AACJ

Any experiences on the Costa Cruise Line?

still a 60/40 split

bump

We prefer late seating so we can relax after a port day. Then enjoy late shows. Didn't expect to like Freestyle dining on NCL but it is great - just eat when we feel like it. No waiting except a 5 min. once. Just put me on a cruise ship!!

I suppose you would have different tablemates each night if you did the Freestyle.

What time does personal choice end? And do you have to sit at the same table every night?

We've chosen late seating for our 2nd cruise, on HAL. Had Personal Choice on Princess first cruise and we rarely made it to dinner before 9pm. I loved having a short nap and room service tea after a long day on shore. Then a wine on the balcony. We mostly danced and walked decks after dinner and never went to one show. So, I think late will work well for us this time.

 

I didn't care much for Personal Choice for our 1st cruise. It didn't match my expectations of a traditional cruise experience.

 

DH wont care one way or the other. He only eats one meal a day, a large dinner anytime from 6-8pm, which must be preceeded by munchies and a cocktail if we're on vacation.

Any more thoughts?

:p

 

I prefer the late seating- less rushing. Besides I heard there was food 24-7 late/early or all day long.

Yep, you can eat anytime on the ship. Even order roomservice and eat when you want in your ROOM!

Bumpity Bump, up to the top I go!

We also looked for sunset times and found that we'd miss all of those with early seating. We ope to enjoy those this time together.

 

Ah, sitting on the balcony sipping a glass of wine while watching the sunset with your loved one...it doesn't get any better than that!

What happened to my counter, it all of a sudden doesn't work.

 

snip........ (I wonder if Cruisecritic would reward me with a free cruise!!)

 

Well, I haven't heard from Cruisecritic yet, so I guess I won't be getting a free cruise!!

Something I found strange though, the poll seems to lean by 60% towards late seating, with 40% going with early seating. When we first booked our trip, we were ASSIGNED early seating. We then requested late seating and they said there were plenty of open spots, BUT, they said that there would be a waiting list if we wanted to get back on the early seating.

I don't understand how 60% can choose late seating and there be plenty of open seats, while 40% can choose early and there be a waiting list. Am I missing something? Are they seating the same number of people at both seatings?

Thanks

Something I found strange though, the poll seems to lean by 60% towards late seating, with 40% going with early seating. When we first booked our trip, we were ASSIGNED early seating. We then requested late seating and they said there were plenty of open spots, BUT, they said that there would be a waiting list if we wanted to get back on the early seating.

I don't understand how 60% can choose late seating and there be plenty of open seats, while 40% can choose early and there be a waiting list. Am I missing something? Are they seating the same number of people at both seatings?

Thanks

I do late seating because we are not so rushed to leave the dining room. Actually, there could have been a vote button labeled "Both". You will probably find me in the Buffet during early seating. I'm the guy with his head under the ice cream spigot. I can't get enough of that Chocolate. :D

Sorry, the intent of the posting was to help us make a decision as to which seating we should pick. BOTH was not an option for our cruise, but I can see your point if it was available.

I too frequent the buffet line, on our last one, they had a sushi bar just before the early seating and you could usually find me there, then the bar or a drink in the room (maybe fooling around with the wife) then end up at the late dinner.

This posting has gotten a lot more responses than I had EVER anticipated, over 9400 viewings already!! One of the most views posts on this site. (I wonder if Cruisecritic would reward me with a free cruise!!) But, I hope that it helps everyone make a better informed decision.

AND KEEP YOUR RESPONSES COMING!!

Hi All :)

We are definitely late sitting devotees, love the time when early sitting in and the boat decks become deserted. Have always managed to get late sitting except for one cruise where it was all open sitting. Different waiters every night, occasional queues not our scene. Was a bit worried re forthcoming cruise as was waitlisted for late sitting, started off at 40+ found out today on personalizer now confirmed second sitting whoopieee :D

Middy:)

I would hate to have a different waiter every night. You really get to know them, and they you when you go to dinner every night. Once they get to know your likes/dislikes, they tend to spoil you!!

LATE! (On Carnival, at least)

 

On Carnival ships, there is a spectacular performance after dinner, and if you eat at the main dining, then you have to go to the early show, but if you go to the late dining, then you go to the late show. The bad thing in my mind about the earlier dining/show is that there's not as much to do between the time after the show and sleep time (or midnight buffet :p). However, with the late dining/show, you can do activities up until dinner, and then watch the show, maybe a midnight buffet, late night comedy, and then sleep.

 

My $0.02 :D

That is my reasoning too...

Up to the top I go!!

Looks like its trending more to late seating.

art

Up to the top I go!!

Just my two cents (since I AM the one that started this poll).

We just got off the Horizon Saturday May7th, and had the late seating. I am glad we made that decision for many reasons.

First, since we were in Bermuda for roughly 4 days, that gave us plenty of time to shop, go to beaches, sightsee, etc....and return to the ship at our leisure.

While getting ready for dinner, we would shower, have a few drinks in our cabin (maybe fool around a litttle) relax and head out about 30 minutes before our seating and have a drink or two in one of the lounges. We tried to have a drink or two in every lounge on the ship, some were more busy than others.

We pretty much get to bed early, usually by 10pm when we are not on vacation, but with the late seating (and no kids to wake us up) we were able to stay up to see the midnight buffet, sometimes. In fact, at times we had not finished our dinner until around 10:30pm, we had great table mates too, so the conversation was always good, our waiter was a character as well.

Other than that, I hope this thread stays open for a long while, maybe it still will be when we take our next cruise.

thanks

art

Usually shows are catered to both seatings so you won't miss a show. I've only taken RCI cruises so I can't speak for Carnival but I'm pretty sure this is the case for all cruise lines.

I have heard that some cruisers on the early seating go to both shows leaving little seats left for the second dinner seaters.

Also, how many people in the early seating skip the first show and go to the second show?

Does the first show usually start at the second seating time?

thanks

art

I think I like the late seating from everyone opinions, it give me time to go out to port and not rush back, take a shower/nap, have a drink or two, etc....before going to dinner. Plus the concensus seems to be less children too, too bad they have to go to bed so early, sic.!!

art

I wish the poll included the option of "Neither". When we cruise, we take NONE of our meals in the main dining room because we don't want to be locked into set dinner dining times. Our preference is to stay out at the pool or in port, or just "wing-it" when it comes to our daily schedule. We'll eat in one of the specialty restaurants, or the Windjammer...anywhere but the main dining room.

 

Mike & Silke

Mike, no offense, but when I created the poll, I wanted to know which seatings people prefer, which is why I did not put a "Neither" option. I did carefully think about whether to add neither to the options or not, and decided to not include it.

Celebrity makes me choose one or the other and I wanted many different viewpoints to help make my decision, which is exactly what I got.

I realize some people do not eat at either seating, I will probably have one or two meals either someother place on the ship or at port.

However, I do appreciate your response and certainly hope you did vote.

Thanks for taking the time and looking at it too!

art

Rob, hello again, it seems everywhere I go in here, I keep bumping into you...plus I keep refering back to your website, ton of info.

Cruisegirl, I tried to check out your website but it would not open up.

art

What do you prefer, Main or Late dining and why?