Holland America Open Seating vs Assigned Seating

Рет қаралды 14,113

Christina B. Marie

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 73

@wl-art 4 ай бұрын

Thanks! Very helpful for our upcoming cruise!

@christinabmarie 4 ай бұрын

So glad to hear it!!! I have more tips on my other channel too, Cruise Tips with Christina kzbin.info/door/h847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig

@juliemeekins 11 ай бұрын

Very condensed and informative

@christinabmarie 11 ай бұрын

Thank you!! You may also enjoy my other cruise channel, Cruise Tips with Christina! www.youtube.com/@cruisetipswithchristina?sub_confirmation=1

@catherinethecarnivorern8333 Жыл бұрын

My mom took me on a HAL cruise and now I’m taking my husband. Unfortunately my mom passed a few years ago. She’s been all over the world.

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Hugs. I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope you and your husband can make many great new memories on Holland America cruise ships!

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other KZbin channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 kzbin.info/door/h847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig

@deejay8892 Жыл бұрын

We have early seating on the Oostradam next month and it is at 5:45.

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Yay!!! Where are you heading off to?

@elsef6798 Жыл бұрын

Great tips! Thank you so much.

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

My pleasure!! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!!

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

@NaNa65. 8 ай бұрын

I like to eat when I want to. I’ve done assigned times & seating “back in the old days”. I don’t like being locked into a specific time, night after night.

@christinabmarie 6 ай бұрын

Totally get that! Did you experience long lines, or maybe not? I think it may depend on the cruise ship and/or the time you like to eat. 😃

@catherinethecarnivorern8333 Жыл бұрын

Agree, these are great tips!

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the comment. I hope you are having a great weekend!!! Which kind of seating do you usually do on HAL?

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

@limmerb Жыл бұрын

I disagree with your comment about open seating on HAL. Last year, we tried the early seating because I thought it would be nice to have the same table & waiters each night. We ended up missing this seating on several nights of our 11-day cruise, just because it was too early based on other things we were doing: either enjoying the pool & hot tubs or because the Lincoln Center Stage shows were typically in the late afternoons/early evenings. Also, after a beach day in port, we needed time to shower & dress for dinner. Therefore, for our March 2023 cruise on the Rotterdam (10 days), we went back to open seating, & arrived typically between 5:30-6pm each night, & never had to wait more than a couple of minutes for a table for two. Mos5 nights we had no wait at all! Our ship was also at full capacity because it was Spring break. 😊

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

thanks so much for the comment. That's super helpful for other travelers to read!!

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

@Jonas-gl9ke Жыл бұрын

Hi Christina Marie! My wife and I have an upcoming 2 week HAL cruise and were given open seating… Do you have more information on where exactly to go on the ship to ask for assigned seating? Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Yes, I sure do!!! When you board the ship, the first thing you should do is go to the place where they take dining reservations and ask for an assigned table. It's usually NOT in the dining room (where I would think it is!), but rather at a small station by the BB King Band area. Ask when you get on the ship, and they should tell you where to go. My mom and I are always given open seating, and get an assigned table when we ask. Also ask WHERE The table is...you don't want to be right near the entrance or the walking path where everyone is entering/exiting the dining room. Ask for a table by the windows.

@Jonas-gl9ke Жыл бұрын

@@christinabmarie Thank you!

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

@@Jonas-gl9ke My pleasure! Hope your Sunday was great!

@jasbirkaur5795 Жыл бұрын

@@christinabmarieCan you ask for assigned seating before you board the cruise? I sail in two weeks time.

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

@jlawrence0181 Жыл бұрын

Comments: 1) I agree with about 90% of the statements made in this video. However, for those of us who are budget travelers and book within 45 days of the cruise, early dining is generally not available at the time of booking on HAL and Celebrity. 2) On the HAL Konigsdam in December 2022, we were waiting 20 minutes many nights to get into the MDR even when arriving at the beginning of the meal service. If you waited until 6:00 pm, the waits were longer. 3) While the buffet at night is an option, it lacks the variety that you have at lunch time. In addition, if you head up there after 7 pm, you feel like you are heading into the Crew's Mess since employees make up about 40% of the people up there. 4) The grill by the pool is the best that I have experienced at sea over six cruises. OTOH, the food at the New York Deli is underwhelming, especially at night when once an item is gone, that is it for the night. 5) We liked the service in the MDR but once you were served dessert, the staff never came back. The food quality was excellent. 6) MDR breakfasts were the best with a ton of unique options from around the world.

