We like the traditional type seating, having the same table and the same servers for the entire cruise. We like getting to know our servers and having them get to know us. They quickly learn what we like and how we like to be served and by the second night we are well on our way to having a good dinning experience. It’s much the same as many of us do when we go to our favorite restaurant back home. We usually have a favorite waiter or waitress we ask for, who knows what we like and dislike. Sometimes we even ask for our favorite table. We found that PC gives us everything we like about traditional dinning, and some important extras. Remember. We’re talking about the early seating, 6-6:30. The later times are a slightly different story. Its very difficult to get a table for two on most cruise lines but at these early hours in PC, you can get a table for two without any problem. If you like the table, you can make a reservation for the next night, for the same table. You will have the same servers because the servers remain in the same station. Being all the tables are not seated at the same time, it is much, much quieter in PC dinning.
When we had the early seating in traditional dinning, there was always a couple hundred people waiting in line for the dinning room doors to open. And when there opened, it’s like being in the middle of a cattle stampede. Mary & I always waited fifteen minutes or so, until everything settled down before we went into the dinning room. The PC dinning rooms on the Princess ships take on a totally different atmosphere than the regular dinning room and the service is much quicker because the waiter’s station is rarely full at the early times. If you are late coming back from an excursion, you can call and make a later reservation. When you leave the dinning room that evening, you will usually be able to make a reservation for the same table for two you had the previous evening. If you would like a table for two so you can have a romantic dinner with your spouse, the early seating in PC is meant for you. (If you have any questions about PC dinning, send us an e-mail)
Warm regards, Tom & mary
Tom & Mary (The Honeymooners)
Posts: 110 | Location: New Smyrna Beach, Fl, U.S.A. | Registered: June 24, 2002
My wife and I have only experienced set dining. We have booked for a long cruise this year LA to Sydney, and wonder if anyone else has experiences with the personal choice dining? How does it work? Advantages, disadvantages etc.
We don't want to make the wrong mistake and regret it for our 30 nights dining.
Many thanks in advance.
PD.
Posts: 3 | Location: Australia | Registered: February 11, 2003
My husband and I are heading to our third cruise in two years with the Princess line. This time we are taking our two daughters ages 19 and 16. I love the personal choice dining. This gives us the opportunity to eat when we want to, when we are hungry. Some days we pig out a bit much at the poolside and arn't always hungry at the traditional time most diners eat. Also, we can plan dinner around other events or upcoming shows as well. This last cruise we were on we recognized the head waiter from a previous cruise and made small chat with him. After that first night, we were seated immediately and he always sent an appetizer to our table. He always told the other wait staff to take care of us well because we were his "friends". I can't wait for this next cruise on the Golden in March because he will be there again. I'm sure our kids will be impressed with the "royal treatment" we get!! We always ate in the same dining room because of this reason. But you do tend to recognize the same servers and sometimes sit at their table more then once. But it doesn't matter, everyone is so friendly. Another plus with personal choice dining ~ if you want to dine alone you can do so or sit with a group of others as well.... your choice.
Happy Sailing! Hope to see you on the Golden the first week of March!!
Posts: 40 | Location: Corunna, MI, USA | Registered: January 05, 2004
When we were on the Star last Feb, the minute we got on board we signed up for the same time and table every night, it worked out great, there was always a line, but we walked right by and sat at our table for 4. Had the same nice waiter also, who knew which appetizers we wanted every night.
Posts: 2 | Location: lowell, ma | Registered: January 08, 2004
My husband and I love the PC "any time" dining option on Princess. We like eating when we want and with whomever we want. The first night at sea and on formal nights we waited 10 minutes for a table. We grabbed a glass of wine and browsed in the shops - the time passed very quickly. We also received great service from every waiter we encountered. All were eager to please. We encourged the wait staff to tell us about their countries of origin and cultures. One waiter gave us a mini-lesson in Mexican history in between courses!
I think it was a drive-by guest that wasn't really taking an active part in the discussion. The question wasn't connected to anything...I didn't get it. However, to placate our mystery guest should the person return...I'm in my 30's (just barely)
My wife and I are taking our first Princess cruise on the Carribean Princess in September. We've signed up for the regular dining option, but are starting to think the pc option might be the way to go. Still not sure though.
Tom
Posts: 95 | Location: Gresham,OR,USA | Registered: December 16, 2002
I've read that as great as PC dining sounds, it's not really eat-when-you're-hungry because there are lines at the restaurants at the more popluar times (6PM-7PM?)...sometimes quite long. This has apparently upset some passengers. Again, this is what I've read on other forums. I signed up for second seating because I enjoy the traditional no-hassle sit down at the same table treatment. To me, it's what sets a cruising apart from a regular vacation where you go different places and make reservations, etc. Plus you get to choose from the other menus as well, a different one per night, from what I read. Hey whatever you choose, it will probably be great. So have fun!
as a personal choice diner you also have the menus with about 5 entree's to chose from as well. And I know this because I've been there, not read about it. There were lines at times but you also have two resturants to chose from and the wait has never been too lenghty. You may request a certain table for the following night at a particular time and they will hold this table for you.
On our first Princess cruise (Grand in 2003) we waited 15 minutes for a table for 2 only twice. Yes, some passengers were upset. However, instead of hanging around the dining room doors stewing (or, worse, yelling at the headwaiter), we just grabbed a glass of wine and listened to the classical music in the Atrium. The time passed very quickly and peacefully. We knew the food wasn't going to run out before we were seated!
On our second Princess cruise (Golden 2004) we never waited for a table... and we ate in the Bernini dining room between 7:00-8:30 p.m. 5 nights out of 7. Our menus were exactly the same as the ones traditional diners had. We had no complaints about the service, either.
It all depends on what you want out of a cruise. We like to hang loose, which means (among other things) eating whatever we want, where we want, and with whom.
<HJ>
Posted
PC dining is the main reason my wife and I chose Princess
