Early or Late Dining. Opinions please

[RKAJ]

I was hoping to get some advise on the dining seating. We are going with a party of 3 couples on the VOS 4/1 and originally I chose late seating, but the more I read I am wondering if I made the right choice...

 

I chose this seating because I didn't want to be rushed after getting back to the ship after a day at port, but I also don't want to miss any of the shows. Opinions would be great.

 

Thanks

[parrotthead]

There are varing views on this ...also several threads about it..personal prefrence, I think. You might try looking at a few of the other threads where this question has been ask, you will probably find out more than you ever wanted to know;)

[Bruin Steve]

I was hoping to get some advise on the dining seating. We are going with a party of 3 couples on the VOS 4/1 and originally I chose late seating, but the more I read I am wondering if I made the right choice...

 

I chose this seating because I didn't want to be rushed after getting back to the ship after a day at port, but I also don't want to miss any of the shows. Opinions would be great.

 

Thanks

Probably the most debated and most polar question on the board...

 

Some people prefer late, others early...and both groups seem to be convinced they are absolutely right...

 

There are arguments pro and con both seatings...though most may be rationalizations...Most folks could probably adapt well to either seating...but it really is a matter of personal preference...

 

Here's the basic rundown:

 

Late seating afficianados claim:

 

--Late seating has fewer kids (I guess they don't like kids)...

The argument counter to this is that they usually don't seat you at a table with kids unless you yourself have kids...and, depending on time of year and itinerary, most cruises don't have a lot of kids anyway...Also, on some European cruises with a large European contingent, the European families --with kids--are all at the late seating

 

--You don't have to rush through dinner to make way for the next seating...

Counter argument: This is total hogwash...They leave about a 2 to 2-1/4 hour window for EACH seating...plenty of time...and the wait staff wants you out of second seating so they can get their very short sleep time before breakfast...They move you along at BOTH seatings on a very similar schedule...

 

--You don't have to rush back from port to get ready for dinner...

There's sometimes some truth to this one, though far from the absolute some would have you think. Check your itinerary...If the ship sets sail at 5 pm in most ports, you've got to be back on board by maybe 4:30...There's plenty of time to get ready for dinner by 6 (remember "Formal nights" are typically on "at sea days")...unless. of course, you're married to that woman who "needs" 3 hours to dress for dinner...It only really becomes a problem for most of us when a ship is in port very late...and that's where it makes great sense to avail oneself of Specialty restaurants and alternative dining...Last cruise, we were in LeHavre late and merely arranged with the Maitre d' to have ourselves accommodated at late seating in that one port--no problem...

 

--They like to have a lot of time pre-dinner to drink martinis and go up on deck and watch the ship shove off from the dock...

This is important, I guess, for some people...not important at all for others...it's a lifestyle choice at best...

 

The arguments for Early Seating:

 

--It leaves a longer window for more nighttime activities...You're done with Dinner by 8:30, you can go to a show, then Karaoke or dancing or the casino...there's a longer night to enjoy the amenities of the ship...

The late seating argument is that there's always a later show...or a pre-dinner show (But, somehow, doesn't that counter the more time to get ready, drink martinis and watch the sailaway argument?)...or that the shows aren't that good or who gives a dang about the Karaoke or the Piano Bar or whatever...Again, it's a lifestyle choice...

 

--You don't go to bed on a full stomach...

I guess it depends on when you go to bed...

 

--You aren't still full for the Midnight Buffet

Well, most ships don't do many Midnight Buffets anymore...and, who can eat again even if you ate back at 6 to 8:30? But, of course, it does leave room for a little late night pizza or other snack...

 

--You don't come back from port hungry and have to wait around several hours before you can eat...

Of course, the Late Seating crowd will tell you they come back and go to the buffet or sushi or wherever for a bite to tide them over while waiting for dinner...

 

Personally, we prefer Early seating because we're accustomed to eating a little earlier while home and don't need much time to get ready for dinner...We also enjoy all of the nighttime activities on the ship...We've often been lucky and have been seated at tables near windows where we can watch the ship shove off while enjoying appetizers and the company of tablemates...

 

But, the real answer is....Whatever works for you...

