Dinner Times?

[Tina0922]

Just booked my first Disney cruise yesterday, finally! :) I saw on the confirmation we are assigned 'second' seating for dinner but I can not find in the brochures or on-line what time that is. Does anybody know what time second seating is? Also, mom can't eat too late due to medications she takes and all. Is there some place else we can eat if second seating is too late for her? Can we get on board and see about changing to early?( which I know with many families traveling with kids might be impossible to do) I don't want to miss the dining rooms but she can't eat 8-8:30 at night. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

Also, being first time Disney sailors, is there ANYTHING I need to know about the ship/activities/shows? Sailing with senior mother & my two nephews (6 & 8 yrs). Thanks.

 

Tina

[Gary from PA]

First sitting: 6.00 PM

 

Second sitting: 8.30PM

[Shmoo here]

Just booked my first Disney cruise yesterday, finally! :) I saw on the confirmation we are assigned 'second' seating for dinner but I can not find in the brochures or on-line what time that is. Does anybody know what time second seating is? Also, mom can't eat too late due to medications she takes and all. Is there some place else we can eat if second seating is too late for her? Can we get on board and see about changing to early?( which I know with many families traveling with kids might be impossible to do) I don't want to miss the dining rooms but she can't eat 8-8:30 at night. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

Also, being first time Disney sailors, is there ANYTHING I need to know about the ship/activities/shows? Sailing with senior mother & my two nephews (6 & 8 yrs). Thanks.

 

Tina

 

Call DCL immediately (or your TA, if you used one) and request a switch to early seating. Point out that it is a medical issue. This will usually do it. If not, tell them that you want it noted on your reservation that you want early seating. I don't know how far out your are from your cruise, but, keep checking with them (remember the squeaky wheel?) to confirm your request.

 

If you haven't gotten reassigned to early seating by the time you check in at the port, ask the CM where the dining changes are being handled and go there to ask again for the change. In most cases, any (or all) of these steps will get you the early seating. Sometimes not.

 

There are quick serve stations on the pool deck, if you need to eat earlier. And room service. The buffet does a sit-down table service for dinner anytime you wish.

 

:)

[Tina0922]

Thanks Shmoo here.... I can kick myself for this! It was a mess booking it last night due to different prices given to the TA earlier in the day ($1700 difference). We went back & forth over an hour and finally DCL 'found' the rate that was currently on-line that my TA & I were looking at. I was so rattled by that didn't even think to mention to the TA about my mom & eating. I am really hoping she can pull through for us and get the change. I don't want to miss the rotaional dinning being this is my first Disney cruise! Heard great things about it. Thanks again.

 

Tina

[mare73]

If it eases your mind at all, just in case your dining time can't be switched - the buffet is open during dinner hours as a sit down restaurant, room service is available, and there are the quick-serve places where you can grab sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruit, burgers, hot dogs, pizza and more. Not that these take the place of rotational dining room experiences, but you could always grab a small bite for your mom's sake to hold her over until late dinner. This way you won't miss out on the dining rooms...again, just in case you can't get dinner time switched.

[Gary from PA]

If it eases your mind at all, just in case your dining time can't be switched - the buffet is open during dinner hours as a sit down restaurant, room service is available, and there are the quick-serve places where you can grab sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruit, burgers, hot dogs, pizza and more. Not that these take the place of rotational dining room experiences, but you could always grab a small bite for your mom's sake to hold her over until late dinner. This way you won't miss out on the dining rooms...again, just in case you can't get dinner time switched.

 

Excellent idea. I have always found the dinner food very passable.If you just want the ambiance then its worth attending the formal dinner otherwise room service or the sit-down in the Cabana would be a far better option.

[Tina0922]

Thanks guys. Have an e-mail to my TA who said she would take care of it....I'm hoping that means it is possible to change it. That is good to know about other areas to eat if we need it.

 

Tina

[helenb]

If it helps, Tina, We booked a cruise right at 90 days and only second seating was available. I called up DCL and requested main seating, and less than 30 days later, I got it! I was very surprised and pleased. I feel like I got some pixie dust!

 

So even if they can't change it for you (I'm sure they will if you can document it as a medical condition) there's a very good chance you will will be reassigned anyway before the cruise! If not, as others have said, board as early as you can and request a dining change immediately.

[racingfandj]

I had the same experience, booked online myself and only 2nd seating available. We called and made note we would like to switch. By the time we were able to check-in at 75-day mark, we had been switched to early seating. By then, I had read so many who preferred 2nd, I had changed my mind and hoped our request wouldn't go through. :D Very happy to see I was able to change it during check-in to 2nd seating again. :cool:

[Tina0922]

Thanks guys. I will have my mother get note from her specialists about that to have with her just in case. Never had issues with it before but being first on Disney I don't know how they would handle it. Thanks again.

[ducklite]

Even for medical reasons there is no guarantee you will be able to get moved. There are plenty of options, including having your mom eat a light meal through room service and then attend late seating dinner and skip a course or two.

[Cruisin_Vol_Fan]

We also had second seating assigned and requested a waitlist for main seating. Around 45-days out the change came through. We had talked ourselves into second seating at that point and decided to change it back. I'm sure the next person down the line was excited to get that main seating.

 

Here's hoping you will be next on your list!

[awaywego0000]

My husband noticed that we were assigned second seating and he asked me to call. They told me the first seating was already booked up and they put us on a waiting list for first seating. I was concerned because of my daughter. I was relieved to find out there are many options to get a snack or a meal at the quick serve places. There is also 24 hour room service.