Preferred dining rotation on Fantasy?

[squirk]

I personally really like Animator's on the Fantasy. I hate how they try to get you to stand up and wave your napkin around for Crush, but otherwise, I really like the "shows" on the monitors.

Last time, I made our usual server request, but I also, for the first time, requested an AERAERA rotation so we would get Animator's for three nights. We got the rotation but we did not get our server. Perhaps he was on vacation or otherwise in-between contracts (we know that he is still serving on the Fantasy), but I always wonder if my rotation request was incompatible with and trumped my server request.

We have an upcoming cruise in Feb., and while I have already made the server request, I am afraid to ask for the AERAERA rotation again. Not sure if I would over-complicate things and risk messing everything up if I e-mailed DCL and asked for the server AND the rotation, but make it clear that if the two were not compatible, scrap the rotation request and keep the server.

 

[OKW Lover]

What is your preferred dining rotation, and why? Is it "better" to be certain dining rooms on particular nights?

We've sailed on DCL 14 times so far. Can't say we have any preferred dining rotation. I can't imagine why one would be "better" than another.

 

[Dug720]

I personally really like Animator's on the Fantasy. I hate how they try to get you to stand up and wave your napkin around for Crush, but otherwise, I really like the "shows" on the monitors.

Last time, I made our usual server request, but I also, for the first time, requested an AERAERA rotation so we would get Animator's for three nights. We got the rotation but we did not get our server. Perhaps he was on vacation or otherwise in-between contracts (we know that he is still serving on the Fantasy), but I always wonder if my rotation request was incompatible with and trumped my server request.

We have an upcoming cruise in Feb., and while I have already made the server request, I am afraid to ask for the AERAERA rotation again. Not sure if I would over-complicate things and risk messing everything up if I e-mailed DCL and asked for the server AND the rotation, but make it clear that if the two were not compatible, scrap the rotation request and keep the server.

If you do decide to add on the rotation request, make sure you have them notate which request is more important - the server or the rotation. Just like if you request two servers who are no longer working together, if you request a server and rotation and their schedule does not match the rotation, the dining room assigner does not know which is more important to you and so may give you one or the other...or neither.

I've debated about it because I really love being in AP on Pirate Night especially, but I really want the best chance to have my assistant server from my last Fantasy cruise, so right now she is my only request. If I decide to add the rotation request, I'll ask them to prioritize the server request over the rotation request.

If that makes sense.

 

[Dug720]

We've sailed on DCL 14 times so far. Can't say we have any preferred dining rotation. I can't imagine why one would be "better" than another.

Animator's Palate is really cool on Pirate Night - so if I make a rotation request it is "Whichever one puts me in Animator's Palate on Pirate Night." (That wording keeps me from asking for a rotation they may not be using anymore and makes it clear which one I want when they look at it.)

 

[OKW Lover]

That's a good approach to making requests!

 

[squirk]

If you do decide to add on the rotation request, make sure you have them notate which request is more important - the server or the rotation. Just like if you request two servers who are no longer working together, if you request a server and rotation and their schedule does not match the rotation, the dining room assigner does not know which is more important to you and so may give you one or the other...or neither.

I've debated about it because I really love being in AP on Pirate Night especially, but I really want the best chance to have my assistant server from my last Fantasy cruise, so right now she is my only request. If I decide to add the rotation request, I'll ask them to prioritize the server request over the rotation request.

If that makes sense.

It does make sense. I am crafting a carefully-worded email now. Thank you!

 

[Weedy]

Unlike most who post here I don't care for Animators. I feel it to LOUD!! And the drawing night is not that exciting for me. Your drawing is only on the screen for about 10 seconds.
But I still love the " old style" Animators on the Magic.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I personally really like Animator's on the Fantasy. I hate how they try to get you to stand up and wave your napkin around for Crush, but otherwise, I really like the "shows" on the monitors.

Last time, I made our usual server request, but I also, for the first time, requested an AERAERA rotation so we would get Animator's for three nights. We got the rotation but we did not get our server. Perhaps he was on vacation or otherwise in-between contracts (we know that he is still serving on the Fantasy), but I always wonder if my rotation request was incompatible with and trumped my server request.

We have an upcoming cruise in Feb., and while I have already made the server request, I am afraid to ask for the AERAERA rotation again. Not sure if I would over-complicate things and risk messing everything up if I e-mailed DCL and asked for the server AND the rotation, but make it clear that if the two were not compatible, scrap the rotation request and keep the server.

If the server is the more important request, only request the server. After all, if he's not working the rotation you want, there's no point in asking for it. If he is, then you'll get that rotation anyway. But you could add that if your server request can not be honored, would the xxxxxxx rotation be available. That way, it's clear which you prefer.

Good luck.

 

[squirk]

If the server is the more important request, only request the server. After all, if he's not working the rotation you want, there's no point in asking for it. If he is, then you'll get that rotation anyway. But you could add that if your server request can not be honored, would the xxxxxxx rotation be available. That way, it's clear which you prefer.

Good luck.

