RCARD Posted February 14 Report Share Posted February 14 On 1/15/2022 at 5:16 PM, PG Cruiser said: In my case, during embarkation lunch at Giovanni’s, while waiting for my order, I went to the Receptionist and booked all my dinner reservations. This was a great idea. Embarkation lunch at Giovani's and made all dinner reservations for the week. We previously determined where and when based on itinerary. Next time we'll also consider entertainment times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda R Posted February 14 Report Share Posted February 14 On 1/13/2022 at 7:28 PM, JSB_Z51 said: I think a better "double dipping" strategy is a specialty restaurant reservation at 5pm and another one at 930pm. Sounds good to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdixon22 Posted February 15 Report Share Posted February 15 Can the main dining room make specialty restaurant reservations or do you have to go to each restaurant separately for a reservation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted February 15 Report Share Posted February 15 1 hour ago, cdixon22 said: Can the main dining room make specialty restaurant reservations or do you have to go to each restaurant separately for a reservation? That's a good question. I have been to the MDR and asked for specialty restaurant reservations before and they told me that they do not have access to the specialty dining database. I don't know if it was true or if they just didn't want to mess with me....but I have heard of others who WERE able to make specialty dining reservations at the MDR kiosk....so how's that for a non-answer... cdixon22 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted February 15 Report Share Posted February 15 I think the MDR kiosks are there to service MDR requests like changing from MyTime to early or arranging seating with another cabin or requesting a table by the window. UDP bookings for a week long cruise can take 20 minutes to make. That would leave MDR inquiries dreadfully slow, unless they also allowed specialty restaurants to service MDR inquiries, in which case UDP people could get stuck waiting at specialty kiosks. Probably cleaner to keep it simple. Specialty inquiries are handled at specialty, MDR inquiries are handled in the MDR. cdixon22 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdixon22 Posted February 16 Report Share Posted February 16 1 hour ago, twangster said: I think the MDR kiosks are there to service MDR requests like changing from MyTime to early or arranging seating with another cabin or requesting a table by the window. UDP bookings for a week long cruise can take 20 minutes to make. That would leave MDR inquiries dreadfully slow, unless they also allowed specialty restaurants to service MDR inquiries, in which case UDP people could get stuck waiting at specialty kiosks. Probably cleaner to keep it simple. Specialty inquiries are handled at specialty, MDR inquiries are handled in the MDR. Thanks. You are probably right about cleaner. Specialty are more important so we will start there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattG Posted February 16 Author Report Share Posted February 16 15 hours ago, cdixon22 said: do you have to go to each restaurant separately for a reservation? From my understanding, you can book specialty dining reservations at ANY specialty dining host stand. For instance, the Chops host stand can book Izumi reservations. Please correct me if i'm wrong! cdixon22 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted February 16 Report Share Posted February 16 1 hour ago, MattG said: From my understanding, you can book specialty dining reservations at ANY specialty dining host stand. For instance, the Chops host stand can book Izumi reservations. Please correct me if i'm wrong! You are correct! They often have to get on the phone with Izumi to make those reservations. My experience with a couple ships were they can't see Izumi on their computers like the other specialties. But it should be one stop shopping at any specialty to make reservations for all. cdixon22 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcBerger Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 I sure wish there was an easier way.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKMAJ1 Posted March 21 Report Share Posted March 21 Quick question for all of you experienced UDP-ers... On Anthem, is food at the pub and vintages included in the package? With limited specialty restaurants I'm trying to decide if it's worth unlimited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattG Posted March 21 Author Report Share Posted March 21 27 minutes ago, MKMAJ1 said: Quick question for all of you experienced UDP-ers... On Anthem, is food at the pub and vintages included in the package? With limited specialty restaurants I'm trying to decide if it's worth unlimited. No, I don't believe it is. I haven't seen Vintages or the English pub included on any UDP paperwork - outside of the specialty restaurants, i've only seen Playmakers, Portside BBQ (Oasis), and Johnny Rockets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKMAJ1 Posted March 21 Report Share Posted March 21 6 minutes ago, MattG said: No, I don't believe it is. I haven't seen Vintages or the English pub included on any UDP paperwork - outside of the specialty restaurants, i've only seen Playmakers, Portside BBQ (Oasis), and Johnny Rockets. Ok, thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted March 21 Report Share Posted March 21 On 1/14/2022 at 7:33 PM, Linda R said: I am hoping to try dinner at one specialty restaurant and then a late dessert and coffee at another. I did this on the Wonder where I had friends who preferred a later dining time. I had my dinner at 5 and joined them for drinks and desserts at their dining time. There were times I gave in to the waiter's insistence that I order main entrees so I had "dinner" all over again lol. woodman1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairlynew Posted March 22 Report Share Posted March 22 Where is the easiest place to make UDP reservations immediately upon boarding on Allure? I know there kiosks, but I am assuming they will be busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattG Posted March 22 Author Report Share Posted March 22 2 hours ago, Fairlynew said: Where is the easiest place to make UDP reservations immediately upon boarding on Allure? I know there kiosks, but I am assuming they will be busy. any specialty restaurant host stand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted March 22 Report Share Posted March 22 I look up whichever specialty restaurant is open for lunch and go sit there to enjoy lunch on boarding day. While seated I make the dining reservations for the week via the app, but also the host stand at that restaurant can assist you if you have issues making the reservations. