late dining/early dining - your thoughts?

[19snapshot]

We have taken a few cruises, but have always taken the kids. We typically choose early dining because we have our children with us. Now we are cruising alone...just the two of us.;) Any thoughts on which dining time (5:45, 6:15, 8:00, 8:30) you think is best?

[7SEASSISTER]

We have taken a few cruises, but have always taken the kids. We typically choose early dining because we have our children with us. Now we are cruising alone...just the two of us.;) Any thoughts on which dining time (5:45, 6:15, 8:00, 8:30) you think is best?

 

Hi Snapshot,

 

I stay away from 6:15 and 8:30 - reason being 6:15 will conflict with any free cocktail parties, which we like. and 8:30 you don't get as good of seating at the shows if you go to the later shows. But the 8 pm is my favorite - I don't do alot with the midnight buffets and I like to use my deck time as much as possible :D

[OceanTrvlr]

We have taken a few cruises, but have always taken the kids. We typically choose early dining because we have our children with us. Now we are cruising alone...just the two of us.;) Any thoughts on which dining time (5:45, 6:15, 8:00, 8:30) you think is best?

 

I usually go for 8 or 8:30. The late shows usually start around 10-10:30pm. I agree with 7SEASSISTER about deck time!

[CruzVinnieCruz]

I agree with the other posters 8:00 or 8:30. We never seemed rush to get ready to goto dinner especially if it's a port day.

[kiwigirl]

We have taken a few cruises, but have always taken the kids. We typically choose early dining because we have our children with us. Now we are cruising alone...just the two of us.;) Any thoughts on which dining time (5:45, 6:15, 8:00, 8:30) you think is best?

Our first few cruises we chose the early dining because we tend to eat early at home. On our last cruise we had requested the 6:15 but got assigned the 5:45. We were with some other CCers who had the 8:00 and they convinced us to change and join them.

 

It worked out great. First, we weren't rushed in any way. Second, it seems that the servings might be a bit smaller than they were 8 years ago (my last cruise), because I never felt stuffed after eating. At home if I eat after 7pm I feel full forever. :rolleyes:

 

Anyway, it's an individual choice, but I went with the late seating for our cruise next summer because it worked out so well. Also, we never felt that we had to have dinner on the ship if we were in port late. Part of the whole experience for us was to enjoy local cuisine. With the late seating we were able to do both.

 

Enjoy!!

[momofzeke]

On our 2 cruises (Spirit class ships) we only had 2 choices: early or late. We prefer late (8:15). If I were on a cruise that offered 4 times, I would try to get the 8:00 seating.

 

We like late seating because you have more time to get ready for dinner after port days. We always grabbed a quick snack from Lido buffet, pizza, or room service around 5 or so to tide us over until dinnertime.

[PROPILOT]

We've done the early and late seatings and agree that the 8:00 is the best seating time.....there's no rushing,and it gives us time to work out at the Gym before dinner. Early seating shortens your time on deck during the day and makes the evenings seem so long.you're finished dinner and the show by 9:30 PM!

 

Trevor

[yearnin4cruisin]

I only had late seating once before and thought I'd hate it, but it worked out extremely well for all the above listed reasons. So well, in fact, that my next cruise I've requested 8pm and will have a four year old along. We'll see how it goes. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[folashade]

I like the 8PM seating. Its about the time I eat at home since I am usually at the office until 6:30 so I eat around that time anyway. Plus if I ate earlier I would get hungry later and wind up eating again

[megansdad1]

definitely the 8:00 seating. Less children, you don't have to fell rushed out and it is a lot easier on those late port days.

[cruisinjerseygirl]

Ok, I am going to be the odd one out and say that we liked the early seating. We didn't have to go to it anyway, but point was that if we chose to go with it we could start our night with dinner early and catch ALL possible shows or things going on, if we chose a later dinner we would miss things although they have the shows again, some conflict with other things and we like to have a full night so we felt it was great, dinner, show, casino or bar, comedy show or something and back to the bar. We started our nights at around 7pm and loved it.

[DqALEX]

I like early because I eat around 5:30 at home.

[DarkJedi]

We prefer late, but we normally eat around 8pm anyway since that's when DW normally gets home.

It is nice since you don't feel rushed, even on port days, and there are less kids. Downside is that some of the kids on late dinner do get upset and loud, normally the smallest children have this problem since they either ate something and aren't hungry or were made to wait to long to eat.

[angelkisses]

Ok, I am going to be the odd one out and say that we liked the early seating. We didn't have to go to it anyway, but point was that if we chose to go with it we could start our night with dinner early and catch ALL possible shows or things going on, if we chose a later dinner we would miss things although they have the shows again, some conflict with other things and we like to have a full night so we felt it was great, dinner, show, casino or bar, comedy show or something and back to the bar. We started our nights at around 7pm and loved it.

 

A agree with cruisinjersey. We have only cruised once and chose late seating. After a busy day in port we would find that by the time we were actually served at the late seating we were too tired to really enjoy it plus would end up snacking more in the late afternoon. We ended up going to the lido buffet a couple nights to dine early and then were better able to enjoy the evening activities (shows, casinos) including the midnight buffet. It worked out overall better for us. This coming week when we sail we have requested early dining. Normally, we dine at home late in evenings because we are both 3rd shift workers but on vacation our schedules were so different anyway that our normal dining time really didn't play a part in our decision.

