Early Dinner vs. Later Dinner

[CruisingDivag]

16 cruises and only had Early Dining one time and I hated it! During sea days, we like to enjoy the Lido as late as possible and not feel rushed getting ready for dinner. And many days you are in port until 4, 5 or 6PM. So having late dining allows us to enjoy more time in port if desired. Many times we cruise with a larger group, so we've not tried Your Time dining yet. We may not hang out with our entire group all day, so dinners in the evening are our time to catch up and chat about days. Don't want to have to deal with potential longer wait times or not getting a wait staff we enjoy with having a larger group trying to do YTD.

 

For us, Late Dining works best...even with the kiddos! We'll have our three year old with us this November on the Vista.

 

:) My thought was we wouldn't have to rush back, we would spend more days with our group and could enjoy dinner alone AND take our time. Hmmm ... I do not want to stress at all on my vacation. I think we're leaning towards keeping it late. :) Thanks much for your input.

 

 

Divag

[Micahs Grandad]

didn't they have 2 shows on the nights they had entertainment? They used to always do that so whichever dining you had you had a chance to see the shows.

 

Bill

 

Some shows like welcome aboard and whatever they now call the talent show are once only and often cannot go to late seating and get in.

[CruisingDivag]

Some shows like welcome aboard and whatever they now call the talent show are once only and often cannot go to late seating and get in.

 

OK. Maybe those nights we'll grab a quick bite at the buffet or miss the shows. :D :D

Thanks much.

[TheTravelista]

Some shows like welcome aboard and whatever they now call the talent show are once only and often cannot go to late seating and get in.

 

For as long as I can remember the one time only shows were at a time where both seatings could attend. Like 10:30pm or so.

[cruzinlisa]

In my mind I like late dining, but I go back and forth. Early dining seems so early- even though we eat about that time at home. And sometimes we eat a later lunch and I am just not hungry that early (on cruises that is). But when I do late dining then I am usually tired right after dinner. I probably eat more, due to actually being hungry at dinner time. Then with a full belly I want to let it settle before having a drink or doing too much. Then I get sleepy. I get more reflux too, due to not digesting everything before falling asleep.

 

But with late dining I also have less snacking- especially at night and drink less. So there are trade offs.

 

We usually do MTD, but I have told my husband if we ever cruise without our daughter, I would like to do traditional dining. MTD is great with smaller children because you are less likely to dine with others. I don't mind dining with others, but when my DD (who is six) is there, its difficult to both be a watchful parent and a good conversationalist. Kind of like when someone asks what we did that day and my answer is " Well we- put that down please- went to the- I said don't play with the sugar- beach and- No don't touch that, I will get you a piece of bread- Sorry- where was I..." But if it was just us, I would not mind the opportunity to have some dinner companions.

[winddawn]

OK. We are traveling with some other folks so we'll coordinate with them and maybe change our dining choice. Thank you so much.

 

Divag

 

Be sure if you are traveling with people in other cabins that you link your reservations together so Carnival will know you want to dine together. Regardless of which time you choose.

[LabRat33470]

For the comedy club on the Carnival Magic, 7/2/17-7/8/17, the family friendly show was only at 9:30pm - the shows at 10:30 pm and 11:30pm we're adult only.

 

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[evandbob]

Early seating generally has more families and seniors. When a family comes to late dinner seating, it's 50/50 if the kids will behave themselves,maybe evn fall asleep, or be brats and whine.

 

I have always done late, and while I'm not a fan of Carnival's current theater entertainment, it is certainly possible to attend the early show and then dinner.

 

I just like relaxing after a day in port, taking my time to unwind before late dining. If in need of a snack prior to dinner, I go to the Taste Bar when it's open (I sail Conquest class ships and newer) and get 1/2 hour of losing $$ in the casino as well.

[Micahs Grandad]

For as long as I can remember the one time only shows were at a time where both seatings could attend. Like 10:30pm or so.

 

We did the Valor last year and we missed both due to late seating.

 

However to clarify by the time we finished dinner the venue was full.

[bury me at sea]

LOL I'm totally with you!!! I went with family on a cruise many years ago and we had early seating - OMG ... one cousin was always late and we had to wait for her every night and then rush through dinner. So not for me!!! Thanks much for your input.

 

 

Divag

 

Seems like a problem caused by your cousin, not inherently due to your time dining, early, or late seating.

[CruisingDivag]

For as long as I can remember the one time only shows were at a time where both seatings could attend. Like 10:30pm or so.

 

 

Great to know. I've never seen (in my small amount of cruising) where shows were only offered once but anything is possible. Thanks much.

[CruisingDivag]

Be sure if you are traveling with people in other cabins that you link your reservations together so Carnival will know you want to dine together. Regardless of which time you choose.

 

Yes, will do. Thank you.

[CruisingDivag]

In my mind I like late dining, but I go back and forth. Early dining seems so early- even though we eat about that time at home. And sometimes we eat a later lunch and I am just not hungry that early (on cruises that is). But when I do late dining then I am usually tired right after dinner. I probably eat more, due to actually being hungry at dinner time. Then with a full belly I want to let it settle before having a drink or doing too much. Then I get sleepy. I get more reflux too, due to not digesting everything before falling asleep.

 

But with late dining I also have less snacking- especially at night and drink less. So there are trade offs.

 

We usually do MTD, but I have told my husband if we ever cruise without our daughter, I would like to do traditional dining. MTD is great with smaller children because you are less likely to dine with others. I don't mind dining with others, but when my DD (who is six) is there, its difficult to both be a watchful parent and a good conversationalist. Kind of like when someone asks what we did that day and my answer is " Well we- put that down please- went to the- I said don't play with the sugar- beach and- No don't touch that, I will get you a piece of bread- Sorry- where was I..." But if it was just us, I would not mind the opportunity to have some dinner companions.