That brings up a good question - are the servers "locked" into a specific rotation? Like, is my guy Ashang always an ERAERAE, and it's a huge logistical hassle to change him, even with several months notice, to AERAERA?

 

[Dug720]

That brings up a good question - are the servers "locked" into a specific rotation? Like, is my guy Ashang always an ERAERAE, and it's a huge logistical hassle to change him, even with several months notice, to AERAERA?

I don't know that they have the same rotation for their whole contract, but it is likely more than one week at a time barring the needs of the ship (someone getting ill or someone leaving the ship early for whatever reason and needing to be replaced). They don't really look at your request until shortly before embarkation day (I forget the timeline, but it's not more than a couple of weeks I believe), so yes it could be like playing Jenga to move someone around to fit a guest-requested rotation. That's (the timing of when they are looking at your request(s) I mean) why you need to prioritize which is most important.

(I know the bartenders get rotated every few weeks so that during a contract they can all have a chance at the "higher tip" or "busier" places. And to prevent them getting bored in one location for their whole contract.)

 

[squirk]

If the server is the more important request, only request the server. After all, if he's not working the rotation you want, there's no point in asking for it. If he is, then you'll get that rotation anyway. But you could add that if your server request can not be honored, would the xxxxxxx rotation be available. That way, it's clear which you prefer.

Good luck.

As a follow-up, DCL Guest Communications told me that they cannot honor my rotation request. As @Dug720 said, the CM mentioned that they don't figure the rotation out until a few days before the cruise; however, the CM did not say "we will note the file, but your request will not be reviewed until a few days before the cruise". They flat-out just won't note the file with my rotation request.

Which is weird because on almost every Dream-class sailing we've been on, we have always been ERAERAE. Last year was the only year I ever requested a specific rotation (AERAERA) through my TA, and I got it.

 

[Dug720]

As a follow-up, DCL Guest Communications told me that they cannot honor my rotation request. As @Dug720 said, the CM mentioned that they don't figure the rotation out until a few days before the cruise; however, the CM did not say "we will note the file, but your request will not be reviewed until a few days before the cruise". They flat-out just won't note the file with my rotation request.

Which is weird because on almost every Dream-class sailing we've been on, we have always been ERAERAE. Last year was the only year I ever requested a specific rotation (AERAERA) through my TA, and I got it.

I wonder if your TA phrased it "Animator's Palate on Pirate Night" or whatever MDR you were in on Formal Night on Formal Night. Because you know ONE rotation will be in each MDR on Pirate Night or Formal Night - and it's usually not the same for both - so that makes it easier than a specific rotation. Because if the rotation changes the repeating nights or something the assigner won't know if you requested the rotation or an MDR on a certain night. The rotation specifics are subject to change.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

As a follow-up, DCL Guest Communications told me that they cannot honor my rotation request. As @Dug720 said, the CM mentioned that they don't figure the rotation out until a few days before the cruise; however, the CM did not say "we will note the file, but your request will not be reviewed until a few days before the cruise". They flat-out just won't note the file with my rotation request.

Which is weird because on almost every Dream-class sailing we've been on, we have always been ERAERAE. Last year was the only year I ever requested a specific rotation (AERAERA) through my TA, and I got it.

Was this just the person who answered the phone when you called? Sad to say, there are some who really have no clue as to how things work and will reply that something can't be done, even if it can.

I've never heard of a refusal to have a request placed on a reservation (for a rotation, or a server).

I'd suggest you call back and speak to someone else and ask. If you get the same response, ask to speak to the supervisor.

 

[squirk]

Was this just the person who answered the phone when you called? Sad to say, there are some who really have no clue as to how things work and will reply that something can't be done, even if it can.

I've never heard of a refusal to have a request placed on a reservation (for a rotation, or a server).

I'd suggest you call back and speak to someone else and ask. If you get the same response, ask to speak to the supervisor.

It was email. I am afraid if I make too big of a fuss about this rotation, I run the risk of confusing them about how the server request trumps all.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It was email. I am afraid if I make too big of a fuss about this rotation, I run the risk of confusing them about how the server request trumps all.

OK, it's best to have only one request, as, if there is a conflict to granting both, DCL typically won't give either.

I've read that people have been able to specify, when making more than one request, the priority of them, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[squirk]

OK, it's best to have only one request, as, if there is a conflict to granting both, DCL typically won't give either.

I've read that people have been able to specify, when making more than one request, the priority of them, but I wouldn't count on it.

I did that in the email, making it clear that if the server and rotation requests were incompatible, the server request trumps all. But yes, your point is well-taken. What is "clear" to me might not be so clear to the CM reading my e-mail.

 

[Dug720]

I did that in the email, making it clear that if the server and rotation requests were incompatible, the server request trumps all. But yes, your point is well-taken. What is "clear" to me might not be so clear to the CM reading my e-mail.

Yep. Sort of like when making resort requests, it's best to say "I would like Section X" rather than "I do not want Section Y" because often the assigner is working quickly and doesn't see the "not" and voila! you get assigned a room in Section Y.