Tom Anderson Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 Specialty restaurants are rarely open on port days, so you don't need to worry about using your dining package for lunch those days. We hit the first place we come across to make reservations (whether that's a specialty restaurant or a kiosk set up in the Promenade). I've also been successful doing it at the MDR. Wherever is convenient for you. I'd only go to the MDR if they were serving something I really wanted to eat. I scope out the daily menus on the app ahead of time and plan around that. Tom Anderson and Ryan79 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan79 Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 As was just said, the recommended MDR nights will be those in which YOU look and the menu and see something that sounds good to you. No one can make that determination for you. Many times the sea days can be the “better” MDR menus. But those are also the days when I treat myself to a specialty restaurant dinner as my “excursion ” for the day. Don’t over think it. Tom Anderson 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Anderson Posted February 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 Thanks so much. Appreciate the insight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseGus Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 @Tom Andersonif this is your first time sailing in a suite on an Oasis class ship let me recomend that you skip an UDP and take your meals in the Suite Only resturant Costal Kitchen. The first night menu has a Filet Mignon that has always been as good as in Chops. Even if you don't follow my advice for dinner know that Costal Kitchen (CK) serves lunch every day noon to 1:30 Enjoy your cruise. Tom Anderson 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 I also agree that if this is your first cruise and you are staying in a suite, no need to pay for UDP. Maybe get a 3night dining plan or Chops+1. Tom Anderson 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Anderson Posted February 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2023 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireFishII Posted February 16, 2023 Report Share Posted February 16, 2023 When I went on my first RCL cruise with my family, we purchased the 3 dinner package (used for 150 Central Park, Giovanni, and Samba). Then we added Chef's table, Izumi Sushi, and Chop's lunch). It was still cheaper than the UDP. I should note that Chef's table is not part of UDP. Tom Anderson 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barjpoe Posted February 16, 2023 Report Share Posted February 16, 2023 Look over the menus. The lunch menu offers pretty much the same items at a lower price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeRriii Posted February 17, 2023 Report Share Posted February 17, 2023 4 hours ago, FireFishII said: When I went on my first RCL cruise with my family, we purchased the 3 dinner package (used for 150 Central Park, Giovanni, and Samba). Then we added Chef's table, Izumi Sushi, and Chop's lunch). It was still cheaper than the UDP. I should note that Chef's table is not part of UDP. Chef Table is part of UDP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatyBoaty Posted February 17, 2023 Report Share Posted February 17, 2023 29 minutes ago, TeRriii said: Chef Table is part of UDP. For ships with these venues, Teppanyaki/Izumi Hibachi is included, with a $15 surcharge, and Chef's Table is included, with a $49.99 surcharge. These will be charged once onboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted February 17, 2023 Report Share Posted February 17, 2023 30 minutes ago, TeRriii said: Chef Table is part of UDP. No you can get it as a discounted option but it is not included. FireFishII 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeRriii Posted February 17, 2023 Report Share Posted February 17, 2023 33 minutes ago, FloatyBoaty said: For ships with these venues, Teppanyaki/Izumi Hibachi is included, with a $15 surcharge, and Chef's Table is included, with a $49.99 surcharge. These will be charged once onboard. Without UDP you need to pay much more than $49.99. So yes, Chef Table is part of UDP but not entirely @Ampurp85 Chef's Table is included, with a $49.99 surcharge. That line literally written it is INCLUDED. Without UDP you won't get reduced price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireFishII Posted February 18, 2023 Report Share Posted February 18, 2023 @TeRriii - I agree it is written that way but when I have to pay for an upcharge, I don't consider it included. CruiseGus, Ampurp85 and FloatyBoaty 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck C Posted February 18, 2023 Report Share Posted February 18, 2023 Can you get decent reservations if you check in at 1:30 or so? I had the key last time. Don’t want to do unlimited if I can’t get in any of the restaurants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted February 19, 2023 Report Share Posted February 19, 2023 14 hours ago, Chuck C said: Can you get decent reservations if you check in at 1:30 or so? I had the key last time. Don’t want to do unlimited if I can’t get in any of the restaurants. Depends on your definition of decent, ship capacity and number of specialty restaurants. I believe you won't have an issue getting in but reservations might be around 9pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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