To each his own. Although I am Platinum level with NCL, I prefer the set dining times that other cruise lines offer and having the same table every night. I like having the same waiter and assistant welcome me by name every night. After the first night of dining we never have to ask for our beverage since they know what we want and bring it automatically. I also enjoy meeting new people and hearing about their cruise experiences, shore excursions they took, etc. I wish NCL offered assigned dining as an option. My wife on the other hand prefers the freestyle dining.