Cruise Talk: Early or Late Dinner Seating?

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Lines » Early or Late Dinner Seating?

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Topic: Early or Late Dinner Seating?

Steamboat Willie
First Class Passenger
Member # 1488

posted 08-15-2000 12:22 PM

We are going on our first cruise aboard the RCL Majesty of the Seas and I would like to know your recommendations about requesting an early or late dinner seating? Pros and Cons for either? Thanks!

Nan

Posts: 15 | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

Fanatic
First Class Passenger
Member # 1427

posted 08-15-2000 12:57 PM

Late, Nan, late! Early is far more rushed. First, if you want breakfast in the main dining room, you have to get up earlier, and why would you want to do that on a cruise? (Of course, most cruise ships offer a several-hours-long breakfast buffet in another part of the ship, so that whole situation can be moot.) Lunch is really not an issue, either, as the dining room is virtually abandoned when the ship's in port. Sometimes, they even forgo the early/late seating and just have it as an open one-seater, since so many passengers are off ship, doing lunch somewhere on shore. But dinner's the important one.

First of all, if you're in early seating, it means rushing back to the ship from shore excursions, or cutting short that nap. Second, I have generally found that in first seating, there are more families with kids, something natural because the little cruisers need to go to bed earlier. If you take the late seating, you have more time to relax and get ready. If your tummy can't hold out that extra hour-and-a-half-to-two-hours, you can indulge in tea in the late afternoon, or have your steward bring a substantial snack to your room (plus, so many of the ships now have pizzerias and such for anytime dining). Also, in first seating, they need to get you out quicker so they can get ready for second seating. In second seating, they don't mind so much if you hang around over a long cup of coffee.

Now, some prefer first seating because they like to then jump into the ship's night-time activities, but those feathers, boas and top-hat routines (they're all the same) in the main theater are usually done twice nightly (I never go to them). I did a first seating once, just to try it, and won't do it again.

Go late, Nan - late!

Fanatic

Posts: 98 | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

Mauretania
First Class Passenger
Member # 1486

posted 08-15-2000 01:24 PM

I really agree with Fanatic - you set the pace at late seating. If you want to get out of the dining room quickly, you can eat fast -but if you're enjoying the coffee and conversation, you can take your time.

Besides, if you're into getting 'dressed up' for dinner, or having your hair and make-up done in the salons, early seating requires you to start getting ready about 4 and you miss the closing ours of tropical sun. Late seating passengers also have a lot more space when the early seating people disappear to their cabins to beautify themselves for dinner - and the shows run twice, as Fanatic mentioned. If this is your first cruise ,I would suggest you check them out. But if you get on the ship and immediately KNOW you're going to cruise again and again, don't worry about fittign all the shows in - as Fanatic said, they are very similar -even on different ships and different lines. Have a fabulous timne!

Posts: 39 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

KruzinKat
First Class Passenger
Member # 260

posted 08-15-2000 01:36 PM

To give another opinion, we always choose early seating. None of the reasons for preferring late apply to us. We rarely are back late from an excursion as we're morning people. We don't take that long to get dressed, anyway, although we do like to dress up. We really look forward to an evening of seeing the shows and/or dancing. We have had few problems with children at the early seating, and aren't leisurely diners, so have never felt rushed. And, as we ARE morning folk, we're usually in bed around midnight or so. Can't imagine going to bed so soon after eating a multi-course meal! We also don't bother with midnight buffets for the same reason. So - it depends on how you plan to use your time and whether you want to follow a similar routine as on shore or not. By the way, our first cruise was on the Majesty - beautiful ship! You'll have a great time, no matter which seating you choose. Enjoy!

