Cruise Talk: Freestyle Cruising????

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Author

Topic: Freestyle Cruising????

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 06-28-2002 08:02 PM

We hear much about it these days but how does it really compare with traditional 1st/2nd or single seating dining?

We've experienced the 'traditional' and also Open Seating but are curious about Freestyle.

Are you For/Against or somewhere in between?

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

trailhiker
First Class Passenger
Member # 1674

posted 06-28-2002 10:38 PM

We prefer the traditional style of dining after a cruise on the Norwegian Majesty right after they started the "Freestyle Cruising." We were pretty much able to dine anytime we wanted but always sat with strangers and never got beyond the same old small talk. We felt the service had gone down hill. The waiters never came back to check on us and of course, never got to know any of our preferences. Their tips were assured so they didn't do anything beyond the basic service. In the past, and since then we have cruised the old fashioned way and made many new friends. We have four sets of couples that we have cruised again with. We both look forward to seeing them again. The freestyle tablemates never got beyond the stranger stage. In fact, some were so distant they didn't even acknowledge us. Very odd. We would never cruise NCL again.

Posts: 46 | From: North Conway, NH 03860 USA | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

tlmlb
First Class Passenger
Member # 1276

posted 06-29-2002 12:17 AM

tried the NCL Sun to Can/NE last year - we did not particularly care for Freestyle - might be ok if you were going in a group where you had the whole table anyway - we went with another couple and tried to sit in the same location each time but the only dining room staff who really got to know me was the hostess who controlled the seating - we like the traditional way where the waiter gets to know that we like iced tea with dinner and regular coffee afterwards..plus we like big tables where you get to know the people and make make some lasting relationships - That's another reason why I like longer cruises 10 - 14 days

Posts: 21 | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

Dolphins
First Class Passenger
Member # 2043

posted 06-29-2002 10:23 AM

Ditto Trailhiker and tlmlb. We prefer the same table and waiters at all meals who know your every request. We also prefer cruise lines that allow you to decide if you want gratuities added to your shipboard tab or let you reward crew members personally. We feel service is better when tips are not assured regardless of service.

Posts: 324 | From: Commack, New York | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 06-29-2002 01:19 PM

Hello,

Fixed table/waiter for me, thank you very much.

Princess' Personal Choice might be an OK compromise since it simply allows you to reserve first, late, or open seating pre-cruise, except on Regal, Royal, and Pacific Princess which have only one dining room so there are the traditional early or late only.

Honestly the only reason I would support Princess' decision is because it will help to keep the ship full, and it is not that intrusive to those of us who prefer cruising the way it always was.

Now, I think that the single seating, as on, say, Silversea, is very nice, but having a 2,000 passenger ship with no organized seatings, ten restaurants, whatever, sounds like it has too many variables and too many opportunities for disaster.

Happy Cruising,
Cruiseny

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 07-13-2002 04:11 PM

Freestyle Cruising would seem to lack backers ..................

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 07-13-2002 04:19 PM

Traditional style for me. I don't want to make reservations or have to wait. I like the same table and waiter every night.
The Freestyle or Personal Choice is not for me or Mr.Gizmo.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

vg5157
First Class Passenger
Member # 3182

posted 07-13-2002 07:34 PM

quote:
Originally posted by trailhiker:
We prefer the traditional style of dining after a cruise on the Norwegian Majesty right after they started the "Freestyle Cruising." We were pretty much able to dine anytime we wanted but always sat with strangers and never got beyond the same old small talk. We felt the service had gone down hill. The waiters never came back to check on us and of course, never got to know any of our preferences. Their tips were assured so they didn't do anything beyond the basic service. In the past, and since then we have cruised the old fashioned way and made many new friends. We have four sets of couples that we have cruised again with. We both look forward to seeing them again. The freestyle tablemates never got beyond the stranger stage. In fact, some were so distant they didn't even acknowledge us. Very odd. We would never cruise NCL again.

I'm sorry you said that,in my case I'm 100% agree with freestyle cruising,my wife and I went to all 9 restaurant of N/SUN in my last cruise and there no way to complaint about service,we are so happy that we don't have to share a dinner table with anybody,don't take me wrong; i have bad experience in the past dinning with strangers,some people ask me about my personal life and things like that in the middle of my meal,FIVE STARS FREESTYLE CRUISING !!.

Posts: 152 | From: Miami,Florida | Registered: Jul 2002 | IP: Logged

jmfleser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1141

posted 07-16-2002 10:41 AM

We did Freestyle once and I have to say I like being able to go eat whenever I like. The service was very good but still I did miss that little extra personalized service you get when your waiter gets to know you. Our next cruise will be with Princess. My plan is to go for the open seating yet try to get the same waiter each time. I'll let you know if it works.

Joan

Posts: 183 | From: Esperance, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Nautical Nigel
First Class Passenger
Member # 2326

posted 07-16-2002 11:24 AM

I think I prefer the traditional dining. One of the pleasures of cruising is not having to think too much and to know that you will be having a meal at whatever time cuts out the thinking. To have to decide what restaurant to go to each night is something that I leave for other holidays. Also as above it is nice to get to know your fellow diners and the waiting staff.

Also most ships have an alternative so if I don't fancy a restaurant meal I can always go to the buffet restaurant.

Posts: 81 | From: London, England | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 07-16-2002 11:50 AM

quote:
Originally posted by jmfleser:
We did Freestyle once and I have to say I like being able to go eat whenever I like. The service was very good but still I did miss that little extra personalized service you get when your waiter gets to know you. Our next cruise will be with Princess. My plan is to go for the open seating yet try to get the same waiter each time. I'll let you know if it works.
Joan

Will be interested in hearing your opinion of 'open seating' - really is different from Freestyle as we discovered on the QE2 - we were assigned a table with 3 other couples and could dine any time between 7 and 9.30pm - seldom did we all arrive at the same time - we had the same wait staff but it’s disruptive to be enjoying lobster tails while someone else is fussing over their specially ordered crepe suzette - next time, if there is one, we'll go for a table for two.

Happy cruisin'

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

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