Understanding My Time Dining

[KarenPinNC]

I recently booked the 10 night Southern Caribbean on the Jewel of the Seas for next Feb.  The early dining time was taken, and we didn't want the late dining time, so we opted for My Time Dining.

Never having done this, I'm trying to understand how it works.  I see that I can reserve a time each night in the Cruise Planner, but do I have to do that, or can we just show up when we want to eat?  If we reserve a time in advance and then don't get there in time, or show up early, does that matter?  Just want to have a good expectation so that we can plan accordingly.

 

Karen

[WAAAYTOOO]

The beauty of MTD is that you can eat whenever you want or not at all.  If you make a reservation for a certain time and then find that, for whatever reason, you are not going to be able to make it, it is a matter of courtesy to call and let them know so that they don't hold your table just to have it sit vacant.  ...or you can just show up with no reservation at all !  ...of course, there could be a short wait while they get a table for you but it's never very long.  We always do MTD and have always enjoyed it.

[KarenPinNC]

Just now, WAAAYTOOO said:

The beauty of MTD is that you can eat whenever you want or not at all.  If you make a reservation for a certain time and then find that, for whatever reason, you are not going to be able to make it, it is a matter of courtesy to call and let them know so that they don't hold your table just to have it sit vacant.  ...or you can just show up with no reservation at all !  ...of course, there could be a short wait while they get a table for you but it's never very long.  We always do MTD and have always enjoyed it.

Thank you!  Sounds simple, and I like that!

[melski94]

I suggest you make a reservation for every night especially if having the same wait staff is important to you.  We like having the same wait staff and feel we have a better experience overall when the staff knows our preferences.  Similar to  @Waaaytooo we will change our reservation if we decide to dine elsewhere or want to change our dining time.  

[KarenPinNC]

1 hour ago, melski94 said:

I suggest you make a reservation for every night especially if having the same wait staff is important to you.  We like having the same wait staff and feel we have a better experience overall when the staff knows our preferences.  Similar to  @Waaaytooo we will change our reservation if we decide to dine elsewhere or want to change our dining time.  

Thanks!

[Rascott03]

I did MTD & it was awesome. I only had to make a reservation the 1st night. I didn’t make another the next day because I wanted to try another option. I still was seated right away & request the same awesome waiters. 

[SolariumSnoozer]

We always do MTD and really like it.  I recommend making reservations prior to the cruise, I think you get seated faster that way and it also increases your chances of having the same server.  I really like having the same server because they quickly learn your likes/preferences which makes dinner that much more enjoyable.  There are two lines at the entrance to the MTD dining room, one for people with reservations and one for people without.  At the busy times, the line for people without reservations can be long, although it does appear to move quickly but the line for people with reservations is always much shorter.  I also note my table # the first night especially when I like the location and server.  I then mention the table # to the maitre d'  when we arrive for dinner, they almost always place us at the same table and if it is not available they often call in to see how long the wait is.  If the wait is long they will look for another table with the same server and if one is not available they will give you the option of being seated with a different server or waiting.  As far as timing, we have shown up 15 minutes early or late and never had an issue.

[KarenPinNC]

17 hours ago, Rascott03 said:

I did MTD & it was awesome. I only had to make a reservation the 1st night. I didn’t make another the next day because I wanted to try another option. I still was seated right away & request the same awesome waiters. 

 

13 hours ago, SolariumSnoozer said:

We always do MTD and really like it.  I recommend making reservations prior to the cruise, I think you get seated faster that way and it also increases your chances of having the same server.  I really like having the same server because they quickly learn your likes/preferences which makes dinner that much more enjoyable.  There are two lines at the entrance to the MTD dining room, one for people with reservations and one for people without.  At the busy times, the line for people without reservations can be long, although it does appear to move quickly but the line for people with reservations is always much shorter.  I also note my table # the first night especially when I like the location and server.  I then mention the table # to the maitre d'  when we arrive for dinner, they almost always place us at the same table and if it is not available they often call in to see how long the wait is.  If the wait is long they will look for another table with the same server and if one is not available they will give you the option of being seated with a different server or waiting.  As far as timing, we have shown up 15 minutes early or late and never had an issue.

Thanks for the helpful info.

[chicagokris]

I have one question about this.....is the My Time Dining the same menu as the main dining room?   Its just in a different room, correct?

[tiny260]

Correct.

[Matt]

On 10/2/2018 at 10:27 AM, chicagokris said:

I have one question about this.....is the My Time Dining the same menu as the main dining room?   Its just in a different room, correct?

Same menu