KruzinKat

Posts: 101 | From: Kingston, MA USA | Registered: Jun 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 08-15-2000 02:19 PM

Late for me. We always found it much better. We would just be coming in from the pool area, which was by now deserted and people were already walking around dressed for dinner. I liked to come back to my cabin, have a shower, wash my hair, and just relax and then go down to the bar about 7-7:30pm for a drink and then dinner. I, personally couldn't care less about the shows (seen too many of them) so it made the evening go faster for me. Hubby used to go to the Casino - he never went to the shows, unless dragged there.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 08-15-2000 02:44 PM

In my experience, breakfast and lunch in the dining room was always open sitting, although I always prefer to use the deck buffets. As for dinner, it depends on how lively you and your ship are. It is nice to have the deck and pool to yourself when most are on early dinner, and not to rush. If you are someone who likes to just go to the casino or Piano Bar after dinners, then go for late. Or if you like the show cabaret, and then the alternative entertainment go for early. We are always assigned early and the first time we went late, but second we wanted to truy early and most recently we were going to change but the second sitting was totally full, and I heard someone a purser's desk say if he wasn't changed he would crash the late sitting and make a fuss. I wonder what did happen there.
At the end of the day, there are advantages to both, but who needs more than two hours to eat dinner??? Or maybe you do so fire ahead and go late. But I like early.

Paddy.

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

James
First Class Passenger
Member # 1351

posted 08-15-2000 03:57 PM

I think it depends on your habits at home. We like to eat around 6 pm and thus prefer early seating. If you like to dine at 8 pm then take late. Sometimes the very popular menu choices run out during late seating. Breakfast and lunch depend on the ship, but the buffet is usually the best choice. Shore excursions are never a factor for the dinner choice. If you return late they make allowances and often have open seating, and dress will surely be casual

Posts: 202 | From: Illinois, Home of Lincoln and great graft | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

jasonalec
First Class Passenger
Member # 1413

posted 08-15-2000 04:37 PM

My vote: Late, definitely late.

The early seating can definitely be rushed, especially if you run a little late. Also, one of the nicest parts of the cruise for us has been talking to the interesting people we meet at our dinner table. At the late seating there is more time and you still don't miss any shows since they usually have two anyway. Make sure you get it in early or they will usually give you the early seating by default since the late seating is typically more sought after. Even if you request the late seating you may not get it without switching on board.

Posts: 46 | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 08-16-2000 07:06 AM

LATE ! For all the reasons mentioned above. I am a morning person, but on a cruise I enjoy staying up late, so I need that late afternoon nap. Also after being ashore, we sometimes make it back to the ship for lunch, which is usually mid afternoon, I am hungry so I eat. After that big lunch there is no way I could eat early dinner.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 08-16-2000 07:01 PM

I have mixed feelings about this...we've done both, and actually didn't mind either!

We had late seating on our first cruise, and it was nice to hang out in our cabin and take a little nap, stroll around the promenade deck and take pictures while the sun sets, and take our time getting ready. On this cruise we also had a cabin with a balcony, so it was enjoyable to stay in the cabin to get ready and enjoy the views of the ship leaving port.

On the other hand, on our last 2 cruises we had the early seating. We also had an inside cabin (we affectionately called the "Bat Cave" because its soooooo dark!!!) and its not so enjoyable to lounge around in there before dinner. Get in, do your thing, and get out! I also get tired around 10ish after being in the sun all day, and have a hard time staying awake for the shows in the evening after late seating, so early was good for us!

Again, on the other hand, for early seating we did have to rush back to our room after being in port to get ready. And, it does cut into your "sun" time if you have to leave around 4:30 or 5 to start getting ready!

So, it really depends on whether you're a "night" person or not. If you are, I say do the late seating. If you get tired around 11 or so, do the early seating. You'll be done eating by 8:15, done with your shows by 10, and then you have time to roam the ship for awhile and enjoy your evening. With late seating you're done eating at 10pm, and then up till 11 or 11:30 with shows, so by then I'm beat and am ready for bed! If you get tired by 11 or so, you won't have a chance to just have fun on the ship at night. (and, you won't be hungry for the Midnight Buffet! Haha!)

Both sides have their pros and cons. I think we'd be happy with both...I'm just always so happy to be on the cruise ship, not much can ruin my day!

