; then if I find some folks I really hit it off with, we could reserve a table when we wanted to dine together. 30 days is a long time at one table, and changing tables can be tricky if you don't hit it off.

That's sound advice from a more experienced cruiser. I just like the idea of getting to know one waiter and establishing some sort of relationship.

Gosh if people get territorial over dining seats, no wonder the UN peace keeping missions are struggling!

Ruth

You can actually have the best of both worlds; pick the flexible dining, then when you find a waiter you really like, make a standing reservation for a table at his station.

Brilliant suggestion! Never thought of such an easy solution. And we've been talking also of simply asking new friends if we could meet at a certain time to dine with them.

And I have Soooo many meals to prepare before I enjoy royal service.

Ruth