Benifit to dining early

[CMOTO]

Is there any benifit to eat early or better to eat late?? Just wondering what I could miss if I dine early. How long do you have to finish your meal? If I order something and then I dont like it do I have time to order something else?:confused:

[Roadtripster]

No benefits that I know of. Just personal preference.

 

We used to do the early sitting as we were hungry after all the shore excursions. Plus, at home we eat somewhat early and DH 9at home) is usually asleep by the time the late sitting would start.

 

This time we are doing the open sitting.

 

Time wise is probably a little shorter than a regular restaurant at home, since at home they cook from your order. On the ship, you choose from a select amount and those are already cooked/cooking.

 

By all means, order seconds if you want and if you don't like the first one, order again. You will get your second plate right away. No waiting.

[Richsap]

Is there any benifit to eat early or better to eat late?? Just wondering what I could miss if I dine early. How long do you have to finish your meal? If I order something and then I dont like it do I have time to order something else?:confused:

 

It depends upon which ship you are on, it's itenerary and the on-board entertainment schedule. Most of the time you'll end up sacrificing an early evening show for early seating but have the ability to catch a later show, and vice-versa.

 

If your itenerary has your ship leaving ports in the early evening (say, 5 o'clock) then you'd have about an hour to get ready for early seating. If your ship leaves a port later (say, 7 o'clock) then you would have to end your shore time early to make dinner. Conversely, if you had late seating then you'll have time to kill before dinner or have just the right amount of time to get ready. And as stated in a previous post, you might find yourself wanting to eat before the late seating (not that you can't grab a bite at the buffet and do both, right?).

 

I personally like early seating because the waitstaff is not frazzled and I think they tend to be more attentive and give quicker service. I would imagine after taking care of the early seaters they are worn out.

[CMOTO]

Oh cool, that sounds great. I think we will do the early too, since this is our first cruise we really don't know what we are missing out on yet!! LOL

[Tanbella]

hey i was wondering this question myself. At first i was thinking of picking late because we would have more time in ports and not have to rush back for diner. But then i read somewhere one of these cc boards that since it takes about 1 and a half to 2 hours to eat they missed out on alot. Do most deck partys and movies and activities happen from 8- 10?

[happy0ne]

We prefet to dine early, have never had a problem with time... We like to get to the show about 30 min early and we have no problem doing that either. Then we can hit the other activities. ie Karoke, dancing, casino etc.

Hope you have a great time

HappyOne

[cb at sea]

You'll have PLENTY of time to eat. There are shows for BOTH seating--eating NEVER interferes with the entertainment!

[2-laner]

We will be with a large group - about 20 of us - and we are booked for the early seating. 6:30?? I will have to get a couple tween girls and myself ready and down there. And after a full excursion day, this might make us late. I hate running late, and usually try very, very hard to be on time. But, if we are late, does that mess with the rest of the table's agenda for the meal, or can we just slip in and start ording whatever course they are on?

[CMOTO]

i was also wondering about that, what if you dont want to eat in the dinning room that nite do you have to tell someone you wont be joining the group??

[cruiserbryce]

the benefit really is all about personal preference...we like to eat and begin the rest of the night so choose early seating. One of the main drawbacks is that if you are in port late you will end up choosing between more time ashore or making dinner in the DR

[eandj]

We will be with a large group - about 20 of us - and we are booked for the early seating. 6:30?? I will have to get a couple tween girls and myself ready and down there. And after a full excursion day, this might make us late. I hate running late, and usually try very, very hard to be on time. But, if we are late, does that mess with the rest of the table's agenda for the meal, or can we just slip in and start ording whatever course they are on?

 

 

The doors to the restaurant "close" after a certain time. ie. if early dining is at 6:00 they will usually say 6:15-6:20 as last suggested entry. You shouldn't come in a half hour later and expect to be seated. If you find yourself rushed one night head to the casual dining options OR check with the maitre d if there is room at the late seating that night. If you show up they can usually find open seats for the late dining option.

 

Each ship will have it's own procedures and latitude re late arrivals. Early seating is 6:00 for most ships, not 6:30. hmmm..should add too depends on the ship and itieneray sometimes.. I've read where some ships late dining is really late...like 9:00. Not sure what your dining schedule is.

[eandj]

i was also wondering about that, what if you dont want to eat in the dinning room that nite do you have to tell someone you wont be joining the group??

 

 

If you know the night before, you might mention that you don't think you'll be there the next day. NOT required, just out of courtesy so they aren't waiting for you.

BUT if you decide at the last minute on any night not to dine in the MDR, no you do not tell anyone. Do what you want for dinner and don't feel the need to include everyone else in on your vacation!:)

[Marcy09]

If you have the late seating, does the food taste/appear "old?" (i.e. as if it were sitting out from the early seating?