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

hooked on cruising
First Class Passenger
Member # 1221

posted 08-16-2000 09:13 PM

Our one and only cruise we choose early. the TA advised us to take the early I don't know if this was because we had kids with us or not. Although the "kids" were 18 and 15. We enjoyed the early sitting, we were usually back from our tours by 4pm-5pm. The sitting was or 6-15pm, we did not take long to get dressed for dinner and certainly did not feel rushed at dinner. We had a few couples ask us to change with them since they were at our assigned table for the late sitting and didn't like it because it was too late. We are morning people and usually are in bed by 11pm we also eat regularly at 5.30pm. Most of the tours we took where all day ones and they left at 8.30 or 9am so we had to be up early to get breakfast. For us to have the late sitting would probably be a mistake. We are cruising again next year and will probably book the early sitting. I agree it is really a matter of choice and it all depends on what you want to do with your time. I think unless you are planning on staying up until the wee hours of the morning the whole week then you should take early. I just wish I could stay up late but our whole family where exhausted after a full day in the sun and were glad to retire around 11 or 11.30pm. I cannot imagine going to bed even at midnight after eating a meal like you will most definitly get. Enjoy whatever you decide=

Posts: 243 | From: London,Ontario,Canada | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Cambodge
First Class Passenger
Member # 906

posted 08-17-2000 08:30 AM

OPT FOR LATE!!

We go for late on every ship on which we have traveled. We enjoy a pre-dinner libation at the bar; we like the time to get ready for dinner and, yes, even dress for dinneer (in those happy days of First Class TRANSAT); we enjoy not being rushed in eating; and we enjoy dinner table conversation.

Most of all, we like the fact that the entire staff is not breathing down our necks to move us out for another sitting!

WITH ONE EXCEPTION!! On the "Nordic Prince" we found that there was an "even later" sitting - the crew. And they were practically battering down the doors to get into the dining room and get us out!! RCCL- never again!

Posts: 2149 | From: St. Michaels MD USA , the town that fooled the British! | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

CTrail
First Class Passenger
Member # 64

posted 08-17-2000 11:34 AM

We prefer the early sitting as that gives us more of the evening to play with. We are fairly early risers and normally in bed by eleven. On the cruises we stay up a little later and take in the odd midnight buffet, this way it is long enough after dinner that we can enjoy ourselves. We are normally back from any shore tour well before dinner giving us ample time to get ready. To each his/her own for your own reasons.

Nomatterwhat,ENJOY!

Peter

Posts: 332 | From: Kitchener, ON Canada | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 08-17-2000 05:50 PM

We do both. But we prefer the later. I generally like to workout before dinner.
Late afternoon I can take my time and hang out around the pool, go hot tubbing, the whole bit without the general crowd. I agree with everyone else about not having to rush and change from late shore excursions. Don't care too much about the shows, because we would rather dance after dinner. Go to bed late, wake up early, sleep in the afternoon when we are at sea. Avoid the crowd altogether.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

redneckcruiser
Just Boarded
Member # 1489

posted 08-18-2000 12:34 AM

I cant believe you Guys!!!!! We did late before, and didnt rush through a meal, which usually had us done by 10pm or so, not near enough time to really pig out at the midnight buffet. We would be tempted by the look of the food, but still way to full to really roll up our sleaves, and pig out. To us, thats really a highlight, the food.

Now we do early, and right about midnight, we are ready to eat again.

Gotta get your priorities straight

Posts: 5 | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

NAbbott
First Class Passenger
Member # 1522

posted 08-18-2000 10:36 AM

We have cruised four times. The first cruise we took the early seating because we are both early risers and we usually go to bed early. On the other cruises we opted for late seating! The service is better I feel because the wait staff tends to rush the early diners.

Another reason I enjoy the late seating is I have more time to relax when returning from shore.

Five weeks and counting till our next voyage.
CAN'T WAIT.

Posts: 23 | From: Monroe, LA | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

Janet Buckle
First Class Passenger
Member # 1236

posted 08-19-2000 04:09 PM

Go late if you like watching the ship leaving the ports - for me this is a really interesting time. But... you really won't be ready to eat the midnight buffets! Janet

Posts: 13 | From: Belper, England | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Steamboat Willie
First Class Passenger
Member # 1488

posted 08-22-2000 02:39 PM

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that posted a reply with their dinner seating preferences.

As long as we don't miss the shows, (being that since this is our first cruise we do want to see them), the late seating seems to be the one to shoot for. Tonight we are going to decide one way or the other. Thanks again for your help.

Nan

Posts: 15 | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

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