Tom Anderson

I cruise on May 7th. I put in three bids for three rooms last week and then upped them Sunday. So now I'm wondering when I'll be notified if we win. The bids were pretty high and if any are accepted I can cancel my specialty meal plan (because the upgraded suites come with them). I'd love to know in the next few weeks, not the day before or the day of sailing.

Thanks, CruisGus and Ampurp85. It's an interesting analysis for a first-time cruiser. I contemplated initially the same as you (to buy a 3-night package) but then I figured as a first-timer to try Chops, Izumi, 150 Central Park, and maybe even Giovanni's and Sabor (5 dinners), and of course one-night dinner and scattered lunches and breakfast at Coastal Kitchen and maybe one night at main dining to see how that works - then we will have tried the majority of the restaurants for experience and comparisons. I paid $533.32 for two people for the UDP and the 3-day is a bit over $255. I suppose I could save $300 voiding the UDP but then will duplicate some restaurants. For frugality's sake, I agree the Coastal Kitchen is great savings at no cost and wise to use if in the affiliated suite. I think on our next (2nd) cruise I won't purchase the UDP but rather the 3-day. I definitely won't get the drink package from the Deluze Drinking Package. We're moderate drinkers and I figure it's more economical to buy booze and wine one at a time (or go to Suite Lounge). UP TO 50% OFF (PRICE REFLECTS DISCOUNT) Guests Thomas, Lailanie Day Day 1 Time6:00 pm

On Allure - Are all specialty restaurants closed on port days for dinner? I'm confused about when they're open for lunch and dinner during the cruise...

Thanks so much. Appreciate the insight.

My wife and depart May 7th on Allure out of Galveston staying in a Loft suite. It's our first cruise. Because this blog site is so comprehensive and informative (and awesome), I opted to take some advice on pre-purchasing the dining package. As I map out restaurant options and menus online, we have four or five choices in mind. My question is what is the recommended evening to go to the main dining - or should we at all? We went with the "My Time" open reservation option. And for lunches, - we have three excursions on the three port days scheduled after lunch (beginning at Noon or later), so should we reserve lunches along with dinner as soon as we board the ship? Lastly, the minute we walk on board where would you recommend we book our restaurant reservations? I'd like to get those all locked in right when we get there. Thanks! Tom