Switching Dining Times

[Nicki828]

We ended up booking a last minute Christmas cruise (beginning of November) to join friends.  They are on anytime dining, while we were only able to get late dining.  We would really like to be able to eat together - at least a couple of times.  How easy is it to switch once on board?  This is our first time cruising over Christmas - so we know it is much busier, just wondering if there is any likelihood that we will be able to switch once on board.  Has anyone else had success switching on a full cruise?

[Nic6318]

13 minutes ago, Nicki828 said:

We ended up booking a last minute Christmas cruise (beginning of November) to join friends.  They are on anytime dining, while we were only able to get late dining.  We would really like to be able to eat together - at least a couple of times.  How easy is it to switch once on board?  This is our first time cruising over Christmas - so we know it is much busier, just wondering if there is any likelihood that we will be able to switch once on board.  Has anyone else had success switching on a full cruise?

 

Hi

 

Jut to add that most cruises sail full. You really shouldn't notice "more" of a crowd.

 

Also, without changing dining times, you would always be able to dine together, for breakfasts or brunches in the main dining room, as well as you could all take a break and get together for dinner on the Lido deck, or even make reservations for a special steak house night. I would imagine since it is the holidays if you chose to do that, you would might want to pick a day as soon as possible.

 

That being said, if you do want to change to dining times, the process would be no different than any other cruise date. First you would have to decide which family was going to change, and someone from that group would need to see the maître d' as soon as you board. If you go to the dining room, there will be a line of others wanting to do the same thing. If at all possible, they will make it happen. 

 

hope this helps

have a great cruise

 

[serene56]

The Maitre de starts meeting about 1pm in the dining room on embarkation day.    Get there as early as possible to make your switch   

[Nicki828]

1 hour ago, Nic6318 said:

 

Hi

 

Jut to add that most cruises sail full. You really shouldn't notice "more" of a crowd.

 

Also, without changing dining times, you would always be able to dine together, for breakfasts or brunches in the main dining room, as well as you could all take a break and get together for dinner on the Lido deck, or even make reservations for a special steak house night. I would imagine since it is the holidays if you chose to do that, you would might want to pick a day as soon as possible.

 

That being said, if you do want to change to dining times, the process would be no different than any other cruise date. First you would have to decide which family was going to change, and someone from that group would need to see the maître d' as soon as you board. If you go to the dining room, there will be a line of others wanting to do the same thing. If at all possible, they will make it happen. 

 

hope this helps

have a great cruise

 

Thanks for your reply.  I've been on many cruises - but this is the first time I have had to change dining times.  Dinner is the one time during the day when we all like to gather together - so I'm hoping I will be able to switch.  

[Nicki828]

19 minutes ago, serene56 said:

The Maitre de starts meeting about 1pm in the dining room on embarkation day.    Get there as early as possible to make your switch   

Thanks for the tip!  I will head over asap.

[dmdiver]

We've only changed once.  We had booked a last minute trip so we were waitlisted for anytime dining.  When we boarded, they had put us in late seating, which is a no go for us.  The maitre d' was able to get us into early seating as long as we were willing to share a booth.  It worked out well, since we met a nice couple.

[nwo4life]

6 hours ago, Nicki828 said:

We ended up booking a last minute Christmas cruise (beginning of November) to join friends.  They are on anytime dining, while we were only able to get late dining.  We would really like to be able to eat together - at least a couple of times.  How easy is it to switch once on board?  This is our first time cruising over Christmas - so we know it is much busier, just wondering if there is any likelihood that we will be able to switch once on board.  Has anyone else had success switching on a full cruise?

 

Carnival's Brand Ambassador John Heald will assist you. Contact him 4 days before you sail via his Facebook page. He will need last names and cabin numbers.

[GradUT]

Your chances of dining together are likely to be much better if your friends will move over to the late seating to be with you.  On a recent cruise we took on the Pride, the Maitre D’ told us that late dining is usually about 1/2 full and, thus, the waitstaff can give their tables much more attentive service.  The service we had during our late dining was superb!