Our first B2B; Dining Rotations for 3- and 4-nt on Dream?

[Cackyschmackers]

We are doing our first B2B next year; first the 3nt followed by the 4nt on the Dream. On each of our previous 3 cruises, I have found out the dining rotations and requested ones we thought we would like, depending on the night/theme/menu, fitting in Paolo. For these upcoming cruises, our plan was just to take it easy and not sweat the small stuff and just relax, enjoy the ship, no excursions; etc. But then I realized for these cruises some of the dining repeats consecutive nights, which got me to thinking if we didn't request anything there is a good chance we'd be in the same restaurant 50% of the time..... So long story short, how can I find out the dining rotations (how far ahead are they usually determined). Also now trying to figure out which leg and which day we should do Paolo. I'm thinking on the first 3nt leg; kids like to do room service then go to the clubs. Thank you in advance to anyone that can help!

 

[1lilspark]

In sept I had RAE on a 3 night

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are doing our first B2B next year; first the 3nt followed by the 4nt on the Dream. On each of our previous 3 cruises, I have found out the dining rotations and requested ones we thought we would like, depending on the night/theme/menu, fitting in Paolo. For these upcoming cruises, our plan was just to take it easy and not sweat the small stuff and just relax, enjoy the ship, no excursions; etc. But then I realized for these cruises some of the dining repeats consecutive nights, which got me to thinking if we didn't request anything there is a good chance we'd be in the same restaurant 50% of the time..... So long story short, how can I find out the dining rotations (how far ahead are they usually determined). Also now trying to figure out which leg and which day we should do Paolo. I'm thinking on the first 3nt leg; kids like to do room service then go to the clubs. Thank you in advance to anyone that can help!

The rotation for the three night cruise is 123. ERA; RAE; AER.
The rotation for the four night cruise is 1223 (most of the time). ERRA; RAAE; AEER.

You'll most likely be assigned to rotations that "mesh" ERA/ERRA; RAE/RAAE; AER/AEER. You'll be in one dining room 3 times and the other two twice. I doubt that you'd be assigned to mis-matched rotation, but I suppose it could be possible. At any rate, typically, the last night of the first leg you'll be asked by your head server if you want to continue with the same servers for the next cruise and, depending on what your answer is, you'll be placed on their rotation. Or you could request the same (sequential) rotation on your second leg.

I believe most dining assignments are done fairly close to the actual date of the cruise. I'd suggest Palo on either night 2 of the 4 night (that would be the signature menu) or Pirate night on the 4 night cruise (if you're not interested in that menu). The three night cruise has the signature menu in each dining room (different menu every night). The four night cruise has the 3 signature menus plus the Pirate menu.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

@PrincessShmoo Thanks. On our previous cruises, I made the requests with our DU TA. I know they say nothing is guaranteed... but when would I make this request? Is there a way to check if this will actually be the dining rotations? I ask bc when I call the 800 #, they don't really seem to know. Thanks again!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

@PrincessShmoo Thanks. On our previous cruises, I made the requests with our DU TA. I know they say nothing is guaranteed... but when would I make this request? Is there a way to check if this will actually be the dining rotations? I ask bc when I call the 800 #, they don't really seem to know. Thanks again!

You can make the request at any time. The only way to find out for sure whether you got the rotation you request is when you check in. It will be printed on your KTTW card. If it's not the rotation you want, you can go to where the dining changes are being handled onboard, and see if they can switch you.

 

[clten]

Seems your cruises are not for awhile, that is probably why the res agents when you call don't seem to know what the rotation sequence will be (they won't commit to them staying the same even though on the 3/4 nights, there is little variation).

The final seating is done by the Head Servers shortly before the cruise so while you are on the first leg, you can work with your Head Server to get the servers or rotation you want. (As PrincessShmoo indicated, the Head Server should ask you by the last night if you want to continue with the same servers.) But they can be very accommodating and can even help you move a Palo reservation if the one you have doesn't fit with the plan you make with your Head Server! My dining teams have always been great with b2b cruises making sure you aren't bored with your food selections -- this is one time where the Head Server most people think does very little for them shows you how much they really do/can do for you!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

@clten Thank you for this info. No, I meant for our previous cruises, any time I would call, the CS people never could help with details such as that (and why I came to rely on these forums ). I actually emailed our TA today, and she told me DCL does not take dining rotation requests any longer! But we really don't want to be in AP three times so she said we could request starting with another MDR. But truthfully, it really doesn't matter, and going to GS when we board will prob take care of any issues. I wonder if we will have the same table. That may be nice.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

@clten Thank you for this info. No, I meant for our previous cruises, any time I would call, the CS people never could help with details such as that (and why I came to rely on these forums ). I actually emailed our TA today, and she told me DCL does not take dining rotation requests any longer! But we really don't want to be in AP three times so she said we could request starting with another MDR. But truthfully, it really doesn't matter, and going to GS when we board will prob take care of any issues. I wonder if we will have the same table. That may be nice.

