When do you request your server?

[Birdie dog]

I've taken 13 DCL cruises and never requested a server. I'm considering changing that for my next cruise (May EBTA) due to the length of the sailing and how much we enjoyed our last server. Do I call at anytime to request him? Or do I wait until closer to the sailing?

 

[SamFaniam]

You can call and have the request added to your reservation. The dining room managers will see that. As long as your request is on your reservation before it gets to the dining room managers, they will see it. If your requested server is onboard, they will try to accommodate this request.

 

[CamColt]

I usually do it a few months in advance. This year I was a little later than usual and we just did it last week for an 8/17 cruise. I think that should still be ok.

 

[Bonnie1222]

While I don't request a server, I do request a Head Server (Wit on the Fantasy) and do it when I make my reservation.

 

[Dug720]

@Bonnie1222 brings up a good point. It is best if you are going to request to request ONE server OR assistant server OR head server. Teams change often for any number of reasons, and if you have multiple names, the assigned will not know which is more important, so you may end up with neither/none. (I know the OP was asking about one, but in case others search and are thinking of more than one.)

Also, if you are making multiple dining requests (a certain rotation, private table, and/or server), it is always best to give them in a priority order. Especially a rotation and server combination since their assignment/scheduling might have them on a different rotation.

Just some tips.

 

[n2mm]

I have a server on each ship I like, but have to say I must have the worse luck. I’ve requested a specific server on my last 5 cruise and have never gotten the request. Often it’s because that server is not on that cruise for that trip or changed ships. Keep in mind that if you ask for a rotation, that decreases the chances of getting a specific server, because they may not be on that rotation. That has happened to us, so prioritize your request.

 

[clten]

I usually put the request on our reservation 3-4 weeks before sailing and it has been honored (when they can). I don't like doing it any earlier because things change. If I see that a server I was going to request may not be onboard, I'll change who I'm requesting. I don't want to risk having an outdated request on my reservation, causing them to ignore my new request.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I you are asking for a private table, does that interfere with asking for a particular server?

 

[mareed]

I you are asking for a private table, does that interfere with asking for a particular server?

It could because each server has a set number of guests assigned to them. Depending on your group size, and others who may have also requested that server, it might not work out. As others have said, you should prioritize your requests and list them in order. Then, if you're lucky you'll get both!

 

[FigmentSpark]

Would it work if I said:

First priority: private table with two linked rooms
Second priority: Would love YYY in our service team (in case he's been promoted)


The private table is as much of a must-have as is possible on a DCL cruise (we are 5 guests across 2 rooms), but there is someone I'd like to have in my service team, as well. I don't want to risk messing something up and not getting the private table.

 

[SamFaniam]

There are a lot of six-top tables in the dining room, so I would guess getting a private table for your party is likely. I think the way you’ve ordered your request is probably good.

 

[ajgardner]

I you are asking for a private table, does that interfere with asking for a particular server?

We’ve been on 5 cruises, two with good servers, two with very mediocre servers and then we requested a server for the 5th. We said our number one priority was a private table. And then requested a server as number two priority. We also listed 3 choice servers in order of our preference (just in case we couldn’t have our first choice). We ended up with a private table and our first choice server (who was fabulous). Going on cruise number 6 next month and did the same thing, our fingers are crossed!

 

[anjuan]

One interesting thing I would note is that they don't tell the servers that they were requested by someone. We were granted our requested server on our Alaska cruise and he thought that it was just a coincidence that we were in his area again until I told him.

 

[Dug720]

One interesting thing I would note is that they don't tell the servers that they were requested by someone. We were granted our requested server on our Alaska cruise and he thought that it was just a coincidence that we were in his area again until I told him.

They may not tell them up front, but the number of times they are requested is noted in their files and comes into play for promotions, extra time off, etc.

 

[Birdie dog]

I always request a private table- we're 5 adults traveling in three rooms so I don't think that request is ever a problem. I don't really care about rotation. But, I'd really like to *not* be annoyed with my server for the length of the TA.

 

[HappyontheLake]

One interesting thing I would note is that they don't tell the servers that they were requested by someone. We were granted our requested server on our Alaska cruise and he thought that it was just a coincidence that we were in his area again until I told him.

Two cruises ago I requested a particular service team (we cruised the Dream twice in a four month period so felt pretty confident in getting them). The lead server thanked us for requesting him, and the assistant server who had been promoted made it a point to come to our table to thank us for requesting her.

 

[SamFaniam]

Two cruises ago I requested a particular service team (we cruised the Dream twice in a four month period so felt pretty confident in getting them). The lead server thanked us for requesting him, and the assistant server who had been promoted made it a point to come to our table to thank us for requesting her.

This happened to us also where our requested server thanked us for requesting him. He said it also got him the afternoon off when we were at CC.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Do you have to know the server's full name? They only introduce themselves by their first name.

 

[Dug720]

Do you have to know the server's full name? They only introduce themselves by their first name.

It definitely helps. It is on the green sheet of tear offs you get indicating gratuities. If you don’t have that top portion anymore, if you know what country they are from that can help - but some names are common in some countries, so there could be more than one. (I know a few years ago on the Magic I loved our assistant Tiago from Portugal. Someone else said they had loved him too...but when I posted a picture, they said that was not their Tiago.)

 

[SamFaniam]

Tiago from Portugal was the CM that was at the OBB desk last fall on the Magic. I wonder if he used to be a server, or if he’s just another Tiago from Portugal.