What is the best time to dine?

[Tizzy-Jo]

Can I ask you lovely experts, what is the best time to dine in the evening? If possible, we would like to avoid large queues. Normally, in hotel based holidays, we dine at about 8pm but that is, in part, to allow families with young children to finish theirs.

We will be on Celebration.

[topsey130]

Hi Tizzy-Jo

 

Generally 7.30 to 8.30 are the peak dining times and queues do form, but never too long a wait. If you are happy to share a table this speeds things up but if you wish to dine as a couple you may have to wait a little.

 

Generally we dined just after 7 and never had to queue. Likewise when we ate late

 

Hope this helps :)

[Tizzy-Jo]

Topsey, thank you. 7ish sounds good.:D

[Langtoncouple]

I know it may be different from the Celebration but on the Dream we tend to arrive early at 6.30 in the waiter service Orion restaurant , sit at out usual table for 2. We are out well before the 8.15 theatre show but in that last hour it tends to get busy. By the time we leave, there are queues. So earlier the better.

[WeeCountyMan]

It's all down to personal choice.

 

We prefer to eat later, having had a few glasses of the falling down liquid beforehand at a leisurely pace.

[Redlands70]

Just back off Celebration. Definitely queues from 7.30/ 8 but not long to wait and gave out sparkling wine to those who were waiting. However service was quite slow it was very busy as ship full. One couple couldn't get what they wanted to order so they gave them a free meal in Mistrals. Think they complained. They were still moaning loudly in Mistrals when we were there. It was very annoying!

[Loobieloo]

We always go for a late meal - around 8.30 but only because we like to make the most of the day before chilling with a few drinks, then dinner. Biggest queue we had was on Majesty and then only ever had to wait 10 - 15 minutes. On the Spirit, after the first few nights, we had an arrangement with our lovely waiter who used to come and collect us from the bar when our table was ready - not sure if they are still allowed to do this now. Guess in the end it depends on you and what works for your holiday. Have a wonderful time. :-)

[Tizzy-Jo]

Thank you to everyone. Like the idea of a glass or two of the falling down liquid before dinner. Only thing is, I might actually fall down and embarrass my husband so I think we might dine early and then have the falling down liquid.:D

[Julessmiles]

We're just back from the Celebration too - we used to eat most evenings at 8.30; don't like to leave the sunshine too early!

 

We had to queue for a short while but not a problem - they were handing out glasses of Bucks Fizz to those in the queue! It did seem that on our second week that most people preferred to eat later as the restaurant was busier and only 350 turned up for the early Captain's Night (even though you are given a set meal time & you are supposed to stick to the time you are given or change it during the day) and yet more turned up for the later sitting than the restaurant can seat; the Head Waiters were frantically trying to resolve this!

 

The Show Lounge was certainly quieter for the earlier 8.30pm show so if you can get in early you will probably secure a seat in there!

[NanasitaSue]

We found that second sitting in dining room always better. The show lounge is always cleared after first show so able to get a seat. On the nights when there is a late night cabaret the 2nd show people are allowed to stay & the first show people can't all get seats. That caused a lot of complaints but we were happy in our great seats. The cabarets we have seen have been worth the extra siitting time & the shows are always top notch !!

 

Also 2nd sitting allows plenty of time for shower dress & drink before dinner if you have been on an all day excursion

 

Hope that helpful