The request doesn't have to be for a specific rotation. You can just ask to not be AP 3 times. Or even, that you you don't want to be in AP for Pirate night (that would do it). Let DCL figure it out.

I'm not sure where the idea that DCL isn't taking dining rotation request took root, but I believe they still do.

 

[Quellman]

Seems your cruises are not for awhile, that is probably why the res agents when you call don't seem to know what the rotation sequence will be (they won't commit to them staying the same even though on the 3/4 nights, there is little variation).

The final seating is done by the Head Servers shortly before the cruise so while you are on the first leg, you can work with your Head Server to get the servers or rotation you want. (As PrincessShmoo indicated, the Head Server should ask you by the last night if you want to continue with the same servers.) But they can be very accommodating and can even help you move a Palo reservation if the one you have doesn't fit with the plan you make with your Head Server! My dining teams have always been great with b2b cruises making sure you aren't bored with your food selections -- this is one time where the Head Server most people think does very little for them shows you how much they really do/can do for you!

This is quite true. We did a 4-3-4 this year and had a great time. The head server and serving team took great care of our family. As for when to do Palo... I would do it on a night when you repeat a dining room, or on one of the first nights. People are crazed the first night on ships. So skipping the chaos would be a welcomed time in my opinion. Especially on the second leg of your journey. You already know what to expect and will know who your servers are (if you keep the same ones). They will know you will be missing that night so no big deal.

 

[hanscarlet]

The rotation for the three night cruise is 123. ERA; RAE; AER.
The rotation for the four night cruise is 1223 (most of the time). ERRA; RAAE; AEER.

You'll most likely be assigned to rotations that "mesh" ERA/ERRA; RAE/RAAE; AER/AEER. You'll be in one dining room 3 times and the other two twice. I doubt that you'd be assigned to mis-matched rotation, but I suppose it could be possible. At any rate, typically, the last night of the first leg you'll be asked by your head server if you want to continue with the same servers for the next cruise and, depending on what your answer is, you'll be placed on their rotation. Or you could request the same (sequential) rotation on your second leg.

I believe most dining assignments are done fairly close to the actual date of the cruise. I'd suggest Palo on either night 2 of the 4 night (that would be the signature menu) or Pirate night on the 4 night cruise (if you're not interested in that menu). The three night cruise has the signature menu in each dining room (different menu every night). The four night cruise has the 3 signature menus plus the Pirate menu.

thank you for this Shmoo! I need to figure out my dining with Remy and Palo on my first B2b and it's more complicated than I thought, hope these 4 night rotations are true

 

[PrincessShmoo]

thank you for this Shmoo! I need to figure out my dining with Remy and Palo on my first B2b and it's more complicated than I thought, hope these 4 night rotations are true

The first time we did Palo dinner, I just picked a night and didn't look back. No "I wish I had picked XX night instead". I figured if I missed something in the dining room that we missed, there'd be another cruise.

 

[hanscarlet]

The first time we did Palo dinner, I just picked a night and didn't look back. No "I wish I had picked XX night instead". I figured if I missed something in the dining room that we missed, there'd be another cruise.

Really good advice, one thing tripping me up is whether they offer Palo or Remy Brunch on Nassau days on the 3 or 4 nights? Do you know if they do on the dream or only on At Sea days?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Really good advice, one thing tripping me up is whether they offer Palo or Remy Brunch on Nassau days on the 3 or 4 nights? Do you know if they do on the dream or only on At Sea days?

Sorry, don't know for sure. I believe they've started doing Palo brunch on the Nassau day, but I don't know that for sure. It may vary from cruise to cruise.

 

[Dug720]

The request doesn't have to be for a specific rotation. You can just ask to not be AP 3 times. Or even, that you you don't want to be in AP for Pirate night (that would do it). Let DCL figure it out.

I'm not sure where the idea that DCL isn't taking dining rotation request took root, but I believe they still do.

I would actually just request one of the other dining rooms for Pirate Night than doing a negative request ("Not AP 3 times. or Not AP Pirate Night.) Odds are pretty high that the dining room assigner will miss the Not bit and you'll end up there.

Better to request EG or Royal whichever (pick one) for Pirate Night or Three Times I think.

 

[Dug720]

Sorry, don't know for sure. I believe they've started doing Palo brunch on the Nassau day, but I don't know that for sure. It may vary from cruise to cruise.

Brunch should be offered on the sea day on the 4-night. Not sure about Nassau Day on those.