Slipping the Maitre' D a little incentive???

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traveltime

Guest
My husband & I, along with 3 other couples are booked on AOS' 3/11 sailing. Long story short, we were just told yesterday, that our group is booked for late dining. We did have early seating, and aparently were switched. While we are very grateful to at least know our group has been properly cross referenced with each other, late dining is a problem because of health issues with someone in our group. This isn't a matter of life & death, obviously, and we know that food is available 24 hours a day. OK, having said that, have any of you ever passed a little monetary incentive along to the Maitre' D when requesting a change in your dining time???? I would NEVER want to insult anyone and of course, my husband would be descrete and polite. I've read (another board, another ship line) where others have done this and the incentive was happily accepted. Any thoughts? Thanks,
Donna
 
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jrsygrl

Guest
IMHO just stopping by the dining room upon embarkation and requesting a change usually does the trick.
We just got home from the Jewel and I noticed something different in the dining room. Instead of a Maitre D their were 6 Head waiters. They each had a section of the dining room that they were responsible for and acted in the role of Maitre D (opening wine, shucking lobster, etc). Our last cruise was in Oct of 04 so it's been a while for us but I actually liked the change. I felt we got much more individual attention since he had less tables to accomodate. The tipping envelopes were newly labeled to address this situation. We were given 4 envelopes, room steward, assistant waiter, waiter and head waiter. Didn't one used to say Maitre D?
 
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traveltime

Guest
Thanks for replying. I hope you had a fabulous cruise! Yes, I remember getting an envelope for the Maitre' D in the past. Do you happen to know how soon after boarding the dining room is open so we can try to change our seating? Again, thanks.
Donna
 
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Jiffymom

Guest
I don't think they will ever turn down a tip but honestly I think they will try and do your request without a tip. The more they do for you all week the better chance of a good review and tip they will get at the end of the week. Just go directly to dinning room and ask.
 
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PH8

Guest
We have never had to tip to get a different table,,,,,,,,thats why they are set up for requests the first day(they are usually there no later than 1pm)
 
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traveltime

Guest
Thanks so much for the help! Great points. We'll make sure to go straight to the dining room after we drop by our cabin.
Donna P
 
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jetblue

Guest
We did try to tip the Maitre'D once before but he refused the tip and said at the end of the cruise only please, I was shocked, but hey, he still got his money at the end of the cruise!
 
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PH8

Guest
BTw-you will get envelopes to tip your waiter,asst waiter and head waiter...........NOT the maitre de..
 
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bOB

Guest
And make sure that you do tell them that you had chosen first seating due to medical reasons for some of your party. Just because food is available 24 hours doesn't mean that you sould miss your option of the dining room in order for some of your party to eat properly. Another option is that unless the ship is booked to the wall, the herd thins out after the first night so if you get totally refused at first stay on his butt till you get what you need. You didn't mention the medical reason but a big winner for getting what you want is a person being diabetic, if that is the case make sure that you contact a customer service before you go, if you really want early seating there are a lot of strings you can pull. And none of it should cost any money to do, BUT if the MTD takes care of you then remeber him in the end.
 
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traveltime

Guest
Thanks for the suggestion of trying even after the first night! That's something I hadn't thought of. Yup, Diabetes is one of the reasons we requested early seating. Thanks for your help!!
Donna
 
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bOB

Guest
Then this person needs to eat on a schedule, no discussion should be needed. Call RCI and explain that you have a diabetic in your party and that is the reason you need first seating, and to please notify the ship that you need to be changed back to first seating. If that is not done, then hit the MTD as soon as you get on board and give the same reason, if he can not accommodate you then go to the customer service desk and ask to speak to the food and beverage manager and explain to him the medical reason.
 
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