how popular is first sitting

[jeanlyon]

Me too, the more that book 1st sitting, the more choice for me. There's something not quite right about seeing everyone dressed up to the nines on formal nights at 5 o'clock? I'm still at the pool? And I've only just had tea and a biccy. LOL

Edited July 5, 2014 by jeanlyon

[Clodia]

When we first started cruising with our young daughter, we wanted second sitting because it was too much of a rush to take her to childrens' tea then get ready for dinner. We were allocated first, but managed to change. these days I prefer first because you can fit in more after dinner.

[jeanlyon]

I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I ate at 6.30. I don't like to drink after I've eaten, so the evening is ruined. We had to eat at 6 or 6.30 on a river cruise. I said never again. I would be leaving the pool around 5.30, down to the cabin for a shower and watch some telly. Then up to the bar at 7.15 for a couple of drinks, down for dinner at 8.30, then to the show at 10.30, then a dance perhaps, then bed.

[CCFC]

Me too, the more that book 1st sitting, the more choice for me. There's something not quite right about seeing everyone dressed up to the nines on formal nights at 5 o'clock? I'm still at the pool? And I've only just had tea and a biccy. LOL

 

Its funny you should say that, I have been looked up and down by a few people on first sitting in their dinner jackets wondering why I wasn't getting dressed up, almost to the point of snobbery.

[richleeds]

Its funny you should say that, I have been looked up and down by a few people on first sitting in their dinner jackets wondering why I wasn't getting dressed up, almost to the point of snobbery.

 

 

I'm always coming back from the gym dripping with sweat, swigging my water when the first sitting are in their glad rags and yes you do get some looks!

[jeanlyon]

Yes I've had the same - hee hee. Then those same folk, who have eaten, then go and take off their glad rags, because they are hot and give us funny looks now that we're dressed up.

[portofino3]

Its not meant to be one v's the other.

We love 2nd sitting but I was wondering how popular 1st sitting is!

And what advantages were had by doing it.

 

The reasons why we like 2nd sitting are:we like the late sun(when not as hot)and a tea time drink before getting ready for our pre dinner drink(spot of people watching/socialising) then a relaxed evening meal.

 

Never done first sitting so under new saver rules(and rightly so) we might have to,it may be for better or worse!

It will still be great!!

[richleeds]

Its not meant to be one v's the other.

 

We love 2nd sitting but I was wondering how popular 1st sitting is!

 

And what advantages were had by doing it.

 

 

 

The reasons why we like 2nd sitting are:we like the late sun(when not as hot)and a tea time drink before getting ready for our pre dinner drink(spot of people watching/socialising) then a relaxed evening meal.

 

 

 

Never done first sitting so under new saver rules(and rightly so) we might have to,it may be for better or worse!

 

It will still be great!!

 

 

If we were ever in that position it would be the buffet and speciality restaurants for us rather than early sitting.

[portofino3]

Rich leeds very probably for us too most of the time but would try it out fist!!

[Corfe Mixture]

Its not meant to be one v's the other.

 

Exactly.

 

The bottom line is that there are positives and negatives for both.

 

If you are a open minded person who looks for the positives in life then you will see the positives and accept the negatives and enjoy a new experience.

 

If you have a closed mind and then you are more likely to see the negatives.

 

Your contributions to this thread clearly show that you have an open mind and, as a result, irrespective of which sitting you get on you will enjoy your evenings. If you end up on first sitting, you may conclude at the end of the cruise that you prefer second sitting, but you are very unlikely to go home with the view that you 'detest' first sitting.

[dsrdsrdsr]

Yes I've had the same - hee hee. Then those same folk, who have eaten, then go and take off their glad rags, because they are hot and give us funny looks now that we're dressed up.

 

On P&O? Surely very few people take off their posh clothes after dinner, because the dress code covers too much of the ship. Men might take off their jackets because they're hot, but if you think that men without jackets are looking down at you because you've still got yours on, I think you're being a touch over-sensitive. Even maybe over-imaginative.

 

Women don't take off posh clothes because they're hot. Women's posh clothes don't include many layers or warm-weather gear.

[Josy1953]

We're currently booked onto second sitting for our cruise on Oceana. But we're wondering if this might be a bit late and are considering changing to Freedom dining. First sitting would be a bit too early for us but second sitting it a bit too late so it seems Freedom dining might be the better option for us. Any advantages/disadvantages of Freedom dining? We'd prefer to have a table for two if possible and understand we'd have to wait a little while

 

 

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I agree that first sitting is too early and second sitting is too late. We were on Oceana at Easter on freedom dining and had no problem at all getting a table for 2, we never had to wait for a table, we tend to eat around 7 pm so perhaps this is a good time to try.

[Josy1953]

To answer the OP. There has been a change over the 13 years we have been cruising. In the early days second sitting was the one most people wanted. It was the one to go to wait list first.

 

It is noticeable over the last 5 years or so that this has now changed to first sitting. It may be the age of cruisers or indeed the desire to get as much entertainment in as possible after dinner.

 

For us second sitting is a must. On ship I like to drink before and during a meal. I tend not to drink after dinner. So and early dinner would not be good for me.

