Early vs. Late seating(on Splendor and in general)

[trvljill]

So I have been cruising before but quite awhile ago so just looking for some advice. I'm not asking what is better late or early seating but more just want opinions on pros and cons and each and if there is really much difference(I know you can only request a certain time and its not guranteed). We are in our twenties and hoping to go on the Splendor in a few months. So we are definitly into the nightlife, the piano bar being our favorite then also checking out the other areas that have music and dancing. We'll catch one or two of the shows during the week but not our top priority. So I'm just wondering is there a big difference for the early and late seating as far as are there certain things we may miss with one or the other seating.

 

Also I know it obviousy varies(and I can't really remember) but about how long do people spend at dinner.

 

Thanks for the tips!

[CalmCruiserNC]

We were recently on Splendor -- late seating -- and we didn't miss anything because of it ... in fact we got to do things that early seating misses -- like enjoying the sushi and tapas bars, watching the sunset, enjoying sailaway from ports, not having to hurry back from a day in port, taking a little nap before dinner, watching a movie in our stateroom while we're getting ready for dinner. We also find that the lounges and clubs really don't get started until after 11PM -- and if we did early seating, we'd be ready for bed by then! We've always chosen late seating -- and always will.

[travelinggrandma]

Hi,

 

I was just on the Splendor. I usually have late seating, but this time tried early. I found that the sushi and tapas bars began serving at 5:00PM giving us plenty of time for appetizers before dinner. There is a lot of evening entertainment on this ship and if that's your favorite thing to do than I would choose early seating so you will have a long evening. The piano bar and karaoke were going every night after dinner. There were at least three different small music groups or solos playing in different areas. If you are taking late tours in the Mexican Riviera or want to enjoy the pool and napping more, than late is better for you.

[beachbum6264]

We've done both early and late seating. We did early for our last cruise on the Legend just to see how we liked it. We asked for late for our Dream cruise next year - I felt too rushed - not enough time to relax after ports - we had to rush to get showered and dressed. No time for a relaxed drink before dinner, had to leave the pool on sea days before they kicked me out of the chair, no time for a quick nap (read that how ever you want :D) before dinner.

We didn't miss anything with either seating - seems like we had more time to kill before the bands started up after the early seating (the casino may like that).

[emelvee]

We've always done early seating, mainly because we don't like to eat a large meal late. When we started cruising, another factor was our daughter needing to get to sleep, but now that she's a bit older, that's not as much of an issue.

[kaykels]

And here's another vote for LATE seating. Same reasons. After a day in port at the beach, I like a shower and a quick nap! Or after a day in port I usually come back and I'm starving, so I eat a late lunch. Then by dinner time I'm not hungry.

 

I had early seating on 2 of my cruises. I'm a night owl like you and enjoy that. But I was so darn tired from running around and not getting time to unwind before dinner that it ruined my nights. From now on I will only do late or anytime dining.

[Wolfie48]

So I have been cruising before but quite awhile ago so just looking for some advice. I'm not asking what is better late or early seating but more just want opinions on pros and cons and each and if there is really much difference(I know you can only request a certain time and its not guranteed). We are in our twenties and hoping to go on the Splendor in a few months. So we are definitly into the nightlife, the piano bar being our favorite then also checking out the other areas that have music and dancing. We'll catch one or two of the shows during the week but not our top priority. So I'm just wondering is there a big difference for the early and late seating as far as are there certain things we may miss with one or the other seating.

 

Also I know it obviousy varies(and I can't really remember) but about how long do people spend at dinner.

 

Thanks for the tips!

 

DW and I prefer the late seating more time to get ready after shore excursions, and fewer kids. Also with no seating after you they don't rush you out.

[T. Advisor King]

We prefer the early seating because the meal time more closely corresponds to our natural eating patterns. With the exception of myself, my family doesn't eat much and gets hungry very quickly. I'm more likely to eat a little more and wait longer between meals. For them, waiting until 8:30 or 9:00 pm to eat dinner seems preposterous when they're used to eating dinner around 5:00 or 5:30.

[momoftwins2]

I leave for cruise #10 on Oct 8th. I have always only done late seating because if we are on an island we don't want to have to rush back to get ready for dinner. Or if we are at sea all day, I like to enjoy as much of the sunshine as possible.

 

The cruise lines have it all mapped out so that no matter what dinner you eat at, you won't miss any shows, because they do them twice. But if you like the midnight shows then having an early dinner you may be too tired by the time midnight comes.

 

When I am home I eat before 7pm, but when I am on a cruise I don't mind eating later because I am up so late enjoying all that the ships have to offer. Plus after snacking all day who really is hungry at 6pm lol:p

[cruisetobeaches]

When we cruise alone, we prefer the late seating. Our 'normal' schedule at home is to eat dinner late.

 

We also like to take a "snooze" before dinner on the ship. This enables 'me' to endure a bedtime later than 10:00 PM!

