Dining service slow

[LeslieG]

I was on the 5/5 Wonder 3nt. I found the dining room service to be very slow. I can't remember our server's name (he was from Bulgaria) and his assistant was Daniel. I couldn't determine if it was just our server or if it was some other problem. Just curious if anyone else has noticed a similar problem. It was in all three dining rooms.

 

[I Luv Disney Cruise]

My husband and I have been on 5 of the Disney Cruises and haven't noticed any extreme slow service. Palo's seems to be slow but yet that is the way it is supposed to be, a "dining experience". We have always been served in a pretty fashionable time manner. Sorry, you had slow service.

 

[soccercruiser87]

I was on the 5/5 Wonder 3nt. I found the dining room service to be very slow. I can't remember our server's name (he was from Bulgaria) and his assistant was Daniel. I couldn't determine if it was just our server or if it was some other problem. Just curious if anyone else has noticed a similar problem. It was in all three dining rooms.

hm..wow..ive been on 4 DCL cruises and have had no problems of very slow service. Ive been on 3 wonder cruises and 1 magic cruise. I found the service to be fantastic, sorry you had very slow service.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I was on the Wonder in December of 2000. To say our servers were slow would be an exageration. Our service was pretty much non existant. I have heard that there is a difference in service from the Wonder to the Magic. I am hoping that is true. One thing about the poor service is that it doens't improve the cruise experience at all. Prior to that cruise I had sailed 11 other times, on various lines, most of them much less expensive, but all of them had much better service. I know that DCL reads the comment card and emails, so if you do experience something like this, let them know. Of course you should also let them know about the good stuff!

 

[the kabuki]

I was on the 5/5 Wonder 3nt. I found the dining room service to be very slow. I can't remember our server's name (he was from Bulgaria) and his assistant was Daniel. I couldn't determine if it was just our server or if it was some other problem. Just curious if anyone else has noticed a similar problem. It was in all three dining rooms.

Since everyone has a different opinion of what slow really is(when I'm with my kids compared to dining alone with DH) about how long was dinner?

 

[windermerejudy]

Yes everyone definitely has a different definition of slow. We have 3 kids DS8 DS5 DD2 and I personally have found the service to be painfully slow. I have always thought the reason is because they like to keep their whole section on each course together but I know we usually end up walking our youngest and sometimes our older ones around between courses. We eat out frequently here in Orlando (5 days a week probably) and it is by far the slowest Ive ever seen. I guess with 3 you are used to in and out. BTW all but one of my 7 cruises have been on the Magic so don't hold your breath.

 

[LeslieG]

We had the 6 pm seating, and I don't think we were finished with dinner much before 7:40 or 7:45, which would have been okay except much of the time was just sitting and waiting without any of our courses in front of us.

 

[windermerejudy]

Picture this all you mommies: its been a full day on the 3 day and we have been assigned late seating 8:30 comes and we go to dinner. Kids fall asleep during appetizers. We were at table for 12--did not know them. At 10:30 the place was empty and we had not even gotten our main course Kids were now awake and in all out full melt down. We decided that pizza could sustain us for the other nights and we never went back.

 

[the kabuki]

We had the 6 pm seating, and I don't think we were finished with dinner much before 7:40 or 7:45, which would have been okay except much of the time was just sitting and waiting without any of our courses in front of us.

Wow, that is a long time. We're used to getting in and out in under a hour. I see me doing a lot of walking around with my youngest if we're going to be there for almost 2 hours!

 

[lbgraves]

No, dinner definitely takes longer than an hour but you have to realize that they are serving four courses. We have always had great table mates and it doesn't seem like that long. We talked the entire time and didn't have much time in between courses. Our servers were always visible though if we needed anything. We have had early seating also. The kids have stayed with us for the entire meal and done very well. A few nights I asked for their food to be brought out right away & DS was ready to go to the club after desert at 6:45 and when I get back to the dining room our entres were just being brought out. We enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

 

[windermerejudy]

That is a great idea to take them up to club after they eat because they always get their meal right away. Of course the younger kids have no choice but atleast we could both have our atention focused on her. Thanks lbgraves

 

[inkkognito]

I have noticed that late seating service tends to be slower than the early seating, probably since they don't have to "turn over" the dining room. I have also noticed that they will often service the kid's meals earlier. If you are in a hurry to get to a special event or something, just let them know and they will speed up your service accordingly (we have done that when we want to go to "Till We Meet Again."
Barb

 

[JJsmama]

We had slow service on the Wonder too.

 

[la37]

We were also on the 5-5 Wonder. Pearl was our server and she was wonderful. The service was not slow at all but just perfect. Even with 4 courses we were usually out of there by 7:15 although I did notice other tables that were just being served their dinners as we were leaving. I'm not sure what the problem was there but I can not say enough good things about Pearl. She is awesome.

 

[Dreamer04]

Lisa, I did exactly that with my DD7. She was always "starved" (insert drama princess whine). When we order appetizers, we asked for her salmon and mac and cheese ( I know-sounds horrible-she loved it). When she finished, it was always between courses, so she was whisked to the club. Worked great!

 

[lbgraves]

Our DD always stayed with us for the entire meal. She was 3 when we cruised the first time & 4 last year. AP worked best for us because they always had something going on. On the non light show nights they run cartoons on the video screens so that keeps the kids active. Also, they will have coloring sheets with the characters at the table with crayons when you sit down. This helps keep them busy as well.

 

[the kabuki]

I have noticed that late seating service tends to be slower than the early seating, probably since they don't have to "turn over" the dining room. I have also noticed that they will often service the kid's meals earlier. If you are in a hurry to get to a special event or something, just let them know and they will speed up your service accordingly (we have done that when we want to go to "Till We Meet Again."
Barb

Glad to hear that they will speed things up or at least give the kids their meals first.

Getting the kids' their food then taking them to the clubs sounds like a GREAT plan too.

 

[tvguy]

I've been on 6 cruises, the last on Disney. 90 minutes has been the norm on all our cruises for dinner in a dining room. But we're often there chatting and drinking coffee for another 30 minutes afterward( we always have late seating)
That's why cruise lines offer buffets, burger and pizza places....for those who are in a hurry.
So for the folks who were in the dining room 90 minutes, I'd consider that about what you should expect in any dining room on a cruise ship, or any nice restaurant on land.
And for the folks that didn't get the main course until 2 hours after sitting down, YES that IS slow service.

 

[ladypoo]

We were on the 5/5/5 sailing of the Wonder, also. We had first dining. We had excellent service (no pressure for excellence) from our wait staff. We had Josko from Croatia(i believe) his assistant was Sabrina. It took about two hours to get through dinner, we thought that was pretty good. Dom got sleepy the last night and just lay her head down and Josko brought her a table clothe to cover with and we continued our supper.

 

[CM_Mom]

We had late seating on the Magic a year ago and were always finished between 10:00 and 10:30. That's 90 - 120 minutes for EVERYTHING. If you feel the service isn't up to the standards you expect - especially if it seems to be slower for you than for others in the dining room, please discuss it with the Head server instead of letting it spoil your cruise. That's what he/she is there for.

Also, be sure to tell your servers if you prefer to have your meal served faster - for example if there's an activity you want to attend.