Rotation Importance?

[BowlingAriel]

I've read several threads now that refer to getting the dinner rotation they want - can someone explain this to me? Is there a better rotation to have? Does it mean better food or service?

Thanks in advance

 

[SeaSpray]

The food and service will be the same (GREAT!) no matter which dining rotation you have.

I think the biggest reason that people might want a certain rotation is that they can be in the restaurant that best corresponds with that nights' "theme".

For example: You might want to be in the more formal restaurant (Lumiere's or Triton's) on formal night and semi-formal night. You might want to be in Parrot Cay on Pirate's Night.

There may be other reasons, but that was the main reason that I had requested (via the Romantic Escape at Sea package) a specific rotation before our cruise a few months ago. But you know, looking back, I realize that it really wouldn't have mattered which rotation. Each night it's fun just to be going to a different restaurant with a different menu and food choices. Everyone ends up with the same menus and food choices, some of them just might be on different nights.

 

[BowlingAriel]

Thanks - I see your sailing the Voyager this year? Have you been on it before? Its a beautiful ship. We sailed it in 2001 and have since followed up with the Navigator and Mariner.

 

[RickW]

I've several threads now that refer to getting the dinner rotation they want - can someone explain this to me? Is there a better rotation to have? Does it mean better food or service?

There seems to be a bit of stress over it sometimes, usually people want to know because they are trying to decide which night they should try to go to Palo. Others have wanted to have Formal Night in Lumiere's, and Tropical night (now Pirate) in Parrot Cay.
Honestly, though, it really doesn't matter. You will get the same opportunities to eat from all of the same menus, and if having formal night in Parrot Cay is the worst thing that happens on your vacation, then you just had the best trip of your life.

 

[BowlingAriel]

Yes, some of the posts did appear that it was very important. Since this is a 3 day on the Wonder there is no formal or pirate nite. I was trying to figure out how to squeeze Palo's in. I know I didnt want to miss Artist Pallete.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks - I see your sailing the Voyager this year? Have you been on it before? Its a beautiful ship. We sailed it in 2001 and have since followed up with the Navigator and Mariner.

This will be our first time on the Voyager, although we've sailed RCI before. We're really looking forward to it. It's a 9-night cruise AND we won't have to fly at all since it departs from RCI's new NJ cruise port.

 

[momx2]

Do we not find out the rotation until the day we leave or can we find out in advance?

 

[april riddle]

I did not know that you could ask for a certain rotation until I read it on the boards - we also had bought the REAS package and when I called to make my arrangements I asked about the dining rotation and you can ask for a certain rotation but they cannot promise that you will get it. We requested the PLAPLAP and got it. It was nice because we were in Lumere's for the formal night and Parrot Cay for pirate night. I will request it again this year only because we liked going to Palo's on Thursday night and didn't feel like we missed anything by not going to Lumere's a second evening. The kids had room service and then grazed on deck 9 later on in the evening.

 

[MickeyB426]

I requested APLAPLA for three reasons:

1. I liked having the Animator's Palate show the first night on the boat,

2. It gives us three nights at AP, our favorite restaurant, and

3. It also means we get the character breakfast with our first breakfast on Sunday.

 

[BowlingAriel]

Is there a character breakfast on the 3 day wonder?

 

[thegales]

Is there a better rotation to have?

All rotations are good. The one that most people say they want to avoid is to have Formal night in Parrot Cay. That was our rotation this past October. We had no issues / concerns at all with this. Everyone looked just as good and food was fine.

Is there a character breakfast on the 3 day wonder?

No, it is only on the seven day cruises. It is offered on the first day at sea after your dinner at Animator's Palate (Key West counts as a Day-at-Sea for this purpose, since you don't get to Port until late morning.)

 

[jrabbit]

Yes, some of the posts did appear that it was very important. Since this is a 3 day on the Wonder there is no formal or pirate nite. I was trying to figure out how to squeeze Palo's in. I know I didnt want to miss Artist Pallete.

It sounds like Pirate Night might be starting on the Wonder now - don't know if they will have it on the 3 night cruise though.

Animators Pallete - yea, you don't want to miss this. Just remember it's a light and music show - not a live show. Its subtle. It's enjoyable. And the food is good (everywhere on the ship its good). Just don't expect the Hoop-Dee-Do-Review.

Now how to experience ALL three restaurants AND Palo. If you have early seating, arange for a very late seating at Palo. Go to your regular dinner and just nibble (I'd have an appetizer and desert). Then go to your late Palo ressie and enjoy. If you have late dinner seating then reserve a very early Palo and have a great dinner then go to your normal rotational dinner and sample a few items there.

By doing thins I think that unfortunately you will miss the show for that day. Decisions, decisions. And this isn't the only hard decision you will have to make on the cruise!

 

[RickW]

Now how to experience ALL three restaurants AND Palo. If you have early seating, arange for a very late seating at Palo. Go to your regular dinner and just nibble (I'd have an appetizer and desert). Then go to your late Palo ressie and enjoy. If you have late dinner seating then reserve a very early Palo and have a great dinner then go to your normal rotational dinner and sample a few items there.

By doing thins I think that unfortunately you will miss the show for that day. Decisions, decisions. And this isn't the only hard decision you will have to make on the cruise!

If you have late seating, you can try this:
-Get a Palo reservation for 7:15
-Go to the show at 6:00
-The show should finish around 7:00
-Head to Palo for your 7:15 reservation
-You will likely be finished at Palo by about 9:00.
-Head to your normal rotation restaurant, visit with your table mates, sample something if you want, and then have an extra dessert.

We did this on our 7 day cruise, and it worked pretty well. We didn't eat much at the rotation restaurant, but it was nice to check in.

Note: Make sure you tell your server that you are going to Palo, but may stop by later, so the rest of your table won't be waiting for you to arrive.

 

[ivanova]

Yes, some of the posts did appear that it was very important. Since this is a 3 day on the Wonder there is no formal or pirate nite. I was trying to figure out how to squeeze Palo's in. I know I didnt want to miss Artist Pallete.

We had 6:00 Main Seating and on our first night we went to Tritons, then skipped the show, and at 9:00 we had a ressie for Palo (yes, two dinners in one night).

 

[UGAFan0829]

I'm confused, why would you want a certain dining rotation??
From what I'm gathering I guess some people wouldn't want to be in Parrot Cay or Animator's Palate on formal night. I was thinking that the formal went along with the restaurant and not one certain night for everyone.

 

[ivanova]

I'm confused, why would you want a certain dining rotation??
From what I'm gathering I guess some people wouldn't want to be in Parrot Cay or Animator's Palate on formal night. I was thinking that the formal went along with the restaurant and not one certain night for everyone.

Formal or semi-formal nights are the same night for everyone, regardless of what restaurant you are in. Or at least that's been my understanding.

We specified a rotation this last time (Nov 2004, 4 night Wonder) because we specifically wanted AP to be on our first night so our daughter wouldn't miss it. She missed it on our first cruise because it was our 2nd night when she had a teen excursion. So knowing she'd want to do that teen excursion again, we asked for the APTA rotation for this last cruise.

 

[BowlingAriel]

OK, here's the other dilemma (sp?) I had booked this trip secretly. My brother's family is already booked. Him and my daughter do not know we are going. Since I just booked it - I am on 2nd seating. His family is on 1st seating. When I called DCL I was told that I can possibly change - and they made a note in the computer.

SO......in all your expert opnions. What should I do first - try to get my dining re-arranged? Or make the Palo ressie?

Anyone have any experience with getting your seating changed? How hard is it?

Thanks,
Michelle