Several dining questions

[mominkaty]

Sailing for the first time next week on Carnival Magic.

We are currently waitlisted for Anytime dining - will we find out before the cruise if we got it or not until we sail? Where/who should we check with if not until we sail? Also, if we don't get anytime dining, which dining option will we get?

Traveling with several other families. While we all are on the same deck, some are midship, others aft. Will we be assigned the same dining room? Anyone know which dining room the Verandah deck (aft) on Magic is assigned to?

Have had lots of good answers to my questions about which e-reader to get, which underwater camera to get, etc. Will post review about the cruise once we return.

[ranger10!]

You should hear before you cruise if you will have ATD. Usually, if not you can find out when you check-in. If they don't know call the MDR when you get on board. Or you can call Carnival and see. If you want your family to sit together you need to get everyone's booking number, call Carnival and tell them you all want to be in the same dinning room. They then will match everyone up. They might also be able to tell you at that time what dinning you will have.

[RMLincoln]

You may not know if you are cleared for ATD until you check in and get you S&S cards. But whatever they say, decide on what you all want, ATD, early fixed or late fixed, and then go to the Dining Room Manager when you get aboard. I'd go as soon as possible but he may not be available right away, but go as soon as they say he'll be available if not a few minutes early. Explain what you want and have all the cabin numbers with you for the cabins/passengers that you want him to arrange. He will try to do what you want BUT he may not be able to do it for the first night.

Have a back up plan too if you can. If your first choice is not available what is your second choice? There are advantages and disadvantages for each choice.

Frankly, with a large group it might be easier to get a fixed time so you don't have to negotiate among your group everyday what you want to do about a dining time. But if you do get a fixed seating, try to use it most nights rather than eating in the buffet most of the time.

Good luck and I hope you can get what you want. They really want guests to be happy! m--

[firefly333]

When you check in at the port and get your S&S card .. if nothing else .. it will be printed on the card you receive before you board.

If you are unhappy, you can go to the Maitre' d at about 1 pm in the middle dining room bottom level.