Pros & Cons of Different Dining Times

[cmorie]

Never a silly question from a first time cruiser! You don't have to let anyone know if you do something different for dinner. You cannot, however, switch dinner times in the MDR if you have an assigned one.

 

I have always done assigned dinner times, usually early. My son (13 yr old on his 4th cruise) and I are going next week and I signed us up for YTD thinking it would be more flexible for him. He actually wants the assigned early time so he can meet the people at the table (usually he travels with the family so we have our own table). So proud of him!

 

Actually all the dining times were wait listed by the time I booked so it's really just going to be random which one we get.

 

Great! Thank you :)

[bguppies]

Just got off the Legend Sunday..

 

To whoever Had YTD for the third time and like the first two cruises, it was an exceptional experience.

We had our waiter Ida and his crew every night of the cruise and at the exact same table every night. (did not even ask for table 400. Just asked for Ida the 2nd night and we got set with them and table 400 every night)

 

Whoever stated that the waitstaff has to juggle YTD tables and assigned dining tables is completely wrong. (at least on the Legend)

The entire 2nd floor of the dining room is YTD and the entire 1st floor was assigned dining.

Our waitstaff had 10 or so tables within 50 feet of our table and their stand where they set their trays and got the drinks from was right next to my seat.

The three of them were NEVER more than a few tables away and never away from the stand area, except when an assistant went to get the food and come right back.

We usually showed up within an hour of the YTD floor's opening and NEVER had to wait all week.

The only times we saw lines build at all was around 7:15-8:00PM and then we never saw anyone get turned away, they just had to wait 5 minutes or so, to reach the podium and get seated.

 

YTD is great because you get the exact same great service as in the assigned dining, (except if you don't like your waitstaff the first night you can switch much easier the 2nd night. Simply ask, no need to deal with the Maitre' d.) but YOU get to choose WHO you dine with each night, as you meet people throughout the cruise and you don't have any delays, as your waitstaff waits to see who at your assigned dining table is going to show up each night.

 

In our 7 cruises with assigned dining, we ate in the main dining room maybe 50% of the time, depending on how we enjoyed the people the Maitre'd chose to assign us with or the excessive length of the meal, because of waiting each night for somebody missing from the table. (we had 3 cruises where less than half the table showed up any night, yet we were the only ones to tell our waitstaff we would not be coming the next night. Everytime, the waiters would wait for 20-30 minutes before taking orders. Was ridiculous.)

 

In our 3 cruises with YTD we have only missed two meals in the dining room.

 

IMO, it is a much better dining experience.

 

Hope whatever you do choose, you enjoy.

 

Bill

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Just got off the Legend Sunday..

 

To whoever Had YTD for the third time and like the first two cruises, it was an exceptional experience.

We had our waiter Ida and his crew every night of the cruise and at the exact same table every night. (did not even ask for table 400. Just asked for Ida the 2nd night and we got set with them and table 400 every night)

 

Whoever stated that the waitstaff has to juggle YTD tables and assigned dining tables is completely wrong. (at least on the Legend)

The entire 2nd floor of the dining room is YTD and the entire 1st floor was assigned dining.

Our waitstaff had 10 or so tables within 50 feet of our table and their stand where they set their trays and got the drinks from was right next to my seat.

The three of them were NEVER more than a few tables away and never away from the stand area, except when an assistant went to get the food and come right back.

We usually showed up within an hour of the YTD floor's opening and NEVER had to wait all week.

The only times we saw lines build at all was around 7:15-8:00PM and then we never saw anyone get turned away, they just had to wait 5 minutes or so, to reach the podium and get seated.

 

YTD is great because you get the exact same great service as in the assigned dining, (except if you don't like your waitstaff the first night you can switch much easier the 2nd night. Simply ask, no need to deal with the Maitre' d.) but YOU get to choose WHO you dine with each night, as you meet people throughout the cruise and you don't have any delays, as your waitstaff waits to see who at your assigned dining table is going to show up each night.

 

In our 7 cruises with assigned dining, we ate in the main dining room maybe 50% of the time, depending on how we enjoyed the people the Maitre'd chose to assign us with or the excessive length of the meal, because of waiting each night for somebody missing from the table. (we had 3 cruises where less than half the table showed up any night, yet we were the only ones to tell our waitstaff we would not be coming the next night. Everytime, the waiters would wait for 20-30 minutes before taking orders. Was ridiculous.)

 

In our 3 cruises with YTD we have only missed two meals in the dining room.

 

IMO, it is a much better dining experience.

 

Hope whatever you do choose, you enjoy.

 

Bill

 

Our experience was the same as yours on the Liberty a couple weeks ago.

 

I think it was mamaparrothead who said they have to juggle tables and service was bad. I dont know if she has ever had ytd though.

 

Bill

 

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

[scchasgal]

I've had both...and I prefer the late seating. I like not having to rush back from port early and having time to get ready for dinner...plus, if you're prone to sleep after dinner then eat lightly...they do still have midnight buffets, don't they?

 

Do they still to the midnight chocolate buffet or am I severely outdated?

 

Midnight buffets are a thing of the past. You can however grab a pizza or deli sandwich.

[MamaParrotHead]

Our experience was the same as yours on the Liberty a couple weeks ago.

 

I think it was mamaparrothead who said they have to juggle tables and service was bad. I dont know if she has ever had ytd though.

 

Bill

 

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

 

Yes, it was me. And yes, I did have YTD last cruise. I assumed they had traditional seating tables because the late seating was about to start as we were finishing up and our waiter was running around helping to clear tables and set up tables and said it was for the late seating.

