Dinner the first night?

[peeshee]

I will be on the Diamond Princess to Alaska and wanted to know what time they have dinner for traditional early seating the first day. I've read about a Bon Voyage buffet, but isn't that too close to dinner time? Or is it just drinks?

[CaptData]

Do you have Personal Choice or normal dining? For both check the Patter in your room. It will have all info on it. The Buffet is for lunch or you could eat dinner there if you want but dinner will be served in the Dining Rooms.

[zprincess]

We have early traditional dining. Do you know what time they serve dinner? I've read 6:00, 6:15 or 6:30. Also, do you get a room key as soon as you board the ship? Thanks.

[springtxbill]

You get the room key/ charge card at checkin before you get to the ship. :)

[peeshee]

Thanks for the prompt replies:)

[cruisingbug]

We just came off a Princess cruise to Alaska - the buffet was open already when we got onboard, and stayed open until 9:30 am the morning we disembarked. As far as dinner seating, EVERYONE had "traditional" seating the first night - we had personal choice the rest of the time, but were assigned the 5:45 pm seating the first night, our choice of dining room. Our ship did not leave port until 9 pm, so not everyone was onboard at that time - I'm not sure if they even had a second seating for dinner that night.