Early vs late dinner

[newbie crus'r]

Hi-

My husband and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary on Millie this February. The first cruise for both of us! We are scheduled to eat at the early dinner (6pm) because we don't want to be stuffed for the evening fun - shows, dancing, etc... But, we are concerned that the earlier dinner will cause the late afternoon to feel rushed. Any feedback would be welcome from you seasoned cruisers.

Thanks!

Lisa

[raymac46]

We've been on two Celebrity Cruises and always have chosen the late seating. This was certainly no problem in the Baltic in June - it didn't get dark until 11:30 most nights.

If on a port intensive itinerary with lots of sightseeing I would certainly feel rushed getting back and getting ready for dinner. Most ports in the Baltic are not formal nights so maybe it would be OK.

Often they have an early show for late seating diners so you wouldn't be stuffed for that part at least.

We just felt that the late seating suited us better. Never rushed before during or after the meal. Your mileage may vary.

[Captain Cosmo]

Agree with Raymac - early dinner is a rush on shore excursion days and the entertainment is scheduled so that people from either seating can see it, so we go with the late seating.

[beauxdammit]

Early dinner will rush you on most days, and will attract more of the "family" groups. Usually not a problem, but can on occasion be distracting because of the number of kids.

We have found that the late dinner works best for us since we do not usually go to the shows anyway. Also, you will not be as rushed since the wait staff does not have to set up for a second sitting. A late afternoon nap will set you up for a longer time after dinner.

 

Either way, the food is just as good and the the service will be great.

[beauxdammit]

Early dinner will rush you on most days, and will attract more of the "family" groups. Usually not a problem, but can on occasion be distracting because of the number of kids.

We have found that the late dinner works best for us since we do not usually go to the shows anyway. Also, you will not be as rushed since the wait staff does not have to set up for a second sitting. A late afternoon nap will set you up for a longer time after dinner.

 

Either way, the food is just as good and the the service will be great.

[beauxdammit]

Oops!!

[Drew B]

I prefer the late seating, but both seatings have advantages and disadvantages. To me, the early seating is too early, but the late seating is a bit too late. On some other lines, they have a more staggered approach with several seatings in several dining rooms. If I can find a 7:30 or 8:00 seating, that is ideal...

[SheilaNC]

We usually do the late seating for the reasons stated above. But...find that it really depends on the group with whom you're traveling and the itinerary. For instance, when we did Alaska with our 3 generation family, early seating worked best. The younger folks couldn't wait for late dinner and by doing early, the parents could get the kids settled in their activities (or leave them with grandparents :)) and enjoy the evening activities.

[hammybee]

I prefer the late seating, but both seatings have advantages and disadvantages. To me, the early seating is too early, but the late seating is a bit too late. On some other lines, they have a more staggered approach with several seatings in several dining rooms. If I can find a 7:30 or 8:00 seating, that is ideal...

 

I right there with you, Drew. I think it matters less when sailing in the Caribbean but on port intensive European cruises, the early seating is a killer, in my book, especially on formal nights.

[Drew B]

I right there with you, Drew. I think it matters less when sailing in the Caribbean but on port intensive European cruises, the early seating is a killer, in my book, especially on formal nights.

 

In Alaska (and I guess the Baltics as well), it's really weird that the early seating has FINISHED their meal before the sun has even set!

[SueSea]

I, too, feel early dinner is too early and late is too late. When I have to pick one or the other, I prefer early. You need to check how late your port calls are and how many long days you have in port. For example, on Caribbean cruises I'll be spending a lot of time swimming & snorkeling, which usually tires me out long before boarding time. Since I'm usually back on the ship a bit early, I don't feel rushed for dinner.

 

Another problem I have is that I usually can't stay up late. I don't like going to bed on a full stomach. If dinner is over by 9:30 or so, chances are I won't work any of it off. I usually eat dinner early at home, so with late seating, I'm usually so hungry I have to grab something before dinner and I end up eating too much.