 

Since you have already done the early dining time why not try a late seating? It just might work out very well for you and if not at least you will know for future cruises. Both options have pros and cons.

[19snapshot]

Thank you for your thoughts on this. I am leaning toward the 8:00 seating.

[GoinCruisin]

I always prefer 8pm seating. I don't go to the shows... and I don't eat at the late night buffets... I would rather have extra Lido deck time :p I can't even imagine leaving at 3:30-4 to start getting ready for dinner (generally I've just finished lunch around this time :p)... I also don't eat until around 8pm at home... I like going to dinner, and soon after dinner the nightlife starts, go see the band for a bit, then hit the disco, then grab some pizza at 3am...

[RoryS]

I originally requested the 6:15 seating on our LIberty sailing in March. From what everyone says on here; it appears that the 8 pm might be better. I had some concerns when I booked regarding getting back from the ports and trying to rush to get ready for dinner. I booked thru a WebSite TA. Can I change my request to 8 pm? I know there are no guarantees that I will get that time especially since it seems to be what everyone else is going to be doing. Can I request it thru the CC website?

[Luckysll]

My Dad and Stepmom would always request early seating. Because they were older and didn't stay up late, they didn't like to eat late and then go to bed on a full stomach. In fact, if they couldn't be guaranteed early seating at the time they booked, they wouldn't book!

 

I, on the other hand, like late seating, but only because I'm on the west coast and the 3 hour time difference means I'm really eating around 5 pm which is what time I eat at home. On the 2 Alaska cruises, I opted for early seating because it was the same time as I was used to.

[madhouseinc]

I originally requested the 6:15 seating on our LIberty sailing in March. From what everyone says on here; it appears that the 8 pm might be better. I had some concerns when I booked regarding getting back from the ports and trying to rush to get ready for dinner. I booked thru a WebSite TA. Can I change my request to 8 pm? I know there are no guarantees that I will get that time especially since it seems to be what everyone else is going to be doing. Can I request it thru the CC website?

 

I find the best way to handle it is to talk to the maitre d' when you board. We requested late dining through our TA and he reminded us it may be changed - it was - but the maitre di' was most helpful.

[Avril]

We have taken a few cruises, but have always taken the kids. We typically choose early dining because we have our children with us. Now we are cruising alone...just the two of us.;) Any thoughts on which dining time (5:45, 6:15, 8:00, 8:30) you think is best?

 

When my Mom and I cruise, we always go for late seating (8:00 or 8:30). We like it because that way you don't have to miss either part of your time in port or, even worse, dinner.:eek: Also, when you have late seating, the early seating people leave the pool deck around 4:00-4:30 so after that, you almost have it to yourself!!!! If we are hungery before 8:00, we just grab something at the pizza place or the Lido Buffet (usually around 5:00). After 6 cruises, we think it works. I hope it's nice and peacful for you without the kids. It should be. Enjoy your cruise.:D

[serene56]

We tried late seating our first cruise and for us it was rough.

Getting done dinner about 10pm then heading to the shows-- the food never had a chance to move.. then by midnight--trying to sleep with all that heavy food was very hard. come morning we still didnt want to eat breakfast.

 

 

I like the 6:15 time-- time enough to walk the outside deck

by the time the shows are there for 10pm i moved around quite a bit and was not uncomfortable the rest of the night.

[alphakitty]

Add another vote for the late seating. We enjoy our port time and don't want to cut it short to catch an early dinner. I've never had a problem getting a good seat for the shows after the late seating dinner.

 

Also, we found on our first cruise when we had early seating, we missed sunsets every night while at dinner...that was a bummer.

[19snapshot]

Also, when you have late seating, the early seating people leave the pool deck around 4:00-4:30 so after that, you almost have it to yourself!!!! Enjoy your cruise.:D

 

Good point! Thank you.

[Guest CRUZIN' SUZIN]

I have not read all of the previous posts so I may be echoing someone else. If so, I apologize.

 

I always choose (and hope for) the 8:00 seating. For the following reasons:

 

1) Less children. Most families with small children eat during the two early seatings.

 

2) On port days, there is no rush between getting back to the ship and getting ready for dinner. If you have an 5:45 or 6:15 seating at dinner, you would have to be back at the ship by at least 4:30 (or earlier) in order to shower and change for dinner. I usually want to enjoy my full day at port and then take my time (a nap maybe) to prepare for dinner.

 

3) I am a night owl so eating at 8 is good for me. I don't tend to partake in the midnight buffets for that reason.

 

4) The late seating means I usually go to the late show. As soon as the late show is over, it is time to start the late night activities with no stopping. I hit the dance club or the piano bar or the casino or the Lido Deck party.

 

5) If I eat lunch at 1 or 2, I am not hungry enough for a full meal until 8 or so.

 

6) I cruise solo and most solo cruisers are put at the later seatings so as to save the larger early seating tables for the families with children.

 

7) 8:30 is too late and I feel you are really getting the leftovers of the kitchen or what has been sitting around just a little bit longer.

 

Just my thoughts.

[19snapshot]

Thank you all for your input! We decided to take the 8 pm. Just called Carnival and they said no problem. With the time change, 8 will feel like 7 to us which is when we usually eat dinner at home. The big deciding factors for us were...

• time in port (not wanting to cut our time short)
  
• less children
  
• won't miss the sunsets
  
• won't feel rushed

Thanks again