late or early seating. Which one do you choose?

[pg.]

We have had early seating twice, late once, and open once.

We will never go back to late or early, we loved open seating on Princess. We went to dinner about 630 and only waited (once) for about 10- 15 minutes for a table. We sit with anyone , so perhaps if one wanted a table for two they would have to wait longer.

 

5:30 is too early ( rushed after port day)

 

after 8 is too late. ( lump in tummy, too hungry by 7 )

[gja360]

We have always picked late seating. I don't want to have to worry about being rushed because the next seating group is on their way.

[GottaLuvCruising]

When we first started cruising, we always took late seating...can't even remember why. But we enjoy the hot tubs and a walk on a quiet moonlit deck late evening. With late dining, we didn't have enough time after dinner and were never hungry for the midnight buffet.

 

So maybe five years ago we tried early dining and we love it. We'll never go back to late. It is so nice to have a longer, relaxed evening to enjoy.

[beaming90]

On our first cruise we asked for early seating and got the latest one they offered. We didn't bother to change it. It was ok, but eating at 8:15 was awfully late for us and the late shows were really hard on my mom, she is usually in bed by 9:30 or so. And the midnight buffet wasn't even interesting to us because we had just left dinner. But this next cruise we are hoping to get the early seating. Then we will know for sure which one we like best.

[DonLou]

We prefer LATE for the aforementioned reasons. Additionally, we found that at the late seating, everyone is on time for dinner and for some reason, the food tastes better (maybe because everyone is starving at that point :p ).

[PurpleCow]

For me, not being tempted by the midnight buffet, on those cruises that have one, is one of the best reasons for choosing late seating.

[wisefamily4]

I am wondering if where you are from has anything to do with picking later seating. Seeing the people from the west coast-picking a later seating would just keep you on time. Or does it not really matter.

 

Only if we were flying to the east coast to cruise. I like driving to the port, so that doesn't happen very often.

[wisefamily4]

If you are one of those that likes to be a glutton on lobster tail night, or crab legs, or prime rib, then late seating is for you. At early seating, the waiters are reluctant to serve seconds or thirds (they will but are reluctant to) because they want to make sure enough is left for late seating.

 

I've never found this to be a problem - I simply ask and they bring...

We like late seating when it's just 'us' and early when it's a family cruise.

[pd52]

We usually cruise late fall or Winter. When we had early sitting, we always missed the sunsets......they usually close the curtains or are not next to a window. With late, just seems to help slow down the day. No rush getting back from shore, no rush to dress. You have that 2-3 hour window when all the ants are in the holes on ship, and it seems that it's empty on deck to find that quiet place to watch the sail a way, relax, be with who you want......Looking forward to Jan....

[travelndad13]

So far only one cruise and had late seating. This time we have the 6:15 seating. We thought we would try it.

[ryansmemom]

We always choose late seating. It is closer to the time we are used to eating dinner at home. We enjoy lingering over dinner and never feel rushed because the stewards have another group of passengers will be coming in. Most evenings we are the last group to leave the dining room. Having dinner before 8PM feels like we are eating in the middle of the afternoon, to us.

 

Linda