Princess Cruises has recently announced a major update to their main dining offerings across its fleet, unveiling three distinct table service options—Traditional, Reservable, and Walk-in Anytime. This enhancement is complemented by the integration of the brand’s innovative OceanNow location-based service, which allows guests to order food and beverages from anywhere on the ship at any time.
Starting April 15, 2024, Princess Cruises will implement these changes on all voyages departing on or after September 14, 2024. This decision follows the successful introduction of the concept on the new Sun Princess, which has received positive feedback from guests enjoying its flexible dining arrangements.
A Closer Look at the New Dining Options
Traditional Dining
Dedicated to preserving the classic cruise dining experience, the Traditional option offers early and late seatings each evening in a designated dining room. Guests who appreciate a consistent schedule with the same table and waiter prefer this structured setting, which provides a familiar and comfortable dining atmosphere.
Reservable Dining
For those who desire flexibility but still wish to plan ahead, the Reservable option allows guests to choose their dining times for each day of their cruise. This option caters to families and groups who need to coordinate dining times according to their planned activities without committing to a fixed schedule.
Walk-in Anytime Dining
Reflecting the most flexible approach, the Walk-in Anytime dining option supports spontaneous dining choices, allowing guests to eat at their convenience without any reservations. This option is perfect for those who prefer making dining decisions on the fly, depending on their mood or the day’s events.
Integrating with OceanNow Service
Princess Cruises’ OceanNow service seamlessly integrates with these dining options, enhancing the overall guest experience. By simply using the Princess Cruises app, guests can order anything from the menu and have it delivered anywhere on the ship, whether they’re lounging by the pool, enjoying a sunset from the deck, or relaxing in their cabin.
The Sun Princess Model: A Blueprint for Success
The new Sun Princess has been a testbed for this innovative dining concept, featuring a three-story dining room each dedicated to one of the service options. The positive reception from guests aboard the Sun Princess has been instrumental in expanding this dining model fleetwide.
Sami Kohen, Vice President of Food and Beverage at Princess Cruises, shared his enthusiasm for the rollout: “Our guests have been delighted with the dining flexibility aboard Sun Princess, and we’re pleased to extend the concept to all the other ships in our fleet. Whether our guests prefer an early seating every evening, or wish to change things up every night, or even change their mind last minute, these flexible dining options ensure that their dining preferences are effortlessly accommodated.”
Transition and Future Plans
To facilitate the transition to this new system, all existing main dining reservations for voyages on September 14, 2024, and beyond, will be canceled, excluding those made for the Sun Princess. Guests booked on voyages through September 13, 2024, will not experience any changes to their dining arrangements.
Beginning June 17, guests will have the opportunity to use the app before their voyage to choose their preferred dining style—traditional or flexible. This new structure aims to enhance the cruising experience by offering more control and variety to every guest, ensuring that dining on Princess Cruises remains a highlight of the sea voyage.
As Princess Cruises continues to innovate and enhance its services, these fleetwide dining changes mark a significant step forward in catering to diverse guest preferences, setting a new standard for dining flexibility on the high seas.
Princess Cruises is committed to continuously enhancing guest satisfaction and convenience through innovative solutions like the newly revamped dining options and the integration of the OceanNow service. These changes promise to provide a tailored dining experience that meets the unique needs and preferences of all passengers, making every cruise with Princess an unforgettable journey.
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