Is NCL the only cruiseline that does the "freestyle" thing?

My parents are looking to book a cruise for their anniversary. I was telling them about how Norweigian has "Freestyle" where you don't have assigned seating, don't sit with strangers at meals and can eat whenever you want.

I thought I read recently that another cruiseline was implementing this, is this true? Maybe it was Princess? Anyone know?

Re: Is NCL the only cruiseline that does the "freestyle" thing?

Princess does it too. It's one of the reasons why DH and I chose Princess.

Re: Is NCL the only cruiseline that does the "freestyle" thing?

Re: Is NCL the only cruiseline that does the "freestyle" thing?

My DH and I just did a Princess cruise and choose the Anytime dining and loved it

We could go to the dinning room, or any of the other places to eat at anytime.

We usually asked for a table for 2....of course we opted to eat later, so that we could get a table for 2. Only once did we have to wait...and it was about 15 mins.

After the first night, where we sat with the biggest dull azzes ever...did we vow not to sit with others again....

Re: Is NCL the only cruiseline that does the "freestyle" thing?

Re: Is NCL the only cruiseline that does the "freestyle" thing?

DH and I didn't realize that we could ask for a table for 2 at first; we just assumed that since we did Anytime Dining, they would seat us at a table for 2, but we wound up at a table for like 6! It wasn't bad though; we actually did it again and had a nice time with the people we sat with.
I think getting a table for 2 depends on when you go to eat like someone already mentioned. You may have to wait a little if you go to eat during a peak time.

Re: Is NCL the only cruiseline that does the "freestyle" thing?

when we were on our Princess cruise a couple of years ago, it was very hard to actually get a table for 2. We tried going to dinner and all different times, but we always ended up having to sit with people.

Re: Is NCL the only cruiseline that does the "freestyle" thing?

When you are booking a cruise you can request to sit alone- or with your group-

the first cruise I went on with my family, 7 of us, we were sitting with other people a fmaily of 3, who I guess didn't like us too much because they moved

but after that, every cruise we go on- minus 1 that we went on in April (where we did not request to sit alone) we have always sat at tables by ourselves- or with the group we are in and never had to sit with others-

ETA: It was not on a freestlye/anytime ship

Message edited 1/24/2008 7:34:56 AM.

Re: Is NCL the only cruiseline that does the "freestyle" thing?

On Royal Carribean, we had assigned times, but when we booked they offerd us a table for 2. I didn't even know that was an option. I like that because that was always our table.
As stated earlier, with the freesytle dining, it depends on what is available.

Re: Is NCL the only cruiseline that does the "freestyle" thing?

I have been on two different Princess Cruises and had no problem either time getting a table for two. We usually ate around 7 or 8pm. We did the anytime dining. We where usually sat within in 5 min or less. We also would make a reservation before we left for the night, for the next day. That also helped!

Not really on the topic, but Princess cruise line is great!! I prefer it over NCL.