Can you request a dining server before cruise?

[ashking]

We sailed last September and had a wonderful dining room server. His name was Ashley and he was from India. My husband is lactose intolerant and he never had a bad meal. Ashley went above and beyond the call of duty so we want him again if he is still on the ship. Can I ask for him ahead of time or do I do that when we get on board? Thanks!!

 

[GenieDana]

Since you can not request a particular dining rotation (APL, PLA, LAP), nor a particular table in advance, I would think it would be very unlikely to be able to request a particular server - However, you will never know for sure unless you ask!

If you went to guest services immediately upon boarding, they might be able to accomodate. You can change dining times (early / late seating) upon boarding at Sessions (Deck 3 forward). They did not have a computer set up there, but wrote down the requests. We were called later that afternoon (about 3:30 P.M.) with a message on our stateroom voicemail that our dining time was changed as requested.

 

[ashking]

Thank you so much for the suggestions. You guys really make me excited about my cruise. I'm so glad I found this board!!

 

[rae519]

During embarkation you can go to "Dining Room Changes" where the head servers are "ready, willing and able" to assist you in making changes - we have asked for a particular server and received him.

I highly recommend doing this as early as possible!

Rae

 

[Corl4]

You can request a server before you sail. Just call your TA and they can add it to your reservation. THey won't guarantee it though, depends whether your server will be on at that time. They do 6 months on and 2 months off so hopefully your cruise will hit the "right" time.

We are sailing next June and on our last cruise had a great server...Jean from France. While in WDW 2 weeks ago we ran into him in Epcot. He had just gotten off the Magic and was headed back to France for a 2 month vacation. He assured us that he will be on in June and that we can request him. We will double check when we board to make sure he is still on and that we will be at one of his tables!

Beth

 

[BethA]

We'd like to request the same head server we had last cruise-first cruise only saw head server the night before the tip. Also would like to request Asst Server from last time-Navneet from India. Anyone know if he is still on board?

 

[Rikersmom]

There is a downside to requesting a favorite server.

We are big fans of Ferdinand (from the Phillipines). After seeing him at lunch, we went to request that we have him as a server. They switched him from the tables he had been assigned to the tables which included ours. This meant that he got stuck with an assistant who was brand new. He never complained, but I think he really got a raw deal. We felt very responsible.

The assistant was awful, and I'm sure Ferdinand's tips suffered. We increased our tip, but I doubt that we made up for what he lost by having to switch. Since that time, we take what we get. It's still fun to see some of our favorites, but I never want to mess up their dining rotation.

 

[BethA]

Why wouldn't they switch both? Who was the new asst?

 

[Rikersmom]

Hi, Beth--

Not sure why they didn't switch the assistant along with Ferdinand, but they didn't. I honestly don't remember the assistant's name--he did improve as the week went on. For all I know, he's a great server by now. We just happened to get him on his first attempt.

 

[GenieDana]

We had Ferdinand too June 7th! He was great. His assistant on our cruise was Freddie, also from the Phillipines. Freddie was great with the kids (we had 8 kids at our table). Their tips DID NOT suffer from us. Both are home on vacation for two months right now.

 

[rae519]

Karen - I can't get any messages to you on your old private address - they are bouncing back. Please send me one so I can reply.
Thanks!
Rae

PS - Michael says hi to his buddy Ed!