 

We enjoy relaxing between 5 and 7 and having our G&T in the cabin. We get dressed and I go to the bar at about 7.15. We eat at 8.30 and after dinner I go to the casino and my wife to the show. We meet later in the disco, where she dances and I listen. I will often drink water in the casino and disco.

 

It works well for us.

 

We have tried freedom dining and did not like it at all. Food and service were as good as ever but there was something lacking about the experience.

 

As we always book early there is no concern about meal times, as we can always get what we want.

 

To us the meal is an event and an important part of cruising.

 

 

 

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In my opinion the thing that is lacking is the "relationship" that is built up with your waiters, on freedom dining you rarely get the same waiters twice and so they don't get to know your preferences and they don't seem to be as friendly because they don't "know" you.

[kersh]

Me too, the more that book 1st sitting, the more choice for me. There's something not quite right about seeing everyone dressed up to the nines on formal nights at 5 o'clock? I'm still at the pool? And I've only just had tea and a biccy. LOL

 

I have never been ready in my glad rags at 5 pm for a 6:30 dinner, also never been up to the pool dressed for dinner either other than Xmas Eve when the Carol service is on deck just before dinner. Usually just leaving the pool at 5 pm to go and get a shower and dress.

[Daftlad]

Interesting comments coming from both camps.

In the past we have opted for 1st sitting, but in an attempt to experience what the 2nd sitting was like we chose that for our last cruise. Alas, we had to cancel that cruise, and have only just booked again via one of the Saver options. So I rather hope we are given a 2nd sitting place when we arrive on board.

[jeanlyon]

[quote name='dsrdsrdsr']On P&O? Surely very few people take off their posh clothes after dinner, because the dress code covers too much of the ship. Men might take off their jackets because they're hot, but if you think that men without jackets are looking down at you because you've still got yours on, I think you're being a touch over-sensitive. Even maybe over-imaginative.

Women don't take off posh clothes because they're hot. Women's posh clothes don't include many layers or warm-weather gear.[/quote]

We definitely saw quite a few men who had changed out of their posh gear and were wearing short sleeved shirt and ordinary trousers. One of them actually said, thank God I've got that lot off!

I would definitely have to eat in the buffet if I got 1st sitting. I'm just not ready for a big meal at 6.15. Edited July 6, 2014 by jeanlyon

[majortom10]

Its all down to personal preference and what time you go to bed 8-30 is far too late for us when you dont finish your meal until after 10pm and a 5 course meal to go to bed on is the last thing I would want its too much for us.

[Pringles]

[quote name='portofino3']We normally request second sitting but as we're on a saver we might end up on first.I was wondering if there were any advantages to first sitting.[/QUOTE]

It just depends when you like to eat. At home we eat as a family at 6.30pm or thereabouts. I know this is not the custom all over Europe. Equally, I have breakfast at 6-6.30am normally so by late evening I am fairly tired.

It is probably just as well we are all different or we would all be wanting the same sittings, same time shows and be in the same bars…….

[frenchmartiniplease]

We prefer 1st sitting and I wouldn't consider us exactly oldies. 58 yo for a few months yet!

Couldn't sleep on the full stomach I'd end up with on the 2nd sitting. I also like to have time to enjoy multiple nightcaps, casino and theatre while my meal digests.

Due to work and other commitments in our lives over the last 30 years we are early birds. Even with a late night or jetlag we wake up at silly o'clock. So come midnight this Cinderella is off to bed.

If not, I'm a right pumpkin in the morning.


Thank goodness we DON'T all want the same sitting.

[jeanlyon]

True, good thing we are all different. Eating at 8.30, we are normally finished by 10 and personally it's only a starter and main course for me, don't do puddings and that is enough. So by the time we have seen the show, it's 11.30, then a dance and a walk on the deck, maybe half-midnight. Plenty of time for two courses to have gone down. Brekkie around 9, lunch about 1.30 or 2.

[Pies4u]

It is no contest for us, second sitting is preferable. The disadvantage of later dining is offset by the longer daylight hours - on or off deck, the chance to prepare for dinner with in suite drinks and canapés & the chance to sit having a quiet drink after 10.30 almost anywhere on the ship.

P & O still have 2 shows per night, unlike some other lines, so you don't miss out by eating later.

Plus, you can keep quizzes for me, similarly sing-a-longs in the pub - don't like them at home so don't want to endure them at sea.

[Cloudyrain]

I think a big part of it is how you treat your meal - part or your evening entertainment OR a necessity.

On holiday we often don't go for dinner until after 9pm, but are always out of the restaurant by 10pm at the latest. We still do starter and main course, sometimes pudding and coffee, but don't do the cheese course, and often take our coffee put of the dining room. We always made the 10.30 show quite easily - early enough to get a seat most times, and even pick up a drink on the way. That being said, at home we don't get in from work and eat until 7.30pm at the earliest so 9pm isn't that much later than we normally eat. We are generally tucked up by 1am (depending on when the casino closes). To be honest we found in the MDR that as soon as they saw you put your soup spoon down they would be bringing the main course out! :rolleyes: