Rcf53

Hello, we are booked on this cruise as well. Our second TA, and our first sailing out of the New York/New Jersey area. It is also our first time on the Odyssey. We are looking forward to it very much. Italy should be interesting during this Jubilee year. We will be traveling around the country for three weeks before heading back home. Can’t wait. There are a few things I would like to ask: 1. Does anyone have a lead on a good private car service or shared shuttle service from Civitavecchia to Rome? 2. Still mulling over what to do in Barcelona. We were there for a week last year so we’ve done all the must see stuff. Is there a beachfront or shore area with shops and restaurants near the port? If so, what is the best way to get there? 3. We are flying into NY the day before the cruise. Any suggestions for hotels near the port?

I consider 5:30 a late lunch! I’m not looking for the early bird special All kidding aside, every cruise I have ever been on (like most land based restaurants) have had a very high demand for the 8pm time slots. Particularly on port days when many tours return late in the day and departure is 6pm. After the day’s activities, a bath, and a before dinner cocktail 8pm is almost rushing it sometimes. The cruise I’m referring to is transatlantic and there will be few or no kids so generally adults sailing without children will opt for a later dinner hour.

Thanks Atlanix2000. That makes sense. You would think the RCL staff I spent a grand total of 90 minutes with on the phone would know these things! I’m still not sure that with 5400 passengers I will get the slots I want since we have certain days and times targeted for personal reasons, and because we prefer 8pm which is pretty much what 90% of people on that cruise will prefer. I need to give it some thought, but good info like the one in your post gives me more than I had before. Much appreciated.

Well, then it is as I thought. The dining package is nothing more than RCL trying to sell the remaining, and very probably undesirable dinner slots at a discount. Chops at 4pm anyone? They sure make it sound like a major perk, and then put the bad news in small print on the third bullet. What I really didn’t appreciate is the RCL reps I spoke to. The first told me I could select my preferred times on the app after I purchase the dining package… wrong. The second told me there would probably be plenty of desirable slots left by the time I board… probably wrong. The third very reluctantly admitted the package policy is not to pre-sell slots aside from the first. I wonder how many other ways I have been misled? We shall see.

Thanks, but I don’t think the answer is to take a throw down jacket and leave it behind. I think I will go with the shirt/tie and maybe a nice cardigan or something. If I offend the chef or fellow guests then maybe they are too easily offended. Edit - I found a thread on another board that unanimously agrees a shirt, tie, slacks, and dress shoes is just fine according to people who have been at RCL Chef’s Tables many times. No need for further responses. Thanks.

I guess that’s my point. Committing to multiple speciality dining restaurants by purchasing the dining package should give you at least the same opportunity to get your absolute first choice of times. Instead, they put you behind everyone who has made single purchases and pre-selected their times for months. Doesn’t seem quite fair.

Hello, we are booked on a transatlantic cruise and we have decided to reserve chef’s table dining. I noticed that RCL suggests “formal” wear for the occasion. However, after the cruise we are joining a Rick Steve’s tour in Europe and we want to pack very, very light for this trip. I really don’t want to bring a suit or a sports coat with me. Will slacks and a dress shirt with a tie work, or do they really make you wear a suit to the chef’s table?

I am booked on a RCL cruise that sails months from now and I am considering purchasing one of the dining packages. However, I noticed that while passengers who purchase specialty restaurant dining individually may make their date/time reservations months in advance, passengers who purchase the dining package can only make the first reservation ahead of time and must wait until they are onboard to make the remaining reservations. RCL reps I have spoken to have told me that there “should be” plenty of slots left when I board, but it seems to me that by the time I get there all of the favorable reservations will be long gone. The dining packages may give you a bit of a discount, but at the risk of having to deal with the leftover dates and times, and perhaps risk being shut out of certain restaurants. Am I missing something?