Dining on DCL - Antisocials....

[southt00]

Hi:

 

We are looking at DCL but the only drawback (besides the extra cost) is the rigid dining. We typically cruise lines with flexible dining options. DCL has set dining. Two questions:

 

Since late dining is available only and we have a three year old - what are the odds of being able to switch to early? We are looking for October so obviously we are very late.

 

More importantly, what are the odds that we can dine with just our family? We are not fans of dining with others (no offense!, haha).

 

Thank you for your responses.

T.

[wwinfl91]

I've seen many posts where there are tables where a family can sit together with no one else at the table. As far as getting switched from late to early dining that would depend on how full the ship is.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[irwins0001]

I have always gotten a table of 4 on all of my DCL cruises (3 of them). I have not been able to switch late for early. I have tried it twice unsuccessfully. However they were both New Yr's cruises.

[mom x4,grandma x4]

We have switched from late to early successfully everytime so far (4 times). First make sure who ever you booked with has you wait listed with early dining.

Right now they are having trouble filling the ships due to the economy so your chances should be very good to get switched on the ship.

As soon as you get your room card upon check in it will tell you your dining time on it. If it is still late, look at the Welcome aboard paper they give you . It will give a place and time to to to change times. Do this immediatley when the time begins, usually around boarding time.

 

Usually you will get changed on the spot, but sometimes they will call and leave a message on your phone the first afternoon. At that time ask if there is a table for 4 which is the smallest you can request. If they have an opening they will give it to you.

Another option you can do is go to the buffet for dinner. It is NOT a buffet at night. It is sit down with a smaller menu but a good one. They do have a salad bar but you are waited on other than that. On 7 day cruises it is closed the first and last night, but if you book Palos for one of those nights that will just leave one night you can use room service or eat by the pools. Not sure if this is offered on the 3 and 4 day cruises.

[djpolly]

My family of three got our own table. We booked late so online check-in said we were stuck with the late option. It was not really a problem because our 5 year daughter adapts to pretty easily to swapping snack and dinner time and we are used to central time instead of east coast. But luckily when we got our dining times onboard it was the early dining; we didn't even have to try to change them. They did have an area set up to change dinner times upon boarding. It's Disney and they will try to accommodate you.

[MBprincess]

You don't have to eat in the dining room together. If you have your child in the club they will go to dinner "early" with their friends (except the first night). You can then eat later in the dining room. Having the kids eat in the dining room day after day when they are little is hard. Another thing you might consider is eating in Lumieries at lunch (asking for your own table) and then put on your suits, grab food from one of the on deck venues for dinner by the pool. During the main seating you will have a lot less crowded experience by the pool. So even if the times for dinner are "rigid" do what feels fun to you...