Cruise Talk: Carnival Introduce Flexible Dining

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Topic: Carnival Introduce Flexible Dining

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 11-05-2000 08:06 AM

Like all the other major cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Lines is introducing Flexible Dining across its 15-ship fleet, featuring four staggered seating times in main restaurants, the launch of dining room "Team Service," and enhancements to its Seaview Bistros, the line's casual dinner-time alternative restaurants.

(More details will be available shortly)

Carnival Cruise Lines has also expanded the no-smoking areas aboard its 15-ship fleet to include the aft show lounges and Lido Deck
alternative restaurants.

Comments please?

[This message has been edited by Malcolm (edited 11-05-2000).]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 11-05-2000 09:20 AM

I read the press release and wonder exactly how it will work, 4 dining times: 6pm, 6:45pm, 8pm and 8:45pm. I imagine they will do half the dining room at 6 the other half at 6:45? Will be on the Inspiration in Jan and I guess I'll see how it works.

As far as the non-smoking areas in the lounges - it's about time!

Posts: 223 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

hooked on cruising
First Class Passenger
Member # 1221

posted 11-05-2000 10:05 AM

Malcolm, Do you think all these changes to the dining rooms will be in place for March break 2001? We have booked on the Sensation and where a wee bit worried about the sitting time, we were not able to book early or late and received late sitting once we got all our docs through. We were hoping for early as we are all early risers and will hope to take advantage of early tours. Does this mean that we can go into the dining room at other times than the one disignated to us? About the smoking, I am glad to here this we had heard that there were places on the ship were the smoking was so bad you couldn't even sit in the areas. I'll be watching for your comments jwine.

Posts: 243 | From: London,Ontario,Canada | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 11-21-2000 02:57 PM

Below is the full Press Release. I have no more info than this:

Carnival Cruise Lines is introducing Flexible
Dining across its 15-ship fleet, featuring four staggered seating times
in main restaurants, the launch of dining room "Team Service," and
enhancements to its Seaview Bistros, the line's casual dinner-time
alternative restaurants.
Main restaurants are adopting a new Team
Service structure under which each table is served by three wait staff
instead of two, elevating the overall service quality. In the Seaview
Bistros, menus are being further upgraded and, on an occasional basis,
full
table service versus buffet service will be offered.
Importantly, Flexible Dining retains one of the most popular aspects of
the
cruise experience -- in the main restaurants, guests are assigned to
one of four seating times: 6 p.m.; 6:45 p.m.; 8 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
Four seatings versus the previous two-seating system provides guests
a wider spectrum of choice in dining
times and, based on preliminary testing, significantly raises guest
satisfaction levels.
For casual dining, each evening from 6-9 p.m., Lido Deck poolside
eateries
are converted to Seaview Bistros, offering a range of dinnertime
options.
There are no assigned tables, designated seating times or dress
codes.
Further enhancements to the Bistro menus include such featured items
as Sautéed Shrimps in Chardonnay Cream, Roast Leg of Spring Lamb
au Jus; Grilled Salmon Mignonettes with Dill Butter, and Rigatoni with
Peppers, Mushrooms and Italian Sausage. And on an occasional basis,
full table service will be provided in the Seaview Bistros.
Guests are free to choose between their assigned main dining room or
the
Seaview Bistro every evening with no requirement to "sign up" or
"make a
reservation."
Implementation of the new Flexible Dining program is already in place
on the
Imagination and will be completed fleetwide by the end of next year.
Four seating times for dinner will be offered on every ship except
Tropicale
which has one main dining room instead of two.

Source: Carnival Cruise Line

[This message has been edited by Malcolm (edited 11-21-2000).]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

lambcom
First Class Passenger
Member # 656

posted 11-21-2000 04:43 PM

While what Carnival is doing sounds less onerous than the freestyle dining`on NCL, I would wait for reports before booking.

This is getting closer and closer to HAL (shudder, I think).

Posts: 179 | From: Montreal, canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 11-21-2000 07:58 PM

Weare going on the Imagination on 12/25/00 so I willmake a report on this when we return. I forsee no problem AS LONG AS I GET MY 6 pm time!

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

jean elmore
First Class Passenger
Member # 1192

posted 11-21-2000 10:31 PM

hi everyone, my daughter and her family returned Sunday from the Carnival Paradise and said she was pleasantly surprised by the 3 person service team in the DR, it had been a while since she had cruised Carnival and she said the food was greatly improved, good service everywhere on the ship, had a lovely time and at a great bargain, for her, her husband, their toddler son and his au pair they had got a package for $1600 from the internet (last minute) she had FF miles for their air fares and on their return had taken a bump in Miami and received a total of $1200 for the 3 ticketed adults, I think she was very happy. jean

Posts: 68 | From: obetz oh. usa | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

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