[RoofingPrincess]

Nope.

[EdSails]

Just like some prefer early seating, many of us prefer late. It has the advantage of never causing you to rush back from a port day. There are usually less kids running around than there are during early seating. You can see the show first and not feel rushed at dinner. Oor, you can have a drink, visit friends or just catch the sunset before dinner. I've never found there to be any problem with waitstaff or food being "tired". To each their own, though------lots of people love the early seating.

[househunter]

There is no way we could do the early dining. We make the most of our port days and would not like having to rush back to the ship and get ready for dinner in the middle of the day (for us!). To make the early dinner we would have to be back and in the cabin by about 4:30. There is too much daylight left for us to waste in the shower, drying hair etc. Plus we like to relax when we get back. Sit in the hottub with a glass of wine, take a "nap", sit on the balcony watching the waves go by with a glass of wine. No way are we rushing to go anywhere on vacation!

[lovetoflyfish]

Just like some prefer early seating, many of us prefer late. It has the advantage of never causing you to rush back from a port day. There are usually less kids running around than there are during early seating. You can see the show first and not feel rushed at dinner. Oor, you can have a drink, visit friends or just catch the sunset before dinner. I've never found there to be any problem with waitstaff or food being "tired". To each their own, though------lots of people love the early seating.

 

Not rushed, less kids running around...

 

 

...does this mean as well that the dining room is less crowded and, perhaps, more relaxed?

[98Charlie]

Not rushed, less kids running around...

 

 

...does this mean as well that the dining room is less crowded and, perhaps, more relaxed?

If you are in a traditional dining situation on a cruise ship everyone will be assigned seating. If the ship is full, the dining rooms will have full assignments.

 

Many/most parents seem to opt for the earlier dining. We always choose early and have never had a problem with children "running around". As far as being more or less crowded, it depends on the cruise. We've been on some where everyone shows up for every dinner. On others there have been larger numbers of empty seats every evening.

 

Like I said, we opt for early dining every time. Sitting down to dinner at 8 is just too late for us.

 

Charlie

[EdSails]

Not rushed, less kids running around...

 

 

...does this mean as well that the dining room is less crowded and, perhaps, more relaxed?

 

I think so. In general, the first seating is the high demand time. You might find the first seating full and the second seating half full. Since there is rarely any events such as shows that you need to rush for (most lines are now having a show for late diners before dinner) that takes pressure off of a lot of people. Plus, some people tend to stress if they have rushed back from a port stop, possibly cutting their time short, and rush to get ready for an early seating. Having done both seatings, I just find it is more relaxing overall.

[Teeara]

We like early seating because we want plenty of time for our food to "settle" in our tummies before heading off to bed. We're not night owls and are usually in bed by 11 or 12 and are up early to watch the sunrise or catch breakfast before the hordes descend on the dining room.

 

If we can, we try to inform the others at our table and our waiters that we won't be at dinner the next night and we have also, when running late from an excursion, simply walked into the dining room to inform our waiters that we won't be in that night. It's considerate and it keeps everyone from looking over their shoulder wondering where we are and why we're holding up their supper (not that it's held up too long). This is also another reason why I prefer a table with no more than 6 people at it. Not as many people to disturb.

 

The only downside is missing sailaways from the ports. This happens quite often on my sailings and is something that I do regret just a bit. But, that's my choice.

 

Theresa

[debbymark]

last year we were at the second seating and more than one night had to leave not having coffee due to the fact of the meal running late and the show wa about to start.

[98Charlie]

The only downside is missing sailaways from the ports. This happens quite often on my sailings and is something that I do regret just a bit. But, that's my choice.

 

Theresa

 

DH & I regret missing sailaways from port due to early dining times as well but have learned to balance that with the benefits of going to dinner early and not have a belly full of dinner when we retire for the night.

 

That's our choice.

 

Dianne

[Teeara]

DH & I regret missing sailaways from port due to early dining times as well but have learned to balance that with the benefits of going to dinner early and not have a belly full of dinner when we retire for the night.

 

That's our choice.

 

Dianne

 

I agree, Dianne. No heartburn at bedtime! :D

 

Theresa

[cruisingbajan]

i was also wondering about that, what if you dont want to eat in the dinning room that nite do you have to tell someone you wont be joining the group??

 

It is considered proper etiquette to let your tablemates know before hand if possible that you will not be coming. That way they will not have to wit on you.

[UlvaZell]

We tend to opt for late seating preferring to spend as much time in port as possible. Additionally, if we do come back on board early we can get in a good nap before dinner... :D