 

:) I can totally see that entire conversation happening. :) The trade off doesn't seem so bad to me. I generally rise very early - especially on vacation ... gotta get in my sun rises - so after dinner just chilling out works for me. Thanks much.

[CruisingDivag]

For the comedy club on the Carnival Magic, 7/2/17-7/8/17, the family friendly show was only at 9:30pm - the shows at 10:30 pm and 11:30pm we're adult only.

 

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Yes, I recall on other cruises, the 'adults only' show was much later in the evening. Even with late dining, we'd be able to catch it. Thanks so much

[cruzinlisa]

:) I can totally see that entire conversation happening. :) The trade off doesn't seem so bad to me. I generally rise very early - especially on vacation ... gotta get in my sun rises - so after dinner just chilling out works for me. Thanks much.

 

 

 

Yeah it's pretty much taken from real life events. It's getting better now though. LOL

 

 

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[CruisingDivag]

Seems like a problem caused by your cousin, not inherently due to your time dining, early, or late seating.

 

 

YES!!! She was definitely a problem child/adult. :D

[CruisingDivag]

Early seating generally has more families and seniors. When a family comes to late dinner seating, it's 50/50 if the kids will behave themselves,maybe evn fall asleep, or be brats and whine.

 

I have always done late, and while I'm not a fan of Carnival's current theater entertainment, it is certainly possible to attend the early show and then dinner.

 

I just like relaxing after a day in port, taking my time to unwind before late dining. If in need of a snack prior to dinner, I go to the Taste Bar when it's open (I sail Conquest class ships and newer) and get 1/2 hour of losing $$ in the casino as well.

 

 

I think I've become spoiled by choosing my own time ... so just the thought of having to make the decision of early or late is bugging me a little bit. :D No worries, whichever we choose, I'm sure we'll make the best of it and thoroughly enjoy our vacation. Thanks much for your comments - except the part about losing in the casino LOL.

[Micahs Grandad]

For the comedy club on the Carnival Magic, 7/2/17-7/8/17, the family friendly show was only at 9:30pm - the shows at 10:30 pm and 11:30pm we're adult only.

 

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

 

They will usually have family shows at 7 30 and 8 30 also. By skipping desert we can do early seating and generally make 7 30

[LabRat33470]

If carnival would publish the Fun Times, at least the bare bones schedule ahead of the cruise, many of the questions & answers would be clear. Had I had known the show schedules before boarding the ship, I would have gone straight to the MDR to try to get my assigned dining time changed.

 

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[kc58ab]

I've done both and even with typical dining at home much ealier then late dining we prefer that. It is nice to not have to be rushed getting back from ports. Time to shower and nap if u want. If u have a teen who has the full makeup and straightening hair before they will go late is the way. You can grab snack at lido and skip dessert and make most shows. Only thing I ever missed was 7 ish seaside movie.

[Haoie]

Late seating fan here. I tend to get a snack/light dinner before the actual dinner.

[riclop]

Good Morning All,

 

I am not new to CruiseCritic but had to create a new profile as old email no longer worked. Anyhoo ... My partner and I are late 40's and love cruising but have not been on a Carnival ship in quite some time (we'll be on Fascination in October). Can someone let me know the pros and cons of early vs. late dinner seating. We are accustomed to eating whenever we want on other cruise lines so this will be an interesting adventure - having a pre-set time to dine. :) :) Will we miss the shows if we choose late seating?? Thanks much for your help.

 

Divag

Whatever you choose you will not miss the shows.

[cruzinlisa]

I've done both and even with typical dining at home much ealier then late dining we prefer that. It is nice to not have to be rushed getting back from ports. Time to shower and nap if u want. If u have a teen who has the full makeup and straightening hair before they will go late is the way. You can grab snack at lido and skip dessert and make most shows. Only thing I ever missed was 7 ish seaside movie.

 

This is why I go back and forth between whether I would prefer late and early. I like early because if I eat late then I get tired and feel too full. But I also like the ability to take a nap in the late afternoon- especially after a long hot port day, and take a shower (like my second or third of the day usually lol). At home I rarely wear makeup or straighten my hair, but on vacation, I like to do it, because I have time. With earlier seating I just don't have time. That is probably why I always end up with MTD, because 7-7:30 is perfect for me. Gives me time to get ready, but not as late as late dining. But the trade off for me is no dinner companions. So if we do take a cruise without DD, I probably will pick late dining for the company. Then just watch, we will either get a table for 2 or with people who don't show up. HA

 

If I sleep in more in the AM, I won't have to worry about being tired as much after dinner. And without having my DD there, I probably won't be as tired. Oh, small children keep you young but they sure make you FEEL old. If I only had 1/100th of her energy.

[tjsmama]

Just checked and it's not available. We're used to eater later so maybe we'll just keep it. LOL Choices and more choices - I love it.

 

 

Divag

We are also cruising on the Fascination, in October (we are on the 8OCT sailing) and were able to get Your Time Dining. We initially chose Late seating, when we booked with our PVP but I changed it through My Cruise Manager to the Your Time Dining.

[OldSaltyCruiser]

My wife and I have found that if you book early dining and for whatever reason you decide to eat at the second seating, the host/hostess will find you a table for the evening. We tried "Your Time Dining" on several cruises and between having to stand in line and not having the same waitstaff each night, decided to go back to assigned early dining.