~Priority Dinner seating on Carnival~

I have seen this on a handout from Carnival..."PRIORITY SEATING TIME IN MAIN DINING ROOM"... listed as a perk for VIP guests...not sure what it means exactly...Explanation?:cool:

I have seen this on a handout from Carnival..."PRIORITY SEATING TIME IN MAIN DINING ROOM"... listed as a perk for VIP guests...not sure what it means exactly...Explanation?:cool:

It means that if you are a priority guest (Diamond/Platinum/FTTF), you will receive priority when arranging your dining preference. Diamonds are guaranteed their choice of early, late or YTD. Platinum then receives priority for their choice when waitlisted. FTTF receives the next priority when waitlisted.

It means that if you are a priority guest (Diamond/Platinum/FTTF), you will receive priority when arranging your dining preference. Diamonds are guaranteed their choice of early, late or YTD. Platinum then receives priority for their choice when waitlisted. FTTF receives the next priority when waitlisted.

Actually, as Platinum, we originally chose anytime dining, then decided to go with early seating in MDR. When we called we were told we were 'waitlisted', then suddenly the rep said, "Oh wait, you are Platinum, you are guaranteed of your choice"....we were immediately given the early seating and an updated confirmation was immediately sent indicating 'early seating'. Platinum should not be 'waitlisted', it is a 'perk' of the level.

It means that if you are a priority guest (Diamond/Platinum/FTTF), you will receive priority when arranging your dining preference. Diamonds are guaranteed their choice of early, late or YTD. Platinum then receives priority for their choice when waitlisted. FTTF receives the next priority when waitlisted.

Actually, as Platinum, we originally chose anytime dining, then decided to go with early seating in MDR. When we called we were told we were 'waitlisted', then suddenly the rep said, "Oh wait, you are Platinum, you are guaranteed of your choice"....we were immediately given the early seating and an updated confirmation was immediately sent indicating 'early seating'. Platinum should not be 'waitlisted', it is a 'perk' of the level.

That is very strange the rep told you that because the information given by Schoifmom is what is stated on the Carnival website. It used to be that Platinum was guaranteed their choice of dining times. But when they made changes to the loyalty program the guarantee was replaced with priority.

Actually, as Platinum, we originally chose anytime dining, then decided to go with early seating in MDR. When we called we were told we were 'waitlisted', then suddenly the rep said, "Oh wait, you are Platinum, you are guaranteed of your choice"....we were immediately given the early seating and an updated confirmation was immediately sent indicating 'early seating'. Platinum should not be 'waitlisted', it is a 'perk' of the level.

https://www.carnival.com/vifp/overview.aspx

Diamond: Guaranteed seating time requested in Main Dining Room for dinner only

Platinum: Priority reservations at Main Dining Room and Specialty Restaurant

FTTF: Priority Dinner Time Assignment: FTTF guests will be cleared after VIFP Platinum guests. This benefit does not include specific time reservations for 'Your Time Dining'. (https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1374/~/faster-to-the-fun-%28fttf%29)

Thanks to all...

I do not believe that platinums get very far with priority seating. Lip service only

As Platinum we have ALWAYS received MDR Seating we've requested

When I was Platinum, I always requested late MDR dining and was always accomodated.

My friend and I had originally asked for anytime, we switched to early. We were wait listed for a couple of days and then it changed to confirmed early. We are both platinum.

Candi

I would hope that someone who booked a year ahead and was guaranteed their preferred dining time wouldn’t be bumped for someone who booked last minute.

I would hope that someone who booked a year ahead and was guaranteed their preferred dining time wouldn’t be bumped for someone who booked last minute.

Just after they made the last change in loyalty program we were still platinum and booked a few weeks out.

we were wait listed for early dining and only got early a few days into the cruise.

Thanks!

Normally Platinum dining requests are honored. However, if a cruise has an unusual number of Diamonds---it becomes interesting. This happened on our Vista TA----if I remember correctly there were close to 1000 Diamonds on board with some disappointed Platinums. We will be on the Horizon's TA next year and I expect it to be the same.

I'm platinum and I always choose anytime dining. I've never ever not received what I requested, even when ATD was supposedly full when I booked.

I do not believe that platinums get very far with priority seating. Lip service only

Other than the one example you gave has this happened to you often? This would be helpful information. Thanks

Platinums always got guaranteed dining - until Diamond level was created. I always request early, and two cruises ago we were waitllisted, but told we would probably clear, which we did. Also cleared this last cruise, which we only booked a week out. EM

Other than the one example you gave has this happened to you often? This would be helpful information. Thanks

Usually we book 6 months or so out so not really applicable. I have heard of this happening to others though

We are Platinum and have choosen late dining. One onboard after our first meal, do we have the option to switch to a ATD?

Im platinum and booked dec 9th and it said wait listed, but a few days after i booked, i got a email saying cleared for early dining. My cruise seems like it has a lot of ultra casino people on my roll call, who get perks and priority as well. not sure what ULTRA casino offers mean but they said priority boarding and such. So far there are only 3 or 4 of us who are paying for the cruise on my roll call lol. everyone is priority.

We are Platinum and have choosen late dining. One onboard after our first meal, do we have the option to switch to a ATD?

usually at a set time, like maybe 4 pm the day you board there is a line in one of the mdrs where you can sign up to switch. Ive never had trouble switching, though it might take a day.

Im surprised whomever booked you didnt wait list you for ATD? if thats what you wanted, people change around all the time and I always get cleared if i waitlist before the cruise.

I booked in June for a December cruise and was wait-listed for Early Dining. It wasn't until I got my S&S card that I was assigned to Early Dining. I am Platinum.

We always worry about what time we will eat dinner 6 months out! :rolleyes:

Im platinum and booked dec 9th and it said wait listed, but a few days after i booked, i got a email saying cleared for early dining. My cruise seems like it has a lot of ultra casino people on my roll call, who get perks and priority as well. not sure what ULTRA casino offers mean but they said priority boarding and such. So far there are only 3 or 4 of us who are paying for the cruise on my roll call lol. everyone is priority.

At least they will be in the casino and you will have your choice of pool lounge chairs. :D

Not quite sure how this work we were on the Dream Journey cruise in Jan 2023 and we had YTD as well as a Diamond couple we had met we were seated while they were still waiting to be seated we told the Matre D to sit them with us.... we were told on our app the wait would be 10 mins that night we ended up waiting over an hour...So we missed the show we wanted to go to...