[lowbass]

First time cruiser here too (but research fanatic). I've seen several reasons on here but one that helped me pick early instead of late was that people who ate late felt so full afterwards that they just wanted to sleep after dinner lol.

 

There was a waitlist for anytime dining by the time we booked but seeing as its my first cruise I kinda wanted to experience the dining experience of having the same tablemates and waiters.

 

Of course everyone is different but big meals definitely put me on the chiller side of things so we picked early seating.

 

 

We are Las Vegas vets so we are used to late dining. Plus, we always like to go to a show and then the casino after dinner. Staying up is no problem for us.

[lowbass]

My DH & I are curious about this, too! Going on the Fascination (out of JAX), on 10/20 (my 44th B-day). Currently, we've selected "late dining" (apx 8:15 ?), but would love some "input" on this! Choose this time (8:15), even though we usually eat dinner between 6 & 7, because we thought it would give us more time in port, and also because there will be less children in the dining rooms at that time. DON'T GET ME WRONG, PLEASE, we absolutely LOVE KIDS (have 2 26 yr old daughters, a 20 yr old daughter, and a 17 yr old son - as well as a 6 yr old grandson), but this will be our 1st cruise and our 1st vacation in more than 2 years (due to the fact that I had to have MAJOR surgery in July of 2010 & spent 2 & 1/2 months in intensive care - post surgery). We're trying to figure out the "PROS & CONS" of early vs. late vs. anytime dining. Will the "late dining" affect our chances of being able to see the shows/comedians, etc? Also, we would LOVE to be able to have a table for 2 at dinner (as I said - 1st vacation in more than 2 yrs & VERY lucky to have another chance to spend some time alone together), what do all of you recommend??? THANKS!!!

 

 

I'm not flaming you but, why do people think kids are a major problem in the MDR? From the cruises we've been on and from all I've read there's never been a problem with loud or unruly kids in the MDR. If you just want to be alone with your spouse just let the maitre'd know as soon as possible you want a table for two.

[rdevine10]

Question from a ccl newbie. I would prefer our family of 4,with kids have a private table. Right now we have early dining. Is there any way to get a 4 top for early dining? Also, what are the hours if anytime dining? Maybe thats the better fit for us? However, we loved having the same servers, which i see we can request. Any input would greatly help! thanks

[radrayjax]

I agree with the poster who said pick the time that best matches when you normally eat. I get home between 5:30-6:00 so I want to eat with the early dining. That leaves me the whole evening to catch shows and entertainment.

 

Also, I don't typically schedule long excursions (the ship is the destination for me) so I don't typically feel rushed for early seating on port nights.

 

ALSO: DON'T feel that you are stuck with the MDR every day. MIX IT UP and go to the buffet (LIDO) on some of the nights. Stick with the MDR for the "elegant" nights because the menu will be a little better, but allow some mix and match on the other nights.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Yes, it was me. And yes, I did have YTD last cruise. I assumed they had traditional seating tables because the late seating was about to start as we were finishing up and our waiter was running around helping to clear tables and set up tables and said it was for the late seating.

 

Thanks for coming back to clear that up.

 

Maybe the ship you were on at that time only had 1 floor for dinner so the waiter could have been helping out with 2nd seating as well.

 

Who knows.:)

 

I only know that ships with the dining rooms on the ships I have been on had 2 floors and the YTD and the early and late seating pax were seperate.

 

Bill

[Colorado Kat]

I just booked a cruise for next month. I will be by myself. I chose Anytime Dining, since I thought I might meet others and wish to dine with them. Is this going to be a mistake? I would like to dine with others, singles, or couples, or anything.

 

I'm hoping to avoid the late seating, since I do enjoy going to the shows.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I just booked a cruise for next month. I will be by myself. I chose Anytime Dining, since I thought I might meet others and wish to dine with them. Is this going to be a mistake? I would like to dine with others, singles, or couples, or anything.

 

I'm hoping to avoid the late seating, since I do enjoy going to the shows.

 

most nights they have 2 shows so even if you had late dining you wouldnt miss any shows unless you eat and are too tired to stay up.

 

Bill

[luvmysox1]

Depends for me who I'm cruising with. If I have a group of people, we go Anytime dining. If it is just me and hubby, we ask for early. I like sitting with other couples. I have made some nice friends at the dinner table.

[bguppies]

I just booked a cruise for next month. I will be by myself. I chose Anytime Dining, since I thought I might meet others and wish to dine with them. Is this going to be a mistake? I would like to dine with others, singles, or couples, or anything.

 

I'm hoping to avoid the late seating, since I do enjoy going to the shows.

 

With YTD you simply need to ask to be seated with others if you do not find someone to dine with during the day.

 

They have plenty of tables where people ask to be randomly seated with others. You never know, you might meet someone at a mixed table, to dine with the rest of the cruise.

 

Enjoy

Bill

[workingmom55]

Which do you prefer and why?

 

Early seating? Late seating? Or anytime dining?

 

We're both first time cruisers and completely clueless when it comes to this.

 

 

My hubby and I recently came back from a cruise (Carnival Liberty) and took the late seating. Although it was great regarding less kids, relaxing, etc., you miss out on shows. Most of the non "adult" shows start at 8 and you are still eating. We are sailing again on the Liberty (different ports) on October 29th and we elected to try the early seating..I want to enjoy the night life after eating!! I'll let you know if we made the best choice.