MelCruiser

On 9/28/2022 at 12:25 PM, CruisingNewb said:

No apologies necessary.

1. Host at Chops can make all resos for all venues.

2. Yes but it is quicker and easier to make the resos in preson. 

3. Prime Times?  That depends on when you board.  If you are one of the first 100 or so people to board, like we usually are, there is no times that you should worry about getting.  You should get the times you ask for.  If you board later in the day, then the Host will tell you what is available according to your preferences.

4. I don't know about large resos.  I only cruise with my family of 4.

5. Yes. Lunch and Dinner reservations.  BUT---your question is do you "need."  You can always see if the venue can accomodate you.  For instance, Izumi was usually pretty empty between 11:30 and noon-thirty most days and I saw walk-ins often.  BUT----Jamie's Italian had wait lists 10 names long for most lunch and dinners.

My advice is to eat at specialty restaurants early.  Since you are an early diner, my advice would be amicable to your needs.  I say eat specialty early because you can always eat a second dinner around 7 or 8, or even 10, but specialty dining venues are really packed later in the evening.  Besides, I don't want to eat a second dinner at Chops after still digesting food from Windjammer; do it the other way around.

Out of curiosity, why is it faster to do it in person than on the app?  I was envisioning strolling around, exploring the ship while fiddling in the app when we get on to make reservations but now that sounds like a not-great plan.

This summer we sailed on Enchantment (from Baltimore) and Voyager (from Copenhagen).  We've also sailed out of Rome on Jewel.  

There are always a few, unique choices on the European menu.  On Voyager this year it usually included a British-style dish.  There is always an Indian dish on the menu (though on any ship you can order Indian food in the MDR, it's just more "secret")

Overall, the quality of food we've had in the MDR on our two European sailings was far better than our US sailings.  I think they get better produce and meats and other fresh ingredients from their European suppliers.