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for leaving a comment! We never get assigned seating either, but I've found that if you ask for a table when you first get on the ship...you can get one! And I totally agree that the buffet at night lacks variety. And it is mostly just the crew! That's odd that once you got dessert in the MDR, the staff never came back. Was it because they were maybe waiting for you all to leave? I know they have really strict timelines they need to follow for cleaning up...maybe that was why? And that's so true that the MDR breakfasts are the best!! What did you usually order to eat?

@jlawrence0181 Жыл бұрын

@@christinabmarie 1) I think that the issues in the MDR is that they were short between 10-15 staff members in the MDR which has not been all that unusual post COVID-19 as many cruise members have not returned. I do want to emphasize that the staff was professional and efficient. 2) One thing that I like about the MDR is that HAL will seat you with other people so you always have the opportunity to meal other people. 3) I LOVE trying out new foods. I ate nearly everything on the INTERNATIONAL BREAKFAST menu including the Kippered herring, the full English breakfast, the Asian congee, the Aloo Masala and egg bhurgi, the European Cold Breakfast and the Pan Asian breakfast. I am not a great breakfast person but those were great. I like your cruise videos as they are more down to earth. You have a different perspective that those who cruise 20x per year.

@christinabmarie 11 ай бұрын

@@jlawrence0181 Thank you so, so much!! And happy Friday!!! You may also want to check out my other channel, Cruise TIps with Christina, which is all about cruising!! www.youtube.com/@cruisetipswithchristina?sub_confirmation=1

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Copying and pasting a question/comment from a fellow cruiser! I'll reply to their questions below for everyone to see! My husband and I enjoy your videos. Truly helpful to new cruisers. For instance, we had no idea what the difference is between open and assigned seating, and did not find that explained anywhere else. Thank you!Technically, we cruised before, about 20 years ago, on a lovely Nile cruise; it was a simple affair for the locals, still quite pleasant. This will be our first time on a major cruise line. We, or I, have been planning this adventure into the unknown, just since June 6! We’ll be on an Alaska cruise (HAL) out of Vancouver July 1. We prefer to hand over our luggage to porters at the terminal for delivery to our room. How will we know we’re leaving it with legitimate porters? Do we leave the luggage unlocked for inspection? If it’s locked, do we run the risk locks may be broken for further inspection? Not that I anticipate anything will be of interest. Any valuables will remain with us. Also, how do we keep our key cards secure when going into the swimming pool? I’m embarrassed to even bring up this question: How will our key cards be used? We have the Have It All package and I imagine we’ll be swiping our cards for most drinks. I don’t want to end up standing there like a bumpkin watching others swipe and go; hopefully, I’ll catch on in about a minute.

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comments and the questions Ethel! The legitimate porters are outside the Holland America cruise terminal. I think they are usually wearing white, but they don't have anything super official looking...I suppose I never worried about it, since they take your luggage and put it on a big, gate type "box" with everyone else's luggage. And yes, I'd leave the luggage unlocked for inspection....just to be safe. I don't think you have to worry about Holland America crew stealing their stuff. They are all very honest, hardworking people who want to keep their jobs at Holland. You don't need a key card to get into the swimming pool. Key cards are mostly used for getting into your room and for paying for things onboard. That's it!

@MaryTraveler-vo8zb 2 ай бұрын

If we are in Puerto Vallarta and buy a bottle of spirits, such as Tequila, can we bring it back on board with us??

@DPo_Kat Жыл бұрын

open seating was the only option for the cruise we booked later in September. Does this mean you can’t make reservations at all? I thought the agent said you could.

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Yes it is an option!!! When you board the ship, go straight to the dining reservations desk (I think it's usually a person standing outside of one of the specialty restaurants) and ask if you can get an assigned table. My mom and I never get assigned a table, but we always ask after boarding the ship and then we get a great table.

@DPo_Kat Жыл бұрын

@@christinabmarie thank u for the tip! we will try that!