[wolfcathorse]

I have had both. Early for our cruise in Alaska and late for my cruise to Costa Maya/Cozumel. They do 2 shows, the first show is for the late diners, the second is for the early diners. For our Alaskan cruise we sometimes missed interesting vistas because we were in the dining room. If you have early and the ship doesn't leave until late, then you're either going to have to come back to the ship for dinner or buy dinner on land so you get the most out of your port. If you have late, you shop til you drop and come back in time for departure and get dinner. But since we weren't used to eating a main meal at 8:30 at night, my sister and I were nauseous most nights after eating until about 10 am the next day. We tried sea bands, ginger, bonine etc. Finally sis went and ate in the Windjammer at 6:30 and was fine. I don't know how late Voyager leaves where you are but if its 11:00 pm I'd take early ccuz you can leave the ship again after eating if you didn't finish shopping. If this is everyones first cruise I'd take early too.

[wrp96]

For me, I prefer late seating. My biggest reason is I tend to eat around 7ish at home. Early seating starts at 6 and when the ship is an hour (or two ahead of my body) that would be like eating at 4 or 5 for me. I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both seatings and you just have to decide which one is more important to you.

 

One thing, I've found that if you are concerned about chair hogs, just go to the pool around 5pm. All of the people with early seating have cleared out to get ready for dinner and you have your choice of chairs around the pool.

[hokie78]

Just as with everything else, a matter of taste and opinion I guess. We like the late seating as well, although sometimes late gets a little too late depending on the kind of day you've had and how tired you are. The no rush approach to dinner after a day in port is a huge factor. Especially important if you're the happy hour type. You'll have plenty of time to get ready, relax and have a drink on your balcony or in one of the lounges before dinner. You'll also have a better chance to enjoy spectacular sunsets from your balcony or one of the decks, not to mention being able to enjoy each day's sail away. Most shows are available for both early and late seating diners. Going to a show before dinner--usually around 7--can seem a little convoluted to the apres theatre set, but it works if you really want to see the shows. You may have a conflict with the game shows like Love and Marriage and Quest, but I think they start late--especailly Quest. Late seating also works to keep us up late enough to get to see some of the lounge/bar entertainment. When dinner's over around 9:30-10, things are just starting to hop. I'd recommend early seating if you were traveling with yound children, but that doesn't sound like the case. But keep in mind those that do have young children will very likely be at early seating, so if you want to keep the Applebee's effect in check, go late.

[kenandlinda]

rkaj - We are going to be on that cruise too!! We like the early seating, I just get way to hungry to wait and then I end up piecing on anything! And believe me there is always food available!! We were on the Enchantment 2 years ago and had early dinner seating. I didn't feel like we were rushed, and we were out in plenty of time to see a show and then visit the casino if we wanted. And, if you think you might get hungry before bed, there is always pizza - ice cream - wonderful coffee drinks - you name it you can probably find it!!

Have a wonderful cruise!! See you there!

[beetlegirl]

I always choose the late seating because you have plenty of daylight to enjoy and you don't want to cut the day short. I have two teenagers and it is a lot easier to get them ready for the late seating rather than the early one.

 

As stated earlier, it is a matter of personal opinion as to what you want. I was never starved by the time the late seating arrived and it just seemed like a better atmosphere for some reason. And since you are on a cruise, you most likely will not be going right to bed after dinner.

[Sandy Aloisi]

It's true, whatever floats your boat! We eat by 6PM at home so it's what we're accustomed to (eating early), however, we did the Western Meditteranean cruise this past June on the Brilliance of the Seas and it was tight getting ready for dinner on time since the tours we had chosen were very long. Even though we did not travel with children, we were seated at a table with children (2 times) which did not pose a problem with us, but if you prefer only adults, you might request that

[weRready2go]

Last year I did the late thinking about not having a rush to get back in time to get ready for dinner. This was never an issue. The down fall that I had was that I had to do the late shows. They did not start until 10:00PM. I missed most of the shows because of the late start time. This year I am doing early, should be no time issues, hoping that I can see some of the shows this time around.

[Sheffie]

We did early seating for our first 2 cruises and have since switched to late seating. We like to be on deck for sail-away. I really enjoy watching the islands fade away. You usually cannot do this if you have early seating.

 

They have various times that they do the shows, so we didn't miss any of them. (that I can remember)

 

I don't like to be rushed when getting back from my excursions. I enjoy the "wind-down" time that I have before having to get ready for dinner.

 

Have a great time, no matter which you choose!

[cb at sea]

Really, just pick the time that is closest to your regular dinner time. Your body will be happier if you keep to a schedule that you're used to. You won't miss anything with either seating, so it's all up to you! Have fun and Bon Appetit!

[RKAJ]

Thanks for everyones advise. I think we'll keep late dining and see how it goes. Our 1st cruise we did early seating because we took our 2 children. We'll try something different this time...

