Most cruise lines offers open seating for breakfast and lunch, with two seatings for dinner. Dinner hours are typically 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. You may request either sitting, as well as table size, smoking preference (more and more ships are prohibiting smoking in any dining area), and if you are traveling with friends you may request to dine with them. All such requests must be made in advance of sailing through your travel agent. Specific tables and table size are on request only and will be assigned by the Maitre d' on board.
Please note, these preferences are assigned on a
first-come, first-served basis. Which is why it is important that you make
these requests whey you book your cruise. Seating confirmation status is
often listed on your documents. A confirmation card with seating
assignment, smoking preference, and table assignment will be waiting for
you in your stateroom upon boarding.
If for some reason your dining request was not submitted
before your cruise date, the Maitre d' will assign you to the sitting that
is available. If you want to have your table or seating assignment changed
See the Maitre d’, he or she will do everything they can to assist you,
but be aware that there may be little that can be done.
The major cruise
lines have two seatings, which differ only by time. To choose, just decide
whether you prefer to dine early or late then request your preference when
you book your cruise. Whichever seating you choose, remember that one of
the best ways to make new friends is to ask for a large table. Radisson
Seven Seas Cruises and the many luxury cruise lines offer what is called
"Open Seating". Norwegian Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises have
instituted a variation of open seating on some of their ships. The open
seating concept allows you to eat at any time the dining room is open.
Also you are not assigned a specific table at which to dine, so you can
sit anywhere you want.
Most cruise lines have a limited number of staterooms
designed for guests with disabilities. And, not all such staterooms will
be wheelchair and scooter accessible. You also need to be aware, that
certain transfer and shore excursion facilities may not be fully
accessible to guests requiring wheelchairs or scooters. Although the
cruise lines endeavor to make sure other companies providing transfers and
shore excursions comply with ADA requirements, they cannot guarantee all
of these companies will provide facilities that are accessible to persons
with disabilities. When booking your cruise be sure to tell your travel
agent of your specific needs, so s/he can request the appropriate cabin to
meet your requirements. The cruise lines are hearing your voices, and are
making more and more accommodations for your needs, just be sure to ask if
your needs can be met, before your book your cruise. Travel insurance
companies will not reimburse you for cancellation of a trip because it
will not meet your needs.. REMEMBER, the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) is only applicable in the United States.
Some guests with
limited mobility may find it difficult to embark or disembark the ship at
certain docks due to steep gangways and steps, particularly during low or
high tide. When a ship is unable to dock due to limited dock facilities,
guests are taken ashore on smaller boats called tenders. Some wheelchair
and scooter guests may find that difficulties in boarding tenders make
their use prohibitive. The decision whether or not to carry a guest and/or
their wheelchair or scooter up or down a gangway or on or off a tender is
at the sole discretion of the Captain of the ship and will be made based
on his evaluation of guest and crew safety. Consequently, situations may
occur in which wheelchair and scooter guests are unable to go ashore at
certain ports. Your travel agent can find out how many of the port calls
will be made by tender and if the tender is equipped for persons with
disabilities.
In limited situations (either on board or ashore), where an individual
with a disability would be unable to satisfy certain specified safety and
other criteria, even when provided with appropriate auxiliary aids and
services, the cruise line may find it necessary to ask the individual to
make alternative travel arrangements. Guests requiring constant care MUST
have a capable traveling companion. It is essential that the cruise line
be informed of all such conditions as possible.
Wheelchairs: Due to a limited number of wheelchairs on board, guests who
require the use of a wheelchair should plan on bringing their own rather
than relying on the availability of cruise line’s equipment. Wheelchairs
and scooters must be stored inside the cabin and cannot be parked in the
corridors.
Oxygen: Any guest needing continuous oxygen for chronic conditions must
make their own arrangements prior to travel. Please contact your travel
agent for more information. Please make sure you bring the service
company's address and their local contacts in foreign countries, as
applicable.
