Frequently Asked Questions

Blue OdysSea Travel

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**Frequently Asked Cruise Questions**
Cruise (General)	Booking a Cruise	Airline Info
Cabin Selection	Dining Onboard	Shipboard Services
Shore Tours	Group Travel	Books & Guides

Questions About Dining Onboard

1. What about dining times?
2. What about table size and assignment?
3. Is smoking allowed in the formal dining rooms?
4. We've heard the food is great. Is that really true?
5. Do I have to eat in the formal dining room?
6. What about room service?
7. I have to have a special diet. Can I get it on the ship?
8. What meals and beverages are included in the cost of the cruise?
9. What if we do not like our tablemates?

Answers About Dining Onboard

1. When you make your cruise reservations, let us know if you would like main seating (starts between 5:30 PM & 6:30 PM) or second seating (starts between 8:00 PM & 9:00 PM). Your seating time will be noted on your cruise ticket and your cruise card you receive when boarding. Which seating is best for you? That depends. If you have small children with you, you may want to choose early dining. If you don't want to feel rushed to get back from shore excursions for early dining, you may want to choose late dining. If you want to take serious advantage of those fabulous midnight buffets, you'll definitely want to choose early dining. Some cruise lines are offering no set dining times. You can dine whenever and with whom you choose. Call me for details. The earlier you book, the better chance you have of receiving your requested dining time.
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2. Most cruise lines ask if you would like to have a small (4 to 6 people) or a large (8 or more people) table. Just let us know your preference and we will pass that request to the cruise line. For couples desiring an intimate dining experience at a table for 2, I will fax that request to the dining coordinator of the cruise lines. Most cruise lines will not confirm a table for two but they will make every effort to accommodate the request. Your cruise card will have your table assignment. Some cruise lines allow open seating so that you may choose to sit with whomever you wish at any size table you wish at each dinner time.
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3. Most cruise lines prohibit smoking in the formal and informal dining areas. Some European lines do not. Some foreign cruise lines will have designated smoking areas within the formal dining area. Ask me for details on the particular cruise in which you are interested.
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4. Most cruise lines have dining facilities rivaling or exceeding 5 star restaurants in the USA. Every evening, whether you choose to dine in the formal dining room or the informal buffet style dining area, you will presented with what seems like a myriad of delectable options from which to choose. Which one should you pick? You may pick one or as many as you wish! We know from first hand experience that some cruisers choose 2 or 3 entrees at a time! The wait staff is very accommodating of all requests. In fact, if there is nothing on the menu that appeals to you, you may request something that you like. Your waiter will make every effort to get it for you and prepared just the way you like it. If you choose something with which you are not familiar and you do not like, please let your waiter know and he or she will get you another selection of your choice. How much does all this extra food and service cost? Not a penny more! That's one of the great benefits of cruising.
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5. Most cruise lines request your presence in the formal dining room on the "formal nights" that are scheduled. However, dining in the formal dining room is not mandatory. You may choose to eat in the buffet style dining area whenever you wish. However, sometimes, some cruise lines will close the informal dining area on special occasions.
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6. Most cruise lines offer complimentary room service. Your menu choices may be the same as those found in the main dining room or there may be a specific room service menu (sometimes this is very limited). If you want a quiet, romantic dinner for two, ask your cabin attendant to set up an area in your room, then order the meals of your choice. They will be delivered promptly and cheerfully by the ship's bell hops. On some cruise lines, tipping may apply to room service.
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7. Yes! Nearly every cruise line is offering heart healthy choices right on the menu. For other special dietary needs, just let me know when you book your cruise and I will send your request into the cruise line. For specially prepared meals like Kosher meals, just ask me to place that request for you.
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8. Your cruise price includes all meals in the formal dining room and buffet restaurants and some other dining venues. Most cruise lines have specialty restaurants that require advance reservations and do have a surcharge from $8 to $30 per person depending upon the cruise line. Most cruise lines charge extra for wine, beer, any other alcoholic beverage, soda pop, and specialty coffees in the restaurants. Most cruise lines have an extensive wine list and sommeliers to assist you in making a selection. Wine prices are about the same as you would find in most land restaurants in the USA. Some lines have a wine package offering that makes the price more attractive. Call me for details.
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9. Occasionally, this happens. Simply ask the restaurant manager to assign you to a different table. Alternately, you may dine in an other available dining venue on the ship.
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