We sailed the Silver Wind back on 2005 Cape Town to the Maurichs.
We boarded the ship around 11 am and they gave us a wine list chose our wine had lunch and by dinner time new our names and wine preferences.
Back then it was assigned seating 7:30 table with the same 2 couples best time we had.Ate in restaurant 1 time no charge LOL.
Sailing since the late 70's all our cruises where assigned seating exept the Windstar cruises.
In 2008 did Oceania and this year will be our 13th cruise. with them.