Evening dining question for Magic and Wonder

[Snowwhyt]

Someone in a far off land told me there is no buffet offered on Formal Night. I'm getting the impression that its ONLY table service and no buffet in the evening or any evening from them. Is that right? Kind of want to know if I could just pop up to the buffet if I missed our dinning room time since I have a late port 2 nights on our cruise. Kind of concerned we may go hungry on a cruise ship....I know right....Please say it isn't so!
I've looked on the website it mentions table service on select nights. Has anyone experienced the "select night" and could tell me what/why that day?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Someone in a far off land told me there is no buffet offered on Formal Night. I'm getting the impression that its ONLY table service and no buffet in the evening or any evening from them. Is that right? Kind of want to know if I could just pop up to the buffet if I missed our dinning room time since I have a late port 2 nights on our cruise. Kind of concerned we may go hungry on a cruise ship....I know right....Please say it isn't so!
I've looked on the website it mentions table service on select nights. Has anyone experienced the "select night" and could tell me what/why that day?

The buffet is a sit-down table service for dinner, every night except the first and last nights of a cruise (closed those nights). The menu is selected items from the other menus available in the Main Dining Rooms, plus a salad bar and a carving station.

You certainly and "pop" up there if you miss your assigned seating time, as it's open to anyone who wishes to dine somewhere other than the MDR.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Weird it could say that on the website so people could make plans. Its got a much better view for Alaska. Why would they do that and close it. As it is we have to spend most of the day outside because my parents are 73, DD is 16, so she cant go inside unless it's in that dinning room. Sometimes I feel I made a mistake since my daughter is excluded from areas that my parents will need to use to stay warm. My dad wears long sleeves all summer, usually a coat also.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Weird it could say that on the website so people could make plans. Its got a much better view for Alaska. Why would they do that and close it. As it is we have to spend most of the day outside because my parents are 73, DD is 16, so she cant go inside unless it's in that dinning room. Sometimes I feel I made a mistake since my daughter is excluded from areas that my parents will need to use to stay warm. My dad wears long sleeves all summer, usually a coat also.

I don't understand the problem. You can dine in Beach Blanket (the "buffet") every night except the first and last nights, if you wish. But, at dinnertime, there may not be that much to see anyway. And you certainly may be in the buffet during the daytime (not necessarily to eat), also.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I would say, having been on the Wonder in Alaska there is plenty to see 24/7, from the start of the cruise to the end. We were watching on our verandah from 6 am to midnight. The nature, sealife, the weather changing, the land often us so close either side you think you can touch it.

It is a shame at times to go inside in the evenings, the sights make the cruise.

Bring that further north, there is a lot of daylight from early on to the end of the day.

Footnote:- not on the Wonder, but on the Magic in Europe, they have had buffets for the evening meals at times.

 

[Jess_S]

Weird it could say that on the website so people could make plans. Its got a much better view for Alaska. Why would they do that and close it. As it is we have to spend most of the day outside because my parents are 73, DD is 16, so she cant go inside unless it's in that dinning room. Sometimes I feel I made a mistake since my daughter is excluded from areas that my parents will need to use to stay warm. My dad wears long sleeves all summer, usually a coat also.

I'm confused about where it is you would like to be that DD is not allowed. There are plenty of indoor areas that are open to kids other than the MDR (lounges, theaters, buffet area, etc.) I took my 2 year old son on DCL to Alaska about a year ago and didn't feel the least bit restricted about parts of the ship we were able to enjoy. (And we never took DS anywhere he wasn't supposed to be. My husband can confirm that I am the ultimate rule follower).


Don't stress out. DCL to Alaska is a great trip and I'm sure you will find lots for everyone to enjoy.

 

[Snowwhyt]

I don't understand the problem. You can dine in Beach Blanket (the "buffet") every night except the first and last nights, if you wish. But, at dinnertime, there may not be that much to see anyway. And you certainly may be in the buffet during the daytime (not necessarily to eat), also.

There will be lots to see since sunset is 11:30 pm in Alaska in July and sunrise is about 4:30. Alaska is more about watching for whales and bears from the comfort of a ship than a relaxing time near the pool. I need to find ways to have my daughter be able to sit in warm areas as she is only 16. Additional adult area's on the Wonder are covered but they do not allow children. I thought the Magic made us leave when breakfast/lunch was over because they were closed to clean. I've never been there for dinner.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

There will be lots to see since sunset is 11:30 pm in Alaska in July and sunrise is about 4:30. Alaska is more about watching for whales and bears from the comfort of a ship than a relaxing time near the pool. I need to find ways to have my daughter be able to sit in warm areas as she is only 16. Additional adult area's on the Wonder are covered but they do not allow children. I thought the Magic made us leave when breakfast/lunch was over because they were closed to clean. I've never been there for dinner.

We've been in the buffet seating areas (on all the ships) at times that food was not being served. For dinner, they only use one side of the buffet, so maybe, you could sit on the other side?

 

[KristiMc]

You may find that your daughter will want to spend some time in the teen club and not a whole lot of time looking at the scenery.

 

[KristiMc]

You can all enjoy the comfy loungers on deck 4.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You can all enjoy the comfy loungers on deck 4.

Yeah, but they're outdoors. Now, that's what I did, just bundled up and brought a blanket along.

OP is concerned that her 16 year old will be cold, since there are no indoor viewing areas, except for Outlook Cafe and that's adult-only.

 

[Flossbolna]

I can also recommend the Promenade Lounge as an inside seating area with a view. We used it on our Norway cruise. Also, I think O'Gills is open for everyone until 9pm when it turns adult only.

We chose to eat at Cabanas on the Magic on our Norway cruise when we left Geiranger for the view of the fjord and it was wonderful! So, I think going to BBB on the Wonder in Alaska is a great idea. Just ask for a window table!

 

[KristiMc]

Yeah, but they're outdoors. Now, that's what I did, just bundled up and brought a blanket along.

OP is concerned that her 16 year old will be cold, since there are no indoor viewing areas, except for Outlook Cafe and that's adult-only.

Just noting somewhere outside to view where it is covered. Going in July it will probably not be that cold. We sailed June 8th last year and we were fine.

 

[natandscott]

We missed formal night on our cruise last year because our son has a severe peanut allergy and one of the desserts that night was a peanut butter mousse. We didn't want to take any chances, so we ate up on deck 9 (we were on the Magic) and had burgers and chicken fingers while enjoying a movie on the big screen. We had the entire pool deck to ourselves--it was actually a really neat experience