Select or late dining on Reflection?

[Csardas]

Hi. We booked late fixed dining for our first Celebrity cruise but I didn’t realise that the seating was downstairs and select upstairs. Is either nicer than the other?

 

Despite open seating on our last cruise, we ended up eating at 8:30 every night anyway. We don’t like to be rushed, like a break between courses, and we don’t drink our coffee with pudding, only afterwards. I got fed up having to explain this every evening as we were never seated in the same area apart from 2 evenings. Also, the food was invariably only tepid and it got tiresome sending it back and having to explain that we wanted hot food! That’s why I picked fixed late to have the same table every night.

 

However, I’ve read some posts about upstairs being nicer and a “private” area for Select dining. Does anyone have experience of either/both areas and would help with their experience? Thanks very much in advance.

[gfkcruiser]

I only do select dining. Have not had your issues on the 8 celebrity cruise with select dining. You can request to sit in the same section all nights.

 

 

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[Beachlover1989]

I've never thought Select to be nicer than fixed and I've sat in both. You can always do Select and request the same waiter every day. You might have to wait for an open table for a little bit, but they'll give you a buzzer and you can go have a before dinner cocktail.

 

 

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[gimletgal]

Hi. We booked late fixed dining for our first Celebrity cruise but I didn’t realise that the seating was downstairs and select upstairs. Is either nicer than the other?

 

Despite open seating on our last cruise, we ended up eating at 8:30 every night anyway. We don’t like to be rushed, like a break between courses, and we don’t drink our coffee with pudding, only afterwards. I got fed up having to explain this every evening as we were never seated in the same area apart from 2 evenings. Also, the food was invariably only tepid and it got tiresome sending it back and having to explain that we wanted hot food! That’s why I picked fixed late to have the same table every night.

 

However, I’ve read some posts about upstairs being nicer and a “private” area for Select dining. Does anyone have experience of either/both areas and would help with their experience? Thanks very much in advance.

 

I have experienced both Select and Fixed dining. To me, being upstairs in Select definitely does NOT equate to being nicer and "private". Select dining can be extremely chaotic at times - and loud. Yes, you can sit at the same table each night, but this can require a wait if you go at different times each night and have no dining reservations connected to your booking. And, there are no guarantees your food will be hot.

 

If you like to eat at 8:30 at night, I would definitely stick with Fixed dining!

[Csardas]

:) Thanks all! I’ll just stick with fixed. This is a very helpful board.

[serendipity1499]

We have second seating dining on the Reflection with our Friends in Dec. Can someone tell me what time second seating is & what deck fixed seating is on..

 

This is our First Celebrity Cruise & are looking forward to it..Thanks

[gerelmx]

We have second seating dining on the Reflection with our Friends in Dec. Can someone tell me what time second seating is & what deck fixed seating is on..

 

This is our First Celebrity Cruise & are looking forward to it..Thanks

 

Second seating is at 8:30PM, first seating 6:00PM. some sailings varies by 15 minutes. The first day go to MDR and see where is your table, If you are not happy with the assignment you can request a change.

[NordicPrince]

DW and I always prefer late fixed dining at 8:30 for several reasons. We like to get off the ship during the day and upon returning we like to have time to relax and do things around the ship. If you have early fixed dining and Select you have to rush in this case.

 

We cruise to relax and step away from our usual minute by minute daily schedules so we enjoy not feeling rushed. Something about the whole uncertainties around Select dining holds no appeal.

 

We like to go to the Sunset Bar and watch the sailaway at our leisure. Afterward DW likes to go the Spa and use the heated tile beds as there are less people there at that time. A lot of people are just starting to get ready to go to dinner. We like to go to the first show at 7 as the performers are fresh and there is never a problem finding a seat. Afterward it is easier to go the casino and play some blackjack at a minimum I can enjoy again because the majority of people are eating at that time. Or we can relax and have a drink at an enjoyable place or listen to the music in the Atrium. At the late seating the MDR feels less crowded and the staff seems less rushed.

 

One of the things we particularly enjoy on all of our cruises is sitting at a larger table and meeting new people and making new friends. We started cruising in 1990 for our 10th wedding anniversary and still can recall all the people we have met over the years, some of whom we still correspond with. At the late seating you get just that little more time to just relax and converse with your new friends.

 

We're not late night people after that, maybe a 60's party. So it;s total relaxation.

 

So that's why we would never consider Select Dining or early seating. It's much simpler and gives us the quality time we are looking for.

 

Enjoy your cruising days.

 

P.S. Hello Geraldo GerlMx. We'll see you on 3\18\18 wherever we end up going.

Edited November 7, 2017 by NordicPrince

[Luvcrusn]

We have second seating dining on the Reflection with our Friends in Dec. Can someone tell me what time second seating is & what deck fixed seating is on..

 

This is our First Celebrity Cruise & are looking forward to it..Thanks

Fixed seating (traditional dining) is on Deck 3 at 8:30 PM. We enjoy that and have quite tables for 2 or 4 (if we're travelling with another couple) by the window. It's been quite lovely.

[Jeremiah1212]

There's nothing private about the MDR experience either way. You may get more consistent service with a fixed dining time or do Select and request the same waiter, although you would likely have to wait a while for an open table. Both areas are crowded and loud. We don't do fixed because I don't care for the MDR at all and would rather get in and out rather than have a long dinner.

[davekathy]

Select dining over late dining for us every time. We've never had an issue with service, being rushed or food doing Select or MDR Traditional.

[Luvcrusn]

We've also always preferred to dine at 8:30 in the MDR traditional seating. The meal feels less hurried and we are free to linger over coffee. It also is quieter in that most families with children tend to dine earlier. I guess it comes down to what you like. We enjoy coming back to the ship from port days, relaxing, changing leisurely and the go to the show (or not) and dinner. For us, dinner, served and enjoyed at a leisurely pace is part of the enjoyment of the evening. We hurry enough during everyday home life and relish the time to relax and unwind over a nice meal (which I didn't have to plan, cook, serve and clean up!)