What is up with table service?

[staylor]

So, am I right that you can go to Topsiders at night and get the same food?
Is it buffet or waiters? So, if I don't feel like being formal, and don't want to offend anyone else that did take the time to dress up, I could eat the same thing at Topsiders?
Thanks,
Staci

 

[faireygod mother]

No, not exactly. Topsiders is a buffet and there are differnt food selections. Just as good, but buffet type.

 

[Sarahsal]

When we were there I believe the salads/appetizers were buffet, but servers brought the entrees at dinner-or am I mistaken? Definitely a full buffet for lunch and breakfast.

 

[njmoms]

When we were on in November, the dinner meal was table service, but they did have a self-serve salad bar. All other meals at Topsiders are buffet.

 

[MarkRG]

And I don't know what you mean by dress up. Except for the real 'formal' nights, I personally wear a polo and dockers to dinner. You don't have to be 'that' formal every nite. But, if you want to go to Topsiders, go for it. Now the only nights it will have the same menu as the regular rotation is on the formal nights as that is the only nights all the restaurants have the same menu. Otherswise it has its own menu selection, it won't match your regular rotation.

 

[staylor]

Thanks so much for the replies. The only night I am concerned about is formal night. I just don't know that I want to go formal. So, I was just thinking about dinner for that night. Not too sure what I'll do. DH doesn't mind bringing suit. I just don't want to buy a new dress. Although, I was thinking tonight, we are cruising Jan. 8th and I might be able to get a good discount on a dress after New Years Eve.

 

[CM_Mom]

For formal night, I wore a glittery tank and sweater set with black jersey pants and strappy sandals. DH wore slacks and a blazer. "The Ladies", my 80 something mom and aunt wore Sunday dresses. DD, the crewmember on vacation, wore a glittery sleeveless top and black slacks with black sandals. Although there were gals in floor length gowns and guys in tuxes there were many more in what we call in Texas "Sunday go to meetin' clothes" as well as the evening pants ensembles. I definitely wouldn't stress over it.

 

[MarkRG]

Right in there with a very good one CM-Mom! She would know. I'd put Formal night in that you could go anywhere from a new dress at the top extreme to that outfit you wore to the last serious family gathering or such, just dress nice is enough. Don't take the word Formal any more serious than that. I've gone in a tux and I've gone in a dinner jacket, and never felt uncomfortable.

And I know, I'm a guy. You feel guys can get away with more or something. As a guy, I'd say otherwise. Just dressing 1 teeny bit nicer than the rest of the nights is plenty, you're on vacation after all. You won't be out of place or anything.

 

[DVCajun]

Is Topsiders crowded on formal night? Since they have the same menu that night as the restaurants I'm kinda thinking we might do that too.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Is BBB open for dinner on the 3- and 4-night cruise? I looked in navigators and can't see hours for dinner at this location.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Is BBB open for dinner on the 3- and 4-night cruise? I looked in navigators and can't see hours for dinner at this location.

Bumping this one up - I'd like to know the dinner hours for BBB and Top Siders as well. While we were on the ship 2 weeks ago, unless I missed it, I was not able to find the hours for BBB dinner anywhere. Could there be some hidden Disney-type reason for this? As in... they strongly encourage everyone to attend their assigned restaurants? Thanks, Tink

 

[jel0511]

Dinner at Topsiders is only offered during the 7 night cruises, so you won't find this option on the Wonder. I also heard that it's not the exact same menu, but a similiar menu. I do know that you can not get Lobster at Topsiders, you must dine in the diningroom for that. Topsiders is also not open on the first night and the last night of the cruise, but is open on both Formal and Semi-Formal Night. It is only open for 2 hours usually 6:30 - 8:30 and is listed on the Navigator as Topsider Dinner Table Service.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Dinner at Topsiders is only offered during the 7 night cruises, so you won't find this option on the Wonder. I also heard that it's not the exact same menu, but a similiar menu. I do know that you can not get Lobster at Topsiders, you must dine in the diningroom for that. Topsiders is also not open on the first night and the last night of the cruise, but is open on both Formal and Semi-Formal Night. It is only open for 2 hours usually 6:30 - 8:30 and is listed on the Navigator as Topsider Dinner Table Service.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[staylor]

Thanks so much for the info.
CM_MOM & Mark you are right. I'll just chill out and have a good time. Being a texan I do have "Sunday go to meetin' clothes". Ha Ha!
Every cruise we have ever been on I always were formal. But for some reason I am just not in the mood for "formal" formal. If you know what I mean.
Staci

 

[kpgclark]

The other thing about going to a casual eatery on formal night is that wherever you go that evening (ie to a show or nightclub) everyone will be in formal attire. You may want to at least wear a nice dress that evening even if you don't go to one of the rotation restaurants so you won't feel out of place.

 

[jel0511]

The other thing about going to a casual eatery on formal night is that wherever you go that evening (ie to a show or nightclub) everyone will be in formal attire. You may want to at least wear a nice dress that evening even if you don't go to one of the rotation restaurants so you won't feel out of place.

I have to disagree with that. I basically wore my formal clothes for about two hours and then changed into shorts and a t-shirt for the rest of the evening and didn't feel a bit out of place. I took a little longer getting ready, so we went straight to dinner and did formal portraits after dinner. Right after those pictures, it was straight up to our stateroom (with my heels off since they were killing my feet ) and off those clothes came!!! DH and I then ran to the Golden Mickeys. We then walked around deck for a while and never felt the least bit out of place in our casuals. If you choose to do the casual restaurant that evening, don't worry about what you're wearing!!!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

The other thing about going to a casual eatery on formal night is that wherever you go that evening (ie to a show or nightclub) everyone will be in formal attire. You may want to at least wear a nice dress that evening even if you don't go to one of the rotation restaurants so you won't feel out of place.

Not necessarily. We always changed from our formal attire (or dinner clothes for that matter) right after dinner into more comfortable casual clothes -- especially to go to the nightclubs, a movie, show, etc. And it seemed to me that most everyone else did the same. This was the same experience on both the Magic and Wonder.

 

[staylor]

If you go to the Golden Mickeys Matinee on Sun. afternoon, how are you supposed to dress?

 

[jel0511]

If you go to the Golden Mickeys Matinee on Sun. afternoon, how are you supposed to dress?

Wear clothing..... Really, as long as you're not wearing your swimsuit you'll be fine.

 

[crisi]

(and if you do wear a swimsuit, wear a coverup.....)