Princess Cruises converting all main dining to three options

Traditional dining will offer early and late seating every evening, while reservable allows diners to book their time, and the open seating options supports walk-ins any time.

All of this integrates with Princess Cruises' OceanNow, which enables passengers to order anything, anytime and receiving it anywhere on board.

Sun Princess inspiration

The new Sun Princess debuted a three-story dining room, Horizons, with one floor dedicated to traditional dining, another with a flexible reservation and a third for anytime walk-ins.

'Now whether guests prefer an early seating every evening, or change things up every night or even change their mind, these flexible dining options ensure that their dining preference is effortlessly accommodated,' said Sami Kohen, VP food and beverage, Princess.

The particulars

Starting on April 15, the new approach will launch on cruises departing Sept. 14 and beyond. To support these changes and the transition to the new system, main dining reservations already made for voyages sailing Sept. 14 and beyond for any ship except Sun Princess will be canceled. Main dining reservations for guests sailing through Sept. 13 will not be affected.

Starting June 17, booked passengers will be able to use the app ahead of their voyage to opt for traditional seating in a dedicated dining room with the same waiter, same table and same time each night, or flexible dining, allowing them dine at any available time and table size of their choosing in either the reservable or open seating dining rooms.

This change does not affect specialty dining restaurants or suite or reserve collection accommodations, whose passengers get a dedicated dining room where no reservations are required.