what is dinner rotation???

[t-bone]

I do not really understand the dinner rotation thing, could someone please explain it in laymans terms? Thanks- (We are a party of 13 on the western and we have the early seating).

 

[mommasita]

Well, there are 3 restaurants, and you rotate each night..

Parrot's Cay
Lumiere's
Animator's Palate

So, if your rotation is PLAPLAP, you would start with Parrot's Cay, then the next night Lumiere's, then Animator's, then back to the beginning...SOme have said they can request a rotation, but most learn when we check in and receive Our Key to the World Card..It is printed as I showed you....PLAPLAP...

There is also PALO, which is not on the dining rotation, but extra, and needs reservations..There is also Topsiders Buffet, if you choose to go there..

Hope that helps a bit..

You also have a table number ex...Table 1, and no matter where you eat, it is at that table, and with the same waitstaff..

 

[t-bone]

So if you get to go to all the places ,why are people so concerned about it? Are certain nights better at some places than others?

 

[JSCTRico4]

IMO, it would be great to be at Lumiere's for Formal or semi formal, and it would be more fun to be at Parrot Cay for Pirate or Tropical night. The decor would be best suited for the dress for that evening.... but, that aside, they are all good. We tended to favor Parrot Cay the least, and actually skipped it for Topsiders on our second night there. It is nice to be able to rotate so you don't get bored with your surroundings at dinner each evening. No matter where you are, you will have a great time!

 

[mommasita]

So if you get to go to all the places ,why are people so concerned about it? Are certain nights better at some places than others?

Some like to be in Parrot's Cay for pirate's night, as it is more themed..Or Lumiere's on formal night, as it is a tad more fancy...I do not care, just get me on the boat..

 

[NejTheLion]

The rotations are also somewhat assigned based on the makeup of your group. I know that LAP is supposed to be more for adults and old teens, and as an adult-only family, we've always been assigned that rotation for regular cruises.

 

[staceymerrill]

APL works out great on 7 night western.....formal and semi formal nights in Lumieres, Pirate Night in Parrot Cay, and character breakfast on Key west Sunday....you cant ask for a better arrangement.....

 

[lbgraves]

Honestly, it doesn't matter what rotation you have. With great tablemates & your servers you will have a wonderful time on any of them. We have had APL on the Eastern & changed from APL on the Western to PLA in order to have our favorite server take care of us.

 

[jrabbit]

Things to know about dinning - In order of importance
1) Seating: Main (6:00) or Late (8:30)
2) Rotation: Which dinning room that night. On the Magic the restaurants are: Lumiere's, Animator's Palate and Parrot Cay so the three rotations are LAPLAPL or APLAPLA or PLAPLAP and on the Wonder the restaurants are: Tritons's, Animator's Palate and Parrot Cay so the three rotations are TAP or APT or PTA.

** NOTE: At this point in time I don't know what DCL is doing on the 4 night cruises - so you will want to check this info out.**

If you are on the 4 night cruise DCL has now changed the rotation again (2nd time) to having the third and fourth restaurant the same (in other words - the last two nights in the same restaurant). So the rotations are as of March 13, 2005: TAPP, APTT and PTAA (this is the way it was way back in the beginning in '98-'99). And Pirates Night is on the third night (Tuesday). Note1: early in 2005 DCL change to having the first 2 nights in the same restaurant (ie. TTAP, AAPT and PPTA) because of the new Pirates Night show/buffett. Note2: BEFORE Pirates Night the rotation on the 4 nighter was TAPT, APTA and PTAP.

3) Table Number: (same table number in all of the dinning rooms)
4) Your Serving Team: they will be with you for all of your rotational dinning
5) Your Tablemates: Most families will share a table with other families. They will be with you for dinner in all of the rotational dinning rooms (so get to know them - you have 3 to 7 nights to make new friends)

 

[budget mom]

How big are the tables? We are a family of 6, will we have table mates? TIA

 

[mmouse37]

Tables sizes range from 4 to about 16 (there is one huge table for 14-16 in the center of each dining room). A party of six may have their own table for six but also may be at a table of 8 with another couple (doubtful) or a table of 10 with another party of 4....you can request to have your own table before your cruise but it is only a request and I would follow up with the head server when you get on the ship.

MJ