Question of the Week 7/21/14: Freestyle Dining on Norwegian Cruise Line

Our cruise was April 2015 on the Escape. The FreeStyle dining was surprisingly worked well and here never was a line at any dining room and any time. Reservations were never needed but you can make them from your room, at the dining room or at the service desk. A few of the dining rooms did have the same menu on the same nights. We ate the main dining room a few evenings since it had live music and your more likely to be seated with other patrons. If you're with a group traveling together arrangements can be made at any of the dining rooms for everyone can sit together at your preferred time and place. There are absolutely no restrictions.

O'Sheehan's Bar and Grill had one or two nights of Prime Rib, all you can eat. It is like a pub style restaurant and there we did have to wait maybe 10 minutes (between 5-6 PM) for a table because of its smaller size but it was not at all a bad experience. The Savor and Taste Restaurants on deck 6 are opposite of each other and are nearly identical and the same menu. One night we went to the "The Supper Club" and it was a big disappointment. The cruise we went on was in April 2015, the first winter sailing for the new ship Escape, so it might be different now. It was a french style meal and a McDonalds Happy Meal had more food that what you were served. The entertainment, though nice, only lasted only 30 minutes.

Great flexibility in cruise dining with alternative options

Bahamas Cruise with Restaurant

This free style dinning doesn't sound that free. We booked a cruise on the NCL Ecapse for April 2, 2016. Why can't they offer traditional dining. All we want to do is go the the dining room at our time, at our table. No fuss, no work, no stress! Is it just a way to get travelers to spend more money at the specialty restaurants? Our travel agent stated that it is not bad and it works but can anyone comment on a recent cruise with NCL?

Freestyle can take a little getting used to. Less so now that all the lines offer some sort of my time dining,your time dining......few ships offer a true dining time dining. Just understand, you decide how much you want to spend. This concept eludes new cruisers.

Just returned from a cruise on the Epic. Luckily, I prebooked all nights in a specific restaurant. I say luckily because by the third day people were saying the choices were few. And Cagney's Steakhouse ( my favorite and our server; Krisma, was the best EVER!), only had the 9:30 time slot open.

The Italian Restaurant was the most disappointing in my opinion. Happy Cruising!

Been on two NCL ships now and found the Freestyle Dining concept to be exactly as the line advertises. Unfortunately, not everyone's review of this form of dining is positive. All I can say is that whether on the Pearl or the Sky, dining alone, as a pair or in a group of six, I never had to wait for a table in any Main Dining Room or Le Bistro. Buffet is a different story--it can become a bit of a hike to find a free table. That's why I often combined a meal with a drink at the Garden Terrace overlooking the stern of the ship. Never a wait, limited but decent selection and usually there's some eye-candy to go along with the

adult refreshment.

Last time I was on NCL they did not take reservations in the free dining rooms. We had to stand in line, the line was very long on formal night for the Lobster. We had not trouble getting into the extra pay restaurants even for the same day. LeBistro and Cagnney's were great, so was the sushi. I can also recommend if they do the special $ 10.00 Indian lunch, well worth the price.

On NCL to get good food you do need to go to the extra pay dining, the MDR was OK food but bad service. If your going for the free dinning try the smaller dining room, lines were shorter and service was better when I was on the Star and the Pearl.

You already have received detailed information on your question. So nowIjust want to wish you a great cruise. I will only add that I always use my time dining on all ships if available. If you like a particular server, inquire at the hostess desk if you can be seated in that area. I you dine a little early you can usually be accommodated. We rarely have a problem once we make friends with the hostess. But, we make it a point to dine early. We notice that the later you dine the harder it is to get a particular server.

Cagney's & LeBistro are highly recommended. If you are going on the Breakaway, the LeCirc show and dinner is an excellent choice too. Try to take advantage of the specials that NCL offers. Either a celebration package, or the, I think it's 3 for 2 special. Check the NCL website for dining packages.

hope this helps

enjoy the cruise