Aurora's 'al fresco grill restaurant' in the Winter?

[ch1mpy]

Hopefully a very quick question which somebody can answer for me. I've read that Aurora has an al fresco grill restaurant (which sounds lovely) but we're going on a cruise on Aurora in the Winter. Does anybody know what happens to this restaurant when the weather isn't good enough for al fresco dining?
many thanks in anticipation

[david63]

Cannot give a definitive answer as I have not been on Aurora but my guess would be that you would est inside - although depending on where you are cruising it can be warm enough to eat outside in winter.

[Quizzical Bob]

If we are referring to the Pennant Grill at the top at the back of the ship then that is partially covered and its use us weather-dependent.

[Dancing Queen]

They use the area just inside where the Pennant Grill is, it's all nicely set out, not as nice as being outside but still nice.

[Manoverboard]

The Pennant Grill ...

We sat out in lovely blue skies at the end of August this year ... we were steaming up the English channel and it was bloody ffffreezing so we moved back a little way to avoid the chill factor.

In February 2012 however it was a beautiful warm night and as warm as toast, albeit somewhere near Penang.

[Quizzical Bob]

We've used outside grills but only when the ship has been docked alongside during the evening. It was ver pleasant.

[ch1mpy]

Hi everyone, thanks for your responses. We are going in November on R321 to La Coruna, Cadiz, Gibralta, Casablanca and Lisbon. I think the average temperatures are only about 18 or so during the day so i doubt it will be warm enough for the evenings to sit outside. It will be interesting to see how they manage to make use of the restaurant. I like to try all the different ones onboard so I'm hoping it will be open.
thanks again.

[Gill W]

If the weather isn't suitable for outside eating, they'll use part of the Orangery. The tables would be set out nicely, so it wouldn't be like eating in the buffet!

[emjay45]

If the weather isn't suitable for outside eating, they'll use part of the Orangery. The tables would be set out nicely, so it wouldn't be like eating in the buffet!

Yes that's what they do. They section off part of the Orangery and set the tables up so that it looks quite different. I can't quite remember but I think they put up curtains or blinds. Or have I imagined that.

[Sarah62+]

Actually I was wondering about that too. We are on R322 Xmas markets cruise, and was interested but didn't fancy freezing to death!! Now I know.

[Dancing Queen]

If the weather isn't suitable for outside eating, they'll use part of the Orangery. The tables would be set out nicely, so it wouldn't be like eating in the buffet!

Yes that's what they do. They section off part of the Orangery and set the tables up so that it looks quite different. I can't quite remember but I think they put up curtains or blinds. Or have I imagined that.

No I don't think you've imagined that emjay, we have only eaten inside once but I seem to recall blinds or something similar, just can't remember what

[emjay45]

N

If the weather isn't suitable for outside eating, they'll use part of the Orangery. The tables would be set out nicely, so it wouldn't be like eating in the buffet!

Yes that's what they do. They section off part of the Orangery and set the tables up so that it looks quite different. I can't quite remember but I think they put up curtains or blinds. Or have I imagined that.

No I don't think you've imagined that emjay, we have only eaten inside once but I seem to recall blinds or something similar, just can't remember what

Not just my memory going then

[Quizzical Bob]

They use the after starboard area of the orangerie which is easily divided off from the rest. They use boxes with artificial hedges in.

[Southwinds]

They have screens like a roller blind that comes down from thr ceiling to close the area from the buffet area, they do this on days you can't sit out. It's all done very well

[ch1mpy]

Fantastic, thank you all once again for your prompt responses on this. I'm definately looking forward to trying it out now!
Do you think i need to prebook it before we leave or can i make a reservation once onboard?

[david63]

Currently I believe that you cannot book in advance so you will have no other option but wait until you are on-board.

[ch1mpy]

On my Cruise Personaliser it says:

To pre arrange your dining reservation at The Pennant Grill please call 0843 374 0111.

Dining reservations must be made at least three days prior to cruise departure, and are available on cruises eight nights or more. Please note: Date and time of your reservation will be confirmed onboard.

[david63]

On my Cruise Personaliser it says:

To pre arrange your dining reservation at The Pennant Grill please call 0843 374 0111.

Dining reservations must be made at least three days prior to cruise departure, and are available on cruises eight nights or more. Please note: Date and time of your reservation will be confirmed onboard.

All that will do is to confirm that you have a booking sometime on your cruise - but not a date/time.

The actual booking and prepayment of select dining is about to start being trialled on Ventura with subsequent roll out to the other ships.

[ch1mpy]

I have now managed to book a date and time for this restaurant, so looking forward to trying it out very soon!
thanks again to all that replied, your responses were all very helpful indeed.