The Cruise Industry is known above all for the food; specifically the amount of food, and the seemingly hypnotic way you find yourself eating when not even hungry. Perhaps it’s the idea that you are being waited on hand and foot that does it, nevertheless the experience is one to remember.
Formal Dining
Been to any three course dinners lately? How about formal dining while dressed to the 9’s? Something about having your own table, your own waiter, and dressing up that just makes the experience that much more memorable. Your table number will be listed on your stateroom key card along with which “seating” you are in. There are two seating’s for formal dining, usually 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm. Pastor Sharon will always arrange for the first seating to allow for evening meetings. Additionally, Pastor Sharon spends a great deal of time getting to know you throughout the booking process, combined with much prayer she carefully and thoughtfully puts together formal dining seating charts. This allows for our cruisers to sit together and fellowship. Each of your dining mates has a story and has been selected for that very table so be sure to mingle and do not feel that you have to sit in the same chair every evening; try to move around your assigned table because you never know who you are going to get the pleasure of getting to know or what kind of divine appointment God might have in store for you. One thing God has really done with Heavenly Cruises is caused a networking within the cruisers, so don’t be shy because you have the opportunity to form relationships that will last a lifetime! The dress code for formal dining may sound like a pain, but where else do you get to dress up these days, if ever? You are not required to attend formal dining but who would want to miss the three course meals let alone the fellowship that goes on during this time? Formal nights are exciting because there are thousands of passengers all dressed up in gowns and tuxedo’s having a great time getting their pictures taken and feeling all glamorous. Note: Every other night the dressing up is not quite as extreme, but no shorts tank tops, flip flops, jeans, t-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, baseball caps, or pool wear will be allowed in the formal dining room or specialty restaurants at any time. Below are recommended guidelines to follow when packing for formal dining. The two types of dress are: “Smart Casual” and “Formal”.
Smart Casual
Ladies: Dress, skirt, pants, complemented by sweater or blouse (no holes, rips or tears).
Gentlemen: Pants with sports shirt or sweater. Shirts must have sleeves and collar (no holes, rips or tears).
Formal Nights:
Ladies: Cocktail dress, gown or dressy pantsuit
Gentlemen: Tuxedo, suit or dinner jacket with slacks
We have mentioned three course meals but now let’s talk about it. The beauty of cruising is that you have already paid for the food, so imagine the exhilaration of ordering as much food as you can fit in your stomach, then walking out without having to pay the bill! The menu will be different every evening complete with a piece of bread to start, an appetizer or two, your entrée, always with enough room for dessert and cup of coffee! Another fun thing about formal dining is that from time to time your waiter will bring an appetizer or entrée for the table above and beyond what you already ordered. There is Filet Mignon, but the menu calls it Beef Medallions. Shhh, thats a secret between you and me, because they don’t want everyone ordering it if they only have a certain amount to go around. Let’s not forget lobster night gentlemen, see… dressing up for an hour or two is not so bad, it will be worth it in the end!
The Buffet
The buffet is always impressive on a ship, complete with food for all types; you won’t want to miss it. There is no dress code for the buffet, and is usually located on an upper deck. Be sure to look in your cruise flyer for the hours of operation. If the buffet is not open, do not fear there is always somewhere else to get food. The buffet also tends to be a fun place to meet and have lunch with your fellow cruise mates and as well as great place to look if you lost your group!
Specialty Restaurants
The ship will always have at least one specialty restaurant, like a “Johny Rockets”. This will not be free. It might be worth the experience though so feel free to check it out.
Other Not Free Stuff
Coffee, Tea, Lemonade, Juices, and water are always free, but coke products, bottled water, alcohol, and specialty restaurants are an additional cost. The charges for these items will be charged to your shipboard account so you will have to show your room key card when ordering these items.