D
deemarch
Guest
Is the food better in the dining room? Can you sit alone if you choose? How many tables for two?
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S
Sestra
Guest
On my recent trip, I was alone and the dining room people would ask if I wanted to sit alone or with others. I always chose with others because I enjoyed meeting new people.
I found the Dining Room meals good and you could ask for more than one entree, but for convenience I chose to eat at the Buffet alot, then sitting alone, outside in the cold even as I wanted to enjoy the scenery. Once I spoiled myself by having some choices at the International Buffet, ate a bit at the outdoor buffet and then went to the indoor buffet and picked up a few more dishes. The food may not be high society makings but I liked the choices and the steaks were tender for buffet food.
This was on the Norwegian Sky by the bye, going to Alaska.
I found the Dining Room meals good and you could ask for more than one entree, but for convenience I chose to eat at the Buffet alot, then sitting alone, outside in the cold even as I wanted to enjoy the scenery. Once I spoiled myself by having some choices at the International Buffet, ate a bit at the outdoor buffet and then went to the indoor buffet and picked up a few more dishes. The food may not be high society makings but I liked the choices and the steaks were tender for buffet food.
This was on the Norwegian Sky by the bye, going to Alaska.
S
Sebastian
Guest
My wife and I have been on five cruises this year... 2 RCI, 2 NCL, and 1 CCL.
We both find that Freestyle is fantastic. It not only gives you the frexibilty to dine when and where you want, it offers traditional dining (same table, same waiter, same table mates, and same time)
We did the NCL's Dawn (NYC) in September, and RCI's AOS (San Juan) in October. We were always big fans of RCI, but found the food on NCL to be much better. While NCL's food stayed the same as pevious cruises, RCI's took two steps backwards.
NCL always had a great barbecue and a 'fresh fruit hut' at the pool. If you wanted lunch or a snack on RCI, you had leave your $20 pool towel, get dressed, then go to the buffet.
Since it sounds like you're two people and may want a table alone, the alternative restaurants might be a good choice for you. They're usually smaller and quieter with great ambiance. Several have an an add'l fee, but offer foods that aren't available on most cruise lines... Tempuara, Black Angus Steaks, Hibachi Grill, Chocolate Fondu, etc. We found the add'l cost restaurants well worth the price, especially when compared with RCI add'l fee restaurant that had basically the same food as their main dining rooms. And, RCI charged $2-$4 for premium coffees at any of their restaurants, NCL did not. This made the add'l cost restaurants a bargain.
If you're an early dinner eater, Freestyle may not be for you since many people want to be the first though the doors. We're late diners, so it fit our schedule perfectly, especially during Port days.
We both find that Freestyle is fantastic. It not only gives you the frexibilty to dine when and where you want, it offers traditional dining (same table, same waiter, same table mates, and same time)
We did the NCL's Dawn (NYC) in September, and RCI's AOS (San Juan) in October. We were always big fans of RCI, but found the food on NCL to be much better. While NCL's food stayed the same as pevious cruises, RCI's took two steps backwards.
NCL always had a great barbecue and a 'fresh fruit hut' at the pool. If you wanted lunch or a snack on RCI, you had leave your $20 pool towel, get dressed, then go to the buffet.
Since it sounds like you're two people and may want a table alone, the alternative restaurants might be a good choice for you. They're usually smaller and quieter with great ambiance. Several have an an add'l fee, but offer foods that aren't available on most cruise lines... Tempuara, Black Angus Steaks, Hibachi Grill, Chocolate Fondu, etc. We found the add'l cost restaurants well worth the price, especially when compared with RCI add'l fee restaurant that had basically the same food as their main dining rooms. And, RCI charged $2-$4 for premium coffees at any of their restaurants, NCL did not. This made the add'l cost restaurants a bargain.
If you're an early dinner eater, Freestyle may not be for you since many people want to be the first though the doors. We're late diners, so it fit our schedule perfectly, especially during Port days.
B
BigAl
Guest
We were on the Dawn (sold out) in September and we are early diners. We never waited more than a couple of minutes to be seated (party of 4). I think the peak period is between 7 and 8.
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newmexicoNita
Guest
I too, think the peek is about 7:00 or 7:30. It's like going to your favorite local restaurant like a Macarroni Grill or Outbake, people are inclined to eat after 6:30 or so. Just my opinion. Either way there normally is not a long wait regardless of what some have said. Yes, a party or 6 or 8 may wait longer, again just like at home, but the groups of 2 and 4 should have no problems.
Nita
Nita
T
TheParrotHead
Guest
Simply the Best!!!
T
TheParrotHead
Guest
Simply the Best!!!
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bpear1600
Guest
If Freestyle Dining was responsible for the excellent food in the dining rooms on the Norwegian Majesty 11/8-11/15 I'm all for it. It did seem to us, however, to result in lines at all times. If you wanted to catch the early show which was scheduled as early as 7:30PM some nights, you had to get into the DR before 6PM unless you got a table for two. When we sat at a table for eight it took almost two hours to eat.