 

Another factor to consider is that some ships schedule the late seating shows during the early dinner time. That helps ensure there is room at the shows for both seatings. (When the late seating shows are after the late seating dinner, early diners who enjoyed the show come back to vie for the limited seats--and they can get there earlier while folks are still at dinner!) You'll have to find out if that's the case on your cruise. If so, if you want to see the shows, you still have that rushed feeling.

[motherchic]

depending who reads this you can get many opinions.

We dined early seating once, and since have always chosen the late seating.

I have found that the food served in the dining room is very good, Portions not overly large, which is good. You can enjoy an appetizer, salad, main dish and dessert, without being overly full. We never leave the dining room feeling

"burpy" or stuffed uncomfortable.After dinner, we take in the late show if they have one, spend some time donating to the casino, taking in some music etc.......

If you are not at all late night people then late seating may be too late for you, then early may be a good choice.

For late seating we have time to come back from a port, enjoy the thallo pool, dress for dinner, have a bite of sushi, enjoy a martini then have dinner.

Also nice way to enjoy the sail aways from various ports. always beautiful.

Have a wonderful cruise. Whatever you choose, enjoy.

Come back and let us know how it is

nadine

[Drew B]

I have found that the food served in the dining room is very good, Portions not overly large, which is good. You can enjoy an appetizer, salad, main dish and dessert, without being overly full. We never leave the dining room feeling

"burpy" or stuffed uncomfortable.

 

Really? I was "burpy" or stuffed uncomfortable nearly every night, and I even skipped dessert most nights! I was usually quite full before the entrees even came out! I wish the portions were smaller, but I really need to learn not to always feel I have to clean my plate...

[newbie crus'r]

Thanks for the input! We are only about 6 weeks away from our sailing. Do you think there still time to switch to the later dinner? I'll call my TA tomorrow...

[motherchic]

Thanks for the input! We are only about 6 weeks away from our sailing. Do you think there still time to switch to the later dinner? I'll call my TA tomorrow...

Absolutely! All you can do is try. If they are full as soon as you board the ship go to the dining room and request the late seating. I hear good results have occurred doing that.

Have a great cruise

nadine

[nlvc12]

We always take the earlier seating. Most Ports are departed by 6-8pm, so you need to be back for dinner anyhow.

 

The most imporant decision is the size of the table.

 

The larger tables, while providing you more likelihood of finding someone pleasant to talk with; however, with size also means you may be delayed by slow-eaters and late arrivals. Everyone seems to be under the impression that you have to wait until all tablemates have been seated to start eating.

 

More kids at the earlier see

 

We try to always get a table for 2. Then you aren't stuck with people you can't communicate with and the attention from your waiter is very attentive.

 

Good luck. Our next cruise is the 10/27/07 Repo - Great Deal! All the 'kinks' should be worked u br

[terrierjohn]

In Alaska (and I guess the Baltics as well), it's really weird that the early seating has FINISHED their meal before the sun has even set!

On our Alaska cruise the sun did not set until well after late sitting, and for the last 2 days before Whittier it had not set after the last show!

[Stock Cop]

My vote goes to the early column. I know on the board it will be in the minority but I just cannot eat late. If I don't get some digestive time in after dinner I am plagued with acid reflux later. Plus, I cannot stand going to bed on a full stomach, as another poster added.

 

Don't know how many other people fall into this area but eating time is

a big decision for me.

 

 

Rich :cool:

[greeneg]

On the other hand, we always go for the second seating. Getting "dressed" for dinner at six just rushes too much, IMHO. I like to have a little more time, take a shower, and relax a bit before I shoehorn myself into the Monkey Suit..

 

Different Strokes, etc.

[BettyInToronto]

I have done 4 cruises and for the first 3 always did the late seating for the reasons posted above. But this time I looked at what time do we eat at home??? We eat around 6pm so we went with the Main Seating on our recent Century cruise. On port days we had to be back on the ship at 4:15pm and 4:45pm but we never cut it that close so we had plenty of time to get ready for dinner - even on formal night which was our first port day. I guess I just don't need two hours to get dressed. :)

[SleepingUgly]

We have reserved the main seating time (6:15 pm) for our 11-night Carib cruise in late March. The ship leaves most ports by 5 pm anyway, so we figured that would work out. Besides, we are traveling with our two young kids, so figured this time would work out better.