@jhollie8196 Жыл бұрын

Just got off Zaandam for 14 days. The food in MD was ok, but nothing to brag about. Pinnacle Grill was good as always. I feel HAL’s food has gone down hill since covid and has yet to recover. Same goes for the entertainment on the Zaandam. 3 good shows out of 13 nights. Not good

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

That sounds horrible!!! Yeah...the Zaandam is one of Holland America's oldest ships and it definitely is not the best. But 3 good shows out of 13 nights is horrible. I agree - their evening entertainment has gone WAY downhill. I hope their management takes the guest comments seriously and starts to make changes ASAP!! Is there another cruise line you plan on going with next time?

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

@angelwingz892 8 ай бұрын

I prefer buffet...as little or as much as you prefer.

@christinabmarie 6 ай бұрын

That is a GREAT point...and the buffet has gotten NICER over the years. P.S. You may also want to check out my other channel, Cruise Tips with Christina, which has more tips! www.youtube.com/@cruisetipswithchristina/search?query=gym

@isisdave Жыл бұрын

Although the lines at assigned seating may be shorter, there most certainly are a bunch of people lined up outside the doors before they open. Also, when the entire seating arrives nearly at the same time, don't you think it takes longer to be served? Usually, the open seating dining room or area is separate. You can usually make a reservation, or you can just show up, get a pager, and wait. In my opinion, it's possible to get quicker service this way. We hate two-hour dinners.l

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

I suppose it depends on how early you show up! My mom and I always show up to dinner right on time, so we've never had to wait outside the doors. Also, they usually open the doors 5 min early or so. I find that the service is actually FASTER, as the server gets to know you and they are efficient. If you want to "get in and get out" - just tell them that you want quick service and they will make the magic happen! My mom and I have had 1-hour dinners with assigned seating...you just have to let the servers know.

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

@monicawiley2847 Жыл бұрын

Could you do a video on dress code for Holland? I'm taking my first Holland cruise next month..I've heard there are formal nights and orange night

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Yes!! Thank you for the suggestion!! In general (to answer your question now), Holland America is pretty casual. You'll see people in shorts and dressy shirts. Dining room = no shorts and no t-shirts and no flip-flops. Everything else is allowed. Orange night is just a Holland America thing. It's really just a 2-hour party in the BB King Blue's Club with music, where Holland America encourages people to wear orange shirts or orange necklaces to go with the Holland America theme. My mom and I honestly skipped it last time...they were playing, "We are Family" in the BB King Blue's Club and it seemed so cheesy to me! 🤣😆

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Your wish has been granted!! Holland America Dress code video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/onbClIqwmrifatU

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

And a big thank you for the suggestion!!!

@patriciapalmer7425 Жыл бұрын

Do they have tables for 8? We're traveling with a family group-

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Yes!!!

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

@christianmifsud7140 Жыл бұрын

if you are on open seating how can you book for timings before hand? thankyou

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

I don't think you can! If it's open seating, you just "show up" when you are ready to eat. Oftentimes there is a line, so I recommend you choose a specific time. The other option is to pay the extra $25 to eat in one of their specialty dining rooms.

@dianephelon6981 Жыл бұрын

I don't agree at all with assigned seating. When I am on a cruise I like to be flexible on everything. We always choose open time. I think the longest we ever had to wait was probably 20 minutes.

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!! That's a great point! I just get impatient, and for me waiting 20 min is too long. 🤣

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

@jaydenquach1058 Жыл бұрын

Hello Christina, Deck 5 0r Deck 8 is better?

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

Deck 5 for SURE!!! Deck 8 is bad...you can be under the pool, which can be loud when they move the lounge chairs. Plus, deck 5 is close to everything b/c it is in the middle.

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

@jaybeeynyc Жыл бұрын

If we opt for assigned seating, can we get a nightly table at 6:30 or 7:00? The 5:15 seating is too early for us, yet 8:15 is definitely too late.

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын

No. If you don't like those dining times, you can do the open seating and then come around 6:30pm or 7. Sadly you have to choose super early or late...

@kenholmes7999 Жыл бұрын

I would leave it open but once you get on board I would try and find a time you can hit more often than not. The, try to reserve that time for as many nights as possible. I've done it this way and we had the same table and servers basically for all those reservations. Just in full disclosure I haven't done it this way since 2019 and it was in the MDR. For the other nights you can't make that time I would just pick a time you can make and book those times as well unless you want to visit another restaurant or something on those nights. I say just ask, ask, ask.....

@christinabmarie Жыл бұрын