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clam Diggity Posted March 25 Report Share Posted March 25 Hey, everyone! I am brand new to both cruising and this blog and I have so many questions. My wife and I are sailing on Anthem out of NJ in May on an 11-Night Transatlantic Cruise. We purchased the Deluxe Beverage Package, Unlimited Dining Package, and the Voom Surf + Stream Package. My first question relates to the UDP (which is why I am posting here). I looked through the app to try to check out how to reserve dining times. However, I discovered (as many here note) that you cannot reserve these with the UDP until you are on board. Not the best system as it creates a mad dash for people who are meant to be beginning a relaxing vacation, but fair enough. However, it also appears that Wonderland is entirely booked already for the every night of the 11-Night cruise. Now, I am okay with it if I just can't eat there because I missed out. But, I am curious if more time slots open up later, if we should possibly try showing up without reservations, or some other angle. Is this something that is common on these cruises? Honestly, I ask mostly because this is making me concerned about my UDP purchase because the whole point was to not have to worry about these things as much and now I feel like there is no reason to keep this package if this is going to just happen to every specialty restaurant in the coming month or so as we approach the cruise (i.e., it doesn't matter if I have UDP if I can't get a reservation at any of the specialty restaurants). I hope this makes sense. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted March 25 Report Share Posted March 25 2 hours ago, Clam Diggity said: Hey, everyone! I am brand new to both cruising and this blog and I have so many questions. My wife and I are sailing on Anthem out of NJ in May on an 11-Night Transatlantic Cruise. We purchased the Deluxe Beverage Package, Unlimited Dining Package, and the Voom Surf + Stream Package. My first question relates to the UDP (which is why I am posting here). I looked through the app to try to check out how to reserve dining times. However, I discovered (as many here note) that you cannot reserve these with the UDP until you are on board. Not the best system as it creates a mad dash for people who are meant to be beginning a relaxing vacation, but fair enough. However, it also appears that Wonderland is entirely booked already for the every night of the 11-Night cruise. Now, I am okay with it if I just can't eat there because I missed out. But, I am curious if more time slots open up later, if we should possibly try showing up without reservations, or some other angle. Is this something that is common on these cruises? Honestly, I ask mostly because this is making me concerned about my UDP purchase because the whole point was to not have to worry about these things as much and now I feel like there is no reason to keep this package if this is going to just happen to every specialty restaurant in the coming month or so as we approach the cruise (i.e., it doesn't matter if I have UDP if I can't get a reservation at any of the specialty restaurants). I hope this makes sense. Thank you. I wouldn't call it a "mad dash" for people to get reservations on the first day. Just stop by the closest specialty restaurant and get it take care of. It's not as stressful as you might imagine. There will be slots at the restaurants once you get on board as long as you reserve the first day. What's showing up now is just what's available for people buying individual nights. Enjoy our amazing cruise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YouthD Posted March 25 Report Share Posted March 25 Question for everyone, I'm in a party of 10, we all have the UDP, and I have everyone's reservation linked to mine. Can I go to a specialty restaurant and create reservations everynight for everyone? We all want to sit together, yes I know it's a very large group. I would make a list I could just show the host. What are the odds that we all could sit next to each other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted March 25 Report Share Posted March 25 2 hours ago, Clam Diggity said: it also appears that Wonderland is entirely booked already for the every night of the 11-Night cruise. I would bet that this is either a glitch or, for some reason, they are blocking out Wonderland bookings at the moment. I do not believe that Wonderland would be fully booked for an 11 night TA. I would be willing to bet that you will find plenty of availability once you board. Wonderland just isn’t that popular… MattG and KenCP 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattG Posted March 25 Author Report Share Posted March 25 47 minutes ago, YouthD said: Question for everyone, I'm in a party of 10, we all have the UDP, and I have everyone's reservation linked to mine. Can I go to a specialty restaurant and create reservations everynight for everyone? We all want to sit together, yes I know it's a very large group. I would make a list I could just show the host. What are the odds that we all could sit next to each other? I think it's up to the venue on whether you can do a "10-top" or if you have to stay split up. This a great question for each restaurant after you book. From advice on this board, i've put together a chart/table to organize restaurant bookings. When we get about 2 weeks out, i'm going to sync with my other party members on venues, menus, and pitch my proposed schedule, and make adjustments. Once we get on-board, I go to a specialty host stand with this table and lock in our reservations. Semi-related: UDP vets, feel free to critique my Oasis-based UDP plan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barjpoe Posted March 26 Report Share Posted March 26 They(host stand) may also want cabin numbers. You purchase the UDP to save $$$. As mention above you still can't prebook reservations on the yet. So get your list together (1st and 2nd choices along with times)and go to one of the specialty restaurants as soon as you board and place your order. You may also want to see what's being offered in the MDR each night, to see if you'd like to eat there a night or 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clam Diggity Posted March 29 Report Share Posted March 29 On 3/25/2022 at 12:19 PM, SpeedNoodles said: I wouldn't call it a "mad dash" for people to get reservations on the first day. Just stop by the closest specialty restaurant and get it take care of. It's not as stressful as you might imagine. There will be slots at the restaurants once you get on board as long as you reserve the first day. What's showing up now is just what's available for people buying individual nights. Enjoy our amazing cruise! On 3/25/2022 at 12:51 PM, WAAAYTOOO said: I would bet that this is either a glitch or, for some reason, they are blocking out Wonderland bookings at the moment. I do not believe that Wonderland would be fully booked for an 11 night TA. I would be willing to bet that you will find plenty of availability once you board. Wonderland just isn’t that popular… Thank you both so much! That is such a relief to me because I really mostly bought the drink and dining packages to reduce the stress of everything. I greatly appreciate it and can't wait to explore this new world of cruising! WAAAYTOOO and KenCP 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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