 

Thanks

[Rala]

My compliments to BRUIN STEVE! Your explanation was the best reply I have ever read to this question which the good Lord knows has been asked a gazillion times on these boards which is FINE. I was a newbie myself a few years back and I think the first post I ever made was "What is a rubberband party?" Anybody out there remember those?

 

Anyway, I digress. Steve, just wanted to say GOOD ANSWER!!!!!

 

Oh, for those who don't know, A "rubberband party" was when people on a particular roll call would meet on board , "face to face". This was before RCI and CC teamed up to sponsor M&M's. The folks on the roll call started out wearing a rubber band on their wrists to recognize each other.

[suzeyQ]

I like late seating. We eat late at home so I don't want to mess with that while we're away!

[JerseyGirlJen]

I booked the late option to avoid the whiny KIDS!!!!!!!!!

[critterchick]

I booked the late option to avoid the whiny KIDS!!!!!!!!!

 

Wait till you sit with the whiny AND drunk adults!:D

[Lightsluvr]

Our "body clocks" are on the Central Time Zome. If we sail out of the east coast, late seating is actually 7:30 on our body clocks...not bad. We are interested to see how our "clocks" react to our Alaska cruise in June, when late seating will be equivalent of 10:30 CST!! I foresee a snack in the Windjammer shortly after the doors open for dinner...

 

LL

[Cape Cruiser 2007]

Well said Bruin!

MAke your arrangements- and you can always go to alternative restaurant if your plans for the night make you need to eat at a differetn time.:)

[zotzer]

To me, one of my favorite times on a ship is 5-6:00 at the pool area, drink in hand. Was on a cruise this past December with the whole extended family (which included kids), so it was the first time I had early seating. Didn't get to enjoy my twilight relaxation on the pool deck, and felt very rushed. I also enjoy the nightlife, and there was a huge lull in activity between 8:30 and 10:00 or so (I'm not a big show-goer...that would probably help fill that gap).

 

If you're kidless and with a group of relaxed, party type friends, it's probably a good bet to stick with the late seating.

 

Tracy

[Captain Crunch]

Is there always a show after the late seating?

 

We always prefer eating late, it extends the day and 4-7pm is prime in cabin fun time and find it more civilized. Hate eating supper when the sun's out. Make's me feel like I'm old.

[estreetbandfan523]

i went with the late dining on AOS and found that it was perfect. by having the late time, we felt we were not rushed to get back from port, and allowed us to take our time. the only downfall i felt about the late seating was that some shows are before dinner, i would rather have them after even if it means like 10pm. but none the less we loved it and we booked the late seating again.

 

GO WITH THE LATE TIME!!!!

[Vyhanek]

I've done both but after several cruises I have settled that I perfer the early seating. For all the arguments above, I won't repeat those.

 

The only other argument for the early dinner is that by waiting until the late seating I almost always had to go get a good snack around 5 or 6-pm becuase I was hungry and couldn't make it to the late seating. Reality is that this caused me to basically eat a whole additional meal and then I wasn't even very hungry for the dinner when we finally sat down to eat.

 

If I could have made it from lunch all the way to the late dinner without snacking that would be one thing but 8 pm is a long time to go without anything and with the buffet food being so available I would just stop down by and a well intended small snack turned out to be a full fledged meal.

 

Also, watching the shows before dinner isn't the same. I think most late diners end up skipping the shows. After all, if the early dinner is too early to make the shows starting at the same time are going to be too early to make also.

[retiredldo]

We like the early seating, why you ask ok and for those who didnt ask. We get in a dance or 2 before dinner, get to see shows and more dancing and the late seating is tough to do that in some cases plus I am up at 04 each day and even on the cruise I do sleep in till and then head to the gym or walk and by 615 at night time for dinner, so personal preference and it works out great for us

[ondeckatsea]

Our first cruise we had early. The next 17 we've gone for the late. We both hate having to rush to get to the dining room for the early seating. It's nice to have the extra time to watch the captain take the ship out of port and to give him directions if he needs help, (we stand at the top deck right by where he uses the joystick to move the ship) and chill out for a while. We have the pools to ourselves. It's great. In our other lives (on shore) we eat early and turn in early, but on a cruise we stay up late and come home exhausted. If they ever changed us to early seating I'd be very upset. Also, no bratty kids. Don't get mad, I love kids, but have seen many little "out of control" monsters in the past. Glad they can't stay up late.