Dining Question

honestokie · September 29, 2007

My father is taking me on the cruise in January. (Father daughter bonding time on the Grand Princess) He selected the anytime dining option as we do not want to get all dressed up to eat. However, I might want to go to one formal dinner. My question is this....should we choose the early or late dining option just in case we want to go into the formal dining area, then eat at the anytime dining the rest of the time?

Also, any suggestions for the first time cruisers??? (must sees, be aware of..,etc)

I would appreciate any comments, thoughts, etc.

Gregswife · September 29, 2007

Honestokie, welcome to the forum. I was raised in Tulsa and we used to go up to Tahlequah every summer on church youth group float trips. I have never cruised on Princess so don't really know their dining procedure, but we pick a seating (always early) and then go to the Lido deck buffet (casual dining) whenever we feel like eating in shorts and at whatever time we choose to. I think you and your dad should go to at least one evening in the formal dining room just for the experience. On our last cruse, the last evening was the only time we went to the dining room. Hope to see you posting often...

GottaCruz · September 29, 2007

Father and daughter bonding on a cruise sounds so nice, Honestokie. I'm sure you'll have a great time. We do the same thing as Cheryl, we book the early seating but we usually go to the buffet when we feel like it. Sometimes, we like to hang out by the pool when the sun is going down and just go get something after. Then , we go to the cabin , shower and dress before the show. We really don't want to be on any schedule when we cruise. However, for a first time cruiser, I also suggest, like Cheryl, that you do the dining room at least once. It is a wonderful experience. We sometimes do the dining room on formal night so we can have lobster alt text

SmooCruise · September 29, 2007

I guess I'm an oddball....I prefer to eat in the dining room every night. Lido buffet for lunch and dinner. I like dressing up a little and being waited on and having the "fancier" foods that the dining room offers.

rogue · September 29, 2007

Hi Honestokie and welcome to CruiseCrazies. We love Princess, and I'm sure you'll have a great time. I think that you'll find the dress code is the same in the Traditional Dining areas and the Anytime Dining areas. The Anytime Dining areas are not the same as the casual Lido dining. It is a regular sit-down dining room with full waiter service. The difference is that you are not given a set time. Personally, we love the late-seating in the Traditional dining area. You get to know your waiters, and they get to know you. Either way, enjoy the cruise. :thumbup:

JoeyandDavid · September 29, 2007

Hi Honestokie,

We must agree with Rogue/Howard on this point.. We love traditional cruising .. unfortunately it is becoming more and more lost in mainstream cruising..

But I guess the bottom line is .. no matter when you choose to eat or who you choose to cruise with .. you will definitely love the cruising experience.. That we can almost 99.9% guarentee you....

As far as advice for first time cruisers.. the best advice or observation we can offer is "relax and enjoy<]"....

honestokie · September 29, 2007

Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome and the suggestions. I will have to talk to my dad and hopefully he will agree to switch the dining preference. :cool2:

jacketwatch · September 30, 2007

Welcome to CC. For me having a traditional dining experience is a big part of cruising. Its fun to be served various courses and just to be waited on so nicely. As for the time it depends on you. If you want to see a show after second seating then your evening will be over around 2300 or so. If that time frame doesn't suit you then go to the first seating. Also consider dining at least one night in one of the speciality restaurants. There is a moderate surcharge and its well worth it. Cheers, Larry

clemcr · September 30, 2007

We normally try to dance before and after dinner. We like the late seating and I will usually have a light salad around 6:00 on Princess (we sailed on the Grand) then change for dancing, go to dinner, then off to dance again. We like the opportunity to try new dishes and we like the service and seating in the traditional dinner seating.

Charlie