 

When we cruise with others, we have the early seating because it fits in with their 'normal' eating schedule.

 

I've also noticed, as mentioned above, that you don't feel as rushed to get out of the DR with the late seating. We've also been able to chat more with the wait staff with the late seating.

[Duncarob]

Generally, families with kids and older folks tend to choose the early seating. You may prefer the late seating if you are in your twenties without kids. You'll have a better chance of getting seated with people you have more in common with.

[rottiemom]

We have done early and late seating. There are pros and cons to both. We chose to do early seating on the Splendor cruise in October because we like the shows and we really don't stay up as late anymore. When we had the late dinner, we ate alot of food and then it seemed like we missed things and we walked around with big bloated stomachs the rest of the night. This time we are cruising alone without a big group and we will want to be more flexible. There will be nights where we won't eat in the MDR and other nights where we will want to be part of the activities. Whatever you decide to do will be the best decision, because you will be on a cruise and everything is cool.

[eddiesgal]

DH is an early riser due to his job so even on a cruise we are early risers and if we see 10:00PM we're doing well:p Thus it's early seating for us.

[flutepilot]

I could do either as I am a night owl, but DW always goes to bed early so we do early. The only time I really won't like this is sailaway at 5:30 from Long Beach. Oh well...

[tnincy]

we just returned from freedom. we always do the late seating. you don't miss a thing. most of the major shows and entertainment run after each of the dinners. we always preferred the late seating due to wanting to spend more time at the ports and not feeling like we need to rush back to the ship for the 6:15 dinner. we also like to take part in the clubs and entertainment scene. it is really a matter of personal preference. dinner usually tooke us around an hour and a half from start to finish. there were occasions when we stayed later because of the friends we had made at our table.

[Martini Mom]

On our last cruise, there were some dance classes we wanted to take (ie:salsa), but they were all during our late dining time. That was a bummer.

 

We love the late dining time for a bunch of reasons, but on this cruise we are dining early so the kids don't miss any of their camp activities.

[Casino Player]

So I have been cruising before but quite awhile ago so just looking for some advice. I'm not asking what is better late or early seating but more just want opinions on pros and cons and each and if there is really much difference(I know you can only request a certain time and its not guranteed). We are in our twenties and hoping to go on the Splendor in a few months. So we are definitly into the nightlife, the piano bar being our favorite then also checking out the other areas that have music and dancing. We'll catch one or two of the shows during the week but not our top priority. So I'm just wondering is there a big difference for the early and late seating as far as are there certain things we may miss with one or the other seating.

 

Also I know it obviousy varies(and I can't really remember) but about how long do people spend at dinner.

 

Thanks for the tips!

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO trvljill: Dinner time really doesn't matter all that much. They have two shows, except for the first night, the clubs and casino are open until late. It just depends on your preference. Dinner usually takes 1 1/2 hours on average.

[Pegs222]

We had early dinning on the Splendor on our cruise to Europe last year. We had wished we had been with late dinning as we were on excursions that brought us back to the ship after dinner had started several times. The MD was very kind and let us come in. When I booked our excursions and noticed that our ship would not be sailing until late, I honestly thought that we would have open dinning then, but they did not. I talked to the MD and asked why they did not have open dinning. He told me the waiters hate it, they much prefer to run around a bit if we come in late than to mess with the open dinning. Our friends came so late that they did not have any food for them so they had to go to the Lido Deck.

 

On our last cruise we had to go with late dinning as we booked so late but found it to be really nice. We had time after we got back from our excursions to relax, have some wine on our balcony before dinner. When we book our cruise to Europe next year, I think we will stick with the late sitting, no matter what cruise line it is.

 

Whichever you choose, late or early, you will have a wonderful time and be able to see what you want to see.

[F22Smitty]

All the drunks eat late.:D

[BlueC5Kitten]

I think, if I was to sail on the Splendor...out of the West Coast, I would be more inclined toward the early seating, as late seating would be WAAAAAY past eating hours on Central Time. :D I typically sail out of FL though, so the late seating is right about when I would normally eat dinner at home.

 

That being said, I have had my dinner last as little as 1½ hours to as long as 3 hours...just depends on my table mates, conversation, etc.

 

Happy cruising!

[victory2020]

We do late, to get in more daylight. Also, the servers have told me they have to rush you through dinner on the first seating. Usually more kids at first seating also.

[trvljill]

Thanks for the tips and info everyone great to get so many takes on it. I think we we will request late seating definitely sounds like it will fit our schedule and what we're looking for.

[yesaccasey]

Definitely do early dining! Otherwise you're not out until close to 10pm, which makes you miss your nightlife. Going to the early dinner, then to the show, and then to the nightlife works out perfectly. Also, if you do late dinner you sometimes miss shows if they don't have a show for both early/late dining. The late dining group is the one that always misses out.