 

However, I do have a few questions ...

 

1) Is the Fun Factory open/ongoing at 6 pm, so that if we wanted to dine without the kids (which we are hoping to do on formal nights), we would be able to do so?

 

2) We are booked for a large table (8 people). From what I've gathered from these boards, most people do not care to be seated with kid at dinnertime. If that is the case, should we just book a table for 4 and sit by ourselves? I mean, if we are going to sit with people who don't want to be near kids, then I respect that and frankly, I really don't want to deal with them either. But, on the nighs when the kids won't dine with us, we would like to have tablemates with whom to converse. What to do??? Will Celebrity try to seat us with another family of 4?

 

3) Our kids are ages 7 and 4. Would they even be allowed to join us for formal nights, if we wanted them to? They are well-traveled and well-behaved, so I don't think they'll be flinging mashed potatoes in the air or the like, but just wanted to make sure they will be "weclomed."

 

Thanks!

Linda

[cruznqueen]

We are in the early seating catagory. We find that on some nights when the show for the late seating is after dinner that we fall asleep in the show. Plus I agree with Rich, I hate to go to be on a full stomach.

We never feel rushed in order to get to dinner on time. Even in the port intensive cruises, we have always made it on time. After dinner and after our show, we always stop to have a martini or two and relax before bed.

[SueSea]

2) We are booked for a large table (8 people). From what I've gathered from these boards, most people do not care to be seated with kid at dinnertime. If that is the case, should we just book a table for 4 and sit by ourselves? I mean, if we are going to sit with people who don't want to be near kids, then I respect that and frankly, I really don't want to deal with them either. But, on the nighs when the kids won't dine with us, we would like to have tablemates with whom to converse. What to do??? Will Celebrity try to seat us with another family of 4?

 

3) Our kids are ages 7 and 4. Would they even be allowed to join us for formal nights, if we wanted them to? They are well-traveled and well-behaved, so I don't think they'll be flinging mashed potatoes in the air or the like, but just wanted to make sure they will be "weclomed."

 

On most of my cruises, they've done a great job of matching tablemates. When I've gone as a single, I've been seated with other singles. When I've gone with a female traveling companion, we've been seated with others in our age group. You will most likely be seated at a table with another family. And well-behaved or not, children are allowed in the dining room on formal nights. As to welcomed, they will be more welcomed at the first seating than they would be at the second.

[Jarronwood]

Talk about your cake and eat it.

 

Ok so you are quite happy to sit with your children and do the "kiddy thing" with others, but at the same time when you decide not to bring the children you want adult company?

 

I am not sure that really works.

 

I for one as you rightly say would not like to dine with me and adult conversation when your children are there but when they are not, then you want "adult conversation"

 

Good luck in finding the right tablemates.

 

Adult conversaton is adult conversation.

[Drew B]

Where in the world did that reaction come from? For that matter, when did Linda EVER bring up "adult conversation". She said that if the children weren't there, she'd like to have tablemates with which to converse. They could be families as well -- she would just rather not dine alone with her husband (?) and I understand and respect that. She is very considerately asking what would be the best thing to do for all involved. She even mentioned a table for 4 and not bringing the kids on formal night as a ways to avoid negatively impacting others' evening. Why would you "flame" her for that?

 

Linda, chances are that you will be seated with another family. If not, there is no guarantee that the adults you are seated with will have ANY PROBLEM sharing their table with nice, well-behaved kids. I certainly wouldn't! If you are a social person and looking to meet others, please don't select a small table and deprive yourself of that opportunity. I hate to use the cliche, but you and your kids paid for your cruise as well, and you have every right to enjoy the dining room. All of this is assuming that your kids do, in fact, behave in an acceptable manner. If they act like monsters and ruin the experience for everybody around them, I would hope that you would make alternate arrangements. Given the tone of your post, I imagine you would...